disclaimer: All recognizable characters are owned by Marvel, except Jenny who is MINE! (though I have been known to share if you ask nicely.) I expect to make no money off this fic. Dammit.

Human and the Demon
by Dizi

Chapter 4

Tuesday afternoon, Kurt was surprised but pleased when Jenny directed him to St. Francis Catholic Church, or more precisely a small building attached to the back of it.

As they entered, a loud booming voice called out, "Jenny! I was beginning to think you weren't coming today."

Snorting, Jenny called back, "No, you weren't, Johnny! I've never missed and you know it. That's why you always call me for help. And we're right on time."

"And you've brought a new friend to help." Johnny was a big bear of a man, and exuded an air of authority so was most likely in charge. He looked Kurt up and down, seeing only the projection from the image-inducer on Kurt's wrist. He didn't seem impressed.

Looking around, Kurt realized immediately this was a homeless shelter, having volunteered at others himself. The small building was for administration and supplies. It was a junction between the church and a larger building, which was the actual shelter and housed those in need.

Kurt set down the box of baked goods he was carrying on the table Johnny indicated. From the amount in the box Jenny had spent quite a bit of time baking it all and it had to have been a lot of work. Though it was obviously for a good cause, in his opinion Jenny spent far too much time working, whether she was actually at work or not. Shaking his head, he wondered when she rested.

He wasn't the only one concerned. After a few hours of work passing out food and blankets and getting people seated, Johnny pulled Kurt aside. "Keep an eye on our girl there. I have to go in to say mass, and if someone doesn't make her stop and rest, she won't."

Eyes wide, Kurt took another look at the big man. He wasn't dressed as a priest normally would be as he was in jeans and a checked shirt. "You are zis parrish's priest? Father Johnny?"

Grinning at his expression, the other man nodded. "I was assigned here a year ago. Sorry I didn't tell you. But if Jenny doesn't know, I'm not telling her."

"I do not understand. You seem to be friends, vhy vould you hide it from her?"

Considering his answer, Johnny asked, "How well do you know Jenny?"

Also being careful in his reply, Kurt said, "Myself, not vell, but I live at ze school she recently left and I am learning more every day."

"You know Hank then?" Johnny asked. He was visibly relieved at Kurt's nod. "Then you know how Jenny feels about mutants. I don't really know her that well. She's a very private person, but her feelings were easy to see. Especially when Hank came with her when she first started coming here."

Kurt nodded again, but he really didn't understand. He hadn't found Jenny to be very private. To him she seemed very open and giving. It was part of her appeal.

"Seeing as the Church and Jenny have opposite feelings, she has a problem with the Church." Fr. Johnny continued. "It isn't hard to see if you know what to look for, and it happens that I do. The old priest here was pretty bad about the 'mutant issue' and it became obvious Jenny has an issue with the clergy. I wanted her to get to know me and realize I don't agree with the Church's mutant policy. Not that I really hid my vocation, mind you. I just didn't make an issue of it, and I usually don't. But I have to run, I'm behind schedule. I'll come back and check on you after mass. I'll expect to see Jenny has had a break."

Agreeing to see to it, Kurt watched him go to the church proper. He stood there a moment running through the priest's words over and over. His faith was a large part of him and had sustained him in dark times. He hoped it wouldn't be something that would keep them apart.

From either of their sides.

Jenny was handing out the last cookie when Kurt dragged her away to sit on a bench outside for the promised break. She protested all the way as he knew she would.

"You must rest if you are to vork more," he said complacently. "Johnny's orders."

Looking sad for a moment, Jenny sighed, "It just never feels like it's enough. There's always more to be done and more needed."

"If you overvork, you vill be tired and vill not be able to do as much." Kurt said sensibly. He decided to test her on Johnny's words, and suggested, "Ve could go for a valk. I haf never been to zis church. You could show it to me."

"Uh, that probably wouldn't be a good idea." Jenny hedged.

"I do not believe zey vould mind if ve look around." he gently urged.

"I've never been inside," she finally admitted, avoiding his eyes. "I wouldn't be a good guide. Maybe Johnny will show you around later, he keeps trying to take me around."

No longer pretending, he asked her straight out. "Jenny, please talk to me. You give your time to zis church but you do not go inside. Vhy?"

Staring at her feet, Jenny took her time trying to put her words together. "Have you noticed anything about the people who come here for help?"

"Vhat do you mean?" His expression was puzzled.

"There's mutants among the homeless here. There are a lot of homeless mutants in need of help. Believe me, I know, I lived among them for years. There's also a lot of shelters, but this is the only one I've found in the area that will help mutants." Jenny met his eyes. "I'm not here for the church, Kurt. If it benefits, that's fine, but I come here because they are helping all the homeless, not just the normal humans." Her voice became hard, and very unlike what he had ever heard from her before. "But I won't go into the church. I don't believe in it."

"You do not believe in God?" He was shocked, unable to believe it of her.

"I didn't say that. I don't believe in organized religion. Not one of them recognizes mutants as human. Even here they don't accept them in the church. They don't turn them away, but they don't accept them either. God is everywhere and loves us all. I believe that to the bottom of my soul, though it took me awhile to remember it." Jenny shook her head. "I've seen too many die in God and religion's name. Look at the FOH. Some of them're always spouting verse, especially after they murder a bunch of mutants. Priests who say they did a good thing in killing them." Her voice became strained. "When I was thirteen and my best friend was killed, the priest was there. Later he came to me and said it was God's will that she died because she was a mutant. I will not go inside. I will not listen to those who have dedicated their lives to a religion that believes that. I won't."

"Not all believe zat vay." Kurt said quietly, his heart aching for her. "Johnny is your friend and he does not."

"Johnny is not the only one here and he must do as he is told." Her words didn't acknowledge that she was aware of Johnny's vocation but did not deny it either. "I'm sorry but I'm not going to change. I will not go inside."

"Ve must all do vhat ve are most comfortable vith, and God vill understand." Kurt couldn't give up the church himself, but could see the pain it caused her. It was obvious she had a strong belief in God but also strong convictions. Based on her words, he couldn't blame her for them. He had intended to invite her to attend mass with him and it saddened him not to be able to share it with her.

"You understand?" Jenny asked hopefully.

"Ja." He was careful not to let his voice betray his doubts.

"But you don't agree." she said softly.

Kurt hesitated. She was correct on both counts. "I myself find great comfort in ze church."

"I can accept that." Jenny met his eyes again, wishing she could see the real him and get a better idea of what he was feeling. "I guess the question is, can you accept that I don't?"

"I can accept zat you believe differently zen I do. Tolerance of other's differences are vhat ze X-Men are about. Not just mutant and human but all differences. Ve haf all religions represented." Kurt sighed, "I suppose I vas hopeful vhen you brought me here."

"I didn't mean to mislead you, I just wanted to share it with you." Jenny swallowed and gathered her courage. "Still want to spend time with a heathen like me?"

Kurt laughed and flicked her nose. "Liebling, if all heathens vere like you, ze vorld vould be a much better place."

Smiling as she stood up, Jenny knew everything was fine between them again. "Well, this heathen thinks we've taken a pretty big break and it's time to get back to work."

"I suppose ve must." he teased, and offered her his arm.

Slipping her arm through his, she teased back, "If you're good, I have Moonpies and cookies at home."

"Only if you sit down to eat them." he commanded in a mocking tone.

"As long as I get to see you and not the gadget." Jenny tapped the image-inducer distastefully. "I like you just the way you are."

His eyes seemed to glow even through the hologram for a moment, and Kurt said seriously, "I feel ze same vay about you, liebling."

After dropping Jenny off at her house, Kurt returned to the mansion bearing gifts. He delivered a large container of oatmeal-raisin cookies to the kitchen, which was quickly pounced on by various teammates. Then he continued to the lab with a box of Twinkies for Hank.

He found the large blue-furred man at his prized computer, but Hank quickly stopped whatever he was doing at the sight of the goodies in Kurt's hands.

"My, Kurt, I did not realize the depth of your affection for my humble self. Please accept my unconditional appreciation for your kind offering." he said as he snatched the box.

Kurt laughed, "Jenny asked me to tell you she has not forgotten you, mein freund."

Already opening the box, Hank asked, "Are you aware of her current level of Moonpies? I believe I have hidden a box of her preferred delicacies in some far misremembered corner of my lab."

"I believe zey are dwindling quickly, but she still has plenty zere." Kurt hesitated, but wanted to clear the air and not cause undue stress between them. "You are close to Jenny, ja?"

"That would be a correct conclusion." Hank sighed, quickly consuming the first treat. "Jenny has an uncanny ability to understand my idiosyncrasies. We formed an attachment quite quickly, shortly after our first encounter."

Kurt nodded, "Zat vas my understanding."

"Understanding is the correct terminology precisely. We understand each other." Hank said, for once using simple words for a simple concept, but unwilling to explain further.

"I... " again Kurt hesitated, not really wanting to ask, "But you and Jenny are close, ja?"

"If you are attempting to ascertain the depth of our affection for each other, I can assure you it is quite deep indeed. But," Hank's voice was firm, "it is not a romantic attachment, though I admit to having entertained such thoughts at one point. However, Jenny was not at the time able to return such affections and they eventually developed in a different manner. She is an extraordinary individual, as I have always extorted to any who expressed an inclination to know the slightest detail about her."

"Zat she is," Kurt agreed, relieved. "Wundervoll."

"You are the first individual Jenny has shown a marked interest in that any of us are aware of, Kurt. As you seem to return said interest, I am quite happy for you both."

"Wunderbar." Kurt's eyes were bright, he felt like he'd been given parental approval on prom night. After a moment, he commented thoughtfully, "I zink zat she vorks too hard."

"That is an opinion I have held for a lengthy duration. I was, however, emphatically informed that my habits precluded the right to voice my objections." Hank shook his head, "It is yet another similarity between us."

"I do not haf zat problem." Grinning, Kurt began mentally planning future outings designed to make her rest and to add some fun to her life.

Hank's voice interrupted his thoughts, "It's a heady thing, isn't it?"

Kurt frowned, "Vas?"

"Complete and total acceptance of you, all of you, precisely as you are." was the quiet response. "I would wish for Jenny to experience the same level of acceptance. Jenny is special and deserves to receive the gift she gives."

Not sure exactly what the other man was getting at but agreeing with the sentiment, Kurt replied puzzled, "Zat sounds reasonable."

"Of course, if you were to damage my young feminine friend's heart, I have a variety of experiments of which you would become a focus of." Hank warned as an afterthought, before Kurt could question him.

Deciding not to dwell on the possibilities of that statement, Kurt hurried out of the room.

to be continued.

German Key:
wondevoll - wonderful
wunderbar - marvelous

note:
Elizabeth Robbins- Sorry I missed you last chapter. I really don't think he could have stopped then nor kept Jubes away. I'm sure he grumbled under his breath though and we just missed it.
S- Well, Sims2 isn't precisely X-Men specific but is versatile enough so that we can make sims that look like the X-Men. No powers, of course, but I now have a Jubes, Wolvie, and Remy look alikes and am working on a Rogue. I'll do my best to keep the level up, nothing less than my best for Jenny and Kurt.
GothikStrawberry- Here ya go! As promised.
Jinxeh- They weren't exactly spying. The girls were out in the open, after all. I think we all needed a reminder that Charles is a man, not just a mascot in a wheelchair.
B Oots- I'm surprised at you! What happens? Fun to be had by all and love in the air.
CaptainTish- Jenny did freak out, that's why Kurt was still apologizing at the end, but I think she also saw the humor in it. "Second Chances" does show their future and I could tell you, but isn't it better just to wait and see? It's coming, I swear!
Irbis- It is expected but how often do we see it in these guys? Well, actually kinda often in some stories but I hope I was at least a little original in it.
otakthecanadian- Thank you so much. Being as I am not a guy I wasn't sure I got it right and I appreciate being told it worked from a male perspective. I'm also glad you like Jenny. I admit she got away from me and is now a major character when I meant for her to stay secondary.

I bet this wasn't what you expected for their "date", huh? But I wanted to get the religion thing dealt with early and I think this shows an important side of both their personalities. Also, that all is not perfect between them. Be aware that neither will change their opinion and will simply live with that difference, but don't expect to see much of a revisit on the religion topic. You could imagine them discussing it privately when we don't see them, though. I do.

Next! Time goes by and Kurt finds out about Jenny's past! It's about time, don't you think? See how he reacts and how it affects them both.

Hey! No suggestions on the title for the short-stories? I expect to start posting them by chapter 9 as the first takes place between 9 and 10.

Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi