I promise I'm still here! Please don't forget about me! Here's a new chapter yaaaay!

I don't own Victorious.


[Problems don't just disappear.]

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Beck was searching through a stuffy room full of chatting people, trying to find Cat because he'd managed to lose her, an entire person, yet again. It seemed like lately he was always chasing after her. It had already happened several times since they'd been gone and he was considering keeping a picture of her in his wallet to have to show people just to make the search process go faster. He'd checked the bathrooms to see if she was there and he'd gone through the place twice already but she was still nowhere to be found. Maybe she'd wandered off outside someplace. When he stepped outside there were a ton of people pacing the sidewalk and no sign of Cat. He caught his fingers through his thick hair in frustration and stopped beside a homeless guy who was sitting outside the door. "Excuse me, did you by any chance see a girl with red hair, about this tall walk out of this door?"

The guy shrugged. "Sorry, kid."

Outside, just as he was at a loss of what to do next, he heard her singing coming from inside the restaurant. He could tell it was her right away because he and pretty much everyone else who knew her could recognize her voice. And when he went back inside Cat was on stage with a microphone in hand doing a very fun karaoke rendition of "Heart of Glass" by Blondie. He sighed, feeling relief wash over him. And since he finally knew where she was now, he decided to go back to the bar and just relax. Ever since they'd been on the road Cat had been on this physical and mental high where she was always moving, always wanting to be doing something, and sometimes it was hard for him to keep up with her. But in the grand scheme of things it was fine with him as long as that meant that she was happy.

Afterwards he pushed through crowds to meet her. He noticed a guy, a presumably older guy, was blocking her path trying to talk to her. As usual, Cat was always extra friendly and engaging him back in conversation. "You're really talented," he told her.

"Thanks! My name is Cat," she said. Beck came up beside her and she turned and wrapped her arms around his waist. "And this is my boyfriend, Beck," she said smiling.

"Mind if I steal her?" Beck said, pulling her aside.

Cat was extremely giddy, she was grinning from ear to ear and practically glowing. "Was I good? That was such a rush! I forgot how much I loved being on stage."

"You were amazing," he said smiling back at her. "But Cat, I thought you were going to the bathroom?"

"I was," she shrieked. "But then I saw the sign by the door that said 'free karaoke' and I talked to the guy and he told me I could do it. I just got so excited. Are you mad?"

"No, but we have to be careful. Remember that talk we had about us having to stick together so we don't get lost?"

"Right," she said, nodding. "And I promise I will be more careful next time. But Beck I still really have to pee," she told him anxiously.

"Alright, go ahead I'll wait for you."

Cat scampered off to the bathroom and Beck followed, staying close by to make sure he didn't lose her again. He leaned up against the wall and reached into his pocket to check the time on his cell phone but the battery was practically dead. It was almost 11 o'clock at night, which was well past time for them to get back to the R.V. and find a place to park for the night. He ignored the fact that there were three voicemails and four unanswered text messages on his phone, and put it back into his pocket and waited.

Beck was slightly, overly protective of Cat now, but that was only because he had to be. Wherever they went Cat was always drawing attention to them or to herself, wanting to talk to every stranger she met. She trusted people too easily so Beck had to be there to intervene in case someone ever tried to get too close. He was more comfortable with keeping a low profile, moving around and not getting involved with a lot of people, just because of the risks that came with it. But sometimes it seemed like trouble was destined to find them wherever they went. The first few days they'd been on the road, one night they'd stopped at a pool hall to get directions. And while he was there, Beck decided to use the phone to check in with Tori so she and the others would know that they were okay, like he promised. He'd told Cat to stay in the truck, but Cat could never stay in one place for too long. Within seconds of his phone conversation she had followed him inside and started mingling with strangers.

"Where are you guys?" Tori asked him over the phone.

"I probably shouldn't say."

"Right...well, everything's under control here so you don't have to worry."

"Really?"

She sighed, "Ehh...no. People are looking for Cat...and you. The cops questioned me and Andre and they even searched my house last night. They know you never went camping with the Shapiros."

"Did you tell them anything?"

"Of course not, but this whole thing is starting to freak me out a little bit."

Beck heard the words she was saying, but he was too distracted to take them seriously. He was trying to keep an eye on Cat. And then the phone beeped, letting him know he needed to put in another quarter. "Listen, I've got to go but try not to panic if anything happens. I just need time to figure everything out. You can tell my parents that I called you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, just tell them that I'm okay. And that Cat's okay too."

"Alright, Beck just call me if you need anything. And be careful."

He told her he would - he was always careful - and then he hung up the phone. But Beck's carefulness was always being matched by Cat's carelessness, and at the end of the night he and Cat ended up getting kicked out of the pool hall.

When Beck met up with Cat she was entertaining a group of pool players. She was smiling, waiting for him to come over when one of the guys jumped up in celebration, having just sunk a shot.

Cat giggled to Beck. "He didn't start winning until I came over. He says I'm good luck."

That was nice, Beck thought, but it was really time for them to be moving along. It was getting late and they needed to figure out where they were gonna sleep and whatnot.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked her.

"Already?" she said. She didn't seem to understand that these people were strangers and therefore potentially dangerous.

"We should be getting back on the road."

But then the guy stepped up, with his pool cue in hand and said, "She doesn't have to if she doesn't want to."

It was such a cliche moment and moments like these were ones that Beck had been hoping to avoid. Cat stepped back from between the two of them, not wanting to be in the middle of it. The guy waited for him to do something, and challenged him with his hard expression, daring him to say something back. But Beck's first instinct was to back down so that's what he did. He'd never been one to start a conflict so he was not about to provoke him. He ignored him and took Cat by the arm to lead her out of the door. But then he felt the guy grab hold of Cat as well, pulling her in the other direction and that's when things got out of hand. "Dude..Vince," his friend warned, trying to stop things from escalating.

The guy, whose name was apparently Vince, snorted when Beck told him to take his hands off of her, and he wouldn't let go. "You're hurting me," Cat complained. And then that's when Beck, in a moment of bravery, drew back and struck him in the jaw with his fist. Cat gasped, stepping back stunned at what he'd done. But Vince recovered quickly and immediately charged him. He grabbed him by his shirt and shoved him into a nearby table so hard that it collapsed underneath his weight. And then the entire room went dead silent and all eyes were on them.

Cat jumped in between them, intervening before anything else could happen while Vince's friends struggled to hold him back. That's when the manager stormed in and threatened to call the police if they didn't leave right then. Cat helped Beck up to his feet and the two of them made a mad dash for the door. And then there was that familiar rush that came with running away again, making another big escape together and Beck looked over at Cat and saw that she was feeling it too. It was almost like an adrenaline rush that came with them being on their own and being able to do whatever they wanted. Cat started laughing. "That was so scary, Beck I can't believe you hit him! I thought you were a pacifier."

Beck collapsed on the pavement next to where they parked the RV and Cat fell beside him. "Pacifist. And I think I might have broken my hand," he said although he kind of felt like laughing about it too. He'd never really hit anyone before. Maybe during a scene or a stunt, but never in an actual fight. His fingers felt like he'd sprained them; hitting that Vince guy in the jaw felt like punching a brick.

"That guy was huge and then he grabbed you and he was like - rawrgghhh," Cat growled and proceeded to do her best incredible Hulk impersonation. "He lifted you up in the air and dropped you. He could've killed you! Are you okay? You must be in a lot of pain."

Beck lied, "No, no I'm fine." His fingers were swollen and his ribs and back were very sore in places but it wasn't that bad. It only hurt when he moved a certain way or like when he breathed and stuff.

"You don't have to stand up for me ever again. I feel like I'm always hurting you."

"No, Cat it's okay I can take whatever comes at me. That wasn't even that bad," He jumped to his feet to prove it. "Look at me, I'm okay. I don't mind taking a few hits for you."

Cat giggled and stood up too, to kiss him on the cheek. "Next time you tell me to stay in the truck I'll listen," she promised. Even though she had a tendency to forget about her promises the way she had a tendency to forget about a lot of things. But that was just the way she was and Beck was learning to accept it and adapt to all of the ways that they were different from each other.

Tonight at the place they were at, as they exited they were able to leave on a happier note. Cat jumped on his back and he carried her piggyback out the door as she waved goodbye to everyone. And they all collectively responded with "Bye Cat!" as they left the restaurant and went on their way.

They drove a few miles until they found a rest stop. Beck parked the truck and RV in the lot, which was practically deserted at that time of night, and they headed to the back to crash for the night. It was late and all the events of the day had made him tired. Outside it was completely dark except for a few street lamps, and the RV was dark as well, so they had to feel around carefully as they made their way inside.

Once he found his way Beck collapsed onto his nice, familiar bed out of sheer exhaustion; but he would have fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow if it wasn't for Cat. At first they'd said goodnight and settled into place on their respective sides of the bed. But then he felt Cat grow restless beside him. She started tossing and turning until eventually she just gave up completely.

"Beck.."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we're safe here?"

"Of course we are," he murmured sleepily.

"But what if there's something out there?" she whispered. "Like bears...or a bigfoot."

"There aren't any bears out here, I promise. We're at a public stop. And bigfoot is just a myth."

She sat up and looked out the window, probably imagining all kinds of things because nights were the only part of their adventure she didn't like. She was always letting her imagination run away with her. "But if it's a myth that means you don't know if it's true or not," she said.

"Well I've read about it."

"Really?"

"Yeah and there's nothing to worry about because bigfoots are totally harmless. There are no records of anyone being attacked by one. And actually it's said that they prefer to avoid humans altogether. That's why we never see them."

He'd come up with these facts off the top of his head but Cat seemed to buy into them.

"Oh wow," she said. "I wonder what they look like. Can we try to find one?"

"Maybe. We'll see how tomorrow goes."

She turned her gaze back to the window for a moment and then she looked at him. "I'm still scared though."

"Of what?"

"...what if there's something else out there that we can't see because everything's-"

"I know, you're afraid of the dark. But if you just stop thinking about it you won't be scared. Nothing's gonna happen to us."

"But, Beck.."

"Just lay down."

She sighed. "Okay."

"Now close your eyes. And forget about everything that's out there."

She did as she was told and it must've worked because she fell asleep in a matter of minutes. And for that he was grateful because he too was finally able to get some sleep. He didn't plan on waking up early at all but he vaguely remembered being shaken awake by Cat at what felt like 5 o'clock in the morning. But afterwards he went right back to sleep and didn't get up until late into the afternoon.

When he did get up Cat was already awake and moving; she appeared to have been for awhile, busying herself apparently by destroying his entire bedroom. She was sitting in the middle of the floor with all of the contents of his shelves, book cases and his closet haphazardly spilled around her, sorting through all of his old junk. Beck grabbed Harry, who was out of his cage and crawling ontop of a mountain of books, and scooped him up before he could make his way under the bed. He held the rodent against his bare chest and furrowed his brows at Cat who just looked up at him and smiled briefly before turning back to what she was doing.

"Morning," he greeted.

"You mean afternoon," she corrected.

"Right. Uhh I see you've been busy..." he said taking in the huge mess she'd made of his floor. It was his own fault really, for leaving her unattended for that long.

"I promise I'll clean it up. You just have so much stuff. Like your whole life is in this RV."

The main thing she'd gotten into was his old photo albums. One was opened with all of the pictures removed from the slots and placed into stacks on the carpet. Pictures that she was in and pictures without her.

"It's fine, just - what are you doing?"

She had scissors and she was cutting them, all of the ones that she was in and then separating the pieces. And she seemed pretty focused on what she was doing at first, but then when he questioned her she stopped. She dropped the scissors and looked at him with that familiar doe-eyed nervousness. "I'm sorry."

"Can I have the scissors please?" he asked and she handed them over. "Okay explain."

The expression on her face was a mixture of pensive and confused. "I was trying to see something," she told him. He saw that she'd cut herself out of all the pictures and was separating the pieces into two piles. There were pieces of Cat and then there was everything else. "I don't know...this was wrong. I shouldn't have done it, but I just wanted to show you - I mean I thought you should see it."

"What are you talking about, Cat?"

She was confused because in her mind at the time when she was doing it, it all made sense but now when she tried to explain it all of these words came out that didn't sound right to her at all. "Please don't hate me. I just didn't think she belonged there so I wanted to see what it would look like if she was gone. I cut her out because she doesn't fit - well, I mean...not her, me. I'm Cat. My name is Cat and I'm different from everybody else. That's why I did it. Because I do things wrong and I make everything difficult so...sometimes it's hard for people to love me. But I try really, really hard. Beck, you see that I'm trying right?"

Beck frowned. "I see that you're getting upset right now. You don't have to try to do anything."

"But if I don't then I'm just gonna lose it again. Look at my hands, Beck." She showed him her old, faded scars on the inside of her palms and on the back of her hands. And he noticed a not so faded one across her knuckle. "That's what happens."

Beck sighed, covered her hand with his and closed it. "I thought you were doing better now."

"I am," she said.

"Then where is this coming from?"

"I told you I've been trying really hard for you, but...sometimes my mind plays tricks on me. And last night you didn't listen to me when I told you I was scared. I think something is after us."

"Wait, what do you mean? Like a person? Did you see someone?"

"No, it's not...never mind. I don't want to talk about it." She gathered up the pieces of the pictures she'd ruined and started rearranging them. "I want to put these back together now."

So she started fixing the pictures back to the way they were before, and when she was done she got a roll of tape from out of his desk and began to seal them. The whole time Beck sat watching her, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. He didn't know why she'd trashed his room and why she'd destroyed his pictures, or what 'something' she was talking about that was after them. And to be honest the whole thing was just making him nervous. He had to rationalize it somehow in his brain though, because he didn't want to believe that her mind could be reverting back to the way it was before when it seemed like she'd been doing so much better. Maybe she'd been locked up in the RV for too long by herself waiting for him. She probably just needed to get some air.

"I'll put everything back now," she said.

"It's okay just leave it. We'll clean it up later."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He decided that he just needed to take her mind off of whatever was troubling her. So he took her out of the RV and into the too bright daylight, and they walked over to the area where all of the facilities were. There were a few people there now, coming in and out of the restrooms and also standing by the vending machines.

Beck took Cat over to the stand with the pamphlets where there was a giant map of California posted up on the wall. He covered her eyes and told her to point to anywhere on the map. Wherever her finger landed was where they were gonna go and that's where they were gonna stay for awhile. Without looking, she pointed to a little beach town on the coast up north from where they were.

"Cayucos," Beck read. "Alright, sounds good."

"You think it's far enough?"

He put his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. "I think it's perfect. It'll be great once we get there."

"And we'll be okay..?"

He decided to play along with whatever delusions were going on in her head right now. "I promise. Whatever you're worried about isn't gonna find us."

Cat smiled. "Do you wanna hear a story? I had this silly dream last night. Where I was in this really big tunnel made out of vines and leaves. I was walking and there were these little elves that kept shouting at me. And they kept saying 'You're going the wrong way Cat! You're going the wrong way!' But I didn't listen to them.."

"Umm-"

"..So I was trapped in this tunnel. But it was really pretty because you could see the sunlight through all of the vines. So it wasn't dark or anything. And there were flowers everywhere. But I was trapped because I didn't listen...but it was okay, still. Because it was so beautiful. And maybe if I had listened to the elves I could've gotten out but I think I really liked it there. It was really nice. Do you think that's what Cayucos is like?"

He paused, "..I guess we'll find out."

Cat smiled again. "I never got out of the tunnel. But then I found these little charms hidden in a rabbit hole, like the ones on your bracelet. There was a 'B' for Beck."

Beck took her hand. "That's cute, Cat. C'mon let's get out of here."


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Okay I'm sorry it took so long for me to update, I've been super busy. I know I suck, but I'll try my best to update again soon! :P