AUTHOR'S NOTE

I can't believe it's been so long since I've done anything here. I would firstly and foremost apologize to my small yet very important fanbase; going thru my old reveiws for my stories made me realize how much of an inspiration you guys have been, and how thankful I am to have had you guys leave me such sweet messages. I've been utterly terrible for being away for so long, how can you ever forgive me:D Well just so you know, things are starting to pic up now; let's just say that I've been thru some really sy relationships that have sucked me dry, and now that I'm back to my normal self, I'm ready to delve back into the world of Kurt and Erin...
So anyway, this chapter is going to be a bit long, which is cool, I think; I've basically combined two chapters into one. Also, I've given official title to this story:
FIREFLY 2: CANDLELIGHT!
The title Candlelight was inspired by Imogen Heap's song of the same name; while listening to it tonight and after looking up the lyrics, I realized how much this song reminded me of Kurt and of his possible strugle of not only being a mutant, but of also taking the injection, which we will get into at the end of this chapter. Check out the song if you can. :) Lotsa good stuff on YouTube. :D hehe
So without much ado, I present to you:
Chapter 11: Take the Lead/ Candlelight

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Finally...
 After months of recovery, my husband and I were on old terms again. I daresay we were the way we were before, because nothing was ever the same again after my miscariage. Pandora's box had been opened, and now that we had experienced the hell of losing a child things were different. It certainly didn't mean that we never again would be happy; it would take time for that to happen, but once it did, I felt as if we could finally continue moving foward.
And I had never felt so alive. I started back with Riverdance eventually, having to really work hard to get back into shape. But it was worth it.
Then one day my boss at Riverdance called me into the office. She was smiling.
"Erin," Maria started, offering me a seat. "I want you to know how proud we are of you. Your dancing has improved so much over the past few months, and after what happened to you, I... I have so much admiration for you."
I smiled, and could feel my face turn red. "Thank you... that means alot to me."
Maria nodded, yet didn't say anything for a moment. She then looked me in the eye. "Erin, do you know why I've called you in here today?"
"Uh..." I was caught off guard for a moment, confused by her question. "I can't... say that I do, no."
A faint smile played across her face. "Danielle has decided to retire to teach dance classes in Florida. We need a replacement."
Danielle was our lead, the most important female dancer in all the show. All I could do was blink a few times, and when I didn't say anything, Maria continued.
"You think you'd be up for the job?"
"You..." I spoke slowly, not believing what was happening. "You're giving me the lead?"
Grinning, Maria nodded.

"KURT!"
Staff and students alike bolted out of the way as a firefly of red -- me -- streaked down the hallway in glee.
"Kurt?" I bolted into his classroom to find him teaching a group of eighth-grade mutants basic German grammar. "Oh... oh, honey, I'm sorry, I--"
"No, no, come in, Erin, what... what's going on? I don't think I've ever seen you this excited," he grinned.
"Oh, I have the most wonderful news."
"Wha... well, come, come..." My husband opened the door for me, but I shook my head.
"No, no, it's... it's alright, this is something the children can hear, as well, I... I just want to shout from the roof!" I grinned, and the students laughed.
"Well what?!" Kurt laughed. "What is the news?"
I held out my arms. "I got the lead!"
Kurt's jaw dropped. "Was?!"
"Yeah!" I nodded. "Danielle retired! She wanted to teach."
"Oh, Erin!" Kurt laughed hysterically, spinning me around, and his classrom gave a cheer. "I can't believe it, this is wonderful..."
"Yay, Mrs. Wagner!" Came the cries from the students.
"Thank you, you guys, thank you... I am so excited!"
"Here, come here... just for a minute." Kurt had me step into the hallway, but turned to his students before joining me. "Everyone, start working on your homework, and I will be back in a moment, alright?
"Kleines..." Kurt grinned, taking my face in his hands and kissing me. "I am so proud of you, my darling!"
I couldn't stop giggling. "Oh... thank you, sweetheart!" He took me into his arms.
"Tonight..." he whispered joyously. "Tonight, we celebrate."

"Red Lobster?" I laughed. "You're taking me to Red Lobster?"
"Wha..." Kurt tried not to smile as I looked up at the restaraunt next to us. "You love seafood!"
"Yeah, and you don't!"
"Kleines, they have plenty of things here other than seafood."
I grinned at my husband. It was still taking some getting used to, this new look of his. Either way, I liked it. It was strange, though. If I had a bit of a crush on this new look of his, would it technically be considered cheating? I laughed inwardly to myself as we climbed out of the car. Kurt must have noticed. He scoffed, a smile barely beginning to creep from the corner of his mouth.
"What?"
"You know, you're kinda cute." I linked my arm thru his. "I mean... in a... non-mutant sort of way."
Laughing, Kurt looked at me like I was nuts. "Mein Gott, sind sie ein verrucktes madchen..."
"Hey!" I giggled. "You asked!"
It didn't take long for us to be seated, and we looked over our menus. After a while the little hairs on the back of my neck began to stand on end as I realized I was being watched. I looked up. Kurt was smiling at me. "You're beautiful, you know that?"
"I love you," I whispered.
"Ich liebe dich auch."

The next day was Sunday. We woke up late, after having gone to a late movie after our meal at Red Lobster, and spent the last bit of the morning relaxing and eating breakfast with Rogue. Kurt went out for the groceries, and as I helped Rogue clean the kitchen, something started to feel... different.
"Marie, I've noticed you and Bobby haven't been hanging around together lately. How is everything between you two?"
She didn't say anything for a moment, instead, stared at the dishrag out in front of her on the island. "I saw him with Kitty Pryde last night, out on the little pond out back. They... looked... I dunno," she shrugged, continuing with scorn in her voice. "Happy, I suppose."
"Oh, Marie..." I frowned. "God, I am so sorry..." I went over and put a hand on her shoulder.
"What's the point of this ability I have? Why must you and Jean end up with something useful, like telekenesis, or even the healing abilities you and Logan have, when I must be stuck with this horrible thing? I've driven him away..."
My heart broke for her; I couldn't think of anything to say. "I can't even imagine what it must be like for you, sweetie... I suppose that none of us asked for this, really. We're all rejects in the eyes of society. You don't think Kurt likes looking the way he does?"
"Well..." Marie gave an ever-so-slight smile. "You told me once you actually liked the way he looks."
"Wha... well, yes, I do," I blushed, laughing. "But at the same time, I'm sure that someone who hasn't met him or knows about him would be scared out of their mind if they met him for the first time. You should have seen my niece the first time she met him, she just about shit bricks. 'My God, that's my uncle?'"
Marie smiled, and didn't say anything for a moment. "Thanks, Erin," she said quietly, giving me a hug.

The next day, after the regular school day, I was teaching a dance class along with Chelsea (who'd gotten quite good, actually) when all of a sudden, Jubilee burst in.
"I really think you should find a television, guys."
I made it to the living room a moment later with Chelsea and Jubilee by my side and saw the news was on. There was a large group of students and teachers forming, and Storm was there, too. "Ororo, what's going on?"
She looked to be in a daze. "It's unbelievable."
"We bring to you this late-breaking announcement; this morning, scientists have released the news that they have discovered what's being hailed as 'a cure to the mutant strain.' This antidote, when injected, can and will remove any bit of mutant strain in a mutant being, thereby rendering them a normal-appearing homo-sapien, ability-free. This 'cure,' if you will, will be made readily available to those who seek it this coming Friday, at eight in the morning, eastern-standard time."
I immediately thought of Rogue, and next to me, Ororo sighed. "There goes the neighborhood."

That night I got ready for bed and turned on the TV to see what was on. Nothing but more news reports, so I turned it off and crawled under the covers. Kurt breezed in, carrying some books in his arms. It was the first I'd seen of him since before the news broke. He smiled at me, a tired smile full of relief to see a kind face. "Hallo, kleines."
"Hi, sweetheart."
"Did you hear the news?" He put the books over on our desk, then grabbed a pair of his pajama pants out of the dresser.
"I did. It's amazing, isn't it?"
"Mm," Kurt nodded, and nothing was said for a moment, as Kurt changed and got ready for bed. "You have a good day?"
"Mm, the ususal," I shrugged and nodded. Kurt climbed into bed next to me and rested his chin in his hands. "Literature, dancing... stressing..."
My husband laughed. "Yes, indeed... I believe we all have." He smiled up at me and brushed a bit of hair from my eyes. "I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted."
"Me, too," I smiled. "I have a feeling it's gonna be a long week."

And a long week it was. Everyone was up in arms about the antidote; debates raged all week. I thought it was wonderful for those who wanted it, who really, truly wanted it, but me? I thought about it long and hard and found that I could never do it. This was me... and it always had been. I wasn't about to change.
The debates heated until Friday morning, when people started lining up around the block at every pharmacist's office, waiting for a dose. There was alot to do with the parents of the students-- the ones that knew of their children going to the school, that is-- some of them were okay with their kids taking the injection, some were against it, it was all so complicated. So much to figure out.
And Friday, well... Friday was the busiest, craziest day of them all. I was scheduled, after school, to take a group of some of our oldest students into town for the shot. The parents of these children had written in, stating that if their child wanted the shot, they were permitted to take it. There were only about ten of them who wanted it out of the entire school, but Storm and I agreed to take them into town for the injection. We knew it would probably be all night.
All that week, Kurt and I had... argued. Well, not necessarily "argued," if you will; it was more like a very heated debate, or, rathar, me damn near begging him to consider not taking the shot. He'd been throwing around ideas of going in for a dose for himself. Finally, on Thursday night, our debates came to a head and we had a full-on argument.
"But Kurt, you don't have to do this!"
"You're such a hypocrite, Erin! What is your problem? You said it yourself, you believe that if someone truly wants the shot, they should take it!"
I was struck speechless for a moment. "You... you're right. You're absolutely right." I sat down on the end of the bed, scratching my head, and Kurt came to sit next to me. "Kurt, I... I just don't believe we should have to answer to anybody but ourselves. This is who you are. But at the same time, sweetheart..." I took his face in my hands. "If this is what you want... I realize there is none who will stop you." I smiled at him, and he kissed me.
So on Friday, when the day started and I knew it would be a long one, I worried. I worried alot. I still believed what I'd said to him the night before, but at the same time, I was desperately hoping Kurt would refuse the injection.
I had my classes, I had my little field trip at the end of the day, and by the time the bus pulled back to the school with me, Storm, and ten brand-new homo-sapiens onboard, I was not only exhausted, but I was nervous as hell. What would I find upon reaching our bedroom? My husband, obviously... but would he look the same as the day we married?
After straightening things out with Professor Xavier, I went up to bed, and to the moment I'd been practically dreading all day. But when I got up to the room, I found it dark and empty. I looked back out into the hallway as some of the students and a handful of my coworkers filed by.
"Hey, Remi, have you seen Kurt?"
"Sorry, Erin, I think he's still out."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"No... no, girl, he didn't. Sorry." The look in his eye was enough... sympathetic and apologetic.
That didn't make me feel much better.
I slowly got ready for bed, mostly in a haze. I lay there in the darkness, panicking, my mind racing. I'd even tried calling him, but he didn't answer. I left him a message, but to no avail. I started to sob and buried my face in my pillow. A few minutes later, I heard a noise, and it took me a second to realize the door had opened; I did a double take and sat up. It was still dark, but I could see a silhouette in the doorway.
"Kurt?" My shaky voice broke. "Kurt, is that you?"
I could hear the door shut and light on the bedside table came on in a flash. My husband sat down on the side of the bed, his yellow eyes filling with tears as they began to cascade down his blue face. "I couldn't do it, Erin. I stood outside that office for hours, just staring at it. You were right. I'm not answering to anybody."
"Oh, my God, Kurt..." I collapsed into his arms and sobbed all over again. He cried as he held me.
"I'm sorry, kleines, I'm so sorry," Kurt wept."
I kissed him then, and I couldn't stop kissing him, either. As tired as we both were, we stayed up for a while longer.
I lay in his arms later that night, watching the moonlight dance in our window, thanks to the dancing branches of the trees at our windowsil. Kurt took my hand in his, three blue fingers against five pale ones, and it was then I realized how right Joanie Mitchell was... "You don't know what you got 'till it's gone..." or at least until you nearly lose it.
Kurt kissed my forehead and tilted my chin to make me look at him. I could see the whole world in those yellow eyes. It's funny how someone whom most would think to be frightening would end up being the most gentle of them all.
"Ich liebe dich soviel, kleines."
"Ich liebe dich, auch."

The next day, around noon, I'd not seen Rogue anywhere at all, which was odd, because usually the two of us would run into each other at least once before lunch, even on a Saturday. When I passed Bobby in the halls, he looked shaken to the core, which suprised me.
"Bobby?"
He kept walking, not saying anything to me or even glancing up. Kitty met him at the end of the hallway. "Bobby, what is it? Are you alright?"
I turned back the way I was initially heading to realize that I was only feet away from Rogue's room. I went over and pushed the door open; it had been open a foot anyhow, so I finished it off to find my best friend sitting on her bed, crying, her arms bare, save for a bandaid on her right forearm. Her gloves were nowhere in sight. She looked up at me, eyes red, voice shaky.
"What was the point of it, anyway?"

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German translations:
"Mein Gott, sind sie ein verrucktes madchen" ---- My God, you're a crazy girl
"Ich lieve dich soveil" ---- I love you so much