Fractured World

Disclaimer: Do not own Victorious or iCarly

A/N:


Chapter 14 (Shouldering One Another)

"So the psychotic one was the good one?" Courtney was smirking and had her arms folded across her chest. Lily nodded at her, holding back a chuckle of her own. She had found it ironic herself at the time that Jade was the one in that group that was decent.

"My meeting them was totally by accident. I bumped into Beck on that first day at school and that pulled him and Jade into the inner circle of friends. They would never have become a part of that group if not for that chance meeting."

"Fate has a funny way of making things happen." Lily watched Courtney reach into her black purse with a golden dragon design on it. She cocked her head to the right a bit, curious what her friend was grabbing. "Let me show you this…"

Courtney removed a photograph of a young Asian man with striking brown eyes, dimples, and short spiky black hair. "Who?" She took the picture and raised her eyebrows at the boy, wondering why she'd have his picture.

"That's Ryu. He's the son of that couple, and well…" Lily glanced up to see a light shade of pink on Courtney's cheeks. She let out a gasp and started to ask if Sinjin knew about him. "I had a little bit of freedom, let's just say. He showed me a few fighting moves too. Not gonna lie, I may have fantasized about using some techniques on that damned redhead."

She looked over her shoulder to see Ian raising his eyebrows at the photo. "He looks tough." Ian squinted and tilted his head to the left. "Is that a sword in the background?" Intrigued, Lily glanced back at the photo and saw the katana hanging on the wall behind Ryu.

"It is," Courtney answered. "He was involved in a sword-fighting class. He likes manga too, so he always joked about being my big defender like the heroes of manga." Lily heard Courtney giggle and looked up from the picture with a smile.

Courtney had always had an interest in anime and manga, so she wasn't shocked to see her latch onto someone that was a fan of those things too. Herself, and Ian, they dabbled but not nearly as much.

"How is he taking everything?" Ian gripped picture gently, pulling it towards himself. Lily looked to him, watching his forehead crease as he studied the photograph. "When you care for someone, it's hard seeing them in pain.

Courtney let out a sigh and Lily watched with concern as her friend slid an hand up along her arm and looked to the side, curling her lower lip inwards. "He's not taking it well. He's glad I'm going home but he's worried for me, worried for his parents." She dropped her hand back to her lap and turned her eyes back to Lily and Ian. "We're both angry at Cat for what she did too, he's worried she might still be a danger or something and always said she did a dishonorable thing."

Ian chuckled once, though Lily was certain she heard a groan mixed in his voice. "Well, I remember how impulsive you used to be when you were angry."

"I always remained in control of myself," Courtney interjected, "That's no different."

"Yeah, so this guy isn't too similar to you is he? He can fight, he's got a sword, and I can tell how pissed you are at Cat. If he's worried she might hurt you, and his parents might be going away…" Ian's eyes travelled towards Lily. "If I thought for a minute that the Vegas would get out and come after Lily, I might be tempted to go on the attack myself."

Courtey's lips separated and she leaned back, shaking her head slowly. "No, I don't think he'd go so far. When I was about to leave, he did say something to that effect, that if Cat were to come after me he'd stop her; but I think he was talking tough."

"Do not underestimate the lengths a man will go through to protect someone he loves. Not that I want to put that in your mind, I just know right now every other statement has been how much you hate Cat. Which is understandable, but I know how reactive you are and how well you can rally people around you without even trying."

This was true, Lily remembered a time when Courtney believed a fellow science classmate was being given unfair advantages because they were a kid of the teacher. That kid barely did any work, turned in crap projects and somehow always received straight A's. Courtney went on an angry tirade, talking down the teacher and her kid. Soon, the entire class was agreeing with her; and when Courtney walked out of the class to go to the principal to complain, finally tired of the unfair edge being given, the rest of the class followed suit.

She hadn't even been trying to make that happen, she was just pissed off; and as a result, the principal instructed the teacher either to stop giving their kid special treatment or to find work elsewhere.

Courtney crossed her arms and leaned back slowly. "Would it help if I just stop talking about the bitch then?" Ian started to nod and Lily shrugged. She wasn't too keen on talking about anyone in that group either, least of all Cat.

"I honestly just don't want to talk about any of them." Lily sighed and the pair turned to her. Courtney unfolded her arms with a sigh and closed her eyes.

"Sorry, I know this is a happy time, and you're hurting too. I wish I could've been here for you." Courtney reached over, hugging her tight. Lily smiled and hugged her friend back. "But hey!" Courtney leaned back and swept a finger across her eyes. "You had an angry, impulsive, meddlesome friend help you out anyway."

Realizing she was talking about Jade, Lily started to laugh. "I wouldn't have called her a 'friend', but you're not wrong."

"Do you consider her a friend now?"

"Sort of, we're working on building that. She and Beck weren't exactly anyone I trusted for the longest time; but she did play a huge role in all this, mostly just helping my case especially."

"She's right." Ian leaned into the corner of the couch, spreading his right arm over the top of the cushions and his left across the arm. "Detective Malone was focused mostly on trying to connect the dots to the gang. Sam apparently had an eye for thinking that Lily looked a lot like Sasha; and then there was the whole thing about Spencer having a panic attack when he saw David." He cleared his throat and Lily looked to him sadly, it was never easy thinking about how much her father must have struggled through all of this. "But Jade and Beck entered the picture kind of bringing fresh eyes to everything."

"So they connected the dots between her and?"

"They brought the question of 'what happened to Sasha's baby' and were already feeling uncomfortable around the rest of the group. They also connected her disappearance with the Grayson murders, right? So they directed Detective Malone and Sam towards working that old cold case, which connected a lot of dots."

Lily leaned back and waved her hand in the air. "Not saying they're the main reason that I'm here; but I don't think Gary or Sam would've gotten where they did as quickly as they had without their help."

She saw Courtney smile and point to a laptop on the coffee table next to them. "Call her up on Skype." Lily raised an eyebrow, startled by the suggestion. "I want to say something to her." With a shrug, she carefully picked up the computer and opened it.

"What do you want to say?" She was a bit uneasy because the last thing she remembered before Courtney was taken, the girl absolutely did not care for Jade one bit. She thought the entire circle of friends at the school were bad, and that Jade was the ringleader. The irony here was, with Cat vying to be the next big leader-as implied by her hatred of Trina's resistance-Cat would've been the actual leader of that group. Either her or Robbie.

Once Skype was open on the laptop, Courtney set the computer in her lap and started to dial Jade from the contact list. Tori leaned against her friend and watched as Ian got up from the couch and walked around, positioning himself behind them. His hand came to rest gently upon her shoulder and she started to smile as she reached up to place her hand over his.

Jade popped up on the screen with Beck seated beside her. The girl furrowed her brow for a few seconds as Beck pointed and whispered something to her. As he did, her mouth opened wide. "It's always the toughest ones that take action it seems," Courtney said while curling her lips into a smirk. "It's good to meet you, Jade. Officially."

"Courtney," Jade replied with a growing smile. Lily was sure she detected a hint of breathlessness in the girl's voice, but couldn't be certain. "I'm glad you're home safe. I see Lily and Ian with you too." Jade waved while Beck reached forward to wave at the camera.

"Yeah. I'm still getting used to her new name. I keep wanting to say Tori, but she seems adamant about wanting to be called 'Lily'."

"Slip-ups do happen," Ian remarked. This was true, and she didn't mind as much. Still, if she had a quarter each time someone said Tori instead, she could save up to buy a new car.

"So what has you calling?"

"I wanted to say thanks." Courtney leaned back, folding her arms across her abdomen just at the edge of the keyboard. Lily watched with excitement as Jade's expression turned to what she thought was surprise. It was nice to see her best friend interacting with someone she deemed a new friend. "Because of you two helping the detectives, my best friend is alive. I couldn't ask for much more."

"We're just happy you guys are all okay." Jade started to smile. "Gary and Sam did most of the work, anyway."

"Yeah but you stirred the pot, your involvement helped them get results sooner. So thanks. I can't say I expected it from you." Jade frowned and slowly nodded.

"I know. When we first talked to them, Ian and To-Lily didn't trust anybody, so we kind of expected you might've had the same thoughts. I mean, your brother did too, they didn't even let us talk to them."

"Don't take it the wrong way, but I thought of everyone in that group, you'd be the one in charge." Jade's eyebrows shot up and Beck started to chuckle.

"I can see how you might think that." Jade brought her hand to her chest and closed her eyes. "I wasn't exactly the best person, but I've changed."

"I'd be skeptical of you being around Lily, but knowing everything you did for her and for my brother and Ian." There was a brief pause and Lily watched Courtney reach up to scratch her eyebrow. The girl let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. "Yeah, I don't trust easily, but I like what I see in you."

"Thank you, Courtney." Jade chuckled nervously and swept her fingers across the hair falling before her forehead. "It's nice to have any trust at all, I know if you or Ian didn't think much of me, you probably wouldn't let me even talk to Lily."

"I wouldn't go that far." Courtney looked to Lily with a smile, then back to the computer. "But I will never let anyone hurt them."

"I get that. Anyway, I'm glad you're doing well. Beck and I need to head out, but keep in touch." Courtney shrugged.

"I'll try. Don't take it wrong, but I think Lily is more interested in a friendship with you. I like you, but right now I'll let you focus on her."

Wanting to jump into the fray and keep from Jade being given the wrong picture, Lily leaned in between Courtney and the screen. "Oh don't be put off by her, she's never had an easy time with people." Jade raised an eyebrow and smiled while Courtney furrowed her brow at Tori. "Actually, I think the two of you have a lot in common. Fantastic friends once you become close, so maybe one day the two of you can be friends."

"Do I seem that antisocial?"

Lily heard Ian laugh and turned to see him smirking at Courtney. "You don't want her to answer that one, Court." She saw Courtney roll her eyes and smile. Her friends said their goodbyes and Courtney closed the laptop.

Ian took a step back from the couch, giving Lily's shoulder a pat. "I'm going to grab a drink. Do you guys want anything?"

"I'm okay," Lily answered. She reclined on the couch and Courtney asked for some water. As Ian started for the kitchen, Courtney's cell phone began to go off. "Who's calling?" Courtney reached for her phone and her lips turned to a wide grin.

"It's Ryu! Video call." Lily smiled and sat upright as Courtney answered the phone and began adjusting her hair. "We speak in Mandarin, it's easier for him and fun for me. I learned a lot over there.

Ryu popped up on the screen, his face looked tense and concerned, but appeared to relax when he saw Courtney. As Courtney indicated, they began speaking in a Chinese dialect that Lily did not understand.

She got the initial greeting and listened to the tones in the conversation. Ryu was speaking with some sense of urgency and anxiety, to which Lily could see Courtney's expression softening.

Now and then Courtney would furrow her brow and look upset, then she would tense when she spoke. At one point, Courtney seemed confident in something, her eyes narrowing like that of a dragon. Courtney shook her head and pointed her thumb at her chest, nodding swiftly as Ryu sighed.

It didn't look like they were fighting, so Lily wasn't sure exactly what Courtney was saying, but as she did, Ryu started to smile and he whispered something to which Courtney's expression softened and she repeated the words.

As the call ended, Lily sat upright and folded her hands in her lap. "So what was that about?" Courtney looked over with a frown and shook her head.

"He's worried about me, and I don't want to worry you…"

That was startling, and she didn't want to feel left out if it was something crucial. "Talk to me, it's okay." Ian walked over, handing Courtney a glass of water.

"I only know a little bit of Chinese," Ian stated, "From talking to people on anime forums online. I thought I heard him say something about wanting to make sure you were safe?" Tori raised an eyebrow and Courtney closed her eyes.

"Yeah. He wants to go after Cat." Her heart stopped and she threw her hand over her mouth. "I told him to just leave it be, she's going to jail and I'm testifying. I can take care of myself, and I won't let anyone come near me or you guys. I don't want him risking his life or throwing it away. I've already worried enough about losing you guys and my brother, I can't worry about losing him either."

Saddened and concerned, Lily reached for Courtney's hand. "It'll be okay, Courtney."

"In truth, I would love to see Cat pay for what she did. Honestly, I hate her more and more each day. I hate the Vegas for what they did to you and your family. I've spent the last year living in anger and hate, only to have Ryu and his family be the only bright spot."

Ian sat beside them, giving off a small sigh. "We just have to take it a day at a time. At this point, being here for each other is all we can do. It's easy to want to act out, easy to want to take our anger and hatred on something, someone; but that would only cause more grief everywhere else. I know you're angry. So is Lily, so am I."

Lily raised her hand. "I won't lie, I kind of got a sick satisfaction out of the fact that my dad literally blinded David for the rest of his life." She saw a look of surprise on Courtney's face and heard Ian chuckle. "You know how Dad survived the attack on him and my grandparents? It was almost like karma…David was going to kill us right after we met for the first time, and Dad pulled out this pocket paint thing that, I guess caused a severe reaction after being sprayed in David's face, that now David is blind."

"But that was self-defense, not actually hunting someone down. I know…" Ian trailed a bit and put his hand to his chest. "I know if I did that, I'd only cause Lily more worry." She nodded, imagining the horror she would feel if Ian tried to seek revenge for her. She'd be so afraid of him going to jail or getting hurt. "We're here now, if you ever want to talk about things."

"I'm not worried about myself as much," Courtney replied, "I want to be here for Lily." Lily smiled as her friend met her gaze. She squeezed Courtney's hand.

"We'll be here for each other. Don't be too afraid to talk about things, I've already got one person that has a hard time talking about his feelings." She glanced to Ian, who seemed to shy away from her gaze. Courtney followed her gaze and smirked. "I know it's hard for some people to be vulnerable or emotional, especially when they think they have to be for someone else; but it's harder also to be the only person in the room being emotional or vulnerable. I'm not the only one that went through hell, and sometimes I'd like not to focus on myself."

"That's fair."

"You said you learned a lot of Chinese over there, so…maybe we can talk about other things you've learned? I'm guessing Ryu showed you around a bit." Courtney started to grin and she clasped her hands together.

"Oh there's so much culture, I could go on for hours!" Tori smiled and felt herself tearing up just a bit. She had to wonder just how much pain it would cause Cat if she knew that Courtney ended up in a place where she learned culture, got a boyfriend and had positive encounters. If either she or Ryu truly wanted to make Cat suffer for what she'd done, letting her know the kidnapping had the opposite effect would've been one way to do it.


Thoughts here?