Author's Note- My computer completely crashed. For quite a while all I had was my sister's which didn't have a floppy drive so I couldn't upload anything. Very sad.

The Pub

"So you're the girl who finally got our boy to settle down," a girl smiled. "I'm Carrie. This idiot," she gestured to Chris who, foolishly, had challenged Remy to a game of cards, "is my boyfriend. Why I'll never know."

Kitty giggled at Chris' affronted look. "I can relate."

"Oi! Watch it, Pryde!"

"This is Haley," Carrie continued glancing at the beautiful redhead currently glaring daggers at Kitty.

"Hi," Kitty said tentatively. Haley, without a word, stood and stormed out.

"That's a relief actually," Carrie said. "I wasn't looking forward to prying you two apart."

"You think she'd attack me?" Kitty asked.

"It's not you I'm worried about," Carrie confessed. "Haley is grating to the best of us, if she were to act around you and Pete like I'd expect, you'd probably be end up slugging her, and I really couldn't blame you."

"I wouldn't hit her," Kitty said cuddling with Lockheed. "I mean, she's obviously a little unstable... it wouldn't be fair."

"What? So, I'm the only one that ya abuse?" Pete demanded cocking one eyebrow.

"Pretty much," Kitty said smiling sweetly.

"I feel real special," Pete grumbled.

"You should."

"Trust me," Carrie said. "By the end of the night a saint would probably want to kill her."

"But she's harmless," Chris pointed out as he handed Remy the money he had just lost to the Cajun.

"Alright, so why do you guys hang out with her if she's so annoying?" Kitty asked.

"I don't know," Carrie said thoughtfully. "I guess we've all been friends for so long..."

"Can we discuss somethin' else?" Pete asked.

"Of course," Gabe smiled. "Kitty would you like to hear some stories about when we were growing up?"

"On the other hand-" Pete started.

"Sure," Kitty chirped.

"I know the perfect one!" Evan exclaimed. "Did Pete ever tell you that he almost burned the school down?"

"I can honestly say no," Kitty said.

"Why do you lot feel as though you have t' torture me?" This was muffled because Pete had buried his head in his hands.

"It's fun," Gabe shrugged. He turned to Kitty. "It was actually when he first got his powers."

"You know about his powers?" Kitty asked clearly surprised.

"Of course," Matt said tuning into the conversation from his with Janice. "We were there when he first got them."

"We helped him deal," Carrie said.

Ten minutes later

"Want some?" Pete asked as he took a sip of his scotch.

"I don't drink," Kitty said.

"It won't kill you," Pete said rolling his eyes.

"It's disgusting."

"Matter of opinion." He looked down at the bottle. "Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's talkin' about."

"Pete, I really worry about you sometimes."

"Don't we all," Rogue laughed.

"Just try it," Pete urged. "All yer arguments are useless here. It's not illegal and the adults would never know."

"You're totally right," Kitty shrugged. "Why not?" She took the bottle and took a long drink starting to cough as soon as she swallowed.

Pete laughed rubbing her back comfortingly. "Easy, luv, unless ya want one 'ell of a headache t'morrow."

"How do you drink that crap?"

"Easily. You just have a low tolerance." She took a little sip and wrinkled up her nose. "You guys ready?"

"Yeah," Remy said.

"I want t' get back anyhow," Evan said. "Gabe?" Gabe threw Evan the keys. The five left.

"So, how's yer mum?" Pete asked as they got into the van.

"She's doin' better," Evan said. "She'd like it if you'd stop by. She was talking about you the other day. Bring Kitty, she'd love t' meet your girl."

"T'morrow okay?"

"That'd be fine, I'll let her know." Four minutes later Evan pulled up to a building. "Here's your stop."

"Thanks, mate, I'll see ya." The two couples got out and Evan drove away.

"You want t' come with me t'morrow?" Pete asked.

"Sure," Kitty said.

"So, want ta spend the day together?" Remy asked. "Remy knows all de good places in town."

Rogue thought then shrugged. "Ah guess... Ah mean, it ain't like Ah've got anything better to do."

"...Merci..."

Later that night

Haley paused outside of the building wondering if she was making a mistake. Just as she was about to turn back the door opened. "Miss Kartier, I was expecting you," a voice said from inside.