AN: Lizzy's back! Aren't you happy ***hears crickets in background*** I knew you were! Anyway, we're getting far aren't we? WRONG. If this thing had parts then… well pain. Let's leave that subject and get on to my thanks and then the chapter! YAY!

            To A Watcher: You're confused? Welcome to my world 24/7! As always, your support is allows welcomed.

             To Mika: Did I spell you're name right? Sorry, if I didn't. ***giggles*** I've never had someone bow to me before… kinda weird… kinda AWESOME!

Chapter Twelve- Bait

                        "So," Buffy said as the Brotherhood, Ori and Faith filed into the apartment, "you're the Brotherhood?"

            Lance nodded, "And you must be the Slayer… or one of them anyway."

            Buffy turned and raised her eyebrow at Faith who answered, "We had no choice but to explain it to them. Some of their teammates of have pulled an Anakin on us and joined the dark side."

            "Fine whatever." Buffy murmured and stood, "Okay listen. Over on the couch is Xander and on the laptop is Willow. Over there is Sidney and somewhere there are three ghosts better known as Ann, Jack and Eve."

            "Faith filled us in on that." Colossus said in his deep voice and it had Buffy blinking at him. Since Buffy was easily the shortest one in the room, she had to cock her head to look into Colossus's eyes.

            "You're a big one, aren't you?" She said out loud, "Okay. Roll call."

            "I'm Gambit." Said the leader of the older Brotherhood.

            "Colossus."

            "Pyro."

            "Lance."

            Buffy nodded and looked over each member of the Brotherhood, "So, you guys are going to be working with me for a while aren't you? Well, there are a few rules that will need to be followed.

            Lance rolled his eyes and said, "Great."

            Buffy ignored him, "One, you will not do anything evil. That includes fighting with the X-Men. You plan on having a brawl or have a brawl you're outta here, got it? Two, you will be up before dawn so I can give you some basic training in hand-to-hand combat since just shooting vampires with your powers won't usually kill them. Three, you will not bother Sidney or Willow as they are both very busy with doing what they're doing. And finally, you will help us fight demons and risk your life, got it?"
            "Isn't that a little harsh, mate?" Pyro asked and Buffy pinned him down with a glare.

            "It's hard world. Something dangerous coming, I can feel it in my warrior's blood. A very strong bad guy, possibly as bad as the First. You have to be ready. As it was proved earlier you aren't."

            "Now," Buff glanced at her watch, "I have to get going. School and such, but I'm warning you now, one step out of line and you're through, got it? I'm tough and I'm a bitch, but I can kick your ass and don't forget it."

            With that Buffy turned, brushed past Colossus with her head reaching only his shoulder, and walked out the door. The Brotherhood stared at their new 'leader'.

            "Is she always so tough?" Gambit wondered out loud.

            Faith shrugged, "Well, considering what she's been through… you know death, world-destruction, evil blood-sucking boyfriends, she's actually a softy. See, now I'm mean but in a very female way. Same as Ori here."

            "I'm not mean." Ori protested.

            "And I'm Mary- Queen of Scots, pleased to meet you." Sidney said sarcastically from the table and the boys smirked.

            Ori turned her crocodile tears to Pyro, "You don't think I'm mean do you? Hmm?"

            "Ah…" Helplessly Pyro looked at the boys, who all looked away, "No?"

            Ori smiled, tears gone, "I knew it! That's one for me!"

            "Hey doom and gloom," Xander called to Lance who had yet to look amused, "You like football?"

            Lance tried his best not to look at Xander's eye-patch, "Enough." he answered.

            Xander saw where Lance's eyes were going and touched his eye-patch, "Hey, don't look so uncomfortable. This is a battle-scar. Got it while saving the world from the First."

            "Oh, is that what you were doing?" Willow wondered out loud.

            "Why must thou constantly putith me down?" Xander said dramatically placing a hand on his heart, "Had you not been gay we would've been married by now."

            Willow rolled her eyes, "Please, Xander, I would've grown out of you. Besides, if I didn't put you down who would stop your ego from consuming the world?"

            Xander nodded, "Point taken." Looking back over at Lance he said, "Wanna watch football? I've spent the past six days bringing surrounded by women not attracted to me so I'm kinda bored."

            "What game is on?" Lance asked plopping next to Willow. Gambit and the other soon followed.

            Xander blinked and tried to remember, "I think it's the Giants verses the Eagles."

            "Go Eagles." Willow said happily, flipping open her laptop.

            "Evil!" Xander hissed, "How can I stand you? Why are we friends!? You're cheering for the enemy!!!"
            Willow shrugged, "I always cheer for the underdog! Why do you think I've always been on your side over the years?"

            Xander glared at his best friend, "That was way harsh, Will."

            "Life's harsh." Willow answered and they smiled a best friend smile at one another.

            And that was true enough, Lance knew.

                        "It like really sucks that Mr. Harris isn't teaching anymore." Kitty told Rogue as they walked into Bayville High School.

            "Ah don't care." Rogue muttered. Though she had gotten to like Mr. Harris over the couple over days she'd never admit that to Kitty. It was like a sign of weakness.

            But Rogue did allow herself to look over at Kitty. Though the Shadowcat hid it well, Rogue could see she was unhappy. There were shadows, expertly hidden by make-up, under her eyes and it had a sad look in them. Rogue wasn't exactly the most 'relationship- suave' person but she knew when someone was suffering heartbreak? Hadn't she been there whenever Scott and Jean had a fight?

            "What's wrong, Kitty." Rogue asked, knowing very well what was wrong. And Lance Alvers was his name-o, she thought.

            "Nothing." Kitty said bravely, "Nothing's wrong. Why do you like care?"

            Rogue was hurt by Kitty's harsh tone but she kept it concealed, "Fine! Don't want myah help? Fine with meh. Didn't want to listen to yar sob story anyway. Ah'm outta here." With that Rogue walk stiffly away.

            "Rogue wait!" Kitty cried, regretting the harsh words that had fallen from her tongue, but the gothic teen had already entered the high school building and could not hear Kitty's calls.

            Great. Just great. I like push away the one person who might understand. Scott can't because he like hates the Brotherhood same as Jean, and how can I tell Kurt or Evan? They would like say I'm better off without Lance!

            "But I'm not." Kitty muttered in frustration and kicked at the dirt. She didn't know how to explain it, but she felt complete, whole when she was around Lance and wasn't fighting him. When she was alone, even when was she was mostly happy, a piece of her was missing. She was incomplete.

            Was Lance the missing piece?

            "Kitty?" Miss Summers said walking over to Kitty. She had a worried look on her heart-shaped face and Kitty felt reassured, "What's wrong?"

            "Oh, Miss Summers!" Kitty cried in angst, throwing herself in Miss Summers's awaiting arms. She didn't know why or how, but she just felt like Miss Buffy Summers could understand her in a way no one else could.

            "What's wrong, hell-kitten?" Miss Summers asked, using the nickname she had given to Kitty when the Shadowcat and threatened to tan some boys hides when they had teased Rogue.

            "Everything!" Kitty said, beginning to sob.

            "Do you want to talk about it?" Miss Summers asked, stroking Kitty's hair in a motherly fashion.

            Though she had said 'no' to Rogue just a minute ago, she found herself drawn to Miss Summers and she was compelled to get her story out there, "Yes. Yes, I like need someone to talk to." With that, Miss Summers guided Kitty to a bench to sit.

            And so Kitty told her everything, no holds. She told him about Lance and her odd relationship with him. And how none of the X-Men felt he was good enough for her even though Kitty was happiest around the Brotherhood leader. And she told Miss Summers of the harsh words she had called Lance and how she'd never really get to see how deep her feelings ran for the 'bad boy'.

            She loves him and he loves her, Buffy thought as Kitty burst into a new bout of tears, and the only thing standing in there way is their differences.

            Didn't that sound familiar?

            "What should I do?" Kitty asked, "I'm torn. On the one hand I like really want to be with Lance and on the other I know he's the enemy. What should I do?"

            Buffy sighed and said, "I can't tell you what to do. You have to decide yourself, but Kitty this Lance guy doesn't sound really bad." Not to mention I know him from personal acquaintances, "And if you ruin a possible good relationship because your friends don't like him or there are obstacles in the way then you're being silly. At least there is a possibly of being with your Lance. Some people aren't that lucky."

            Kitty noticed that Miss Summers's eyes had gotten a far off look to them and she said in shock, "You like speak from personal experience, Miss Summers?"

            Buffy sighed and leaned away, "Yes, I did, but we were not meant to be for reasons of our differences. But I'm over him. I've moved on." And I don't love Angel anymore, Buffy silently realized. Oh yes, she would always love Angel— her first love, her lost love— but she wasn't in love with him. Her heart was free; she wasn't tied to any man. Angel had left her heart and she could give it to anyone she wanted. It was a shocking revelation. One she'd have to think about tonight since it wasn't her patrol shift.

            Shaking her head, Buffy returned to the problem at hand, "Kitty, you can't let your friends decide things for you. That's your job. And even if they aren't happy with your decision they'll come around or they aren't your true friends." Like Xander and Willow, they came to understand Angel and Spike, though Spike wasn't what you'd call a 'boyfriend'.

            "You're right Miss Summers, but how do I know if Lance like feels the same way? After all, the only time he's talked to me recently is to snap at me. I don't think he cares for me very much." Kitty pointed out.

            "You never know until you try." Buffy said and then caught look at her watch, "Oh by the goddess, we're going to be late! Run along, hell-kitten, I've work to be had and you've studies to study."

            "Thank you, Miss Summers." Kitty said softly as Buffy hurried away, pretty pink skirt flapping in the wind.

            Kitty sighed and sat alone for a moment before standing. This time there was half-smile on her face. Buffy was right, she had to make her own decisions about Lance and her life or she'd go crazy. She couldn't be dragged around by a leash all her life.

            But what was her decision about Lance?

            She knew she'd felt something strong for the Brotherhood leader, but she was afraid he didn't feel anything for her. He'd proven that over the past weeks hadn't he? And at the same time, a part of her believed her shared her strong feelings. When she saw him, she'd decide if she wanted to try out Miss Summers's advice. Once she looked into those mahogany eyes of Lance, she'd know. She always found her answers in his deep eyes. Always his eyes.

            Almost breaking out into a full smile, Kitty stopped suddenly and backtracked. She turned her head and stared, wondering if she was imagining it.

            But she wasn't it. She had really seen it out of the corner of her eye. A body lying on the floor. Without thinking, Kitty raced towards it/he/she. She was at the body in record time. She panted as she knelt besides it.

            "Ma'am?" Kitty said, shaking the body she recognized as female, "Ma'am, are you like alright?"

            The woman groaned and moved slightly before stilling. The movement gave Kitty motivation and she began shaking ever harder. The woman groaned again, opened her eyes and looked around in confusion.

            "Where am I?" The woman asked.

            "At my high school." Kitty answered, "Stay here, I'm going to get you like help."

            The woman reached out and gripped Kitty's wrists in a hand of steel, "Oh I'm not going to be the one needing help, dearie. You are." With that she poked Kitty's arm with a razor tip weapon in embedded in her skin.

            Kitty screamed and struggled as pain swamped through her, but it was useless. Whatever her penetrated into her blood made her paralyzed. Helplessly, Kitty slid to the floor and lay there unmoving.

            Above her, the woman was looming in front of her vision and there was an evil smirk of her face.

            "Yes, you'll make perfect bait, dearie." The woman said and Kitty knew no more.

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            O.o… Kitty's been kidnapped by the evil demon Furia. Bad-ass Furia ***shrugs and glomps Furia*** she's ever woman's inner bitch! Especially mine! Anywho, that's it for this chapie! I bet you can't wait for the next one! In chapter thirteen T-R-A-P both the X-Men and Buffy's team come up with a daring rescue for the Shadowcat, but will they reach her in time. Until then REVIEW!

                        "Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger." –Franklin P. Jones

                                                -Lizzy Rebel