AN: Here it is folks!

Thank you all so much for the reviews!

Jeez how did a one shot turn into ten chapters?!

It's a bit long and on the heavy side.

Warning: This chapter is very dark and graphic!

Please do not read if it maybe in any way triggering

I do not own VicTorious.

There was a warm body pressed to her side, that was the first thing Tori noticed. Her eyes remained closed, the embrace feeling very comforting. She couldn't remember what had been bothering her before she'd fallen asleep. Her eyes felt sore from crying and her head pounded just a bit. What had been bothering her? Upon remembering the note and the deal brown eyes shot open. They immediately recognized the room and the bed. She was still in the hospital with Jade. Jade! Brown eyes quickly searched and found the blue eyes were already on her.

"Look who's finally awake," a familiar voice spoke just above her. Jade gave the brunette a warm smile. Her arm was hooked underneath and around the pop singer's waist, holding her as close as they could be without hurting each other. A dark brow arched up in concern when Tori sat up quickly in a panicked manner.

Brown eyes searched urgently for any sign that gave away any hint that she may have passed the deadline for the meeting. The sky view from the window was dark. It was late. She'd fallen asleep and it was now night time.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jade sat up, her hand rubbed the brunette's back in attempt to calm her.

"Jade, what time is it?" Tori asked. She managed to keep her voice calm enough for the actress not to detect her fear. The soothing feel of the girl's hand on her back helped her relax as she found the clock against the wall.

Jade sighed and rolled her eyes. That's was she was worried about? She glanced over at the time and smirked down at the brunette. "It's eight-fifty, babe, almost nine. You slept most of the day," she answered with a relieved smile. Her hand moved up the small back and up to stroke aside the auburn locks from Tori's shoulder.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Tori asked. Her bottom curled into a pout. She'd slept the day away. She had just over three hours left with the dark haired girl because of it. Counting the time caused her stomach to feel tight again. She didn't want to think about it. When the time arrived, she'd have to face it.

"You were sleeping so peacefully, Tori. I didn't want to wake you," Jade replied. She took the brunette's chin in her hand and looked deep into the brown eyes she found so fascinating. Deep down she felt disappointed when blue eyes did not find the small glint of hope they'd seen earlier.

Glancing down at the small child-like pout, Jade couldn't help but want to kiss it away. So she did. Cupping the brunette's chin, she moved to close the distance between them and pressed her lips against the singer's in a soft kiss. The urgency the brunette responded with stunned her for a moment but she didn't hesitate to return the force with just as much passion.

As the broke apart, a small smile grew across Tori's lips. She gave Jade a quick peck before leaning back to take a look at the girl she loved so dearly.

Jade found herself out of breath with a mirroring grin. She wasn't sure what had suddenly possessed Tori. She'd responded to the kiss earlier with the same amount of force and urgency. They'd only managed to tell each other they loved each other once, before the actress had gone missing. They'd missed each other. That's what Jade figured. She'd missed Tori just as much as Tori had missed her was all.

"I never thanked you for saving my life," Tori whispered.

Jade raised a brow. "Why would you need to thank me?"

"If it hadn't been for you I'd be….I'd be…" Tori was unable to finish the sentence, her stomach suddenly feeling like it had gone through the worst ride of its life.

"Hey, look at me. You don't need to thank me for anything okay? You're here now and that's all that matters," Jade assured her looking at her with hard blue eyes.

"I'm just really sorry you've been so affected by all of this," brown eyes glanced at the banded shoulder.

Jade shook her head. "I'm not sorry. There's nowhere else I'd rather be, Tori. You're here now, safe in my arms and away from that monster. That's all that really matters," she said earnestly. Tori could only nod in response. She couldn't find the words to reply. How could she when she knew that in less than three hours she would once again be in that monster's presence?

….

The past remaining hours they had spent talking casually, like there wasn't a care in the world. Jade had explained to Tori how she'd been able to get away from her father. It had stunned her to learn he'd been the one to release her. He'd allowed Jade to go, but of course there was a catch. He wanted Tori in return. Jade was unaware and as she had continued explaining how she'd awoken once again in Trina's room, Tori couldn't help but feel weighted with guilt at how oblivious Jade really was to the current situation. The man would never leave Tori alone, not as long as he was alive and she was still in his reach.

There were five minutes left before midnight. Brown eyes had been on the sleeping form beside her for the last half hour as they tried to memorize every angle, every curve, every freckle the sleeping beauty had. She didn't want to forget any part of Jade. She wanted to remember her just like she was in that moment. Peacefully sleeping with a gentle smile, no concern creasing neither her brows, nor a pout formed. The brunette couldn't recall the last time she'd seen the girl so relaxed. There was always something upsetting those blue eyes and her lips always appeared to be curved into a frown. Tori was just glad to see that for once there was no trace of that in Jade's sleeping form. Softly she brushed back a dark strand of hair, her thumb caressed the pale cheek gently.

She'd miss it, touching the girl so delicately and seeing her smile. Tori knew her father. She knew the odds of her ever seeing Jade after she turned herself in to her father were slim to none. He'd punish her for disobeying him, betraying him, under his eyes, she'd betrayed him.

"You protected me once, now it's my turn," she whispered as she kissed the girl's cheek. She detached herself from the girl's embrace hesitantly when she felt her own body begin to tremble with emotion. She couldn't cry. Not anymore. She had to be strong, keep her head up, and phase her consequences. She'd known from the moment she began to show up at the actress' doorstep that eventually she would have to face her father for breaking away from his hold. She hissed as she removed the needles from her hand.

Tori was still unsure how she was going to get out if her room without being caught. There were guards out in the hallway with strict orders from Jade's father. Searching through the small pile of clothes by the television, Tori grabbed a dark pair of jeans and a light gray t-shirt. She knew they belonged to the sleeping girl. Beck had brought her some clothes during his visits. She pulled on her sneakers quickly. Among the pile lay a folded picture. Tori quickly recognized the image and felt her heart flutter at the sight of it. It was one that had been taken at the grand party Andre had the past summer at Keenan Thompson's house during the song the gang and the iCarly gang had performed. She smiled warmly remembering how easily Jade had carried her on her back. That was the one time Jade didn't seem to actually hate her. They giggled and shared stories that night like they had been best friends for years. That was the night Tori was more than certain she was in love with her. The way she'd looked at her and smiled, it had made her feel all mushy inside.

Placing the picture back in its place along with a note she had written soon after Jade had fallen asleep, she grabbed a black hoodie and pulled it over her head. She had less than a minute left. Looking one final time over at the dark haired girl, she smiled sadly. Her stomach knotted and her heart beat furiously. She had to do this. No matter how afraid she was, she had to face her father again. Taking in a deep breath, she braced herself and opened the room door quietly. Too consumed with how she'd get out of her room, Tori failed to notice the note her father had written was still in her sleeping wear. To her surprise she found that the guard was over by the nurse's counter with a coffee in his hand as he chatted up the blonde woman who had delivered the food earlier. The woman seemed oddly familiar, like she'd met her outside of the hospital.

Tori quickly glanced both ways and shut the door behind her quietly, ignoring the woman altogether. Without looking back, she pulled the hood over her head and made her way to the elevators. She could feel the blood rushing to her head, making her light headed as the numbers of the elevator decreased as they passed each floor. A small bell sound rung, signaling the arrival of the first floor. Her hands were trembling now in her pockets as she stepped into the main floor. A man seated alone in the corner of the isolated room with a hat quickly caught her attention. Swallowing slowly, heavy legs led her to his direction.

The man raised his gaze briefly from his paper. He folded it and set it on the chair beside him before standing. Tori didn't recognize the man. She'd never seen him before. His dark green eyes sent shivers down her back. He had a scar just above the corner of his lip on the left. He gave her a small smirk before nodding and gesturing for her to follow him. She followed close behind as they made their way out into the cold night. They were almost to the parking lot when a black car with dark tinted windows approached them. The passenger door swung open before Tori. The strange man said nothing and continued walking, leaving the brunette alone. Tori knew who it was. She slipped into the seat and shut the door, her head bowed as she feared to look into the driver's eyes.

"Good girl," David spoke as he turned to look at the hooded brunette. Tori pulled down her hood and nodded. She buckled up and looked down at her hands, trying desperately not to cry.

"You made the right choice, Tori," David said as the car began to move out of the hospital lot. "But you will be punished for disobeying me." A large hand reached out to grab the brunette's thigh and gripped it hard enough to make the young Vega groan in pain. "You will learn not to disobey me again," he growled.

Tori only nodded in response. She bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood as she forced her body to stop trembling. As the car drove away from the hospital, she had a stomach twisting feeling her father would keep to his word. He would do whatever it took to teach her a lesson she'd remember. And Tori knew what that meant. She hugged her ribs already feeling the coming pain. She knew her body wouldn't be able to take anymore, it still ached. She turned her gaze aside and stared out the dark window to enjoy for one final time the sight of the night sky. It might be her last time to do so.

The memory of the sleeping actress comforted her. She'd be safe, alive, she reminded herself. It comforted her indeed, but not enough to settle the growing fear in her stomach. Her father's hold remained on her leg with the same amount of force. She wasn't sure just how far her father would be willing to go. Was he really a monster? Did he really hate her enough to…to… She couldn't complete the thought. It would only make it worse. Once more she swallowed her tears and gaze hard out the window.

...

The sunlight peeking through the window awoke the thespian. She groaned feeling sore from her shoulder as blue eyes slowly opened. She moved around in attempt to find some warmth. Jade noticed the absence of a warm body beside her and quickly sat up. She looked around the room in search of the young Vega. Panic began to fill her when the girl was nowhere to be found. Jade hopped out of bed ready to look in the bathroom when a piece of paper sticking out from underneath the pants that had belonged to Tori caught her attention. Her breath hitched upon reading the words. She felt the whole room begin to spin as what the note said fell into place. Tori had left. She turned herself in, to her father. That son of a bitch had given Tori no other choice. There was always a choice! Jade thought with angry tears. Did Tori have a death wish? Why was the brunette being so reckless suddenly? Why?!

Shaking her head in anger and panic she began to move away when again a piece of paper caught her attention. It lay just beneath the folded picture on the table. Trembling fingers picked it up and began to read over it. Blue eyes recognized the writing.

Jade,

My dear Jade. I want you to know that I love you. I love you so much and I want you to understand one thing. What I have done was not meant to hurt you in anyway. On the contrary, it was done to give you a chance, a chance to live a full life. One you truly deserve. You deserve to be happy. I've seen the pain you've endured from the moment I first showed up on your doorstep and I can't handle seeing you so unhappy. All I want is for you to be happy and safe; to be away from my father's wrath.

I know the man. He hurt you, more than once. You never deserved that. It was my fault for bringing you into the situation that did not involve you. You have no idea how upset I was when I found out you'd been taken by my father. I'm certain you must feel the way I did, but it's different this time around. You see in this case I turned myself in. I made a deal with my father. One I knew I could not turn down, not when it meant you'd be safe. I told you once before, that it was not your job to protect me, Jade and I mean it. Look where that led you. You got hurt, he could have killed you. I can't allow that to happen again. Not when I know I can prevent it from ever happening again.

This was never between you and him. This was always between my father and I. I must now face my father and accept what I deserve for making such a terrible mess. I ask that you do not seek me. Let me be. It's my choice and I choose this, to accept my punishment. From this point on whatever happens I just want you to continue on with your life.

You never really loved me Jade. It was pity and I know that now. My father may not be the kindest man, but he's always been honest with me. I know he hates me, he's said it many times, my mother feels sorry for me and Trina's only stuck around out of guilt. You felt obligated to care because of my situation, but it's okay, because for those small moments, I actually felt loved for once in my life. I felt happy. I'm sorry I burdened you with my troubles. I hope you one day accept my apology and realize I never meant for you to get hurt.

I do love you, Jade. That was never a doubt in my mind. And it's because I love you that I must be strong and protect you. That is why I must face my father.

Love Always, Tori.

Jade was sobbing by the time she finished reading the letter. She couldn't breathe, couldn't stand. Her world had just collapsed before her. The man had stripped Tori from all her confidence, all her hope. She couldn't believe it. Every single word in the letter cut through Jade. Tori had burdened Jade? She actually believed that. She'd managed to convince herself that Jade didn't love her, that she simply felt sorry for her and despite her belief she was willing to risk her life because she loved her. She loved Jade so much she was willing to accept her father's punishment.

The man was going to kill her. He'd almost done it back when Jade found Tori in the guest house. That's why he had let her go. He never wanted her in the first place. He'd done it just to hurt Tori. He knew how to manipulate her. That bastard knew it would work!

Another sob was heard as Jade realized Tori knew he was going to kill her. That's why she'd been acting so strange the night before, that's why she'd been so desperate to be glued to Jade's hip. She'd been saying her farewell. The kisses, the hugs, the apologies, she knew. As the door swung open, Jade continued to cry as her father knelt beside her. She could see his mouth moving but failed to understand what he was saying. It was all too much. Tori was gone, she'd left. She'd walked into a death trapped and left behind only a letter asking Jade forgive her for involving her and getting her hurt.

"I hope you one day accept my apology and realize I never meant for you to get hurt.." The words rang in Jade's head, making her sick to her stomach. How would she find her now? She'd left without a trace and didn't want to be found. "This was always between my father and I."

No.

"I ask that you do not seek me. Let me be. It's my choice and I choose this, to accept my punishment."

No!

"I just want you to continue on with your life."

NO! Jade shook her head violently as her father took her in his arms. She was never one to listen, and she'd be damned first if she'd begin following orders now. She was going to find Tori and save her. It was her job to protect her. She did love her. She was going to prove the brunette wrong. Her father was indeed unkind, but he was no honest man. He was a liar, a manipulator, a killer. Jade was not going to allow him to take an innocent life. Not when Tori was the one who deserved to live a full life.

She continued to cry and repeated one simple word as she sobbed in her father's arms, No.

...

"You're a fucking disgrace," David spat. "I don't know how the hell you wound up being my daughter. You're so weak and pathetic. You've always been a disappointment," he continued eyeing the brunette with such hatred in his eyes as he shook his head in disgust.

Even after all those years his words still hurt. Tori could feel tears burning in her eyes as she lowered her head to hide them from her father. She knew he hated seeing her cry.

"See there you go again! You want a reason to cry, I'll give you one." With that his foot collided with her stomach emitting a horrible scream from the young Vega. She collapsed on her knees from the pain, hugging her stomach desperately and trying to breathe. "I'm sorry, daddy," she whispered. Her eyes shut tightly as she tried to will the tears away.

David growled angrily, his hand grabbed her chin harshly and raised it to meet her gaze. "You will not speak unless told to do so." His hand connected with her cheek after in a hard slap. She would learn to obey him, if it was the last thing she did, she would learn. "Understood?" He hissed.

When Tori only nodded weakly again he slapped her. "Answer me!" he demanded.

"Yes," she whispered. She wanted to cry, wanted to lie down and just let it all out, but she knew it was best not to. Not if she wanted to see Jade again. Jade. That caused her to smile slightly to herself.

David did not miss the gesture and huffed. "What the hell are you smiling about?" he growled.

Quickly the smile faltered as she shook her head wanting to deny ever having done it. Tori groaned after David once again collided his foot with her stomach. This time around he managed to get her sore ribs that resulted with Tori crying out in agony.

"Did I not ask you a question? Now answer me!" he roared ignoring her cries.

Tori trembled uncontrollably. She held her arm around her stomach struggling to regain her breath and steady her crying. "I…was...just...thinking..." she managed to reply. Her eyes remained shut in pain. She wasn't sure how much more her body could take, not when every part was screaming, begging to make it stop. They'd just begun with her punishment; the officer was not ready to back down yet and Tori knew that.

David scoffed at her response. "Pointless thoughts I assume. You were an idiot, Tori. A complete moron to even consider anyone taking you away from me. No one can save you. Not even your little friend Jade." He smirked. "Oh dear, please don't tell me you actually thought she cared about you." He chuckled when his daughter did not respond.

Her head dropped in defeat. He was right. She would never be free of him. No matter what, he'd always find a way to hurt her, if not directly, then with the ones she loved. That's why she'd turned herself in. She didn't want to compromise anyone else's life. Not Trina's, not her mother's, and especially not Jade's. Mentally she smiled recalling how it had felt to have the girl tell her she loved her. It had soothed away the pain. Those three simple words. She'd probably never hear them again or get another chance to say them to Jade. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she imagined how upset Jade would be. But at she'll live, she reminded herself. She'll live.

"Oh, Tori I thought you knew better. Your dear Jade couldn't care less about you. The entire time she was with me, she kept going on about how whiny you were and how sick you made her with your always trying to be nice and helpful." He rolled his eyes.

Tori flinched at his words.

"You know why I let her go?" he smirked. "I let her go because I knew it would be worse for her to be in your company than mine. She begged me to stay. Said she wanted to be as far from you as possible. She's quite the little actress, she fooled you didn't she?" he laughed. "Oh Tori, I guess you'll never learn." He knelt down to her level and looked directly into the dark brown eyes, his hand grasping her chin painfully tight. "No one loves you, Tori. No one will ever love you. No one," his words held such enmity, Tori found herself believing them.

"No one," she repeated to herself.

"Very good," he smirked. "I guess it's not too late for you to learn." He stood once more, towering over the torn brunette.

Brown eyes remained on the ground. He was right. No one loved her. No one would ever love her. She closed her eyes and braced herself for another blow. Sure enough a foot collided with her ribs, causing her to fall flat on her back from the pain. As much as it hurt, it could not compare to the words he'd just told her. She would never know what is felt like to be loved. Never. As she coughed up the metallic flavored fluid and coughed in pain, her eyes burned with tears. She'd loved Jade and all she could have hoped for was that she too would love her.

No one, the words echoed in her head. No one.

AN: Okay I've considered many ways to take this story and I've often returned to changing this story into a tragedy. Given the situation, the outcome is not always all rainbows in the end. I really want to know what you think and if I should indeed proceed to changing the story into a tragic line.

Please let me know!

P.S. Serendipity should be up sometime this week ;)

Please Review!