Chapter Ten.

A/N: Thanks for the review. Not many people reading this story but hey what can I say, you can't force anyone to like your story. Anyways for those of you who are reading, it's winding down to a close. Only a few to go again.

I don't own X Men Evolution.

Kitty walked down the hallway humming dreamily to herself.

"Kitty will you come in here a minute please."

The young girl sighed, walked into the library and sat down in the large armchair.

"Yes aunt Mystique?"

"Kitty I thought I made myself clear when I told you were not to see that boy again."

"I don't know what you mean. I didn't..."

"Come on Kitty don't give me that innocent act. I saw you and that boy together this afternoon... hugging."

"You followed me! How dare you..."

"Don't you give me that! I know perfectly well what sort of girl you are! The way you never listen, the way you always..."

"Aunt Mystique you're hurting me. Please let go of my arms."

"I will not let go. I gave you strict orders to never see that boy again and you deliberately disobeyed me. On top of that you violated your grounding. Young lady..."

"But I don't understand, why are you so angry? He's just a boy and I really like him."

"Kitty please don't question me. I hate it whenever my authority is questioned."

"Well I don't care what you say, I'll see Pietro whenever I want too and you can't stop me!"

"Oh yes I can! You will continue to see that boy over my dead body!" The enraged woman drew a hand up to the young brunette's face.

... ... ...

Kitty's eyes went wide. She couldn't believe her aunt had just slapped her. "Why did you... why did you do that?"

"I told you already. You're not to see that boy again!"

"But I don't understand..." Kitty was immediately silenced by another slap.

The tears slowly trickled down her face. "I won't see him anymore aunt Mystique... I promise."

Mystique smiled triumphantly, "very well then. Go to your room!"

Kitty stood up, walked out the library and shut the door behind her. She held a hand up to her stinging and now swollen face and sank to her knees crying.

THE NEXT DAY...

No sign of Kitty. Something was wrong or else she would be here. She would never miss her own graduation.

"Pietro, how are you holding up?"

"I'm fine Lance. Have you seen Kitty?"

"No I haven't. What you mean she's not here?"

"Of course she isn't here Lance or I wouldn't be asking!"

"Okay calm down man. I'll go look inside, maybe she just went to the bathroom or something. It's a big school, it could happen."

"Yeah I guess."

"Just sit tight, I'm sure she's fine."

Pietro paced back and forth. If she were fine she would be here.

"Pietro are you okay?"

"Uh listen Rogue, I've got to go, I'll catch you later okay."

"Wait, where are you going? You can't leave!"

"Kitty's not here and I'm really worried about her!"

"What? Pietro I don't believe you! You've got a graduation speech to give and you're leaving because you're worried about Kitty!"

"Get off her Rogue! I don't have time for this."

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. But Pietro you can't leave, think about your dad! You can't disappoint him!"

"But Kitty..."

"I'm sure she's fine Pietro. You can go check on her after the ceremony."

"I really hope you're right."

"Of course I am. I'm a girl, I have a sixth sense about these things."

SOME HOURS LATER...

I was really nervous coming here again. What if her aunt answers the door again? Would she really call the cops? I hesitantly rang the doorbell. Kitty answered the door and I couldn't believe what I saw. She gave me a long, hard hug. So much for Rogue's sixth sense!

"Pietro, I'm so glad you came. I wanted to see you so much."

"Kitty what on earth happened to your face?"

The entire right side of her face was totally swollen. It was all blue and purple. I could barely see her eyes.

"I fell down the stairs, no big deal."

"Please don't lie to me Kitty! That," I gestured to her face, "doesn't look like you fell down the stairs; somebody hit you! Did your aunt do this to you?"

"Please Pietro don't shout," she put a finger up to my lips and pushed me slightly, closing in the door behind her, "she'll hear you."

"How could she do this? She's a maniac! Why did she do this?"

"She saw us together yesterday afternoon. She was really upset and she just hit me."

"Nobody has the right to just hit anybody. I'm getting you out of here!"

"No I can't go, she'll just find me!"

"You can't stay here Kitty! Come with me, please!" I looked at her pleadingly.

"I want to come with you, I really do, but I'm afraid."

"I can't leave you here, she could hurt you again. Kitty I really care about you and I'm begging you, please come with me!"

"I can't Pietro... I just can't."

She looked so helpless, so vulnerable.

"Can you please just hold me?" Her large blue eyes staring up at me. Deep pools that I could get lost in forever. "Please?"

She slid her slender arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. I heard her let out a small contented sigh – a sigh of relief, a sigh of safety.

"Kitty promise me if you need anything at anytime, even if it's just to talk, you'll call me okay?"

She looked up at me and smiled sweetly. She slowly closed the gap between us. I could feel her warm breath against my skin, as she whispered a slow, soft "thanks Pietro," and gently kissed me. It was pure magic.

A/N: Well you probably know what I'm about to say – next chapter coming up! Review!