Chapter 7: Chemistry
"So…does this mean we're a couple now?" whispered a blushing Kitty Pryde, who stood in front of her bedroom door with the boy she was enamored with.
"Yeah, definitely!" Lance said with a boyish grin. "If that's okay with you," he added, mumbling a bit.
"Of course it is! I really like you, Lance."
"I really like you too," he replied, kissing her softly. It wasn't a deep, powerful kiss like the one they shared by the pool only minutes earlier, but it was still able to send delirious shivers down their spines. The teens parted slowly, their cheeks flushed from the tender moment.
A smile on her lips, Kitty said, "Well, I better go to bed. It's kinda late."
"Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight," she whispered, squeezing his hand one last time before entering her room.
Lance turned to go, letting out a wistful sigh. He hadn't gone very far when he made a startling realization: We're a couple!
"Yes!" he cheered, throwing up his arms in a fit of joy. In his excitement his control slipped, and the floor shook underneath him. Stumbling over the unstable ground, he heard a giggle and caught Kitty watching him in amusement. She waved him goodnight as he made a sheepish exit, and closed the door behind her.
Alone in her room, Kitty burst into girlish laughter. She had dreamt about what her first kiss would be like for a long time, but nothing could have prepared her for it. Perhaps it wasn't under the most romantic circumstances, but it was wonderful nonetheless. And the fact that Lance was her first made it all the sweeter.
Humming happily to herself, Kitty began to undress for bed. She pulled off her favorite pink top and brought it to her face. She could still detect the faint, earthy scent of Lance's cologne. The fragrance stirred back memories of their embrace, causing Kitty to blush once more. She plopped down on her fluffy bed, and smiled at her cherished plush dragon.
"You know, Lockheed," she said brightly, "I think tomorrow is going to be simply wonderful."
* * *
Indeed, the next morning started on a good note. Kitty left her room, a bounce in her step, and ran into the groggy, bathrobe-clad Evan Daniels.
"Mornin'," he yawned. Taking notice of her happy expression, he asked, "What's up?"
"Lance and I kissed last night! We're going out!"
"All right, K-girl!" Evan said, high-fiving her. "Congrats!"
Kitty laughed. "Thanks!"
"Yeah, K-girl, congrats," a new voice said. Kitty turned to see Lance smiling at her. She stuck her tongue out at him jokingly.
"See ya, lovebirds," Evan waved on his way to the bathroom.
The young pair walked downstairs for breakfast, hand in hand. Upon entering the posh dining room they met two of the adults of the Institute. Ororo was sipping a cup of coffee while Xavier was absorbed in the morning paper.
"Well, good morning," Ororo greeted with a perceptive smile, looking at their joined hands. "You two seem to be getting along well."
"Yeah, we are. We're a couple," Lance said proudly.
"How lovely!" Ororo replied behind her cup. "I wish you well."
Meanwhile, Scott and Jean were in the kitchen. Scott poured himself a glass of milk, while his companion buttered her toast. Peering into the dining room, Scott mused, "I wonder if Kurt's up yet."
"You haven't seen him?" Jean inquired, taking a quick bite of her breakfast.
"No. Maybe he forgot to set his alarm."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he overslept. The poor kid had a rough time yesterday. I'll go check in on him."
* * *
Kurt hadn't forgotten to set his alarm, or overslept. On the contrary, he had hardly slept at all. He lay in bed, still in his rumpled civvies, with his head buried under a pillow.
There was a knock on his door, disturbing his melancholic reverie. "Kurt, are you up?" Jean's voice called from the other side.
"Ja! Go away!" he groaned.
Taken aback by his harsh tone, she turned the knob, only to discover it was locked. Well, that never stopped a telekinetic before.
Kurt winced as his teammate entered. He didn't want to talk to anybody; he just wanted to be left alone.
"Kurt? What's up?" Jean asked as she approached the bed.
"Nothing!"
Frowning, Jean used her powers to tear the cushion away from him. "Tell me what's wrong."
"How could she?!" Kurt cried, his eyes red and his cheeks wet.
"Who?"
"Kitty!" he said, covering his face. "She said zhere vas no one else, so vhy did she kiss Lance?!"
Jean's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Last night at the party I asked her out, and she said no. She said zhat zhere vas no one else she liked. But I should have known that vasn't true. Later I saw her kissing Lance."
"Oh, dear. You really liked her, didn't you?"
"Ja," he sniffled.
Jean placed a comforting hand on his back. "Well, I wouldn't worry. Some girls are just attracted to the bad boy image. Once the illusion wears off, Kitty will see what a nice guy y--"
"No, it's not like zat!" Kurt snapped, shaking her hand away. "It's different! Zose two are drawn to each other. I could see it, but I didn't vant to believe it. Zhere's nothing I can do."
"Kurt, don't say that. Come down to breakfast and we'll settle everything."
"Nein, I don't vant to face zhem," the elf said sadly. Collecting himself, he sat up, an unreadable look in his yellow eyes. "I…just need to be alone right now." And on that last sentence he vanished, leaving Jean alone to think.
* * *
"So, did you find out what was eating Kurt?" Scott asked his redheaded teammate as they drove to school. It was a crisp autumn morning, and an icy wind blew through the teens' hair, sobering them.
"Yeah," she replied, shaking her head sadly. "It's a big mess."
"How so?"
"Apparently he asked Kitty out last night, and she turned him down. Later on he saw Lance and her . . .you know . . .together."
"Harsh. It's pretty painful when the girl you like is interested in someone else," Scott murmured, his voice distant.
"I can't believe Kitty would do that to Kurt," Jean continued as if she hadn't heard a word he said.
"Well, I seriously doubt she deliberately tried to hurt him. These things are complicated; someone always gets burned."
"In any event, I'm shocked the Professor approved of Lance and Kitty's relationship. If you ask me, it's nothing but trouble," huffed the telepath.
Scott shot her a look as they pulled into the crowded student parking lot. "You seem to have a big grudge against that boy."
Jean exited the convertible, loudly slamming the door shut. "Have you forgotten what he said to me last night?!" she demanded.
"No," he frowned, "But I've been thinking about it and--"
"And what? He's a bad influence on her."
"God, have you stopped to think that maybe she'll be a good influence on him?"
Jean was silent. Taking a deep breath, she said calmly, "Okay, Scott. For a moment, let's forget all about the problems you and I have had with Lance. Now tell me, do you really think it's appropriate for a senior to be dating a freshman?"
"I don't see why not."
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" she rolled her eyes. "What do you think he wants?"
* * *
"Come on…please?"
"I said no."
"You know how much I need this."
"We shouldn't. It's wrong, and what if we get caught?"
"Don't be a goody-good."
"I don't know…"
"Just let me look at your paper!"
"Mr. Alvers!"
". . .Oh hell . . ."
* * *
Lance was the last to leave Chemistry, as he was busy being lectured by a very pissed off teacher. Exiting the classroom, he looked at his test paper in dismay. Written on the front in bold red ink was a big fat "0."
"Crap. I'm done for," he lamented, thinking about what the Professor would do to him when he found out. Scratch that, what would Logan do?
"It's your own fault," Kitty shook her head as she walked up to him. "You shouldn't have tried to cheat."
"Sorry. It's not as if I planned to put you on the spot or nuthin'," he said apologetically. "It's hard trying to crack open a book after a two-hour long Danger Room session, y'know?"
"Maybe so, but you should really try…harder…" her voice grew faint as she caught a glimpse of a certain boy over Lance's shoulder. Trey Anderson.
Her first instinct was to run, hide, do something to get out of his line of vision. She resisted that impulse, thinking it silly. There was no way he could do something to her in school, after all. Maybe he didn't remember what had happened between them at the party. He had been pretty drunk. Nevertheless, the dark-haired jock filled her with anxiety.
Lance saw her face go white, which warned him something was up. He glanced behind him at the figure that held her gaze, and recognizing him as a member of Duncan's steroid-loving posse, put two and two together.
"Is that the guy?" he asked her, his voice dangerously low.
"Yeah."
Lance looked the jock over, his eyes burning with a cold hatred. He left Kitty's side, muttering, "I'm going to rock that bastard…!"
"No!" Kitty shouted, grabbing him by his jacket and pulling him back. At his quizzical look, she continued. "I'm not defending him. Trust me, I'd love to see him pay for what he tried to do to me, but not like that. If we used our powers to hurt every jerk that crosses our path, we'd be no better than the Brotherhood."
Lance drew a deep breath, calming down as her words penetrated. "I guess you're right. But Kitty, if he ever goes after you again, I won't hold back."
Her thoughts troubled, Kitty took her boyfriend's arm and walked with him. "Let's get something to eat," she said, eager to change the topic.
Around a corner Principal Darkholme smirked, having heard the young couple's heated conversation. She strode back to her office with dark plans brewing in her head.
* * *
Kurt Wagner walked the streets of Bayville without direction. Tired and forlorn, he had skipped school without a care. Kicking a pebble across an empty sidewalk, he mulled over his situation.
I'm being stupid. It's not as if I knew her zhat vell. It vas just a stupid crush, nozhing more. So vhy do I feel so awful?
Growing up in a world where he was feared for his appearance, the boy had always yearned for companionship and that special someone who would look beyond his blue fur and see the real him. He had hoped Kitty would be that person—she was smart, cute, fun to be around, and most importantly, knew his secret. But she had given her heart to Lance, and Kurt was alone. As always.
Passing by a bus stop, the elf got an idea. He had been walking around for hours, and his legs were tired. He was unused to traveling by foot since teleportation was his transport of choice, and thought a ride all over town might take his mind off things. Finding some bus fare in his pocket, he boarded the next ride.
The long, lazy trip helped alleviate the pain in his heart, but it wasn't enough to make things right. Gazing out the window, he paid little attention to the passengers getting on and off, until a figure sat next to him, brushing a little too close for comfort.
"Hey there, Blue Boy," a feminine voice purred.
Kurt's defenses jumped as her words struck a chord. Did this person know his secret?! He spun around to face her.
Taken aback by the urgent look on his face, the girl blinked. "What, is this seat saved for your girlfriend or something?"
Kurt stared at the stranger's stupefied expression. Looking into her azure eyes, he saw no signs of recognition. She didn't know. "Nein. I don't have a girlfriend."
Her lips cracked into a smile. "Ooooh, I get it. You got dumped, huh?"
"Vhat are you talking about?"
"I can see it in your face. Some little hussy went and broke your heart, didn't she?"
Kurt groaned. Looking around the dingy, smelly bus, he saw that he and the girl were the only passengers, save for a little old lady asleep in the front. The girl beside him was about his age, and was very pretty, in a scruffy Courtney Love sort of way. She wore tight blue jeans and a battered bomber jacket that was much too big for her, and a navy baseball cap hid her short blonde hair. On her back was a huge pack that looked like camping gear. Whoever she was, she was starting to get on his nerves. And did she have to sit so close to him?
"Zhat's none of your business," he said curtly.
"All right, I see we got off on the wrong foot. How about a proper introduction?" Smiling, she held out her hand. Kurt shook it, forgetting his fur for a moment. The soft, fuzzy feeling surprised the girl.
"Whoa, guess your mom never warned you about hairy palms!" she laughed.
"Vas?"
The girl didn't answer, however, as the bus came to a sudden stop. Hopping to her feet, she waved. "This is where I get off. See ya later, Blue!"
"I hope not," he mumbled as she left. Sighing in relief, he stretched out his limbs, and noticed something was amiss. The pocket where he stashed his money was oddly light.
She ripped me off! "Driver, stop ze bus!"
* * *
Lance and Kitty ate lunch outside, seeking shelter from the bright sun under a stately oak tree whose orange and red leaves had not yet begun to fall. Kitty leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder, taking the last bites of an apple.
"So, you're doing that bad in Chemistry?" she inquired.
Lance nodded gravely. "This is my second time taking it. I can't fail it again; the Professor will chew my ass off!"
Kitty chuckled, wrapping her arm around his. "Well, I can tutor you, if you want."
"I don't know. I don't want to inconvenience you or anything."
"You're not inconvenient."
Smiling at her tender words, Lance held her close, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. Gazing into each other's eyes they leaned in for a kiss, only to be interrupted by a certain fearless leader.
"Kitty! Alvers!" Scott cried, running towards them. The teens quickly pulled away from each other, their cheeks red.
"What, Summers!?" snapped an angry Lance.
"It's Kurt," he explained, looking down at his seated teammates. "He didn't come to school today. Have either of you seen him or know where he is?"
"I haven't seen him since, like, yesterday," Kitty stated, slightly worried.
"Neither have I. Chill, the Smurf probably just stumbled into another dimension again."
Scott took a deep breath. The last thing he wanted to do was get in another tussle with the boy in front of him. "Okay then. Thank you so much for your valuable time, Mr. Alvers. It was a ton of help."
As Scott stormed off, a scowl darkened Kitty's pert face. "That was mean, Lance. Something could have happened to Kurt."
At the sight of her upset expression, Lance's heart sank. "Sorry," he said quietly. "I'm just on edge right now, and I'm not in the mood for Kurt's antics. I have a feeling that he's perfectly fine."
* * *
"Dammit, where'd she go?"
Kurt searched the streets, looking for the strange girl who had pick-pocketed him. Peeking in the window of a nearby café, he hoped to see a huge backpack and blue baseball cap among the crowded bodies, but saw nothing. She was nowhere to be found.
"Vhat am I going to do?" the boy cried in frustration. "I don't have any money, and I have no idea vhere I am. I'm too far away to port back home…vhy me?"
"Yo, Fancy-Boy! Did I hear you say you don't know where you are?" a gruff voice said behind him. Turning, Kurt looked at a muscular man with a puckered scar across his chin. With him were three equally rough-looking men who were grinning wickedly.
"I'll tell you where you are," he continued, barely able to contain his dark laughter. "In trouble."
Before the words could register, the four men surrounded Kurt and threw him in an alleyway. Taken totally off guard, the boy stumbled as a fist hit him squarely in the chest. In great pain, he fell to the ground, knocking an overfilled trashcan over in the process.
"Check his wallet," one of the goons sneered. "Let's see if Fancy-Boy's got enough bread to pay the toll for tresspassin' on our territory."
"He doesn't have any money, so leave him alone."
Kurt gasped in shock as the voice registered.
The scar-faced leader faced the newcomer and snickered. "I don't think so, little girl."
The blonde girl shrugged, a playful smile brightening her pixie-like features. "Fine, have it your way."
She held up her hand, and a bright burst of energy collected at the tip of her finger, forming a dangerous-looking explosive.
"Bombs away."
* * *
At the Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Xavier sat in his darkened study along with his mutant compatriot and friend, Logan. The burly Canadian had just returned from a secret trip to Europe, and had told the Professor of his findings there.
After a long, heavy silence, Xavier spoke. "Was there any sign of. . .?"
"No. The castle had been abandoned for a few weeks, I'd wager, but it was still full of his stench."
"What could he possibly have been doing there?"
"I think we both have a good idea, Charles."
"Indeed. Most of the technology was still intact, you said?"
Logan nodded, leaning against the mantle-piece. "Yeah. With all that gene-splicing equipment, I wouldn't be surprised if your old friend was planning on carrying out experiments on mutants."
Holding his chin thoughtfully, Xavier made a decision. "Logan, I'm afraid I have to ask you to take me to that castle. There are things there that I need to see."
"Very well, Charles," Logan shrugged his shoulders, his face a mask of seriousness. "But I have a bad feeling about this."
* * *
With a flick of her wrist, the cherry bomb exploded in the face of the gang leader, causing a commotion. The three other goons gasped in shock at the strange girl, and Kurt was simply speechless.
"You little bitch!" one of the men snapped out of his stupor and rushed her. Several bombs formed in the strange girl's hand, and she quickly tossed them at her attacker. The bombs burst, blinding him. But before more could materialize from her palm, the two remaining goons jumped her and shoved her violently against the wall.
"Let her go!" hissed Kurt, who rose to his feet despite the pain shooting through his body.
"Stay out of this, we're not done with you yet!" a bearded goon spat, pinning the girl's arms to the wall. She cried out in agony as one attacker punched her in the gut with all the brute strength he could muster.
Seething at their display of cruelty, Kurt pressed a button on his holo-watch. "I said let her go!" With a ferocious growl the hologram faded, revealing the furry blue demon underneath. The men paled in terror, and dropping the girl like a dead weight, ran for their lives.
Kurt darted to the girl's side. Collapsed in a heap, she struggled to stand as she clutched her sore abdomen.
"Are you all right?!" he cried worriedly, putting a hand on her shoulder. Her head rose, and her eyes widened in fright.
"Don't be afraid! I'm a harmless ball of fuzz!"
"Behind you!"
Kurt's head quickly spun around, just in time to see the recovered gang leader had drawn a knife and was rushing at them. Kurt threw his arms around the girl and teleported away, leaving the thug to stumble headfirst into the brick wall.
The pair reappeared on a vacant street several blocks away. Kurt released his grip on the girl, who looked around them in amazement.
"Whoa! What a trip!" she whooped gleefully, her brutal attack all but forgotten. "That was awesome!"
"Ehh, it vas all right," Kurt said shyly, turning his holo-watch back on.
"Don't be so modest! I'd kill to have a mutant power like that!"
"So you are a mutant!" grinned the elf. "I couldn't believe my eyes vhen you blasted zhat little cherry bomb of yours. Ze look on zhat loser's face vas priceless!"
"Totally!" the girl snickered. Her laughter quickly died down, and she sighed. "Well, I should be on my way. Adios!" She started to walk away when Kurt's voice stopped her dead.
"I'd like my money back, zhank you very much."
Slapping her forehead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small wad of bills. "Okay, okay. Sorry man," she said, stuffing it in his outstretched hand. "I'm outta here."
"Ahem. It's five dollars short."
"Christ!" she groaned, rolling her eyes. "I spent it on a Breakfast Burger Gut Bomb. A girl's gotta eat, you know?"
"So vhy don't you have money of your own?" Kurt inquired, quirking an eyebrow.
"Look at me!" exclaimed the blonde, pointing to the huge pack on her back. "I spent all my dough hoofin' it all the way to Bayville."
"'Hoofin' it?'"
"I'm from Roanoke."
Kurt looked at her quizzically. "Vhy did you come so far by yourself?"
She shrugged. "I have my reasons."
"Do you have any place to stay?"
"Ehh, kinda. Sort of. Maybe."
"Vell, you're velcome to come back vith me to ze Institute!"
"Institute? What, like an asylum or something? I'm not that crazy!"
Chuckling, he shook his head and explained. "No. It's called the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. It's a haven for young mutants like us."
"I'd like to, but I don't think the lady I'm gonna be stayin' with would care for that."
Kurt's face fell. "Oh. Okay. But maybe you can visit us once or twice. The Professor vould love to meet you."
The girl grinned. "All right, I'll check it out. But only because you asked me to. I owe you for saving my bacon back there."
"Hey, don't mention it. You helped me out too!" Kurt blushed.
His companion was about to say something, when a billboard caught her eye. "Oh, wow!" she exclaimed in awe. Kurt glanced up at the lead singer of The Stone Ciphers, whose flat visage smiled at him from the billboard.
"The Stone Ciphers are playing here?! Tight!"
"You like The Stone Ciphers?"
"Uh-huh! They're almost as good as Festering Boils!"
Kurt studied her face. The strange, husky-voiced blonde was smiling like a little kid on Christmas morning, and for a moment, she was beautiful.
"You vant to go?"
"Yeah, but no way it'll happen," she said with a touch of sadness.
"Er, I mean, vould you like to go vith me?" Kurt blurted out.
The girl faced him, surprised. "You'd take me?"
He nodded, smiling like a goof.
The girl burst into giggles, and threw her arms around the boy. "I knew there was something about you I liked, Blue! You're awesome!"
"Z-Zhanks," he said, turning beet red. "I'll meet you in front of the Sterling Center an hour before ze show, okay?"
"Sure!" the girl beamed. Glancing quickly at her watch, she made a face. "Crap. I really gotta go this time. There's somebody I need to meet."
Kurt frowned. "All right. Is zhere any vay I can reach you before ze concert?"
She shook her head sadly. "Nope. But don't worry, I promise I'll be there. In fact, I'll be waiting for you when you show up." With those words she leaned towards Kurt, and pressed the button on his holo-watch, turning it off.
"Vh-Vhat are you doing?!" the elf cried nervously.
"Relax, there's no one around. I just wanted to get another look at the real you before I go." Smiling gently, she stroked his fuzzy cheek. "You know, I've never liked the color blue. But it's starting to grow on me."
As she started to jog away, he yelled, "I'm Kurt! Vhat's your name?"
"Tabitha. Tabitha Smith," she replied in her best James Bond impersonation. "See ya later, Blue!"
Kurt touched his cheek, where the impression of her soft hand still lingered. "Man, I hope so."
* * *
Some time later a yellow taxi pulled up at the Institute's gates, and Kurt Wagner stepped out. It had taken him a while to make his way back home, and as he looked out at mansion he recognized a red convertible and its owner.
"Oh, no! He's home early!" Kurt panicked, teleporting back into his bedroom. He bolted for the bed and buried himself under the covers, feigning sleep until Scott entered.
"Kurt! There you are!"
"Huh?" he murmured in a sleepy, congested voice.
Scott marched over to the bed, crossing his arms over his chest authoritatively. "Where were you?"
"Here, mein fruend. I-I zhink I made myself sick fretting over all zhat bad stuff. I'm sorry I vorried you." To hammer it home, he faked a loud cough.
His leader seemed to buy it. "Well, okay. I guess it's all right, since I told your teachers you were sick to cover for you."
"Danke."
"I'll let you sleep." As he was about to let himself out, he stopped in the doorway and said, "I'm sorry things between you and Kitty didn't work out, Kurt. However, it was no reason for you to skip school."
At the sound of the door slamming shut, Kurt cringed.
* * *
The kids of the Institute were assembled in the dining room, eating their evening meal. Ororo had left that morning to visit her sister in the city and Xavier and Logan had told them to go on without them, so they were able to relax and be themselves without worrying about the authoritative glares of the adults.
"So, The Stone Ciphers' show's gonna be huge," Evan stated with a mouth full of spaghetti. "All my skater buddies are gonna be there."
"Duncan invited me to go, but I'm definitely not into that noise," Jean said in haughty disdain, unaware of the mixed look Scott sent her way.
"It's not noise!" Kurt squawked indignantly. As everyone stared at him he fell back in his seat, his cheeks red. It was better to keep a low profile, as his friends were still peeved at him for skipping school and making them worry. 'Er, I mean, I'm going to ze concert."
"With who?" Jean probed.
"No one," he answered awkwardly. "Vhy vould I vant to go vith anyone?" His gaze fell upon Kitty and Lance, who had been silent throughout most of dinner. The girl heard his question and winced, knowing that he was still hurt by her rejection. The fact that he knew she was with Lance now didn't ease the sting. Under the table she felt a gloved hand touch hers, and the guilt evaporated.
"I don't think you should go alone, Kurt," Scott said in a no-nonsense tone.
The German balked. "And vhy not?!"
"Because," Scott frowned, "There's safety in numbers, and what if the Brotherhood attacked you--"
"God, give it a rest!" Lance's angry voice cut him off, startling his companions. "Do you really think the Brotherhood spends every waking moment planning to attack us? You expect us to live our lives in fear and not have any fun because of what those losers may or may not do! Let the Smurf go to the goddamn concert!"
For a moment, the table was completely silent. Evan nervously swallowed a meatball, Jean was shocked by his audacity, Kitty was simply stunned, and Kurt, well, Kurt couldn't believe who he was being defended by. Scott scowled and rose from the table, meeting Lance's penetrating glare.
"Listen, Alvers, I'm this team's leader, and everyone here is my responsibility! You of all people should know what the Brotherhood is capable of, and that they have no qualms about attacking someone alone and defenseless!"
Lance drew back as Scott's words hit home. With a snarl he threw down his chair and stormed out of the room. Kitty thought to follow him, but knew he probably wanted to be alone. His beating at the hands of Blob was most definitely a sore subject. She sighed at stared down at her spaghetti, suddenly not hungry.
"Well that threw cold water on everything," Evan mused, earning a mental slap from Jean.
"Scott, are you all right?" she asked sweetly.
Ugh, I'm going to be sick, Kitty thought, gagging at Jean's shameless display.
"I'm fine," he said, taking a deep breath. He turned to Kurt, who had shrunk in his seat during the outbursts. "If you want to go to the concert, go. But not unless we all go with you."
"Indeed, Scott," Xavier said, wheeling into the room. The cycloptic mutant straightened, wondering just how much of the conversation his mentor heard. "It would be a very good idea for you all to remain in a group. The concert is in two days, correct?" he asked Kurt. As the boy nodded, he continued. "Logan and I will be leaving for Europe that evening, and Ororo will still be in New York, so that will leave you children alone. It will be a short trip, but I hope you all will stay together, should anything occur for the worst."
"Very well, Professor," Scott said.
"I can totally deal with that," Evan smirked. "It's gonna be an awesome show!"
Oh great, Kurt thought unhappily, So much for my big date.
* * *
Lance lay atop his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock, and Kitty's voice called, "Hey, Lance, I'm coming in, okay?" She phased through the door and sat beside him on the bed, not saying anything.
Lance exhaled, and looked into her eyes. "I made myself look like a big jerk, didn't I?"
"I wouldn't say that," she answered, laying down next to him and propping up her head with her arm. "You had a point. Scott does need to lighten up. But," she hastily added, "you know he means well. He has a big burden on his shoulders, and I don't think he can rest easy unless he knows we're all okay."
"For some reason I doubt he's so concerned about my welfare," he replied sarcastically.
"You're wrong about that. You two may butt heads a lot, but Scott was worried when the Brotherhood went after you. We all were."
Lance was quiet as he thought about her words. "Then why does it sometimes feel like I'm not wanted here?"
Touched by the vulnerability in his dark chocolate eyes, Kitty's expression softened. "I know Jean, Scott, and Kurt haven't made things easy for you, but you could try opening up to them. Be the one to reach out first. If you show them the same Lance you show me everyday, they're bound to warm up to you."
"Thanks, Kit," he smiled warmly and put his arms around her, closing the distance between them. Kitty sighed happily and enjoyed the warm embrace.
"Well, I better get going," she said after a few minutes of snuggling. "Take care, Lance."
"Bye, Kitty," he replied, watching her small form phase out the door. Rising from his bed, he decided to squeeze in a shower before Lights Out. He had just thrown his leather jacket on the ground when there was another knock on his door.
"Come in," he said, thinking it was his girlfriend again. When the door opened he was surprised to see a meek Kurt Wagner enter.
"Kurt?" he blinked. "What is it?"
"I just vanted to say, um, zanks for defending me at dinner. Even zough everyone has to come along now, it's nice to know zat someone else zinks Scott's vay too strict."
"Think nothing of it," Lance casually replied.
"Zat's all I had to say," Kurt said as headed out the door. "Later, Lance!"
"Hmmm," the rock-tumbler mused, surprised by the elf's friendly tone. "How about that."
He took a shower feeling slightly better about himself.
* * *
Kurt sat in Algebra class, bored out of his skull. The time had passed slowly, and it was finally the day of the concert. As his teacher droned on about linear combination and equally uninteresting topics, Kurt thought about the blonde mutant called Tabitha. The more he looked back on her caress, the more he looked forward to their meeting that night. But what if she doesn't show up? the nagging little voice in his head said. She will, the love-struck optimist in him insisted. She promised she would, and that's good enough for me.
As the class came to an end, he strolled out into the hallway, where he ran into Evan Daniels.
"Yo, Kurt!" greeted the skater. "Excited about the concert?"
"A little."
"Huh? I thought you were psyched to go!"
"I vas, but zat vas before everyone decided to tag along." Looking at Evan's slightly hurt expression he hastily added, "Oh, no offense! It's just, vell, I'm going to meet someone special zere. A girl."
"Ooooohhh," Evan grinned as if he understood. "You bounce back fast, dude!"
"Excuse me?"
"Weren't you just totally crushing on Kitty a couple days ago?"
Kurt blushed, thoroughly embarrassed. "You know about zat?'
"Uh, yeah. Everybody did," Evan chuckled. "I thought you'd be bummed that she's with Lance now."
"I vas. And I still am, in a way," Kurt admitted, looking down at the floor. "But Tabitha's different. I have a feeling about her."
Evan slapped his friend on the shoulder, smiling at his dreamy expression. "Take it easy, Kurt!" And with that he disappeared down the hall, skateboard firmly in tow. Kurt reached his locker and stashed his books on the shelf, glancing at the small mirror he had stuck on the inside of the door.
"Vhat are you so vorried about?" he asked his grim-faced reflection. "Everything's going to be fine."
* * *
"What do you mean 'I can't'?"
"What does it sound like, Duncan?" Jean demanded, hands on her hips. She had just come from a student council meeting when her more-than-a-friend-but-not-quite-a-boyfriend surprised her with dinner plans.
"But I already made reservations at the restaurant!" Duncan threw out his hands in exasperation.
"Well, you're just going to have to cancel them," she said flatly.
"Fine! But tell me what's so important that you have to refuse dinner at a fancy French place with me!"
"If you must know, I'm going to the Stone Ciphers concert tonight with the others from the Institute."
Duncan was aghast. "But I asked you to that show weeks ago and you said no!"
"Believe me, I don't want to go," Jean assured him, "but I have to. Professor's orders."
"Yeah, right. It's Summers, isn't it? He asked you out, didn't he?"
"What? There is nothing going on between Scott and I!" she cried angrily, pulling away from him.
"Spare me, Jean. I've seen how he looks at you!"
"God, why are you so paranoid? You have no right to be angry at me; it's not as if we're officially going out, anyway!" Huffing, Jean stormed off before Duncan could say another word.
The lunch bell rang, and the angry young telepath went down to the cafeteria. Still simmering over her fight with Duncan, she decided to ease her nerves with a soft drink. Just as she turned the corner towards the vending machines, a familiar rumble echoed in her ears. She narrowed her green eyes at Lance Alvers, who was using his powers yet again to swipe soda from the machine.
"You're a real piece of work," she snarled, her patience at an end. "Using your powers to steal is really low."
"Lay off, Red," he snapped back. "I'm just getting a soda for my girl, not committing grand larceny." With cola in hand he roughly brushed by her, not wanting to exchange any more words.
"Does Kitty know you're a thief, Lance?"
He stopped dead, as if her words had literally pierced him.
A smirk formed on Jean's lips. She knew she had hit a sore spot, and she wasn't going to let him go so easily after insulting her so brusquely the night of Duncan's party. "I wonder if she'd still go out with you if she knew what you're really like."
"She knows exactly what I am," Lance replied coldly, his back still turned to her. "And she still cares about me."
He walked away with his head held high.
* * *
"La la la," Kitty bobbed her head up and down, happily singing along with the radio perched on the bathroom sink. Stepping out of the steamy shower, beads of warm water dripping down her body, she wrapped herself in a pink towel. She struck a pose in the full-body mirror, tossing her full mane of dark hair over her shoulder and pouting her lips in the most alluring way she could. Kitty chuckled to herself and started to blow-dry her hair when she heard a muffled voice call her name. Quickly shutting off the radio and dryer, she clearly heard Lance say from behind the door, "Almost done, Kit?"
"Just about!" she lied, letting the towel drop and hastily dressing.
Lance heard her frantic hustle from outside the bathroom and chuckled. His good mood was spoiled by a stern voice in his head.
**Lance, please see me in my study at once.**
The boy groaned. Professor Xavier was supposed to be on his way to Europe with Logan, what could he possibly want? He marched into Xavier's study, and was instantly struck by the cold look on the older mutant's face.
"What is it?" he asked, not sounding as strong or confidant as he wanted to.
The Professor looked as if he could wither plants at a glance. "Lance, it has come to my attention that you have recently received a zero on a chemistry test due to coercing one of your teammates to give you the answers."
Christ, Lance cursed. "I'm really sorry about that, Professor. Honest. I forgot to study and just panicked. It won't happen again."
"It certainly will not," Xavier said firmly. "This comes as a huge disappointment to me, Lance. But that's not all."
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, Lance's mind raced.
"I'm also now learning that you've been using your powers to steal from the vending machines at school. Such careless, dishonest behavior is completely uncalled for, and I see no reason to let you attend the concert tonight."
"What!" Lance burst out in shock and anger. "Kurt skipped school and gets off scott free, but I have to sit here and stew because I screwed up a couple times?!"
"Kurt's punishment is forthcoming," he explained, his voice still cold and impersonal. "I considered making him stay home as well, but given the altercations between you two, I believed it would be unwise to leave you both here alone."
Lance thought to mention how Kurt had thanked him after the outburst a few days earlier, but quickly disposed of the idea. The old man was obviously set in his path, and it would do no good to drag the elf down with him.
"This is such bull," he muttered under his breath.
"Call it whatever you like. But you can either not go to the concert, or be grounded for three weeks. The choice is yours."
Some choice, Lance thought bitterly. "Fine. I'll stay."
"Very well. That is all," Xavier dismissed, opening the doors for Lance. He strode out angrily with his fists clenched, nearly running into Jean Grey as he stormed through the hall.
"Watch it!" she snapped as he knocked her arm. Her expression changed when she saw his face. "Something the matter?"
Lance turned. "It was you, wasn't it? You ratted me out to Xavier."
Jean didn't deny it. "It's your own fault, you know. You had no right to do any of that."
"And you had no right to snoop around in my head!"
She gasped. "I would never--!"
"Save it. How else could you have known about the test? I'm sure you feel real proud of yourself for getting big bad Lance punished."
Jean scowled at his patronizing tone. "You deserve to be punished! It's about time you learned how things are at the Institute!"
"Yeah, I see how things are," he said darkly, walking away from the bitter redhead.
Lance's parting words hung in the air for several moments, as Jean seemed to think. Then a new voice spoke.
"Was that really necessary?"
Jean's head turned to face a frowning Kitty. "Yes, it was."
"Lance, like, failed the test and got a detention. What's the point in making things worse for him?"
"He thinks he can do whatever he wants," she spat, her anger returning, "But he can't. And I'm sick of people like him making life hard for decent, hard-working people like, like,--"
"Like you?" Kitty interjected, her words cutting through Jean like a knife. "Just keep telling yourself that."
* * *
Charles Xavier fastened his seatbelt in the co-pilot's seat of the X-Jet. Beside him sat Wolverine, who began to warm up the Jet's engines.
"So, did you ground Rocky?"
"Yes, I'm afraid," Xavier answered with a touch of regret.
"I think you let him off too easy. A couple sessions in the Danger Room alone with me would set the kid straight."
Xavier chuckled. "Perhaps, but we don't want to scar Lance, do we?"
"I guess not. Still, it's a shame. He ain't a bad kid."
"No, he's not," the Professor affirmed. "None of the students are."
"You worry about them too much, Charles," Wolverine said gruffly as the X-Jet fired to life.
"It's hard for me not to. But, old friend, I find myself more concerned over what we will find in Europe."
"Yeah," Wolverine said distantly, not bothering to voice the thoughts that troubled him.
* * *
Kurt looked at his reflection in the window by the mansion's main entrance and nervously straightened his tie. Now that he thought about it, maybe a nice gray suit was not the best apparel for a rock concert. Still, he wanted to look his best for Tabitha, and maybe he'd stand out enough so that she'd easily spot him when they hooked up.
"Jean! Evan! Kitty! Hurry up, we gotta get going!" Scott called, twirling his keys around his finger. He had been informed of Lance's grounding, and didn't know what to say when the longhaired boy trudged down the steps past them and into the kitchen, so he didn't say anything. Sure, Lance shouldn't have stole or tried to cheat, but there was something about his grounding that left a bad taste in the X-Man's mouth.
Evan skated into the hall from another room, and Jean waltzed down the staircase. Dressed in a new miniskirt and white blouse, it was hard for Scott to ignore her beauty, even though her stormy expression was a bit disconcerting.
"Kitty, come on!" Scott shouted for his lagging teammate. The freshman appeared at the top of the steps and said, quite casually, "I'm not going."
"What?" Scott balked. "Kitty, we don't have time for this."
"I'm serious!" she exclaimed, walking down to meet them. "I don't want to go."
"There's no way you're staying here alone with--" Jean's voice trailed off when Lance poked his head into the room.
Kitty ignored her, and looked imploringly at Scott. "You made a point before that the Brotherhood could strike when one of the team is separated from the rest. That's why you're tagging along with Kurt. But what if they were to attack the mansion while Lance is here by himself? I want to stay to make sure everything will be all right."
"Well, Kitty, if you're sure that's what you want--"
"Oh, just leave her!" Jean huffed in disgust, grabbing Scott by the hand and dragging him out the door.
"Love hurts, man," Evan grinned as he followed the awkward couple. "Later K-Girl! See ya, Lance!"
"Bye, Kitty," Kurt said a little distractedly before teleporting outside.
Kitty stood by the door, not closing it until Scott's crowded convertible was far out of sight. She sighed in relief, and turned to see her boyfriend looking at her quizzically.
"Why did you stay behind?" he asked, knowing it wasn't really out of an obligation to her team.
"Why do you think?" she replied, standing up on her tiptoes and surprising him with a peck on the cheek.
Lance blushed furiously and touched the blessed cheek. "I don't want you to punish yourself for my sake."
Kitty smiled and shook her head. "Silly. I told you before; you're not inconvenient. And spending a nice, quiet night alone with you is no punishment." She took his hand and led him upstairs, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Come on, I know just how to pass the time."
* * *
It hadn't taken Tabitha Smith very long to make herself at home at her new place. Her bedroom, pristine and immaculate when she first entered days earlier, was now cluttered and filthy, with an empty pizza box and feminine undergarments sharing floor space. Stepping over the box, the girl assessed herself in the mirror. Her clothes had been carefully chosen, with the pink top and tight jeans accenting her finer physical features. She looked great, but there was something missing. Reaching into a small jewelry box atop her nightstand, she removed two earrings made of fine pearl. The earrings had been the only truly beautiful things her mother owned, and the only things from home Tabitha had bothered to take with her when she left, aside from the clothes on her back. Putting them on, Tabitha smirked at her reflection.
"Perfect."
She had been looking forward to that night for a while, though she found seeing her favorite band live less exciting than meeting that boy, Kurt, again.
You're not even in Bayville a day and you meet a cute boy, Tabitha thought proudly, opening her bedroom window. He was more than a pretty face, too. He was a mutant. And a really sweet one, at that. Tabby, I think your luck is starting to change.
She slipped out her window onto the terrace below. Carefully creeping across it, Tabitha jumped off, landing softly on her feet in the grass. Having made a silent exit from her new home, she bolted down the street on her way to the concert.
A light turned on in one of the large house's upstairs rooms. From the window, two dark silhouettes could be seen. One was a tall, longhaired woman, and beside her was a wiry boy. The woman watched the blonde mutant make her escape, and then turned to her companion.
"Follow her."
* * *
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"It's a surprise," Kitty smiled. With that mysterious comment, Lance's mind was free to wander as she led him to her bedroom. Once inside, the girl made her boyfriend promise to close his eyes as she fetched the "surprise."
Lance's more…hormonal…side had a few ideas as to what it could be, though the rational part of him had doubts. Kitty isn't that kind of girl, he told himself. At least, I don't think she is.
"Okay, open your eyes!"
Lance's eyes flew to Kitty, still fully dressed and holding up a thick textbook.
"Chemistry for Dummies?" he said curiously.
She nodded. "Yup! I thought this might, like, help you pass your next test. Wanna crack it open?"
"Uh, sure," Lance forced himself to smile. Studying wasn't exactly how he envisioned spending his night alone with Kitty, but any time spent with her couldn't be bad.
Lying on Kitty's bed, the two mutants studied hard. An hour crept by slowly as the complex formulas and compounds began to sink in Lance's head.
"So the answer would be Tetracarbon hexasulfide. See?" Kitty asked, pointing to one of the book's harder questions.
Lance gazed thoughtfully at the problem while the gears in his head turned. Comprehending none of the formula before him, his mental computer crashed and he hung his head with a gloomy sigh.
"God, I'm never going to get this!" he cursed, clutching his temple in frustration. "I must be an idiot or something."
Kitty rested her head against his shoulder as a gesture of comfort. "You're smart, Lance, you've just let your grades slip so long you've forgotten how to bring them back up. The more you practice, the easier this stuff will be."
A grin formed on Lance's lips. "You have so much faith in me. I wonder where you get it from."
Kitty returned the smile and leaned against him, holding him tightly. "It's not a matter of faith. I know what you can do."
Their eyes met at that moment, and their hearts began to beat faster.
"I wish we were at the concert, instead of being locked up here," Lance murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from the beautiful girl in front of him.
"Really? I didn't think you were that thrilled about going."
"Well, I just thought that with the two of us being together and all, the concert would be kinda like a first date."
Kitty's eyes widened at his sweet sentiment, and her lips curled into a playful smile. She slammed the textbook shut and tossed it off her bed without so much as a backward glance. "Study time's over," she said, caressing his cheek. "Let's have some fun."
* * *
The Sterling Center in south Bayville was a colossal stadium overrun with kids eager to see The Stone Ciphers perform. The Xavier students were swamped by the crowd and stuck together out of fear of getting lost.
"I have no idea why Duncan wanted to come here," Jean shouted over the noise as she clung to Scott's arm. The young preps stood out like a third eye in the mass of grungy, tattooed teens, and Jean hated to feel out of her element. Just then a trio of well-proportioned teenyboppers in halter tops and cutoffs brushed by them.
Scott's eyebrows arched. "I think I have an idea why."
While the leaders of the team were distracted, Kurt slipped away in search of his date. He scanned the area, hoping he might see a familiar face among the goths and punks. After several minutes of wandering and looking he was about to give up when a figure behind him snatched his arm.
His head spun around, and Tabitha flashed him a winning smile.
"Hey, Blue, I've been looking all over for you. Nice suit!"
The pair of mutants walked arm-in-arm towards the stage, completely unaware of the tall boy by the t-shirt stand who watched them intently as he spoke into a cell phone.
"Are you kidding? It was a piece of cake! And you're never going to guess who she's with!"
* * *
"Canonballllll!"
Lance pulled his knees up to his chest as he leapt from the diving board, and made a spectacular landing in the mansion's outdoor pool. Kitty giggled as the water splashed her, and proudly applauded when he came back up for air. It had been her idea to make use of the huge pool that was "just dying" to be swum in, and since it was heated they didn't have to worry about the nippy November weather turning them into icicles. And hey, it was a good excuse to see her man in his black swimming trunks.
"I give it a 5.0, Mr. Alvers," Kitty grinned, giving him thumbs up.
"So, do I get a gold metal?" Lance asked slyly.
The two teens plunged underwater and, holding hands as well as their breath, kissed firmly on the lips. After a few moments they surged back up for air, gasping and laughing loudly.
Lance shook his head from side to side as he came down from the rush. "I think I got water up my nose."
"The movies make it look so easy," Kitty remarked with a smile.
* * *
Kurt and Tabitha made it to the front of the stage, and moved their bodies to the ferocious beat of the music. Someone in the rowdy crowd knocked into Kurt, and he brushed against his female companion.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" he cried apologetically, his cheeks an embarrassed red. It had felt nice to brush her skin, though he was ashamed to admit it.
"Don't be," Tabitha replied. "You can touch me whenever you want."
As the elf blushed even more, Tabitha burst into laughter. "Just kidding!"
Kurt pouted. "You're very veird," he said. "I like you."
Meanwhile, Jean was starting to warm up to The Stone Ciphers' thrashing guitars. She stopped dancing when she noticed Scott's joyless expression.
"You could at least try to enjoy the show."
Scott sighed. "I just keep thinking about leaving Lance behind."
"What?"
"We're here, having a good time, while he's stuck at the mansion."
"He's with his girlfriend. Something tells me he's found a way to keep busy."
"It still doesn't seem fair to me."
"You're questioning the Professor's decision?"
"Of course not! I've just been doing some thinking about today and the other night after Duncan's party."
The redhead scowled at the unpleasant memory. "What about it?"
"Lance is our teammate, and we should trust him. He can't really be blamed for having a bad attitude when he's constantly being accused of some wrongdoing."
Jean placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "He's a troublemaker, and if we don't put him in line he'll just keep acting up. There's no excuse for cheating and stealing. You were right to be angry at him after the party, and the Professor was right to ground him."
Scott's pained expression faded, and he squeezed the warm hand on his shoulder. Jean was right. She always was.
On stage, the lead singer of the band stepped forward, pointing out into the crowd.
"All right, Bayville, who wants to rock with us?!"
"I do! I do!" Kurt hollered. Tabitha was shrieking too, and she grabbed Kurt's hand and waved it in the air.
"Over here!" she shouted over the noise.
The goateed lead singer smirked when he spied the cute blonde in the front row. Crouching down, he held out his hand for her to take.
Tabitha hopped on top of the stage and pulled Kurt along with her.
The singer pointed his mike at the two teens. "Hey there, tell me what's your favorite song!"
Kurt and Tabitha happily cried in unison: "I Was A Teenage Outcast!"
The lead guitarist ran his hands furiously over his instrument, and the lead-in chords to their favorite song began to play.
Laughing and cheering, the young mutant couple started to dance on stage beside the band. There was only that moment, all other worries and troubles were completely forgotten.
In the far distance, Evan looked atop the stage and did a double take. Grinning hugely, he darted through the crowd and found his other friends.
"Yo, look up there! It's Kurt!"
Their eyes flew to the stage. "Oh my god! It is Kurt!" Jean cried in astonishment.
Evan chortled. "The Fuzzy One knows how to rock!"
* * *
Lance and Kitty gazed up into the inky darkness of the night sky, the glimmering stars and crescent moon giving them the only light they needed. Resting on a toasty flannel blanket, the two lay peacefully atop the mansion's roof and admired the universe.
"Ahh, there's the big dipper!" Kitty said, pointing to a cluster of tiny stars.
"Really? I don't see anything."
"Constellations aren't hard to see. Just relax your eyes and it'll appear," Kitty suggested.
Lance followed her directions and let his dark eyes relax on the patch of sky she had pointed to earlier. "Oooohhh," he nodded his head. "I still don't see anything."
Kitty giggled and snuggled closer to her companion. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder, warming her up more than the blanket ever could.
"Lance, can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Do you think you'll always be here…with the X-Men?"
"What do you mean?"
Kitty frowned. "Well, my parents agreed that I should stay at the Institute until high school is over. I'm only a freshman, so I have a few more years to go. But you're going to graduate in a few months, and I've been wondering if you'll stay when you're done with school."
Lance thought for a few moments before replying. "I suppose I will. College doesn't interest me at all, and it's not as if I have anywhere else to go," he remarked with a humorless laugh. "Before I came to the Institute, I just lived day to day, never really thinking ahead. But here I have a future. I just need to figure out what to do with it."
A smile formed on Kitty's lips. "I'm glad you're staying."
Closing his eyes, Lance tightened their embrace. "As if I could ever leave you."
* * *
Kurt Wagner and Tabitha Smith were among the last to file out of the stadium and into the parking lot after the concert's conclusion. Holding hands, the couple was still riding the wave of excitement that had swept them up as they danced on stage.
"Zat vas tight! Totally tight!" Kurt beamed.
"Oh, I know! Did you hear T-Bone's bitchin' guitar solo when we were up there? It was the coolest thing I've ever heard in my life!"
"I'm so glad I came!"
"Me too," Tabitha replied, and before Kurt knew it she was kissing him on the mouth. They parted slowly, the girl smiling in satisfaction, the boy utterly bewildered.
"Gott en Himmel!" he whispered. His lips still tingled from the kiss—his very first, he realized.
"That good?"
"Yeah! Oh, Gott, yeah!" he grinned. "But vhy did you…?"
"I just felt like it," she replied airily. "I live for the moment. Blink, and life could pass you by."
"Interesting vords to live by," he mused. "I really had a nice time."
"Ditto."
"You vant to maybe, er, do something later?"
"You mean a date? I'd like that," Tabitha smiled.
"Awww, how sweet. I think I just got a cavity. Another one, that is," a voice sneered. There was a quick flash of movement, and Toad hopped onto the roof of a nearby car, grinning down at them. Gasping, the teens looked around and saw the Brotherhood of Mutants surround them. A smirking Quicksilver stepped forward and began to clap his hands.
"Bravo, Tabitha. That was truly an Oscar winning performance."
"Oscar? Boy, I could sure go for a hotdog," Blob muttered, then was silenced by a penetrating glare from his field leader.
"What are you talking about? And what are you doing here?" Tabitha demanded.
"Quit the act, sweetheart. You lured Fuzzy here, now its time for us to take care of the little twerp."
Kurt's head spun around, and he looked hurtfully at Tabby. "Are you. . .are you vith zhem?"
Tabitha turned away, unable to meet his questioning gaze. "Yes," she whispered.
"You tricked me!"
"No! No, Blue, they're lying! I didn't tell them about you! I wanted to see you, not hurt you!"
"Shut her up," Quicksilver muttered to Toad. Before Tabitha could say another word, a huge glob of slime was spit in her face.
"Tabitha!" Kurt ran to her side despite her seeming betrayal. He struggled to wipe the sticky substance from her face, and as it was cleared she looked at him with sad eyes.
"Kurt, I…look out!"
Toad's long tongue whipped towards the boy, only to be blasted away by a red optic beam.
"Hey, that hurt!" Toad yelped.
"Good," Spyke said with a sneer. The Brotherhood suddenly had company, as three X-Men appeared on the scene, and they looked very pissed off.
"You creeps need to get a new playbook," Cyclops spat as he pointed threateningly at them. "Your 'attack 'em one by one' plan is starting to get old."
"Yeah, aren't you three men enough to take us all on?" Jean chided.
"Oh believe me, there's nothing I'd like more than to crush you X-Geeks under my big toe. But that can wait--" Quicksilver paused to snatch Tabitha out of Kurt's arms and hoist the girl over his shoulder, "Because we have what we came for."
Quicksilver zipped away, with the other two members of his team close behind him. Jean hurried to Kurt and asked, "Are you all right? What happened?"
"I'm fine," he said quietly. "And I don't vant to talk about it."
* * *
Finally overwhelmed by the frosty night air, the two students alone at the mansion snuck into Xavier's study and made use of his grand fireplace. The embers crackled and burned, mesmerizing Kitty with their scorching beauty as she held her beloved in her arms.
"This is nice," whispered Lance, who brushed his cheek against her chest and listened to her heartbeat.
"Mmmhmm," Kitty purred softly. She and Lance had made quite a little love nest, as they snuggled in front of the fire while wrapped in a warm blanket.
"A peaceful night just between the two of us…I wish this could go on forever."
"I knew you were just a big softie," Kitty smiled at him.
"It's true, Kit. I haven't felt this nice in a long time…I'm happy."
"I'm happy too," she replied, running her fingers gently through his hair.
Lance closed his eyes, delighting in her caress. He was truly content, but there was a question nagging his heart. "Is this really what you want? To be with me?"
Kitty's smile faded. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "I want to be with you more than anything, Lance. Why would you doubt that?"
The boy bit his lip, troubled. "Not long ago you said I was your best friend. I just wanted to be sure that you had no problems with your best friend becoming your boyfriend."
"Well, truth be told, I did worry for a few moments that we were jeopardizing our friendship. But this—this is right, Lance. I know in my heart that I care about you, and want to be by your side as more than a friend." She was quick to add, "Being in your arms is the best feeling in the world."
"Being in your arms isn't so bad either." His grim expression cracked, and a smile formed on his lips.
"Lance, thank you for a wonderful first date."
"The pleasure was all mine."
The front door opened, and the sound of four weary figures trudging inside the mansion interrupted the intimate moment. Kitty and Lance tensed.
"Oh no, they must be home early! Wait here!" Kitty cried, quickly phasing out the study door and leaving Lance behind.
Standing in the hallway wearing an innocent smile, Kitty greeted Scott and Jean, who looked rather worse for wear. "Hi guys! Back so early?"
The frazzled couple looked at her strangely, and went their separate ways to their bedrooms without even a "hello."
Evan was next to climb up the steps. There was something angry about his gait, as if he struggling to hide a bent-up frustration. His temperamental scowl didn't stop Kitty from inquiring, "How was the concert?"
She was answered with a loud slam of his room's door.
Peeking down the main staircase, she saw Kurt was the last to enter. Smiling down at him, she called, "Like, I hope you had a good time!"
He glanced up, but didn't seem to see her. He teleported away, a saddened frown on his elfin countenance.
Suddenly alone, Kitty shrugged her shoulders and headed back for Xavier's reading room. As she passed through the door, Lance asked, "What's up? They gonna bother us?"
"Oh, I don't think so. They had a really busy night."
Kitty made sure to lock the door behind her.
* * *
"Goddammit, put me down!"
Cringing, Quicksilver threw the girl on the cold ground outside the boarding house, having had enough of her kicking and screaming. Tabitha jumped to her feet and threw an angry hand at him, which he blocked with no problem.
"Tsk. Temper, temper, Tabby," he mocked.
"You stupid bastard! Why did you do that?!"
"I could ask you the same question! Why were you fraternizing with the enemy?!"
"Kurt's not an enemy! He's--"
"An X-Man! And since you're new here, let me give you some advice: stay away from them, unless you're planning on kicking their X-Geek ass! It'll save you a lot of trouble, Tabby-kins."
"I'm already in trouble," she sighed, glancing at the figure that stood in the doorway. There was nothing more she could do, and with a heavy heart the girl walked inside the only place she had left to call home. As soon as she entered, her face was met with a harsh slap that sent her to the floor.
"My dear Quicksilver was right, Boom-Boom," Mystique's voice dripped with venom. "You are not to see that boy ever again."
Holding her stinging cheek, Tabitha looked hatefully at her leader. "You can't stop me," she murmured. She soon discovered that she had said the wrong thing, for she was sharply hit once more.
"You will heed my orders!"
"Okay . . .you're the boss." The blonde bombshell straightened and found the strength to salute Mystique. She moved towards the stairs, but was stopped by a blue hand that grabbed her arm. Mystique's long fingernails dug into her soft skin, drawing blood, but Tabitha would not give her the satisfaction of crying out.
"Do not forget what I saved you from," the shape-shifter warned.
"Trust me," Tabby soothed her bleeding arm when it was released, "I won't." I won't forget this, either.
Upstairs, Rogue silently witnessed the harsh exchange. The voice of her caretaker held none of the compassion or warmth it did when she talked to the goth girl, but bore the icy certainty of all that was Mystique. It had . . .chilled her. She slipped back into her room and shut the door when Tabitha stormed up the stairs, not wanting to be seen.
Rogue suddenly felt alone, more so than she ever had before. Wandering over to her window, she gazed at the moon, and, for a brief moment, thought about Scott Summers.
* * *
The following morning did not bring clear skies or a bright sun, but rather dark clouds that seemed to warn of a coming storm. The gray sky did nothing to damper Lance's spirit, however. Some would be slightly disturbed to see the normally gruff boy waltz into the kitchen with a skip in his step, but Kurt Wagner was too involved in his own misery to notice.
"Mornin', Smurf," Lance said, sounding downright chipper. Humming, he helped himself to a bowl of Lucky Charms and ate happily.
Kurt glanced up from the table and studied him. "What are you so cheerful about?"
With a secretive smile, he shrugged. "No reason, really. Just had a good night."
"I bet you did," Kurt frowned, still feeling a slight pang of jealousy. "What did you and Kitty do here all by yourselves?"
"Study."
With that, Lance left the kitchen, having finished his breakfast. Peeking out the open door, the elf watched Kitty hop down the steps and greet her boyfriend. Smiling at each other, the two held hands and walked outside. As the door shut behind them, he caught a glimpse of Kitty giving Lance a quick peck on the cheek. It was an innocent gesture that spurred on painful memories of the past night.
Alone at the kitchen table nursing a cooling cup of tea, the German wrestled with his thoughts. He was worried about Tabitha; after all, she had been roughly snatched by the Brotherhood, and there was no telling if she was all right—but Quicksilver's mocking words and Tabby's own admittance of guilt was still fresh in his mind. He had cared about her a great deal, and she had seemed to return his feelings. The kiss had felt so true and real, it couldn't have been an act. But how was he to know? It wasn't as if he had known her for very long, or had any clue what kind of person she really was.
The sound of a motorized wheelchair derailed his train of thought.
"H-Hallo, Professor!" Kurt exclaimed as the elder mutant wheeled in the kitchen, "You're back already?"
"Yes, Kurt. Logan and I returned very early this morning."
"How vas your trip?"
"Fruitful," Xavier said after a beat. "But how are you? I heard that you had a very rough night yesterday."
Kurt winced. "Scott and Jean told you…?"
He nodded. "But I sensed that there was much more to the story than they let on, so I had hoped you would fill in the details, namely, who the girl you were with was."
Kurt felt like hanging his tail between his legs. "She said her name was Tabitha Smith. She's a mutant, and she stopped zhese guys from robbing me a couple days ago. I asked her out to the concert, but as ve left the Brotherhood attacked. Apparently she vas one of zhem ze whole time."
"I see. So, you had feelings for this girl?"
Leave it to the empath to figure it all out. "Ja."
"And you still do…?"
"Nein! Er, maybe. Ja. I don't know," Kurt said meekly. "She seemed so sincere."
**But she lied to you,** a voice he could barely identify as his own spoke to him. **She lied, and she tricked you. What else could be expected from someone who would steal from you so much as look at you?**
"But she lied…" Kurt whispered, feeling a little dizzy. "And she tricked me."
**She is dangerous. Stay away from her.**
"Don't vorry, Professor, I von't speak to her again," he said resolutely.
A thin smile formed on Xavier's lips. "I am glad to hear that, Kurt. Now, would you be so kind as to fetch the mail for me?"
"Sure zing," the boy said brightly, as if the previous conversation had never taken place. He teleported outside the gates, and opened the large mailbox, snatching the various letters. As he struggled with a package for Jean, a small note slipped out of his grasp and onto the ground. Kurt retrieved it, and noticed that it had his name on it, with no return address. His name had been written in feminine scrawl, and the r and t had run together where water had fallen into the ink. No, not water, he realized, tears.
His body went numb as it dawned on him whom the letter was from. For a second he didn't know what to do. Then, his thoughts were clear.
Kurt ripped up the note without reading its contents, and then teleported inside the mansion, leaving the wind to scatter the pieces.
* * * * * * * * * * *
To Be Continued…
* * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Notes: An update! Finally! Sorry for the wait, but I've had a few hectic weeks recently. This chapter marks the halfway point of the series, and from here on out RYW will be pretty different from the show. Some seeds for future plot points have been planted as well—keep your eye on Xavier and Mystique.
So, the new Brotherhood member is Tabitha. I hope I didn't disappoint anybody. ^_^;;; Her relationship with Kurt will be more than "Xavier breaks up the couple of the week", because there are quite a few skeletons in Tabby's closet. Yup, get ready for some major angst! I'm still debating over whether or not to give the two a happy ending. Tell me what you think!
"Self-Possessed" was an excellent episode! Rogue was awesome (and kicked major butt!) I'm glad to see Destiny's back, but it was a little eerie when I wrote the concert scene, only to see the X-Men go to a concert! Jamie's a cutie and all, but the wacky "Kitty's date" scene irked me. It just seems to me that the Lance/Kitty relationship has been totally forgotten (which is sad—there goes a whole season of great character development out the window) and I don't like seeing Kitty "date" anyone but Lance. But I am incredibly biased. ^_^;;; Thankfully the writers haven't paired her up with Piotr—yet.
Next Chapter: The holidays are just around the corner, and Lance and Kitty return to Northbrook. The past returns with a vengeance as Lance has an encounter with Griff and Pete that makes him doubt himself, while Kitty faces unexpected opposition from her parents. Meanwhile in Bayville, Scott shares Christmas dinner with the enemy! And what does the Professor have in his basement?! Coming soon!
Thanks for all the reviews, everyone! Hope you enjoyed Chapter 7! ~Sandoz