Reviews for the previous chapter were dismal in numbers. I know the fandom is pretty dead and it's more out of nostalgia and a strong desire to procrastinate from my studies that pushes me to keep writing without any reviews from my readers… but still, would mean a lot if you could leave a comment.

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The Platinum Music Awards had just ended and everyone began to make their way backstage to meet up with Tori. Jade had disappeared midway through the show to get changed and had returned right at the closing just to give Tori one last congratulation before heading home.

"Wait, Jade. You have to come to the after party." Tori pleaded with her, then faced all her friends and added, "All of you. It'll be so much fun. You can share my limo."

Jade glances at Beck and awkwardly catches his gaze. They both look down. For some reason, without the flashing lights and loud music in the background, being close to one another made them feel rather uncomfortable now.

"No thanks, Vega. I think I'll head home." Jade says, already shuffling backwards towards the exit.

Tori pouts rather miserably, then becomes distracted asking, "Hey, has anyone seen Cat?"

Everyone gets a little distracted then, and Jade seizes the opportunity to make her escape. She makes her way to the parking lot, stumping momentarily when she realises that she herself had been driven over in Mason's limo. She was now looking at a two hour walk home. Oh well, she supposed the cool night air might do her some good. She definitely needed to get some clarity on her thoughts.

Just as she's about to set off, a firm hand clasps her wrist from behind. She almost shrieks but these fingers were rather familiar on her skin. Spinning around she hisses, "What do you want, Beck?"

Sure enough, it was Beck standing behind her. He looks slightly ruffled and flushed, probably from running to find her. Even his usually relaxed face seemed rigid with tension. "Why won't you come to the after party with us?" he asks, his voice stiff but eyes wide with yearning.

"Cause I don't want to." She sniffs, attempting to tug her wrist free from Beck's firm grip. He doesn't relent though.

"How are you getting home?" he instead enquires, his hold only tightening.

"God, Beck, what's it to you?" she cries with an agitated huff. Beck simply raises an eyebrow. "I'll walk." She finally screeches, knowing Beck would see right through a lie anyway.

"No way." Beck snaps. "Let me drive you home at least."

Jade groans wearily. Was he purposely making this difficult for her? She was trying to get over him, he'd certainly moved on. Couldn't he just let her be?

"Fine, Beck. Fine." She sighs resignedly, not having the energy to fight with him. She allows him to guide her to his truck which unfortunately seemed to be parked at the opposite end of the carpark. They walk beside one another rather awkwardly, and though Jade can feel Beck's eyes glancing towards her every few seconds, she refused to meet his gaze.

His car finally comes into sight as she rushes for the passenger door. She's just about to open it when Beck's hand suddenly appears and once more pulls her to a stop.

"Jade, I just wanted to say that what you did for Tori…. That was really nice."

Hearing Tori's name escape from Beck's lips was enough to riffle her up again in anger. "I didn't do it for your approval." She snaps, shooting Beck one of her most vicious glares. It makes him wince.

"I know. Still. You didn't have to do that. I know you would have been amazing up there."

"I don't like being someone's seconds. If I get asked to perform at an awards show, I'm not going to be the second choice." She bites her lip as she looks up at Beck's sympathetic eyes. It angers her, and before she can restrain herself she barks, "Just so you know, I wouldn't have accepted the position in the first place if you hadn't been such a jackass."

Beck gawks at her. "I'm sorry what?"

She takes a deep breath, then looks directly into Beck's eyes. He's taken aback by the amount of emotion storming away in them. "When Mason Thornsmith invited me to perform at tonight's show, you just had to intervene saying "No Way." She imitated in her gruff man voice, impersonating Beck's earlier comment made. "It's like you didn't think I was good enough."

Beck looks momentarily confused, then abashed in shame as he recalls the moment she's talking about.

"I didn't mean it like that." He says stiffly.

"I know. You were just trying to defend the girl you love. I get it now."

"Oh for goodness sakes, Jade. Not this again. You know nothing is going on between Tori and me."

"And that's certainly not for lack of trying on your part."

"What the… Jade-"

"I SAW YOU." She finally yells. Beck's firm grip on her wrist loosens as helplessly he allows her arm to swing free and fall by her side. She takes a few steps back from him in, probably in disgust, and unable to meet his gaze she stares off towards the semi-empty car park. "The webcam was on. I saw you try and kiss her. It was Tori who stopped it. Not you.' She murmurs, her voice sounding oddly strained.

"Shit." Beck curses, angrily swooping a hand through his hair in stress. "You weren't meant to… I wasn't trying to… Jade, I just wanted…"

"It's fine." Jade cuts in. Beck wants to curse himself out again looking at how hurt Jade's eyes were. "We're broken up. You don't have to make up excuses to me. I just don't appreciate being lied to."

"I'm not lying." He shouts. Jade deflates. "I don't have feelings for Tori. I never have. I just wanted to move on. I'm lonely, Jade, and it's your fault. You left me." He accuses.

Jade looks incensed. "You let me walk away. I asked you to follow me." She cries in indignation, glaring directly into his eyes.

They seemed to be trapped in a standstill stare down. Beck was the first to crack. "Look. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. What happened with Tori was a mistake. I was angry and petty and just not thinking properly. I just… need you to forgive me, Jade. Can you do that?" he requests softly.

"There's nothing to forgive." She insists weakly, but even with her stiff front, she can't help the flicker of hope that ignites in her stomach.

They remain in awkward silence for a few minutes longer till Beck sheepishly rubs the back of his neck and offers, "I really do want you to come to the after party. I know how much you like those sort of events. I promise not to bother you, just let me drive you there at least."

Jade finally nods. "Kay." She agrees, albeit not very enthusiastically. She supposes she needs a drink after this night. They eventually get into his truck, and without another word, Beck drives them to the location Tori had texted.

When they arrived, Jade departed Beck's vehicle without so much as a backward glance. Beck watched her leave helplessly, guilt and shame overwhelming his senses. These certainly were not emotions he enjoyed experiencing. He's well aware that though Jade had stated that she wasn't mad, he had hurt her incomprehensibly. She had always viewed Tori as the greatest threat to their relationship, and perhaps subconsciously it was this knowledge that fueled his spite and provoked him to attempt to kiss Tori in the first place. Still feeling repulsed with himself, Beck made his own way inside.

Meanwhile, Jade's one drink had turned into thirteen over the following two hours, and before she knew it, she was swaying loosely to the music, content in the blissful intoxicated haze that had taken over her senses.

Jade was so lost in her own drunken world that she didn't even notice when Andre moved to stand next to her until she accidentally stumbled into him.

"Oh, hey dooode." She giggles happily, grabbing a handful of Andre's dreads and tugging at them.

"Jade?" Andre gasps in surprise as the dark haired girl bumbled into his arms. "Have you been drinking?" he asks nervously, steadying Jade from falling over. He almost cringes at the strong sent of alcohol wafting off her.

"Whhaat? Noo. Haveyoubeendrinkin?" She slurs, then breaks into another fit of giggles.

Andre looks at her perturbed, then sighs.

"BECKETT JAMES OLIVER, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE RIGHT NOW." He hollers loudly over the blaring music in the club.

Beck appears seconds later. He'd been sulking with Cat, the pair booth brooding over the cruelness of the world, but he knew by the tone of Andre's voice that he was needed pronto for some major damage control. Robbie had probably gotten his hand stuck in a vase again or something. He halts in surprise when he sees that it's Jade who Andre's sighing at.

Beck eyes narrow in confusion as he hears Jade's giggles, then he notices how she is slumped over against Andre apparently unable to hold herself up, and everything clicks.

"Damn it Jade." Beck groans.

"She's your girl." Andre quips as Jade tugs particularly hard at one of his dreads. "Do something."

"I'M NOBODY'S GIRL." Jade suddenly screams, then with a lopsided grin she throws her head back and sings, "MISS INDEPENDENT."

"Yeah, so she's wasted." Andre sighs, looking at Beck for help.

Beck's frown was deepening by the second as he watched Jade stumble further into Andre's side. She dazedly blinked around slowly, her lidded eyes finally coming to rest on Beck.

"Hey, you look like my ex-boyfriend." She tells him, leaning away from Andre to jab Beck in his chest instead. "You're so pretty." She giggles, now digging her fingers into Beck's thick hair.

"Far out, Jade." Beck groans, moving to put his hands on her waist to steady her. "How did you even manage to get your hands on any alcohol? They're checking ID at the bar."

Even in Jade's intoxicated state, she manages to successfully shoot him a rather scathing glare.

"Um, have you seen me? I'm pretty fucking hot." She points out. Beck frowns at Andre whose momentarily grinning before resuming his serious expression.

"So we should get her home, right?" Andre queries.

"Yeah. Could you drive my truck? I better sit with her in the back seat." Beck sighs, before scooping her up into his arms.

"Whereyoutakinme?" she mumbles as Beck carries her outside, Andre following closely behind them. "Are you kidnapping me. HELP." She begins to yell. Beck growls as she tugs at his hair. "THIS EX BOYFRIEND IMPOSTER IS TRYING TO STEAL ME AWAY."

"Jade, it's me, Beck." He groans, strapping her down with the seat belt before moving to sit next to her. Andre is snickering now as he starts up the car and pulls out of the parking lot, driving in the direction of Jade's mum's house.

"Oh. Hi Beck." She giggles. Then she frowns. "I think I'm still angry at you."

"I know." Beck gripes. "We'll deal with that tomorrow. For now, why don't you focus on settling down?"

"Okay." She agrees, but a moment later she looks up again in alarm. "Beck, I feel sick." She mumbles.

Andre glances nervously to the back seat. "Open a window." He says hastily.

His suggestion comes a second too late though, as unable to control it, Jade begin to puke right onto Beck's shirt.

"Oh, that's messed up." Andre flinches, glancing in the rearview mirror.

Beck himself sighs but doesn't feel like scolding her in the slightest. He supposed this whole situation is primarily his fault.

"Deep breaths." He instead soothes, patting Jade's back.

"Sorry." She mutters weakly.

They get to her home, and thankfully discover that her mother is out for the night. Once inside, Beck doesn't even bother pondering whether he can salvage his shirt, he pulls it off carefully and throws it in the bin.

He then tends to Jade. Andre was hovering nervously in the background asking, "Should I do something, Beck?"

"Start the shower, would you." Beck calls, attempting to place a toothbrush in a very uncooperative Jade's mouth. He eventually makes sure that Andre's back is turned before helping Jade out of her skirt and top until she's just in her underwear. Though it's definitely a sight he's familiar with, he knows that Jade will be furious tomorrow if she thinks he'd taken advantage of her. Instead, he places his gaze firmly on her face, helping her to stand under the shower faucet as he tried to scrub away her makeup.

"Get her some clothes to change into." He instructs Andre, catching Jade whose heads comes to loll against his chest.

"Eghnwantoch." She murmurs incoherently. Beck takes that as a sign to get her dried off and into bed.

Andre looks more amused when Jade is finally curled up asleep, a toy bunny rabbit resting next to her face (Beck had found it tangled in her sheets, and smiling, moved to place it near her).

"So, Jade's a sloppy drunk, huh?" Andre snorts.

Beck shrugs. "I've actually never seen her this wasted." He admits. "It's kind of my fault. I did something really stupid to upset her."

Andre regards him with a rather knowing look. "We're human. We make mistakes. The good thing for you, Beck, is that this girl is so clearly head over heels in love with you still that I'd reckon you stand a pretty good chance and getting her back if you play your cards right."

Beck looks at his friend gratefully. "I sure hope so." He murmurs, stroking the top of Jade's head. "Would you mind staying with her tonight? I don't want to leave her on her own, but she'll be pretty furious if she finds me here tomorrow morning."

Andre looks skeptical but agrees anyway. Beck then places a quick peck to Jade's forehead, and waving goodbye to Andre, makes his way home.

The next morning he wakes to a mass of voice messages left from Jade. He quickly clicks through them, only listening to a few words before he'd move to the next one,

"YOU ASSHOLE, WHO ASKED YOU TO - "

click

"I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, IDIOT. JUST SO YOU KNOW -"

click

"AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, YOU THINK I'D ALLOW YOU TO TOUCH ME -"

click

"YOU HELPED ME SHOWER? SERIOUSLY, OLIVER. I WILL CHARGE YOU FOR VIOLATION OF PRIVACY -

click

YOU'RE A –

click

"I HOPE YOU-

click

FOR THE RECORD –

click

I WILL KILL YOU SLOWLY.

click

"Anyway. Thanks. Dickhead."

Beck finally smiles.

Rumour mill has it that Jade West would be going on her first date since breaking up with Beck Oliver. Beck's not sure how to react to this news. He doesn't even know who the guy is, but it crushes him to think that's Jade's moving on already.

He had muttered something about the injustice of the entire affair to Andre who had looked rather surprised and laughed that Beck was experiencing an emotion known as "jealousy." Beck had scoffed at the very idea. He wasn't jealous. Sure his gut twisted in anger every time he thought about Jade holding another guys hands, and sure, the idea of any guy touching Jade made him want to strangle every last breath from them. But that wasn't jealousy. And okay, maybe he did have to restrain himself from grabbing Jade and declaring that she was his and his only every time he looked at her, but that was only because he was protective over his friends. Beck Oliver did not do jealous, and he certainly didn't let his emotions control his actions.

Andre had snickered for ten minutes, finally laughing, "If that's just you being protective, I hope I never see you mad."

Beck had glowered for twenty minutes straight, finally turning to Robbie during their Gym lesson to explain the situation.

"I'm not jealous, right?" Beck asks Robbie as they shuffle over to the changing rooms.

"I don't know, Beck." Robbie replied uncertainty. "I mean, if you say you're not, then I guess you're not."

Beck beamed at this. See, Robbie was smart. He understood.

"Anyway, who's Jade going out with anyway?" Robbie asks.

Beck is about to respond that he doesn't know when a loud voice coming from the opposite end of the room distracts him.

"You know what those freaky girls are into. I mean, she's probably into some real kinky shit." Laughed Eric Barnes, one of the jocks of the school. Around him stood a large group of grinning guys, joshing in agreement.

Robbie notices Beck's gaze and grimaces. "Urgh. Those guys are absolutely disgusting. They set men back into primitive beasts."

Beck was about to voice his own agreement when suddenly he felt a firm grip on his bicep, and before he knew what was happening, he and Robbie were being dragged to the exit by none other than Andre Harris.

"Andre, what's going on" wailed Robbie who was being pulled by Andre's other hand.

Nothing. It's a beautiful day. Let's go outside. Let's go to Nozu. Let's go anywhere else but here." Andre rambles loudly. Not loudly enough though, for Eric's voice was still echoing in the small change room.

"She's probably had loads of experience. That being said, I'm sure not many guys at this school have had the privilege of saying they've screwed Jade West."

Beck feels his blood run cold.

"What did he just say." Beck hissed. Robbie gulped deeply. Even Andre looked stricken.

"And her tits. Man, they're amazing."

Now Beck sees red. He rips himself free from Andre grasp and angrily strides over to Eric's still cackling form.

"Shut up." Beck snaps. "You shut up." He threatens, his voice dangerously low as he pushes himself in front of the prick.

Eric doesn't seem too nervous, after all, Beck definitely didn't have a reputation as a fighter. "Oh, hey Oliver." He smirks, not noticing Beck's shaking fists. "Say, you dated Jade for a while. Do you reckon she'll put out on the first date?" he asks.

Eric doesn't say much after that. Probably because his jaw becomes quickly dislocated as Beck's fist makes contact with it. Then all hell breaks loose.

Beck couldn't explain what had happened next even if he wanted to. Everything was now a blur. He thinks Andre and Robbie must have stepped in for he was only sprouting one black eye as opposed to laying helpless on the ground with a thousand smashed bones. Overall, considering his complete lack of self-control, he's rather lucky as he sits in Helen's office with both his parents seated either side of him, even if Helen was currently threatening him with expulsion for instigating a physical fight on school grounds.

"EXPULSION!" His father yells. "Please, Helen. This is all that girl's fault."

"Jade wasn't even there, Dad." Beck sighs. This shuts his parents up.

"Please, he's never done anything wrong before." His mother begs, looking quite frantic herself.

Helen looks grim but nods in agreement. "Three days suspension then, and you'll have detention every day next week."

Beck agrees this is fair. Besides, he was dreading facing the rest of the school once the news broke out. Beck's loss of control over his emotions was not something he was proud of. So as he arrives home, he slinks into his RV dejectedly and mournfully puts on Full House to cheer him up. It doesn't work. He's almost relieved when he hears a pounding on his door, even if it was probably going to be Tori who'd surely start lecturing him for his unruly behavior.

To his absolute surprise though, once he swings open the door he comes face to face with Jade.

"Jade? What – what are you doing here?" he gasps. Jade rolls her eyes and ducks under his arm, making herself comfortable on his couch.

"Well I'm suspended, you're suspended. I figured it made sense that us delinquents hang out together for the next few days." She drolls, picking up his TV remote and immediately changing the channel.

Beck's still blinking in confusion attempting to comprehend her sudden appearance.

"You got suspended. What for?" He cries, moving to sit next to her.

"I made Andre and Robbie tell me what happened. I knew you wouln't hit anyone with reason. Anyway, as much as I'm touched by your need to defend my honour, I can actually look after myself. I smashed his locker with a baseball bat. Two-day suspension without warning." Jade shrugs. "But anyway, I bought you this." She rummages in her Gears of War bag and pulls out a pair of shiny new scissors. "I figure the next time you want to get physical you should have a proper weapon rather than your dainty little fists." She smirks.

Beck can feel a grin overtaking his features. He had been dating Jade long enough to know that gifting anyone with a pair of scissors was one of the highest honours she could bestow upon a person. He laughs gratefully and takes them from her. "I'll add them to my collection." He tells her seriously, then after a pause yells, "and hey, my fists are not dainty."

It's Jade's turn to laugh now.

"I know." She assures him. "I think you broke the douche's jaw." She glances over at him with a coy smirk, then shifts to all fours as she crawls rather seductively over to his end of the couch. "That's pretty hot, Beck." She purrs, moving to place her hands on either side of his neck as she leaned forward so that her face was only inches away from his.

Beck can hardly breathe, let alone respond. His breath has hitched in his throat and he desperately attempts to hold her gaze and not shift his eyes down to her taunting chest.

"You know, if you weren't such an idiot and we were still dating, you might've even been rewarded with a real kiss." She whispers, and with that, she pecks the corner of his mouth and then spins to plunk herself comfortably back on the couch next to him.

"Minx." Beck coughs, but at least he's able to speak again. Before Jade can get any ideas to move away, he pulls her arm and hoists her closer to him. Both laughing, Beck makes himself comfortable by placing an arm around her shoulders, and Jade rests her head on his shoulder. "This feels nice." He tells her.

"I can't believe you still watch Full House. Loser." Was Jade's only response.

The crowd was still buzzing with excitement following Jade's climactic performance of 'You Don't Know Me,' but the only thing Beck could focus on was Jade's glowing face.

"I've missed you." He tells her, attempting to fight off a knowing smirk from lighting up his face as Jade slowly inches towards him.

"So what are you going to do about it?" She challenges.

She's trying to sound aloof but he notices the nervous little tug at her skirt. This time he can't control himself. Like magnets, his lips are drawn to hers, smiling against her mouth as her arms immediately wrapped around his neck and he moves to hold her waist.

They're both rather breathless, pulling apart briefly to smile, then resuming their makeout session right there on the stage. He's vaguely aware of the crowd cheering, but all he can focus on is Jade. He pulls her closer, and she parts her lips for him letting him take control of the kiss. He feels like it's only been seconds, but suddenly they're being wrenched apart by a pair of strong arms.

"Okay, you two lovebirds, save it for the bedroom." Andre chuckles, pushing them backstage while simultaneously attempting to avoid Jade's clawing hands.

"Off Harris." She snarls.

Andre shakes his head bemusedly as Jade launches herself back into Beck's arms the second they're released. Beck grins as Jade tangles her hands into his hair. She moans lightly, and Beck's smile only grows. They both ignore Andre's fake retching as he walks back onstage to announce the next act.

Beck pulls back again. Jade whimpers angrily and Beck can't help but chuckle, but what he needed to say was important.

"I love you." He tells her. "I've never stopped loving you. I just need you to know that."

"You idiot." Jade scoffs, lightly swapping his chest. "I love you too." She mumbles.

Beck feels his heart swell with happiness. This was one emotion he didn't mind embracing. Then again, when it came to Jade he never really had control anyway.

/

REMEMBER TO REVIEW GUYS!

I know that the story doesn't really flow as succinctly as I'd hoped - probably because I just wrote up random scenes with no direction or real storyline in mind. Regardless, make my day and leave a comment (especially if you're going to favorite the story).

Also, who is watching Dynasty? 100% my new favourite show. Liz is just fantastic on it, and I'm already so invested in the plot line. Not to mention the fashion is EVERYTHING.