Subconscious Hope

DISCLAIMER - I do not own Victorious, or any of the Characters, Images, or any else that is in any way related to it.

FYI: Italics is someone's dream, Bold is someone's inner thoughts, and Bold Italics is a Text Message

Chapter 15 - Brighter Than Grey

A/N: This is the final chapter. I'm sad to see this come to an end, but happy it ends on a high note.

"Tori? Tori?" Cat was looking for her wife, who had mysteriously vanished. She had gotten the part in the play she was auditioning for, a musical about the power of true love. It was so Cat, and she felt she would be perfect for it. A few moments later, Tori walked around the corner of the living room.

"Hey, babe. Whassup?" Tori, holding a glass of chardoney, walked up planting a kiss to her wife's forehead, and then grabbed her ass.

"You know I don't like you drinking. Especially while you're pregnant."

"Well, we don't know for sure if I am or not. I was only induced two days ago. Doctors said it could take up to a week to know for sure."

"Ugh, you can be so difficult. Why do I keep you around?" Cat was laughing, turning away and walking to the bedroom. Everytime she asked Tori why they were together, Tori took it as a challenge to prove why they were. Cat, knowing this, had goaded her into the bedroom, clothes already discarded.

Tori grabbed her, slowly pulling her down, onto the bed. She parted the beautiful legs, going to work rather quickly. "Because of this." Tori answered the rhetorical question, looking up at her redhead with enough love that even Jade was sure to feel it. And speaking of, she decided to call at just that moment.

Cat, supressing a moan while Tori still worked on her clit, answered. "Jaaddeee?"

"Oh, god Cat, you aren't. While talking to me. Don't you and Tori ever take a break?"

Cat lost herself in what Tori was doing, hormones raging and flowing to her center. Her own ecstacy building, she heard Jade trying to call out to her. "Cat? Cat? Yo, Cat?"

"Cat?" Jade was trying to bring the girl to, as she was leaving for the night. The doctors had relieved the meds a while ago, and they were supposed to have worn off by now. But Cat, who obviously didn't like being disturbed when dreaming, especially of Tori, slept through it. Jade walked over, leaning down to Cat's ear, whispering. "Don't worry about you and Tori. She's scared about what happened, but she'll get through it. You know her, never say die attitude."

Walking out, she ran into Tori. Their rivalry somewhat over, she looked on with genuine concern. Tori looked on, noticing something in Jade that had never shown before, bringing her to gulp. "Yep, STILL got it!" Jade was happy to know her intimidation factor was still there, even though she was being a bit friendlier to her latina "friend". "Tori, listen. I know you will, but please, take care of her. She needs it. She has already been through so much. And so have you. Stay with her, and you'll be fine. Don't let her brother and that shit freak you out."

"Yeah, I guess not. I think I should focus on how much I love her, and she loves me. Right?" Tori knew that she would get thorugh, as the real danger was long gone. But it would take some time, maybe even therapy. But she had Cat to talk to about it, and she knew that having someone familiar with the situation would help her make headway like no one else could.

"Exactly. Now, your fiance-" "Damn, it weird saying that about them" " -needs you. She's still out of it. I think I heard her mumble your name. And something about a baby?"

"BABY?" Tori knew that at 17, neither she nor Cat were anywhere near ready for something like that. Maybe on down the line, but not now.

"Calm down, Tori. Your head is already messed up enough." Jade said it slightly sarcastically, alluding not to the physcial damage, but the fact that she had always believed Tori, much like Cat, was a bit off. Because, seriously, who can be that nieve and trusting all the time. Especially when you treat them like shit almost all the time they are around you.

"Funny, Jade. But really? Baby?"

"I think. Now, I gotta go. Beck and I have some "things" to do. We'll catch you two later." Jade had backed off a bit. With the fear of Beck being stolen, and school ending in two months, they didn't need to be on edge with each other anymore. Especially since they would probably be out of touch a lot. Sure, calls or texts would be exchanged, but the constant hanging out would be thrown out the window when their careers took off.

Andre, having been signed to a record label already, had Tori auditioning soon to try and be hired as well. Cat, who wanted to be on Broadway, was still unsure. She had told Tori only a few days ago, and didn't know if she would or not. Beck and Jade had plans of being the next big Hollywood "power couple." One actress/writer plus one actor/director/heartthrob (Well, Jade is a heartthrob, too, but to completely different crowd all together), they would be more than busy. And Robbie, well, figured that comedy was more his calling. He was going to do standup, and would be more spread across the country than all of them combined. So, keeping in touch would be very difficult.

Tori hugged Jade, thanking her. Giving her a light kiss on the cheek, she took her leave, walking back to Cat's room. The redheaded beauty was out cold, still mumbling about their "baby".

"I think we should name it Andrew if its a boy, or Elizabeth if its a girl." "I like those names. But Cat, let's wait a few years, yes?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you today. I love you, Tori!" "I love you, too, Caterina. And I always will."

"Its crazy. A few weeks ago, I didn't even know why she was crushing on me. And we've only gone on one date. But I know I love her, and am going to marry her."

Cat finally started coming to, her eyes blurring as she opened them. But instantly recognizing Tori, she smiled. A kiss came to her lips, the machines responding as her heart began to race. The nurse walked in, checking to see what had happened. "Everything okay, sweetie?"

"Oh, yes ma'am. I just love her so much."

"Oh, well, it shows." Thankfully, Cat didn't understand that the nurse had been talking about the ring on her finger. She still had no idea it was there, and that Tori was there to ask her and make it completely official. Cat smiled, and the nurse left. Cat turned back to Tori, who had tears in her eyes.

"Tori, is everything okay?"

Tori got on one knee, Cat's breath hitching. "Wait, is Tori-?" "Caterina Valentine, I know this is a bit quick, but I know now why you love me, and that I love you too. You complete me, and you pretect me, even when you are faced with the darkest of situations. I have thought about this endlessly as I watched you lay there. You are the most beautlful, amazing girl I know. And I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it. But now that I know, I want nothing more than the opportunity to prove to you how much I love you, and how I want to be here for you and with you, in the darkest and brightest times in your life. I want to share the joys of life, and the fear and uncertainty that comes with it. Will you, will you marry me?"

"Tori, oh my God. YES! YES!" The machines responded again, but the nurse, having heard the proposal, decided to give the girls a few moments. Tori, who had already placed the ring on an unconcious Cat's finger, took her hand in her own, kissing the ring. "Wait, how did that-?"

"I gave it to you, the day after your brother, well, you know. I knew while you were unconscious on the floor, that I wanted and needed you. I told our parents, who were there after I called them. They know, as do all of our friends. All I needed to do was actually ask to make it official."

"Tori Vega, you are one crazy girl. What if I had said no?"

"Oh, please. We both know you wouldn't."

"True. But still-" "You're right. But I would like to know that I am engaged."

Tori leaned in, kissing Cat again. Cat was feeling better, not just because her mind was on overdrive. Her head had healed up a bit, and the pain was going away. "Sorry, baby. I just, well. Sorry."

"Its okay, I guess." Cat started crying, the joy of the moment finally setting in. She also feigned some hurt, looking into the palms of her hands. She wanted Tori to feel "bad" for holding out on her.

"Oh, baby. Don't cry. I'll make it up to you, promise." "Oh, I'll make it up, alright. You are going to be limping for weeks when I am done with you." "So you're the one who is taking my little whore of a sister away from me?" Tori, hearing the voice in her head, started to kiss Cat again, using the rush of joy to drown the fear away.

"Tori, are you okay? You look a bit, I don't know, off."

"Well, its now or never. Rip the bandaid." "Cat, I keep hearing voices. From your brother."

"My brother?"

"Yeah. Remember the night after our first date? When I had the dream? They're getting worse."

"Tori, don't let them get to you. You can't let them get you."

"How did you fight them?"

"You."

"Huh?"

"I used you. The hope that I would be with you. I loved you Tori, from the moment I saw you. I knew you were different, that you would help me. I kinda became attached, and eventually fell in love with you. And I used that hope of being with you to fight."

"Huh, is that why we hung out so much?"

"That, and you're a great friend. And a WONDERFUL dancer. God, I could watch you dance, all damn day." Cat pictured it in her mind, her pants getting wetter by the moment. "God, I wish I weren't in this hospital. I want you, so bad Tori."

"Oh really?" Tori's sly smile gave her away. Knowing that nothing would happen, she instead just leaned in, kissing Cat while playing with her breasts.

"You, you fucking tease."

"Yep. But, me? How do I fight? I already have you. So what do I do?"

"Hes gone, Tori. He can't hurt you, or me. Since I've been out, which is, uh-"

"Eight days, baby."

"Right, eight days. I haven't dreamed about him, once. I fought and won. My love for you conquered my fear of him. It will do the same for you, if you really do love me."

"Wow, Cat, that's deep. REALLY deep. But you're right. I love you so much, that nothing else matters. Its you and me, and nothing will ever take that away." "Thank you, Cat. For everything. You are my best friend, other than maybe Andre, and my lover." She winked, making Cat's pants wet again. "And for being there for me and with me through everything. Just like you need me, I need you. We fought together, and I guess I still am. But we are together now, and will face everything head on, like I said we would."

"That's right, baby. Now, can we go home, I want you so bad."

Cat didn't get her wish, though. The doctors held her for a few days longer, making sure there wasn't any permanant damage. And to make sure that Tori was fine, too. She was released on Friday afternoon.

xxxxx

"Hey, guys!" Tori had planned a party for Cat, to welcome her home and to make sure that everyone got one last chance to hang out before things went crazy. The group ate and played cards for a few hours, before leaving Tori and Cat in the empty house alone. Mr. and Mrs. Vega had gone with Trina to look at colleges, and would be gone for the weekend. And Mrs. Valentine knew that Cat and Tori would be inserperable, with the wedding only months away.

After hearing what Cat had said, Tori's mind was finally put at ease. Both girls still heard faint voices, but they were so weak and so infrequent that neither dwelt on them. Tori watched as Cat ate her prizes for the night, about one hundred M&Ms, and a Snickers. Tori warned her about getting a stomach ache, but Cat ignored it.

"Tori, can I tell you something. Back when you kissed me, but said it was a mistake, my rainbow was broken that day. It was grey and dingy, lackluster and destroyed."

"I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"Its okay, Tori. I know you had no real idea what was happening, or what it did to me. I felt like my inner person and spirit were broken. But then you came back, and you tried. You tried for me, and fell for me. You tell me everyday that you love me. And even though its not perfect, my rainbow is brighter than grey now. Because of you. You are my rainbow, Tori. Because it represents my heart, and you are my heart, now. I know you've already done so, and I said yes-"

Tori watched as Cat walked over, kissing her before getting on one knee. She pulled out a small box, which had her mother's ring in it.

"-but, will you marry me?"

Tori, almost jumping through the roof, tears flowing before she said anything. "YES!" Tori took her, and watched as the ring slid onto her finger.

"See, thats how it's done." Cat was still teasing her, Tori not living down the fact that she "proposed" while Cat was asleep. Tori looked down, sticking her tongue out and pulling Cat up.

"Okay, you win. You are a better fiance that I am. You know what that means?"

Cat started walking to Tori's bedroom, before calling over her left shoulder. "No, what?"

Tori followed behind her, pinching her ass on the way up the stairs. "It means I have to fuck you now." Tori "pouted", enticing a joyous squeal from Cat. The two found their way up, forgetting the outside world as they took their time. Their subconscious hopes had been fulfilled.

Okay, guys. This is the end. I'm sorry to say, but anything else after this would be a bit over the top, in my mind. But hey, it was a fun ride, right? I hope you all enjoyed it, and will re-read it sometime again in the future. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, favorited, or just plain read this story. I hope you will all join me sometime in March, when I start my multi-chap Cade. (Its the only individual pairing with Tori, Cat, and Jade that I haven't done yet. And nothing against Trina, but I don't like her character that much, so I probably won't ever do one with her. Its these three girls or bust.) Please, if you are kind enough, review this one last chapter, and let me know how it ended!