The Path to Freedom
Chapter 1 - Full of Surprises
Author's Note: For those who might be confused, I will try to explain as best as I possibly can - the following story is what my version of a sequel to the original story 'Start From Scratch' by Quitting Time, who has given me permission to post this and is also providing helpful tidbits of valuable information so that I can have a better understanding of how he's written the characters in this universe.
Hopefully you will all enjoy what I have planned, and I'd like to thank again Quitting Time for letting me publish this continuation of one of his best Jori works.
Disclaimer: The show "Victorious" belongs to Viacom CBS/Nickelodeon, and the 'SfS' universe belongs to Quitting Time. I just own this story, and any OCs I create.
"Vega, you'd better have a good reason for not being at the airport to pick me up, or I swear that I… will…"
Getting ready to give her beloved a piece of her mind, Jade's irritation and anger started to boil down once she opened up the door to their apartment - a place she had not been in for almost two months, and was currently set up for a Welcome Home celebration.
She couldn't help but smile at the colorful scissors that surrounded the words on the hung-up 'welcome' banner, knowing that only someone like Tori Vega would somehow be able to find that type of decoration.
Alright, so maybe I won't be 'that hard' on her for not coming to get me. The young actress placed her luggage near the couch, and removed her jacket to place on the coat rack while continuing to look around. But she'll definitely be taught a le - oh…
A quick sparkle had suddenly caught her attention, and Jade saw that it came from a certain pair of blue scissors placed on the kitchen countertop. Remembering what she had requested Tori to do before the raven-haired woman left on her trip to Rome, Jade was also now finding it really hard to stay irritated at her girlfriend. "She's so lucky she is who she is. Otherwise I-"
Her words were cut off after her ears picked up the sound of the main bedroom door opening, and Jade looked in the direction it had came from. "Tori? You in here?"
For about a minute, there was no type of response so Jade simply gave a small chuckle and began to walk over to the door. I don't see any reason for me to not see anything that she might have planned for me in there.
However, after the young woman entered the bedroom, Jade's amused expression quickly switched to confusion and utter shock as she saw what appeared to be Tori sleeping except her girlfriend's attire was ripped in several areas, as well as Tori's arm just dangling over the side of the bed. "No… this… can't be… happening."
"Oh, but it is, sweetheart." Jade's heart then skipped a beat after hearing a sinister tone from behind that sent a chill down the young actress' spine. She slowly turned herself away from Tori, and before being able to get a good look at the unwelcomed guest, Jade almost screamed out loud after the person's hand swiftly wrapped itself around Jade's neck.
"Tori!" Then, Jade suddenly found herself sitting up in a bed, breathing hard and feeling her heart rapidly beating like a drum. W-what… where am I?
Confusion started to enter her mind, but as the moonlight shined its way across the room, she began to remember that she was inside of the studio-provided apartment.
It was… it was just a dream… I'm still here in Rome, and Tori's still waiting for me back home in New York.
Looking down at her right hand, Jade sensed her heartbeat begin to relax as her eyes focused on the promise ring that Tori had given her on the day that she'd left almost two months ago. After it was back to normal, the young actress turned over to the nearby nightstand that currently held a glass of water, her special journal, and a cellphone.
Once she opened up the communication device, Jade went straight to the call history and began relaxing after seeing that the last time she'd spoken to Tori was about 5 hours ago. Noticing that it was currently 3 am, Jade figured that Tori was probably fast asleep right now, so Jade went ahead with an alternative way to hear Tori's voice. Scrolling through a list of saved audio files, the young actress hit Play once she had located a particular one that contained the voice of her beloved.
"Alright, Jade, if you're listening to this, then you've just had another bad dream. Remember everything that Dr. Cortez and I said to you, okay? Let's begin to count. One… two… three…"
Nodding her head, the talented young woman started to count alongside Tori's soothing voice, and Jade's nerves began relaxing with every passing second. Then, once they had both reached the number ten, Jade began consuming the cold and refreshing water while Tori's audio message continued to play.
Remember to write down this experience in your journal as soon as possible. It doesn't have to be right now, though. Once you're completely worry-free, do your best to go back to sleep. If you still have trouble, then go ahead and call me, ok? Goodnight, Elliot. I love you. See you soon.
Normally, Jade would have probably felt amused and slightly confused at Tori saying a different name, but hearing it brought a smile instead to her face since she knew that the Latina was referring to the 1977 film Goodbye Girl that they'd watched together.
Her body no longer feeling dehydrated, Jade set the half-drunk glass back down on the counter, and started making herself comfortable in the bed. A few moments later, the raven-haired female allowed her drowsy eyelids to close and began to sleep peacefully after muttering a small sentence softly. "Love you too, Tori."
"CUT! Okay, that's a wrap for the morning-afternoon shoot, ladies and gentlemen!"
After the director said those words to the cast and crew, there was a sigh of relief from just about everyone since the sun's heat today was currently staying at almost 105°.
"Alright, I get it… hopefully this heat wave doesn't continue into the evening," said the smirking director as he shook his head and began fanning himself with his HBO hat. "Don't forget to be back here at 6pm on the dot… oh, Jade, can I have a quick word?"
Giving a 'see you later' in ASL to the talented actress that was playing Livia Drusilla (wife of Augustus Caesar), Jade adjusted her Roman slave attire before walking over to the director and also speaking with him via sign language. 'Yes, Mr. Quentin?'
"Well, first of all, Miss West," replied the director, who was speaking normally but also using his hands to do ASL. "I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we are all very impressed with the dedication you've given to playing Alda. I don't think I've heard your actual voice since the day I met you at the table read."
What the director was referring to was that, since the first day she had arrived on the set, Jade did not vocally speak a single word to anyone and instead use ASL. At first, not everyone was entirely fond of this method since they saw it as pointless or unnecessary, but once the cameras began to record Jade's performance as Alda's personal and loyal mute slave, she began to be shown proper respect and understanding.
Feeling just a little bashful and sheepish at the director's compliment, Jade tried not to smile widely and kept her relaxed expression as she nodded politely to Mr. Quentin. 'Thank you, sir, that definitely means a lot for me to hear.'
"Hey, you've rightfully earned it," said the middle-aged gentlemen, returning the nod kindly. "As well as the rest of the day off. Feel free to be taken back to your studio apartment."
Jade's eyes widened like ping pong balls after hearing that, and she almost found herself stuttering out of disbelief. 'What… I… a-are you sure?'
Mr. Quentin nodded his head, and glanced over in the direction of the parking lot, where several limousines waited as transportation for various cast and crew members, including Jade. "Absolutely. Your character doesn't have any scenes until tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the day, and I'll see you back here in the morning at 8'o clock sharp."
Giving the director a majestic curtsy in response, Jade made her way over to the Makeup & Wardrobe trailer to switch from her character to her actual self, and after giving a polite 'goodbye' to security, the young actress was now walking towards the limo that belonged to her (until the last day, of course). "Good afternoon, Stanley. I'm guessing you already know why I'm here earlier than usual?"
"Indeed, Miss West," replied the elderly and kindhearted driver as he stood by the passenger door. "But before we make our departure, it's my pleasure to tell you that you won't be returning to your place alone."
Confusion appeared on Jade's face, but before she could ask her driver what he was referring to, Stanley was already opening up the passenger door and Jade's mouth nearly dropped to the ground after seeing who was waiting for her inside.
"Surprise!"