Wassup, dudes? Apologies for the delay, hit a bit of writer's block and was dealing with stuff at home. Turns out, an eight year old injury I got while skiing and being stupid with one of my friends, which recently began bothering me badly, is actually a torn ACL. Yippee. Got an appointment set up with orthopedic peoples for the first of May, and might need surgery. Bad news is, PT takes four to six months if it comes to that, good news is, that means lots and lots of time to write for you guys!
markman12-I can't help myself, it's just how the story goes, dude!
Azkadellio-Probably not. I'd eat him myself, if I could turn into a dragon [draws on Maleficent's power]...and if I thought Thomas wouldn't give me the worst case of heartburn I've ever had. Trying to insert light moments into this lest it become rife with dark, heavy plot. The vindicis will be revealed...eventually.
ScottyBgood-Thank you! I forget just how insightful and vivid your imagination is. It's refreshing! Hahah, I would, but I'd be worried about the poor beast getting indigestion! I just can't senselessly harm my beautiful creations! *pets dragon's snout*
DDMKA-We all do, I think I could start a group if I wanted to...Advocates Against Thomas Anonymous...or not so anonymous. Right?!
TimelessReader-Thank you, kind sir or miss. I agree, don't worry, he'll get his comeupance in a while. I think I will make you all happy when Thomas' karma finally bites him in the ass.
Lushcoltrane-Yep, that fluffy moment was brought to you courtesy of this fluffy plot bunny *holds up rabbit*
T0ran-You're right, Thomas has nothing to gain from crushing Sikowitz's family legally. That, however, isn't his true intent. He's just using that as a front to try and get their magical abilities in the open and run the whole family out on a rail. As the council discussed, without formal proof of witchcraft, their hands are tied. However, hearsay is enough for assault charges, and he's hoping to win that and be able to investigate them further.
Enjoy!
He nodded slowly, a disappointed look upon his face. "Without evidence to present for our perusal, the council cannot, in good conscience or faith, endorse a formal investigation into the matter. However," Thomas' ears perked up at the possibility of a loophole, "we have all bore witness to your injuries, which I may assume to be a product of said event you mentioned?" Thomas nodded eagerly, a savage gleam in his eyes. The councilman sat back in his chair and his fingers steepled on the table. "That being said, and recorded in the private notes Mister Eidel has been taking, we can begin an investigation into the assault on your person. Thomas," he said seriously, leaning forward in his seat with intent, "would you like to file charges against the person or persons responsible for your injuries."
"I would."
"Can you name said person, for the purposes of the notes we record today?" Thomas' chest swelled, his chin lifted, and a shadow fell over his eyes, concealing the mad gleam. His lips turned up in a malicious smirk, tainted with promises of revenge and sadistic pleasure.
"Victoria Sikowitz."
"Wonderful, truly spectacular." Sikowitz was prodding gently at Tori's ribs, prompting giggles and wildly swung arms as she tried to evade his fingers. He gripped her wrist to halt her movements, continuing to poke her ticklish skin. "Truly amazing."
"So you've said. Can you let her go before she has an episode?" Jade, perched on the couch in the living room, stared at them blankly, chin in her open hand and elbow propped on the arm of the couch.
Sikowitz let Tori go and she bounded over to the couch, throwing herself upon it and disturbing Jade's balance. She glared at the brunette who just smiled and stretched luxuriously, groaning happily as her muscles pulled and flexed without pain. "Ah, feels so good! Jade, you have fantastic hands." Tori looked over at her with a wicked gleam in her eyes while Jade blushed and glared futilely, willing her hair to catch fire.
Sikowitz nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, you must have a soft touch to make her feel well so quickly."
Jade's eyes widened and she nearly vaulted from the couch. "Okay! I'm going outside, bye!" She almost ran for the door, Tori's rich laughter ringing in her ears as she escaped. She paused in the shade of the porch, the faint sounds of conversation from the path reaching her ears. Five men emerged from the treeline, walking leisurely toward the house. Jade noticed four were policemen, their batons and heavy cuffs swaying at their sides. A bad feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, and she whirled and fled back indoors before the quintet noticed her. She skidded into the living room and grabbed Tori's arm, lifting her bodily from the couch and beginning to drag her toward the back door.
"Jade, what the – what are you doing?"
"Keeping your ass safe, that's what!"
"What are you talking about?" Tori tugged at her captive arms and spoke over Jade's voice, hers raised in frustration and Jade's in fear. They froze when a knock came upon the front door and a voice spoke from without the house.
"Mister Sikowitz, are you home today?"
Sikowitz shared a look with the two young women standing silently in the hallway and approached the door. "Good morning, gentlemen. How may I help you today?"
One of the policemen stepped up and, with an apologetic smile, handed him a folded paper. "Erwin, I apologize for this, but we have reason to believe one of your...children, have assaulted a member of the council. Those are the charges brought against her, and protocol must follow. I'm sorry."
Sikowitz, who had been silently reading the paper, met the officer's eyes with a pained look. "Are you certain my daughter is responsible?"
"Not by any means, sir, but hearsay is enough in this case, since everyone in town has seen the marks upon Mister West's face these pasts two weeks. That, plus his given record of events, is enough for the moment. Will you let me do my duty peacefully, Sikowitz?" The officer's eyes, while kind, were also hard, and his hand settled on the butt of his baton. Sikowitz's jaw tightened and his shoulders raised for a moment before he sighed and stepped aside. The men came inside and saw Jade and Tori, where they were frozen, listening with growing unease to the conversation. Jade tugged weakly on Tori's arm but the brunette never budged.
The policeman walked up to Tori and said, "Miss Sikowitz?" She nodded mutely and he took her arm. "You have been charged with the assault of one Thomas West, including but not restricted to bodily as well as mental and proprietary damage. You are to be brought before the council to plead your case, and they will decide the verdict based on unbiased and thorough thought. Do you come willingly to the town hall?"
Tori's mouth worked silently for a few seconds, her eyes still trained on Jade's face, as they had been since they heard the first words. Jade's eyes were dark with outrage and worry, her hand still on Tori's bicep flexed desperately, and she caught her lip between her teeth to hide its trembling. Tori smiled reassuringly, half hearted though it was, and gently shook off Jade's hand. "I will."
As Jade ran out of the room, face aflame, Tori laughed and clutched at her ribs. She looked up when she heard thumping steps and watched Cat sprint into the room with a panicked expression on her face. "Papa, Tori's in danger! There's – there's men, and-"
"Cat, take a moment, you can barely breathe, let alone speak. What's the matter?"
The redhead's chest heaved and a jumble of words spilled from her lips. Tori sat up alertly and her eyes flicked to the open window, where she could hear snatches of conversation outside. Her stomach curled uneasily as Cat babbled, eyes wide and ringed thickly with silver. "Papa, they're going to try and put her in jail! They said she hurt someone – Thomas, I heard – and, and she was – you can't go, Tor! It's rigged, they're gonna-"
Jade ran into the room and cut Cat off as she dragged Tori from the couch and tried to lead her to the back door. Sikowitz set his hand on the redhead's shoulder and waited for her to meet his eyes. "Go out back, my dear. You can't let them see your eyes right now." She tried to speak but he interrupted her brusquely. "Do not fight me, please. I will keep your sister safe, but you need to leave, okay? Go." He pushed her gently away and walked into the hallway, sparing a warning glance for Tori and Jade as he answered the door.
He couldn't believe his ears when the policeman read the charges aloud, but his hands were tied, too. He let them pass and watched with clenched jaw as Tori was led away from the house, a heavy hand securely on her shoulder and her slight frame surrounded by the five men. Jade stood next to him breathing rapidly and shook in helpless rage and fear. She turned to him and her tongue struck out viciously. "Why the hell didn't you stop them? You could have made them forget what they came for, made them believe she wasn't responsible, I've seen you do it! What goddamned good are you if you can't even help her!" Angry tears filled Jade's eyes and spilled over, making wet tracks down her cheeks before they dripped from her chin onto the wooden porch floor.
Sikowitz let her rage until she was spent, a quivering hand to her mouth to stifle the quiet sobs and her eyes, still bright with fury and wet with tears, trained on his. "Say something, Sikowitz!" He took a step nearer and set his hand on her shoulder, feeling the muscles bunch and give as she restrained herself – from pulling away or striking out, he couldn't say.
"I wish I could have done something, but too many people are already aware of the situation. My magic isn't boundless, Jade, I can't always work to make things in my favor. But we won't just let them take her from us, we will fight and claw and force them to see the truth, I promise you this."
They stared at each other until Cat burst onto the porch, Robbie on her heels. "Papa, I know what to do to help Tori! C'mon, we need to get to town!"
Tori held herself proudly, ignoring the suspicious and haughty glances of passersby. She forced her breaths to come slowly and paced her steps even though she was panicking inside and wanted to break away and run as far as she could. She walked into the town hall via a back door and was led to a small, open barred cell situated in the corner, where the officer let her go and locked her in. "I am sorry, miss, but protocol has to be observed." He leaned close to the bars and whispered, "Personally, I don't think you could hurt a fly. But I wouldn't begrudge you even if you did injure Mister West; that man is a little too smooth for my taste." He offered a grim smile and left Tori alone with her thoughts. She considered and immediately discarded the possibility of escape and sat back to wait until she was summoned.
It was only a half hour later when the same policeman came to the back and unlocked her cell, gently taking her arm and leading her to the front of the hall where he set her in a chair before the councilmen. Tori was somewhat relieved to see her family, Jade, the Byrd's and Lane sitting in the common area, all looking grim and determined. She was faced with eleven unsmiling faces, with Thomas sitting smugly on the side. The man sitting in the center shuffled some papers and banged his gavel on the table.
"We commence this meeting to discuss the alleged assault of Thomas West by Victoria Sikowitz; do you affirm to be Miss Sikowitz?" Tori nodded, and the investigation began. "How do you plead, Miss Sikowitz? Note that if you lie, your punishment shall be adjusted accordingly to reflect such misleadings."
"Not guilty, sir."
He nodded like he had expected her to say so and glanced at his notes again, ignoring Thomas' perturbed grumbling. "Very well, it has been noted that you plead not guilty. Miss Sikowitz, can you tell us how Mister West came about the wounds on his person, including lacerations to his face and shoulders, as well as bruising about his eyes and arms?"
"No, sir." She spoke clearly and confidently, betraying none of her nervousness.
The councilman nodded and pointed at his papers. "Mister West stated that you came to his house some two weeks ago and assaulted his person, damaging not only his body, but destroying his property as well. In said alleged assault, he states that you obtained injuries to your person when he defended himself, including several broken ribs and wounds to the bottom of your feet from stepping on broken glass."
Tori folded her hands in her lap and stared straight at Thomas as she answered. "I have none of those injuries, sir."
"Lies! Lies and foolishness! I saw the blood, I know what I saw!" Thomas rose from his seat angrily and was pushed back none too gently by the policeman who had brought Tori into the room. He sat sullenly with his arms crossed and glared balefully at the room at large.
The councilman addressing Tori caught her attention again with a cleared throat. "Ah, just to be certain, might we observe the areas, to ensure truthfulness?" Tori lifted her foot, baring the sole to the council's eyes. She wiggled her toes mockingly in the face of Thomas' disbelief as he saw the smooth, calloused skin for himself. "No scars, I see. Then what of a small prod of your ribs, to see if they pain you?" The policeman left Thomas' side, pulled her to her feet and poked at her dispassionately with his baton. Tori squirmed as he prodded her but didn't move otherwise, and was sat back in her seat. Thomas was gripping the arms of his chair angrily, his face twisted into a silent snarl. The councilman cleared his throat and the corner of his mouth dipped down briefly. "No pain, Miss Sikowitz?"
"No, sir."
"I see. Moving onward, we next examine the claim that you forcibly removed his daughter from his domicile and are now preventing her from returning of her own free will." Behind her, Tori heard Jade scoff and mutter under her breath.
She sat up straighter, eyes suddenly flinty, and the councilmen collectively felt the need to duck their heads as she glared at them each in turn. "I have never done anything against Jade's will. Her decision to live with us was her own, she stays with us of her volition, and if she chooses to leave it is her own."
Thomas leapt from his chair, shoved away the guard, and set upon Tori in a rage. "You lying...charlatan! You stole her, my daughter, from me! You had no ri-" Tori almost pushed herself out of her seat to challenge him, but caught her hands against the arms of her chair the last second and settled for silently seething, glaring up at him and forcing the warmth coiling in her chest back as spittle flew from the man's mouth. "I will have the truth, gypsy! You cannot-"
"Mister West, sit down!" The councilman yelled from his seat, but Thomas continued his tirade.
"-from me forever! She has no job, no money, she cannot support herself without a husband, who has been provided for her!" Thomas was silenced momentarily as a mild voice raised above his own.
"Actually, Mister West, Miss Jade does, in fact, have a job. She's employed with me." Lane strode calmly up beside Tori, hands folded behind his back and completely at ease. Thomas snorted derisively but remained silent for the moment and Lane took the opportunity and ran with it. "I have recently come into more work and needed someone to assist young Mister Beck with organizing files and scheduling. Miss Jade has been most helpful." Lane nodded at the council and turned to walk back. He caught Tori's eyes briefly and winked, a smirk curling one side of his face, then walked away.
Tori shifted in her seat and Thomas' gaze refocused on her, his faint confusion quickly replaced with rage again. He advanced on her and snarled. "You've placed Jadelyn under some spell, I demand you release her! I will not stand for this insubordination any longer! If you-"
Tori heard a scuffle behind her, then Jade appeared and shoved her father hard. Thomas stumbled back, jaw gaping and eyes wild as his daughter stalked up to him. "Sit. Down."
Thomas straightened and got in her face, his height giving him extra inches he was trying to use to intimidate Jade with. "Jadelyn, if you do not cease this malarkey and come home with me immediately-"
"You'll what? Drag me out? Try, I dare you." His hand reached for her and a flash of silver was the only warning her had before a pair of scissors, hidden in a pocket by her hip, was pressed to the thin skin of his wrist. Thomas' eyes were riveted to the sharp blades and Jade chuckled humorlessly. "You know what I can do with these, father dearest. Now, if you want to avoid that...unfortunate fate, you will back up, now."
Thomas' nostrils flared and he abruptly pulled his arm back. He tried to grab Jade but she ducked back and Tori erupted, snarling and fingers tingling with power. Her foot connected with his knee and, as he fell to the ground, she let her power wrap around his body constrictively. He struggled against the invisible bindings as Jade straddled him, the blades to his throat. The officer pulled her off him and yanked Thomas to his feet.
Jade sneered and leaned close to him before he was dragged back to his seat. "You no longer control me. I am my own person, free to control myself, and you have no way to get me back. Go back to that empty house, old man." Thomas' face twisted inhumanly and he jerked against the officer's restraining arms. Jade never flinched, just continued to stare him down until he was violently pulled away from her.
"Miss West, sit down, or you will be removed from this hall." The councilman looked frazzled and tense, his lips pressed thinly together and eyebrows low over his face. Jade bowed mockingly and, as she walked by Tori, set her hand on her shoulder in support. Tori slowly eased back into her chair and faced the council with a blank face, ruthlessly quelling the need to let some more of her power loose. They all squirmed in their seats uncomfortably, some looking away from her eyes while others held her faze stubbornly for a few seconds until they were cowed as well.
The man heading the hearing shuffled his papers and his throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously. "Ahm, yes, Miss Sikowitz...so, now that we are all composed..." His eyes bounced from person to person, lingering behind Tori and anxiously flicking quickly away from her face. "It seems, ahem, that we the...the council, have no further need to, ehm, continue this, this investigation." He lifted the gavel and slammed it on the table twice. "You are dismissed, miss. No charges will be filed against you-"
Thomas roared furiously from his chair and the officer standing behind him took no small measure of delight from cracking his shoulder with his baton. The councilman tugged uncomfortably at his collar and sighed in disappointment as he returned his attention to the young woman at his front. "Yes, no charges, so...so you are...free to go, I suppose." Voices raised immediately, those in front with ire and suspicion, while those behind her crowed joyously. Tori bolted from her chair and was swept into Sikowitz's arms, feet dangling from the ground as he swung her in a circle. He laughed and his stubble scraped against her cheek, then Tori found herself in Jason's arms, his bearded face crinkled with happiness.
The group stumbled outside and eventually wound up at Jason's and Molly's, cramming into the small living room and spilling into the kitchen. Jade was noticeably absent and Tori wandered through the house looking for her, weaving through the various groups of her family and friends that littered the rooms. She leaned against a closed bedroom door and tested the knob, unsurprised to find it unlocked. Tori was surprised, however, when she saw Jade on the other side, sitting on the bed against the far wall with her face in her hands. "Jade? What's wrong?"
She met Tori's eyes, eyes blank of expression and face inscrutable. She stood and tread across the floor until she was toe to toe with Tori, who leaned back slightly as Jade invaded her personal space. Jade's face remained inscrutable for several long seconds, then it twisted into an odd expression of relieved anger. "What the hell were you thinking? How goddamned stupid can you be?"
Her words hit Tori with all the force of a slap and she took a couple steps backwards, Jade pursuing her slowly. "You just let them take you, don't put up a fight...do you know what could have happened?" Tori froze when Jade's breath caught, eyes shining suspiciously. She advanced on Tori until her back was pressed to the door, palms flat against the cool wood as Jade came close enough for them to share breath. "Do you know how scared I was?" Her words were whispered against Tori's mouth, remnants of terror still seen in her blue-green eyes. Jade searched Tori's gaze and then shut her eyes and closed the distance.
Their lips tingled with suppressed magic, sparks arcing from Jade's fingertips to Tori's clothes as her hands pressed against the fabric over her stomach. Jade's eyes were tightly shut as she cataloged each shaky breath Tori took and felt her muscles flex beneath her hands. She pulled back reluctantly but didn't move away, watching the swirls of silver in Tori's eyes. "And if you tell anyone that I was scared when you were arrested, we're gonna have problems, get it?" Her own eyes were lined with silver and narrowed in warning, lips turned down in a frown.
Tori stared at her incomprehensibly for a few seconds, lips lifting in a smile. "Aw, you do care!"
"We've established this already, in case you forgot."
Tori's tone lowered and her eyes bore into Jade's. "It's still nice to hear, sometimes." Her hand curled around the curve of Jade's jaw, thumb brushing below her eye softly. "I care about you too, you know? It scares me a little, actually, just how much I care. I'm afraid if I get too close, something will happen to you." Tori's smile was a little wobbly and Jade felt a stab of sympathetic pain in her chest.
She closed the small distance between them and wrapped her arms around Tori's waist, chin on her shoulder and mouth by her ear. "Hey, c'mon now, don't get scared. You're supposed to be the brave one, remember?" Tori laughed weakly. "Besides," Jade said, voice low and intimate, "I thought you dared me to let you get close? You can't chicken out now, you've got to see how close I'll let you come."
Tori's breath washed over Jade's skin as she exhaled shakily. "How close?"
Jade pulled back far enough so Tori could see her expression, coy and playful. "Why don't you find out?"
Tori pressed their lips together again and her hands wandered until they settled daringly low on Jade's back, just above the curve of her ass. Jade's hands curled around her biceps, tugging her closer so their bodies were flush, humming into her mouth as Tori's fingers kneaded her skin. "Closer," she panted, breaking away long enough to nip Tori's lip and gasp as her hands slid lower, cupping the full swell of her ass and pressing them closer still. Tori grinned rakishly, pupils blown wide and leaned down to claim her mouth again.
They moved unconsciously until Jade's thighs met a desk and Tori lifted her so she sat on the surface. She stepped between Jade's knees and tilted her head to deepen the kiss, hands skipping down over her dress until she met skin. Jade's fingers snuck beneath the collar of her shirt and her free hand slid down over her stomach, gripping the fabric of her button down and pulling it and the underlying shirt out of the confines of her pants. Tori gasped, leaning back as nails drew searing lines across her abdomen and Jade took advantage of the break, pressing her lips and teeth to Tori's collarbone and shoulder. She smirked when Tori moaned quietly, sliding her hand around her waist to hold her against her body. "Close enough yet?"
"Gods, don't – don't stop." Jade nipped a developing bruise on the muscle between her shoulder and neck before meandering back to Tori's lips and kissing her again. As hands began to wander again, Jade felt the vindicis stirring in her mind.
[Youngling, there is-]
Not now, can't you see I'm busy?
[But there is som-]
Go away! She felt exasperation through the link and the mental equivalent of rolled eyes.
[Have thine own way, youngling. Thou can not blame me for trying]
What are you-
"Tori, where are you, my girl? You're missing the festivities!" The bedroom door opened abruptly and Jason gawked from the doorway, jaw swaying loosely and eyes wide in surprise. The two young women tore away from each other but it was entirely too late for any semblance of composure. Tori's shirt was untucked and rumpled, a darkening bruise was just visible underneath her collar, and Jade looked equally disheveled with hair coming free of her bun and a stocking falling around her ankle. They all stared wide eyed at each other for long seconds, three faces heating equally fast and eyes bouncing rapidly between the floor, the walls – anything but the others' faces.
Footsteps announced the arrival of Cat, who stood on her tiptoes to peer over Jason's shoulder. "Tor, Jadie, hi! I see you found each other!" Cat's eyes were bright with mischief, glinting playfully and swirling with silver.
Jade shook herself from her panic and narrowed her eyes. She heard amused snickering in her head and growled aloud, advancing toward the two standing in the doorway. "Cat..."
The redhead squealed, tucked herself protectively behind Jason, and smiled guilelessly. "Surprise?" She giggled nervously as Jade's eyes narrowed further. "Please don't be angry! I just saw it this morning after Tori was taken away, and thought you might enjoy – this," she said, gesturing between Jade and Tori exuberantly. "I didn't think Uncle Jason was going to come in! I just wanted you to relax and get closer!"
"You saw us – you little imp! You were peeping!"
"I wasn't, I swear! It just showed up! You know I can't always control my sight!"
Jade was about to launch herself at Cat when Jason stuck his hand out. "Wait, wait – Jade, calm down. Cat, I think you should go back to the kitchen and hang out with Aunt Molly, she's going to bake soon." Cat gave one last wide eyed look to Jade and scampered off, leaving the three still standing awkwardly.
Tori shuffled her feet, looking shy but determined, and spoke up before Jason could say anything. "Tio, I didn't mean for you to find out like this. I was going to talk with Jade later and we were going to speak with you." She rubbed the back of her neck self-consciously and Jason rubbed his face with a large hand.
He sighed, then chuckled lowly, a little smile breaking across his broad features. "Girls, don't worry. Anyone with eyes can see how you two interact with each other, and frankly, I'm not surprised. I mean, I am, obviously, I didn't think I was going to walk in on you-" An odd, strangled sound came out of his mouth and he flushed anew. Jade retreated closer to Tori and felt her hand taken gently and held securely between them. "Now, I've got no problem with you two kissing or – whatever else you do. I can't say I understand it, but I brought up my boys to think that love is acceptable in any form as long as it doesn't harm anyone involved, and I do believe that.
"However," he said, face sobering quickly as he raised a hand and pointed at them separately, "we do need to lay some ground rules I think, just for my peace of mind." Tori made a face and Jason pointed his finger at her. "Now, Tori, you're like my own kid, so you're going to be treated like they were. That means no girls alone in the bedroom and no shut doors while you're here. I don't need to be any more traumatized than my sons have already made me...I still have flashbacks some days."
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what Jason's sons put him through? ;) If someone leaves a particularly good idea, I might be persuaded to write it as a separate one shot...