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 30

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"Where's YOUR date?" Wanda took the spot next to Lance against the wall.

Lance shrugged. "Bathroom, I dunno."

"You're so easy to read. What's up? No lies, Alvers." She checked her nails.

"I'm getting the overwhelming feeling that tonight was a very big mistake." Lance glanced at Wanda.

"Not having a good time? Oh Lance, I'm sorry. Go ahead and blame me for this one." Wanda looked at him sympathetically.

"Naw, it's okay. Hey, I'm going get my guitar on. See you backstage. Kitty should be out in a minute." He pushed himself away from the wall and went up the backstairs through the door, to the stage area. He pulled off his overjacket, setting it down. Lance loosened his tie and looked down at the strings of the guitar with determination. He was ready.

***

Kitty pushed through the crowd and made it to the stairs. She straightened out her dress, heading to the backstage area. "Sorry!" She said to the group.

"Don't worry, they've still got another song. Here, I got drinks for everyone." Wanda handed a bottle of juice to Kitty, then moved over to Lance and tossed one to Kurt.

"That's so cool of you, thanks Wanda!" Kitty opened hers and drank down half of it. "It's so hot down there."

Lance opened his and took a small gulp, then pulled back the drink and looked at the bottle. He glanced at Wanda warily. "Uh yeah... thanks." He closed his up, setting it next to his jacket. An announcement from the stage said they were up next. "Oh... looks like that's us. Positions people. Let's make some music."

Kitty set hers down and pulled her guitar on. "Right! Music."

Kurt nudged Kitty as he moved onto the stage to take his place behind the drum set. Wanda pulled the strap of her bass on, taking the stage next. Kitty looked at Lance, a little insecure. He smiled, walking onto the stage and plugging his guitar in. She took a deep breath and finally walked on last. She picked up the cord and plugged herself in. The lights focused on them. Kitty stepped forward to the the microphone. Lance gave her a confident look, he turned to Kurt to signal him. Without a word, the drumbeat kicked in.

Lance stepped to his microphone. He started, "If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says fifteen miles to the..."

"Love shack!" Kitty wailed. "Love shack, yeah! I'm heading down the Atlanta highway. Looking for the love... getaway. Heading for the love getaway."

Lance jumped in with the male lead, "I got me a car. It's as big as a whale and we're heading on down to the Love shack. I got me Chrysler, it seats about twenty. So hurry up, and bring your jukebox money."

She pulled her guitar back, caressing the microphone as she sang into it. The crowd cheered as they got into the performance. The hyped up eighties styled performance energized the group further once the song ended. Lance turned to Kurt and pointed. Another drum introduction as they started into a song they'd done before.

'Little differences' Kitty reminded herself. She brought her guitar around to the front, gripping the guitar pick between her thumb and forefinger as the guitar part began. The less she thought about it, the easier it was. She loosely held onto the instrument as she started to sing, "Something strange is happening lately, we no longer se eye to eye. Time has changed us, re-arranged us and it leaves me wondering why..." Her confidence grew with each word, each chord played. She relaxed further once they hit the chorus.

"You go left."

"I go left" Lance added. His fingers worked the fretboard excitedly. His smile widened the longer they played. They always sounded great together, this only solidified that Kitty's fears were unfounded. His eyes shifted to her form as she sang. It was as though she was in a trance the more she got into it. They were already halfway through the set. This is where she really shined. He snapped out of the distraction long enough to go into the guitar solo for the song. 'Gotta remember, we're not in practice anymore.' He focused back on the guitar portion and helped finish out the second song.

Kitty took the backround for the third song. It was a slow, male lead song. She took a seat on a stool, holding her guitar and adding a little as a backround guitarist. 'I remember this song. He sang it to me at the nightclub.' Kitty's eyes watched Lance as he sang, the spotlight focused in on him during the song. She glanced back at her finger placement. The song was new to her, almost unfamiliar compared to the others. Not as practiced, but she kept up.

"You take away my skin. Never would have met you. I can't recall, anyone I know. Straight from the inside." Lance sang soulfully. His vocals were full of feeling. No mistakes. The song ended and the moved into the last of their first set. An upbeat final song. Another familiar one for Kitty. She stood back up, attempting to keep up with the speed of the song as Lance sang out the verses. He waved to the audience, "Thank you! We'll be on again in an hour!" He unplugged his guitar and moved backstage. The others followed quickly off as the main band members returned back onstage.

Lance pulled the guitar off and set it down in the stand. He picked up his drink and smiled. "Good set, guys."

"Good? You mean great!" Kitty picked up her drink and opened it up, finishing off the contents and threw the bottle away. "Woo!"

"Finally into the spirit of things, huh Katzchen?" Kurt nudged Kitty, who blushed. "Now, if you don't mind... I have to return to my date. Be back in an hour."

Wanda smiled "Have a good time, Kurt."

"As if I wouldn't!" Kurt rushed back to the stairs, rejoining his date.

Lance grinned, "So, nerves finally gone?" He looked Kitty over.

"I guess you can say that. Let's get out there and dance!" Kitty grabbed his hand and pulled to the stairs.

He stumbled, "Whoa! Hang on! I haven't even gotten my jacket..."

"Forget the jacket. It'll be here when you get back!" Kitty tugged. Lance eventually stopped struggling. He was pulled onto the dancefloor quite forcefully. She left her hesitation aside, pulling him into a close embrace as they started dancing to the current upbeat song.

Lance wasn't much of a dancer. He stumbled a few times before getting into the rhythm. "Hey..! You seem... excited."

Kitty relaxed against him. Her hand played with the back of his hair. "I feel relieved, invigorated, I dunno... just better."

Lance half-smiled. "Good to know you're feeling better..." Then a tap on his shoulder distracted him from his train of thought. "Huh?"

A boy in a suit with three others interrupted them. "Hey Kitty," he started, "I didn't know you were in a band!"

"Uhmm... well... yeah! I'm not very good though." She shyly pulled away from Lance and smiled at the newcomers.

"You're kidding, right?" Said another guy, "You looked great up there! Is this why you were gone for a few weeks?"

"Not at all." She looked embarassed at the attention. Lance slowly backed away from the group. Kitty reached over and grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, "Hey! Where're you going?"

"...bathroom. I'll be back. Go ahead and visit with your friends." Lance gave a forced smile.

"Okay..." She looked a little sad, "Be quick." Her attention was turned back to the small group of guys who were now talking to her with much interest.

***

Lance washed his hands in the bathroom sink. He leaned down and splashed a bit of water over his face, before finally patting his hands and face dry with a paper towel. He tossed it into the garbage basket before moving to return out to the dancefloor. His train of thought stopped as he saw the small crowd of guys still talking to Kitty. He was determined to steal her away until...

"Lance? Lance ALVERS? Oh wow! It's been forever!" said a female voice.

"Oh... uh... hi Alyssa." Lance recognized the girl after a long moment. His eyes kept looking over to where Kitty was.

"I didn't know you'd be here tonight, playing in the band no less." She commented, "When did you become a big star?"

"I'm not a big star if I'm playing as an in-between band for my former High-School's prom." Lance commented, but kept his cool.

"You looked really good up there. Real good." The girl shuffled her feet then said, "My boyfriend is off talking with his friends.. wanna dance?"

Lance frowned and held up his hand. "Err... well, I'm here with my girlfriend... I don't think she'd like that."

"C'mon, it's just a dance." The girl grabbed Lance's hands and pulled him onto the floor. He sighed and didn't protest too much. "It looks like your girlfriend has her own fanclub to attend to."

Lance shrugged, "They're talking to her about the performance. I trust her."

"Whatever happened to you, anyway? Just one day you weren't in class anymore."

"I got kicked out of school. Looking back... probably not the wisest decision I ever made." Lance half-heartedly danced with the female aquaintance.

"But I see you're still with that Kitty girl."

"That's right." He seemed proud of that.

"I'm surprised. Usually high school romances die when the other half isn't there anymore." The girl commented.

"Well, maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones." His eyes shifted over to Kitty again.

***

"So how long have you been in a band?" One of the boys asked.

"Only a few months. I don't really care for it much, though." Kitty waved a hand, then looked around for Lance, 'Why's he taking so long?'

"You look really nice tonight, Kitty. So different from everyone else." Another boy said.

"Yeah, well... I figured since we're performing I couldn't go for the traditional garb..." She glanced around to finally catch sight of Lance getting tugged to the dance floor by some girl.

"Are you looking for someone?" Asked the first boy.

"...sorta. I see him now." She shook her head, "Sorry guys, you'll have to excuse me. I'm going to head backstage. I think I left something... yeah..."

Kitty's eyes locked with Lance's for a brief moment before turning away from the small group of schoolmates and headed quickly to the stairs.

It didn't take long for Lance to notice. He looked at the girl in front of him and said softly, "Nice catching up with you... but I gotta head backstage. See you around..." He didn't wait for an answer before quickly moving across the floor and up the stairs. He looked around the backstage area, his eyes focused in on Kitty leaning against the wall, watching the other band play. He walked over and tapped her shoulder. "Done with your fanclub?"

"Done with yours?" Her arms crossed, head tilted to look at him.

"What, you're going to pout because a former classmate decided to speak to me... but I have to be okay with a hoard of men pulling you away from dancing with me?" Lance snipped.

"You said you were going to the bathroom. You could have just said 'Sorry fellas, can't you tell we're in the middle of dancing?'" Kitty turned and poked Lance in the chest.

"Watch it! I'm not some kind of selfish jerk either. Don't go accusing me of being something I'm not. Even if you wanted me to be, I wouldn't know. I don't know how you know those guys. I'm not with you every day to know!" Lance argued back.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Are you implying something, here?" Kitty looked shocked.

"No! Why would I? Kitty, I just... I don't get to see you every day. I have no idea how your school life is like." Lance stood his ground.

Kitty frowned, "It's not important! I don't care. I come to school, I keep my grades up, and I go home. I barely even know those guys." She sounded quite frustrated.

"They seemed to know you!" Lance accused.

"What the HELL? You did mean something with those jerks on the dance floor!" Kitty fumed.

"Oh Kitty, you look so nice. Oh Kitty, I didn't know you were in a band. Oh Kitty, stop paying attention to your boyfriend and look at us!"

"This is so stupid."

"What's stupid? Us? This? That we're at each others throats? Damn right. I'm angry! I'm calling a double standard here!" Lance's voice was low, but stern.

"Double standard?! Oh, PLEASE. This is about YOU being my boyfriend, you being here with me, and about how this just sucks complete ass!"

"So, we're lousy at dating?! Who'd have thought! Imagine that! A perfect, pretty girl out on a date with a loser and everyone notices that they're just not right for each other!" Lance stared her down. "All with the fanclub of more than equally perfect guys paying attention to you."

"Liar!" Kitty raised her voice. "No one thinks like that! Are you doubting us again!? THAT'S exactly what's so stupid! You think that it matters? That I'm actually paying attention to them, to that at all?"

"You seemed to be paying a lot of attention to it, as a matter of fact."

"Is that so?! Screw you, Lance! I don't need that tone. I just wanted to have a stress free prom!" Kitty pushed him against the wall. She was stronger than he last remembered. It almost knocked the wind out of him.

"Forget about the stupid dance! I just wanted to be with you!" Lance growled, standing his ground. He stepped forward to get in her face to emphasis the fact the he wasn't going to take it.

Her expression turned from anger to guilt. Kitty closed her eyes. She pushed him against the wall again softly before tilting her head and connecting her mouth to his with a forceful kiss. Lance's arms hung at his sides for a few moments before realizing what was happening. He set his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him in the darkened backstage area. She broke the kiss, resting her forehead against his chest. In a low whisper she said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't... I just... you. It's only you. Always."

His hand touched her cheek, lifting her chin so he could look at her. "Shhh... it's okay. I know. I'm sorry too. We're such a mess sometimes."

Kitty couldn't help but laugh, ".. yeah, I know, huh?" She leaned up to kiss him again only to be interrupted by Kurt.

"OooOooOoo... Lance and Kitty sitting in a tree..." Kurt started.

"Kurt!" Wanda punched him in the arm on the way up the stairs. "There you are."

The couple pulled apart, almost embarassed by their actions.

"Am I interrupting something?" Wanda asked suspiciously.

"An argument." Lance replied. His tone was strange, like he was still a little angry.

Kitty nodded. She walked over to sit down on the stool near Lance's jacket. She picked up his drink and stole a sip. "Yeah. What's up, Wanda?"

"An argument? Not even going to ask." Wanda glanced around, "We're going to go on again soon. I thought I'd check on everyone. I'm getting bored of the teenage boys with girlfriends coming on to me out there."

"Someone shouldn't have come stag." Kurt teased.

"SOMEONE doesn't have a boyfriend, or a collection of good looking men to choose from." Wanda added.

"Looks like someone needs to keep her options open." Kurt replied.

"Maybe somebody would like to get hexed into a wall." Wanda glared at Kurt.

"...perhaps someone needs to learn how to take a joke." Kurt smiled, but really looked terrified.

"Get a room." Kitty called over to the two.

Wanda rolled her eyes, her own joke thrown back at her. "You win."

Lance held up a hand to Kitty, "Er... my drink."

"What? Oh... sorry. I should have asked." Kitty held it out to Lance.

He shook his head, "No, it's okay. Take it if you want. I'm not that thirsty."

Kitty asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, no problem." Lance looked over to the stage. "We're almost up again? Must have lost track of time."

"No kidding." Kitty finished off Lance's drink and set the bottle aside. "So... next up we have... 'Flowergirl', 'Origin of Love', 'Belgium', and 'Heaven is a Place On Earth'?"

"We should have found more duet songs." Lance sounded disappointed.

"For some reason, I just don't think 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' really would go over well at a prom." Wanda joked.

"Paradise by the what?" Kitty asked.

"Nevermind. A good karaoke duet song. Anywho... we're up! Round two." Wanda grabbed her bass and pulled the strap over her head and shouldered it while walking to the stage. The others followed quickly.

***

First set:

"Love Shack" by the B-52's

"Little Differences" by Save Ferris

"Skin" by 12 Volt Sex

"Ordinary World" by Duran Duran

Mentioned for second set:

"Flowergirl" by Automatic Taxi Star

"Origin of Love" by Hedwig and the Angry Inch

"Belgium" by Bowling for Soup

"Heaven is a Place on Earth" originally by Belinda Carlisle, but there's a lovely upbeat rock (male) version by Student Rick

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf