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

Unfairly Judged.

Chapter 26 – Right step, wrong step, which step?

Tori's POV.

Waking up the next morning, was both wonderful and strange. Though I must admit that the very first thought upon waking, was happily realizing that this wasn't all just some scheme of Jade's to get me into bed, so she could stab me to death in my sleep, with her sharpest pair of scissors.

Some thought huh…. Yay, I didn't wake up with a pair of scissors in my chest, so Jade must really like me. It wasn't really a serious thought or something I actually dwelt on, more just a thing that briefly flitted across my mind.

Perhaps I was subconsciously thinking about all that we've been through, me thinking she was kidding when she first asked me out and all the starts and stops since. We did make a major breakthrough yesterday, but I'm sure this issue will remain on our minds for some time. Either way, I could help but feel a bit guilty for wondering that, if even for a second.

I had no idea what time it was, only that I could see light coming in through the curtains. The radio alarm clock next to the bed flashed a rather unhelpful 12:00 over and over. At least the power was back on, that was good.

Turning back over, I could see Jade sleeping next to me. She was on her side, an arm lazily draped across my midsection, quietly snoring away. Even like this, asleep, no makeup and her hair all messy, she was devastatingly beautiful. Part of me, didn't want to look away…ever.

Best of all, she's here with me, she wants to be with me. I was so touched last night, when she came in and asked to sleep with me. She said I made her feel special. It must have been so hard for her to gather the courage to come in and ask. I could feel my heart fluttering just pondering what it meant and what it could mean.

Wonderful thoughts aside, I had to use the bathroom, so I slowly got out of bed and quietly made myself to the door. Pausing briefly, I looked back to see she was still fast asleep.

"You make me feel special too." I whisper.

After using the bathroom, I gazed out the window to see that it was no longer raining. In fact the clouds were starting to break up and it was looking to be a beautiful day. So I made myself some coffee and stepped onto the patio.

Jade had put away all the furniture before the storm, so the patio was empty, save for a decent sized tree branch sitting in the middle of it. In fact there were small branches and leaves scattered all over the yard from the storm. A little ways a way, near a neighboring cabin, I could see a tree that looked like it had taken a direct hit by lightning and was split down the middle.

Turning my attention to the fabulous view of the valley, I took a sip of my coffee and just enjoyed it. For several minutes I just stood there and sipped coffee. After the storm, it was so clam and quiet. All I could hear is the faint breeze and a few birds.

All of sudden I felt a presence behind me. Before I could turn, I felt Jade wrap her arms around me from behind. She quickly pulled me in close and rested her head on my shoulder.

I half expected her to say something, a glib remark or something like that. But she said nothing. She just continued to hold me.

Content to be held by Jade, I remained quiet as well. After about a minute she kissed my neck, slowly and tenderly, still not saying a word.

Soon, not only was I content, but getting mighty tingly.

She stopped after a brief time, and then rested her head on my shoulder again. Nothing was said, but at that moment, nothing needed to be said. The moment felt perfect.

A few seconds later she whispered, "Thank you."

Turning around I smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "You're very welcome. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. I did."

"I guess I should thank you. I can't imagine how hard it was to open up to me yesterday. About your mother, your dog and lastly just allowing yourself to be vulnerable with me."

Responding with a smile, Jade replied. "I'll admit I was afraid that you'd say no….letting me sleep with you. "

"You're welcome." Letting a bit of guilt into my expression, I continued. "I'll admit that at least once I half wondered if this were all just some sort of plot…."

With a smirk, Jade finished my sentence. "to get you into bed, so I could kill you with my scissors in your sleep."

Suddenly feeling like a shit, my face fell.

Jade however pulled me in tight and kissed me.

"Vega, Stop that! If that didn't cross your mind at least once, I'd think I was doing something wrong. I have a reputation to keep you know. Besides, I was worried you'd say no to me sleeping with you. Neither of us are perfect. "

She then put her arm around me and led me back to the cabin. "It's not even 8:30 yet. Much too early to be up."

"Am I being ordered back to bed?" I said with a curious, but playful expression."

This time it was Jades' face that fell, as she stopped dead in her tracks. "I didn't mean it….er I mean you don't have to go back to.…." She stammered quickly.

A grin forming on my face, I began to move her in the cabin. "You're right…I don't have to….but I want to…."

Wordlessly I lead Jade back into the bedroom, where we climbed into bed. Once under the covers the last bit of Jade's nervousness faded away as she wrapped her arms around me and closed her eyes.

I fell asleep quickly, but before I did all I could think about his how special this made me feel. Special….such a wonderful word.

Waking up some time later, I could feel Jade slowly caressing my hair. As soon as I opened my eyes, she hastily stopped.

"It's ok….I like your hair too. So beautiful and soft. Though to be honest, I liked it more when your hair was brown."

"So my black hair is ugly to you!" Retorted Jade as she sat up in bed. "Perhaps I should shave myself bald…would that make queen Tori happy?"

Propping myself up on the pillow, I raised my chin in a haughty manner. "That's Empress Tori to you…and yes…that way I could buy you lots of wigs and play dress up, depending on my mood."

"So my hair is ugly and I'm just a doll for you to play with, not even a real person."

By this time, could barely suppress my laughter as the conversation became increasingly absurd. "You're real alright…. a real bitch…but one with two redeeming qualities….you're gay….and ultra-cute."

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK VEGA! RIGHT NOW!" Roared Jade, looking so angry that a vein momentarily bulged in her forehead.

For a second, I was actually frightened, but realized she was acting. "Um…Jade if you're not gay, then really barking up the wrong tree….because I'll let you in on a little secret…I'm gay. "

"NO…you said I was ultra-cute…..I am not ultra-cute….do I look like a dress…no..I am Jade I am sensuous and sexy…I am not ultra-cute. Now you're just being insulting."

With a puzzled look, I scratched my head. "So you're not cute or gay….boy, am I ever in the wrong bed….I wonder what Cat…"

Almost instantly Jade began to growl, causing me to stop in mid-sentence. So I just glared at her with mock annoyance.

After a moment, Jade huffed. "Ok, I'm gay. I'm gayer than you, in fact."

"I didn't realize this was a competition. But somehow that doesn't surprise me. So…you're gay..which is good, since I'm gay…but here's the problem. If we want to be gay together….you have to let me think you're ultra-cute."

"Ok, but no posting that on the slap."

"God Jade, you're easy."

"Bitch!"

"Wait, I thought you were the bitch! Now, I 'm just confused."

With a smirk, she grabbed me and pulled me in close. "Ok numbskull, maybe this will help clear things up."

I barely had time to react, before she pressed her lips to mine. But it was more than that. At the same moment her arms tightened around me, as she was claiming me for her own. There are lots of kinds of kisses, but this one was no mere peck on the cheek or even a soft one. This was a kiss full of passion.

Feeling like my whole body was starting to tingle, I fell right into it, kissing back. Time seemed to stop as we lost ourselves in the moment.

But as soon as it started and just as I opened my mouth, Jade stopped, pulled back and smiled.

"Any questions Vega?"

"Nope!" I said with a grin. "I'm gay, your gay….we're both gay and you are damn fucking cute."

As she returned the smile, Jade blushed slightly. "I'll take that over ultra-cute."

Moving out of the bed, Jade picked up her phone which she must have placed on the nightstand at some point.

"It's just after 11. I think it's time to get up and I'm getting hungry. Why don't you take a shower first. That way you'll be sure to have enough hot water. "

With a nod, I climbed out of bed, grabbed my bathrobe, my bathroom stuff and followed Jade into the hallway. She moved towards the living room and I for the bathroom.

As I reached the doorway, I looked to Jade who happened to glance back at the same time. She was cute, more than cute and at that moment there was a part of me, that wanted to invite her to shower with me. I guess I was still buzzing from that kiss and wanted to know what else she could make me feel.

"You need something Vega?"

"Huh?" I said, abruptly brought back to reality.

"You looked like you wanted something."

For an instant, I pondered really asking her. Giving her a sly smile and making some cute remark about sharing the hot water. However, just then, I found myself reflecting on how that we've come a long way in the last day or so, perhaps I shouldn't press my luck. Or more specifically press, OUR luck by rushing into things.

Too many mistakes have been made already, I mused quietly.

With an awkward smile, I shook my head, walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me

About a half an hour later, I emerged from the bathroom, having done my normal routine. However as I moved to the bedroom, I could hear Jade talking to someone. Curious, I walked into the living room. Jade was standing near the kitchen, talking on her phone. Her side was to me but even then I could see a pained expression on her face.

At the moment Jade was listening to someone. Getting closer, I strained my ears to listen as the person on the other end was speaking loudly, no actually they were yelling.

I had heard that voice only once, but I knew it right away, it was Jade's mother.

"Jade" came the screeching voice from the other end. "I can't believe for a single second that you would even consider seeing that vile, Tori Vega. If that cabin was mine, instead of your fathers, I'd drive up there right now and yank you right out of there."

It was clear that Jade's mom was reaming her a new one for the horrible sin of seeing me. The tirade from the other end continued, but I then focused on Jade herself. A few times she opened her mouth to speak, but seemed to be unable to. As I studied her expression, I realized it was an almost classic, deer in the headlights look.

By this time Jade's mother had gone on to lecture her on dating at least a better class of women.

She wasn't speaking back to her mother or defending me because she simply couldn't do it. How could she be so mean to Jade, almost instantly my blood began to boil.

I quickly reached for the phone, to yank it out of Jade's hands so I could give Jade's mom a real chewing out, but stopped. I could do that, but that wouldn't help Jade or the situation between her and her mother.

Thinking for a moment, I walked up behind Jade, wrapped my arms around her and whispered in her other ear.

"Defend yourself. You can do it. You're strong, smart and beautiful. You can do it."

Jade stiffened for a moment as her mom continued to drone on. I could only pray that this would work.

"MOTHER!" Jade said in a loud but very shaky voice.

"What?" Came the harsh reply.

"You….you…were mean to Tori…very mean….you embarrassed me and nearly ruined things between us."

Jade was doing it, I was so happy. Her voice and her body was shaking but she was defending herself and me.

For the first time, Jade's mom, didn't have anything coherent to say. All she managed to do was sputter something about me being low class.

"Tori is not low class. She's pretty, smart and special. You can either except that or not, but nothing will change the fact that I want to date her and…"

By then her voice seemed a bit less shaky and some confidence started to creep in.

"I want her to be happy, I want me to be happy and maybe, just maybe we can be happy together. If we're lucky. I am dating Tori Vega and that is final and you will not wreck this."

This time, all I heard from the other end was a surprised gasp, followed by a rather subdued reply.

"Well…um ok then….I'll speak with you later….."

I let go of Jade who was looking at the phone in her hand almost blankly. The screen had indicated the call had ended but Jade just kept starring at it.

After few moments she walked to the table and placed the phone on it. Only then did I notice her hands where shaking, that was in addition, that she looked visibly shaken.

As she leaned against a chair, seemingly for support, I placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did it, I'm so proud of you."

Much to my surprise, Jade seemed to recoil and back away from me, almost instantly.

"Please, don't touch me."

Confused and a bit hurt by the reaction, I took 3 steps back. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you.'

She turned away for a moment, but when she looked back, I could see tears welling up in her eyes.

"Tori, I'm sorry, but I need to be alone for a while. Just help yourself to anything in the kitchen, make yourself some lunch. I'll be in my room for a while."

What happened? To be honest, I was dumfounded. I thought she'd be happy or maybe relieved. She finally stands up to her mother and then promptly comes apart and doesn't want to be near me. The more I thought about it, the more it kind of hurt.

"I'm so sorry Jade. Please forgive me."

Both starting to cray and at the same time, looking suddenly angry, she walked up and grabbed my chin. "Don't you ever apologize for doing that! You were absolutely fucking wonderful and you just keep on being fucking wonderful."

Looking into her eyes, I could see she absolutely meant it. I think her emotions were even more out there and more raw than yesterday.

"It really fucking hurt when you stood me up, Tori. Really fucking hurt. I know now you didn't want to. You care for me, you really do. Just now you showed me that you care, even more than letting me sleep with you. I'm an utter bitch and you care, but….I'm sorry, but all this…I need to be alone..I need to process this for a while."

Before I could respond, she ran out of the room and a second later I could hear the door to her room slam shut.

Stunned, I sat on the couch and took a deep breath. Just then, did I realize just how fragile Jade actually was. More than I even thought yesterday. I think that, while I had given her strength to stand up to her mother, it left her so completely drained, that she didn't even have the strength to hide her emotions, from me or herself. I guess it was too much for her, not just all that happened the last couple of days, but for a long time.

Of course, what did I do, apologize. I misread her, forcing her to just spill herself to me.

It's a lot to think about, a lot to ponder. What I do know, is that earlier, my decision to play it safe and not invite her to shower with me was the right one. She's not ready and I don't think I am either.

But for now I left with only my thoughts and the comfort that I'd done the right thing. All I can do now is wait…

Authors note: My apologies for being always so long. For one, I just couldn't think of anything. The well totally ran dry. Plus I was dealing with a serious illness in my family. Things are getting better on that front. So I just took some time off, where I neither read nor wrote any fanfiction.

I do appreciate the notes of concern I got from a couple of you. Plus I do apologize for not responding, I was taking a total break and I think I kind of needed it. I hope everyone is doing well.

But I've been wanting to get back into it recently and started writing. Though I admit, to starting to write this chapter at least 3 times. Each time, I didn't like what I wrote, so I deleted it, waited a bit and restarted. But this week I got it, a chapter that I'm actually happy with. Not sure what pace of writing I will keep up, but I want to keep going.

So what do you think of my return chapter? I wanted to show that Jade is a lot more emotionally fragile that even Tori suspected.