David Vega walked into the police station with a small box of doughnuts in hand. He had talked to Tori over the phone that morning before work and was surprised to hear that his daughter and Jade spent some time together two nights ago. It sounded a bit forced but it was something. In celebration he picked up the doughnuts on his way in. He went right to Jade and set down the pink box at the edge of her desk.
"Look what I brought you," his jovial voice announced. Jade raised a brow at him after opening her reconstructed eye. Her arms were folded behind her head and her feet were up on the desk. She just got done filling out the report of a particularly dimwitted man she arrested yesterday. He was caught stealing and tried to put up a fight. His attempted swing on her was shielded when she lifted her arm to block. In the end he was charged with assaulting a cop on top of robbery. He accused her of breaking his fingers but that was his fault entirely for swinging on her in the first place. It was a good thing her partner was there to witness it so that his story was proven false. Speaking of her partner, she wondered why he brought her pastries.
"What's the doughnuts for?" she questioned, mildly invested in eating them.
"They're for you. Tori told me you two talked a bit," he replied, eager at the news. Jade sighed, knowing she would say something eventually. Although, it didn't sound like she had been entirely truthful with him. Like the circumstances. Jade decided now was as good a time as any to tell him. She couldn't reason it away anymore. They had to consider their options concerning the problem, even if that meant Tori would be held under suspicion. Jade stood, using the excuse of grabbing a sweet treat from the box to stand closer to him. From there she leaned in so only he could hear her next words.
"Meet me in your office in ten minutes. I have something to tell you," she whispered, words pouring like water off her lips. He almost missed what she said. He nodded and Jade held up a glazed doughnut. They were her favorite.
"If only I had some coffee," she sighed, taking a bite and humming happily.
"I knew I was forgetting something," he said with a shake of his head.
"You do too much," she mumbled through a full mouth, though David could hear the gratitude in her voice. He smiled and took a jelly filled doughnut for himself, knowing Jade wouldn't eat it, before heading to his office. Jade took her time eating the first and second doughnut, deeming it a good time to wander off before she consumed a third. Doughnuts and bagels would always be a guilty pleasure of hers. She entered David's office and shut the door behind her. She took a seat, features conflicted.
"What is it?" he questioned, worried.
"I don't know if you can tell but I was injured a few nights ago and had to see Cat," she began, knowing she was about to get chewed out for being irresponsible.
"Injured? How?" he asked, tone stern as he looked her over. The faint bruising around her neck had all but healed. She still favored her middle though, moving carefully.
"I found a lead on the ones behind the money theft. I suspect they're hiring hackers to get into people's accounts. I have a feeling money isn't all they want. The amount stolen so far must mean they're putting it towards something else," Jade explained. David barely heard any of it. What he did hear for sure was Jade getting injured because she was sneaking around on her own.
"You went out on your own off duty? What were you thinking?" he demanded.
"I was thinking that I could get more done if those two poor excuses for cops weren't around to bother me. Speaking of them, I hate to say it but I think they're behind it all," Jade informed him.
"Steven and Daniel? Are you sure? That's a pretty heavy accusation, Jade," he told her.
"I know, but I'm sure. They followed me and tried to threaten me into silence. They said they knew how I ticked because they saw the papers you have concerning my surgery. It was a good thing Vega found me just in time. She's the one that took me to Cat," Jade shared.
"What was Tori doing out there?" he inquired. Jade shrugged.
"I don't know. I was more concerned with Steven and Daniel. They're a danger to the police force and everyone else who might get caught up in whatever their scheme is," she said, glancing back at the door and listening for any eavesdroppers.
"Well, that does explain Steven's black eye and limp he claimed was acquired trying to stop a fight outside a bar. Daniel called in to ask for time off because of an injury," David said, thoughtful.
"To his wrist, right? I haven't seen Steven today, but I can tell you his right leg is the injured one. Correct?" Jade mentioned. When she was right he realized the extent of the problem they had on their hands.
"We can't raise any alarms until we catch them in the act. We need proof. Until then, let them think you were intimidated by the information they have on you to remain silent," he advised. When Jade made a face he placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"I know what you're thinking, but stop. We both know they have no real power over you. But for the sake of catching them, act like they do," he requested. She sighed irritably but nodded. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder before dropping his hand.
"Now that that's settled I'm worried about Tori. At those hours she should be home. There isn't anything that I can think of that would have her out that late," he pondered.
"Well…she could just be going out? Robbie was with her," Jade mentioned.
"They were using his car that night. Both of them were over for her birthday. Afterward she would have gone home," he replied.
"Maybe she was going to have the nerd drop her off somewhere? You never know, she could be seeing someone," Jade pointed out, mostly to see how he would react. David frowned, brows furrowing.
"Does that mean your father alert just went off or is it that you can't believe she's seeing anyone?" Jade joked.
"As offensive as that is to think Tori can't find someone I'm also torn by my concern with her seeing someone I don't know. I'm sure she would tell me," he admitted. Jade laughed.
"Which is why I want you to reconsider coming by. If Tori took the time to help you then she's showing interest. Knowing my little girl, that interest won't wane until she figures out what it is about you that sparked it in the first place," he reasoned.
"What? I don't think that's a good idea. She clearly wanted nothing to do with me up until this point or she would have bugged me more than she did. And anyway, she clearly expressed that she had no interest in me," Jade replied, refusing to get any closer to the youngest Vega. David's brows rose, unconvinced. When Jade fought harder against something it was a sign she cared. Otherwise she wouldn't have made such a big deal over it.
"Did she tell you that or did you tell yourself that?" he asked wisely. To be fair it was a bit of both.
"It doesn't matter. It still isn't a good idea," she declined. He exhaled heavily and put on a sad expression that Jade immediately looked away from.
"Jade, you're the only one I really trust besides my wife and daughters. I'm worried about Tori and we both know she doesn't want to tell me what's going on or she would have already. Please, find out what she's doing. Just to put me at ease. Then you won't have to spend another minute with her if you don't want to. Although, it wouldn't hurt to get to know each other," he implored. Jade groaned, exasperated, but eventually gave in.
"Only because you're my partner and it involves a case," she grudgingly responded.
"I'm not asking as your partner," he said, smiling knowingly.
"I'm doing this because it might help the case. No other reason. You're asking as my partner. I don't do personal favors," she snapped, crossing her arms. David knew enough to let her be.
"Ok, then. I'll invite her over when I can and I want you to be there. All I ask is that you talk to her. If you can't find out anything then you can try again another time," he told her. Jade scoffed.
"Oh, I'll find out then and there because I'm not going to make it a habit to spend time with her. And if this is personal then you owe me," she stated.
"I thought you said it was for the case?" he inquired, grinning at her agitation.
"Yeah, well, it's personal now. You owe me for doing this. And don't be surprised if she ends up wanting to hang out more, or, God forbid she starts to like me. It'll be all your fault, just to let you know. I'll blame you," she ranted, striding to the door. He chuckled when she stomped out of his office, aware that she wasn't just talking about his daughter being the only one who accidentally gets attached. He didn't mind though. Jade was the only person he knew he would accept being with his little girl.
-.-.-.-
It had been a week since that run-in with Jade yet Tori couldn't stop thinking about it. Right now she and Robbie were in the middle of deconstructing the latest gadget when her phone started ringing. Just by the ringtone Tori knew it was her dad. She raised a finger, telling Robbie that she would be right back, and then took the call.
"What's up?" she said, wandering down the hall to her room.
"Are you busy tonight?"
Tori mentally went over her schedule. There was a regular who contacted them earlier that day asking them to crack at someone's account but she could always tell them that she had other business to attend to. When her dad wanted to see her she rarely told him that she wasn't able to. Robbie could even do it without her.
"No, I'm not. Why? Did you want me to come over?" she asked.
"Yes, please. I'm always so busy. I know your birthday just passed but it's been a while. It isn't like when you were a kid. I can't see you as often as I like so any time I get you need to be over here so we can have some quality family time."
Tori laughed, all too happy to oblige. She liked family time too. It took her mind off the work she did on the side, which was beginning to weigh heavily on her conscious with the recent implications. She wondered how she even got so mixed up in the current mess and whether she could put it behind her despite liking the trill of it. But then her dad started talking again.
"I'll be home a little late so you don't have to rush, but try to be here around the same time as always, ok?"
"Ok, dad. See you then," she said. He gave his own farewell and she hung up. She walked back out to the living room and Robbie looked up.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"My dad," she answered, crossing the room to the kitchen and sitting at the table.
"Was he asking his baby girl to please visit because he misses her so very much?" Robbie teased in a coddling tone, laughing when Tori glared at him.
"I'll stick this some place you definitely don't want it," she lightly threatened, raising the screwdriver she just picked up.
"Sure you will," he replied, knowing she wouldn't. She stared at him a moment before tackling him off the chair. He squeaked in shock and flailed but she easily held him down, smacking his rear end with the tool she held.
"What was that?" she questioned, smirking when he begged her not to go through with it. She let him go and sat back down. That would teach him. An hour later she went to get ready. She threw a farewell over her shoulder at Robbie and he raised a hand in return. She enjoyed the drive over, glad that she wasn't the passenger this time. She pulled up outside her old childhood home and smiled. It always looked so welcoming. She got out and froze when she spotted a motorcycle parked behind her dad's car.
"Is that…? No," she mumbled to herself, walking up to the front door. She entered and her mom greeted her from the kitchen.
"Hey. Where's dad? And whose motorcycle is that?" she replied, hitching a thumb over her shoulder.
"Your dad's out on the patio with Jade. That's most likely how she got here," her mom answered casually, as if the presence of Jade West in their home was common. As much as her dad wanted it to be that way it hadn't up until now.
"Did dad invite her? I can't see her suddenly deciding to stop by," Tori said, walking over to lean on the counter. Her mom gave her a disapproving crease of her brows and pursed her lips.
"And if she did we would welcome her anyway," she responded, prepping the last of dinner and sliding it in the oven. At that moment the back door opened. Tori's dad entered but Jade wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Hey, Tori," he said with a wave, shutting the door. He could see the question she wanted to ask hovering at the tip of her tongue but she didn't ask it.
"Our guest is outside if you want to be polite and say hi," he answered anyway, smiling. Tori sighed but nodded, heading for the patio. So far it looked like it would be Tori, her parents, and Jade tonight. That was good, because if Trina came over when Jade was there it wouldn't end pretty. The few times they had to share a space everyone suffered, which was probably why she wasn't invited. Tori stepped outside and looked around. Jade was seated at the edge of the pool, pants rolled up and legs in the water. The light in the pool made every ripple glow. It also glinted off the metal that made up Jade's legs.
Tori added the sight to the arm she hadn't known about. There was something sad about the scene in front of her. Jade's head was bowed and she leaned on her mechanical arm. The one still retaining the ability to feel gripped at her right knee tightly, the strain visible in her knuckles. She stared straight at the water and slowly kicked her feet. The preoccupied tilt of her eyebrows made Tori wonder if she was imagining the feel of the water on her legs to make up for the fact that she couldn't. She took a step and Jade's head lifted.
"You're here," she stated, tone somber. Tori licked her lips, suddenly nervous. She walked over and took a seat next to Jade, careful to keep some distance between them. Silently she rolled up her own pant legs and slipped them in the water. It was a little cold, sending a shiver racing over her skin. Jade's eyes followed the reaction, metal fingers brushing her arm.
"Is the water that cold?" she asked. Tori nodded.
"Yeah. It's pretty cold," she replied. Jade turned to the water and reached out with her right hand, dragging it along the surface. She shook excess water from her hand when she pulled away.
"It isn't too bad," she concluded.
"Are you disagreeing with me already?" Tori teased, hands on her hips.
"Maybe," Jade admitted, a small smile pulling at the corner of her lips. Tori couldn't help but return it, resting her hands in her lap. The atmosphere felt fragile between them for some reason. Jade wasn't being her usual self. There was something melancholy about her, something vulnerable. It took Tori some time to figure out what it was but then she knew. Jade had something on her mind. Jade was lowering the defensive walls Tori always saw around her. It caused a reaction in Tori to feel what it was like to be around Jade when she wasn't wearing her mask. Briefly Tori wondered if this was the side of Jade her dad saw, whether she was trying to hide it or not. It spoke to the part of Tori that always wanted to understand her, to help her.
"Technically we've known each other for as long as I've known your dad," Jade suddenly began, eyes on the wavering water in front of them. Tori nodded.
"Yeah," she added.
"And yet we both avoided each other even when we were in the same room," Jade went on.
"Yes," Tori agreed.
"Why?" Jade questioned, finally looking at Tori. She was a bit caught off guard by the inquiry.
"I guess we just didn't get along," she answered. Jade shook her head.
"No, that was me and Trina," she corrected, smiling when Tori giggled. They both remembered the few times Trina was sent stomping away in rage after a petty fight with Jade.
"You're right. There wasn't animosity between me and you. Just…uncertainty? I tried talking to you back when we first met and you seemed so closed off. I didn't know how to handle you, I guess. So I left you alone. I gave you space," Tori rationalized.
"After that first meeting I thought you would be the overbearing clingy type so I made sure to draw the line early. I'm not used to being around affection or positivity. I don't know what to do with those things. Feeling them…scares me," Jade confessed, absently rubbing a thumb over her metallic palm. Tori's heart went out to her. She knew from her dad that Jade had a hard life. That she was abused and eventually disowned from her family. Her dad never talked about the details because it was Jade's business and he respected it.
"Well, I don't know how to handle grumpy, closed off people who seem to have no emotion whatsoever," she replied with a shrug.
"I know. I'm trying to change that," Jade said, causing Tori to whip her head around to look at her.
"Why the sudden change?" she asked, tentative.
"It's not sudden. Your dad's support means a lot to me. He's the only one that ever cared. My mother wasn't good or bad but she did leave me with a batshit crazy woman who became my stepmom. My father was a mean son of a bitch. He would hurt a cat for purring too loud. At first it was hard to allow someone to care what happens to me, but now I'm grateful. I've been trying to open up a little but there isn't anyone I feel I can trust besides your dad…or maybe you," Jade said, meeting Tori's eyes.
"Wh-what? H-how did you come to that conclusion?" Tori stammered, taken aback by the honesty in Jade's words. It was so unlike her that she wasn't prepared to hear it.
"Like I said. We've been around each other but we never interacted. Just because I haven't talked to you doesn't mean I never paid you any attention," Jade clarified.
"Oh," was all Tori could say. Jade sighed and pushed back her hair, a habit Tori liked to see.
"You're a lot like your dad," Jade continued. For that Jade admired her, but she wasn't going to admit it out loud.
"I know. Everyone tells me that," Tori said, nodding.
"They aren't wrong. The way you present yourself is honest. You want to help anyone you can. Even when it seems impossible you don't give up. Heck, even your terrible jokes are the same. Tell me, who learned from who?" Jade began seriously, only to dissolve into teasing chuckles at Tori's expense. She blushed through a frown, trying to seem offended.
"Puns aren't terrible. They're funny," she defended.
"Anyway, the point is you and your dad are very similar. You're trustworthy, which made me realize that if I can trust him then I can trust you too," Jade reasoned.
"You can trust me, Jade," Tori confirmed, resting her hand on Jade's leg without really thinking about it. Jade felt half the warmth of her hand, the other half having come to rest on the part of her leg that wasn't skin. Tori seemed to notice because her eyes went to her hand, gaze curious. She drifted over Jade's thigh, her thumb tracing the seam fusing metal to flesh.
"Jade?" she began, wondering briefly why she hadn't been pushed away yet.
"Yeah?" the cyborg replied.
"I think I can trust you too," Tori decided. A soft smile spread on Jade's lips and to Tori the genuine expression was such a sight to see. Jade didn't think hearing Tori say that would feel as good as it did. Tori was amazed at how easy it was to say.