It was dark outside by the time that they reached their destination, a small hole in the wall café that was just secluded enough for Jade, but not so shabby as to terrify Cat away. For the first time that night, the first time in weeks really, it seemed things were all going according to plan.

A waitress led them to a small booth in the back of the restaurant. Dim lights on the walls were just barely bright enough to illuminate the menus on the shoddy wooden table. They were seated, still covered in shadow.

"Anythin' to start girls? Drinks?" The waitress asked, not the least bit perturbed by the steady stream of words that had been coming from Cat ever since they had walked into the restaurant. Cat had nearly been talking the entire time since they had left Karaokie Dokie, but Jade didn't particularly mind. It meant that there was less time for her to screw up and say something mean.

"Coffee," Jade said bluntly without even looking at the menu.

"Little late for that, dontcha think?" The waitress joked, scribbling down her order.

"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it," Jade snapped. She was still reeling from her earlier conversation with Cat and the last thing she needed was sass from the waitress.

"Yeesh, I was just tryin' to lighten the mood. You look like you're ready to beat the stuffin' out of someone." Turning to Cat, she cupped a hand over her mouth and asked, in a loud whisper: "Is she always like this?"

"Yes," Cat replied brightly without missing a beat. The waitress let out a particularly boisterous laugh at the response and Cat continue to smile, sneaking a side long glance at Jade. While such a response who have normally triggered at least a glare and perhaps some secret desire for future revenge, this particular jab made Jade feel unusually light hearted.

After taking their orders, the waitress bustled off to the kitchen and Cat resumed her steady stream of chatter. It gave Jade an excuse to keep quiet, not that she really needed one.

Jade wasn't one for words. Her experience in life had taught her that people often spoke without really saying anything at all. Actions speak louder than words, her acting teachers had always said. Unfortunately, Jade's actions usually spoke of violence and anger, none of that vulnerability crap that people were always talking about these days. What use were weaknesses in a world where people were constantly just trying tear each other down?

"What are you thinking about, Jade?" The sound of Cat's voice penetrated through the dark haze of Jade's thoughts and Jade turned her attention to the girl who was sitting across from her. Right, they were here to talk.

"Just thinking about what an ass I am." Cat made a stifled noise of indignation.

"That's mean, Jade. I don't think you're an a – " she paused, unable to quite make out the word. "An ah-, a donkey's butt." Jade smiled wryly.

"I am. You don't need to lie to make me feel any better."

"I'm not lying," Cat protested. "I don't think you're a bad person. A little mean sometimes and kind of scary." Her voice dropped and her voice continued at a faster tempo: "Actually you can be really mean and scary and you're really angry a lot of the time."

"Thanks," Jade replied impassively, but even as she spoke, something in her mind registered the earnestly in Cat's voice. Cat didn't lie, at least not well. It occurred to her then, perhaps for the first time, that Cat genuinely liked her. Cat saw something in her that wasn't just a barely contained bottle of anger waiting to explode. They were friends, best friends, not because Cat was too scared or too weak to pull away, but because she was strong enough to stay. Jade was dumbfounded at this point and there's was something gnawing uncomfortably at her.

Not wanting to beat around the bush, she asked: "Why do you like me, Cat?"

A normal person might have been flustered or at least taken aback by the direct question, but Cat continued on as amiably as ever.

"Well, you're pretty - really pretty - smart, you make me laugh, you're a good singer, you're my best friend, nice –"

"Nice? You just said I was really mean!"

"Well, sometimes you yell at me a say mean things to me," Cat admitted quietly. Jade felt her throat clench in something that could only be shame. "But," Cat continued, "I know that you only yell at me because I'm doing something stupid or annoying, so it's okay. My mommy says that when people yell and get mad at you sometimes it's just because they care about you and want you to be a better person."

"Cat…"

" – and you're Jade," Cat finished, her eyes sparkling and voice growing louder with conviction. "And I love Jade." At this declaration, Cat looked away and even in the dim light, Jade could catch the traces of blush that were now spotting Cat's cheeks.

I love you.

When she had first heard the words from Beck it was like feeling fireworks explode in the pit of her stomach. But fireworks were transient. A flash, a bang, a fantastic display of lights that made you dizzy with excitement until they fizzled out into ash after the novelty died down.

It was different, hearing the words coming from Cat. This was more like a small fire burning quietly in her very core, yearning to be nurtured and protected. It was warm, familiar, permanent and Jade felt an odd sense of contentment just knowing that it was there. But there was something more vulnerable about this. To experience the beauty of the flames, you had to get close and that meant you had to risk being burned.

There were so many things that Jade could have said, so many things that she probably should have said. No, it's not okay that I'm mean to you. I don't think you're annoying (at least, not all the time). Your parents are assholes. You're already a good person.

But Jade had never been good with words so instead she leaned over the table and grabbed Cat's free hand, intertwining it with her own.

"Well, I think that Cat is pretty great, too."

Jade awoke the next morning feeling lighter than air, which was odd considering the fact that Cat was resting like a dead weight against her side. Her neck was stiff from the way it had been propped up on the couch.

They had fallen back into old patterns, Jade scheming and complaining while Cat giggled or protested. This time, though, Cat had been more than willing to contribute when the topic of Henry and Tyler came up.

"We could pour hot cheese on them!"

Ultimately, Jade had decided on her own flavor of revenge, good old fashioned humiliation. Long after Cat had fallen asleep from exhaustion, Jade had continued to craft her plan (maybe she shouldn't have had that coffee so late), all the while marveling at the fact that she and Cat were actually somewhat stable again for the first time in months.

Although she was more than content to lie on her couch with Cat all day, Jade was eager to get moving on her plan for revenge. Glancing at the clock that was on her living room table, she noted that it was already nearly noon which meant that they, unfortunately, had to get moving.

"Cat, we have to go," Jade said, extracting herself from underneath Cat. Cat didn't even stir, and Jade shook her by the shoulder. "Come on, Cat," she repeated louder.

Before she had a chance to continue, the door connecting to the kitchen swung open and Jade was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee, the sound of footsteps and the sight of her mother's face hovering over her.

"Did you have a nice night?"

"It was fine," Jade replied, trying to keep her voice steady. Despite the visage of calm, there was something in her mother's voice that made Jade wary.

"You could have warned me that you were bringing someone over last night. Cat's not exactly your quietest friend," her mother continued, taking a sip of coffee.

"It was unexpected," Jade countered through gritted teeth.

"Nevertheless, I do expect a warning when you bring your friends over."

"Got it." There was a moment of terse silence and Jade continued to watch her mother carefully. Cat shifted in her sleep and buried her face into Jade's left shoulder.

"So, it's been a while since you've had Cat over, especially for a sleep over." Without giving Jade a chance to respond her mother continued, "and I don't think you've had anyone over ever since you and Beck broke up a few months ago. This is also the first time I've caught you on the couch like this." Finally, her mother's lip curled up into a smirk that resembled Jade's own. "Something I should know about?"

"MOTHER," Jade hissed, both mortified and impressed by her mother's perceptive abilities. "We didn't do anything."

"But you are dating, then?" The smile on her face had vanished and been replaced with a piercing gaze. Jade felt her shoulders tense, but she continued to stare up at her mother, matching her gaze with her own.

"Yeah, we are." Her mother brought the mug of coffee to her mouth and for a moment time seemed to hang suspended between them, trapped between their shared gaze.

"It's certainly not what I expected." There was another pause and Jade waited impatiently for her mother to say more. When no rebuttal came, Jade pressed further.

"But?" she challenged.

"There is no 'but'," her mother replied evenly.

"That's it? You're not going to say anything else?" Jade's relief and indignation bubbled together and she stared at her mother with a baffled expression. This time, the volume of her voice and sudden jerking motion was enough to wake Cat.

"Jade? Where are we?" she mumbled, eyes still crusted with sleep.

"My living room couch," Jade replied, keenly aware of the fact that her MOTHER was still standing a foot away. The impassive look on her face had turned into the faintest of smiles.

"Good morning, Cat."

"Oh!" At the sound of another voice, Cat instantly bolted upright to the other side of the couch, nearly hitting Jade as she did. "Good morning, Ms. West!"

"That's not exactly what I would call it," Jade grumbled to herself.

"Oh," Cat said again, this time springing up from the couch. "I have to pee!" Without another word, she sped off in the direction of the bathroom leaving Jade alone with her mother again.

"You really found someone special, didn't you Jade?" Her mother said softly. Jade finally climbed out of the couch and turned on her mom.

"She's special alright," Jade said warily. Without coffee she knew she was being even more of a bitch than usual but she didn't really care. "Don't think you can just change the subject! You never answered my question earlier." Sighing, her mother set down the coffee on the table. She turned back to Jade and Jade was surprised to see the resolve that had settled in so quickly.

"What did you expect me to do say? I don't pretend to understand you all the time, but even if I did disapprove, would you change your mind? If this makes you happy, if Cat makes you happy, then who am I to say oppose? I know you well enough to know that this isn't some kind of defiant stunt to get attention. I'm not your father after all." Jade wasn't an expert on people, but she did know her mother well enough to detect the vague traces of bitterness in her voice. Rather than address the possibility that she might have insulted her mother with the insinuation, Jade folded her arms over her chest.

"I know you and dad already think that I'm a freak. This would just be another thing to add to the list, one more thing you don't get to brag about."

"Jade," her mother said, the exasperation clear in her voice. "There are a lot of things that you do that I don't approve of, but I don't think you're a freak. You may not believe it, but as your mother all I want is for you to be happy. You refuse to let me in, but you have allowed Cat and if she really makes you happy, then I think that it's wonderful."

"Actually, mom, you're the one who usually let's her into the house," Jade replied, purposefully misinterpreting her mother's words. It was easier to pretend than to acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, her mom did know a thing or two about her.

"Fair enough. But you're the one who always lets her stay."

"Who's coming over?" Cat's voice and the sound of her footsteps signaled her return from the bathroom and Jade turned, grateful for the distraction from her mom.

"Nobody. In fact, we're leaving," Jade said grabbing Cat by the arm and pulling her away towards the door. She was still stunned by her mother's words and her quick retort. She liked it better when she could pretend that her parents didn't care. It made it easier to justify her own rebellion.

"Have a good day girls and remember to tell me in advance if anyone's coming over."

"Yeah yeah," Jade shouted dismissively over her shoulder, casting one last glance at her mom before slamming the door behind her.

By the time they reached the coffee shop, Jade had recovered from the morning's conversation with her mom and finished explaining her revenge plan in full to Cat.

"You're so creative, Jade," Cat gushed with enthusiasm. "This is why you always write the best scripts."

"You hate my scripts," Jade pointed out. "You always tell me that they're too scary and violent and you never watch any of them."

"That's not true," Cat squeaked in protest, but the blush on her face said otherwise.

"Mm hmm," Jade replied, sipping on her coffee.

"Okay, maybe it's a little true," Cat replied, looking almost a little ashamed by her admission. While Jade appreciated the fact that Cat was always trying to make her feel better, she couldn't help but feel a little troubled by the fact that Cat did it all the time, even at the expense of her true feelings.

"You know Cat, you don't have to agree with me on everything."

"I know," Cat replied. "I just want you to like me."

"I'm not going to hate you just because you don't like all the same things that I do," Jade said, trying her best to sound reassuring. It ended up coming out more exasperated than she had intended, but Cat seemed to appreciate the message nonetheless because she beamed up at Jade. Feeling slightly more comforted by this, Jade continued, "It would be pretty boring if we liked all the same things. I don't like you just because of that."

"So, why do you like me?"

The directness of the question threw Jade and she took a large gulp of coffee, eyeing the expectant look on Cat's face with surprise. It was one of the ways that they were both similar, the blunt, unpolished edge of their words. Jade did it because she didn't care and Cat did it because she didn't know how to be otherwise. Subtly was one of the few art skills that they both seemed to lack.

"Can I answer later?" Jade said, surveying the rest of the small café. They were nestled in a corner table and there were practically no other people there, but the openness of the environment still made Jade uneasy.

"Come on Jade," Cat replied cheerily. "I told you yesterday, so it's only fair that you tell me now." When you still refused to answer, Cat looked up at her, eyes pleading. "Please, Jade?"

"Okay, okay," Jade said, giving in quickly. "Just stop looking at me like that." Cat smiled, but said no more, waiting expectantly for Jade to continue.

Jade sighed, how could she explain something that she didn't quite understand herself? There were plenty of things that made Cat likeable. She was undeniably attractive, talented, nice. The first was a perk, the second a byproduct of being a student at Hollywood Arts and the third was something that Jade didn't particularly care for. Cat was innocent, sometimes unbearably so, and Jade was certainly no hero. So what, then?

Cat was starting to look nervous by her silence which prompted Jade to say something, anything really.

"I really hate most people. Some days I wish that everybody would just go away. Even when I was still dating Beck, there were days that I wished that I was single just so he didn't have a reason to talk to me," Jade swallowed hard, pausing to collect her thoughts. Little by little the scattered ideas in her mind were coming together to form a coherent melody. Cat was staring at her quizzically now, her focus was entirely on Jade. This was more than enough to give Jade a push forward. After all it was rare that Cat could ever focus her attention on anything for very long.

"But I don't think it was ever the same with you. Even though you can be really annoying sometimes, I've never wanted you to go away. Being with you just makes me feel better. " The realization hit Jade in an instant and she drained the rest of her coffee in one giant swallow. The bitterness in her mouth did nothing to combat the rush of tenderness that had swept into the rest of her body.

Even in her best moments, Jade knew that she was a bad person. A piece of shit, really. It was easy to pretend otherwise when nobody ever called her out for it. Her father dismissed her, her mother didn't know what to do with her and her friends, if she could even call them that, were tolerant, not accepting of her behavior.

Cat was the exception.

Cat, in all of her authentic joy and precocious ignorance, made Jade feel like she was special. On some days, she made Jade feel like the hero and not the villain that she really was. Without even opening her mouth, Cat could make her feel like she was worth something.

"I'm not a good person," Jade continued. She looked away, but she could still feel the intensity of Cat's gaze trained on her every movement. "But sometimes you make me feel like I could be."

Cat smiled. Mimicking Jade's movements from the night before, she reached across the table and placed a hand over Jade's. Cat's hands were soft, gentle and delicate, but there was a subtle strength in her grasp. She was just strong enough to hold on without causing pain.

"Everybody's a good person, Jade," Cat chided. "You just have to look hard enough."

By the time she pulled into Tori's driveway, it was already mid afternoon. Beck's car was already there as well which meant that part of her plan was ready to go. Cat was practically bouncing up and down in the passenger seat, with excitement.

"This is so exciting."

"We haven't even done anything yet, Cat," Jade said, climbing out of the driver's seat.

"I know, but this is the first time I've ever done anything mean, like really mean," Cat said.

"You punched Tori in the face and broke her nose," Jade reminded her as they approached said girl's front door. Cat's' free arm brushed Jade's while her other balanced a paper bag with frozen yogurt.

"Hmm, you're right," Cat said, frowning. "Jade, am I a mean person?"

"I don't think you could be a mean person even if you tried," Jade replied, ringing on Tori's doorbell.

"I totally could," Cat said, turning to face Jade. Jade looked down at her, lips pulled into a grin. Cat was looking at her playfully, but Jade could see the determination sparkling in her eyes.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." The door opened before they could proceed any further and they both turned quickly. Cat bumped into Jade as she did, just barely leaning into the other girl's back. An extremely disheveled Tori Vega greeted them with a scowl on her face. She barely seemed to notice their close proximity.

"Hi."

"Hello."

"We brought you frozen yogurt," Cat said, holding up the paper bag over Jade's shoulder as a peace offering. Tori's scow deepened.

"Why? You know, frozen yogurt doesn't solve all the words problems," she said angrily, spinning to address Beck, Andre and Robbie as well. They were standing at the counter over what appeared to be a body that was bound in ropes. Jade was intrigued, but even more so by the fact that Tori was being rude.

"I told you to bring her donuts," Jade said, addressing Cat. The last thing she needed was for Tori to be argumentative today. They needed her to be willing to help and the frozen yogurt was supposed to be a bribe.

"Why aren't you being nice?" Cat asked.

"And why do you look disgusting?" Jade added, unable to resist. Tori looked offended, but she sighed and turned around to point at her kitchen.

"Trina." It seemed that the person who was lying, unresponsive on the table was Trina Vega.

"Oh," Jade and Cat said in unison. Jade didn't like Tori, but she disliked Trina even more.

"Listen, we need to talk to you," Jade said, refocusing their conversation back to the plan. They didn't have much time left.

"It's really important," Cat said in an urgent tone. If that wasn't enough to convince Tori, Jade was certain that nothing would.

"Okay," Tori relented easily. "Let's go outside. I don't want to be in here when they get that tape off her mouth."

As Tori headed outside, Jade stepped inside the house, spotting Beck's jacket lying on the couch nearby. Watching to make sure he didn't notice her movement, Jade leaned over and rifled through one of the pockets. She quickly extracted the keys to his car. Things were already going better than expected.

Back outside, Cat had handed Tori the ice cream. Jade shut the door behind her and proceeded to explain to Tori what had happened, with Cat chiming in her opinion on the matter every so often.

"Okay, I really hate these girls," Tori said adamantly once they had finished with their story. Jade grinned and stepped forward.

"You wanna help us get back at them?"

"Tonight?" Cat said excitedly. Jade could practically feel Cat's excitement bubbling off her. It was infectious and made Jade smile just a little wider.

"Ngh, I gotta take care of Trina."

"Don't worry about that." Tori shot her a curious look as she took another scoop of frozen yogurt.

"Jade's got a plan," Cat said, giggling as she spoke. Jade caught her glance out of the corner of her eye and she barely resisted the urge to reach over hug the other girl. Damn, Cat was making her soft.

"I don't know," Tori said suspiciously. She was eyeing them cautiously, eyes flickering between the two. Even though she was pondering the decision, Jade could sense that Tori had sensed a shift in their behavior.

"You want to stay here and take care of Trina's bleeding mouth?" Jade asked. Tori still seemed hesitant. Standing up, she walked passed them and opened the front door, only to see that Beck, Andre and Robbie were now wrestling with Trina who was partially bounded and still squirming around on the kitchen table.

Tori stepped back and she looked at Jade, all traces of doubt gone.

"So, the plan?"

Cat and Jade both grinned, turning to look at each other in synchrony.

"Well, first we have to go to school to get make up and costume stuff," Cat said eagerly, tugging Jade by the hand back to her car.

"Make up? Costume?"

"You're going to look hideous," Jade replied. Tori stopped moving, arms crossed over her chest.

"Wait. Is this really part of some revenge plan or do you just want me to look ugly for your personal enjoyment?"

"Trust us, Tori," Cat said, waggling her eyebrows. "It's a really good plan."

"It's either this or Trina," Jade said. Tori sighed and didn't even bother looking back at her house before replying.

"Okay, okay. I trust you," she said, looking pointedly at Cat as she spoke. "Let's go do this."

Cat was a talented makeup artist. In under an hour, she had managed to make Tori look hideous with ratty blonde hair, a large nose and glasses that put Robbie's to shame.

Jade had stayed on the sidelines and merely watched, occasionally leaning over Cat's shoulder to make a suggestion or point something out. More than a few times, Jade caught Tori's gaze in the mirror, watching the way her fingers lingered on Cat's waist, brushed her arm or when she had her face just a little too close to Cat's. She could tell that Tori was intrigued, just waiting to ask something but she kept quiet.

Cat was mostly silent as well, intent on her work. Jade watched with fascination as her brows furrowed and relaxed in tandem with her work. It was strange to see Cat look so serious. It reminded Jade of Cat's determination and her dedication and the fact that, of all the people in the world, Cat had chosen to commit herself to her, to Jade.

Once she was done with the makeup, Cat had scurried off to find a suitable outfit for Tori, leaving Jade and Tori alone. Tori spent a few minutes examining herself in the mirror, frowning and pulling her face into a variety of hideous configurations while taking pictures. When she was done, she stood up from her chair and turned to look at Jade.

"So… you and Cat?" She sounded nervous, which was ironic for somebody who always seemed so eager to get involved with other people's business.

"What about us?"

"Don't play dumb, Jade. I'm not blind. I saw you two being all touchy-feely back there while Cat was doing my makeup. And I saw you two when you were at my house. I've never seen you smile that much even when you were doing something evil. Are you two, together now?"

"And if we are?" Jade asked, rolling her eyes. "Are you going to tell me that I should back off or some bullshit about hurting me if I ever do anything to hurt Cat?"

"No, Jade. I just want Cat to be happy. You guys clearly have something that nobody else really understands. I don't understand why she chose you of all people, but if you make her happy, then that's good enough for me. I trust Cat to make the right decision and you should trust her, too."

"Trust Cat? I really don't need your relationship advice Vega."

"I'm trying to help Cat," Tori replied. "If you don't trust her, then you won't commit to the relationship and you're just going to ending up hurting Cat."

"Stop with the philosophical bullshit Tori," Jade snapped. "I'm not going to hurt Cat."

"Not intentionally," Tori said with surprising sharpness. "But if Cat believes in you, then maybe you're not entirely evil. Although," Tori added as an afterthought. "If you do do anything to hurt her or make her sad, I will come after you."

"Wow, Tori. Thanks for that ringing endorsement," Jade snapped sarcastically.

"You're welcome," Tori replied brightly.

"That was sarcastic."

"I know, but I'll take what I can get," Tori said, shrugging.

"Hmpf," Jade said, allowing herself the faintest of smiles. "You're not always as dumb as you look. And that wasn't a compliment either."

"I don't know, Jade," Tori said in an aggravating sing song. "Maybe Cat will rub off on you and before long you'll be the second nicest person in Hollywood Arts."

"Or maybe I'll rub off on her and she'll be the second meanest person at Hollywood Arts." Tori visibly blanched at the suggestion. "She's already on her way."

"I'm here!" Cat announced as she returned carrying a bundle of hideous clothes, a dull grey sweater and hat to match. Shoving them into Tori's arms she said excitedly, "Go try these on Tori. You're going to look awful!"

"Great," Tori grumbled, but she acquiesced. "Don't do anything while I'm gone."

"Do anything? What is she talking about?" Cat asked. Rather than respond immediately, Jade took a step forward so that they were only a few inches apart and lowered her face so it was closer to Cat's. She heard and felt Cat suck in a small breath, giggling.

"Oh."

And despite herself, Jade felt herself grinning back. Her mouth was starting to ache from the frequency with which she had been smiling in the past two days. Maybe Cat was rubbing off on her. Just a little."I'M COMING!" Tori said as she returned around the corner. Jade sighed, taking a step back from Cat but keeping her hand hovering just above Cat's waist. Cat spun around to face Tori, her face lighting up in excitement.

"You look so ugly!"

"Thanks, Cat," Tori muttered with no trace of enthusiasm in her voice, but her gaze was focused on the position of Jade's hand.

"So are we good now?" Jade asked Cat, catching Tori's gaze with her own glare. Jade saw Tori smile at her and nod. Cat didn't appear to notice their silent exchange through her excitement.

"Yeah, we're good," Cat replied, turning back to Jade. She grabbed her by the hand and began tugging her back towards the car. "Come on. It's time to go be mean!"

When Cat and Jade re-entered Karaokie Dokie, they were greeted with a sound that could only be described as animals dying. Or rather, it was the sound of Tyler and Henry attempting to sing. They left the stage to the sound of minimal applause and even that was more than they actually deserved.

Jade caught Cat's eye and they shared a grimace before turning to approach the duo.

"Oh, look who it is," the brunette said, elbowing his friend. "I thought I smelled desperation." Jade rolled her eyes at the meager insult, but to her surprise, Cat responded.

"You must be sniffing yourself." She leaned back and nudged Jade, asking with satisfaction, "Good, right?" Jade glanced at her, suppressing the smile that was creeping up.

"For you," she replied, turning her attention back to the two morons in front of them.

"You know you can't sing here," the brunette continued. Before Jade could respond, Cat took the initiative once again.

"Why would we want to?"

"So your daddy can let you win again?" Jade followed. The brunette was frowning now, but even that wasn't enough to make Jade smile. Cat was living up to her word to try to act aggressive and there was something horribly unnatural about the way her shoulders were tensed. Jade had once thought that seeing Cat angry would make her more tolerable, but now it just felt wrong, an off-key note in the middle of a beautiful melody.

"He picked us because we were the best."

"Well guess what? If the audience picked the winners, then anyone in this place could beat you two morons," Jade said. She was already sick of talking these two idiots.

"Anyone…morons," Cat chimed for emphasis. She leaned back just enough to touch Jade and Jade was tempted to spin her around right there and then and ask her what the hell she was trying to do. But Jade refrained, sticking to her revenge plan for now.

"But you'd be too scared to do that, right?" Jade said, hiding her satisfaction as she saw both their faces tighten with indignation.

"We're not too scared to let the audience pick the best singer."

"Then do it," Jade challenged. It was so easy to manipulate people. They were all slaves to their emotions, to their pride, and Jade knew just the right way to use emotions to her advantage.

"And if we win?" the brunette asked, taking a step closer. Jade paused, sharing a glance with Cat. She hadn't even stopped to consider what would happened if they won because there was no chance in hell that that was going to happen. Cat was looking at her expectantly, and Jade simply shrugged, letting her take the reins.

"You can kiss the both of us," Cat said, far too happily.

"WHAT?" Jade turned on Cat in an instant. "Cat, there is no way that I'm kissing one of these morons and you –"

"Worried?" the blonde taunted.

"No," Jade snapped. She wasn't worried; annoyed (and mildly disgusted) would have been a more appropriate description. "And if you lose?" Cat glanced up at her again, this time with less enthusiasm. Jade was tempted to pick something, but she said nothing. In spite of everything, she trusted Cat.

"Um," Cat stammered. "You have to kiss this girl we know."

"Whatever."

"Good!"

"So," Jade said. "Pick someone to sing against you." Out of the corner of her eye she could see Tori sitting in the corner looking quiet and awkwardly tucked into herself. She was doing pretty good, skittish and completely out of place. The two boys seemed to notice her as well and they grinned to each other, fist bumping as they spotted her.

"We pick her."

As Tori was getting ready to sing, Cat and Jade settled down at the table closest to the stage. Cat was practically buzzing with excitement.

"Being mean is kind of fun, Jade. Is this how you feel all the time?"

"No," Jade said. Cat looked confused and Jade sighed, turning to face her completely. "Okay, fine. It's a little fun, but Cat, you're not supposed to be having fun because you're being mean to other people."

"But you do it all the time and it makes you happy. Why can't I do it?" Cat countered.

"Because you're not mean. You're Cat. You're nice. You smile and make people happy. You're practically made of rainbows and sunshine," Jade said which prompted giggling from Cat.

"Oh, being made of rainbows sounds like so much fun. Do you think it's possible to make something out of rainbows?"

"Cat," Jade said sharply. "Stay with me here. Being mean isn't you, okay?"

"Well, what if it is?" Cat retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. She was trying to be serious, to look tough, but it just made Jade want to lean over and hug her (not that she would ever admit it.)

"It's not. Come on, Cat. Do you honestly feel good right now? Did you feel good about punching Tori in the face?"

"Not really," Cat admitted quietly, tugging on a lock of her hair. "But I could if I wanted to!" Jade looked at her skeptically and Cat seemed to shrink further into herself. "Okay, fine. I didn't like being mean, not even to those boys who were so mean to us."

"Cat," Jade sighed. She leaned forward, touching the other girl lightly on the shoulder, prompting her to look up. "I know what you're trying to do and I don't want you to change for me. If I had wanted to go out with someone who was mean, I would have. I want to go out with you because you're you. It doesn't matter how mean you are. I'd rather, " Jade choked slightly on her words. "I'd rather that you just be nice."

"You really mean that?" Cat giggled at her choice of words which made Jade nearly rolled her eyes, but Cat sounded so earnest in her question that she settled for a smile instead.

"Yes, Cat. I'm Jade. When have I ever said anything that I don't really mean?"

Cat finally breathed a sigh of relief and she giggled again. To Jade's surprise, she scooted closer on the chair she was sitting on and leaned her head on Jade's shoulder.

"Oh good. It was really hard to try to be mean. It was hard. I don't know how you do it all the time, Jade," Cat pouted, sounding impressed. Jade chuckled, wrapping an arm around Cat's shoulder as she relaxed.

"Being mean is easy. I can't understand how you're so nice all the time."

"You just have to believe," Cat said, turning to watch as Tori shuffled awkwardly on stage in her disguise.

"Believe in what?" Jade asked. Tori stepped up to the mic and requested her song "Freak the Freak Out." A solid choice.

"Believe in people." Jade's first instinct was to laugh, but as the first beats of the song began to pulse through room she paused to consider the idea.

Believe in people? How could she, how could anybody, believe in people when they were all selfish and fucked up. Even now, with Cat, Jade didn't know if she could fully trust her. She had just offered to kiss those two morons a few minutes ago. Cat was a flirt, and two seconds into their relationship, Jade was already waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Before Jade could descend deeper into her darkening thoughts, Cat was pulling her up to her feet to dance, shouting gleefully into her ear: "We did it, Jade! Tori's going to win!"

Despite her best efforts, Jade couldn't help but smile. Cat was beaming back at her and the mirth that was exuding from her eyes made Jade feel right.

Maybe dating Cat was a risk, but so were all human relationships. Being with other people meant subjecting yourself to their whims and their ideas. It meant living in a world that didn't revolve around you and believing that others would do the same. It meant casting aside the shield of indifference and the sword of anger. It meant being vulnerable, and for Jade, that was the most terrifying thought in the world.

Cat laughed again and pulled Jade up on the stage. The two boys were gaping at them while the rest of the room had erupted into cheers. Cat was hugging her now and Jade could feel her pulse singing against her own in a comforting, rhythmic beat. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Jade thought she heard the MC declare Tori the winner, but in that moment Jade felt like she was the winner in the room.

Jade wasn't ready to let anybody in completely, but with Cat the thought of lowering her wall just a little wasn't so scary. She didn't believe in people, but she did believe in Cat and for now, that was more than enough.

Cat made a move to pull away, but in a move that surprised them both, Jade grabbed her by the arms and kept her in place. Her breath was surprisingly calm and even, but she looked surprised at the sudden motion. The rest of the people, the noise, even Tori's obnoxious shouting slowly faded into the background.

"Jade?" Cat whispered.

Rather than responding with words, Jade smiled again. She leaned forward and kissed Cat in the center of the stage, feeling victorious.

I am really sorry that this took so long to write. Special thanks to people who have followed me for years and continued following the story.

I have no good explanation other than the fact that I really dislike the way that Nickelodeon ended up characterizing all of the characters. Apologies for any grammatical errors and/or any loose plot points that I didn't wrap up in the end. I don't entirely remember everything that I was trying to cover when I first started the story. Also, sorry about the abrupt ending, I just really wanted to end it on that word and the thematic backdrop of the show. I might add an epilogue that is completely original, but this is it for now.

Thanks again for reading and I hope everyone enjoyed!