Part 20

Front to back, Kurt had his head buried in the masses of Storm's long white hair, breathing in the deep clean scent of her as she slept. His arms were wrapped around her chest, drawing her body to his, where he could feel each lazy movement of hers as she dreamed. She fit against him, into him, like they were made for each other. And just the thought of the physical, how they did fit, began to arouse him. He played over the game of the night before, reliving each shudder and each breath in his mind. It was almost trance like, how easy it was to slip into the memory. He sighed audibly and Storm moved in his arms just a little. He took more care after that, not wanting to disturb the dream, and not wanting to awaken into reality just yet.

He knew that he loved her, had known for weeks. Maybe he had always loved her but had simply denied it to himself. It didn't matter when really, when he had begun, only when he would tell her. She moved again, and moaned softly, hopefully, he wished, reliving the same dreams.

The Blackbird handled much the same as the simulator, a credit to the programmers. First thing in the morning, the day before Christmas, Kurt and Storm took Scott and Jean to the Bahamas. They had secured a landing strip at a private airport with only a small amount of American money, and without even disembarking themselves, bid Scott and Jean a Happy Christmas, promising to return in four days, and to contact them by phone if anything should arise which required their presence.

"You have a very gentle touch with the controls." Storm complimented Kurt on his smooth flight and landing.

"I've had an excellent teacher." His yellow eyes glowed with happiness.

"Shall we take our time heading back?" In the Blackbird, the flight would be less than an hour.

"Yes, I would like that."

"Detour over the Grand Canyon, it's an amazing sight."

"Entering the flight co-ordinates now." Vectors appeared on the HUD and Kurt adjusted the course smoothly and banked. "How long do we have?"

"As long as we're back for dinner and midnight mass."

"Midnight mass?"

"Father Bob called, he asked all of us to come, and I said we would, and that we would bring as many others as wished. I hoped you wouldn't mind."

"I don't mind, I am surprised though."

"The Church is important to you Kurt, and especially at this time of year. I see your candles, and I have heard your whispered prayers. The Father said he would find a place for us, if you didn't feel comfortable in the pews."

"If you are beside me Oro, I will fear nothing."

"You don't need me for that."

"But it is so much better when you are here with me."

"I will always be here with you Kurt."

"Why?"

"Because you are worth it."

Kurt turned his attention back to the HUD.

"Commercial traffic ahead, moving to 40,000 feet."

Storm nodded, acknowledging his maneuver.

"You are worth everything to me." His voice was soft, but Storm had heard it. She felt a flutter in her chest, and had to turn her face away from him for a moment, afraid that he might see the tears welling in her eyes.

"Are you all right Oro?"

"Just perfect, everything is just perfect, my Prince."

"Look outside, I can see the canyon."

"It is beautiful."

"I'm glad we came this way." Kurt dipped the nose of the plane just slightly and began descending.

"Are you ready to try hugging the terrain?"

"Only if you keep your hands on the stick as well."

"Done, take it in closer, and watch your altimeter on the HUD, it will tell you your LSALT." It was all business now. Kurt pushed the stick forward, accelerating as he maneuvered over the ground. The grin on his face grew along with the g-forces.

"You really are very good at this. It must be your natural agility."

"Danke."

"Bitte."

"Thank you for learning German for me Oro."

"You're welcome. Maybe some day you'll take me there."

"I will make you that promise Oro. Especially if you will let me fly."

"I could not feel safer," Kurt banked a hard right to skim past a rock wall easily, "if Jean herself were guiding the plane."

"Perhaps Church tonight will be the first step."

"It will be just one of many on our path. Let's ascend and head back. I want to make myself look beautiful for you tonight."

"You already are."

He stood in front of the mirror in his bathroom, retying his tie for the third time, wanting to get it perfect. He was wearing his best back suit, polished boots, a dark blue shirt, and an uncooperative tone on tone tie. He couldn't recall ever feeling so nervous, though, he supposed, he had a great deal to be nervous about. There was a gentle knock on his door, he knew it was Storm, she let herself in, as she was expected.

"Are you ready my Prince?"

"Almost, I just can't get this tie," he stopped speaking as she came into view in the mirror. Her hair was loose, in soft curls that fell from silver clips. Her normally bare arms were sheathed in black silk, her wrists adorned with silver bangles. Her dress fell around her like water. "Oh my God."

"It will be all right for Church? I wasn't certain."

"Will you ever cease to amaze me Oro?"

"I hope not Kurt. I would love nothing more than to have you always look at me in the way you do now."

"How many times can I tell you that you are beautiful?"

And he kissed her, leaving the tie to hang askew for the moment.

"Let me help you with your tie." Her fingers deftly looped and knotted it into shape. She patted it on his chest when she was finished.

"How did you know how to do that?"

"Someone had to look after Logan, and Scott until Jean came along."

"I am having a hard time picturing Logan in a tie."

"It wasn't often, but after listening to him curse enough, I took pity on him, and the defenseless fabric and had Charles teach me so I could help him."

"I didn't realize you were ever that close."

"When you face death together you develop an intimacy of friendship. But only sometimes does it evolve into something more." She stroked his face. "Logan never desired me Kurt, not in the way that you do. His heart was always elsewhere, and I was glad for it. Not because I enjoyed seeing him pine for Jean when he could not have her, but because I did not think of him in that way. He was meant for Rogue, and she for him. Just as you and I were meant to find each other."

"Oro? There is so much I want to say."

"You needn't say anything Kurt. Come, we spend far too much time these days pouring out our hearts. Let me make you happy this night, and let us not think of anything but the pleasure of each other's company. Dinner is waiting and then we shall gather up our friends and go to the service. When we wake tomorrow it will be Christmas, and we will be surrounded by our family."

"With a few exceptions."

"The friends who are not with us are not lost to us forever Kurt, we will all see each other again. I promise you that."

In all, ten of them went to Church that night, and all sat in the pews, and all stood to take communion, and the children of the shelter who joined them said nothing to the two who were blue, accepting them as they accepted each other. And all the while Kurt held Storm's hand, not caring whom might see, or judge it. And, once services were over, and they returned to the mansion, Storm had one more surprise for Kurt, a little something from Victoria's Secret that took his breath away quite completely.