Disclaimer: The show Victorious, its characters and other associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.

Happy Halloween Jade

Chapter 8 – A night at the Opera

No One's POV

"Tori, where were you just now?"

Feeling an overwhelming sense if guild, Tori began to sob. "I'm sorry, I ran away. When you said it was real, I freaked out. I felt ashamed and guilty. I couldn't help but feel that I caused this. I caused your pain. I couldn't face you" Tori, who was still kneeling in front of the sitting Jade, buried her face in Jade's lap. "Please forgive me!"

"You came back." Noted Jade softly.

Tori looked up, tears still streaming down her face. "Andre stopped me. He said that I could not say for certain what I did, caused this. He also said that even if it did, there was no way I could have predicted this would happen. He said that if I ran away, that'd would make your worst nightmare become true and I'd never forgive myself. I'm so ashamed. I failed you."

Wordlessly, Jade took Tori's hand and eased her up off the floor and sat Tori down next to her. Then, after taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Jade began to speak.

"Tori. You are my girlfriend. I love you. I dared you to scare me and you did. Perhaps, you went to far. But I've done the same thing on other occasions. But Andre's right. You can't say with any certainty that anything you did or did not do, caused this to happen. And I doubt even the likes of H.P. Lovecraft or Clive Barker could have predicted this would happen. I don't blame you."

"But I ran away just now! I…"

Jade quickly put a finger on Tori's lips. "You, me and the strength of our relationship, have been pushed far beyond the limits that any normal situation ever could. If the situation were reversed, I'm sure I would have done the same thing. But Andre brought you back. Just as, the thought of you brought me back, when I was in that horrible place. If it helps, I forgive you. More than that, I need you."

Feeling a tiny bit relieved, Tori lay her head on Jade's shoulder and in return Jade wrapped her arms around Tori. For several minutes, neither said a word. All each wanted to do was to comfort the other and in return be comforted.

Tori pulled back and seeing that Jade looked tired, motioned to the stairway. "Come on, let's go to bed."

With a nod, Jade took Tori's hand and they walked upstairs. It was with a rather subdued mood, that the pair readied themselves for bed. Tori couldn't help but notice that there was a look of fear in Jade's eyes a she climbed into bed.

After turning out the lights, Tori climbed into bed and pulled the Jade, protectively, into her arms.

"Some Goth I am, afraid of going to sleep." Mused Jade in a sad tone of voice.

"I'm here for you Jade."

"What about tomorrow night?"

"If you ever think you're sleeping alone again, forget it."

Jade smiled briefly. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I do feel like I should apologize."

"Why?"

"Let's face it, as horrible as that thing was, it had your face. I was tempted. Kind of like being unfaithful."

Tori pulled Jade in a bit tighter. "Um….I sure that it's not considered cheating when you're dealing with some other dimensional hell creature. Especially when it wears your girlfriends face. I think I read that in Cosmo."

"Cosmo?"

"It is the go-to magazine for Woman for fashion, sex and relationship advice for more than 100 years. It has everything."

"That good. Perhaps I should read something other than Fangora." Said Jade softly.

Still very traumatized and scared, Jade kissed Tori and snuggled in her arms. But it was here was the only place she could or even wanted to possibly sleep.

A few moments later Tori could hear Jade's breathing deepen and her body relax somewhat, indicating Jade had fallen asleep.

For another hour, Tori remained awake while she held Jade. Though Jade had forgiven her, she still felt tons of guilt. She couldn't help but think if she hadn't gone overboard in scaring Jade, this wouldn't have happened."

"Careful what you wish for?" Noted Tori before she fell asleep herself.

At first Jade fell into a very deep sleep. Eventually she began to dream and like the other night it was a very vivid dream.

She found herself, not in some nightmarish version of Hollywood Arts, but in a luxury box in an ornate opera house. It had rows of red velvet seats in front of a large stage. Around the main floor, was 5 levels of boxes for various patrons to sit in. The whole place had gold gilding and the ceiling had a rather intricate heavenly scene.

The house was full of very well-dressed people and though the curtain was down, she could hear the orchestra warming up. Looking at herself, she could see she was wearing a long black dress.

Realizing she was not alone in the box, she looked over to see a strikingly beautiful woman with blonde curly hair, ice blue eyes and long flowing green dress.

The woman looked over and smiled. "Hope you like the house. It's the Teatro de San Carlo in Naples. One of my favorites. The acoustics here are severely underrated."

Though this was not some torturous scene, Jade found herself becoming increasingly nervous and began to wonder if that thing was coming in for a 2nd round. Before she could say anything, the mysterious woman began to speak again.

"Jade, what you encountered was extremely rare. Escaping one is even more so. And you in the process, did something completely and utterly unique. You completely humiliated that arrogant fuck!"

Not sure where this conversation was going, Jade narrowed her eyes, but chose to say nothing.

The woman continued with a laugh. "I have never heard one of them whine before." She continued in a perfect imitation of the cenobite-tori's voice. "I took this form for you-you're ruining it."

The blonde woman then laughed hysterically. "That was so funny. And you using Poe on it. A work of pure genius. Though I do suspect, I know where that bit of inspiration came from. But that's unimportant. Of course, it suffered further humiliation by having to go with her 2nd choice. That 2-bit preacher, Wilson McBride. Boy, is she ever going to make him suffer for that. Forever!"

"Forever?" Jade said finally.

"Yeah, she took a form for him and took him, now she's his to torture, forever."

The blonde then gently slapped Jade on the knee. "But don't feel bad about him. Really, I mean that. Have you ever heard of church congregations described as a flock and the preacher in turn, described as a shepherd?"

Now more confused than scared, Jade nodded.

"To put it in theatrical terms, in this particular production, the part of the shephard was being played by the wolf. If you catch my drift?"

"Yeah. I do."

"But down to business. What you did was not only funny, it was hysterically funny. So much so, I honestly felt entertained. And that made me feel like I was in your debt."

The woman's face darkened rather starkly. "And I don't like being in debt to anyone."

Just as quickly she lightened up again. "So, to balance the scales so to speak. I have created this nice dream for you. In about a minute or two, the curtain will rise and a production of the opera Tristan and Isolde will begin. Oooh, and as a special bonus, the part of Isolde will be played by Kirsten Flagstad. I know you have the recording with her. She was exquisite. And your girl Tori, will be along in minute or so. She's getting popcorn and soda. I know that's not the normal thing for an opera. But hey it's a dream. And secondly, I want to give you my most sincere congratulations, on a game well played. And if it helps you, know that that thing that tried to take you, will rage at your name and your memory, long after your bones have turned to dust. And she won't be able to do a thing damn thing about it."

The woman then got up and shook Jade's hand. "Jade. Enjoy the dream, It's on me. After this, for good or bad, your dreams are your own. I must bid you adieu."

Jade looked over to see the door in the back of the box open and a smiling Tori came in. She wearing a pretty blue dress and holding a tray of popcorn and soda.

The blonde, smiled at Tori. "Hello, I was just chatting with your girlfriend for a moment. Enjoy the show."

The mysterious blonde then walked out of the booth, closing the door behind her.

Tori walked over, sat down and handed Jade a soda from a tray she was holding. "I got extra butter on the popcorn. I hope you like it."

Just then Jade heard the opening notes of the opening overture and could see the curtain rise.

When Jade finally awoke, she not only remembered the odd dream, but the entire opera as well. She could remember every song, every note, all in perfect detail. It felt very much like a wonderful experience.

Looking around, she could see it was morning and she was alone in bed. A few moments later, Tori walked in carrying a large cup of coffee. It smelled like an Italian roast which immediately made Jade smile.

It was then Jade noted something. Tori was humming a song. After a moment Jade realized what song it was. It was the melody from the song "Wie sie fassen, wie sie lassen" which was a song from Act II of Tristan and Isolde.

Jade sat up in bed. "What you're humming. Where did you hear it?"

Tori paused for a moment, then with a puzzled expression on her face, handed jade the coffee. "It was in dream I had."

"You had a dream where we were at the opera. You were a blue dress."

Tori sat on the bed as a look of astonishment formed on her face. "How did you know."

"I was there too."

"What?"

Jade then recounted the conversation, with the mysterious blonde woman. After which Tori said.

"I remember her. She was leaving as I came in."

"That's right."

"What does it mean?"

Jade took a long drink of her coffee. "I impressed someone or something. I could guess who, but something tells me, that's not a good idea. But that someone wanted to even the scales. But more than that. I am still traumatized, as much as I was before, there's a difference."

"What's that?"

Jade took another sip of her coffee with a faraway look. "A feeling, no, the knowledge that this, this chapter of my life is over. That thing is gone, it's never coming back and is someone else's problem. Someone who certainly deserves, what they have coming. But it's over. I can move on. I can move past it. I can sleep again."

Jade then smiled and took Tori's hand. "But most importantly, we made it. Love you Vega!"

In return, Tori, hugged Jade. "I Love you too. Jade. But I'm still not letting you sleep alone again. You're my girl and I plan to watch over you, day and night!"

Jade smiled in return. "I plan to keep you too that."

Before Jade could speak, a sullen look came to her face. "I'm still pretty messed up. I'm not even sure I could watch Horror films again. I love my horror films."

"Tell you what. We have one more night of the haunted house. For a good cause. If your up to it. We can start you off slowly and build you back up as our love heals each other. The movie, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, is a good place to start."

"Can I hold you during the scary parts?" Jade demurred.

After giving Jade a warm Kiss, Tori smiled. "Of course, we'll have you back to watching the scissoring in no time. But you're right, we made It. Nothing will ever separate us."

"That's good. Because, loosing you is my biggest fear."

"You never will. I am sorry I played on that."

Jade shrugged and couldn't help to admit. "it was a good scare. That said, never do that again. Though I will allow you to over do it at Christmas. At least in the buying Jade present's department."

"It's nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. I might just do that."

"Thank you. I'm still in the need of lots of tender loving care." Jade noted quietly.

Tori couldn't help but smirk. "Is that Jade West admitting she needs TLC, from little old me."

Jade set her coffee on the nightstand and sighed. Then in a voice full of vulnerability, Jade said a simple. "Yes"

Tori kissed Jade on the forehead, got up and took her by the hand. "Let's start by taking a shower. And I'm not sure if I ever said it, but Happy Halloween Jade."

"Let's just move on to Christmas."

"Good, because as soon as we get to the bathroom, you can unrap me. Merry Christmas Jade."

"Now that's the spirit."

Jade eventually did recover and put it past her. Jade was even able to watch horror films again, with the sole exception of the Hellrasier Movies. A was a minor loss, so Jade didn't mind that. The only other permanent effect was the fact that she found herself unable to sleep without Tori next to her. But Jade, didn't mind that at all, in fact she loved it.

They had faced fear, pain and forces beyond their comprehension. In the end, they found love and forgiveness were the best medicine.

Kirsten Flagstad was a Norwegian Opera singer and considered one of the best.

I thought an ending for this one was particularly overdue. It was short, but I hoped you liked it.