Slightly shorter chapter than what y'all are used to. Y'all gots to bear with me as I readjust to my schedule. I was on campus today for 12 hours - it looks like Mondays are going to be my hardest day for the next few months. But I have all Thursdays off. Woot! But now I'm tired... so tired.
Tori awoke late the next morning, an uncommon occurrence for her, and instinctively reached for the warmth she presumed to be next to her. She grappled blindly for a moment and found purchase not on her lover's body but crisp sheets instead. A chocolate eye opened lazily, squinting in the harsh light as she searched through her foggy brain. The events of last night returned to her slowly and she groaned, burying her face in her pillow. Jade. The cyborg wondered if she was still downstairs on the couch or if she'd wandered into town already.
Maybe I'll stay in bed all day. She considered briefly, rolling onto her back and staring blearily at the ceiling. She rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hands as her thoughts drifted – was she still mad at Jade? Upset, definitely. Wounded, for sure. Confused, yes. Mad? She didn't know. The past few weeks had been emotionally draining for her – Jade's mood had only worsened as her pain continued, and the scientist often took out her temper on her and any other unfortunate roommate who happened to cross her path. Tori had been walking on eggshells as she determined how to best handle the walking time-bomb that was her girlfriend, had struggled with the guilt that came with knowing she was the reason her love was in such pain. Anxiety had all but consumed her and she lay awake most nights when Jade really thought her to be asleep, listening to her angry mutterings, watching as her face contorted in pain when she was able to sleep.
She thought back to all their conversations – the ones where bargaining ultimately turned into screaming. When, over the course of the past few months, had Jade started lying to her? When had the doctor come into play? The cyborg bit her lip as she tried to pinpoint when, if, the other girl's attitude had changed, or when she had picked up any suspicious behavior. It was impossible to do so; Jade was just too good of an actress. The conversation last night hung over her conscience like a storm cloud, darkening her mood; how often had she lied? And about what?
Tori groaned and pushed herself upright, hoping a change in scenery would change her attitude. She wasn't an insecure girl often, but learning of Jade's dishonesty had stripped her of all her confidence. She didn't know how to handle it, how to overcome those feelings, and that worried her. She glanced again at Jade's empty side of the bed and frowned – she needed to be away from everything that reminded her of the pale scientist right now. She needed time to refresh, time to improve her mood before she tackled the serious issues around the corner. Tori swung her legs over the side of the bed and planted her feet on the floor, studying them. Hard titanium pressed against soft flesh – even a sight she was so accustomed to seeing had now become a reminder of the argument from last night. She rested her hands on her legs and stared intently at them. What she wouldn't give to be all organic again – to just be human.
She closed her eyes and imagined what her life had been like before the accident. She had been a dancer, had played volleyball in college. She used to be so proud of her body, and rightly so. She worked hard to look how she did, to be able to dance and move the way she did. All that had changed the night of the accident; she didn't dance anymore, didn't play sports. It's not that she couldn't – she was probably more capable now than she ever had been before – it's that she wouldn't. Half of her body wasn't her own anymore. It was mechanical, inorganic… it almost felt like cheating, and it reminded her of what she'd lost. Her movement wasn't beautiful anymore, it wasn't art. It was engineered, calculated, cold.
Jade often chastised her for thinking that way, reminding her that her grandfather could have saved himself the time and provided her with clunky, ugly limbs. Ones that were merely practical or utilitarian, Spartan. He had studied her though, made her new limbs as similar to her old as he possible could. He took excellent care in their craft, in their composition. He had made them beautiful, functioning works of art fit for any exhibition. Jade reminded her of Madison and his grotesque cyberprosthetics, how in building them for function alone he had inadvertently reflected his inner being – a monster. Tori's limbs reflected the grace and strength she obviously possessed and she should be proud of them.
Of course, Jade was a techno-junkie. She loved tinkering, dismantling, rebuilding, creating… any activity in which she could challenge her creativity and get her hands oily. Of course she would think Tori's limbs were beautiful, and that sometimes made the Latina wonder if that's why she had been attracted to her in the first place, if their entire relationship was built upon the foundation of Jade's weird fetish with technology. "Would you even like me if I wasn't part robot?" She had asked her one day, shortly after Jade had suggested opting for amputation. The pair had been lounging on the couch, the younger girl cuddled in a half-drugged state in the cyborg's lap.
Jade had given her an incredulous look, as if Tori had grown an extra head. "Are you kidding me?" She had snorted. "I mean, yeah, I love your prostheses. Their ingenious. But they're not the reason I love you." The raven-haired girl had shifted in her seat, her uninjured hand cupping Tori's face as she smiled. "I love you for what's in here," she gently tapped her between the eyes, "And for what's in here." Her hand rested gently on Tori's chest, directly over her heart.
"You realize my mind and heart both have robotics and circuitry in them, right?" The Latina couldn't help but smile as her foggy eyes attempted to register disdain.
"Fine. Ruin my moment. You're really not taking advantage of the good mood my pain medication is putting me in." Jade huffed and pushed off Tori's chest, trying to gain control over her protesting legs to walk away.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. Come back." She grabbed the pale body before she could stumble out of reach and pulled her close, nuzzling her nose into Jade's neck and gently tracing patterns over her injured hand.
"I love you no matter what, Tori. I'd love you if you were entirely human, if you were a stumpy double amputee, if you had a peg leg and a hook for a hand… and some stupid little parrot on your shoulder. It doesn't matter what you're made of. It matters who you are." Jade promised her, running a gentle hand through chestnut tresses. "And I look forward spending the rest of my life assuring you of that whenever you begin to question it."
Tori's eyes fluttered open as the memory faded and again studied her limbs, focusing intently on the inorganic ones. She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers, listening absently to the soft whisper of metal scraping against metal. This is what Jade wanted now, what she had lied for, what they fought over almost daily. Her recent conversation with Cat echoed in her mind and she thought of Kevin and his ordeal… "Ugh. Too much." Tori pushed herself out of bed, stripping out of yesterday's clothes and pulling on a fresh set. She needed fresh air, needed to get out of the house and away from things that did nothing more but remind her of last night. Maybe she'd go for a run – focus on her burning lungs and patterned footfalls instead.
She slipped quietly down the stairs, sure that Jade would still be passed out cold on the couch. She was surprised to find the younger girl wasn't there – her blanket and pillow lay strewn across the floor. Tori paused on the landing, listening for signs of activity in the bathrooms of kitchen. Nothing. This place is pretty damn empty all the time for seven people living here. Tori huffed as she continued down the stairs, pausing momentarily to finger Jade's pillow. Where could she have gone already? Her eyes narrowed angrily as suspicion crept in. Surely she wouldn't have gone to see the doctor again. She snatched her hand back and stormed out the door, muttering angry nothings to herself as she hit the sidewalk and broke into a brisk jog.
Jade awoke early to the scent of dark roasted coffee being shoved under her nose. "Put it on the bedside table, baby, I'll get it in a minute." She muttered, dragging her blanket over her face.
"Oh, so you call her baby. You never had any petnames for me." Beck's voice cut through her drowsiness, bringing the events from last night rushing back.
"Ugh… well it's ironic. You were a much bigger baby than she's ever been." Jade groaned, yanking the covers back and pushing herself upright. She smoothed down her wild hair and rubbed her eyes before taking the proffered mug, taking a gratefully deep sip. The dark liquid scalded as it washed down her throat and forced any remaining grogginess away.
"You're so pleasant in the morning… why'd we break up again?" Beck replied dryly, easing himself down onto the coffee table in front of her.
"Because you're a klepto with an attitude problem." He rolled his eyes and sat down his own cup, resting his elbows on his knees.
"So… ready to talk about last night?" Jade shot him a sharp look from behind her mug.
"No, but I'm ready to strangle that little pissant. Where is he?" She glanced back towards the bedroom he shared with Robbie – it was cracked open. Last night, after she'd been banished from the bedroom, she had wandered downstairs to lick her wounds and demand Sinjin's head on a platter.
"Haven't seen him since last night. He took off when you stormed upstairs and hasn't been back since. You know he's probably his friends' place."
"I hope he froze in the cold. Little fucker." She spat bitterly, taking sadistic joy in imagining his frozen carcass on the sidewalk somewhere.
"Yeah… there's always that." He smiled in that classic Beck manner before tilting his head almost imperceptibly. "You lied to her… how's she handling that?"
"… Not well. I don't know. It's just a big clusterfuck misunderstanding. I really don't want to talk about it, Beck." Jade stared forlornly up the stairs. The sun was just now rising (much to her disdain). She wondered if Tori would be coming down anytime soon.
"I don't see how there's much to be misunderstood… We kind of heard all the yelling all the way down here."
"… Okay. Fine. I was planning on talking to the doctor about the surgery. But then he got here and we got sidetracked."
"You got sidetracked…" He repeated in disbelief. "With talk about the weather? Moose hunting season?"
"He worked with dad." She drained the last of her coffee and rose to her feet, brushing past him in search of more.
"He… oh. Oh wow. Is that good news or bad?"
"It's good. Or I thought it was. But Tori's never going to let it go." She sighed, stirring a spoonful of sugar into the dark brew.
"Did you tell her that he knew your dad?"
"I didn't really get a chance, Beck. As I'm sure you heard." That was just another reason she wanted to move out of the lodge – there was absolutely no privacy.
"Well, let's go get him. Maybe she'll calm down if she knows the whole story."
"I doubt it. Just let her be angry… it's what she wants right now."
"Jade, stop." The tone in his voice made her glance up, brow raised. "Stop this self-pitying-sulking-whatever it is. You messed up, yeah. It happens. But there's also more to the story here than she knows. Just present the information to her and see what she wants to do with it. If nothing else you can say you tried to make peace, and then you can sulk."
Her eyes narrowed angrily. "I don't sulk."
"You're cranky and you sulk. They're some of your best character traits."
The pale girl huffed and rolled her eyes, turning her attention dourly back to her swirling coffee. "See? You're doing it now. Come on, let's go. Maybe we can track him down before he wanders off for the day."
Tori returned home some time later, lungs burning and face flushed despite the cold temperatures outside. She hauled herself up to the front door and kicked it open without ceremony, happily exhausted and running off a serious dose of endorphins that had greatly improved her mood. First order of business would be a cold shower, then she'd grab a bowl of ice-cream and plug herself in to their television and stream some of her favorite movies she pirated to her harddrive before her forced hibernation. Patrick had often chastised her for that but it was of no consequence to her anymore – she'd tried tracking down a copy of Breakfast Club on her own a few weeks ago and was shocked to see that only a few copies remained and they were selling for an obscene price.
Her plans were interrupted when she noticed the living room was currently occupied. Jade and Beck looked surprised by her sudden appearance, but she was more concerned with the stranger on their couch whose eyes were as wide as saucers. "Speak of the devil and she will appear." He beamed, rising to his feet.
At his comment Tori tore her gaze from the strange man and settled it suspiciously on her girlfriend, her good mood quickly evaporating as she developed an inkling of who this might be. Taking her cue, Jade rose to her feet. "This is Erwin Sikowitz – he's the new doctor in town. He – Tori, damn it! Come back!"
The Latina spun on her heel and headed right back out the door, her face contorted into an angry scowl. How dare she bring him into their home, when not even a day ago they had gotten into a screaming match over him. She took the stairs two at a time and hit the pavement running, not having a clue as to her destination but knowing she didn't want to be at the house, near her lover that was intent on driving the wedge further between them. "Vega!" Jade appeared next to her, much to Tori's surprise; the younger girl smoked too much and exercised too little to keep up with the cyborg's jogging habits.
"Leave me alone, Jade." Tori panted, picking up her speed. She knew if she kept running long enough she'd eventually lose her shadow.
"No. If you had given me half a second to explain inside – "
"I didn't need half a second to understand. Did you really think you could bring him here and have him convince me?"
"That wasn't the plan." Jade wheezed, obviously struggling to keep pace.
"Just get him away from me. I don't want to see him. I don't want to talk to him." The pale girl was beginning to fall behind. Tori smirked and pressed forward, ignoring the aching in her already tired legs. "I don't want to talk shop with him. I don't want to hear what he has planned." By this point Jade had stopped completely and rested, hands on her knees, in the growing distance. "I don't want to have anything to do with him at all!"
"He worked with dad!" Jade yelled between gasps. The cyborg stopped mid-stride, nearly tumbling over her own feet. She turned back to the younger girl and narrowed her eyes. "Sikowitz. Worked with dad. They were best friends. He tried to help him find you." Her voice was pitched and breathy and she grabbed a nearby fence with her good hand for support. "Holy chiz. My lungs." She threw her streaked head back and sucked in precious air. Tori shook her head and crossed her arms, making her way slowly back to her girlfriend.
"I told you to stop smoking." She chided.
"Well I didn't expect to have to go sprinting after anyone. Ever." Jade snarled defensively.
"You'll be fine. What about Sikowitz?" She wasn't inclined to be sympathetic at this point – her nerves were still too raw.
"Do a search on him, tech-head. He's legit." Tori closed her eyes as she activated her wireless, running an image search for the man she had only glimpsed briefly. "Chase got to him. Did what they did to Trina. He managed to escape and make it up here."
"He worked at Compass. Why trust him?" Her eyes remained closed as she studied the search results.
"I didn't at first. That's why I never brought him around. I kept you a secret to keep you safe. I kept meeting with him to make sure he was okay… it didn't have anything to do with the surgery." By this point her breathing had calmed and she was capable of standing on her own again. She took a few cautious steps towards Tori, pausing just out of arm's reach.
"It did initially." Tori quipped.
"Initially, yes." Jade snapped angrily. "But…" Tori could hear her tone soften, could practically see the lines of her face soften despite her closed eyes. "That's not why I brought him here. I wanted you to meet him. He was one of dad's best friends… He's been waiting years to meet you. And I thought you might like to meet him too. He's one of the only connections we have to dad, Tori."
The Latina exhaled heavily and frowned – despite her frustration she couldn't ignore Jade's message. If Daniel and Sikowitz had been as close as Jade professed she knew she definitely wanted to speak with him, to share stories. To actively walk away from that would be like walking away from the man she had considered a little brother. She couldn't fathom it. Content with her search results from now, Tori opened her eyes and refocused her gaze on the raven-haired girl before her. Though her face was composed she could see those blue eyes begging her to agree, begging her to return home.
Without another word Tori brushed past Jade in the direction of the lodge. "This was Beck's idea, you know. So don't be mad at me for bringing a stranger into the house."
"Don't push your luck, West. I'm still mad at you anyway." She dropped her arms to her side and glanced sideways at the winded girl.
"Can't blame you… least this time I was trying to do the right thing." She smirked in response, glancing down in surprise when she felt Tori's titanium fingers lace through her own. "But I guess you can't resist me either way?"
"Keep it up and I'll crush this hand too."
"Don't make me break your face."
"Don't make me break your face."
"… Wow."
Tori stepped through the door apprehensively, silently studying the man whom Jade had permitted entrance to their home. Her certainly didn't look like a scientist; he looked more like a dirty hippie. "Wow!" He jumped up from the couch when he caught sight of her. An excited dirty hippie. "Victoria, you're every bit as fantastic as Daniel told me." He greeted, taking her hand between his own and shaking it vigorously. The cyborg shot Jade a nervous look and she just shrugged in response.
"It's… just Tori." She replied, unsure of how to approach the situation. "It's nice to meet you, doctor."
"Oh – call me Sikowitz. I've been waiting so long to meet you. After Daniel … well, I never thought I'd see the day. It's such a pleasure." He was still shaking her hand. She pulled it gingerly from his grasp and wrung it absently.
"I'm nothing special." She muttered, forcing a smile as she suddenly became aware of how intently he was staring at her. It was the same hungry look Jade had given her when they had first met.
"Of course you are! You're a legend! I can't tell you how many hours I had to listen as Jade's father went on and on about you. I remember one time – "
Jade, sensing her obvious discomfort, stepped forward and put a protective hand on Tori's arm. "Sikowitz, bring it back a few notches. I didn't bring you here to scare her. I was hoping we could sit down… catch up." Her tone wasn't missed. Shut up before I shut you up, it threatened.
"Ah…" The older man took a slight step backwards to permit the women to pass. They claimed a seat on the couch and Jade nodded at a chair opposite from them, one that placed the coffee table between them. "Of course. I've got questions of my own, that's for sure. But I will give you this round, Tori. I'm an open book – is there anything you'd like to know?"
Tori gaped at him for a moment. Yes, there a million things she wanted to ask him – how'd he find this place? How'd he get here? Where had he been the past few years? How did she know they could really trust him? There were so many things she needed to know, she realized, but only one thing she wanted to know. "You were Daniel's friend?" She mirrored his slight nod. "Can you tell me about him?" She wanted to know about the man her little man had grown up to be.
Lara tapped her pen impatiently on her notepad as the phone rang for the fifth time. She frowned at the table as it continued to remain unanswered, her sister's growing amusement becoming increasingly obvious as the seconds passed. After the eleventh ring she hung up, tossing the receiver onto the table angrily. "Where is he?" She huffed.
"Maybe he was found out! Maybe the cyborg is on to him. Maybe she's torturing him slowly and he's revealing your malicious intentions bit by - ow!" Lillie rubbed her forehead vigorously where the pen bounced off. "Mean." She stuck out her tongue as she retrieved the utensil from the table before it could again be hurled in her direction.
"Meaner." Lara reciprocated, and for a few seconds the sisters entered into a face-making contest. "Ugh, whatever." She rolled her eyes when the other girl puffed out her cheeks and crossed her eyes, pushing away from the table and moving to the window to compose herself. She wasn't in the mood to laugh at her sister tonight. The Van Cleef boy had missed their meeting last night. They had discussed the possibility of it happening before - afterall, sometimes some thing was bound to interfere with their secret phone calls. It was understood that, if that ever happened, he was to return to the phone booth promptly at 5 PM the next day. She'd try to re-establish contact with him for the next three days. If he missed that window their contact would be terminated permanently.
"You're wasting your time." Lillie chimed behind her. "Can we please just forget about the girl? Whenever she comes up you get all serious and boring. If I'd known you were going to be like this I wouldn't have let you get so obsessed with the fact that someone else had claimed to found her."
Lara sighed and glanced over her shoulder. "We can't forget about her. She's a big deal. It's not like I'm holding us back. We've still got a few weeks before we're ready to move."
"I suppose." Lillie muttered, unconvinced, as she tucked her legs underneath her. "So what are you going to do if he won't pick up? It's not like you can go track him down in Sanctum." Her younger sister turned quickly, her eyes shining excitedly. Lillie groaned and threw her head back. "Ugh, Lara! No! Norris isn't going to let us back! I bet he still has our pictures posted on the gate." Her face glassed over as she began to plot; she chewed on her thumbnail absently as she turned back to the window. "That wasn't meant to be a challenge. Stop it!" She was already too consumed with her thoughts to listen to her sister's shrill whining. Me and my big mouth, she huffed to herself, dragging herself out of her chair and out of the room before she got roped into senseless plotting.
Meanwhile, Lara smiled to herself. By this point she was convinced the cyborg Van Cleef spoke of wasthe one - the Victoria Vega. Their original plan was to have him deliver her here anyway ... but after the past few days he hadn't exactly proven himself reliable. If you want something right... She'd go. She'd bring back the cyborg. She was tired of sitting around here waiting anyway. She refocused her gaze to the distance, in what she guessed was the general direction of Sanctum. Get ready, Norris, I'm coming to see you again... and things aren't going to work in your favor this time around.