X-Men 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 comic series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah.
Thanks for the continued support on this fic. All five of you.
"It's My Life" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The early morning light crept into the afternoon on this Monday day. Wisdom instinctively stretched his arms as he felt consciousness nip at him. Even half-awake it dawned on him that he was not alone in the bed. Pete's eyes opened to observe the sleeping figure of Katherine Pryde curled up against him. His friend. His partner. His ex-girlfriend.
-Ring- -Ring- -Ring-
"...ugh... dammit Pete, answer your phone already..." Kitty mumbled against him.
He slipped away from her, reaching over to the chair to grab his jacket and retrieve his phone. "'Ello?" Pete spoke softly, "Yeah mate, just woke. Hm? Tonight? That's great... but we worked things out if you don't need us. It's really all your choice. Sure, we'd still be able to... right. That is peculiar. Ring me up later and we'll meet up. Bye." He set the phone down on the nightstand, settling back down in a laying down position. Pete took a deep breath, then asked. "You awake?"
"I am now." Kitty opened her eyes and yawned, "Not the first time today, either. Who was that?"
"My friend with the police department. He's trying to get us extended juristiction to take care of that case over in Los Angeles now." Pete propped up his pillow against the headboard, sitting up. "How'd you sleep?"
"I slept well, Pete." Kitty sat up, looking him over. "...how about you?"
"Best I've slept in years." Pete took her hand and gave a soft squeeze.
Kitty frowned, "Pete... we can't..."
"Can't what?"
"Nothing's going to change." She clarified. "From how things were yesterday, or the day before that. It's just not." Kitty looked down at their hands. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this."
"We can never go back. I know." Pete smiled with a hint of sadness. "With that said and out in the air, last night was incredible."
"Pete!" She nudged him, scooting over to sit next to him.
"I'm serious! With all the crudeness about it, it always meant more when it's with someone you care about." Pete shrugged, "'m just bein' honest."
"Not just a typical one night stand." Kitty rolled her eyes. "Gotcha."
He reached over and pushed her hair back, away from her face. Pete leaned over, stealing a quick kiss.
Kitty pulled back. "H..hey."
"Can't we indulge?" He asked. His thumb brushed across her cheek lovingly.
"Maybe... I don't know." She felt a bit guilty. "I don't want to give you the wrong impression. You do remember why we broke up, right?"
"Something about you fancying a younger fella and that me being ancient was makin' you grow up too fast."
She nodded at his words. They stung a little. "More or less."
"Was there somethin' else I missed? Look, Pryde..." Pete said softly, "I think back to us, and I don't regret a damn thing about it." He paused, "No, that's a bit of a lie. I found something in you... something in us that was amazing. I didn't stop t'think 'She's barely legal.', because you didn't bleedin' act like girls your age and the all important factor, you actually wanted to be with me. I wished that we'd have paced ourselves better... slower... with a lot more communication."
"Don't regret any of that, please." Kitty told him, "Because as much as I'd like to accept and move on, I still have a soft spot in my heart for you. I can't resent you, because it was a choice I made as well. If I knew better, I sure didn't want to." She remembered, "Our feelings were pretty strong all around... I'm surprised we didn't kill each other before we finally slept together."
"Oh yeah, you HATED me. Stranded in Genosha for weeks at the time somewhat bit." Pete recalled.
Kitty's expression changed.
"...what'd I say now?" Pete noticed.
"Nothing, Pete. Just touched a sore spot." She looked down.
"What, that you used t'hate me?" He blinked, "Seriously, what's wrong?" He asked, honestly concerned.
"Genosha... just that... my Dad was there when..." Kitty shook her head, "I've been working through it, but the wound is still fresh. It's like.. I hadn't seen him for years then out of the blue I get a message and he's there... then... NO ONE is there."
Pete felt a familiar ache. He's lost a parent. It's something that's tough to deal with at any age. He wondered if she had someone to be there for her when it happened, or when she found out. He doesn't even think twice, his arms pull her into a comforting hug. He whispered, "I'm sorry, luv. Lord knows I know what you're going through."
She sighed and returned the hug. A few moments of quiet was all she needed, "S'okay. Really. Doug, Illyana, Piotr... then my Dad. It's no wonder why I left the life, huh?"
"You were going to say me, weren't you?" Pete wondered.
"Yeah. You were one of the reasons. Piotr was just the final straw. No more of that." She shook her head. Kitty pulled away and said softly, "Thanks. Time to shower."
"Of course. Can't stay in bed all day, no matter how fun it is." Pete raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "Or can we?"
"We can't." Kitty playfully nudged, climbing out of bed and going over to get a change of clothes from her bag. "Already slept half the day away."
"Better'n being hungover." Pete noted. He begrudgingly got out of bed and started to put together an outfit.
"No kidding." She looked back at Pete. "... so, are we on the same page?"
"If that's how you want things to be." He nodded. "I'm fine, Pryde. Falling for you a second time around is too dangerous for my tastes."
"'Dangerous'? Now you've got me intrigued." Kitty wondered, leaning on the door frame outside of the bathroom.
"As in, I don't think I could handle getting my heart broken twice by you." Pete nodded. There was quite a bit of truth in that statement.
Kitty nodded, turning to step into the bathroom. "And just so we're clear, it was mutual. It wasn't just you who had to mend a broken heart. Just that I had unresolved guilt along with it. The more you know, huh?"
"Me too, Pryde. Me too. Yours was about figuring what you really wanted in life and that you hurt me, while mine was how I thought I bodged up yours even though for once in my life I was happy. Maybe we deserved each other."
"Maybe." Kitty lingered in place, before she finally turned away from Pete's gaze and stepped into the bathroom to take her shower.
---
Pete glanced at his watch. It's been thirty minutes. 'How much time does she need in there?' He walked over to the door and knocked, "Oi, Pryde. You'll use up all the hot water." He leaned close, listening through it. "Pryde? Did you fall asleep?" He knocked again. "Blast it... you know having your abilities would be mighty helpful in this case! Respond or I'm bustin' this door down! Kitty?" He stepped back, placing his left hand against the door, his right hand pulling back, ready to trigger his ability. Pete reached down and tested the handle to discover it was unlocked. He carefully opened the door, sticking his head in, "... Kitty?" He noticed her sitting faced away from him, fully clothed, on the floor next to the tub. "Are you deaf? I've been callin' for you... you ain't sick, are you?"
Kitty waved a hand in Pete's direction. "I'm fine. Just... give me a few minutes."
Pete looked very concerned. He sat behind her, putting a hand on her back, "Pryde... what's going on?"
"Oh Pete..." She turned and looked at him. She looked as though she had been crying. "I'm so sorry."
"What in the... I don't like seeing girls cry. Stop that! There's nothin' to be sorry about." Pete looked at a loss.
She let out a nervous laugh. Kitty moved herself to sit next to him, "Of all the times... maybe I'm still drunk? No."
"I don't follow." He studied her face.
Kitty reached over and grabbed a small wad of toilet paper, attempting to dry her eyes. "You're going to laugh."
"I'm not laughing. I'm watching you cry on our bathroom floor without any reason to." Pete put an arm around her shoulders.
Kitty made a face, "That's not helping me." She turned to look at him. "Okay, so I was in here... thinking about what we just talked about. And there's this moment where I reflected on things that have all happened in my life and I had this sudden, horrible realization that I had done to you almost exactly what Piotr had done to me. Well, not exactly. But similarities enough..." She covered her eyes, "And all I could think about was how..." She paused, then said. "Piotr wasn't a horrible person. I know that. It's not romanticizing the situation in any way, but he hurt me so bad I couldn't even be around. I went away so he wouldn't get to see that. So he wouldn't see how much he hurt me. Fast forward a few years and I have this epiphany. You deserved better, cause that was just the most miserable feeling... like my heart ripped in two--"
"Kitty." Pete interrupted.
"... and there was nothing I could do about it. What?"
"I'm not you. Levels, experience... you can't compare them." Pete nodded, "It hurt, and I left. The ball was in my court and I dropped it. I thought about how I should've handled it differently. Doesn't mean I could win you back or change your feelings. That was the hardest part about leavin', knowing that I was giving up on the one damned honest thing I thought I had goin' for me."
"I know you're not me. Told you... it was stupid. And yet the tears keep rolling.."
Pete reached over and turned her face to look at him. He kissed her again. She calmed at his touch. He whispered softly. "I forgive you."
Kitty half-smiled, then replied, "I thought this wasn't about reconcilliation?"
"Change of plans." Pete moved from his seated position, taking a washcloth and wetting it down in the sink. He kneeled down next to Kitty, offering it to her.
She wiped her face down, "Yeah, huh." Kitty said warmly, "I'm glad."
"Me too." Pete stood. "I need a smoke." He leaned against the doorframe, "Or do you..?"
Kitty stood, "Need a smoke? No. I'm fine."
"Not what I meant."
She looked him over and said, "I know."
Pete nodded and walked away from the bathroom, toward the front door. Kitty hesitated, then caught up to hug Pete tightly from behind.
"Oof! Pryde.." Pete stopped walking.
She pressed her forehead against his back, saying softly. "...I don't know if you realize it, but that meant a lot."
He turned around in her arms to face her. "To be forgiven?"
"Yeah." Kitty smiled up at him.
Pete let out a tense sigh. He whispered, "I really... really need t'smoke." He moved away from her briefly, then tugged at her arm and pulled her forcefully toward him in a tight embrace. She looked caught offguard, eyes wide open as he pressed his lips to hers.
"Pete--!" She stammered between breaths.
"My turn t'tell you shush." His hands moved down her sides, pushing her to fall on her back, onto the bed behind her. Pete continued to kiss, settling down onto the bed atop her.
She broke the kiss and whispered, "As long as we're clear, this is purely physical, right?"
"Of course."
"Okay then."
---
To be continued...
Thanks for the continued support on this fic. All five of you.
"It's My Life" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The early morning light crept into the afternoon on this Monday day. Wisdom instinctively stretched his arms as he felt consciousness nip at him. Even half-awake it dawned on him that he was not alone in the bed. Pete's eyes opened to observe the sleeping figure of Katherine Pryde curled up against him. His friend. His partner. His ex-girlfriend.
-Ring- -Ring- -Ring-
"...ugh... dammit Pete, answer your phone already..." Kitty mumbled against him.
He slipped away from her, reaching over to the chair to grab his jacket and retrieve his phone. "'Ello?" Pete spoke softly, "Yeah mate, just woke. Hm? Tonight? That's great... but we worked things out if you don't need us. It's really all your choice. Sure, we'd still be able to... right. That is peculiar. Ring me up later and we'll meet up. Bye." He set the phone down on the nightstand, settling back down in a laying down position. Pete took a deep breath, then asked. "You awake?"
"I am now." Kitty opened her eyes and yawned, "Not the first time today, either. Who was that?"
"My friend with the police department. He's trying to get us extended juristiction to take care of that case over in Los Angeles now." Pete propped up his pillow against the headboard, sitting up. "How'd you sleep?"
"I slept well, Pete." Kitty sat up, looking him over. "...how about you?"
"Best I've slept in years." Pete took her hand and gave a soft squeeze.
Kitty frowned, "Pete... we can't..."
"Can't what?"
"Nothing's going to change." She clarified. "From how things were yesterday, or the day before that. It's just not." Kitty looked down at their hands. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this."
"We can never go back. I know." Pete smiled with a hint of sadness. "With that said and out in the air, last night was incredible."
"Pete!" She nudged him, scooting over to sit next to him.
"I'm serious! With all the crudeness about it, it always meant more when it's with someone you care about." Pete shrugged, "'m just bein' honest."
"Not just a typical one night stand." Kitty rolled her eyes. "Gotcha."
He reached over and pushed her hair back, away from her face. Pete leaned over, stealing a quick kiss.
Kitty pulled back. "H..hey."
"Can't we indulge?" He asked. His thumb brushed across her cheek lovingly.
"Maybe... I don't know." She felt a bit guilty. "I don't want to give you the wrong impression. You do remember why we broke up, right?"
"Something about you fancying a younger fella and that me being ancient was makin' you grow up too fast."
She nodded at his words. They stung a little. "More or less."
"Was there somethin' else I missed? Look, Pryde..." Pete said softly, "I think back to us, and I don't regret a damn thing about it." He paused, "No, that's a bit of a lie. I found something in you... something in us that was amazing. I didn't stop t'think 'She's barely legal.', because you didn't bleedin' act like girls your age and the all important factor, you actually wanted to be with me. I wished that we'd have paced ourselves better... slower... with a lot more communication."
"Don't regret any of that, please." Kitty told him, "Because as much as I'd like to accept and move on, I still have a soft spot in my heart for you. I can't resent you, because it was a choice I made as well. If I knew better, I sure didn't want to." She remembered, "Our feelings were pretty strong all around... I'm surprised we didn't kill each other before we finally slept together."
"Oh yeah, you HATED me. Stranded in Genosha for weeks at the time somewhat bit." Pete recalled.
Kitty's expression changed.
"...what'd I say now?" Pete noticed.
"Nothing, Pete. Just touched a sore spot." She looked down.
"What, that you used t'hate me?" He blinked, "Seriously, what's wrong?" He asked, honestly concerned.
"Genosha... just that... my Dad was there when..." Kitty shook her head, "I've been working through it, but the wound is still fresh. It's like.. I hadn't seen him for years then out of the blue I get a message and he's there... then... NO ONE is there."
Pete felt a familiar ache. He's lost a parent. It's something that's tough to deal with at any age. He wondered if she had someone to be there for her when it happened, or when she found out. He doesn't even think twice, his arms pull her into a comforting hug. He whispered, "I'm sorry, luv. Lord knows I know what you're going through."
She sighed and returned the hug. A few moments of quiet was all she needed, "S'okay. Really. Doug, Illyana, Piotr... then my Dad. It's no wonder why I left the life, huh?"
"You were going to say me, weren't you?" Pete wondered.
"Yeah. You were one of the reasons. Piotr was just the final straw. No more of that." She shook her head. Kitty pulled away and said softly, "Thanks. Time to shower."
"Of course. Can't stay in bed all day, no matter how fun it is." Pete raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "Or can we?"
"We can't." Kitty playfully nudged, climbing out of bed and going over to get a change of clothes from her bag. "Already slept half the day away."
"Better'n being hungover." Pete noted. He begrudgingly got out of bed and started to put together an outfit.
"No kidding." She looked back at Pete. "... so, are we on the same page?"
"If that's how you want things to be." He nodded. "I'm fine, Pryde. Falling for you a second time around is too dangerous for my tastes."
"'Dangerous'? Now you've got me intrigued." Kitty wondered, leaning on the door frame outside of the bathroom.
"As in, I don't think I could handle getting my heart broken twice by you." Pete nodded. There was quite a bit of truth in that statement.
Kitty nodded, turning to step into the bathroom. "And just so we're clear, it was mutual. It wasn't just you who had to mend a broken heart. Just that I had unresolved guilt along with it. The more you know, huh?"
"Me too, Pryde. Me too. Yours was about figuring what you really wanted in life and that you hurt me, while mine was how I thought I bodged up yours even though for once in my life I was happy. Maybe we deserved each other."
"Maybe." Kitty lingered in place, before she finally turned away from Pete's gaze and stepped into the bathroom to take her shower.
---
Pete glanced at his watch. It's been thirty minutes. 'How much time does she need in there?' He walked over to the door and knocked, "Oi, Pryde. You'll use up all the hot water." He leaned close, listening through it. "Pryde? Did you fall asleep?" He knocked again. "Blast it... you know having your abilities would be mighty helpful in this case! Respond or I'm bustin' this door down! Kitty?" He stepped back, placing his left hand against the door, his right hand pulling back, ready to trigger his ability. Pete reached down and tested the handle to discover it was unlocked. He carefully opened the door, sticking his head in, "... Kitty?" He noticed her sitting faced away from him, fully clothed, on the floor next to the tub. "Are you deaf? I've been callin' for you... you ain't sick, are you?"
Kitty waved a hand in Pete's direction. "I'm fine. Just... give me a few minutes."
Pete looked very concerned. He sat behind her, putting a hand on her back, "Pryde... what's going on?"
"Oh Pete..." She turned and looked at him. She looked as though she had been crying. "I'm so sorry."
"What in the... I don't like seeing girls cry. Stop that! There's nothin' to be sorry about." Pete looked at a loss.
She let out a nervous laugh. Kitty moved herself to sit next to him, "Of all the times... maybe I'm still drunk? No."
"I don't follow." He studied her face.
Kitty reached over and grabbed a small wad of toilet paper, attempting to dry her eyes. "You're going to laugh."
"I'm not laughing. I'm watching you cry on our bathroom floor without any reason to." Pete put an arm around her shoulders.
Kitty made a face, "That's not helping me." She turned to look at him. "Okay, so I was in here... thinking about what we just talked about. And there's this moment where I reflected on things that have all happened in my life and I had this sudden, horrible realization that I had done to you almost exactly what Piotr had done to me. Well, not exactly. But similarities enough..." She covered her eyes, "And all I could think about was how..." She paused, then said. "Piotr wasn't a horrible person. I know that. It's not romanticizing the situation in any way, but he hurt me so bad I couldn't even be around. I went away so he wouldn't get to see that. So he wouldn't see how much he hurt me. Fast forward a few years and I have this epiphany. You deserved better, cause that was just the most miserable feeling... like my heart ripped in two--"
"Kitty." Pete interrupted.
"... and there was nothing I could do about it. What?"
"I'm not you. Levels, experience... you can't compare them." Pete nodded, "It hurt, and I left. The ball was in my court and I dropped it. I thought about how I should've handled it differently. Doesn't mean I could win you back or change your feelings. That was the hardest part about leavin', knowing that I was giving up on the one damned honest thing I thought I had goin' for me."
"I know you're not me. Told you... it was stupid. And yet the tears keep rolling.."
Pete reached over and turned her face to look at him. He kissed her again. She calmed at his touch. He whispered softly. "I forgive you."
Kitty half-smiled, then replied, "I thought this wasn't about reconcilliation?"
"Change of plans." Pete moved from his seated position, taking a washcloth and wetting it down in the sink. He kneeled down next to Kitty, offering it to her.
She wiped her face down, "Yeah, huh." Kitty said warmly, "I'm glad."
"Me too." Pete stood. "I need a smoke." He leaned against the doorframe, "Or do you..?"
Kitty stood, "Need a smoke? No. I'm fine."
"Not what I meant."
She looked him over and said, "I know."
Pete nodded and walked away from the bathroom, toward the front door. Kitty hesitated, then caught up to hug Pete tightly from behind.
"Oof! Pryde.." Pete stopped walking.
She pressed her forehead against his back, saying softly. "...I don't know if you realize it, but that meant a lot."
He turned around in her arms to face her. "To be forgiven?"
"Yeah." Kitty smiled up at him.
Pete let out a tense sigh. He whispered, "I really... really need t'smoke." He moved away from her briefly, then tugged at her arm and pulled her forcefully toward him in a tight embrace. She looked caught offguard, eyes wide open as he pressed his lips to hers.
"Pete--!" She stammered between breaths.
"My turn t'tell you shush." His hands moved down her sides, pushing her to fall on her back, onto the bed behind her. Pete continued to kiss, settling down onto the bed atop her.
She broke the kiss and whispered, "As long as we're clear, this is purely physical, right?"
"Of course."
"Okay then."
---
To be continued...