CHAPTER 12

"As for the FBI…" Tori started, "I have the number, I just haven't got the guts to ring." She looked in any direction except the one that presented her concerned girlfriend.

"I know therapy doesn't sound like a bubble of unicorn and fairy dust but it'll help the anxiety and fears and it'll make you feel safe again. I promise." Jade spoke with such conviction and finality that Tori didn't have the heart to disagree, so she just nodded along as Jade argued her suggestions, they both knew Tori would give into Jade because she would do anything to make her girlfriend happy. "My house is as much yours as it is mine… you have taken up half my wardrobe and 80% of my drawers. My mum has your favourite snacks on stock and makes at least 1 of your favourite dishes every week; whether youre there or not. We love you so much and if you moving in to my house helps you heal then so be it but I promise Tori, I promise I won't resort to the old me if things get difficult. I won't do that again; I know I hurt you last night and believe me I regret it more than anything but-" Tori cut Jade off with a passionate kiss; one only Tori could produce when needing to express what can't be spoken – how much she loves and appreciates Jade.

Jade moans in appreciation as she snakes her arms around Tori's lower back to bring her closer. Her hands roaming beneath Tori's loose top. Tori's lips moved in sync with Jade's, plunging her tongue into her mouth when she moaned. Their tongues fought for dominance; which Jade won. Tori pushed Jade's jacket off her shoulders as she shoved the actress to the head of the bed. The dominance from Tori caused a stirring in between Jade's legs that she'd never felt before. Contrary to popular belief; Jade was still a virgin, she just didn't shout It from the rooftops so people presumed she was a slut.

When Jade lay down, Tori threw her leg over and straddled Jade; taking to kissing the crook of her neck and shoulder. They may not have been together long but the brunette had sought out all the raven beauties sensitive spots.

Tori's hand went beneath Jade's top as Jade's hands circled Tori's stomach. She didn't want to go any further with Tori; not because she didn't love her, but because she loved her. She didn't want Tori to have sex with her then regret it. She didn't want her first time to be rushed and in the midst of an apology; she wanted it to be after a romantic meal and she wanted the candle lit room and the rose petals and all that mushy bullshit that naïve girl's fall for… Jade wanted a little fairy-tale, and she wasn't going to get that while they had so much metaphorical shit looming in the air.

"Stop-stop-stop-stop-stop!" Jade breathed, pulling away from her girlfriends now swollen lips. Tori looked up confused, hoping Jade would give her an explanation… which she does. "I want my first time to be special… a romantic meal and candles and no body except the two of us. Not the two of us and all our current baggage. I want our first time to be perfect; when you're better, when you're safe. I'm not saying no, I'm just saying not like this sweetheart. You'll regret this later and we both know it." Jade reasons; Tori agrees.

Without words, Tori removes herself from straddling Jade, and cuddles into her side, fitting like a perfect puzzle. No words needed to be spoken they just lay there, basking in the love surrounding them.

Forty-five minutes later, both girls presume that their significant other is asleep. Both girls had their eyes closed and both were listening to the soothing heartbeat of one another. Jade sighed in contentment thus alerting Tori she was still awake.

"I want to leave this place." Tori whispers, "I'm scared but it's the only thing that I can do to get away from him… please help me babe?"

"Always. You want help now?" Jade asked, opening her eyes to see her girlfriend still curled up beside her.

"I wanna be out of here before he get's home. I'll ring Trina when we get to yours if that's okay?"

"Of course it is. But won't you be leaving Trina alone with him?" Jade queried

"She's moving into an apartment with her friends, she's too scared to tell me she's leaving. It'll be fine." Tori pecked Jade's lips and opened her eyes as Jade got up and reached the suitcases off the wardrobe top.

They packed in silence for the most part. Jade occasionally breaking the silence to ask where something is going or if she really needs to keep 6 black heels that look the exact same….

4:15 came and Jade's boot and backseats were full of the Latina's things. She didn't need any furniture because all the rooms at Jade's house were fully furnished. Before they left the Vega household, Tori took one last look around her room and sighed. The only thing left on the shelves were 2 things… her parents wedding album and a picture of her and her Dad feeding dolphins in the Caribbean when she was 10.

She turned on her heels, descended downstairs and took the hand of her girlfriend. She hoped this was the last time she was in this house; it felt haunted. Both girls walked to the door, turned off the light and walked out.

The ride to Jade's was silent; what was there to say?

The unpacking of the car didn't take too long; when the girls were on their last trip, Jade's mum, Helen, pulled up behind Jade's black Audi.

She looked at the girls in confusion, then began laughing. "I expect an explanation. When you girls are done come and join me on the patio for some wine."

Tori giggled and Jade just smirked, she knew her mum would understand before she even knew what was going on.

The girls took the last few bags upstairs and then went to speak to Helen. As they opened the patio door, Helen turned to face them before getting up and pouring the wine. "Speak and be heard munchkins."

"Tori has moved in with us mum." Jade summed up.

"I got that from all her stuff invading your room dear. What I'd like to know is why?" Helen understood that teens needed their privacy so she gave it to Jade and was more of a best friend to her daughter than a mother. But, when other peoples' children were involved "mummy mode" was in order.

Tori looked at a concerned Jade and smiled, signalling the okay to be honest with her mother.

"Tori's dad has been abusing her for God knows how long and I don't want her there anymore. I want her safe, and being with me is the best place for her because I can keep her safe." Jade rambled on and on, not noticing the proud look glistening in her mother's eyes. Her daughter had made the adult decision and she couldn't have faulted the reasoning.

"How long dear?" Helen placed a motherly hand on Tori's knee, making her jump. Helen concluded too long.

"Um, well I remember him 'accidently' shutting the car door on my hand when I was 14 and then it's been since mum left."

"Has he ever hit your mum or sister?"

"I don't know about mum but he only hit Trina when she tried protecting me. He won't be able to hurt her now. She's moving in with her friends in a few days, thankfully." Jade was proud of how well her girlfriend opened up to her mother so quickly but this was only scratching the surface.

After two glasses of wine each, the teens excused themselves; tired from the exhausting day they had experienced.

The girls were about to close the door when Helen shouted, "I don't mind you keeping your stuff in one room and then sleeping with Jade. But I DON'T want to hear what happens when you don't sleep, kay?" Helen winked at the girls before turning round and laughing to herself at the girls shocked faces.

In the kitchen, Jade made up two glasses of blackcurrant juice before heading upstairs. Half way upstairs, Tori claimed to have forgotten her phone and ran back outside.

"Hey dear, forget something?" Helen smiled

"Yeah, my manners. You don't do the tough mother love unless Jade needs it and I think that is great, you have raised an amazing daughter. Thank you… For Jade, and understanding." Tori responded nervously.

Helen jumped up and wrapped the Latina in a rare West hug and whispered, "Tù eres mi hija. Te amo*." Before kissing Tori on the cheek and shoo'ing her off to go cuddle with Jade.

Unbeknownst to the women outside, Jade's window was open and she could here every gracious word spoken by the two best women God could give her. Te amo. She respected her mum on a whole new level after that.

Tori came back up to their room to find Jade smirking at her, she shook it off as Jade being Jade and went to her side of the bed and cuddled up to her girl again. Everything else could be dealt with later.

A/N Hey ho munchkins. I have been out this evening and have had some energy left so I whipped up another chapter for you all (:

I really want to finish this, it'll get done. My deadline was Monday but that aint happening so I shall give myself an extra two weeks.. whoop :D

You are my daughter, I love you.*

Review, suggest stuff, and spread the love. Peace.