xp_logs | Backdated to Thursday afternoon| Kurt and Ororo

Backdated to the day of Scott's little vacation. Ororo's feeling a bit overwhelmed and stops by to ask a favor from Kurt. Their discussion turns towards the future, and Kurt gets to see just how highly his CO values him.

Ororo was officially busy. She hoped that Scott's trip was proving to be relaxing and useful, because then at least one of them would be enjoying themselves. It wasn't that there was too much work for her to handle, only that in order to handle it she would need to eschew her normal time in the gym and perhaps some sleep. She made her way down to the subbasement with hurried steps, peering around the door to the comm room with a hopeful look. "Kurt?"

He was, indeed, there, and this was apparently a quiet time on the comms, as he was sitting back with a book. He glanced up with a smile as she appeared. "Ororo, hello."

"Oh, good. Hello." She gave him a genuine, if harried, smile, stepping into the room. "How are you? I take it things are quiet today?"

"So far, yes. Which probably means we are due some crisis later, but for now... it is quiet."

"Indeed," Ororo said, chuckling a bit. "I am glad. Especially because I have come to ask you a favor..." She put on her best pleading expression, wondering vaguely if there was something she could promise in addition to her undying gratitude.

Kurt looked at her curiously, wanting to hear what it was before he started asking for things in return. "You have?"

"Yes... I am supposed to take the next shift, as you know, but something has come up and I do not think I will be able to make it." She spread her hands in front of her, looking apologetic. "I must have a disciplinary meeting with one of the students, and then I am due to supervise a Danger Room session... What I must ask is if you are willing to stay on through the next shift. If you cannot, perhaps I can find someone else who would be able to - but it is very short notice."

"Is that all?" he asked with a grin. "I have nothing else pressing to do, as it happens. I would be happy to."

"Oh, thank you," Ororo said with a sigh of relief. "I apologize for the suddenness. It would not be a problem, but Scott is gone, and there is no one else I can ask to speak with the student."

"Of course. It is no trouble, really."

"I am glad you think so. I will find a way to make it up to you, somehow. Someday... not this week, though. It has become quite hectic for me."

Kurt nodded. "There will be time. When Scott comes back, perhaps."

"Yes, maybe then." If he is well enough to take on his duties again. If I do not think it would do him more harm than good... Of course, Ororo didn't want to voice her concerns about Scott to Kurt - though he was her XO, there was no need to burden him with that sort of information. Still... "Kurt, if you have a moment," she said, pulling out a chair to sit next to him. "I would like to hear what you think about the possibility of assuming more responsibility with the team in the future."

He blinked at her. Alison and Haroun's departure left them short-handed in command terms, of course, but... "Me?"

“Yes, Kurt,” she said with a nod. “You are an excellent XO, but I cannot help but think there is more in store for you, if you wish it.”

"I had never thought... I am not very much a natural leader, and..."

"I think you are being too modest," Ororo said, smiling. "You manage the younger team members well, as well as the students. Your guidance helps them, and that is one of the most important roles of a leader. The rest of leadership is merely responsibility, and I do not think you would shirk from that, would you?"

"I never have", he acknowledged. "And I suppose... if you are sure..."

"I am sure that I would trust you to do the same excellent job you do as my XO," she replied warmly. "And mind you, this is nothing official... only something I have been thinking about for some time. I wished to see your reaction before I spoke with Scott about it... not that now is the best time for that, anyway." Ororo knew that restructuring the team would likely cause a little more stress that it immediately solved, and now was not the time to be adding more stress onto Scott's plate.

"Well, with Alison and Haroun gone, I suppose someone will need to step into the place they left." He was warming to the idea, slowly.

"Yes, we are a bit... shorthanded at the moment." Ah, the joys of diplomatic phrasing.

He chuckled. "That would be one way to put it, yes."

'Ro smiled, resisting the urge to put her head down on the table and just nap for a minute. "Well, I would be glad if you would think more about what I have said. Please do not feel obligated in any way - it is only something I have wondered about for some time. But we will make do, one way or another."

"I will definitely think about it", he promised. "When would you need my answer, if there is a specific time?"

"There is no rush," she said, waving her hand. "Take as long as you need - and if you have questions, I would be happy to speak with you about them. With a proper appointment, of course," she added with a smirk. "Speaking of which..." Ororo checked her watch and then stood, running a hand through her hair. "I am needed elsewhere. Thank you for your assistance, Kurt. You are an invaluable member of the team and a great help."