Happy Holidays!!! I hope this chapter will be a wonderful gift for you all. Please, have a wonderful, happy holiday and we'll update next week on schedule!!!

Merry Christmas,

Marina & James

This was very bad news indeed, Charles Xavier thought as he hung up the phone with the American embassy in London. It seemed that a man going by the name of Peter Wisdom was causing quite a stir around London and the surrounding counties. His first move had been small; he bought some real estate outside of Kent and decided to fix it up. It was of no real significance except the real estate was centuries old, a chateau holding all of the town's history inside. Nobody minded really, especially when said man began restoring the old building. His second coup d'état had been to open a bank account with several millions dollars located in Switzerland...the man called Peter Wisdom must've been a multimillionaire. But nothing was as disturbing as the day that this imposter went to visit Romany Wisdom at her residence in Derbyshire. It had taken them three hours and copious amounts of a strong sedative to get her to stop screaming...and that was when they had called Charles. While no one knew where Peter Wisdom was, if anyone could find him it was Charles Xavier...and how right they were. He knew exactly where Peter was, he was on his way for a meeting with the professor at this very moment. The time was now...they had to act before this imposter Peter Wisdom did more damage than he already had.

Peter Wisdom had woken to a very beautiful sight indeed, Kitty Pride sleeping soundly against his side. Since that day in the training room a few weeks ago, they had taken to sleeping together. It was mostly to get her away from Piotr Rasputin, and they hadn't done anything more than a few wonderful snogging sessions and some heavy petting. Sadly though, Peter had a meeting to keep with the Professor that morning. He slowly pried himself out of the bed so he wouldn't wake her, and then took a shower. After dressing in his usual attire, Peter kissed Kitty on the forehead before leaving the room to meet with Xavier. Arriving at the man's first floor office, Peter knocked on the door and waited for the summons to enter, "Mornin' Professor. You wanted to see me?" Peter took the liberty of sitting down without being asked to, and fixed the wheelchair-bound man with a stare that said he wanted to cut to the chase, not beat around the bush.

Charles nodded cordially, "Good morning, Peter. I'm very glad you accepted my invitation this morning." Wheeling closer to the desk, he motioned to a carafe on the counter, "If you'd like, I have coffee and tea. Please, make yourself at home." After giving the man a minute to settle in he let his arms come to rest on the desk, "Peter, I received a phone call this morning from a woman who works at the institute where Romany is being kept. It seems that a man claiming to be you went to see her and she did not take it well. Over the last few weeks a man using your name has been causing a flurry of activity...either this is the man setting you up for murder or is a dupe for the real culprit. But either way I thought you should know..."

Peter's eyes narrowed at what the Professor was telling him. Someone had gone to see Romany? That was the easiest way to tell a fraud, Romany would know if it really was him, even if they disguised themselves expertly. She knew his mannerisms and his manner of speech. Even if they looked like a carbon copy, she would be able to tell. It made him angry someone had gone and upset her. But the rest of it concerned him as well. They were making purchases; he could tell by the way Xavier spoke. Had they gotten hold of his money? He'd have to check upstairs. That money was important; he was going to use it to set himself and Romany up for the rest of their lives. Leaning forward Peter spoke finally, "Did they say if the man was using me money? Or was he using his own? What's he purchased so far? Is me sister okay? How badly did she react to him?" He was starting to feel livid, and it was only with deep breaths and lots of willpower not to bolt up and run from the room to an airport to go to his sister, swearing the whole way.

This man was smart, Charles could tell; he already knew what the odds were and exactly what he needed to do. "I do not know where the money came from. He used several million pounds to buy the house in Kent and another couple million or so went into a Swiss bank account. I would check your bank records if I were you." He swallowed had as he continued, "As for your sister, I'm afraid they couldn't tell me anything...I am not her next of kin and I am not on the list of individuals who has a say in her care. All I know is that she did not react well and they had trouble subduing her."

Peter leaned back in the chair. So this guy could have hacked his accounts and transferred money. And that was only what they knew about. Peter could be penniless by now. This was not good. He needed to go back to England, to see Romany, and to make sure that he caught this bastard. "I need to go home. I have to get back home right now, and make sure Romany's okay. Then...I'm going after this bastard!"

"That's what I thought you'd say. I took the liberty of securing you fake identification papers..." He handed a manila envelope over to Peter, "You are now Peter Willow, everything is in here that you need." He wheeled around the desk, his eyes narrowed. "I will have Logan fly you over on the Blackbird this afternoon."

Peter grabbed the envelope and checked that everything was in order. This brought back memories of working in a group again. Xavier was acting the boss, handing out the necessities, and Peter was taking them and preparing for a mission. "Afternoon might be too late. The bugger's already been found out by me sister...he might try and run. I need to get there as soon as possible." If he had the power to do it, he'd be there right this second. He stood up and started for the door. "I'm gonna go pack me things up. I'll be ready within an hour, if that's at all possible for a departure."

Charles just nodded, "Perhaps I can find someone else in that time." He gave him a sharp look. "Good luck, Peter. And if you need anything, do not hesitate to call." Watching as the boy rushed out of the room, he sighed. He prayed all of this would work out for the best...

Across the mansion, Kitty was slowly waking up. She was exhausted this morning for some odd reason. When she finally sat all the way up, she found Peter was stuffing things in a suitcase as he ran around the room like a chicken with its head cut off. "Was it something I said?" She teased lightly...but all the same she was worried, he looked awful. "Peter, what happened?"

Peter stopped his rummaging when Kitty spoke. He sighed and put his computer in its case. "Xavier talked to me a few minutes ago. I'm heading back to England within the hour." He hadn't thought of telling her. He'd been hoping she'd have been asleep when he left, and they could avoid the horrible goodbye that would probably ensue. With that said, he started to grab stuff to pack away once more. This is why he didn't like to get involved, he eventually always had to leave, and goodbyes weren't his forte. No, he was sly man. He was used to sneaking away in the night, not making promises to see someone again when the truth was, it might not happen.

Sitting up, Kitty ignored her aching back and walked over to him, "What do you mean you're leaving for England within the hour?" Why did it even bother her? They weren't dating, they weren't doing ANYTHING. And yet it felt like her heart was in her throat. "At least let me help you fold things. Everything will be crumpled by the time you get to England..." As he shoveled things in, she arranged them more carefully. In the back of her mind all she could think about was waking up tomorrow and him not being next to her...she didn't like it. "Is everything okay? Is it Romany?"

Peter sighed as he placed the last thing in his duffle. He zipped the bag closed and started work on his equipment. This stuff he needed to be careful with, if these cables bent or something was hit the wrong way, he'd be screwed. "Xavier got a call from the American Embassy in London. They wanted him to try finding me. Apparently someone using me name has been making huge purchases, I assume with my money. I can't check until I get back to England, but over ten million pounds has been spent by this guy to buy some place outside Kent. Then he went to the institution to see Romany as me, but she wasn't fooled. All he was told is that it took a while and some sedatives to calm her down." Peter looked over at Kitty and sighed again. "I gotta go make sure everything's in order. This could be the guy that set me up. I won't let him get away."

Kitty nodded as he spoke. Poor Peter...and poor Romany, she wanted desperately to help him. And she was sure she had a way. Standing up, she stopped him in his tracks to give him a soft kiss, "Good luck." But she wasn't letting him walk away that easily. Slipping into the bathroom she pulled her own duffel from beneath the sink and silently began to pack. If Peter Wisdom though she was going to let him go this alone, he was dead wrong...

Peter kept packing his things until he was sure he had it all. Then he went over a recheck to make sure nothing was left behind. That was when he saw Kitty packing. "What do you think you're doing?" Was she gathering her things to go back to Piotr now? He hoped not. Or...was she thinking of coming with him? That he couldn't allow. She had plans, a future here. She had the X-men...if she went with him she could very well be killed by this guy. Anyone framing and pretending to be Peter Wisdom was either good at what they did...or a damned fool. In this case, probably both.

"Umm...I'm coming with you. What? Are you stupid?" Smiling softly, she walked back into the bedroom and began folding the clothes that hadn't been completely destroyed and placing them in the bag. "You have to fight for what's right as an X-woman...and fighting for your reputation and for Romany is what's right." Tying up her hair, she changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a sweater, not caring that he saw her body...he'd seen a lot more than that, he'd peered into the depths of her heart and mind. "And I'm not taking no for an answer, Peter. I'm coming..."

Peter turned to face her. "I can't let you do this. You could be throwing everything away that you've worked so hard to get. What about the X-men, I thought joining them was your dream?" He walked to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He needed to make her see reason, it just wasn't safe. "Anyone capable of fooling people into thinking they're me is someone dangerous. You could be killed. I don't want to see that happen. You mean too much to me." He'd blurted that out. He hadn't meant to say it...but it was true. She meant a lot to him, what exactly, he wasn't sure. But he cared about her, that much he was certain of.

Folding her arms, she stared him down, "I am a big girl, Peter and I can make my own decisions. I am an X-woman and of that I am very proud...but you need me. I will not be backing down." He'd seen this look in her eyes before, that passion, the determination. Picking up all of her underwear, including the lingerie she once bought for Piotr, she placed it all in the bag. Setting her bag next to his on the bed, she didn't flinch when he spoke of death. "We're all going to die sometime, Peter. And if I died helping you, it would be a worthy cause." Slipping on her shoes she smiled over at him, "Besides, two heads are better than one."

Peter smiled at Kitty. He could tell he wouldn't win this argument. Nope, she was determined, and headstrong. No way would he be able to talk her down. "I think you just want to use this as an excuse to see England." He closed the distance between them and placed his hands on her hips. He wouldn't admit to needing help, or even wanting it, but he was glad she was offering. "Thank you." His head descended to hers, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was chaste, not like their other kisses. It was tender, not needy.

Kissing him back just as tenderly, she smiled against his lips. "Well, that too...you're welcome." Good, he had finally accepted that he was not going to be leaving without her. Not only did he need her help, she'd be getting out of this hell of living in such close quarters with Piotr but she'd be putting her skill to use. "Come on," She said softly, "If we hurry, we can be in England by nightfall."

Peter grabbed his bags and equipment cases and started off down the hall. It was all happening so fast. But hopefully it would all be over soon. He'd be able to take care of this guy, put him down for good. Show the world why you didn't mess with Peter Wisdom. And then he could see about doing a few more jobs, just enough to retire and get Romany out of that place she was in. Maybe he could even have a family of his own, would Kitty want to be part of that family? Wait...where had that thought come from. "Xavier said he's gonna see if someone can fly us there in the Blackbird."

Kitty raised an eyebrow, "Why bother? I know how to fly it." She'd taken special classes to learn how to pilot the Blackbird and now that she was a full X-woman she could do so without worry. Slinging her duffel over her shoulder, she hurried after him as they made their way down to the sublevels. Professor Xavier was already waiting with that knowing smile playing on his face. "Professor," She said, returning his smile, "As I'm sure you already know, I'll be going with Peter. I'll be taking a leave of absence from the X-men indefinitely."

Peter looked at Kitty sideways. "Why? Because we can't keep the Blackbird, that's why. It needs to come back here after dropping us off. And as sophisticated as I'm sure it is, it still needs a pilot to bring it back home or I'd never need even you to fly it for me." He started to load his stuff into the plane along with Kitty's bag while she spoke to Xavier. Once finished he made his way back to the pair. "Is the pilot going to be here soon?"

Xavier nodded his head. "Yes, I had already figured as much Kitty." He tapped the side of his head, indicating he'd heard them broadcasting their emotions. "I can't stop you from going, you are a grown woman, and I am very proud of you. I wish the two of you the very best of luck. Be safe, and watch out for each other." He smiled as Peter came back over. "Mr. Wisdom, it was a pleasure to meet you, even if we did come together under less than ideal circumstances." He shook the spy's hand and smiled. "Gabriel will be here down in a moment. He's suiting up at the moment and kissing his wife and son goodbye."

"Thank you Professor, for everything," For some reason she had the feeling that none of this was an accident. Of course the Professor couldn't have foreseen everything, but had he known that Kitty and Peter would hit it off? Had he felt that they would be better off together? Noting that Gabriel was walking down the ramp toward the Blackbird, she smiled and patted Peter's back gently, "Come on, let's get strapped in."

Peter shook the man's hand once more and then followed Kitty into the jet. He sat down beside her and strapped into the seat harness while Gabriel started the pre-flight check list. Peter had only seen the man in passing, never this close up before. He could tell by looking at him, the confidence in the way he carried himself, that Gabriel was powerful. He didn't need to be told by the Professor or even Kitty to tell it. But his uniform wasn't leather like Kitty's was; it almost looked like a spandex type material. Made the leather got in the way when using his powers. Peter pushed the thought away while he settled in for the long flight. He reached over and took Kitty's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. In a matter of minutes, they were airborne and on their way.

There was something about a ten hour plane ride that really made Kitty sleepy...perhaps because there was nothing to do but stare out the window or into Peter's eyes. After the first four hours she was so bored that she'd even tried playing I-spy with the British assassin. He didn't find it much fun and she eventually gave up. With a yawn she closed her eyes and when she woke up again she found herself face down in Peter Wisdom's lap, her head using his thigh as a pillow. Sitting up slowly, she wiped her mouth, "Um...sorry. Are we there yet?"

Peter smiled down at Kitty while she slept. He absently ran a hand through her hair while looking out the window and making plans. First thing he needed to do was stop at a bank and see how much, if any, had been taken. Then he would change his access protocols so he could prevent anything further from happening. As soon as that was done they were going to go to see Romany, he needed to make sure she was alright. He knew that she would be upset until she saw the real Peter. Maybe she could even tell him what this imposter looked like. As soon as that was done, he could begin to work. Set up in a small hotel somewhere and start to gather Intel and leads. His thoughts were interrupted by Kitty waking up. "We're almost there." He pointed out a window where the coast line was passing beneath them.

The waves crashed against the rocks as a low English fog rolled over the land. The moon was low over the hills, rising for the night. The trip to the bank would have to wait until the morning. But that was fine with him. Gabriel's voice came over the intercom, "Alright you two! Look alive! I put in a call to the London Terminal, we're a test plane coming in for refuel and drop off. I gave them your assumed names as U.S. Diplomatic assistants, so you shouldn't get too much hassle from customs." Gabe looked over his shoulder at Kitty and smiled. "You be careful. This is not going to be like one of the training missions, or even a normal one. This is more like the stuff I go on, so you stick close to Peter and you do as he says, alright?" He was worried about his friend, but he trusted her, she'd never given him troubles in training before and she knew to keep a cool head. He just hoped that she wouldn't regret coming on this trip.

Pulling out a mirror she found that her hair was slightly frizzed. Jeez, she hoped she hadn't been doing too much rolling over in Peter's lap like that or he might get the wrong idea. Then again, what was the idea? Kitty cared about him, for sure...but what did it mean? Gabriel's voice startled her out of her thoughts and she smiled, looking over the dense fog. October in England...it was beautiful, even if she couldn't see any of the landscape. "Thanks Gabe," Kitty said as she stood, gathering her belongings. Grabbing the papers he handed to her, she frowned, "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Willow...who comes up with this stuff?"

Peter grinned and double-checked to make sure the bags were in order. "You can thank the Professor for that, the name...the married aspect...all him. If I had my way, I wouldn't even use me own first name. Even that little bit is too much to leave connecting you. Especially aroun' people who migh' recognize you." Satisfied that the bags were still there and hadn't grown legs to walk off and wings to fly out of the jet, Peter sat back down.

"I think it's smart you used your own first name...they won't be expecting that. They probably won't be expecting you to be coming in with a wife in tow either," Kitty chuckled, stepping off the carrier. The soft clang of metal hitting the ground stopped her in her tracks. Bending down she found identical wedding bands in the envelope. Holding the larger one out to Peter, she shook her head, "The man is clever...you have to give him that." And nosy, he was most certainly nosy.

Peter grabbed the ring and slipped it on without a second thought. He'd played married before with a female agent of Black Aire. It was all strictly business then, no attachment to the person like there was now. Well, sort of. Was there any kind of attachment to Kitty? He certainly liked her; that much he'd be a lying fool to deny. "Well, give him credit for being clever. But the first name still bugs me. What happens if there's someone around who knew me, and hearing you say my name makes it all click? Our cover would be blown. If I were…Roger, or William there is less chance of that happening. But I do agree… having a wife along will throw off some of the suspicion."

Wiggling the ring on her finger she threaded her arm through his as she pulled him toward the terminal, "It certainly will, love. It certainly will..." Kitty once said she wanted to be an actress. Although with this assignment, playing the wife, a loving woman, wasn't really all that hard. She smiled and diplomatically charmed her way through customs. After all, she had an American passport...his was English and he could walk right on through. When they were finally allowed through, she opened the envelope again, "The professor said he rented us a car...something innocuous." Stepping outside, she smirked, "You think that minivan is ours?"

Peter shook his head. "I would doubt it. If we're supposed to be diplomatic assistants we'd get something else. A minivan for diplomats raises too many questions. Look for a Lexus, Mercedes...maybe even a Bentley." He really hoped the old man hadn't gotten them a minivan. While the room inside it would be great for his gear, it would look way too off the beaten path for even a diplomat's secretary. Even a secretary was given a Lexus. After all, they represented their employer, and that employer always wanted to be in a positive light. Such was the world of politics.

Stepping off the curb, she shook her head, "I was just kidding." There were rental cars parked down a row and soon she came to one that had the name Willow clipped in the wipers. It was a beautiful hunter green Mercedes Benz, all leather interior and, Kitty had no doubt, fully equipped. "You better drive," She said as she put their luggage in the trunk, "I'm not used to the left side of the road. We're supposed to check into the hotel at noon today..." Looking at her watch she nearly gasped, "And it's six in the morning."

Peter nodded and pulled out his wallet, sliding the British driver's license that Xavier had procured for this name, into the slot for it. After he helped load everything into the car Peter hoped into the driver's seat, took the key from Kitty and started it up. "The bank opens at eight so let's get some breakfast and then go see if any damage was done to me account. Then we check in at the hotel and make our way to see Romany, yeah?" Normally he just went with his own plan, even if another agent was with him. But Kitty wasn't another agent; she was a girl he fancied that was helping him out. He felt the need to make sure his plans were okay with her.

Nodding, she sat back in her seat as he pulled away from the curb. "Sounds fine to me...I hope they didn't take too much, if anything. And if...you know, if you want me to stay at the hotel while you visit your sister, I understand." Maybe the trick had been that they used all their own money...although she didn't see how that was half as devastating as stealing his. And she really hoped she could meet his sister, she sounded so wonderful; but of course she would understand if he wanted her to stay away. They had only driven a little ways when she saw a cafe with some people outside sipping tea and enjoying the first rays of sunshine peeking through the clouded horizon, "Can we eat there, Peter?" She smiled over at him as he glided the car over to the side of the road. "Do they have coffee in England?" She asked quietly, looking over at him. She needed some...badly.

Peter nodded and pulled the car into the little parking lot for the cafe. "Aye, there's coffee. O' course there is, the French are damn near obsessed with the stuff, their damned French roast…and they're just over the channel." Turning off the car he got out and looked around out of habit to make sure no one was watching them. Leading her inside Peter ordered himself an English muffin, bangers, and spot of coffee.

"Good..." She said with a sigh of relief. Over the years she'd become severely caffeine addicted and she would not be happy giving it up. As they walked in, she smiled...everything was like right out of movie. The shop was being swept clean by a woman in an apron while the fresh aroma of baking bread wafted around the place. While Peter ordered his breakfast she picked out a muffin, a piece of cold turkey for protein, and a bowl of fruit salad. She realized then that she had no English currency...damn it; she had left the envelope in the car too. "Sweetie, will you pay for this? I left my...purse in the car." Dashing for the car, she opened it and grabbed the envelope. Just as she thought, there was enough cash to last two people at least a month or more. Slipping a couple bills into her wallet she made her way back out to him. "Thanks," She gave a nod to the lanky boy behind the counter and took a seat over in the corner, away from the windows where she knew they could talk.

Peter nodded as she bolted for the car and paid with some pounds he had left in his wallet. He nodded to the serving boy and followed Kitty to a corner seat. "Remember, love. We're married, so it's expected I would pay anyway. You don' need to ask me to do it. I'm going to have to teach you a few terms too, so you can communicate better. Especially for ordering food, I might not always be the one to order everything." He slapped a little butter and jam on his muffin before he took a bite. "Like for instance, you go to a restaurant and get a burger, ask for chips, not fries. Most people will stare at you funny because they'll want to know what you want fried."

Leaning forward, she frowned slightly, "They'll know I'm American, Peter, I'm not fooling anyone. But okay so I've got chips, bangers...umm...you guys say jam, not jelly. Or do you say marmalade?" She furrowed her brow, "Is there a difference between jam and marmalade?" Sighing, she sat back, "This is like learning a whole nothing language!" Biting into her cranberry apple muffin, she sat back in her chair, "And okay, husband dear, you can do the paying from now on. I won't make any effort," She teased.

Peter grinned at her little tease. "It is like learning a whole new language, especially if you talk to people who speak Cockney. Good luck with that. Even the rest of us Brit's have trouble with that sometimes." He bit into the muffin again and took a moment to think; maybe they could stop at a book store and pick her up a book of common English phrases. "You need to know these things, even if they all know you're American. Remember, you're my wife and they'll expect me to have taught you proper!" For some reason...it felt good to call her wife and be called husband. He pushed that thought away. Waaaay too soon to be thinking like that. They weren't even really dating or boyfriend and girlfriend...were they? Maybe he should talk to her about it sometime and get the point clarified.

Picking at the fruit salad and the turkey, she enjoyed the coffee most of all. It was really, really strong...even stronger than the Starbucks she had taken to drinking, and that was saying something! She let the warmth wash over her as she took another bite of her muffin. "Alright, I promise I won't reflect badly on my husband," Reaching across the table, she placed her hand on top of his. If she was going to play a part, she was going to do it well. "You never answered me earlier...do you want me to go with you when you visit your sister?"

Peter finished his muffin and bangers while looking at his hand in hers. He sipped his coffee slowly and then nodded. "Aye, you should come. Maybe you'll notice things I won't..." That was a bullshit excuse. He wanted her to meet Romany. Why was it so hard to just admit it? Taking a breath he looked down at their hands again. "Besides, we don' know how long this little adventure is gunna take and what might happen along the way. You may be in this for the long haul. It'd be good to have you and me sister meet, especially if you might be around for a while. She needs to get to know you, to be comfortable around you. Don't be surprised if she acts a little childish. Ever since that day she's sort of… reverted back to being a little girl at times. She'll have moments of lucidity where she's normal but she can go back to being a little girl just as quickly, as if the woman was never there at all." That shouldn't be tough for Kitty, what with all the students running around Xavier's all the time.

Holding onto his hand tighter, she looked into his eyes, "Peter, what did they do to her?" Her voice was tight with pain as she sought an answer. She lowered her voice more as she spoke of his sister, it was no one's business but theirs...his. "I know you told me she was raped. Did they do...other things to her? Did the trauma sort of break her mind? Or was this something she was born with, an illness perhaps?" Rubbing her thumb over his hand, she kept the tears from her eyes this morning. "And I know all about little girls," She said softly, "I think it'll all be fine."

Peter looked away at the wall in silence for a long time. He hated talking about it, it wasn't pleasant at all. It meant he had to remember and he didn't like to remember those times. "She was raped by three men. But it was what they did to her...they way the did it that messed her up. It's one thing to have one at a time go at you...but they got her all at once, one at a time...and two at a time by the time I found them." His eyes darkened as his jaw set angrily. "I made them pay...if they ever got out of jail, they'll never want to look at another girl again..." He hadn't realized it, but the coffee in the cup being held by his free hand had started to boil as he made the heat rise with his anger.

Closing her eyes against the horror of it, she let him finish before she even dared breathe. When she opened her eyes again she found that he was giving his coffee a reheat, and most likely getting his blood pressure up too high as well. Leaning across the table, she used her free hand to gently run down his face to rest on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Peter...I'm so very sorry."

Peter shook himself and the coffee stopped bubbling. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a few deep calming breaths. When he reopened them, he placed his hand on top of hers on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze then bringing it to his lips quickly. "Yeah, well, best to ask me about it. I just get angry and throw a small fit. Don't ever bring it up with her. She can't even go to a therapist because of how badly she reacts, that's one of the reasons she needed to be put in that place to begin with. The other, is because I'm the only one guy she doesn't completely go berserk on since I stopped her attackers from doing even more to her. She even freaked out on da', so he when he sent me away, he sent her too."

Kitty nodded as he spoke, feeling horrible at the very thought of a father sending away his children because they were different or not whole. But then, maybe Romany was better off without a man like that, maybe she was better off in the hospital where she could be looked after. "I promise. I won't talk about it with her unless she brings it up...even if that means never. I'd never want to hurt her, Peter," Suddenly she wasn't feeling so hungry anymore. "Would you like to take a walk with me? I'm so stiff from the flight and the bank doesn't open for another couple of hours anyway...maybe you can teach me some Cockney."

Peter grinned and stood up, offering his hand to her. "She'll never bring it up. Not once, in all the years since it happened, has she ever brought it up. She's like me, she chooses to forget rather than remember. Though I know she still has nightmares abut it. I think that's why she allows herself to revert to a younger girl...to get away from it. When she's like that...she can pretend to have her innocence still." He shook his head, driving away those thoughts. He led Kitty outside and pointed across the street to where a cop was issuing a citation. "Police are the bacon brigade, yeah? An undercover officer is a pig in a blanket. Someone who's crazy or not all there...you say they're all sixes and sevens. A telephone is the dog an' bone...mostly its funky ways of saying things…or you make them rhyme, like phone...bone. So it's the dog and bone or just the bone if you're in a hurry."

Taking his hand in hers, she smiled and let him lead the way out. "I'm sure I'll love her," Kitty said with a bright smile, "I can't wait to meet her." Walking lazily along the streets still glistening with morning dew, she kept her hand threaded through his. If he wanted to let go, fine, but she wasn't about to risk getting separated...plus, she liked having him all to herself, holding his hand like she actually meant something to him. She was laughing as he started pointing out things, "Pig in a blanket, ha!" She nearly stopped dead when he spoke of a telephone, "Peter W..." She nearly blew it, "Willow!" She burst out, "If I go to the hotel an end up with a male hooker in my room because I asked for a bone, I'm going to make you very sorry!"

Peter laughed heartily. "Then ask for a dog and bone...but not everyone knows Cockney, so you can just ask for a phone. Mostly just people around London know it, and only in the seedier parts. Occasionally you run into others who made their way out of those places, or have business there. They usually know Cockney, but not a lot of others do." Peter looked at her sideways and grinned mischievously. "But, you know…if you wanted a male hooker in your room, all you have to do is say you want a little 'how's your father'. That means sex...or if you were referring to a man's bits, bone is American entirely...here, you'd be talking about a man's John Thomas!"

"Ah," She said, nodding as if she were taking him very seriously. "You Brits are weird; I'm not going to lie." Wrapping her arm around his waist, she leaned into him gently. She felt drunk, slaphappy...what had been in that coffee? And yet she knew she wanted it, she wanted him. "And what do you do if you want to buy some John Thomas?" She smiled innocently up at him, "How many pounds would that cost me? Or...you guys use Euros now, huh?" She was purposefully riling him up, seeing if he cared. These last few days it really had started to feel like he cared...but who knew? Maybe it was all a lie. "Would you shell out some cash for that, husband dear?"

Peter glared at her. She wanted him to buy her a gigolo, "Me, pay for you to have at some bloke's John Thomas?! You must be sixes and sevens if you think that." His arm tightened around her a little more without his noticing. After a moment of silence, Peter commented, "And we still use pounds. Euros are okay too, but a lot of places never stopped using the pound. Euros are only used if you plan on traveling abroad. Bank of England still issues out pound notes unless you ask for different."

Laughing at the jealous expression on his face, she shook her head, "Okay, okay, I've been celibate for a year, I can go another one." Sobering, she felt him pulling her closer, holding her more tightly as they made their way further down the street. "Alright, pounds it is...I think that's what the professor gave us anyway. You know, I've never really been out of the country. Sure, I've been to Canada but never anywhere else." Smiling softly, she looked over at him, "Thanks for letting me come with you."

Peter nodded to her, still a little miffed that she might think of going around with someone else while she was supposed to be married to him. Why did it matter to him so much though? He'd said it before; it wasn't like they were actually going out or anything. They were pretending. But Peter was finding it hard to continue denying that he really fancied her. "Don't mention it. I'm actually glad for the company. Sometimes it gets lonely on these things with no one to really talk to." He looked at her for a moment and then pulled her off to the side. He had to at least hint at how he felt; it was the proper thing to do. "Let's get one thing straight, yeah?" He turned to face her and remained silent. After a brief moment Peter closed the distance and brushed his lips against hers.

Kitty made a move to say that she was glad he could talk to her and lots of other comforting things like that, but every thought she had died away when he pressed his lips to hers. There, in the middle of the street, at half past six in the morning, she pressed her body flush against his as she kissed him back with all of the strength she had in her body. Rubbing her hands down his back gently, it must've been a solid ten minutes before she pulled back, her head still spinning. "I think I like being married to you..." She said softly. And the worst part was she meant it.

Peter grinned and nodded. He liked it too. But he wasn't about to admit that. He ran a hand through her hair and down her cheek. He liked kissing her; it was a very pleasing experience. He was about to go in for another when he heard a whistle and cat calls. He turned to see a couple of teenage boys clapping at them. "Cor, that was some jolly good snogging there, mate! And she's a dishy bird too!"

Peter chuckled and turned to face the kids. He faced Kitty once and grinned. "In case you don't know he said we did a good job kissing, and then said you were very attractive." Facing the kid once more Peter waved him off. "Thanks, but shouldn't you be getting to school? You best get goin' before the bacon brigade gets ya for truancy! There's a couple round the corner there." The boys waved their thanks and took off in the opposite direction. "Kids these days, they say the damndest things."

Kitty raised an eyebrow as some kids walked on by, yelling things she could only assume were nasty. But Peter told her otherwise, "Well, isn't that nice." She laughed, waving after them, "Thanks boys!" Well her ego got a nice boost this morning. Looking into his eyes again, she smiled, "We ought to head back. I don't know how long it'll take to get to Derbyshire but we can go to the bank there and then check into our hotel before we visit Romany." Sighing, she looked down at the crinkled clothes she was wearing, "I'd like to get presentable before I meet her."

Peter chuckled and kept an arm around Kitty as they made their way back to the car. Once they he got in, pulled out his glasses and slipped them on. After a moment he started the car up, "Track path to Derbyshire." The glasses made a small beep and a GPS map came up in a small corner for Peter to follow. He really loved these glasses. In a few minutes they were speeding down the road toward their destination. He was finally going to get some answers, and best of all, if that kiss was anything to go by, Kitty felt the same for him as he did for her. And that was something to hold on to.