Soon enough, the occupants of the car had been talking for some time of miscellaneous topics, and enjoying themselves, now that they had relaxed a bit more. As they arrived at the restaurant, Il Desiderio del Cuore, Piotr stepped out, opened Kitty's door, helping her out as well, and then taking Illyana out of her booster-seat from the back. Kitty held Illyana's hand gently within her own as Piotr handed the valet the convertible's keys and they continued on their way inside.

The seating was spacious, no table was closer than seven feet to the one beside it, spare the few that were clumped together in need for a large celebration in a room beyond that which was visible. The three were seated on a terrace which had three other table occupied as well. The lighting throughout the night was provided both by the white Christmas lights that hung with the vines above them, as well as the candelabra upon the table; the moon, also shone brightly over-head, but was obscured from view several times throughout the evening due to the branches of the vines.

After being seated and handed their menus the trio began to read the menu, Kitty, not having much recollect of her Italian lessons from high school, merely placed it down and looked over to Illyana, who was enjoying the coloring portion of her children's menu, having no worries of what she was to choose. Piotr soon noticed and said, "Chose already, Katya?"

"Well...not exactly, Peter," she replied. Kitty gave an innocent look to which he was immediately aware she could not decipher it and scooted his seat closer to her own in order to help her, which she did not mind in the least.

Eventually, Illyana had finished most of the coloring and looked over at Kitty and Piotr who were very close, and Piotr had just stated something to which Kitty had begun to giggle at, amused by whatever it was. "Mommy, when's the food going to come?" She questioned with her bright eyes glowing in the candle light; both the adults smiled as she spoke.

Kitty then spoke to her in reply, saying, "We have to order it first, cutie. Do you want Daddy to read it to you?" As her words flowed gently into his hearing, Piotr suddenly became shocked. "Daddy?" he thought to himself. It was an interesting concept to hear 'Daddy' come from Kitty's mouth in reference to himself, yet he enjoyed it even so. Subconsciously, he took hold of her hand within his own as Illyana brought the Italian-written menu over to him and sat upon his lap. He then, read off, in English, the few choices that were found more suitable for a child's taste in food.


Not long after a waiter arrived, ready to take their order. For their entrée, Piotr and Kitty decided to share a helping of 'Ravioli di Formaggio-Riempire Tostato'. He then ordered their main courses, of which Kitty would be having 'La pasta di Capelli di angelo in Pizziola,' Illyana 'La pizza di bambino con i bastoni di pane,' and for himself he chose 'Ziti Infornato'. As for their beverages, Illyana had requested a Shirley Temple with two cherries and since Kitty had hoped to try a new wine, Piotr insisted that 'Mezza Corona Merlot' would be the best choice to compliment their food.

As the waiter finished writing their wishes down, he took their menus and continued on his way. Kitty, with a smile upon her face, looked up to him in pleasant surprise, "I knew you could speak a foreign language, but two? Peter, when the heck did you learn Italian?"

He smiled at the comment and then lifted Illyana off from his lap and gestured her to sit as her own seat, which she then moved to sit loser with them. "Surprisingly, Magneto was not as flippant with the Acolytes as many thought. He attempted to have us each gain a portion of intelligence in a language foreign to us so that we might use it one day if he wished to spread us out amongst other countries or the sort for his advantage. The language I chose to learn was Italian, it seemed simpler than most, to myself either way." The topic of Magneto was not something either of them enjoyed speaking about, especially around Illyana, for though he had never physically harmed her, she had many nightmares of him taking her away from her family, therefore, it was quickly dropped.

As the waiter arrived once again, he held the entrée on one side of his platter, while bread-sticks for Illyana rested on the other half, and finally, the liquids in-between. He left as quickly as he had come, and the trio was once again speaking with each other as they ate. Piotr's hand held Kitty's even while they ate and both thanked God that he was born left-handed, thus making it so they would not have to release the hold, no matter how small of a touch it might be.

With only a few bites left, the main course was brought to their table, and the same actions as before continued. Illyana, though behaving herself all the while, felt much more inclined to talk after she sampled a few bites at her small dish of pizza and swallowed. After each of her bites she would remain silent, yet her voice would trail off once she finished swallowing once again, continuing the pattern throughout the night. More than a few of her comments got her in a tad bit of trouble, solely for the fact that it was something she was questioning thanks to over-hearing her 'Uncle Remy' speaking about Kitty and Piotr with Rogue, or saying a word here and there which she wished to know the meaning of after hearing Bobby or Jamie state it while watching a few of the girls play basketball not even a week ago. Piotr made a mental note to speak with each of them about watching who was around them when they spoke.

One comment made Kitty smile in particular, the fact that Piotr had started on another picture with Kitty in it, and it was one of Illyana's favorites. The fact that Illyana had stated the word 'another' made her smile more than anything else. She thought she would have a bit of fun with Piotr about it, but seeing as how they had less time to finish their dinner the more they spoke, therefore making them late to the show, she decided against it for the time being.

Finally, as they finished their meals and were about to get up to pay the bill at the front, Illyana noted the table that was being wheeled out with various desert platter upon it. "Please, can't we have a little something more?" Illyana stated, longing for a bit of sugar just as most children her age so often do. Piotr looked over to Kitty who then stated, "Well, Peter, we do have about twenty minutes before we should go to get into the theater with good timing." Piotr rolled his eyes a bit, knowing that Kitty was saying this partially because she would like some as well, "How can I not treat two such beautiful women to their desires?" he commented playfully. Illyana giggled and then looked over to Kitty who was also being watched by Piotr, was looking up at him with a smile which seemed to be eternal.

As the cart rolled over, Kitty suggested that she and Piotr share a Classico Tiramisu, to which he agreed, while Illyana chose a bowl of chocolate flavored gelato with a cherry on top. The two shared their dessert while Illyana had taken her bowl and come over to Kitty's lap where she now sat, as she ate the gelato. "Well, Katya, I think we should be leaving now," Peter stated as his little sister finished the last bit of her dessert by biting off the cherry from the stem that it was held to. Kitty then stood, placing her hand once again within his as she too, stood from her seat, making Illyana stand as well. "Ready to see the show, cutie?" she questioned Illyana as she took hold of her by the other hand. Illyana gave a big smile to those who stood above her, her brother towering in his height, and said, "Hurry, Daddy, hurry! I don't want to be late."


As he paid the check the woman behind them was being spoken to by Illyana, who was telling them of how they were going to be attending the show that very evening. "Mommy came with us too!" she added near the end of the story, causing Kitty to turn about. The twenty-one year old was obviously seen as her age and the middle-aged woman looked at her, glaring a bit. "So young," were the words that entered Kitty's ears as the woman began to slightly tilt her head up, not in a snobbish expression, though Kitty thought it would have fit her perfectly, but to glance at the age of Illyana's 'father'.

No words were spoken, but her eyes said enough for Kitty to understand what she thought. Her eyes filled up with tears at the notation that someone thought so low of her and so wrongly of Piotr. She thought of it for a moment, wishing both for Illyana not to see the tears, and not to allow them to fall since the night had been so wonderful already and she did not want to run it for anyone. She looked over to Piotr who was still handling the money situation, attempting to think on only him and Illyana instead of the looks she was receiving from the middle-aged woman who found her to be nothing less than a young girl who found herself as a strumpet.

Unfortunately, as Piotr turned about he noticed the look that Kitty was attempting so hard to hide. "Katya," his voice wavered a bit with concern and frustration to whatever it was that would bring this upon her, "What is it?" Without any hesitation he took her in his arms and held her close to him, rubbing her back in attempts to soothe her. She sniffled a bit and then, released herself into his grasp, her head now laying against his broad chest. With her left hand she wiped away a tear that had fallen, and attempted to get the others that had fallen from her other eye, yet Piotr knew the reason for her movements and released her, wiping them, softly, away with his thumb.

He looked down, into her eyes as he did this, and Illyana took hold of Kitty's legs in a hug as she noticed the few tears that had escaped. Kitty too, was longingly looking into Piotr's eyes as he did the same; as time seemed to stop around them, Piotr leaned down slowly, and Kitty's toes seemed to go up a bit, all the while she mentally thanked God that she had taken ballet since she was young and was an expert on point. His lips gently touched her own as her hands wrapped around his neck. The kiss ended not much after it begun, due only to the soft giggling of Illyana beside them.

The two laughed, slightly at themselves, straightening and dropping back to their normal size until Piotr bent down and took Illyana in his arms. "Happy, Yana?" Kitty asked as she looked up to the little girl as they left the restaurant, receiving an awkward stare from the woman who had caused the event to happen in the first place, though she was know a vague memory in Kitty's mind.

"You stopped crying, I like it!" Illyana's innocence added. Piotr leaned his head toward his sister's, who was still in his arms, and 'whispered' loudly enough for Kitty to hear, "I enjoyed it as well."


As the valet soon pulled the car up to their spot they slid into their seats and were on their way for the show, since it started at eight they knew they would making it solely eight minutes to retrieve their seats. Luckily, the entry-way was not as filled as they thought it would be and their seats were soon filled as they took their places.

/Flashback/

Piotr had previously kneeled down to his sister's level as she came out from the car and whispered, "Yana, I know you would rather to sit beside Katya and myself, but tonight I will be sitting next to Katya; alright?" Illyana pouted for a moment, wishing her way had been the final choice, but then nodded at her brother, and stated, "Can I sit on the other side of Mommy, then?" His only reply was a smile, as they had then walked in.

/Present time/

Illyana noted the size of the stage, and as they sat within the seventh row from it, some of the best seats of the house, her eyes grew wide. She took hold of Kitty's arm, and questioned, "Are they going to be right there?" Kitty smiled and nodded as Piotr's arm came over her shoulder, resting gently upon it; she took this moment to smile up at him and scoot a bit closer, resting her head on his shoulder. Though it had been unspoken, both knew of the mutual feelings, for as it is so often said, "Sometimes actions speak louder than words."

Soon enough the lights went out in the audience, all except for the trail lights, where the isle seats met the carpeting. The lights went up on stage, and finally the familiar music of "The Enchantress" began to play as a young man and a beggar woman graced the stage with their presence. As the show went on, Kitty turned her head slightly to glance over at Illyana, who was now sitting immediately next to her. The little one's warm gaze would, at times, turn frightened, due to the beast's presence, but as his character developed, her attitude towards him seamed to change as well. There was no doubt in Kitty's mind that Illyana believed the story was not at all a fabrication, yet truth. Her innocence and joy only made the young woman enjoy the night even more.

Just as the play ended and the ensemble was taking their bows, Piotr looked over to his younger sister as she began to rub her eyes in a fashion which proved she was up a bit past her normal time of sleep. As the cast continued to bow the audience stood to their feet, clapping their hands in approval. Eventually, the cast took two strides backward and the curtain was closed, signaling the time for the members of the audience to then file out of the theater. As the crowd horded within the hallways, Piotr bent over, taking his sleepy sister within the strong grasp of his right arm as she wrapped her hands around his neck, and sighed softly. Glad that his sister would not be lost within the hoard, he then turned to Kitty, smiling down at her as he wrapped his left arm low, around her waist, keeping her as close to him as possible without hurting her.

As they walked down the block a bit and finally across the street to where they had parked Illyana had already fallen fast asleep, her head against his shoulder. As he unlocked the doors to the car, he gently placed her inside, onto her booster seat and then buckled her in. She had woken up during this and as he finished she questioned, "Are we home yet, Daddy?" Her voice was timid against the roar of 'the city that never sleeps,' he recalled a time when he thought that very voice would never be heard again. Turning away from the thought he smiled down at her and stated, "Not yet, Snowflake, only a little while longer."

He pulled out of the backseat and shut the door behind him. As he turned about he noted Kitty looking around the neon-filled city with a smile of awe and amazement, as if she was only seeing it for the first time. He placed his arms around her as she leaned with her back to him. "Did you have fun, Katya?" After his question a look of disgust came over his face, "Did you have fun? Piotr, that is something you ask your sister, not the girl who you wish to never let go of, even after the end of your days."

She stifled a laugh, his words were simplistic, no doubt, yet pure all the while. "It was one of the best nights of my life Peter...do you think we could, maybe, like, do it again sometime?" Her composure had been maintained until the last portion when she, in her mind, asked him out on a date. "Kitty, if he wanted to go out again, then he'd be the one asking right now," argued a portion of her mind. Yet, as it finished the comment, another portion of her took over, it sounded a bit like Rogue and Ororo combined, "Would his arms be around you, like they are now if he didn't? Come on, you kissed once at the restaurant and twice during the play...of course he wants it!"

He opened up the passenger's side door and gestured for her to step in; before shutting it he stated, "Anything you wish, Katya." He then placed his hand upon the door as Kitty bit her bottom lip, trying her best to hold in her excitement.


He walked over to his own side and was soon in the car as well, the quick trip back to the institute had begun, but not without Kitty starting a bit of conversation. "So, Peter, if I remember correctly, cutie back there had said something about your new painting..." She waited for a response, and as she merely received a nod in agreement. Wanting a bit more detail, as well as what she thought to be the adorable way his eyes would roll when he became the subject of talk, or his artwork, especially if Kitty was in the room, she added, "Well, Peter, what's it of?"

"A few people who reside at the institute." He turned his head, if only for a moment, with a mocking smirk upon his face. He watched her pout in the seat beside him, knowing that she wanted more than subtle information, but would give her a bit more time of pouting before any of that was to come.

"Come on Peter, who?" Realizing his way out of it she quickly added, "And you better tell me their names."

"It is of Illyana, she's in her bedroom and about to fall asleep." The corner's of his mouth were now turned up quite a bit, in recognition that he was smiling, knowing that he was playfully tormenting her.

"Piotr Rasputin, I know I'm in that picture! You're horrible, you just want me to cry, don't you?" Her sarcastic demeanor, for the latter part of the statement, was only emphasized by the pouting of her lower lip, which she held for nearly a minute before they reached a stop-light. During that time, her light hazel-green eyes grew slightly bigger, and all the more beautiful, yet the look made her appear vulnerable and try as he may, Piotr was unable to help himself from glancing over.

"Katya," he sighed while she broadly ginned, knowing he would tell her about it. "You and I are in it as well. Do you remember how Jamie was working on a big project for his photography class a few weeks ago or so?" kitty merely nodded in reply, awaiting him to continue. "He had requested that I help him with it, merely the arrangements and the sort, as I did so, I noted that he had stopped by the room while you sung to Illyana. A photograph of you at her bedside and myself behind behind you as her eyes slowly drifted downward, proved it. I adored the look on both of your faces and asked that I would borrow it after his presentation was done, he obliged and I had finished the sketch last night, I merely have to paint it now. Though, that portion will certainly take some time."

Kitty smiled, recalling the night very well. Though she didn't have the best talents at singing, she knew that her voice wasn't completely hopeless and therefore did not mind singing in front of Piotr. Illyana had, after all, requested that she would sing her a lullaby to sleep to, and she didn't feel any need to refuse. As the conversation dwindled off, the pulled up to the gate and Ororo, who had stayed up for them, opened the gate, allowing them to drive in. Though Kitty had assured them that she could merely phase them through each of the mentors knew of Kitty's driving habits and even though she would be a passenger was always fearful when she went near a vehicle.


"Hey Ro," Kitty whispered as the middle-aged woman came out to greet them. Piotr and Kitty were both standing alongside the convertible as Piotr took Illyana out of her seat. "Are we home now, Daddy? she questioned. He replied, "Yes, Snowflake, but you have to go straight to bed, there was much more traffic than we expected so the ride took much longer." "But I have to have ice cream with Uncle Remy and tell him that you and Mommy kissed; he was going to give me cookies if I told him you did, and you did, three times!" Her voice, though excited, was still calm by the force of her deep sleep that she had recently been awakened from.

Kitty blushed as Ororo smiled at the two of them. "Piotr, I'll be taking the child to her room for you, you and Kitty know that as long as you stay on the property, there's no need to come in at a certain time. Remy and Rogue are out among the woods...or so Logan has told me, Bobby and Amara are also off, near the pond; as for Scott and Jean, well one never does know where they get to at night, but Xavier trusts it is not too far through the wood's path though. He wished me to tell you that though the other's have keys to the institute he felt that you didn't need any," her lips turned to a smile as she looked over at Kitty. "He gave them to the other children in the meantime." With that she took Illyana from Piotr, and now that she was a tad more awake, she walked on her own. "Goodnight, children, and be careful, a storm is coming soon."

The institute's door was now shut behind them, and no sooner had Ororo's words been spoken than Piotr felt a drop of water hit against his neck. Wiping it away with his hand, he looked up to the sky only to hear a crack from the clouds above them and seem to open up as it now began pouring upon them. He reached out for Kitty's hand and spoke, "I guess we won't be staying out here, come Katya."

Not wishing to leave the feeling of the rain upon her, no matter how she would look afterwards, Kitty phased out of his grasp. She twirled around in the weather's wonder and due to the tall heel of her shoe, soon slipped. As Piotr rushed to her side, he found her laughing, not crying, at what had just happened, he too did the same, and helped her up once she had her dressy-sandals off. "Come on Peter, please. Oro will take perfect care of Yana, she practically raised all of us here! Lets have some fun, please!" Her voice was coy, but her kiss was not at all the same way as it touched his lips.

"Da, I will stay, " he playfully stated with a large grin. Once again wrapping his arm around her waist, neither minding their clothes being thoroughly soaked though, they continued to stay out as they listened to the rain hit the concrete pavement as if each one was a musical note. As Kitty moved closer to him, obviously cold, he took off his coat, even though it too was soaking, and placed it on her, hoping to keep most of the moisture away from her, knowing even still, it was inevitable. She smiled as he pulled her closer to himself as she had just been and looked down upon her, his gaze somewhat incomprehensible.

"Peter, what are you thinking?" She finally questioned the man who held her. "I want to take you somewhere...will you come with me?" "Wherever you want, you know, as long as Logan wouldn't come hunting after you later," she stated suggestively. He laughed, heartily, at this her tone and then stated, "No, he wouldn't. Hurry, Katya, we don't have very long."