AN: This is the first of three short chapters that I hope to upload fairly quickly. They all cover the same incident but the story switches between the PoVs of our couple, which is why I've split it this way.

The Slap Mobile

Tori Vega:Hate that my car is in the shop right now.

Feeling: Demotorised

I smiled at my girlfriend's latest update; although with her car out of action we had to arrange a more 'local' date, opting for a restaurant just off the UCLA campus (her dad drove her to my dorm and would collect her later in the evening). The place we chose had received some good reviews; one of the guys on my course had taken his girlfriend there last term and they had both loved it.

So it was with high hopes that we walked from my dorm across campus and a few more blocks to the restaurant; my mind noted the alleyway we passed en route. In daytime we were ok but it would be dark when we left so we would have to exercise a little caution walking back to UCLA.

We entered the restaurant and were shown to our booth; our waitress handed us a couple of menus.

"What do you think?" Tori asked as she scanned the list of options.

"I think I'll try the lasagne" I replied. "I do like my lasagne." I cast my mind back to the disastrous date Sam and I had at Pini's; Carly sat at a nearby table to referee our arguments. A small smile grew on my face at the memory; while it wasn't a hugely happy memory in and of itself I could look back on it now (particularly now Sam and I had cleared the air over Christmas) as one of those events in life that were just part of growing up; no regrets, just part of what makes me who I am today. And with how happy I am at UCLA and with Tori, there's nothing I'd change.

Well, maybe not nothing – things are still difficult with mom. It really hurt her that we left straight after Christmas; she's too stubborn to accept that she did anything wrong and apologise for embarrassing me and I'm not going to apologise to her because if I do then she'll see it as proof that she was right and carte blanche to carry on treating me like a baby.

"So how's things with your mom?" my girl asked me as the waitress left with our order; Tori had followed my lead and ordered lasagne. Honestly it was as if she could read my mind the way she asked that just as mom was starting to dominate my thoughts.

"Nothing to report; we've spoken very briefly a couple of times – New Year and early last week – but that's been it."

"You'll work it out" she said with confidence. I had my doubts and they must have shown on my face because she persisted "You two love each other too much… in your own, unique ways" the corner of her mouth was beginning to form a smirk "you're her only son. Eventually you'll be fine."

I nodded in gratitude and turned the conversation to the new term. We had both been back at school for a week now and just getting into the swing of things. Andy and I would again be partners for the project this term and we were also study buddies for our first college tests that we would be sitting in about a month; they wouldn't count towards our major or our year score but would be an indication of how we were doing. I was fairly confident but would still be doing plenty of revision beforehand, of course. Tori and the rest of the HA gang, meanwhile, was beginning the push towards their finals and graduation; most of them were hoping to join me at UCLA next fall (Tori was torn between living at home and the two of us looking at getting somewhere together, probably with some of my friends and, perhaps, some of hers). She was just starting on the last of her new classes and was focussing heavily on music for the last semester (logical as her ambitions were in music rather than acting but any sort of performing would do for her). Our food arrived, interrupting conversation as we enjoyed our meal; the quality was indeed excellent and I would be adding myself to the list of people recommending this restaurant.

Having demolished our plates of lasagne we eyed the dessert menu with interest. I opted for the Neapolitan ice cream, Tori preferred cheesecake; we would, perhaps inevitably, share our desserts and enjoy a little of both. We talked a little more, enjoying, savouring our desserts and finishing our drinks before I paid the check and we departed the restaurant.

"That was a fantastic meal" I declared as I took Tori's hand and we began the walk back home.

"I know" she agreed. "I can't believe we never found this place before."

"Well there are a lot of restaurants in LA" I reasoned. "It's going to take a long time to visit them all."

"I guess so" she laughed.

I cast a wary glance as we approached the alleyway I'd noted earlier. I consciously quickened my place slightly and, as I had hold of her hand, Tori accelerated to match; she quickly appreciated what I was doing and why. Unfortunately we weren't quick enough and suddenly had three rather large goons for company. Very, very quickly the situation started to go bad for us and we found ourselves cornered and being pushed down the alleyway; the deserted street meaning nobody was going to come to our rescue.

The leering goons went into quite graphic detail about what they were planning to do to Tori; my fears for her were growing by the second and I knew I had to act. I let go of her hand and stepped in front of her, trying to back her into a corner so the goons would have to come through me to get to her. Their laughs and taunts suggested that they thought it was a foregone conclusion and, at three against one, they were probably right; my job was to keep her safe for as long as I could.

"Tori" I whispered quietly from the side of my mouth.

"Yeah?" she breathed.

"First chance you get – run; get away and call your dad then keep going. Get as far from these thugs as you can. GET TO SAFETY."

"I'm not leaving you alone…" she began but I cut her off.

"When you get a chance RUN FOR IT" I reiterated. I could tell she was reluctant but this wasn't up for discussion.

I used my right arm to block off one avenue of approach and shuffled round, keeping the thugs at bay. One stepped forward; I threw a left at him, connecting solidly with his jaw and rocking him back slightly. A glance to my left showed enough of a gap.

"RUN" I yelled; Tori heeded my instruction and took off. I put my body between goon #2 and her, hearing the reassuring sound of her footsteps rapidly getting further away. Knowing that she was fleeing gave me the confidence I needed; I didn't have to hold them off for too much longer. Goon #2 made to give chase so I dived forwards, driving my shoulder just above his groin. It was enough to make him stumble; I grabbed his shirt, yanking him back and letting me put myself back between him and my escaping girlfriend. I chanced a look behind; there was no sign of Tori and I was relieved that she had made it back to the street and would soon be calling her dad to pick her up. Unfortunately I turned back to greet the fist of goon #3 square on the nose, jerking my head back. The impact meant my head caught the wall behind me, dazing me. A second blow caught my jaw, rocking me back again but I retaliated with a couple of quick blows sending the thug sprawling. However this had left me wide open to attack and his friend dived at me, drilling his shoulder into my solar plexus. By now goon #2 was upright and took the chance to swing on my jaw again. The combination of the blows robbed me of all strength and balance in my legs; one more punch sent me to the floor. I took one kick to the jaw and another to the midriff before the world went black.