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The Last Resort

Chapter 3 – Old familiar haunts.

Tori's POV

I emerged from the room to see Allison and Cat. Allison was impatiently pacing back and fourth with a rather sour expression on her face. I was reminded of jade instantly when I saw it.

But it was Cat that spoke first. "Is Jade back?"

I nodded. "Yes she is. I can't say she is talking much, but she's back. She asked to be left alone."

Cat immediately threw her arms around me in a crushing hug. "Oh thank you Tori. You're wonderful."

"What did she say?" Asked Allison coldly.

"That she killed Krista and not much else." I said sadly. "Saying she's back is not very accurate, now that I think about it. She's talking and is responsive but she isn't really Jade."

"Thank you Tori." Allison said in that rather fake polite tone of voice she used all the time.

I just glared at her and turned to walk away.

"Call me!" I heard Cat call out as I got further away.

"Will do."

Getting into my rental car, I was going to drive home. Something was nagging me. Jade said she killed Krista. But she said it like she murdered her. I made a quick call to my dad to find out where the accident happened. He told me and I drove there.

It was a rather mundane, but peaceful residential neighborhood. It had all the normal trappings, tree lined streets, kids playing on well manicured lawns. Eventually I came to the spot. There was a rather distinct S curve in the street and near the end was a rather large oak tree. In fact the roads in the neighborhood were full of twists and turns. I could see the mark on it where Jade's SUV slammed into it. Parking, I got out and looked at the scene.

My father told me that the blood alcohol test they took on Jade,showed she hadn't been drinking. The accident was witnessed by a person who happened to be looking out his home window near the scene of the accident. His view was partially obstructed, but he said the car seemed to be going fast. One factor that contributed to the accident, was the fact that the nearest storm drain on the street had gotten clogged with leaves. With the drain clogged the street began to fill up with water, more than you would get with a rainstorm. When Jade's car hit the large puddle of water, it hydroplaned sideways and slammed into the tree.

In my mind I could see Jade coming out of the curve, hitting a puddle, sliding sideways and hitting the tree on the passenger side. I knew they were coming home from dinner at a restaurant called Fellini's, but I found myself wondering why did she take this route. I was told she lived with Krista on Belmont street. A direct route from Fellini's to Jades apartment would not take this way. This is a way to get there, but it was a bit longer and would add about 5 - 10 minutes onto the drive time.

"Why do you take the long route when it rains?" I said as I stood on the spot where Krista died.

I went home to my parents, where I was staying and had dinner. Trina and her husband joined us so it was like old times. It was a fun evening and I was able to take my mind off of Jade and Krista.

Lying in my bed late at night I couldn't help to look to the window. The same window where Jade once upon a time, would come through late at night to be with me. She would open the window, climb in, strip naked and slide into bed with me. Sometimes we would make love, sometimes we would just sleep in each other's arms. It didn't matter what we were doing, it was just that we were together. I eventually would leave it open for her at night, so she would be able to get in easier. I miss those days, terribly. .

But before I went to sleep, perhaps just out of habit or simple longing, I opened the window for a visitor I knew wouldn't be coming.

I slept in and did nothing most of the morning. Jade wanted me to come by in the afternoon, for reasons I didn't quite understand. But before I went to the hospital I went the florist and picked out a nice bouquet of flowers. The very least I could do was to pay my respects. I was extremely jealous of Krista and more than once felt terrible resentment. But now I just felt empty and sad. Krista had been buried in a local cemetery not far from Hollywood Art's of all places. Jade, being catatonic was unable to attend the funeral. Within minutes I found the cemetery and the grave. Again I felt like an intruder. When I was with Jade, the word "Krista's territory" came to mind. Standing on the hill where Krista was buried I could hear my imaginary Jade speak up.

"What in the fuck are you doing here Vega? Get away from my Krista." I heard Jade growl in my head.

Shutting the Imaginary Jade off, I placed the flowers on Krista Tyler's Grave.

"I'm so sorry Krista. I really am." I said with a heavy sigh as tears came to my eyes.

"Jade is so lost without you. I can see it. You did such wonderful Job making her happy. I would hear Cat say that all the time. You probably took better care of Jade, than I ever did. I don't really know what else to say. Maybe just, thank you for making her happy. I'll help her in any way I can. Good bye."

With that I swept an errant leaf off the grave and left and headed to Nozu for lunch. I ate alone there in the same spot where I once sat with Jade on our "Date" that Sikowitz made us go on. That was the incident that started us on our time together.

"The biggest mistake of my life started right in that spot. Dating you." Imaginary Jade said bitterly actually bringing a tear to my eye. It was my imagination but I can't help but feel Jade truly feels that way.

On my way to the hospital I parked in front of Hollywood arts as the lunch was just winding down. From my car I could see our old table which had just been vacated by a group of students. I smiled and remember the old days where jade and I would hold hands under the table before people knew we were dating.

I decided to make one last stop and drove to Jade's old house. I was surprised to see a for sale sign in front of it. I thought that Jade's parents moved out a few years ago, perhaps the new owners moved as well. I could see there was a box on the front porch with brochures detailing the features of the house. So as to look like a potential buyer I parked my car, grabbed a flyer and pretended to look at the house as I was thinking of buying it.

Walking around the back I could see the home was vacant. I kept thinking about the times Jade and I spent there. My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to go inside. There was a basement window in the back where the lock never worked properly. Jade would use it to sneak in and out.

Trying the window, it popped open easily and once again I found myself in Jade's old home. I didn't feel like looking around, as there was only one room I wanted to see.

A few moments later I stood in the doorway of Jade's old room. Like the rest of the house it was clean and freshly painted. In Jade's room's case, it was now painted a dull green color. When it was Jade's room, the walls were a crimson color.

Memories started to flood my mind. Times we spent talking, arguing, jade holding me while we watched whatever horror movie she had gotten. But one memory stuck out as I walked in and sat down.

It was the night we made love for the first time.

"I'm a virgin Jade." I remembered saying, probably the most nervous I'd ever been my life. "I'm giving it to you."

Jade smiled and made no rude comment, snarky remark or even smirked, much to my relief.

"I love you Tori." She said with an very unjade like amount of tenderness, as she took my hand and walked me to her bed.

"I love you too Jade."

Overcome with memories and regret I simply began to sob. I had taken a relationship with the most wonderful woman in the world and I destroyed it. I wanted it all back, so badly but even now that seemed like an utter impossibility.

After composing myself, I left the house, having enough of my bittersweet tour of the city. I then headed to the hospital with a rising sense of nervousness. Why did Jade want me to come back? My inner Jade was oddly quiet on the subject, me not being able to think of anything snarky for her to say.

Coming to Jade's room I could see no one waiting outside like the previous evening. At just after 1:30 I opened the door to Jade's room an knocked.

"Just do yourself a favor and buzz off won't you."

"Jade?" I said with some trepidation.

"Enter" I heard Jade say with little emotion.

Walking in, I could see Jade sitting there much as she was yesterday. Only her hospital gown was green instead of blue. But like the day before she was sitting in a wheelchair looking out the window.

I pulled up a chair and sat down next to Jade, taking a moment to study her expression. Like yesterday it was pained and sad.

Though I wasn't sure why she wanted me back, I was pretty sure she would say little if anything. Sitting down Jade only glanced at me for a about a second and then proceeded to stare out the window again. The room was suddenly filled with a very awkward silence.

"How are you feeling today?" I asked cautiously.

Jade seemed to cringe slightly at the question, but otherwise said nothing. I know it was a stupid question but it was all I could think of. I waited patiently for about 10 minutes, waiting for Jade to say something. Perhaps she was waiting for me to speak but in any case the silence filled the room until it was practically deafening.

"I have nothing to say to you."

I finally couldn't take it. "Do you need anything Jade?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"No" Jade said softly, without even bothering to look at me.

For several minutes more silence reigned. I just wasn't sure what to say. She wanted me here but she no longer seems interested in me. I know she doesn't trust me. I was tempted to ask about the route Jade and Krista took home from the restaurant but decided it was very unwise at this point.

My spirits seemed to fall as time dragged on. Finally I sighed and rubbed my face.

"You can leave if you want to." Jade said. with a slightly bitter tone to her voice.

"I'll be honest here Jade. I…I…don't really know what to say. You asked me to come but here, you practically ignore my presence."

Jade turned to look at me. "Why are you here?"

It was a confusing question. "Because you wanted me to come?"

A guarded look came to her face. "Is that the only reason?"

"No…I want to help you Jade."

Jade seemed to think. "If I hadn't asked you to come today, would you still want to?"

I nodded.

She seemed to study me for a moment. "But you didn't come right away after the accident. I'd guess that Cat had to beg you. Why?"

I suddenly felt very empty. "I wasn't a part of your life anymore. I was afraid that my presence would only complicate things. I did break you heart after all."

A look of pain flashed across Jades face as she closed her eyes for a moment.

"Is that the only reason you stayed away?"

I shook my head. "No. I didn't know about your condition and when I found out I was reluctant to go, as I didn't think there was anything I could do help anyway."

"But yet you came."

"I guess that I was the only thing, between you and an extended stay in a mental hospital. I couldn't sit on the sidelines anymore. I guess that brings me to my question. I succeeded, you're no longer catatonic, but why did you ask me to come back today. Surely Cat or Beck would be preferable company to me."

"Sinjin and Burf would be preferable company to you."

Jade studied my expression of confusion and regret. "Let's just say I want you here for reasons that are too complex to explain easily.

I wasn't sure what to make of that. It was a vague bullshit answer, but I didn't push the issue.

"OK"

"How long can you stay in L.A.?"

"It's Wednesday, I have to be at work on Saturday afternoon." I said plainly.

"Where to you work?" Jade said looking slightly interested.

"Well I have done some Broadway stuff but nothing at the moment. I've also done a few commercials, been an extra in a couple of movies. A few bit parts. But I have 2 jobs at present. I work as a hostess for a restaurant in Times Square and part time, on weekends as tour guide at the American Museum of Natural history. I sometimes work in the gift shop too. I have a call back for a musical next week. It's a decent part."

"translation = failed actress"

Jade thought for a minute. "You used vacation time to come and help me?"

I did burn up the last of my vacation time at the restaurant but that really wasn't an issue. I didn't want to make a big deal of it.

"I did, yes"

"Thank you."

Jade was quiet again for several minutes, but the silence was a bit less awkward. Once again Jade broke the silence.

"I missed the funeral. I didn't even get to say goodbye or see where she's buried" Jade said as a single tear ran down her cheek.

"It's a very beautiful cemetery. She's buried near rather majestic looking maple tree." I couldn't help but remark.

For a brief instant Jade glared at me with a look of intense hatred, causing me to gasp.

"Now you're going to get it Vega!"

"I…I'm sorry. I just wanted to pay my respects. I visited the grave this morning. I left some flowers." I stammered nervously.

The look of hatred in Jade's eyes quickly vanished. "What kind of flowers?"

"Well…Roses seemed kind of romantic and somewhat inappropriate so I left a bouquet of daylilies, it was quite beautiful. I bought the nicest looking one."

A soft sigh escaped Jade's lips. "Krista would have liked that. Thank you. Sorry if I reacted badly. My emotions are extremely raw at the moment." Jade said as another tear ran down her face.

Jades eyes dropped at this point and once again her gaze turned away from me to the window, that pained expression once again forming on her face.

Once again Jade had become silent. She may not talk for another 5 minutes or an hour. But I would wait.

The next chapter will continue the conversation between Jade and Tori.