A Pause

Care

When Robby woke up Tory wasn't in bed. His phone also had notifications. He looked at the time. 10 o'clock. He opened his messages and found a text from Miguel. 

" Oh shit." He said out loud, remembering training.

Hi. It's Sam. Miguel's asleep because someone told me the two of you didn't sleep the other day. Training is at 6 now.

Robby breathed out in relief. He was tired, but now thinking about it he needed to know where Tory was. He looked around the room and realized she was there. She was on the floor, by the chair, her head on the wall. Her eyes were open, and she was staring lazily at the ceiling. 

" Tory. You ok?" He said,  getting out of bed. The bed creaked beneath him. The only sound he heard was her breathing. 

She stared at him, her eyes barely open, like she would fall asleep any moment. She didn't look good. He came next to her, and took her hand. She didn't object. 

Robby's eyes widened at how warm she was. He turned to look at her face. To really take in her look. Her face was a pale gray with a little sweat at the edges.

" Tory, you're warm." He said. She turned to face him, then just nodded. " No. Tory, I mean you're really warm." 

" Robby, I don't feel that good." She said.

" Yeah, I can see that." He said, rolling his eyes. " You should get back to bed." He tried to get her up, but she wouldn't.

" I have to train." She said. 

" How long have you been up?" He asked. After yesterday he knew she wouldn't be as open with him anymore about her mom.

" Since six."

" Yeah, well I'll tell Kreese you're sick and we can call it even. Get in bed." He got up to grab his phone.

" No, I'll go. It's fine." She said, standing up too. She stood up too fast and had got dizzy. Her feet staggering she fell on top of Robby, who tried catching her, but she was too fast. They both fell to the floor, Tory on top of Robby. She gasped when she felt him beneath her. Hard. 

His face flushed red from embarrassment. " Uh... sorry, I-"

" No, I..uh..let me..." She stood up for a second before the room was spinning again. This time Robby got up in time to catch her. 

He pulled her into a hug, and whispered in her ear, " I'm going to call Kreese." He said, trying to get her to forget what happened. " You go to bed." She just nodded. He helped her into bed, and turned for the door.

" Robby!" She called out. He turned to face her. Her head swarmed with images from last night, remembering how trusting he had been, how he had stayed, helped her even. Then she remembered crying. Something she hated. Something that made her feel weak. And she hated feeling weak. " Nevermind." She said quietly. 

Robby looked at her for a minute before nodding. " If you need anything call me. I'll be back soon." He said, before turning to shut the door. 

Tory lay against the pillow, exhausted. She hated people helping her, but it was Robby. How could she refuse. Then she remembered how he wanted her as much as she wanted him. But she wouldn't. They needed this to end. They needed to get home before anything like that could happen. Especially if her senseis-

No. That wouldn't happen. She would make sure it didn't. She lay down, her headache worsening, hoping for some shut eye. 

---------------------------------------------------

Robby found him in the cafeteria. Somehow it seemed as if he was waiting for him. Gathering all his courage, Robby walked up to him. 

" Kreese." He said, addressing him. He turned and looked at Robby. He raised an eyebrow.           "Tory's not feeling well, so I'll be watching her. She can't train." 

" Mr. Keene." He started. " It is not your call to tell me if my student is ill or not. I will make that desicion." 

" Just let me watch her. " Robby said, not taking any chances. He didn't trust the man, especially with Tory. He didn't get how Tory did. If she really thought of him as a relative she really didn't show it. From her last encounter at Miyagi Do, he would have thought she hated him. he needed to keep this quick and short. To get back to Tory. She was the main priority.

 " If you have any disagreements, you know where to find me." He said, before turning his back on Kreese. 

He stopped by his room to freshen up, and explained to the others. 

" She needs me right now." Was all he said. Miguel was giving him looks but he ignored him. After quickly getting ready he headed back.

When he arrived Tory wasn't in bed. She was in the armchair by the closed window. Her head was tucked in, and she wasn't facing the door.

At first Robby thought she was asleep. Until she moved. " Go." She said, groaning slightly. 

" Tor, I'm not going to leave you." He said. " You're sick."

" I'm fine. I don't need anyone taking care of me."

" Please don'-"

" I'm hurting you. I meant what I said earlier this week. We need a break. Not with this karate. I know you wish. I do too. But I need time. I'm not ready." She said, her voice weak. " So just go. I can take care of myself. I always have." She said. 

Robby tried to take in her words. She wanted to be left alone. To take care for herself. She wanted to go everything on her own. 

He wouldn't let that happen.

" Tor, I'm staying. Ok?" 

Tory didn't want to fight him. But what could she do? Make him leave? If he didn't want to he wouldn't. She knew that. She groaned slightly, moving her hand to her head. She had a slight headache that was growing by the minute from the arguing. 

" What can I do for you to leave me alone?" She asked. 

" Nothing." Robby replied, a smug smile on his face.

" Robby... ok. You know what? If you want to stay, stay. But I'll be better by tomorrow. Mark my words.