Lessons in Humility

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long guys, I got caught up with work and the new video games that came out (Assassin's creed in october, Red Dead Redemption 2 in November), and life just became an obsession between those and work. So, as you can imagine, a lot of things fell by the wayside...so here you are, this and the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 26 (Rebuilding)

The first day of her training at the firehouse academy had finally come and Tori was already nervous enough about it. She had to request time off from her main job first, though if all went well, she would likely be giving her two weeks' notice soon.

Before it all began, however, Jade sent her a message to meet up at the café near the firehouse; and if she wasn't nervous enough already, her nerves surely increased when she saw the whole group sitting around a table outside the café. Trina wasn't present, which didn't help much. Though she'd talked to them each on various occasions, she still wasn't sure how a conversation with them all together would go.

"How's it going?" Andre asked as she took a seat at the table. His gentle smile calmed her a bit, reminding her that she didn't have to be so nervous about them. "I know there's a lot going on right now, so we thought it would be nice to pull you aside for a short break."

"Bought you some coffee," Beck remarked while pushing a cup towards her. She raised an eyebrow at it. Unsure of the offering, she reached for it and gently pulled it closer to her.

"Everything all right?" She asked. The others nodded and Tori raised the cup to her lips, closing her eyes as she took a long sip. The caramel flavor spilled over her tongue and delighted it with sweetness. She opened her eyes a bit and smiled broadly. "Salted caramel mocha, you guys remembered I liked that?"

"It was that or the caramel macchiato," Jade replied, "They didn't have the Italian Mocha here, but we know you liked that one too." She chuckled softly and set the cup down.

"Okay, so what's going on? You guys are being extra nice today."

"We've all talked to you since you've been back in town," Andre replied, "But as a group we thought maybe we should get together and chat with you." He looked to the others and cleared his throat. "A truce, I guess you'd call it. We're sorry we gave you a hard time when you first got here." She leaned her head to the side and shrugged.

"You didn't exactly have a reason not to." She understood their behavior well enough and didn't fault them for it. "Trina explained it like a million times, but yeah, I get it." She'd been so far gone that no one from her past had a reason to think she was to be trusted. "I don't blame you guys for anything." She shrugged. "I was selfish, and a bit delusional. I had no right to assume I could come back and expect everything to be the same."

"Too many things have changed for that. At least we can all just start over instead." Andre leaned back slowly, his eyes closing as a sigh rolled away from his lips. "It feels good to let the past go, though. Everyone deserves a fresh start, so I suppose that's really why we're all here."

"Even Trina," Cat said with a chuckle, "In spirit. She'd be here if not for spending the day with her daughter." She saw the theme, or so she'd call it such. Everyone was being given a second chance at life. "It's a good thing you did back there at the orphanage. Though, any anonymity you were hoping for…"

"Ended when I decided to testify against Hudson and Barbara." She took another sip of her coffee and looked off to the right a bit. "It's not the same type of fame I'm trying to get away from, and I'm sure it won't last long. It's not like I'm going to dive right back into a singing career or something."

"True." Cat leaned back, folded her arms across her chest and let out another chuckle. "Speaking of, you really helped Trina more than you realize." Tori raised an eyebrow as the others nodded. "She's too proud to admit it, but she's always wanted to search for the baby she gave up but was too scared."

"Never did think enough of herself," Jade stated, "She didn't think she had what it took to be a part of that kid's life."

Tori was glad for it at least, and still didn't regret going back into the fire for Rachel. "Trina sacrificed a lot for me, maybe more than I really know." She dipped her gaze down, remembering some of the ghostly visions she'd seen before. "I figured, maybe I'd sacrifice something for her. You know? I wasn't really thinking about it like that at the time, but…but yeah, the moment I handed Rachel to her, I felt something good." She smiled and raised up her shoulders. "I can't really explain it. It was like…like a burden being lifted almost."

Beck leaned in to Jade. "Tori has been acting different lately," he joked. Tori rolled her eyes and Jade laughed.

Andre leaned forward, holding his phone just above the table and peering down at it. For a moment, Tori saw a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "I have more good news." The others waited as his gaze rolled up from his phone and a smile grew on his face. "After you gave that recording over to the police, they were able to secure a warrant to search Barbara's home…They dug under the house and found the body of a young woman buried there."

Tori's eyebrows rose and she almost shouted out in triumph. She wasn't sure if the others knew about Andre's mother or not, so she didn't want to give anything away. "Finally," Tori replied almost breathlessly, "Justice will be served and their last victim put to rest."

"Those two aren't going to see the light of day again." Andre let out a despairing sigh and shook his head. "Just wish California didn't do away with the death penalty, even life in prison is too good for those two."

Beck put an arm around his friend's shoulders and flashed a brisk smile. "Don't sweat it Andre. What really matters is they can't hurt anyone ever again. I understand where you're coming from, though. If I were in your position…yeah, I'd want to put a bullet in them too."

Tori was a bit taken aback, clearly Beck was aware of Andre's past. It didn't surprise her, the two had always been best friends, though Tori never took the time to really delve into that connection. "Strange," she said calmly while the others turned their attention to her, "I just realized something."

"What's that?"

"I never really knew that much about your personal lives. Back in high school."

"You never asked."

"I'm sorry."

"It happens." Beck crossed his arms and smirked. "As someone said earlier, none of us are like we were back then. Things change."

"They certainly have." She took a quick breath and glanced to Jade. "Hey Jade, are you still into paranormal stuff?" The recent events were still fresh on her mind, and she didn't have anyone to talk to that could really believe her. Jade took a long sip of her drink and then shook her head.

"Not as much of an interest anymore, no."

"Oh…"

"Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering if you believe in ghosts or spirits, or maybe even guardian angels." Jade let out a chuckle and the others nodded, seeming to do so for her.

"I do actually believe in the supernatural. Can't say I've ever experienced anything paranormal though." Jade smirked. "For as much as I tried to when I was younger. Never could make contact with ghosts, spirits or even angels."

"I think I might have experienced something like that." Jade's eyebrows went up and the woman set her cup gently on the table. "During the fire, I'd been knocked unconscious. I began seeing memories, some weren't my own…some belonged to Trina, others to, well, Jason."

"You're kidding."

"I'm not." She shook her head and leaned forward, looking intensely into Jade's eyes. "I saw you and Trina fighting in the past." Jade's eyebrows furrowed and Tori leaned away. "I saw Trina contemplating suicide on a beach during the storm, where Andre found her." Andre hummed for a moment and Tori started to sigh. "Then there was something weird. Those who are still alive were blurry in my memories, but those who passed on were very visible."

"Interesting."

"Sikowitz. I-I thought he was still alive last I heard anything about him, but he appeared clear as day in those memories." Jade frowned as Beck bowed his head and let out a subtle sigh.

"He did pass recently." Beck looked up as Tori's heart began to sink. It was horrible to hear of his death now, when she would have loved to see him again. "In the end, he did see the play at the school. He looked very sick and fragile at the time and told me he wanted to see my work one more time. He left after the play, and I asked him if he wanted to see you but he said he had to go."

Hurt, but thinking little of it, she nodded respectfully and wiped away a tear straying from her gaze. "I understand. How did he die? Does anyone know?"

"The obituaries said he passed away in his sleep a few days after the play."

Jade tapped her cheek, her eyes seemed to pop. "Fascinating. It seems like you might've experienced something paranormal. Unless it was an out of body experience or these things came to you from a dream."

"Jason. I think they came from Jason." The others froze and Jade's jaw dropped open. "Because he appeared in nearly every memory, and when he did, he would look straight at me where none of the others could me. He was in the orphanage too, guiding me through the flames…he guided me to Rachel, and even stood beside Trina when I carried Rachel to her."

"Oh my god…"

"He showed me one vision of the fire at Hollywood Arts. Showed me that Hudson and Barbara were there." Jade started to tense and Beck's calm demeanor turned to horror. "Two people in that fire heard the music on the loudspeaker, the same music that Hudson played at the Orphanage."

"Someone did come forward," Andre replied while stroking his chin. Tori looked at him with bewilderment. "Police gave a statement saying a witness came forward, saying plainly that they heard the same music at Hollywood Arts moments before the fire erupted. No one could hear it in the auditorium…"

Beck was trembling, his hand raising over his mouth. "You're saying that the fire at Hollywood Arts was because of them?"

"It was," Tori replied, "I believe that." He shut his eyes and after a few seconds the trembling stopped. It was like a wave of relief washed over him, the years of guilt leaving his body. "I saw in that memory, Jason just before he died, he saw them. Barbara and Hudson. They were talking about the fire, he overheard them. If he didn't rush in after me…"

"He probably would have told the police about an arsonist," Jade replied. The woman shrugged. "But then you would be dead. I think he made the right call."

"But you believe me, then? You don't think I'm crazy?"

"Well, you've said some things that you shouldn't really know…"

Andre nodded as well. "And that night on the beach." Tori looked at him, sobriety coming over her. "With your sister, she would never have told you about that night. None of us would have, out of respect for her wishes; so, there's no way you could know about it."

She smiled at him. "Thank you for being there for her, Andre." He smiled back and closed his eyes. "I can see you care a lot about her. I haven't had much chance to talk to you and I was kind of wondering-"

"Wondering what?"

"Are the two of you…is there something there? I've seen the way you guys act around each other. She really likes your concerts." Andre laughed and Tori thought she could see a hint of red on his cheeks. "I know she's told me she hasn't thought about dating for a long time, but…"

"Neither of us have." Andre went quiet for a minute, his eyes glancing off to the side for a brief moment. There was a solemnness there, and something far different than she'd seen in him before. "Honestly, yeah there is. Both of us talked about it, and neither of us really have thought much about pursuing right now. Still, she gets along with my daughter and-"

Startled, she interrupted him with an abrupt question. "You have a kid?" He paused, studying her for a second before seeming to realize.

"Yeah. I was engaged in college. I have a eight year old daughter, Ophelia." He pressed his lips together firmly and closed his eyes. "Her mother passed away during childbirth." Tori gasped and reached a hand up over her mouth.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." She didn't mean to bring up such a painful memory. At least she could understand why he hadn't mentioned it before. Andre was much more of a private person now than he'd ever been and wasn't likely to share such personal bits of his life unless asked. "I didn't mean to bring up any painful memories."

"It's okay." He smiled sadly and shrugged. "Trina and I share that common bond of losing someone we loved. I'd like to say we've both moved on, but neither of us wants to replace the other person."

"I don't think you'd have to worry about replacing Jason. I won't meddle; but I think it could be nice for both of you guys to go out with someone for once after so long." He chuckled again.

"Maybe one day."

"You would have my blessing, if the two of you ever did decide to date. I'd hope for the best, and I know you'd treat her right. You're a great person."

"Thank you."

Suddenly, Beck cleared his throat and reached into his pocket. "Speaking of meddling. I did a little meddling of my own." Tori looked over and raised an eyebrow as he pushed a slip of paper her way. It had a phone number written in black ink. With a smirk, she flicked her gaze to Jade.

"Jade, your husband is giving me a telephone number. Note that I am not asking for it." The others smiled as Jade started to snicker.

"Noted. Don't worry, it's not his number so I won't kill him." Everyone laughed at that, which caused Tori to join in. Beck let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.

"It's Ian's number." Tori froze, her breathing dropping to a shallow pitch. "I was talking to him and asked if he'd want to talk to you since you've been in town and were likely going to stick around." She tentatively took the slip of paper while raising her other hand to her chest. Her eyes studied the number carefully and her heart was using her hand as a drum.

"Beck, I…"

"It's just talking. He said to go ahead and give him a call whenever you like, that it would be nice to catch up. I think you should, if you'd like. I mean, he won't bite."

Jade reached over, gently patting Tori on the hand. "Not like us, anyway." A faint smile cracked on her face and she whisked the paper into her purse. "You don't have to go in expecting anything."

"What's he like now? I don't know how much of him you know since he didn't go to HA." Beck slid his hand through his hair and shrugged.

"Well I knew him." Tori's jaw dropped and he nodded at her. "I mean, not much. It wasn't like we hung out or anything, but he lived on my street and often jogged to school. I walked or rode my bike, so we'd see each other in passing most days, maybe talk about the weather."

Still shocked, her eyes were growing larger and her heart was racing like the cars in Nascar. "You knew Ian?"

"Again, only in passing. You never talked about him so I didn't realize the two of you had known each other. It wasn't until you were gone that I even realized you two had a history."

"Yeah." Struggling to catch her breath, she sank a bit in her chair and grabbed her coffee cup. "A 'history'." She regretted not telling them about Ian. "The best kid in science class." She flung her hair back and shifted her gaze to the side. "Second best. Best kisser though." She chuckled nervously as her friends wagged their eyebrows at her. Flicking her finger out, her voice sharpened. "Don't tell Trina that."

"Yeah, Ian mentioned having gone on a few dates with you before you left Sherwood. Didn't say much about it." She tilted her head, now curious how such a topic even came up. Before she could ask, he had the answer ready. "When your name first came out, he only realized it was you because of his little sister listening to the new artists."

"Must've been in college by that time."

"Of course. You know, we went to the same college and still rarely ran into each other there? Only in the neighborhood, I swear!" Beck raised his hands up and laughed. "He was mowing the lawn one day while I was walking to the park, his little sister was helping with the yard work and listening to the radio. One of your songs came up and he recognized you."

"Wow. So how did the whole 'I dated her' thing come up?"

Beck shrugged. "Just like that. I didn't say anything about you while we were talking. He heard your song and told me he'd known you in Sherwood and that the two of you had begun dating before you left to Hollywood Arts. I let him know that I had been friends with you and that, of course, I was sorry I never knew to say anything before."

"Oh…"

"But like Jade said, you can give him a call and neither of you has to go in expecting anything. Just talk. I'm sure he'll be happy to catch up."

"Maybe." She glanced at her purse and a hopeful feeling came over her. She was glad she didn't have to go in with any expectations or with Ian expecting anything, at the very least it would be nice to hear from him again. "It would be nice to have another stable person around after the whole thing with Hudson and his wife."

"I'll bet." Beck winked and played at a smirk. "And this time you don't have to worry, Ian's single." Tori rolled her eyes while Jade smacked the back of Beck's head. "Sorry."

"No, I get it." She chuckled softly. "I've always had bad luck picking people. Never stuck with the good ones, always ended up with bad ones. Users. Like Danny, or Stephen, or Hudson…"

"Yep."

"I'm working on it, though. I promise." She'd enjoy hearing from Ian. She wouldn't be closed out to anything, if something were to happen down the line, but that would take time. Ian could feel the same way. Even if he didn't, if he were still a good man like he was, he'd likely still respect her wishes. "So. Are we okay? All of us?"

"I think so," Andre replied as he looked to the others. Each of them nodded their heads, lifting up Tori's heart a bit with each approval. It was nice to be accepted by them again, though she already knew they were okay with her beforehand, this just made it feel more official. "And we also wanted to ask…none of us really knew Sikowitz passed until Beck caught it in the obituaries. We all missed the funeral. Maybe you'd like to go with us to the cemetery? Pay our respects?"

"That would be wonderful."

So much here. What are your thoughts on it all?