I know its been a while but, here's chapter three!! Thanks to Luba for proofing this for me, as well as the others who gave me support to continue. You know who you are! Disclaimer: Excalibur belongs to Marvel. I'm just borrowing them for my own amusement, so I'm not making any money off this story. All other incidental characters belong to me. Feel free to e-mail me at drgnlair@flash.net if you have any feedback about the story. Something Old, Something New 3/? by Tina Randleman Much later that afternoon, after Kitty and Pete settled into their hotel room, they went looking for a gift for Elsbeth. After only two stops, and much complaining from Pete, they found the perfect gift. According to Pete, that is. "Are you sure she's going to like it, Pete?" Kitty asked for the fourth time. In her opinion, a copy of the Kama Sutra was not something you gave to someone on their wedding day. Even if the book was leatherbound with gold leaf. Especially if it was for an ex-girlfriend. "I told you, Pryde, she'll love it. Don't worry, luv, I already told you that you didn't have to sign the card. But if you really don't like it, I guess I can let you pick out something else. Like a bloody vase or some such nonsense. I think we'll keep the book, though," leered at her suggestively, eyebrows waggling comically. Kitty couldn't help but giggle at his antics. She was relieved that he changed his mind about the gift, though not surprised that he wanted to keep it. It was truly beautiful, and she was sure they would get lots of practice from it. She knew, though, that if she hadn't disapproved, Elsbeth would have gotten the Kama Sutra from Pete, probably to her horror. She knew that he was probably dreading more shopping but, luckily for him, Kitty had seen a nice crystal vase in the window two shops down. She'd just have to go pick it up in the morning. "If you're sure... I did see a nice gift in a window on Jamison street." "I'm sure. Aw hell, luv, this means more shopping," Pete mock growled at her. "I can pick it up tomorrow. No rush. Where to now?" "The sooner we get a bloody tux, the sooner we can start the weekend. And I know just the place. Fripperies and Finery. Don't let the name scare you. I know the owner. They get me all me suits." "That reassures me a great deal, Pete," she replied flatly, "Now I know who to blame." "There's nothing wrong with me clothes! I thought you'd at least applaud me practicality. If I shred one jacket, and have a suit where the trousers were torn, I don't have to buy a new suit. The way I go through clothes, I'd spend a bloody fortune otherwise. And I ain't wearing spandex!" "You're no fun," she mock pouted. Pete grabbed her around the waist, and kissed her deeply, oblivious to the people around them. When they broke apart he grinned at her broadly. "No fun am I, then? Just you wait 'til later," Pete breathed into her ear, while pulling her closer, pointedly ignoring the looks passerbys gave them. * * * Fripperies and Fineries was not what Kitty expected. It was a small, nondescript store sandwiched between two brightly lit pubs. The hand-painted name on the door was the only sign that it was actually a store. As they entered the small establishment, Kitty couln't think of any other word but cozy as she inspected the interior. As was expected, there were suits along the walls, a tie display, and a few mannequins sporting the newest designs. A hardwood counter ran along the back of the store, sporting an old cash register, a few shirts, and a bell. Off to one side an overstuffed sofa and matching chair sat facing the two dressing rooms, a mirror between the doors. Pete walked up to the counter and rang the bell. He smiled brightly at Kitty, then yelled, "Hey Gilly! Are you here?" After a few moments, a middle-aged brunette appeared from behind a set of curtains next to the dressing rooms. Her face lit up when she saw Pete, and he quickly found himself fussed over like a new- hatched chick. The woman herself reminded Kitty of a hen, bustling around him, clucking that he'd lost so much weight, and generally mothering him. Kitty smiled at the scene, and decided she liked this woman. Several minutes later, the woman stood back, and smiled warmly at Kitty. "Pete, you're a complete boor. Who is this lovely lady you've brought?" "Gillian, this is me girlfriend, Kitty. Kitty, meet Gillian." "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kitty. I'd wondered where this scoundrel had gotten himself off to. Would you like some tea? Coffee? Coffee it is then. Sit down, make yourselves comfortable. I'll be back momentarily." With that, she shooed them to sit on the sofa while she went into the back room. * * * Twenty minutes later, all three were conversing quite congenially. Gillian, Kitty learned, had all but adopted Pete. Gillian acted so much like a mother, Kitty felt like she was was being appraised for worthiness, and passed, judging by Gillian's insistance to be called 'Gilly'. She had, to Pete's chagrin, told Kitty all manner of stories about him. Kitty's favorite had been of a six year old Pete who had tied his new tie around his head, and proceded to run around the store in his underwear yelling like an indian, to his parents' embarrassment. When Gilly finished the story, Pete was as red as a cherry, and grinning ear to ear. "So, my dear, what can I do for you? Do you need any more of those ghastly black things you call suits? You know I stock your size since you seem to go through them like they were nothing." "I like the 'ghastly suits'. You and Pryde, peas in a bloody pod. What I really need is a tuxedo. I'm going to a wedding tomorrow night, and it's black tie. God help me, I hate the bloody things." "Kitty, what would you like him to wear? Let me show you what I have." "I just want a plain black one. Why are you asking her what I'm going to wear?" Pete asked incredullously. "Because, my dear boy, she's going to have to be seen with you, and I want her to approve. Leave it to us, I know what you will and won't wear, and tomorrow night, you'll be the most handsome gentleman there." "I think calling him a gentleman is a bit of a stretch," Kitty put in, laughing at Pete's expression of a landed fish. * * * Pete wasn't sure what was worse, having them pick out what he was going to wear, or the thought that they were having so much fun doing so. After about twenty minutes, they had picked out a nice double breasted jacket, and a black satin tie and vest. He had to admit it looked good on him when he tried it on. As much as he hated dressing up, and tight clothes, he couldn't surpress a smile when Kitty's face lit up when he walked out of the dressing room. The only reason he didn't just say straight out that he was wearing a black suit was simple. He wanted Kitty to be proud to be with him. She was always trying to get him to wear brighter colors, change his suits, even to get him to wear blue jeans. He hoped she realized that this was for her. The look on her face made it all worth while. His beautiful, perfect Kitty, eyes bright with love. Maybe, Pete thought, if I got one suit other than black... He dismissed it. Wearing a bloody tux was bad enough. "Oh, Pete," Kitty sighed, not knowing what to say. He looked good. No, she corrected, he was gorgeous. He just stood there, grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, black hair tousled, looking, well, sexy. "Well, Pryde, can I take the bloody thing off now? I don't think I'll survive tomorrow night. Several hours looking like a friggin' stuffed penguin." "Pete, just stand there a minute, will you. Oh God, you look incredible. Gilly was right. This is perfect for you." Pete walked, no swaggered, over to where she stood. He just swaggered, Kitty thought with amusement, maybe I should start telling him he looks great more often. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently. Kitty finally gave into the urge and ran her hands into his wild mane, looking deep into his bright blue eyes. Pete nipped at the end of her nose then nuzzled her neck. "Don't think this means you can get me to change me suits", he growled into her ear as he nibbled the lobe gently. "We'll talk about that later," Kitty whispered back. Over by the couch, Gilly watched this display with joy and amusement, eyes crinkling with a smile. Yes, she thought, I'm definately going to be seeing him married one of these days soon. It's about bloody time. \=/, _-===-_-====-_-===-_-==========-_-====-_ | @___oo ( )_ /\ /\ / (___,,,}_--= THE DRAGON'S LAIR ) ) /^\) ^\/ _) =__ ) ) /^\/^ _) (_ DRGNLAIR@FLASH.NET ) ) _ / / _) ( ) /\| || | )_) (_ ) ||| | |(,,) )__) ( ) || ^^^^/ ^ \)___)\ (_ __) | \____( )___) )___ -==-_____-=====-_____-=====-___== \______(_^_____;;; __;;; "Any sufficienly advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." -Elminster of Shadowdale Stewart's Law The optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears that this is true.