Can't Have Both

Acceptance

The ref was stunned. He had no idea who scored point first. 

" Uh..." Was all he said winner. He knew there was a winner, he just wasn't sure who it was. 

Sam and Tory exchanged good games and looked to the ref. 

" I think we need a replay." The ref said. Tory and Sam looked at each other with confused looks. 

" See, I didn't catch who hit first." He said to the Senseis.

" What?! You're supposed to be professional!" Kreese shouted. Kim rolled her eyes in disgust at the ref.

" It was obviously Sam." Daniel said. 

" No, I think Tory might have gotten it." Johnny said to Daniel.

" I took a video?" Demetri said, nervously. He was immediately crowded.

" Give it to me boy." Kreese ordered. Before Demetri could even react, Kreese had it in his hand, and was watching the replay.

" Tory hit first." he said, his voice showing no signs of excitement or happiness.

" Ok, we all know not to trust your word. Have the ref look."

The ref grabbed the phone, and said, " Winner, Nichols."

Sam didn't look disappointed. She gave Tory a hug, and congratulated her. Robby, Kwon, Kim, and Kreese had already left for the boys fight, but Daniel wouldn't let this drop.

" No, let me see." He watched it, and tried again and again, rewinding it.

" Dad, Tory won. It's fine." Sam said. " It doesn't matter. All that matters is us not missing Robby's fight cause you're so caught up on this!" She lectured. Looking at Sam, and realizing he was wrong, he nodded and went on to Robby's fight. 

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Breathing hard, Robby looked at Kwon, on the ground.

He won. HE WON!

Robby couldn't believe it. Everyone was cheering. But he didn't care. He looked around for the once person he needed in this moment. 

Tory Nichols.

She looked at him. He looked back. Then they were kissing. Robby grabbed onto her, pulling her as close to him as possible. 

She was just as eager, and held onto him.

The crowd was still cheering. 

When they were done, the announcer came up to them and said, " I give you the winners of the Sekai Tekai. Our top boy and girl captain. ROBBY KEENE AND TORY NICHOLS!" 

The crowd cheered even louder which didn't seem possible until this point. Robby held on the Tory, as the Miyagi-Do's embraced them, and congratulated them. Kreese looked angry at this, but stayed where he was.

" The over all Dojo winner is......"

Everyone held their breaths.

" A TIE BETWEEN COBRA KAI AND MIYAGI-DO!!!" 

The crowd continued cheering.

Roby smiled and looked to Johnny and Daniel. They had come over.

" Good job Robby!" Johnny shouted, hugging him. Tory stood over to the side a little.

" Nichols?" Johnny asked opening his arms. Tory hugged him. She won't make a bad daughter in law, he thought to himself after he released her. The others continued congratulating them.

"Tory, Robby, you guys deserve this." Devon said, embracing both of them. 

" Nice one. Both of you. " Daniel said, smiling proudly. 

After days of training for this moment, the Sekai Tekai was over. Looking around, Tory didn't know how to feel. Happy? But how could she. This was it. After this, she didn't know what to expect, what to go home to. Did she even have a home anymore? 

It came slowly, but surely. It came sinking in. She knew it wasn't the best time. But suddenly, tears started flowing down her face. The crowds were already leaving, and her sensei's had already told her to head back to the hotel once she was done, aware she would spend time with the Miyagi Do's.

" Hey, what's wrong?" Robby asked, but he already knew.

" She's gone." Tory whispered. And then she started sobbing. He held her, and stroked her hair as she cried. She buried her face into his shoulder, finally letting out all her feelings. She was shaking. The others were giving them space, but watching from a distance. 

" It's ok. It's alright." He said, pulling her tighter to his chest. 

" I--- didn't---even---get---to---say---goodbye!" She cried, her sobs increasing. Robby rubbed her back, and said, 

" I know." He tried his best to console her, but knew she needed to let it out. After a few minutes, her sobs quieted, and she just stayed in his arms. She was tired, and crying took a lot out of her. She closed her eyes, and tried to relax in his arms, and eventually fell asleep. Picking her up bridal style, he carried her to the car. 

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When Tory woke up, she didn't know where she was. She was lying in a bed unfamiliar to her. 

" Good morning, or should I say evening." Devon said. Tory got up, her eyes heavy, and looked around. Then it dawned her. She was in Robby and Devon's hotel room.

" Where's Robby?" She asked weakly, sitting up, but then got hit by vertigo, and fell back down. She looked up at the ceiling.

" In the shower. He should be out soon." She said, and as she said it, they heard the water stop. Tory didn't want to face him. She felt embarrassed and weak when she was crying. Pretty soon, the bathroom door opened. Robby was dressed in a shirt, and shorts. His messy, wet hair untidy. Tory rolled over, so she was facing Devon, rather than Robby.

" Hey, Tory. You feeling ok?" He asked. He sat on the bed, next to her, putting his hand on her back. She slowly turned over. She saw his face. That face that made her feel better.

She shook her head. If she was being honest, she wasn't feeling good. She felt, upset, depressed, like she was alone, but she had Robby, so one thing was good.

" You wanna talk about it?" He asked. Again she shook her head. Robby wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her in for a hug.

" It'll be alright." he said. This time she nodded.