Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter. Sorry it took me a while to upload this but this was the third time I re-wrote this. I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but I decided to upload it anyways. Thanks to those who have reviewed, favorited and followed this story it really means a lot. Anyways enjoy chapter 24.

Disclaimer- I don't own Victorious.

I nudged the chair closer to Tori's bed, and slid my hand into hers. It seemed like everything else had just stopped and there is just me and Tori and nothing else mattered. We had just been told by the nurse that we could go and see Tori and it took everything in me not to charge through those doors and straight into her room. There was just the small issue of Tori's Dad. The man who hasn't visited his daughter for four years, but decides to show up now.

I was thankful Lizzie was still in the waiting room, dealing with that situation. I knew that if it was me instead I wouldn't be able to keep my temper in check, but Lizzie would be able to keep a level head. She always does. I still found it hard to believe Lizzie had been going through all that, and I still felt incredibly guilty that I didn't know. Maybe if I had looked hard enough, noticed the signs. I could've stopped this before it got worse. Running a hand through my hair, my eyes drifted close and I could feel myself let sleep take over. I was so tired, I had to sleep but the thought of Tori waking scared and alone made me fight my drowsiness. I had to be here for her. I couldn't leave her alone again.

The others agreed that I should be the one to be here for when she wakes up. Even the guys knew that something had been going on between us and I would be forever grateful for them they didn't question me about it. So I continued to sit here and stare at the girl who unintentionally captured my heart. I couldn't lose her, not again. But one thing's for certain, we couldn't go back to way it was. As much as I have tried, being the only one that knew everything that Tori had been growing through. It wasn't until now, watching Tori lay on the bed beside me with her heart monitor beeping every second, that I knew I couldn't do it alone much longer. Maybe if I had gone to the police that night many months ago, or had forced her to talk about it more we wouldn't have been in this mess. But then maybe we wouldn't have fallen in love. A part of me wants to believe that me and Tori were made for each other, and no matter what happened that night. Whether Tori hadn't been raped, or she hadn't shown up on my doorstep we still would've fallen in love. Fate would've thought of a way to bring us together. And the more I think about it the more I realize there may be a future for the both of us.

A future where I come home from work and is greeted with a kiss by the woman I love. Where I wake up every morning with my arms wrapped around her. Where one day I get down on one knee and pop the question. Where one day we may have mine Vega-West children running around the house. A future where we grow old together. I smiled at the thought, that maybe the two of us could be happy with each other. I do know that the road ahead will be bumpy. The past few months have not only left Tori emotionally damaged, but me as well. But I have to believe that we can work through this. That maybe, just maybe we could help heal each other.

Once Tori was awake and stable, the Doctors will make sure that they Tori will get the help she needed. Support groups, psychiatrists the whole lot. And it's going to be tough on her. I knew people forcing her to talk about it, will make her re-live those memories. Her nightmares will continue and those moments will be the hardest for her to go through. And throw the added complications with her Dad, Tori definitely has a rough road ahead.

I squeezed her hand softly and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. I had a lot to tell her, but I didn't want to complicate our situation even more. I mean I am partly responsible that she's here. With that in mind, my heart clenched tightly and I struggled to breath.

"I'm so sorry Tori," I whispered. I knew I wouldn't get a response left, the Doctor said it was unlikely that she would wake while I was here but it didn't matter. Whether she could hear me or not it didn't matter, I had to get it all off my chest otherwise I might explode.

"You didn't deserve any of this. The abandonment, the raping, the heartbreak. None of it. What you deserve, is people that care about you and love you enough that they would do anything for you. People that will never hurt you, have your best interests in heart. You've been so strong. Not just throughout these past few months, but your entire life" I brought her hand to my mouth and pressed my lips against her tanned skin gently.

"I've tried to be the person you deserve to have, I really tried. But I'm nothing more than a coward. From the very beginning I've tried being strong. To be someone you could lean on, and go to when you're scared. I tried so hard to help you, to make you whole again. But I failed. I failed you" I didn't know what I was saying, I was just letting the words flow out of my mouth and fill in the silence.

"I didn't mean to fall in love with you, I tried so hard not to because I knew it wasn't what you needed at that time. I was such a coward. My feelings for you terrified me, I've never felt this way for anyone before. But what terrified me even more was the realization of how much you needed me. I was afraid to let you down"

"But then you kissed me, and it was fantastic but terrifying. So I ran. I was going to talk to you about it the day after, after I had gathered my thoughts. But then my Dad was there when I got home. After that everything had happened so suddenly. Dad was yelling at Mom, Lizzie," I sucked in a deep breath at the thought of Lizzie huddled at the top of the stairs, fear in her eyes. "Lizzie was terrified. I knew I had to do something. But he wanted me to move to Chicago with him, and if I said no then he'll take my Mom to court. Then Lizzie came and said she'll go instead, and seemed like everything had stopped. I knew you were calling me and I wanted to answer, but Liz had just agreed to go with him and she was crying and so was Mom. I was so angry at him, that he just came in and took over. And I took it out on you"

I shut my eyes tightly as tears were brought to the surface, I couldn't cry. I won't cry. "I was a coward, I didn't come to you the day after or the day after that. I just left you alone to deal with the aftermath of my words. I was jealous that you turned to Lizzie when you couldn't sleep and I knew I shouldn't. I had hurt you and I no longer deserved you. But I just wanted you to know that even though that I don't deserve your love. I'm still going to be by your side, whether you want me there or not"

I took in a deep breath as a few tears fell down my cheeks. What I said was true. I wasn't going to leave her side. I had already broken my first promises to her and I have no intentions on doing it to her again. I felt a hand squeeze me own hand, and my eyes snapped open. My hand was still holding Tori's. Which must mean…

I focused my eyes on Tori's face and noticed her soft brown eyes staring back at me. "Jade" She said softly, her voice was hoarse from the lack of use and she sounded so tired.

"Tori" I breathed using my free hand to wipe away the tears that had stained my cheeks.

"You're still here?" She said her hand gripping onto mine tighter.

"I've never left, and I'm not going to" I said leaning closer to her. "Were you awake the entire time?" I asked wondering how much of my speech she heard.

"I heard everything. Did you mean it?" She asked me and I saw the fear and doubt in her eyes.

I nodded "Every word" Her eyes glistening with tears and she moved her eyes to look at the ceiling.

"I'm so sorry" Tori said her voice below a whisper.

"I should be the one apologizing, I left you alone which is something I am never going to do again"

"Jade, I'm going to get better. I'm going to get this all behind me, and then we'll talk. But I can't get better without you, and I need to know you're just not going to leave me alone again" She looked at me and I saw all the vulnerability in her eyes and once again I could see how much she needed me and I really needed her. We needed each other.

"I'm not going to leave you again Tori. I promise you that" I said and this time I was determined to not break that promise.

So there we have it, so I'm not happy with this chapter but it's the best that I could do. So I'll try and get the next chapter out as soon as I can but I'm right in the middle of my exams. But the next few chapters, should begin with the healing process and not just for Tori. So please review and I'll see you all in the next one :)