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It's a standard mission, Jade thinks, and it should not be taking so long, given how simple the job actually is.Step one: Track down the criminal known as Jason "The Serpent" Jenkins.Step two: Locate the set of stolen codes containing classified intelligence from a high-profile criminal syndicate.Step three: Retrieve the codes before Jenkins can sell them to the highest bidder at his upcoming underground auction.So far, they’ve tracked down Jenkins. They’ve figured out where the codes are hidden. Now, all they have to do is distract him (Cat), steal the goods (Tori), and neutralize him (Jade) before anyone has the chance to draw a weapon.The reality is though, Jade's been lying on the cold rooftop of a ten-story building for the past hour, watching through the lenses of her sniper rifle with tired eyes.Jade hates waiting. Almost as much as she hates watching Cat bat her eyelashes and twirl in that little pink dress of hers. It's tight, studded with a thousand dazzling jewels, and Jade's surprised Jenkins hasn’t gone blind from their constant gleam under the lights.The clock ticks by for another ten minutes. Growing restless, Jade taps her comms back on, hoping she didn't miss anything important, but all she hears is Cat giggling and making stupid comments like: "Wow! You must work out all the time!"Jade lets out a loud groan. This is what she gets for trusting Tori Vega to finish the job as she stays behind as some glorified form of backup. How humiliating."Maybe you could give me a few pointers," Cat's voice chimes in. "You could be like my personal trainer?""I might be available for some one-on-one sessions." Jenkins has the audacity to say."Promise to be gentle?""Only if you promise to be-"
"Cat, I swear to god," Jade warns her. "If I have to hear you two flirt for a second longer, I'm putting a bullet through both your heads."Cat doesn't seem to pay any mind to Jade's threat, though she does let out another airy laugh that sounds a tad more nervous than before."Actually, it's getting pretty late..." Cat checks her phone and pretends to pout. "Maybe I should get going..."That's a lie. Cat knows there's nowhere else she can go, at least, not before Jade bails her out of that room, and that can only happen once-"I'm at the basement level now," Tori declares, right on cue. "We're good to go.""Finally," Jade says dryly. "Cat, you better duck," she warns the redhead, and she's seconds away from pulling the trigger when Tori's shrill voice fills their ears again."Wait, wait, wait!" Tori whispers frantically. "Never mind! Don't shoot!""Vega..." Jade takes in a deep breath, trying very hard to find patience. "What's going on?""There's a bit of a complication on the basement floor.""What kind of a complication?" Jade can feel a vein popping in her forehead, just as Cat's charming voice joins in on the conversation."I'm only joking," Cat continues, her tone dropping a pitch lower than usual. "You know I'm not going anywhere... Not tonight."Jade takes in another deep breath, resisting the urge to bang her head against the rooftop cement. Why on earth did Cat have to be the one to distract that stupid lump of a human being, and why did she have to be so good at it."Okay, so there's a lot more security than we were initially expecting," Tori informs them, sounding like she isn't bothered at all by Cat's nauseating act. "It's going to take some time sneaking around here before... Oh, crap!""What?" Jade demands. "What is it now?""I think someone just saw me," Tori answers nervously, and her line goes quiet after that.Jade doesn't even have time to chew Tori's head off for her stupidity. She directs her attention back to the building across from her, peering into her lenses to find Cat, sitting pretty on a fancy leather couch and their target, Jenkins, reaching towards his phone."Shit! Cat, he's getting a call."Jade half-expects Cat to break character, yelling "Language!" at her like it's second nature, but instead all she hears is Cat sliding off the couch, crying "Oh, Jason!" as she practically throws herself into the man's arms."Do you really have to answer that?" Cat asks as she looks up at him with big doe brown eyes.Jade hears Jenkins stutter something in the background like a bumbling idiot, just as Cat flashes him another, much too dangerous look. She's reaching for his tie now, giving it a slow yet deliberate pull. Jade forces herself to look away, her face flushing red, her blood pressure absolutely skyrocketing.She's about ready to turn off her comms too but Tori's voice happens to cut in again: "Just give me five more minutes! I'm almost there."Jade doesn't even know if she has a minute left in her to endure this any longer. It's somehow even worse, just listening. All she hears is Cat's quickened breaths, dipping in and out of every kiss, some obnoxious moaning from Jason's end, and is that the sound of someone's belt unbuckling?!"Hurry it up, Vega!" Jade is close to flinging herself off the building at this point.Then, at long last, Tori arrives to save the day."I'm in!" she announces loudly. "I'm in! I got the codes!"And that's all Jade needs to hear before she fires away.Even from a distance, Jade can hear the sound of shattering glass, the unmistakable fwump of a body dropping onto the floor, Cat's surprised squeak, and the thunderous ringing of security alarms following soon after.Jade smiles with immense satisfaction. Now, if only she were allowed to use real bullets instead of these lame tranquilizers.She picks up her grappling gun next, carefully aiming towards the pillar behind Cat, who seems to be in the middle of fixing her hair and zipping up her-Thunk!"Jade!" Cat gasps, sounding slightly out of breath. "That almost hit me in the head!""Well, it didn't," Jade retorts. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this discussion now, would we?"Cat rolls her eyes but can't seem to argue with that sort of flawless logic. They switch straight back into professionalism as Jade throws a harness across the line and Cat hooks herself onto it with ease.A few seconds later, the door to Jason's suite bursts open and a swarm of surly-looking guards tumble into the room.Cat wastes no time leaping off the balcony, gliding effortlessly onto the neighboring rooftop where Jade is waiting.It's kind of hard not to notice Cat, what with her flaming red hair and diamond-bedazzled dress and all.That's when the real bullets start to fly."I'm at the van," Tori's voice echoes in their ear. "Are you guys on your way?""We're a little busy right now!" Jade shouts in response, shoving Cat around the corner as they duck behind an old air conditioning unit."Are those gun shots?" Tori starts to ask. "On second thought, don't answer-""NO, TORI! THEY'RE FIREWORKS AND IT'S THE FOURTH OF JULY!""Yeah, stupid question... Sorry.""They've got eyes all over the fire exit," Jade huffs, choosing to ignore the rest of Tori's incessant babbling. There's another stream of bullets aimed at their heads, and she can practically hear the structure behind them beginning to give way. They aren't going to have cover for much longer."You see any other way off this building?" Jade turns to Cat. Cat hums, looking entirely too cheery for someone who's being actively shot at from multiple angles, but then again, it's rarer to see Cat frown than it is to see her smile."Yes, I do!" Cat replies, her eyes going wide. She briefly glances down at her harness, then presses a finger to her comms. "Hey, Tori. Could you bring the car towards the west side of the building? We'll be down there in fifteen seconds.""Fifteen-? Um, okay! Okay, I'm on my way!" Tori sounds frazzled, but she knows better than to try and win an argument with Cat. Besides, Cat's plans always seem to work out, like, 90% of the time.(Except for that one time involving purple dye and a wild giraffe.)"You ready?" Cat turns to Jade now. Her expression altogether playful."Your plan sucks," Jade makes a point to say, but she's already got the grappling hook in one hand, and Cat's got her other hand in a vice-like grip.They nod at each other in sync, and Cat starts counting them down from fifteen. At ten, they break into a run. At nine, the grappling gun fires once more.They hold onto each other as they jump. The harness catches Cat by the waist and, in turn, she tightens her grip around Jade as they shoot downward at an alarming speed. A familiar vehicle rushes into view with Tori screaming: "I'm here!"They hang in mid-air for just a moment before the line snaps, and both of them crash onto the roof of Tori's van. Well, Jade's van, but Tori's the one who's driving.There's a surprised yelp from inside, but then Jade hears Tori shouting frantically at them to "get in, get in, get in!" So she does, dragging a groaning Cat along with her.Tori slams the gas pedal the moment Jade shuts the door behind her, and the three of them are soon speeding out of the alleyway with almost three seconds to spare from Cat's countdown."Wow, that was a close call," Tori says, after they've run at least three red lights."Yeah, no kidding," Jade snaps as she belatedly untangles herself from Cat."Ew, gross." Cat abruptly sniffs at her own clothes. "Jason's cologne totally smells like gatorade shampoo.""...That's not a real thing, is it?" Tori feels the need to ask."Well, one time, my brother-""I'll send the codes over to Sikowitz now," Tori hurriedly changes the subject."We're supposed to call him Bosley," Cat reminds her."Bosley, yeah, that's what I said." Tori waves off the comment, her attention split between somehow navigating traffic and sending incriminating digital data over the phone.She takes her time, and gets honked at twice, but she completes the task eventually.They manage to get onto the highway soon after that. Jade finally feels the tension easing from her body, while Cat sinks lower and lower into her seat, her eyelids starting to droop. Jade feels the sudden urge to let the redhead rest on her shoulder, but she's still tasting bile at the thought of Cat kissing that ugly meathead from before.It's all part of the job description, Jade knows that. She wants to throw up at the sight of Tori flirting too, but most of the time, it's out of actual disgust rather than feelings of-Jade shakes her head. Nope, she is not dealing with this. Not now, not ever. Jade West just doesn't like to share what's hers, that's all. And Cat Valentine has been hers for as long as she can remember.Thankfully, she's broken out of her thoughts when Tori's phone buzzes in the front seat. Tori tosses it to Jade before quickly placing both her hands back on the wheel. Jade scoffs but she answers the call anyway, putting it on speakerphone."Hello, Angels! I just got your message!" Sikowitz's jolly voice echoes through the van. "Another international crisis averted. Top-notch job, as always.""Thanks, Bosley," Tori and Cat pipe up in unison. Jade scowls."I've sent over the codes to the proper authorities. Hopefully, it won't involve too much needless paperwork." There's laughter, clinking glasses, and music playing loudly in the background. "I'm a bit swamped, you see.""Where are you?" Tori asks, confused at the noise."The Philippines!""Excuse me?""Oh! It's the annual coconut festival," he explains, like this isn't news. "They've got dances and parades and plenty of juice to go around. As a matter of fact, I've been especially enjoying the-""So, while we've been working our asses off trying to keep the entire country from blowing up, you've been on vacation this whole fucking time?" Jade says through gritted teeth."Lan-" Cat starts, but upon seeing the look brewing on Jade's face, backtracks immediately. "Lan...zones! Boy, do I want me some lanzones.""What are lanzones?" Tori questions."Oh! They're these little fruits that look like soft jelly when you peel them open.""Are they any good?""No, I don't like them...""Tell you what, Tori," Sikowitz butts in. "Why don't I send over a box of them to your apartment by tomorrow evening, and in the meantime, the three of you can start looking into the details of your next assign-""NO!" Jade yells into the phone and ends the call. She then chucks it back to its owner for good measure."Don't throw things at the person who is driving your car," Tori tells her in indignation."Crash my car and you're dead, Vega.""We would all be dead, Jadey," Cat remarks, far too seriously. "We're on the highway."There's a brief silence after that.Cat, as usual, is the first to break, her laugh so infectious that Tori can’t help but join in. Even Jade finds herself cracking a small smile of her own.The day has been long and grueling, and the looming reality is that their next job will likely be even stranger, more dangerous, and far more unpredictable than the last. Yet, it's moments like these that linger in memory.As much as Jade wants to strangle Tori with her own hair - and she's still not sure what the hell she wants to do with Cat - Jade knows, deep down, she wouldn’t trade this little trio for the world."So... Ice cream?""Oh! Ice cream! Yes! Let's go get ice cream, Jadey! Ice cream, yay!"Somewhere deep, deep down, Jade thinks, probably.
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"Wow, she looks really green," Tori remarks.
"And pale," Cat adds quietly.
"Super pale," Tori agrees. "Even paler than usual, which is saying a lot."
"I can still hear you," Jade growls, but she barely moves her head to acknowledge them.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tori asks again, and the only reason Jade stays put in her seat is because pushing Tori off the boat doesn't seem like it's worth the trouble if she's going to vomit all over the deck.
"I'm fine," she grits out.
"But you haven't even threatened to kill me or pushed me into the ocean yet."
Jade stills, wondering if Tori had the sudden power to read minds.
Cat doesn't say much, though her eyebrows are doing that thing where they droop and pinch together, like she's trying but can't quite contain her worry.
"I'll get you some water," Tori volunteers as she stands up. Jade throws her a look, but the movement is slow and labored, like she can't quite summon the energy for a proper scowl.
"I don't need water," Jade grumbles, even as she lets Cat draw slow, sympathetic circles on her back. It's unbelievably soothing, and she has to stop herself from moaning out loud because that would be mortifying.
"Oh, come on. You need to hydrate." Tori returns with a bottle of water and a knowing smirk. "Especially since you drank all of somebody's fancy cooking wine last night."
She indiscreetly points at Cat, who takes a moment to register what's been said.
"I knew it!" Cat gasps as she flings her arms out dramatically, nearly toppling over the side. Jade and Tori both lunge to grab her at the same time.
"Watch it!" Jade barks, pulling her back.
"Careful," Tori sighs.
"Oops!" Cat giggles. "The ocean's so bumpy today."
Jade rolls her eyes, but she doesn't let go of Cat's arm. She doesn't let go of the railing either, like it's the only thing anchoring her down to this planet. "Okay, no more talking or moving until we're back on land."
Tori glances over at the radar, which had been beeping dully in the background. "That's not for another hour and a half, if all goes well."
Jade groans loudly in response. Her stomach churns as she leans over the side of the boat, glaring down at the sea like it's personally offended her. She opens up the bottle and begrudgingly thanks Tori before taking a sip.
Cat softly pats her on the shoulder. "It's okay, Jadey. We'll be quick."
Jade squints at her through bleary eyes. She watches Cat's bright hair whipping in the salty wind, and her stomach does another round of somersaults.
"Did you know fish can get seasick too?" Cat pipes up again, leaning closer to Jade.
"No."
"They totally can!” she insists. "I think I saw it on the Discovery Channel."
"No, Cat. I meant stop talking."
"Oh."
Cat pouts, and it looks like she's considering saying something else, but instead, she slowly wraps her hand around Jade's, her touch gentle yet firm, grounding them both as the boat sways underneath.
Jade appreciates the quiet gesture. Even if she secretly likes to hear Cat chatter away, she really doesn't need to add a migraine to her current list of symptoms. She still feels queasy, and despite herself, she leans into the comfort of Cat's warm touch, wishing the feeling would last a while longer.
From the corner of her eyes, she can feel Tori's scrutinizing gaze, but Jade chooses to ignore that for now.
Eventually, though, the radar's beeping grows louder and more incessant, signaling that they're near their destination. She reluctantly lets go of Cat's hand as Tori slows the boat to a crawl. Jade is in no condition to dive, and Tori almost failed her open water diving test, just barely meeting the minimum standards.
So, the responsibility falls on Cat, who ironically, despite her name, loves to swim.
The sound of the zipper on Cat's wetsuit cuts through the wind. Jade watches, still slumped against the railing, as Cat pulls on her diving mask and secures the oxygen tank.
"You have everything you need?" Tori asks, checking over Cat's gear like a fretful mother.
"Try not to drown," Jade mutters.
"Try not to throw up while I'm gone!" Cat says cheerfully. Then, after a silly sailor's salute, she dives off the side of the boat. The water swallows her whole, and the boat rocks slightly with the ripple of her entry.
Tori crouches near the edge of the boat, her fingers hovering over her watch. "Now, we wait."
"In silence." Jade cannot stress this enough.
"Okay, sheesh!" Tori puts up her hands in mock surrender. "You're impossible, you know, land or no land."
Good, Jade thinks. She's got a reputation to uphold.
Neither of them speak after that, but it's a silence that doesn't press. Jade sits cross-legged now, her chin resting in her palm as she watches the ripples in the water where Cat disappeared.
Tori glances at her watch occasionally, her lips twitching into a faint smile as she catches Jade's restless gaze darting towards the water.
"She'll be fine," Tori says, her voice gentle and understanding. Jade doesn't reply, just gives a slight nod, her shoulders relaxing by a fraction.
But as the minutes tick by, Tori starts to grow antsy as well. She glances at her watch again, her frown deepening once she realizes Cat's missed her check-in point.
Jade shifts beside her, noticing the change in Tori's demeanor. "How much air does she have?"
"Enough," Tori answers vaguely, but her fingers keep fiddling with the watch.
They both stare at the water, the air turning heavy, prickling with unease.
"Shouldn't she be back by now?" Jade finally voices their thoughts, her grip tightening on the railing as her stomach twists now for an entirely different reason. She can almost see the wheels turning in Tori's head, imagining a million different ways in which the mission could be heading south.
Just as the tension feels unbearable and Jade prepares to dive in after her, the water bursts with a splash.
Cat emerges from the waves, gasping but grinning wildly. "Sorry I'm late!"
Tori and Jade exchange looks, a mixture of relief and exasperation flooding their faces. They quickly help hoist Cat up by the armpits, back onto the boat; Cat laughs, wiping water from her face as she pulls off her mask.
"So, good news! I found the bunker," she says between breaths, her smile wide and triumphant.
Jade is beginning to rejoice - until Cat starts talking again.
"Bad news." Cat flops down in her seat, still catching her breath. "It's like full of nuclear warheads."
They both stare at Cat, blinking once, then twice in stunned silence.
"Yeah, so... We might want to call for backup."
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"Where are we going?" Tori asks, for what feels like the hundredth time that evening."Oh, you know…" Jade gestures at the road as she drives. "Out.""Would it hurt you to add a little detail?""It totally would. Thanks for asking.""Ugh! Forget it," Tori says, even though her tone suggests that she won't be letting this go anytime soon. She keeps side-eyeing Jade for clues, but her expression is perfectly calm and unreadable.Tori tries to distract herself, looking outside at the view, but there isn't exactly a view. It's just a long, dark, empty road and Jade is speeding down it like a maniac near midnight.She glances at the rearview mirror instead, and her stomach literally drops when she finally, finally notices the shovel, lying there ominously against the seat."Uh... Jade?" Her voice comes out higher-pitched than she intends. "Why do you have a shovel in the backseat of your car?""Because I put it there," Jade answers, sounding uncharacteristically innocent and sweet."Oh, god. It's actually happening.""What is?""My murder," Tori says, all too dramatically.Jade lets out a little snort but doesn't bother denying it, which only sets off more warning bells."Okay, okay, I get it! You don't like me, but is this really necessary? Really?" Tori pleads, her eyes flicking nervously between Jade and the shovel. "If this is about me eating the last donut, I didn't even know it was yours, I swear. Cat told me I could have it!""You're so loud," Jade sighs, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "Can't you panic in a less obnoxious way?"Tori ignores her as she looks out the window again. "What are my chances of survival if I jumped out of the car right now?""Slim to none.""Okay." Tori nods. "I'll take it.""What?" Jade finally turns to face her, unsure if she's joking or not. "Tori, seriously, I'm not going to kill you. Stop acting crazy.""Then tell me what's going on!" Tori demands, tugging at her seatbelt like a petulant child. Jade doesn't say another word but the car, somehow, begins to go even faster.Well, fine then, Tori thinks, arms crossed. Two can play at this game."You know, you could have just told me if you wanted to hang out with me," she points out, sounding intentionally smug."That is not what we're doing," Jade flatly denies, and Tori enjoys the sight of her right eye, twitching violently at the mere suggestion."You sure?" Tori hums. "Because you're spending an awful lot of gas on someone who you say is your sworn enemy.""Don't flatter yourself.""Aw, Jade. It's okay. I know you secretly like me.""NO!" Jade snaps, her voice cutting through the air as she takes a sharp turn, the tires screeching. Tori immediately clamps her mouth shut, gripping the door handle in regretful silence.The car eventually slows to a stop as they approach a gravel lot near a dimly lit building. Tori squints at it, trying to make sense of the scene."What is this place?" Tori asks, her voice filled with dread and suspicion.Jade doesn't answer her. She steps out of the car and slams the door behind her, walking towards the building with simmering rage. Tori hesitates before reluctantly following. At least Jade isn't taking the shovel with her.They stand side by side at the front entrance and now even Jade looks like she's here against her will. She sighs heavily before pushing the doorbell. There's a pitter-patter of excited footsteps and the door swings open, revealing none other than..."Cat?!""Tori!" Cat stands there at the doorway, an apron in one hand and a party hat in the other. "You got here just in time!"Tori blinks, glancing past her into the room. "For what?"Cat steps aside, throwing her arms out wide. "Surprise!" she shouts as the room behind her explodes in color - streamers, balloons, and a shower of confetti raining down from some poorly hidden contraption above.Tori stands still, her mouth falling open. "What?"Jade slouches off to the side, hands stuffed in her pockets, her expression carefully neutral. "Happy birthday, Vega."Tori blinks at her, then at Cat, who is practically bouncing with joy. "Wait… Then this whole time you were just trying to throw me a birthday party?"Jade shrugs. "It was Cat's idea."Tori stares at her, then lets out a disbelieving laugh."Aw, so you do care about- No, I take it back! I'm sorry!" She turns to bolt, barely dodging Jade as she takes a big swipe."Jadey," Cat calls after them. "You promised. No scissors!"
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Jade is freezing.Not the oh-it’s-a-bit-chilly kind, but properly freezing, like the kind of cold where it feels like her blood is turning into slush.Honestly, of all the ways she thought she'd go, turning into a human icicle in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, wasn't high on her list of guesses.Oh god, Jade laments, she's actually going to die alone. In Canada, of all places. Beck would have a field day if he ever heard about this.Not that he would ever know. They broke up ages ago, and the only ones who know she's here are Cat and Tori. Tori and Cat, who are probably looking for her right now.Well, Cat, yes, hopefully. Tori, maybe not so much.Jade can't even remember exactly how this happened. They had been tasked with retrieving some important satellite piece that crashed in the middle of a mountain. Her last clear memory is of the snowstorm - being momentarily blinded by the whiteout and feeling her foot slip into something thin and brittle.Then, the sharp snap of her rope, a terrifying freefall, and now this: wedged in a crevasse, her ankle throbbing and her body stiffening as the cold gnaws relentlessly at her.Her radio is gone too, probably somewhere up there, buried deep within the snow.So, Jade waits, listening intently for any signs of her friends, but all she hears is the howling wind. Her body shivers violently and each breath hangs in the air like a pitiful ghost.It's starting to feel a little hopeless, and Jade's not a positive thinker, not even on her best days. They'll be here soon, she tells herself, over and over again, because that's all she can do to keep her other, much more morbid thoughts, at bay.The minutes blur together. Or are they hours? Her thoughts turn hazy, and she tries to focus, to hold on to something, anything - but all that comes up is her parents' angry faces. Her dad storming out of the house. Her mom standing in the kitchen, staring at the floor like she’d dropped a plate and couldn’t possibly figure out how to pick it back up.Jade closes her eyes, trying to keep those particular thoughts far from her mind. There is no way she's going to spend the last few seconds of her life reliving her parent's divorce.Her thoughts drift, unbidden, to Cat.Cat, with all her quirks, her lame jokes and jovial laughter. Her stupid red velvet cupcake hair, and the scent of her strawberry shampoo filling up the room after every shower. The stuffed animals on her shelf, lined up in such a specific order that even Jade isn't allowed to mess with it.The way she continues to call her Jadey, and how Jade has long since given up on telling Cat to stop, because maybe she's secretly fond of how it sounds, like it's still just the two of them against the world, back when they were kids, innocent and carefree, unburdened.What did Cat last say to her? Jade's pretty sure the last thing she said to Cat was something annoyingly practical.Oh, right. "Cat, make sure your line's secure," is what she had said. And yet here she is. Jade would roll her eyes if she had the energy."Look, Jade!" Cat's voice echoes in her memory. "We're linked together! We're rope buddies!"If only she had more time to figure out something better to say than, "Ugh, go bother Tori." But what would she tell Cat? That she hates how much she cares? That being around her makes Jade feel weak and pathetic, and all that romantic crap only nice people like Tori would ever say?Yeah, Jade grimaces, on second thought, it's better she didn't get a chance at all.Another shiver wracks her body, violent and uncontrollable. Her teeth chatters so hard it hurts.Somewhere in her half-frozen brain, she imagines Cat rappelling down from the sky, yelling, "I'm coming, Jade!" before dramatically scooping her up in all her five-foot-two glory. The thought is so ridiculous that it makes her laugh. Or, she tries to laugh. Her lungs aren't quite letting her get the job done.In the haze of her delirium, it really feels as though Cat is here with her, not shouting anymore, but holding Jade gently in her arms."I've got you," Dream-Cat whispers, and Jade sinks into the imaginary embrace. A numbness spreads through her body. It's all slipping away, effortlessly, and she’s too tired to hold on. Jade slowly comes to, her thoughts sluggish and senses foggy.The first thing she notices is the heat - blessed, glorious heat. The second thing is the fact that she is now neck-deep, submerged in water, which would be fine if not for the realization that someone else is in the tub with her.Her head lolls back, and she finds herself staring up at a familiar pair of brown eyes.That's when she makes the third and most important observation - the someone else is Cat, and it becomes alarmingly apparent that Cat is, or has been, practically spooning her back to consciousness.Jade flails her arms around in an attempt to escape, but Cat doesn't let her, and the water sloshes around everywhere."Jade, calm down! It's me!""I know it's you!" she growls. Then before she can tack on another snarky comment, Jade catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror."Hey, Cat..." Jade starts again, dangerously calm. "Where are the rest of my clothes?""...You mean, like, besides your underwear?""Yes, obviously, I mean besides my-" Jade cuts herself off, exasperated. "Seriously, Cat. I am almost naked.""Oh... Don't be embarrassed, Jadey. We've seen each other naked before."Jade's face burns despite the hypothermia, and she whips around to face Cat, fully committed to the idea of drowning her best friend when she realizes - and here comes the final nail in the coffin - "Why aren't you wearing any clothes?!"Cat, who is dressed in nothing but her bra and tight shorts, looks very tired and distressed. "Stop moving around, okay? I'm just trying to get your body temperature up.""By undressing each other?"Cat shoots her a rare look of annoyance, as if to say, "Please be serious.""Your clothes were like popsicle sticks," Cat huffs. "You were also a giant popsicle stick, and Tori said that skin-to-skin contact is the fastest way to-""Tori said WHAT now?""Oh, she's awake." Tori, who was just about to enter the room, quickly walks back out the door. "You're welcome, by the way. You know, for saving your life!""I am going to kill you, Vega," Jade tries to raise herself out of the tub, all the while shouting at Tori's hurriedly retreating figure, "and it's going to be painful and creative and slow!"Unfortunately, her voice comes out too hoarse and raspy, so the threat doesn't hold as much edge as she wants it to. Her arms are like noodles as well, and Jade finally notices that her body is, in fact, still shivering, so maybe her teammates did have somewhat of a point there."Jade..." Cat looks at her with a mixture of concern and disapproval. Her voice is lower, and it's one of those unusual moments where Cat is the one who has to calm Jade down for once. "Just stay here with me, okay? Please?"Jade sighs, but she obediently sinks herself lower into the water.Cat adjusts her grip, making sure to keep them both comfortable and upright. Jade tries not to think too much about how solid she feels behind her, how her warmth is more comforting than it has any right to be.Considering how stubborn Cat can get about Jade's well-being, she has no choice but to try and relax. Bit by bit, the tension in her shoulders begins to melt away. Her eyelids start to feel heavy again, but this time for a good reason, not the kind that comes with impending death; she's almost ready to fall asleep when Cat's breath tickles her ear."You scared me.""Hmm?" Jade shifts slightly, but Cat, instinctively, holds her closer in protest."You weren't answering the radio. Your safety rope snapped and the storm was getting so bad, we couldn't find you, and I thought...” Cat's voice turns small and feeble. “You scared me.”"...I'm not going anywhere, Cat." Jade pats her arm awkwardly. "A bit of snow’s not going to kill me."She can feel Cat's whole body wince, most likely not wanting the reminder of that ever being a possibility.The majority would call her naive, but Jade knows that isn't true. Cat's optimism isn't ignorance - it's a kind of rebellion, a deliberate choice to not let the worst define the moment, regardless of how bad the situation may seem."You promise?" Cat whispers, as if she needs the assurance more than anything else in the world.Jade nods, the faintest of smiles tugging at her lips."I promise."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The first time Cat meets Tori is when Jade is out of town for Thanksgiving.Jade had, of course, given Cat the option of joining her family for the holidays, but Cat didn't want to intrude on what little father-daughter bonding time there is in the West household. Jade might still claim to hate her father, but Cat certainly knows that isn't true.And so, Cat has the apartment to herself for three whole days, and it's been a while since she's been left completely on her own. Honestly, she's at a bit of a loss, unsure of what she used to do before Jade entered the picture.She turns a random Netflix show on in the background; it's the only way she can drown out the quiet. Silence brings with it, too many things. Contrary to what people may believe, Cat's problem isn't that she thinks too little; it’s that she thinks too much. Her mind is always buzzing, constantly running over the same thoughts, the same memories. She thinks too much, feels too much.Naturally, it's a huge relief when Bosley calls. Cat is in the middle of counting the number of loose threads on the couch cushions when she lunges for her phone."Hello-o-o?" she answers much too enthusiastically."Ah, Cat! Sorry to bother you during your break, but there's been a slight hiccup," Sikowitz says with a dramatic sigh."What's up, Boz?" Cat asks, her curiosity already piqued."We have a new Angel joining us this month, fresh out of training," he explains. "It's her first assignment but she's requested backup at some exclusive dinner party scene, and you're the only-""That's so exciting!" Cat stops him right there, not needing to hear more. "I'll be there in twenty minutes.""But I haven't even told you the location yet!" His voice carries on through the phone, but she pushes that aside for now.She's got a closet to rummage through. Tori Vega is slowly losing her mind.She paces the tiled floor, heels clicking to a nervous beat. Her hands can't keep still, constantly smoothing her dress or tugging at the hem as if that could magically help her come up with a better plan than hiding out in the bathroom until her target gets away, again.She's been tracking this man for days, chasing him across states, only for him to slip through her fingers every single time. Tonight might be her final shot at this before Bosley calls it a day and tells her she doesn't have what it takes to be an agent after all.To be fair, no amount of training, no matter how rigorous it may be, really prepares one for the real deal.It's not as easy as she's seen other Angels make it look in those polished, flawless demonstrations. Her target has two bodyguards glued to his back. Not the casual, easily-distracted type either. Real professionals, the kind who clock every single face in a room.And the man himself? Equally untouchable. She's tried everything. A few laughs, a coy smile. Dropping a pen. Nothing lands. It's like flirting with a brick wall.If only she could just knock him unconscious and take off with his hotel card, but the whole point of this mission is its discretion. She is, under no circumstances, supposed to be caught."Get it together, you," she grumbles, pointing accusingly at her own reflection. Her reflection stares back at her, deeply unimpressed. "Come on, you just," she exhales sharply, "need a new angle."A soft creak cuts through Tori's words. Her breath hitches, and her eyes snap toward the stall farthest from the door.How long had someone been in here with her? How did she not notice? A chill prickles at the back of her neck. What a rookie mistake. What a stupid, sloppy, dumb-"Hi! You must be Tori."A young woman greets her with a playful smile. She's wearing a stunning purple cocktail dress with four-inch stilettos and hoop earrings. Her nails are lined with rainbows. Though none of that are quite as striking as her bright red hair, vibrant and crimson like roses or a blazing fire.It takes another second to realize that the girl addressed her by name. "I'm sorry, but... Who are you?""I'm Cat!" she says, looking into the mirror as she reapplies her lip gloss. "Bosley told me you called for backup."Tori thinks back to her conversation with Bosley. The reception hadn't been very good, and all she heard over the buzzing was something about him sending over a cat, which Tori naturally assumed was some sort of trained feline, not an actual, well, human being."Oh, thank god," Tori mumbles under her breath. "Yes, hi! I'm Tori, and I really, really need your help.""That's what I'm here for!" Cat beams. "What do you need me to do?"Tori shoots her a frantic look. "Didn't Bosley tell you about the mission?"Cat shakes her head, looking a little sheepish for some reason. "You can tell me now?""Okay," Tori groans, rubbing her temples. "Okay, so here's the thing…"The thing is that Tori doesn't mean to unload everything that's happened to this completely uninvolved stranger, but she does. All of it. It's incredibly easy to, actually, seeing how much of a good listener Cat is."-and I was supposed to be on a team with my sister but she somehow got herself suspended last month. Apparently, she accidentally started a revolution or something in, like, Yerba. How does that even happen accidentally?""Whoa…" Cat leans forwad, her eyes growing startlingly wide. "Your sister is Trina Vega?""Oh, great," Tori states with a frown. "She's famous now.""Super famous," Cat confirms. "Kind of a legend, actually.""This is officially the worst day of my life," Tori decides. "So are you going to help me out or not?"As first impressions go, Tori knows she's coming off as a bit of a whiner, but Cat doesn't seem too bothered by her glowingly negative attitude."Of course! Just give me a second," Cat says, and then begins to hum, teetering back and forth on her feet, presumably thinking. The tune is honestly kind of catchy and Tori spends a minute trying to figure out what the song is, because she has absolutely heard it before, when Cat suddenly claps her hands together in excitement."Oh! Wasn't there a stage in the middle of the dining hall?""Yeah?" Tori isn't sure where the redhead is going with this. "There's a live performance scheduled for tonight, but what does that have to do with- Hey! Where are we going?""Trust me!" Cat smiles widely as she drags Tori out of the bathroom. Tori, who has no plan of her own, has no choice but to follow her in silence. After all, Cat appears nice and trustworthy enough, and she must be pretty experienced with this whole spy thing, seeing how unfazed and bubbly she is compared to Tori's own nerve-racking anxiety.What's the worst that could happen? Scratch that. She does not trust this Cat person at all, not one bit.Tori had asked for help - a real agent who could assist her out of a jam, maybe even give her some sage advice, and send her off into the world with a brighter outlook on life. What she didn't ask for is an Angel who can't take things seriously enough to come up with an actual, functioning plan.Because this isn't, can't possibly be, a real plan. Cat must be certifiably insane to think that Tori will get up on stage right now to sing a song about L.A. boys when she's supposed to be figuring out a way to get closer to her target.She points this out, multiple times."I know," Cat replies, multiple times, and then she spends the next fifteen minutes fixing Tori's hair, redoing her make-up, going over the lyrics, and at the end of it, shoving a microphone into Tori's hands with an undeterred grin."I can't even sing!" she hisses in one desperate attempt to flee. She misses her chance as this only alerts the attention of the crowd. The guests are starting to murmur, glancing towards the two ladies who have now casually walked up onto the center stage."That's okay," Cat whispers to her. "If you're terrible, that's a type of distraction too.""What do you-? How does that even-?" Tori gives up mid-sentence, resigning to her fate now. This must be her punishment for not listening to her parents when they told her to just get a regular college degree."Our song's coming on!" Cat perks up, then noticing the look of horror on Tori's face, lowers her voice to a soothing register."Just trust me," she says again. "Follow my lead.""Okay...""Oh, you're starting us off though."Yup, this is definitely her own personal hell.A familiar beat starts to echo overhead through the speakers. Tori still hasn't worked out how Cat managed to get this showy establishment to play a stupid girlish pop song. Maybe she didn't ask for permission, seeing how startled the staff looks when the music starts playing.Tori summons all the memories of living in her sister's outlandish shadow - how she was always the sidekick in everything Trina did since they were kids. If Trina took the lead, she was the extra; if Trina was the star, she was the backup singer.If Trina wanted to be an international woman of mystery, to quote her exactly, then dragging her little sister along would be no problem. Well, Tori thinks, not anymore.
Driving down sunset on a Saturday night… It's getting kind of crazy under the lights.
It becomes surprisingly easier with each word she sings, and when she feels a little self-conscious, she looks to Cat, who's already watching her with wide eyes, mouthing "You’re doing great!" before jumping in with the next verse.
In their drop-tops, highleys, escalades too. A hundred different flavors to vary your view.
Her voice is incredible, and Tori doesn't even know why she expected her to be bad - she came up with this crazy plan in the first place. Cat dutifully leads Tori down the stage as they hit the chorus, moving closer to the audience, some puzzled, others amused.Cat moves through the crowd effortlessly, singing, dancing, ad-libbing, and in the brief moment Tori looks away, she turns back around to find Cat twirling in front of Mr. Brick Wall. His face remains stony, but his gaze is fixed on her, pupils dilated. Cat locks eyes with him, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
Give it up, give it up. You don't have no choice.
As careless as she may seem, Cat is in complete control of the situation, and Tori doesn't hesitate to put her faith in the redhead now.
What you doing all alone? Come show me what you, got boy. Show me what you got.
Three minutes fly by, and before they know it, they're at the last verse. Cat directs her attention back to Tori for the finale, grabbing her hand and steering her towards the platform. They leap up the stairs in their heels, effortlessly keeping pace as they belt out the final words.
Let's give it up for those L.A. boys!
A wave of applause follows, the audience responding with a mixture of cheers and bewildered laughter. A few whistles and catcalls are heard too, but Tori is busy taking a moment to breathe. She exchanges a meaningful look with Cat, and when Cat nods slowly, grinning reassuringly, Tori's nerves finally settle, knowing the girl had gotten exactly what she sought after.She's still gathering her senses when Cat steps in a little closer."Don't panic, but I think the manager's figured out we're not supposed to be up here and might be calling for security," she says it all in one breath."...What?""We should probably go before they get suspicious. How fast are you in heels?"“What?!”"No, Tori," Cat laughs. "I said don't panic."Annoyingly perky about all this, Cat grabs Tori by the wrist and smoothly leads them off the stage, slipping through a crowd of tipsy dinner guests and overworked waiters, moving quickly but never rushing, until they've somehow maneuvered their way through the kitchen and out into the alleyway."Here!" The moment they're outside, Cat hands her a black hotel card."How did you know that would work?" Tori has to ask.Cat offers her a clueless smile. "How what would work?" With the stolen room key, they easily break into the hotel penthouse and find all the intel and incriminating evidence that Tori has been tasked to find.Cat isn't sure what Tori was so worried about. That girl was a natural offstage and onstage, and she hasn't had this much fun singing with somebody since she went out for karaoke night with Jade.She's still riding the high of it when Tori finally gets off the call with Bosley. She's got deep bags under her eyes, but she's smiling too, visibly relieved that the day is finally over and that she's successfully finished her first task as an Angel.Even though she's only known Tori for at most two hours of her life, Cat is oddly proud of her.They walk out of the hotel together, and Cat assumes this is the part where they say their goodbyes and part ways, as so many people are often eager to do with her."So... Cat," Tori begins clumsily, tucking her curls behind her ears."It's short for Catarina." She shouldn't be giving away her name so willy-nilly but there's something about Tori that she trusts. "Catarina Valentine.""Okay, Catarina...""Oh, but just call me Cat.""Got it, so Ca-""Only my Nona ever calls me that.""Cat, please.""Oops... Sorry," Cat mumbles, looking down at her hands in embarrassment. Seriously, it's like she's allergic to silence with the amount that she talks."No, no, don't apologize." The brunette gives her an awkward yet warm smile. "Look, I just wanted to say... Thank you for sticking with me tonight. I wouldn't have been able to pull this off if it weren't for you.""That's not true." Cat tilts her head, frowning. "You would have finished the job with or without me.""I'm not so sure about that," Tori laughs shakily. "But thanks for saying it anyway."Cat nods understandingly. She can already tell that Tori's going to be amazing at this - she just needs to believe in herself a little more. "How are you feeling?""Tired," Tori answers immediately. "Like, the most tired I've been in my life."Oh, Cat can agree to that, as sure as eggs is eggs."It really feels like it's worth it though," Tori continues, "knowing that I'm actually doing something to help people. It feels...nice."She's got that shine in her eyes, the kind most people have when they start down this road. Cat can't remember the last time she felt that way. She loves helping people, putting away bad guys, lives for it, actually, but at times it feels more like it's about leaving a part of herself behind. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if it was ever anything else.Phew... Finally! Something she definitely doesn't want to share with the rest of the world."I like you, Tori," Cat settles on instead. "I think you're a good person.""I like you too, Cat." Tori's face brightens considerably at her words. "Maybe we can work together again someday.""…That would be so much fun!" Cat lets out an excited gasp as an idea suddenly pops into her head. "You should meet my partner too! Her name's Jade. She can be really mean sometimes but she's a big softie on the inside.""Oh, uh, sure? That sounds great!"Famous last words, they would say now, in retrospect.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Remind me again why I'm stuck acting as your wife?""Because," Tori says, sounding like she doesn't care to elaborate until Jade glares at her threateningly. "We're supposed to be arriving as astronaut Walter Swaine and his wife, Nancy Swaine.""I know that," Jade grunts. "I'm asking why I'm going as Mrs. Swaine.""Look... We all agreed that I'm better off playing the role of the husband, okay?" Tori replies as she checks her tie in the mirror."Oh, what?" Jade scoffs. "You think I can't pull off being a dude?""No, but I can think of two big reasons why it would be harder."Tori waves uncomfortably in the direction of Jade's, how to put this, well-endowed assets.Jade looks down at her chest and nods a bit too smugly. “That’s fair.” Then, she frowns again as she remembers to be her grumpy old self. "Okay, then why can't Cat go as Walter Swaine?"She ignores the funny sensation she feels at the idea of being pretend-married to her childhood best friend, slash roommate, slash co-worker, slash... There can't possibly be another. That's already way too many things for one person to hold over Jade's head."We tried that, remember?" Tori says shrewdly. "You're the one who said she looked like a little boy from a Renaissance painting.""That wig looked ridiculous on her.""You picked it out!""Only because she kept poking at it while we were at the store," Jade argues back, pretending not to notice Tori's exasperation, which seems to have hit its maximum quota for today."Okay, if you're going to be an absolute nightmare about this, I can just ask Cat to be my lawfully wedded wife." Tori locks eyes with Jade through the mirror. "How does that sound?""Hey, guys!" As if summoned, Cat chooses this moment to barge into the room. "I'm finished with my disguise!" she announces, circling around the bickering pair, who quickly seal their mouths shut.It's not hard to see the inspiration behind Cat's costume. This time, her hair is hidden under an ugly mustard-colored cap, and she's wearing a ridiculously over-sized jumpsuit with thick rubber boots.Jade stares confusedly at her. "Why are you dressed up as a janitor?""I thought I could be whoever I wanted to be?""Yeah, but as someone who's supposed to be attending the party," Jade pointedly reminds Cat, watching as the redhead deflates like a punctured balloon. "Ugh... Just go get changed. We're running late as it is.""Aww...""Wait! Before you go," Tori calls after Cat's slumped figure. "What do you think?" the brunette asks as she hastily sticks on a thick, bushy, handlebar mustache.Cat stops for a second to turn around and her demeanor immediately shifts from that of a kicked puppy to one of unbridled joy."Oh my god, Tori. You're so funny," Cat wheezes, close to tears from laughter as she shuffles out of the room."You look like a rat died on your face," Jade comments as well before gleefully pulling out her phone. "Say cheese.""Oh, come on!" Tori crosses her arms, annoyed, but she lets Jade take the picture anyway. "Is it really that bad?"Jade gives her a long, hard look without saying another word."Fine, let's just get this over with," Tori huffs. "Do you still have the ticket?"Jade reaches into her dress, pulling out an invitation made of thick, high-quality paper. Embossed in gold foil at the top, the elegant lettering reads: Exclusive Gathering of The Elite Consortium."This is going to be such a lame party." The grand ballroom is alive with glittering chandeliers and the hum of quiet conversation. Two Angels stand near the buffet table, reluctantly mingling as they scan through the crowd."Okay, I've got eyes on the target." Tori tugs Jade by the arm, subtly trying to move them towards a middle-aged man in a gray suit, holding a glass of champagne."Don't touch me," Jade warns her."We're supposed to be married, Nancy.""Well, I want a divorce, Walter.""Doctor Swaine!" Unfortunately, the aforementioned man, Doctor Voss, addresses them mid-argument. "I see you've accepted my invitation for tonight!""Doctor- Ahem, oh, Doctor Voss," Tori quickly deepens her voice. "Yes, we, uh, greatly appreciate your hospitality. We're big admirers of your work, you see.""Of course, I would naturally think so," the man says in an obnoxiously irritating voice. "I've only just started following your work. Your most recent paper on gravitational fields and manipulations is simply fascinating. Care to elaborate on how it could be, ah, applied in more practical ways?""Oh... Gravity, right..." Tori, being the genius that she is, hadn't been expecting a science question. "I think my, uh, wife might actually have some insight on that. Don't you, darling?""My goodness, dear, I haven't the faintest idea," Jade, for some reason, begins speaking in the sweetest, silliest, Southern accent ever."You can't answer questions regarding your own thesis, Doctor?" Voss seems to narrow his eyes in suspicion. "I would think that after I've expressed my personal interests in this little NASA project of yours, there-"A clatter echoes nearby. Everybody turns to look at the server stumbling into their line of sight, holding a tray of prawns."Hello! Would you gentlemen like to sample a piece of-" Cat lets out a high-pitched shriek as she trips - masterfully, of course - and sends a cascade of shrimp cocktail directly onto Voss' chest."Oh no!" Cat exclaims, eyes wide with feigned horror. "I am so, so sorry, Doctor!"The man jumps back, sputtering in fury. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you absolute imbecile.""P-please, sir, let me try to help," Cat stammers, dabbing at his clothes with a napkin while simultaneously making it worse by rubbing the sauce into the front of his shirt."You incompetent, useless piece of-" Voss shouts, his face growing redder by every second. "Who hired you, and why haven't they been fired yet?!"Cat is trembling now, looking positively terrified at his tirade. She's an amazing actress, and Jade knows that's what this is, acting, but she can't help but feel a sudden wave of protectiveness wash over her."My, my, this is becoming quite an unsightly scene, Doctor," Jade cuts in, her voice dangerously saccharine. "Perhaps we can move somewhere more private and continue our discussions from there."At least her words seem to knock some sense back into the man. Seeing as how the entire room is whispering scandalously in their direction, Doctor Voss has no choice but to take a deep calming breath."Hmph... Pardon my awful manners." He lowers his voice as he adjusts his ruined tie with a slow, calculated motion. "Good help is so hard to find these days. I'm sure you understand," he says this part a bit more loudly, so that the spectators can also hear.His dark beady gaze then sweeps over Cat. It is neither subtle nor kind. There's a hunger there that certainly wasn't there before, as if he's just noticed Cat's appearance for the first time."It’s obvious you wouldn't be able to compensate me for the price of this suit. But I'm not an unreasonable man," he carries on in a disgustingly slimy voice. "There are...other ways to make it up to me. I’m sure we can come to some sort of an arrangement."Jade hardly even waits for Cat's response.In an instant, her fist connects with the man's jaw in a single, clean motion. Doctor Voss makes a strange gurgling sound before stumbling backwards into a fountain of fondue, spilling expensive cheese and melted chocolate.The room falls silent. If all eyes weren't on them before, they surely are now."Well," Tori says after a moment, "that's one way to get the job done.""Jadey," Cat sighs, hands on her hips. "I thought we're supposed to be interrogating him.""Change of plans," Jade growls. She motions for Tori to grab him by the ankles as she lifts him up by the shoulders. "We're leaving.""Um... Nothing to see here, folks!" Tori assures the horrified crowd as they carry an unconscious body out the front door."Please enjoy the hors d'oeuvres!" Cat says politely before closing the door behind them.