But You're Dead
~*~
I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standing in your way
I never needed anyone
Like I'm needin' you today
Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?
-Bryan Adams
~*~
Kitty sighed as she and the other members of her class sat on the stage listening to Principal Kelly making some sort of speech. The other X-Men were sitting in the audience. Most of her classmates were crying but Kitty couldn't find it in herself to even really care about what was going on. Logan had noticed her apathy although most of the others had been fooled by a few smiles and the words "I'm okay." They had begun to have a few extra training sessions so she could try to work through her emotions. Lately that was all she was looking forward to.
She walked up to the principal when it was her turn and received her diploma. Both smiled falsely as they shook hands. After what seemed like forever the ceremony was over and Kitty took back her robe before walking to her locker where she had stashed her coat. She took out the jacket and slipped it on over the pale violet sundress she was wearing.
"`Ey there, Pryde," a soft voice behind her said. Kitty froze tensing slightly as she shut her locker and turned.
"Pete?" she asked softly.
"You look good, not that you need me to relay that fact."
She looked at the man before her still in shock. "What are you doing here?" she asked finally.
"Aren't ya `appy t' see me?"
"But you were..."
"Long story."
"But-"
"Let me give you a ride home," he said taking her arm to lead her out of the school.
"Wait." Kitty pulled her arm away from his and faced him squarely. "Care to explain yourself, Wisdom?"
"Explain what?"
"What you're doing here."
"Driving you home. I thought I already told you that."
"But you're dead!" a few people still lingering in the halls turned at that exclamation.
"Kitty, shut up," Pete said softly. "I'll tell you everything when we leave. Okay?"
Crossing her arms in faint annoyance she nodded. "Fine." They walked out together. They got into a black T-Bird and he took off. Once they were on the road Kitty turned to him crossing her arms. "Explanation?"
"John and Jardine helped me fake my death and then to get out of the country. Just until things calm down with what remains of Black Air."
"And that's a long story?"
"`At's the short version."
"The others are, like, probably worried."
"Nah, I told Logan that I was comin' t' see you." They reached the gate and he pulled in.
"And why is that?"
Pete winced realizing that she wasn't going to make this easy on him. With another wince he realized that he deserved it. "Bloody `ell, Pryde."
"Well?"
He got out and opened her door for her. "Ya want t' know?"
"Yes." He leaned closer and kissed her deeply plunging his tongue into the warmth of her mouth. Kitty whimpered gripping his shirt hard, clinging to him. Pete closed his eyes simply concentrating on the feeling of Kitty's body pressed close to his and her lips against his.
"Hey runt!" Logan yelled from the doorway.
"If it weren't for that damn healing factor I'd kill him," Pete muttered.
"You forgot the heightened senses," Logan called. "Get in here, you two. The others are waiting." He walked back in leaving the two alone again.
"That man has awful timin'," Pete muttered standing back. He then leered down at her. "Why don't we continue this conversation later?"
"Yeah," Kitty whispered. The two walked back in. Kurt walked out to greet them.
"Congrats, Katzchen," he grinned. "Care to introduce us to your friend?"
"Guys," Kitty said. "This is Pete Wisdom."
"Yes," Kurt said still smiling. "You saved Kitty's life, Herr Wisdom, thank you."
"Whatever," Pete muttered obviously uncomfortable.
"Would you like to stay a few days," Xavier inquired. "Logan has told me about your situation. We would be glad to help you."
"I don't need help," Pete said now seeming annoyed. "I only came here because I didn't want Pryde or Logan t' think I was dead."
"Pete," Kitty said softly. "Please, you'll be safe here." Pete frowned slightly as he looked at her.
"Fine, luv." He reached out taking her hand. "Fer you." She smiled squeezing his hand. Logan smirked leaning against the wall as he watched the interaction between the two.
"Very well, Katherine, will show you to your room," Xavier said. "Meanwhile she can introduce you to everyone." Kitty took Pete's arm dragging him up to the others.
"This is Jean, she's a telepath," Kitty said.
Jean smiled at him extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Pete said as Kitty turned to the man hovering near Jean.
"That's Scott, he shoots the plasma beam thingy's from his eyes," Kitty said.
"That's why yer wearin' the glasses?" Pete asked. Scott glared at him briefly before nodding. Kitty pulled him along.
"This is Rahne, she shapeshifts into a wolf," Kitty said. "And that's Jubilee I guess you could say she makes firecrackers. Roberto gets energy from the sun..." she went on introducing the other new mutants like that. Then she led him over to Rogue who had retreated to one of the corners of the room. "This is my roommate, Rogue." Kitty paused not sure how to word Rogue's mutation without upsetting the Goth.
"Ah can't touch," Rogue said shortly crossing her arms. Pete nodded he remembered her file from Black Air too. "So what do ya think of the others?"
Pete leaned against the wall surveying the group. "Everyone seems okay, `cept them." He nodded to where Jean and Scott were standing.
"Like, what's wrong with them?" Kitty asked.
"She tries too hard," Pete said. "And he has a stick up his arse the size of a Buick." Rogue laughed at that and Kitty coughed to hide her giggle.
"You know, Pete, you shouldn't say that. They're the team leaders."
"That's wonderful," Pete muttered. They talked for quite a while when Kurt ported over to them.
"Oh, and this is Kurt," Kitty said. "He obviously teleports." She took Kurt's hand and turned off the image inducer.
"Hey!" Kurt exclaimed. Pete raised an eyebrow at the blue furry guy with a tail who now stood before him but didn't show any surprise other than that.
"Huh," he said softly. "An smurf."
"Great," Kurt said rolling his yellow eyes. "Another Logan."
"Did I hear my name?" Logan asked causing the three teenagers to jump. He smirked at their reaction.
"`Ey, mate," Pete said nodding.
"I want to talk to you," Logan said. Looking confused Pete followed him outside. Logan lit a cigar and Pete took that as a cue to light one of his cigarettes. "You an' the kid seem ta be gettin' pretty close."
"What're you getting at?"
"Look, the half-pint and stripes are both like daughters ta me," Logan said taking a deep drag off of the cigar. "Hurt her and I'll kill you."
"Point well taken."
"I gave that talk to her last boyfriend, he did break her heart but he was just a kid. You on the other hand are eight years older than her, you know better."
"I'm actually pretty surprised that you're condonin' this."
"Would it do me any good to say: stay away from her?"
"Don' know," Pete said leaning against the banister.
"Besides, we go back, I know you. And you know me. I know that if you weren't serious about her you never would have kissed her tonight, not knowin' that she was close to me." Pete nodded in agreement to that. "Let's go back in or they're gonna think I killed you." The two put out their respective cancer causing objects before walking back in.
Kitty walked over to greet him. "Come on and I'll show you to your room."
"Let me get me bags," he said and the two walked outside where he grabbed a suitcase and a duffle bag. They then walked up the stairs and down a hallway. Kitty pointed out various rooms as they passed them. They reached the end of the hall and Kitty pushed a door open.
"Welcome to mutant manor," she smiled. "Do you, um, want me to leave so you can get unpacked?"
Pete almost laughed. "Hell no."
"Pete, you, like, never did answer my question," Kitty said. "Why did you come here?"
Pete sighed shutting the door behind him before flopping down on the bed. "Because, luv, I can't get you out of me bloody head. I just kept thinkin' about you. John tol' me that he could create a body double, and Jardine arranged so it would be accepted as me. Then came the question: 'where do I go?' I thought about a lot o' places but the Institute just kept poppin' int' me head. `Cause it was where you were." He shook his head. "So I came here."
Kitty smiled at his answer and sat down beside him. "I'm happy you came."
"Me too," he admitted. He leaned in close kissing her gently. "As much as I `ate sayin' this, you should probably go."
"Why?"
"Well, Pryde, it is past midnight. I'm sure your probably tired."
"A little," she admitted.
"So, go sleep," he said standing to walk her to the door. He leaned down kissing her once more. "G' night."
"`Night," Kitty whispered before leaving the room. Pete watched her go with a soft smile on his lips. He could fall in love with that girl.
~*~
I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standing in your way
I never needed anyone
Like I'm needin' you today
Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?
-Bryan Adams
~*~
Kitty sighed as she and the other members of her class sat on the stage listening to Principal Kelly making some sort of speech. The other X-Men were sitting in the audience. Most of her classmates were crying but Kitty couldn't find it in herself to even really care about what was going on. Logan had noticed her apathy although most of the others had been fooled by a few smiles and the words "I'm okay." They had begun to have a few extra training sessions so she could try to work through her emotions. Lately that was all she was looking forward to.
She walked up to the principal when it was her turn and received her diploma. Both smiled falsely as they shook hands. After what seemed like forever the ceremony was over and Kitty took back her robe before walking to her locker where she had stashed her coat. She took out the jacket and slipped it on over the pale violet sundress she was wearing.
"`Ey there, Pryde," a soft voice behind her said. Kitty froze tensing slightly as she shut her locker and turned.
"Pete?" she asked softly.
"You look good, not that you need me to relay that fact."
She looked at the man before her still in shock. "What are you doing here?" she asked finally.
"Aren't ya `appy t' see me?"
"But you were..."
"Long story."
"But-"
"Let me give you a ride home," he said taking her arm to lead her out of the school.
"Wait." Kitty pulled her arm away from his and faced him squarely. "Care to explain yourself, Wisdom?"
"Explain what?"
"What you're doing here."
"Driving you home. I thought I already told you that."
"But you're dead!" a few people still lingering in the halls turned at that exclamation.
"Kitty, shut up," Pete said softly. "I'll tell you everything when we leave. Okay?"
Crossing her arms in faint annoyance she nodded. "Fine." They walked out together. They got into a black T-Bird and he took off. Once they were on the road Kitty turned to him crossing her arms. "Explanation?"
"John and Jardine helped me fake my death and then to get out of the country. Just until things calm down with what remains of Black Air."
"And that's a long story?"
"`At's the short version."
"The others are, like, probably worried."
"Nah, I told Logan that I was comin' t' see you." They reached the gate and he pulled in.
"And why is that?"
Pete winced realizing that she wasn't going to make this easy on him. With another wince he realized that he deserved it. "Bloody `ell, Pryde."
"Well?"
He got out and opened her door for her. "Ya want t' know?"
"Yes." He leaned closer and kissed her deeply plunging his tongue into the warmth of her mouth. Kitty whimpered gripping his shirt hard, clinging to him. Pete closed his eyes simply concentrating on the feeling of Kitty's body pressed close to his and her lips against his.
"Hey runt!" Logan yelled from the doorway.
"If it weren't for that damn healing factor I'd kill him," Pete muttered.
"You forgot the heightened senses," Logan called. "Get in here, you two. The others are waiting." He walked back in leaving the two alone again.
"That man has awful timin'," Pete muttered standing back. He then leered down at her. "Why don't we continue this conversation later?"
"Yeah," Kitty whispered. The two walked back in. Kurt walked out to greet them.
"Congrats, Katzchen," he grinned. "Care to introduce us to your friend?"
"Guys," Kitty said. "This is Pete Wisdom."
"Yes," Kurt said still smiling. "You saved Kitty's life, Herr Wisdom, thank you."
"Whatever," Pete muttered obviously uncomfortable.
"Would you like to stay a few days," Xavier inquired. "Logan has told me about your situation. We would be glad to help you."
"I don't need help," Pete said now seeming annoyed. "I only came here because I didn't want Pryde or Logan t' think I was dead."
"Pete," Kitty said softly. "Please, you'll be safe here." Pete frowned slightly as he looked at her.
"Fine, luv." He reached out taking her hand. "Fer you." She smiled squeezing his hand. Logan smirked leaning against the wall as he watched the interaction between the two.
"Very well, Katherine, will show you to your room," Xavier said. "Meanwhile she can introduce you to everyone." Kitty took Pete's arm dragging him up to the others.
"This is Jean, she's a telepath," Kitty said.
Jean smiled at him extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Pete said as Kitty turned to the man hovering near Jean.
"That's Scott, he shoots the plasma beam thingy's from his eyes," Kitty said.
"That's why yer wearin' the glasses?" Pete asked. Scott glared at him briefly before nodding. Kitty pulled him along.
"This is Rahne, she shapeshifts into a wolf," Kitty said. "And that's Jubilee I guess you could say she makes firecrackers. Roberto gets energy from the sun..." she went on introducing the other new mutants like that. Then she led him over to Rogue who had retreated to one of the corners of the room. "This is my roommate, Rogue." Kitty paused not sure how to word Rogue's mutation without upsetting the Goth.
"Ah can't touch," Rogue said shortly crossing her arms. Pete nodded he remembered her file from Black Air too. "So what do ya think of the others?"
Pete leaned against the wall surveying the group. "Everyone seems okay, `cept them." He nodded to where Jean and Scott were standing.
"Like, what's wrong with them?" Kitty asked.
"She tries too hard," Pete said. "And he has a stick up his arse the size of a Buick." Rogue laughed at that and Kitty coughed to hide her giggle.
"You know, Pete, you shouldn't say that. They're the team leaders."
"That's wonderful," Pete muttered. They talked for quite a while when Kurt ported over to them.
"Oh, and this is Kurt," Kitty said. "He obviously teleports." She took Kurt's hand and turned off the image inducer.
"Hey!" Kurt exclaimed. Pete raised an eyebrow at the blue furry guy with a tail who now stood before him but didn't show any surprise other than that.
"Huh," he said softly. "An smurf."
"Great," Kurt said rolling his yellow eyes. "Another Logan."
"Did I hear my name?" Logan asked causing the three teenagers to jump. He smirked at their reaction.
"`Ey, mate," Pete said nodding.
"I want to talk to you," Logan said. Looking confused Pete followed him outside. Logan lit a cigar and Pete took that as a cue to light one of his cigarettes. "You an' the kid seem ta be gettin' pretty close."
"What're you getting at?"
"Look, the half-pint and stripes are both like daughters ta me," Logan said taking a deep drag off of the cigar. "Hurt her and I'll kill you."
"Point well taken."
"I gave that talk to her last boyfriend, he did break her heart but he was just a kid. You on the other hand are eight years older than her, you know better."
"I'm actually pretty surprised that you're condonin' this."
"Would it do me any good to say: stay away from her?"
"Don' know," Pete said leaning against the banister.
"Besides, we go back, I know you. And you know me. I know that if you weren't serious about her you never would have kissed her tonight, not knowin' that she was close to me." Pete nodded in agreement to that. "Let's go back in or they're gonna think I killed you." The two put out their respective cancer causing objects before walking back in.
Kitty walked over to greet him. "Come on and I'll show you to your room."
"Let me get me bags," he said and the two walked outside where he grabbed a suitcase and a duffle bag. They then walked up the stairs and down a hallway. Kitty pointed out various rooms as they passed them. They reached the end of the hall and Kitty pushed a door open.
"Welcome to mutant manor," she smiled. "Do you, um, want me to leave so you can get unpacked?"
Pete almost laughed. "Hell no."
"Pete, you, like, never did answer my question," Kitty said. "Why did you come here?"
Pete sighed shutting the door behind him before flopping down on the bed. "Because, luv, I can't get you out of me bloody head. I just kept thinkin' about you. John tol' me that he could create a body double, and Jardine arranged so it would be accepted as me. Then came the question: 'where do I go?' I thought about a lot o' places but the Institute just kept poppin' int' me head. `Cause it was where you were." He shook his head. "So I came here."
Kitty smiled at his answer and sat down beside him. "I'm happy you came."
"Me too," he admitted. He leaned in close kissing her gently. "As much as I `ate sayin' this, you should probably go."
"Why?"
"Well, Pryde, it is past midnight. I'm sure your probably tired."
"A little," she admitted.
"So, go sleep," he said standing to walk her to the door. He leaned down kissing her once more. "G' night."
"`Night," Kitty whispered before leaving the room. Pete watched her go with a soft smile on his lips. He could fall in love with that girl.