NOTE: okay, I'm sorry it took so long to update but I've been really busy the last few days and my computer is getting really really slow….ahem, hope you guys like this chapter! PLEASE keep the reviews coming…..Thanx!



"Okay, we took a left at the bend, and took two rights at the clearing," Kitty muttered to herself. Or was it a right at the bend? Grrr, Kitty thought in frustration. She'd been walking for nearly an hour with Pietro following close behind, and she was sure that they'd circled the forest atleast twice already!

I'm….going….to…scream, Kitty thought, as she stomped angrily through the woods. She stamped her foot again for added measure.

"What are you trying to do? Start an earthquake?" demanded Pietro. Kitty turned around to give him a withering glare.

"I am TRYING to get us to the finish line, you dolt." Kitty gritted her teeth in frustration. How many more of his dumb questions did she have to endure? So far he hadn't lifted a finger to help her, aside from making his usual conceited comments about how, had HE been navigating, they would have been on the plane already. Which was another thing…..her watch had gone missing a while ago, so now she didn't even know how much time they had left. Let's see how many things I lost today thanks to this stupid trip, thought Kitty darkly, my clothes, my backpack,……my sanity.

"Well, I wouldn't bother if I were you," Pietro remarked, peering off into the distance.

"What do you mean by that?" Kitty asked annoyed. If this were another one of his jabs at her navigating skills, she'd…she'd….

"I mean, it's pretty futile since the Blackbird has already left," Pietro said calmly, pointing at the sky.

"WHAT?!" Kitty yelled incredulously. She spun around, and watched in horror, as the Blackbird shot off into the sky. Kitty turned toward Pietro frantically.

"What are you waiting for? We have to go after them! Use your power, we can catch up to them!" Kitty said. Pietro merely surveyed her as if she was an interesting zoo exhibit and folded his arms across his chest calmly.

"Come on!" Kitty repeated frantically.

Pietro snorted in disbelief. "I'm fast but I'm not fast enough to catch up with a damn plane…..although I am flattered at your confidence in me," Pietro said, his blue eyes winking at her. Kitty rolled her eyes, but Pietro cut her off before she could reply. "And besides, if I remember correctly, using my powers is against the rules," Pietro added sweetly.

"Of all the times to throw that in my face!" Kitty exploded. "Can't your see that this is an emergency! We could be stuck together for…for days!" Kitty said, throwing up her hands.

"Well instead of wasting time, why don't we get some food before we die of starvation?" Pietro said impatiently.

"Or of exposure," Kitty snapped, rubbing her arms for warmth.

Pietro smothered a laugh. "Suck it up, it's not like it's raining or something."

Suddenly, a large boom sounded. Kitty looked up at the grey sky to see a giant raindrop falling towards her, followed by several more. In minutes, the sky was flinging icy droplets at an alarming rate. "You had to say it," Kitty muttered.

"Come on, we have to get cover!" yelled Pietro. Before Kitty knew what was happening, he grabbed her hand. The rest was a blur. In a matter of seconds, Kitty felt herself being placed gently on the floor. She looked up and to her utter surprise found herself in a sort of cave. Pietro was already busy making a fire, a roll of kindling bundled under one arm. Where did he get that? Kitty wondered. Then, she realized he must have picked it up when he'd sped her to the cave.

"Can I help?" Kitty volunteered, combing her damp hair with her fingers.

"Nope, I'm almost done," Pietro replied, producing a blazing fire in the middle of the cave in a matter of seconds. It was impressive, Kitty admitted to herself, how capable he was when he put his mind to it. She scooted closer to the flames, gratefully rubbing her hands and reveling in the glorious warmth.

"Thanks," Kitty murmured, closing her eyes and leaning in towards the fire.

"Sure," Pietro said quietly. Kitty opened her eyes in surprise. No snide remark? Kitty shook her head. It must have been a fluke, an effect of the rain….or something.

Suddenly Pietro stood up and began walking out the cave. "Wait, where are you going?" Kitty asked in surprise.

"To get us some food," Pietro said, with a brief look in her direction.

"But it's raining!" Kitty protested. "Your in your swim suit too!"

"I'll be fine…..why, are you concerned about me?" Pietro asked, with one eyebrow arched.

Kitty blushed furiously. "No!" she said hotly. "I mean, it's just that you could get pneumonia or something," Kitty said, averting her eyes. She felt his gaze on her a long time.

"It'll only take a second," Pietro said finally, breaking the silence and was gone. Kitty blinked and sighed. The way he'd looked at her…..Kitty blushed immediately at her thoughts. What the hell I am I thinking, Kitty thought in shock. "Your losing it Kitty," Kitty muttered to herself, looking down at her hands. "He does one nice thing and your already acting like a lovesick ---," Kitty broke off in shock as she saw Pietro leaning against the entrance to the cave, his blue eyes holding a strange unreadable look.

Oh god, did he hear that? Kitty thought miserably. "Ahem," Kitty cleared her throat, looking up at him almost defiantly.

"So," Pietro began slowly. Kitty began to panic. What would he say? Her mouth went dry.

"Yeah?" she whispered.

"Which do you want? Berries or fish?" Pietro finished. Kitty blinked. He was asking her about….food?! Okay so he wants to pretend he didn't hear me, Kitty thought fuming, that's good, that's great! We don't have to discuss us….wait a second, there is no US! What am I saying, Kitty thought, shaking her head, furious at herself.

"Are you okay Pryde?" Pietro questioned, arching one eyebrow at her. Oh, so now it was back to "Pryde", Kitty thought, wondering why she was feeling hurt by that. Like I care what he calls me, Kitty scoffed.

She turned to him, and replied firmly, "I'll have the berries." Pietro shrugged and tossed her a cluster of berries, which she caught deftly with one hand. Suddenly, Kitty noted that the fire was dying out slowly. She shivered; there was no WAY she was going to get to sleep without it. Kitty got up quickly, and began rummaging through Pietro's backpack.

"What do you think your doing?" Pietro asked, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Looking for a jacket," Kitty replied, without turning around. Finally, she found a navy blue jacket of his and slipped it on quickly.

"Why?" Pietro asked, frowning.

"I'm going out to get more wood," Kitty responded, shaking out her brown hair. Pietro stared at her for a second.

Then, "Are you out of your mind?!" Pietro asked, throwing up his hands. "It's dark, and it's pouring out there! I'll go."

Kitty bristled. "What? So you don't think I can handle a little rain and you can?" Kitty asked, her hands on her hips.

"Yeah!" Pietro said. "Your not even dressed properly!"

"Right, and you are?" Kitty asked in disbelief, gesturing to Pietro who was still clad only in swimming shorts. Pietro rolled his eyes.

"It'll take me 3 seconds, it'll probably take YOU all night," Pietro said tersely.

"That is so typical!" Kitty burst out. "Just like every good looking jerk to think women have to stay sheltered while they go out and "shield" us from the big bad elements!"

Pietro looked up instantly and began smirking.

Kitty paused in mid-rant. "What?" she asked annoyed

"You said I'm good-looking," Pietro said, a smile tugging at the corners of

his mouth.

"No I said you were a jerk," Kitty denied, mentally kicking herself. As if he need anything else to boost his already enormous ego…..

"But a good-looking jerk," Pietro amended, his eyes laughing at her. Kitty blushed. This conversation was going in a direction she didn't want.

"Ahem, regardless, I'm going to get wood. You already got the food, it's only fair," Kitty said stubbornly.

"Let me go with you atleast," Pietro said exasperated.

"No way, I'm going alone. I can handle myself without your help, " Kitty said, glaring at him, and determinedly walked out of the cave before Pietro could voice any more protests.