X-Men Evolution is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah.

"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)

Chapter 31 1/2 - Extra Chapter

Authors Notes: This is a side chapter to a story known as "In The Garage" which is located in the normal story section. This is the obviously R rated version of what happened in Chapter 31 of that story, however I'm going to attempt to make it understandable for anyone to read this chapter as a stand alone without having to have read the rest of the story (But I bet it would help). In fact, a lot of the beginning part of this fic will be recapping some of the stuff from the 31st/previous chapter. For any previous readers, this chapter will be like... waaaaaaaaay longer than any of the other chapters, just because I want to keep it in the minimum amount of chapters. Those reading should be eighteen and over, etc, etc. Lemony parts ahead, you have been warned.

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A beautiful visual display of streamers and party balloons lined the walls and across the room of the hotel ballroom. A moderately sized banner which read, "Welcome to the Bayville High School Prom" hung on the wall near the stage area.

A tense, nervous feeling overcame a young brown haired girl known as Katherine Pryde. Eyes shived over to the wall clock as she read the time to herself - seven-twelve. She glanced over to a small mirror to push back a stray strand to her still hard to get used to short brown hair.

"Looks like we're up." said the voice of her male companion, Lance Alvers.

Kitty blinked, distracted as the boy kissed her on the cheek and lead the way to a cloth backdrop. 'Smile for the camera.' She thought to herself. Her outfit was unique, a black and white checkered dress, a similarly patterned wristband but in the color red. Her belt and shoes matched the red shade, offsetting the classical and formal dresses of her classmates around her. She wasn't there to party. She was here because of a favor for Lance. Or, more particularly, Wanda and Kurt as well. It seemed like only a short time ago when they had decided to form a band together. She hated the guitar, but loved the spotlight. It was this kind of nervous energy that made her sick to her stomach even now as her boyfriend of many months held his arms around her as the camera flashed to capture the moment forever on film.

"Feeling better?" Lance asked. He also seemed dressed for what appeared to be his first 'Hot Topic' themed prom. Red button up longsleeved shirt, a checkered tie that matched Kitty's dress, red boots of the same brand as hers, with a pair of black slacks and dresscoat to finish it off. His hair was spiked and styled, not free flowing like it always was.

She wanted to say no. She wanted to run as fast as she could to the door. But it was too late. Less than an hour to go before they'd be on stage in front of their classmates to prove themselves as musicians. Something she really wanted no part of anymore. Instead of being honest, she took a confident route, "You know me... I'll be a lot better after we perform. In the meantime... we should break in these shoes, huh?"

Lance made a face. "You're talking about dancing, aren't you?" He probably hated dancing as much as she hated performing with the guitar he taught her to play not too many months before.

"What? You've got some sort of cold feet now that we're here?"

"I'll manage." Lance shrugged off her comment and swiftly moved onto the dancefloor with her. The fact is that Lance was barely able to hold any amount of rhythm. He awkwardly moved back and forth with her to the music until finally he broke the silence after a song or two. "So, what're you thinking about?"

"Fifteen minutes." Kitty grumbled under her breath. She spoke about when they'd be on stage performing as a band for her class.

"Fifteen minutes?"

"Until we perform. That's all I'm thinking about. Are people looking at us?" Kitty wondered. Her eyes locked with his briefly.

"I don't think so... is that a problem? I wouldn't be surprised. You're gorgeous." Lance's hand gently brushed across her cheek.

Kitty quickly snapped out of the gaze, "Flatterer." She rolled her eyes and looked away from Lance, into the crowd.

"If they're looking, it's because you look great, not because they think you're going to be on stage in a minute." Lance leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. Kitty was caught off guard, nervously she instinctively squirmed away. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"You don't need to kiss me to make me feel better." Kitty's voice caught in her throat. She was trying to speak honestly, but knew it was more than that.

"... you don't want me to kiss you?" Lance looked hurt. His hand still caressed her cheek, thumb moving across her skin.

"You know I do." She in a quick response. "It's also a wonderful distraction. Maybe too much of one." Kitty watched Lance's expression.

He smiled, "You keep thinking of tonight as a job, Pryde."

"It is a job. And like... my reputation at this school for the next year and a little bit of my life." Kitty commented.

"Does reputation mean that much to you?" Lance wondered. "If it's me, you shouldn't have said yes." He sounded put off.

"Whoa whoa whoa... " Kitty put her hand over his, "It's not always about you, silly." She sighed. "Forget it. I'm just saying everything wrong." She let go and pulled away. "I'm going to hit the bathroom, and then I'll meet you backstage okay?"

Lance looked stunned. His heart felt like it had stopped. He only managed to speak after a moment. "Sure Kitty. See you in a bit."

***

"Sorry!" Kitty ran up the stairs to greet her group.

"Don't worry, they've still got another song. Here, I got drinks for everyone." Wanda handed a bottle of juice to Kitty, then moved over to Lance and tossed one to Kurt.

"That's so cool of you, thanks Wanda!" Kitty opened hers and drank down half of it. "It's so hot down there." She looked at her bottle curiously, then closed the top off and set it on the ground.

"Uh yeah... thanks." Lance said. Kitty looked up at him. "Oh... looks like that's us. Positions people. Let's make some music."

"Right! Music." She worriedly pulled on her guitar and followed everyone elses lead.

It was this moment that things began to blur together, musically. It felt like only yesterday that Lance smiled at her confidently and taught her how to hold a guitar. The gentle touch of his hand holding hers in the proper position along with a warm singing voice as they played their first song. She'd be lying if she said she did it for the music. The truth was that she enjoyed how close they became. It was something important to him that she embraced. It was only at times like this and they were onstage playing a song together that she realized how well they played off each other. How they were actually a team. The song ended, the music stopped and they rushed offstage quickly after the fourth song was played.

"Good set, guys." Lance smiled as he pulled off his guitar.

"Good? You mean great!" Kitty picked up her drink and opened it up, finishing off the contents and threw the bottle away. "Woo!"

"Finally into the spirit of things, huh Katzchen?" Kurt nudged Kitty, who blushed. "Now, if you don't mind... I have to return to my date. Be back in an hour."

Wanda smiled "Have a good time, Kurt."

"As if I wouldn't!" Kurt rushed back to the stairs, rejoining his date.

Lance grinned, "So, nerves finally gone?" He looked Kitty over.

"I guess you can say that. Let's get out there and dance!" Kitty grabbed his hand and pulled to the stairs.

He stumbled, "Whoa! Hang on! I haven't even gotten my jacket..."

"Forget the jacket. It'll be here when you get back!" Kitty tugged. Lance eventually stopped struggling. He was pulled onto the dancefloor quite forcefully. She left her hesitation aside, pulling him into a close embrace as they started dancing to the current upbeat song.

Lance wasn't much of a dancer. He stumbled a few times before getting into the rhythm. "Hey..! You seem... excited."

Kitty relaxed against him. Her hand played with the back of his hair. "I feel relieved, invigorated, I dunno... just better."

Lance half-smiled. "Good to know you're feeling better..." Then a tap on his shoulder distracted him from his train of thought. "Huh?"

Another distraction. It wasn't so much that they were interrupted, it's that she bothered to respond back to the boys. Lance excused himself. Kitty watched him walk toward the bathroom and away. She talked uninterestedly back to those classmates who decided to offer questions and random praise. 'This isn't what I came here for.' She thought to herself. 'I just want to spend time with Lance, I don't even CARE for this band thing anymore. Lance, WHERE are you?' She looked around again. Kitty's eyes found him as he was pulled onto the dance floor by a nicely dressed girl. A senior, she vaguely recognized. Her heart ached irrationally.

"Are you looking for someone?" Asked one of the boys talking with her.

"...sorta. I see him now." She shook her head, trying to distract herself from seeming angry in front of the small crowd. "Sorry guys, you'll have to excuse me. I'm going to head backstage. I think I left something... yeah..." Her eyes locked with Lance's for a brief moment before turning away and heading toward the stairs.

Kitty rounded the corner and punched the wall. She phased before her fist hit the solid surface. She grumbled and turned, leaning back against it in a huff. Her mind raced with possibilities as she crossed her arms in anger. It didn't take long for Lance to catch up. He tapped her on the shoulder.

"Done with your fanclub?"

"Done with yours?" Kitty snapped, head tilting to look at him.

"What, you're going to pout because a former classmate decided to speak to me... but I have to be okay with a hoard of men pulling you away from dancing with me?" Lance snipped.

"You said you were going to the bathroom. You could have just said 'Sorry fellas, can't you tell we're in the middle of dancing?'" Kitty turned and poked Lance in the chest.

"Watch it! I'm not some kind of selfish jerk either. Don't go accusing me of being something I'm not. Even if you wanted me to be, I wouldn't know. I don't know how you know those guys. I'm not with you every day to know!" Lance argued back.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Are you implying something, here?" Kitty looked shocked.

"No! Why would I? Kitty, I just... I don't get to see you every day. I have no idea how your school life is like." Lance stood his ground.

Kitty frowned, "It's not important! I don't care. I come to school, I keep my grades up, and I go home. I barely even know those guys." She sounded quite frustrated.

"They seemed to know you!" Lance accused.

"What the HELL? You did mean something with those jerks on the dance floor!" Kitty fumed.

"Oh Kitty, you look so nice. Oh Kitty, I didn't know you were in a band. Oh Kitty, stop paying attention to your boyfriend and look at us!"

"This is so stupid."

"What's stupid? Us? This? That we're at each others throats? Damn right. I'm angry! I'm calling a double standard here!" Lance's voice was low, but stern.

"Double standard?! Oh, PLEASE. This is about YOU being my boyfriend, you being here with me, and about how this just sucks complete ass!"

"So, we're lousy at dating?! Who'd have thought! Imagine that! A perfect, pretty girl out on a date with a loser and everyone notices that they're just not right for each other!" Lance stared her down. "All with the fanclub of more than equally perfect guys paying attention to you."

"Liar!" Kitty raised her voice. "No one thinks like that! Are you doubting us again!? THAT'S exactly what's so stupid! You think that it matters? That I'm actually paying attention to them, to that at all?"

"You seemed to be paying a lot of attention to it, as a matter of fact."

"Is that so?! Screw you, Lance! I don't need that tone. I just wanted to have a stress free prom!" Kitty pushed him against the wall. She was stronger than he last remembered. It almost knocked the wind out of him.

"Forget about the stupid dance! I just wanted to be with you!" Lance growled, standing his ground. He stepped forward to get in her face to emphasis the fact the he wasn't going to take it.

Her expression turned from anger to guilt. Kitty closed her eyes. She pushed him against the wall again softly before tilting her head and connecting her mouth to his with a forceful kiss. Lance's arms hung at his sides for a few moments before realizing what was happening. He set his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him in the darkened backstage area. She broke the kiss, resting her forehead against his chest. In a low whisper she said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't... I just... you. It's only you. Always."

His hand touched her cheek, lifting her chin so he could look at her. "Shhh... it's okay. I know. I'm sorry too. We're such a mess sometimes."

Kitty couldn't help but laugh, ".. yeah, I know, huh?" She leaned up to kiss him again only to be interrupted by Kurt.

"OooOooOoo... Lance and Kitty sitting in a tree..." Kurt started.

"Kurt!" Wanda punched him in the arm on the way up the stairs. "There you are."

The couple pulled apart, almost embarassed by their actions.

"Am I interrupting something?" Wanda asked suspiciously.

"An argument." Lance replied. His tone was strange, like he was still a little angry.

Kitty nodded. She walked over to sit down on the stool near Lance's jacket. She picked up his drink and stole a sip. "Yeah. What's up, Wanda?"

"An argument? Not even going to ask." Wanda glanced around, "We're going to go on again soon. I thought I'd check on everyone. I'm getting bored of the teenage boys with girlfriends coming on to me out there."

"Someone shouldn't have come stag." Kurt teased.

"SOMEONE doesn't have a boyfriend, or a collection of good looking men to choose from." Wanda added.

"Looks like someone needs to keep her options open." Kurt replied.

"Maybe somebody would like to get hexed into a wall." Wanda glared at Kurt.

"...perhaps someone needs to learn how to take a joke." Kurt smiled, but really looked terrified.

"Get a room." Kitty called over to the two.

Wanda rolled her eyes. "You win."

Lance held up a hand to Kitty, "Er... my drink."

"What? Oh... sorry. I should have asked." Kitty held it out to Lance.

He shook his head, "No, it's okay. Take it if you want. I'm not that thirsty."

Kitty asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, no problem." Lance looked over to the stage. "We're almost up again? Must have lost track of time."

"No kidding." Kitty finished off Lance's drink and set the bottle aside. A vaguely familiar rush overwhelmed her as she did so. It tasted of alcohol. She shot Wanda a peculiar look as they went over the song list and prepared for the second set. No, she'd really have to ask about that later. It was time to perform once again, and this time she was ready.

***

"... wanna go for a walk? Maybe we could finally get that dance in?" Kitty looked at Lance after they put their instruments down.

"Oh, you mean we really should dance at the prom?" Lance asked.

"Something like that. C'mon." Kitty lead the way, outside of the ballroom area to the hotel lobby. "I wonder if they like... have trouble with people stealing stuff."

"What, the hotel?"

"Yeah. Lamps and paintings and whatever. And I wonder what's worse... a bunch of teenagers for prom, or a bunch of people for a convention?"

"Probably the convention. Especially if it's one of those weird comic conventions or something. They usually last for more than one evening. And the prom... well, I bet that just promotes business." Lance commented.

"Promotes..? Oh..? OH! You mean... oh yeah..." Kitty blushed.

"So..." His voice trailed off before he asked, "Where were we?"

"What, back there?" Kitty asked. She sat down on a small couch that was against the wall in the area they were wandering down.

"Yeah." Lance sat down near her. "I don't know. Kitty... were you seriously mad?"

"Of course I was." She leaned back, "I don't want to lay down any strange rules, but it's like... me and you, we're together. We've been together a long time and it just hit me wrong when I saw you with someone else. Dancing can be a very intimate thing."

"Hah. I saw you dancing with Summers back before the contest at that club." Lance noted.

"The club that Scott, Rogue, and Jean dragged me to so you could 'win me back', should I remind you." Kitty commented.

"Okay, that's a given..."

"And we were broken up." Kitty added.

"Right. I just keep digging myself deeper, huh?" Lance rubbed the back of his head.

"You brought it up."

"So tonight's been pretty much a bust. Let's say we just go back and dance a few dances... finish up our last set and try to salvage what's left of the night?"

"I wouldn't say a total bust." She leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee and looking over at Lance, "I got to see you dressed up really nicely. We got to perform one last time as a band. We even got pictures to prove that we actually were here. So there was some bad... still... the good wasn't terrible. And we still have a few hours left."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." He held out a hand to her. "The dancefloor awaits."

Kitty smiled and took his hand. "I'd be honored." Lance pulled her up off the couch and walked back to the ballroom.

The band was playing a bit of a slow ballad. Lance took a deep breath and lead Kitty near the center. He turned to face her, putting himself in the dance-position. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him.

"This is nice." Kitty relaxed, dancing to the song.

"It is." Lance nodded.

They danced, not even paying attention to the rhythm. Kitty slowed the movement and leaned up again, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"What's that for?" He asked.

"I was finishing that arguement." She tapped his chin with her finger.

"Say uh... I don't know if you noticed but uh..." Lance finally placed something in his head. Something that had been bothering him for the last two hours. "Wanda... I think she.."

"She spiked our drinks. Yeah. I noticed." Kitty rested her head on Lance's shoulder.

"And you didn't say anything? Geez, Kitty. You must be pretty drunk. I just can't believe Wanda would do something like that to us." Lance seemed a little baffled.

"Not really. The buzz is finally wearing off."

"How'd you figure it out?"

"So like... a year and a half ago. My cousin Morgan's Bar Mitzvah. I was just getting the hang of my powers... being at the Institute and all. Me and a friend of my older cousin's decided to play a game of truth or dare. No, nothing kinky. But I was dared to try and take a few things from the adults' mini-bar without getting caught. Long story short, I won. And because I was the victor, I had to like... actually drink something I stole. Just one or two of those miniature bottles. You know, they make you feel like a giant. But yeah... I kinda got a little drunk. Not exactly a heavyweight, y'know." She stuck out her tongue.

"You're serious?" Lance laughed. "That's so scandalous. You're such a bad girl, Kitty!"

"Hey, hey! Don't you go making up things in your head about me! It was stupid, and I was trying to prove that I could hang with the big kids. Whatever that means. I ended up with a little bit of a buzz and I remember my parents totally giving me the stank eye, like they knew I did something but couldn't say anything because we had to be all polite for the relatives. I totally dodged that parental bullet because I had to head back to the Institute after the weekend." Kitty nudged Lance, then said. "I didn't feel it at first, but once I finished drinking yours it hit me what exactly that taste was."

"I'm not sure what I should do about this." Lance commented.

"What'd you mean?"

"Wanda. She tried to get us drunk. What should we do?"

Kitty shrugged her shoulders. "Eh... nothing."

"Nothing? Oh come on! There's got to be a suitable punishment for this. Like having Toad walk in on her naked or something."

"As if that's never happened before. No, I'm actually not thinking of revenge." Kitty looked up at Lance, "It's not like she was getting us drunk to steal our money or take advantage of us or anything. It's obvious she had something else in mind. Like maybe for us to stop yelling at each other, stop being so nervous, and to just... enjoy ourselves."

"That's a pretty messed up theory. So this was more about you than me, huh?" Lance blinked.

"I think so. Wanda could steal from you at home, why would she do it here?"

"Good point." He managed a chuckle. "What about you, though?"

"What about me? Pshaw... I'm fine! Besides, we're almost done for the night. Everything has almost worked through my system."

"Almost?" Lance questioned.

"Yeah. Almost." Kitty smiled up at Lance devilishly and tilted her head, kissing him affectionately.

Lance broke the kiss and murmured, "Hey now. Don't you go taking advantage of me because of this."

"You enjoy it."

"... yeah, I do." He blushed and smiled. "Don't get too many ideas, huh?"

"What, innocent me? Though, you did call me a bad girl. Now I have expectations to live up to." Kitty teased playfully.

"... don't do that. I'm fine with how you are." Lance blushed, a lot.

"And you know what, Lance Alvers? That's exactly why I love you." Kitty smiled up at the older boy, running her hand through his hair.

Lance blinked, taken aback by her words. "W-what?! Did you just say you love me?"

"Yeah, I guess I did." Kitty smiled. "Haven't we been through this before?"

"...no. This is the first time." Lance gulped.

"Well, then that must have sounded like it came from out of nowhere. It didn't." She smiled. Then a familiar song played in the backround. Her hands moved down to his sides to give a gentle tickle. "Hey.. it's our song."

"Our song?" Lance wondered.

"You say we've got nothing in common..." She sang, then giggled. "First song you taught me."

"Ah yeah... 'Breakfast at Tiffanys'." Lance then asked, "Do you... regret that we went into this whole band thing?"

"Not at all. Not for a minute. I learned something I never would have learned before and I got to know more about you in the process. I say that with the hardships and arguments and all... it was an even trade. We grew stronger, together." Kitty nodded. "So no. I don't regret it."

"Good. I was about to apologize and beg and plead for your forgiveness if the whole band thing ruined us because of tonight." Lance commented.

"We're stronger than that, Lance. We've proven that time and again."

"I know, pretty Kitty. We are." He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

Kitty pulled away. She smiled, "Almost time. One last set and we can blow this joint."

"Go out with a bang? Sure Kitty." Lance tilted his head. "Let's head backastage and wait for the others." He reached down and grabbed her hand, leading her from the dancefloor back to the stairs.

She kissed him again once they got backstage. Lance noticed the increase in affection. He smiled, pulling away from the moment. "Mn... one last set."

"Yeah... I know. But we've got time..." Kitty tugged on Lance's tie, pulling him toward her as she leaned against a wall.

"So what do you have in mind?" Lance grinned. Now they were in the exact opposite position they were in earlier. The way Kitty moved him, his body now kept her pressed against the wall.

"Hmmm..." Kitty didn't hesitate, tugging his tie again to pull him to her. They kissed a bit more heatedly. Her hand let go of the tie and slipped up along his chest, to his shoulders. She shuddered at the realization of how close he was to her.

"Aaaaaa! This is a no PDA zone! Have some decency for the others, man." voiced Kurt as he came up the steps.

Lance pulled away from the kiss. He looked over at Kurt, "Geez, what now?"

"Seriously, Kurt. You should be happy we're not at each others throats anymore." Kitty looked annoyed.

"And I don't want you two to get kicked out for anything indecent." Kurt put his hands on his hips.

"Indecent? Please, it's not like we're stripping or anything. Relax, Kurt." Kitty shrugged. "I prefer this over the yelling, thanks."

Kurt seemed a little upset. "You should have more consideration! What if Wanda were to walk in? She's here alone!"

"I'm not made of glass, Kurt." Wanda walked up the stairs, taking a place next to Kurt. "I'm fine with this."

"You are? But Wanda..." Kurt seemed confused.

"There's very little you'll understand about me, little man." Wanda nudged Kurt, and then looked at Lance and Kitty, "So how is the happy couple?"

"We're fine, Wanda. Thanks for asking." Lance smiled.

Wanda smiled. "Great. Ready to play once more for the crowd?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Kitty added.

"Good, cause it's about time. I'll talk to you about this later, Kurt." Wanda added before she grabbed her bass guitar and waited for the song to end.

Kurt looked confused, almost frustrated. "Fine, whatever."

Kitty laughed at Kurt, "Maybe it's time YOU relaxed a little?" She picked up her guitar.

Lance shook his head, "I'm not even getting into this." He picked up his guitar and took in a deep breath. "Final set. What's the order?" Lance went over the final list with the others. It was the final stretch.

***

Authors Notes: So I guess I needed to break this down to two chapters. More to come!