The missed dance

.

If this old heart could talk

It'd say: you're the one

I'm wasting time when I think about it

-Bon Jovi

.

Lance sighed sitting down the groceries. "Pietro, Todd, get your asses down here! You know the deal, I shop, you put away!" He knew better than to call for Freddy. The food would have never made it to the cupboards. He waited a few moments then sighed beginning to put it away himself. "Jerks."

He sighed again sitting down at the table. He looked at the phone. /No,/ he told himself firmly. /I won't just let her hurt me./ He went upstairs suddenly feeling tired. He went into his room surprised to find Kitty there asleep in his bed. He knelt down in front of the bed. He softly touched her hair. "Kitty," he whispered. She opened her eyes, sat up, and promptly hit him. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"Simple," Kitty said. "You were, like, avoiding me. Not to mention that thought you had about me slumming it."

"Those weren't my exact words."

"So your words were like that?"

"A little. . ."

"Lance, do you actually think that I'd use you like that?"

"No, of course not

"Well, that's what you're saying!" He quickly noticed that when Kitty got upset she rarely used the "Valley-Girl" language.

Lance sighed. "Look, it's just. . . a girl like you and a guy like me. . . It doesn't seem possible. I doesn't seem like you would actually like me."

"I had that thought too, you know. That you were just trying to use me. A conquest, you know? But I got over it." She looked at him. "You were right though."

He blinked, startled. "I am?"

"I don't like you." She paused noting his confused, hurt look. "I think I'm falling in love with you." He looked into her eyes intently. She stood and pushed play on his CD player. "I think I owe you a dance." She smiled extending a hand to him. "Dance with me?"

He grinned. "It would be my pleasure, kitten." He took her hand propelling her to him. They danced slowly despite the medium beat of the song. Both realized how perfect their bodies fit together.

.

"Hey child, please stay a while

My smile will not mislead you

`Cause I've been without

I go wild with doubt

I grab at you; I can't stop grabbing at you

`Cause I feel you cross my mind

In disarray, intoxicated ricochet

There's nothing wrong

Just don't take too long"

.

He smiled pulling her closer. Kitty raised her head looking up at him. He looked into her eyes smiling at this motion. He lowered his head slightly. Their lips met chastely. "This is awkward," he whispered.

She looked down. "Was I bad?" she asked confused.

He smiled. "No, I mean our height difference." He sat down pulling her onto his lap. She squeaked causing him to chuckle.

"Lance!"

"Trust me." He turned her face towards him and kissed her softly. "Better, right?"

"A little, but now I have to turn." She turned to him straddling his legs. "That's better."

"Kitten," he whispered huskily. "You're playing with fire here." She smiled at him.

"I know." He smiled lazily and kissed her again. He coaxed her mouth open and explored her mouth with his tongue reveling in her taste, she tasted mildly of cherries and bubblegum. She looked up into his eyes pulling away. "Like, wow."

He grinned arrogantly. "Glad you liked it, pretty kitty." She blushed a little and looked into his eyes smirking a little himself.

"It seems that you enjoyed it too."

He blushed lightly and cleared his throat. "Um, yeah." He ran a hand through his hair and tried to control his hormones. He then smiled at her tucking her bangs behind her ear. "We should stop though, the guys-"

"Won't be home until midnight."

"Huh?"

"Pietro made sure they'd be out until midnight."

Lance stared at her unsure of whether or not he had heard her right. "You plotted with Pietro?"

"Plotted isn't the word *I'd* use," Kitty said slowly. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, yeah, I did."

"You two hate each other."

"He told me to take care of your bad mood."

"Hello?" Remy called.

"We know you two are up there, sugah!" Rogue called.

"Damn it," Lance muttered. "Well, come on." The two stood and tried to rid each other of any sign of what they had been doing. They then headed down stairs.

"What do you?" Lance asked crossly. Kitty slapped his arm and he looked back at her innocently.

"The professor is looking for you," Rogue said.

"Why?" Kitty asked.

"For one its eight o'clock," Rogue said. "But all he told me was 'go to the Brotherhood's house and get Kitty'."

"Aw man!" Kitty exclaimed. "I'm gonna be grounded forever!" She noticed the looks everyone was giving her. "Dear God, I totally sounded like Rogue!" She looked at Lance. "If you care about me you'll kill me now."

"Like, shut up," Rogue said mimicking her roommate who stuck her tongue out at her. Remy looked at Lance in confusion. The other boy just shrugged.

"Well, I guess I, like, need a ride home," Kitty said turning to Lance.

"Whatever you want," he said.

"Kitty," Rogue called as the two got into Lance's Jeep. "The professor let me leave with Remy after he talked to him, so don't worry too much."

"Chere," Remy said grinning. "You actually said Remy's name."

"Don't read too much into it, Swamp Rat," Rogue said. "It doesn't mean anything."

Remy's grin just widened. "Of course not, chere. Mais, Remy knows how cette femme feels."

"Remy know nothin'," Rogue said. "Now, let's go. Ah for one want to see the movie."

"Mais oui," he said. "As you wish, petite."