Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men: Evolution, or any other Marvel or WB
property. The characters of Astrid and Johannes are the intellectual
property of the InterNutter, who is just lovely for letting me use them.
Notes: Okay, I'm sorry about the long delay. I just. . .got kinda busy. Oh yeah, sorry about the switch in the names from "Astrid" to "Franka" in the last chapter. But. . .oh well. It happens. Until I find a beta reader, then I'm not going to worry about it. Little mistakes happen, especially because I write between the hours of 1am and 5am, and I'm usually pretty tired.
More Notes: I've started working on another story, and I like it a lot. It's the sequel to another story that I wrote (my personal favorite one), "You're Gonna Be a Star." It's titled "Season Premier." So don't be surprised if I end this story soon, because I already have half of the first chapter of my new story written, and I really want to see where it goes.
THERE'S A RANT AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SEASON/SERIES FINALE. YOU'LL SPOIL IT FOR YOURSELF.
Nemain: Wow.now I have a review or two from you. Sweet deal. Glad you like the story thus far. By the way, thanks for the little bit of Jamie/Rahne in chapter 18. It was much appreciated.
RedLion2: Aha! Thought you caught me! No, I didn't drop the accent. Remember, anything that takes place between these {. . .} is spoken in German, so I don't type the "w" to "v" or the "th" to "z" substitutions. Anyhow, thanks for reading, and thanks for all the words of encouragement.
TKD: You're not hounding me. Nice to know you like the story. Thanks for that update, by the way.
Everyone: Thanks for reading, and I hope you all like the chapter. Sigh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
Kurt walked through the camp, a smile plastered over his face that he seriously doubted was going to leave anytime soon. He said hello to everyone, not missing a chance to show everyone how happy he was.
"Let them guess." He thought to himself. "I don't care."
He passed in front of Franka, and even she didn't seem to bring his good mood down.
"{Hello, Franka.}" Kurt said, smiling at the young woman.
"{Oh! Um, hello Kurt. Good morning.}" Franka said.
"{Isn't it?}" Kurt asked.
Franka fell in step next to Kurt, hoping to talk to him.
"{Um, do you mind talking to me?}" Franka asked.
"{Not at all.}" Kurt said, his good mood making him talkative, even though deep down he knew it was folly to discuss it with Franka.
"{Listen, I'm sorry that I've been so bad to you lately.}" Franka said. "{I was just wondering if I could make it up to you?}"
"{Sure. Just leave Kitty alone.}" Kurt said.
"{Well, actually, I was thinking more along the lines of dinner.}" Franka said, a mischievous smile on her face. "{And a little something afterward.}"
Kurt stopped walking and turned to face her. He was determined not to let her ruin for him what had happened last night, and he had finally just had enough of Franka.
"{My God, Franka, do you ever give up?}" Kurt asked.
"{What? It was just an invite to dinner!}" Franka said.
"{We both know that's a lie. Just let it die, for God's sake! We'll never be together again, Franka. Get over it! Move on with your life. I'm sick of it. I have other things going on in my life right now, and I don't want to deal with this anymore!}" Kurt said.
"{Fine! What bit you this morning?}" Franka asked.
"{You!}" Kurt said.
"{Fine. It was just an invite to dinner.}" Franka said, walking off.
"{And even if I wanted to go, I couldn't any more.}" Kurt said, sorry he said it after it was out.
Franka stopped walking away, and, turning around, walked back toward him.
"{What's that mean?}" Franka asked.
Kurt steeled himself for the fight, and, silently apologizing to Kitty for breaking the promise of not telling anyone yet, looked Franka in the eye and began.
"{What it means is that I belong to someone now, and even if I wanted to go to dinner with you, I couldn't}" Kurt said.
Franka seemed to consider him for a moment before responding.
"{So you're with your precious Kitty now?}" Franka asked.
"{I'm with my precious Kitty now.}" Kurt said.
Kurt saw no hurt in her eyes. Only anger.
"{Well. I guess that's that, then?}" Franka asked.
"{That's that.}" Kurt said.
"{Then she can have you.}" Franka said, walking away.
Kurt watched her walk off, and then finally turned his back on her.
"{Freak!}" He heard her call over her shoulder.
Kurt turned to say something to her, but she was no longer there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Kitty woke up slowly. She spread her arms, stretching while she yawned, and then she realized that Kurt was no longer there. She turned over to his side of the bed and found a note lying on the pillow. Smiling, she reached over, picked it up, and began to read it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kitty,
Sorry. Didn't want to wake you up. Do you know how beautiful you are when you sleep? It feels weird to be able to tell you that. Anyhow, I went for a walk. See you later.
Love (heehee), Kurt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kitty couldn't help the smile on her face from widening. She did feel happy, happier than she had felt in a long time. At least since she first came to the Institute and the possibility of control first seemed real. Looking back on last night, she knew that she wouldn't regret anything that she had told him. There was no reason to. She trusted him too much to think that he could possibly hurt her. He had proven himself to her over and over again, and the only thing that surprised her, lying in bed that morning, was that it had taken her so long to come to the conclusion that she was falling in love with him.
She hadn't told him that last night. He had said that he didn't want to rush things, and had been careful with what he himself had told her. He didn't know, but she could see that he was holding back, and Kitty had a sneaking suspicion that they were both holding back on the same thing. That "L" word. The word seemed both scary and a saving grace at the same time. She knew that she had found it in him, and she hoped that he had found it in her.
Getting up off of the bed, she began to get dressed, and thought of how funny it was that she felt completely comfortable lying naked next to Kurt. Kitty also couldn't get over how easy it was to talk to him the night before. As she dressed, she played it over and over in her mind.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
"And vhat is zis one?" Kurt asked, fingering a small scar on her bare stomach.
Kitty giggled at the feeling of Kurt's furry finger tracing along her tummy.
"That tickles!" Kitty said.
"How'd you get it?" Kurt asked.
"Danger Room accident." Kitty said.
Kurt sat up and then leaned down, brushing a light kiss across her bare stomach, causing Kitty to suck her breath in and hold it, slight shudders making her body tremble.
"All better?" Kurt asked.
"All better." She said.
The two had been up for hours, and now they could see the early light of day beginning to shine through the drapes of the wagon. They had talked for hours, both of them revealing secrets and truths to the other. Kitty thought that they had done it remarkably well. She had been so nervous of the talk with Kurt that she didn't even realize what she had said until it was over.
"Hey, Kurt?" Kitty asked.
"Jah?"
"What does this make us?" Kitty asked.
"I don't know. Boyfriend and girlfriend, I suppose. But really, it just makes us, vell, us." Kurt said.
Kitty seemed to be happy with his response, and she finally fell asleep in his arms right then and there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
When Kitty was finished dressing, she stepped outside of the wagon, and ran straight into Tabby. Tabby had a knowing smile on her face as she stood there, hips cocked, with her left hand resting on her waist.
"So. . .eventful night?" Tabby asked.
"How'd you know?" Kitty moaned. "Did Kurt tell you? He promised we wouldn't say anything yet!"
"No, Kurt didn't tell me. You did." Tabby said. "Just this moment, as a matter of fact. Not that it was hard to surmise from his "happy go lucky" attitude this morning. The term "afterglow" doesn't even begin to describe his attitude this morning."
"Nice, Tabby." Kitty said, blushing.
Kitty began to walk toward Astrid and Johannes's RV to eat breakfast, and Tabby fell in step next to her.
"So, I'm afraid that everyone else knows, as well." Tabby said.
Kitty halted in her walking for a moment, turning to Tabby with eyes full of mortification.
"Relax, Kitten. I'm sure that they don't know. . .um. . .the gory details. But a couple of people overheard Kurt telling Franka off, and. . ." Tabby said, lying only by neglecting to tell Kitty the truth about how many people saw the wagon "rocking."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Kitty said, waving her hands in front of Tabby's face. "Stop. Rewind. Play."
"Huh?" Tabby asked.
"What was that you said about Kurt telling Franka off?" Kitty asked.
"Oh! I should have told you that before anything else. Apparently, Kurt ran into Franka this morning, and she. . .well. . ." Tabby trailed off.
"She was "Franka-ish." Please continue." Kitty said impatiently.
"Yeah. Well, Kurt pretty much told her to take a long walk off of a short pier. Quoth the raven, "I belong to someone else." Or at least, that's what I heard that he said." Tabby said.
"I belong to someone else?" Kitty said softly.
"Yeah, well, everyone pretty much knows that he meant you. So. . .wanna go talk to Astrid now?" Tabby teased.
"How do I get out of here and to the closest airport?" Kitty said miserably. She suddenly felt like crying.
Tabby came closer and put a hand on her friend's shoulder, trying to console her.
"Hey! Hey, what's wrong?" Tabby asked.
"How can I look Astrid and Johannes in the face after last night?" Kitty asked. "What happens if Astrid asks about what went on? I can't lie to her, Tabby."
"Don't worry about Astrid, Kit. I don't see her having a major problem with two people in love sleeping together." Tabby said.
"Why is that?" Kitty asked.
"You forget. I sleep in their RV. You have no idea about the type of sounds coming out of their room." Tabby said with a smile, completing the joke with a full body shudder.
"Tabby! Please!" Kitty said, although the joke had made her feel better.
"You have nothing to worry about, Kitty. Why do you think that Astrid left you there last night, and didn't make you sleep somewhere else?" Tabby asked. "She knew how you felt about him, and she knows how he feels about you."
"You think so?" Kitty asked.
"Don't parents always know?" Tabby asked in reply.
"I guess so."
At that moment, they reached the RV and Astrid threw the door open. Smiling at Kitty, she beckoned for her to enter the RV.
"Come inside, Kitty. You must to hungry." Astrid said.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
"{Well, Kurt, you seem to be in a better mood today than you have for most of your vacation.}" Gunther said.
"{Do I?}" Kurt asked cryptically. "Hmm."
"{Yes you do.}" Gunther said. "{Did you sleep well? Or not at all?}"
"{Gunther!}" Kurt exclaimed.
Gunther laughed heartily before returning to the work at hand.
"{What?}" Gunther asked innocently.
"{I'll thank you not to talk about Kitty that way.}" Kurt said, becoming serious.
"{Whoa. I'm sorry, Kurt. But, uh, did you two get things. . .worked out?}" Gunther asked, a ghost of a smirk on his face.
"{Uh, I can't really talk about it.}" Kurt said.
"{That's funny, because the entire camp knows.}" Gunther said.
"{What?}" Kurt asked.
"{Kurt, your wagon was rocking last night. Rocking! So you two were either having one hell of a wrestling bout, or. . .}" Gunther said.
"{Oh great.}" Kurt moaned. "{What are they saying?}"
"{Everyone thinks it's a good match.}" Gunther said. "{Far more than you and Franka, although her parents are less than happy, I'll tell you. They always figured you two for marriage.}"
Kurt nodded.
"{Great. Everyone knows. I promised her that I'd tell no one that we're together. I hope she doesn't think that I ran around camp telling everyone what happened.}" Kurt said.
"{No, no, no. Don't worry about it.}" Gunther said. "{The rocking, squeaking wagon did that.}"
Kurt gave his friend a sour look.
"{I hate you.}" Kurt said.
"{Let's get this gear loaded. I don't want to be late to the next town. I'm taking Tabitha out to dinner.}"
Kurt cocked an eyebrow and gave his friend an appraising look.
"{What?}" Gunther asked, turning red. "{For her to learn about the culture.}"
"Uh-huh." Kurt said.
"{It's true!}" Gunther said.
Kurt nodded and continued to load the high-wire equipment into the truck. Gunther watched him until Kurt looked back up at him with a sarcastic look on his face.
"{She's cute.}" Gunther said.
Kurt began to laugh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
"{Tabby, would you mind letting me talk to Kitty alone?}" Astrid asked. "{Perhaps you could start packing the tent with Johannes?}"
Tabby pieced together what Astrid said, getting the gist of it before leaving. Kitty watched her leave, eyes widening in fear. Once the door was closed, Astrid turned her attention to Kitty.
"Vell. . .Kitty. . ." Astrid said.
"Yes, Astrid?" Kitty asked meekly.
"Vell, I suppose I should tell you that I enjoyed our conversation yesterday." Astrid said.
"So did I." Kitty said.
"And. . .guessing from vhat I heard in ze camp earlier zis morning, you and Kurt haff. . .come to a decision." Astrid said. "Or at least, I vould hope so."
"What have you heard?" Kitty asked, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Astrid simply smiled at the girl.
"It's not important. But, haff you and Kurt come to a decision?" Astrid asked.
"Yes. Yes, we have." Kitty said.
"And. . .?"
"Well, we weren't going to say anything about it yet, but. . .we're together now." Kitty said, almost whispering it.
"Vhy vouldn't you say anyzing about it?" Astrid asked.
"Well, we didn't want to cause any type of grief while you and your people are touring." Kitty said.
"Kitty, you're part of us. You contribute to us. You don't think that anyone would disapprove, do you?" Astrid asked.
Kitty shook her head, grabbing the nearest fork to spear a slice of apple off of her plate. Astrid just watched her, a playful smile spreading across her face.
"Kitty, you two vere not refraining from telling people for fear zat I may make you leave ze vagon at night, vere you?" Astrid asked.
Kitty's fork stopped halfway to her mouth, her jaw dropping open with a small gasp escaping from her throat. Astrid couldn't help but laugh as Kitty's face turned a shade darker than a fire hydrant.
"Astrid. . .I. . .I didn't. . ." Kitty stuttered and stammered.
"Oh, Kitty. . .you are precious, do you know zat?" Astrid asked, laughing.
"Yeah. Kurt told me last night." Kitty muttered.
That sent Astrid into another laughing fit. Someone knocked on the door, and Astrid was still laughing as she crossed over and opened it. Her laughing ceased, however, once the door was opened, and she saw what was there, waiting for her.
"Oh no." Astrid seemed to moan.
"What is it?" Kitty asked, suddenly concerned.
Kitty got up and walked to the door, where she saw that outside, her belongings had been torn apart and scattered. Kitty walked out, her face carrying a shocked look. Astrid followed her out and began to pick up Kitty's belongings, mostly clothes, as Kitty continued to look at the mess.
"Come on, Kitty, let us clean zis up." Astrid said.
"Who would do this?" Kitty wondered.
She turned around and found, much to her extreme mortification, her bra hanging on the door. A word was written on it in red marker. She knew why she couldn't read it immediately. It was in German. She crossed over to it, yanked it off of the doorknob, and turned back to Astrid. When Astrid saw it and what was written on it, it was her turn to blush and look at the ground.
"What does it say, Astrid?" Kitty asked.
"Vell. . .Kitty. . .it's. . .it's not a polite vord, and I don't feel comfortable saying it." Astrid said.
"Astrid, please, what is it?" Kitty asked.
"Vell. . .in America, I believe ze term is. . .um. . .slut." She said, whispering the last word. "Let's get zese clothes up."
Astrid bent over and continued to clean up the mess. Kitty closed her eyes, feeling close to tears. She knew who did it, and why. She felt like crying now. She knew that the need for payback would come soon enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING UNLESS YOU SAW THE SEASON/SERIES FINALE.
Okay, everyone. I guess that last Saturday was the end of X-Men: Evolution. Or at least, it certainly seemed that it was the end, with that little summary at the ending. And to tell you the truth, I'm a little pissed with some of what happened. Okay, so I'm a Kurt fanboy. So what? I didn't like the fact that when he entered the Sphinx, all he did was duck some bats, and then gets knocked out by Apocalypse. Oh yeah! And the return of LANCITTY? Sweet baby Jesus, what in the hell are they thinking? I mean, I know that they, nor Marvel, would ever do Kurtty, but Lancitty? Jesus. I mean, it made me physically ill. If this is seriously the end of the show, then I'm really pissed. I mean, so much was left unanswered. They went nowhere with certain story lines (X23, Captain America, Kurt/Amanda, Xavier's son, Edward Kelly). The list literally goes on and on. I guess that the Kurt/Amanda thing and Edward Kelly can be answered by what happens decades later in the comics, but the rest was the invention of the show (except for Xavier's son, even though they changed almost everything about it). Don't get me wrong, I still love the show, but I'm beginning to prefer really well written fan fics (you know who you are) to the show's storylines. There. Rant done.
Things that I did like: The Rogue/Nightcrawler sibling relationship. That was great. The line of Jamie's and Boom Boom with her plasma balls. Awesome. The Mystique thing with Kurt and Rogue was also super cool. I also like the fact that it didn't have the ultimate happy ending and have all of the mutants turn out good. A lot of them who were bad/evil went back to their old ways. So that was cool. And hey, hints of the Phoenix Saga.
Anyhow, all in all, a good finale, I just really hope that's not it. Mostly for selfish reasons, considering it's pretty much the only thing that I watch on television with the exception of the History Channel. Oh well, I should have the next chapter up soon (way sooner than I had this one up). I apologize again for the delay. Okay, well, goodnight (or good morning, afternoon, evening. . .whatever). I'm going to go watch "They Live." Pray for me.
Later.
Notes: Okay, I'm sorry about the long delay. I just. . .got kinda busy. Oh yeah, sorry about the switch in the names from "Astrid" to "Franka" in the last chapter. But. . .oh well. It happens. Until I find a beta reader, then I'm not going to worry about it. Little mistakes happen, especially because I write between the hours of 1am and 5am, and I'm usually pretty tired.
More Notes: I've started working on another story, and I like it a lot. It's the sequel to another story that I wrote (my personal favorite one), "You're Gonna Be a Star." It's titled "Season Premier." So don't be surprised if I end this story soon, because I already have half of the first chapter of my new story written, and I really want to see where it goes.
THERE'S A RANT AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SEASON/SERIES FINALE. YOU'LL SPOIL IT FOR YOURSELF.
Nemain: Wow.now I have a review or two from you. Sweet deal. Glad you like the story thus far. By the way, thanks for the little bit of Jamie/Rahne in chapter 18. It was much appreciated.
RedLion2: Aha! Thought you caught me! No, I didn't drop the accent. Remember, anything that takes place between these {. . .} is spoken in German, so I don't type the "w" to "v" or the "th" to "z" substitutions. Anyhow, thanks for reading, and thanks for all the words of encouragement.
TKD: You're not hounding me. Nice to know you like the story. Thanks for that update, by the way.
Everyone: Thanks for reading, and I hope you all like the chapter. Sigh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
Kurt walked through the camp, a smile plastered over his face that he seriously doubted was going to leave anytime soon. He said hello to everyone, not missing a chance to show everyone how happy he was.
"Let them guess." He thought to himself. "I don't care."
He passed in front of Franka, and even she didn't seem to bring his good mood down.
"{Hello, Franka.}" Kurt said, smiling at the young woman.
"{Oh! Um, hello Kurt. Good morning.}" Franka said.
"{Isn't it?}" Kurt asked.
Franka fell in step next to Kurt, hoping to talk to him.
"{Um, do you mind talking to me?}" Franka asked.
"{Not at all.}" Kurt said, his good mood making him talkative, even though deep down he knew it was folly to discuss it with Franka.
"{Listen, I'm sorry that I've been so bad to you lately.}" Franka said. "{I was just wondering if I could make it up to you?}"
"{Sure. Just leave Kitty alone.}" Kurt said.
"{Well, actually, I was thinking more along the lines of dinner.}" Franka said, a mischievous smile on her face. "{And a little something afterward.}"
Kurt stopped walking and turned to face her. He was determined not to let her ruin for him what had happened last night, and he had finally just had enough of Franka.
"{My God, Franka, do you ever give up?}" Kurt asked.
"{What? It was just an invite to dinner!}" Franka said.
"{We both know that's a lie. Just let it die, for God's sake! We'll never be together again, Franka. Get over it! Move on with your life. I'm sick of it. I have other things going on in my life right now, and I don't want to deal with this anymore!}" Kurt said.
"{Fine! What bit you this morning?}" Franka asked.
"{You!}" Kurt said.
"{Fine. It was just an invite to dinner.}" Franka said, walking off.
"{And even if I wanted to go, I couldn't any more.}" Kurt said, sorry he said it after it was out.
Franka stopped walking away, and, turning around, walked back toward him.
"{What's that mean?}" Franka asked.
Kurt steeled himself for the fight, and, silently apologizing to Kitty for breaking the promise of not telling anyone yet, looked Franka in the eye and began.
"{What it means is that I belong to someone now, and even if I wanted to go to dinner with you, I couldn't}" Kurt said.
Franka seemed to consider him for a moment before responding.
"{So you're with your precious Kitty now?}" Franka asked.
"{I'm with my precious Kitty now.}" Kurt said.
Kurt saw no hurt in her eyes. Only anger.
"{Well. I guess that's that, then?}" Franka asked.
"{That's that.}" Kurt said.
"{Then she can have you.}" Franka said, walking away.
Kurt watched her walk off, and then finally turned his back on her.
"{Freak!}" He heard her call over her shoulder.
Kurt turned to say something to her, but she was no longer there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Kitty woke up slowly. She spread her arms, stretching while she yawned, and then she realized that Kurt was no longer there. She turned over to his side of the bed and found a note lying on the pillow. Smiling, she reached over, picked it up, and began to read it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kitty,
Sorry. Didn't want to wake you up. Do you know how beautiful you are when you sleep? It feels weird to be able to tell you that. Anyhow, I went for a walk. See you later.
Love (heehee), Kurt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kitty couldn't help the smile on her face from widening. She did feel happy, happier than she had felt in a long time. At least since she first came to the Institute and the possibility of control first seemed real. Looking back on last night, she knew that she wouldn't regret anything that she had told him. There was no reason to. She trusted him too much to think that he could possibly hurt her. He had proven himself to her over and over again, and the only thing that surprised her, lying in bed that morning, was that it had taken her so long to come to the conclusion that she was falling in love with him.
She hadn't told him that last night. He had said that he didn't want to rush things, and had been careful with what he himself had told her. He didn't know, but she could see that he was holding back, and Kitty had a sneaking suspicion that they were both holding back on the same thing. That "L" word. The word seemed both scary and a saving grace at the same time. She knew that she had found it in him, and she hoped that he had found it in her.
Getting up off of the bed, she began to get dressed, and thought of how funny it was that she felt completely comfortable lying naked next to Kurt. Kitty also couldn't get over how easy it was to talk to him the night before. As she dressed, she played it over and over in her mind.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
"And vhat is zis one?" Kurt asked, fingering a small scar on her bare stomach.
Kitty giggled at the feeling of Kurt's furry finger tracing along her tummy.
"That tickles!" Kitty said.
"How'd you get it?" Kurt asked.
"Danger Room accident." Kitty said.
Kurt sat up and then leaned down, brushing a light kiss across her bare stomach, causing Kitty to suck her breath in and hold it, slight shudders making her body tremble.
"All better?" Kurt asked.
"All better." She said.
The two had been up for hours, and now they could see the early light of day beginning to shine through the drapes of the wagon. They had talked for hours, both of them revealing secrets and truths to the other. Kitty thought that they had done it remarkably well. She had been so nervous of the talk with Kurt that she didn't even realize what she had said until it was over.
"Hey, Kurt?" Kitty asked.
"Jah?"
"What does this make us?" Kitty asked.
"I don't know. Boyfriend and girlfriend, I suppose. But really, it just makes us, vell, us." Kurt said.
Kitty seemed to be happy with his response, and she finally fell asleep in his arms right then and there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
When Kitty was finished dressing, she stepped outside of the wagon, and ran straight into Tabby. Tabby had a knowing smile on her face as she stood there, hips cocked, with her left hand resting on her waist.
"So. . .eventful night?" Tabby asked.
"How'd you know?" Kitty moaned. "Did Kurt tell you? He promised we wouldn't say anything yet!"
"No, Kurt didn't tell me. You did." Tabby said. "Just this moment, as a matter of fact. Not that it was hard to surmise from his "happy go lucky" attitude this morning. The term "afterglow" doesn't even begin to describe his attitude this morning."
"Nice, Tabby." Kitty said, blushing.
Kitty began to walk toward Astrid and Johannes's RV to eat breakfast, and Tabby fell in step next to her.
"So, I'm afraid that everyone else knows, as well." Tabby said.
Kitty halted in her walking for a moment, turning to Tabby with eyes full of mortification.
"Relax, Kitten. I'm sure that they don't know. . .um. . .the gory details. But a couple of people overheard Kurt telling Franka off, and. . ." Tabby said, lying only by neglecting to tell Kitty the truth about how many people saw the wagon "rocking."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Kitty said, waving her hands in front of Tabby's face. "Stop. Rewind. Play."
"Huh?" Tabby asked.
"What was that you said about Kurt telling Franka off?" Kitty asked.
"Oh! I should have told you that before anything else. Apparently, Kurt ran into Franka this morning, and she. . .well. . ." Tabby trailed off.
"She was "Franka-ish." Please continue." Kitty said impatiently.
"Yeah. Well, Kurt pretty much told her to take a long walk off of a short pier. Quoth the raven, "I belong to someone else." Or at least, that's what I heard that he said." Tabby said.
"I belong to someone else?" Kitty said softly.
"Yeah, well, everyone pretty much knows that he meant you. So. . .wanna go talk to Astrid now?" Tabby teased.
"How do I get out of here and to the closest airport?" Kitty said miserably. She suddenly felt like crying.
Tabby came closer and put a hand on her friend's shoulder, trying to console her.
"Hey! Hey, what's wrong?" Tabby asked.
"How can I look Astrid and Johannes in the face after last night?" Kitty asked. "What happens if Astrid asks about what went on? I can't lie to her, Tabby."
"Don't worry about Astrid, Kit. I don't see her having a major problem with two people in love sleeping together." Tabby said.
"Why is that?" Kitty asked.
"You forget. I sleep in their RV. You have no idea about the type of sounds coming out of their room." Tabby said with a smile, completing the joke with a full body shudder.
"Tabby! Please!" Kitty said, although the joke had made her feel better.
"You have nothing to worry about, Kitty. Why do you think that Astrid left you there last night, and didn't make you sleep somewhere else?" Tabby asked. "She knew how you felt about him, and she knows how he feels about you."
"You think so?" Kitty asked.
"Don't parents always know?" Tabby asked in reply.
"I guess so."
At that moment, they reached the RV and Astrid threw the door open. Smiling at Kitty, she beckoned for her to enter the RV.
"Come inside, Kitty. You must to hungry." Astrid said.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
"{Well, Kurt, you seem to be in a better mood today than you have for most of your vacation.}" Gunther said.
"{Do I?}" Kurt asked cryptically. "Hmm."
"{Yes you do.}" Gunther said. "{Did you sleep well? Or not at all?}"
"{Gunther!}" Kurt exclaimed.
Gunther laughed heartily before returning to the work at hand.
"{What?}" Gunther asked innocently.
"{I'll thank you not to talk about Kitty that way.}" Kurt said, becoming serious.
"{Whoa. I'm sorry, Kurt. But, uh, did you two get things. . .worked out?}" Gunther asked, a ghost of a smirk on his face.
"{Uh, I can't really talk about it.}" Kurt said.
"{That's funny, because the entire camp knows.}" Gunther said.
"{What?}" Kurt asked.
"{Kurt, your wagon was rocking last night. Rocking! So you two were either having one hell of a wrestling bout, or. . .}" Gunther said.
"{Oh great.}" Kurt moaned. "{What are they saying?}"
"{Everyone thinks it's a good match.}" Gunther said. "{Far more than you and Franka, although her parents are less than happy, I'll tell you. They always figured you two for marriage.}"
Kurt nodded.
"{Great. Everyone knows. I promised her that I'd tell no one that we're together. I hope she doesn't think that I ran around camp telling everyone what happened.}" Kurt said.
"{No, no, no. Don't worry about it.}" Gunther said. "{The rocking, squeaking wagon did that.}"
Kurt gave his friend a sour look.
"{I hate you.}" Kurt said.
"{Let's get this gear loaded. I don't want to be late to the next town. I'm taking Tabitha out to dinner.}"
Kurt cocked an eyebrow and gave his friend an appraising look.
"{What?}" Gunther asked, turning red. "{For her to learn about the culture.}"
"Uh-huh." Kurt said.
"{It's true!}" Gunther said.
Kurt nodded and continued to load the high-wire equipment into the truck. Gunther watched him until Kurt looked back up at him with a sarcastic look on his face.
"{She's cute.}" Gunther said.
Kurt began to laugh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
"{Tabby, would you mind letting me talk to Kitty alone?}" Astrid asked. "{Perhaps you could start packing the tent with Johannes?}"
Tabby pieced together what Astrid said, getting the gist of it before leaving. Kitty watched her leave, eyes widening in fear. Once the door was closed, Astrid turned her attention to Kitty.
"Vell. . .Kitty. . ." Astrid said.
"Yes, Astrid?" Kitty asked meekly.
"Vell, I suppose I should tell you that I enjoyed our conversation yesterday." Astrid said.
"So did I." Kitty said.
"And. . .guessing from vhat I heard in ze camp earlier zis morning, you and Kurt haff. . .come to a decision." Astrid said. "Or at least, I vould hope so."
"What have you heard?" Kitty asked, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Astrid simply smiled at the girl.
"It's not important. But, haff you and Kurt come to a decision?" Astrid asked.
"Yes. Yes, we have." Kitty said.
"And. . .?"
"Well, we weren't going to say anything about it yet, but. . .we're together now." Kitty said, almost whispering it.
"Vhy vouldn't you say anyzing about it?" Astrid asked.
"Well, we didn't want to cause any type of grief while you and your people are touring." Kitty said.
"Kitty, you're part of us. You contribute to us. You don't think that anyone would disapprove, do you?" Astrid asked.
Kitty shook her head, grabbing the nearest fork to spear a slice of apple off of her plate. Astrid just watched her, a playful smile spreading across her face.
"Kitty, you two vere not refraining from telling people for fear zat I may make you leave ze vagon at night, vere you?" Astrid asked.
Kitty's fork stopped halfway to her mouth, her jaw dropping open with a small gasp escaping from her throat. Astrid couldn't help but laugh as Kitty's face turned a shade darker than a fire hydrant.
"Astrid. . .I. . .I didn't. . ." Kitty stuttered and stammered.
"Oh, Kitty. . .you are precious, do you know zat?" Astrid asked, laughing.
"Yeah. Kurt told me last night." Kitty muttered.
That sent Astrid into another laughing fit. Someone knocked on the door, and Astrid was still laughing as she crossed over and opened it. Her laughing ceased, however, once the door was opened, and she saw what was there, waiting for her.
"Oh no." Astrid seemed to moan.
"What is it?" Kitty asked, suddenly concerned.
Kitty got up and walked to the door, where she saw that outside, her belongings had been torn apart and scattered. Kitty walked out, her face carrying a shocked look. Astrid followed her out and began to pick up Kitty's belongings, mostly clothes, as Kitty continued to look at the mess.
"Come on, Kitty, let us clean zis up." Astrid said.
"Who would do this?" Kitty wondered.
She turned around and found, much to her extreme mortification, her bra hanging on the door. A word was written on it in red marker. She knew why she couldn't read it immediately. It was in German. She crossed over to it, yanked it off of the doorknob, and turned back to Astrid. When Astrid saw it and what was written on it, it was her turn to blush and look at the ground.
"What does it say, Astrid?" Kitty asked.
"Vell. . .Kitty. . .it's. . .it's not a polite vord, and I don't feel comfortable saying it." Astrid said.
"Astrid, please, what is it?" Kitty asked.
"Vell. . .in America, I believe ze term is. . .um. . .slut." She said, whispering the last word. "Let's get zese clothes up."
Astrid bent over and continued to clean up the mess. Kitty closed her eyes, feeling close to tears. She knew who did it, and why. She felt like crying now. She knew that the need for payback would come soon enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING UNLESS YOU SAW THE SEASON/SERIES FINALE.
Okay, everyone. I guess that last Saturday was the end of X-Men: Evolution. Or at least, it certainly seemed that it was the end, with that little summary at the ending. And to tell you the truth, I'm a little pissed with some of what happened. Okay, so I'm a Kurt fanboy. So what? I didn't like the fact that when he entered the Sphinx, all he did was duck some bats, and then gets knocked out by Apocalypse. Oh yeah! And the return of LANCITTY? Sweet baby Jesus, what in the hell are they thinking? I mean, I know that they, nor Marvel, would ever do Kurtty, but Lancitty? Jesus. I mean, it made me physically ill. If this is seriously the end of the show, then I'm really pissed. I mean, so much was left unanswered. They went nowhere with certain story lines (X23, Captain America, Kurt/Amanda, Xavier's son, Edward Kelly). The list literally goes on and on. I guess that the Kurt/Amanda thing and Edward Kelly can be answered by what happens decades later in the comics, but the rest was the invention of the show (except for Xavier's son, even though they changed almost everything about it). Don't get me wrong, I still love the show, but I'm beginning to prefer really well written fan fics (you know who you are) to the show's storylines. There. Rant done.
Things that I did like: The Rogue/Nightcrawler sibling relationship. That was great. The line of Jamie's and Boom Boom with her plasma balls. Awesome. The Mystique thing with Kurt and Rogue was also super cool. I also like the fact that it didn't have the ultimate happy ending and have all of the mutants turn out good. A lot of them who were bad/evil went back to their old ways. So that was cool. And hey, hints of the Phoenix Saga.
Anyhow, all in all, a good finale, I just really hope that's not it. Mostly for selfish reasons, considering it's pretty much the only thing that I watch on television with the exception of the History Channel. Oh well, I should have the next chapter up soon (way sooner than I had this one up). I apologize again for the delay. Okay, well, goodnight (or good morning, afternoon, evening. . .whatever). I'm going to go watch "They Live." Pray for me.
Later.
