And Move On


By Kryptonite


_____Opening_______________________________________________


So how's it feel? Storm asked the next night after Scott had gone back to teaching. Nightcrawler looked up with interest. Kurt had stayed around and was teaching a religion class, unfortunately, not a lot of students wanted to take it. But the few who were really liked the class and how Kurt was teaching it.


Not bad. Just feels a little different, that's all. Scott shrugged and continued playing with his food. The X-men noticed that Scott wasn't eating but didn't say anything.

~~~~~


So, you're teaching again. Tori said. Scott had expected to see another tub of ice cream but found actual food. Tori was cooking two chicken breasts on a small hot plate.


What's with the food? Scott sat down in his usual chair and Tori dumped a plate with chicken and a baked potato in front of him.


Butter's there if you want to put it on your potato. You better eat something. She said, taking a bite of her own cooking.


You didn't answer my question. Scott poked at the food, but didn't take a bite.


Eat. I noticed you didn't eat anything at dinner. Anyway, this is better than ice cream and I'm hungry too. Tori shrugged and took another bite. Staring pointedly at Scott, he eventually took a bite.


This is good. He mumbled around the chunk of food he was trying to eat.


Don't talk with your mouth full and thanks. The two sat in silence and finished the meal.

~~~~~


Scott? You need to eat something. Professor Xavier was sitting at the table watching Cyclops pick his breakfast apart.


I'm not hungry. I'm gonna go work on the bike. Scott pushed away from the table and left.


We have to do something Professor. Storm said, not bothering to look at the telepath.


And what do you suggest? He asked, a hint of humor in his voice. We can't help Cyclops if he doesn't want our help.


I know. Storm frowned. A hand on her arm directed her attention to Nightcrawler.


It vill all verk out fine. Have faith.

~~~~~


What do you think Pyro was thinking? The question was a favorite topic among the students, which they discussed at length.


He wanted power. And he wasn't too fond of humans. Another student put in. Bobby frowned and tried to watch the TV. Tori listened and watched from a darkened corner.


Bobby? He was your friend.


You have had nine weeks now to discuss this topic in full. Drop it. Bobby stood up and walked from the room.


He has a point. The room was silent and then the students started moving around to go to their respective classes.

~~~~~


Can anyone tell me what Monkshood is? Storm looked around the room for a raised hand. Yes Sarah.


Wolfsbane. It's a yellow-flowered poisonous European plant.


Very good. What about... Storm looked around trying to think of another plant to ask about. What about wolfberry? Bobby.


North American white-berried shrub of the honeysuckle family.


Mustard? Tori raised her hand.


Used as a stimulant and diuretic, an emetic or a counterirritant in medicine.


A pungent yellow powder of the seeds of any of several common mustards. Rogue countered, smirking at Tori. Tori widened her eyes and looked at her text book.


You're both right. Clematis.


Any types of vines or herbs of the buttercup family with three leaflets on a leaf usually having white, red, purple or pink flowers. Tori answered without looking up from her book.


That's enough for today. Storm said as the bell rang. Pick up one of the sheets by the door for homework. She called over the hub-bub of students leaving.


Tori caught up with Bobby and Rogue outside the greenhouse.


Listen Bobby. Tori swallowed as Rogue and Bobby semi-patiently waited for her to speak. I- I'm... I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't do... I mean... I didn't do anything that would have made you react like that. I have no clue what happened. I'm sorry if you got hurt. But there was no way I could have prevented it.


You did warn me. He said, but Tori wasn't listening.


I have to go. I'm sorry. Taking off at a dead run, Tori passed almost everyone who had poured out of the greenhouses.


What's with her?


She dropped her backpack. Rogue pointed and grabbed at it.


We can drop it off at her room. The two walked hand in hand back to the building and then into the cafeteria, after dropping Tori's bag at her room door.

~~~~~


Scott looked around but Tori wasn't anywhere in sight. Looking around, he backtracked and then headed for her room. Her backpack was still sitting outside her door.


Tori? He called, knocking on the door. Scott heard Tori moving around the room.


Go away, came muffled through the door.


No. Let me in. The door opened and Cyclops shoved the bag through in front of him. Shutting the door, he noticed the new deadbolt on the door. What's wrong?


Nothing. Tori refused to look at Scott.


Something's wrong. Look at me. Tori refused to turn around. Angry, Scott forced her to look at him. Now tell me the truth. Tori's eyes filled with wonder as she looked Scott in the eyes, or as close to that as she could get.


I didn't know you had brown eyes.


What happened? He asked.


That other power opened up. My head hurts. She whispered that last sentence. Tori pulled away and fell over the bed before Scott realized just how close they had been standing.


You need an aspirin or something? She shook her head and promptly buried it under the pillow.


I'll be fine, was the muffled reply. Looking around the room Scott went back to the kitchen.


Whatcha looking for Cyclops? Scott didn't look up at Bobby's voice.


This and these. He answered, grabbing a tub of strawberry ice creamand two spoons. Bobby watched Scott leave with luke-warm interest.


Here we go. Tori propped the pillows up behind her back.


What's this? Tori smiled.


I figure, you can't come to the ice cream, so the ice cream comes to you. He said handing the frozen tub to Tori's waiting hands.


Thanks. Are you eating?


Huh? Scott asked, digging in.


Did you eat anything today? That's why I made the chicken the other night. I can only make sure you eat right once a day and that's after dinner. Did you eat?


Well...


You aren't are you?


Not well. Tori frowned but dropped the subject.


What exactly did happen?


Everything's sharper.


Everything?


Sight, smell, hearing. It's done this before. It always dulls down after a little while, but I get such a headache. Tori rubbed at her temples.


I heard you and Rogue were trying to one up' each other during Storm's herbology class.


Sorta. I apologized to Bobby. See, trying to work on the whole swallowing my pride thing. If I pull it off, then we can try it on you. She teased. Scott smiled, slightly.


That's good. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take the ice cream back to the kitchen and get some sleep before breakfast. Scott got to the door before hearing Tori speak.


Eat breakfast. And I mean really eat.