Sorry the updates are so slow. But I just discovered something that will probably speed things up by a longshot.

Also, thought you should know that I have a potential idea for a story after this: Tori and the rest of the gang are demigods. Kind of like a Percy Jackson/Victorious crossover, but not really. I know there's probably a zillion of those, but maybe you'll read it? It would be Bade! Tell me your thoughts, please.

Jade was starting to wonder if she was really just an idiot. Sure, meeting her worst enemy who happened to be trespassing on her land and holding one of her cities in secret had seemed like a great idea last night, but now she was having second thoughts.

Of course, she didn't know Beck was holding the city until after their meeting. At noon earlier that day, Robbie had arrived at the castle saying a small city just outside the royal city was being held by the Topaz army. He didn't mention that Prince Beck was there, but Jade figured he must be.

She didn't tell anyone, even though she knew she should. So far, her father was refusing to drive them out because he thought they were too strong, and he didn't think it was quite worth it. If he knew Beck was there... well, that would be a different story. He'd send his entire army there to pulverize them, and Beck would-

No. She didn't want to think about what would happen to Beck.

So, thanks to her spur of the moment stupidity, she was standing next to a river, just in the spray of the waterfall, in the dead of night, with only a small knife for protection. She held it defensively in front of her, terrified that someone would leap out and attack her. Any of Beck's soldiers would jump at the chance to murder her on the spot. For all she knew, Beck would too.

She jumped as she heard a twig snap in the forest, and she whipped around to face the trees. Her eyes darted uncertainly from shadow to shadow.

"Who's there?" She called, trying to make sure her voice didn't shake. "I'm armed!" She held out the knife threateningly.

Suddenly she heard a rush of footsteps from her left. She tried to turn, but it was too late. She heard the clink of metal as the knife was knocked out of her hands. Suddenly there was a powerful arm around her waist, binding her arms behind her. She could also feel a sword jabbing at her throat.

Yes, this had indeed been a bad idea. She opened her mouth to scream, but before she could, she heard a quiet laugh in her ear.

"Come on, sweetheart. If you want to defend yourself, you'll have to do better than that."

He released her, and Jade turned to face her captor. "Beck, what in the Kingdoms are you doing?" She hissed.

He shrugged and casually twirled his sword. "Just thought I'd show you that that knife will get you nowhere unless you know how to use it."

"I do know how to use it!" Jade scowled.

Beck snorted. "Right. So if I were a real enemy, you'd be able to get away?"

"Of course," Jade scoffed.

Beck raised his sword. "Then go for it."

Jade raised her chin defiantly and bent down to pick up her knife. She charged at him and tried to swerve around him, out of range of his sword, but he dashed to the side and knocked her back with the flat of his weapon.

She stood again and ran at him again. And once again, she was knocked to the ground. She must have tried ten times to get around him before she finally managed to nearly stab him in the shoulder with her knife. She thought she might have, at long last, beaten him, but she somehow found herself pushed against the trunk of a tree with the sword at her chest.

Jade glared furiously at Beck's smirking little face. "What are you doing? This is a real sword, Beck! You could have hurt me! You could have killed me!"

Beck pulled his blade back and ran his fingers over it fondly, admiring it's shimmer. "Nah, I couldn't have. I'm an expert, Jade. Been swordfighting since I could stand. Even before, actually. I know what I'm doing."

Jade said nothing, but kept a curious gaze fixed on him. She'd grown up learning that royalty shouldn't have to defend themselves. They had knights and servants and soldiers to do that for them. But something about the idea of being able to take care of herself, of being able to take down whomever she wanted... well, it was intriguing.

"Teach me."

Beck's eyes snapped up in surprise. "What?"

"Teach me to swordfight. I want to learn."
Beck looked skeptical. "Really?"

"Yes!" Jade insisted. "You think I'm not serious?"

"Well... Alright, that's what I think. Weren't you the one who was all, 'that's so stupid for a prince to be out fighting'?"

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

Beck grinned. "Alright, I'll show you."

He sauntered over to a tree and hacked off two thin branches. He sheathed his sword, then tossed one branch to Jade.

"That's your sword. Since you're right-handed, you're going to want to hold it with your right hand. Use your other hand if you need to, but only sparingly, because in a real fight, your left hand would probably be holding a shield."

Jade lowered her right hand to the bottom of the branch. "Like this?"

"Mmm... close," Beck corrected. He walked over to her and grabbed his hand and moved it as he spoke. Jade froze at his touch, though she didn't know why. "Move your hand up a little. You have six or eight inches for the handle."

"Wait," Jade froze, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "How did you know I was right-handed?"

She felt Beck's hand tense on hers. "Just... I noticed the hand you always used when you unlocked my cell door. I'm really very observant."

Somehow the defense was unconvincing. She knew that he couldn't remember Cat's last name for the life of him, but then, maybe he was just one of those weird people who remembered little things... like what hand a person wrote with.

Beck pulled away from him and readied his own "sword." For the first few bouts, he let her try her own methods, but it was obvious that she was getting nowhere, so he gave her some lessons in basic technique.

She had to admit that he was a good teacher. He would show her an offensive move, then show her how to defend it. He'd move slowly and let her know what he was going to do, then practice it with her over and over again until she had it down. And he was patient, even when it seemed she'd never nail the move.

They must have practiced for two hours before Beck glanced at the sky. "It's getting late," he murmured. "Or early. We should probably go home now."

Jade narrowed her eyes. "Home?"

"Camp?" Beck said sheepishly.

She narrowed her eyes and smirked.

Beck chuckled with amusement. Then he stopped and looked up at her quite seriously. "You'll come back tomorrow night, right?"

Jade hesitated for a moment, but then:

"Yes," she breathed.

Beck grinned. "Good. I can't wait." He took the branches and stowed them under a bush. "Night, Jade," Beck called as he walked back into the woods.

Jade couldn't help but think that he still looked handsome in peasant's clothes.

-

"Hey Beck, where've ya been?"

Beck jumped and dropped Snowfeather's reins in surprise. He turned and faced the figure, obscured by the stable's shadows.

"Andre..." Beck sighed in relief. "You startled me."

"Yeah, obviously." Andre came closer so Beck could make out his features better. "So, where have you been? I saw you leave the city."

"You know... just out riding."

Andre raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Outside the city? Beck, are you a complete idiot?"

"No! I was disguised as a peasant. And no one saw me."

"You were out on a joyride in enemy territory in the middle of the night?" Andre mused. "Something seems wonky. Why?"

Beck shifted uncomfortably. "Just riding, like I said." He hated lying to his assistant and best friend, but what was he going to say? I was off meeting the princess who should want to kill me and teaching her exactly how to do it? Somehow he thought that would be reported straight to his father, and that would not go over well.

"I like riding at night," the prince continued. "It... it clears my head."

Andre studied Beck through narrowed eyes. "Alright... just don't do it again, alright?"

"I was planning on going out again tomorrow," Beck informed him.

"Don't," Andre advised. "Seriously."

Beck scowled. He wasn't used to being ordered around. "I'm sorry, Andre, but who's in charge around here? I'm going out again tomorrow and you can't stop me."

Andre sighed. "Then at least let me come with."

"No!" Beck exclaimed hastily. "I mean... no. It's being alone which really gives me time to think."

"I won't say a word. You won't notice me."

"Andre, I said no," Beck growled.

Andre eyed him suspiciously as he started toward the stable door.

"Oh, and Andre, don't mention my night rides to anyone, m'kay?" He called over his shoulder as he left.

"Why ever not?"

"It'll only worry them," Beck told him smoothly. "And when I say tell no one, I mean it, okay? That's an order, Andre, and don't think I won't react properly if you disobey. Don't forget who I am."

As he strolled out the door, he heard Andre shouting, "Fine, I won't tell, Oh Lord Prince. Well don't forget who I am, alright? That's right, your best friend who's done nothing but look out for you! Have you forgotten that, Beck? Have you?"

Beck froze and clenched his fists, anger rising in his throat. But staring at Andre's face, a mix of hurt and fury, he suddenly felt bad. The rage ebbed to be replaced with a hollow guilt. He sighed and relaxed his shoulders in defeat.

"I'm sorry, 'Dre," Beck murmured. "I know you're only trying to help... It's just that I'm pretty stressed out right now. This whole holding a city in the heart of enemy territory thing... worse than you think."

"I always thought it would be bad," Andre admitted.

"I know," Beck nodded. "And it's worse. I'm sorry, Andre, but please please please don't tell anyone. If they know, they'll just be worried about my safety."

"With right," Andre pointed out quietly.

Beck sighed. "I'll be fine. I promise."

His friend stared at him for a very long time before nodding. "Alright," he agreed finally. "Your secret's safe with me. And I accept your apology. Just be careful, okay?"

So Andre finally made an appearance. Sorry that took so long. And I did something I almost never do: I switched POVs in the middle of a chapter. So don't expect that too often, because I don't typically like to do that.

Thank you to Happyjade25, Victoriousjadefan, alexjogia, asian fusion-tike, Ellie, jhenybadefan, AcrossTheRiverNotDown, LuvBadeForever, Yamile324, Melann55, BroadwayPrincess95, LizGilliesFanForever, Isabel Jade, bookfreaklol, bsblchick82, What. that. supposed. to. mean, and DifferentOne4Ever for reviewing!

Wait... did I get 17 reviews in one chapter!? You guys are awesome! I was hoping for ten reviews, maybe fifteen if I was lucky. But seventeen!? You all rock! Think I could possibly get twenty reviews on one chapter by the time this story ends? Please?