Okay, this chapter is late. The last three days have not been conducive for writing for me, but I'm alright.
I hope people have seen Elizabeth's movie 'Killing Daddy' because she was fantastic in it (Callie is not crazy). There are plenty of caps and gifs on my tumblr.
Twilight Warrior 627: All my stories are parallel universes to each other due to quantum mechanics, so some things tie together like the Charger is like a TARDIS. I tried to logically play out their stories with taking into account Victoria Justice's opinion and what the individual actors are up to doing.
mkpunk: There has to be emotional breaks or it overwhelms the audience.
Are you suggesting that Jon and Freddie could be brothers? What odd idea.
Beck could shut down for several reasons: he hasn't changed and doesn't like being called out or he has grown up and doesn't like being accused of something he's actually innocent about.
Friends have issues, they always come up eventually. It's how they are dealt with determine how a friendship functions. They unfortunately do have a past that could come into play.
I hope you saw 'Killing Daddy', wow…
Challenge King: Maybe Tori is taking an interest in Jon? I hope you enjoy this chapter in regards to Jon and Freddie.
Fanfic-Reader-88: 'Merica! The world's 911 when stuff goes down and greatest villain. That's life.
People may not have noticed that they were together just walking around as Natalie Portman did that for years when she was going to Harvard and Miranda Cosgrove doesn't have much up when she's going to college. The novelty of her may have worn off and they ignore her for the most part. If others see it as problematic Tori can always point out that she does the same with Freddie. No one would dare suggest anything going on between them.
mkpunk has updated his superheroes story, 'iHave Super Powers' so check that out.
Fanfic-Reader-88 has an update to his Trina/Robbie story: Passing Me By (The Senior Kickback Remix).
If you enjoyed 'Killing Daddy', check out my one-shot, 'The Universe Still Talks to Me'.
I recently found out that at least listed on the Sam & Cat wiki that Jade/Freddie is listed as Frade. Frade? Really? What kind of ship name is that?
Rating: T Language
Chapter 8
Kerckhoff Coffee House
Kerckhoff Hall
308 Westwood Plaza
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Jon walked into the café and started to look around for who some guys would consider the luckiest guy on the planet in being with Jade West. He spotted the former tech-producer typing away at his PearBook and quickly walked up to the opposite side of the table. The sight oddly reminded him of his father when he brought work home with him and nearly merged with his laptop.
The younger man named Benson called out to get the slightly older teenager's attention as it appeared he was engrossed with whatever was appearing on the screen, "Hey."
Freddie easily replied as he looked up from his screen, "Hey. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing alright other than the sudden computer problems," Jon answered with a slight lifting of his satchel on his right.
The older Benson smirked as he casually replied, "I'll take a quick look and see what I can do."
Jon replied as he took a seat across from Freddie, "I would appreciate it. I need it for class of course, but it's my way to keep in touch with home other than the phone. I'm pretty close to my sister and I can tell she misses me. I'm still adjusting in not having her around."
"I understand. The phone's not necessarily enough for my mom. She still lives in Seattle."
The former tech-producer got up from his seat, picked up his trusty one strap book bag he was still carrying from his time at Ridgeway with a worn Hollywood Arts patch on it sitting at his feet then closed his laptop to slide it inside. "Let's head back to the computer building and I can take a look at it. If it's anything serious, I can take care of it over there since we have all the equipment."
"Thanks."
As Freddie led the way out of the coffee house and towards the stairs, he asked, "What exactly is wrong with it?"
"Last night when I was talking to my sister, it suddenly started getting sluggish and grinding to nearly a halt. After I lost the connection with her I really couldn't get anything to work. I thought I might have picked up a virus, but my antivirus software didn't pick up anything."
"I'm pretty sure I can figure out the problem or someone's in the department can. If it's anyone else, you might have to pay them; going to university support wouldn't do you any good if I can't fix it."
Jon replied as he pushed open the first floor door for them and the pair stepped outside into the partially cloudy day, "I was willing to pay you."
Freddie took the lead to their right to cross in front of the building and opened paved area with dozen or more tables for students to meet outside. "You don't have to. Tori asked me and I think I'll give you the Benson discount, so I can spare an hour. I guess you made an impression on Tori. Jade thinks you're pretty good too and she does not hand out praise readily."
As they cut through the area and reaching a grassy area on their way to the computer science building, the younger Benson easily chuckled, "I'm glad to hear. I guess being a gentleman as my father raised me paid off… and actually have some musical talent."
Freddie joined the laughter, "I'm glad it's worked out better for you than me." He shrugged a shoulder and added, "Well in Seattle. Down here it's worked out far better."
Jon laughed, "The world can see that Mister future West."
Freddie rolled his eyes and shook his head. He refrained from commenting on how he and Jade were still figuring out how they were going to handle the surname.
As the pair was halfway to their destination, they passed a few booths set up along side the three sidewalks splitting off to continue straight forty-five degrees left and right advertising for fraternities and sororities. Freddie glanced to his left and curiously asked, "Plan to join any fraternity?"
"I haven't really taken a look at any on campus, but I figured I'd just join the one that my father's a part of. Do you have any suggestions?"
"There's a few good ones, depending on what you want out of it. There's some professional ones I thought about joining and a Christian one too, but I haven't gotten around to applying to one since…" He trailed off as he looked to his left to see one fraternity to cause him nearly to glare at the person seated behind the table. "…one particular one left a very bad taste in my mouth and that's the one you're going to want to avoid."
Jon glanced over to booth Freddie was glancing to as they passed, "Why?"
"A good chunk of the guys in that chapter on campus are frankly pieces of chizz that you wouldn't want your sister anywhere near."
"Why's that?"
"They used to have the biggest parties on campus that would attract basically everyone, especially the ladies where… they made sure they got their fair share of drinks then would straddle that line of non-consent with them. After they had their 'fun', they'd like taking pictures for blackmail and to share with each other after they stole their clothes then forced them to leave naked."
One of Jon's eyebrows rose while the other one lowered while he questioned, "You have to be kidding?"
Freddie spat out in disgust, "I wish I was. I saw and filmed the dedicated room they had to keep their 'trophies' and pictures. They kept the girl's clothes hanging in clear plastic bags."
"How did you find this out?"
"Actually, my friend and I heard that happened to a girl through an acquaintance of a friend and since Dusty's got this thing about helping people, he charged headlong into it and I had to back him up, so we investigated them. When we started asking questions and looked like we were getting too close, their local president threatened us. He puffed up his chest like he was real important because they have members everywhere in business and said he'd ruin our lives, et cetera, et cetera if we kept butting our nose in their business."
"What did you do?"
"I laughed in his face and Dusty asked him…" Freddie lowered his voice as they were passing some other students, "…if his dick was that small in overcompensating that much. He didn't like either one of our responses."
"Not many people would. So you two kept up your amateur sleuthing?"
"Yeah. We talked to some girls and found out it wasn't isolated then we snuck into their fraternity house to find some proof and found the room. I filmed inside to prove it was the house and the room. Some of them found us while we were there and then…"
Jon uneasily chuckled, immediately feeling sorry for the slightly older teenager, "They beat you down and took your camera?"
"Ah, no. We… fought our way through three or four guys then jumped out of a two story window into the front yard then things got… interesting."
They paused at Portola Plaza to check for traffic before crossing the street. Once on the other side, Jon asked, "Interesting?"
"We got into a brawl with probably every member of the fraternity that was in the house at the time."
"How many guys were there? What? Five?"
Freddie answered as they walked along the front of the computer building, "More like ten if I recall."
"Ten guys? You and your friend took on ten guys? Damn, how long were you in the hospital? I'm guessing they didn't exactly go easy on you for invading their house."
The former Seattle teenager darkly smirked, "Actually… we didn't go easy on them. We sent several of them to the hospital—broken arms, ribs, knees… and some emergency dentistry surgery."
Jon stopped and turned to face the fellow Benson. "Easy on them? Wait, you took on ten guys and you won?"
Freddie nodded his head back and forth then reluctantly admitted, "Well I'm pretty tough as in I can really take a punch and after I graduated from Hollywood Arts, I started adding some MMA to my workout regiment. I have a friend and a friend of a friend that are CFC fighters. Dusty is more of a country boy raised pretty tough by his dad and before he got to Hollywood Arts, he had to go to a pretty tough high school where he was in a number of unfair fights and won. We had skills, a little bit of luck and right on our side."
"Yeah, but ten guys?"
Freddie just chuckled and they started back on their way.
Jon caught up and added, "I could buy the skill part when going up against someone who's just doing it on instinct. My dad's into boxing and we'd spar a lot. He wanted me to have the hobby and wanted to make sure I was touch because he always warned me that it was a harsh world and there was always someone out there that wanted to take what was yours."
Freddie nodded along, understanding the feeling better than most.
"I can surprisingly take a punch too—a little too good actually. Some guys at my high school thought it was like superhero weird."
The older Benson grinned as he remarked, "I've been told the same thing."
"So, you got through the fight then exposed them with the video? How are they still on campus?"
"They're still a powerful fraternity and did a good PR campaign to show that it was just the local problem. They went on and on about how it didn't reflect their values and how they were all an embarrassment to the national organization. They stripped all the leadership and the ones they could prove were involved were thrown under the bus and kicked out. They installed some outsider as a special local president to manage it to make everyone feel good, but a lot of people are avoiding them, especially the ladies of course. The school is watching them like a hawk."
The leaner Benson raised an eyebrow and questioned in concern, "Aren't you afraid they might retaliate? Some might want some payback? They might go after your friends."
"I don't live in fear. They want to come after me, they can come after me, but… if they want to mess with my love ones… it will be the last thing they'll ever do."
Jon awkwardly smiled as he saw in Freddie's eyes that the older teenager was not speaking in jest. He nodded his head and replied, "Thanks for the heads up on them."
Freddie replied as the reached the front entrance, "You're welcome."
UCLA Computer Science Department
4732 Boelter Hall
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Freddie led Jon to one of the smaller labs, a few stray students were at some of the stations, and took a seat at one of the stations with just a visible monitor while throwing a few greetings out to his fellow students. There were several other monitors and several computer components strung about with places where computer construction could take place as one student was putting one together.
Jon took his laptop out of his satchel and handed it to the computer engineer.
Freddie took it, set it cattycorner to the monitor and opened and booted it up. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a USB cord to hook the laptop up to the hidden tower under the table.
As the studying computer engineer started his task of trying to track down the problem, Jon stole a seat to place cattycorner to Freddie and asked, "So you like the school?"
Freddie got the diagnostic scan going for the laptop and looked from the corner of his eye to answer, "Yeah, I've enjoyed it for the most part, except for the fraternity thing and one bad professor. I've learned a lot."
"Bad professor? Who do I need to avoid?"
"You don't have to worry about having him in a class. He got 'fired' and tenure couldn't even save him."
"How?"
Freddie shook his head. "He was persuaded to leave due to the embarrassment with the accusations and… for medical reasons."
"Medical reasons?"
"Yeah, my… friend, Sam Puckett. She's Cat's roommate and I'm not sure if you've met her or not, but we were in the same English Composition class and well… Sam kicked him so hard that she busted one of his…" Freddie cleared his throat as it looked like a phantom pain went through him.
Jon had a fairly good idea what the slightly shorter teenager was alluding to, but his curiosity got the better of him and asked for clarification, "Busted his…"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
The former Seattle teenager relaxed back in his chair. "Sam is street smart, but since she really didn't take school seriously, she wasn't as academically prepared for college as the rest of us. He picked up on that in a writing class, so he offered to bump up her grade if she would give him… 'sexual favors'. When she refused, he threatened to fail her, so she kicked him."
"She busted one in one kick?"
"Sam is very strong."
"Ow."
"Yeah. They threatened to arrest her and kick her out of school and we threatened to sue them in return. We found some other girls that he had pulled that on before and since we were willing to fight them with some of very high profile people willing to make a lot of noise about it, that would not look good when it got a lot of press coverage…"
"We?"
"We are a group. Cat was going to stand by her side and we were outraged with what he attempted with Sam. Tori and Jade and Cat speaking out about this with all their fans… some might think twice about UCLA and the alumni might have second thoughts about giving money."
"It's always about the money," Jon remarked more than question. "That's what my dad taught me and to follow it to for someone's motivation."
Freddie nodded along in agreement as he was disgusted that he and the others had to threaten the top people with a slacking off of funds in their coffers and reputation than wanting to do the right thing. He didn't think on it too much as he snorted out in triumph and remarked, "I found it."
"What's the problem?"
"It looks like you were accidentally sent an update by the university that's meant for the school computers. It looks like when it didn't work, it just kept trying to download and update repeatedly, gobbling up memory and process power. Give me a few minutes to clear it off and free up all the memory it stole."
"Thanks."
"Not a problem," Freddie answered as he was already busy typing away on the laptop.
Jon looked around again and saw that he other computer students were involved with their individual assignments/projects. Seeing that there wasn't much to distract him, he let his thoughts travel to the two starlets, particularly the one of Latino descent. She had been kind and sweet and even had a cup of coffee with him after class when she had no reason to stay on campus. The brunette further went through the trouble of calling up Freddie and getting to help him without even charging him.
He let his mind wander into thinking what it would be like if he really made friends with the girls… and fantasize what it would be like to be something more to Tori.
Even if she didn't have an actor boyfriend, he couldn't exactly approach her like any other girl as he wasn't in her league. That obstacle didn't prevent his subconscious mind from asking without fully thinking through his words, "If you don't mind me asking, how is it like being with an international star while you're…" Jon trailed off as he wasn't exactly sure how to finish that statement.
Freddie looked at him from the corner of his eye while keeping most of his focus on the screen and answered, "I'm just some normal guy?"
The younger teenager nodded his head. "Yeah."
"Well, I don't see her as that like everyone else—like you're seeing her through the lens of a superstar musician. I just see her as my Jade. We were together before she made it big and we've been on the journey together, so I'm not just some guy that's gotten with a celebrity. I'm a guy whose girl became a celebrity."
"So is that how I should look at Jade and Tori?"
Freddie looked away from the computer monitor to the younger teenager with a curious gaze, trying to figure out the meaning behind the question.
Jon continued, hoping to clear up the fellow Benson's confusion. "I mean we keep seeing each other between classes and I'm still kind of star struck with them and trying not to act like a star struck fan, because I really am a fan of their music and performances."
Freddie laughed, "If you have good taste, you'd be star struck by them anyway." He momentarily thought back to Beck's friend Moose from Canada, but chalked that up to not having good taste. He gave a supportive smile and continued, "They're just like anyone else you would meet here. Fame has not gone to their heads like plenty of other celebrities our ages. They're not full of themselves or hard partiers or on the brink of some mental collapse or overdose." The former technical producer grinned as he finished, "Just put aside the fact that everyone knows them and they have way more money than you and me."
The leaner teenager laughed as Freddie typed a few more keys then remarked, "There, everything should be fine with it now."
Jon replied as he scooted his chair up to look at his computer, "Thanks. If you don't mind, I'd like to try it out before I go."
"Oh, not a problem."
The hopeful musician pulled the laptop to face him as he scooted further up and beside Freddie. He quickly pulled up a web-browser and PearChat. As he sent a video request, he explained, "It's approaching six on the East Coast, so Amanda should be home…"
A few seconds later, a video window opened and a familiar face to both Bensons but for different reasons appeared on the screen. The darker red velvet hair teenager than Cat, happily spoke as she eyed both the handsome teenagers, "Hey."
Jon grinned. "Hey baby sis."
"Did you get your computer fixed?"
Jonathan thumbed to his right, "Yeah, Freddie here got it working in no time."
The New York girl smiled and waved, "Hi. Nice to meet you. I loved you on iCarly."
Freddie politely nodded his head. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
Jon picked up, "I don't have much time to talk. I just wanted to make sure everything was working alright before I left. I've taken too much of Freddie's time and I'm sure he's ready to go home."
The former Seattle waved him off and remarked, "It wasn't any trouble. I'm just glad I could help you out. I do understand the importance of family."
Jon nodded in appreciation as Amanda spoke up, "Hey Jon, Freddie, before you go."
"Yeah?"
"I didn't get to tell you before we got cut off; I'm flying over to visit you this weekend."
Jon snorted out a breath and grinned. "That'd be fantastic. I can show you around campus, we can go out on the town."
Freddie offered, "I know plenty of good places you two can go. I can shoot you an email or you can ask Jade and Tori the next time you see them." He chuckled as he added, "Jade will probably tell you some of the more morbid places in town."
Amanda gave an eerily similar puppy dog expression that Cat could give when she wanted something. "Is there a chance I could meet them? I'm a really big fan and I was hoping you could personally tell them how much I love their music."
Before Freddie could answer, Jon replied, "I'm sorry kid. They're going to be busy this weekend."
Freddie raised an eyebrow, curious and concerned that he would know that they would be busy this weekend.
The dark redhead frowned in disappointment. "Oh, okay, but it's still going to be fun to see you. We're going to have a good time this weekend."
"Yes we are. Listen, I'm going to have let you go. Love you little sis."
"Love you too. I'll see you this weekend. It was nice meeting you Freddie."
"Nice talking to you—even if it's short. I'm be sure to let Jade and Tori know you love their music."
"Thanks." She waved as she clicked off the window.
Jon went about putting his laptop to sleep while Freddie got up from his seat and put away the USB cord. He looked up to the older boy named Benson and spoke, "Thanks again. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this and the warnings."
"You're welcome, but speaking of time… I am done for the day and after talking to your sister, I think I'm going to go see my little brother. I haven't seen him in about a week, so I don't mean to come off as rude, I really do need to go now."
Jon answered as he got up and slipped his computer into his bag, "Sure, right not a problem. You're not being rude at all, but you have a little brother? I thought you said that your mom was in Seattle?"
Freddie started his way out the door with Jon following and answered, "I'm an only child. I was talking about Jade's stepbrother. They're pretty close and he's going to be my brother-in-law one day and I want to let him know I'm going to be there as one for him."
They reached the stairs at the end of the hallway as Jon replied, "That's pretty nice of you and it keeps you out of the doghouse with her."
Freddie laughed as they walked down the stairs, "It has nothing to do with staying out of the doghouse with Jade. Anything you see on-line with the three of us is genuine; it's not me tolerating him."
Jon thought for a second on what it said about Freddie if what he was saying was true. He didn't know many guys his age that would be willing to be around child that age for extended period of times as part of being with a girl; it would just be too close to having to deal with a child from a previous relationship. He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize they had reached the front of the building.
Freddie chuckled as he pushed open the door and he started in the opposite direction, "Yeah, take care Benson."
Jon lifted a hand and bid farewell, "I guess I'll see you around."
Cat and Sam's Apartment
Apartment 22
Venice, CA
The doorbell rang and interrupted Cat helping Ian with his reading at the kitchen table. She looked over her right shoulder across the apartment and to the door to call out, "Ding Dong!"
Her antic of calling out the phrase every time the doorbell rang pulled a giggle from the child.
The redhead slipped from her seat and cut through the kitchen and living room to head for the door. She looked through the peephole then opened the door to see Freddie's smiling face.
He chuckled, "I just saw you."
The redhead knotted her brow and questioned, "What?"
He pulled the smaller girl into a one arm hug while holding a small cup in his right hand. He pulled back and explained, "I just had a video chat with Jonathan's sister. You two really look alike. We found your doppelganger." He smirked with a raised eyebrow as he added, "But her voice is a little lower."
Cat laughed from the warm greeting then asked as she pulled away, "Are you here to pick up Ian?"
"No," he answered as Ian walked towards the pair.
Freddie knelt down in front of his one day brother-in-law and held up a cup to him. "I stopped by to drop off this little treat. I got you your favorite: strawberry."
The child eagerly took the smoothie and took a sip from the straw, smiling all the time.
Freddie smiled in return and asked, "How's my little bro doing?"
The content smile on Ian's face was enough to tell Freddie that everyone was alright.
Cat looked down to Freddie with a hopeful look and asked, "Do you have another one?"
The computer engineer major boyishly grinned up at her and teasingly remarked, "I think I just might have another one in the car for a sweet girl."
The raising musical star let out a squeak and happily clapped her hands.
As Freddie stood up, he knotted his brow and asked, "Wait, is Sam here?"
"No."
"Oh good, because you can have hers too."
The redhead let out a higher pitch laugh and bounced on her feet.
He turned and headed back out the door and called over his shoulder, "I'll be right back."
Ian took another few sips then held up the cup to Cat and the teenage starlet knelt down in front of him. The redhead flashed him a smile then partially slipped the lid off the cup and took a sip. Once she was finished, she stuck her tongue out and the pair shared a laugh.
The pair went back and forth taking tiny sips from the smoothie until Freddie returned holding to larger cups with straws. He cleared his throat and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Cat looked up to Freddie as if she really was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She innocently answered, "I couldn't wait."
Freddie shook his head with a smirk. He stepped inside and handed her one of the drinks and a straw to the redhead then started to walk behind the couch and head for the refrigerator to put away the other one. He opened the door and slid the drink inside while Cat popped the lid to her drink and poured a little of her strawberry drink into Ian's cup to makeup for smoothie she sipped away.
The small redhead closed and locked the door behind Freddie then joined him on the couch while Ian took a spot on the floor to watch television and enjoy his smoothie, his reading forgotten by him and the redhead.
Freddie quietly watched the pair for probably a good minute, each of them innocently enjoying their smoothies, and asked in a quiet voice, "Cat, you don't mind watching him five days a week now?"
Cat shook her head and answered with a bit of surprise insight, "No, but I know it must bother Jade."
Freddie sadly smiled and answered in a low tone, "It does, but we're handling it."
She glanced to him and asked, "How?"
"She's over here nearly every day and she's going to stay nice with her father. That should keep everything as is and hopefully keep her happy. You're not telling them she's over here are you?"
Cat shook her head. "No, I am not telling them."
Freddie raised an eyebrow and slowly questioned, "Not even 'accidentally' slipping out like the time with Tori and the party bus?"
The red velvet haired teenager shook her head. "No, I'm not going to do that."
"What about Sam?"
"I made Sam promise she wouldn't."
Freddie turned his attention back towards the television and remarked, "I hope she keeps her word, because if she doesn't… I don't want to see what Jade would do as payback."
Cat shivered at thinking of all the possible scenarios that Jade could carry out on her blonde friend. Over the last year she had grown attached to the blonde and considered Sam as one her best friends as the others had kept her at arm's length, weary of her with her history with Freddie. She didn't like thinking on that much so she quickly tried to advance the conversation, "On the bright side I get to see Jade more often."
Freddie raised a corner of his mouth, the sourness of the situation waning a bit, "That is a good thing. She may not say it, but she missed you during the tour. How is she and Sam dealing with each other?"
"They're civil and Sam either goes to our room or she heads out to Punches or does something with Dice."
"I hope she doesn't get him into trouble."
The redhead smiled and shook her head. "No, she's not. She's not eager to go to jail."
"City lockup is a lot different than going to juvie, especially when she doesn't have anyone to bail her out."
Cat knotted and questioned his assumption, "I would bail her out."
Freddie took a slow breath through his nose and rolled his eyes, not liking hearing her say such a thing. He really hoped—had hoped that Sam just wouldn't replace Carly with Cat as a get out of jail free card. "Cat…"
Cat shifted in her seat to face him and continued with a slightly whiny voice, "Freddie, I know you and Jade and the others are concern, but Sam's my friend and I'm going to make sure she's okay."
The former Seattle teenager directed a knowing look to her, but their conversation was cut off with the doorbell ring and once again, Cat called out, "Ding Dong." She hopped off the couch and walked back to the door and took a moment to look through the peephole. She opened the door and happily called out with a wave, "Hi Mister Jade's dad."
Mister West pursed his lips and looked down at the redhead, literally and figuratively. The girl's childish demeanor grated on his nerves and wondered if she might do better if she was on some form of medication. What made it worst that she was or soon would be making far more money than he would hope to make in the rest of his working lifetime. He pushed away in his mind what he thought was unfair about how such a dimwit got so lucky in comparison to his decades of hard work. He turned his attention to the young man he didn't expect to see approach him and forced a pleasant greeting, "Mister Benson."
Freddie easily smiled in return and greeted, "Hello Mister West."
The businessman remarked in a civil tone, "I didn't expect to see you here."
The hopeful computer engineer shrugged a shoulder and easily answered, "I was just dropping by to see Cat and drop off something for Ian."
"Drop something off?"
Ian walked up to his stepfather and cut any respond from Freddie off with an eager, "Hi daddy."
The older gentleman genuinely smiled and knelt down to pick up the child. He eyed the small smoothie in the child's hand seeing what his future son-in-law had brought his stepson. He looked to Freddie with a mildly disapproving expression.
Freddie shrugged and easily replied as it was no big deal to him, "I wanted to treat my future little brother. I hadn't seen him in about a week."
Mister Benson forced a smile back on his face and casually commented that came off as anything but an accusation, "I just hope it didn't spoil his dinner or make him too rambunctious to go to bed."
"I'm sure it won't. It's just a little one and whatever he's having for dinner should balance it out."
As the pair was conversing, Cat had slipped away to walked back to the kitchen table and gathered up Ian's work then slipped it into his Transformers book bag.
She returned and handed the bag to Mister West who eagerly accepted it as he was ready to leave behind the immature redhead and future son-in-law that reminded him far too damn much of Colonel Shay and annoyed him as such.
"We need to get going. We mustn't keep his mother waiting. I'm sure she's nearly finished preparing dinner. Have a nice evening Mister Benson, Miss Valentine."
Ian waved back as Mister West stepped through the threshold and pulled the door behind him.
Freddie blew out a tension filled breath he didn't know was in his lungs once the door shut.
Cat sadly remarked, "I really don't like him."
The former Seattleite turned away from the door and looked to the sad brown eyes of the girl that had become like a little sister for him. He regretfully replied, "I don't like him either."
Schoenberg Music Building
UCLA Campus
Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tori and Jade entered the classroom about ten minutes before their class would begin. Jade was in a better mood than she was for the last class and in turn Tori was less on edge in having to run interference for her friend. Though Jade had 'mellowed out' considerably since high school, her defensive and prickly nature had came roaring back with the sudden conflict between her father and stepmother when it came to Ian.
Tori was still amazed at times how much Jade had bonded her stepbrother and all those positive qualities that Jade had kept hidden had come out as their relationship developed. She and the others had learned that Ian was off limits to bother and when that was threatened, she could make her high school self look like a sweet kitten in comparison. Several paparazzi had learned that the hard way.
Apparently Freddie figuratively firing a shot across Mister West's bow in reminding the estranged father that Ian would one day be his brother-in-law gave a positive boost to Jade's mood.
However, Tori's better mood was about to be tested as they approached Jon at the piano, but instead of his usual idle playing, he was conversing with a strawberry redhead. However from the girls' perspective, he didn't look all that comfortable talking to girl and looked like he was trying to politely end it as soon as possible.
The lighter brunette frowned at seeing the strawberry redhead trying to flirt with the easygoing guy and quickly walked to the Benson teenager.
The girl caught sight of the pair of girls and particularly Tori's disapproving expression. She wasn't too bothered by Tori, but Jade did intimidate her as she was aware of the celebrity. Before they could reach them, she politely excused herself and passed the celebrities.
Tori narrowed her gaze at the girl as she passed, but quickly turned her attention to Jon.
He laughed to the lighter of the two brunettes as the other girl left in nearly a huff, "Second time you've saved me."
Tori shook her head and laughed off, her mood instantly lifting, "Don't mention it."
Jade curiously looked back and forth between them and asked, "Second time?"
Tori shook her head and waved her off. "It's nothing. Just some girls that haven't taken the hint that he's not interested." She looked to Jon without further explanation and smiled to her quickly becoming friend and asked, "So, Freddie fixed your computer?"
Jon got up from his seat and pulled his satchel onto his right shoulder. "Yeah. He's amazing. He fixed it no problem and I was able to talk to my sister before I even left. He didn't even charge me."
"I suggested that he give you the Benson discount."
"He mentioned the Benson discount, but not that you suggested it, so I have you to thank."
"Don't worry about it."
He thankfully smiled then continued, "While I have the chance, my sister is flying in for the weekend for her first visit and Freddie suggested I ask you for some great places…" He looked to Jade and remarked with a good natured smile, "Even the morbid places."
Jade immediately thought of some places that were off the beaten path of the usual tourist as she wasn't offended with how Freddie would describe her choices.
Tori flashed him a smile and suggested, "You said that your sister would flip out if she met me, why don't the two of you come over to my place this Saturday for the small party we're having?"
Jon paused in mild shock at the offer while Jade looked on in nearly equal surprise for her friend to make the offer. His mouth dropped open and made a pretty good impression of a fish before he asked, "Are you serious?"
Tori laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. "Of course I'm serious. I wouldn't joke about something like that. I'll email you the deets to your school account once I found out what they are…" She glanced to Jade, expecting her to go ahead and spill what they were going to do this weekend.
Jade remained quiet as she had nothing to tell her. Apparently Beck still hadn't told Tori the conversation between him, her and Trina, so she was under the impression that they had planned something for her.
The teenager named Benson tried to settle himself and act cool about the invite, but a little of his excitement "Okay, we'll be there."
He looked over the girls' shoulders and saw that some of the other students for the next class were slowly making their way inside, so he tried to casually laugh off, "I need to go head and grab lunch before my next class. I'll see you two later."
Tori nodded along with a soft and embarrassed laugh, "Right, I wouldn't want you to miss lunch a second time."
"Yeah, later."
Once Jon was out of the classroom, Jade furled her brow and thumbed over her shoulder while asking with curious and confused tone, "You invited him?"
"Yeah. What's the problem with that?"
"I'm surprised that you would invite him. That seemed pretty random. When did you just start inviting people we barely know to stuff?"
Tori closed her eyes and softly shook her head before heading to her seat. She sat down and replied, "What? Jon seems like a good and friendly guy."
Jade joined her in the neighboring seat and pointed out what she thought was the obvious question, "How many people tried to become our friends last year?"
The lighter brunette nearly snapped, "Hey, he hasn't approached us or tried to worm his way into our lives. You're the one that approached him and we just run into each other before class."
The pale girl rolled her eyes and remarked, "Okay, okay, don't get your panties in a bunch Tori. I was just wondering if there was anything else to it."
"What would there be anything else to it?" Before Jade could answer, she cocked her head to the side and asked with a hint of annoyance lacing her voice, "Are you still on about thinking I was flirting with him?"
"Maybe a little, but it does make me wonder even more why you'd be more trusting of him then some of the others we've dealt with over the last year."
The lighter brunette frowned and turned her attention to the front of the class. "I don't know. He just… he reminds me of Freddie. He just seems like a nice sweet gentleman and he's been nice to hang out with."
"You're making that judgment after we chatted for a little bit in the coffee house and split?"
"It's just not that. We hung out last Friday after I had lunch with Freddie and Cat."
The pale musician raised her pierced eyebrow and asked, "You did?"
"Yeah. I was done with lunch and I noticed the time, so I swung by and said hi to him then I walked with him back to the coffee house for a few minutes."
Jade's stomach sank at the realization that while she and Trina was trying to warn Beck, Tori was out for coffee with Jonathan. The dark haired singer didn't get to comment as their professor entered the room and was eager to get started.
Jonathan Benson's Apartment
Just off the UCLA Campus
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, October 11, 2013
Jon sat in his recliner watching television as he impatiently waited for his sister to arrive after the rest of the week seemed to have flown by. The logical and courteous thing to do was to pick her up from the airport, but she had insisted that he shouldn't go through the trouble. She said she would get a taxi and meet him at his place. He conceded on thinking that she wanted the chance to taste a little more independence with her chance of flying by herself and he wouldn't take that from her. He just hoped nothing happened to her between the airport and his apartment or he wouldn't forgive himself.
The hopeful musician's worry was cut short when he heard a loud knock on his door. He nearly jumped out of his seat and headed for the door. He glanced through the peephole then opened the door. He was surprised by the expected, yet unexpected appearance of his sister and his father. Amanda shouted and threw her arms over his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. "Jon!"
He laughed as he pulled her back into a tight hug then pulled back wearing a grin. "Hey baby sister." He looked to the taller gentleman and commented, "I wasn't expecting you."
Mister Benson grinned and wrapped his arms around both his children and answered, "Well, I had to see how my boy was handling the West Coast. I made some excuse to have some business out here so I could spend time with both my children."
The family members pulled apart then Jon looked around his father and questioned, "Is mom with you?"
The elder Benson cockily smiled. "No, she had to be the responsible one and stay, but she sends her love of course."
Jon nodded in acknowledgement then the teenagers stepped aside and let the man in his late forties further enter the apartment. The son closed the door as Mister Benson cracked a wide smile as he glanced around the apartment to see various pictures and knickknacks that his son had brought with him from home. He laughed, "I see you've made it your own?"
"Trying to, but I don't want to get it too cluttered. I'm trying to keep my room from becoming a mess."
His father laughed, "You always did have that problem at home."
Jon smirked and countered on his way to the living room, "It was always organized chaos, but this time around I'm trying just to be organized without the chaos."
The father and daughter followed him and Jon retook his seat while the businessman and dark redhead had a seat on the couch.
Mister Benson teased as if he was joking with one of his buddies, "So you're keeping it neat so you can have friends over? You have to making friends, maybe some female friends?"
Jon cleared his throat and forced a bit of casualness into his voice to answer, "I'm making some friends in a few of my classes, but I'm being cautious like you warned."
Mister Benson smirked, "Amanda let it slip that you're making friends with some celebrities…"
Jon chuckled and glanced away, "Friends might be stretching it. They have a class right after mine and we pass one another. They've been real nice and friendly."
The handsome gentleman teased, "How friendly?"
Jon quickly shook his head, knowing exactly where he was trying to take the conversation. "They're both attached dad. One's actually already seeing a Benson."
Amanda quickly added, "Yeah, he's the one that fixed Jon's computer."
The handsome investment banker raised a curious eyebrow. "A Benson? He's not related to us is he?"
Jon shook his head as he pulled a leg up to rest his ankle on his knee. "I doubt it. He's from Seattle and I didn't think you had anymore family there."
Mister Benson paused for a moment then slowly questioned, "Seattle?"
Amanda answered, "Yeah. He used to be on iCarly a few years ago, the webshow I used to watch. The guy I showed you one time that resembles you."
The Benson Patriarch's smile slightly faltered, but casually carried on, "It's a small world then. You actually got to meet him?"
"Yeah. He's a nice guy. He fixed my computer for free because Tori asked… and I'm a Benson. When I met up with him, he reminded me of you when you get your head into the computer when you work at home.
Mister Benson nodded his head and his smile grew bigger, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"So are you staying?" Jon motioned between himself and Amanda with his thumb and asked, "Are we going to have to double up? It's a little awkward now at our ages."
Mister Benson's easygoing sense of humor returned and replied, "I rented a hotel room, so your sister and I aren't going to be invading your space while we're visiting. This is your domain."
Jon glanced to the dark redhead and stated, "I don't mind you staying. I was planning for it and it would be a good thing since I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
Jon teasingly grinned. "Yes. We're going out tomorrow to a little get together at Tori Vega's house. She's heading out to New York to start filming something next week and her friends are having a little celebration party before she goes. She invited us to come over."
"You're kidding. Don't you dare joke about something like that with me."
The hopeful musician laughed, "I'm not joking. I already have the email she sent for the time and place. We're heading over there at about lunch time."
Mister Benson laughed, "I guess you've gotten friendlier with them than you led us to believe."
Jon shook his head. "Not really. We've only talked with each other for about half a dozen times."
"And yet you already have an invite to go to what sounds like a private party? How do you explain that?"
The Benson son shrugged his shoulders and wore an expression of genuine perplexity while he answered, "That Tori really is a friendly person?"
Mister Benson laughed and leaned back in the couch, "I think it's something else son. Benson charm."
Jon shook his head and waved him away. "Which doesn't do me any good when she's attached."
The father sat up straight then leaned forward to rest his forearms on his knees and asked, "Does that mean you're interested?"
"No dad. I'm just a fan who's lucky enough to actually get to talk to her."
The businessman smirked then offered his advice, "I'm just saying that if you do and you get a shot, you should take it. Never miss an opportunity."
Jon paused and thought on his father's words about always seizing the opportunity when it presented itself, so much so he missed his father's next words, "…after I bring up Amanda's luggage."
The Benson son blinked then embarrassingly asked, "I'm sorry dad; what was that?"
"I said that we could go out and see some of the sites then hit one of those upscale restaurants after I bring up Amanda's luggage if you really don't mind her staying for the weekend."
Jon nodded along and laughed off, "Yeah. That sounds great. Tori and Jade had a number of places that they thought Amanda would enjoy while she was here."
The dark red velvet haired girl nearly jumped from her seat. "Oh, I got to see these places then."
Mister Benson patted his knees then stood up and stated, "Then let me grab your luggage and we can get out of here."
The three headed out the door to make the quick pickup of luggage to bring back up then back out to enjoy their evening.
Author's Note: Things get interesting don't they? Looks like things haven't been an easy breeze for some people since graduation and now we have a certain fellow named Benson. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading. I'm not sure if the next update will be Thursday or next Monday. I got to get to my J:tVS: Life Goes On for an update because I know a number of you are eager for that update.
Special Guest Star: David Boreanaz as Mister Benson
Ariana Granda doubling up playing Amanda Benson