Steven and Daniel shoved into their hideout, the very same apartment Jade had been suspicious about. The small space was actually owned by Sinjin VanCleef who had been unfairly roped into the two corrupted cop's dealings by use of a simple ultimatum. Steven stomped across the living room and grabbed Sinjin by the scruff of his shirt.
"Work faster on that virus! Jade is on our tail!" he snarled, throwing him back in his chair where he quaked. Burf cringed in his seat next to him, typing along the keyboard at a faster pace.
"Yeah. If you don't get this thing done soon you won't see your sister again," Daniel joined in, rubbing at his swollen wrist. He groaned and sat down heavily on the couch.
"B-but we made a deal. You didn't say anything about a time limit," Sinjin pointed out, voice wavering.
"Things change," Steven told him.
"I can't get it done any time soon! The programming is too sensitive. Please, my sister needs medical attention. She can't be held too long without constant care!" Sinjin pleaded. Steven growled his irritation and brandished the bat at them. Both technicians flinched away.
"Then it looks like she's dying young, isn't she?" he observed. Sinjin whimpered and Burf patted his shoulder, silent as ever. He was Sinjin's best friend and the only other person he had besides his sister. The only reason he was there was to support his friend.
"Ok, I'll do it," Sinjin murmured, turning back to the computer screen. Steven smiled, satisfied.
"Good. It better work or you'll be sorry," he stated, tone hard.
"Can you take me to the hospital now?" Daniel whined. Steven rolled his eyes but nodded.
"Fine. Let's go," he permitted, resting the bat on his shoulder and limping to the door. The kick to his leg hurt and a large bruise was forming thanks to the metal foot that impacted with it. Daniel stood with a snicker.
"Black eye and a limp. She got you good," he taunted.
"Shut up or you're going to have to figure out how to drive that piece of crap stick shift you have with one hand," Steven snapped.
"Whatever," Daniel muttered bitterly.
"Contact those other nerds. We need a couple more bucks now because you were stupid enough to let your guard down," Steven continued. Daniel sighed but did as he was told.
-.-.-.-
As soon as Robbie pulled up in the drop off area in front of the hospital Tori opened the door and stepped out to help Jade. Her gimp leg started back up in the car so she was able to stand again on her own. Regardless, Tori told Robbie to park while she went in with Jade. The nurse took one look at Jade and picked up the phone to call for Catarina. They only had to wait a few minutes before she showed up.
"Well, you lasted longer than I thought you would with all the trouble you get into," she remarked. Jade scowled and crossed her arms. Tori snickered behind her hand. Jade turned her angry gaze on her next, causing Tori to turn her laughter into an awkward cough.
"Come along. We'll see what's wrong and get you patched up," Cat said with a gesture of her hand, airy voice holding laughter. Tori looked to Jade, uncertain even though the cyborg followed without hesitation. Catarina seemed trustworthy but she also seemed so…youthful. She didn't want to use childish so Tori settled on a word that wasn't bad but wasn't necessarily good either. She guessed she just wasn't expecting such a person to be a doctor. Jade must have been close enough with her to allow teasing because from what she heard from her dad made Jade sound intolerant of it when directed at her. Although, she didn't mind teasing others. Cat took them to the elevator and it dropped them off past the usual floors. She headed down the single hall past a few doors and entered the one at the back.
"This is where I do all my research and work on anything Jade needs," she explained, welcoming Tori in with a sweep of her hand. Jade rolled her eyes.
Come on, Cat. I would like to be able to talk freely sometime soon.
Cat giggled and pushed Jade to sit on the examination chair. Jade let out an impatient sigh.
"Ok, cranky. Just remove your shirt, lay back, and hold still," she replied. Jade pulled off her shirt and Tori blushed, averting her eyes only after she got a look. Jade was too easy on the eyes not to look, even with metal parts. She laid back and Cat came over after pulling on some gloves. She took in Jade's body with a surprisingly lucid gaze, brushing the bruises marring her porcelain skin.
"What did you get yourself into?" she demanded like a scolding parent. If Tori's dad was Jade's father figure than Cat was like her mother.
It wasn't my fault. I was jumped.
"You were attacked again? Maybe you should start treating people nicer," Cat suggested. Jade fumed silently. Tori smiled, keeping back her laughter lest she attract Jade's wrath.
I consider it a hate crime against me. I did nothing.
Cat's fingers pressed a little too hard at a bruise and Jade cringed.
"Sorry," Cat apologized, cringing with her. She poked around a bit more, examining Jade's neck.
"You have some broken ribs and a damaged larynx. I can give you the injection for that and let it heal on its own. As for the broken ribs we can try out the reinforced versions if you want," Cat casually explained.
"What?" Tori gasped. Cat nodded.
"Yeah. They were practically destroyed the last time around so they aren't very strong compared to the rest of her. I offered to reinforce them so that they are less likely to break. She declined but the offer is available now," the doctor clarified.
"You switch parts out like a car," Tori teased jokingly. A smirk graced Jade's face.
Yeah, I guess I do. Wanna ride?
A violent blush spread over Tori's face and Cat burst out laughing.
"Jade!" she reprimanded, smacking her arm. Jade wanted so bad to laugh but it came out as a hacking cough instead.
"You're disgusting," Tori grumbled, rubbing at her cheeks before hiding behind her hands.
Is that a no? Or are you too busy thinking about it to answer? I wouldn't blame you if you are.
"Cat, can you do whatever needs to be done so I can go?" she stated, eager to leave.
You can go now.
Tori shook her head.
"Dad would kill me if he ever knew I walked out on you. Besides, he wouldn't leave you hanging so I won't either," she responded honestly. Jade stared at her, searching her truthful expression. In that moment Jade saw the man who had been guiding her since she was younger. It was more than obvious that she was his offspring. Jade really didn't want to admire her or get involved with her in any way at all, but it looked like it would be inevitable. Cat moved to gather what she would need. Jade didn't have to be put under for very long. Just long enough to make the seamless transition. She relaxed, letting herself drift off. Cat flicked at her nose as a test and Tori laughed along with her when there was no reaction.
"See? Out like a light. If she wasn't she would have retaliated by now," Cat pointed out. She picked up the scalpel and set it on the side table then bustled around looking for the parts she would need.
"So is the whole floor dedicated to Jade at the moment?" Tori asked, standing to look around now that Jade's stare wasn't keeping her weighted to the chair.
"Yep. She's my highly stubborn project," Cat answered, finally finding everything she needed. Tori stood a little ways off to the side, unwilling to get too close, while Cat worked. Everything she did was steady and efficient, her hand careful. Despite seeming too playful for such a serious task she easily switched over to a mindset that was perfect for the job.
"I'm guessing you don't want to see anything, am I correct?" Cat asked. Tori looked a little queasy when she confirmed so Cat shut the curtain around them.
"Feel free to go to the waiting room," she added, getting to work.
"Hold on, she won't bleed out or anything, right? I mean, shouldn't you work a little faster? Don't you need an assistant?" Tori rambled, getting worried by the sounds and vague shapes of shadow behind the curtain.
"I know how she's put together. Your comment earlier was pretty spot on. She's a well-oiled machine and I'm like her mechanic. She isn't completely human anymore so her body operates differently. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," she assured. Tori nodded absently and thought about Jade's tranquil features. She was pretty when she wasn't constantly scowling. Tori took a seat and waited, zoning out. She was in the middle of wondering how Jade would look with a genuine smile when Cat announced that she was done. Tori glanced at the time to see a little more than an hour passed. Cat pushed open the curtain once Jade was cleaned up. Tori saw intricate yet barely noticeable stitches across Jade's torso before it was covered in bandages.
"These really needed to be removed," Cat observed, holding the slightly bloody objects she extracted from Jade. It occurred to Tori what they were only after Cat had them stored away and she was cleaned up.
"They've definitely seen better days," Tori replied, queasy again. She wondered what to do to spend the time until Jade woke up but a knock at the door cut off her pondering. Cat gave the okay to enter and Robbie walked in. He greeted Tori when he saw her but froze on the spot when he turned to see the good doctor standing by Jade. She set down the syringe she held slowly, her attention on him. He stood with his mouth hanging open. Tori looked from one to the other, grinning.
"So, um," Tori began, clearing her throat. Robbie jumped to attention and Cat continued what she was doing, a light blush on her cheeks closely resembling her hair.
"I, uh, I came to…um, see how she was doing, and uh, ask when we can go," Robbie stammered, eyes still on Cat. Tori stood to shake him a little with a sly smirk. When his head was a bit clearer he frowned at her expression.
"What?" he questioned, pushing her away. Tori giggled.
"Oh, you know," she teased, eyebrows wiggling.
"Shut up," he grumbled, pushing up his glasses and looking away.
"Anyway, this is my friend, Robbie," Tori said, introducing him. With the next step set out for when Jade woke up, Cat walked over with a hand out to shake.
"Catarina, but please, call me Cat. It's nice to meet you. I'm glad Jade has more friends than she lets on. She's always avoiding the topic when she comes in for check-ups," Cat explained, her smile turning puzzled when Robbie kept shaking her hand and nodding dazedly. When he caught on he dropped her hand, embarrassed.
"I'll go wait out there," he mumbled, turning for the door and making himself scarce. Tori shook her head but smiled. She would have to get him to go out with Cat at least once.
"I wouldn't say we're her friends. I know her because she works with my dad. I think this is the first time Robbie's met her," Tori mentioned. Cat walked back over to Jade and Tori followed.
"Well, even if you aren't close it was a good thing you found her. Jade won't forget the kindness you've shown," Cat remarked. Tori nodded absently, looking to the sleeping cyborg. She canted her head, biting her lip. The very few times she was around Jade she had this need to get to know her. She wanted some form of contact with her. Maybe it was because Jade refused and that made her want to try harder, or she was just that interesting. Possibly a combination of both. She reached out and brushed Jade's hair back before stroking down her cheek. Her skin was smooth and warm to the touch, unlike Tori's cold and worn hands that spent hours tinkering with hardware. Quick as lightning her wrist was grabbed in a strong grip, despite it being the only appendage she had left that was still flesh and bone. Jade's eyes flicked open.
"Why are you touching me?" she demanded, voice raspy. Tori sputtered, unable to reply now that she was caught in Jade's gaze again. Jade lost interest in her struck dumb expression and turned to the hand she held captive. With a gentle shift of her fingers she splayed out Tori's hand.
"You have dude hands. Small dude hands," she observed. Tori finally found her voice, snatching back her hand.
"I work with my hands a lot," she muttered, fiddling with them.
"I'm sure you do. You could show me some time," Jade hinted, smirking when Tori blushed again before getting angry.
"What? I didn't mean anything by it. I really do want to see how you work," she rephrased, innocence almost believable. Yet Tori knew better. That sly smirk said it all.
"Maybe," she replied, stepping away.
"Jade, stop talking. You aren't fully recovered yet," Cat scolded, walking over with the syringe she had prepared earlier.
"What's in there?" Tori asked, pointing out the strange blue liquid.
"My own design. In layman's terms it's a mix of different things that come together to promote healing. Used on someone like you it probably won't do much. But on Jade, well, it mends the synthetic components in her body as if it was organic and shortens organic healing time," she explained, injecting it into the crease of her arm. Jade shuddered when it first spread. It always felt like ice water was flowing in her veins.
"You ok?" Tori inquired, resting a hand on Jade's. It clenched.
"I'm fine. It just feels weird at first," she mumbled, tone low. Tori found herself rubbing along Jade's shoulder. The girl's muscles began relaxing under the gesture and her eyes closed.
"Damn, Vega. You should start giving me massages when my body's sore from carrying all this around," Jade groaned, enjoying the attention. Tori blushed lightly but kept it up, looking away when Cat smiled at them and giggled. It was her turn to be amused by their interactions. Tori pulled away and Jade groaned her distaste, but with a roll of her shoulders she sat up.
"Let's get out of here. That nerd friend of yours is probably looking for us," Jade mentioned, sliding off the bed. Tori made a face at her comment. Cat passed Jade her shirt and she pulled it on carefully.
"He came by already. He's waiting for us outside," Tori informed her.
"Remember, less talking, Jade. At least until everything is working fluidly again," Cat reprimanded, wagging a finger at the cyborg.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks," she grumbled, leaving the room with Tori right behind her.
"The perk of being a damn project is that I don't have to pay chiz," Jade remarked, striding to the elevator.
"Good for you," Tori commented sarcastically.
"I know, right?" Jade replied, grinning and unaffected. Tori pouted when she didn't get the reaction she wanted from Jade. They stepped off the elevator on the first floor and saw Robbie waiting for them at the door.
"Feeling better?" he asked Jade in an attempt at being polite. Jade narrowed her eyes at him and he visibly quaked under her intimidating stare. Wordlessly, he held open the door and pointed in the direction of the car before walking away, uncomfortable.
"What is wrong with you?" Tori snapped at her, catching the door when Jade let it shut on her.
"Nothing. I just have the power to make people leave me alone. It's really handy," she responded flippantly. Tori shook her head discouragingly.
"I can also make people want me," she went on, matching Tori's pace so that when she looked at Jade their eyes would meet. There was something about the way Jade looked at her that drew her in. She had no doubt Jade could get anyone she wanted, but she wasn't falling for it.
"Ok, Miss Flirt. You never once gave me the time of day before and all you've done is tease me since running into each other," Tori said, observing the change in Jade's expression. Unfortunately it didn't look like an upset one at all like she hoped. On the contrary, it became a playful smirk.
"I do it because I can. Mostly just to see how you react," she admitted with a shrug.
"And so far?" Tori prompted.
"I've made you blush more than anything. That tells me a lot about you already," Jade answered. Tori's brows came down over her nose and her lips curved down ever so slightly in a frown. To Jade the expression was appealing for many reasons.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Tori questioned, crossing her arms defensively.
"You're interested by me," Jade stated with certainty. She didn't say it like the cocky guys that bothered Tori well after she told them to leave her alone, but like it was a simple fact. She didn't rub it in and she didn't gloat.
"Yeah right," Tori dismissed. Jade wasn't fazed.
"It might not necessarily be attraction, but something's there," she said, resolute once again. Tori hated that she was right. But how could someone not take any interest in her? She was a walking contradiction. She didn't know much about her so every exchanged word was new between them. She kept Tori on her toes, kept her guessing at her intentions. She was rude and a bit rough around the edges but when she meant well Tori noticed right away. And that was just scraping the surface. Tori knew there was more to her than that. Much more.
"Maybe. Maybe not," Tori reluctantly allowed. Jade smirked, an expression Tori quickly learned she had a love/hate feeling about.
"Good enough," Jade accepted.
"Aren't you not supposed to be talking?" Tori pointed out.
"Yeah, but I don't usually listen if I don't agree with something," Jade responded.
"I've spent only a few hours with you and all I know for certain is that you're difficult to deal with most of the time," Tori concluded. Jade chuckled, the sound close to husky. Tori was grudgingly aware of it.
"I know. Hey, the next time your dad invites me over I'll accept. We can talk and catch up," Jade offered, stopping at the car. Robbie was already inside, patiently waiting.
"You don't have to play nice just because I helped you. I know I'm not someone you would want to spend time with," Tori replied, caught off guard and a little suspicious of the sudden offer.
"Believe me, I'm not playing nice at all," Jade said, voice low. She took a step closer and Tori hastily took a step back, bumping into the car.
"Will you quit flirting with me? I barely even like you," Tori warned, alarmed at the proximity between them.
"It's a start," Jade said with a shrug, breezing past her to get in the back seat of the car. Tori blinked, confused by the conversation they just had, then got in the car too. They dropped Jade off where she left her motorcycle. She got out of their car and hopped on without so much as a farewell. She noticed it peeved Tori and she smiled to herself when they drove away. She sat in place for a moment, thinking over the last few hours. She brought a hand up to rub at her neck, knowing the bruises were starting to fade. It felt better already.
She debated when she should tell David and decided on soon. But first, she needed to rest. Just talking wore her out. She should have listened to Cat, but she couldn't seem to shut up once she got Tori Vega's attention. It was fun messing with the girl. Her expressions were cute and Jade liked how easily riled she got. Not to mention that blush. How did she not want to get to know the youngest Vega before? She figured it was a sign of recovery in both her personal as well as social life. She started up the motorcycle and sped down the street, clearing away any lingering thoughts with the joy of driving while it was still dark out.