xp_logs | Terry and Bobby--Of Babies and Sitting.

Bobby notices Terry's blithe promising of their babysitting services and isn't terribly amused. In fact, he's downright displeased.

Terry blinked at Bobby's comment and quickly saved her essay. She gave a half-wave as she crossed the suite common room and darted out into the hall, heading up to Bobby's room. Her knock on his door was perfunctory, the suite door already standing open. "Hi...was that a good non-comment or a bad one?"

Bobby's glare from where he was propped up against a few pillows, laptop on his thighs, was answer enough. "I don't babysit," he said, frowning as he snapped the lid closed.

Terry swallowed hard. Bad, then. "It's just one night, Bobby and it'll be helping out Dr MacTaggart and Nathan." She wasn't sure whether remaining in the doorway or going into the room was a better option but slipped inside anyway and closed the door behind her.

"I don't like babies. I don't want to babysit. How could you just sign me up without even talking to me??"

Terry frowned. "I thought it would be fun. I'm sorry."

Bobby sighed and set his laptop on the bed next to him. "Yeah, well. I guess I don't have a choice now..."

Her arms folded across her chest, almost hugging herself, "No, it's okay. I can fix this. I'll just tell her that you didn't want to do it and I'll get someone else. It's no big deal." She looked at the floor, kicking the carpet.

Bobby gave her a suspicious look. It didn't look like it was no big deal. "No big deal? Are you sure?"

Terry glanced up at him then back down, nodding. Her arms tightened around her She didn't know what to say really, unhappy with the way this was turning out and none too pleased that she was going to have to beg Moira's forgiveness. She'd been looking forward to the opportunity.

Bobby watched her for another minute, then growled and bounced to his feet. "I'll do it," he muttered, moving to his window and staring out.

"I said I'd tell her," Terry snapped defensively, not wanting him to give in if he was going to be miserable.

"I'll be there," Bobby repeats flatly, glaring at the grounds.

"You don’t have to. She knows that I haven't told you yet. I'll just tell her that you have plans and that's it. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. I didn't know you hated kids." She was struggling for reasonable but her tone kept slipping to borderline breaking, the whole thing making her more upset by the minute.

"I don't hate kids. I just don't like babysitting. Especially babies." Bobby turned around to direct his glare at her instead. The not liking kids was really a secondary issue, anyway.

Terry flinched. "I said I was sorry and that you don't have to do it. Stop making me feel bad."

"Oh, so you're the only one allowed to do that, then?" Bobby snapped.

"I'm not trying to! I thought it would be fun and since you don't want to I'm trying to get you out of it." She looked up at him, "She's just a baby and you're acting like watching her is going to destroy your immortal soul."

Bobby raised his voice, folding his arms as he stared angrily down at her. "I don't like babies! I don't want to spend my whole damn night watching one, especially one that can make things, herself included, fly!" He paused for a quick breath and continued. "And when I told you I don't appreciate being railroaded, you say it's no big deal, but I can tell it is, I can see it'll crush your pretty little redheaded heart if I back out!" His voice dropped a bit, the anger dying but not completely gone. "So I'm not backing out, because I don't ever want to be responsible for that look on your face!"

"I didn't know that and I said I'm sorry!" She swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I don't want yeh to be miserable. I'm not a child yeh have to keep happy and given her way in everything. I'll get over it."

Bobby's arms loosened and fell to his sides, hands slipping into his pockets. "...But I want to keep you happy," he said in a low voice, staring at the floor.

Terry sighed, her arms dropping to her sides. She crossed over to him and touched his cheek, lightly. "I'm sorry, Bobby. I should have asked you first."

Bobby shrugged. "Just...don't do it again." He smiled faintly, rubbing his cheek against her palm.

"I didn't know that you didn't like babies," Terry said quietly, stroking her thumb over his cheekbone.

"I like kids," Bobby clarified. "Just not the real little ones. I like the ones that can walk and talk, and I can play games with. The ones that can tell me when something's wrong instead of just crying for hours."

"Oh." Terry was silent for a moment then smiled sheepishly, "I like all kids. I think babies are sweet and Rachel is more interesting than most of them. She's so cute." She took her hand back and shrugged slightly.

"She's cute, yeah...but babysitting a telekinetic baby is SO not my idea of a good time." Bobby smiled apologetically. "But I will...just this once," he added.

Terry smiled, grateful then it faded and she shook her head, "You don't have to, Bobby. I can...take care of it."

Bobby gave her a lopsided grin and waved a vague hand toward his laptop. "Wouldn't want you to lose your girl-cred. I'll keep your word."

She smiled up at him and slipped her arms around his waist, giving him a tight hug. "Thanks. I promise I won't bother you with babies anymore."

Bobby kissed her forehead, wrapping his arms around her. "Deal."