Dog Days of Summer

Disclaimer: Don't own Victorious

A/N:

Chapter 23 (Acts of Selflessness)

"Right around the corner!" Beck charged down a back alley behind a gas station. Ares and David trailed directly behind. He heard David comment about the gas station being the accurate part of Chad's story.

"I'd like to tear into those people," Ares growled as his speed picked up. Beck agreed, but at the moment, there seemed to be more crucial things at stake. One thing was certain now, there was very little chance those men were getting the farm. "Give me the word and I'll rip their throats out for this."

"You might have to let Jason do it first. Though Trina seemed ready to do that herself."

"This is true." At a crossroads, the smell was strongest towards the left. They moved in that direction and stopped once they came up to an old shed in the middle of nowhere. Ares lifted his head and raised an eyebrow. "I'd question this if I couldn't detect his scent either. You're a fairly decent tracker."

"Well if the hunting experience with Robbie is any proof of experience…" Ares nodded off to the right, then bolted for the shed. Beck moved with him, howling to alert David of the find.

Upon entering the shed, they found Jason sitting in a metal chair. His arms were wrapped around the back and tied together with wire, and his ankles were bound to the legs. His face was slightly bruised and his chest was heaving as he continued trying to break free.

David hurried over. "Shit." He pulled down the bandana wrapped around Jason's mouth and waited as the man coughed and breathed in quickly. "Are you alright, son?"

"No, those two assholes got me at the airport." Beck and Ares sat down in front of Jason. The man smiled at the two of them and exhaled while David used a utility knife to cut through the wire. "I see Ares and Rover came along, how'd anyone figure anything out?"

"There was a piece of your uniform on one of the guys." David motioned to Beck and smirked. "Rover here was already sniffing around. Maybe I've been too critical in my judgment on dogs."

Jason pulled his hands back once the wires were cut and he gently rubbed his wrists. "Trina's always said you didn't like dogs, but never said why. I don't think she knows the reason."

"Bad childhood experience." David pat Beck on the head and chuckled as Beck let out a triumphant bark. "I might get along with a dog better than I'd get along with my wife. We only ever got back together because of the girls."

"Did Trina tell you she wanted Tori to be on the farm with her?"

David frowned and pushed his knife back onto his utility belt. "Yeah. She did." He motioned for Jason to follow. Jason hugged Ares, then Beck, and finally walked out with David. "I'm trying to be a better father to them, but I have to agree with her. That home environment is no place for Tori. She loved the farm when she was a child, I don't see why she wouldn't love it and grow on it now. Daresay she could use Trina more than either her mother or myself."

David folded his arms and furrowed his brow. "More importantly, let's head back there. I've got a couple people I need to grill…" His lips turned to a scowl as anger burned like a flame in his eyes. "I may uphold the law-but law or no, those men will not be getting that farm."

"I still haven't been able to purchase a new deed."

"We'll deal with that after we get back to the farm."

Upon arrival to the farm, the group was met with silence. The men were still locked in the back of David's car, however Trina was nowhere to be found. Beck glanced around to see if Tori and Jade were anywhere, but to his horror, they too were missing. "Ares? Do you see the girls anywhere?"

"I do not." His stomach began to churn as he ran up to the house. David returned to the businessmen to ask if they saw Trina leave, and of course they didn't know where she might have gone. When Beck looked to Ares, the Doberman was peering around the corner of the house, looking in the direction of the tunnels. "Beck, someone's coming out of the caves."

"What?" He moved up alongside the dog, holding his breath in hope that the girls were okay. What he saw was a very small, wet, and dirt covered cocker spaniel rushing towards them. "Jade?"

"Beck! Oh god, you need to get help!" Jade was panting heavily and struggling to bark.

Ares snapped at her, worried and irritated that they'd gone into the tunnels by themselves. "What were you doing in there? It's dangerous to go in there alone!"

"I know." She huffed and continued to pant, stumbling over her words. "Tori. Trina. The deed…" Beck moved his eyebrows together and waited for her to catch her breath. She lifted her head and breathed in slowly. "I hate those tunnels so much, it was so difficult to get back out."

"Jade, calm down." Beck rubbed up against her, the equivalent of a hug for dogs. "What's going on? Where's Tori and Trina?" Jade's eyes widened and she looked towards David and Jason, both of whom were trying to call Trina's phone.

"There's no time!" Jade leaned her head back and howled, her cry echoed through the farm and startled everyone there. "Just follow me." She ran over to David and put her paws up on his legs, barking frantically.

"Artemis?" He scratched his head and glanced over at Jason. "What's gotten into this one?" Jason lowered his phone and frowned.

"Looks like she's trying to tell us something." He knelt beside Jade. "What is it girl? Have you seen Trina?" Jade spun around and made a mad dash for the tunnels, stopping on occasion to bark at the others. "The caves? Trina wouldn't go into the tunnels, she says they're too dangerous now."

"Well if the dog's leading us in there…" David removed his flashlight from his utility belt and took a deep breath. "I'd say we follow."

"Agreed."

Beck and Ares ran up alongside Jade, both letting her lead since it seemed she knew the route best. "They found the deed," she said, "The original deed." Beck's jaw dropped and Ares whistled proudly. "Well Tori and I did, she went in to find it. Trina followed us when she saw us go in-they're still inside. The ceiling collapsed on them."

Beck's heart stopped and his eyes snapped towards the mouth of the cave. "What? Are they okay?"

"I think so, but Trina's stuck under debris and I don't know how much oxygen they have left." Jade stopped at the entrance to the tunnels and looked back, ensuring David and Jason were close behind. "David and Jason should be able to get them out."

"Jesus. I guess we should probably run a little faster."

"Yeah, just be careful. These tunnels scare the shit out of me for some reason." Jade didn't seem to be letting that issue bother her, but then, she at least recognized the severity of what they were facing. "I don't want to let them die. Everything I ever said about them, I take back. I just want them to make it out!"

"It'll be alright Jade, we'll get them out." Jade nodded and turned a corner, guiding the others. Beck could hear David commenting on some of the older parts of the tunnels, stating how he never got so far in. "Tori could have gotten out, but she stayed behind with Trina."

"Well, she is her sister, so I guess that makes sense." It was a struggle to stay calm as he was doing, and even trying to keep Jade from freaking out any more than she was already. The closer they got, the more he could hear what sounded like voices. "I think that's them. A little rough sounding, but they're alive."

Jade called out to them, trying to see if they were okay. A cough was their response, then Tori answered with a shaky voice. "Jade we're still here. Did you get help?" They ran up to the mound of dirt and stone. Jade put her paws on the dirt and started barking until David's flashlight landed on the debris.

"Your dad's back. The guys found Jason." She looked over and barked at Beck and Ares. "Come on, start digging!"

"On it." They did as instructed, digging frantically through the dirt. David's brow furrowed and Jason rushed over.

"Trina! Are you back there?" There was no response, so he called out again. This time Trina replied with a weakened groan. "Shit! Hang on!" Immediately he knelt down and began pulling away large clumps of debris. David joined the fray after pushing his phone into his pocket.

"No service down here," David growled, "I'll call the paramedics and backup after we get her out of here. Speaking of which, what were you doing down here, Trina!"

"Had to check on the dogs." Her words came between shallow breaths. "Hard to breathe."

"Then don't talk, just hang in there."

It did not take long to dig through, and when they finally did, Jade jumped into the room and crawled next to Trina and Tori. David entered first, looking at the walls in astonishment. Jason hurried in and helped Trina to her feet. She smiled at him and threw her arms around her neck.

"I'm glad you're okay, Jason…"

"Me?" He chuckled once and looked her over. "Don't worry about me. Can you walk? Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine as soon as we get out of here." Tori rushed over to Trina and brushed up against her leg. Trina winced as she bent over to pick her up, then snuggled her close while kissing the top of her head. "Cleo and Artemis may have just saved the farm, Jason."

"What do you mean?" Trina felt around her pants and looked down with wide eyes. Beck turned to see Jade pick up some papers on the ground. She carried them over carefully and stood on hind legs. "What're these?" Jason took the documents and held them up while David shined his light on them. Silence filled the air as everyone read the words carefully. "Holy…"

"Shit," David muttered to himself and curved his lips into a grin. "I'll be damned, that was down here all this time?" He pat Trina carefully on the back and motioned his head to the exit. "Come on, let's get you out of here. There are a couple men outside that I'd like to speak to…"

Now we applaud. Well, they're out of that, and there are two chapters left.