finished another chapter, so I'm giving you another one... this new writing system I've got going seems to be working well... LOL I think it's just because this story is super easy to modify. anyway here is a little taste. next chapter Jade and James have a heart-to-heart. next chapter. (it is written but I will post it when I am done with the next chapter)

Twelve

Tori beat the clock awake, and she carefully reached over and turned the alarm off before she half-turned and regarded her lover. Jade was normally a very light sleeper, but this morning she was still deeply asleep, her face totally relaxed and unresponsive. It had been the same the day before Tori wondered if her injury had anything to do with it.

Or maybe all the stress. Torii eased back down into the sleep number bed and admitted to feeling pretty stressed herself, the specter of the coming day making her want to burrow back under the covers and stay there.

She had a few minutes, so she indulged herself in merely watching Jade doze peacefully, her face outlined faintly in the early morning gloom, only a faint, irregular twitching moving the soft, tanned skin. Tori twirled a lock of dark hair idly around her fingers and brushed it against her lips absorbing the peace of the moment. Finally, she sighed and edged carefully out of bed, tucking the comforter background of Jade's body before she padded out into the living room, heading for her bedroom upstairs. She stopped short when she almost collided with a seated form on the floor.

"Oh."

Despite Jade's reassurance, she felt awkward getting caught coming out of the master suite, and she felt a blush warming her skin as she backed up a step. "I.. hi. Good morning."

"Hey there, Tori." James West uttered in a low voice. He had Chino between his knees and was playing with her, the delighted puppy rolling around on her back as he rubbed her belly. "Thought I'd catch a ride into town early with ya."

Tori collected her wits and settled herself cross-legged on the floor next to him. Pushing her hair back behind one ear absently. "Um, I don't suppose I could convince you to stick around here today, huh?"

He glanced up and studied her face.

"Why?" he asked, warily. "Something wrong with Jade?"

Tori exhaled. "Well… I have to go to work," she stated quietly and glanced behind her to make sure Jade was still asleep. "I don't want to. It's going to be a mess. I'd rather stay here and keep Jade company, but I can't"

"Uh huh…"

"And if I leave Jade here all alone, she's going to go crazy between being bored and wondering what's going on," Tori continued. "I think she's still pretty shaken about all of this, and…" she peeked at him. "Seeing you again."

"Uh huh," James glanced away. "Lot to get used to."

"Yeah," Tori murmured.

He looked back at her and in his expression, she saw Jade so clearly it was almost startling.

"Listen, " He started then hesitated.

"And I'll be a nervous wreck all day wondering what's going on with her." Came the soft words. "But if you're here, she won't be bored and I won't have to worry" Tori interrupted the objection, her eyes settling on him in silent appeal. "Please?"

"You ever think of going into diplomacy, young lady?' James West queried wryly.

Tori tasted the irony. "Last thing I'd ever do," She replied. "But it's the truth isn't it, Isn't it? You know Jade better than I do."

James' Scarred lips twitched a trifle. "Lay yer a bet on that one," He said. "All right, young Lady. I'll do your babysitting." He relented. "Got me a few things to say to her anyhow."

Tori squeezed his hand. "Thank you. I won't be all day. I promise."

He nodded and tickled the puppy."She's a cute little thing," He commented.

"Yes, she is…" Tori replied with a smile. "I think she likes you." She laughed softly as the puppy squirmed happily against his foot.

He scowled at her. "Don't you have to get dressed to go on into that place, or do you work in your Jim Jams?"

Tori stood up and grinned at him. "I get the hint." she trotted toward the stairs trying to psych herself up for the day to come.

A hand on her shoulder. Jade felt the shake, but her body didn't want to budge.

"Jade," Part of her brain acknowledged the deep, raspy voice and recognized it, but there was still a dark heavy pall over her consciousness, and she fought the desire to slip back down into peaceful oblivion.

"Jade Gian, get your butt up or I'm, gonna slap it."

Uh oh. One blue eye slid open in startlement and regarded him. Then the other joined it as Jade rolled half onto her back. Her heart pumping in an erratic rhythm. "Dad?" she cleared her throat of its hoarseness, and rubbed her eyes, trying to push the fog back. "Wh…"

"Come on now, it's past ten hundred, and I've about cleaned every inch of this place." James reached out a hand and gently tipped her chin back regarding her face intently. "You hit your head or your leg?"

Jade felt her thoughts go skittering off and she took several deep breaths. "Both,' she admitted, Lifting her hand to touch the lump behind her ear. "Doc says there's a bit of fluid in there. And I could either drain it or wait it out. So…"

James managed a wry chuckle. "Lord, you ain't changed."

Jade gazed up at him. "You like doctors now?"

"Hell no." His daughter shrugged a little. "You didn't change, Why should I have?"

James' battered face twitched into a painful smile. "All right," He said. "Got me there, Gigi," he conceded. Are you getting out of that there bed?"

"URMMMM…" Jade struggled to sit up and stretch. "What are you doing here?" I thought you were going to get a ride back this morning?"

James sat down on the sleep number bed railing and folded his arms across his chest. "I was until your little Kumquat turned those pretty brown eyes of hers on me. And asked me to stay with you for a bit." He snorted. "Damn that tricky kid."

Jade grinned a little, as she stifled a yawn. "Yeah well… she has that effect on me. Don't feel bad."

Her father chuckled softly. "Yeah, I noticed."

Jade found a smile winding its way onto her face. "All right, let me go dump some water on my head." She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and reached for the brace. "Stupid thing."

"Here, gimme that." James took the brace and slipped it on with experienced hands. "Think I still remember how seeing as how I spent half your childhood sticking some kinda bandage on you." He adjusted the straps.

Jade leaned back and watched him. "Swelling's almost gone, at least that's working out." she sighed.

Lifting her leg as he finished, pushing herself upright. "Thanks." she stood up and almost fell as a wave of dizziness washed over her. "Damn."

"Aw hell." James grabbed her hastily. "Hang on." He got an arm around her and lifted her up, cradling her like a child. He was glad Tori asked him to stay. "All right, take it easy, rugrat."

Jade blinked as her head finally cleared, and she sucked in a breath. "Okay. I'm all right." She rubbed her temples irritatedly"You can put me down."

Her father snorted. "Yeah, yeah." He walked out of her bedroom ignoring her protests, and finally let her down on the couch. "Quit with your bitching, will you? I've had to carry a lot heavier things than you a hell of a lot farther than that," he reminded her. "Do you remember Moose?"

Jade settled back against the couch and caught her breath. "Yeah, I sure do. I used to think he was an alien, never saw a human being eat as much as he did."

"Yeah, well, I had to carry his butt out three miles a couple years back. Damn near killed me. I made him eat chrisley granola bars for three months after that." She sat down next to her and patted her thigh. "So you don't fuss at me."

"Okay." Jade capitulated meekly.

He rubbed his hands together. "Hungry?"

"A little."

"Got me some eggs inside," James said. 'Fancy kitchen set up, you got there.'

Jade managed a wry smile. "Tori's touch," she said. "I never did learn to like cooking."

"Ain't no point when you are on your own. Her father chuckled "Well all I can cook is breakfast, I'll bring in what I scrambled up. It probably won't kill you."

Jade smiled again and ran her hands through her hair. "All right." She capitulated. "Jesus... What time is it? I wonder how Tori's doing... I'd better.. "

"Ah ah.. " Her father waved a scarred hand at her. "She called about an hour ago.. she said, and I quote. "This sucks, but I'm surviving."

The dark-haired woman nodded slowly. "Damn." She chewed her lip. "I wish she didn't have to do this."

"Chill your jets, rugrat… that's one sharp little cookie you've got there… she'll do just fine," James advised her. "I got you some eggs and hockey pucks inside." He stood up. "Sit yer butt there, I'll bring 'em in."

Jade stifled a yawn, and nodded, pensively staring at the table as he disappeared.

Tori felt like she had a huge target painted on her chest as she walked into the playroom. She already had a stomach ache, and she hadn't even hit the elevator yet. She nodded at the guard as she moved past him. She didn't know what her status in the company was, seeing as how everyone walked out the day before.

"Ms. Vega?" The man said, leaning toward her a little.

She paused, "yes?" She wondered if he had orders to stop her or something.

He walked around the desk and came closer. "Is Ms. West doing okay?" he shuffled his feet looking back at her nervously "I know you usually come in together so…"

Tori smiled, appreciating that he didn't want to expose them. "She's fine, thanks for asking," she reassured him. 'Did anyone else from fourteen come through yet?'

He knew what she was asking and he shook his head. "Nah… you're the first ma'am."

Tori nodded. "Okay, thanks. I'll tell Jade you were asking for her." her brown eyes twinkled. "Wish me luck today."

He licked his lips. "Are you…" he left the sentence unfinished.

"Oh no…" Tori shook her head firmly. "But someone has to hold the paper bag up while everyone else jumps through it, you know?" She knew the word would spread within minutes. "Jade asked me to."

He nodded. "Gotcha." he sketched a salute at her. "Good luck."

Tori continued on riding in solitary splendor up to their floor and exiting into an eerily empty corridor. Her steps took her to Jade's office first, and she used her key for the first time letting herself into where Mariela would usually already be. Working, The outer office was soberly silent. The secretary's desk was neat as a pin, but missing the usual personal items Mariela had kept there. Her cube of pictures for instance, and the intriguing prism that scattered light all over the room, a gift from Jade.

Tori felt irrationally sad at the sight and she ran a hand over the wood of the desk, swallowing down a surge of frustration. "This is so senseless." she picked up the contents of the inbox then she moved into the inner office feeling her lover's absence like a physical blow. She noticed that Jade had left everything the way it was. Even the fish were sitting forlornly on the clean surface of the desk, the light from the window catching them in flashes of blue and crimson. The only thing she'd taken, Tori realized, were the dolphins she'd given her.

"Oh, Jade." Tori exhaled, feeling sick. The laptop sat in silence, giving mute testimony of its owner's abandonment. She wondered what had gone through Jade's mind as she'd given that up. It was the tangible badge of her office, really, giving her access into the heart of the company. Giving her the authority, which now, albeit briefly, rested in Tori's hands. With a sigh, she collected what was in Jade's inbox as well, and then stepped around the desk, and headed for the back entrance to her own office.

She could, she knew, boot up the computer in Jade's office and work from there, but she had no intention of sending that particular message. She even had Jade's passwords... the ultimate expression of her lover's trust in her, and if she'd wanted to, she could have brought down mainframes all across the world with Jade's top clearance and access. But she had no intention of sending that message either.

She entered her office and put the papers down, reaching over and booting up her computer, then grabbing her coffee cup and trudging across the hallway to get some coffee.

Her back was to the door, and she didn't see who entered, but it also gave her a moment to decide on her response when the newcomer greeted her.

"Tori." Cat's voice sounded very tired.

The brunette woman turned and took a breath. "Hi."

"I didn't expect to see you here." The Personnel VP told her honestly. "How's Jade?"

Tori took a sip of her coffee. "She's all right… taking it easy at home." She paused. "She tried to call you last night."

The other woman sighed and leaned back against the wall. "I went out and got drunk," Cat admitted. "I saw her number on the caller ID... I was going to call her back today." She looked at Tori. "You know Alastair has put a hold on her resignation."

"Yes, I know," Tori answered quietly. "I spoke to him." She exhaled, "Let's go into my office for a minute." She followed Cat into the room and closed the door. "Look... I don't know what's going to happen… " She began.

"He's on his way here, Tori," Cat told her wearily. "And he's very upset."

"I know," Tori responded. "I talked to him for about an hour yesterday... I told him everything… about Jose.. about Elle.. and about that pig bastard." She sat on the edge of her desk. "And I told him it was all my fault."

"Your fault?" Cat started forward. "Tori, what in blazes are you talking about? What do you mean it's your fault?"

"I lost it." The brunette gazed at her. "I… lost… it… Jade went all that time without giving in to his harassment… not a word from her.. and she could have wiped the camp with him." She told Cat. "And I blew it… I blew it because I couldn't keep the lid on when he needled me." She put her coffee down and got up to pace. "Without that, he's got nothing, nothing, Cat... Even with those stupid pictures, he still has nothing.. but with that… he had enough to... " She stopped and leaned on the window's cool glass. "He hit Jade in her one weak spot." She concluded softly. "Me."

Cat slowly sat down in one of the visitor's chairs. "No." She disagreed quietly. "Oh, yes, I mean sure.. you're right, but he never should have gotten that far, Tori." She leaned on her elbows. "Jade was right…I should have stopped it."

The woman looked like a truck had driven over her. Tori sighed. "Well, no sense crying over spilled milk, they always say. " She turned and regarded her mail, wincing at the pages and pages of urgent marked messages. "Let's see what happens when Alastair gets here…I know he considers Jade a very valuable ops asset. And losing her to just being a suit at the board meetings..."

"yeah." Cat agreed. "She's really come through for him on several occasions…she's really come through for all of us, and that's why this whole thing is so.. disgusting."

Tori regarded her hands, folded on the desk. "You said you should have stopped it.. why didn't you?"

The older woman glanced at the carpet. "I spent half the night thinking about that." She admitted. "And the conclusion I came to was that we're all so used to Jade doing the dirty work.. taking the hits and drawing the fire to herself that we've all gotten to be… " She paused. "It was easier just to stand back and let her go at him…I never thought for a minute he'd ever get even a step up on her… she's so out of his league."

Tori nodded, accepting that. "I was hoping that was the case… " She said softly. "I was hoping it wasn't just that everyone was standing back and letting her take a fall." She glanced up at Cat's startled expression. "She once told me.. that everyone she'd ever trusted in business had turned on her…and last night, before we went to sleep, she told me if I… if it turned out that I saw everyone here ...celebrating… her leaving, I shouldn't feel bad about it."

A soft exhale. "Tori, I think you know that's not true." Cat spread her hand out. "You've got a dozen empty offices to prove it." She stated. "You've got a division in pieces, the Chairman headed out on the first flight… Rob wouldn't even come in today, hell... I only came in because I can't avoid it... All the stuff that's going to hit the fan will hit MY fan…for god's sake, most people don't hate her."

"I know." The Latina acknowledged softly. "But, I guess... the few that do are so much more vocal, it seems that way sometimes." She turned a pencil over in her hands. "When I started... that's all I heard for the first few weeks... was what a horrible bitch she was."

Cat sucked on her lower lip.

"I had to find out for myself how wrong they were." Tori sighed. "But most people don't get that chance."

"She doesn't make it easy," Cat stated quietly. "She keeps everyone at arm's length, Tori.. even Rob and I, and we've been friends for years." She sighed. "Even Sinjin…whom everyone knows is hopelessly in love with her."

Tori's lips tensed into a faint smile. "You know, I never saw her like that, so…I mean, I knew she had a tough side, because I saw that right off, but there was always something… I don't know... I could always just see there was more to her than the alpha bitch."

"Well." Cat gave her a wry look. "You had a mitigating circumstance, as the lawyers like to say." She pondered that. "But I see your point... if this does work out all right, I think we need to change the way some things are handled.. do some workgroup things to try and reduce some of the stress and the infighting."

Tori accepted that. "Too bad we can't do some of that today." Tori rubbed her temples. "I think I've got a migraine coming on already."

"Hopefully Alastair will come through for us."

"Well, we'll see…and even if she does reconsider, she won't be back this week."

Cat's eyebrows knit. "Her leg that bad? I thought… "

Tori sighed and played with her pencil. "No…There's something really wrong with her. She hit her head pretty badly in that fall so…"

"Good god… I hope she is okay?" Cat was genuinely concerned. "That could be... "

"Dangerous.. yeah." The brunette nodded quietly. "She will be alright… She has to be… she's just gotta take it easy... plus I've got someone there to keep her company. " She glanced up. "So.. it's just me. I've got no support staff, I don't have her experience, and if I get one bit of crap from across the hall I'm going to walk out of here."

Cat stood. "I'll go talk to them." She stated quietly. "I think they'll be so glad to see you, they won't say peep one, but I'll make sure of that."

Tori's phone rang, and she watched the keypad indicating it was a forwarded call from Jade's office. "Here we go." She punched the button. "Operations, Vega."

"This is John Adams in Providence… We've had an order pending for a week.. what the hell's going on out there!"

Tori sighed inwardly, giving Cat a look. "Just a moment... What's your account ID?" She typed in a number and started to work.