People have been asking, and yes there will be Romy in this! Jott and Amyro will also play parts in the coming together of Kitty and Piotr. However, they might not truly show themselves for a while yet. I have to get things set up first since, unlike Scott Piotr isn't actually new to the mansion. Some background has to be added, but ya'll know that and understand right?

Chapter 3

Don't let it get to you, Kitty warned herself mentally. Her blue gaze traveled away from the laughing couple and instead settled on Jean and Scott. In just a few months they would be graduating, an event they awaited eagerly. Lucky them. They get out of this dump while I'm stuck here for another two-and-a-half years!

Being a freshman sucked, as Kitty knew all too well. Not invited to nearly as many parties as the upperclassman, and even most sophomores were, and she just happened to be a smart freshman. Some might think that would get her in good with the older students since she had many of their classes, but it just made her more of a geek than normal freshman were.

Of course, things weren't nearly as bad as they had been in Illinois. At least she had friends here, and she wasn't pushed into lockers or anything. In fact, most of the time she was left alone. The Brotherhood was the worst, and while she and Lance dated they mostly kept to themselves. They still didn't bother her as much, but sometimes they would laugh and rub the breakup in her face – especially Pietro, whom was the most against their relationship to start with.

Kitty thought it was stupid he hated her relationship with Lance. She might've understood his ire, but it was obvious to everyone that he liked Evan. Well, Evan didn't realize it, but he didn't notice much anyway. Sure, Pietro dated a lot of girls, but what guy cared that much for their clothing and hair? Even Scott didn't care nearly as much what he threw on in the mornings as Pietro quite obviously did.

Lance's loud laughter brought Kitty's attention back to the couple. Tabitha sat on his lap, making hand motions as she talked. She must've said something funny because the other guys laughed as well. Kitty wondered what they were talking about, but she quickly shoved that thought to the farthest recesses of her mind. What did she care? She had her own friends to hang out with!

"Kitty, are you okay?" Jean asked, looking at her concernedly. She nodded and smiled, albeit forcefully, at the redhead. Jean didn't look convinced, but she knew the younger girl enough to know when not to push. Sometimes she thought Kitty hung out with Rogue too much with the way she acted when angered.

Scott raised a single eyebrow, glanced in Lance's direction, and looked back at the valley girl. If he hadn't been wearing glasses, his eyes would've sparkled with hope. Kitty shook her head. The X-men knew him well enough now to know when and what question he might be asking with his eyes. He wanted to know if she wanted him to beat up Lance, and he was obviously hopeful she'd say yes.

Sitting back disappointedly, he once again wrapped his arm over Jean's shoulders. Getting back to the conversation at hand, Kurt said something and the X-men burst into laughter too. Kitty noticed Lance look in their direction from the corner of her eye, and she quickly joined in the laughter. Playfully punching Kurt's shoulder, she felt a wave of satisfaction when she noticed Lance's jealous glare.

Served him right, she thought harshly. The way he treated her, and after all she'd done for him! In the beginning stages of their relationship, the X-men very nearly disowned her out of dissatisfaction. It was a warning from the professor and Rogue that made them realize what jerks they were being. They still didn't like the relationship, but Lance's decision to breakup with her only made them angrier. If anyone should've done the breaking up, it was Kitty!

Tabitha never acted like she cared either way, but Kitty thought she saw a few angry glances in her direction from the blonde. Back then she considered them tricks of the light or her own imagination, but now she knew differently. Tabby probably planned to steal Lance away from her all along!

C'mon Kitty, keep it together. She warned herself. It just wasn't meant to be, that's all! Besides, what about Piotr?

"What about Piotr?"

"Ah!" Kitty jumped. The X-men glanced curiously at her, and she glared at Jean. "Warn me next time you go reading my mind!" she shouted outraged. Since when did Jean just go picking through people's minds anyway?

"I wasn't picking through your mind!" Jean protested. "You're thinking loud enough for every telepath on this side of Bayville to hear you."

"Oh," Kitty blushed. She lowered her head and quickly dug into her veggie sandwich.

"So, what about Piotr?" Jean asked mentally. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity, even as she nodded along with whatever Scott said.

"What do you mean?" Kitty just barely managed to keep from speaking aloud. Even after all this time, speaking telepathically to Jean or the professor gave her the creeps. It was just so weird!

"You know what I mean. You said – well, thought – 'what about Piotr'. So, what about him?"

"Nothing!" Kittythought quickly. "Um… I have to go," she said hurriedly before Jean could reach in her mind for the answers. A blush staining her cheeks, she hurried away from the confused adolescents.

"What's with her?" Scott asked when she was out of sight.

"I think we'll have to help Kitty get over Lance completely before we set anyone up."

Even as Jean thought this to Scott, she shook her head in confusion. It would be best if the others didn't know what was wrong with her just yet. They hated Lance enough since he broke her heart, but to tell them Kitty still hurt would only add fuel to the fire. So not a good idea.

&&&&&&

Remy grinned as Rogue chuckled lightly. The thin strap of her emerald camisole slid down her shoulder with a little help from his fingers. His mouth quickly found the spot on her neck that he knew tickled and aroused her at the same time. There was nothing better than a laughing, aroused Rogue – well, maybe an angry, aroused Rogue.

Just as he reached down to unbutton her jeans, the door to their bedroom swung open. Rogue and Remy looked up quickly, only to see Scott standing in the doorway and looking quite upset. Remy wanted to tell him to leave, but his Roguey had already pushed him away and sat up, pulling the strap of her shirt back onto her shoulder – not that it covered much.

"Sugah, what's wrong?" Rogue asked worriedly. Had something happened at school?

Scott shook his head, silent for several moments. Finally, he managed to speak.

"Our plans have hit a snag."

"Already!?" Rogue exclaimed loudly. Gambit frowned, baffled for only a moment before remembering the matchmaking plan they'd come up with. "We haven't even started anythin' yet!"

"I know," Scott said solemnly. "I need to talk to you. Privately."

"Hey now," Remy started to protest, "can' dis wait a whi—" he was cut off by Scott stalking into the room, taking Rogue's wrist, and pulling her out with him. "Gambit changed his mind, he don' like Scooter anymore."

"Whoa, honey, calm down!" Rogue chided as Scott finally came to a stop at his bedroom door. He swung the door open and pushed Rogue in before following her. "If ya wanted t' get meh alone, ya coulda just asked."

Scott smiled lightly before turning serious again. Rogue's amused expression followed suit. If their plans already had an obstacle to overcome, this might prove harder than she thought.

"So, what's this snag, sug?"

"Kitty isn't over Lance yet."

"Excuse meh?"

"Kitty. Isn't. Over. Lance. Yet." Scott repeated each word slowly, but Rogue paid no heed to the tone. She was too caught up in not believing her ears.

"B-but Petey! She an' him are gettin' along great, ain't they?"

"Yeah," Scott nodded. "According to Jean, though, they had a little mental conversation at lunch. Kitty's still hung up on Lance."

Rogue sighed and rubbed her throbbing temples. The headache was coming on fast, and she looked at Scott helplessly. They hadn't even begun their make-Kitty-more-mature plan yet, and already this sneaked itself in the way! Really, she was getting too old for this sort of nonsense!

"Fine," she finally said, "our first objective is t' get Kitty ovah her ex."

"Right," Scott muttered in agreement. "Any ideas how to do that?"

"Not a one," Rogue smiled sheepishly. Scott raised a single eyebrow. "What? Ah was th' one that broke up with all mah exes!"

"Riiight," Scott drawled out similar to what Rogue did at times. She glared at him but didn't comment on the sarcastic tone. His insolence wasn't the problem right now, it was Kitty and Lance. They'd have to abate the situation before it ruined any chance of a real relationship happening.

"We'll need Jean," Rogue said suddenly. "A gal's night out might be just what we need t' talk some sense int' Kitty! Maybe if she hangs with us fo' a night, she'll realize there're bettah fish in th' sea!"

Scott could feel a headache of his own coming on. His brow arched further, shrinking into his hairline. Was she serious? The contemplative frown on her face told him yes, and his other brow soon followed the first in disbelief.

"Rogue, you think a night with you will make her 'see the light'?"

"Sure!" Rogue smiled proudly. Her smile slowly faded, and she glared suspiciously at Scott. "Why? You don't think so?"

"Well…" Scott tried to think of a way to explain himself. When he could come up with nothing, he decided to just be honest. "Yeah."

"What's wrong with meh!?" Rogue asked, outraged that he'd think she couldn't help a friend.

"Nothing's wrong with you, Rogue," Scott reassured quickly. He held his hands up in a placating manner. "It's just…Well, if you go along, you'll most likely start talking about how you got all the guys to come crawling back to you."

"What's ya point, sugah?" Rogue raised a single brow. She didn't see what was so wrong with that. It was the truth! They had all come crawling back to her!

"Don't you think that might give Kitty ideas?" Scott continued, trying to make her see his way of thinking.

"Ain't that what we want?" Rogue reminded more than asked. Scott nodded.

"Yeah, ideas about Piotr! I mean it will give her ideas on ways to get Lance back. A new determination that'll ruin all we're working for!"

Rogue started to object, but she closed her mouth as his words rolled around in her mind. Scott was right. If she gave Kitty ideas on how to get her ex back, their plan would be a waste and Piotr and Kitty would never be a couple. There was something just wrong with that thought. She nodded finally, conceding defeat.

"Then how d'ya suggest we get them t'gethah?"

"Well," Scott said with a mischievous grin, "I was thinking maybe we show her how much better Piotr is than Lance."

"An' how d' we do that?"

"We're gonna need a little help," Scott told her, grinning. He whispered his plan into her ear, and slowly Rogue also began to smile.

"Scott, you are a genius!"

"I know."