Downward Spiral

Disclaimer: Don't own Victorious

A/N:

Chapter 58 (Closure)

A family trip was the last thing on Trina's mind when it came to the proposal, a baby on the way, and talking to her birth daughter; but it couldn't be avoided. Rachel was about to meet her aunt for the first time, other than another scenario that was going to occur.

While on the plane, she was distracting herself through a phone conversation with Jade. Beside her sat Jason, reading a fitness magazine. He was currently complaining about inaccuracies and things he would be doing differently. Rachel was to her left, reading a novel about a girl going out into the wild to find herself. Megan and Sasha took the seats next to Rachel, with Megan listening to music on headphones and Sasha snoring on Megan's shoulder.

Beck was in the row in front of them, grading papers and muttering about the airline's cold coffee.

"So you don't want me to use you as a subject of lectures any longer?" Jade inquired with a calm and quiet voice. "I will respect that decision, but I wonder…why?"

"I just think it's time to move on." Trina curled her left hand over the front of her armrest and looked towards the airplane windows. "You've contributed to the field of probation and parole in so many ways, you have a good deal of material to lecture over, but I think there's no further reason to continue lecturing over my life. The past is what it is, past, and I think both of us are ready to move away from it and get on with our lives."

Jade took a deep breath and paused. It left Trina unsure what the woman was thinking, though she knew her request was already accepted. "You're right. You're no longer on probation, and your life has turned out remarkably well. I'm not sure, honestly, if probation helped you truly or if it was something else…"

"It was a huge part of that growth." She looked to her parents with a smile. They were across the aisle in the two window seats, with Holly sitting at the window and gazing out at the crystal blue skies. Gary had a pair of reading glasses on and was checking the newspaper. "So were my parents. So were my children. Jade, probation helped me get off my alcohol addiction, it helped me change my life and get away from drugs and negative influences, but it was only a small piece of the puzzle. It wasn't the only thing. I think even you learned that…didn't you?"

"Well." Jade paused again, eventually sighing and clearing her throat. "Beck had a great deal to say, a great deal to teach. So yes, I do see that probation was not the sole factor in helping you become a better person."

"I think, to an extent, you're also holding onto the past a little. It's time for you to let it go. Time for you to let me go." She already got Beck to stop feeling so guilty over the past, and now it was time for Jade to do the same. "As you know, I let you go a very long time ago. I get the feeling telling my story has been your way of trying to make up for something that you did in the past, but you don't need to make up for anything anymore. Do you understand?"

"I do." She could have sworn Jade was smiling, at least she hoped this was the case. "I just hope you continue to do well as you have been. I mean, I know you will. I wish you the best, Trina. You and your family."

"Thank you. You too, Jade." She moved her left hand to her lap and started to smile. "How was your date with Andre?" The woman laughed, and for the first time in a while, started to sound like herself.

"God it was nice to relax for a change. He's toned down a lot, grown up a lot. I've never seen him so respectable, but I'll admit I haven't seen him in twenty years."

"Everyone's changed, Jade…" She reclined her chair and started to sigh. "That's what happens, people change. Circumstances change. You make the best of what you are able. Learn from the past, grow in the present and make a better future."

"Perhaps you're right. Maybe it is time for me to settle down. Even Beck says it might be better for me to stop giving guest lectures and consider teaching at a university level. He might be right."

"The guy has gotten to be fairly smart. He knows what he's talking about, Jade."

"Too bad it took me so long to realize it, and to respect him."

"Ah." She smirked, recognizing that phrase from somewhere. "Met his wife?"

Jade's voice fell flat. "Yep. Met her after you and Rachel left. She came by because Beck's car was in the shop and she needed to give him a ride home. We had a long…satisfying talk."

"Without anything being thrown?"

"I've grown out of my throwing things, Trina."

"Of course you have." She closed her eyes and chuckled. "I hope everything works out for you and Andre. Keep me informed."

"You do the same, Trina. Give your sister my regards."

"I don't think there's going to be much time for reminiscing. Beck's giving us about half an hour to an hour tops. We're not allowed to let Tori know of course, but yeah…it's that time…"

"I'm sorry, by the way. I know how hard it must be."

"It's hard enough knowing I only have an hour to give my sister and knowing that in the end I have to be involved in her arrest anyway." Even though she asked long ago not to be, working for Judge Baker set her right in the office of the very man working towards her prosecution. As far as Tori was concerned, she wasn't just working for the enemy, she was the enemy. "I've said it once and I'll say it to my grave, I will always love my sister. She is a fugitive of the law, however, and there is no other choice but to arrest her."

"I know. I can't imagine what you, or even Beck is going through. It's amazing he's even allowed any time with her."

"He's doing it to let her meet Rachel. He thinks she deserves that much, and Rachel needs to meet her aunt."

"Yeah." Jade took a deep breath and Trina could almost feel the sorrow in the woman's breath, as it closely matched her own grief. Strong as she was now, it was difficult to remain so. She only hoped Tori wouldn't figure something was up. "I've got work to get back to, so I'll leave you to it. Andre and I are going out later, taking his kids to play minigolf. I'm excited to meet them."

"Have fun. Best of luck to you."

"You too. Another time. Goodbye Trina."

"Goodbye."

As time passed, Trina was overjoyed to see her sister getting along with Rachel. Tori hadn't changed too much physically, though she gained a little weight in twenty years and had cut her hair to her chin. She was still ordering her daughter around, who was sixteen years of age now.

Gary and Holly were prepared to take the child away, and by the time Beck mentioned he and his backup of NYPD officers were ready, they were already doing so for the sake that the girl wouldn't witness her mother being arrested.

The arrest was painful to see. Jason kept the girls in the other room while Rachel stayed in the main room with Trina, watching as Beck cuffed an irate Tori. "You've wanted to get me in handcuffs for a long time haven't you?" Tori said with a growl. Beck's face was tight and his jaw locked in place, but Trina could see the relief in his eyes.

"Sure," he replied, "but not in the way you're suggesting. Sorry."

With the arrest came the trial months later, Beck was regarded well for his determination and efforts in never giving up on his case. Tori had been given a life sentence with the possibility of parole in thirty years, a difficult sentence for Trina to accept, but one that she could deal with.

"It's almost a shame," Trina whispered to Rachel, "It's almost a shame that it had to end like this for her. Probation might have helped save my life, and I didn't ever have to face the risk of prison, but for my sister I don't know what to say…"

"I hope she'll find her peace one day," Rachel replied calmly. "I know it's possible." Thirty years was a long time, and it was a shock that the opportunity was even there for Tori. She'd be sixty-five when she was eligible, but maybe, just maybe prison and parole would help her to turn her own life around.

It was bittersweet justice. Tori wasn't inherently evil, not nearly as evil as David had been. Maybe there was a chance for reform, Trina could only hope. "You will still be a sister to her won't you?" Rachel looked up at her with a hopeful expression. Trina smiled gently and nodded, without question.

"I always will be."

Even though she had her own life to worry about, she wasn't going to give up on her little sister. Sure, she couldn't visit the girl every day but at least she could still stay in contact.

Trina and Rachel looked out at the backyard, watching those in play with bright-eyed and proud smiles. Jason was trying to teach Megan a few martial arts moves, which the girl was struggling to pick up on. At the other end, Sasha was pushing a baby stroller around, laughing wildly at the small boy gazing at the sea of grass around him.

Inside the house, Holly and Gary were preparing a meal for the family. Beck and his wife were visiting with their children as well, but they were all inside. For Trina, all she could think of was how happy she was that her life turned out as positively as it had. She had confidence in the future, perhaps more now than ever before.

Whatever came next, she'd be ready for, and her family and friends would be there with her. For now, this was the end of a long part of her life, and the beginning of something new.

With that, we end this tale. I hope you have enjoyed it as it has gone on, and I appreciate everyone that's reviewed and given their thoughts. Let me know what you think of the end, and don't forget to go check out my newest mystery novel "Bury the Past", which I put out tonight with the knowledge that the final chapter of this would be put out. Thank you once again, I hope you enjoy all that is left to come.