America's Sweethearts?

by Starsinger

However you feel about the Dallas Cowboys, chances are pretty good you like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. If you're female, you probably wanted to be one, if you are male, and not gay, you wanted to be seen with, if not dating, one. I am now living vicariously through Kitty Pryde. This is set in the same universe as "A Whole New World". Part of Lisa's healing process is to audition for the famed squad, and she's dragging Kitty with her. No, still don't own them.

April in Arlington was actually pretty bearable. It wasn't hot, yet. Kitty sighed as Peter dropped her and Lisa off at Cowboy's Stadium. She only agreed to this for Lisa, for moral support. There was no way they'd select a well-known mutant. They joined the rather long line of women waiting to get in to the auditions. "How did I let you talk me into this?" Kitty asked, for the thousandth time.

"Therapy," Lisa replied, the light was finally returning to her eyes. "You're here for moral support."

"Lisa, it's been years since I've taken any sort of dance lesson. I'm going to fall flat on my face," Kitty said with a snort. They moved forward as the gates opened and the ladies were let in by a burly looking security guard. They got inside and Kitty pulled off her sweats to reveal a blue tank top and shorts, sneakers completed the ensemble. Lisa watched with envy as Kitty slowly limbered up. She didn't look like she'd given birth twice. Someone came around passing out numbers. "242, my lucky number," Kitty laughed. Lisa was number 243.

They watched as the women were called in groups of twenty to show off their moves. Finally, Kitty and Lisa were called up. Kitty called upon her training and dragged up a routine that Stevie had taught her that matched well enough the music being played. She couldn't tell how well the auditions were going, the judge's faces were impassive, or smiling impartially at everyone, as was the case with Judy Trammell and Kelli Finglass, they ran the organization. The music ended and Kitty and Lisa sat down in a corner, drinking the water they had brought with them.

The try-outs took hours, and Kitty started to read the book she brought with her. Finally, the judges announced that they were going to deliberate and that everyone should wait.

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"Number 242, Kitty Pryde-Rasputin," Judy looked up. "She doesn't look like she has two kids. Boy, she can dance!"

Another judge, a local reporter, "But she's a well-known mutant. Do we really want her kind here?"

Kelly looked up, "I don't care if she's Apocalypse, if she can dance that well, I want to see what else she can do." Most of the others nodded in agreement. Lisa ended up with a similar agreement. They continued on with deliberations.

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The ladies met outside, waiting the man with the big board. They knew that their future hung on that board. The cheerful security guard called out, "Are you ready ladies?" The yes was unanimous. He pulled off the cover from the boards and made a run for it. He'd done this before. Kitty and Lisa surged forward with the crowd, looking for their numbers. They already heard women crying and laughing, depending on whether or not they found their number. Kitty quickly scanned the board and found both 242 and 243 toward the middle. Lisa squealed, jumping up and down, "We did it! We come back tomorrow!" They shouldered their bags and walked back out to meet Peter." They went back to Lisa's Mother's house where she fed and congratulated them both. Stasia and her little brother, Joshua, raced around the house at high speed, well, high speed for five and three year olds.

Peter planted a kiss on top of Kitty's head before wrestling the kids upstairs for a bath. "Thank you for letting us stay here, Mrs. Sanchez," Kitty said.

Lisa's mom, Maria, smiled, "Of course. What happens tomorrow?

"We learn one of their numbers and perform the kick line," Lisa said. She was a little nervous, her kicks had never been that good in drill team.

Kitty smiled, "I'm going to bed, another big day tomorrow." Lisa agreed. Both took quick showers before hitting the sack.

The next day Kitty got her first glimpse of the giant television in the field of the stadium. The judges would be watching them on it. Again, they were called up in groups of twenty. When Kitty and Lisa got up to dance, Kitty watched intently as a former cheerleader showed off the dance they were to learn. The music started up and Kitty started the dance. Her previous dance instruction showed through as she smiled and picked up the dance quickly. Lisa struggled to keep up, but she wasn't the worst by far. They finished the dance and walked off the field to watch other dancers perform to varying degrees of outcome, good and bad.

Then came the kick-line. Kitty's kicks were high and flying, Lisa's were adequate at best the splits went well, though. They at least went down on the right foot. When everyone was done Kelli Finglass stood up, "The board will go back up to tell you whether or not you make it to the next round. If you do, interviews will be set up for you to impress us with your personality. You also have to make up your own routine, to your own music. You'll also be meeting the veterans who hope to rejoin the squad, so good luck, and make sure we have a good number and address for you when you leave."

Everyone milled about in various stages of agitation. Kitty and Lisa were not convinced they would make it, Kitty for well-known mutant abilities, and Lisa for her kick-line. Finally, the boards came out again. Kitty squeezed Lisa's hand and smiled, what will be will be. They both found their numbers on the board. Lisa was jumping up and down AND hugging her. They walked over to a table to get the packet attached to their numbers. It gave them the information they would need to continue. Even a suggestion as to whom to go for help with their dance.

Kitty blew a raspberry, "Forget this, I'm going to see Stevie!" Lisa had no choice but to agree.

Okay, this may or may not go forward. Please R&R!