Disclaimer: Victorious and all of its associated copyrights are not my property and I stake no claim to them.

She expected it. She spent every moment since that night in apprehension and yet, the fire in Tori's eyes caught her off guard. Fear wasn't something she knew well, but she could feel the dread and pain wrap itself around her heart and squeeze like a snake with its prey.

"Babe, could you give us a moment?" Cat turned to Andre as Tori approached. He seemed hesitant, but nodded anyway and headed off to his first class.

Cat had heard the stories, she'd seen many of the meetings firsthand, but she knew, she could tell this wasn't supposed to happen. She tried her hardest to block out the destructive thoughts from the two.

The second Tori was within reach, her hand met Jade's shoulder and pushed her back against the lockers she stood by, "What did you do to me?!"

The snake gripped her tighter, "Tori, I tried to tell you-"

"Don't give me that! I don't know what kind of voodoo bullshit this is, but you better stop it right now!"

Cat scanned the crowd of baffled onlookers lining the halls and shook her head. She grabbed both by their arms and steered them toward the empty classroom across the hall. Once the door shut, she turned her attention toward the crowd.

Jade knew she was strong, but it didn't matter. She felt small in the presence of this uncharacteristic fury. She wanted nothing more to just curl up in the corner and hope it would pass but she knew better. The fear wasn't her own, just as the anger wasn't Tori's.

She stuck out her arm to intercept Tori's pacing and pulled her over to the wall. She needed to calm Tori down, but Jade knew one wrong move could lead to disaster. She'd promised herself over and over that she'd never impose herself onto Tori, but she wasn't sure what else to do.

"Tori, please," Several small cracks appeared in the brick as Jade struggled to fight against unfamiliar strength, "Tori, listen to me, please. I know you're angry at me, I know, but you have to try to stay calm."

"Calm?" Tori snarled back. Even the eyes weren't hers anymore. "You want me to be calm after what you did to me? How dare you!"

A loud thud echoed in the room as Tori was momentarily able to overpower Jade, but was swiftly held back in place. Jade knew they were daring the wall to cave in.

"Antonio will be here soon," she heard in her mind as Cat quickly slipped through the door and locked it behind herself. She assessed the situation in front of her and hoped he would hurry.

Cat put her hand on Tori's arm, and immediately pulled back as if she were burned, "God, Jade, you have to get us out of here."

"Cat, I-"

"Now!"

Just as the wall threatened to collapse, Jade let go of Tori's left arm to grab onto Cat. Tori took the opportunity to push back with more force than Jade could handle, and as their surroundings faded and reappeared, Jade was shoved to the ground and skidded at least twenty feet backward in the grass.

Cat ran to Jade's side and knelt next to her, searching for any injuries, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," Jade tried to sit up and steady herself with her hands, but fell back to the grass as a searing pain shot through her, "Dammit!"

Cat looked and could see the red, blistering skin on Jade's hands, "Did Tori..."

They both looked up in horror as the ground around Tori erupted in flames. The fire licked up her body and surrounded her. The heat was nearly unbearable to the two. In their seconds of indecision, several trees nearby began to smoke as they seemed to burn from the inside out.

"Ay, dios mío!" A man called out as he appeared through the underbrush with a blue-haired woman in tow. A white mist surrounded Tori as the flames quickly died out. "Don't you think it wise to call me sooner?"

Tori fell to her knees and caught herself with her hands before she fell over entirely. Her breathing was labored and her body was shaking. Jade tried to stand, but Cat held her back.

"No."

"We called you as soon as we realized something was wrong," Cat told him.

He shook his head and adjusted the cufflinks on his expensive looking suit, "I warned you this would happen."

Cat fought the urge to distance herself from the negative emotions radiating from Jade, "I know you did. We didn't realize...This wasn't what we expected."

"No matter," Antonio made his way over to Jade and held out his hands to her. As soon as she laid her hands in his, her wounds disappeared, and with it, the physical pain. "I shouldn't have let you two come alone. It was foolish to risk you getting hurt."

"This never happened with me. Yeah he was a little freaked out at first, but nothing like this," Cat sighed as she watched Antonio's companion tend to Tori.

Antonio helped her to her feet, "Jade is a great deal stronger than you. It only makes sense that the reaction would be stronger, no?"

"I guess."

He smiled and tilted her chin up with his finger before turning around to face Tori, "Victoria Vega," he held out his hand and waited patiently as Tori stared at him indecisively for several seconds before allowing him to help her up. He brought her knuckles to his lips and smiled, "It's lovely to meet you, my name is Antonio Baresi."

Jade breathed an unconscious sigh of relief when she saw Tori's anger had dissipated. She squinted at him, "How do you know who I am? And who exactly are you?" She looked around, her brows furrowing deeper, "And where am I?"

"Well, you're somewhere safe, I can assure you that. I'm Jade and Cat's adopted father figure. I know your name because you're Jade's soulmate."

Tori took a step back, "I'm...what?"

"I see you haven't told her much, Jade," the woman called out.

Jade sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, "I didn't exactly have a good opportunity."

Tori then noticed the stretch of torn earth between her and Jade, along with Jade's disheveled appearance, "What happened?"

"Would you say you're an empathetic person, Victoria?" Antonio asked gently.

"I...I mean, yeah I guess so?"

"You take on emotional burdens that aren't your own. You want to help everyone you can, even by just taking their pain away and letting it fall on yourself." She stared at him incredulously. He smiled, "In our world, to our kind," he gestured toward the blue-haired woman, and at his 'daughters', "Soulmates are something real...something raw, something of great importance to us. The person who holds your forever in their hands."

The woman stepped in front of Tori with a disarming smile and an outstretched hand, "Hello, love. My name is Lucia." She nodded toward Jade and Cat, "I'm not their mother of any sort, but I'm Antonio's other half. If I may?"

Tori looked at her hand hesitantly. Nervous, unsure, a little scared. Her emotions mirrored on Jade's face. She looked back to Lucia, "Why?"

She smiled wider, "I just want to shake your hand, love. I already hear your thoughts."

Tori obliged and shook her hand, expecting some sort of jolt of electricity or explosion or some other crazy thing, but receiving none. She felt a strange calm envelop her.

"This is a scary thing to go through, believe me, I've been there. I always thought it would have been so much easier to be tied to a person with lesser abilities, more limitations. And it would be. It would be...so much easier. It's so hard to control sometimes, so many things to learn, so many things to remember. You won't be alone."

Antonio caught her attention again as a solemn expression settled on his face, "I never like telling anyone this, because I have seen...many things in my lifetime. In the interest of fairness, however, I'm obligated to inform you that, should it be necessary, the ties can be severed. It won't be easy or pretty, but if you desire a future of a different sort, that option is available to you."

A hot, heavy mass settled in her stomach as she stared into the eyes of her soulmate. Something inside her knew the only person there who couldn't read her mind was the woman who wanted to more than anything. Jade guarded herself well, but some things she couldn't hide, no matter how hard she tried. Nobody spoke for some time, but the silence was only heard by the two.

"I'm sorry," Jade spoke suddenly, the silence too deafening to stand. She searched Tori's eyes desperately for the answers she didn't have. "I've...I've known for a while. I didn't want you to find out until I knew that...this," she gestured between them as she took a step closer, "Was something you wanted. I never wanted you to feel like you didn't have a choice."

Deep inside her, something screamed at her to get closer. A magnet, drawn to Jade. A rubber band pulled taut. She fought it. She turned her attention toward Antonio, "If I don't want this?"

He looked to Jade, and back to Tori, "I'll break the bond. Lucia could wipe your memories, if you so wish. But you won't have a desire to be close to Jade anymore. Your body and mind won't react to her."

Jade's bottom lip trembled, but she kept her composure. Tori could feel the tension, the fear. Her mind kept returning to the same thought, and she closed her eyes. She couldn't look at Jade.

"Did I ever have a choice?"

Lucia chose to answer for him, "Of course you did, love. There's a predestined bond there, but it's only a seed. Nothing comes of it if you don't want it. Jade knew before, but it never changed anything. She couldn't feel the pull and neither could you. That seed only blossoms if you give it what it needs. You did, and that was your choice."

"I made this happen," Tori spoke as if repeating a phrase in a foreign language.

She smiled, "You both did. No one should ever be forced to love, and you never will be. You'll feel a pull to her but your emotions are your own. Usually, anyway."

"Usually."

"Should you choose to keep Jade in your life," Antonio started, "There's a lot you'll have to learn. Her powers are strong, and because of your bond, her powers start to become your own. Your empathy for others makes you susceptible to a sort of...sponge effect. You must take care to control your emotions, lest you start to absorb the emotions of those around you."

Tori frowned and looked down at the skid mark in the grass, "Is that what happened to me?"

Antonio nodded slowly, "Yes. You were frustrated with these new things you couldn't control, and in going to confront Jade, anger from those around you started to seep into your mind until you were overcome with a blind fury you couldn't contain. Jade tried to prevent you from causing damage to yourself, your surroundings, others. It was..." he glanced at the damage, "Difficult for her."

She took a deep breath, "So if I accept, then what?"

"You're free to do as you wish. You'll have a lot of new power available to you, but Jade will be there to help you. Your friend, Andre, has already accepted his bond with Cat, if you ever want someone to talk to. Of course, my dear Lucia has been in your place, but it's been a great many years. Regardless, the choices are yours to make."

"Speaking of which," Cat finally spoke again and offered a sly wink to Tori, "If you don't mind, I've things to do. Antonio, Lucia, shall we?"

Tori noted Cat's accent slipping through for a short moment. Antonio and Lucia bid their farewells, and the three disappeared. Jade cautiously took a few steps closer, and closed the distance when Tori didn't object. As much as she wanted to touch her, she kept her hands at her sides, "Just...tell me, okay? Tell me if this isn't what you want. I'll be gone and you'll never have to worry about any of this again. Just tell me what you want and it's yours."

Tori stared silently back at her, her eyebrows twitched, and she almost laughed, "What I want? I had dreams of being swept off my feet, you know? Cheesy, romantic dates, old-fashioned courting, falling in love on my own terms. I was falling for you, you know."

Jade smiled and nodded, "Well, I've been around a while, and I'd say I know the rules of old-fashioned courting fairly well."

"Exactly how old are you?"

"Oh, you know," Jade smirked and winked at her, "Couple years older than you."

Tori took a bold step closer, the pull stronger than ever before, but she held her ground, "I want a number."

She nodded, "276."

Her eyebrows raised, "Really? So you're immortal?"

"Theoretically...yes," Jade replied hesitantly. At Tori's curious look, she continued, "I've chosen to not age."

"So...if I said I wanted to grow old with you?"

"Anything you want. I'll live forever by your side, if you wish, or I'll die by your side. Or...you know, the alternatives."

She shook her head, "Forget those. Win my heart like you would've done two hundred and fifty years ago. Win my heart and it's yours."

Jade gave her an uncharacteristic, almost childlike smile, full of happiness and hope, "It'd be my pleasure."

Tori held out her hand, "Come on, then. We should get to class."

"If I may," Jade took her hand and made her thoughts clear, "I just wanted you to know you're hot when you're angry," she paused to look down at the burnt ground around Tori's feet, "Literally."

Tori rolled her eyes with a smile on her face and leaned forward to kiss Jade's cheek, "Work on that smooth talk, Romeo."

Tori's POV

I wiped at my eyes as I grabbed my books for my first classes out of my locker. I frowned at my reflection in the mirror, noting the dark circles under my eyes. I always hated when Trina landed auditions. It always led to a sleepless night full of loud rehearsals. Of course, her lack of sleep made us late leaving the house, so I didn't even have an opportunity to grab a coffee before coming in. I was just hoping to maybe get a nap during first period.

I closed my locker, only to be met with my favorite blue eyes and the mischievous smirk of my soulmate. After the showdown in the forest, of which I never ended up learning the location of, things changed between Jade and I. It'd only been two weeks, but her fascination with everything about me never lessened. She still asked questions just to hear me talk, she'd invite me to take late night walks with her, and answer all of my questions. She'd shown up at my door precisely when promised, well dressed, flowers in hand three nights in the past two weeks. Growing closer to her felt so natural, though she always reminded me it was my choice.

"I'll trade you," she offered, her hand outstretched for my books. I obliged and handed to them her, as she procured a cup of coffee from behind her back and gave it to me.

I sighed and tasted the hot drink, "Thank you, I really needed this."

"I know," she winked and held out her free hand, which I gladly accepted.

She always let me start any conversations about powers in an effort to keep things as normal as possible. I was quickly able to learn how to control the powers I had on my own, and as long as I was close enough to Jade when we were together, she kept everything else in check so I never had to worry about it. It still amazed me how in tune I was with her emotions, as she was for mine. It was a breath of fresh air, not having to worry and wonder about what she was thinking or what she wanted.

She still struggled to read my mind without touching me, and always asked permission if that was her intention. Sometimes I got annoyed at her hesitation or carefulness, more so when she reminded me that it was my choice.

A week later it finally sunk in that perhaps our definitions of 'old-fashioned courting' might be a little different. Late Friday night, sitting in her car in my driveway after our fifth date, she pulled away from a kiss, again, just as I wanted more.

I groaned loudly and bowed my head, "Okay, talk to me. What's the deal?"

"The deal?" I looked up to see her trademark cocked eyebrow, "You said this is what you wanted."

I frowned, "Jade, you hear my thoughts. You know this isn't what I meant."

Jade smiled and shook her head, "I'm not going to assume or make choices for you."

"You aren't assuming anything," I grabbed ahold of either side of her opened leather jacket and pulled her closer, "I'm telling you that I want you."

She subconsciously licked her lips as her eyes darted down to mine. Her control was slipping. She couldn't hear me and I couldn't hear her, but I could feel it. I felt her hand on the back of my neck and she never asked permission. Her eyes met mine again and I smiled before closing the distance between us. It only took a few seconds before I knew we weren't in her car anymore. I didn't open my eyes as she pushed me backward until I felt the bed against the backs of my legs. I kept her right there with me as I fell back onto my bed and she didn't try to pull away.

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of telling herself no and telling herself yes. I silently begged her not to say no, but she pulled away anyway. I sighed and stubbornly pulled at her shirt, "Come on, Jade. You want this too, I can hear you."

She grabbed my hands and held them against my stomach, "Don't tell me things I already know. It's not right."

"To hell with it! I don't care what I said before!" I shouted as I forgot where we were.

"Shh," she hushed me quickly as she glanced toward the door, "You aren't in the right mind to make that choice right now."

I rolled my eyes, "What, so now you're choosing for me?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head, "No, absolutely not, I just-"

"I'm saying yes, why isn't that enough for you?"

Just then, I heard a knock on my door, and a second later, it opened and my dad popped his head in, "Everything alright, sweetheart?"

He looked around the room to find whoever had the audacity to sneak into my room, but Jade was gone. I rubbed my hands together and tried to ignore the cold I felt without her, "Yeah, sorry, just talking to myself."

He raised an eyebrow, "Interesting excuse. Are you sure no one's...in the closet, or under the bed?"

I scoffed. Go ahead and check, I'd like to know, too. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"If you say so, just remember the rules. No boys after 10pm."

"Yep, I remember, dad, thanks."

He smiled and nodded, "Alright, goodnight sweetie."

"Night, dad."

He closed the door and I sighed deeply as I rubbed my face. I sat up and went to stand up when I felt her presence again. I opened my eyes to see her standing in front of me. She held out her hands and helped me up, "Your parents don't even know about us."

"I...haven't found the right opportunity," I replied lamely.

"I'm staying out of your pants until your parents know my name." I rolled my eyes. Yeah, well, if this ended the way I wanted it to, they'd figure it out pretty quick. Her smirk reminded me that she knew exactly what I was thinking. "Prior to anything happening. That's my one condition. Until then, I'm saying no."

I frowned, "There's something else."

Her mind was far too hectic for me to figure out what she was thinking. She pursed her lips and tried to sort through everything before finally relenting, "I can't seem to maintain any kind of control with you. Just a moment ago you were really hot, and I mean that literally. I'm a little afraid you're going to accidentally set something on fire."

"Is that just a thing with me?" I replied, exasperated. I lowered my voice, remembering where we were, "I'm just a pyromaniac or something?"

"Your body temperature can be hard to control when you're emotional. You'll figure it out eventually."

I tilted my head, "So what happens when you get emotional?"

"When I'm aroused, you mean?" I nodded slowly, and she shrugged, "I guess you'll figure it out later."

"Later?" I didn't try to mask my excitement.

"After you introduce me to your parents."

I tried to pull her close one more time, "I changed my mind on that old-fashioned thing."

She gave me one chaste kiss before stepping away, "I haven't."

And then she was gone.

A/N: I've been struggling to continue the stories I've left unfinished over the past several weeks, and this story is probably going to find its end first. I have ideas on what I want to do with it but if anyone has suggestions on what they'd like to see, let me know. Thanks for reading!