The conversation stretched for hours through a prime rib dinner and, afterward, an excellent bottle of port wine. Kurt shared what he could remember in flashbacks, and Kassandra helped him make sense of them. It was not easy for her, as she did not wish to exert any influence over Kurt's own memories, there were more than a few items that would be a bit too difficult to deal with then and there, and it was little awkward for the shy and unassuming girl to see herself in Kurt's timeline. After a while, Kurt decided he had to address some questions that did not pertain directly to his past.
"Kassi, it's just struck me that as bad as it was to be stripped of these memories, they didn't really succeed in taking away what is dearest to me."
"Your faith, Kurt?"
"Nur gequetscht, nicht gebrochen. I've discovered that I really am not cut out for the priesthood. But after what you've told me of your own experiences in Montana, while I may still wonder about my calling, I think my confidence in God's will is returning. Do you often struggle with these moments of doubt?"
"Ja doch. Immer. But it's this beautiful, treacherous world we live in, and our ability to find our own way through it, that I do not trust. God always has a plan for the best, even when I can't see that. Whether to cooperate or not is our choice and our responsibility. Nearly all of human history, including that of us mutants, is made up of refusing to do God's will, and the dreadful and complicated effects of those choices."
"That cult also believed God had a plan."
"Nein, Kurt. They had a plan of their own that they made into a false god. And the supreme pontiff chose to reject your offer of mercy and let rage take control. To the detriment of us all."
"So, do you ever wish we did not have free will?"
"It would solve a lot of problems, nicht wahr? But for one. Think about what the X-Men would be if Charles just telepathically manipulated everyone to do what he wanted, except on an omniversal scale. Like what the Beyonder had already attempted. We'd be incapable of any real virtue, trust, love, and friendship. Would I be here now reconnecting with an old friend because I genuinely care for this person, or because it was programmed into me?"
"Speaking of reconnecting," said Kurt, as they donned their coats and headed out. "I was also thinking about hope. I think I am meant to share my adventures with someone. As wonderful as it is to confirm that we've indeed had a happy history together, I'd like to know if we could pick up where we left off."
"It is possible," Kassandra blushed. She had to make sure this was real, and that she was not even unconsciously trying to sway Kurt's decisions. Many people could not see past his outward appearance, and they feared him. A few women could see and appreciate the handsome features, lean acrobat's physique, and the considerable charm beyond the plush-like blue skin and glowing yellow eyes. Past all that, Kassandra knew was a genuinely gentle soul, and to reduce her feelings to terms of attraction or desire, she felt, would not do him or her regard for him any justice. And especially after all that happened, he needed to make his own decisions. "But what kind of future would you want? Rehashing your relationship with Cerise? I mean, I can't promise you many adventures to share if I end up behind bars. After all that's happened, all the blood I have on my hands, serving in prison ministry might be a good option, if you want to see anything of me once the grand jury hands in its indictments."
Kurt chuckled. "A teleporter in prison ministry? You don't really think that'll happen, nicht wahr?"
"It might have to." Kassandra shrugged.
"How about what you want? I've noticed you don't often talk about that."
He had to mention that? "Because it's easier to not think about it. Regardless of how the investigation and trial pans out, I am officially done with the CIA. The best I can hope for is that, besides having exposed that cult's activities, I'll have to actually start living more or less as a regular mutant. For now, I can't say what all that will entail, besides being feared, hated, and all the usual stuff. Anyway, whatever I want for myself usually doesn't happen. If my luck holds, I'll just have to continue dealing with that."
Kurt wrapped an arm around Kassandra's slender waist and cupped her chin in his other hand. "One of the things I've learned from all this is that life requires constant adaptation. Can you adapt to a change in your fortune, Liebchen? Because I'm willing to take that chance."
Kassandra looked up into those smiling golden eyes. Seeing Kurt actually smiling again after all he'd been through was, in and of itself, a consolation worth everything she'd been through. Perhaps even worth everything she'd done. But no, she would not think of that now. Only one thing could prevent her from enjoying this moment. Or seven, rather, who seemed determined to cause some trouble. "Ich vermute es, aber-"
"Hey, mutie! Getcher filthy deformed hands offa her!" bellowed one man.
"Remember what I said about living as a regular mutant?" said Kassandra, with a nervous smirk. "Looks like I'm going to get some more practice." She then bolted, to Kurt's horror, almost directly into one of the thugs who now surrounded them.
"Where ya, goin', sweet thing?" he said, wrapping his thick arms around her. "Ashamed to be seen with that freak? Ya should be."
"Yeah," said another, his breath now repulsively hot in her ear. "Pretty little piece a' tail like you really should be datin' yer own kind."
Kassandra struggled. "What, like you? Let go, or you'll see just what 'my kind' is!"
"Ooooh, that mutie-lover's a feisty one."
"Gentlemen," said Kurt, fangs bared and tail lashing, struggling and resisting the urge to teleport those who dared lay hands on them to uncharted dimensions infernal. "The lady's given you fair warning. She really is not your type."
"Shut that freak up, guys. Make sure he'll never look at a girl like that again."
"As for you, girl, once we take care of yer mutie boyfriend, we'll show ya what real men-"
"Kurt! Raus!"
"Nein!"
"I AM A FEDERAL AGENT!"
"OH, SH-!" One man took a foot unconstrained by physics to the solar plexus. Another only just barely saw a blurry, transparent fist head his way before lights out. They flew back about twenty feet. Kurt made quick work of two more, teleporting vertically out of their grip and slamming their heads into each other. And Kassandra's wraith-like image spun, eyes burning and fists up, to face the remaining three.
"So, what was your friend saying about 'real men'?"
"And didn't I warn you," said Kurt, "that she's not your type?"
They turned away to run, only to find the wraith suddenly blocking their path. Turned again. And there she was, as well. And again.
"Had enough of me already?" said the wraith. "I'm afraid you all are under arrest."
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"Bist du verletzt?" Kurt reappeared from the shadows, as the last of the police cars left the scene.
"Es tut mir leid, Kurt," said Kassandra.
"Are you hurt?" Kurt repeated. He took her left hand.
She winced. "Es ist nur gequetscht, nicht gebrochen."
"Only bruised, not broken? Donnerwetter, Kassi! How much speed did you pack into that punch?"
"That would be a question for the physics department, nicht wahr?" Kassandra shrugged. "Look. I'm okay." She held her hand up, and flexed her fingers. Already the swelling and discoloration, which would have taken weeks to heal for most anyone else, had subsided. "I just feel a bit foolish. I knew you wouldn't like this. I could've seen this coming. We could have ported out of that mess, but…"
"But they attacked us, and we had to stop them before they'd tangle with people less able to handle them. You knew, and they pretty much admitted, that trouble was all they had on their agenda. Why else would people like that linger outside any place that serves mutants?" Kurt gently pulled Kassandra closer and with velvety fingertips brushed the stray curls away from her face. "We did right, Liebling. I just want you to take better care of those hands. And now, where were we?"
Kassandra thought for a bit as Kurt's tail gently twined around her calf. He did refuse to leave her to fend for herself, even though she was capable of handling the situation, he hated fighting even more than she did, and he had ample opportunity to escape. Typisch Kurt. She still had to be careful. It wasn't as if she was sure she'd see a lot of him in the future. On the other hand, she was not sure when or if she'd have the opportunity to enjoy his company like this again. There were too many possibilities, most of which were not pleasant. Meanwhile, the soft tenderness of his touch was driving her nearly frantic. Oh, well. She'd have to adapt to that. "Strangely enough, we were talking about my circumstances actually improving."
"Starting right about now?"
"Ich vermute es. No time like the present."
"Das ist wohl wahr," said Kurt, as his lips finally met hers.
Everything seemed to stop. This would be no shy or playful first-date type kiss, Kurt realized to his surprise. Feelings long locked away and forgotten, which only recently started clamoring again for recognition, could no longer be denied. He then wondered if she'd managed to transport him out of time. It sure felt like it. He cracked open one eye to make sure. No, everything looked normal. But he was beginning to feel quite weak in the knees. And, while nothing could feel more natural, something about this did not feel at all familiar.
He reluctantly retreated to take a breath, savoring the soft scent of her hair, the lingering taste of fine wine, and the way her lean, athletic body softened like butter in his strong embrace. Apparently, he'd had a similar effect upon her. "Well, mein' Schatz, I should have figured that you'd port through a celestial dimension."
"Du schmeichelst mir" Kassandra blushed, but checked herself. Some part of her was shocked by this, even though she had seen it coming and even dared hope for it. But coming out of a past of guilt, horror, and disappointment, heading into a future that held only a slim chance of lasting happiness, she had silently resolved to never again let fear and uncertainty ruin a good present, however fleeting it might be. But something was still amiss. "Aber was ist los?"
"How is it that I could have known you for so long, and only just now get around to giving you even the least of what you deserve? Ich verstehe es nicht."
"Well, I wouldn't say I deserve this. But it's not as if you hadn't tried before."
"Now that, I can believe. By the way, I think you have something blue on your lip."
Kassandra smiled as she wove her fingers through Kurt's wavy indigo hair. "Das glaube ich!" And they kissed again.
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