"I can't believe you're going on a date."
Tori shoved a sleeve out of her face and continued digging through her closet. "Trina, you really aren't allowed to be surprised by this." She picked up a pair of pants and quickly threw them over her shoulder. "You know Jade and I have been hanging out more."
"It's not her," Trina sighed heavily. "I just can't believe you're going on a date and I have no plans. It's Friday night and you're my little sister," Trina whined. "I'm supposed to be going out and you're supposed to be stuck at home all jealous of my love life."
Tori stuck her head out of her closet, grinning at her sister. "Aww, you're jealous?"
"No," Trina said quickly, picking at the sheets on Tori's bed. "I'm not jealous, it's just not fair."
"How's it not fair?" Tori chuckled and threw a shirt at Trina's head.
Trina swatted it away with a huff. "Because I'm, like, the hottest girl at school and you're such a dork!"
Tori rolled her eyes and turned back to her closet. "No offense, but you're not the hottest girl at school."
"Tori!" Trina balked. "I am clearly the hottest, because everyone knows that boys are intimidated by beauty, which is why they're all too scared to ask me out."
"Okay, one," Tori held up a pair of shorts and Trina shook her head, "everybody doesn't know that." She tossed the shorts on her floor and continued looking. "And two, I don't think it's your beauty that intimidates them. What about this?" She held up a sparkly tank top.
Trina rolled her eyes and pushed off the bed. "Only if you're trying to blind her." Trina pushed Tori away from the closet and started rifling through her clothes. "And if it's not my beauty, then what is it?"
"I'm gonna have to go with your strong personality."
Trina's hands stilled, a pair of jeans hanging limply in front of her. "Strong personality? Tori," she threw the jeans on the bed and grabbed a random shirt, "boys don't care about personality." She tossed it on top of the jeans. "Seriously, it's no wonder you turned out to be a lesbian, you know nothing about the opposite sex." She waved a hand dismissively towards the garments on the bed. "Wear your leather jacket on top because it'll get cold if you stay late."
Tori tilted her head as she thought about Trina's choice of outfit. It actually wasn't bad. "Hey," she straightened up. "I'm not a lesbian. I'm just, y'know," she grabbed the jacket from her closet, "Jade-sexual."
Trina scoffed. "Yeah, okay, whatever. You've got five minutes in the bathroom because I wanna try those new bath salts I got off the internet." She headed towards the door, throwing a hand over her shoulder. "Have fun with your sexual awakening, sis."
Tori just shook her head as her sister left her room. Trina was out of her mind, but she cared about her. She was even being sweet about this whole thing. Well, as sweet as Trina could be. And then Tori jumped and rushed across the hall because if Trina was giving her five minutes in the bathroom, she literally only had five minutes to do her hair and make-up.
Tori got ready surprisingly fast, and then wondered if it was maybe too fast, because she still had quite a bit of time before Jade was supposed to show up. After switching her shirt three times, only to end up with the one Trina had picked, she fixed her hair and headed downstairs.
"Hey, honey," her mom greeted from the sofa, not turning around.
"Hey, mom, do we have any backpacks lying around?" Tori asked, heading towards the kitchen.
"Your father has that one for camping in the garage," she answered idly, chuckling at something on the television. "Feel free to use it. He never does."
"Thanks," she chirped, opening the fridge. She grabbed a couple of bowls and eased the door shut with her foot.
A commercial came on the television and her mom stood up, grabbing her empty glass. "Whoa, Tori," she said when she finally turned and looked at her daughter. "Do you have a date tonight?"
Tori shot her mom a sly smile as she grabbed a plastic container from the cupboard. "No, mom. I'm just hanging out with a friend."
"Uh-huh," she said disbelievingly, refilling her water at the sink. "Who's the date with?"
"It's not a date, Mom." Tori rolled her eyes, picking one of the sushi balls she'd made earlier out of the bowl. "Just a friend from school." If Jade still wasn't comfortable with seeing Tori's parents, then she might not be okay with them knowing she was back in her life at all. Tori was okay with waiting until she was, even if she had to side-step around the truth for a bit. She had faith they'd get there in time.
"A friend from school," her mother repeated slowly, turning the tap off.
"Yeah, you know," Tori slapped the ball into the container, "a classmate. A peer, if you will. Someone whose company I enjoy and we're gonna, y'know," she shrugged, "hang out."
"And why are you making whatever that is and asking for a backpack?"
"They're spicy tuna balls." Tori turned around with a small huff. "And it's not a date, Mom. We're gonna hang out at the beach and I thought we might get hungry, so I'm bringing food and stuff in case."
Mrs. Vega eyed her daughter wearily. "But it's not a date?"
"Just a friend. I know your rules," Tori went back to the sushi. "Dates have to meet you or Dad beforehand and submit to a thoroughly embarrassing round of questions about their 'intentions' and where we'll be at all times so Dad knows where to go to check for my dead body."
Her mother gave a quick nod. "Those are the rules."
"And have I ever broken them before?"
"No," she answered hesitantly.
"Then this isn't a date." It was totally a date. A date that Tori was super excited about, but she wasn't about to admit that to her mom.
"Okay." Mrs. Vega stepped up beside her daughter and pressed a quick kiss against her temple, drawing a smile from Tori's lips. "But if it turns into a date, you'll have to introduce her to us."
Tori nodded as her mother wandered back to the sofa. "Yeah, Mom." And then Tori realized that she hadn't said anything about her 'friend' being a girl. "Wait, what do you mean introduce her?"
Mrs. Vega waved a hand dismissively at her daughter as she sat down. "We live in Hollywood, Tori. Gay isn't a foreign concept to your father and me."
Tori sputtered for a minute. "I- I'm not- I'm not gay."
"You're going out with a girl, right?"
"Well- I mean- technically?"
"It's okay," she said sincerely. "Go and 'hang out' with her, figure out if it's something you want to pursue, but remember the rules. Just because she's a girl doesn't change things." She turned the volume on the television up and added, "Your father gets home at midnight, so be back before then."
"Okay." Tori really didn't know what to think of that exchange. She hadn't even really considered the 'dating rules' because it was Jade. They'd already met Jade. They already knew her. But, as she snapped the lid on the container and went to dig one of her old lunchboxes out of the cabinet, a few questions started to form in her mind. Like what would happen when they found out it was Jade. Her parents had always liked her. She was a constant fixture in their home for years. But… it was different. It would be different now, if she and Jade were dating.
Tori packed up the lunchbox, some water bottles, two flashlights, and an old blanket into the backpack. She thought about bringing the tent she and Jade used to camp in, but that was both a bad idea and a little presumptuous, so she quickly nixed the idea. The blanket should be good enough.
Tori shouldered the backpack, tugging the bunched up fabric of her jacket out from under the strap. "Alright, Mom," she said as she walked out of the kitchen, "I'm gonna go wait outside."
"Okay, sweetie, just remember-"
"Dating rules apply," Tori sighed with a small smile as she walked towards the front door, "don't get arrested, don't get pregnant, don't get dead." She pressed a quick kiss to the top of her mom's head as she passed. "I know."
"Don't do anything that will put you in a position for any of those things to happen. Although the pregnancy's less likely if you're going out with a girl. But," Mrs. Vega turned a smile towards her daughter as she paused at the door, "have a good time on your not-date."
Tori grinned and opened the door. "Thanks, Mom."
"Home by midnight and we meet her next time!" Mrs. Vega called out just as the door was closing behind Tori.
She waited at the end of the driveway, leaning against the streetlight between her house and Jade's old one. It was only ten minutes or so before headlights turned down the street and she straightened up, her neck craning to make out the car. And then a giddy little squeal escaped her as Jade pulled up in front of her house. Tori waved excitedly and hopped over to the passenger door, sliding the backpack off her shoulder.
Jade rolled her eyes and leaned over to open it for her. "Why are you standing outside in the dark like a hooker?" She asked, pushing the door open.
"Well," Tori climbed in, choosing to ignore the insult as she pulled the door shut, "my Mom's home and I figured I'd save you from having to interact with her yet. At least until you're ready." Jade gave her an appraising look, before grunting out a 'Thanks'. And then she looked, really looked, at Tori and her eyes slid closed. "What?" Tori's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. She'd just gotten in the car. The date hadn't even really started yet. There was no way she'd messed things up already.
"There is too much happening right now." Jade raised her hand slightly and held a single finger up. "One, how is it romantic or at all a surprise if I have to drive us wherever we're going. Two, you brought a backpack and made me wear comfortable shoes, which means you want to take me on some weird nature trail, which is ridiculous because it's a little cold and a lot dark outside. Three," Jade opened her eyes. "We match. Our outfits fucking match right now. We are not one of those couples, Vega."
Tori rolled her eyes and shoved the backpack down by her feet. "Okay, one, it's still a surprise because even when I give you directions, you still won't know where we're going. Two," she pulled her seatbelt across her lap, "it is not a nature trail. Three," Tori gestured to her outfit, "our jeans are different colors, so are our shirts. Just because we're both wearing leather jackets does not mean we match. And four," another of her huge, dopey grins that always seemed to appear around Jade broke across her face, "we're a couple?"
Jade's eyes narrowed and she looked sharply out the windshield, contemplating Tori's question. Her eyes drifted back slowly. "It's gonna be dark where we're going?"
Okay, obviously Jade was choosing to ignore her question. Tori motioned towards the window. "Yeah, it's night."
Jade gave a sharp nod and put the car in drive. "Then no one will see our matching fucking outfits, so I guess it's fine this one time. Where to, navigator?"
"San Pedro," Tori frowned as Jade took off down the street. What on earth did she mean? Was Jade saying that if the date didn't go well, that was it? No second chances? Just tonight? Tori hadn't even considered that a possibility, because it was Jade. She figured that 'first date' meant the first step down a new road together. She didn't think that 'first date' meant 'first date', where there might not ever be a second one. She was suddenly very nervous.
They'd been driving for a few minutes in silence, before Jade spoke up. "So, do you go to San Pedro often?"
"No," Tori answered, her fingers fidgeting with the bottom of her jacket. "I mean, not often, but sometimes."
"Hmm." Jade nodded her head slightly. "So what made you pick it for our date?"
"I just," Tori licked her lips. There was a slightly awkward air between them that was doing nothing to calm her nerves. "Where we're going is a pretty cool place and I just thought you might like it."
Jade hummed again, taking the turns that would bring them to the freeway. Several more minutes passed in silence, and the longer the silence dragged on, the less Tori knew how to break it. It was like a tangible thing settling between them. Separating them. Once they were on the freeway, Jade cleared her throat. "So how are you adjusting to Hollywood Arts? You're still pretty new there, right?"
Tori blinked slowly. Seriously, what in the heck was Jade talking about? "Fine? I guess?"
"That's cool. It can be a little overwhelming at first."
"Yeah," Tori said slowly, one of her eyebrows arching.
"You like all your classes?"
"They're okay." Tori was just staring at her, because she was being really weird.
"You gonna try out for the end of semester play? Sikowitz says it's a really good one."
"I don't know, I hadn't thought about it," she answered, her head tilting slightly. "Hey, Jade, why are you being so weird?"
"Hmm?" Jade glanced at her quickly before looking back to the road. "Oh, I'm sorry," she chuckled lightly. "Am I asking too many questions? You can just tell me to shut up and turn on the radio or something." And then, without waiting for a response, Jade just turned the radio on. "Feel free to change it."
"No," Tori murmured, settling into her seat and casting one last glance at Jade. "No, this station's alright."
It took them another half hour to get to San Pedro, and most of that was filled with listening to the radio. Jade would occasionally comment on how light the traffic was, or how bright the full moon was, or ask a really weird and random question, and Tori would just answer because she had no idea what else to do. She was a ball of nerves that just kept getting wound tighter and tighter with each minute that passed. She was messing this up. She was messing up their first date, and she was terrified that Jade wouldn't give her a second. But she didn't really know how to fix it because Jade was acting so weird.
"We're just taking the San Pedro exit?" Jade asked.
"Huh?" Tori blinked, taking in their surroundings. "Oh. Yeah." She sat up a little bit in her seat and nodded. "Yeah, and then left on Gaffey."
"Nice neighborhood," Jade commented after a few minutes.
Tori looked out the window just as they drove by several identical houses. Jade probably hated it. "Yeah, it's alright." A few more minutes, and then Tori was telling her to turn at the end of the road. "Just park anywhere."
Jade did as instructed, cutting the engine and plunging them into darkness as the headlights turned off. "So," Jade glanced out into the night, "we're doing a late night stroll through those trees?"
"No, actually," Tori turned in her seat to face her. "We're going in the other direction."
"Alright," Jade shrugged. The interior light came on when she opened her door, and Tori's hand shot out to stop her from getting out of the car.
"Jade, wait." Tori's eyebrows drew together. "Are you-" She took a deep breath and met Jade's confused eyes. "Do you not want to do this?"
"What?"
"It's just that you're acting really weird, and if you'd rather we just went home that's-"
"Tori." Jade lifted a hand, cutting her off. "I was acting weird because it's our first date. I thought," she ran her fingers through her hair with a shrug, "I thought that you might still be freaked out about the whole skipping levels thing." Tori's head tilted as Jade shrugged again. "I was trying to treat it like a first date to make it feel more like level two or whatever. Less intense for you."
A relieved sigh escaped her. "Oh, my god. Thank you," Tori chuckled, "but please stop because it's freaking me out."
"Thank fucking Christ," Jade laughed. "That was the most awkward car ride of my life."
"Seriously," Tori joined in with Jade's laughter. "The traffic, Jade? Really? That's what you talk about on a date?"
"Well you weren't saying a damn thing," Jade accused with a smirk. "It's hard carrying a scene by myself."
Tori swatted her arm playfully. "If I wasn't so happy about you being normal again I'd be offended by that."
Jade's eyes danced with silent laughter under the small light above them. "So, no more acting like it's an awkward first date?"
"No," Tori shook her head quickly. "Please no more."
"Good," Jade murmured. She leaned across the seat, her left hand cupping Tori's cheek as their lips connected in a sweet kiss. Tori's hand lifted, her fingers curling around Jade's wrist. Their lips moved slowly against each other, and they were both smiling when Jade pulled away a minute later. "It was kinda killing me not to do that earlier."
"Well, if you get the urge again," Tori pulled Jade's hand down and linked their fingers, "by all means, don't hold back."
"Oh yeah?" Jade smirked, leaning forward. Tori just nodded, fighting back a grin as Jade kissed her again.
It was several minutes before they finally got out of the car. Tori set her backpack down on the trunk and pulled out the flashlights, handing them to Jade so she could zip it back up again. "Seriously, Vega," Jade turned them on, shaking one when the light flickered, "where the fuck are we going?"
Tori pulled the strap over her shoulder and took one of the flashlights. "We're going on a little hike."
Jade groaned, throwing her head back as Tori set off into the dark. "Seriously? You're making me hike?"
"It's really cool," Tori said over her shoulder. "Hurry up or you'll get lost." Jade's frustrated stomps sped up behind her, the scope of her flashlight bouncing next to Tori's feet. "You don't mind getting a little dirty, right?"
"Depends on what you mean by dirty," Jade chuckled, falling in step next to her.
Tori rolled her eyes. "I mean actual dirt."
Jade's smirk fell. "Oh. That's less fun, then."
Tori laughed and nudged Jade's side with her elbow as they approached an iron fence. She shone her flashlight along the ground, looking for the hole dug under the fence. "Uh, Tori?" Jade asked from somewhere behind her.
"Yeah?"
"This sign says it's private property."
"Yeah."
"So it'd be trespassing if we go on the other side of this fence." Jade's flashlight grew brighter as she approached. Tori smiled triumphantly and knelt down, sliding the bag off her shoulder. She shoved it under the fence and looked up as Jade stepped next to her. "And it would appear that you are totally okay with that."
Tori grinned up at Jade. "What? Is Big Bad Jade West scared of a little trespassing?"
"No," Jade shrugged, "I'm just surprised that you are voluntarily engaging in an illegal activity."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Tori said as she followed her backpack under the fence. She stood up, the white bars separating her from a gaping Jade.
"Seriously? What's the story with that?"
Tori pointedly let her eyes drag across the fence before grinning at Jade. "Join me on this side and find out." She bent down, snatching up her bag and quickly turning on her heel, stifling laughter at the sound of Jade hurriedly struggling to get under the fence.
"Vega!" Jade ran to catch up to her, the beam of her flashlight bouncing erratically. "Vega, what the hell?" Jade slowed down to a walk once they were next to each other. "Seriously. It's dark, I have no idea where I am, I've got nothing but a flashlight, and you're just gonna leave me like that? So much for romance," she huffed.
Tori bumped their shoulders with a smile. "I knew you'd catch up. I wasn't even walking that fast."
"So," Jade snapped her fingers, quickly changing the subject, "previous law-breaking. What up with that?" Tori spread her hands out, indicating the rocky dirt trail around them. Jade's dark eyebrow quirked, stark against her pale skin in the moonlight. "What? This?" Tori nodded. "Damn. I was hoping for, like, a crazy story about drugs and prostitutes or something."
"Drugs and prostitutes?" Tori chuckled. "I think this is plenty illegal for me."
"Please," Jade huffed. "Trespassing is like the vanilla ice cream of illicit activities."
"It is not vanilla," Tori protested.
"It is so vanilla!" Jade laughed. "And the gross kind of vanilla, too. The super white, grainy kind."
Tori rolled her eyes. "Oh, like you're such a badass."
"Drugs and prostitutes, Vega." Jade shot her a pointed smirk and Tori felt her jaw fall open. She just stared, because she really wasn't sure if Jade was being serious or not. "Jesus. It's a long story. I'll tell you some other time," Jade laughed, switching her flashlight to the other hand so she could slip her fingers between Tori's. "Now tell me where the fuck we are."
Tori's mouth clicked shut and she shook her head. She wasn't sure she even wanted to hear that story, so she shone her flashlight off to the right. "Well, there's the ocean-"
"No shit. The moon kinda lights it up."
Tori squeezed Jade's hand, silently telling her to shut up. "Do you want to know or not?" Jade smiled politely and nodded for her to continue. "Okay, so," Tori took a deep breath as they continued down the dirt path along the cliff, "back in, like, the 1920s this was all part of San Pedro. There was like streets, and houses, and stuff." Jade's brow furrowed, but Tori continued. "And then one day, out of nowhere, the road started slipping into the ocean. Like, the ground underneath the street crumbled and over a couple of years the whole thing just collapsed in a landslide. And," Tori said excitedly, drawing Jade closer to the ocean, "there's still chunks of it there. Like, big blocks of pavement and sidewalk and stuff."
The ground beneath them started sloping down, and Jade's hold on Tori's hand tightened. "And we're going down there?"
"Yeah, it's really cool." Tori kept her flashlight trained right in front of her feet, and Jade did the same. "It gets a little steep going down, so be careful."
They headed closer to the ocean, Tori's feet planting sideways, occasionally slipping a bit. She kept her balance, though, and didn't fall. Jade eventually let go of her hand, cussing up a storm as little rocks and chunks of dirt got kicked up by her feet. "Fucking stupid ass fucking dirt," Jade grumbled just as the ground leveled out beneath them.
Tori laughed, stopping to turn and wait for her to catch up. "It's not that bad."
"Getting back up's gonna be a bitch."
"You've climbed worse," Tori pointed out.
A not-quite-laughing scoff burst from Jade. "Not in a long ass time."
Tori held her hand out for Jade to take. "Yeah, and whose fault is that?" Jade's head snapped up, her eyebrows drawing together. It was too dark, and Jade was too far away, for Tori to make out the look in her eyes, but she had a feeling it was rather accusatory. She could read Jade. The tightness in her shoulders and the way her body was poised half-ready to run away. Tori didn't mean it the way that Jade had obviously taken it. It wasn't an accusation, or an insult. Just the truth. Jade had pushed her away. Jade had cut her out of her life, no matter how hard Tori fought to stay in it. Even when they reunited, Tori had taken most of the steps to get where they were. Not all, but most.
Jade's flashlight whipped up, almost blinding Tori, and she knew Jade was trying to see her expression. Tori would've done the same thing, but, y'know, ow that light hurt. Her hand was still outstretched, and she wiggled her fingers slightly, trying her best not to close her eyes against the bright light. "You stopped jumping off the swings, Jade," she said softly, "so now I have to."
The light slowly lowered out of Tori's eyes, settling on her midriff instead. It was still bright, but she could see. Jade's foot shifted, and for a brief moment Tori thought she was going to turn around and leave. For a moment, it seemed like Jade believed she would, too. But then she shook her head and closed the distance, finally grabbing hold of Tori's hand. "I'm trying," she said roughly, "to get back to the place where I can."
"I know," Tori squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek gently. "I'm not blaming you."
"Okay." Jade motioned with her flashlight towards the ocean. "Continue the tour, then."
They held hands as they explored the Sunken City. They didn't let go of each other as they walked over huge slabs of broken pavement. It made it a little awkward when they had to climb, but Jade just shook her head and said, "Like I'm letting go of you again." And Tori just beamed back and said, "Like I'd let you."
Every inch of concrete seemed to be covered in graffiti. There were a few pretty cool pieces that Jade said were better than the stuff in the halls at Hollywood Arts, but most of it was just tagging. There were some illegible names, and a few people had just written things like 'shit' and 'fuck'. "God, if you're gonna illegally graffiti, at least be creative about it," Jade scoffed at a scrawled 'vagina'. "This is why ten year olds shouldn't be allowed to commit crimes. It's just embarrassing for those of us that put some fucking effort into it."
"Oh, that reminds me," Tori tapped her flashlight against her chin, casting severe shadows across her face. "Drugs and prostitutes?"
Jade chuckled, causing Tori to grin as she lowered the light again. "Well, long story short, there were some crack heads on the strip who wanted to learn how to dance and a cop thought we were trying to, like, procure illegal goods and or services," she said in a deep voice, obviously mocking the officer.
Tori's eyes widened. "You can't just long story short with something like that. Details!"
Jade shook her head with a light laugh. "No. Honestly, I wish I didn't even remember it. Cat still doesn't understand why we got frisked."
"Cat?!" Tori practically screeched. "You got Cat arrested?"
"Frisked," Jade clarified. "We weren't actually arrested. I think the officer thought Cat was special and I was her caretaker or something. He let us go with a warning."
Tori shook her head. "I can't even imagine how that went down."
"It was actually really funny," Jade laughed at the memory. "Like, really funny. In hindsight."
"Yeah, probably not so much while it was happening."
"No," Jade breathed quickly with a grin. "Not at all."
They continued walking for a little longer, and Tori tripped once, her foot catching in a crack between two slabs. Jade caught her before she fell, though, and Tori gave her a sweet little kiss as thanks. "It's probably safer during the day," Tori mused as they climbed down a group of slabs that had broken into almost a staircase pattern, "but I like it more at night."
"How'd you even find this place?" Jade asked as Tori led her towards a dark cliff.
"Some people at my old school used to come here and party. There's an old sewage pipe back there," she gestured over her shoulder with her flashlight, "like the big ones you see in movies."
"Party in a sewage pipe? Classy."
Tori laughed loudly. "I know, right? My ex actually tried to, like, make a move down there one time, which is why he's now an ex." Jade froze, causing Tori to be jerked back by their joined hands. Tori turned around, frowning at Jade in the darkness. "What?"
"I just…" Jade trailed off, her fingers squeezing tightly around Tori's hand.
Tori lifted her flashlight a little to see her better and took a step closer. "What is it?"
Jade moved forward a little, and Tori could see her face more clearly. Her brows were drawn together, her mouth turned down in a frown. "I just forget, sometimes, that you've had this whole other life I know nothing about."
A small smile pulled up the corners of Tori's lips. "I know what you mean," she said quietly. "You've written plays that got performed and I kinda hate that I wasn't able to see them."
Jade was quiet for a moment, her eyes searching Tori's in the moonlight, her grasp on her hand still tight. "How many?" She took another small step closer.
Tori blinked. They hadn't ever talked about boyfriends, had they? Tori knew that Jade dated Beck for a while, but that was only because they were still together when she started Hollywood Arts. They'd never really talked about her past, though. "Two," she answered. "They were both jerks."
Jade's grip got even tighter. "Are you a virgin?"
Tori could see Jade's eyes clearly, but she couldn't read the emotion behind them. "Would it matter if I wasn't?"
Jade's fingers twitched. "I don't know. I think it might, if it was with one of those assholes."
"You don't even know them." Tori wasn't defending either of her exes, not by a long shot. She was just pointing out a fact.
"I don't have to know them," Jade said slowly. "You see the best in everyone, so if you think they're jerks, then that means they're actually fucking assholes. And you deserve better than fucking some fucking asshole."
Tori didn't know when they'd gotten so close. She could feel Jade's breath as she spoke, warm and in contrast to the slight chill in the air. "How many, and are you?"
"One and yes," Jade answered immediately. "Beck and I were together for a long time, but it never felt right. It's one of the many reasons we drifted apart, I'm sure. You still haven't answered."
"I just told you that my ex is my ex," Tori raised her eyebrow pointedly, "because he tried to sleep with me in a sewage pipe, Jade. You're smart. You can figure it out." Jade visibly relaxed and the circulation returned to Tori's fingers. She almost wanted to laugh at how tense Jade had gotten about the whole thing. "Are you always so jealous?" she asked with a small chuckle.
Jade turned her head away with a small huff. "I wasn't jealous. You just… deserve better," she finished with a shrug.
Tori smiled and pulled her hand away from Jade's. Her fingertips brushed across Jade's cheek, turning her face back towards her. "Better like you?" Something flashed in Jade's eyes and Tori licked her lips. She wanted to throw her whole level system over the cliff and into the ocean next to them, because Jade was so beyond anything that she could categorize. She and Jade were so far beyond anything she had outlined when she'd first started dating. A smirk curved across her lips. "Don't try it in a sewage pipe and you might stand a chance."
Jade's expression mirrored hers, and Tori's heart started racing. "So…" Jade's tongue darted out, her lower lip slowly catching between her teeth, "I'm guessing the backseat of my car right now is also a no go?"
Tori kissed her. Hard. She couldn't stop herself, not that she really wanted to. She knew that nothing would happen. That Jade wouldn't actually try anything. But a part of Tori kind of wanted her to. Because in that moment, she would have done anything Jade wanted. Jade said that it had never felt right, and Tori knew that it had never felt right for her, either. And they'd missed so much of each other's lives, but here was something they still had. Something new that they might be able to experience together.
Her flashlight clattered to the ground and she didn't even care, because she had an arm full of Jade, and soft hair between her fingers, and Jade's tongue swiped across her lower lip and god, they were going so fast already but Tori's body wanted to kick it into overdrive. Jade's free hand slipped between her jacket and the backpack. She pulled their bodies close and the most delicious moan Tori had ever heard rumbled low in Jade's throat. It was like thunder, signaling the bolt of lightning that shot straight through Tori. Jade's hand slid up her back and Tori felt the weight on her shoulders shift.
Her head jerked back. "The sushi!"
Jade blinked slowly. "Excuse me?"
Tori's laugh was slightly manic and she placed a quick kiss to Jade's lips. "I'm so sorry. I made us sushi and totally forgot about it. Are you hungry?"
Jade just blinked again. "You made fucking sushi," she shook her head, slightly dazed, "and forgot about it?"
"Yeah, I got a little distracted." Tori chuckled, letting her fingertips run across Jade's neck before dropping to her sides. She took Jade's hand in hers. "Are you hungry?"
"I think I'm more confused than anything," Jade mumbled, "but, yeah. Okay. Sushi, I guess."
"Great!" Tori bent down to pick up her flashlight. "I made spicy tuna balls."
Jade blinked yet again as Tori led her towards the edge of the cliff. "Balls?"
"Yeah, they were supposed to be rolls but they got a little carried away." Tori let go of Jade's hand as she slipped the backpack off her shoulders. She sat down and Jade just stood there, shaking her head.
"I don't even know what's happening right now."
Tori patted the concrete next to her. "Just come here and eat my balls."
Jade's head recoiled so fast she almost fell over backwards. "Fucking… I can't." The flashlight fell as she threw her hands up, dropping down next to Tori. "I can't even. Just gimme your balls, then."
Tori leaned forward to catch the flashlight before it rolled into the ocean. "Don't make it sound all dirty, Jade."
"You're the one who told me to eat your balls!" Jade grabbed the backpack and started unzipping it.
Tori blinked, watching as Jade pulled out the lunch box and some water bottles. "Did I?"
"Yeah," Jade shoved the lunchbox at Tori, "you really did." She pulled out the blanket, one eyebrow rising in curiosity at the hideous floral pattern. "Did your dead grandmother make this?"
"Yeah, before she was dead, though." Tori popped the lid off the sushi as Jade settled the blanket over their laps, scooting a little closer to Tori. "Here," she offered the container to Jade, "try one."
Jade reached into the container and cautiously pulled out a large, messy ball. She examined it in the moonlight and faint yellow glow of the flashlights standing up behind them. "Vega, what the hell are you trying to feed me? Do you want me to die of food poisoning?"
Tori chuckled and picked up a ball for herself. "Just try it."
"I can't even eat this. It's bigger than my head."
"It's not that bad. Just shut up and eat it." Tori nibbled at the edge of her spicy tuna ball. And then her eyes widened, because it was kind of disgusting. Jade cocked a questioning brow and Tori forced herself to smile. "Mmm. Delicious?"
"Yeah," Jade nodded slowly, dropping her ball back into the container, "really convincing."
Tori threw hers back in as well and placed the container off to the side. "Man. They're hideous but I really thought they'd at least taste good."
"You didn't even try one?"
"Trina tried the tuna when I was making them!" Tori protested pathetically. "She said it was good!"
"Yeah, because Trina's opinion can be trusted." Jade rolled her eyes, leaning back as her palms settled on the pavement behind her. "It's fine. I'm not really hungry anyway."
A small pout pushed out Tori's lips. She leaned against Jade's side and laid her head on her shoulder. "Sorry my balls were gross."
Jade's shoulders jerked with a snort. "You seriously need to stop talking about those things."
"Aye aye, Captain." Tori smiled as they fell into a comfortable silence.
There was a slight chill to the air, but they had the blanket, and Jade was really warm as Tori snuggled closer into her side, so she barely even noticed. Her hand settled on Jade's thigh with a content little sigh. She could really get used to this. Jade sniffed lightly, her head turning as her eyes scanned across the ocean. "I think I like it better at night."
"It's more peaceful," Tori murmured, tilting her head a little to look up at Jade.
"Yeah," she nodded slightly. "Like the world just kind of… ends. During the day, it looks like the ocean just goes on forever, but," the corner of her mouth twitched, "at night it looks like a totally different thing. Like we're just in this really big room and the sky's just painted on the wall." She rested her cheek against the top of Tori's head. "I think I really like it."
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't awkward or at all uncomfortable. Tori just loved being with Jade. She liked that Jade seemed to have warmed up to the whole cuddling thing, at least in private, because Tori loved snuggling into Jade's side like that. She pulled the blanket up a little higher, letting her face turn in towards Jade's neck. She could smell the leather of her jacket, but there was a rich, sweet scent under it. It was elegant. It was definitely Jade. And it pulled a smile from Tori's lips.
"Why are you being creepy and sniffing me like Sinjin?"
Tori chuckled lightly. "You just smell really good. What is it?"
"I dunno." Jade tilted her head down and sniffed herself. "Jasmine, maybe?"
Tori sat up a little bit, a broad smile stretching across her face. "I can show you the world," she said quietly. "Shining, shimmering, splendid."
Jade stiffened next to her. "Don't you dare."
"Tell me, Princess," Tori sang through small giggles, "now when did you last let your heart decide?"
Jade shook her head, wide eyes slowly turning towards the beaming girl next to her. "You cannot be serious right now."
Tori took a deep breath and just went all-out, sweeping her arm in a grand gesture across the dark sky above them. "I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder."
"Tori, you need to shu-"
"Over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride. A whole new-"
In one swift motion Jade was in Tori's lap, her hand pressing over Tori's mouth. "No," Jade tried to say seriously, but a trace of amusement seeped into her voice. "You need to stop." Laughter shook Tori's shoulders and she tried to pry Jade's hand off her face.
"Wor-"
"No!" Jade's other hand quickly clamped down.
Tori's eyes closed as she continued to laugh, and she slowly slumped to the side in hysterics. Jade's hand was still covering her mouth, but it was a much lighter touch. "Are you finished?"
Tori nodded, gently pawing at Jade's arm. Cautiously, Jade lifted her hand, like she was expecting Tori to burst into song again at any moment. Tori gasped, half out of laughter and half out of the need to breathe, as Jade slowly pulled her hand away, resting it on the concrete. Tori's eyes opened and immediately found Jade's, lit up with mirth as she struggled not to smile. Her lips parted and Jade's eyebrows immediately rose in warning, like she was ready to pounce again. A huge grin broke across Tori's face.
She was kind of curious what Jade would do to shut her up. Because she was still hovering over her, straddling Tori's hips, and totally had the upper hand already. Tori bit her bottom lip to keep her mischievous smirk at bay, and slowly crooked a finger. Jade's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she leaned down slightly. Tori raised her head, her lips twitching from the effort of not laughing. Jade's face settled into a pleased smile, and she leaned closer, clearly expecting a kiss, which just made Tori want to laugh even harder. Jade licked her lips and went to close the small distance, just as Tori breathed, "World."
It didn't actually deter Jade, and they were both grinning into the sweet, simple kiss. "You're such a fucking dork," Jade chuckled lightly, sitting up a little.
Tori folded her arms behind her head, her shirt riding up a little as a smug smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Yeah, but I'm your dork."
An inquisitive brow arched as Jade's right hand settled on Tori's hip. "Mine?" Her thumb grazed the small strip of skin between her jeans and her shirt and suddenly Tori didn't find anything about this situation even the slightest bit funny.
Her shoulders tensed as her chin dipped in a nod. "Yours."
The weight above Tori shifted. Settled. Jade's knee slipped between her thighs, her hand sliding up Tori's side, under her shirt. The air was cool, but Jade's palm was warm, and Tori felt her body reacting in ways it never really had before to anyone else. She felt herself coming alive underneath Jade. She lifted her head and let Jade kiss her. It was slow, and sensual, and Tori's arms unfolded, snaking around Jade's shoulders.
Tori had some experience in this field. She'd done some stuff with boys, and some stuff by herself, because she was a teenager, after all. But nothing could have prepared her for Jade. Tori felt like she could have a hundred sexual conquests under her belt and still be completely blindsided by the raw want that Jade inspired in her.
Jade was just so warm, and her lips were so soft, and god, Tori moaned as Jade's tongue made a teasing appearance. She was so good at this stuff. Her hand was resting against Tori's ribs, just under her breast, and Tori kind of wanted to grab Jade's wrist and shove her hand under her bra because it was driving her crazy. Her fingers dug into Jade's shoulder blades as she turned her attention to Tori's neck.
And then two things happened simultaneously that made Tori completely unravel. Jade's lips sucked gently at her pulse point, and her hand finally moved up. Tori's hips bucked, and Jade's thigh was right there, providing the perfect amount of pressure. "God," Tori moaned, her arms tightening around Jade's back. Her hips rocked again, and she felt Jade's lips curve into a grin against her skin. "Fuck, Jade."
Tori was kind of embarrassingly close to the edge and Jade wasn't even touching her. Well, not really. Not the way Tori wanted her to. Jade's lips lifted from her neck and Tori quickly captured them in a desperate kiss. She had never imagined her first time being in such a public place, even if it was just the two of them there, but if Jade even hinted at going further, Tori would totally, willingly agree. Screw going slow, or trying to take the levels in order. It was Jade, and Tori didn't give a flying fuck about anything else. It was stupid to try and fight her instincts, because she knew she'd cave to them eventually. And why deny herself the pleasure any longer?
"Baby." Jade's hand ran back down Tori's stomach, gripping her hip securely. She placed a soft kiss on Tori's lips and pulled back when she tried to deepen it. "Babe. Settle down."
Tori whimpered. She actually whimpered, like the stupid, horny teenager she was, and slid her hands down to rest on the small of Jade's back. "Why'd you stop?" She was pretty sure she was pouting, but she didn't care. She couldn't care because Jade was still on top of her and she didn't understand why they weren't continuing with the totally awesome making out.
Jade shifted again, pulling her knee out from between Tori's legs and, yep, there was another whimper. Jade chuckled softly. "I stopped because A," she squeezed Tori's hip, "the concrete and your dry humping is making my knee hurt, and B," her hand gently stroked her side, "what happened to going slow?"
"Forget everything I've said," Tori said way too desperately. Jade laughed and Tori flapped her hands frantically. "Look, if your knee hurts then I'll be on top and-"
Jade shut her up with a gentle kiss before lying down on her side next to her, resting her cheek on her fist and her elbow on the concrete. "Tori, you're totally turned on right now, and as fucking awesome as that is for me and my ego, you aren't thinking clearly." Satisfied that Tori's hips were going to stop looking for friction, Jade released them. Her fingers gently tugged Tori's shirt down to cover her stomach. "We'll get there when we get there. But not here. Not like this."
"Why not?" Tori whined. She bent her left knee up and tugged at the lapels of Jade's jacket, trying to pull their bodies together again. And then her eyes widened in excitement. "What about that invitation for the back seat of your car?"
"The offer expired." Jade gave her a very sarcastic, unapologetic smile. "Sorry."
"You aren't sorry," Tori grumbled, letting her hands fall. Jade chuckled and Tori's eyes snapped to hers. "Why are you laughing at me?"
"It's not at you," Jade replied with a small smile. "I just never thought that I'd be the one stopping things from going further." The smile turned into a bit of a disappointed frown. "It always feels like I'm losing control of myself around you."
"Well, you're very in control of yourself right now," Tori pointed out. "If I didn't know better I'd say you weren't even having fun."
Jade's eyes widened comically. "Okay, I'm not gonna shove your hand down my pants for proof, but believe me. I was enjoying it just as much as you were."
That statement did all sorts of things to Tori. Her brain short-circuited at the sheer amount of imagery and thoughts that suddenly flooded her mind. She licked her lips, watching as Jade's eyes darted down to follow the motion. "So, tell me again," she said slowly as Jade's gaze dragged back up. "Why did we stop?"
Jade's lips twitched. "I'm having a hard time remembering."
"Hey!" A bright light was suddenly flashing in their eyes and Jade's face scrunched in annoyance as Tori sat bolt upright.
"Right. That would be why." Jade rolled onto her back and threw a hand in the air. "Hello, Officer!"
"Oh God," Tori whispered while the light bounced around as the cop climbed down to where they were lying. "Do we run? Should we run?"
"Yeah, Vega," Jade rolled her eyes, "just jump right off the cliff. That won't be suspicious or anything." The officer came closer and Jade sighed heavily. "Just keep quiet and try not to panic."
Of course, Tori immediately started to panic. Her mom was gonna kill her. And then her dad was gonna bring her back to life just so he could kill her again himself. Sherwood High kids had parties there all the time and Tori had never once seen the police show up. How unfair was this?
The cop quickly dragged his light from Jade to Tori to the blanket to the backpack before settling on Jade again. "What are you girls doing down here?"
Jade gestured towards the backpack. "Wanted a little picnic by the beach. There are some spicy tuna rolls left if you want 'em."
Tori couldn't make out his face, but his shoulders seemed to relax a little. At least he didn't show up five minutes ago when they were… occupied. He let out a sigh and sounded rather bored as he asked, "Do you know this is private property?"
Jade squinted against the light in her eyes. "Is it?" She threw a hand out and hit Tori's arm lightly. "Did you know that?"
Tori shook her head quickly and the cop shone the light back up the trail. "Which of you owns the car up there?"
"It's mine." Jade dug her license out of her pocket and held it up. She was still lying on her back, looking like this was just another random, uneventful Friday night.
The cop frowned and stepped forward, taking it from her. He looked over her ID before handing it back, turning to Tori. "How 'bout you?"
"I don't have my license yet."
"Aren't you like seventeen? What kind of seventeen year old doesn't have their license?"
Jade snickered, slipping her ID back into her pocket. Tori scowled at both of them. "I just had a little trouble with the test."
"Which part?" Jade asked.
"The," Tori glanced at the cop before hissing at Jade, "the driving part."
The cop shook his head as Jade laughed. "Alright. Okay, I know it's hella romantic out here," the cop sighed, and Tori quirked a brow. 'Hella'? "What with the full moon and the ocean and everything, but you are actually trespassing, and need to head home."
"We honestly didn't know." Jade finally sat up, reaching for the blanket that had gotten thrown to the side during their little adventure. "We'll just pack up and leave."
"Yeah. We're really sorry." Tori frantically shoved the gross tuna balls and water back in her bag as Jade stuffed the blanket on top. Jade took the backpack from her and gestured towards the flashlights. Tori picked them up as Jade shouldered the bag.
"I'll walk you girls up. Some of the slabs are dangerous at night."
"Thanks," Tori shot him a genuine smile. "You're not gonna, like, arrest us?" Tori joked playfully as they all headed carefully back towards the trail. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice, though.
"Nah," the cop scoffed. "If we ticketed every teenager who snuck down here, we wouldn't have time for real criminals. We'd be up to our eyeballs in paperwork."
Jade sidled up next to Tori, and very pointedly whispered, "Vanilla."
Tori gave her a rough elbow to the ribs, which Jade just laughed off.
"So, what school do you go to?"
"Hollywood Arts," Tori answered.
"Oh, yeah? My kid wants to audition there in a couple years."
Tori and the cop, Officer Purdy, had a positively lovely conversation about the school, and about his son who wanted to be a dancer. Jade rolled her eyes and walked ahead of them, struggling a bit with the steep climb back up to the path. Tori resisted the urge to put her hands on Jade's ass and shove her up. Instead she and Officer Purdy just casually climbed past her, and then patiently waited at the top for her to catch up. Jade ripped the backpack off and shoved it at Tori. "I told you that part would suck."
"But you made it up in one piece," Tori placed a quick kiss against her cheek, "and that's all that matters."
Jade grumbled something under her breath and jerked away, stomping off towards the iron fence they had climbed under. Officer Purdy shot Tori a sly smirk. "How long have you been dating?"
"Oh, no," Tori chuckled as they followed after Jade, "this is our first date."
"Really?" A look of surprise crossed his features. "I would've said a couple months, at least."
"Well, we've known each other for," Tori paused, deciding to settle on a version of the truth, "a while. We were just, kind of, dancing around our feelings, I guess."
He nodded seriously. "My Maria and I were the same way. It took me three years to get up the courage to ask her on a date."
"Wow," Tori breathed. "Three years?"
"I know," he chuckled. "I was young, and an idiot, and couldn't admit to myself how much I loved her."
Tori grinned at the happy little smile that pulled at his lips. "How'd it finally happen?"
The smile drooped in embarrassment and he cleared his throat. "Well. I won't go into details, but let's just say, a lot of liquor and a little luck. And then a year later, we were married with a baby on the way."
"In only a year?" Tori squeaked in disbelief.
"Hey, when you know, you know. You know?"
"Yeah." Tori's gaze drifted to the light moving ahead of them as Jade walked through the open gate. "I know."
Officer Purdy clapped her on the back. "Graduate high school first. If it's meant to be, you'll have plenty of time for marriage and babies later on." Tori was glad that it was dark out, and just hoped that her blush didn't show in the moonlight. Although, if she could see the twinkle in his eyes, he could probably see her cheeks reddening. Oh, man.
He chuckled and pulled a set of keys off his belt. "Okay, ladies." Jade was waiting for them, standing in the beam of the police cruiser's headlights. Tori walked through the gate and Officer Purdy pulled it closed after her. He locked it quickly and turned to them with a stern look on his face. "Don't make a habit of breaking the law. I'm letting you off easy this time."
Both girls fought laughter and nodded quickly. "We won't, Sir." "Wouldn't dream of it."
"Good." He cleared his throat and gave them a small smile. "Sorry about ruining your date. Drive carefully, and get home safe."
Jade quickly hurried off to her car, Tori following a moment later after giving the officer a small wave and 'Thanks'. She pulled open the passenger door, shoved her bag onto the floor and quickly climbed in. They sat in silence for a minute before they both broke out in hysterics. Tori buried her face in her hands, embarrassed laughter shaking her shoulders. "God, I can't believe we got busted by the cops."
"I can't believe his name is Officer Pretty."
"It's Purdy," Tori chuckled, sinking into her seat.
"Same thing," Jade huffed out with a laugh. "Jesus. I'm glad this wasn't a real first date, right? That'd be a terrible way to end it."
Tori's eyes snapped towards her, a slightly disbelieving, but totally confused smile settling on her lips. "What?"
"Come on, Tori." Jade turned slightly to face her, her temple leaning against the headrest. "We've pretty much been dating our entire lives. We're never going to have a clean slate, so what are we doing here?" Tori's brow scrunched and her shoulders lifted a little, because she didn't really know what Jade was asking her. Jade's hand flopped, palm up, on the seat between them and Tori slid her fingers between Jade's, squeezing gently. "You're Tori, and I'm Jade, and us being together?" She licked her lips slowly. "That's the most natural thing in the world to me."
"Yeah…" Tori didn't know if she was agreeing, or questioning, and Jade's lips tilted in response.
"So why are you trying to put up roadblocks?"
Tori didn't think she was. At least, she didn't think that she was trying to? Although, they had agreed to take it slow, but then that kind of went out the window when Tori pounced on her in the janitor's closet. And again on her bed after school. And then again earlier that night. So she warily asked, "What do you mean by roadblocks?"
Jade sighed, her thumb gently grazing across Tori's skin. "I mean, like, mixed signals." Tori's eyebrows rose at that. She was pretty sure the only signal she had been giving Jade was Go. "You tell me you want to take it slow, get to know each other. And that's fine, if you really feel that way. But then you throw yourself at me, several times, and I am so not complaining," a roguish grin curled her lips and Tori smiled in response, "but it's confusing. I'm really trying to respect your boundaries, but I also want to do what feels natural. And it feels like those two things aren't compatible for you."
"I'm not doing it on purpose," Tori frowned. "The boundaries, they weren't entirely intentional. It's just overwhelming, and I think they were a misguided attempt to simplify it. But I don't want them there if it's gonna make you uncomfortable. Or," Tori's head titled as her eyebrows raised, "stop totally awesome make out sessions for no good reason."
"Well, it wasn't for no good reason. Your boyfriend Officer Pretty wouldn't have been so nice if he caught us dry humping," Jade said lightly and a smile twitched across Tori's lips. "So what do you want, then? Honestly." Tori pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and Jade sighed. "You have to talk to me here, Vega."
For Jade West, of all people, to be telling her that she needed to open up more? It was ridiculous, and made Tori's head spin. And also laugh. She was laughing and Jade just smiled, waiting for an actual response of some sort. "I want to be with you," Tori tried to say seriously, but the chuckles made it hard. She took a moment to settle down before continuing. "But," Jade's smile faded and Tori took a deep breath. She hadn't even realized why she'd wanted to take things slow in the first place. At least not on a level that she actually knew. "I think," she swallowed thickly, "but I think I'm waiting for the bottom to fall out. Like, some part of me is almost expecting you to leave again."
Jade's hand tensed in hers. It was out there now, in the open, and Tori could see in Jade's eyes that some part of her was worried about that, too. She gave her a small, sad smile, as Jade's gaze drifted down to their hands. "I was just a kid, and I've already explained why I did that," Jade said slowly. "I know there's no way to take it back, but I am so sorry about that. And it made me so fucking miserable, for so fucking long-"
"Hey," Tori squeezed her hand and scooted a little closer. "Still not blaming you." Jade's eyes lifted and she gave a small nod. "It's just scary, okay? Because being with you is easy, and it feels right, but it's still really scary."
There was a shimmer of tears in Jade's eyes. "Good scary or bad?"
"Both," Tori answered honestly. It was exhilarating, like that brief moment after you jumped off a swing and felt like you were flying, suspended in air. But terrifying, because suddenly you were plummeting back towards the ground. And Tori had never broken her arm by jumping off a swing, but Jade had. And maybe that was the only difference. Tori's parents were still married. They were still happy. They were her main point of reference for how relationships should be, and it was a pretty decent model. But… Jade's parents were a fucking mess. And they'd made their daughter the same way. They'd soiled her view on love, and what it could be.
But Jade was trying. She had been trying. And Tori finally really understood what that meant. For Jade, and for her, and for them. Jade was kind of born with a broken heart, but she was trying to piece it back together, just so she could give it whole to Tori. And the fact that Jade trusted her enough to do that was the best kind of scary. Suddenly, every little step Tori had ever taken to get Jade back in her life seemed to pale in comparison to the few, huge strides Jade had made. She'd put effort into it, into them, and that was more significant than anything that may have happened in the past.
Tori let go of Jade's hand so she could cup her face. She held her gaze and tried to put as much honesty into her voice as she could. "Love is scary, but I trust you, okay? I love you," Jade's eyes widened and Tori saw the breath hitch in her chest. "You and all your broken parts. I want us to do whatever comes naturally between us, but don't hold back or stop because you think that's what I want. If I'm uncomfortable, I'll knock you on your ass. And I know you'll do the same to me, okay?"
Jade's features softened, a small sigh escaping her. "Okay. And thank you. I love you, too, and all your dorky parts."
Tori beamed and kissed her like the world would end if she didn't, because really, fuck everything else at that point. She was Jade's, and Jade was hers, and she didn't know if there was an expiration date on their time together, but she really didn't care. She had Jade, finally and completely, and she was going to enjoy it for as long as it lasted. Which she kind of hoped was forever.
AN This is sort of the next to last chapter. There will be one more, to tie up a couple of loose ends, but then that's pretty much it for this story. Thanks for all the reviews and favorites and PMs, feel free to let me know what you thought of this chapter, and I'll see y'all soon with the final one.