X-Men Evolution is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah.
"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 10
Silindro: You know, last time I'd been in one it had a pretty healthy boys section, but that was a few years back. My friend was in one under a year ago (east coast/Jersey) and he said they had a boys/mens section still, but it had been minimized a little. They still had pants and shirts (lots of dress shirts). This may have changed since then, but eh... who cares. Perhaps the Gadzooks in the Evolution universe never did away with their mens section. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Yeah. That's my excuse.
Slight warning: It gets pretty intense somewhere in here, so it finally earns that Pg-13 rating I upped it to the other day. You have been warned.
***************************************************************************
Saturday came so quickly. Kitty could feel the tension in her shoulders and neck as she awoke early in the morning to prepare for the most nerve wracking aspect of this whole contest. An audition. Sure, Kitty had done auditions before, but drama was far easier to fake than playing a real instrument. A lot less critical. And that scared her. She pulled herself out of bed and showered.
***
A familiar beep-beep-beep noise rang out from beside Lance's bed. He begrudgingly turned off the alarm clock and sat up in his bed. 'This is it.' He thought, 'The day of truth.' He tiredly pulled off his covers and stumbled out of bed to his closet to organize an outfit for the day.
***
Wanda heard Lance's alarm go off. She covered her ears with her pillow to muffle the sound, then sighed. She knew she had to get up, too. 'Dammit, Lance. Traffic won't be that bad.' She climbed out of bed and went to her dresser drawer set to pick out clothes for the show.
***
Kurt snuggled his covers closer to himself in his half awake, half asleep state. His body sprawled half under the covers. He murmured something before a tug on the cloth that partially covered him awakened his sleep muddled brain.
"Time to get up, Fuzzy. We've got to be over at the Brotherhood place in an hour." Kitty pulled the covers off of him.
"... just a few more minutes." Kurt curled up. Kitty grabbed his tail and tugged him off the bed.
"No. Up. Now." She pulled until Kurt thumped onto the floor. He rubbed his back.
"Ow! Alright already. I'll get up. You've got a lot of nerve dragging this fuzzy dude out of bed way before he's gotten enough beauty sleep."
"You're beautiful and blue, don't ever be anything else. Now go get dressed!" Kitty headed out of Kurt's room before he could respond.
***
The outside basement door was opened as Kitty, Kurt, Wanda, Lance, and the help of Jean moved their equipment from the practice area to the X-Van. Jean took Lance's Jeep off back at the mansion and had Lance drive the X-Van to the audition. Time seemed to blur together. Was it the excitement? Was it the anticipation? Before anyone knew it, they were already at the performing arts theatre and Lance was signing them up. Kitty was standing with Lance near the sign up area while Wanda and Kurt were off to the side wall.
They were dressed for success. Kitty adorned the outfit chosen yesterday at the mall, hair slicked back completely and untied. Kurt also wore his outfit that was bought, the hat he wore backwards. Lance's clothes consisted of a ripped up pair of jeans like he normally wears, with a black tank top, a blue high collar jacket with a few patches on them. His hair was done almost in a punk-like style, hair-sprayed and gelled in several directions. Wanda, well, didn't have to do much. She wore her red lace up tank top with tight black pants and her usual amount of chokers and necklaces. Her hair was a little spikier than usual. All in all, they looked ready for action.
"I can't believe we're here. Oh man, I'm getting nervous." Kurt made a face, leaning back against the wall.
"Don't be, we'll do fine." Wanda reassured.
"Do you really think so?"
"I had my doubts... but we've come together really well the last few days. Surprised me more than anyone." Wanda added.
"We actually have a chance?" Kurt seemed hopeful.
"I don't want to get your hopes up, Kurt. But I will say, we're not bad." She encouraged.
Kurt glanced over to look at Lance and Kitty talk to each other. Lance had his arm at her waist, just generally holding her close to him - but not too obviously affectionate. Kurt gestured a hand to them, "Man, they wouldn't even notice if the we were under attack."
"Jealous?" Wanda raised an eyebrow.
"Not likely." He crossed his arms. "She just seems so wrapped up with him lately. I kinda miss my friend."
Wanda put a comforting arm around Kurt, "There, there. She's still your friend, she's just... busier. Yes. But if you had plans to purposely botch today? I'll kill you myself."
"..." Kurt stared at Wanda. He nervously smiled, "The thought never crossed my mind."
***
The stage seemed empty and almost intimidating as the four set up their instruments. Their number had just been called, so they tried to be quick about it. Lance stepped up to the microphone after he hooked in his guitar. He cleared his throat and said to the audience of judges, "... Hi. We're Kakumei: Evolution. We'll be doing 'Ordinary World', and 'Little Differences'." He turned to the band and took a deep breath, then went into the first guitar note of 'Ordinary World'.
The music was louder than they had imagined. They stepped up the pace for the song, playing through the verses, then to the chorus. The lyrics seemed to roll off the tongue - it was everything else that came together to make the song that the others concentrated on.
"What is happening to me? Crazy, some say. Where is my friend when I need you most? Gone away." Lance sang, almost with an edge. His voice echoed against a little back at him. The song played through it's final course, to the end.
Lance glanced over at Kitty with a nod. She looked very nervous, but took a deep breath and stepped forward to her mic. Lance signaled Kurt to start the drumbeat to go into their second song.
Kitty's voice sounded a little weak at the opening, then she started to gain a little confidence with each verse. "Now everything is different, nothing feels quite the same. All the things we've liked about each other have changed. I don't know about the things that you do. What happened to the person that I thought I knew?" She looked down to make sure her hands were in the right position, then back into the song she went.
The experience seemed to go on forever, yet happen so fast at the same time. They played the last note and quieted their instruments. A judge stood up and said, "Thank you. We'll leave a note outside the door of who made it into the contest after four." They nodded and cleared the stage of their instruments.
***
Four in the afternoon was not that far along. It was already two. The kids found a nice wall to hang out at after they stored their equipment away.
Kitty left out a much needed sigh of relief. "I'm glad that's over. I almost messed up, there. Probably a good dozen times."
"You sounded fine! You're too critical, Kitty." Lance said.
"Ja, you sounded great Katzchen." Kurt smiled. "We all did. Next thing you know, we'll be playing at Radio City to a crowd of thousands!"
"Whoa, fuzzy. Keep the delusions of grandure to yourself." Kitty laughed.
"You guys are forgetting something important. This isn't over if we get in." Wanda added, "In fact, we've got a few weeks to go - especially if we're going for the main prize. We can't slack off."
Kitty made a face, "Actually, according to the information here, the performance would be in a week, not three weeks. So... probably another week of practice and then we're done, if we want to be."
"Huh." Lance said softly. "This is kinda fun. We could gain a local following, start writing our own stuff. That'd be interesting."
"Who knows." Kitty shrugged.
"What do you mean, who knows?" Lance looked at Kitty.
"This is great fun, but I'm not sure if music is particularly my future. Yours, sure, but me? I have like a lot of goals that aren't exactly musically orientated."
"Oh." Lance finished.
***
Kurt excused himself from the group. He wandered over to where the results would be posted, and already saw a page written out taped to the board. He looked around for any of the others, but didn't see anyone near. He stepped forward and skimmed the list. His eyes widened and he ran over to the others, "Guys! Guys! We made it! We're in the show!"
"What? Really!?" Lance stood up. The others followed by standing. "Who told you?!"
"I saw it on the board. They've already posted the results!" Kurt said excitedly.
"Oh wow! Cool! This is just... wow." Kitty tried to think clearly, " We should grab the packet so we can fill out the rest of what they need about us. And then uh... we celebrate?"
"I like the sound of that, pretty Kitty. Let's go!" Lance added.
***
The four ended up at an entertainment center of sorts. Bowling, Food Court, Arcade. The whole works. Lance and Kitty relaxed at a small booth eating their assorted meals while Kurt and Wanda were off playing a game of billiards.
"They sure look like they're getting along." Kitty remarked, watching Kurt and Wanda play their game.
"Which is surprising. I've never seen anyone really... get along... with Wanda."
"There had to be a first." Kitty took a sip of her soda. She looked at Lance, resting her chin on her hand and tilting her head, "We've got a week. You think we'll be able to do it?"
"You kidding? We'll knock their socks off. It's in front of more than judges. It'll be a full audience. With the crowd going... we're so gonna rock."
Kitty didn't look confident, "I dunno, Lance. I think I messed up a little today. Sure, if I'm a stage acting - that I can do. Playing guitar is so foreign to me. I can't believe I'm doubting myself, especially after today, but... I'm like a liability." Kitty frowned.
Lance turned in the booth he shared with her and faced her. "Look. I don't care about that. We dazzled them. You sounded great, played well, and you just look beautiful. I never thought I'd see you in that style. It's not very you, but it looks fantastic on you."
Kitty blushed, "You're just a flatterer, Lance Alvers."
He reached up to push a stray strand of Kitty's hair back. "No, seriously, you look just great. Are you sure you don't moonlight as some kind of punk-rock girl?"
"No way, you know me Lance." She reached over to touch his rather stiff hair, "I'd like to say this is a welcome look for you, too."
"Hey, hey! Don't touch the hair..." Lance joked. He leaned in close and kissed Kitty softly, "You did wonderful today. Stop doubting yourself and just enjoy the night."
Kitty nodded as Lance pulled away, "Okay. Then... I challenge you to a game of Air Hockey, Mr. Alvers."
"Huh?" He turned to see an air hockey table set up near the arcade area. "Oh great. Sure, but no cheating."
"Duh! This would be a really bad place to use our powers." Kitty looked around at the surroundings. "C'mon!" She pushed Lance so he climbed out of the booth. The went over to the table and put money in. The puck fell out of Lance's side, giving him the first try. Kitty grabbed onto her puck-hammer and waited for Lance's first move.
He grinned and hit the puck, HARD. So hard it flew off the table and smacked into the wall to the side of them.
Kitty rolled her eyes, "Go get it! It's your fault it flew off the table."
Lance sighed and went to pick it up. Kurt and Wanda had just finished their game and came over to the table to watch the match in session. Lance put the puck back on the table and hit it. Kitty countered and smacked the puck directly into Lance's goal.
"Booyah! First point!" Kitty gloated.
"We're just getting started, Pryde." Lance smirked.
There was a lot of back and forth. Lance scored the first goal on Kitty's side when Kitty already had three on his. Finally, it edged to an even battle. Six to six.
"Sure you don't want to wager anything?" Kitty asked back at Lance.
"Yeah, right. I'm not that stupid. You'll make me join the X-Men or something if I lose." Lance continued the puck enhanced battle.
Kitty stopped the puck, then tapped it once to the left, then smacked it hard over to Lance's side, scoring the final point. Seven to Six.
"Actually, I was thinking more of like winner buys a milkshake... but whatever. I'm not much for high stakes." She smiled.
"I'd buy you a milkshake anyway, Kitty. I shake a lot of things." He made a small pun.
"Dork." Kitty playfully pushed Lance. He grinned and put his arms to either side of her, pinning her between the table and himself.
"What was that, Miss A plus student? I'm the dork?" Lance joked.
Kitty set her hand on Lance's waist, making a offhanded comment in return, "Maybe just a little. I never said anything about me."
Lance, feeling brave, leaned in and stole another kiss. A loud 'ahem' came from the area where Wanda and Kurt were. Lance moved away from Kitty, almost forgetting that others were there.
"Loverboy, we've got a curfew. Time to get home." Kurt added.
Kitty blushed and nodded, "Oh wow, it is almost ten."
"It's not even a school night and you STILL have a curfew? How lame is that?" Lance protested.
"Very lame, but we all have to follow it." Kitty took Lance's hand, "C'mon, let's get the equipment back to your place, then you can drive me and Kurt home to pick up your Jeep."
***
They unloaded the instruments over at the Brotherhood house and dropped Wanda off. Lance, Kitty, and Kurt drove the X-Van back to the Xavier Institute in record time. They pull into the garage area which was filled with cars, but no one else.
Kurt got out of the X-Van and said, "I'll 'port upstairs to let them know we're here."
"Okay, I'm gonna be a minute. Wanna say goodnight." Kitty nodded to Kurt. Kurt had a look on his face like he wanted to say something, but didn't. He nodded and teleported out of the garage.
Lance turned the X-Van off, but kept the radio running. "I told Jean where to hide my keys on the Jeep when she locked it up here. I just hope none of those damn new recruits took off with it."
Kitty laughed. "No, I think they learned their lesson from last time." She looked at Lance and smiled, "I had a great time today... tonight. It's just been so fun. Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me, geez." Lance leaned back in the drivers side seat. "I just wanted... I dunno, you to enjoy yourself. It might be hard, but it's also fun to just make music. I'm glad you wanted to share that with me."
"I know." She leaned over the center spacer and kissed him. Lance straightened himself out in his seat, returning the kiss. Kitty reached across and firmly grabbed Lance's left shoulder as he tilted toward her, using her phasing ability to move them from the front seat to the back bench like seats. She broke the kiss to look him over. Her heart beat quickly in her chest from the heightened situation.
Lance didn't speak. He guided her to lay back as he kissed her again, quicker, intently. One leg of hers bent at the knee up on the seats, the other hung off it. His own body shifted his weight atop her as they made out on the upolstered seating area. Kitty let out a gasp as she felt his hand slide under the fabric of her shirt to touch her stomach. Lance's body weight pushing against her made it harder for her to concentrate on keeping things in control.
Kitty whimpered in between kisses. She liked what she felt, and for a moment it made her feel guilty. She broke the kiss, "... Lance... we... I..."
"It's okay." He kissed her along her neck, ".. don't worry. I'm prepared." Lance's hand slid further up her shirt. Kitty's hand stopped him.
"..mn... No. I think we should stop." Kitty weakly vocalized.
"... oh..." Lance looked confused.
Kitty kissed him again, not as inviting this time. She whispered, "... I guess I'm not ready for something like that. It might seem like a really good idea right now, but it's something that can wait until... y'know, we're older."
"Yeah." Lance agreed slightly, "You're right. I guess I wasn't thinking."
Kitty blushed, "I'm not thinking straight either. You should get going before I change my mind."
"... I'd want you to change your mind." He kissed her again.
Kitty hugged him and then whispered, "... sorry. Time to go."
He hesitantly pulled himself away from her. He reached between the two front seats to turn off the radio, pull the keys from the ignition and hand them to Kitty. She sat up with a slight sigh of disappointment. They exited through the back side door of the van. Kitty pressed a button on the keyring to lock it up. They headed over to Lance's jeep.
"Goodnight, my pretty Kitty." Lance leaned over and kissed Kitty on the forehead softly.
"You know it. Have a safe drive. Goodnight, Lance."
He started the engine. Kitty opened the door for him to leave. The jeep pulled out of the garage and away. Kitty pushed the button on the opener to close it and headed upstairs to shower and sleep.
***
"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 10
Silindro: You know, last time I'd been in one it had a pretty healthy boys section, but that was a few years back. My friend was in one under a year ago (east coast/Jersey) and he said they had a boys/mens section still, but it had been minimized a little. They still had pants and shirts (lots of dress shirts). This may have changed since then, but eh... who cares. Perhaps the Gadzooks in the Evolution universe never did away with their mens section. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Yeah. That's my excuse.
Slight warning: It gets pretty intense somewhere in here, so it finally earns that Pg-13 rating I upped it to the other day. You have been warned.
***************************************************************************
Saturday came so quickly. Kitty could feel the tension in her shoulders and neck as she awoke early in the morning to prepare for the most nerve wracking aspect of this whole contest. An audition. Sure, Kitty had done auditions before, but drama was far easier to fake than playing a real instrument. A lot less critical. And that scared her. She pulled herself out of bed and showered.
***
A familiar beep-beep-beep noise rang out from beside Lance's bed. He begrudgingly turned off the alarm clock and sat up in his bed. 'This is it.' He thought, 'The day of truth.' He tiredly pulled off his covers and stumbled out of bed to his closet to organize an outfit for the day.
***
Wanda heard Lance's alarm go off. She covered her ears with her pillow to muffle the sound, then sighed. She knew she had to get up, too. 'Dammit, Lance. Traffic won't be that bad.' She climbed out of bed and went to her dresser drawer set to pick out clothes for the show.
***
Kurt snuggled his covers closer to himself in his half awake, half asleep state. His body sprawled half under the covers. He murmured something before a tug on the cloth that partially covered him awakened his sleep muddled brain.
"Time to get up, Fuzzy. We've got to be over at the Brotherhood place in an hour." Kitty pulled the covers off of him.
"... just a few more minutes." Kurt curled up. Kitty grabbed his tail and tugged him off the bed.
"No. Up. Now." She pulled until Kurt thumped onto the floor. He rubbed his back.
"Ow! Alright already. I'll get up. You've got a lot of nerve dragging this fuzzy dude out of bed way before he's gotten enough beauty sleep."
"You're beautiful and blue, don't ever be anything else. Now go get dressed!" Kitty headed out of Kurt's room before he could respond.
***
The outside basement door was opened as Kitty, Kurt, Wanda, Lance, and the help of Jean moved their equipment from the practice area to the X-Van. Jean took Lance's Jeep off back at the mansion and had Lance drive the X-Van to the audition. Time seemed to blur together. Was it the excitement? Was it the anticipation? Before anyone knew it, they were already at the performing arts theatre and Lance was signing them up. Kitty was standing with Lance near the sign up area while Wanda and Kurt were off to the side wall.
They were dressed for success. Kitty adorned the outfit chosen yesterday at the mall, hair slicked back completely and untied. Kurt also wore his outfit that was bought, the hat he wore backwards. Lance's clothes consisted of a ripped up pair of jeans like he normally wears, with a black tank top, a blue high collar jacket with a few patches on them. His hair was done almost in a punk-like style, hair-sprayed and gelled in several directions. Wanda, well, didn't have to do much. She wore her red lace up tank top with tight black pants and her usual amount of chokers and necklaces. Her hair was a little spikier than usual. All in all, they looked ready for action.
"I can't believe we're here. Oh man, I'm getting nervous." Kurt made a face, leaning back against the wall.
"Don't be, we'll do fine." Wanda reassured.
"Do you really think so?"
"I had my doubts... but we've come together really well the last few days. Surprised me more than anyone." Wanda added.
"We actually have a chance?" Kurt seemed hopeful.
"I don't want to get your hopes up, Kurt. But I will say, we're not bad." She encouraged.
Kurt glanced over to look at Lance and Kitty talk to each other. Lance had his arm at her waist, just generally holding her close to him - but not too obviously affectionate. Kurt gestured a hand to them, "Man, they wouldn't even notice if the we were under attack."
"Jealous?" Wanda raised an eyebrow.
"Not likely." He crossed his arms. "She just seems so wrapped up with him lately. I kinda miss my friend."
Wanda put a comforting arm around Kurt, "There, there. She's still your friend, she's just... busier. Yes. But if you had plans to purposely botch today? I'll kill you myself."
"..." Kurt stared at Wanda. He nervously smiled, "The thought never crossed my mind."
***
The stage seemed empty and almost intimidating as the four set up their instruments. Their number had just been called, so they tried to be quick about it. Lance stepped up to the microphone after he hooked in his guitar. He cleared his throat and said to the audience of judges, "... Hi. We're Kakumei: Evolution. We'll be doing 'Ordinary World', and 'Little Differences'." He turned to the band and took a deep breath, then went into the first guitar note of 'Ordinary World'.
The music was louder than they had imagined. They stepped up the pace for the song, playing through the verses, then to the chorus. The lyrics seemed to roll off the tongue - it was everything else that came together to make the song that the others concentrated on.
"What is happening to me? Crazy, some say. Where is my friend when I need you most? Gone away." Lance sang, almost with an edge. His voice echoed against a little back at him. The song played through it's final course, to the end.
Lance glanced over at Kitty with a nod. She looked very nervous, but took a deep breath and stepped forward to her mic. Lance signaled Kurt to start the drumbeat to go into their second song.
Kitty's voice sounded a little weak at the opening, then she started to gain a little confidence with each verse. "Now everything is different, nothing feels quite the same. All the things we've liked about each other have changed. I don't know about the things that you do. What happened to the person that I thought I knew?" She looked down to make sure her hands were in the right position, then back into the song she went.
The experience seemed to go on forever, yet happen so fast at the same time. They played the last note and quieted their instruments. A judge stood up and said, "Thank you. We'll leave a note outside the door of who made it into the contest after four." They nodded and cleared the stage of their instruments.
***
Four in the afternoon was not that far along. It was already two. The kids found a nice wall to hang out at after they stored their equipment away.
Kitty left out a much needed sigh of relief. "I'm glad that's over. I almost messed up, there. Probably a good dozen times."
"You sounded fine! You're too critical, Kitty." Lance said.
"Ja, you sounded great Katzchen." Kurt smiled. "We all did. Next thing you know, we'll be playing at Radio City to a crowd of thousands!"
"Whoa, fuzzy. Keep the delusions of grandure to yourself." Kitty laughed.
"You guys are forgetting something important. This isn't over if we get in." Wanda added, "In fact, we've got a few weeks to go - especially if we're going for the main prize. We can't slack off."
Kitty made a face, "Actually, according to the information here, the performance would be in a week, not three weeks. So... probably another week of practice and then we're done, if we want to be."
"Huh." Lance said softly. "This is kinda fun. We could gain a local following, start writing our own stuff. That'd be interesting."
"Who knows." Kitty shrugged.
"What do you mean, who knows?" Lance looked at Kitty.
"This is great fun, but I'm not sure if music is particularly my future. Yours, sure, but me? I have like a lot of goals that aren't exactly musically orientated."
"Oh." Lance finished.
***
Kurt excused himself from the group. He wandered over to where the results would be posted, and already saw a page written out taped to the board. He looked around for any of the others, but didn't see anyone near. He stepped forward and skimmed the list. His eyes widened and he ran over to the others, "Guys! Guys! We made it! We're in the show!"
"What? Really!?" Lance stood up. The others followed by standing. "Who told you?!"
"I saw it on the board. They've already posted the results!" Kurt said excitedly.
"Oh wow! Cool! This is just... wow." Kitty tried to think clearly, " We should grab the packet so we can fill out the rest of what they need about us. And then uh... we celebrate?"
"I like the sound of that, pretty Kitty. Let's go!" Lance added.
***
The four ended up at an entertainment center of sorts. Bowling, Food Court, Arcade. The whole works. Lance and Kitty relaxed at a small booth eating their assorted meals while Kurt and Wanda were off playing a game of billiards.
"They sure look like they're getting along." Kitty remarked, watching Kurt and Wanda play their game.
"Which is surprising. I've never seen anyone really... get along... with Wanda."
"There had to be a first." Kitty took a sip of her soda. She looked at Lance, resting her chin on her hand and tilting her head, "We've got a week. You think we'll be able to do it?"
"You kidding? We'll knock their socks off. It's in front of more than judges. It'll be a full audience. With the crowd going... we're so gonna rock."
Kitty didn't look confident, "I dunno, Lance. I think I messed up a little today. Sure, if I'm a stage acting - that I can do. Playing guitar is so foreign to me. I can't believe I'm doubting myself, especially after today, but... I'm like a liability." Kitty frowned.
Lance turned in the booth he shared with her and faced her. "Look. I don't care about that. We dazzled them. You sounded great, played well, and you just look beautiful. I never thought I'd see you in that style. It's not very you, but it looks fantastic on you."
Kitty blushed, "You're just a flatterer, Lance Alvers."
He reached up to push a stray strand of Kitty's hair back. "No, seriously, you look just great. Are you sure you don't moonlight as some kind of punk-rock girl?"
"No way, you know me Lance." She reached over to touch his rather stiff hair, "I'd like to say this is a welcome look for you, too."
"Hey, hey! Don't touch the hair..." Lance joked. He leaned in close and kissed Kitty softly, "You did wonderful today. Stop doubting yourself and just enjoy the night."
Kitty nodded as Lance pulled away, "Okay. Then... I challenge you to a game of Air Hockey, Mr. Alvers."
"Huh?" He turned to see an air hockey table set up near the arcade area. "Oh great. Sure, but no cheating."
"Duh! This would be a really bad place to use our powers." Kitty looked around at the surroundings. "C'mon!" She pushed Lance so he climbed out of the booth. The went over to the table and put money in. The puck fell out of Lance's side, giving him the first try. Kitty grabbed onto her puck-hammer and waited for Lance's first move.
He grinned and hit the puck, HARD. So hard it flew off the table and smacked into the wall to the side of them.
Kitty rolled her eyes, "Go get it! It's your fault it flew off the table."
Lance sighed and went to pick it up. Kurt and Wanda had just finished their game and came over to the table to watch the match in session. Lance put the puck back on the table and hit it. Kitty countered and smacked the puck directly into Lance's goal.
"Booyah! First point!" Kitty gloated.
"We're just getting started, Pryde." Lance smirked.
There was a lot of back and forth. Lance scored the first goal on Kitty's side when Kitty already had three on his. Finally, it edged to an even battle. Six to six.
"Sure you don't want to wager anything?" Kitty asked back at Lance.
"Yeah, right. I'm not that stupid. You'll make me join the X-Men or something if I lose." Lance continued the puck enhanced battle.
Kitty stopped the puck, then tapped it once to the left, then smacked it hard over to Lance's side, scoring the final point. Seven to Six.
"Actually, I was thinking more of like winner buys a milkshake... but whatever. I'm not much for high stakes." She smiled.
"I'd buy you a milkshake anyway, Kitty. I shake a lot of things." He made a small pun.
"Dork." Kitty playfully pushed Lance. He grinned and put his arms to either side of her, pinning her between the table and himself.
"What was that, Miss A plus student? I'm the dork?" Lance joked.
Kitty set her hand on Lance's waist, making a offhanded comment in return, "Maybe just a little. I never said anything about me."
Lance, feeling brave, leaned in and stole another kiss. A loud 'ahem' came from the area where Wanda and Kurt were. Lance moved away from Kitty, almost forgetting that others were there.
"Loverboy, we've got a curfew. Time to get home." Kurt added.
Kitty blushed and nodded, "Oh wow, it is almost ten."
"It's not even a school night and you STILL have a curfew? How lame is that?" Lance protested.
"Very lame, but we all have to follow it." Kitty took Lance's hand, "C'mon, let's get the equipment back to your place, then you can drive me and Kurt home to pick up your Jeep."
***
They unloaded the instruments over at the Brotherhood house and dropped Wanda off. Lance, Kitty, and Kurt drove the X-Van back to the Xavier Institute in record time. They pull into the garage area which was filled with cars, but no one else.
Kurt got out of the X-Van and said, "I'll 'port upstairs to let them know we're here."
"Okay, I'm gonna be a minute. Wanna say goodnight." Kitty nodded to Kurt. Kurt had a look on his face like he wanted to say something, but didn't. He nodded and teleported out of the garage.
Lance turned the X-Van off, but kept the radio running. "I told Jean where to hide my keys on the Jeep when she locked it up here. I just hope none of those damn new recruits took off with it."
Kitty laughed. "No, I think they learned their lesson from last time." She looked at Lance and smiled, "I had a great time today... tonight. It's just been so fun. Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me, geez." Lance leaned back in the drivers side seat. "I just wanted... I dunno, you to enjoy yourself. It might be hard, but it's also fun to just make music. I'm glad you wanted to share that with me."
"I know." She leaned over the center spacer and kissed him. Lance straightened himself out in his seat, returning the kiss. Kitty reached across and firmly grabbed Lance's left shoulder as he tilted toward her, using her phasing ability to move them from the front seat to the back bench like seats. She broke the kiss to look him over. Her heart beat quickly in her chest from the heightened situation.
Lance didn't speak. He guided her to lay back as he kissed her again, quicker, intently. One leg of hers bent at the knee up on the seats, the other hung off it. His own body shifted his weight atop her as they made out on the upolstered seating area. Kitty let out a gasp as she felt his hand slide under the fabric of her shirt to touch her stomach. Lance's body weight pushing against her made it harder for her to concentrate on keeping things in control.
Kitty whimpered in between kisses. She liked what she felt, and for a moment it made her feel guilty. She broke the kiss, "... Lance... we... I..."
"It's okay." He kissed her along her neck, ".. don't worry. I'm prepared." Lance's hand slid further up her shirt. Kitty's hand stopped him.
"..mn... No. I think we should stop." Kitty weakly vocalized.
"... oh..." Lance looked confused.
Kitty kissed him again, not as inviting this time. She whispered, "... I guess I'm not ready for something like that. It might seem like a really good idea right now, but it's something that can wait until... y'know, we're older."
"Yeah." Lance agreed slightly, "You're right. I guess I wasn't thinking."
Kitty blushed, "I'm not thinking straight either. You should get going before I change my mind."
"... I'd want you to change your mind." He kissed her again.
Kitty hugged him and then whispered, "... sorry. Time to go."
He hesitantly pulled himself away from her. He reached between the two front seats to turn off the radio, pull the keys from the ignition and hand them to Kitty. She sat up with a slight sigh of disappointment. They exited through the back side door of the van. Kitty pressed a button on the keyring to lock it up. They headed over to Lance's jeep.
"Goodnight, my pretty Kitty." Lance leaned over and kissed Kitty on the forehead softly.
"You know it. Have a safe drive. Goodnight, Lance."
He started the engine. Kitty opened the door for him to leave. The jeep pulled out of the garage and away. Kitty pushed the button on the opener to close it and headed upstairs to shower and sleep.
***
