Disclaimer: I own nobody here. All characters belong to Marvel or Red Witch, the creator of the Misfitverse.
Author's note: I initially sent this idea to Red Witch herself, but she couldn't use it at the time, so I'm doing my best with it. Keep in mind, my writing isn't nearly as good as hers, so if it doesn't fit your standards... then don't bother to tell me. I probably already know. This fic takes place after the winter-themed parody We're Just a Bunch of Misfits, and ignores continuity from there. I may well adapt her future writings to fit in my off-shoot of her timeline, but it depends. At any rate... on with the fic! Warning: This fic is X-Men-centric, and features a lot of Kitty. If you don't like, don't read.

Winter Holidays - X-Men Style!

Prelude to Holiday Madness

It was the third week of December at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Students, as Kitty Pryde set up her Hannukah decorations in her room as the other X-Men and New Mutants were decorating the rest of the mansion.

A knock came on her door, startling Lockheed, Kitty's pet dragon. He snorted, and went back to his nap. Kitty smiled at her sleeping pet, and went to answer the door.

Logan, alias Wolverine, was standing there. Hey, Half-Pint, he growled. Heard Hannukah starts tomorrow night. And it looks like somebody else heard too. You've got a really big present downstairs that just arrived.

Who from? asked Kitty, smiling sweetly at him.

Don't know, replied the feral man. It just said To Kitty - sorry for the mess this thing caused last time. Hope you enjoy it.' Personally, I'd have it X-rayed before you open it.

Unless Shipwreck is sending me Polly, I doubt it's that dangerous, said Kitty with a shrug. I'll open it tomorrow night. Any word from Hawk, by the way?

replied Logan. The Misfits are still off investigating COBRA activity down in Antarctica, including the rock-tumbler. They expect to be back the day before Christmas. Hawk said if they come to crash our Christmas party, he's putting them all on KP duty for a year and taking away their teleportation rights.

Kitty brightened up. Well, I'll be down in a minute. She walked over, scratched Lockheed's ears, and walked out, making sure to close and lock the door behind her.

Downstairs, things were relatively normal. Tabby and Sam were flirting in one corner of the room, while a hoard of Jamies were decorating the lower branches of the tree. Rogue was standing on a corner sulking, and Remy was trying to coax her into joining the festivities. Peter, with Scott and Jean, was decorating the upper half of the tree, Jean making sure she was as far away from the punch bowl that Hank had set out earlier. Storm was sitting and chatting with Ray, while Kurt watched them from a distance, a guilty look on his face. Logan had returned to trying to set up the lights on a second tree in the other half of the room, and Angel, who had been invited to spend Christmas with them, was helping. Forge was working on some gadget in one corner of the room, and Amara and Roberto were helping Beast in the kitchen. Xavier sat in the middle of the whole thing, smiling. The only face Kitty could see was missing was Bobby, and she had heard him say earlier he was going to make ice sculptures for the lawn.

Kitty looked in the corner of the room unoccupied by a tree or person. The tall wooden box standing there was about six feet wide on all sides, and about ten feet tall. How did you get that in here? she asked Logan.

Elf ported it in, replied Logan, as he attempted to untangle a string of lights from one of the boxes. Hey Warren, can you give me a hand? he called, gesturing to the winged man who was on the other side of the tree.

Kitty wandered off, just in time to see Peter excuse himself from the tree and come her way. Kitty gestured for him to follow her into the hallway. What is it? she asked.

Just wishing Illyana was here, said Peter with a sigh. She can't leave Limbo for a while yet, and I miss her. I suppose that's why I was attracted to you.

What? Kitty blinked.

Kitty, you remind me so much of my sister, confessed Peter. It was as if you were a substitute for her, one I could protect and love as more than a sister. But as a sister figure is all you really are to me now, especially since I know she's safe. I guess what I'm trying to say is...

Kitty put a finger to his lips. I understand, Peter. She gave him a sad smile.

Peter sighed. I never meant to hurt you, Kitty. But I had to tell you.

Peter, I'm not hurt at all, replied Kitty. I'm just glad you had the courage to admit it now, rather than drag it out. I still care for you, but we can be just friends, if you still want to.

Peter smiled at his now ex-girlfriend. I do, he said, slipping one hand behind her to pat her back. Now come on. Let's go rejoin the others.

Kitty smiled. Sure, Peter.

As the pair walked back into the living room, Kitty looked around again. Not much had changed. Except for one little detail...

Kurt was nowhere to be seen.

As Peter walked over to join Logan and Warren at their tree, seeing that Scott and Jean had the first one pretty much done, Kitty looked around to see where Kurt had gone to. He hadn't heard anything from Amanda in weeks since she'd left the mansion, and had been a little depressed because of it lately. And she was certain that wasn't the only reason.



Kitty looked next to her, to see Jamie standing there. What's up, Jamie?

replied the younger boy. He handed her an envelope, and turned away. Kitty watched him go, then returned to her room to examine what he'd given to her. The only identifying mark was her name written across the front. Kitty slit the envelope open, and removed the single sheet of paper from it. She frowned as she read the words it had for her.

Kitty,

I need to talk to you. Since Amanda's been out of touch, I haven't had anyone I could talk to. You're the only one who can really listen, like she did. Meet me in the X-Jet as soon as possible.

Kurt

Kitty frowned. What was so important that he ask her to meet him in the X-Jet? Shrugging, she scratched her snoozing dragon again, and phased through the door.

A few minutes later, she entered the landing bay for the X-Jet, and let herself in. she called.

Kurt walked out of the shadows. You came.

Of course I did, silly,she replied. What is it?

Kurt sat down and sighed. It's just... I was hoping Amanda would be able to join us for Christmas, and I haven't heard from her since you-know-when.

Kitty sat down too. I was hoping Lance at least would be able to come, but I haven't heard from him either. I know how you feel.

Don't you already have one boyfriend here? asked Kurt. Last I saw, you and Peter were pretty close.

He just broke up with me, replied Kitty. At Kurt's confused look, she clarified. He said I was more like a sister than a girlfriend.

Kurt sighed. miss her, Kitty.

I understand, replied Kitty. She slipped a hand onto his shoulder. Don't worry. She'll be here, soon. I just know it.

Kurt's face brightened. You mean it?

Of course, you silly elf, replied Kitty. She reached a hand up and mussed his hair. Amanda wouldn't miss Christmas with you for the world.

Kurt smiled. Then what say we rejoin the others?

Kitty grabbed his hand and stood up.

Kurt concentrated, and one BAMPH later, they were in the middle of chaos.

The peaceful scene from earlier was no more. Tabby and Sam were laughing as Ray and Roberto chased them all over the room, with Jamie and Forge chasing after them, followed by Bobby - apparently back from his ice sculpting - chasing all six, and trying to freeze their feet. Remy had given up trying to get Rogue out of the corner, and had joined Logan and Peter at the tree. Amara had joined Rogue in the corner as well, and the two were rolling their eyes at the scene.

Warren was standing next to Xavier. I said it before and I'll say it again, he remarked. Is it always this crazy here?

Compared to when the Misfits are here, this is calm, actually, replied Xavier. He winced as something broke. The last time we had a chase scene in the mansion, everyone who was here participated. And I do mean everyone. Except me. And Roberto, who was indisposed on the tennis courts.

Warren shook his head. Somehow, I'm not surprised.

Initially, this was two seperate chapters... circumstances required that I merge them. But at any rate. The Kitty/Peter romance is over, because I needed it to be, in a peaceful ending rather than the nasty breakup she had with Lance in the first half of The Misfit Chronicles. But feat not... Peter will find himself another girlfriend before this fic is out. Who is it? I'm not gonna say. By the way, I intended there to be more insanity... but this is the best I could do. As for the Kurt-Kitty scene, it just snuck itself in there. I wasn't planning it, nor am I going to make them a couple. (Kurt and Amanda go together too well for me to break them up.) Next up, the first night of Hannukah, and the introduction of a new character (notice I said , not ). The plot is about to begin, so settle back for a night of surprises! (Or not. It's your choice.)