Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious or any of it's characters. Also, in the show, only Tori may have had the powers I gave them. Lucky for Sinjin, right? Anyways, don't own, don't sue.
:}
Helen looked out her window, trying to figure out how to broach the subject on her mind. "Mister Gonzales, you have to understand, we want to cooperate as much as possible with the project. Our guidance counselor, Lane Alexander, he's a part of the various initiatives that the city has involving our students. And I'm fully aware of how little I'm supposed to be involved with the kinds of programs Mister Alexander tells me are the cities business. Problems like one of my students being involved in one of those supposedly secret projects, and I'm supposed to just sit back and let who knows who have alone time with her, here at school. That's where my problem comes in. I have students, faculty, all kinds of interactions through this project, and I have little to no idea whats going on. How do I know it's part of one of the city's meta programs, and not a predator taking advantage?"
"I wish I was the person to answer your questions." Mister Gonzales replied. "I would remind you, however, that I'm only tangentially involved with the projects. It's only one of the reasons I'm here. Mister Alexander wants me to take up some of the slack and keep you in the loop. I have the clearance to check on any student who may be using our access as well as school faculty, and I'll be able to tell you if that student is okay, or not. I would prefer that Mister Alexander do his own dirty work, but understand how busy he can be." he gave a sigh. "However, while that may indeed be part of the reason I'm here, I'm mostly involved in probation, specifically teenagers who are technically children, but old enough to be considered adults if things don't change."
"Miss West." Helen stated more then asked. "You know, your people have done a poor job of protecting her identity."
"I don't know what..." The probation officer started.
"Oh please, she was scheduled to be pulled, more then once, but left in because the department wasn't ready." Helen said. "Translation, she hadn't broken the rules yet, so you couldn't legally pull her. And I know that her grades suffered while she was adjusting, but they've sense bounced back, starting shortly after you got involved. Sounds to me like a miracle, enough that I had to make sure she wasn't being fed answers, or given an easy ride. I'm not the big educator, but I've been around, and I know rebounds like she had, those take time. Also, I've known Sikowitz a long, long time, and while he may not be directly involved in her training, I can smell his essence around her. "
For a second, mister Gonzales sat there, trying to understand what the woman was saying. Then it hit, and he couldn't think fast enough to stop his mouth. "You're a mystic?" The surprised man asked.
"I'm Pocus's sister." Helen told him. "Never a great power, but I can deal with the supernatural when I have too. Mostly a medium." Her brown eyes flashed. "Make a size joke, and you may not be walking out of here."
"No joke, just an observation." Mister Gonzales said, catching up. "If you knew about Sikowitz's involvement with Jade, then why didn't you mention her own aura?"
"Because I'm still holding out hope that it's wrong." Helen said, showing concern, and possibly touch of fear. "That there's no way in hell one of our students could be carrying around that much power. It's like the girl read from the 'Codex Infinitous,' and somehow survived."
"I'm sorry, the what?" The probation officer was genuinely surprised, again.
"A book, usually with a black cover, but it likes to appear the way the potential user feels is the most intimidating. However, to a mystic willing to risk everything, it opens a kind of connection to every mystic who'd ever opened the book looking for power. Those become the instructors for the mystic, teaching them how to draw and shape magic an an unbelievable rate. Secondary skills also flood the reader, who could have all kinds of masteries and not have a clue. However, the force of the magics flowing through the petitioner, opening pathway that will be used to cast spells in the future, it burns. If the person can't hold onto themselves, or some goal that they value more then life itself, they burn out, die, and become just another victim of the book."
"So, Jade's desire to save her grandfather must have been stronger then her will to live?" Mister Gonzales guessed. "Assuming she had that book."
"Has to be more then that, but yea." Helen agreed. "So, whats her code name?"
"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to refer you to the head of the program in question, and see if I can get you the clearance you'll need." The probation officer. "As is, I've already said too much."
"So we're done here?" Miss Dubois asked.
"Far from it." Kevin Gonzales said. "I'm interested in everything about her. I need to know who her friends were, if they were a good or bad influence on her, how she's doing in school, and what resources, if any, we'll need to help her achieve."
"So, basic probation stuff?" Helen asked.
"Yea, basic probation stuff." Kevin agreed.
"Okay, we have the stuff right here." Miss Dubois said, tapping a file. "I believe you'll find everything in order. She was and is a good student, and a prolific writer. She may well have a career in entertainment. However, while not unheard of for creative types, her lack of respect for authority, as well as her often love hate relationships with some of her peers, can be a hindrance. I was gonna ask Mister Sikowitz to help focus her, but I'm thinking he's much more involved with her now. So, has he gone back to that lame name of his? I mean, yea, Abra is kinda mystic in nature, just like Pocus and similar students of their mentor. Then again, Mister Cadabra was always more of a street level hero. Not known for his choices in names."
"It's Mister Abra now." Gonzales said. "I had no idea he was one of the faculty here. I just know he connects with her in her dreams. Kinda out there, but hay, magic isn't my thing." A smile flashed on his face. "I could use advice from someone, maybe, if you want to help me out. Maybe we could use each other. I continue to do my job, but we open up about someone you'd have figured out anyways. I'll even give you updates on what she can do. Deal?"
"Deal." Helen said. "So whats she calling herself, and how'd she get involved in this whole thing… You know what? I'm thinking she broke the law, and there's some kind of program to help rehabilitate her."
"So you only know about the Blue Generation Initiative?" The man asked.
"There's more then one project?" Helen asked back.
"There is, just like you said, only it's never succeeded in rehabilitating any meta's before" Gonzales said. "Only, it's under new management now, with less breaking them down, and more support for making good choices. And Jade's the Black Dahlia."
"Never heard of her." Helen admitted.
"She almost beat both Blue Steel and the Constable." Kevin said. "Girls has a lot of power, and almost no tactical sense. I've heard that she'd have won if she knew what she was doing. So, lets go over what services she'll need in order to make it. Also, she's gonna be here in the mornings, early, cause she's got a trainer, and he wants a lot of access. Lane should have that information." The two settled down to going over her records.
Holly smiled to herself as she reread the email. 'Seems that Gonzales is stepping up, getting more done then intended. Had no idea that Helen Dubois' sister was another one of Mister Cadabra's students, but it tracks, given what Tori said about her and Sikowiz seeming to have a past. I just assumed it was from her role on a sitcom, from when she was a child star. Not happy about having Dahlia's identity just given away, even if it was something Masters didn't much care about. Still, Miss Dubois is a sensitive, and that means she's of use to me.' A moment passed as yet another thought entered and left her head. 'Sikowitz and Helen, both trained, to one degree or another, by Mister Cadabra. Does that mean, once I have things worked out in Project Redemption, I can start the working with the Blue Coven Project? Maybe train us some police mystics of our own? I'll have to see, once I'm sure that our big gun is secured. I wonder, thought, what would make it so that Jade would be emotionally invested in the project succeeding? Maybe I need to bring in someone she would trust...' Her hand reached for the phone before she'd fully made up her mind.
It took only two rings before Holly was speaking with the mayors secretary, and only a few minutes after that she was speaking with the mayor himself. "Mister mayor, I'd like permission to mix projects. The Blue Generation Initiative should be open to both the children of metahuman police, and those with powers who may want to serve and protect. I'd like to take advantage of the low numbers in Protect Redemption and add a few potentials to our training class."
"I see several problems with that idea." The mayor said.
"It's okay, I've been thinking, and have several solutions you may not have thought of." Holly jumped in, not letting the man have his objections. "For example, a young man, pillar of his community, law abiding, driven, an alpha in every way, would be an idea recruit if we could grant them some form of powers. And I'm not just thinking of PR here. I'm thinking of as an example for The Black Dahlia. Someone she could relate to, who'd offer her the best examples of how to live her life. Someone she could even call a friend."
"You have someone in mind?" The mayor asked.
"Yes, but for our purposes, we may not wish her to know who he is, not until she's further along the training." Holly said. "And that's because I don't want her thinking I'm betraying her identity. No, the boy in question, assuming he could be recruited, would be someone I already know would be a good influence on her."
"And we'd what? Go through the expense of the Constable process?" The politician asked.
"I was thinking the Pandion Crown." Holly said.
"Good luck, we've been having a deuce of a time making that thing work." The mayor admitted.
"You need a good mystic." The genetics expert pointed out.
"You do have access to a few." The mayor pointed out.
"And, assuming we could make the thing work, then we'd have someone who she could work with, and with luck, not hold a grudge against, given who we got the crown from in the first place." Holly finished.
"Then I'll have a backup plan, assuming we can recruit someone to your specifications." The mayor added. Holly would miss how quickly he gave in, a sign he was as invested in any success as she was.
"I really hope he agrees." Holly noted, hanging up before calling another number. "Lane, have I got a proposition for you."
Jade was getting used to sitting along in her usual spot in the library, up the stairs to where the comfortable lounge was. She'd discovered that, while many students liked to use the library during lunch, if it wasn't raining, few of them spent too much time on the couches. Further, there was a private room off from that upper area, for media and the like, where Jade would eat. She just had to make sure not to leave crumbs or the like, so as to avoid attracting any insects or vermin to the room. 'Just great, I'm free to audition again. Except I won't have the time until I master a few more things. Maybe plan for some noon performances?'
"Hi Jade, wanna tell me about that personal trainer I saw you with?" Tori asked as she stepped into the room, somehow trying to look casual while carrying her lunch from the Grub Truck. Jade had shifted to picking up lunch earlier, and brown bagging it, just to avoid any accidental encounters. Her one with Tori from just the day before had shaken her.
"I don't think it's any of your business." Jade snapped. 'Crap, I thought no one saw us. It's in one of the smaller dance rooms, and down in the basement, so I thought we were good...' A thought hit the goth. "Um, how'd you know he was my trainer?"
"Officer Callahan was one of the best trainers the academy had, but he's on special assignment now, and lo and behold, what do I find? Him running you through drills in the basement of Hollywood Arts." Tori said, then let her face break into a smirk. "It's okay, my mom told me that some judge ordered you to go through some constructive training, and this is about as disciplined as any training your gonna get. So, I get to see you working out from time to time, right?"
"And how would your mom know this chiz?" Jade asked, and for the first time wondered if maybe Holly Vega had told her family just who she was working with.
"Mom works with the county." Tori pointed out. "Not sure what she does, but it's how she met my dad. So naturally, as she does a lot of work with the courts, I don't question it too much when she discovers something about one of my friends. Also, I'd asked about it when I saw Reggie the other day." Her face entered a mild panic. "Not him, cause guy keep his confidences. No, I asked mom to ask about, find out what he's doing these days. He," She hesitated, "He helped my dad get through some rehab a while back."
"Oh..." Jade nodded. "So, you came here to ask me about my new training routine? Gonna get a lot stronger with this guy."
"I'm here so you won't be eating lunch alone every day." Tori said, sitting next to Jade and placing her lunch on the table. "I'm gonna eat with you once, maybe twice each week."
"What makes you think I want you eating lunch with me?" Jade asked.
"Jade, we're friends." Tori huffed. "This way, I'll know your not getting too lonely, and we can share all kinds of news and gossip. Mostly me, cause you're kinda out of the loop right now."
"Does it have to be you?" The pale girl asked, not willing to admit that just twenty four hours ago, she'd been looking at the other girls ass, thinking not safe for work thoughts. "Why not Beck, or Cat, or maybe Andre? No offense, but I did kinda know them longer. Besides, won't miss popular be missed?"
"Okay, Beck isn't ready to spend time alone with you, Cat wants to but has that arrest in Phoenix hanging over her." Tori started. "You didn't even mention Robbie, and frankly, Andre's even more scared of you then he used to be. So, you're choices right now are me, Trina, or no one. FYI, Trina's rehearsing for an audition, and she'd love to have someone work with her..."
"Okay, you're the best choice." Jade grunted. "But what about everyone missing miss perfect?"
"I told them where I was gonna be, and while it wasn't universally praised, they all accepted that I can choose who to eat lunch with." Tori said, flashing her smile.
"This doesn't mean I like you." Jade snapped. Tori responded by tearing into her lunch. "So, gossip?"
"Wait a bit, I have stuff to eat." Tori scolded her. "Why don't you tell me what you've been up to while I do, and I'll fill you in about the juicy stuff later."
They would spend the rest of lunch trading information and rumors. Tori set two rules, without having to explicit state them. One being that Jade had to show some respect, while the other required Jade to share a bit of herself, if only what she'd been dealing with lately.
"So there you have it. I can't really audition for any plays or anything until I'm out of this phase of my probation." Jade finished complaining. "I mean, they say I can, but there's no time for me to rehearse after school, so that leaves just about everything out."
"What about your own work?" Tori asked.
"I've all but given up on my own stuff." Jade admitted. "Too tired, to much to do. I owe it to my grandfather to succeed in this program, but is it worth it if I lose myself in the process?"
"Beck once told me that you used to create as a means of escape, to survive, and to stay sane." Tori stated. "So why stop now. Just ask for some time, or tell them it's class work. I know, they have access to your Schoolsup account, so they'll know the actual assignments. But that doesn't cover extra credit, or things Lane asks you to do. Hell, you can even argue that writing plays and chiz is part of the curriculum, just not listed, because it's something that the student contributes to the school."
"Tori, I'll try, but I'm not holding out much hope for that to work out." Jade said, stopping her friend right there. "And Tori…?"
"Yes?" The singer asked, smiling at the goth.
"Thanks for doing this." Jade looked down, not able to meet the amber orbs of the other girl. "I had no idea how much I needed the simple joys of feeling included." She hesitated, only a moment. "It feels good."
Tori smiled broader, only for her face to fall. "And now I'm gonna go and ruin things, but I think, maybe, I need to…"
"WHA-AT NOW?" Jade groused, her voice loud and frustrated.
"It's just, um, Jade, um, I was thinking, maybe..." Tori hemmed.
"Just get it out already." Jade pushed.
"You know what? This is a bad time." Tori decided. "Defiantly a bad time. I'll wait for you to be in a better place, maybe out of probation, before I risk bringing this up again, assuming I still have this question, which I probably won't, cause it was such a minor question and you're busy and I don't want to complicate things..."
"Breath." Jade instructed. "And once your done, you can ask that question you've been avoiding. That is, unless it has to do with you making a pass at me yesterday, in which case you can ask it now, thanks you very much." Blue eyes watched the singer with rapt attention.
"I…." Tori blushed, trying to make her words work, while pulling on her luck to get her out of this embarrassment.
"If you want to go out on a date, sorry, kinda on house arrest." Jade pointed out. "But if my social worker approves, a we can hang, maybe date a little at school."
Tori blinked, processing what she'd just been told. "Um, you're okay with going out with me?"
"More like staying in, but yea." Jade agreed. "I could use the extra complication in my life. But hay, at least I'll be dealing with my own feelings, like why I was thinking such dirty thoughts about what I could do to you yesterday while I was watching you leave. Specifically, watching that ass."
Tori squeaked, then threw herself at the goth, who caught her, pushing her to arms length before being enveloped in a hug. "Not that I don't want the kiss, but lets take our time, okay?" Jade said. "I don't know if it's me liking girls, me liking you, or just all the stress, but I'm smitten, and willing to try dating. Just, not jumping into anything too serious yet."
"But there's hope?" Tori asked.
"Babe, there's hope." Jade assured her. "Like I hope to be able to take you on an honest date. But until then, lets agree to keep this in family only. As in, you can tell your family and friends, and I'll do the same, but we leave Cat out until we can be sure she won't post it and make our relationship the most talked about at school."
"Right, selected friends and family." Tori agreed. "Um, Jade, I know we're keeping it slow..."
"First, you can come up with a pet name, if you like." Jade said. "I like babe, and respond well to other flatteries."
"And second?" Tori asked.
"Didn't have one." Jade admitted. "But I liked the sound of counting, like I'm all organized and chiz."
"Well, I'm definitely telling my mom, and dad, cause might as well get that drama out of the way quickly." Tori said. "Then I'm gonna wait and see who needs to know."
"I'm telling Trina." Jade announced.
"Why?" Tori whined.
"Cause I'm not sure too many members of my family would care." Jade explained.
"What about your grandfather?" Tori asked. "You just told me you were doing a lot of this for him. So, why not tell him?"
"You're right, I'll tell him." Jade declared. "And Trina."
"I can't believe you." Tori snorted.
"And I can't believe our first fight is about who tells Trina." Jade responded.
Tori laughed, enjoying this almost fight. "Okay, even though she's my sister, I'll let you tell her, assuming you can find a way before I see her next."
"I've just texted her." Jade said. "Was thinking of sending a picture too, but I doubt we're up to the kissing stage. So maybe you confirm later, cause you know she's gonna ask."
:}
So, we learn a bit more about what Jade may have done, as well as progress in the Jori relationship. Hoping you enjoyed the progress. Thinking the school has more hidden under it's eves then meets the eye.
Review.