Notes: Prompt this time was take your character out somewhere.

Reviews make for happy Sprites!

Please see additional A/N at the bottom.


Peter Rasputin was making his way to the kitchen for a snack when he heard the sound of someone sobbing coming from a classroom. He poked his head and for a moment thought that the room was empty, but then he saw a small form curled up under the teacher's desk. He stepped in the room, squinting in the dimness as the only light was the weak winter sunshine coming in from the windows on the far wall. The closer to the desk he got the more familiar the figure looked until he realized that it was Kitty.

"Kitty?" he asked kindly.

Her head whipped up and she looked at him fearfully, face blotchy and wet from tears.

"Kitty, what's wrong?" he asked, approaching the desk and kneeling down to peer under it.

She shook her head.

"Are you hurt?"

She opened her mouth to answer but instead of words she simply sobbed. "Not like that," she choked out.

"Come out here where I can see if you're all right," Peter voiced, reaching for her.

She phased and his hand passed right through her.

"I'm just….please just leave me alone."

"What happened? Either tell me or I'm going to get Storm and Wolverine."

"It was nothing."

"I've never seen you upset like this. It certainly was not nothing."

She phased through the desk and rose shakily to her feet.

"I can't talk about this with you."

"Was it John?"

She stilled.

"What did he do to you?"

"Nothing, it was nothing, please just let it go!" Kitty looked around wild eyed. "I can't stay here. I need to get out of here." She turned and ran right through the wall.

Peter followed her as best as he could, finally catching up to her halfway down the driveway of the school.

"Would you wait just a second, Katherine?" he asked exasperatedly.

She turned to him looking pitiful with her hair a mess and her face blotchy and wet. She clutched her arms around herself, shivering violently, and as Peter took stock of her he realized she was only wearing jogging pants, a long sleeve t-shirt and sandals.

"You're not even wearing a coat. Why don't you go upstairs and change into proper clothes, then we'll take a car and go into town. How's that sound?"

"I want a shower," she sniffled.

"All right. May I wrap my arm around you?" he asked softly.

She nodded, still sniffling pitifully, and he wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her back inside. She let him lead her to the elevator and all the way to her room. When they got to her door she opened it to find that Laura was out.

"Would…would you like to come in a minute?" she asked so quietly that he barely heard her.

"That would be nice," he answered, dropping his arm from her waist as they went through the door.

Once they were inside she closed the door and wiped her face on her T-shirt.

"Wow, I bet I'm attractive," she tried to say lightly to break the tension but it fell flat.

"I think you're beautiful," he replied, reaching one hand out slowly to brush some strands of hair back off her face.

She blushed and took a step toward him.

"May I hold you?" he asked.

"Please," she replied.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him and Kitty buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around behind him. She began to sob again and he stroked her hair and rocked them from side to side in an effort to comfort her.

"He brought up a lot of painful memories. He used something I told him the other day against me. He used things he only guessed about but he was right. And he brought up things he had no clue about and I can't get any of it out of my head."

"I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."

"Yes, he did. He was getting back at me."

"For what?"

"I slapped him."

"He probably deserved it."

"He did."

"But you didn't deserve him doing that to you."

"You're so nice," she hiccupped, pulling away from him and he let her go. "Oh…oh I got your shirt all wet."

"It's no problem. Now why don't you take that shower and put on some proper clothes, I'll go change shirts and then we'll go out and do something?"

"Okay," she replied. "I'll meet you in the garage in half an hour?"

"Sounds good," he replied, exiting her room.


Closer to an hour later Kitty was bathed, properly bundled in gray slacks with heavy stockings underneath, dressy boots and a dressy cowl neck sweater in her favorite shade of cranberry and felt much better. She'd even taken the time to fix her hair and put on a bit of makeup to cover up her puffy eyes. Peter had on a dry sweater in a deep shade of gray and khaki slacks and they were in a car and speeding towards town.

"So, where do you want to go?"

She shrugged. "I'm kind of hungry."

"Okay, so a restaurant. After that I know a nice little coffee shop that has great desserts."

"First…could we go to the mall?" she asked hopefully.

"Um, sure. Do you want to go there first?"

"Yes, please."

They were silent for the rest of the ride and, sooner than Colossus might have liked, they were at the mall.

There first stop was the bookstore, where Kitty kept him hopping as she ran up one aisle and down the other looking at a myriad of different books. She went from teen fiction to normal fiction to historical fiction to romance to cooking to self help to religion to science to magazines in a matter of minutes, and then went back through all of it again.

"Oh, this one looks so nice…but so does this one… Oh! Stationary!"

She then launched herself toward the front of the store to look at pens and pencils, cards and bookmarks, paper sets and photo albums, journals and scrapbooks.

"Oh, I just love bookstores," she gushed, looking up at him with bright eyes.

"Would you like something?"

"Oh, no, I just have enough money for dinner."

"I was planning on paying for you."

"Oh!" she blushed. "Is this..um…uh…"

"Like a date?"

"Yes," she whispered, looking at her feet.

"I would like it to be, yes."

"All right then," she replied. "Our first date," she whispered with a smile.

"If you want a book or something I'll buy it for you."

"No, that's okay. Are you sure you want to pay for my dinner, and my coffee and my dessert?"

"Yes, I wouldn't have brought you out here if I didn't have the money."

"Okay then, I think I'll by myself something."

They circled the store three more times before Kitty settled on a pretty pink paisley journal and matching pen.

Peter carried the bag for her and was very patient as they went through two shoe stores, three clothing stores and a specialty candy shop.

"Gosh, I'm hungry," Kitty voiced as she munched on a chocolate covered espresso bean.

"Well, whenever you get done we can go eat."

"Where do you want to go?" she asked, swallowing the bean and popping a chocolate covered dried cherry piece into her mouth from where she'd bought a small variety bag.

"I know a nice little Italian place if you're up for it."

"That sounds great!"

They made their way out of the mall and drove across town to a fancy looking brick building. Peter ushered her in through the door and she whistled softly. The room was lit by chandeliers and flickering lamps on the walls. The tables were all draped in crisp white linens and plated with beautiful china in a swirly cream on cream pattern with delicate wine glasses and gracefully adorned silverware. All around there were couples or small groups chatting, laughing, eating and drinking. Kitty was immensely glad that she had thought to dress up a bit before leaving the mansion.

"How many, sir?" an elegantly dressed hostess asked.

"Two," he replied, placing a hand on the small of Kitty's back and guiding her through the restaurant as they followed the hostess.

They sat down and a moment later a waitress approached them.

"Can I get you started with something to drink?"

"I'll have tea, please," Kitty replied.

"The same," Peter answered.

"This place is really nice, Peter," she voiced after the waitress has bustled off.

"I've wanted to bring you here for a while."

"Really?"

"Yes. I just…didn't know how to ask."

"So you wait until I have a meltdown and practically give myself frostbite in my efforts to get out of the school for a few hours."

"Well…it worked," he grinned.

"Thanks for letting me drag you all over the mall."

"It was…fun in a way. Would you like to get an appetizer?"

"No, I'll just eat the salad and bread."

The waitress returned with a smile on her face, "Here are your drinks, would you like an appetizer?"

"No, thank you," Peter replied.

"Are you ready to order?"

Kitty shook her head frantically, causing Peter to reply, "I think we need a few more minutes."

"Okay, then, I'll be back soon."

"What do you think you'll have?" Peter asked.

"I'm still deciding," Kitty answered. "What about you?"

"Hm….I think I'll go for the steak tips Portobello."

"The asiago rosemary chicken looks good. I'll probably change my mind when she gets here, though. I always do."

Peter chuckled, closing his menu. Kitty did likewise and the waitress approached.

"Have you both decided?"

"Yes, Kitty?" Peter offered.

"You order first!"

"All right. I'll have the steak tips Portobello, cooked medium."

"All right, and for you, miss?"

"I'll have the chicken Florentine, please."

"All right, we'll have those up for you shortly," the waitress said. "I'll be right back with salad and bread sticks."

Peter chuckled. "I see you did change your mind."

"I do that a lot when I'm in restaurants. Not that I go out much. This is actually the first time I've been out since…" she paused to think and began counting on her fingers. "Last summer at the end of term Rogue, Laura, Jubilee and I went to a little coffee shop for lunch to celebrate."

"Wow, I'll have to take you out more often."

"That would be nice," she said, smiling softly at him.

"So…are you excited about the dance?" he asked.

"Oh, yes!" she replied, smiling broadly now. "I've already got my dress and shoes and everything. Rogue's going to do my hair and makeup. Oh, and guess who we've talked into going?" she asked with a gleam in her eye.

"Who?" he inquired warily.

"Laura!" she crowed delightfully. "Rogue's going to do her hair and makeup too and I had a spare dress and shoes that she could borrow."

"Is she going with anyone or alone?"

"Alone, though I plan to secretly badger people to dance with her. Most people avoid her because she's a bit…intimidating at first. Would you dance one dance with her? Please!"

Peter laughed a bit. "All right, as long as you promise she won't run me through."

"Rogue and I have been giving her lectures on social manners and grace in public."

"That's good."

"She's had a hard time of it," Kitty replied softly.

Just then the waitress arrived with their salad and bread. Peter served her and then himself and they began to eat with gusto.

"Oh! This is so good," Kitty replied, jamming a breadstick in her mouth. "And the salad!" she gushed after chewing and swallowing her breadstick and taking a bit of the leafy pile in front of her.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it."

"Oh, I am, very much so. We are so going to have to cook some Italian back at school."

"It won't be as good as this," Peter replied.

"Oh, I'm sure but I forgot how much I love Italian food."

The conversation quieted as Kitty and Peter continued eating their salad and bread and a few minutes after they were done the waitress approached with their meal.

"Here you go ma'am, sir," she said politely, placing the meals in front of them. "Would you like some freshly grated cheese?" They both accepted and after adorning their pastas with the cheese and refilling their drinks she departed.

Kitty popped one bit of chicken in her mouth and closed her eyes, making appreciative sounds as she chewed. "Oh, this is wonderful," she exclaimed.

Once again there was silence at their table as they ate, but it was comfortable and companionable, rather than strained.

When they were done Peter paid the bill and they left the restaurant.

"The coffee shop is just a short walk, if you don't mind?" Peter asked.

"No, not at all."

Arm in arm they made their way three blocks south and one block east until they reached a small yet classy looking coffee shop.

"Oh..my…would you look at that dessert counter!" Kitty squealed.

Peter grinned and trailed her to the counter where she ordered a mocha and he ordered a caramel latte.

"Would you like to share a piece, Peter?"

"Sure, pick whatever you like."

She then ordered a piece of Heavenly Six Layer Chocolate Cake and, once their drinks were brought up they took their dessert and drinks and made their way to a small table in the back.

"I don't know which was better, the dinner or the dessert," Kitty replied before taking a sip of her mocha. "Or the coffee. You sure do know to show a girl a good time," she grinned.

"I'm glad you think so," he replied softly, reaching one hand across the table.

She smiled back at him and took his hand.

"I…I really care about you, Kitten," he whispered.

She flinched, pulling her hand away as if she'd been burned and her face fell. "Don't call me that," she said tersely.

"Oh! Um…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

She smiled weakly, placing her hand back in his. "It's just…"she worried her lip between her teeth. "I don't like that nickname, all right?"

"All right, I'll just settle for calling you Katherine."

"Katherine sounds good."

They ate in silence for a few minutes and Kitty finally, regretfully, put down her fork and focused on drinking her coffee.

"Would you like to take the rest of the cake home? They'll give us a box."

"That would be lovely."

He got a box and they put the cake in it and made their way back down the street, arm in arm, to the car. The drive back was nice, with Kitty clutching the cake in her lap and holding Peter's hand.

Once they were back in the garage he walked her up to her room.

"You can keep the cake."

"Thanks! Would you like to come in?"

"I would, but it's late and I don't want to disturb your roommate."

"Yeah…Laura does get a bit tetchy if people she doesn't know very well bother her."

"I think that would be an understatement. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. I had a really nice time, Peter."

"I'm glad," he responded, leaning down and brushing his lips quickly against hers. "Good night, Katherine."

"Good night, Peter."


Note the Second - This is still a Kyro, I promise! We shall see more Kitty/Pyro action starting back up in the next chapter. Kitty needed this chapter, she really really did.