London

I won't hurt you.
Just let me show you how I feel.
Down deep inside my heart,
You know you left your mark.
No one can say that it's not real.
We live and die like this.
I dare you to fight for it this time.
-Jamie Walters

Two weeks later

"I just don't see why I have to go," Kitty sighed.

"We need y'r expertise," Remy said. Kitty just looked at him. "Okay, we just wanted to get you out of the house."

"That's what I thought," Kitty admitted. "Okay, I'll go, but I won't have any fun."

"It's London, sug," Rogue said. "Do you want to go look for him?"

"No," Kitty said. "I mean, it's been too long."

"Fahne," Rogue said knowing the real reason was that she was scared, but Remy had let her in on his plan to get the two together. "Let's go pack. We're spending the night." Rogue and Kitty went up stairs and each packed two bags. An hour later Scott was flying them into London. He landed at the airport and let them out.

"I'll be back here tomorrow evening," he said.

"Don' know why Remy couldn't have flown," Remy said as they walked towards the mansion.

"You stole the plane last time," Rogue pointed out.

"So?" Remy asked. "Remy brought it back, non?"

Kitty laughed. "That's not the point."

"Fine, gang up on Remy." He took the girls' bags and his own.

"Rem, can you actually carry all of that?" Rogue asked.

"Pas de problem," Remy shrugged. They walked through the street until Remy spoke up. "Anyone else thirsty?"

"Yeah," Kitty admitted. Remy led them into the small pub he had visited. Kitty followed Rogue and Remy inside. Remy ordered drinks for all of them- a glass of bourbon for himself, and two Pepsis for the girls. He paid and they sat and talked for a while. Remy's phone ringing startled all of them.

"Bonjour," Remy said. "Oui, d'accord. Remy'll be dere soon." He hung up. "Sorry, dat was an old ami. Ah'll be right back."

"Ah'm goin' too," Rogue said.

"Kitty?" Remy asked.

Kitty shook her head. "Nah, you two go ahead. Just meet me back here." They picked their bags up.

"Are you sure?" Rogue asked.

Kitty smiled at the question. "It's not like anyone can actually hurt me. I'm fine."

"We'll be an hour, tops," Remy told her.

"I'll find away to entertain myself," Kitty said. The other two walked away. Kitty sat drinking her Pepsi. She had just gotten a refill when a group of men came into the pub and wondered over to her table.

"I hate t' tell you this, luv, but you're at our table," one of the men said dropping into an empty seat.

"Do you want me to leave?" Kitty asked looking up.

The man's eyes widened briefly before he flashed a smile. "No way, luv." The other three sat down too. "Name's Constantine." He grinned kissing her hand gallantly. "You can call me John. This is Doyle, Pittman and the old man is Jardine."

"I'm-" she started.

"Kitty Pryde," John interjected. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "We're old friend's of Pete's."

Now her eyes widened. "Um, how is he?"

Doyle cocked his head to one side before responding. "Pete's... uh... how do I put this....? Pathetic."

"That just about covers it," Pittman agreed.

"Seems t' me that you've been set up," John said.

Kitty smiled wryly. "You know, I was just thinking that. Is he coming here tonight?"

"Should be here any minute now," Jardine said. Kitty's eyes widened and she stood.

"Hold it, luv," John said. "Where are ya goin'?"

"To pay and leave," Kitty said.

"Ladies never have to pay," John said. "I'll cover it."

"I can't let you-"

"It's just a soda, Kitty," John said. "Plus, I can't let you leave."

She sat back down but looked at him raising an eyebrow. "And you're going to stop me, how?"

"Not entirely sure," John admitted.

Kitty smiled. "Good answer. Why can't you let me leave?"

"Your company is just too good to part with."

"The truth please."

John looked back at her steadily. "Which version of the truth would you like t' hear?"

"Miss Pryde," Jardine said. "Are you really going to run from him?"

"I-"

John glanced at the door seeing Pete as he walked in. "Wisdom's an idiot fer lettin' a girl like you go to begin with. You deserve someone better."

Doyle snorted. "Like you, mate?"

"He is right," Pete said approaching Kitty from behind. "She's way too good fer the likes of me." Kitty tensed before turning. "Allo, Pryde." She stood.

"I... I can't do this." She started to leave but he grabbed her arm.

"Wait a minute, grasshopper. You're not going anywhere until we have us a nice little talk."

"Pete," Kitty said. "You can't stop me."

"No," he admitted. "I can't. What I can do, however, is follow you back t' the States and keep botherin' ya until you listen t' me."

She looked down. "If I talk to you right now I know I'm probably going to cry," Kitty whispered so that he had to strain to hear her. "I don't want you to think I'm using my tears."

"Damn it, Kitty, I know you better than that. Come with me, we really do need to talk."

"But Remy and Rogue-"

"Don't worry, Miss Pryde," Jardine said. "I'll be sure to tell them where you two are."

"We'll be at me flat," Pete announced. He grabbed both of Kitty's bags in one hand.

"Movin' a little fast aren't we, Wisdom?" John asked sardonically.

"Bite me ConJob," Pete said. His other hand on Kitty's back directed her out of the pub.

"Pete-" Kitty stared before cutting herself off. He threw her things into his car and opened the passenger side.

"Get in." She got in and he drove them to an apartment building then led her inside.

"Wow," Kitty said. "I see what you meant about the mess."

"Have a seat," Pete offered. She cleared off a chair and sat down. He straddled the chair in front of hers, facing her.

"You wanted to talk," Kitty reminded him when he simply stared at her for a few seconds.

"I'm torn," he admitted.

"Torn?"

"Between yelling at you and apologizing."

"Apologizing?"

He ignored her confusion and moved on. "How bloody hard would it ave been just t' talk to me? I tried to talk to you but you just wouldn't listen. Kitty, I can only try so much before giving up. I shouldn't have left like that though. I should have given both of us a chance to cool down. For that I apologize."

"I'm sorry," Kitty whispered so he once again had to strain to hear her. "I just... I thought that you didn't want me."

"Luv, there's no one in the world that I want more," Pete smiled. "Trust me when I say, I was very tempted. I was just afraid of you doing something that you'd regret. Kitty, you're not a child, but... that's a big step. I couldn't help but feel that you weren't ready for it."

Kitty smiled a little. "I wasn't... so thank you. I wanted to come after you so badly, but I was afraid you wouldn't want me back."

"As I said, Pryde. There's no one at I want more. I'm sorry that I didn't come back. I was being proud, which basically translates to 'I was being an idiot.' John was right. Those words make me feel so dirty."

"I-I missed you." He stood and pulled her up and into his arms.

"I missed you too, luv." A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Damn it. I told you I'd cry."

He chuckled and kissed the tear away. "I 'ope these are good tears." She buried her head against his chest.

"Definitely." She looked up at him. "Let's never fight again. It's stupid and exausting."

"I'll agree t' that one, luv." She lifted her head just as he lowered his. Their lips met, gently at first then, as one, they realized that they were really back together. He crushed her to his chest, his tongue slipping past her lips to play with hers. She gripped the back of his shirt desperately and returned the kiss with all of her passion. Both pulled away panting.

"I've missed that too," Kitty whispered.

Pete laughed. "And t' think we were just goin' t' give that up."

Kitty smiled kissing him unhurriedly. "We are very stupid."

"Yeah." He sat down pulling her onto his lap. They simply sat cuddled together for a few minutes.

"You know we were set up, right?"

Pete laughed again. "I guessed. Remy called me. He told me that he needed t' talk t' me. That it was important." He smiled running a hand over her back soothingly. "He was right about that." Kitty smiled laying her head on his chest. The knock on the door startled them. Pete growled under his breath standing and lifting Kitty up with him. They walked to the door opening it.

"Bonjour," Remy smiled.

"Remy," Kitty said. "I want to either hurt you or hug you."

"Does Remy get ta choose?"

"Come in," Pete said stepping aside.

"Dis place is worse den last time," Remy said looking around. "We were going ta head back to de Braddock place, you ready?" Pete leaned in and whispered something to Kitty.

"I'm going to stay here," Kitty said. "We still need to talk." Remy snorted. "Remy-"

"What?" Remy asked innocently. "Remy didn't say not'in'."

"I'll drop her off t'morrow," Pete promised.