Hello again, my dear readers. It is I, Firefly-ErinMW, with another chapter of Firefly 2: Candlelight. :) This one is kindof a bridge; by that, I mean, nothing TOO exciting happens in it, but there is a little something important. :P
Also, before we get into this chapter, I'd like to briefly talk about something I should have added to my stories from early on. Every time I write, I love to listen to music. A friend of mine once said, and I am the same way-- they need to listen to the right music while writing or it totally destroys the mood. Sometimes while listening to music I am inspired by what I hear, may it be by the lyrics or the melody itself or sometimes even both, and an idea pops into my head an I just have to get it out onto paper. There have been times where I've even named chapters and stories after songs. From now on, every chapter, I will reference and credit my musical muses, if any, at the end of every chapter, much like I do with any German bits that might be spoken thru-out. :D Ok! So with that, I hope you enjoy!
Oh Oh Oh! Before I forget! Shoot, I wish there was a way I could upload photos to my stories, as well, 'cos when Kurt and Erin go out with their friends later in this chapter, I based what he wore off of this one TOTALLY adorable picture of Alan Cumming... XD One of my fave pics of Alan! If any of you want it, I'll email it to you. :D hehe
Questions? Comments? Chocolate? PM me:D
CHAPTER 12: Are You Ready For This?
As the days wore on, things started to calm down a little bit as far as the antidote was concerned; it was still big news, but it wasn't as heated as it had been the first couple weeks or so. Rogue immediately packed her bags and left, much to the dismay of me, our colleagues and our friends. I was totally crushed-- my best friend had just moved out. I never admitted it to anyone, but deep down I applauded her for getting the antidote; I always had admired her for living so long with the powers she had. Noone should have to live like that, without any human contact whatsoever. I called her as often as I could, and most of the time she wouldn't pic up. The few times she did, she'd talk for a few minutes and then make up some excuse to get off the phone. Each time, I could hear sadness in her voice.
One week, there was just so much going on that we decided to have a night out on the town the coming Friday. We pooled names-- Bobby, Kitty, Jubilee, Chelsea, Ororo, Logan, Kurt and I would all go out for drinks and dinner and maybe even some karaoke. Honestly, I was excited as hell because it'd been a long, long time since we'd all gone out as a group to do something, and we all really needed a break. Riverdance was off for the season, which took a whole load off of my mind, honestly; I was beginning to get a little overwhelmed!
I couldn't stop staring at the clock on Friday. I was teaching a beginner's Irish Dance class, and finally, after what seemed an eternity, the final bell sounded and it was officially the weekend.
"Okay, kids, this weekend-- River, honey, c'mon, pay attention-- this weekend I want you all to focus on those rallys, alright? You all are doing very good but practice is the key! You keep at it and pretty soon I won't be able to tell the difference between you and Colin Dunne, okay?" I smiled, putting my hands on my hips and taking a look at the group of ten-year-olds in front of me. I was really proud of these kids. "Alright, you guys, get outa my classrom. Go on. And have a good weekend, okay? Be safe!"
"Bye, Erin!"
"See you Monday, Firefly!"
"Bye, guys."
"Hey! Erin." Chelsea poked her head in my room with a grin. "You ready for tonight? Huh?" She raised her eyebrows at me, and I laughed.
"Oh, you can bet your life," I nodded, taking off my hornpipes and rubbing my aching feet. I pulled out my flip-flops, thankful for the breathing room. "You gonna meet us in the living room? I've still gotta take a shower."
"Oh, yeah, me too-- naw, we all still have to get ready. I think Logan was talking about taking two cars or something."
"Yeah, that sounds good, all going together." I pulled on my flip-flops and wriggled my toes.
"Logan said we won't have room for you, though; he said to me, 'No way the Flying Torch is ridin' with us, she's gonna have to use her own personal mode of transportation.'"
I stopped and looked at the girl, my jaw on the bench and we burst out laughing. "Oh, man, I had you there for a second, didn't I?" Chelsea grinned.
"Uh, yeah," I laughed. "Pfft-- the Flying Torch? When has he ever called me that?"
"Oh... he has," the girl gave me a sly grin.
"He has, has he?"
I rolled my eyes and laughed. That certainly sounded like Logan. "Alright, well..." I got up and stretched. "I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick. Meet ya back in the living room at six, then?"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
I got back up to my room in moments to find Kurt already in the shower; his classes got out about a half-hour before mine did, so I started to figure out what to wear for the night while I waited for the facilities to free up. When Kurt finished, he came out in a towel to let me have free reign of the shower.
"Hallo," he smiled, leaning in for a kiss.
"Hi, baby. You excited about tonight?"
His smile widened into a grin and he nodded. "Ja!"
"Good," I giggled. "'Cos it's gonna be a great night. I'll see ya in a few!" I headed in to the bathroom with my jeans and a cute top.
When I was done with my shower I dressed, then emerged from the bathroom to find my husband ready-- remote and all. He was drying his now-brown hair with his towel and was dressed in black pants, a black tee-shirt and his black leather jacket Logan got him for his birthday the year before. Putting down the towel he ran a hand thru his hair, then looked at his hands with a bemused and curious look on his face.
"Hey there, stranger," I smiled. "You got a date for tonight?"
Kurt looked up at me, still smiling. "Why... no," he said playfully. "Do you?"
"Nope. Wanna be my date?" I gave him a silly grin and he laughed.
"Hmm... why not?"
"Well then, my dear..." I went over to him and put my arms around his waist. "To the living room!" We had just enough time for a laugh before-- BAMF!-- the living room it was.
Still grinning, I looked from my husband to the room around us, searching for at least one or two from our group. Ororo and Jubilee were meeting up with Chelsea and Logan, so the only ones we were waiting for were Bobby and Kitty. Kitty came down moments later, sans Bobby, saying that he wasn't feeling good and he wanted us to go on without him.
"He says rain check, guys."
"Aaw," Ororo said sympathetically. "Well, it's not like this is the last time we go out, right? There will always be other times!"
There was a knock at the door as Ororo, Kitty and I all talked, and Logan went to answer it. He stood there and didn't say anything as he stared at the unknown person at the door.
"Logan?" I called. "Who is it?"
Logan looked at me and opened the door to reveal a casually dressed Rogue, hair still stripped with white, hands still without gloves.
She sighed. "Hi, Erin."
"Rogue?" She almost cringed when I said the name, her old name, but smiled kindly at me as I walked over to her and gave her the first real hug I'd ever given her in the years we'd known each other. "What... what's up?"
"Well, I... I might be a new human but that doesn't mean I don't miss my old friends," she looked around at the group. "I miss you the most, Erin," she whispered.
"Oh, sweetie..." I hugged her again. "I miss you, too, but why did you just up and leave like that? What, did you think that by taking the antidote it would make us love you less?"
"I... I don't know what I thought. But I knew I couldn't stay here, I..."
I smiled. "Well, I'm just glad to have you back, is all."
"Me, too," she returned the smile.
"Well hey, listen, we were all about to step out to do some dinner and karaoke and maybe even some drinkin'," I said scandalously, and Marie laughed. "Would you like to come with us?"
"Wha..." she looked around at the group.
"Oh, Marie, yes, please!" Ororo came up next to me. "Come with us. We've all missed you so much."
Marie thought for a moment, and before long her face slowly spread into a grin. "Okay, I'll do it!"
We all stepped outside moments later to head out to the cars, and I pulled my jacket on. Kurt came over to put his arm around me. "How are you feeling, kleines? Are you going to be warm enough in that?"
"Oh, I'll be fine, sweetheart, yes," I nodded, smiling. "Don't you worry about me." With that I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Oooooh, girl..." Marie scolded from my right. There was a slight laugh in her voice. "What would Kurt say if he saw you kissin' this other guy? Tsk, tisk, tisk..." She shook her head and finally couldn't resist the smile, and we all shared a good laugh.