A Pause

Small Talk

" If you were drunk..." Tory started slowly. They'd been talking for almost an hour. The conversations they had were simple, small. 

" Did you..." 

" What?" Robby asked. 

" Did you guys..." 

She was quiet for a second, and then Robby got it. " NO!" 

" NO! NO! NO!" He looked scared for a second. " No. I just got drunk and went to her place and  I don't remember much except her kissing me but my head hurt and I didn't kiss back. But no. I woke up with my clothes on. Untouched." He said in one breath that Tory really had to concentrate to hear what he was saying.

Tory sighed. " Thank God because I was ready to kill her. I still am going to if the tournament continues. To get back at her for taking advantage of you." She added.

" I'm sorry." Robby said quietly. Then those feelings came again. The mad and sadness. Confusion for how she should be feeling. Anger at those she hated, but longing to be heard. 

" I shouldn't hav-"

" You know what? Forget it." She said quickly. Then Robby frowned. They were back to this. Tory disregarding her feelings and tucking them away. 

But he promised her another day. So the best thing he could do now was listen to her. He looked at her staring away. His eyes wandered to her lips. They hadn't kissed since they were at Miyagi do. They'd just argued.

He didn't want her to get upset with him, so he just played it in his head. Her eyes followed and she knew what he was thinking. She turned away.

" So what have you been doing for fun lately?" She asked. 

Back to 20 questions. Robby sighed. " Uh... I usually have been around Miyagi Do, training. Or with my dad and Miguel. With the baby coming soon its been chaotic... you know?" 

Tory laughed softly. " What?" Robby asked. 

" Nothing... It's just... I would love to see you babysit her. You and Miguel. That would be the funniest comedy ever." She said. 

" That's just mean. I'm sure we'll do great!" He joked.

" Wanna bet?" She asked. Robby smiled. He loved when Tory was happy and joking with him. They hadn't been like this since the tournament. He missed it. "Robby?"

" Yeah, sorry. I spaced out. 10 bucks." He said. 

" Deal." She said with a smirk. She sighed and leaned into Robby. He wrapped his arms around her hesitantly. 

" Do you read?" She asked him. Robby rolled his eyes.

" You're just repeating questions. You've already asked me these months ago." He said. 

" I know." She whispered. " I just don't want to sit in silence right now. I need a distraction." She said quickly. 

" Demetri and Hawk made up about MIT." He said, that being the first thing coming to his mind.

" I didn't know they were fighting." She said. 

" It was big. But they made up so all is good."

" How's Sam?" She asked suddenly. Her eyes wandering elsewhere. " I'm not sure if she's forgiven me, or willing to. I mean she did help at the..." she meant to say giant fight, but her mind went to Kwon and stopped her.

" She doesn't hate you Tory." He replied, then carefully choosing his words he said, " She just misses you being there and the friendship you two built. I mean, come on. You've been enemies since day one." He joked. She laughed slightly. " But she's willing to forgive you if you do ever come back or need a friend." He said. Tory nodded.

" That's good I guess. I thought... nevermind." She said quickly. Robby didn't seem to notice. 

" Also, your sensei kissed Chozen."

" WHAT!?!" Tory shouted. 

" Shhh." Robby said, covering her mouth.

" Sorry, it's just... what?" She asked confused.

" We found them the other night, in his room. They're clothes were still on, but-"

" It's not too late." Zara said, entering the lobby and ruining their moment. " You can have me. She's not even as pretty as me." She directed to Robby, ignoring Tory completely. 

Robby shook his head. " Ignore her." He told Tory, who looked like she was about to kill her. Tory took a deep calming breath, before turning away.

" I mean, what's so good about her anyway. Her fighting isn't half as good as mine." Zara said, testing the limit. 

Now Robby was getting upset. He held onto Tory, making sure she couldn't escape. Who knows what she would do. 

" Come on Tory, let's go." He said, taking her hand and pulling her up.

" What is this? She can't even defend herself? Has you do it for her?" Zara smirked. Tory had enough. She pulled her hand out of Robby and turned to face Zara.

" Stay away from him, bitch." Tory nearly shouted. 

" Let's see if you can make me." She said, ready for a fight. Her hands were almost in a fighting position, when Robby took Tory by the hand and pulled her to the elevator.

They were in before Zara could follow them with the door shut. Tory was facing away from Robby, her arms crossed. 

" Sorry." She said, quietly. 

" Don't apologize." He responded, even quieter. The door opened, and Robby stepped out. 

" See you later?" He asked. 

" Yeah." She replied, before the door shut. She was waiting in the elevator before stepping out to her floor. She started making her way towards her sensei's room.

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Robby walked back to Sam's room, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. He opened the door only to find Miguel still awake. The others were still dead asleep.

" Love you Mama." He said into his phone. He looked at Robby and smiled. " Yeah, I know. Ok." Robby silently started to walk to sit next to Miguel. " Ok. Ok bye." He said, hanging up. 

" Where have you been?" He asked, putting his phone down. 

" In the lobby. With Tory." He replied. Miguel nodded. 

" Johnny texted. They're coming up in 20 minutes." He said. 

" Right." Robby replied. 

" It'll be ok." Miguel said.

Robby didn't reply.