And Move On


By Kryptonite


_____Mistake?_______________________________________________


I'm glad to see you eating again Scott. Professor Xavier said the next morning. Scott just shrugged and scooped another mouthful of food off his plate.


There was a long silence before Professor Xavier spoke up again, Does anyone know what's wrong with Tori? Scott's head bobbed up.


What do you mean?


She's broadcasting a lot of pain. Charles grimaced.


I'll... I'm gonna finish this in the garage. Scott took his half-eaten plate and left the kitchen.


Can you read her mind? After Scott left, the attention shifted back to Xavier.


She's too well blocked. I can't find the crack that's leaking. His eyes were closed in concentration but he gave up. I can't find it.


You tried Professor. We can send someone to check on her after breakfast.


Of course. Charles sighed and everyone went back to eating.

~~~~~


Tori? Can I come in?


Enter. Her voice was weak and muffled by the door and blanket.


I brought food. He said, closing the door behind him.


Set it on the table. A coughing fit followed the command.


You okay? Scott sat the food down then went to move back the blankets.


I'm fine. Tori croaked, trying to wet her parched throat.


No you're not. Scott pulled back the blanket. Tori was drenched in sweat, and not because she was underneath two wool blankets.


It's nothing. She squaked, throat burning.


You're burning up.


This has happened before. She whispered.


When? Scott pulled back the blankets, but Tori started shivering, so he tucked her back in.


When I got my first power. I'll be fine in a few days.


Eat this. Scott tried to force a piece of dry toast in her mouth.


Just water. I don't feel like throwing up. Scott nodded and helped her sit up to get a drink of water. Thanks. Leaning back, Tori closed her eyes.


I'll check on you after dinner. Tori didn't react to Scott's statement. Frowning, Scott closed the door behind him.


I see you've already checked on her. What's wrong? Storm was trying to hide her smile from Scott's glare.


She says she's getting a new power.


What're the symptoms? Storm was getting more control over her facial expressions, but it was still hard enough to stop smiling.


Fever, cough, sore throat, throwing up, head aches, increased sensitvity in hearing, sight, and smell. Chills and hot flashes. She's under two wool blankets, sweating buckets, and when I tried to remove the blankets, she started shivering.


Storm nodded her head. Probably should get her down to the Med Lab.


She doesn't want to. Tori thinks she'll be fine in a few days.


The Professor won't like this Scott.


I'll keep an eye on her and if it gets worse, I'll drag her to the Med Lab if I have too.


Storm frowned, It's your free time. I gotta get to class. I'll see you later Scott.


Bye Storm. Storm waved over her shoulder before disappearing down the steps at the end of the hall. What just happened?'

~~~~~


Are you eating? Tori asked when Scott brought her chicken broth.


You sound better. He avoided her question. Even after two months of Tori's friendship and four months after Jean... died... Scott still couldn't get over it.


Don't avoid the question.


Eat.


Only if you promise you'll start eating, even if I'm not cooking.


Eat your broth and I'll think about it.


I'm not eating anything until you promise. Scott muttered under his breath. And no I'm not going to disappear back to where I came from so you can stop sending me.


Fine. I promise to start eating better.


Three meals a day.


Three meals a day. Satisfied, Tori picked up the spoon to eat the broth in the bowl.

~~~~~


Sorry. Tori said for the fifth time. Scott was currently holding her hair off her face so that it didn't get in the way of her throwing up what little food had gone into her stomach.


It's okay. Scott pulled a bang back into the pony tail of hair. Another set of dry heaves took over.


I told you I shouldn't have eaten anything.


It was barely more than liquid.


Doesn't matter. Tori paused for more dry heaves. Until this is over, no more anything unless it's pure and simple hydro. This time, a tiny bit of something came up and was spit in the tiolet.

~~~~~


She's actually gotten better over the last two days. Fever's down, she's not sweating, she's sleeping, eating.


Well, I'm glad she's better Scott. I'd still like to know why she reacted that way.


Tori asked that same question after she got done throwing up a few days ago. Scott half-smiled at the memory of Tori's voice and the way she had said it.


Scott, I see you started eating again. Charles decided not to comment on the time he and Victoria, Tori, had been spending together.


Uh yeah, that was kinda a promise I made. Scott rubbed the back of his neck, looking as sheepish as a grown man could.


To... Tori?


Yes sir. Scott swallowed, wondering what the man he considered a father was thinking.


I think you should go check on her. Xavier smiled as Scott walked off. At least he's moving on.

~~~~~


What were you singing a minute ago? Tori held up a notebook.


This. There was line after line written in the notebook, scribbled over and under in changes and corrections.


Can you sing it for me?


Just a piece.



Everybody step down
And move aside
Everyone listen up now
We all got somethin' ta say



And move on, move over
We get in the way
Closed-mouthed and tight-lipped
Opinions are gone
Well here's what I say,
No more!'



So?


Did you write it? Tori half-smiled at the paper, then scribbled another word out and changed it.


Yeah.


It's good.


Thanks. It'd be better if I could sing. Scott didn't comment.


So, do you have any idea what you're new power is?


Not yet. Something tells me I'll know as soon as I step out there. Tori pointed towards the door and visibly shuddered.


Relax. Whatever it is it'll be fine. Scott smiled as Tori relaxed and started cleaning up her room. Scott averted his eyes when she started to bend over and pick clothes up off the floor.


So. Wanna talk about it?


Bout what? Scott got distracted by the poster Tori had tacked above her bed.


About what keeps bringing you and a tub of ice cream to my room at night.


Can't sleep. Scott shrugged.


Wanna talk about what's keeping you from sleeping? Tori continued to clean up after the mess she had made of her room. A vision of Jean as he had last seen her just before the water hit flashed in Scott's mind's eye.


Not really.


Why not? Tori was trying to keep her voice quiet and level.


It's personal and I don't wanna talk about it. Scott hunched his shoulders and turned his chair to face the wall. Tori walked up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders.


Then how about we talk about why you slammed me into a wall my first day here. When Scott tipped his head back to see Tori's face, she was smiling, blue and brown locks almost brushing his face.


Their breathing slowed as they were trapped in each other's eyes. Tori's head lowered as Scott tipped his head back. Their lips barely brushed each other before they all but jumped apart.


I have to go. Scott stammered before running from the room.


She'll be back and I'll fade to nothing. Tori muttered before casting her eyes down to the ground. I have no choice.