Disclaimer: I own nothing

A Winter's Interlude

"Look, this is I'm sure either a kind gesture or really, really creepy but either way I do not need a ride, and will harm you in ways you never dreamed possible if you try and grab me."

As Kitty was speaking the darkened windows of the car that had pulled up rolled down and a most unexpected face came into view.

"Why if it isn't deaged Magneto?! How's life as a bad fanfic trope treating you?"

To his credit Erik's face didn't even twitch at this rigamarole, instead he happily ignored it all to say:

"Erik, and kindly get in the car before I waste any more gas."

There were a dozen snarky remarks on Kitty's lips but a slight hint of tiredness in his eyes made her hold her tongue.

Subtly phasing through the hip high snow that banked the sidewalk, Kitty opened the car door and tumbled into the passenger seat, her packages making her clumsy.

The feel of the warm air blasting from the vents was delightful and holding up hands that were numb even in her sparkly, fuzzy pink gloves gave a happy sigh that caused the corner of Erik's lips (the side not in her view) to twist up in a look of brief amusement.

Pulling away from the curb with a curt, "Seat belts" to which Kitty replied, "Yes, Mother" while sticking out her tongue, Erik merged with the heavy flow of traffic coming from the mall silently wondering what had possessed him to pick her up in the first place.

This was what Kitty pondered on in the silence that fell between them before her concern for him began taking up her thoughts instead.

It had been a few months since his stay at the mansion and since then she had not heard a word from him. Something that caused her to feel a strange sort of sadness whenever she thought about it.

But it seemed during the time he was gone not only did he not talk to people but he also didn't eat or sleep.

His shirt hung off him far more roomy than any of his shirts had ever been at the mansion and dark shadows seemed to lurk beneath his eyes.

Worse yet his eyes were dull—the fire that always seemed to burn within vanished.

Which might in some ways be a good thing considering what that fire had empowered him to do on many an occasion.

Regardless, Kitty found herself missing that spark and worried beyond what a mere fair weather friend should be.

As she was dealing with all the confusing thoughts that suddenly had begun tumbling around in her brain, Erik spoke.

"So, for what holiday are you shopping today?"

Looking down at the many bags by her feet, Kitty met his eyes in the mirror and replied. "Oh, these are Christmas presents. Very few of my friends celebrate anything else."

"Ah." Was all he said before falling silent once more.

A silence that was beginning to feel like an uncomfortable itch to Kitty.

Thus she took it upon herself to speak once more.

"What were you doing out in all this craziness, Erik?" His name stumbled from her tongue. She was so used to thinking of him by his old super villain name that using his given name was just plain odd.

She found she rather liked it though when a hint of fire returned to his eyes.

"I felt obliged to get Charles a Christmas gift since he sent me a gift for Hanukkah."

Lifting a brow at this statement feeling there was something rather wicked lurking beneath she asked in a carefully bland tone. "What did you get for him?"

"A book on animal husbandry. It's the only topic I could think of that he doesn't already claim to know all about."

Kitty could feel her jaw drop to her chest at this calm statement.

An act that Erik questioned.

"Feeling ill, Kitty? You seem to have lost control of your jaw."

Snapping said appendage shut, Kitty looked at him with a look of reluctant admiration before replying. "You are an evil genius. And against my better nature I am in awe of you. Please tell me it has pictures."

"In color."

Her cackle was the type to send her teammates running, Erik merely smiled.

Getting control over herself, Kitty leaned back in the passenger seat studying his profile for a second before asking. "Why did you pick me up?"

For a moment Kitty was dead positive all she was gonna get from him was a snarky reply but then something in his expression changed.

"Did you know the... other me?"

"You mean yourself as a grumpy, violent, power mad old man? No, not really."

"Hmm, so what do you think of this me?"

"I think you need more friends. And to not let your evil nature get the better of you. But on the whole I think I could probably like you far more than I should. I'll probably regret telling you that in about five seconds."

A warm smile spread across Erik's face at her brutal honesty and in an amused tone he replied. "Thank you for your frank opinion. This is your stop, right?"

Pulling her gaze away from him, Kitty was amazed to see the gates of the mansion before her.

With a wry smile she muttered. "Saved by the bell."

Grabbing the door handle preparing to leave, she stopped when a gentle hand turned her head.

Her warm brown eyes growing wide, Kitty felt her breath catch in her throat as firm but gentle lips captured hers.

Speechless as he drew away, Kitty could barely breath as he whispered in her ear.

"I won't be regretting that in five seconds."

Then he opened the car door behind her without another word. Slipping out her eyes on him even as she fumbled with her gifts, Kitty said in a dazed voice. "Happy Hanukkah, Erik."

His blue eyes sparkled with far too many emotions for her to pick out but his voice was like a warm fire as he replied. "Happy Hanukkah, Kitten."

Thank you Setsunakou for the awesome beta. And thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed these little shorts.