And Move On


By Kryptonite


_____Let's Talk______________________________________________


Hungry? Tori asked, not even turning to look at Scott standing hesitantly in the doorway.


Not really.


Good. We're having ice cream. Tori turned and held out a normal silver tablespoon.


Uh... Scott didn't take a step forward.


Listen. Forget about... what happened... earlier. Just take the spoon and lets eat some ice cream. It may not be the best thing for us but it's something. Sit. Tori motioned towards the chair and sat down to eat her own share.


Pass over. Scott nudged Tori aside and jabbed his spoon into the slightly less than frozen ice cream.


Make me. Tori said, elbowing back. Scott pushed Tori over again but Tori just shoved him harder. Scott fell out of his chair this time. You okay? She asked, unable to keep from laughing. Stretching a hand down to help Scott up, she was pulled off balance when Scott pulled.


Gotcha. Scott had pinned Tori down as soon as she fell. Struggling, Tori couldn't stop laughing.


Okay, okay. Mercy. Uncle. Let me up! Scott kept her arms pinned down, enjoying hearing someone laughing because of him.


Nope. Tori stopped wriggling, watching with satisfaction at the hundred watt smile that was on Scott's face.


What do I have to do? She asked simply.


Clean my room for the next two weeks.


Deal. Now let me up, you're cutting off my air. Scott stood up but didn't bother to try and help her.


That includes vacuuming, dusting, opening and closing of the windows and such.


Laundry? Sarcasm dripped from the word.


Of course. Make my bed, wash my clothes, vacuum and dust, not to mention sweep and mop the bathroom. Wash the windows- Tori clamped her hand over his mouth.


No more.


Okey. He mumbled through her hand, the vibrations tickling her palm.


Now sit down and eat this before it melts.

~~~~~


Hey Tori. Figure out what your power is?


Yep. She answered Bobby absently from her place on the floor doing her homework.


Well? Rogue asked impatiently. The teachers simply sat on the couch waiting for the answer.


Huh? She looked up from counting on her fingers.


Your power. What is it? Wolverine answered from his seat watching the news, drinking a soda cooled by the resident ice man.


Oh... uh... mimic. 24. She said, scribbling down her math problem at the same time.


Mimic? The voices combined together in group confusion. If Tori hadn't been focusing on her homework so hard she would have started laughing.


Bobby? Be so kind as to help me demonstrate? Just use your power. Bobby shrugged and sent a stream of ice crystals her way. Tori's eyes flared for an instant and then she spoke, Thanks.


Concentrating, Tori sent a streamthe width of her armslamming towards Bobby's face. It stopped a second before Bobby's face and formed a heart around his and Marie's heads.


Some appreciative clapping sounded around the room.


Tori, I'd like to speak with you a moment. Professor Xavier called from the doorway.


Yes sir. She called back, gathering up her school books and trying to neatly shove it back in her bag.

~~~~~


Is something wrong? Tori asked once they were in the Professor's office.


No, no. I wanted to see something.


I would like to know just how far along your relationship with Professor Scott Summers is. Please speak to me in this manner. I also want to know if you can replicate my power.'
Professor Xavier halted all use of his powers so that he could be sure it was Tori speaking to him and not just him picking up her thoughts.


How's this? My relationship with Professor Summers is purely platonic. We're just friends.'


You say one thing but you feel another. Please don't lie, it's not so easy to do in here.'
Professor Xavier tapped his forehead. By the way, how was your little deal with Scott?'


Ended a month ago. Remind me never to agree to anything without hearing the terms first.'


Deal.'
Tori and the Professor smiled in shared amusement. I don't usually condone student-teacher relations but this is helping Scott heal. So long as it doesn't go beyond that, we'll be fine. Understand?'


Yes sir.'


Good. You're allowed to go.'


Thank you sir.'
Tori walked out the door. Thank you so much.'

~~~~~


Bobby?


Yeah Rogue?


I love you. She snuggled closer to Bobby as the movie continued in the Friday night background.


I love you too. Bobby wrapped his arms tighter around her thin shoulders.


I hate to interrupt but I need to talk to Rogue for half a second. A high giggly voice called behind the couple.


Jubilee, can't this wait?


No! Jubilee and Kitty started laughing their heads off in a shared joke. Grabbing Rogue's jacketed arms they dragged her away from her boyfriend.


Shh! Kitty chastised when Rogue tried to protest.


You wanted to know what it is that Tori does in her spare time when no one can find her. We know where she is. We can find out what she does if we watch long enough. Rogue's face lit up in a secretive smile and the trio started giggling.


Professor Xavier rolled from behind a corner in front of them. Going somewhere girls?


No Professor. The girls chorused and dejectedly walked back to the rec. room.


Here you go Bobby. Back in one piece and none the worse for the wear. Kitty and Jubilee walked off and left Marie in Bobby's arms.


What was that about?


Nothing. Marie said, snuggling closer to her boyfriend and turning her attention to the movie.

~~~~~


Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, I love Saturday. The next day Tori was singing.


I take it you're happy.


It's noon, my homework's been done since last night, and I have absolutely nothing to do or worry about until Monday.


Glad you're happy. Tori just spun down the hall, laughing.

~~~~~


Another horror film? Come on, guys picked last Saturday.


No way are we watching a chick flick.


Before this goes any further I would just like to say, the guys are so gonna lose this one. Tori spoke up, getting attention by holding her hand up and practically shouting over the hub-bub.


She's right you know. Shaking her head, Tori went back to her book, ignoring the commotion around her. Tori sensed a presence that she had been hoping not to feel for a while.


Oh my god. Jean? Is that really you? Scott rushed up at Storm's words, but stopped just short of running Jean over.


Scott. Jean fell into Scott's arms and hugged him tight. Walking into the room, Jean stopped short just in front of where Tori was sitting. Turning her sights on Tori she asked, Who are you?


Tori looked from Scott to Jean and blinked. Standing she answered, No one. Walking calmly from the room, she left it in almost unbroken silence.


What's with her?' Scott wondered as the students eventually came to talk with Jean and be reassured that it was really her.

~~~~~


I'm glad you're back Jean. It's good to see you well.


Thank you Professor. It's good to be home. Scott scraped his chair back in a decision to go talk to Tori about her answer.
I have to do something.


Can't it wait until morning? Jean just got home. Ororo knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what Scott was planning to do.


No. I'll be back soon. Jean frowned at Scott's back as he walked out the door.


It's not supposed to start like this.' Jean's mind turned back to the conversation at hand.

~~~~~


Tori let me in.


Go back to Jean.


Don't make me break the door.


I'd actually like to see your power in action in a controlled experiment. See just how much control I have over my copied powers.


Open the door. Scott tried to stop himself from slamming his fist through the wood.


Scott? Jean had come up very quietly behind him, making Scott jump out of his skin.


Jean? I'll be down in a little bit.


Come on. Jean tried pulling at his arm but he didn't budge. She doesn't want to talk to you. Just come back down stairs.


I'll be down in a minute. Go back Jean. Frowning, Jean walked back towards the stairs.


Hurry up Scott.


I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying. Scott muttered. Suddenly the door swung open. Tori's eyes were slightly red and more than a little puffy.


I have homework to do so make this quick.


I thought you said all your homework was done. Scott tried to shove his way in, but Tori blocked his way.


I found more to do.


What's really wrong?


Nothing. I just found some more homework to do and I'd like to get it done today so I don't have to do anything tomorrow but eat, sleep, and relax. I have to go. Tori tried to shut the door but Scott's hand slammed against it and stopped it from closing.


Tori. Scott forced his way in and closed the door behind him, throwing the deadbolt closed. What's wrong? Tori's eyes threatened to spill over as Scott forced her to look at him.


It's supposed to be this way. She comes back, you fall head over heels again, and I fade into the background. Why aren't you downstairs with her?


The tears did fall, but Tori wiped them away as soon as they dropped.


Shh. I- I- I don't know. Scott whispered, pulling Tori closer and stroking her hair the way she had done for him so long ago.


So not helpful. She mumbled, trying to pull away.


I know. Scott laughed but only let Tori pull away far enough to look at him.


What are you gonna do? Scott smiled at the resignation in her eyes. The tears continued to gather in Tori's eyes but none fell as she waited for his answer.


This.