Fandom: Victorious

Title: Point of View

Chapter Seven: The Climb

Point of View: Cat Valentine

Dec 24th 2002

I am pulling away from Jade, letting out a deep breath. I can't figure out how to respond or what to do with my body—twirling a lock of my hair between my thumb and index fingers. I feel my smile spread across my face; my lower lip curls up a little my teeth bite into my lower lip. Jade caresses my leg both of us are silent. I notice a lovely shade of pink has spread across Jade's cheeks.

Semi-awkward moments pass both of us are breathless. Jade moves closer but stops groaning, holding her stomach. "Are you okay?" She winces, coughing and covering her mouth. Gently I rub her back, moving up her back, and the spell continues to rip through her body.

Jade wraps her arms around her stomach, doubling over. "Jade, honey. Talk to me. What is going on? Is it a drug reaction? Was the kiss that bad? I'm sorry; I know I lack experience in real life, and reel life isn't the same as real life, but I swear I can learn to kiss better!"

"Shh, Cat. The kiss was lovely." She presses two fingers to my lips, gasping, clutching the seat. Her back trembles tiny sweat beads roll down. "Take deep breaths slowly, Jade," Daniel advises. Her entire body seems to be in a spell, trapped in a state of agony. Her responses are slow cheeks turning bright red. Every breath is staggered she closes her eyes. When Jade squeezed my hand, she used more energy than she should have. I wish she had saved it to take one more breath, but that was never her way. Her way was taking care of other people.

Now, I feel her slender fingers laced through mine. I smell lavender lotion. Words are too much of an effort for her, which tugs at my very soul. A smile is the symbol of joy… and acceptance. We only need to lift the veil of consciousness to see what lies underneath. Jade's smile is still there, more minor, weaker, but ever-present. Did my kiss somehow make her smile? Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, I lay my head on her chest, stroking her arm softly, counting. "One…two...three."

Jade's breathing is rapid and staggered. Her fingers tighten around mine; she sucks tiny breaths of air through her teeth. Ten seconds pass, then it turns to twenty, which becomes thirty.

"Can you tell me what hurts?" Jade opens her closed fists and shakes out her fingers. A slow deep breath is let out as she leans her head back against the seat, wiping her hands on her dress. Sweat streaks are left behind.

"Deep breaths, Jade, as hard as it seems to take, don't stop trying. Open your mouth, fill your lungs to the brim, till it hurts to draw in air, or until you feel like you'll pass out." She lets out a whimper squeezing my hand. "Let it out." "Raelyn call my mom, have her call Dr. MacMullan we need to get Jade into her office tonight to see if she's still in for the evening." "It's after eight, Daniel. I highly doubt she's there on Christmas Eve."

"She may be since she organized tonight's event." "Well, that is true. Okay, I'm calling."

Grabbing a water bottle and a paper towel, I wet the towel and placed it over her face to help cool her down, running the towel down her face and neck. She feels hot, indicating a possible fever. Closing her eyes, Jade curls up against me. Her body continues to tremble; pulling her into my arms, I hold her close, kissing her forehead. I feel scared by her symptoms and the length of time she's been experiencing them.

Hunched tension causes her shoulders to cramp painfully. I can see her face's discomfort and how she twists them to alleviate the pain. Gently I massage them. Her skin is blazing. My hands feel like they are walking through the fires of hell's damnation when I touch her. The hairs on her arms seem to crawl on their own the invisible fear runs along my spine. It is clawing its way up the mountain like a lion searching for its prey. "I'm here, Jade. Right here. We got this; remember, I'm your panther. I won't let anything hurt you. Just relax, baby girl."

"You can't pr..protect me forever." Jade's speech is stuttered. "The enemy it's in my blood. It's trying to kill me. I'm so scared, Cat. What if my cancer has returned, or my viral load rose?"

The mountain lion has made its climb successful. Its claws have now sunk into my heart and ripped it into a million pieces.