A Talk and a Departure

~*~

And I'd give up forever to touch you

`Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now.

And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

`Cause sooner or later it's over

I just don't want to miss you tonight

-Goo Goo Dolls

~*~

"Okay, Pete, what's wrong?" Emma asked. "You're looking at your scotch like it killed your first born."

"Wot?" Pete asked blinking.

Emma looked at him closely. "Something is obviously wrong. Would you like to talk about it?"

"No."

"Pete, we're friends."

"Em, this place is bugged," he whispered.

"Ah," she nodded. She got slowly to her feet. "Well, come on, lover, let's go." He stood and allowed her to take his arm. They walked out to her car where Pete did his usual check before turning to her.

"It's clean."

"Very well, now talk to me."

"Emma-"

"You've been doing me a favor, the least I can do it help you with your love problems."

"I don't have-"

"Yes, you do."

"Fine, you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."

Pete looked at the road a few seconds before answering. "While Remy and I were staying at the cabin a girl ran through our wall."

"Pardon?"

"Right through."

"She's a mutant?"

"Yeah," Pete said. "She calls it phasing. She can phase through almost anything."

"Interesting."

"I know that look, Em, hands off."

"I don't know what you're referring to, Pete."

"That look. She's off limits."

Emma smiled. "Pete, if you say it like that you make me sound as though I'm a lesbian."

"Emma, you are bi-"

"That is not the point. I would never harm your little friend." He merely looked at her. "I wouldn't. Honestly, Wisdom, don't you believe me? Are you going to continue the story?"

"Fine." He then told her about the time she had spent at the cabin. "So then we took her back to the Institute."

"'Institute'?"

"Xavier's Institute."

"She's an X-Man? Oh, Pete, you hate that group."

"I know. Things just happened."

"I find that odd. Usually you would insult anyone from that group until they left and this girl...?"

"I don't know what happened," Pete said honestly with a shrug. "She's... different."

"Obviously," Emma said dryly. "What's she like?"

"She's sweet," a wry grin touched his face, "a good girl."

"Let me get this straight. Pete Wisdom with a 'good girl?'"

"Wot's that supposed t' mean?"

"Pete, you are a father's worst nightmare. You're rude, shady, you smoke and drink, and let's be honest; you can be a jerk."

"All me redeemin' qualities in one sentence. You'll make me blush."

The white queen had to laugh. "That is something that I would love to see."

"But that's me problem. She's way too good for me."

"Wow."

"Wot?"

"This girl must be something. You never thought I was too good for you."

Pete looked at his ex-lover and smiled fondly. "No, luv, I knew you were."

"Damn straight, Wisdom."

"Besides, Emma, you *knew* what you were gettin' int'. Kitty, she's a lot more naïve."

Emma's eyes narrowed slightly. "How old is she?"

"Eighteen."

"Good, I would hate to have to bail you out of jail."

"I ain't that stupid."

"Good to hear. Are you going to see her tonight?"

"Yeah, she probably thought I'd already be there." He pulled up to a mansion. "Here you are."

"If I didn't know better, Pete, I'd swear that you were trying to get rid of me."

"I am," Pete said, his voice completely serious.

"That hurts, Wisdom. You are very lucky that I am so forgiving. After all I have the power to make you believe that you're a chicken."

"Is it any wonder you psis make me so bloody nervous?"

She merely smirked. "I'll see you, lover."

"Wotever. Call if ya need me, Em." He drove off.

In the rec. room

"Sorry I'm late," Pete said walking in.

Kitty looked up at him trying very hard for blasé. "I hadn't noticed."

He smiled down at her before sitting next to her and kissing her on the forehead. "Right." His smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown.

"Pete?"

"Kit, we should talk."

"What's wrong?" Before he could respond his cell-phone rang.

"Hello," he said. His slightly annoyed expression melted into concern and he sat up straighter. "Wot? I understand, mate. I'll be on the flight out in the mornin'." He hung up and turned to Kitty. "There's a problem back home. I'm gonna have t' go back early."

"Oh," Kitty murmured. "Will you, um, come back?"

"If I can." He stood and walked towards the door. "Ya want t' walk me out?"

"Um... sure." They walked out to his car. "I guess I'll see you."

"Yeah," he said with a small smile. He started to get into his car and paused figuring that this would be the last time that he'd see her he gently gripped her arms and pulled her into his embrace. Kitty laid her head on his shoulder before looking up into his eyes.

He lowered his head and his lips found hers. Kitty tensed for a moment before melting into his arms. She sighed against his lips giving him the opening his tongue needed. Kitty gripped the back of his suit jacket as his tongue tasted every inch of her mouth. He groaned very softly when she brought her tongue out to meet his explorations. The two broke apart panting slightly.

"Wow," Kitty murmured at the same time that Pete whispered. "Damn." She smiled at him. "You should, um, probably go."

"Yeah, after that kiss though, it's gonna be hard." He tenderly brushed his lips against hers one more time before he got into his car and started it. She waved as he drove out of site.