Memories

Prompt: First Kiss

Timeframe: Post Season 1

A/N: The mission they are on is very similar to one in X-Men: Evolution. I do not own that, either.

She's pacing in her room.

She's been trying to distract herself all day, but nothing has worked. She's finally given up on the pointless time wasters and decided to confront all of the confusing thoughts she's been ignoring for months.

She thinks she's in love with Bobby.

Which is bad. Or so she tries to convince herself. Bobby is her closest friend and if they date their whole dynamic will change. It could change for the better, Kitty supposes, but she knows there is always a chance being more than friends will not work out.

This scenario is unacceptable to the petite mutant. The thought of not having Bobby in her life makes her almost overwhelmingly sad. And with her parents' recent divorce, the cynic in Kitty makes her believe that any relationship she enters will eventually lead down the same path.

But if there's anyone she's willing to try for, it's Bobby. He's always made her laugh until her sides hurt, and he's always given the best bear hugs Kitty's ever been on the receiving end of. He's always understood her so well. It sometimes feels like they are two halves of the same whole.

Kitty can't help but feel that Bobby is worth the risk.

With her decision made at long last, the petite girl aborts her pacing and collapses on her bed. She stares up at the canopy and ponders her next move. She's fairly certain that Bobby feels the same way she does; all the evidence points to this conclusion.

Kitty recalls how, years ago, Bobby would grow silent whenever Peter came up. She knows she gushed over the older boy with her girlfriends and Bobby always looked almost forlorn.

And then there is the situation of Lorna Dane. Kitty remembers watching the other girl try to get Bobby's attention. She remembers feeling anxious whenever she saw them together, fearing the green-haired girl would succeed. She remembers feeling more than a little jealous of the other girl's presence. But most of all, Kitty remembers the relief she felt when Bobby finally got through to Lorna.

Kitty has practically memorized what Bobby told her when she asked why he had turned Lorna down. He had simply said that Lorna, though she was a nice girl, was not what he was looking for. This was followed by what Kitty knows was a meaningful look, focused on her.

She idly muses that may have been a good time to act on her emotions. Then again, it had also been an opportunity for her friend to speak up. Kitty smiles to herself as she realizes she has to do everything herself or they'll never get anywhere.

The petite mutant rolls over onto her stomach, catching a glimpse of the digital clock on her nightstand. The day has slipped away from her with her preoccupations. The time registers with Kitty as she remembers she's supposed to be changing into her uniform.

She slips into her blue and yellow suit. She makes her way downstairs and sees that her teammates are heading out to be briefed and deployed. Kitty follows Ororo and Hank out to the Blackbird. The others are waiting. Bobby, late as always, is the last to arrive. He takes a spot next to Kitty and gives one of her pigtails a gentle tug.

She glances up at him, annoyed, but he grins and she can't be irritated. She rolls her eyes at him good-naturedly and his smile grows wider. She focuses on what Logan and Scott are saying and is surprised to learn that she's to be partnered with Bobby. He nudges her, smiling again, and she wonders how she's supposed to concentrate.

Bobby pesters Kitty throughout the flight. She mock glares at him, but her disdain only encourages the blond boy. He taps her shoulder for the umpteenth time. She turns to look at him again, ready to scold him, but then she realizes he's only trying to lighten the mood. Kitty manages a smile at his thoughtfulness.

The Blackbird lands and the team separates. Kitty studies the map of the building and the diagram of the circuit breaker they have been given and relays a strategy to Bobby. He agrees immediately with that easy grin and voices no thoughts on the subject. He's always trusted her instincts and now is no different.

Shadowcat gets them inside and checks the map again. She points them in the correct direction and they come to the door. Bobby reaches for her hand and they pass through the solid steel together.

Bobby opens the circuit breaker box. Kitty unfolds the diagram once more and shows him which wire to cut. The ice manipulator takes the wire cutters from his partner's hand and makes a snip in the cable.

Nothing happens.

Kitty lets out the breath that she hasn't realized she was holding until now. Bobby winks and twirls the wire cutters around on one finger before stowing them in his pocket.

Their orders were to join the others when their task is finished but Kitty makes no move towards the door. She remembers the promise she has made to herself. One way or another, she has to put herself out there. She has to take a leap of faith.

He's starting to look concerned now. He looks back at the door and gestures for them to move. Kitty holds up her hand in the universal sign for "pause". Bobby arches an eyebrow.

The petite brunette tells herself that now is as good a time as any.

She kisses him.

Kitty can tell he's a little shocked at first. But then he grips her shoulders and pulls her closer. He's kissing her back now. She's so glad that she decided to act.

They break apart eventually. Bobby is beaming down at her and Kitty returns it. They simultaneously realize they'll be misses if they don't rejoin the others soon. Bobby kisses her again, swiftly, and they exit the room hand in hand.

The only regret Kitty has is not doing it sooner.