AN: Hey guys! I have a request for you - is there any good Jori fanfiction out there that you'd recommend? Make a case for them in the comments! I'll try to be better about updating for the next few chapters (on both stories). Usually the start of my semester isn't too busy. Comments are huge motivation, however :D


Tori and Jade ignored the teasing gibes they received the second they crossed the threshold and weaved through the crowd to the bar where Mercy appeared to be setting a patron up for a very good (or very bad, in Tori's opinion) evening. He already had three empty shot glasses in front of him, and Mercy filled three more to overflowing as they seated themselves.

"Two nights in one week. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Mercy deadpanned as he dropped the empty glasses into a sink full of soapy water.

"You should know by now that you light up my life." Jade responded with equal sincerity. She spun in her chair to scan the room.

"Bar's for customers, West." He scowled. "You and cheekbones here need to buy something or clear out. This location's too small for you to waste space."

"Two double Scotches on the rocks." Tori slapped a $20 on the counter. "Surely that will at least buy us 15 minutes without you interrupting us." She steeled her gaze and tried her hardest to look intimidating. Jade found herself smirking proudly as Mercy snatched up the bill with a grumble and prepared their drinks.

"You don't strike me as a Scotch girl." She stared at amber liquid as it sloshed against the sides of her glass.

"... I hate Scotch. I panicked, but I didn't think it'd be wise to order two apple-tinis."

"... Apple-tinis." Jade stared at her, her brow creeping up her forehead.

"I really like apple-tinis." Tori purposefully avoided eye contact.

"I'm not at all surprised. So what are you going to do with your many-tough-sailor-esque Scotch?"

"I'm going to be tough and drink it." She replied resolutely, taking a small sip. "Oh, God. How does it still burn so bad with ice?" Goosebumps rose on her tan skin and she cringed while she waited for the sensation to pass. Jade reached out to rub her arm reassuringly as she sipped her own drink casually.

"I think Mercy knows something." Tori wheezed.

"Of course he does." The pair stared him down as he poured orders at the end of the bar. If he was aware of them he didn't act like it.

"What's our game plan?" The Guardian asked.

"I don't know yet."

"As long as it doesn't involve throwing me into a pack of vampires again, I'm open to options." Tori forced down another sip of her Scotch as Jade snorted in amusement. "I really hate Scotch."

"Well that's a shame, honey. What's your poison? It's on me." A towering figure slipped into the space between Tori and Jade's seats and both girls recoiled to preserve their personal space.

Jade was immediate assaulted with the coppery scent of blood. Her eyes wandered up towards his grey face, his dark eyes, his pointed teeth. Vampire.

"I overheard you saying you didn't want to be thrown into a pack… I hope I'm not too much for you." He smiled purposefully to reveal his long canines. Jade peered around him to find Tori rigid with caution; her entire career as a Guardian had prepared her to stake first, ask questions later. Vampires were evil, and it was her job to eradicate evil. That training was working against her right now, as she fought every urge to react in the way that felt natural. Jade, on the other hand, had been keeping cautious company with vampires for decades now. Pandora was an agreeable neutral ground; once across the threshold there were specific rules: no biting, no slaying.

They caught each other's gaze and Jade easily recognized the silent plea in her eyes, "Help."

The half-demon took another deeper sip of her drink and shouldered the man out of the way as politely as she was capable. He staggered a half step back and raised his brows curiously when Jade forced herself into Tori's chair. "I'm buying all her drinks tonight. Sorry." She forced a smile and tried not to dwell on the fact that she was awkwardly draped across a girl she couldn't stand half the time.

"Oh." His pointed smile faltered but renewed with vigor as he glanced between them. "Sapphic sisters, eh?" He stared at them intently. "I don't know. I've heard that one a lot. Chicks have been using that trick for years now. How can I know you're just not trying to make me leave?" He drained his glass and placed it on the counter; Jade watched as a bead of blood slid down the side and absently licked her lips.

"Shouldn't matter, should it? Either way we're not interested." Tori's voice was stern; Jade could sense her agitation.

"I've never let 'no' stop me before." He ran a hand through his blonde locks before claiming Jade's abandoned chair.

Both girls groaned inwardly.

"You I've seen around here before." He focused his attention on the paler of two girls. "Chaos demon, right? But you're new." He looked at Tori now. "Talk says you're a Guardian."

"I'm on vacation." Tori replied, swallowing hard behind her Scotch.

"Yeah… but last time a Guardian was in here he sure caused a lot of trouble. Some innocent folk got hurt. I'd hate to see it happen again."

"She's not the one you have to worry about." Jade's tone was unmistakable, and she felt Tori tighten her grip around her waist.

"Guardians don't come in here unless they want something." The vampire's jovial attitude was gone, his true intentions revealed. He was here to remove Tori from the building.

"The Guardian wants to spend time with her me, jackass." They didn't have time for these interruptions, especially when his could completely sabotage their last resort. The best they could do now was commit to their lie and hope he left them in peace.

"Oh, please." He motioned for another drink. "Like a Guardian like her would want to have anything to do with anyone of us in here. You can practically smell her innocence." A full glass clinked down onto the counter and he swiped it up quickly and swirled it. Jade's nostrils flared at the scent of fresh blood; her mouth watered. She took another deep drink of her Scotch to drown the craving. It wasn't helping – the looser her inhibitions, the stronger the bloodlust became.

"Come on." Her arm still around Jade's waist, Tori slid out of the chair and led them towards the jukebox in the corner. Drunk and near-drunk couples stumbled clumsily around the floor as it blasted an old Guns N' Roses ballad. Jade assumed she was dragging them towards the bathroom so they could disappear but, much to her surprise, Tori positioned them just short of the door and wrapped her arms around Jade's neck and pulled her close. "Put your hands around my waist." She instructed, her voice barely audible over the music.

Jade complied without complaint and placed her hands on her denim-clad hips. "You're acting like a 14 year old boy at his first dance. Make it believable." Tori pressed herself closer and wiggled her hips to encourage Jade to take a friendlier grip.

"What are you doing?" Jade asked as she repositioned herself.

"Christ, your hands are cold." Tori hissed as her pale hands slid partly under her top. "Do you even have blood?"

Jade smirked and ignored the comment. "Did you just want some company for this Guns N' Roses song?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Tori rolled her eyes. "Mr. Pointy over there is going to fuck everything up if we don't do something about it."

"Want me to slay him?" Jade allowed her gaze to flicker over Tori's shoulder; the vampire was still staring them down.

"Yes, and if some people don't immediately notice, I'll make sure to wave a banner announcing that two Guardians are here to fuck up their evening."

"Fine, slaying isn't an option. What's your bright idea?" Tori leaned forward swiftly and kissed the tip of her nose. Jade blinked at her. "Oh, hell no." She made an attempt to pull away.

Tori's once soft embrace had turned to steel, and she held Jade firmly in place. "You started with that lie. It's your fault. We dance, we flirt, he gets tired and leaves. Will it kill you?"

"It just might." Jade huffed.

"I'll liquor you up nice and proper to make it more bearable. Deal?" Her companion grunted in approval. "Good. Sell it."

As the music faded the girls returned to the bar, fingers laced, and claimed two fresh seats. Tori flashed two fingers to Mercy, who scowled at the Guardian. "What's his story, exactly?" She asked through a forced smile.

"He's still upset that someone beat him with an ugly stick." Jade explained loudly as he placed their drinks before them. He walked away muttering something (presumably hateful) under his breath.

"You should stop that if you want to get anywhere with him tonight." The younger hybrid advised.

"The only one I want to get anywhere with tonight is right here in my hand." Jade raised her glass in cheers and took a swallow.


"I feel like we have lost sight of our intended goal." Tori smiled as Jade leaned into her. They were once again in front of the jukebox; the Latina supported her older companion she tripped over her own feet in an intoxicated attempt to dance.

"I love this song." Jade explained with a slight slur as she rocked her head with the slow beat. Raven locks tumbled around her shoulders with every tip, exposing her pale throat. This time their positions were reversed – Jade had her long arms wrapped around Tori's shoulders and her hands were clumsily playing with Tori's wavy tresses. It was almost too much for Tori to bear, seeing Jade this trusting, this comfortable.

"You're a bit of a lightweight." She commented, boldly risking pecking Jade on the forehead. Her skin was cool, but the contact made Tori's lips tingle all the way to her core. She hadn't paid much attention to how much Jade had consumed, but only an hour had passed since their confrontation with the vampire. Surely she couldn't have drunk that much in that short amount of time.

"Hey. No mojo." Jade chastised. Her pale eyes shimmered with agitation.

Tori widened her eyes innocently. "No mojo. Why? Getting some good vibes? It's probably the Scotch." As the spun in a slow circle, Tori scanned the room for the vampire. He'd returned to his table and had been joined by other demons. Their tension was practically tangible; it seemed their plan had failed. She was just thankful they hadn't approached them again.

Jade continued to lead them in small circles as Tori supported her weight and contemplated how she was going to get her partner back on track. Maybe we could go for coffee and come back after she's sobered up…

The door behind her opened with such ferocity that it nearly shattered the glass in the pane, effectively interrupting her thoughts. Tori released Jade and spun to determine the cause of the noise and her mouth dropped. A man the size of a small bus was attempting to squeeze his giant frame through the threshold; the entire bar had stopped what they were doing to watch his struggle. "Logan! This location isn't big enough for you!" Mercy roared as the wood splintered. The beast continued his endeavor, ultimately forcing his girth into the room and taking the door off its hinges in the process. "You fucker!" Mercy threw a glass down in frustration and made his way around the bar to survey the full damage.

Logan seemed unconcerned. Tori watched as he swept his gaze over the crowd before approaching the table filled with their biggest fans. "Who's that, Jade?"

Jade, slightly sobered by the sudden upset, was watching him warily. "Hybrid. Troll. I owe him 100 bucks."

"Bad temper?"

"Oh, yeah." They watched the table converse shortly before the vampire pointed in their direction.

"Should I pay him off for you?" Tori swallowed hard.

"Um. I have a feeling… Yeah. He doesn't like your type." Jade squeezed Tori's wrist and began backing up.

"We should run."

"Do you think you can outrun him?" Jade snapped as he began taking long steps towards them. It was amazing how the crowd, which had been so thick just moments ago, parted with such ease.

"Bathroom!" They shoved open the heavy door and Tori cut the lights as Jade wrapped her arms tightly around her middle. The Latina barely glimpsed Logan as burst into the tiny room and she squeezed her eyes closed as darkness enveloped her.

When she reopened them she found that they hadn't teleported to the safety of their hotel room, or anywhere safe for that matter. They were in a dark alcove near the bar where they had just been sitting moments prior. "Jade!" Tori spun angrily. Jade had a hand to her temple, her eyes were glossy and unfocused. "Are you seriously that drunk?"

"They're over here!" A voice cut through the noise and Logan's ugly face appeared in the destroyed doorway.

"Run!" Tori grabbed Jade by the sleeve of her jacket and hauled her towards the rear exit. They burst through the door and, not bothering to gain their bearings, sprinted down the unfamiliar alley. Neither dare look back, not that they had to. Seconds later the sound of crumbling brick and mortar signaled Logan's arrival. The brunette glanced sideways at her companion and watched as she struggled; they wouldn't make it one block at this rate. "You've got to try again!"

"I need a second!" Jade gasped.

"A second is all we have!" Tori yelped as a trash can exploded against the wall near her head. The ground beneath them trembled with each of his footfalls. "Jade!" A sudden weight slammed into her, driving her towards the ground. She cringed and prepared for impact, assuming it was Logan and she was about to become a pancake. But her untimely death was averted… at least for now. She felt that familiar feeling of weightlessness before landing heavily on something padded, sandwiched under Jade's weight.

Neither girl spoke, neither moved. They were content to remain where they were for a moment, chests heaving and hearts pounding, as they tried to reorient themselves. Despite her limited sight, Tori could tell by the clutter that they were in Jade's apartment, safely on her bed. She breathed a sigh of relief and rested one hand on the small of Jade's back and brushed her disheveled hair from her pale face. Her brow was glistening with sweat. "Are you okay?" Tori panted. Jade didn't respond and Tori cupped her cheek. "Jade?"

The kiss was unexpected. Full lips crashed against hers and the younger hybrid whimpered in surprise. Just as suddenly as it had happened, it was over. Jade had only pulled back a few inches; her chest was still heaving and there was a hunger in her pale eyes. Was it the liquor motivating her actions? The near-death experience?

Tori didn't care.

She knotted her hand in Jade's dark hair and pulled her in again. The lips returned, gentler this time, but Tori could still sense Jade's lust trying her self-control. As the kiss intensified Tori felt a cold hand slipping under her shirt and wandering over her torso. Jade retreated again to trail a series of nips down Tori's throat, drawing a deep, throaty moan from the girl beneath her.

Tori's leg found its way between Jade's and pressed against her core. The older hybrid, taken by surprise, bit down forcefully on the tender skin above her collarbone. The Latina hissed in pain at the sharp sensation, and frowned when she felt something drip from her shoulder. Jade pushed herself upright and rubbed her lips with the back of her hand. When she pulled it away, even though it was dark, she could see it was smeared red with blood. Tori cringed. "Oh… gross." She muttered apologetically.

The half-demon stared silently at the stain, and Tori sensed a sudden shift within her. There was a different kind of lust filling her eyes. Jade licked her lips. "…Jade?"

Jade felt like she was miles away, like Tori's voice was echoing from a distance. Her skin tingled, the coppery scent of blood overwhelmed her, and her mouth water.

The demon within roared; he was gaining strength. The prison she'd built for it was crumbling. It had tasted innocent blood. "Jade?" Tori echoed again and Jade tried to focus on her, desperately tried to cling to her humanity. "It's okay, Jade. It's just a little blood."

Tori tried to sit up and peel away her shirt to survey the damage; as soon as Jade spied the crimson spilling from the wound she lost control. The demon lunged forward and drove them both back onto the bed. She ripped Tori's shirt at the shoulder and clamped down on the wound, tearing at it with her inadequate teeth. The younger girl shrieked in pain and struggled against her, but unfortunately did not possess the leverage to throw her off.

Tori could sense the demon, could sense Jade's presence weakening. She grappled to find bare skin so she could hopefully use her powers to give her strength to subdue it. "Fight it, Jade!" She wrapped her hands around her throat and tried to remain focused enough through the pain and fear to activate her powers. Her eyes began to glow as she concentrated, and she felt Jade slow down, felt her begin to shake as she began to regain control. As soon as she was able she pushed Jade off to the side and rolled off the bed onto her feet.

"What the fuck was that?" She demanded angrily. Using her nightvision, she watched as Jade clutched her head and tossed back and forth. "What, Jade?" Tori rounded the corner of the bed to stand where Jade's feet were dangling off the side.

"It's so strong!" Her voice cracked in pain.

"Just give me your hand. I can help." Tori reached for her, but her hand was swatted away.

"No!" It wasn't Jade's voice, it wasn't any human voice. She stopped writhing and sat upright, her eyes glowed brightly. "Try that again, Guardian, and I will peel the flesh from your broken body."

Her eyes flickered and faded. "Tori, get out." It was Jade again. "It's going to kill you. I can't stop - "

"She's right. She can't… and I am." The demon wearing Jade's skin rose from the bed and took an unsteady step forward. "A few more bites of your pure flesh should give me the strength -"

"Don't!" She dropped to her knees as Tori scrambled backwards. Jade caught her gaze one last time before her form began to shimmer and fade. Her eyes were filled with terror.

"Jade, no! I can help!" She reached for her and felt a fog-like substance melt between her fingers. "Jade!"

She was gone.

Tori dropped to her knees and looked around the room desperately, hoping that Jade might reappear. A silence descended upon the small apartment, interrupted only by her ragged breaths and infrequent whimpers. What had just happened?