Xaviers!

Don't do this to me bro, please.

Tosh ignored Bruce as he knocked on Miss Kinney's door, incredibly nervous about what he was going to say.

There's an audible groan from inside. Apaprently X-23 has yet to get used to people actually coming to see her in her office.

"Come on in."

He came in with obvious hesitation, not even looking her in the eyes.

"Despite what the rumors might say, I don't actually bite." she says.

"I..."

He straightened up a little, but still doesn't look at her.

"I don't... think I can do this."

"This being the teams?" she masterfully deduces.

He nodded guiltily.

"And you want to call it quits because..."

"Because on my first day I failed to make sure the criminal I knocked out actually was, got flung into a teammate, got myself shot, and if anything happens to Sam it's my fault because trading her was my idea. I'm a liability, even shifted."

"We all mess up. It was your first time out, yeah?"

"...yeah..."

And you drove off a group of villains before they could grab any money, took one of them captive and managed to infiltrate their group. You're worried about Morrigan and that's good, but she wouldn't have done it if she didn't think she could handle it. You did well. You even got shot and you didn't just lie down to catch your breath. That earns you a lot of respect in my eyes, kid."

"But... I could just as easily have been hit just right and died. Besides..." he sighed, "My parents are gonna freak and force me out anyway."

"I'm not gonna bullshit you, this stuff can get dangerous. But would you rather somebody else on your team have gotten shot? Because that's probably what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

"I... hadn't thought of it like that," he admitted.

"And that's true for all of you. If you don't go out there then people will get hurt. Regular people who can't take a bullet and walk it off, people who'll get fried if some asshole mutant takes it too far. No one can expect you to do it but don't bow out because you think getting hurt means you failed somehow. Getting hurt is half of what I do and the other half is bouncing back from it."

See, bro? The lady gets it.

"I just... just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

"Then get hurt for them. Be there so no one else has to take the hit."

"But other me isn't bulletproof and doesn't regenerate either..." he argued, though his resolve to quit has obviously withered on the vine.

"Look, I can't make that decision for you. If you don't want to get hurt then leave. If you don't want to endanger your teammates then stay. I know it's not an easy call to make."

Believe in the Tosh that I have faith in.

Okay, okay. Dork.

Well I am you, bro.

It was faint, but there was a distinct glimmer of bravery in his eyes as he finally met hers.

"I'm staying."

"I'm glad to hear that. Did they get you patched up alright?"

"Yeah. Barely a wound to treat when I shifted back."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that."

"Thank goodness for thick monster skin."

"Oh and Tosh? It gets easier."

"My other half keeps insisting the same thing," he smiled.

"Then listen to him." she smirks. "That all?"

"Yeah. Thanks for snapping me out of the pity party."

"Hey, tough love I can do."

"Self-esteem is something I need to work on. Have a nice day Miss Kinney."