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

Revenge of the Wolf

Chapter 17 – Ain't no mountain high enough

Jade's POV.

It was like a dream. Here I was in 1942, albeit in a different universe than mine, in a swanky nightclub, listening to Billie Holiday. I've heard her on YouTube and on mp3 lots of times but seeing her in person was special. It was also the exact thing, my badly wounded soul, needed. It was like a dying man hearing the song of an angel. TJ also put things into better perspective for me.

She told me that I was not the first person on the world to walk into a trap and that me being worried about Tori, I was hardly the first person to worry about a missing loved one either.

We stayed for the 2nd half of the show listening to this fantastic music. When that was done, we caught a cab back to the place we entered this time. TJ then pulled a remote from her purse, hit a button and again the portal appeared. After taking a last look at 1942, we returned to the present.

Upon returning to the lab, we found V, TJ's wife waiting for us. Seeing her there, my heart skipped a beat as, she looks exactly like my Tori.

But I quickly realized, from her appearance alone she was not mine. While her hair was down, she was wearing a long and rather old fashioned 50's ish type dress.

Upon seeing me she smiled, then walked over to TJ and threw her arms around my double.

"Hello, how was your trip?"

Her upperclass British accent, was strange but rather cute.

TJ feathered her lips with a soft kiss, with V seemed to like very much. "Fine baby. How 's Kate?"

"Our daughter….My word, how I love saying that. Our daughter is with your parents."

V then turned to me and extended her hand. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Victoria Vega, Walker West. Proud wife, of Jade West or known to you as TJ."

"Pleased to meet you. Congratulations on your baby."

"Thank you. Tell me…." V then looking slightly embarrassed said. "Are you really a monster? I hear you're a good one. Please do not be offended. "

I sighed as I thought about her comment for a second. "I'd like to say I'm not, but lately I'm not so sure. I screwed up and my beloved Tori got hurt as a result."

"Not to mention you forced her to off you. Smooth move exlax. "Commented TJ, with hint of acid in her voice."

V immediately glared at TJ. "You promised you'd best be on your best behavior."

TJ lowered her head. "Sorry, that one slipped out."

Seeming to accept TJ's apology, V turned to me. "I've never seen a real life werewolf before, could I see it."

I hadn't changed into a wolf since Tori buried me under several tons of cement. Frankly I'd been afraid to let my wolf out. It was an irrational fear as the wolf was me and it felt just as badly about what happened as I did. But seeing her face, I decided to put my fears aside and do so.

With a nod, I turned into a wolf, letting the creature inside me out.

"My word, she's huge." I could hear her say as she cautiously backed off.

So to put her at ease, I lowered my head and sat down on the floor. A submissive posture that means I'm no harm. I really wanted her to know I wasn't a threat and as a result I was a bit nervous.

Sure enough V walked over and cautiously touched me and once I didn't move, she gently petted me.

I let her pet me for a minute and changed back.

"So Jade." TJ said. "I'm hungry and I haven't eaten in literally 70 years, so let's get a late dinner."

So we headed out and found a tiny, but superb Mexican restaurant/bar and sat down to eat. Sitting there I almost felt normal, if only for a few minutes. V asked me lots of questions about my universe, what it's like to be a werewolf and all about Tori and my children. She avoided talk of recent events.

I answered her questions and in turn told me all about life in Victorian England, which I managed to find rather interesting; especially when she spoke of going to the theatre. I was interested in knowing how different going to the theatre was back then. The talk, seemed to help distract me from my problems.

I found V to be in some ways very different than Tori but in some others, exactly the same. She spoke with a British accent, had the most perfect manners I've ever seen, had a vastly different background and dressed far more conservatively than My Tori. All in all she, was very charming.

But she was as kind, loving and caring as my Tori, she showed great concern for others and even laughed at the same things Tori would laugh at.

TJ remained quiet during the dinner, for the most part, letting V with her charms distract me and distract me she did.

Once dinner was done, I looked at the time on my phone, it was already 10:30.

"So what do you have planned nest."

TJ waived a finger in the air. "No no. That would ruin the surprise. But it's late, do you want to go now or tomorrow morning."

V finished her glass of wine. "I thought you may want to rest so we arranged for you to have a hotel room in our hotel. We left you some toiletries and other things you may need."

I was tired, physically and mentially overwhelmed and worn out. I had managed to have a good dinner and maintain conversation, but a good chunk of it was simply acting. I needed a bit of time to process things.

"How about we do this in the morning, I need a rest."

"Sure. No problem. How about we meet at 8:00 Am in the lobby and head on out. We can grab a bite to eat when we get where we're going."

So we took a cab to the hotel and I settled in. V made sure I had what I needed and I was good for the night. Like Tori, she thinks of little things. She then left to pick up their baby from TJ's parents and I went to bed.

Lying in bed, I ran through all of the events of the night, from the mundane to the fantastic, I also explored my feelings, what TJ taught me and in the end I hoped maybe that would keep the nightmares away.

It didn't.

Though I've started to learn how to cope with it, I remain as haunted as ever.

It was with mixed feelings that I came to the lobby the next morning. I was actually looking forward to going to whatever I was going to, but being still traumatized, I had to fight the urge to hide in bed. At least I'm able to fight that urge now.

Sensing my dismay, TJ slapped me on the back. "I won't steer you wrong. Come on."

We went back to the lab and once there, TJ tossed me a bag of clothes. "All you need. Put them on."

Looking in the bag, I found a pair of plain white sneakers, a pair of faded but ordinary looking jeans, plain black t shirt and a jean jacket. Along with it was a brown suede purse with fringes and a peace button on it. In the purse I found, sunglasses, some normal makeup items along with 20 dollars in old money.

Suspecting when I was going, I put on the clothes as TJ was putting on her clothes. They were similar to mine only her t-shirt was red and the jacket she wore was leather.

I looked down at the peace button. "1960's"

TJ smirked. "It's going to be real groovy."

I really don't know about this.

I was led back into the room with the machine to find Sikowitz had already fired it up. Without any further ado, TJ walked through the portal, followed by me.

Again I found myself in the same alley, which looked pretty much the same, save for some different looking trash cans.

Not sure when I was I followed TJ out of the alley and as soon as I reached the street, I could hear a radio, coming from a small newspapers stand just down the street.

"Coming in at number nine this week on our to 40 countdown is the grooving sounds of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell with Ain't no mountain high enough."

"1967?"

Flashing a piece sign, TJ did a little dance to the song on the sidewalk. "Welcome to the summer of Love, 1967. Specifically Sunday, June 18th. 2:00 in the afternoon."

"Damn hippie!" Cursed a young passerby with a military haircut.

Before he could get two steps further, TJ kicked him in the side of the knee, causing him to fall to the sidewalk. She then proceeded to step on his neck.

"If you've got nothing nice to say, then keep your fucking trap shut! Got it Sally!"

"Yeah. Just let me up." Grunted the man, obviously embarrassed by the fact that a girl had brought him down.

"What do you say?"

"Please, let me up."

"Next time Mary, watch your mouth, or someone's liable to kick your teeth in!" Growled TJ.

I'll admit that I rather enjoyed watching TJ take down the creep and pretty much humiliating him.

She let go of him and before he could even think of getting up, flagged down a passing cab. We hopped in and she said.

"The bus station please."

I couldn't figure, this. "We home her to go the bus station."

TJ smiled. "Yep. Just enjoy the sounds. Oh and by the way. You're Jade West, you work as a junior copywriter for the Advertising firm of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Price and are visiting me for a week from New York. Again we're twin sisters from What Cheer, Iowa. I'm an aspiring actress and waitress whose sole screen credit is an, episode of Batman, where I played one of the Jokers admirers. For the moment, sit back and enjoy the sites."

Again I felt a bit overwhelmed as I watched 1967 Los Angles zip buy. But I took it all in, the car's the clothes, the buildings everything. This was a unique chance and I'd hate to miss it.

In short order we arrived at the bus station which was like any other bus station, dirty, loud and crowded with all kinds of people. TJ paid the driver and a few moments later went to a window and bought us some bus tickets.

Coming back, TJ handed me a ticket. "Time for a road trip."

Looking at my ticket, I could see it was too Monterey, California, which was about an hour and half way. It scheduled to leave in 20 minutes.

Something about this seemed familiar. "Monterey?"

"Beautiful town, come on, we can't miss our bus."

We found the bus alright and I quickly noticed that many of the other people getting on were young people, a lot of them were dressed like hippies.

"You guys going to the festival." Said two girls behind us, as we boarded.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Remarked TJ.

It was when I sat down did it all come to me and the revelation was mind blowing.

"TJ, were going to the Monterey pop festival?"

She nodded with a grin. "Final day, tell me do you remember who's played that day."

The Monterey pop festival was a giant music festival held from Jun 16th -18th, at the fair grounds at Monterey, California. Some of the biggest acts in music played that festival. Oh my fuckig

god. Last day, that was the day where both Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin played.

"Hendrix? Joplin?"

"Damn right! Sit back, relax."

Again I found myself so overwhelmed by the thought of what I'd see that I managed to forget my pain and torment. Though only briefly. Once my thoughts calmed down, I was left with the same torment.

The rest of the ride, I simply looked out the window and watched the country side and wondered where Tori was.

We arrived at the bus station in Monterey at about 5:30 in the afternoon along with lots of other young people heading to the same place. There was an air of anticipation that I simply could not deny.

It seems that the fair grounds were only a short walk so we joined the steady stream of people headed in that direction.

I had heard of the event but hadn't realized it was this big. All around the area, there must have been at least 100,000 people. I was amazed by it size. The whole fairgrounds were packed with people. I saw people selling food, crafts, there were people sitting around talking having a great time and even a few musicians. It was hippiedom in full swing and to be honest, it looked kind of fun. Had I not been miserable, I may have tried to enjoy it.

We did wander a bit and I found myself being envious of the people around me, they were happy and I was not. How could I get to that place again?

But our destination was the arena at the fairgrounds where the event took place and finally we went to sit down.

"Where did you get the tickets TJ?"

"Ebay, found two unused ones, real bargain. There getting used after all.

In short order we were seated in the outdoor arena with thousands of other people, about to see on of the most important rock events in music. That air of anticipation had become charged and now even I felt it. Today, I would walk among the gods.

I kept to myself and waited while TJ chatted with some college students next to us about the Vietnam war. It was all very surreal.

At 7:15 the show started, with this Bluesish band, aptly called Blues Project. I wasn't familiar with them, but they were pretty good, actually.

It was what came next that I had been waiting for. I love Billie Holiday but there is one singer whom I love more. Janis Joplin.

Pushing my guilt and anguish aside, I waited eagerly as Tommy Smothers, got up on stage and introduced Big Brother and the Holding company; which of course was fronted by Janis Joplin.

And there she was, live as anyone I've ever seen, in a cream dress, Janis Joplin. For a moment I felt a charge a thrill, seeing her as she ripped right into Ball and Chain. The rest of the performance my problems seemed to fall way. I felt like somehow a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

The set was short only 6 songs long but with every song, that woman powered through giving 110%. I described Billie Hoiday like a shining star, Janis was a supernova. Put simply, I was blown away. At least once I had to pinch myself to convince myself it was real and it was. What had I done to deserve this gift.

Looking to my side, I could see TJ was even more into the show I was.

But like everything, nothing good could last and their set came to close. As they left stage, I could feel my problems returning.

Next up was a strange avant guard group, oddly titled, The group with no name. They were ok.

Up next was the famous, Buffalo Springfield with special guest, David Crosby of all people. A good show and again I managed to enjoy it.

Up next was The Who ripping up the stage and at the end of my generation, all hell broke loose with smoke bombs going off, Peter Townsend smashing his guitar and Keith Moon kicking over his drum set. I managed to laugh as frightened stagehands rushed on stage to rescue the microphones and other equipment fearing they'd be destroyed.

Up next was the Grateful dead. I've never been a deadhead or listened to their music, but I rather like it. I'll have to give it a listen.

After that, we'd been there almost 3 hours and I was hungry. So I told TJ was going to one of the concession stands to get something to eat, before, Jimi Hendrix came on.

As I walked, I found myself, walking along a fence and on the other side, behind yet another fence was the backstage area. I couldn't see it all, but a bit of it.

Suddenly I spotted Janis walking across in the backstage area. I stopped to see her, one last time. She was fucking incredible and just the sight of her, was amazing.

What happened next, I've never been able to explain, but it was even more amazing and a bit strange. Janis was by herself, just walking and not even looking in my direction. I think she was headed to some trailer or something.

But suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks, slowly turned her head and looked right at me. Unless she saw me out of the corner of her eye, I doubt she could know I was there, I was also at least 30 yards away.

But she more than looked at me, she smiled at me. Not just any smile, a smile you'd give someone on the street you found attractive, but a smile you'd give a close friend or loved one.

And much to my shock, she ever so slightly tipped her head.

As quick as it happened, she suddenly turned and walked off, vanishing behind a stack of amplifiers.

She couldn't have been looking at anyone else, I was all alone, but she looked at me. I said it was like walking among the gods, and in that one brief and strange moment, I was acknowledged as one of them. It could be she was simply smiling at a fan that she just happened to see out of the corner of her eye.

I'm a member of the Royal family of werewolves, collectively called Fenrir. It's said that we are descended from a tremendous beast in Norse mythology known as The Fenris Wolf.

The Fenris wolf is the offspring of Loki, one of the Norse gods. So in turn I am the descendant of a God. Or so they say. I never really gave it much thought.

But this moment, having what could be considered a musical god acknowledge you, felt more than just an ordinary moment. For something else happened.

I felt a small measure of my strength return. Up to know, I had felt weak, no stronger than I used to be before this, but I felt some strength, both physical and mental return, just then.

It could be said she was just a singer in a band, one who died too early. It could be said she was a musical god, but either way, she helped me, just by smiling and acknowledging my presence.

I walked away stunned and after getting my food I returned to TJ. There I told her my story.

With a knowing smile, TJ put a hand on my shoulder. "Once upon a time, I wept at the grave of a woman who had been more than 140 years. I wanted to save her, love her and somehow I managed to do just that. I still am amazed. You felt it was impossible to pull yourself back up, find Tori and crush Claudia's skull. You just saw Billie Holiday, You saw Janis Joplin and better yet, she smiled at you. You're going to see Jimi Hendrix. Did you ever think that was possible. No, I'll bet not. Jade, the impossible is simply what hasn't been done yet. You can do it and I think now you know deep down you can. It won't be easy, but you can do it."

She was right; it hit me like a bolt of lightning, she was right. I could do it and it wouldn't be easy, but I will pull myself back up, and find my Tori and I will crush Claudia's skull. I will have my revenge, but this time, I'll be smart about it.

"Thank you." I said graciously.

"No problem, Hey Hendrix is about to come on."

And he did come on, Jimi Hendrix, a fellow God and again I felt my problems melt away for a short while as if he was lifting my burden. The show was to put it in 60's slang, out of sight. With no less than Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones introducing Hendrix.

From his first song of Killing floor, to Wild Thing, where he lit his guitar on fire, he was magical and brilliant and purely incredible. I wish I could properly describe the feeling of being there, in his presence. It was like nothing else.

After that, came the show closer, The Mama's and the Papas, and again it was an out of this world experience. They were pretty damn good, I'll admit.

We caught a bus home and while TJ dozed in her seat, I looked up at the stars. For the first time in a very long time I felt wonder.

We returned to the present just in time for TJ to send me back to Jadelyn's and Victoria's universe. Before I left, V gave me a hug and told me, she would pray for me and to be strong for her.

In coming back, home, as it were, though only a temporary one, I found I had lots to think about. Oddly I found myself, thinking about something that someone once said, yet another of my doubles.

"you need not lose yourself."

After dinner prepared by Victoria I went out onto the patio and looked up at the sky. Some movement below caught my eye. It was a jogger.

"Wait, I used to jog." I said.

I need to pull myself, up, I need to motivate myself. I need to help overcome this, crippling wound in my soul and return myself back to fighting form.

I would start by running. I used to love running at night, all by myself, under the stars. I had stopped some time ago, I can't remember why? It was a part of myself that along the way I had lost. I needed to find it again.

Borrowing an old pair of running shoes from Jadleyn I put on some shorts, a t-shirt and began to run.

I used to run all the time and soon found myself alone, running down the street, under the stars on a cool night. This always cleared my head and again found myself beginning to feel that same sense of peace. I'm weak and out of shape, I'll see if I can make it a mile. Then I'll see if I can find some sort of gym or fitness club.

This whole thing, it's just one foot in front of the other. Hoping someday, I'll get to where I want to go.

As I run down the dark street, that's all I focus on. The next step, it's all I can focus on. I have only a few days left before, Claudia would be able to use that ritual and discover Tori is alive.

But there is nothing I can do about that. Nothing at all, I know that, I accept that. All I can do is….

Put one foot in front of the other.

Well Jade has found some strength and know knows she can come back from this defeat. She knows it will be hard and long, but will do it. One step at a time.

The chapter title is a reference to the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell song of the same name.