AN: I know I know, another update already?
I was feeling inspired! Haha! ;)
I honestly can't believe over 100 reviews!
Thank you all so much!
I do not own Victorious.
It's pretty long, Enjoy!
Piles of coats and several types of shirts and jeans lay disorganized over the neatly made queen sized bed. A muttering brunette filled with frustration grabbed a hanger and hung up one of the disposed articles. She'd been cleaning and rearranging every corner of her room since the morning in order to achieve distraction. After going on an extra extended jog earlier that morning she'd returned to the quiet of her shared apartment to do everything possible to avoid the bizarre dream she'd had the prior night, from clearing out the unnecessary items in the fridge to the crumbs beneath the living room furniture. It was a dream. She'd convinced herself it had to be. It explained why the woman who had appeared to upset hours before would choose to show up at such a late hour simply to apologize. It was a dream.
Hanging up the final piece of clothing that lay over the bed, Tori shrugged and pushed away the silly thought. She had less than an hour left before the paramedic from the other night stopped by. She'd sent him a text earlier asking if they could change the time to seven. She was glad he easily agreed. Spending the entire day on the apartment had been driving her crazy and since all her school work had been finished she had nothing better to do than clean. Cat had gone in a couple of times offering to help the passionate cleaner but every time she had been rejected with a simple 'no thank you' as the brunette had continued on with her mission.
Somewhere between breakfast and lunch Cat had showed up with two coffees. Tori had eyed her suspiciously when the red head entered her bed room with her work clothes. Apparently during all the cleaning frenzy Tori had missed the woman going off to work and returning. They'd managed to talk a bit between the brunette's 'break' about Tori's date. It had could barely pass as a break. Tori had taken five minutes to sit down to indulge the warm drink the red head had handed her before quickly returning to her work. Time from that point seemed to fly by. She took a quick shower and got ready for her evening out.
Her phone rang signaling a new message. On my way up, the message read. Tori finished the touches on her hair and exited the warmth of her newly clean bedroom. She grabbed her coat off the rack behind the door and held it below her torso and over her band arm as she wrapped the scarf around her neck.
"Where are you off to all dressed up?" Came the question from the living room. Tori turned to find Jade smirking. She angled her head back to meet the brunette's gaze over from the couch.
"Tori's got a date," Cat answered as she took a sit beside the raven haired woman.
Blue eyes widened in disbelief. "A date? With who?" Her voice managed to remain even as the woman tried not to sound too upset over the news. Tori looked truly lovely. She wore a black dress that hung just inches above her knee levels and a pair of elegant heels to complete the outfit. As Tori adjusted the red coat Jade couldn't help but fell a hint of jealousy soar through as she imagined the lucky bastard that would be spending the evening with the breathtaking brunette.
"Who's the lucky lad?" she asked watching as Tori made her way into the living room.
Tori shrugged. "He dropped me off last night," she said adjusting the belt of her coat.
"The paramedic?" Jade asked in disbelief. Jaw clenching she looked down to check the time and sighed. "I should get going," she muttered a sudden rage of anger taking over her.
"Already?" Cat pouted.
Jade nodded collecting her belongings. "Yeah my break is almost over. Robbie will have a fit if I'm not back on time again," she answered dismissing the red head's protesting.
The brunette's forehead creased in concern as she watched the pale woman stand from the comfortable position she had been seated in. Tori found it strange how it was the second Jade seemed to have a sudden change in mood. Had she done something wrong? Said something wrong?
Trying to leave before the paramedic made an appearance Jade practically hustled to the door waving both woman good bye. As if on cue a knocking came from the door and Jade cursed under breath as she rolled her eyes before turning and moving out of the way to allow the brunette room to answer the door.
Tori eyed the woman suspiciously briefly who avoided her gaze before reaching for the door. What was going on with her? Jade appeared to be upset The way she stood against the farthest wall with her arms closed and her head turned away made Tori's tighten discomfortingly. She was definitely upset. But why? Why was she upset? Sighing in disappointment she composed herself and opened the door.
"Hey," James smiled when the door swung open. He wore a friendly grin when the brunette saluted him and asked him to enter the apartment. Tori smiled walking in with the tall man trailing behind her.
Jade didn't miss the way the paramedic's eyes roamed over the brunette's body. She could feel her body tensing up in anger as she watched the tall brunette stand beside the smaller woman.
"Hello, I'm James," he said raising his hand to both women who opposite of the pair. "We didn't have a chance to introduce ourselves properly the other night," he added.
Jade eyed the stranger's hand. She raised a brow in question with no intention of returning the gesture. Cat sighed in annoyance at the pale woman's rude behavior when she understood Jade was clearly not going to take the paramedic's hand. "I'm Cat and this is Jade," she giggled shaking his hand.
He awkwardly dropped his hand and turned to look at Tori. "Shall we get going?" he smiled down at Tori who had been quietly watching their interaction carefully. She'd watched the way Jade had scrutinized the paramedic and though he clearly wanted to introduce himself to the dark haired woman she gave no dismay and ignored his friendly greeting. It wasn't like Jade. She'd been out with the woman in public. She was usually a chatty Kathy and known by everyone wherever they went. Everyone at the bookstore spoke very highly of the woman. Tori had a hard time understanding why suddenly Jade was having a difficult time interacting with the paramedic.
"We have a reservation at seven," James continued gaining the brunette's attention.
"Jade are you okay?" Cat asked pulling the woman from her thoughts. Wide blue eyes turned to the red head as she realized she'd been growling, not loud enough for everyone to hear but enough to make lips curl up in disgust. "Yeah I just have a headache, Cat," she smiled coolly.
"Oh, right. I'll just get your jacket," Tori answered. She quickly made her way to her room to retrieve the item. When she returned to the group, brown eyes quickly searched for the blue eyed woman. She frowned realizing the woman had gone without bothering to wait for her to return. Tori bit the inside of her cheek and scolded herself. Why did it matter so much to her that Jade had not waited for her to return before leaving? Why did she feel so disappointed?
James took his jacket and thanked the brunette who answered disheartedly. The pair said their goodnights to the red head and made their way out into the hall at to the elevators.
Tori felt a wave of joy overcome her when she caught a glimpse of the said woman standing around waiting for the elevator.
Dark brows knitted together in thought as blue eyes stared hard at the metal doors. She'd been an idiot. The way she'd behaved back in the apartment toward the paramedic had been uncalled for. But she couldn't help it, not when she knew he'd be the one Tori would be spending the evening with. Not when she had seen the beautiful charcoal dress Tori wore and how breathe taking she looked. Not when Tori could be staying in and watching a movie in the comfort of her home in with…with…
"Jade?" The woman turned around caught off to meet the bright brown eyes. Jade would be lying if she said she hadn't felt bad for not wishing the brunette a good night, but she couldn't bare the sight of the olive skinned woman leaving with the paramedic. It didn't feel right. Jade didn't understand why, but it just felt wrong. It felt wrong watching the said woman standing next to the tall young man. It felt wrong to see the grin appear because he was going to take out to dinner. It felt wrong because she wasn't with the right person. No, it was all wrong. Tori didn't belong with James, she belonged with…
"Jade?" Tori tried again. "Are you going to get in?" The brunette stood with her hand holding the metal door so it would not close. Brown eyes looked at her expectantly waiting for the pale woman to answer.
How long had she been standing there? The elevator had already arrived? Jade glanced at the paramedic and back at Tori. Pursuing her lips into a smug smirk she shook her head and shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "I'll catch the next one," she shrugged.
Tori rolled her eyes and reached for the proud woman's arm. "Get in here," she said tugging the woman into the elevator and pressing the button to the lobby. Jade couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's insistence. She leaned against the decorated wall in amusement. Her chuckling died down after remembering the medically licensed man was in the elevator with them. Blue eyes turned cold as they looked over to where he stood.
"So where are you two love birds off to?" Jade asked emphasizing the word love with a wiggle from her eye brows.
Tori blushed and scowled the woman playfully. "It's just dinner," Tori began."
"We're going to the new Italian place they opened up on Main Street," James interjected with a proud grin ignoring the woman's remark. He looked down at Tori who failed to return the smile as she was too preoccupied in how Jade had taken the news. Before either women could add anything more to the conversation the door slipped open revealing the lobby. Jade happily stepped put first turning to look at the pair who followed.
"Have fun Jorge," she said nonchalantly to the paramedic.
"It's James," he corrected.
Jade ignored him her voice turning serious. "Take good care of Tori." Her tone was not harsh but the threat could be heard behind the words as she looked at him directly for the first time. "See you later, Jorge," she added with a smirk.
"It's James," he corrected again.
"Whatever," Jade dismissed as she turned to Tori. The coldness in the azure eyes disappeared and replaced with a soft warmth in them as they once more took in the marveling appearance of the brunette. She truly looked beautiful. "Good night, Tori," she smiled. Her lips trembled the slightest as they did their best to refrain from pouting.
Tori returned the smile with a nod wishing the woman a good night, too. Before the woman could fully turn away from the brunette's gaze Tori noticed the shift in the blue eyes as a hint of what appeared to be sadness took over. Sadness? Tori stood speechless watching the dark haired woman walk away. Jade was upset, she was dejected, but why?
A warm hand landed on her shoulder and she turned to find James looking at her curiously. "Are you okay?" he asked with concern.
Tori glanced back at the empty spot where Jade had stood. Shaking her head she looked up at the paramedic with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, James. I really appreciate the trouble you've gone to make dinner plans for us but I can't do this," she sighed glancing at the double door entrance.
James remained silent for a moment. He studied the brunette a small smile forming. "It's her isn't it," he sighed in defeat.
Returning her gaze back to the young man she quirked her brows. "What?" Tori asked confused.
"Jade, she needs you," it wasn't a question, but a statement. How could he know? "She wasn't too happy to see last night. I should have put two and two together," he continued rubbing his neck sheepishly
Tori's mouth gaped in astonishment. He'd managed to connect to dots before she had. It was James. Jade wasn't upset with her, James had been the problem.
"She's lucky to have you," he smiled.
Tori's grin widened. "You're a wonderful guy and any girl would be lucky to have you in their life, James." She leaned up on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek in appreciation. "Thank you for understanding."
James nodded chuckling, "Just don't let your woman get away," he winked before leaving a brunette to question what he'd said. Her woman. Jade was her friend, she was upset and needed her friend. Tori shook her head and took off running in search of the raven haired woman, because she needed her. She needed her.
…
The bookstore was quite as such a late hour. There was only one cashier in the front and at the most two customers roaming the store. Tori approached the curly man who stood facing down at a technical listing device. "Hey, is Jade around?" Tori asked startling the man.
"Tori, hey!" he tried playing off his frightened mood. "She's back in the music department probably listening to some of the samples," Robbie answered.
"Thanks, Robbie," she nodded not allowing any room for the bookseller to try and make small talk.
Tori found the vacant music department and caught the woman in search bobbing her head to a fairly loud song coming from the sampling earphones. Tori made her way up behind her and gently tapped her shoulder.
Jade pulled back the headset and smiled in surprise, "Hey, Vega. What brings you to the kingdom at this hour?" she asked with a coy smirk.
Tori eyed the woman for a moment. The hint of sadness she seen earlier was nowhere to be found now as the piercing blue eyes looked back. "Date over so soon?" Jade teased.
Fidgeting hands clenched and unclenched in an anxious manner. Had Tori imagined the whole thing? Jade looked just fine. The light in her eyes was bright and like always stunning. "I didn't go," she replied.
That caught Jade's attention, her azure eyes widening at the revelation. "Why not?" She asked after a moment.
There it was again, Tori thought watching as the woman's eyes shifted faster than she could keep up. Tori gasped recalling the so called dream. The colored eyes had looked at her the exact way. The way Jade was looking at her, causing her to shiver and unravel with the piercing eyes feeling like they were looking into her soul.
"It wasn't a dream, was it?" she whispered.
Jade raised a brow at her questionably.
"Last night I mean. You really showed up to apologize," Tori explained.
Jade's jaw set. Blue eyes widened for a moment before quickly composing themselves and returning to their original stone look. Within moment the azure eyes changed again with a hint of adoration and confusion in the mix. They scrutinized the brunette carefully as their owner struggled to find the right words to say. What felt like a lifetime with discomforting silence was soon replaced when a smile made it way to the full lips of the pale woman. "I did," she finally answered.
The smile soon turned into a frown at the recollection as to why she'd felt obligated to do so. Tori's arm. It was hidden away and covered beneath the dark coat the woman wore to shield herself from the cool weather.
"I really sorry Tori, I didn't mean to hurt you," Jade began. Her speaking turned into a ramble once she apologized as she tried to play off the weight it had held over her.
There it was, Tori realized. That's what had been bothering the woman. She wasn't upset with the fact that Tori was hurt, but the fact that she'd be the one to inflict on the brunette, accidental or not. "Jade," her voice softened. "It was an accident. I slipped. You didn't purposely place your skate in my way. It was inevitable," Tori contemplated.
"I could have, had I…" Jade trailed off. Had I not let you move, she finished remembering the great warmth she'd felt with the woman's weight pressed fully against her. She blushed at the thought realizing Tori was eyeing her strangely. "You scared me," Jade said in a low but serious voice her grip on the head phones tightening
"Jade," Tori began.
"You took off running so suddenly like you'd been burned. I thought," her jaw clenched shut for a moment as she struggled to find her voice. "I thought I'd done something wrong. You didn't even give me a second look before you ran off. " She released the head set and stepped back to lean against the musical decorated wall.
"You thought I was angry at you for hurting me?" Tori said raising the silent question Jade had been avoiding. Blue eyes turned away avoiding the burning brown orbs.
"Jade," Tori whispered. She stepped closer and gently reached under to raise the woman's chin so their gaze would meet. Brown eyes searched the blue eyes with what felt like ages. Softening brown eyes lit up with understanding. "I could never be upset with you. I know you'd never try to hurt me intentionally. You're not that kind of person, Jade."
Jade felt her heart stop. They were inches apart from each other. Any closer and she'd feel the brunette's breath over her. What was the woman doing to her? She'd scared actually scared her. But why? Why did it matter so much? She'd had many people get upset with including a certain red head but it never got to her. It never got under her skin deep enough to actually create fear. Was she afraid Tori would stop talking to her? Hate her? God no, she thought, hurt by just the image.
"It'll scar," Jade muttered. Seeing the bandaging around the arm the other night gave her enough information to know just how deep it was. The skate blades were sharp. Too sharp. There was no way the jury to the arm could have been just a small scratch. The smooth of the pale forehead wrinkled as brows narrowed. "How bad is ?"
Tori exhaled stepping back debating whether or not she should tell the woman. "Fifteen stitches," she replied. For some reason Tori always found it difficult lying to Jade. She couldn't lie to her. From the start she'd gone off and easily told Jade the story of her life. Why? What was it about Jade that triggered that?
Jade's jaw fell open in. "Fifteen?! I... Oh God... Tori I'm sorry. So so sorry," she pleaded. Azure eyes began to gloss over with tears as they urgently asked the woman to forgive her.
"Jade, please believe me when I say it's okay. I mean it. I'm not angry at you at all. It never once crossed my mind to blame you. It was an unfortunate accident that happened to involve the skates you wore but it doesn't make it your fault," she smiled softly. Brown eyes lit up playfully. "Besides now I'll be able to make up disgusting stories on how I got the scar," she winked trying to assure the pale beauty before her.
Jade chuckled after a moment. "You're something special, Vega." Her smirk was back as she blinked away the threatening tears playing them off as she 'yawned'. "What happened with your date?" she asked turning serious once more.
The brunette's mouth opened and closed a couple of times as she tried to find the right words to tell the blue eyed woman she'd cancelled her date because she'd been worried about her. Deciding it was best to leave that part out she met the stunning eyes with a sly smile. "Turns out I don't really like Italian food," Tori said with a glint in her eyes.
Both women laughed together. Letting the thick air that had hung between fade away they both spent the rest of the night playing around with the music sampler and listening to each other's favorite hits. Deep down both women were glad the date with the paramedic had not followed through and though neither said it, they both knew spending an evening listening to music they each loved was a perfect way to end the night.
AN: Well? What did you think?
Tori didn't go on the date?
Or did she go on one she hadn't exactly planned? Hm…
My birthday is tomorrow.
How's about an early birthday present? Review please? ;)