A/N: The penultimate chapter is here. The last one is going to be much longer and I hope very satisfying emotionally.

I will NOT be stopping with Jori but I will be taking a break. Maybe a one-shot for the road but after that, I need to take some much needed time off.

Love to hear from all of you.

"Hey Tori," Jade sat up a little in her bed.

"Missed you, babe" Tori ran over and kissed her girlfriend.

There was an urgency in the way Tori broke off the kiss that disturbed Jade.

"What's up with you?" Jade scrunched up her face quizzically.

Tori sighed and sat beside her. "We need to talk."

"Great," Jade sighed.

"How long have you been having these bad dreams?"

Jade's face got angry and she shouted "MOM!"

All they heard in response was a car pulling out of the driveway.

"Well alright then," Tori said leaning over Jade like a cop in interrogation. "Just you and me. Now spill."

Jade snorted and folded her arms, looking away from Tori.

"Oh, we're gonna be like that?" Tori raised an eyebrow.

No answer.

"You asked for it" she smirked devilishly.

Tori got onto the bed, sitting on Jade's legs. Her back is to her face.

"What are you doing?" Jade asked concerned.

"Nothing," Tori responded with no shred of innocence. She began to remove Jade's left sock.

"Girl," Jade warned.

"You drove me to this."

"Don't, please. You know I can't move."

"Now would I take advantage of that?" Tori looked back at Jade and gave an evil wink, her hand hovering menacingly over the bare foot. Totally vulnerable.

"Tori…" Jade pointed.

"Are you gonna discuss your nightmare problem?"

Jade was going to regret the hesitation in her answer. A shockwave of tingles and jingles invaded her left foot. Her breathing became sporadic, fighting between laughing and screaming for Tori to quit it. Thinking she's had enough, Tori relents.

"OKAY VEGA! YOU WIN."

The half Latina smiled, victorious and let Jade go.

"When I can walk again," Jade's breathing evening out. "I'm kicking your ass."

Tori pouted.

"Sit," Jade pointed to the chair. She didn't trust Tori to be that close to her feet right after that episode.

"What are the dreams about, Jade?" Tori's eyes were aching for answers.

Jade was still showing reluctance in telling her.

"Jade, you told me that when you were hurting it felt worse because you felt that nobody understood. Well, I'm here and I really want to help you. If you're somehow in pain, I will be whatever you need."

The dark-haired girl's eyes saddened at that. She had always a hard time saying no to Tori, even when they were frenemies. It was more devastating a struggle when she was so in love with her.

"It's stupid," Jade whispered.

"What if I promise not to laugh or judge?" Tori asked.

"You can't promise how you're gonna feel about something before you hear it. Your reaction is automatic."

Tori took Jade's hand, rubbing it with her thumb. She knew Jade always liked it when she did that.

"Sweetheart," Tori said lovingly. "I promise to listen to everything you have to say. I promise to weigh your emotions. And I promise to stay with you until we work out a solution." Tori then leaned in closer to kiss Jade on the mouth. "I am in this for the long haul, Jade. I will never quit on you if you give me the same in return."

Jade smiled and took a deep breath.

"Okay. It started around the time you left. I felt so abandoned, that I started I having nightmares about what if Trina hadn't found me that day. Every night, I saw myself dying, shivering, scared and alone." Jade looked at Tori who was now crying with her hand over her mouth. "It scared me so much that I was always afraid to go back to sleep. So that's why I've been so tired."

Tori stood up and approached Jade. The sad look in her face was too much to bear.

"That right there is what I didn't want," Jade pointed.

Suddenly, Tori pushed Jade's back until she leaned forward. She then removed the extra pillows and personally occupied the space behind Jade.

"What are you doing?" Jade asked, suspicious.

Tori grabbed hold of Jade's arms and eased her into leaning on her chest.

"I," Tori position themselves so they are both comfortable. "Am staying with you all night. If you have a bad dream, I will be right here to hug you, kiss you, whatever I can do to calm you down."

Jade took the tan hands in hers and pulled them until she was in the loving arms of the greatest girl on the planet.

"I have dreamed of this for a while, you know" Jade said, only able to see Tori through her peripheral vision.

"Me, too" Tori's lips touching Jade's ear. "Now I hope your dreams are just as sweet as that."

The girl in her arms yawned and Tori just held her tighter. After the brunette's head slumped toward her shoulder, Tori just watched her sleeping soundly until her own dissipating energy knocked her out.

It was shortly after midnight when a shrill scream snapped Tori's eyes open. She immediately felt Jade's body thrashing to and fro. She got a firm grip on the panicking girl with her arm and legs. With the one free hand, Tori stroked her hair.

"Ssshh," Tori cooed. "You're dreaming, Jade. You're dreaming. Wake up."

The screams ceased but Jade was now gasping for air. "What's going on? Wh…"

"It's alright, baby." Tori reassured her. "You were having a nightmare. It's over now."

"I'm so tired."

"It's okay. Just go back to sleep."

"I'm afraid, Tori."

Tori kissed her head. "Just sleep when you're ready. I'll be here until you do."

Jade turned her head upward to try and see Tori. "Will you hold me the whole time?"

"Of course, my Jade."