It almost felt like reliving memories when Jade first took her place at the wheel of the new boat. This one seemed to mean more to Sikowitz than the other two because it was his own. Jade rolled her eyes when she remembered the long rant they had to hear should it get damaged. She understood his reasons for talking their ear off but she still didn't like it. The night before was full of farewells, mostly to the twins who cried a little but wished them a safe return. They got Tori tearing up and even Jade felt a strange pang to know just how much the kids cared about them. Then they were on their way, sailing out to sea and heading back north. Sikowitz took the wheel when morning came so that Jade could sleep. Tori joined her, already too use to being awake at night and asleep during the day unlike Andre and Beck who sided more with being up during the day and asleep at night since they had been able to at The Dome. Now it was already the next night and it was Jade's turn to steer. Tori walked in with a blood pack in her hand, exchanging it for the wheel. Jade had asked her to grab her one so that she could begin her shift. The hybrid looked out at the serene waves while Jade ate.
"You aren't going to hang around and distract me, are you?" the vampire wondered playfully. Tori chuckled and shot her a seductive smirk.
"Why? Do you want me to?" she taunted. Jade grinned and tossed the empty pack in the bin sitting in the corner before sitting on the edge of the console.
"I'd never say no to you, Tori. But I think we should pay attention to the task at hand and not get too carried away," she replied truthfully. Tori nodded but her smirk barely lessened.
"Do you think Sanctuary changed since we left?" she wondered after a long silence fell between them. Her smirk was replaced with a stoic downturn of her lips, worry in her eyes.
"Possibly. The more important question is if they're still alive," Jade responded, grim. Tori glanced at her before looking ahead again.
"I didn't want to say that…" she began quietly. Jade nodded and stood.
"Yeah, I know, but I know what you meant," she stated. She pushed at Tori's shoulder and she stepped away so that Jade could step in.
"You sure you can't sleep?" she inquired. Tori put her hands on her hips.
"Are you trying to kick me out or something?" she demanded.
"Depends. Is it working?" Jade responded, laughing when Tori looked mock offended.
"I'm kidding. I'm just making sure you aren't denying yourself sleep," Jade clarified.
"I'm not. I really can't sleep at night anymore," Tori assured her.
"Ok," Jade accepted, turning the wheel slightly to avoid a small cluster of rocks jutting out of the water's surface. That was mostly how they spent their nights together with the occasional ones where everyone gathered on deck to hang out and catch up. But most of the time it was just Jade and Tori sharing small talk and flirting, teasing each other and sharing chaste kisses but nothing more. Jade always wondered how Tori was feeling, if she was conflicted over anything or truly content where she was. Did her desire return and did she bottle it again or had it run its course when they finally got to have each other? Her head was constantly full of thoughts that kept her occupied when there was nothing more to say, right up until the moment she fell asleep wrapped in Tori's arms. The hybrid also thought about many things. Most centered on what they would find when they reached Sanctuary. She was afraid to see it destroyed, to see everyone she knew as wondering feral vampires.
Other times she concerned herself with Jade, but not as much as before now that she knew the vampire was no longer a starving wreck. She was at her strongest and would remain so now that they had found a place to call their own. The night their boat finally docked near the familiar shore of New York they all stood on deck with a mix of nerves and rising adrenaline. For all they knew things could have gotten worse. Or maybe, they were better. They wouldn't know until they stepped foot on land and traveled back to their old home. Sikowitz made sure to come in close so that they could disembark before pulling away to drop anchor in deeper waters to wait for their return. They didn't want vampires overrunning the boat again. Andre shouldered their supplies and held his trusty shotgun at the ready. Beck was armed with his pistol and a machete. Jade and Tori learned long ago that their instincts were their greatest weapon and left the guns to their human team mates. It saved ammunition that way too.
"Ready?" Jade questioned her team. The last major fight they were in went by too quickly as they raced to escape. They hadn't truly fought since then; only sparring matches and a bit of gun practice out in the field. They were a little rusty but knew it would all come back to them should they run into any trouble. As soon as Jade got the okay to advance, she began a quick stride away from the docks and towards the ruined city beyond. All they had to do was follow the coast until they needed to start heading inland. It wouldn't be far until they found Sanctuary. It wasn't a long trip. Soon they would see what became of their home while they were away. They stayed alert as they walked in a tight group, both Jade and Tori reacting to the slightest noise. They kept going until Jade froze, her nose to the air. She smelled something familiar but she just couldn't place it. A growl cut through the crisp air and Jade answered, glaring down a vampire that stalked out of the shadows. She lost her offensive stance for a moment when she saw who it was.
"Jason," Beck addressed him, shocked.
"Don't put your guard down. He's not Jason anymore," Jade warned him. Beck raised his gun but hesitated to shoot when Jason lunged at them. Jade caught him mid-jump and slammed him into the ground hard enough to crack the already broken concrete rubble beneath them. Effortlessly, she tore out his heart, bones shattering at the force. She cleaned off her hand on her shirt while Andre and Beck stood with mouths agape. They had never seen her so swift and powerful.
"Come on," she told them, walking away. Tori glanced at the former Alpha team member with a frown before carrying on. They took down a handful of attacking vampires before they reached the high wall they had been looking for. Jade scuffed her boot across the worn slab that hid the hole they needed to enter.
"Beck, you and Andre are going in first. I don't feel like getting shot at," she commanded. They nodded and moved forward to drop down once she lifted the concrete slab. Jade was the last to enter, scanning the area before climbing in and lowering the slab to cover the hole. Up ahead, Beck flicked on a lighter, having found one in the market back at The Dome. It was just enough to see by without bothering Jade. He looked back at them, caught by surprise for a second when Tori's gold eyes glowed in the dark space. He kept forgetting what half the team was capable of. He kept forgetting that they weren't human. They wound their way through the tunnel and stopped under the manhole above. He boosted himself up and pushed it aside with a grunt at the weight, instantly staring down a rifle barrel.
"Oh, Beck. You're alive!" a familiar voice exclaimed. Beck smiled up at Robbie and Cat who had apparently been appointed the guards for that night.
"Are the others with you?" Cat questioned as Beck climbed out.
"Right here little red," Andre spoke up as he followed Beck out. Cat squealed and hugged him. Tori pulled herself out next and Jade came out after her, replacing the manhole. As soon as she was standing Cat grabbed both her and Tori in a tight hug.
"Cat!" she complained, yet made no move to push her away. It was good to be missed. She could guarantee Robbie and Cat would be the only ones who did. Cat let them go and they turned to Robbie who waved with a smile. Jade immediately took notice of the missing AI.
"And Rex?" she wondered, addressing the annoying technology by name, to Robbie's appreciation.
"In repair at the moment. I don't know if I'll be able to fix him. I'm missing parts," he replied.
"What happened?" Tori asked him.
"A vampire got a hold of my arm. Nearly broke it. Rex took most of the damage," he answered.
"Thank god," Jade muttered, getting a jab from Tori. Robbie smiled.
"You're still the same," he commented, unaffected by his claim.
"And I'm glad you're still kicking, nerd," Jade told him, slapping his back. He almost fell over but managed a smile.
"We saw Jason out there. What happened?" Beck inquired, getting Robbie and Cat's attention. They exchanged worried looks between them.
"At one point we were overrun. A lot of people died. Jason was lost outside the walls, holding some back while your dad and Danielle retreated. But Danielle was killed in the tunnel. She was bitten multiple times and didn't want to turn so after she killed the few vampires that got in, she shot herself," Robbie explained, voice quiet.
"What about my father?" Beck questioned next.
"He's recovering from a broken arm. He had a run in with a slightly smarter vampire that tried to disarm him," Cat answered. Beck let out a relieved sigh. He didn't get along with his father but he was all the family he had left.
"Fuck. All this happened while we were away?" Jade said, shaking her head and then pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation.
"Unfortunately. But now you're back," Robbie responded happily. Tori shook her head.
"Not for long. We just came to drop something off. When you guys are done with your shift, stop by our place and we'll explain everything," she told him. He and Cat were curious to know what the team found, what they experienced, and what they learned, but only nodded and resolved to wait. They would know soon enough. They parted, Andre and Beck going to their own home first to see if there was anything worth taking back with them. Jade and Tori went home too, stepping into the empty house like they were walking through a memory. Tori shut the door behind them while Jade strode off to her room. She pulled out a worn backpack and threw in some of her favorite comfortable pieces of clothing. It wasn't much but it was her own clothes. She then searched the drawer that held her brother's knife. She held it up, inspecting it as a knot formed in her throat. She would have been crying if she could. She packed it away then moved to leave her room, almost bumping into Tori on the way. Instantly, she sensed Jade's sadness.
"You ok?" she questioned, her voice a gentle whisper as she placed a warm hand on the vampire's waist. Jade only nodded and continued to the living room where she set down the backpack on the floor by the threadbare couch.
"Do you have anything you want to take?" she asked the hybrid who had been too busy looking around to even search through her room. She was on her way when Jade came out of her room.
"A few clothes and maybe that small box of ammo I have hidden away. I could give it to Beck. Every bullet counts," she replied. Jade nodded and waited for her to gather what she wanted. She came back out and they added it to the backpack.
"We're really not coming back, huh?" the hybrid stated, looking around at the home she knew for so long. Jade nodded.
"Yeah. I won't miss it," she said without a care, arms crossed.
"It's not the place, it's the people," Tori remarked wisely. Jade looked at her with a raised brow.
"Home. For you it isn't a place. It's the people you surround yourself with," the hybrid clarified. Jade huffed out a breath, frowning and unwilling to confirm it, but a smile from Tori forced one on her own face.
"I wonder if I'll ever get tired of you knowing too much about me," she said, not at all upset. Tori only grinned. They sat together on the couch, basking in the silence, until the rest of their team showed up. Jade wasn't expecting Beck's father and stood hastily when he entered, his arm in a makeshift brace. His dark eyes rested on her, judgmental as ever, yet he wasn't quick to start offending her.
"You did as I asked. It took you a little more than a year, but you did," he stated gruffly.
"Pardon me, but your son takes after you. He wouldn't listen to me," she replied. The others stayed quiet as the two held eye contact. The atmosphere was tense until Michael surprisingly stepped down.
"Thank you. I've already lost my team. I don't know what I'd do if I lost my son," he admitted. Jade nodded and sat back down.
"You're welcome," she mumbled, no longer feeling the need to prove to him that she wasn't incapable of acts befitting a human. She was confident in who she was, sure of herself unlike how she felt in the past. She didn't need his approval but it was nice to get it all the same.
"Father, I brought you here so you can hear the news," Beck stepped in, gaining Michael's attention.
"We eventually found The Dome. It's everything we ever dreamed of," he continued.
"You did?" Michael questioned, a slight hint of disbelief in his tone.
"Yes. They didn't have a cure, and they still don't, but they were able to make a vaccine with Jade and Tori's help," Beck informed him. Michael looked to the two sitting on the couch before allowing a small smile.
"That's great," he said.
"We brought some back with us," Beck went on, gesturing to the bag Andre carried.
"So we'll be immune?" Michael asked. Beck nodded.
"It should give you some leverage against them. At least you won't have to kill anyone who gets bitten. This way your survival is improved. There's just one other thing," Beck explained.
"What is it?" his father wondered. Beck shifted before replying.
"We're leaving as soon as it's distributed," he confessed. Michael stood stock still, finding no words to express his disappointment. Cat gasped and Robbie's eyes widened.
"Why?" he finally managed.
"We're needed at The Dome. We'll be dispatched with others to help distribute the vaccine after we return," Beck told him.
"So there's nothing I can do to keep you here?" Michael checked. Beck shook his head.
"I'm going with you!" Cat suddenly exclaimed.
"Yeah! Me too!" Robbie joined in. Michael looked to them before bringing his hardened gaze to his son.
"Anyone who wants to go with us is welcome. The Dome has plenty of room and it's well protected," Beck said. Michael remained quiet before nodding.
"Feel free to offer the choice to anyone who listens, but I'll stay here," he decided.
"What? Why?" Beck balked.
"This is my home. I've fought for it the majority of my life and I'm not giving up on it," he answered simply. Beck sighed but nodded his understanding.
"Rest up. Tomorrow you can start distributing the vaccine and then be on your way once night falls. I'll see you then," Michael informed him, turning away to leave. It was a quick but painful severance. Michael wasn't a man of emotion. He did what needed to be done. His son would be leaving for good and he wasn't going to stand around dwelling on it. Andre patted his shoulder before passing him the bag. He took it and walked out the door.
"You really wanna go with us?" Andre questioned Robbie and Cat.
"It won't be easy, but The Dome is worth it," Tori added, standing to walk over to them. Cat looked unsure but there was determination in the crease of her brows. They hadn't noticed before, but she looked a good deal tougher than the last time they saw her. She and Robbie must have had to make up for the work since their disappearance.
"We know. We're ready this time," Robbie spoke up. Cat nodded along next to him.
"Then it's settled. You two can spread the word while the vaccine is being handed out. We'll meet up tomorrow night in the training room to see about anything else we might need then we're heading out. Be ready to go by then," Jade informed them while standing up. They gave her a salute then left to get some sleep. Andre offered the two a wave and followed them out. They could hear the three falling into easy conversation, laughing about something Robbie did. Tori turned to look at Jade with a happy smile.
"I see someone is happy to get the team together again," Jade joked, moving to stand in front of the hybrid.
"Well, yeah. I missed them," Tori replied.
"Sadly, I did too," Jade griped, earning a punch to the arm. She laughed and fended off the next two playful bows. She returned them but Tori blocked each one. They rough housed a bit before Tori pinned Jade down, where she had been tackled to the floor. Their lips met moments later, Jade's hands holding Tori close. When they parted Jade gazed into the hybrid's eyes.
"You want to hunt down some vampires? Whoever gets the most by the time we have to come back gets to shower first," Tori challenged. Jade was all for that idea, but with a slight change.
"How about, whoever wins gets to be on top?" she said with a suggestive quirk of her brow. Tori smirked and kissed Jade slowly, teasing.
"Deal," she whispered, getting up and offering the vampire a hand up. Jade yanked her down at the same time that she got to her feet. With a yelp Tori hit the ground and glared up at Jade just in time to see her laughing as she ran out the door. Tori scrambled to her feet to chase after her. The few still up stared at them skeptically as they dodged them, running at full speed back to the manhole, but neither cared. As soon as they were clear of the Sanctuary walls they attempted to outrun the other and occasionally split up as they picked off wandering vampires. None of them stood a chance. They weren't afraid of losing each other when they ventured far. They could sense each other too easily now. Two hours before the sun was due to rise they returned to the entrance in the ground. Blood smeared them both but none of it was theirs.
"I won!" Tori announced with a raise of her fists in the air.
"My ass you won. I beat you by three!" Jade denied.
"No, you were one ahead of me but I got one when you were busy so that we had the same. Then-" Tori began but Jade cut in.
"I killed that one you tried to steal from me," she accused.
"We both did. How about that? Because right after that I killed one on the way over here," Tori told her.
"When?" Jade demanded.
"While we were running I kicked one coming out of a pile of rubble hard enough to behead it. That means I won," the hybrid said, unyielding. Jade let out an exasperated breath and rolled her eyes, leaning on one leg and resting her hand on her hip.
"Fine. Whatever," she grumbled. Tori cheered then pulled up the slab of concrete so that Jade could climb in. She followed, dropping it in place behind her before taking Jade's hand.
"What are you doing?" the vampire questioned.
"I can't see, remember?" Tori replied, playing at innocent.
"Yes you can. You know how," Jade retorted, trying to shake loose Tori's hold on her.
"Aw, come on. Don't be a spoil sport. I won fair and square," the hybrid chirped. Jade grumbled as she started walking but slowed to a stop when she felt Tori pull on her so that her back was pressed up against Tori's front.
"Don't worry. Even though you lost, you'll still get to enjoy my winnings. I guarantee it," she breathed in Jade's ear. A shiver ran through her and she smirked.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"Yep," Tori confirmed. Jade tugged her into a faster stride and Tori chuckled. They went straight home. The door barely closed before Tori was on her, shoving her back into the door and molding their bodies together. As agreed, she stayed submissive, letting Tori have her way. Her clothes were torn off her body as hot lips and hands explored. Eventually, Tori scooped Jade off her feet and took her to her room. She dropped her on the bed, hastily undressed, then took Jade hard after sharing a slow kiss. Jade didn't tease or draw it out. She wanted to see how it felt when they were rough and every bit as primal as they could be. When Jade climaxed, letting out a mix of a growl and a cry, Tori's teeth were buried in her shoulder. When she came back down she reciprocated, allowing Tori to stay on top while she brought her over the edge. With Tori defenseless as she came back down from her high, Jade pushed her over. She settled between her legs and worked at getting her off again, her fangs in Tori's thigh when she cried out her pleasure.
Tori grabbed Jade in a full body bind, holding her in a way that brought them into contact from head to toe. That was how they ended up falling asleep. They didn't move until the next night arrived to wake them up. Team Beta worked all day giving out the vaccines to the people of Sanctuary. Cat administered them along with the help of a few others she worked within the hospital wing. With the decrease in population since the last time they were there, they had a good amount left. Michael wanted to take them off their hands should more people show up, but Beck refused. He wanted to save them for those they would meet traveling back. He wondered if Jade would want to give some to the group of people she met in New Jersey, if they were still there. Then there were the two people Sasha looked out for and the other two who took them in after the shipwreck. Maybe they would meet others. Either way, they came to do what they set out to do and now it was time to move on.
Andre sent the rest of the team to the training room while he appointed himself the task of getting Tori and Jade. He had a feeling they didn't spend the rest of the previous night talking. In fact, there probably hadn't been any talking at all. He spared Beck from witnessing anything and felt, as the only one who encouraged Jade to pursue a closer relationship with Tori, he could handle whatever he would be walking into. But when he got there he almost ran back out. Both were half dressed, Jade in a sports bra and panties and Tori in a pair of short shorts. Jade was pinning Tori to the wall, hands tight on her raised wrists and body against hers as they kissed ardently. Andre couldn't help but gulp and shift the bag he carried to cover himself. He cleared his throat and Jade pulled away to shoot him an irritated scowl. She had heard him come in but couldn't find the time to stop. Tori was just too addicting.
"We're all waiting for you," he forced out. Jade's judging gaze swept over him and he knew she could tell that he enjoyed what he walked in on a little too much.
"Shit. It's time to go already?" she complained, releasing Tori and stepping away. The hybrid blushed now that she was in plain view without Jade to cover her. She ran for the room to get dressed but Jade stood where she was, unconcerned. She crossed her arms and cocked her hip, her muscles flexing under pale skin. Andre was only a man, and he had never seen so much of his female team mates like he had now. He shifted uncomfortably and looked away. Jade smirked and sauntered down the hall.
"We'll be there," she told him, tossing it over her shoulder. He nodded, even though she was turned away and couldn't see, then ran for the door. The things he did for his friends.