Welcome to Lucky (or unlucky depending how you see it) chapter 13. I initially wanted to finish this story on Christmas, but that is obviously not happening. I want to take this time to thank all of you who've stuck with me and been tolerant and understanding of my scattered updating. Senior Year is hectic and I'm sure many of you understand that, and those of you who don't will soon, most likely. Our official countdown has begun, 3 chapters to go. Heart's Desires is next on the update list, and you can look for a one shot relatively soon.
Disclaimer- I don't own the characters I'm working with, except for the Yamahari's. But don't worry. The X-men are on my Christmas list.
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Pietro was gripping the sides of his seat as if his life depended on it, and maybe it did, he couldn't be sure about that but he knew that whoever gave Tabitha a drivers license had obviously never been in a car with her.
"Tabitha, I never thought I'd say this but SLOW DOWN!"
"Relax Speedy!" She laughed. "Enjoy the ride. I have it under control. Live a little."
"I'd rather live a lot." He said impatiently. "I have this mental picture of you slipping on the snow and our mangled bodies found wrapped around a tree somewhere which cuts my last day significantly."
She gave him a sympathetic look and immediately slowed by about 50 m/h so she was within the speed limit. He took a deep sigh and glanced out the window.
"Whatcha thinkin bout?" She asked him softly.
"Nothing." He answered.
"Well I've never seen anybody stare at nothing so intently." She smiled hesitantly. "I found your list." She said suddenly. He gave her a blank look. "The one you wrote with the rest of us, of things to do before you die."
"Oh." He blinked.
"Its a good list." She continued.
He snorted. "Too bad I can't do most of it in only one day."
She smiled. "Well, only if you don't want to." She fished it out from her pocket as she continued driving. "Lets see, make sure your family is happy, prevent Rogue from marrying Magneto, eat sushi, star in a movie, learn something new, find a way to apologize to your sister for being a rotten brother, and get a pet."
"How'd you know that was mine?"
"Its your handwriting and your sister was ready to cry when she read it." Tabby shrugged. "Just kinda put two and two together."
"So how do you propose I do all that again?"
She gave him an insolent look. "Look, this is New York. And I've always been a firm believer in miracles." She smiled.
"I don't see it working. First of all, nobody around here is casting for a movie with me in it." He laughed.
"Not true." She shook her head. With one hand she reached into a bag at her feet. She tossed something to Pietro.
"What's this?"
"A camera." Tabby rolled her eyes. "Specifically a video camera. The kind people make movies with."
"Hey where'd you get this?" He asked suspiciously.
She shrugged. "Let's just say that Gambit isn't the only thief back at baldy's place."
He examined it and scrunched up his nose. "This belongs to Daniels!" He noted in disgust as he found a sticker on the bottom."
"It's no biggie." She laughed. "Just his camera. I nicked it from his room before I left. Thought you might wanna meet the movie goal."
"So let's get this straight." He raised an eyebrow. "You stole Daniel's camera just to make a movie for me?"
"Of you actually." She corrected. "You're starring in it. I figured it would be something fun. I'm gonna keep it on you all night or until we head back. We could open it with a nice little intro from you and then end it similarly."
"Looks like you put a lot of thought into this." He commented.
"Yeah, I even wrote up an intro. It's in the bag, tell me what you think."
He reached into the bag and scanned the paper with his eyes. "Why are you so into this idea?" He asked quietly.
She looked startled. "Well, I was just thinking that it would be cool to finish your list and aside from that...I thought it would be a nice way to remember. I mean, I thought I could give your sister a copy to help her feel better after you..." She swallowed and looked away, unable to finish the sentence.
"So Where we off to?" He asked, deliberately changing the subject.
She sighed and then put on a cheery smile. "I know the best restaurant in town. Figured you're probably hungry. This place has everything and it's all pretty good."
"Sounds great." He nodded.
"And from there we can decide what else to do. I mean, we got a whole night to kill in our hometown."
"Yeah." He nodded again.
She bit her lip and they drove in silence for about fifteen minutes before they came to a parking garage. "We can park and walk from here. It's only about a block away. But you never said how you felt about the movie idea..."
"Works for me." He shrugged.
"So do you want to do an intro now or later or what?"
"Now's fine." He shrugged again.
She turned to him with the camera in hand after she finished parking. "Ok, on the count of three." She smiled. "One, two...three...go!" She turned the camera on.
"What do I say?" He looked bewildered.
"Anything!" She laughed.
"That's kinda vague you know..." She rolled her eyes behind the camera. "Right... Uh hi...I'm Pietro Eric Maximoff and um...this is a movie about me...starring me." He grinned. "It's December 23, and I'm seventeen. Um, and this is my last day to live. Tabby wants to record it so...here I am. This is the last day of the rest of my life. And here's a word from our camera girl." He quickly grabbed the camera and pointed it at Tabby who was laughing.
"Well Ok then, Pietro wrote a list of things to do before he dies and this is the record that he will do each and every one of them. Thanks for watching." She switched it off. "Ok Great job Pie. Now I want it to be natural so just pretend the camera isn't here."
He nodded and she switched it back on.
He climbed from the car and awaited her lead. She hurriedly directed him and soon they found themselves in the doorway of a Golden Corral restaurant. Pietro took a moment to inhale and try to identify all the smells that assaulted him at once.
"My mom used to bring me here when I was little." Tabby smiled at the fond memory. "Usually when my father got too drunk to cook anything. The best memories of dinner from my childhood are here. The food's amazing, and I swear the blueberry pie is heaven-sent."
A waitress led them to a table and took their drink orders. "It's a buffet, so we can just head up." Tabby said with fond remembrance.
Pietro followed her to the bars of food and looked stunned. Tabby grinned. "Help yourself. I paid for the two of us when you were enjoying the smells."
"Hey!" He frowned.
"Look, it's my treat." She said sternly. "Now go get some food." She pushed him in the direction of a buffet table as she grabbed a plate and started helping herself to dinner.
About five minutes later they met back at the table, comparing what the other was eating while the camera sat blinking merrily from the table. They ate and talked about various things, from their favorite foods to their mutual hatred of peas.
"Seriously they're gross! And with a name like that..."
"I know," Pietro laughed. "My mother always said I needed to eat them to grow big and strong and she'd force them down my throat. I had nightmares about the nasty things!"
"No way, I thought I was the only one!" Tabby tilted her head to the side. "When my father got himself wasted that was all he'd eat. I always hated them and I did everything from throwing them on the floor to feeding them to my dog, Bruce."
"Me too, except I was more prone to spitting them or trading with Wanda for her carrots."
She laughed. "You and your sister traded vegetables at dinner? Get outta town!"
"Nope, sorry. She liked peas, or at least she like painting her highchair tray and trying to dye her hair and the ceiling green with them. I preferred the carrots."
"When I was little I thought carrots would make me turn orange. I avoided them." She shrugged.
"Why do you think I wanted them?" Pietro asked with an impish grin. I wanted to be orange."
"You're weird." Tabitha laughed.
He shrugged. "Guess so."
"Hey whatever floats your boat." She took a gulp of soda. "So now that we've discussed our old veggie eating habits, what do you want to do after we're done here."
He gave her a blank look.
"C'mon Pie, its December 23 and we're in New York. The World is at our fingertips. We can do just about anything."
He sat there for a moment thinking about it. "I don't know, what do you wanna do?"
"I asked you first." She said gently.
"It's up to you." He shrugged.
She grinned. "Ok then, I'll pick."
"So what ARE we doing?"
"I'll tell you when we get there." She laughed. "Hurry up and eat the rest of your dinner and we can shove off."
He rolled his eyes and finished the food on his plate. "Okay can we go now?"
She nodded and pulled him by the arm as he put on his coat. They quickly found themselves in an arcade. She was practically bouncing on her feet as she got tokens.
"I've been here before." He blinked, trying to remember. "Yeah, my foster dad took me here when I got a good report card."
"Well, I've always wondered something about you, Pie." She said mischieviously. "Just how fast are you?"
"Wha?" He asked her in confusion as she dragged him over to a big game with two foot pads with arrows.
"Ever Dance-Dance before?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Uh...sure." He lied. "Loads of times."
"Right, well you being as fast as you are, I've always presumed you can dance, and since you kept four girls occupied at the Sadie Hawkins dance, I'm sure you'll have no problem if I put you on quickstep?"
"NO!" He exclaimed. "I mean, it's been a long time and all, and we just ate, we should probably start off slower and work up."
"Right." She winked. "Ok fine. I wanna see who's faster, me or you. So we'll start at beginner and work up. Sound good?" She set the camera on the interface of the game.
"Sure." He smirked. "It's not like this is hard or something."
Tabitha pressed the start button and then the machine picked a song for them. "Ok you just step on the pad that matches what's on the screen." She explained.
"I know that." He rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the reminder though I didn't need it."
She snickered and then the machine started up. Her feet flew perfectly in synch with the rhythm on screen. Pietro stumbled clumsily on the first few beats but caught on rather quickly after that. The two of them were matched move for fluid move throughout the round.
"Pretty good Speedy." She smiled as the scores tallied. "Think we're ready to move up to light?"
He frowned as their scores flashed. The four steps he missed had cost him one hundred points giving him a B to her A. "Bring it on." He smirked.
The machine started again and they were off, in a synchronized rhythm of footfalls and movement. Both of them aced the light mode and were ready to start easy mode. That went equally as well with ten points separating their scores. Tabby grinned at him easily.
"Ready for round 3?"
"You know it!" Tabby smirked at him and moved their levels up to normal. That round went fine and the two were panting slightly after completion of it.
"Think you can keep goin?" He asked her as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.
"Pie, I'm not even warmed up." Her eyes flashed in amusement.
"Oh sounds like a challenge." He snickered. He took the liberty of adjusting the level to difficult. Both of the competitors were showing signs of wear as the round continued. They were sweating and struggling and thus missed several steps apiece. When the scores were tallied the two had identical grades. Their eyes met and a challenge was passed between the two of them. Simultaneously they reached down and ordered the machine to take it to the highest level: quickstep. Their fingers touched briefly and something quite like an electric shock passed between them. Only it was not quite a shock, as it was warm and gentle.
She looked up and smiled, emotion piled behind her eyes. He abruptly removed his hand and looked away. She sighed inaudibly and prepared herself for the last round of dancing.
When it started they were both flying at lightning speeds, matched step for step. By this point a small crowd was gathered around them cheering them on. Neither missed a single beat, thus impressing their fans. However, just as the song was over, one of the spectators accidentally tripped over the game's power cord.
The power went out and the crowd grumbled in disappointment. Tabby leaned back against the wall breathing heavily and Pietro collapsed to his knees. His vision fogged.
"Ok kids, good work for today." A voice called over the Danger Room intercom. "Want me to evaluate your performance for you?"
"Just use words we can actually understand Forge." The eldest boy rolled his eyes.
"Right. Let's do this in age order. Oldest first, or youngest?"
"Just go with the youngest." The oldest boy called back.
"That can be done." Forge called back. "Todd-"
"His name is TJ!" A girl called irritably.
"Fine then, TJ, you're getting faster and stronger but you can't get distracted so easily. Keep everything that isn't related to the team outside the DR."
"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" The same girl glared up at the control room. "He's five fing years old! You can't just make him ignore the fact that he has to go to the bathroom!"
"Language Talia." Forge tutted. "While we're on the subject of you, you need to control your temper. We shouldn't be seeing so many explosions from your direction during battle simulations. Your powers could make you a great team player or a serious liability in a fight."
"I'll liability your butt" She snapped, brushing a bit of black hair from her eyes with a scowl.
"That's another thing, your attitude has to go."
"Forge aren't you being a little hard on her?" One of the older students asked timidly. "I mean, she is only eight and all."
"Yeah Forge." She sneered.
"Why did I let them talk me into taking the peewee division class today?"
"Cuz everyone else is with Rogue waiting for the new baby." The girl reminded cheekily.
"Well anyway, Alvers. Nice block five minutes in. Your really improving. I'm sure your parents will be proud of your progress Katie." He moved on to the next child. " Summers-Rachel first. You, young lady are showing great promise and leadership. Very wise of you to keep Talia from ending the simulation while Katie and TJ were still not finished with their missions. As for you Nathan, you are your fathers son, and I question which of you is a better leader."
"Thank you sir." Nathan Summers beamed with pride.
"Now then, next time I want to see-what the devil!"
Suddenly a portal appeared in the middle of the danger room. It rippled and hummed ominously.
"Kids get back, I'm paging Professor X!"
"Should I call Dad or Uncle Logan?" Rachel asked hesitatntly.
Before anybody could answer her, a large black man with an unrealistically large gun emerged from the portal. He had a dark M tattooed across the right side of his face. He scowled and leveled the gun at Talia. "Take me to Charles Xavier, immediately."
Pietro whimpered and was suddenly aware of a swimming sensation in his head. Tabitha's frantic face swam into his sight. "Oh God Pietro, I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking...I shouldn't have let you do that!" She was kneeling before him, eyes wide in panic. "Somebody get him a water!" She called at the crowd of people. "NOW!"
One of the groupies thrust a bottle of cold water from a vending machine into her hand. Tabby handed it to Pietro anxiously.
"I totally forgot that you are supposed to take it easy and-"
"Tabby? Can you do me a favor?" He asked clenching his eyes shut.
"Anything, anything, just name it!" She assured him.
"Stop apologizing?" He pleaded.
"Yes sir." She laughed and helped him climb to his feet. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He waved it off like it was nothing.
"Do you want to head home or something?" She asked him quietly.
"Hell No." He frowned bluntly. "I can't take it, all the people just watching, waiting for me to die. It feels like I'm drowning when they do that. It feels worse when I'm alone."
She gave him a sympathetic look. "So where to next then?"
"I don't know." He shrugged
"Hm, well somehow I don't picture you jumping for joy at the chance to go shopping for shoes and or clothes...hey, have you ever been to see the tree at Rockefeller Center?" She asked excitedly.
"Uh...no?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well I've always wanted to see it in person, I've been seeing it on TV my whole life. Let's head over and check it out, its only a few blocks from here." She pleaded with her eyes.
"I don't know..." He pondered.
"Please Pie?" She trembled her bottom lip and pulled a puppy dog pout. "Pretty Please?"
"Alright." He gave her a half smile. "Let's go."
She beamed and grabbed his hand to steer him in the right direction. His eyes widened slightly at the touch and he raised an eyebrow when she didn't let go after a little while. She smiled to herself as she realized he had no intention of pulling away. She said nothing of it due to the somewhat sad fear that he would make her let go if she brought it up.
After they'd walked about a block they passed a hot dog cart. The vender was a little man, shivering in an old winter coat. "Hey Pie, you hungry?" Tabitha asked casually.
He smiled easily at her. "Dancing worked up an appetite for you too then?" He asked amused.
She smiled and turned to the vender. "Two please."
The little old man beamed at her, indicating his first sale in a while. "How do you want em?"
"On mine could you smother it in ketchup and relish?"
"Ketchup, mustard and cheese for me thanks." Pietro added after her. The vender smiled and nodded. "Anything else?"
"No thank you." Tabby shook her head politely.
"Three fifty." The man's smile crinkled his eyes.
"Keep the change." Tabby handed him a five dollar bill.
"Thank you." The man said sincerely. "Merry Christmas to you kids."
"Thank you sir, same to you." Tabitha said respectfully.
She and Pietro continued on, eating as they went. They were finished quickly and then Tabitha laughed suddenly. "Pie, you have a cheese mustache!"
He stopped short and brought a hand to his lip. He surreptitiously wiped his mouth on the napkin the hot dog had come in. "Aw why'd you go and do that?" She chuckled. "Cheese looks so good on you!"
He rolled his eyes before smirking. "And your ketchup goatee is quite fetching too." She brought a hand franticly to her mouth and when she discovered nothing around it she scowled playfully.
"Jerk." She laughed before gently shoving him.
He smirked at her and wriggled his eyebrows. "I can be so much more than that. You should hear what other girls say."
"Oh I have." She assured him. "You've been gossip central topic of the girl's locker rooms for years."
He seemed intrigued. "Have I now?"
She smiled mysteriously. "That's what I said, wasn't it?"
"What'd they say?" He asked in a false nonchalant voice.
"A lot of stuff." She winked and started walking again. "Though I'm sure you wouldn't be interested."
He pouted. "Try again, Pie." She laughed. "Doesn't work on me."
"Oh fine, but don't think I won't find out." He warned.
"I'll remember that one." She winked.
The two walked on, he continued trying to find out what the girls had said, and her skillfully dancing away from answering each time.
They were laughing and enjoying each other's company so much until a large man clad in all dark clothes sprung from the dark alley. "I wouldn't move if I was you." The guy sounded pretty drunk. Both of the teens froze at the unmistakable cocking of a gun.
"W-What do you want?" Pietro asked, eyeing the shotgun's silver muzzle warily.
"Gimme all yer money. Do it now. And her jewelry too." The man slurred drunkenly. "I need it now! Or I shoot." He threatened.
"Where the Hell is Spider-Man when we need him?" Cursed Pietro under his breath. He took Tabby's hand and gently yet forcefully edged her slightly behind him.
"C'mon! I need all your money kid!"
Pietro gulped and reached for his wallet. "DON'T MOVE!" The man screamed.
"You told me to get my money..." Pietro said slowly.
"Not you, snowball, her." The man shakily aimed his gun at Tabby who had wrenched her hand away and was stepping around Pietro.
"Oh Puh-lease." Tabby rolled her eyes.
"Stop movin! Just take off yer jewels and nobody gets hurt."
"Pie, let me take care of this?"
"Keep yer she-dog in line, Frosty." The man warned, his blood shot eyes wide.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to call girls mean names?" Tabby asked in a would be polite tone.
"Tabitha!" Pietro hissed.
"Tabitha eh? Pretty name, that. And mouthy, I like that. Tell ya what Whitey, I don't need the money no more. I'll take yer lil cousin of rake and call it even, eh? Somebody needs to take this one home, beat her down, make her do what she's supposed to.
"You know, maybe you should have listened to your mom's advice about name calling and swearing and treating ladies. Cuz she was right loser." With that Tabby swung her leg in a high kick, catching her drunken would-be mugger under the chin and proceeding to beat the snot out of him with a bunch of different moves while Pietro watched, stunned. Then she created a few glowing energy balls and looked ready to toss them at the guy.
The drunk's eyes widened and he took off screaming about mutants.
Tabitha laughed for a moment as Pietro gaped. "You look a little like a fish." She commented seriously.
"How the heck did you do that!" Pietro croaked out. "That was...I have never ever seen anything so...gah! What did I just miss?"
"Pie, I grew up in a New York apartment building. I'm a small blond girl. I had to learn self defense stuff." She reasoned. Her eyes smiled. "I was the champ in my karate class, I learned all the stuff so fast and well. But then dad's drinking got worse and we didn't have money to send me to class anymore." She said softly.
"I'm sorry." Pietro said awkwardly.
"Don't be, I got over it." She shrugged. Her eyes lit up at the sign behind him. "Hey Pie, wanna do something random and spontaneous for a change?"
"Like what?" He asked cautiously.
"Let's go bowling." She said as if it was as normal as commenting on the weather.
"Bowling?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." She nodded enthusiastically. "There's an alley right here, down these steps."
Pietro looked at the steps. "Bob's Bowling Alley?"
"Yeah, ya up for it?" She cocked her head to the side and gained an impish look. "Or are you afraid you'll lose?"
"What?" Both eyebrows shot up.
"You heard me quickie." She smirked and tickled him under his chin. "What are you, a big clucking chicken?"
"I'll show you chicken!" He murmured crossing his arms.
"Ohhh sounds like a challenge." She cooed before heading down the stairs.
He stared for a moment before hurriedly following her down the steps into the alley. He caught her leaning casually against the wall as she slipped a pair of bowling shoes on. "I didn't know your size." She shrugged and gestured to the shoe distributor. "We're all set."
"Ok." He furrowed his brow in shock. He didn't think he'd given her that much of a head start. The smiling shoe attendant looked at him expectantly. "Uh size twelve." He said hesitantly.
The attendant nodded and whipped a set of the shoes onto the counter.
"Thanks." He said in a confused voice. He sat at a table nearby and put them on. "You know Tabitha, I've always wondered why bowling shoes are so dorky."
She giggled. "Me too, but that's just the way things are."
He caught a glimpse of a shelf of trophies. "Hey, look! These all say T. Smith. Any relation?" He sounded suspicious.
"Smith isn't exactly a rare last name, Pie."
She said with a hint of a smile.
Pietro shrugged. "Ok, First
thing first, let's get the bowling balls."
He led the way over to the ball rack. He took little time in grabbing a blue one that weighed fifteen pounds. She frowned at the selection.
"Need any help?" He asked, not unkindly.
She smiled and continued her examination of the balls. After careful scrutiny she grabbed a fourteen pound neon pink one.
"You know how to set up a scoreboard right?" She asked.
"Yeah. Doesn't everyone?" Pietro chuckled.
"Cool." She sat back and propped her feet on the table while leaving him to tinker with the computer.
"You're up." He nodded at her.
"Ok." She sauntered to the lane and released the pink ball from her right hand. It looked like it would hit but then swerved to the side taking down just two pins.
"Oh tough break." Pietro smirked.
"Want to see how the pros do it?" He winked and threw the ball. It had enough curve to take down seven of the pins leaving a nasty 7-1-10 split.
"Nice throw." Tabby smiled. She watched patiently and clapped as he nailed the spare.
"Wasn't it?" He smirked. "Your turn again."
She again threw the ball and it knocked four pins. Her second try ran into the gutter.
"Tut tut." He wagged a finger in her face. "This is how you work it."
He threw the ball and it hit as a strike. She looked impressed. "Great shot."
"You don't bowl too often do you?" He asked with a quirked smile.
"You could say that." She blushed slightly avoiding eye contact.
He nodded in understanding.
"Can you teach me?" She asked in a quiet hopeful voice.
"Pardon?"
"Can you teach me to bowl like you?" She reiterated.
"Uh...sure." He shrugged. "Pick up the ball, and try throwing it like I did." He suggested.
Tabby nodded and then rolled a gutter ball.
"I think you're holding it wrong." Pietro pointed out with a frown. "Here let me show you." He grabbed the ball and demonstrated.
She took it back and imitated his stance. She aimed and released the ball-straight into the gutter. He frowned. "Keep it straight when you throw it."
She took the stance again and he could tell the ball would spin to the side when thrown. He stood behind her and helped her adjust her arm. She turned slightly and smiled at him, secretly reveling in his closeness. She turned her focus back onto the ball and let him guide her arm to throw right. The ball sailed down the lane and hit a strike. She turned back to him, smiling warmly.
"Thanks."
"Any time." He simply looked at her, as if he was seeing her for the first time. He noticed how her eyes were so shiny and bright, and how she smelled a little bit like apples. He'd always known what she looked like, and she was pretty far from ugly, but he'd never noticed her for real before.
All of a sudden he shook his head and pulled away from her. She tilted her head and made a small noise of protest about the absence of his warmth.
He looked away quickly, disturbed by his traitorous emotions and he grabbed for his ball. He rolled it but it took down only three. He rolled his next shot straight into the gutter and his eyes betrayed that his concentration was elsewhere.
The rest of the game went fairly badly for each of them. She kept sneaking glances at him when he wasn't looking and he returned them when he thought she wasn't looking. Both knew what the other was thinking, although that was the detail they didn't know. He was wondering why that small amount of touch had been so different from anything he remembered, and why she wasn't speaking much. Was he supposed to do something? She was wondering if she'd upset him, or if that little touch had meant as much to him as it did to her. After they had played 3 lousy rounds, they returned the shoes and headed topside once more.
"So...um...wanna go see that tree now?" Tabby looked up hopefully, kicking at the sidewalk a little.
He shrugged. "Why not."
She sighed softly and gave a smile. "Well let's head on. It's just about two blocks from here."
With that said, the two headed in the right direction, occasionally sneaking glances at the other. All of a sudden both of them stopped short. "Wow." Tabby managed as she ran to the railing and looked down at the magnificent tree. She gazed at it, spellbound.
Pietro joined her at the railing, looking pretty impressed himself. "That's a big tree." He said, nodding his head.
"Yeah. Isn't it beautiful?" She asked breathlessly.
"Mhm." He said absently as he turned his focus to her.
"I've only ever seen it on TV." She continued, each word emitting a tiny puff of breath visible in the cold December air. She closed her eyes contently.
"Want to get closer?" He asked quietly.
"I'd like that." She nodded. He took her by the hand and escorted her down the stairs. At the ground level the tree was all that much more incredible. "Isn't it weird how we both grew up in New York but never took the time to come see this in person?" She asked softly.
"Yeah, I mean, it's always on TV and I guess we take advantage of that." He shrugged.
"I'm glad we came to see it." Tabby said quietly.
"Yeah." He agree, smiling gently at her.
"Hey wanna go accomplish another goal?" Tabby asked with a small smile and a hand placed on his arm. She gestured to the stairs. "I noticed a little Japanese restaurant over looking the tree. Wanna check it out?"
He wondered for a moment how she had memorized his list in so short a time before nodding. "Sure." What he wasn't saying was that something in his brain was telling him he'd be up for just about anything she could possibly suggest doing, especially if it meant that he could be spending time with her. He couldn't understand why the little voice was so strongly suggesting this but he figured it probably wouldn't lead him astray.
She led the way, and the two entered the small restaurant. An elderly Japanese woman waited for them at the door.
"Table for two please." Tabby smiled.
"Right this way." She led them to a table. "Do you need a few minutes before ordering?"
"No thank you ma'am." Tabby shook her head. "We would like to share a number seven. And I'd like a glass of water please."
The woman nodded. "And you?" She turned to Pietro with a pleasant smile.
"Water's fine for me too, thanks." He said simply. The woman nodded and bowed before heading to the back room.
"I take it you've been here before." He looked at Tabby, impressed.
"Maybe." She winked. "Though I'd say you have a couple anvil sized hints on that one."
"What's a number seven?" He whispered in mild panic."
"Relax, Pie, it's a sushi sampler." She laughed. "What did you think I'd order?"
"I don't know, and that's the part that scares me." He told her firmly.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't worry so much."
"Right." He nodded. "So, do you like Sushi?"
"I'm not going to tell you that." She laughed, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear. "I don't wanna color your first impression."
He pouted. "Fine, be that way."
"Oh I will Speedy." She laughed. "Oh look, it's coming."
A younger woman was bearing a tray with their order. "Number seven, sushi sampler and two ice waters." She said in a soft voice.
"Thank you." Tabby smiled as the order was placed in front of them.
"Wait a second, Tabitha? Little Tabby Smith? My look how you've grown!" The woman gushed. "It has been so long since I've seen you, sweetheart!"
Tabby looked and gasped. "Oh wow, hi Mrs. Yamahari!"
"Oh dear, I've told you not to call me that. It makes me sound so old!" The woman rolled her eyes. "To all friends my name is Miko."
"Right, How are you?"
"Well, the restaurant is doing very well, Hiroshi is still teaching karate and Mother's health has gotten better. But enough about me, dear. What have you been up to these past few years. And who is this handsome gentleman accompanying you this evening?" She gave Pietro, who had been looking a little uncomfortable a significant glance.
"Oh, sorry, Miko this is Pietro Maximoff. I met him up at school in Bayville." Tabby explained. "Pietro, this is Miko Yamahari. She used to live next door to me."
"Ah, it is an honor to meet you." Miko bowed briefly.
"Um, the honor's all mine." Pietro said with a shaky smile as he hesitantly rose and bowed back.
"Ah Tabby, you have chosen a fine young gentleman. Very nice, very handsome too. You are a good couple." The woman smiled in approval. "I hope you are happy together."
A light blush colored Tabby's cheeks and Pietro looked nervous. The woman could tell she hit a sore spot and continued as if she'd said nothing. "So what brings the two of you here from Bayville tonight?"
Tabitha sighed in relief and grinned. "Well, he's never had sushi before, so I brought him here cuz it's the best place I know for Japanese food."
The woman beamed at Tabby. "Thank you. You are a very sweet girl. I hope he is not disappointed." Suddenly the woman looked up as she was called from the back room. "Oh my, I'd best go help. That's Takashi, our cook. Have a happy holiday." She smiled. "Oh and before I forget, Hiroshi has Kioko and Kenji outside skating. You should drop by and say hello if you have time." With that she left the two.
"Who're Cako and Kenny?" Pietro asked with a wrinkled nose.
"Kioko and Kenji are her twins. I used to baby sit them before I went to Xavier's." Tabitha smiled at the memory. "Well, c'mon Pie! Whadaya think?" She gestured to the sushi before popping a piece into her mouth.
He cautiously took a bite and chewed it thoughtfully. "Hm it's better than I expected." He admitted. The two laughed and had fun sampling the different types. Eventually they were finished and they got ready to go back outside. Tabby paid their bill and left a tip.
"Come on, I want to go say hi to the twins." She dragged him outside. It had stopped snowing while they were inside leaving a clear night sky behind.
They headed down the steps and Tabitha looked around uncertainly. All of a sudden she was nearly knocked from her feet as two little kids barreled into her.
"TabbyTabbyTabbyTabby!" They squealed.
"Hey there." She laughed and knelt down. "Long time no see." The two kids were beaming up at her.
A man skated over. "Kioko, Kenji, are you bothering the nice lady?"
"Daddy, it's Tabby!" The little girl in a red coat giggled.
"Well, I'll be, it is." The man smiled. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine thank you." Tabby smiled warmly. "And this is Pietro Maximoff. I met him up at school in Bayville."
"It is an honor to meet you." Hiroshi bowed his head. "How long have you been in town Tabitha?"
"Pietro and I were just out for a few hours to roam the city." She explained. "We went up to the restaurant so he could try the best sushi in New York."
The man laughed. "Oh did you now? How was it?"
"Interesting." Pietro spoke up. "I liked it."
The man seemed delighted. He seemed about to comment on it but the little boy tugged on Tabitha's sleeve. "Tabby Tabby Tabby! Guess what!"
She laughed. "What?"
"Koko had babies in our house. Wanna come see them?"
"Mimi too!" The little girl spoke up.
Their father rolled his eyes. "The dog and cat, I'm sure you remember Koko, Tabitha."
She nodded and turned to Pietro. "Koko's a little Jack-Russell they adopted from a shelter a little while ago."
"And Mimi's a cat who the kids found and fell in love with, before we knew she was going to have kittens." The father explained with a sigh.
"So you want to come see?" The kids asked excitedly.
"Well, if it's alright with your dad I guess that would be fine." Tabby laughed.
"Of course it's alright with me." The man laughed. "Does this mean you two are done skating?" He asked his children with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Oh no!" The twins frowned. "No-no-no-no-no!" They chorused. "Not yet Daddy!"
"Would you two mind if we waited until these two burn off some of their extra energy?" Their father laughed.
"Pie, that alright with you?" Tabby asked.
"Sure." He smiled.
"Hey I have, like, the best idea in the world Pie! Let's go skating!"
He looked at her like she'd grown another head. "Excuse me?"
"Oh come on, it'll be so much fun!" She pleaded. "There's a place right here to rent skates in and everything. Please Pie? Pretty Please?" She batted her eyes.
"Why do you want to go ice skating?" He wrinkled his nose.
"Cause it's so fun and we're in one of the best spots I know to skate in." She said as if it should have been obvious. "I'll pay." Her eyes were wide and it struck him that he had never noticed how blue they were before.
He hesitated before sighing. "Alright, if it means so much to you..."
She tilted her head curiously. "You can't skate, can you?"
He choked. "Of all the crazy things to-"
"You can't skate." She said simply with a hint of an amused smile."Don't deny it, Pie, you're eyes are doing the talking for you."
"What would give you a crazy idea like that?" He tried lamely and she laughed, putting a finger over his mouth to silence him.
"It's ok. I'll teach you." She said with a smile. "Kioko, Kenji, don't you want him to come skate?"
His eyes darted around wildly.
"Please skate wif us?" The little girl turned her bottom lip and fidgeted. He couldn't in good conscience say no to such a face. "It isn't hard."
Pietro swallowed a frown and replaced it with a shaky smile. "That's cheating Tabitha." She smirked and shrugged. He sighed. "Alright, where do we get the skates?"
Three happy cheers rose as the twins each grabbed one of his hands and directed him to the rental building. The smiling skate guard laughed knowingly, having watched the group in amusement. "What size can I get for ya?"
"Twelve." He said simply. She handed them over and Tabby requested her own size before paying. He followed her to a bench on the rink's side.
She sat down and removed her shoes before pulling the skates on. He hesitantly followed her lead, lacing up his skates tightly. She rose to her feet, tested her balance and glided a few feet before turning back to him with a smile. She couldn't help but laugh.
He was trying to figure how to stand up, looking around cluelessly.
"Here." She helped him to his feet. "Let's see what we're working with." She let go and stepped back. He wobbled like a newborn calf, and she reached out to steady him. "Ok so we have a little work to do." She laughed. "Ok first you have to balance. Try and stand up in the skates and don't move." She instructed.
"That's easier to say than do." He said irritably as he wobbled until he found a balance point.
"Good." Tabby said, ignoring his comment. "Now before you learn to glide, you need to learn to walk on the ice." She said gently. She turned so she was beside him. "We're gonna need to start with baby steps."
He looked at her like she was an idiot and she shrugged. "This is how I learned."
He rolled his eyes and tried her advice. He seemed a bit unsteady so she offered him a hand. He held her hand like a small child and together they baby-stepped around the rink. Tabitha found she couldn't hide her smile at how helpless he looked wobbling around on the ice. "Great job, now on a march just try to glide a bit."
He did and nearly fell flat on his face in the effort. She caught him by the arm and coaxed him to try it again. He picked it up this time, seeming mighty pleased with himself.
"Ok, I think we've got that down." She nodded, impressed with how fast he was picking this up. It had taken her several tries but to her credit she had been about twelve or thirteen years younger than he was now when she first started out. "Why don't we try turning?" She explained to him how he should go about figuring his dominant foot and how to turn. This he seemed to get instinctively, though his movement was still relatively choppy and slow.
"Ok I think we should work on basic skating motion." Tabitha explained how to glide on one foot. He didn't quite catch onto this concept so she held his hand and she did it at the same time. Pietro felt reassurance in her gentle grip on his hand and kept trying to imitate what she was doing. He felt warm and safe, like he could do anything and she'd be there to catch him.
The two glided around for a while, making laps of the rink. They were visibly content, and their fellow skaters could guess the reason neither of them could. The father of the young twins, Hiroshi, smiled to himself.
"I feel kind of...weird." Pietro said softly as they continued their simple circling. She looked at him, slightly dazed herself.
"Kinda dizzy?" She asked and he nodded. "Maybe we should stop."
He nodded again. "Yeah. Maybe."
"Ok well the way to stop is easy." She pulled away from him and skated out in front of him. "You just bend your knees, then slowly turn your toes and knees in to make your feet form the shape of a slice of pie."
He tried to follow her advice but didn't seem to understand what she had meant. He continued gliding, looking a little panicky.
"It's alright just try again." She coaxed gently, gliding backwards.
He tried and failed, and regained his gliding stride to keep from falling. Unfortunately he picked up a little speed and smashed into Tabitha. Both of them lost their balance and fell to the ice. Their world spun as his fall was broken by landing half on top of her. Their eyes met and it seemed like an eternity passed between the two of them, the longest minute and a half either of them had ever seen.
"You okay?" She asked in a quiet voice. It sounded a little odd but that may have been because she had been slammed to the ice before all his weight dropped onto her.
"Yeah." He nodded. Before either of them could fathom what was happening they were both leaning their heads toward each other, eyes closing as they moved in.
♣♣♣
Ok I know I know, another cliffhanger. So light the torches and pitchforks and charge at me. Or maybe you could give me a break since it's Christmas? Yeah that sounds like a nice happy idea, non? At least this one's happy-ish, and I know you're all dying to find out what happens next. (Pun not intended)
On another note, the official countdown has started. Last chapter I said five chapters, but now I believe I can finish it comfortably in three. So there's officially three more chapters to this story. Now's the time to speak out! Please note that I will reply to all reviews, I'll just use the method that won't get me in trouble. So please don't let that be your excuse for not reviewing.
Here's to hoping you all have a very Happy Christmas and great holiday season.
chapter 13 completed 12-24-05