Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious, although I do own the red Honda in the bus lane that needs to be moved immediately Miss.


Tori POV

Oh my god. I was so nervous. My date with Cat was today! I could hardly contain my excitement.

I had been giddy all day. Even Trina had been suspicious, which must of meant I was really obvious because we all know how self-absorbed Trina is.

Whatever. Nothing could put me out of this good mood!

Except the fact that I had no idea where to take her.

I've never had to pick where to go before. That's always been the guy job. And I wanted to do something special. A dinner and a movie didn't seem like the right move to make for our very first date. But after that… I'm lost.

What would make Cat happy?

Cat has showed me so much of herself this past week, I think it's time I show her a little bit of myself.

This date was definitely going to be a little unconventional.

I shot Cat a quick text.

Hey! So I'll pick you at four. Wear sneakers and comfortable clothes! :)

I continued to get some things together when I heard a bing come from my phone.

Kay kay! Can't wait!

I smiled so hard I thought my face was going to spilt in two. I was going to make this the best date ever.


I rang Cat's doorbell, anxiously waiting for her. I was dressed in my black running shorts, my tie dye Hollywood Arts T-Shirt, and my orange running shoes. I had my hair in a fishtail braid, and I had a little makeup on, because after all, this was still a date.

When Cat answered the door my heart flip-flopped.

Cat was normally dressed in skirts, bows ruffles, the very definition of girly. Usually it was those outfits that made breathing difficult and made me stare just that much longer at her. But here she was in front of me, her hair in an elegant ponytail, wearing a pink tank top, grey running shorts, white tennis shoes. And the sight of her made my breath catch in my throat. Cat looked beautiful in anything. All I wanted to do was lean forward and touch my lips to her's…

"Tori?" Cat asked slowly.

"Uhh, yeah?" I responded dreamily, still thinking about kissing her.

"Are you okay? You kinda zoned out a little."

Vega snap out of it!

"Sorry. Right. You look gorgeous." Cat blushed at that. "In this?" She responded questioningly.

"Definitely in that," I answered firmly. "You all ready to go?"

"Yup!"

"Then as one certain cartoon explorer says, 'Vamos!'"

Cat laughed at my bad Dora the Explorer reference. Ugh Vega. That's how you're going to start off this date? Staring off into space and making weird jokes? Seriously. Pull yourself together!

"Tori?"

"Yeah?"

Cat giggling slightly now. "You're doing in again."

Mental face palm. "C'mon lets go."

"Wait! Aren't you even going to give me a single clue as to where we're going?"

"Nope," I responded teasingly, "But I can promise you one thing."

"What?"

"There won't be any spicy tuna balls!"

"Good, I was worried," she answered playfully, laughing slightly.

I smiled at her, grabbed her hand and led her to my car. I was determined to make this date one to remember.

One blindfold, one 45 minute drive, and one "Tori is this really necessary", later, we had arrived at our destination. I only let Cat take her blindfold off when the car came to a complete stop. Cat gasped when I slowly peeled it off, and she giddily ran out of the car.

"Where are we?" She asked in wonderment, as I joined her outside of the car.

"Axel Woods," I replied, smiling warmly at her excitement.

Axel Woods was a park in the forest southwest of LA. It was the only forest anywhere close to the city, and not many people knew about it. My parents always took me and Trina here when we were kids.

Cat and I were parked at the top of the big hill where all the trails began at. They all led downwards to the surprise I had in mind. I left Cat to stare at the scenery around her. I could understand her wonderment, feeling it myself when I was younger. Usually there aren't that many trees in LA, let alone a whole forest.

I pulled out the backpack I had packed for this trip, and once again took Cat by the hand.

"Are you ready to go?"

Cat nodded and I started to lead her down one of the easier trails. One reason why I took her here? Even the easy trails are pretty steep, and the whole time we were clutching onto one another for support. At one point, Cat stumbled on a particularly slippery rock, and she grabbed onto me for dear life. I steadied her, but my hands lingered around her waist just a little longer than necessary. Cat just gave me a sly smile, and a happy "Thank you!"

About 20 minutes into our trek, you could hear the rustling. Cat frowned. "What is that?"

"You'll see," I responded, eyes twinkling.

At last we reached the bottom of the hill, the rustling became a roaring. Trees still blocked our view, and when I led Cat through them, for the second time she gasped.

We arrived at the Lenape River.

Lenape River was a small scale river that winded through Axel Woods. On a clear day like today the water was calm and clearer then the ocean. If you looked down you could see the rocks, long forget branches, and the occasional fish. Just to our left was an assortment of rocks covered in moss naturally stacked about three feet high to form a tiny waterfall.

"This is beautiful," Cat whispered, sinking in the scenery.

"Almost there," I responded.

We walked along the rocky riverbank, jumping from one rock to another. Several times Cat stopped to take it all in or yell out something like, "Did you see the size of that fish?"

I led her to a large rock that jutted out into the river further than any on the other rocks. This rock slanted down gradually until it met the water, which hid the last few inches of the rock from sight. On the middle of the rock someone had painted a light blue swirl, the color slightly faded from the years of wear and tear.

"This is Swirly Rock," I named proudly. "Although don't make fun of me for the name. I named it that when I was five. I found this rock when my parents took me and Trina hiking here for the first time. Trina threw a temper tantrum because she didn't have her Barbie with her, and I didn't want to hear it so I went off exploring. My parents didn't even notice. Soon, I became lost and scared that I couldn't find them. I thought we were the only ones on the river, until I saw a very old woman with white hair down to her hips sitting on this rock. I went over to her to ask her for help, but I never got around to it because I saw what she was doing. She had blue paint on her hands and she was redrawing the faded swirl. Without even looking up from what she was doing, she told me how every year she came back to this rock and redrew the swirl, to make sure it never fades away. For awhile I just watched in wonderment like children sometimes do. She then told me that she was too old to continue the tradition now, but that she was passing it on to me. I was awed by this women, and I promised to keep the tradition going. I sat with her for a while, and by the time my parents found me she was gone. I never saw her again, but I kept my promise."

Cat was silent throughout my story, looking between me, the swirl, and the landscape around us. She closed her eyes for a stretch of time, listening to the sound of my voice, matched in volume by the river stretched out in front of us.

"This has become my home away from home. Every time something is bothering me or I just need to be alone, I come here and redraw the swirl. I came here when I didn't know whether or not I should go to Hollywood Arts, and I came here after I broke Rex. I don't know why this place is so important to me, but it is. This is the one place in around here that's actually quiet."

I really hoped Cat wouldn't laugh at me for driving out here every year to paint a swirl on a random rock.

But Cat was staring at me with wide eyes. "So this rock is really important to you."

"Yes," was my simple answer.

"Does anyone else know about this?" She asked.

"No, my Mom just thinks I like to hike here."

"Oh Tori, I can't believe you brought me here!"

"You don't think it's stupid?" I asked self-consciously.

"No! I think this is amazing," she replied assuringly.

"Good, because I was kinda hoping you'd help me this year."

Cat looked ecstatic. "Do you mean it? I know how important this is to you."

Pulling the tube of paint out of my bag I responded, "And now you know how important you are to me."

Cat looked at me searchingly, and the next thing I knew she was pressing her lips against mine in a quick kiss.

Once she broke away from me she started heading towards the rock, and I followed her, my knees a little weak. That kiss, I thought to myself dreamily, was worth the whole trip.

I had set out the paints and together we repainted the swirl. Cat was up to her elbows in the paint, her tongue sticking out adorably as she concentrated to trace it just right. I grabbed the hand she was drawing with, and guided it to help steady her.

When we were finished retracing the swirl I pulled out the dinner I had packed in my backpack. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Cat stiffen when she saw the food.

"Don't worry," I responded lightly. "It's takeout."

So you had no part in the making of this food?" She asked warily.

"No. But I can't promise that no turkeys were harmed in the making of this meal," I added jokingly.

"Then gimme, I'm starving!"

But I withheld the food. "Caterina Valentine, are you saying I'm a bad cook?" I ask seriously.

"No! Its just umm… well, uhh…" She fumbled nervously.

"Gotcha," I whispered and took a hearty bit of my turkey sandwich.

Cat just rolled her eyes at me. She started to reach for her own sandwich, but instead of grabbing it, she diverted her hand at the last moment and splashed me with water.

Me and my turkey sandwich were soaked. Cat tried to contain her laughter by pressing her hand tightly against her mouth, but the more I stared at her in shock the harder her shoulders shook. Soon she was gasping for air.

"No you didn't," I stated matter of factly, and reacted like any mature adult would do.

I tackled Cat into the river.

Soon we were standing in the 3 feet deep water, splashing each other. I was laughing so hard that when Cat tackled me I accidently swallowed some water. As we came up my only response was, "Eww eww eww! I swallowed fish water!"

By the time we crawled back up on the rock we were covered in mud and dripping everwhere. Cat had a chunk of mud on her check just under her eye, where just a week ago there was a bruise left by Danny. I gently brushed the mud away, and continued to stroke Cat's cheek. Around us, the only sound was the birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the faint roar of the river. I was so at peace here, with this amazing girl beside me.

"Did it work?" I questioned Cat.

"Did what work?" She asked, confused.

"Did I sweep you off your feet?"

Cat looked around us thoughtfully, and nodded her head. "Yeah, you did pretty good. Considered me sweeped," she added giggling.

"Good, so I get to do this now," I whispered, capturing her lips in a kiss.

It started off slow and sweet just like all of our other kisses, but soon it became more passionate and intense. Her lips molded against mine, and she tasted like the river and the ever lingering strawberries. I felt both of her hands in my hair, grasping each side of my head. Her tongue swept against my bottom lip, asking for entrance. I opened my mouth eagerly, and gave out a soft moan when I felt her tongue stroking mine. I explored her mouth, and I moved my hands from her shoulders to the small of her back. Eventually we parted lips, but our foreheads stayed connected.

Reluctantly I admitted, "We should probably start heading home. The hike back up is uphill and it'll be impossible in the dark."

"I wish we could stay here forever," Cat responded, her hands still tangled in my hair.

"Me too. But if we leave now, we'll have time to pick up some ice cream-"

Jumping up and squealing in child-like excitement, "Ooooohh ice cream, ice cream lets go!"

I just chuckled at her, and allowed myself to be dragged back up the hill where the ice cream shop resided.

Two vanilla scoops, hot fudge sauce, rainbow sprinkles, a cherry on top, on a wafer cone please," Cat finished her well-rehearsed order.

"I'll just have a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough please," I said, sliding the cashier a ten. "That'll be for both of those orders."

"Hey!" Cat pouted. "Unfair. You're a tricky one Vega."

"Vega? Funny I don't recall asking Jade out on a date…"

"Oh ha ha you're hilarious," Cat responded sarcastically, pushing my shoulder lightly.

"Abuse!" I shouted at her. "And to think I paid for your ice cream…"

Cat giggled at our antics, and we sat down at a table outside to eat our ice cream.

We sat in silence, and I felt more content then I had in a very long time. But I noticed that as time went on, Cat became more and more fidgety.

"What's wrong Cat? Is your ice cream okay?" I asked concerned.

"No the ice cream is perfect!"

"Then what's on your mind chica?"

"Well I just wanted to ask you a question," she started out tentatively.

"Go ahead," I encouraged her.

"What are we Tori?" Cat mumbled out, blushing.

Oh. That's what was bothering her? Did she not want to do this anymore? Was the date that bad?

"Well, if it's okay with you, I would really like to be your girlfriend," I stated a little uncertainly.

Cat perked up immensely. "Oh Tori, I wouldn't like anything more."

Phew. She scared me there for a second. We beamed at each other, our spirits flying high.

"Hey girlfriend," I asked playfully, "Can you pass me a napkin?"

"Why of course I can… girlfriend." We both giggled at this, and I reached out to grab her slightly sticky hand.

"I like doing this," I declared thoughtfully, circling my thumb around one of Cat's knuckle.

"And I like you Tor. You make me feel happy, and safe."

"Then I must be doing something right. I'm so lucky to have you." I gushed.

"GAG!" I heard for behind me.

No. It's impossible, don't let it be-

"Jade?" Cat asks uncertainly.

"Oh no, please don't let me interrupt your mush fest," Jade replied sarcastically. "You and Cat seem oddly close, Vega. Care to share?"

"What are you doing here," I asked her, a little more sharply than I meant to.

"Aren't I allowed to have some ice cream? But then again, after watching that display, I may have lost my appetite for something so…sweet."

My breathing sped up until the point where I was practically having a panic attack. This could not be happening.

Cat interrupted. "Jade, can I talk to you? Over by that corner table?"

"But I'm having fun here with Vega."

"Jade. Corner table. Now."

Jade rolled her eyes but followed Cat.

I was still breathing erratically as I watched the back of Cat's and Jade's heads anxiously while the two of them talked. The minutes dragged by until they felt like hours, but when the two of them starting walking back towards me, Jade looks disgruntled and Cat winked at me. Good. That must have meant that she made some progress with Jade.

When Jade came close enough to me, she crossed her arms and huffed out something I couldn't understand.

"What was that?"

Jade looked at Cat exasperated but Cat nodded firmly. "Again Jade."

"Ugh, fine. I won't tell anyone about your and Cat's relationship."

I let out an audible sigh. "Thank you."

But Jade just took a menacing step towards me. "But let one thing be clear, Vega. I'm doing this for Cat and Cat alone. If you end up hurting her I will make your life a living hell, do you understand me?"

Cat hit Jade's arm, but Jade looked like she barely felt it. "That's not what we agreed upon Jade!" She whined.

"Close enough," Jade said, throwing on her effortless and somewhat terrifying smirk. "So I'll leave you two to your ahh… little get together."

But the smirk hardened. "Remember what I said Vega." She finished glaring at me.

As Jade stalked off, probably towards her next prey, I thought to myself dryly, Cat sat down across from me. She looked a cross between amused and exasperated. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes… and no. Ugh Jade. Why does she hate me?"

"She doesn't hate you!"

I gave her a look.

"Okay well, she doesn't hate you as much as you think she does. A lot of it is for show."

"Well she's an incredible actress," I grumbled, "And are you sure she really isn't going to tell anyone about us until we are ready?"

"She wouldn't hurt me, and despite what you think, you, in that way."

I let out a frustrated huff. "And to think, we were totally having a moment before she showed up!"

Cat giggled into her hand. "You know, we are pretty cute together," she stated, winking at me.

Mock seriously, I responded, "Cat and Tori. Kicking ass and taking names."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Hey I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!"

"But Cat that didn't even rhyme…"

Cat gave me a death glare that chilled me to my very core. It was even more terrifying then Jade's which is saying something.

I scrambled quickly, "What am I thinking? You're right, of course it totally rhymed!"

Cat let out another fit of giggles. She flicked her wrist and me and made a waa-chhh whip noise. "One date in and you're already whipped," she teased bopping my nose.

"Oh we'll see about that," I responded challenging but after a second we both burst out laughing. There was no denying it, I was totally whipped.

We finished up our ice cream and I announced, "One last stop."

We drove up the rocky path that led up to the very peak of the hill. At the top some trees were cleared away for a small dirt parking lot. It was deserted. A few feet further from the parking lot the hill dropped off into a steep incline. If you sat in the right spot, you had a perfect view for miles. Cat was so excited that she jumped out before I could even turn off the car. I followed suit and grabbed a blue and white chevron blanket from the trunk. I laid it on the hood of my car, and together we laid back, looking at the sunset.

"Who knew you were such a romantic?" Cat teased, grabbing my hand.

"Shh. It's a very well-guarded family secret." I responded laughing.

We laid in silence, soaking in the melting streaks of pink, blue, yellow and orange that colored the sky.

"Tell me something about you I don't know," I whispered.

Cat's eyebrows furrow and she puckered her lip thoughtfully. But after a moment she let out an excited Oh! and sat up.

"I can touch my foot to my ear," she declared proudly.

"No way! I want to see this."

Cat reached for her right foot, and brought it up so that her big toe just touched her earlobe. "See? Now this right here, this is a useful life skill," she joked.

I clapped enthusiastically. "I've never seen anything more impressive in my life!"

Giggling we laid back done.

"Your turn!" Cat turns to me expectantly.

"Well… I don't have any special talents like you…"

"Oh stop it you," Cat chuckles.

"But there is something you don't know about me."

"Spill."

"I'm deathly afraid of birds."

"Birds?" Cat asks quizzically.

"Birds." I confirm. "Any type. They are just so creepy and I've had a few bad experiences. This one time I was attacked by a goose when I was little. It was here actually, I ran ahead of my parents onto this big rock in the middle of the river, and my parents started yelling me to come back. When I turned to my left, there was a mom goose sitting on her eggs, and the dad goose was right next to her. I guess I threatened them so the Dad goose attacked me! My parents didn't make it in time. It was terrifying, and I have this scar because of it." I show her the small circle scar on my hand where the goose bite… well I guess beaked me.

"It's funny that you like nature so much."

"It's a love hate relationship," I said smiling and I attempted to draw back my hand when Cat grabbed onto it even tighter.

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere with this," she said hugging it close to her. "This is mine."

"Hey!" I protested, "It's my body part last time I checked."

"Well you checked wrong." She stated matter of factly, her shoulders shrugging.

"Can I please have my hand back," I pouted.

"Nope," Cat responded. "I'm taking it as a gift."

"For what?"

"For this," she murmured leaning in to capture my lips in a kiss. My hand is still tucked under her arm, and she reaches out with her free hand to cup my cheek. I press my face against it and try not to moan as she sucks on my lower lip.

She can have my hold damn arm if she wants.

Our lips made a soft sound as we parted. Around us the sunset was being replaced by stars, and I gulped at the prospect of driving down the dirt path hill that should really be called a mountain at night. "We should go," I whispered.

Cat nodded and together we gathered up the blanket and hopped back into the car. I started the car, and radio turned on to some song I don't know.

But as I drove down the path cautiously, I heard Cat start to pick up the chorus. I zoned out the lyrics as I listened to the sound of her voice, swooping over the medley easily. Her range and tone was incredible. A flash of annoyance swept over me as I thought about how few solos and lead parts Cat got. She was so talented, and deserved more.

When Cat's voice faded away, I felt almost at a lost. I stole a glance at her and I saw her sleeping soundly in the passenger seat. Cat is cute when she's awaking but a sleeping Cat? Adorable beyond all words. I stared at her for longer then I should have and oh my god tree!

I jerked the car to the left, narrowly avoiding the tree.

My heart was in my throat, my adrenaline pumping. I took one hand off the steering wheel, rubbing my shoulder where it had bounced off against the glass painfully. Ow. I thought to myself. That was a really violent turn. Oh great I probably woke Cat up…

I chanced another glance at Cat.

Out like a rock.

Her pouty lips were open slightly, and her eyelashes looked even longer than normal. And sometimes a muscle just above her left eyebrow would twitch slightly…

Snap out of it Vega. You're going to almost hit a tree again.

I settled down comfortably for the rest of the ride, testing my will every five minutes to not take a peek at Cat.

I lost every time.

When we pulled up to Cat's house I parked the car and gently shook her awake.

"Cat, we're here," I murmured.

She gave a cute little yawn that made me smile before she froze. "I slept the whole way home?" She questioned.

"Yup."

She let out a low groan. "I'm sorry Tori!"

"It's fine Cat, besides you're really cute when you're sleeping," I answered.

Cat blushed but she was still pouting. "I don't want to miss another second with you," she said shyly.

"Well… girlfriend," Cat giggles adorably as I trudged on, "This is the first of many many dates. We'll just have make up the time," I declared happily.

"Well in that case… what more can a girl ask for?" She asked, grabbing my arm and nuzzling her head into my shoulder.

I smile and rest my head on her head. After a minute of just listening to each other breath I kiss the top of her head, breathing in the smell of her shampoo. Strawberries. Why am I not surprised?

"I should probably go," Cat admitted reluctantly.

"Probably," I whispered, but instead of letting her go I gave her one last lingering kiss.

"Goodnight Cat," I breathed out as we parted.

"Goodnight Tor," she responded, smiling. I watched her hop out of the car, and gave her a little wave when she reached the doorway. Cat waved back enthusiastically, and blew me a kiss.

To tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you if I drove back home or if I floated the whole way.


Well D'awww. I love me some pure unadulterated Cori fluff.

By the way, that goose attacking a small Tori story is true, it actually happened to me when I was very young. I still have the scar on my hand. You see, birds and I have this little understanding, they attack me... I run away screaming... it's great fun really.

You should go review now. Unless you want to be attacked by a flock of wild geese.

Well. That escalated quickly.

Actually it won't matter if you review or not because they will attack anyone and everyone. Be warned, and watch the skies.

Is my paranoia showing?

Oh it is?

Perfect.