A/N: Maybe instead of being author's notes this should be called excuse. Yes, late update but I have an eligible excuse (like anyone cares). I've been beaten, tormented, bruised and bloodily… all because of MATH! Damn proofs, burn forever more in helllllllll! On top of that I just got X-Men: Legends (yay!) and so have been spending my free time with that! Almost done with the game. So damn exciting. So anyway, gettin' towards the end of the series (whoa) and so things will probably come out faster. Joy!

(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)

Chapter Thirty Four- The Lovers' Walk

Something was different about Ori, Kitty decided as she ate breakfast the next morning. You couldn't really call it a morning, however, seeing as the sun had not risen for the past week or so.

As she chewed on her toast and bacon, Kitty studied Ori. There was this lazy look in her eyes and with the way she smiled at Pyro when he walked in, equally different, it was obvious that whatever had been going on between the two of them had finally been finished the night before.

And top of that Ori had proclaimed she was now going to start training since Mr. McCoy had been nice enough to make her an X-Men uniform. The uniform Ori wore showed off her curved and rounded body and made Kitty's own slender one fell gawky.

Rogue walked into the breakfast room and sat down. "Do ya mind?" she asked of Kitty, motioning to her bacon. Kitty hadn't been able to eat much over the past few days and so handed her breakfast over to Rogue. Rogue nodded in way of thanks and began to eat.

Then Gambit walked in, looking happy and very male, and sat besides her. He looped a muscular arm around her shoulder and when he thought she wasn't looking moved in to take some of her bacon.

Rogue, however, saw the movement and pushed his hand away. "Don't even thing about it, loser," she muttered and glared at him while Gambit smirked. Kitty shook her head; there was a relationship she wouldn't get. Why was Rogue kissing Gambit, smiling at him when she proclaimed she hated him, thought he was annoying?

"Alrig't den, chere," Gambit drawled. "Can I 'ave a kiss instead?" Rogue rolled her eyes and at Gambit's smile, leaned forward and did so.

Kitty was still a little taken back every time Rogue touched someone. It would take some getting use to on her part, Kitty decided. She was so used to Rogue wearing gloves and not being able to touch. Rogue still wore her gothic clothes when she wasn't in uniform, but the gloves had been lost. She now seemed to enjoy brushing her skin against another's flesh, namely Gambit's, whenever she could. Kitty could see it in her friend's eyes that she still was amazed they she could do the simply things like brush skins and the more complicated things like kissing.

Kitty watched as Rogue, after wiping Gambit's smile off his face, look at Willow and smile in thank you. Willow smiled back softly and continued to read the thick leather book entitled 'Demons of the Celtic Origin'.

Then Tabitha and Xander walked in, laughing and chatting and doing the Tabitha and Xander thing. They both moved towards the refrigerator and dug out eggs, bacon, cheese and bread. They both seemed to share the same liking in big meals.

Xander plopped next to Kitty. "Hey there, baby. You look sad. How about you and me run away and let these fools fight their war?" He said that to make her smile and it worked.

Tabitha, in mock-horror, placed a hand over her heart and said, "Alexander Harris! How could you? You promised me the world and then leave with the Shadowcat?"

"What can I say, Tabby?" Xander asked and looped an arm around Kitty's shoulders. "She's just too cute to resist!"

Tabitha sighed and looked Kitty up and down before saying, "I guess you're right." She then smiled at the quietest member at the table. "Then I get Lance!"

Xander looked over at Lance and saw that though his dark eyes were narrowed in anger. Jealousy is a monster, Xander thought to himself and unhooked his arms. Deciding he'd better show Lance he had a girlfriend and was sticking to her, he stood.

"Oh Tabitha!" Xander cried in mock sadness. "I was wrong, darling! You're the only one for me! Please don't run off with that better looking man. Stay with me. I can't live without you." He collapsed to the floor with fake sobs.

"Oh Xander!" Tabitha said with equal 'sadness'. "You know there'll never be anyone other then you. I could never run off with another man, no matter how better looking. I shall stay with you." Then she too collapsed to the floor, threw her arms around his hunched over shoulders, and began to 'sob'.

Faith, who had just walking into the room when Xander and Tabitha had begun their dramatic play, moved over to the kitchen table and picked up a ketchup bottle. "And the winner of the most dramatic scene goes to…" she said, holding the ketchup bottle like an Oscar. "Alexander Harris for his rendition of a 'pathetic male weeper' in the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer Goes to Bayville'."

Xander, looking shocked and surprised, stood and took the ketchup bottle from Faith's hands. "Oh thank you! I couldn't have it without you, my darling fans. I would like to thank Buffy, who has countless times made me want to cry, and all those guys in high school who beat me up into a bloody pulp just so I'd get better at wailing. And of course, a special thank you to Tabitha and your constant threats of walking off with better looking guys, which makes me very sad. Thank you!"

Everyone in the room cheered because they needed to relax. Xander always seems to make us smile, Kitty thought as she smiled at Xander who was bowing. Tabitha squealed like a crazed fan girl and launched herself into his arms.

"Ah, stardom," Xander said in a husky voice.

Kitty chuckled but stopped when she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. She turned her head to the source of her uneasiness and found herself looking into the dark, mahogany eyes of Lance Alvers. She felt heat rise in her cheeks and she lowered her head.

Over the past three weeks, Lance had been avoiding her. Whenever she was training he wasn't. If she had been walking down the hall one way and he another, he'd stop abruptly and walk the opposite way. At first, Kitty ran after him and tried to engage him in a conversation but all he did was look at her coldly. It made her heart ache to see that emotionless look in his eyes. She wanted so badly to put a name to her emotions but until Lance started to listen to her, talk to her, she never could.

So she started to ignore him. If he wanted to be cold that was fine with her. She could be cold, too. Real cold. Until he was ready to admit there was something between them, she wasn't going to let him get to her.

When she looked back up at Lance, he was looking back at his meal in deep concentration. He seemed to be trying to obtain some of Scott's powers and melt his bacon with his eyes.

"ORI!" Faith cried, breaking Kitty's thoughts. "How could you!? When I'm not getting any? I thought we could be alone and horny together but now look at you and don't try to deny it! I know that look in your eyes. I love that look."

"Hey, guys!" Buffy cried as she and Colossus entered the room, "Are we all ready to do some hard-core training? Shibita, Charlotte and the others are already out there."

"Oh not you!" Faith cried pointing a finger. "Even Miss Priss is getting laid. Why am I the only person here not getting any!? And why did you use hardcore!? What is it with you people and the double meanings?" she demanded, stood and left.

"What's the problem?" Colossus wondered to no one in particular.

"Hey, I'm not getting any," Xander said and on Tabitha's glare add quickly. "But that's because I respect you both as a person and my girlfriend and won't anything until you're ready." At Tabitha's smile, Xander sighed and looked relieved.

Gambit opened his mouth but shut it when Rogue elbowed him. "Don't even go there, Cajun. Don't even go there," she muttered warningly.

"Was I going somewhere, chere? I was planning on askin' you if you wanted all of your bacon," Gambit asked and smiled as Rogue narrowed her eyes at him. He went back to his own bacon.

Just then Scott and Jean walked in, side by side. Jean looked at them and asked, "I just saw Faith storming away from here. What's her problem?"

"Hey, Scott is Jean giving you any?" Xander asked and received a horrified look from Scott.

"What the hell did you just say!?" Scott demanded and stalked over to Xander. Xander jumped behind Tabitha and looked at the leader of the X-Men wearily.

"It was just a question. Don't think too much into it. In fact, don't think about at all! Forget I said anything. I say stupid things… a lot," Xander said and Tabitha rolled her eyes at her boyfriend and his cowardly ways.

Scott took a sit opposite from Xander and he caught Jean smiling at him. His cheeks flamed as dark as his glasses.

Looks like everyone has somebody, Kitty thought sadly.

--&--

Lance was in a bad mood, but then he had been in a bad mood ever since he had started to live at the Institute. It made him close too Kitty and it reminded him of how terribly in love he was with her.

Then this morning, or he believed it had been the morning, he had almost lost control over his powers when he saw Xander flirting with her. He wanted to reach over the table and strangle him, but he managed to resist the urge. After all, Buffy would be disappointed in him.

He was now sitting in one of the reading rooms in the Institute, trying to push Kitty from his mind. He was reading some weird book on demons Willow had given him. He didn't understand anything the book said since it was written in Latin but it was better then thinking about Kitty.

And to make matters worse the love bug seemed to be biting everyone. There was Rogue and Gambit, which didn't surprise Lance very much since he knew Gambit had been chasing after her for a while. Then there was Tabitha and Xander which was totally weird but at the same time it made sense seeing that they were both pretty crazy. Then Colossus and Buffy which no one saw coming, but now that they were together it obvious they were perfect together. And finally Ori and Pyro, who were now the best of friends as well as lovers. Another one that was coming, Lance decided and was annoyed.

Why was everyone getting with everyone else when he finally decided to stop chasing after Kitty Pryde? Was this God's way of telling him to go after the girl? Or was it punishment for hurting Kitty so much?

It's her own fault. I've been trying to ignore her but she just won't leave me alone, Lance thought. Kitty, whenever they were in the same room, would always try to get him into a conversation and she would look at him with those pretty blues all wide and innocent. Then all he would want to do was kiss her.

I'm no good for her, Lance told himself for the millionth time. Kitty Pryde was the princess of the X-Men. Wolverine, that crazy guy with the claws, was overprotective of her and so was Summers-he meant Scott, he really should find a better name for the glasses totting young man-and everyone else on the team. They were doing what was best for her, keeping her away from him.

"Why can't she see that?" Lance wondered out loud. Why couldn't Kitty accept that they're not being together was a good thing? Why did she constantly chase after him and then make him feel guilty when he used hurtful words against her?

Just then the door creaked open and Lance lifted his head to watch Sidney walk in. There were tears in her eyes and her lips were tight to hold back her sobs. She saw Lance then and backed up in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said softly and looked around the room. "I didn't think anyone was in this room. Um… is it okay if I sit here?"

Lance shrugged. "Sure, why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, I was in Ori's room when Pyro came in and they kicked me out. Rogue and Gambit are kissing in another room and didn't want to be bothered. Buffy, Colossus, Shibita, the New Slayers and the half-demons are all training and Willow is busy researching Deltoramina on the web. Tabitha and Xander are no where to be found and Scott and Jean are having one of their 'awkward moments'. All of them didn't want to be bothered so I figured you didn't either."

He smirked at that, thinking it was nice someone thought about what he felt. "I don't mind. I'm trying to read this. It ain't going so well."

Sidney looked at the title, saw it was in Latin, and shuddered. "Willow tried to get me to read that. I ran away." She smiled slightly and Lance found himself returning the smile.

"Smart move." He sighed and said, "I just needed something to do."

"To get your mind off Kitty, right?" When Lance's eyes narrowed Sidney said quickly, "I heard Ori and Buffy talking about. I was just stating what I knew… I… um… I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't mean-"

"It doesn't matter," Lance said and looked back down at the book.

"You're lucky, you know," Sidney said softly, causing Lance to look back up at her, "At least you can be with Kitty. The only thing that holds you guys back it your stubborn beliefs. There's not destiny and fate standing in the way…"

"Jack, right?" Lance shrugged at Sidney's surprised look. "I heard Ori telling Buffy about it. He's a ghost and you're among the living so you feel that it can't happen because you guys have no future together. That's it, isn't it?"

"Yes," Sidney said, surprised that she wanted to tell him about it. "It's just that eventually Jack will Pass On to the other side. To the afterlife. If he loves me and we're together then I'll be holding back and I can't do that. I love him to much and I can't hold him back from true happiness. You think he likes being here on Earth? Maybe in the beginning he did, he could still be with his family, but they've all Passed On now. He must want to be with them. How can I do that?"

"Looks like we have something in common." Lance said in sympathy. "We both love a person we can't be with because it would hinder them."

Sidney shook her head. "You're being silly," she said calmly. "The only reason you aren't with Kitty is because you won't allow it. You say it's the best for her, everyone thinks they know what's best for her, but did you ever ask Kitty what she thought what was the best for her? Despite what you seem to think, Lance, you aren't a bad person. You've got potential to do great things. You could be anything you want. All you have to do is put your mind to it. If you wanted Kitty Pryde, if you wanted to prove you were good enough for her in the eyes of other, you would do it. But the thing is, Lance, you don't want to. You don't want to stick your neck and put yourself in the spotlight. You like to use what others think of you as an anchor, as an excuse. Everyone thinks: 'oh that Alvers kid doesn't do anything right' and so why should you?"

Lance started at her, his eyes widened, and he knew she was right. But why did she have to be right? Why did she have the ability to look into his eyes and know what went on there? Why was it her with pale gray eyes that made him feel stupid?

Sidney must have sensed his feelings and took his hand to soothe him. "You need to show everyone who you are, Lance. Show everyone what Kitty sees in you, prove you're worthy of her love. You can do it."

"Are you psychic now?" Lance asked and Sidney smiled.

"No. Just very, very wise. It comes with being surrounded by death all your life," Sidney answered and still held his hand, it was as if she wanted that contact.

Their eyes met, held. Something passed between them. It felt as if Sidney was passing some of that wisdom on to him, as if she was telling him to be brave without saying it. Lance leaned forward to tell her she was right and to say thank you for giving him the strength, for making him see that he was worth it. That Kitty was worth it.

But the door opened and Lance leaned back into his chair in shock at the gasp. Sidney released his hand and they turned their eyes to Kitty who stood in front of the threshold on shock.

What a picture they must have made, Lance would think later. Holding each other's hands and Lance leaning over the table. He knew it probably looked like he was getting ready to kiss her when all he had been trying to do was say thank you.

And that was what it looked like to Kitty Pryde. She had come looking for him, to try to decipher her feelings for him one last time, when she walked in and found he had already moved on with Sidney. Her eyes filled with tears and her lip trembled as her hands clasped one another for strength.

"Kitty," Lance gasped softly but before he could say another word Kitty turned and ran from the room.

Sidney looked at him calmly. "Go after her, Lance. You'll never how important she is until you can't have her anymore."

Lance stood and moved towards the door but stopped as he began to turn the knob. He looked back over at Sidney and said, "I think you should try to make the thing with you and Jack work." And ran from the room.

Sidney looked away.

"Kitty!" Lance called as he raced after Kitty as she ran down the hall. How ironic that now it was he who was chasing her instead of vice versa.

But the Shadowcat didn't stop. In fact, when she heard Lance running up to her she quickened her pace. She didn't want to face him when her heart was in shambles. She didn't want to look at him knowing he had moved on.

But Lance was faster then her and caught up to her in a matter of no time. He grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her around. Kitty was to upset, to emotional, to try to phase through his arm and run.

So she stood before him, tears running down her cheeks. She lowered her head and closed her eyes. She wanted to do anything but look at him. Anything but see what was right there. She wasn't ready to let him go.

I love him… she thought and it made her heart tighten. Did she realize her feeling towards Lance to late? Had he already found solace in the arms of another?

She felt blunt finger tips tilt her chin upward. Kitty's throat clogged but she still kept her eyes closed. If she didn't open them then she could pretend this wasn't happening.

But then they opened in shock.

He was kissing her.

His firm warm wet lips slanted across her. She felt herself respond immediately. She pressed herself against his chest and stood up on her tiptoes so he had better access. Her lips eagerly parted for his and she sighed softly against his mouth. This was the second time he had kissed her and this gentleness, this softness was… wonderful.

But why was he doing this? Kitties wondered but when she felt his tongue slowly probe her bottom lip all thoughts were thrown from her mind. This time there would be no one to stop their exploration, this time when Kitty parted her lips to allow him entrance there was no 'ahem' behind them.

Lance cupped the small of Kitty' back and tried not to grip her too tight. After all the times he had fantasized about kissing her like this, slow sweet and gentle, it didn't even compare to what was happening now. He felt like he was slipping into oblivion and he didn't seem to care. He had kissed other women before and had never felt like this.
I love her… if he had any doubts about his love for the Pryde of the X-Men then they were dispelled in that kiss. She was so sweet and gentle, loving, in that kiss that he wanted to get onto his knees and worship her. He felt Kitty wiggle slightly underneath him and knew she needed to come up for air. He pulled his lips away from hers.

Kitty looked up at him with amazement and opened her mouth to say the words she had just realized. But Lance beat her to the punch.

"Kitty, I love you," he said softly, stroking her hair in such a tender way. "I've always loved you. Since the moment I saw you back at home."

"Oh, Lance," Kitty said softly. "I like love you, too. I don't why it took me so long to figure it out."

Lance hugged her to him and was happy with the embrace. Kitty sighed and melted into his arms, content to stay like that for a few moments. But then she pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything earlier? Like when we were stopping Jubilee and Bobby and Ray from stealing the X-Jet?" Kitty questioned softly. "And why were you avoiding me over the past few weeks you've like been here."

"To the first part I wasn't ready to admit my feelings," Lance explained. "We were young. And to the second part I had it in my head that I was no good for you. That I knew what was best for you and I wasn't in it."

"Lance-"

He pressed a finger to her lips, "But Kitty I never thought about what you thought was best for you. I never thought to ask and I guess I should've. It took a talk from Sidney to tell me that. She called me stupid and that I should just tell you how I feel and let you decided what you wanted to do."

"You weren't going to kiss her?" Kitty asked and when Lance shook his head she felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I… I thought-"

"I probably would've thought the same thing," Lance said, soothingly, and then smirked. "But it was funny. I don't think I've ever seen Miss Katharine Pryde jealous before. It was funny."

Kitty threw her head back haughtily. "Well, I never had to before. You were always jealous enough for the both of us. What with Kurt, then Scott and now Xander." She laughed. "Xander's just a goofball. He flirts with me because the other women of the household aren't available or protected by their men. Willow's gay, he would be pulverized by Colossus, he fears that Robin Wood guy, he would be killed by Scott, Shibita will lope off his privates, all his cloths would be burn by Pyro, he'd probably get his head blown off by Gambit, Dana and the others are too young, and so and so forth."

"Well if he tries to touch you again he's dead…" Lance teased lightly, but didn't really mean it. Kitty was right, Xander was just being a goofball and Kitty was the only one who hadn't had a boyfriend or wasn't gay. Until now.

"Besides he is totally in love with Tabitha," Kitty said with a smile. "Everyone can like see it!"

"Yeah…" Lance agreed and smiled. He looked back down at Kitty and then pressed his lips against her once more.

As he did so, Lance swore to himself he'd make himself worthy of Kitty's love. He would go back to High School if they survived this. He would go to collage. He would make something of himself and be the man Kitty deserved. That was what he wanted to do, not what he thought was best. Like Sidney said, he had always leaned back on the excuse that everyone thought he was a nothing so all he had to be was a nothing. He didn't want that anymore. He wanted to be somebody.

They broke and Kitty said softly, "I should go find Sidney and apologize for jumping to like conclusions."

"She knows you didn't mean it," Lance said and took her hand. "What are we going to do about Summers? Scott, I mean. I have to give him a new nickname now that we know Buffy, but what about him?"

"What's he going to do?" Kitty wondered. "He's not my father."

Lance smiled down at her and said, "I guess Buffy's right. You are a hell kitten." And he laughed because he liked her like that.

"You know it," Kitty said chuckling and then softly she added, "Let's go for a walk, Lance."

"Ah, where Kitty-cat?" Lance asked and motioned to the hallways. "We can't go walking outside, remember? The whole evil vampire thing?"

"I know, but we can walk down the halls!" Kitty said and grinned with happiness. "There sure are a lot of them. I've just always wanted to like walk somewhere with you. I used to dream about it." She tightened her grip on his hand.

"Did you now?" Lance asked and smiled. "Well, let's make that dream a reality. Are you ready, Kitty-cat? Because I'm gonna rock your world!"

Kitty laughed at the corny-ness of the saying and Lance laughed to. She said sweetly, "I'm ready, Lance. But you'd better buckle up. Because this cat has claws."

And then they walked the lovers' walk.

(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)(&(&)(&)(&)(&)(&)

A/N: Ahhhh! Attack of the puns! Sorry guys, just had to put that in there XD Anywho, in the next chapter the final couple gets together: Sidney and Jack! Sorry, JOTT fans. Not enough time. Not only is the Sidney/Jack thing gonna happen, but there's a special twist at the end involving Jean herself. Be sure to stay tuned!

Hellmouth2: doesn't everyone in some way support Lancitty? Even in a small way? I mean, they're too cute to resist… plus they got the whole Romeo and Juliet thing going. Everyone likes that!

Wllw979: Yes, the idea for Ori's unstable past was taken from an actual event. Not to someone I knew personally but to someone my mom. Rape is a very difficult subject and should not be taken lightly. In fact, I was unsure with whether or not I should even right that. But this is how I pictures Ori (sexually aware, but insecure) and I couldn't change her persona after we got so far in the story.

"For those about to rock… we solute you…"

-Lizzy Rebel