The Morning After and Constantine

~*~

I never went to college

I don't have a degree

Let's say I went to night school

I learned all I know on the streets

I wasn't born a rich man

I ain't got no pedigree

The sweat on this old collar

That's my Ph.D.

.

It comes down to this

I wouldn't exist

Without you it ain't worth the grind

I'd fight for one kiss

On a night like this

You make me feel I could fly

-Bon Jovi

~*~

Kitty awoke near dawn and opened her eyes smiling when she saw the man beside her. She ran a hand through his hair gently causing him to open his eyes. "`Allo, luv," he whispered his voice still husky from sleep.

"Hey," she whispered back.

"How do you feel?"

"Still a little sore," she admitted. He pushed her so she was lying down and nuzzled her neck gently.

"There's only one cure for that."

"Is there?" she asked.

"Mmm-hmm. Shall I show you?"

She smiled up at him. "Please do." He grinned climbing over her and kissing her slowly.

Later that morning

Kitty woke up and stretched languidly. "Morning," she said looking up at Pete who was watching her intently.

"Hey," he murmured. "Feel better?"

"I've got to say, your method of healing works rather well."

"Good."

"Well, I'm going to go take a shower."

"Good idea." He stood lifting her up.

"Pete, we're both naked."

"I was going to have you phase us to my room."

"It's three rooms away."

"I'll go fast." He slipped on his boxers and wrapped her sheet around her before going towards the wall. "Ready?"

"Go." He walked quickly through the three rooms proving to Kitty that they weren't the only ones who had had fun last night. Tabby and Ray, Jubilee and Bobby, and of course Remy and Rogue. They finally ended up in his room.

He sat her down. "Now, for that shower."

She shook her head. "Is that all you think about?"

"Damn straight!" he grinned before brushing his lips against hers. He took her hand leading her into his bathroom.

Later

"Mmm . . . Pete," Kitty whispered. "God, you're amazing."

He grinned cockily. "Thanks, luv." He pulled out a small long box. She looked down at it confused. "Come on, Pryde, did you honestly that what you wore last night was your gift? That was my gift for me."

She rolled her eyes and he continued. "This is what I got you." She opened it and gasped softly. On a delicate silver chain hung a Star of David, to replace the one she had lost when she was kidnapped.

"Pete, it's beautiful," she hugged him tightly. "Thank you."

"Anytime, luv." The two reluctantly got up. Kitty put on one of his shirts and phased through the walls back to her room to get dressed. They met downstairs. Mr. McCoy was making breakfast.

Mr. McCoy turned and smiled seeing the two. "Good morning, Katherine, Peter," he said nodding to each in turn.

"Morning," Kitty said smiling as the two sat down. The others came in and the group began to eat breakfast when Pete's cell phone rang. He stood leaving the table and answering it.

"`Allo?" he paused. "Shit man! All right, I know, I owe ya. All right, John. I'll see ya tonight." He hung up.

"What's up?" Kitty asked from behind him. He jumped.

"Don't do that!" he exclaimed.

"Sorry. What's wrong?"

"One of me old mate's is comin' into town."

"And that's a problem?"

"He's in trouble, the trouble I was in that made me come here."

"What's that?"

"Let me tell you a story," Pete said. She sat down next to him on the stairs. "To start things out. I was involved in a secret government agency."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He grinned wryly. "*Secret* government agency, luv, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Well, I was on a mission when one of me best mates called needin' help. I rushed back to the base but `e was dead. The bloody bastards killed him. I blew up the base."

"Oh," Kitty whispered.

"I left and did some research looking for a place to hide out."

"And you found the institute."

He smiled nodding. "And I found the institute. I got in contact with the professor and we talked for a while. I told him the truth and he invited me to stay here."

"And this John guy?"

"Well, John found out about some things that they `ad been doin' and decided to get out of there. They decided that he was a liability. They tried to kill him and he ran. He needs a place to hide for a while so he's coming here."

"So, I, like, get to meet one of your friends?"

Pete winced. "Yeah, luv. Just, um, ignore anything the wanker tells you about me."

Kitty smiled up at him. "Of course." He kissed her gently.

"So you're okay with all of this?" he asked.

"Well, it's a bit of a shock to find out that your." she paused cocking her head to once side. "What exactly are we?"

"Boyfriend `n girlfriend, lovers. do we really need a label?"

"Guess not." He slipped an arm around her shoulders and led her into the rec. room. "So, like, when's he arriving?"

"Late tonight," Pete said as the two sat down.

Around ten

There was a knock on the door. Pete stood and answered it. There stood a man who was roughly his age. The two studied each other for a few seconds before Pete smiled ushering the other man in. "You look like shit," he said amiably.

"Thanks mate," the other man grinned. "Big place."

"Yeah. This is me girl," Pete said pulling Kitty out of the kitchen. "Kitty, this is John."

"Robbin' the cradle, Wisdom?" John asked taking Kitty's hand and kissing it causing the younger girl to blush.

"What happened to you?" Kitty asked looking at his beaten form in concern. "You need to go to the med-lab, you're, like, bleeding on the carpet." She grabbed his arm and drug him into said room.

"Bloody `ell, woman!" John exclaimed. "I lasted a full flight from England to `ere, I think I can last a few more minutes."

"Whatever," Kitty said. "Take off your shirt."

"Pete, never though of you as likin' the dominatrix type," John said smirking as he obeyed.

Kitty looked at the two in amazement. "Wow, you two really are alike." She looked at John. "Now, would you, like, be quiet? Unless you want Mr. McCoy to do this instead."

"Who?" John asked.

"Big blue furry guy," Pete supplied.

"That's okay," John said. Kitty took out some gauze and worked on cleaning and dressing the wound on his shoulder as the two guys talked.

"What'd you find out?" Pete asked.

"One of the missions they sent me on was to get me outta the way," John said. "That attack on Culley was premeditated."

"I know," Pete said. "I thought I took care of the big guns in the explosion."

"The boss is still alive," John told him. "Ow! Watch it!"

"Quit being a baby," Kitty said shutting the bottle of peroxide. "That didn't hurt that much."

"Yer girl's a sadist," John griped. Kitty rolled her eyes and began to dress the wound. "Anyhow, after I found out I made plans to run. They found out and shot me on me way to the boat."

"Is that was that was?" Kitty asked.

"Just grazed me," John shrugged.

"All done," she announced.

"About bloody time," John said hopping off of the table.

"You're welcome," Kitty said sarcastically. She kissed Pete gently. "Goodnight."

"G' night, luv," he smiled. She walked out.

"She's cute," John said slipping his shirt on. Pete smiled proudly. "What in the hell is she doin' with you?"

"Funny, mate, very funny."

"After the flight `n everything I'm tired, show me to me room, Jeeves."

"You're just a riot today," Pete said raising an eyebrow. "Let's get your bags." The two walked away.