Disclaimer: The Show Victorious, its characters and other associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.

Shock Value

Chapter 7 – Party, Part II

No One's POV

Tori sat back down, looked up at Jade and wiped the tears from her face.

Jade ran her hand through her hair and briefly put it on the back of her neck.

"First, I need to apologize for Beck's behavior. What he did was reprehensible and uncalled for. I am sorry. When I heard what he did I promptly broke up with him, and punched in the stomach in addition to kicking him in the nads."

The corner of Tori's mouth turned up into a smile. "I was so scared."

"I was going to break up with him anyway, but that cinched it. There are certain things I don't tolerate; violence towards women is one of them."

"You were going to break up with him anyway?" Tori said, perking up slightly.

"Yes, you see Beck has a very dark side to him. At first I kind of liked it. That dangerous rough side of him; it was enticing. It was part of why I loved him."

A brief look of pain ran across Tori's face, which Jade couldn't help but notice.

Jade sighed. "But as time went on, things changed. That Dark side of him, started to manifest itself more and more. I have no idea why. When he drank it really came out. I soon realized how destructive that side of him really was. Things gradually soured between us. I thought he changed the last time we got back together, but he hadn't. What ever we once had was now gone."

Jade paused for a moment. "I was also having some self doubts about my sexuality. But I'll get back to that. I found myself admiring female forms a bit more than I thought was normal. I tried to ignore it as I was with Beck, but it only complicated things for me."

"I have a confession of my own to make, Tori." Jade said with a slightly nervous look.

"What's that?"

"You make me feel vulnerable. I get this odd feeling of vulnerability when ever I see you. I didn't understand it, it didn't like it. That's why I tried to hard to keep you away. I didn't want you getting inside my defenses. The few times you managed, I found I liked you. Like on our fake date at Nozu. No one else made me feel vulnerable, not Beck, not my parents, no one. I was scared of how I thought you would make me feel."

Tori smiled. "I always thought you liked me, deep down in there somewhere."

Jade smirked, "Congratulations, you were right for once."

Tori made a small laugh, which made Jade smile. Jade had never realized who much she liked Jade's smile.

"Which brings us too yesterday. I got cocky and dared you to shock me. Beck and I had been fighting all week and I was taking things out on you. So you took my dare, kissed me and declared your love for me. In one single instant, you blew my defenses clean away."

Tori thought for a moment. "I honestly didn't know what your reaction would be. I just wanted to tell you and kiss you just one time."

"I suddenly felt very vulnerable and I freaked out. At first I denied you even meant it, than I assumed you were just getting in my pants. All in all I reacted very badly. I'm sorry."

Tori could see the genuine remorse in Jade's written on Jade's face. "That's ok. It's understandable.

As Jade prepared to say what she was going to say next, her heart began to race. That vulnerable feeling was back, with a vengeance. But as Jade thought about it, she kind of liked this strange feeling. Here she was, with the only person that made her feel that way. Jade knew she couldn't ignore it any longer.

Jade began to rub her hands together nervously. "Um..Tori. I know you love me."

"I do" Said the Latina quietly.

"I can't say I love you because I really don't totally understand what I'm feeling. But I do like you..." Jade said as her voice trailed off. Jade was very confused and unsure of her feelings but she knew she liked Tori.

Tori could sense that Jade was extremely nervous and felt a bit overwhelmed. She tried to think of a why to ease The Goth's nervousness.

Tori gave an inviting smile to Jade. "Would you like to sit with me? I sense you don't quite know what to do or say next. I know that I dumped a lot on you all at once and perhaps that's a bit unfair. I would like it very much if you just sat with me."

Jade appreciated the fact, that Tori seemed to be trying to put her at ease.

With her heart racing, Jade sat down next to Tori on the stone bench.

Tori smiled and looked at Jade. "Thank you." She said softly.

"So now what do we do? I'm kind of new at this lesbian thing." Jade joked nervously.

Tori quietly laughed. "We just sit here and enjoy each other's company. Enjoy the romantic moonlight as it shines over the pond. That kind of thing."

Jade glanced at the pond. "I think I can handle that."

"Somehow I thought you could." Said Tori.

Jade paused for a second. "Why are you attracted to me? I mean I've been mean to you since day one. I still find it hard to believe that you would fall for me." Jade said, her voice growing slower and softer as she spoke.

Tori smiled and looked at Jade. "You're a one of a kind. You're smart and tough, you don't take crap. I love your work and your writing. Just everything about you is different, but in good way. It's a little hard to describe." Tori paused for a second to collect her thoughts.

"You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Your pale skin is so perfect and beautiful. You're face, I could look at it for hours. Just get lost in your eyes. Sometimes I'll avoid looking at your face, simply because I know I wouldn't be able to look away. Every time I see you I just want to be with you."

Jade smirked. "So you think I'm beautiful?"

Tori nodded. "I think you're the 3rd most beautiful actress of all time."

Jade raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly. "3rd? Who in the heck is ahead of me?"

"Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly" Tori said without missing a beat.

A rather pleased smile, slowly formed Jade's face. "I'll take 3rd if I'm in such illustrious company." Though deep down, Jade didn't really feel like she deserved that compliment.

Tori returned her attention to the moonlight pond on front of them. On her face was a placid contented smile.

Jade looked at Tori, but not like she had looked at her before. Jade took a few moments to truly study the Latina's face. It was a beautiful face, Jade had always thought that. Much like Tori had described earlier, she found herself not wanting to look away.

After a moment, Jade pushed aside her nerves and said "You're beautiful too." Surprisingly, Jade felt good saying it. Like some weight had been lifted. She figured it may have been something she had always wanted to say.

Tori's eyes seemed to light up, giving Jade an odd feeling of satisfaction. It also seemed to calm her nerves slightly. Though tough and bold, this was all new territory for Jade. She didn't quite know what do or say. All she knew is that she wanted to be there, with Tori. It wasn't quite Love, but Jade suspected it was a cobblestone on the street that lead to it.

Tori's heart soared. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. To hear you say that."

She knew Jade was nervous and scared. Tori knew she was a lesbian since she was 13 so she was comfortable in her role. She also knew Jade wasn't and she needed to be careful in this potentially wonderful moment.

"Just be calm and slow Tori." The Latina thought to herself. "Let Jade get comfortable with her feelings." Tori was as happy as a clam just to have the Pale skinned Goth sitting with her.

After that there was a silence. But it didn't feel like an awkward one. The moment seemed perfect. The moon blazed a shimmering trial of light across the calm of the duck pond. A light breeze carried in faint sounds of the DJ playing at the Party.

Jade felt something for Tori, she knew it now. It was a very real attraction. The longer she sat next to Tori, the more she felt it. She deeply appreciated the fact that Tori seemed concerned about her getting comfortable with the situation.

Jade let her thoughts wander. "She's so good. So beautiful. I love her hair, I love the way it smells. Why is my heart beating so fast. I'm not a virgin, I've been in a long term relationship but I feel like a girl who's never been on single date before. She makes me feel like no one ever has. Not only does she make me feel vulnerable around her, I want to be vulnerable around her. Could I love her? Love her in the same way she love me."

Jade knew that just wanting to be there, was one step down the road to love. She had taken it and it felt strangely right. It was scary as hell, but it felt right. Jades heart began to race, as she decided to take another step.

She slowly inched closer to Tori whose smile grew. Jade looked to see that Tori's hands were in her lap.

"A step to a new life" Jade thought as she reached over and ever so slowly moved to take Tori's right hand in hers. For a split second she had this irrational fear that she would be rejected.

Tori responded, ever so carefully threading her tanned fingers between Jades pale ones. Jade felt in instant jolt of pleasure that shot through her body as Tori squeezed her hand ever so gently.

Jade looked at Tori, who now had a wide grin on her face. It was matched, only by the grin forming on her face.

I've read a bunch of fan ficts where Tori and Jade go from enemies to in a relationship in 3 paragraphs. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But I decided to slow things down. Make it a bit more realistic. I see Jade as wanting this but she's very unsure of her self and a bit scared.

Tori happier than can be, that Jade is responding to her and wants to make it as easy for Jade as she can. She knows she will have to move very slowly and have patience.