Tori ran into Jade's room to change then came back out to throw on her shoes while Jade changed, tucking away her gun just in case. When they were ready they headed out. Jade drove them to the police station as fast as she was able while still adhering to the speed limit. When they arrived it was alive with activity.
"What's happening?" Tori's muffled voice came from under the helmet.
"I don't know. Let me find a place to park and we can find out," Jade answered, lifting her feet and taking off again. She parked towards the back of the lot and Tori jumped off before she could shut down the motorcycle. She yanked off her helmet and caught Tori's out of reflex when it was tossed to her. She set both aside and hopped off, jogging to catch up with Tori. Officers were shouting orders at one another. Soon they were noticed and detained from entering the station.
"Sorry, you can't go in there," an officer informed them. Jade knew he was a rookie, which explained why he didn't seem to recognize her as a fellow cop. Tori could only think of her dad.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"I'm unable to disclose the events-" he began but Tori interrupted him.
"Please, just tell me if something happened to my dad!" she shouted, tears in her eyes.
"Officer Vega is fine. He was out when it happened," he answered. Tori let out a relieved exhale and Jade rubbed her back.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"On his way back. We already contacted him," he answered. The words just left his mouth when David pulled into the lot. He shut off his squad car and got out. Tori ran to him, throwing her arms around him. Jade walked over with her arms crossed, a hard look on her face.
"Whoa, what are you two doing here?" he asked when Tori pulled away.
"We had something to report. When we got here and saw the commotion we were worried you were caught up in it," Jade explained. Tori nodded along next to her.
"Yeah, I was on patrol when I was told and came right over. As far as I know the robots went crazy and someone got injured," David told them.
"The robots went crazy?" Jade repeated, the information catching her attention. He nodded.
"They started attacking people and had to be shut down," he said.
"Are the bodies damaged in any way?" Jade inquired.
"Don't know. Let's get some information and find out shall we?" he replied, leading them to the station. With the arrival of a police officer escorting them in the two were allowed past. They listened as David was informed. It had been a normal day until the robots suddenly became violent. Daniel was mauled by one and later disappeared in the commotion. That one was shot to hell before being taken down by an EMP blast. The other was contained after taking multiple hits, both gunshots and physical blows, yet kept going.
"The one that was shot and later contained, was it hit in the head?" Jade spoke up. The officer hesitated to answer until David gave him an expectant look.
"No," he affirmed.
"Where is it?" she asked next. He hesitated again but turned away and led Jade to one of the office rooms. Loud banging shook the door. Cracks ran down it from the force. Constant force. Jade held out her hand for the key and was given it when David gestured for the officer to do so. Jade unlocked the door and caught the damaged robot by the neck before it could escape. She threw it to the floor and used her foot to hold it down while she tore off its swinging arms. Once that was done she crushed the neck in her grasp and tore the head free. It stopped thrashing and fell still. She was made of stronger material. It stood no chance. She pulled apart the head, knowing just were to find the CPU chip. She located it and pulled it free.
"Got it," she announced, dropping the head and turning to them. Each had a look of surprise on their faces.
"What?" she asked.
"It was just unexpected," the officer commented, clearing his throat. Jade shrugged and stepped over the stiff legs.
"We should take this to be looked at. It sounds to me like whoever's behind this uploaded a virus to mess with the robots' processors," she explained. David took it from her and turned to the officer.
"Take this straight to Valentine and give me an update as soon as she finds something," he ordered. The officer nodded, took the chip, and ran for the exit.
"Wait a minute, Cat works for you?" Tori asked. He nodded.
"From time to time. How do you think we got those things for free in the first place? I offered to test them out for her," he responded.
"As intriguing as that is, we need a bit of your time," Jade told him, expression and tone serious.
"Jade, I can't just-" he began.
"I know it's a bad time but you need to hear this," she pressed. He sighed but nodded, taking them aside.
"We have proof that-" she started to say, but she was cut off when David's phone rang. He held out a hand to her and checked the number. It was blocked but he still answered.
"Yes?" he said, listening with a clenched jaw. The distorted voice over the phone fueled his temper but he didn't show it until after the call disconnected. Jade and Tori knew something was seriously wrong to have caused such livid fury in the otherwise docile and gentle man.
"Who-" Jade got out before Steven suddenly ran over. Bruises to his face and arms showed he had been in a fight and he was hit hard.
"I tracked down the perpetrator who kidnapped Daniel. We have to move now if we want to catch him before he escapes," he urged. Jade grabbed Steven by the front of his shirt and shook him.
"Nice try, but I won't stand by while you lie through your teeth! Was that you on the phone or Daniel?!" she growled, almost lifting him off the floor in her rage.
"Jade! Put him down!" David commanded, grabbing at her left wrist tightly. She didn't do anything for a moment besides glare daggers at Steven, but then she shoved him away.
"Officer Vega?" Steven addressed, playing up uncertainty and fear. Both Jade and Tori saw right through him.
"Lead me to him. If we get the drop on him he'll never see us coming. Inform the chief so he an send another squad to back us up," he said. Steven nodded and left.
"Dad…" Tori tried again, but he shook his head and rested his hands on each of their shoulders.
"Jade, keep an eye on Tori. She's been threatened," he revealed. Tori gasped.
"David, you have to listen," Jade stated, shoving his hand off her shoulder.
"I meant it when I said you're the only one I trust to be there for Tori. Especially when I can't at the moment. So please, take care of her. Keep her safe for me. I'll be back before you know it, ok?" he told her sternly. Jade clenched her teeth but nodded, taking Tori by the hand. Tori's brown eyes filled with tears when they met her father's similar gaze. The situation was dangerous and they all knew it.
"Fine," Jade croaked, pulling on Tori to follow her out. They didn't look back, too afraid that they wouldn't listen if they did.
-.-.-.-
Daniel's phone chimed with a text, the signal that Steven was on his way with Officer Vega. Daniel had been the one to make the call, using a voice modifying device they forced Sinjin to put together. Just as they planned, Vega made the choice to keep Jade behind with his precious daughter while he left with a squad Steven made sure to misdirect. They would show up any minute and then David Vega would be theirs. Daniel waited for their arrival by the door, metal bat in hand. With his wrist on the mend he wouldn't mind putting some strain on it if it meant he would get a good swing in. The door was pushed open but no one came in. He remained hidden in the shadows of the barren room. They had picked an old building scheduled for demolition. It would be harder to find his body that way, and if they were lucky the building would go down with him.
"Stay close to the wall and don't let your guard down for a second," David warned Steven. Daniel smirked, readying the bat.
"You turn left and I'll turn right so we're back to back," Steven suggested. Daniel listened as they rushed into the room, Steven's pistol pointed at his face. They exchanged a triumphant smile before Steven stepped out of the way and Daniel struck. Vega hit the ground hard, dazed. Blood ran down the side of his head from a cut at his hairline.
"S-Steven," he gasped out, looking up at the cop who stood next to the other supposedly kidnapped cop.
"Daniel?" he questioned, confused.
"You should be careful who you trust. Your little lap dog was on to us. You should have listened to her yapping," Steven taunted, kicking away David's gun from his loose fingers. His daughter and Jade had been trying to warn him. He squeezed his eyes shut and then lunged. He struck down Steven and wrenched his gun out of his hands but he wasn't fast enough to turn it on Daniel who swung at his head again. That time he blacked out.
-.-.-.-
Jade took Tori home and made her sit at the table with a cup of tea to calm her while Robbie tapped away at the laptop. When they got there he rambled on and on about his contact, Sinjin, the one who was working for Daniel and Steven. Jade was more than sure that David was walking into a trap. She asked if he knew where the set-up was located. He did, and told them where they could find the abandoned building. Jade paced, wondering if she should involve the rest of the unit and still get them mobilized in time to save the oldest Vega. It was obvious that the squad that was supposed to accompany them had been misled by Steven.
"You aren't thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" Tori questioned her, voice already wavering. She couldn't stand to think of her dad getting hurt or killed, never mind Jade. She loved them both and didn't want either of them to be in harm's way if she could help it.
"I'm scared that if I don't go now there won't be enough time to save him," Jade muttered, stopping to stare at Tori with worry and panic in her usually stoic gaze. Tori set aside her mug when she stood.
"No. I can't lose both of you," Tori refused.
"And I can't stand by while the only father I have is killed when there's something I can do about it. Besides, I'd rather it be me than him," she mumbled, fists clenched. Tori took in her defeated form before rushing over to hold her face in her hands. Robbie glanced back before excusing himself.
"Don't say that. Both your lives are important. Especially to me. I love you, Jade," she stated with conviction. Jade leaned into her touch, tears in her eyes.
"I love you too, Tori," she replied, leaning in to kiss her. It was tender and slow, successful in distracting Tori long enough for Jade to close the handcuffs around her wrist, locking her to the leg of the heavy wooden table weighed down by all their gadgets and supplies. She broke the kiss as soon as she felt and heard them click into place. She grabbed at Jade's shirt before she could pull away.
"You were always going to go, weren't you?" she inquired, voice cracking. Jade nodded.
"Years ago your dad ignored orders and saved my life from a mad man who hacked me up to get at him. It would be wrong not to do the same for him regardless of what happens to me. I can't let him go through what I did," she told Tori, determined. A sob wracked Tori's frame and tears fell, her head bowing. Jade wiped them away and lifted her head to look at her for what felt like the last time. She hoped not. She kissed Tori, resting her forehead on hers, then pulled away. Tori's arm dropped and she slid to the floor bonelessly. Jade found Robbie and made him promise to lock up as soon as she was gone and then she hurried out the door. She drove her motorcycle through the streets at full speed, hoping she wasn't too late. She pulled into an alley a little ways away and continued on foot, her gun in hand. She alerted the squad to her location before reaching her destination.
They would be there soon to back her up. She just had to stall for time until they arrived. She entered the crumbling building, every sense on high alert. Her heavy footfalls were the only thing she struggled to silence. She heard voices up ahead and then a pained scream. Memories of her own torture crowded her thoughts. She forced them away, clearing her mind before continuing. She carefully peeked around the corner of the far room, seeing David in bad shape leaning against the wall. She stepped in and caught the bat that swung at her from the right. She bent it in her cybernetic grip then yanked it out of Daniel's hands, flipping it over and swinging at his gut. He staggered and she grabbed him by the throat after tossing the bat, shoving the muzzle of the gun into his chest.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you," she snarled. He cowered under her furious glare, begging for his life. She heard a gun cock behind her and spun around, aiming at Steven who was pointing his own gun back at her.
"Drop your weapon and put your hands in the air or I'll shoot," she warned, tightening her grip on Daniel's throat when she felt him try to pry himself loose. He whimpered and fell still.
"How about you drop your weapon or I'll shoot. You wouldn't want to break Victoria's heart," he replied, turning the gun on David.
"Jade, be reasonable," he warned, gasping and clutching at his leg. Jade spared him a quick glance. His face was a mess and he held his foot off the floor, wary of putting weight on it. The stilted rise and fall of his chest suggested broken ribs but he could just be badly bruised.
"Yeah, be reasonable," Steven mocked, lightly pressing on the trigger. Jade took in a calming breath then flung Daniel at Steven. They fell to the floor in a heap and she raised her gun to shoot Daniel in both his legs, flooring him as soon as he got to his feet. She shot at Steven next but managed to only get one leg. He remained standing, intent to kill in his murderous gaze. She immediately ran for David. She was out of time but she wasn't going to fail. She threw herself at him, wrapping him in a protective embrace. Two shots fired, one aiming for his chest and the other for his stomach. Jade took both to the back, an effective makeshift vest that saved him from harm. She cried out the fire eating her from the inside out. He caught her before she could slide to the ground and took her gun, returning fire. He shot to kill. Steven hit the floor dead with a single bullet to the heart. David turned on Daniel who was struggling to crawl away.
"Stay there," he warned. Daniel nodded and rolled on his back, subdued. With the threats out of the way he dropped the gun and eased Jade to the ground gently, cradling her upper body in his arms. Once again he was holding her wounded body in his arms.
"Jade?" he called to her. She flinched but forced her eyes open.
"T-Tori's going to kill me for this," she choked out, chuckling without humor.
"You'll have to live through this first, kid," he replied, tears gathering in his eyes when he felt blood drip off his hands.
"At least I saved you in time. At least she'll still have you," Jade gasped, her eyes falling shut.
"No, you have to stay awake. I'm going to get you out of here," he told her, lifting her into his arms. His body protested and his legs shook. He pushed through to stand up straight then forced himself to run.
"Tell her I love her," Jade whispered, her breathing jagged.
"You can tell her that when you get through this," he told her. He knew a collapsed lung when he heard one. Jade's enhanced body might help her to hang on longer than what was normally expected but he didn't plan to waste any of that time. He had to believe she would make it. She survived last time so she would this time. She was a fighter. He just exited the room when police swarmed the building.
"Get an ambulance down here and get hold of Valentine, now!" he shouted. Two cops broke off to heed his command. The first to reach him helped carry Jade out between them. The ambulance stood waiting and she was quickly carted away.
-.-.-.-
David watched the ambulance speed down the street, sirens wailing. He couldn't look away until it was out of sight. He planned to follow as soon as he could so he could put his mind at ease. He told himself she would be fine and turned when an officer approached him shortly after he looked away from the crowded street lit up by the squad car sirens.
"We apprehended Daniel. He went quietly. Did you shoot Steven?" he questioned.
"Right after he shot at me and Jade took the hit," David responded sadly. It should have been him. The officer nodded.
"Hey, did Steven send you here?" David inquired.
"No. Officer West did, not too long ago. We responded as fast as we could," the officer answered. David tightened his hands into fists and refrained from punching the wall. How could he be so stupid not to listen to their warnings? None of this would have happened if he did. He wouldn't have fallen into a trap. Jade's life wouldn't be in jeopardy. He rubbed at his face. He was asked a few more questions before he was allowed to leave. He rode with a fellow officer to the hospital where he was looked over. When he was told nothing was broken he was cleaned up, bandaged, and let go. He called up his wife and daughter to give them the news.
Holly asked for the night off and Tori rushed right over. When she was released she almost beat Robbie over the head for doing what Jade told him to do but she would rather be by Jade's side than waste time on him. He drove them since Tori was too shaken up to do so. When they arrived everyone was waiting around. She hugged her dad, glad to see he was fine. The surgery to remove the bullets and patch up any damage was still in progress. Two hours later they were allowed in to see Jade yet Tori was the only one who went. Everyone agreed that she should have a moment alone with her. She walked into the room to see Cat fussing over the cyborg.
"She's really putting all those parts to good use but I wish she wouldn't do it so often. She worries me with how reckless she is," the doctor commented, finishing the injection she was in the middle of. She scooped up the two empty syringes and tossed them before turning to Tori.
"I feel the same way," Tori said, voice gravelly from crying. Cat offered her a hug which she accepted. When she pulled away she wiped at her eyes and moved to sit by Jade's bed. She didn't look like she was in pain. The monitor beeped at a steady pace, assuring her that her vitals were fine.
"She should wake up soon. More perks of being half cybernetic," Cat told her, patting her shoulder. She left after giving her an encouraging smile. Tori sighed and then groaned in irritation.
"I don't know how this day could go from zero to a thousand so quick. It started out normal enough. Being with you intimately was…fantastic. But then you had to go and put your life on the line! I mean, I know why you did it and I don't blame you, but…dammit, Jade! You really scared me! I thought I was going to lose you. And after realizing just how much you mean to me, it hurt three times as much," she ranted, standing to grip Jade's only remaining human hand in her own. She needed to be in contact with her, to feel for herself that she was alive. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, fighting to stop the tears. She looked up when she felt a squeeze on her hand.
"Love you, Tor," Jade rasped, her eyes barely opening and a tired smile pulling weakly at her lips. Tori choked on a sob before leaning in and kissing Jade's forehead.
"Love you too, dingus," she got out through the tears.
"So mean," Jade accused, yet her eyes fell closed again with a smile still stuck to her lips. She fell back into a recovering slumber, having only found consciousness when she heard Tori yelling at her. Tori sat back down, content to watch her sleep for several minutes more. She left with another kiss to Jade's head and told herself to go home. She needed the rest to start winding down. With Catarina Valentine looking after her, Jade would be fine.