Subject: [OTL]: A Meaningful Conversation Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 15:07:26 -0700 From: Jason Barnett A Meaningful Conversation Disclaimer: All characters within are the property of Marvel Comics and are used without permission. I am not making any money off of this. Notes: This story takes place in an alternate universe where Kitty and Pete didn't breakup, and Excalibur didn't disband. Instead after Brian and Meggan's wedding and retirement when the X-men were down to four members everyone except Rahne and Douglock did a sort of temporary merger with the X-men until they found Xavier and more firmly re-established the team. I'm writing this because for the life of me I can't figure out why everyone thinks Storm would hate him, since he's almost exactly like two of her best friends. ****** Pete put the cigarette to in his mouth then ran a hot knife over the tip lighting it. It was certainly easier to use his power to do that than struggle with the child-proof lighters that were available. He'd only taken one drag off it when a minature rain cloud appeared over his head dousing it. "Put that disgusting thing out this minute, Wisdom." 'The mother-in-law from 'ell's on my case again. I'm gonna have ter start spendin' all my time wit' Kit jus' ter avoid her. And then I gotta deal with the flyin' rat. Christ I'm gettin' sick a this. An' I ain't takin' it any more.' "What' the 'ell's yer problem, ya sodidn' weather witch? It's hard enough gettin' a smoke 'round here with Kitty' s flyin' rat always stealin' me fags. I usually have ter bum one offa Logan or Remy an' I don't need yer puttin' 'em out by givin' me my own personal rain shower. What the 'ell's yer problem, I never seen yer do that ter either of them! Did I blow smoke right in yer face sometime or somethin'?" "I never allow smoke to blow into my face, I always have a small wind to blow it away when someone is smoking in a room I'm in." "Well, then quit puttin' 'em out. I need somethin' ter relax me what with all the subtle 'ostility I'm gettin' 'round 'ere. Least all of yer wankers could do would just come out an' say I ain't right fer Kit 'stead a tryin' ta make my life miserable." Ororo narrowed her eyes at him. "My Kitten is a grown woman and is capable of making her own decisions. I assure you any hostilty has nothing to do with whether you are right for her or not, at least not from me. I cannot speak for the others, though. The only thing I have to say about you and she being together is it proves that some women are attracted to men who remind them of their father as Logan was more of a father to her than her biological father." "Then what is it?! I've seen yer drink, yerself down at that pub yer all go ter, 'arry's 'ideaway." "I do indulge myself occasionally, I have no problem with alcohol in moderation. However unlike me you consistently drink and smoke enough to compete with Logan or Remy. You lack something they have, Wisdom, a healing factor or access to an elixir that can extend life dramatically. You are older than my Kitten, men live shorter lives, and yet despite your claims to love her, you consistently indulge in behavior that will only shorten your life and time together. I do not want to be consoling her as the man she loves dies from cancer or cyrosis of the the live before she is thirty. Perhaps if you acted as though you truly wished to live a long life with her I might be more inclined to like you." Feeling she had said more than enough Ororo turned and walked away. Pete glared at her retreating back and put another cigarette to his lips, then pulled it out. 'She's got a bit off a point,' he thought ruefully. Kitty was the best thing to happen to him in a long time and he didn't like the idea of leaving her alone. "Maybe I oughta cut back. Jus' a little bit." The end