Author's Note: Oooooh. Bad author. Bad, bad author. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I really am. I've been busy. Damn you Physics! Please, enjoy… and forgive my absence.

Chapter 18: Little Bird Gets Shot Down

Kitty phased through the door and walked towards the front of the institution. She looked around, making sure that no one was watching, and phased through. She ran down the street towards the Brotherhood's house, hoping that Lance was still there. Suddenly there was a loud burst of air running past her. She heard it turn and come up behind her. Pietro appeared behind her and she turned around. Kitty glared.

"Hey Kitty-cat. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I could ask the same for you," she replied shortly.

"If you're too mean to me, you'll never know," Pietro replied, sarcastically.

Kitty rolled her eyes.

"I have, like, better things to do than talk to you. I have to talk to Lance. It's about Alara."

Kitty turned to leave, but Pietro ran around her and stood in her way.

"What about Alara?" he asked.

Kitty smirked.

"I'll only tell you when I get to your house," she replied.

In a flash, Pietro scooped Kitty up in his arms and sped over to the Brotherhood's house. He set her down gently, then put his hands on his hips.

"Now. What about Alara?"

Kitty grinned.

"Well, Logan had her in the Danger Room with Kurt and Kurt got seriously injured so Alara stepped between Kurt and Logan and so Alara and Logan started fighting and…."

"LOGAN? THAT SCRUFFY-LOOKING ANIMAL? WHAT DID HE DO TO HER?' Pietro roared.

"And she ended up getting hurt pretty badly, but she still beat Logan. But she's probably not going to be able to come tonight to your little rendezvous. She's pretty badly hurt."

Pietro growled.

"That stupid, mangy dog. I'm going to kill him."

Pietro sped off towards the institute while Kitty smirked. She turned towards the Brotherhood's house and walked quickly up to the door. Knocking quickly, she waited patiently until the door creaked open. Inside the door stood Todd. Kitty wrinkled her nose as Todd grinned up at her.

"Why hello Kitty-cat. What brings you to our home? Could it be Lance? Of course. That's the only reason you'd come."

Suddenly, the house started to rumble.

"TOAD! MOVE IT!"

Todd's eyes widen and he hopped out of the doorway. Lance stood behind him and walked outside, closing the door behind him.

"Hey Kitty. What's up?"

Kitty smiled.

"Oh I was just coming over to thank you for what you did today. I appreciate it."

Lance smiled at her.

"It was no problem."

They stood there facing each other a moment before Kitty cleared her throat.

"So I came over to thank you and um… I was wondering if you wanted to come over sometime. Maybe to use the Danger Room or something. I dunno."

Lance's smile shrank slightly.

"Kitty, you know that I can't go in there. I'm not allowed."

Kitty looked as innocent as possible.

"Well of course not. But if you joined the X-men again, then-."

"Is that what this is all about? Kitty, you know that I can't do that! We've already tried this before!"

"Yeah, but they'll be better this time! I promise!"

Lance shook his head.

"Kitty, I can't do it. I don't feel comfortable there."

"But that's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair! It never is! If it were, you and I could be together and there wouldn't be any problems with that, but there is, Kitty. There are too many problems and me joining the X-men would just make it worse!"

Kitty's eyes filled up with tears and she glared up at Lance.

"FINE!" she hollered, running back towards the institution.

"KITTY! WAIT!" Lance called after her, but she ignored his cries.

"Oooooh. Shut down," a voice behind Lance chuckled.

Lance turned, his eyes fiery and he kicked open the door to reveal Todd standing behind it, listening.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FROGGY."

"Now, now Lance," the Toad stuttered. "We don't want to ruin another door do you?"

Lance roared and the ground quaked and caused Toad to bounce around on the ground. Meanwhile, Kitty had made it back to the institution to find Pietro pacing outside the front door. As she walked up to him, Pietro looked up and asked, "Hey Kitty. Back so soon?"

Kitty growled at him. A single tear was left to dry on her cheek. Pietro smirked, but his smile faded slightly. She phased through the door, but heard Pietro yell from the other side, "WAIT! I NEED TO SEE ALARA!"

She spun around and phased her head through the door.

"YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE HER TOMORROW MORNING!" she roared at him, causing Pietro to fall backwards in surprise.

She phased back through and ran to her room, slamming the door.