Note: Hi! Here is the sixth chapter of the story. I've taken the liberty of making Kitty's parents, evil mutant-haters. I know her parents aren't normally like that, but it kind of fitted in. Also, I know Lance is very out of character, but his personality in the series, is so indifferent and very hard to make anything exciting out of. I hope you like the chapter.

My body was, if possible, in even further pain, as I slowly opened up my eyes. For a second, I wondered, were I was, but quickly remembered, as I saw Kitty lying by my side. The rising sun had not woken her up yet. I was about to wake her up, but decided to appreciate her beauty for just a second. I suddenly noticed that a blanket was covering Kitty and I. I was certain, that this blanket had not been present when I fell asleep. I smiled at the thought of Jean, quietly walking into the room, providing us with a comfortable blanket.

Suddenly, I felt a huge need for water. My throat literally felt like it had been filled up with sand. I tried to get up, ignoring the pressing pain in my entire body.

This was, seemingly, too much movement for Kitty to sleep through. She moaned and stretched her arms into the air. Then she opened her eyes, and yawned. "It lives!" I joked, and a pillow was quickly thrown at me. I felt ridiculous as the pillow actually caused pain. This pain was really starting to bug me.

Kitty noticed the damage she had caused and quickly apologized. "It's not your fault, I'm weak", I said.

"Well you did take a hit from Blob, which is practically the same as getting hit by a bus", she said, and actually looked like she was calculating Blob's mass compared to a regular bus. "I can't believe, I couldn't even take out those losers", I said, not really talking to Kitty anymore.

"Don't blame yourself, it was three against one", she said, trying to comfort me. It kind of had the opposite effect. I didn't want to be excused. I wanted to get stronger. Now. Still, I wasn't going to let out my anger on Kitty. Instead, I just smiled at her. My knees weakened, as she smiled back.

"I think, I'm able to walk down the stairs now. Wanna get some breakfast?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm practically starving", she said, and wrapped her arm around me. It was more to support me, rather than to make any romantic gesture.

I was surprised, and really glad, to see almost everyone of the X-Men at the table. Furthermore, everyone noticed my appearance, and asked me how I was feeling. Even Wolverine, who usually wasn't very fond of me, patted me on the back, and asked how I was holding up. After answering a lot of questions about the fight, I finally had the chance to get some breakfast. I suddenly remembered, that I still hadn't had anything to drink. I nearly emptied an entire carton of juice.

After breakfast, everyone seemed eager to get out. It was beginning to snow, and a football match was quickly arranged. I was destined to watch and not participate, due to my injuries of course. Scott, who hadn't been present at the table this morning, walked over to me,

"How are you feeling", he asked, and looked genuinely interested in my answer.

"Better", I said. I knew our relationship was improved, but I still was a little careful, when speaking to him.

"At least, you're not going to break my leg this time", he said. I was relieved to see him smiling.

"Well, I could try of course", I said, and grinned with him.

The match turned out to be rather interesting. Jean provided a huge advantage for her team, as the team's head coach. Her mind reading, made it impossible for the other team to execute an unestimated move. Bobby stroke back by covering the field with ice. As I kept an eye on the entertaining match, I speculated on how to get my hands on some money. I decided to go to my old job and ask for another chance.

I reached the café and quickly found my boss. He was furious, but I ended up keeping my job. I was thrilled and promised to work twice as hard. I started right away. My boss quickly realized my condition.

"You are in no condition to work today", he said, and I feared what was coming.

"Sir, I promise it's not a problem", I begged. My boss was always angry, and he yelled most of the time.

"I won't hear of it! Go home. You will get payed for all your missed days", my boss said still with an angry look on his face. I was sure I had heard these words from his lips, but it seemed impossible. "Thank you", I stuttered, and hoped my gratitude was clear.

"I was about to leave as he grabbed my shoulder. "You're a good kid, Lance. Just try to stay out of trouble", he said, and I smiled and thanked him again.

I was so relieved, as I walked towards the mansion. I wasn't going to abuse my boss's kindness, so I decided to get back to work as soon as possible.

It was really annoying, not being able to hurry up the process of healing. I tried to keep away from strenuous activity, as the professor had asked of me.

Kitty was no where to be found. As I had nothing to do, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I realized how much I missed her presence. Her beauty. Her kiss.

I took a walk around in the yard. Suddenly a snowball hit me right in the face. I heard Bobby's voice. "Bullseye!" he said from behind a bush and a couple of other students laughed. I smiled and made the ground tremble under them. They must have forgotten about my powers, because they seemed shocked and deserted their hiding place. "If every bone in my body wasn't aching", I said and raised a fist in the air, smiling. I must have looked ridiculous, as four more snowballs hit my face.

"Backup is on the way", called Kurt's voice from the fountain. He, Evan and Robert were closing in us. I estimated this as an opportunity of escape, as this had stolen the attention of the others. I ran, or at least tried to, towards the back entrance of the house.

The house had a nice atmosphere. With the Christmas decorations all over, and a smell of cocoa, the house seemed more like a home, than ever. I found the professor, Beast, Wolverine and Storm sitting in the kitchen. This seemed to be the source of the smell of cocoa.

I was offered a cup from Ororo.

"Thank you very much", I said and warmed my hands on the cup. I was once again asked how I was holding up. I asked them if they knew were Kitty was. Ororo smiled and told me, she was Christmas shopping with the other girls. "Do you know when she will be home again?" I asked. This made her smile even more.

"Around dinner, I guess", she said. I smiled back and thanked her again for the warm drink.

There really wasn't anything to do other than homework, so I decided to get some reading done. It was biology and it really didn't interest me, so I was nearly falling asleep, as I lay on the couch. I managed to finish the book before I was forced to give up.

I woke up, as a tap of ice touched my neck.

"Bobby!", I yelled, and was about to swear a deadly revenge. I realized it was just Kitty, touching my neck with her icy hand.

"Sorry, I simply had to do it", she said and laughed. I don't think I could ever be annoyed by Kitty, so I just smiled and kissed her. My desire for her, which had been built up for the entire day, was unleashed in this kiss. I didn't even consider that we had an audience in the room.

"Get a room, or another house or something", Evan said. We smiled, and I was about to obey, but it was time for dinner, so we headed for the kitchen instead. Almost everyone at the table was covered in snow from head to toe. I was a bit jealous. I really liked the snow and I would have liked to join the fight.

The dinner was delicious, but I couldn't think about anything other than Kitty. She sat at the other end of the table and I couldn't stop looking at her.

After dinner, I joined in on tonight's dishwashing squad. I felt like I needed to help around where I could, since I, currently, wasn't doing that much work.

I saw Kitty through the window. She was sitting at the fountain, which was now completely frozen. I put on a jacket and hurried outside.

"Kitty?" I said, in an effort to not startle her. She hadn't seen me coming. I walked around her, to face her. I saw she was crying. I felt truly uncomfortable now that she was crying. "What's wrong?" I asked, trying to sound as calm and comforting as possible.

"Nothing", she said and took a deep breath, trying to stop the tears. It wasn't a success, and she bursted into tears again.

"Come on, what's up?" I tried again, putting an arm around her shoulder.

"It's my parents. It's going to be the first Hanukkah without them", she said.

"Aren't you going home to them?" I asked.

"No. After they found out I was a mutant, they don't want anything to do with me", she said and the tears continued to run down her chin.

"Their loss", I said, suppressing the violent anger.

"How can you say that? It's my parents, it's my loss too, no matter how you look at it", she said, and she was completely right.

"Well, I guarantee, that I can you enough for both of them", I said, and smiled at her.

"Thanks, Lance" she said, and smiled back through the tears. I wiped away her tears and kissed her on the forehead. I thought she might need a moment so I wrapped my jacket around her and walked back inside. Jean was waiting in the kitchen.

"That was very nice of you", she said.

"I really love her", I said, not even realizing what I was saying. Jean looked at me and only then I realized what had just left my lips.

"Why don't you tell her?" she asked, and smiled at me.

Everyone gathered around the TV later that night. We were a, according to Hank, classic Christmas movie.

Kitty seemed in a better mood. She seemed to enjoy the movie. I found it kind of boring but enjoyed Kitty's company.

Everyone was tired after today's fighting in the snow. Most of the students headed for bed. Kitty was also tired and I followed her to her room.

When we reached the door, I was about to go to my own room, but Kitty asked me if I would follow her inside. I followed her into the room.

She cleared her throat, in an effort to signal me to turn around. I understood what she meant, and turned around to face the window.

I didn't hear any voice in my head, telling me to peek over my shoulder. I think I respected her enough not to.

I hadn't heard Kitty walking towards me. She folded her arms around me. I turned around and kissed her. She kissed me back, but I could feel that her energy was gone. She was really exhausted. I ignored the pain in my back, and lifted her into my arms. I carried her to her bed.

"Goodnight", she said, and stretched her arms in different directions.

I kissed her on her forehead. "I love you, Kitty".