2036

A low whine sounded from the now occupied room across from Jade's, bringing her out of her thoughts again. Her one night to herself in what felt like weeks and she hadn't even been able to enjoy it. At this point she was hating her sensitive heightened senses. She glanced at the door which was open a crack and sighed. Why, why was she the one to have to accommodate the mutt? She rolled her eyes and got up, feeling the sun's rays beginning to touch the sky. She only had a few hours left before it was time for her to sleep. Another whine reminded her of the new addition to her house again. What was going on with her now? Jade left her room and walked across the hall to enter Tori's room. She was still asleep, curled up on her side, twisted in the sheets, her body twitching and a heavy frown on her face. Jade tilted her head to the side curiously, wondering what she was dreaming about. For the past year that Tori had been working towards being integrated into their little community Jade had witnessed her apparent nightmare problem that occurred almost every other day. She had teased her about it at first, hinting that she knew that she had them, but whether Tori was denying it because she didn't want the vampire to know or because she simply didn't want to remember was something Jade was still unsure of. She just considered Tori lucky that she didn't see her as much as a nuisance as she had before, because if she had, she would have been pissed for the ruined night. She stopped to stand by the bed and reached out, pushing at the hybrid's shoulder.

"Wake up you annoying dog," she said snidely. Instead of another whine, Tori growled, swiping at Jade's hand. Her wild attack barely nicked her forearm.

"Vega!" Jade snarled right back, shoving at her with more force. Tori jumped awake, her sharp nails tearing into the mattress and sheets around her. Her eyes were wild and glowing. Her breathing was erratic. It took her a moment to focus and then she looked up at Jade standing there with crossed arms.

"Jade? What…what happened?" Tori mumbled, dazed.

"You were dreaming," Jade told her, a slim brow arched.

"I was? Oh..." Tori replied, dragging a hand through her messy brown hair to push it all out of her face. It was then when she noticed that her claws were out and then looked down to the mess she made of her bed.

"You know, it's not like we have many supplies as it is," Jade pointed out.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. It was just, that dream felt so real," Tori groaned, falling on her back, spread out and eyes closed. Jade was not one to care if the hybrid was upset. Hell, she loved fucking with her patience too much to care, but the look of frustration on Tori's face was different. It looked defeated and hopeless, and if Jade knew one thing, it was that those feelings were not something to have in any way in these trying times. So, she sat down heavily on the bed, upsetting Tori with the movement who opened her eyes to glare at Jade.

"Not that I care, but I've noticed you've been having some trouble sleeping. And don't bother trying to deny it. I'm the one who has to hear your insufferable whining almost every night," she began, speeding up to silence Tori when she opened her mouth to talk back.

"So did you remember this latest one or what?" Jade continued, putting up an impatient front. Tori wanted to believe she actually cared but knew that couldn't be the case so she tried to think back to the dream she had.

"I think they're about the tests. You know, the ones that made me…like this," she replied, looking down at her hands which were normal again. The slender digits picked at the frayed mess of sheets.

"Uh huh, I figured as much," Jade said with a nod.

"How so?" Tori asked, looking over at her.

"Who would get over a traumatizing event like that so fast? I know I haven't, and I'm not going to pretend I have either. The difference is that I face mine whenever I get time to myself, including when I sleep. At least yours only bother you when you sleep, and even then, you may not fully remember," Jade replied, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal, just a fact. Tori naturally became concerned but remembered who this was, her personal bully and hard as stone trainer, and schooled her features.

"You think about when you were bitten?" she asked, cautious but curious. She knew Jade's story. Jade herself wouldn't share but she gleaned the short version from Andre who she had become good friends with. Jade nodded.

"It's mostly the 'what ifs'. I wonder, if I had done one thing different, I might not be here, like this. I could still be human. I could still have my brother…" she whispered, emotion thick in her voice. Tori didn't like hearing it. Not because she thought the vampire was faking it, but because she knew it was genuine pain. She didn't like anyone feeling that wounded no matter who they were.

"But then I think that if I hadn't ended up here these morons would be dead without me, so it all works out in the end I guess. There's a reason for everything, as much as I hate to admit it," Jade said, her spiteful tone back in place and covering up the momentary lapse in stone walls Tori was used to seeing. She rolled her eyes and wondered if Jade would ever just be sincere for more than a few seconds. It sure would make liking her a lot easier.

"So why are you really here?" Tori questioned. She might as well get to the point now that Jade was pretty much done being un-Jade-like at the moment.

"You have some training to do, as always. I came to make sure you got up on time. Also, some jobs you've been requested for. When I'm able to join the fun I'll be taking over your training and we'll make our rounds outside the walls. Because of you we have a spike in vampire numbers in the area again. You're the cause so you might as well be the solution to clearing them out," Jade answered. Tori groaned. She was still a little sore from the last round of training. Her body had been stationary for so long it wasn't used to such labor, but it was adjusting faster than any human ever could and gaining strength just as fast. It was probably due to the fact that she wasn't a human at all.

"Quit whining and be ready to go in the next fifteen minutes," Jade announced, getting up to leave.

"Hey, Jade?" Tori called to her, making her pause at the door.

"Thanks," she said, sincerity clear in her tone. As much as Jade told herself she didn't talk to Tori in order to comfort her, she knew that the hybrid had a knack for seeing right through her.

"Whatever. Hurry up. I'm serious," she grunted in return, striding from the room. Tori smiled but shrugged then hopped out of bed to get ready. Jade drank the last of her blood supply and then made a mental note to get more. She took a seat on the couch afterwards and sprawled out, closing her eyes and going through her daily check list before her body would begin to grow lethargic the more she stayed up. Tori was ready right on time, which was a bit astonishing since she tended to be late to most things. Or maybe she did it on purpose when the things she had to get done on time involved an order from Jade? She supposed she could fit in a surprise attack. She had stopped for a week in order to catch Tori off guard. Even here there could be danger at any moment. And it wasn't just themselves that they had to defend, it was the rest of Sanctuary too. Being the strongest, and nonhuman of them, they were the main defense. Therefore, if she wasn't ready for anything, they could suffer serious casualties. Jade looked at Tori and gestured to the door.

"Be back as soon as the sun sets or I'm leaving without you," Jade told her. Tori nodded and then headed out the door. As soon as she was gone Jade relaxed back in bed. It wasn't enough that she had to deal with the stink that came with the hybrid but she also had to deal with her oh so sunny personality as well. It was horrible. She kept threatening Beck and anyone else that would listen that should Tori really piss her off she would severely hurt her in retaliation. It was a statement Beck, and to some extent the others, knew was no more than a bluff. When she woke up, the time she had to herself couldn't be wasted doing nothing so she spent it deciding what path she would take Tori through when it came time to thin the numbers outside their walls. She could feel when the sun had completely set and the way the night seemed to make her feel better. She kept herself busy while she waited for Tori who barged into the apartment, gasping like she ran the whole way back. Jade heard her trudge through the house until she was leaning on the doorway to her room. She didn't bother looking up from the simple map she was sketching out at her desk. Tori entered to lean over her shoulder. She hated how comfortable the hybrid had gotten with her. The proximity between them slowly lessened and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She tried already.

"What's that?" Tori asked. Jade could feel the heat of her body close to her back.

"A quick map of the area we'll be patrolling," she answered.

"Are the others coming?" Tori inquired next.

"No, just me and you. It's a test from Michael no doubt. He's obsessed with making us pals," she scoffed.

"You sound so thrilled," Tori deadpanned, a hand on her hip. Jade wasn't sure if it was a trait she always had or one she picked up from her.

"I don't like you. Haven't you noticed?" Jade snapped, tossing down the pencil to look over her shoulder at Tori.

"Oh, I have. It's painfully obvious," she replied, indifferent.

"Good. That's how it's supposed to be," Jade muttered, pushing back her chair quickly to purposefully make Tori have to jump out of the way.

"Move then," she said when Tori shot her a glare. She folded up the map and pocketed it then headed for the door after slipping on her boots.

"You're carrying your pistol at least, right?" she checked.

"Yeah, always," Tori answered, patting the weapon holstered at her hip.

"Well at least you remembered that," Jade said, leading the way to the door. She opened it and then waited for Tori to go first, testing her to see if she kept the rest of the day's schedule in mind by letting her lead. Tori walked ahead, confident. She was determined to show Jade she wasn't incompetent, that she could be relied on. With Jade, it was hard to gain that kind of respect, but she wouldn't stop until she did. Little did she know that she already had a bit of respect from the resident vampire, but Jade wasn't about to let her know that and risk it going to her head. That, and she wasn't about to let anyone know how soft she could be. It ruined her intimidation technique like it did when Cat was involved. The redhead was notorious for being the least hardened of them. Jade had often upset her and made her cry the first few days she was there. It took time, but eventually she understood that she couldn't be as harsh on her. She would be the only exception though despite the others teasing her that she had her moments. Regardless, Tori had to work to gain any acceptance from Jade, just as the others had.

"Did you forget where you had to go first, Vega?" Jade taunted, noticing her hesitate at a crossroad of streets. People walked by on their way to whatever they needed to get done, glancing at them curiously, but mostly at Tori. They heard inklings of her and wanted to know more, but with Jade present they didn't ask until she was alone. Tori understood their hesitance but felt a little bad for the way Jade was treated. Yeah, she was mean and harsh and strict, but it was for a reason. She cared in her own weird way and showed that by making sure that everyone she was entrusted with was safe. She didn't have to be nice to do that. Tori saw it as an irritating mask that kept Jade safe from loss, but she kept her knowledge of that hidden from the broody vampire. Jade didn't like when Tori figured her out; especially when she managed it all on her own without being told.

"No, I just kinda got it switched around, maybe," she muttered. Jade allowed a smirk instead of a small smile of amusement and decided to pardon her this time.

"That collapsed shed isn't going to pick itself up. You need to help rebuild it and then meet with Robbie to learn how to properly sort out the supplies," she reminded her. Tori brightened with remembrance and nudged Jade.

"Thanks buddy," she said playfully, knowing it would irritate Jade.

"Don't touch me, don't call me that, and get going," she responded gruffly. Tori saluted and then jogged off. Jade watched her go, scowling. Why? She still had to wonder, why her? Beck said it was to stop them from fighting and encourage them to get along, but Jade felt like it was doing the opposite, really. It was like forcing a playful dog and an estranged cat into a small room then expecting them to get along. She turned down a street and came up to the main building housing the hospital. She entered just in time to hear voices in the discussion room that made her freeze on the spot.

"…radio signal from the ship. It's a means of getting there and you neglected to tell me until now? We need to find it as soon as possible. This is our chance!" Beck yelled, facing off against his father. Jade's interest rose with the mention of a ship. She wondered if it was the same one she had chased all those years ago. She had to ask Beck about it when she got the chance.

"And who will defend us here? My team will go. Your team is better off here. So if we don't return-" Michael responded.

"Don't say that," Beck interrupted.

"I'm not letting you travel who knows where to a place based on a story told to kids to help them sleep at night! For all you know it doesn't even exist!" Michael shouted, losing patience. Jade knew what they were fighting about. It was a concept even she couldn't wholly rely on. It was also something Beck had been pushing for some time now.

"That's what they want us to think!" Beck insisted.

"They? They who?" Michael demanded.

"The government of course! Who else? They've lied for years. History proves it. What makes you think they haven't lied about this too?" Beck responded.

"Why would they? Wouldn't they want people to know about it, to save more people from death?" Michael prompted. Jade felt like she had been hiding in the shadows long enough.

"Isn't it obvious? When all this started the vampires weren't as feral as they are now. They couldn't have people getting infected, turning, and then running off to spread the information to their enemies," she stated while walking over to them.

"So to prevent that they hid themselves away with a select few and then to hell with everyone else. They'll be safe, so why should anyone else matter, right?" she said, words acidic. She stopped to stand by the fighting father and son with her arms crossed. Beck looked from her to his father expectantly.

"Don't encourage him," Michael told Jade who just threw up her hands and gave Beck a shrug. She wasn't looking to get between them. She would just be shot down and then treated like she was rebelling all over again. Beck could fight his own battles anyway. She left them to start up the argument again and entered the hospital. She raided the small cache of the day's donations then turned to leave when she saw Beck standing in the doorway looking rundown.

"You ok?" she asked him, walking over to stop in front of him. He had a look in his eyes that she hadn't seen before. He examined her a moment before raising a fingerless gloved hand to touch her cheek.

"Uh, Beck?" she wondered, uncertain.

"I never realized how lucky we were to find you Jade. I don't know what I'd do without you to be honest," he mumbled, his palm now meeting her cheek. She moved to pull away but he pulled her in with both hands cupping her face to place his lips on hers. She grunted her distaste and pushed him away by shoving at his chest.

"What the fuck?" she growled, taking a few steps back, body tensed offensively. Beck raised his hands submissively, an apology already on the tip of his tongue.

"God, I'm so sorry, Jade. I just, I feel so helpless, and when you're around, I feel strong. I'm never allowed to have a say until you show up to iron out any doubt and I'm just so grateful to have met you," he confessed, rambling for the first time. Jade stood there, not able to comprehend what was happening. Even when she finally understood what he meant she still was lost as to how he could feel that way toward her.

"Beck…" she began, making sure to keep her voice stern yet understanding.

"I know. You don't have to say it," he said, refusing to hear the rejection leave her mouth.

"I'm only going to say it once. Listen, I'm glad you trusted me enough to take me in. I really am. You're a good friend, as are the others, but that's all you are to me. At the most you're family, but nothing more. Shouldn't that be enough? I just don't feel that way towards you. I'm sorry," she imparted as carefully as she could. He visibly sagged but nodded.

"I hope this won't make it awkward between us," he murmured, trying to smile.

"Well, you should have thought of that before you confessed your undying love for me," she teased. He chuckled and playfully punched her in the arm.

"Just don't try anything like that again," she warned yet reassured him.

"I won't," he assured her. She nodded once, curt.

"Good, now I have somewhere to be," she said, walking around him to head back outside. She traveled to her apartment to drop off the blood then met up with Tori at the manhole leading outside the walls. The hybrid was talking to the night guards. Whatever she said made them all laugh. Jade figured it to be a stupid joke. In all the memories she could have retained it had to be lame, cheesy, jokes.

"Let's go," she commanded, snapping her fingers and then pointing to the manhole. Tori jumped when she approached but rushed to comply. Jade made her go down first yet again and then jumped in after her. She closed off the tunnel and then took Tori by the hand as was habit with the others. She contemplated changing to hold her by the wrist instead, since she never held her by the hand before, but figured it didn't really matter. Tori said nothing while she was being led through the dark tunnels. She pushed aside the movable slab and Tori climbed out. Jade waited longer before joining her, climbing out slowly to see Tori busy surveying the area as she was taught. Jade smirked and swiftly tackled her from behind. Tori grunted at the impact but stayed standing. She easily flipped Jade off her back, straddled her to hold her down, and then raised a clawed hand to deal the killing blow when she saw who it was and stopped. Jade took advantage, pushing Tori over so that she was on her feet. Tori tried to stand but Jade kicked her feet out from under her. She pinned her to the ground and bared her teeth but halted centimeters from Tori's neck.

"You hesitated," she growled, somewhat disappointed.

"It was just you," Tori gasped, panting from the adrenaline rush and being dropped on the ground so hard.

"Yeah, and for all you knew, I could have lost control and attacked you," Jade retorted. Tori let out a huff and Jade smirked before pushing herself up. She offered Tori a hand but pulled it back when Tori reached for it, missing and gaining a chuckle from Jade.

"You're so funny," she grumbled. Jade just bent over to pull her up then walked away to replace the slab back over the hole, kicking dirt and fallen leaves over it. She tensed once more at Tori's sudden lack of space between them.

"What have I told you about personal space, Vega? And are you sniffing me?" she snarled, spinning around to glare at the hybrid who had been leaning into her so that she could sniff at her neck. She could smell Beck on her, and for reasons she wasn't clear of, she didn't like that it was there. It didn't belong on Jade somehow.

"I, um, never mind," Tori said, her cheeks tinting red.

"Oh no, I have to hear what this is about," Jade denied, a glint in her eyes.

"I thought I smelled Beck on you," she whispered, a slight catch to her voice that Jade hadn't heard before.

"The idiot tried to romance me earlier. He kissed me but I told him there couldn't be anything like that between us," she explained casually, like it didn't even matter. Tori didn't like the way she brushed off Beck's feeling, but at the same time, she felt…relief?

"Oh, you don't like him?" she asked.

"Not like that. Anyway, it would be hard to date my dinner wouldn't it?" Jade pointed out, smirking deviously. Tori rolled her eyes, the weird feeling she had fading away.

"You are so lovable," she responded sarcastically. Jade just shrugged.

"Ok, so here's the map. Let's see if you can read my notes. Lead the way," she ordered while unfolding the map she had been sketching. She handed it to Tori. She peered at it a moment before looking up to match it to their surroundings. She checked once more and then began walking. Jade followed along with her hands in her pockets, keeping an eye out for danger but also silently impressed that Tori was taking them the right way. The girl's face was creased with concentration and she bit at her lip in thought. Her eyes kept darting from paper to scenery over and over again. She only stopped once but managed to pick back up again, her pace swift and sure.

"So you have been paying attention," Jade commented. Tori smiled, looking over at her.

"I don't always ignore your nagging," she answered flippantly. Her smile turned smug when Jade scowled. At first the vampire triggered her instinctual alarm almost all the time, but living with her so long conditioned her to when Jade was seconds from losing her temper and when she was just being mean. It took some time and careful studying but she managed what others couldn't, which was reading Jade's emotions by what she didn't say but showed. Jade was a being of action, not words, despite using her words to hurt, discredit, or offend others. When it came down to it, the deeper side of Jade lied in her actions. This current scowl, although disliking of Tori's attitude, wasn't a cause for alarm. Tori led them out a mile or two before she stopped on a street corner that housed a crumbling building.

"We're here," she said, holding the map out to Jade who shook her head.

"Hold on to it. You'll have to use it to backtrack once we're done," she responded, pushing away the slip of paper with her untidy yet legible scrawl. The cold touch of Jade's hand on hers made Tori shiver but she pocketed the paper without expecting any praise, waiting for Jade to tell her why they needed to enter this particular building.