Title: Inner Circle
Author: Jonathan
Rating: T
Chapter: Two
Category: Tori/Robbie
Spoilers: All of Victorious. Maybe some Sam and Cat too. Depends on the timing. But everything is running in the current time frame.
Summary: Doors open to rooms all the time. But do all doors open to traditional rooms or can they lead somewhere else?
Disclaimer: Victorious is owned by Dan Schneider, Danwarp, Nick, Viacom

Obsession.

That is what you're thinking, isn't it? You're thinking that I'm obsessed with Robbie Shapiro, and that how can I really ever be like that? I mean, you actually do know Robbie. You've seen him around the school, you've seen him around LA, and I'm sure your mother has had a peculiar run-in with him. Maybe she was one of the mothers who even attacked us the other day. Whatever it is, you know he is a socially awkward, somewhat inept, and often has a hard time knowing how to act in certain situations. Not to mention he has a peculiar relationship with his puppet…

Bottom line…

You just don't see any reason for me to actually be friendly with this guy. For all I know, you take one look at him, then one look at me, and you find that the simple friendship that we share could even be possible. For all I know, I don't know who is even reading this story.

But that doesn't matter.

What does matter is how I feel about Robbie Shapiro. What I feel for my friend, and how lucky that I have him in my life. Despite what you may think of him or what you think of me, or how I handle this friendship the two of share.

Whatever it is, you have no right to judge how we function. I mean, sure, I admit that I have an unfair advantage. I admit that I might know more things about Robbie Shapiro then dare I even that that Robbie really even knows about himself. But that doesn't change the fact that I don't value him as a person, and am not using my newfound knowledge against him.

Nope.

If anything, I just have an outlet that allows me to cherish these moments that I alone can enjoy.

Robbie Shapiro is by far the most interesting person that I know…

…

…

And he only knows me as a girl that is actually okay with him…

Letting out a sigh, I pull myself out of the hill that I just fell down upon. Shaking my head, I tiredly trudge up the hill and start to make my way toward the bus stop. Taking out my pear phone, I glance at the time and can tell that another bus is due out soon.

Placing my phone back in my pocket, I start walking toward the bus stop. It was just over 7:45 in the evening. My parents think I'm over at Cat's working on a school project. They have no idea that I even went back to the school tonight to spend some more time alone in the second janitor's closet, and traveled back into the world of Robbie's brain.

And what did I find out?

I found out just how much pain Robbie was feeling the day of his hospital stay.

What?

You thought I was going to tell you what I was doing right after I just wrote down the last chapter?

If I did that, then you wouldn't know how my so called 'obsession' with Robbie grew. Sure, I gained allot ever since I found the door, and that it has been a couple weeks since that day, but there were eye opening experiences in between those two weeks. I learned allot about my friend. Everything between Robbie's hospital visit, to our prome, to our Spring Break, and when Helen came into our lives…

Allot of things happened…

I even finally found out about just how Robbie Shapiro truly became almost inseparable from Rex Powers. His puppet, Rex Powers, and finally realized what was my first real clue that Robbie was actually hurting more than anyone ever certainly knew before. I just wish I paid more attention to him more than I do right now…

"So… how you feeling?"

And then I heard a groan. Shaking what I think was my head, I felt myself coming forward, and gazing out the eyes of Robbie Shapiro. He took his hand and grabbed his glasses, placing them back on his face. "My tummy… it all feels so…"

"Rob… Rob…" Rex said. "I don't care."

He groaned again, and collapsed on his bed. "Rex, I'm not feeling so good…"

'Robbie…' I thought as I heard him having slight discomfort.

"So, what do you want me to do about it?" The puppet asked.

'Help me.' I heard Robbie think to himself. I look out his eyes, staring at the puppet. "Rex…"

"I don't care… Rob, it's a stomach ache. Give it time…"

'Maybe you're right…' I heard Robbie think to himself. "Yeah… I guess it is…"

And then that was it hit me. That was when I started to get a glimpse into the mind of Robbie Shapiro. Robbie doesn't really care about himself. Sure, we all knew that Robbie viewed Rex as another person. As a friend. But as I looked at Rex through Robbie's eyes, I could feel the yearning, the pleading, the longing. Robbie really didn't feel good right now…

Then Robbie let out a breath, and climbed off his bed. Placing Rex down, he went for his bag. "I got to make sure I have some money for lunch and dinner." He told himself as what was appearing to be Robbie getting ready for the day. "Mom and Dad are still in Boca."

Boca? Your parents are in Boca?

Taking his pear phone, he noticed that school was about to start, and he had to get a move on. "Don't forget about me." We both heard. Turning back to the bed, Robbie went for Rex, already feeling the dejection wash over himself…

I never felt such a loss for anyone I realized as he headed for the door, still feeling the stomach ache he was having from earlier. Giving the room once over, I realized this was actually the first time I ever really got to see his room. It was rather small. Neatly put together, but still a mess. Photographs lined the shelves, as well as some action figures. A couple posters. Galaxy Wars I think. I really didn't get that much of a view. We were already on the move...

… And that was one of my initial visits to Robbie's brain. I got a sense of finally how Robbie actually viewed himself. That he didn't care, that he depended on Rex to tell him how to treat his body if it was in distress, and even began to see just how absent his parents were. I had no idea they were in Boca back then. And to think this was a warning to Robbie to go get some medical attention. To go see a doctor…

I really am glad now that we both have O-Negative blood. Don't get me wrong, I was glad I was able to help him. But because of this door that I found, I actually got to feel his lack of self-respect, lack of general concern, and lack of a social life that he had, and how much he really needed his friends…

Too bad we weren't always there for him...

"Oh…." I said to Robbie as we all walked into the hospital room. It really was a shock to see one of my friends laying in bed, not being able to do much of anything.

"Hey guys." Robbie greeted with a smile. Even if I know the truth behind his eyes, I knew he wasn't feeling well.

And yes, before I further let you in on what happened next, I want you to know that after I fell down the hill, and got a bus ride back to the school, I was able to join the rest of my friends. To everyone there, nothing has happened yet, but to me? I don't know what, but I knew something could happen. I just wasn't sure yet.

"There's a car parked in Robbie's butt." Rex said to us.

That would explain the pain in his stomach from earlier. But a car? What? How? Why?

"Quit saying that." Robbie said to Rex, and slapped him. I smirked, seeing that maybe he did have some control over Rex after all.

"Robbie, you want to explain?" Lane asked. Obviously filling out the adult portion that we needed right now. Too bad Sikowitz was stuck at the school.

"Well… when I was seven years old, I took my favorite little toy car to school, and a scary bully made me swallow it." Wait? What? A bully made you swallow your car. Oh God… I'm so sorry, Robbie…

"Yeah…" Rex added. "She was real scary." He looked at Robbie. "Remember how she kept whooping you with her own ponytail?"

"They were braids." Robbie retorted. And there comes the snide comments again. Rex really has some power over you, huh?

Looking at him, I said, "So wait. This little toy car. It's been inside of you for almost ten years?" Wow. Robbie really has had some bad luck in the past.

"Uh huh…" He said, agreeing with me.

"So… this little car…" Andre piped up. "Why won't you know… just back out."

"Well, the doctor says it's just stuck in my small intestine. That's my x-ray right over there."

We all looked at the toy car in his small intestine, and we couldn't help but feel for him. This really was something that we wish he would never have to experience.

"What kind of car is it?" Cat asked.

"Looks like a sportscar." Andre suggested.

"Yeah… It's a Pontiac." Robbie clarified.

It does look like a Pontiac we all realized as we went back to the x-ray. I couldn't help but look back at him in sorrow. I wish I could help you.

"Excuse me." A nurse said, entering the room. Everyone looked at her. "Robbie's parents are on the phone in reception."

Well, I guess your parents did try to make an effort. But as I turned back to him, I could see there was more pain behind his eyes then he was letting on. You don't spend all this time in his brain, and not start to learn how his behavior actually masks how he is really feeling.

"Oh good." Lane said. "I'll see you in a few." He then went the nurse.

Robbie added, "Thanks, Lane." Just before he left too.

"So, is there anything we can do to help?" I asked him. I really did want to help him. He looked like he needed it. Between everything, I'm sure he could use a friend right now.

"Shhh…" Trina interrupted. "Listen." She listened to the incoming coughing. "That is some juicy coughing and hacking."

"So?" I asked, shocked that she would say something like that now. Especially when Robbie was stuck in a hospital bed.

"I'm playing the role of a little girl with tuberculosis." She clarified. "And I want my coughing and hacking to sound realistic like his." He continued to cough. "Wait till I get there." She grabbed Cat by the arm. "Come with me."

"Kay. Kay." Cat said, then was dragged off.

Poor Cat. I could tell she wanted to be with us, but then Trina had to take her with her of course. But that didn't matter right now. All that mattered was Robbie. It was actually at that moment when a doctor came in. "Oh my goodness, Robbie." He greeted. "I didn't realize you were so popular." He then glanced at Jade. "Are you his girlfriend?"

The only reason I knew he was talking to her was because I glanced at the doctor as I was fluffing Robbie's pillow. I was hoping I could give him some comfort through this ordeal.

"No. Are you?" She asked.

I finished fluffing his pillow, and I knew Robbie didn't need any more stress at that moment, so I came up with an idea. "Why don't you go down the nursery and scare the newborn babies?"

"Oh…" She smiled. "Where are the babies?" I knew that would get Jade off his potential back.

"Uh so, Doc." Andre brought him back to the conversation at hand. "What's the situation with Robbie?"

The doctor explained, "Well, do you see this tear in his small intestine?" He asked, pointing to the x-ray.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Okay. Well, if that Pontiac moves, it could rip that kid's guts apart."

Robbie squealed when he heard the doctor say that. I glanced back at him with concern, and then back at the doctor.

"So, slice it open and yank it out." Jade told him.

"Well, we would." The doctor reasoned. "But Robbie has a rare blood type. O-Negative."

"Oh…" I said, understanding.

"Negative." Andre added.

"And we don't have enough here for the surgery." The doctor finished.

"So how do you plan to…" Andre attempted.

"Woah. Woah." Jade interrupted. "I know where you can get some o-negative blood."

"Where?" I asked.

Jade grinned, and unsleaved my arm, exposing my skin. "Right here." She patted my arm.

"I'm O-Negative?" I asked. Remember, this happened before I knew what type of blood I had. Don't forget, this is a past memory. I looked back at Jade. "You did go through my medical records."

"Told you I did my research." She told me, letting go of my arm, and using that stupid accent of mine. Which I do not have. I really don't.

"Would you be willing to donate blood for Robbie's operation?" The doctor asked.

And just like that, I agreed to it. Thinking back, I can see how Robbie was right about he felt all those days after I found that door. As I said, I got to know Robbie Shapiro, and that includes his feelings and his emotions. This proves that. But this memory also proves one more thing. I want to help Robbie. I want to be his friend. I want him to have a relationship with a person that he knows he can count on.

I just wish he would accept that.

TBC in Chapter 3.