Out of the Closet and Through the Halls to...

Cat and Robbie were standing in the hall talking when Cat spotted Jade hauling Tori through the halls of Hollywood Arts. She squealed and clapped her hands at the sight. Tori didn't look scared and Jade did not look angry. -Hey that's a first Cat thought, smiling.

Robbie and Rex turned to watch as Jade led Tori towards the exit. He was surprised to see that Tori was smiling and blushing, while Jade had a serious look of concentration on her face.

"Where are they going?" Robbie asked aloud.

"I'm pretty sure that depends on whose parents aren't home." Cat answered in a voice that was for once devoid of any ignorance. She just laughed to herself and smiled.

Robbie turned to look at Cat. She rarely said things that made sense but this might be the first insightful thing he's ever heard her say. That didn't mean he still wasn't confused.

"What do you mean, woman?" complained Rex.

Cat ignored Rex and said a silent "yay!" as she watched the departing girls. Cat saw this coming, maybe even before Jade and Tori knew it themselves.

"It's about time." Cat said to herself turning back to Robbie. Robbie was still looking to where Jade and Tori exited. Cat snapped her fingers causing him to focus on her.

"So tonight, Baby-golf?" Cat asked with a cute pout and a pleading look. Robbie was putty in her hands.

"Yeah sure." Robbie said a bit too eagerly.

"Don't let her cheat you Rob!" Rex spoke up.

"I do not cheat!" Cat cried walking away from Rex and Robbie.

Outside Andre and Beck were standing in the parking lot talking.

"So I was at The Pizza Shack last and I met this girl...Jennifer. Man I was like, and and she was like... you know." Andre said, smiling at Beck.

"Uh, yeah?" Beck asked. He was glad Andre didn't fill in the blanks. "So you gonna see her again?"

"She's coming to the studio tonight and I'm gonna lay down some tracks. I got some drum and bass, liquid dub-step, maybe a little house music. This girl is hot. She's a dancer and man she can shuffle. And get this, she can spin! That's right- I got a date with a female DJ!"Andre was obviously very pumped about his date tonight.

Jade and Tori blew right past them and Jade made sure not slow down. The last thing Jade wanted was a series of questions from Beck and Andre. Jade had her car keys in one hand and Tori's hand in the other.

"Was that?" Andre asked.

"Should we be worried?" Beck asked.

Both guys just shrugged and figured that if Tori needed help they would get a phone call or text message. Beck knew Jade had been talking to Tori about the break-up. Maybe this was the chance they needed to bond. It was rare to see Jade reach out to anyone.

"You're coming with me." Jade told Tori in a voice that carried through to the guys. It really was more of a demand than an actual question.

"Of course." Tori readily agreed. Also loud enough to let everyone know she was wasn't being dragged off against her will.

Jade smiled at Tori's easy acceptance and was surprised at her own feelings. Finding out that Tori was into her was a little indescribable. Jade was shocked to find out that she was pleased about Tori's feelings. And not just that Tori wasn't into Beck, but she liked the idea of Tori liking her. It made her feel special, and wanted.

"Are your parents home?" Jade asked Tori once they were buckled into Jade's car.

"No but Trina will be there in less than an hour." Tori said.

"Then my house it is." Once Jade navigated her way out of the parking lot she sped towards her house. Keeping her left hand on the wheel Jade reached over and laced her fingers with Tori's. She was rewarded with the huge smile that slowly appeared on Tori's face. Jade felt warm and oddly happy at making Tori smile.

Beck used to make Jade feel that way. The last six months were more about comfort and convenience, and maybe a touch of pride at dating the guy all the girls dreamed of, than real love. Jade did love Beck, but she wasn't so much as 'in love' with him, and Jade doubted Beck would argue over that statement. -I gave him a chance to take me back and he turned me down. Jade reminded herself.

"I take it your house is empty?" Tori asked.

"Both of my parents are out of town until the middle of next week." Jade said speeding down a side street.

"I know you were the one asking this question earlier but I think I also deserve to know. You're not playing a game with me... are you, Jade?" Tori asked. Her voice was low and a little sad but she squeezed Jade's hand gently and turned to look at her.

Jade was happy to have the excuse of keeping her eyes on the road because she knew that her eyes narrowed at the accusation. But given her history with Vega it only made sense that she would be nervous about this.

"I'm not playing any games with you Tori." Jade said the words slowly and precisely. Careful to use Tori's first name and to keep some of the acid out of her words. Jade didn't like it when anyone questioned her motives.

"Okay." Tori brought Jade's hand up and pressed her lips to the back of Jade's hand.

Any lingering anger or annoyance Jade felt fled the moment Tori's lips touched her hand. It was simple gesture but that was one of the things Jade found frustrating about Tori. When she does mess up, or when she does something wrong her apologies are so completely sincere and open. They really do convince people that she's sorry. Tori's willing to swallow her pride, and her dignity, to make up for even perceived wrong. She's too damn nice!

And despite herself Jade loved her for it.

"It's just since I've known you it's always been you and Beck..." Tori didn't want to say too much more on that subject considering those wounds were still raw.

"It's exactly that." Jade said, now being the one to bring Tori's hand to her lips. "Since you've known me." Jade pressed her lips to Tori's hand and Tori seemed to accept that answer.

Jade wasn't about to admit that her first girl-crush was none other than Cat Valentine back in Jr. High. Cat, however, needed a friend and protector more than a girlfriend at that time and Jade never pushed the issue. She met Beck a couple of years later in an acting seminar and had been with him ever since. -But not anymore. Jade told herself.

Jade made it to her house in record time. She felt her pulse quicken as she stepped out of her car. Excitement flared inside her and that made Jade feel happier than she had been in months.

"Wow." Tori said getting a look at Jade's house. The place was pretty big and beautiful. Tori allowed Jade to walk up and capture her hand and they made their way through the house.

Jade didn't even give Tori a tour she just guided them right up to her bedroom. Again, key in hand, she unlocked the door and opened it for Tori.

"You have a key to your bedroom?" Tori asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?" Jade asked with only a fraction of her usual snark.

"Not for me." Tori said smiling.

Tori stepped into Jade's giant bedroom. The walls were painted midnight blue, there was a large dark chestnut wardrobe, a full body mirror in the back corner made of three mirrors to give you multiple angles, and a large cushioned chair in the opposite corner draped in blood-red velvet. A large four poster bed dominated the center of the room. Over the bed was a pale canopy of gossamer material which cascaded around the whole bed.

Tori turned to Jade who flipped a switch and the room was gently lit by streams of what looked like Christmas lights, only Jade used just red, blue, purple, and white lights.

Tori suddenly found herself alone with Jade in Jade's room. Jade locked the door. -Behind a locked door Tori thought.

"Nice room." Tori said as her pulse quickened.

"Thank you." Jade stepped close to Tori.

"I like your decorations." Tori said looking everywhere except where she really wanted to.

"How do you like the bed?" Jade asked moving even closer.

When Tori turned back to face Jade their noses almost touched and Tori held her breath. She also took the initiative.

Tori leaned in and kissed Jade. She felt Jade's soft lips pressed against her own and let her bag fall from her shoulder. Jade's lips slowly parted and her tongue pressed against Tori's. Jade was so passionate that Tori didn't even realize Jade was guiding her to the bed.

Jade's bed was so soft, Tori slid back along the black silk duvet and felt engulfed in pure comfort. Jade smiled and ran her fingers through Tori's hair keeping their kisses tender and passionate. Jade felt Tori's hands slide down her back and then slowly up under her shirt.

Feeling Tori's hands sliding over her bare skin made Jade moan softly. Her hands moved up until they connected with Jade's bra strap and then Tori gently dragged her nails back down Jade's back.

Jade arched her back and moaned again at Tori's touch. She leaned away from Tori momentarily to catch her breath.

"You really are good at everything." Jade teased making Tori smile.

"Well maybe not everything." Tori said shyly.

"Wait, you mean...?" Jade was just a little surprised.

"I've never been with anyone before." Tori admitted.

"Seriously?" Jade asked softly as to not make it sound like she was making fun of Tori.

"My dad's a cop, remember." Tori reminded Jade.

"Oh that's right." Jade most certainly did remember.

"I'm not saying we have to stop." Tori said. She leaned forward and kissed Jade again. Making it clear that she had no desire to stop what they were doing.

"Tori..." Jade wanted to protest. She didn't feel that she deserved to have this moment with Tori. After everything they'd been through, and now this.

"Jade, I want you." Tori said looking into Jade's beautiful eyes. Jade's eyes sparkled blue and green, and they were hooded as they looked into Tori's.

Jade kissed Tori again. -Yeah Jade,like you're going to be able to resist giving her what she wants. Jade knew she wasn't going to deny Tori.

Jade and Tori moved under Jade's covers and proceeded to remove the remaining fabric between them. Along with their clothes they shed all the negative and painful history they shared. Words of apology and understanding were exchanged along with vows of caring and desire. Tori wasn't naive enough to believe that Jade wasn't going to change over night but Jade has displayed amazing degrees of loyalty and devotion to her significant others. She might not have done many nice things for Beck, but she was always affectionate, and there for him.

Jade understood that Tori was a very talented actress and singer who might steal her roles...but since Tori would be her girlfriend, she could always throw a positive spin on it. The realization that Tori wasn't after Beck was what hit Jade the hardest. All of those jealous feelings were now completely meaningless. Tori also proved her attraction to Jade in more ways than one that night.

Early the next morning both girls awoke in a tangle of limbs and covers to their phones alert tone.

"Text message." Tori said looking for her phone.

"It's from Cat." Jade said her voice still drowsy. Her phone was on the table next to the bed.

"Mine too...we're late for school. And she knows we're together." Tori smiled and sank back into the comfort of Jade's waiting arms.

"Of course she does, but no school today." Jade said pulling the covers back up over both of them.

"What should we tell Cat?" Tori asked.

"She'll know what to do." Jade said taking Tori's phone from her and dropping it on the floor next to the bed.

A/N: Okay you asked if I would consider writing another chapter...here is another chapter. So now it's a two-shot. Tell me what you think.

Chapter 8 of More than a New School is still very much in progress. I am glad I stepped away a little bit to write from another perspective but I just can't wait till we get to Sikowitz's class on Friday!