Scott and Angelo, backdated to Wednesday

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Backdated to Wednesday the 8th. Scott goes to check on Angelo and reassure himself that Angelo's coping with How It All Turned Out, as well as to make an offer of further support, if necessary. Angelo is a little suprised by how intense Scott is on the subject.



After reading the e-mail from the Professor, and the subsequent announcement on the journals, Angelo turned the computer off in favour of playing with the puppy for a while - sitting on the floor by the bed, playing tug of war with a piece of rope.

That was how Scott found them both, and he lingered in the open doorway of the suite for a moment, smiling faintly. "I swear she's bigger every time I see her," he said as lightly as he could.

Angelo looked up, matching the smile and the purposely light tone. "She's a growin' girl. Still a baby, though, she keeps tryin' to eat my shoes."

Scott chuckled, coming in and crouching down for a moment. Joyita immediately charged over to him, licking his hands frantically. "Hey, you," he murmured, freeing one hand so that he could pet her. "Taking good care of your human?"

Angelo nodded. "She really is. She's good like that - still haven't figured out how she manages to get onto my bed without bein' lifted, you'd think it was too high."

"Ingenuity?" Scott suggested, and then stood again. "I wanted to see if you were okay," he said directly.'

Angelo looked up at him, then stood in turn, scooping the puppy onto the bed and giving the rope over to her. "I'm... doin' better", he answered honestly.

"That's good," Scott said, more warmly. He was still concerned, though, and he couldn't quite keep it out of his voice as he went on. "You're all right with the Professor handling this as he is?"

Angelo started to answer "Yeah, of course", then paused and shrugged. "I wanted to know who it was, mostly so I could stop wonderin'. But he mailed me privately, asked me not to ask, an' promised it won't happen again an' whoever it was won't get away with it. An' he's got a point, if they're not gonna go as far as kickin' them out."

"I don't know myself," Scott confessed. "Charles was pretty firm on the fact that this was the only way to handle the situation. I just..." He stopped, sighing. "It's a hard thing to do, to ask for your trust on something like this when the whole thing was about trust being violated. The fact that you can give it... well, it speaks well for you."

Angelo nodded. "Well, the Professor didn't do it, or let it happen, knowin' it would. An' whoever did... probably isn't one of the ones I really trust anyway. So."

Probably. Scott wrestled his own frustration back down where it belonged. Charles knew best. Just keep telling yourself that, Summers.

"If you have any difficulties," Scott said slowly, "with anyone, about this... I want you to come to me, all right?"

Angelo looked up, a little taken aback by the intensity of Scott's voice, but equally grateful for it - it meant Scott was taking this very, very seriously. "I will. No one's said anythin' bad so far, but if they do... I will."

"Good," Scott said, reassured. Angelo was taking the offer seriously, he could tell. "I'm glad if there haven't been any problems, but if there is... you shouldn't have to deal with it on your own." A little less vehement, Scott, he told himself, mustering a smile. "That being what the staff is here for and all."

Angelo nodded. "I'm still goin' to Dr. Samson, too", he volunteered, since they were more or less on the subject. "Ev'ry week or so."

"That's good. Really good." Scott kept the smile on, telling himself that this was getting to the not-helpful point and he should probably deliver another reassurance or two and go. "If you ever need an ear besides Leonard's," he offered a bit awkwardly.

Angelo smiled - slight, but genuine. "I'll remember. Thanks."