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 13

Authors Notes: Sorry about the delay on getting chapters out lately. I've been down with some sort of annoying sickness. I have slept alot lately, but that doesn't help me write any faster. So sorry.

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Two days until the performance.

School was in session. Bayville High School was busy as ever in it's lunchtime rush. Kitty, Rogue, and Kurt claimed their table.

Kurt nudged Kitty, "Katzchen, band practice has been pretty lonely without you. Sure you don't want to reconsider and come back?"

"Naw, Fuzzy. I think it's best if I stay away. I don't want to make things worse."

"That's ridiculous! We all miss you. Even Lance."

"Oh no, that's an especially good reason not to go."

"Be nice. He's not angry at you. The show is only two days away and---"

"You guys'll do great without me. Thanks for thinking of me, though."

Kurt looked like he was going to say something else, but didn't. He added, "... will you just talk to him? Call him?"

"Why do you care, Kurt? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm not with him?"

"Not this way. Kitty... "

"Fine, I'd call him if they had a phone. Is that okay?" Kitty looked at Kurt sternly.

"Don't do me any favors." Kurt picked up his bag and left the table.

Rogue watched Kurt walk away, then looked at Kitty. "Man. This has even got you and Kurt all at each others throats."

"So NOT. I don't see what the big deal is. We've broken up before."

"Yeah, but before you two weren't as serious as you were this time around." Rogue noted.

"I guess." Kitty toned. "Why can't people just... I dunno... leave it all alone."

Rogue nodded, "I hear ya. I've got the perfect solution. There's this great club downtown that's havin' like a thing tonight. We get out of house and finally get a chance to just relax."

"A thing? Can you be any more vague?"

"Y'know, dancing and all that club like stuff. Your type of thing." Rogue commented

"Not exactly your type of thing..."

"Call it a mission of mercy. I'm sick of ya moping about the place."

"I'm not moping." Kitty made a face.

"Ya can't lie very well either." Rogue smirked. "We're going."

"Okay then, I'll go."

***

Kurt walked up to a pay phone and dialed a number. He waited until he heard someone pick up, "Hello? It's me. Didn't work out that way. Plan B is already in effect. I'll let you know when she gets back to me. Sure. Are you positive everything is a go? If you say so. Later." He hung up the phone with a sigh. He checked his watch and went to class.

***

"Yah ready?" Rogue looked in as Kitty got ready for the night out.

"Ugh, I suppose. Why are we doing this again?" Kitty looked at Rogue. "I'm really not up for going out."

"Nuh-uh Pryde, you promised."

"I didn't. I just said I'd go. Can't I change my mind?"

Rogue looked concerned and stepped into the room, closing the door. "Really, what's the deal lately? I mean... it's your life an' all, just somethin' hasn't seemed right with you."

"... I don't know." Kitty made a face. She turned away from Rogue and went to sit on the bed. "I'm really at a loss. I messed up."

"Messed up? What're we talking about now?" Rogue went to sit next to Kitty. "I don't know what's goin' on with you at all."

"Basically... Scott talked with me about what kind of a person Lance is. Even though I know what kind of a person Lance is, his words... got to me. I feel like such an idiot. When I went to practice I treated him badly, almost like I was... I dunno... testing him, to see how he'd react. And like any normal, sane person, he reacted accordingly." Kitty looked at Rogue, "I got scared. Scared that I didn't know him the way I thought I did. A single ounce of doubt and I was ready to just give it all up. I let that happen, and I feel responsible. And guilty. And selfish."

"Whoa whoa... Kitty. Slow down." Rogue frowned. She didn't know how to react to the over-emotional girl. "Stop right there. You beating yourself up isn't gonna solve any problems. Scared is an honest emotion, and you acted on it. Don't feel guilty because you reacted to the situation, despite Scott's words. I dunno. I'm terrible at advice, but I think you should talk to him. Kurt was right about that."

"I don't want to talk to him. It's way too embarassing. I already feel pretty stupid for how I acted."

"Bein' stubborn isn't going to make this go away."

"Yeah, I know. I just want to deal with it in my own time." Kitty sighed.

"That's fine. In the meantime, I want you to finish getting ready to go. We're leaving in ten minutes." Rogue stood up and headed to the door. "Hurry. I don't know how long Jean and Scott'll wait."

"... great..."

***

The four teens arrived at a fancy night-club type place. The music was loud and overpowering, with tables to sit at and eat over to one side with pool tables and a drink bar. Most of the crowd were teens and young adults. The overall vibe was laid back.

Jean and Scott parked themselves at a table. "We'll order something to eat. If you guys want to check out the area..." Jean commented.

"Yeah, of course." Rogue smiled and dragged Kitty out to the dance floor. Kitty didn't seem as enthusiastic

"C'mon Rogue, just lemme alone." Kitty slipped out of Rogue's grip.

"Don't be such a drag, Kitty. You know how much fun this is for me."

"Yeah, NOT much at all. Which makes me question your sanity for coming. And participating. And all of the above."

Rogue put her gloved hands on Kitty's shoulder, moving in behind her. "Listen to me. You've GOT to just... jus' get out there an' dance, okay? I'm gonna use the girls room."

"Rogue...!? Argh!" Kitty sighed. She closed her eyes and listened to the music. Nothing too tough to dance to. Something with a definite beat. She was joined shortly after by other dancers to fill the floor.

Scott looked over to the dance area, "I don't know, Jean. Was it really a good idea to participate in this? She does NOT look like she wants to be here at all."

"And I can tell you, she honestly doesn't. Really, Scott, who talked you into this?"

"Kurt and Rogue. I don't blame them. I'm willing to take responsibility for my actions... I'm just hoping she doesn't kill us for bringing her here."

"Watch out now, Scott. She looks like she's going to sneak off. Where's Rogue?"

"I'll handle this one." Scott got up from the booth and approached the bored looking Kitty. "Mind if I cut in?"

"What?! Oh, Scott! Fancy meeting you here..." Kitty moved back to let him in.

Scott, who is quite possibly the most uncomfortable looking person on the dance floor, stepped in closer to Kitty. "So uh... how're you doing? You like dancing?"

Kitty couldn't help but giggle at Scott's attempt at light conversation. "It's okay. You seem a bit out of place." She grinned and stepped up the pace with the song. "Wouldn't you be more comfortable with Jean out here with you?"

"Jean's waiting on the food. Besides, it looked like you needed company."

"Yeah, Rogue totally bailed on me. I wonder what's up with that. She drags me here then disappears on me as soon as we get here."

"You know how she is with crowds." Scott paused, then joked, "What, embarassed to be dancing with me?"

"Heck no! You are a good looking guy." Kitty smiled. "I think others are jealous of me." She nudged Scott once, causing him to blush.

The music faded out and the lighting changed. On the dance floor, the lights turned almost completely down while a spotlight focused onto the stage. Rogue snuck up behind Kitty and Scott, "Hey, what'd I miss?"

"I'm not sure. Hey Rogue, I'm heading back to the table." Scott signaled, leaving Kitty with Rogue.

A light drumbeat came from the stage. A guitar joined in with the slow beat along with the bass guitar.

"Did he bore you too much?" Rogue smiled.

"Naw, he was being concerned. Just like Scott..."

The guitarist turned around to face the microphone and audience. A familiar brown haired boy stepped up and started singing lyrics to a song, "Stand beside me. Measure me by my thoughts and nothing else. Testified I... I don't know why but, Makes a social disaster..."

"What's he doing here?" Kitty whispered to Rogue.

"Maybe you should be askin' him that?" Rogue replied.

"I can't... he's on stage... singing." Kitty waved a hand, almost exasperated by the situation.

"Probably to you." Rogue nudged.

Lance continued the song. "When I feel that weight upon my shoulder. Makes my first impression cold cuz I know. Yes I know, yes I know, yes I know that... You take away my skin. Never would have met you. I can't recall, anyone I know. Straight from the inside."

Kitty closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics. She's heard the song, once. It was in Lance's Jeep.

"I've been grounded. Always surrounded by those higher than. I've no expression. I've been elected chairman of conversation." He smiled, looking into the audience and straight at where Kitty and Rogue stood. He repeated again, "When I feel that weight upon my shoulder. Makes my first impression cold cuz I know. Yes I know, yes I know, yes I know that... You take away my skin. Never would have met you. I can't recall, anyone I know. Straight from the inside." The music kicks up a notch, speeding up and falling into a harder edge than the beginning would lead one to believe.

Torn by the moment. Kitty turned to leave. Rogue put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "What?" Kitty asked.

"Now yer just bein' unreasonable, girl." Rogue commented.

Kitty turned back to watch the band.

"I don't wanna be caught not from within." Lance sang.

Kurt and Wanda backed up the vocals, "Some think material only..."

"I don't want to be caught not looking in." Lance continued.

"Some only see from the inside."

"I just wanted to feel the same as you." Lance tilted his head, singing particularly this verse to her.

"Some think material only..."

"I don't want to be caught not from within." He trailed off. The song moves into almost a breakdown with instruments. The guitar goes into a solo, keeping the slightly faster pace.

The song slowed down again. A soft tap on the drums accompanied by the bass as Lance joined back in with the vocals, "Take away my skin. Never would have met you. I can't recall, anyone I know. Straight from the inside..." Lance pulled his guitar back and jumped in with a strong riff. "Take away my skin... never would have met you. I can't recall anyone I know. Straight from the inside. Take away my... skin." The song wound down with a final beat.

The audience applauded their efforts. Lance smiled into the audience, the spotlight made him and his band look like stars. He cleared his throat, "Uh... thank you. Geez... uhm, we don't have much time up here. For our last song, I'd like to ask someone from the audience to come up on stage and join us. Kitty, are you there?" He put a hand over his eyes to shade it from the direct light to give him a better view into the crowd. "There you are." He pointed and tilted his head, "Don't worry, you don't have to play guitar. I just want you to sing."

The crowd shifted and focused in on the young brunette. Her cheeks were red with embarassment. Rogue took the initiative to push her toward the stage until finally she stumbled forward. Audience members cheered her on. She almost had the look of 'you are SO dead' on her face, but Lance continued to smile on stage. Kitty climbed up the stairs and got onto the stage.

"... Hi..." She murmured. This caused the crowd to cheer louder.

Lance leaned in close to Kitty and whispered something. She nodded once, and took her place in front of the microphone nearest to Wanda. Lance stepped over to the second microphone and started in. "I invited the regular band to join us for this next song. They'll be your entertainment for the evening. The song is called 'I Know'."

Jean and Scott joined Rogue on the dance floor to watch their friend get pulled on stage. Kitty looked terrified, but pulled her hair out of her ponytail and cleared her throat. The crowd quieted down as Lance started in with his guitar introduction along with Wanda and Kurt with their instruments. Kurt sped up the drumbeat and then the horns joined in. A trumpet, trombone, and saxaphone started in with a quicker beat while Lance kept up the pace with a ska riff.

Kitty took the microphone from the stand. She smiled and started to sing, "My mama said to stay away from guys like you." Kitty pointed at Lance, "She said they were nasty, make me do things I don't wanna do. Stay away from bad boys, they've got one thing on their mind. Their hormones are raging and they want it all the time." Kitty moved over to be next to Lance. They leaned together into where his microphone was and sang the chorus together.

"And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go. And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go." Kitty moved away from Lance to dance a little on the stage.

He leaned forward to sing into his mic, "I love you very much. You're nice to see and nice to touch. But know I'll never ever ever treat you wrong. Been waiting for you all along."

Kitty almost laughed at the irony of the song. She smiled and raised her mic to sing along with that small chorus with Lance, "And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go. And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go."

"Can't let you go, oooooooooooooooooooo. Can't let you go..." Kitty played up the stage, pointing again at Lance, "I said I want you to know. I said I want you to know right now. I want you to know... woooooooo!" The song broke down into another short song. She turned to the audience. "Shout! Shout! Shout! Shout! Heeeeeeeeey!" They joined in. She jumped a few times to get the excitement up, then the song moved back to it's original tone. Kitty moved and put the microphone back in the stand.

She and Lance sang the chorus again. "And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go. And I know. Cuz I said so. And I can't just let you go." They continued to sing this together. Kitty sang the final note, "Never let you gooooooooooo." It ended.

It was almost like a surreal dream. Did they just perform together completely unrehearsed? The audience applauded happily. Lance unhooked the guitar from the sound system and did a thumbs up to Wanda and Kurt who were leaving the stage. He touched Kitty on the arm to let her know they should leave the stage.

Kitty turned to look at Lance. Her eyes locked onto his for a long moment.

"Pretty Kitty, we gotta go..." Lance gestured. He slid his hand down her arm to take her hand gently into his. She didn't protest as he pulled her along to the backstage area. He used his free hand to pull his guitar off and hand it to Wanda, who moved to head out the back. Lance turned to look at Kitty. "Wow. You did great out there. I mean, really fantastic. I thought you were just going to--"

His statement was cut short with a kiss. It was brief, but quick enough to daze him. Kitty pulled away then pushed him against the wall, "You have to explain YOURSELF, Mr. Alvers. Convincing MY FRIENDS to dupe me into going to some club because you want to make a big scene in front of a crowd of strangers... not to mention embarassing me totally... geez."

Lance had the goofiest smile on his face. He couldn't help but laugh, "... well uh...haha... it wasn't my idea. It was Summers. Well, half of it. Getting you to sing was mine." He stopped laughing and just looked at Kitty. His expression was relieved, but a little unsure.

Kitty nodded. She looked down and whispered. "I'm sorry. Lance I'm just... forgive me." She looked back up and met his eyes, "Everything... I just... it was overwhelming... and like... I got scared. Got scared about us and..."

He placed a finger over her lips, "Shhhh. It's okay. I get it now."

She looked like she was going to cry. Kitty moved forward and wrapped her arms around Lance, resting her head on his shoulder. Lance hugged Kitty to him. They stood there in each others arms for a long time, until Wanda interrupted.

"We should move to the front or out the back.." Wanda urged.

Kitty walked with Lance and Wanda to the front area where Kurt was waiting with Scott, Jean, and Rogue.

"Wow, you guys are great! Is it going to sound anything like that on Saturday?" Jean asked.

"We can only hope so, right guys?" Kurt smiled at the rest of his band-mates.

"We'll sound better." Wanda smirked and crossed her arms, "Especially if Kitty rejoins us."

Kitty moved away from Lance and then positioned herself so that she was facing Wanda, Kurt, and Lance. "... y'know, I just wanted to apologize for that. I mean, we worked really hard to just get in through the audition and then I flaked out because of a disagreement. That was wrong of me, and I'm sorry. It could have worked out a lot sooner than this. I'm sorry, guys. Especially Wanda and Kurt. I mean, you two... Kurt practically learned how to play the drums well enough for the band in a matter of days. And Wanda, well... you really are awesome. It was really beyond me. You guys could totally do this without me still and do well. But... I'll come back, if you'll have me."

"Of course!" Lance expressed. He moved in to hug Kitty. Kurt joined in and hugged them both. Wanda didn't look like much of a hugging type person, but stepped in to complete the group hug. The band was back.

***

"Skin" by 12 Volt Sex

"I Know" by Save Ferris