Parties and Partings

That night there was a huge feast at the Eloi village. "EVERYBODY MAMBO!" Fred shouted out as he led a conga line of mutants.

Todd and Althea laughed as they danced together. Many Joes and Eloi were dancing as well. Lady Jaye and Flint were dancing together. Mrs. S was dancing with Hound Dog. Wanda danced with Roadblock. Some were dancing on tables like Mole.

"GO MOLE GO!" People shouted.

"Party! Party! Party!" Mole chanted as he danced.

"This is wild!" Xi laughed as he danced with several mutants.

"I tell you these people know how to party!" Pietro laughed as he danced with a few female mutants his age.

"Lance looks like he's having a good time," Todd pointed out the couple.

"Oh there they go again," Pietro groaned as Lance and Willow ran off to be alone. "Let's follow them!"

Pietro, Xi, Todd and Althea slunk off to see what was going on. They hid behind some bushes and tried not to giggle as they watched Lance and Willow kiss each other.

"Having fun?" Thorn snuck up behind them. "Well there she goes again."

"I just hope Lance doesn't get any ideas about leaving us," Althea said.

"I wouldn't worry about that if I were you," Thorn told her.

Unaware they were being observed, Lance broke off the kiss. "Willow I haven't been this happy in I don't know how long," He said. "I've never met a girl like you. You helped me believe in love again."

"Here we go," Thorn grumbled.

"Maybe I should stay," Lance said as he held her hand. "We could be so happy together."

"You can't stay," Thorn muttered to the others. "The outside world needs you."

"You can't stay," Willow told Lance. "The outside world needs you."

"I know this will be hard," Thorn said sarcastically. "I want you to stay too. But your place is out there. Mine is here."

"I know this will be hard," Willow said. "I want you to stay too. But your place is out there. Mine is here."

"You must face your destiny and help others of our kind," Thorn mimicked.

"You must face your destiny and help others of our kind," Willow touched Lance's face. "And you cannot abandon your family. They need you too."

"That's a new one," Thorn grumbled.

"Commitment problems?" Pietro asked.

"Oh yeah," Thorn sighed. "Well at least she's letting this one down easy."

"I'm not gonna tell him," Pietro sighed. "Come on, let's leave the lovebirds alone." They moved away.

"Will I ever see you again?" Lance asked.

"Perhaps," She smiled. "Only fate knows what's in store for us." They kissed again.

"I'll miss you," Lance said. "I'd write to you but I don't think the mail goes through here."

"Hey, even we have e-mail," She grinned. "Wanna take one last swim in the grotto?"

"Okay!" Lance said happily as she led him away.

A few hours later the party was winding down. "Come on guys it's time to go!" Roadblock called out. "Gotta get back to GI Joe!"

"Where's Lance?" Wanda looked around.

"Here I am!" He appeared holding hands with Willow.

"Why is your hair wet?" Xi asked.

"Uh…We took a little swim," Lance told him. "Gee is that the time? Gotta go!"

Soon the Joes and the Misfits said their good-byes and found themselves on the chopper home. "That was a lot of fun!" Wanda said.

"Well I could have done without being kidnapped but for the most part that was a blast," Althea said. "I know Lance had a good time."

"Willow…" Lance sighed as he looked out the window. A dreamy look was in his eyes.

"Well at least this has cured you of your Kitty Complex," Pietro said to Lance.

"Willow," Lance sighed. "Willow…."

"Oh god," Todd groaned. "Here we go again!"

"He just gets over one when he falls for another!" Fred groaned.

"It's gonna be a looooonnng ride!" Roadblock moaned.