Here we are. at the end of our story. The next chapter is the final chapter, but I am at an impasse. Missy has three different endings. One that ties this story up in a nice little bow and it becomes a stand-alone. and one that will add a bonus chapter and set up for her sequel. I am asking you. which one do you want. I did ask if you wanted the sequels. and I am willing to revisit this story after a little break and updating the other forty stories I was working on. for a bit maybe finishing Labrynth of Echoes, and uuuuhhh updating some Swan Queen cause... I totally dropped them. and starting on changing Hurricaine watch a bit for these ladies. I finished reading the entire series, and looking for what I might want to keep and what I want to throw out. anyway all this to say. Ending 1 tie it up with aq nice neat bow, ending two. set up and bonus chapter. halfway done with next chapter and I rrealzed as I read both the versions I have access to, they are vastly different from each other and have different levels of satisfaction. so Let me know. for now... enjoy this short short chapter~ S.K.
Forty Two
Her alarm went off at nine, and Jade had to force her eyes open, as her body complained heartily about leaving the warm, somnolent nest she was snuggled into. The thin curtain in the room was blocking most of the daylight, and it was nice and dark inside.
"Ugh." She groaned softly, blinking the sleep out of her eyes, and peering down at the still sleeping Tori. The brunette was sprawled half across her and Jade could see the strain and exhaustion that still marked her friend's face.
Jade absently stroked the soft brown hair lying across her chest. I can't believe they did that to her.. she didn't deserve that. Tori had been very withdrawn since they'd left her parents house, and the dark haired woman knew she was probably still in shock.
Jade took a moment to reflect on the last twenty four hours, scarcely able to believe what they'd both been through. "Damn." She muttered softly to herself. "I'll be glad to get home."
"Am home." Tori mumbled, sighing and tightening her grip, still mostly asleep.
The taller woman smiled, then rubbed her lover's back. "Tor?" She called softly.
brown eyes very slowly fluttered open, and focused on her. "Uh?"
"We've got a plane to catch." Jade told her, half apologetically, smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
"Oh.. right." With an obvious effort, Tori pushed herself up on her elbows, then let her head drop and rest on Jade's arm. "Oh god….I feel like I've been run over by a truck." She moaned.
Jade yawned. "Me too.. must have been all the excitement." She rolled over and paused, catching her breath as the bruises she collected a few hours previous made themselves known. "Ah…whoa."
Tori slid over and took her arm. "What's wrong?" She asked anxiously. "Are you okay?"
Jade slowly straightened. "Just a few aches.. I'm all right." She stood up, and cautiously stretched her body out, then trudged over to the bathroom and flipped the light on, running water in the sink. "Beck offered to buy us breakfast… we can do that, then head for the gate, and get out of here." She splashed water on her face and exhaled. "We got a charter thank God."
"Sounds wonderful." Tori murmured. "The sooner the better." She sighed.
Beck poked his head in the door between their two rooms. "Did I hear my name?" The Navy pilot inquired brightly. They washed, and headed off to breakfast.
The flight was uneventful, and Tori was happy to sleep through most of it, curled up in her seat near the window, with Jade's comforting presence on the other side of her. The slanting sun woke her up, and she peered out the window to see the Bay Area spreading out beneath the planes wings. She turned her head and gazed at Jade, who was staring off into the distance, her eyes half closed. "Jade?" She reached over and touched the other woman's arm.
The blue eyes turned to meet hers. "Hmm? Almost home."
Tori nodded. "We're over the Bay what's the weather like?"
A smile. "Lower eighties, sunny, chance of showers tonight."
"Oh.. an odd day." The brunette smiled back, letting her fingers move lightly over Jade's tanned skin. "You look really wiped."
"I am." Jade admitted. "I couldn't sleep night before last, then I had that early flight.. we ran around playing football and all that yesterday, then last night… " She exhaled. "I'm running on nothing but cussedness right now."
Tori leaned over and rested her cheek against Jade's arm. "Lend me some cussedness for a while then, okay?"
The plane continued it's descent, as the groumd slowly morphed into cinderblock buildings, then the paved lots of the outer rim warehouses. Then the heavy industrial section flowed under the wings, storage buildings directly in the flight path of the airport.
Lower and lower, and finally Tori saw the distinctive arch of the 101 freeway pass under them, and she settled back against the leather seat as the plane dropped to the ground and landed with a soft hop on the long, sun bleached runway. Green trees surrounded them, and Tori felt a sense of relief as the plane taxied up to the terminal, and nudged into place at a hamgar.
They got their luggage, and Jade handed her claim ticket to the valet service. "Easier than parking myself." She commented to Tori, who had been very quiet. "You want me to drop you at your place or…?" She was a little uncertain, knowing what she wanted Tori to do, but not wanting to push her lover if Tori felt like some time alone to think about things.
The Latina was silent for a bit, then she looked up as the Volvo was brought around. "Um.. to be honest, Jade… I don't know if I want to be by myself right now." She admitted. "No one's going to be around my complex, and…" She let her eyes rest on Jade's face. "And I think I need a shoulder to lean on."
A smile crossed Jade's face. "I know a little island you might be interested in." She commented quietly. "I think I even have some turkey roll."
Tori nodded. "I'd love that." She knew the reaction to everything would hit soon, and the peace of Jade's House was very enticing. She certainly didn't' want to face Andre, or her other friends with explanations already.
They got in the car and Jade pulled out cautiously, merging into the exiting traffic, her still exhausted mind missing the car that pulled out behind them and followed carefully.
Jade went in first, holding the door open for Tori to follow, then shut it behind them as the cool peace of the house surrounded them both. "Well." Jade tossed her bag down on the couch, then took Tori's from her, and held it for a moment.
Tori walked over to the sliding glass doors and peered out, pressing her fingertips against the glass and absorbing the huge expanse of green stretching to the horizon. "It's so pretty out there." She commented softly.
Jade studied her, then chewed her lip a bit. "Um… " It was horrible timing, but… "Tori?" She called, tentatively.
The brunette half turned, peering at her. "Yeah?" She peered at her lover, surprised by a sudden, perceptible awkwardness that was painfully evident to her. "What's up?"
"Um… you know, you.. spend a lot of time here. .and I… " Jade focused her eyesight on the tile. "I mean, I hope you spend a lot more time here, but.. it's… I mean it's kind of senseless to be carrying things back and forth all the time, so I thought.. " She found herself uncharacteristically fumbling for words. "I thought maybe you'd.. Well, I have all those spare rooms… and I… thought maybe you'd like to sort of keep some… stuff.. um… here."
Hands covered hers, where they rested on the bag, and she looked up in startlement to see Tori gazing at her from a very short distance. She took the duffel bag and slung it over her shoulder, then took Jade's hands in her own. "That's incredibly sweet and generous of you, Jade.. I know how much you value your private space."
Jade searched her face for a minute. "Does that mean yes or no?" She managed a half smile.
"I.. um.. I.. yes." Tori finally got out. "I'd really like that… thank you."
"Good." The taller woman exhaled in relief. "You can... um.. pick out whichever room you like.. though I… kinda thought you might like the one on the end." She rubbed her neck. "I'm going to get some coffee going… I think we both could use it." She rubbed her neck and pretended an offhandedness she simply didn't feel.
Tori nodded. "Good idea.. I'll just go… um.. " She patted the bag. "Put stuff away." She smiled at Jade. "Be right back. "
Jade watched her disappear up the stairs and allowed her face to crease into a relaxed, delighted grin as she turned and made her way back into the kitchen. It wasn't like… okay, so it was a tiny step towards Tori moving in with her.. but she knew they both weren't ready for that. This seemed… a good first move though, and it was practical. It would let her test out the idea of actually living with someone, which she, at least, certainly wasn't used to.
She knew she loved Tori.. there wasn't any doubt about that, but Jade was also a realist, and she knew herself pretty well.. she'd been living alone for many years, and adjusting to a roommate, no matter how beloved, would be a trial.
Wouldn't it?
Jade nibbled on a bit of dried apricot she'd taken from the refrigerator, and put up a pot of coffee, using the newly delivered flavored blend she'd gotten before she left. Hazelnut, she sniffed approvingly, before she peeked in the refrigerator again, and was relieved at seeing a somewhat meager, but adequate variety of groceries. "Oo." She leaned forward and examined a neatly packaged bunch of ripe green grapes, then checked the crisper for the small baby finger carrots she'd asked for, knowing Tori loved to nibble on them.
"Wonder if she'd like those dipped in chocolate?" Jade mused absently, selecting one and examining it. "No.. that probably defeats the purpose, right?" She bit the end off the carrot and chewed it. "Hmm… "She rolled the sweet pulp around in her mouth and swallowed it. "That's not too bad." She admitted. "For a vegetable."
She checked the rest of the groceries, then wandered into the living room, considering. "that second room could be another office…" Jade chewed another piece of apricot thoughtfully. "This could work."
Tori got to the top of the stairs and stopped, leaning against the wall and just closing her eyes. It was just all happening too fast, she realized, her mind was still whirling with the situation regarding her family, and now this…
"Okay." She shook the hair out of her eyes and tried to settle herself. "It was just a really, really nice thing for Jade to do, probably because she knows how weirded out I am right now." She found a smile twitching her lips up anyway, and she moved slowly from room to room, peering into each one that wasn't Jade's room until she reached the last one on the other side of the hall from Jade. She had seen that door before but had never opened it.
She nudged the door open, and peeked inside, remembering the wide, open space and beautiful view. Yep. Tori walked all the way inside, feeling the carpet thick and comfortable under her feet, and looked around. The room was a pale shade of greenish blue, with pale wood furniture in it. There was a tall dresser, with six drawers tucked into one corner, and a long set of drawers across the length of the room, with a neatly framed mirror in the center.
A door in the corner led into a walk-in closet larger than her kitchen in the apartment, and on the other wall was a door that led into an eggshell and cobalt bathroom, complete with a corner stall shower and a large, whirlpool-equipped bathtub raised up for easy entrance. "So." Tori leaned against the wall and gazed at the room. "You think I'd like this one, huh, Jade? " She walked over to the tall dresser and pulled a drawer out. "You're right... I do.."
She unpacked her bag, and put everything away, then went to the window, and let the ocean's mellow movement calm her. A nutty scent distracted her, however, and she turned, and made her way to the door, running her fingers through her hair to order it a little and almost collided with Jade. "Whoa."
The other woman held out a cup. "Here." She offered. "Everything okay in here for you?"
Tori took a sip of the fragrant beverage and swallowed it. "Mm… " She glanced behind her. "Of course it is… and you know it." She exhaled. "Thanks." She looked up and noticed Jade's bloodshot eyes and weary expression. "C'mon... " She tucked a hand into the crook of her lover's elbow. "I need to go sit down."
They walked downstairs, and Tori settled in the corner of the couch, sipping her coffee and letting her head rest against the soft leather while Jade hunted out the remote, and flipped the large screen TV on.
"How are you doing?" The Boss asked as she seated herself next to Tori on the couch, putting her coffee down and clasping a hand over the brunette's knee.
Tori stifled a yawn. "Oh... I'm all right… I guess… " She answered softly. "I just keep trying not to think about it." Her mother's angry, disgusted voice echoed loudly in her ears. "You know...I .. I'm not sure what I expected… " She mused. "Anger.. yeah...I thought she'd yell, and scream.. but…" A pause. "I didn't expect that."
"How could you have?" Jade asked reasonably.
"Oh... I don't know, Jade… surely I should have seen that coming." The brunette responded, bitterly. "It was pretty naive of me to think we'd just be able to talk this out, huh? That she'd listen to reason, or... " Her shoulders slumped. "Or that I'd matter to her as a person instead of window dressing." She finished in a low voice.
"You couldn't have predicted that." Her lover insisted "Hell.. I didn't predict that, and I always expect the worst from people, not the best, like you do."
Tori sighed. "I don't know…maybe you've got the right idea."
Jade tipped her chin up a bit. "Don't let them take that away from you, my friend…I'd rather you think the best of people.. not the worst.. after all, where would I be if you did?"
The Latina rested her head against her hand. "In Washington, enjoying your holiday." She muttered. "Instead of here, tired, hurting, and having to listen to my hard luck story."
"Tori." Jade put a sympathetic hand on her back. "I wouldn't trade where I am right now for anything."
Hooded brown eyes peeked up at her.
"Honestly," Jade commented softly. "I know it's hard for you…and I'm sorry you had to go through this… but I don't regret one single second of the past twenty-four hours for my part of it."
A tiny smile. "You're a good friend, Jade." Tori reached out and took her hand, bringing it up and pressing it against her lips. "You're the best friend anyone could ever hope for." She felt the tears starting to well up, and she closed her eyes, fighting it. "And they can't understand why I love you." A sob escaped her. "Oh god."
Jade pulled her close. "Easy… easy... I got you."
"After everything she's done… " Tori whispered. "Everything she's taken from me... I couldn't let her take you too." She felt her composure shatter, and a wall of emotion swamped her senses. "I need you so much."
Jade swallowed, feeling Tori come apart, her words dissolving into hiccuping sobs that wrenched her body with little shudders. She took a deep breath, and just hung on, murmuring reassurances and rocking the smaller woman in whatever comfort she could muster.
Tori needed that. She needed Jade's touch, and the warmth of her body, and the comforting scent, that surrounded her. "They hate me." She got out. "Jade.. I don't want them to hate me for this."
The dark-haired woman's jaw clenched, and she exhaled slowly. "I know." She felt Tori's body jerk as she tried to catch her breath, and a soft moan escaped her. "Shh… "
"S'not fair," Tori whispered.
"No... it's not… " Jade replied, rubbing her back.
A long pause, and Jade could feel the sobs slowly subsiding. She kept up her gentle petting, until Tori's breathing evened out and steadied, and she could sense a calm returning to her lover.
"Was that stuff you told her true?" Tori finally whispered, in a hoarse tone.
Jade hesitated, not wanting to hurt her friend further. But lying, at this stage, would be pointless. "Yes… I was able to isolate those two pieces of information... I.. you can look at it later if you want to."
Another long pause. "Who's Pamela?"
"Tori, you don't need to talk about this now.. wait a while." Jade pleaded. "The information's not going anywhere.. just rest… it's been a hell of a long day, and we're both exhausted."
Red-rimmed brown eyes peered up at her. "Just answer." She sniffled, wiping at her eyes with one hand.
Jade sighed. "A woman your Mother has been supporting for twenty years… she has three kids, two boys, and a girl.. They… um… she made a civil agreement with her… she dissolved it a month before she married your dad. She started paying her off when she ran for office the first time."
Tori's jaw dropped.
"Yeah… and she has the stones to say anything about you," Jade stated darkly. "That alone would blow her career out of the water." Her eyes narrowed. "I hate hypocrites." She gently dabbed at Tori's eyes with her sleeve.
"Wow." Tori breathed softly. "I can't imagine that… no wonder she turned white when you said her name." She felt better all of a sudden. "Are those kids are hers?"
Jase nodded. "Carried one."Jade shrugged "Before Trina. DNA test results entered in the computer."
"Oh." The brunette closed her eyes. "Can I take a look at all of it?"
"Tori… get some rest first," Jade advised gently.
"No." Tori shook her head and took a breath. "Please… I want to get it over with."
Jade hesitated, then stood and held out a hand.
"Okay," she waited for Tori to take her hand, then pulled the other woman up and walked with her into the study where her computer waited.
Tori sat down in the chair and looked up as Jade reached over her and clicked the mouse, opening the mail she had left running, and then opening the file in it. The executive watched it all appear on the screen and put both hands on Tri's shoulders. "There."
"How did you find all this?" Tori asked quietly before she looked.
Jade went over to the couch and sat, lacing her fingers together and resting her elbows on her knees.
"I looked," She admitted quietly. "I wanted to see if there was anything you could use as leverage." she exhaled. "I didn't expect to find all that. I thought I'd see the usual stuff you know some bribes, slush funds…" Her head lifted and she met Tori's eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Sad brown eyes regarded her. "Don't be. You were trying to help." She turned her attention back to the screen and studied the information, clicking on different pages to see their contents.
"My God," She murmured, shaking her head. "How could she have kept that secret all these years?"
Jade was slumped in the corner of the sofa, her head resting on the back. "People see what they expect to see, Tori."
"She's taken bribes from white supremacists." The brunette sucked in a breath… "Her kids aren't white… well Trina, Shelby, and I aren't… Her sons are soooo… German." Tori shook her head. "Jade, this is horrible." she looked up at her boss. "You could have sent this out."
Pale, weary blue eyes looked back at her. "Yes," Jade admitted.
Tori nodded a little, then reached over and typed on the keyboard, forwarding the file to her own mail account. Then logged off Jade's account and signed into her own mail, this time using her own address and password. Her mailbox popped up, and she searched for the email with the file. She opened it
When you transport the information, you control it. Isn't that what Jade had said? Tori looked at the information again and selected parts of it, then pasted them into a new file working carefully despite her exhaustion. A quick glance over showed Jade with her eyes closed. The woman half dozing on the couch, and Tori looked at her for a long time before she went back and continued formatting.
She finished and looked at the file one last time. It's my choice. Her hand moved the mouse over and send button and hesitated, then pressed firmly.
Jade stirred and yawned then hoisted herself up and came over, peering at the screen as the send dialog box showed the transmitting message.
"What's that?" she asked her brows creasing.
"Justice," Tori answered in a whisper.
"You sent it?" Jade asked breathless in shock. "Tori… you sent… Fuck!"
The brunette folded her hands and studied them. "Maybe there's more of her in me than I thought," she murmured, then sighed. "Maybe if she hadn't tried to ruin my life… Maybe if she'd listened to me just once… Maybe if she hadn't believed Gary… Maybe if she hadn't tried to keep me from loving someone like she'd loved Pam.. I can't let her win, Jade." she looked up hoping for understanding.
And found it.
Jade gently cupped her cheek. "All right… " she held out her other hand. "Come on." They walked through the house hand in hand, then slipped into Jade's Sleep number bed, curling up together. Jade wrapped her arms around Tori's body and felt her take in a shaky breath as she tucked herself into Jade's embrace."
"Jade?"
"Mm?" Jade pulled the comforter up and let a wash of sleep flow over her.
Tori looked up and gave her a little, weary smile. She closed her eyes and nestled closer. "I love you."
Jade felt a wall of sleep overwhelming her. "Love you too." She murmured, surrendering to her body's demands.
soulful brown eyes regarded her with wistful pride, before they, too, closed.