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

No Trivia – The continuation

Chapter 6 – Atonement

No one's POV

Jade's POV

It occurred to me right then and there, that what we had just said to each other, was very much like wedding vows. I pledged my love and officially committed to her as one and only girlfriend. Thinking of that I suddenly felt giddy and happy.

"You're grinning." Noted Tori with a smile.

"I don't grin." I snapped back, with a distinct scowl.

Tori quickly shrugged. "Well, that was fun while it lasted."

"Shut up."

"You were grinning Jade. You were grinning because we've…." Tori retorted as a smile came to her face.

"Said our vows." I said cautiously and nervously. I couldn't assume Tori would think of it exactly like I would. Nevertheless, I had to say it.

For a full three seconds, Tori looked at me with awe. Then she pulled me close and whispered. "You may kiss the bride."

This was no official wedding, there was no minister, no marriage license, no anything but I felt warm, wonderful and very happy. This one moment, felt more special and loving than my wedding to Beck. Moving in I kissed Tori tenderly. It was a long and perfect kiss and she returned that tenderness tenfold.

Once the kiss, broke Tori hugged me and whispered. "I love you."

The sound of the door opening, broke the spell and I turned to see Tori's parents cautiously walking into the room. On their faces were looks of obvious skepticism.

Atonement. That word suddenly ran through my head, seeing them there. I realized that both Beck and Tori had done something to atone for what they had done wrong. Beck, by telling Tori I was here, essentially giving me up and Tori, by cutting Beck some slack.

Only I hadn't done anything to atone for what I did. Sure, I committed to Tori and told her I loved her and that's wonderful and perfect, but I had to do the same. I couldn't avoid it. If I tried, the result would be nothing I wanted to face.

I wasn't sure what my atonement would take, but I knew one thing at this very moment. I had to swallow my pride and apologize to Tori's parents.

Turning towards them, I took Tori's hand and faced them. My sense of nervousness suddenly jumped off the charts, but being the actress I was, I acted confident.

"Mr. and Mrs. Vega. Thank you for giving Tori and I that moment alone. I have something to say, If I may?"

Waiting for a response, I looked to Mr. Vega who gave me a cautious nod, followed by Mrs. Vega.

"You both have every right to not believe me. You have every right to hate me. You have every right to assume that Tori is lovesick and not seeing reason. Not seeing that I'm a cold and heartless bitch."

"Jade, you're not…." Tori started to protest, but I quickly shook my head, causing her to fall silent.

"I have been a bitch, a cold and selfish one. Tori and I have been carrying on since high school, all the while I had a boyfriend who later became my husband. I could say that simply cheating on Beck was the worst think I had done."

I paused for a moment to collect my thoughts. "No, the worst thing I had done was deny my feelings, deny the fact that Tori was the best thing that ever happened to me, deny the fact that it tore her apart every time she saw me with Beck. Most importantly, ignore the simple fact that she was my true love. For that and all the other things I did, I apologize to you and to Tori. I am very sorry."

While both of Tori's parents had said nothing, their faces remained rather skeptical. I wasn't sure if my speech was having any effect. Continuing, I told how I stupidly left and came right back as soon as I heard Tori got hurt."

"But you turned me away. Implied I'd never be able to see her again. I can't say I didn't deserve that. The thought that I'd never see her again, was utterly devastating. I suffered my miscarriage right afterwards. I place no blame on you for that. Afterwards, I had called Beck and informed him that I had lost the baby and was going to file for divorce. Alone in my hospital room, feeling utterly alone in my life, I decided to kill myself. I had lost my butterfly and realized that I was Pinkerton. I was the villain. I had to die."

That revelation, quickly caused both of Tori's parents to gasp, in horror. However, they let me continue.

"I had the note written and I had planned on checking into a hotel room after I left the hospital and killing myself."

Glancing at Tori, I could see she was starting to tear up and seemed to hold my hand even tighter.

"Beck, wanting to make up for what he did, sent an email to Tori, apologizing and informing her that I had lost the baby and was only in the same hospital. He atoned by giving me up. Just like Tori atoned for what she did by cutting him some slack. So, we could be happy."

I don't know why, but I started to tear up myself at this point. "Tori came down, she found my note and when I awoke, I saw her. My butterfly had returned to me. I realized that she was the love of my life. I admitted I had been terrible to her, that I loved her and I wanted to be with her. Thankfully she felt the same way. She loved me despite my flaws. I vowed to love her aways and do whatever I could to make up for what I've done."

I then paused and slightly lowered my head. "I can't ask for you to trust me. All I ask is a chance to earn your trust. So, you realize how much I Truly love Tori and plan to spend the rest of my life making things up to her. Love her aways."

I quickly looked to Tori for approval and while she was crying, she mouthed, "I love you."

Looking Back at Tori's parents, I could see their expressions were much more subdued and thoughtful. I could only wait their response.

"Jade." Said Mr. Vega. "I can't imagine that speech was easy. But I can see it was from the heart. Perhaps we were too harsh on you last night. But I'm not going to apologize for it. We were protecting our daughter. That being said, I'm…..

He then looked to his wife, who gave him a nod.

"We…" He continued, "Are willing to give you a chance to earn our trust. We will keep a close eye on how you treat Tori. If we see her mistreated or if you leave her again…."

He then stopped, letting the opened ended threat lay in the air. I knew what it meant. I would never see Tori again and I can't bear that.

Nodding my head, I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Thank you, Mom, dad." Replied Tori as she wiped a tear.

Both of them walked over and gave Tori a hug. They then told her that they needed to leave and if she needed anything before, they left. Tori said no and thanked them again.

As they left, I thanked them again and Mr. Vega gave me a stern look that told me in no uncertain terms, that I would be watched.

Alone in the room again, I looked to Tori who smiled and squeezed my hand. "I am so proud of you, baby. I know that couldn't have been easy for you. You were honest and heartfelt and told them how much I mean to you."

"I had to do it. Part of my atonement. Swallow my pride and admit I was an utter bitch and throw myself on the mercy of the court."

"Ultimately, yours is the only opinion that matters."

Tori pulled me in and gave me a big and wonderful kiss. "You've made your girlfriend very happy. Now you can go home and rest."

"What!" I said, incredulously. "We have this wonderful moment, my heartfelt moment and now you want to get rid of me."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Tori pointed to my bag, sitting in the corner. "I'm sure the hospital discharge papers, in your bag, say something about getting rest. You just had a miscarriage. Like me, you need rest."

"I can rest here" I responded, though it came out sounding like a whine.

Tori shook her head and pointed to the door. "Out. Go home rest. They said I might get out tomorrow. But I can't have a girlfriend who's worn herself out or even worse, puts herself back into the hospital by overexerting herself."

I didn't want to leave; I just wanted to sit there and hold her hand. Be with her, so she's not lonely. Leaving after that speech, would seem wrong.

"I can't leave you."

"Jade, you're not letting me down, by going home and resting. It's what the doctor wanted you to do. I need my rest too. Part of our new life is doing what we're supposed to do. NOW GO!"

Sighing in defeat, I got up and kissed Tori on the forehead. "Sure you don't…."

Getting annoyed, Tori barked. "GO HOME!"

I grabbed my bag and as I got to the door, I stopped for a moment and just looked at Tori. Even in this state, she was beautiful.

She smiled back and waved me off.

About 45 minutes later, I was home. It took a couple of trips to get all my bags from the car and up to the apartment. Once they were all in, I collapsed on the couch, only then realizing how tired I was.

Getting up I walked into the spare bedroom, where I had been staying. It was as I left it, only my attention was immediately drawn to a small splotch of blood on the corner of the nightstand. That is where Tori got hit.

I've seen hundreds of horror movies, ranging from the tame to downright bloody and blood has never bothered me once. In fact, I love it.

Only this time it was different. Seeing that blood, something inside of me snapped and I suddenly burst into tears. Perhaps it was just being reminded, how close I came to losing Tori.

I was still sobbing a few minutes later, when my phone rang. It was Tori.

"Hello" I said through my tears.

"Jade, are you crying? I was just seeing if you got home ok."

"Yes." I sobbed. "I saw the spot of blood on the nightstand I couldn't help but cry. I was such a bitch. Like that time, I came over because Beck was out of town, only to find out you were going on a date that night. I stormed out and slammed the door so hard, that a picture fell off the wall. When she stood you up, I wasn't sorry for you, I was happy, as I knew I could have you. I'm such a bitch."

"Jade." Tori said in a soothing voice. "You're tired. Go to bed. We've both made mistakes. Calm down. "

For another minute or so, she said how pretty I was and calmed me down.

"Are you ok now?"

"I guess. I'm really tired, and emotionally spent."

"I know it's early, go to bed."

I looked at the bed and the nightstand again and shuddered. I couldn't sleep in here.

"Tori." I said nervously. "I can't sleep in here. Can I sleep…."

"Yes darling." Came the soft calm voice of Tori, which made me fell 1000% better.

"My bed is all made, just crawl in and go to sleep."

"Thank you." I said, letting the weariness creep into my voice.

"Sweet dreams. Love you."

"Love you too."

I hung up the phone and got ready for bed. It wasn't even 6 in the evening yet, but I didn't care.

Finally crawling into Tori's bed, I couldn't help but feel comforted by how it smelled like her. Not able to have her with me, I took her pillow, held it tight and quickly fell asleep.