GROWING UP

Hi! I'm Michelle and this is my very first fanfic so I'm just a little nervous. I hope everyone likes it!   I want to thank Luba K. for giving me the idea for this story and for all her help and encouragement while I was writing this, and also for archiving my story. I also want to tell Joe that I love him and thanks for helping me and for making me do this! It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun! Now get back to work writing your next story you old git J Please send any feedback to jsmit104@tampabay.rr.com

Disclaimer: I guess I gotta put this stuff in so here goes: The characters belong to Marvel, but it doesn't deserve them. Please don't sue — we got no money anyhow! I'm not making any money on this — it's all for fun!

'Boy, it looks like Rigby's blowing his whole paycheck tonight. First "Supernova", God that movie sucked rocks, then he takes me to this swanky hotel restaurant for dinner. I hope he doesn't think he's getting anything more out of this than a kiss and maybe another date. I'm really not ready to get involved with anyone right now.'

"I hope this meets milady's expectations?" Rigby smiled as he took Kitty's hand and walked with her to the maitre de.

'Why does he have to look at me with those puppy dog eyes? Well, at least he takes me out to nice places — the only places I could get Pete to take me to were pubs, and not the best ones either, after a movie — when I could drag him out to see one that is! I wonder what he's doing now. I haven't heard word one from him or about him since Sam called me up to see if he could be trusted or not. It looks like he's forgotten all about me.' A troubled look crossed Kitty's face at that thought. "It's a very nice place, Rigby, but wouldn't some place a little less...you know..." 'I don't want to say expensive, but this really is more than I expected for a date.   I hope he's not getting his expectations built up too high.'

The maitre de then escorted the couple to a small table near a larger table on a raised portion of the floor that looked like it was set for a rather large gathering. Kitty then sat down in the chair that the headwaiter expertly pulled out for her, facing the larger table as Rigby sat down opposite her. As she looked at the table settings with wine carafes and a portable bar well stocked with all sorts of liquors and mixers and a portable refrigerator, she remarked, "I wonder who's having the party?"

"Don't know, but sure looks like a big crowd."

The waiter then came by with menus and filling the water glasses smiled at the couple. "Hello, I'm Michael and I'll be your server tonight."   'Well, at least the waiter's got a nice smile.' Kitty smiled back at the waiter as Rigby tried to look distinguished. "Would you like something to drink and maybe an appetizer to start things off?"

Kitty smiled. "Yes, I think I'd like a margarita, what about you, Rigby?"

Rigby looked somewhat surprised at Kitty's request as the waiter then politely, but firmly stated.   "I'll have to ask for ID first, ma'am."

Kitty then got an irritated look on her face as she realized that she was being carded. "I'm sorry. I've been living in Britain for the past few years and the drinking age is different there. I'll have an ice-tea instead." 'Damn!   I get sick and tired of getting treated like a kid over here! I can't even order a drink without getting hassled!'

"That's quite alright, Madam. We get many customers from overseas. It happens a lot." The waiter smiled again, expertly diffusing tensions.

Rigby looked at the menu and tried to impress Kitty by ordering an exotic dish, not realizing that it contained pork. Kitty, however, immediately recognized the French word for pork on the menu.   "Rigby, I can't eat that — it's not kosher!" Kitty shook her head at her date's insensitivity. 'I don't follow a whole lot of my religious teachings, but I do try to keep the High Holy Days and I don't eat pork! Even Pete knew better!'

Rigby gave Kitty a sheepish look. "I'm sorry, Kitty, I just forgot. I guess I'm still a little out of it from my last assignment. What would you like?"

The sorrowful look on his face made Kitty forget her anger at him as she smiled, realizing that they hadn't gone out together that much, so he probably didn't really know. "That's ok, Rigby. I think I'll just have a small salad. What was your assignment, by the way?" 'I'm eating up with curiosity here. He's been gone for three weeks. He could take me with him — hell, I could be a big help to him.   I mean it's not as if I haven't been out on capers before!' Kitty's attention momentarily wandered as she wistfully remembered some of her more exotic exploits with Pete while they were together. She missed the adrenaline rush that came with going on a mission. 'A caper would be the perfect thing to spice this relationship up! Yeah, he looks a little bit like Doug, but what really attracted me to him was the rush I had when we were tangling with Ogun. I haven't had that feeling since I split up with Pete, and didn't realize how much I missed it until now.'

Trying to impress Kitty with his importance, Rigby shook his head. "You know I can't tell you, Kitty. SHIELD security rules forbid me from talking about missions to anyone outside the organization." 'Kitty's always trying to find out what I do. I can't complain though. It's kinda fun to pose as this globetrotting secret agent, and if a little mystery helps spice things up a little, well, I'm not gonna complain about that. But she'd kill me if she ever found out that I spent all three weeks at the NSA decoding encrypted data.' Continuing to try to impress his date, Rigby went on, "Colonel Fury would throw me in the brig if he ever found out that I'd discussed a mission with anyone — even you."

"I'm not asking for any classified information, Rigby, who do you think I am — an agent for Hydra or something?"

"No, of course not...but rules are rules, you know that!"

'Rules are rules, you know that! Yeah, and when I was going out with Pete I broke a good chunk of 'em! I wish he'd just once forget that he's supposed to be this hotshot secret agent.   I went on missions with Pete that would curl his toes, so where does he get off treating me like some schoolgirl'.   The sound of people laughing and talking loudly immediately attracted her attention, making her forget her growing frustration with her date. "Oh boy, sounds like our party's arrived. They're at the front door and I can hear them all the way here!"

"Congrats on the testing, Emma!" Nick Fury's voice rang out over the din. "Looks like Frost Enterprises just got itself a contract!"

Emma Frost looked pleased as she remembered how well the field-testing for SHIELD's new sensor net had gone. Carol, Domino, Logan, and Cable had all put the system through its paces, and it passed every test.   "Thank you, Nick, that's high praise coming from you." Emma then turned to the dark figure next to her. "Well, Pete, do you think British Intelligence would be interested in it as well?"

Pete Wisdom grunted and smiled wryly. "Yeah, Emma. Looks like you've got a winner here. I'll tell the bastards to sign on."

Kitty then saw her date's jaw drop as he took stock of the large party at the door and whispered to Kitty. "Kitty, you've got to see this!   I don't believe it. It's the old man himself, Colonel Fury!"    Nick Fury looked distinguished in a dark blue sports coat and tie with matching slacks, his eye patch giving him a roguish charm.   "And there's the Contessa, and Dum Dum Dugan, and a whole bunch of other people. The red head looks like — no it can't be — yeah, it is — that's the Black Widow! I've seen her a time or two on the Helicarrier, but this is the first time in civilian clothes — boy does she look good!"   Natasha was wearing a very slinky low-cut, backless black dress with a long, thigh high slit exposing her leg as she walked laughing at an off-color joke Nick told.

Kitty frowned at Rigby's fawning over the Black Widow. 'That's all I need — someone who's absolutely drop dead gorgeous to come in and make me look like crap.' Actually, anyone who saw her would have said that the younger woman looked very attractive.   She was wearing a pale blue blouse with matching pants and sandals, along with her always present silver Star-of-David hanging from her neck, while her date looked dashing with his dark blue shirt and white slacks with black half-boots.

Rigby went on with his description of the group. "And that short, hairy guy looks like your teammate, Wolverine." The Canadian X-Man was wearing his usual going out dress of western shirt and jeans. He was also wearing a leather belt and a bolo tie, both with silver clasps and turquoise inlaid, both Native American. 'I have no idea who the two blondes are, or the thin, sloppy looking Nick Fury wannabe with an eye patch between that blonde dressed in white and the Widow — but they all seem to know each other pretty well though. And I have absolutely no idea who the albino with black markings over her eye is, or her friend with the white hair — he's really big and tall too. I got a feeling if they're with the Colonel, they must be important too.'

"Oh!" Kitty quickly turned her head to look at the group at Rigby's mention of Logan, and then, just as quickly turned her head back towards Rigby. The young man saw the look on his date's face and started to worry. He couldn't be sure if she was afraid, shocked, surprised, or hurt by what she had just seen.

'It's HIM! I can't believe it! Of all the times and all the places to show up — he has to pick here and now! And that patch on his eye! What happened to him? He must really hate me. It's obvious that he doesn't miss me — he seems to be getting along just fine with Natasha and Emma Frost — I can't believe that blonde slut's all over him like that.   Damn, Carol's here too — that makes at least three old girlfriends he's got here — counting me — and knowing my luck, he'd bedded the Widow at some time or other as well! Well, I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me hurt!'   "How's about a bite?" Doing her best to keep her cool, she pointed towards Rigby's appetizer, and gave him her sexiest smile as she took a bite from the fork that he put in front of her mouth.

Logan's senses and Emma's telepathy detected Kitty shortly before anyone else noticed. 'Why did that fool kid have to bring Kitty here tonight! Pete's still out of sorts about her and Neena still wants to kill her.' The Canadian X-Man then gave Emma a look and subtly glanced at the table Kitty and Rigby were sitting at.

The White Queen picked up on his gesture and gently entered his mind. I know. I detected their thoughts when we came in. Natasha and I will take care of Pete, while you, Carol, and Nate keep Domino from breaking your protégé's fool neck. Emma then extended a telepathic tendril to the Black Widow, Carol Danvers, and Cable while maintaining the link with Logan. Natasha, Nathan, Carol? We have a problem. That little she-kitten of Logan's brought her boy-toy here tonight. Nathan, you, Carol, and Logan have to make sure that Domino doesn't decide to skin a cat while Natasha and I take care of Pete.

Right, Emma.   The hard-nosed merc looked at his companion and sighed. 'It's going to be a long night.' Once Domino had found out the circumstances about her old friend Pete's breakup, it took all of X-Force to keep her from flying from San Francisco to New York.   After restraining Domino and then getting her so drunk that she had passed out, Sam called Cable and told him that Domino had said that she was going to "kneecap the little bitch".   Ever since that night, no one ever mentioned Kitty's name in her presence, nor would she ever speak of her.

Emma then sent a private message to the Russian woman on Pete's other side as her lips turned up in an evil grin. Natasha? I think it's time young Katherine learned a little lesson in growing up. You interested?

The Widow gave Emma an evil grin in return as she mentally answered the White Queen. Da. I think the little kitten has it coming to her. What do you have in mind? While Natasha didn't know Kitty that well, she and Pete were casual lovers and she had heard all about how hard he had taken their breakup. The chance for a little payback was just too good for her to pass up.

Emma then outlined her plan to a very enthusiastic Natasha Romanoff and concluded with a grin. Either way, Pete benefits from this, and maybe our little she-cat will have learned a valuable lesson. Both women then drew closer to a suspicious Pete Wisdom--who instantly began to wonder what the two women were up to--and began to flirt with him as they went to their table.

However, they could not hide Kitty from their companion for long. As the threesome passed Kitty and Rigby's table, Pete looked down in surprise as he saw Kitty and Rigby together at their table. Kitty and Pete both stared at each other for a moment, his blue eye both shooting daggers at her brown eyes and asking the unspoken question, 'Why?' as Kitty squirmed slightly in her seat under his gaze. Rigby wanted to say something as he saw his date and this unkempt slob staring at each other, but the brief look given to the young man by the two women on either side of Wisdom had left Rigby frozen silent in his seat.

Both Kitty and Pete wanted to talk to each other, to ask each other why the other had done what they did, but the words just couldn't come out of their mouths. Instead, they looked at each other — frozen — rage and hurt both warring with each other as Kitty looked at Pete's missing eye and Pete looked at her with the young and attractive Rigby Fallon. Natasha and Emma, both seeing that Kitty was not completely over her old lover, glanced at each other and began to put their plan into action.

"Pete, darling." The Black Widow's low, sultry voice temporarily broke through the gathering tension. "We really must be going to our table. See, Nick and Val are already beginning without us." Natasha, who was easily taller than the man she was with, then ran her fingers through his hair, messing it up even more, and then straightening it out again.

"Tasha's right, Pete."   Emma Frost spared Kitty a cold glance as she grazed Pete's sleeve with her fingers. "Let's let the children enjoy their little date in peace.   We grown ups can play our own little games later." Emma then gave Kitty a triumphant smirk as she continued flirting with Pete. The former Black Air agent picked up immediately on what the two women next to him were doing and played along with them, determined to show his former lover that she had not succeeded in destroying his life.

The moment Domino saw Kitty; she started to turn towards her, Carol saw her motion and quickly put her hand on Domino's arm, her superior strength easily stopping the female mercenary from attacking Kitty. Emma and Natasha both sighed inwardly in relief, thankful that Carol was watching.   It took tremendous strength of will on Domino's part to let Carol lead her to the table where everyone else was gathering and not to try to wrap her hands around that little teenager's neck and strangle her. She and Pete were old and dear friends who had saved each other's backsides too many times, and she wasn't about to let some little floozy ruin her friend's life. While she walked, balling and then releasing her fists, she felt Nate's voice in her mind through the psionic rapport they shared. Dom? Just keep calm. I didn't get a chance to tell you because I've just figured it out myself, but it looks like Emma and Natasha are going to throw some cold water on Kitty's face. Let them do what they're planning for right now, ok?

All right, Nate.   I'll play it your way for now.   But if they don't knock some sense into that little idiot, then I will!

Cable continued to attempt to soothe Domino through their psionic link while Logan tried to divert her attention with an off-color remark about a couple sitting at another table.   Seeing that the crisis for now had passed, Logan and Carol both kept an irate Domino in between them as they passed the young couple's table, with Cable bringing up the rear, close at hand.   Carol simply ignored the younger woman, the older woman's disappointment in the younger one obvious. Domino and Cable gazed straight ahead, not even giving Kitty a glance, while Logan gave his protégée a look that expressed his concern for her in a way words couldn't. Logan had figured out Emma and Natasha's game and wasn't sure at first whether to let it go on. 'If leaving Pete were best for Kitty, then he'd have to live with it, but she's been miserable ever since she came back here.   I feel sorry for her, but she's made some bad decisions and she's gonna have to fix 'em. Maybe getting splashed with cold water's the best thing for her.   Might force her to rethink things.   Maybe, just maybe, she'll get the message and do the right thing,' he thought as Carol made a joke in a further effort to divert Domino's attention.

"Do you know the slob that was between the Black Widow and that blonde dressed in white?" Rigby was both a little curious and jealous as he saw the look the two gave each other.

The waiter stopped by and refilled her ice-tea and his Coke as Kitty thought about her answer. "We knew each other a while ago — he was a part of Excalibur before we split up." The half-truth came haltingly out of Kitty's mouth. She didn't want to ruin what was left of their date by telling him about her relationship with Pete, but at the same time didn't want to lie to him.

"He doesn't look like much to me. What's his power — the ability to drive everyone out of the room with cigarette smoke?" He fanned the growing clouds of smoke coming from the other table from not just Pete's cigarette, but also from the big cigars that had been lit by Nick and Logan, and the cigarillo that Domino had lit.

Kitty felt her face flush as she dropped her fork on her plate, angry at Rigby's remark. Calming herself as she saw the look of concern on her date's face, Kitty forced a smile. "No, actually, he shoots out bolts of hot plasma he calls hot knives." As she said that, she couldn't help but think about some of the other uses he had made of his mutant power in pleasuring her, a smile briefly crossing her face. "He's also a British Intelligence agent — a very good one." Kitty couldn't keep a small note of pride out of her voice, causing her date to raise an eyebrow.

As Kitty and Rigby continued to eat their meal, the party behind them grew even more raucous as Nick and Logan began to trade war stories, with Dum Dum interjecting an occasional acidic remark, especially whenever his name was taken in vain.   Carol, looking stunning in a dark blue dress with a string of pearls and a silver belt, then joined in the conversation, recounting some of her and Logan's many missions, making sure to not mention any details still classified. Domino then chimed in as she recounted Pete's adventures in New Delhi and of how she helped him escape from a brothel disguised as a prostitute.   Natasha then talked about adventures she had with both Fury and Logan, drawing more laughter from the crowd.   Pete then, clearing it telepathically with Emma, told the audience some of the tamer tales he had of the time he was assigned as Black Air's liaison to the Hellfire Club. Emma then laughed and regaled the table with a selection of Inner Circle stories. Kitty looked on enviously as she heard the conversations and laughter coming from the 'grownup's table'. Kitty also began to slowly lose her temper as she saw Natasha and Emma both shamelessly flirt with Pete.

As they heard the laughter and good-natured kidding coming from the other table, both Kitty and Rigby began to feel left out. "Let's go say Hi!" Rigby smiled as he stood up and held a hand out for Kitty. Rigby saw this as the perfect opportunity to get Fury's attention, and thought that Kitty's acquaintance with the Colonel might be the perfect foot in the door to get him invited to the party.

Kitty took one look at the other table, especially at Pete sitting between Natasha and Emma, laughing and joking with both of the older and more sophisticated women, and then at her old mentor, Logan, who returned her gaze with a half smile and a gentle nod.   The Contessa, wearing a floor length black evening dress, and Fury were engrossed in a conversation with Carol and Cable while Domino, catching Kitty's eyes, fixed the younger woman in an icy stare. Kitty shivered momentarily before looking up at Rigby and smiling. "Why don't you go on up.   I really just want to stay here for now." 'I know when I'm not wanted.'   Kitty cried inwardly — hurt by the cold shoulder many of her old acquaintances were giving her, her only relief being Logan's quiet greeting.

"C'mon, Kitty!   They'll think I'm rude if I don't bring you along!" Rigby insisted, his voice taking on a pleading tone.

Reluctantly Kitty took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the other table. As young Rigby approached the party, conversations slowly died as everyone gave the couple the once-over. 'That little witch!' Domino swore internally as she regarded the twosome standing near Nick and the Contessa. 'She's got big, brass ones — I'll give her that! I can't believe she had the nerve to come up here!'

"Colonel Fury, Countess?"   Rigby started out confident, but ended a little sheepishly as he saw everyone's eyes fixed on him.

Nick Fury gave him a brief going over as his date whispered in his ear. Fury nodded and then, taking his cigar out of his mouth, growled.   "Fallon? Right?"

The younger man nodded, surprised that the Director would know his name.

"Heard you're doing good work in crypto-analysis, son. This your date?"

"Yes, sir." Rigby's head picked up at both the complement and the question from his boss. "I'd like you to meet Kitty."

"Yeah, son. I remember Ms. Pryde." The older man then turned to the young woman, giving her a not unkind look and a friendly wink. He had a good idea what Natasha and Emma were cooking up and had decided that he was going to stay well clear of it. "How's Wagner doin'? You still got that little dragon?" Fury pitched his voice so that the entire table could hear. Everyone at the table, except for Domino and Pete, laughed at that — they had all heard from one source or another about the time the X-Men were involved in a scavenger hunt and those three had intruded on Fury and the Contessa at a most awkward time, while Rigby had a bemused look on his face, not understanding why everyone was laughing.

Rigby thought that everything was going well and that the two of them were about to get invited to join their elders when Fury surprised him by dismissing them, "Good seein' the two of ya. Enjoy your night." Fury then took a draw from his cigar and returned to his conversation with the Contessa, his responsibility as a good leader fulfilled.   Fury also didn't want a full-scale fight to break out — he'd seen the looks Kitty was getting from Domino and Carol.

Logan then gave Kitty a smile and a warm "Hello" and then subtly motioned with his head first towards Domino and Carol, who were studiously ignoring the younger couple, then glanced at Emma and Natasha, who were doing their best to distract an increasingly upset Pete, and then nodded his head towards the table Rigby and Kitty were sitting at. 'Hate to do this, punkin. If it were up to me, I'd tell you to pull up a seat, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to be near some of the people here right now.'

Kitty picked up on her old teacher's subtle gestures, and at the harsh stares coming her way from Domino and Pete and at the accusatory look that Carol gave her, and turned to her date.   "Let's get back to our table now, Rigby. I want to finish my dinner before it gets cold." As the young couple returned to their table, they could hear the laughter from the other table slowly pick up. Even though Rigby didn't really understand what was going on, Kitty knew. She was being sent back to the 'kiddies' table' once again. As far as the older, more experienced people at the other table were concerned, she was nothing more than a flighty, empty-headed teenager — and that both made Kitty angry and hurt — especially as it was her old friend and mentor who had dismissed her, and Pete didn't even give her a second's notice — he seemed quite happy with the two more attractive and elegant women. She was surprised at how angry and jealous she was getting, thinking of him with those two women.

From her vantage point, Kitty had a good view of the activities at the other table. Her insecurities began to rise up once again as she saw Natasha smoothly take a lit cigarette out of Pete's mouth, and then, after taking a drag and slowly and sensuously exhaling, place it back in his mouth, tracing her finger along his lips. After Natasha had done that, Emma, looking elegant in a white dress with one shoulder bare, took out an ivory cigarette holder and a silver cigarette case from her purse. She then placed a cigarette in the holder and, attracting Pete's attention with a slight touch to his cheek, raised her eyebrows and gestured with her holder, in an unspoken, sophisticated gesture. Obliging, Pete took out his lighter and held it for Emma as she inhaled her cigarette into life. Straightening his collar, she then took another drag from the stem, the glow from the end of her cigarette glowing warmly, and exhaled a steady stream of smoke, pursing her lips sexily. "How can I compete with those women? They've got looks, brains, and experience — and what do I have — a flat chest, a genius IQ, and nothing else!"   Kitty quietly grumbled, her disgust growing every second along with her insecurity.

"What did you say?"   Rigby looked up from his meal to see his date looking oddly troubled.

"Oh, nothing, Rigby."   Kitty then ran her foot up and down a surprised Rigby's leg as she took hold of one of his hands and began running a finger along the palm. 'Ok, Pete Wisdom, I'll show you!'

Rigby, misinterpreting Kitty's signals and gestures, began to respond to her flirtations, taking them seriously. 'This evening's going even better than I thought. So what if we didn't get invited to join the big party. The Colonel knows who I am, and he said that I was doing good work!   And now, Kitty's beginning to warm up to me! She's never been this physical with me — I've always been lucky to get her to hold hands and get a peck on the cheek at the mansion door. I wonder how tonight's going to end?'

A slow Carly Simon tune, "You Won't Forget Me", then filled the room as couples began gravitating to the dance floor. The party at the 'grownups table' also began splitting up into couples — Logan with Carol, Nick with Val, Domino and Nathan, while Dum Dum asked Emma to dance.   Emma, seeing Kitty's clumsy efforts at flirtation, gave Natasha a sly grin as she accepted the large man's offer.   The Russian spy then held out a slender hand towards Pete, "Come along, darling, and let's dance. I love this song."

Glancing at Kitty, now stroking Rigby's cheek, Pete hid a scowl behind his scotch. "Sure, luv." Standing up, he took her hand, and helping her to her feet, escorted her to the floor.

As they walked past Kitty's table, she noticed Rigby's eyes wandering as he caught a good view of the Widow's leg clear to her thigh, thanks to the slit in her dress.   Feeling her insecurity rising once again, she grabbed Rigby by the hand and almost yanked him to his feet.   "Come on, Fallon. I feel like dancing." 'That's one thing I can do as well as those women!' Kitty thought grimly to herself as she practically dragged her date onto the dance floor.

While Kitty tried to appear as if she were looking at all of the couples, her gaze constantly went to where Pete and Natasha danced. 'I had no idea he was that good a dancer!' Kitty was surprised at how gracefully Pete carried himself on the dance floor as he danced close to the Widow, one hand on the small of her back and the other playing with a lock of her hair while Natasha whispered in his ear and held him close.

Carol and Logan were watching both couples from their position on the floor. Carol gave her partner a wicked grin. "Looks like our ladies' scheme's starting to work. I can see those brown eyes of your kid turning green all the way from here."

Logan growled and frowned at how his protégé was being singled out by all of the women there.   "Yeah. Sure does. Wish there was some other way to do it, though. I hate seein' her bein' put through this crap."

Carol frowned for a moment, then spoke carefully. "I understand, Logan. But she's got it coming. She's gotta learn she can't just dump on people and get away with it. If she's got half the smarts everyone says she does, then she'll know what she's gotta do. If not, then she deserves everything she gets."

Logan reluctantly nodded his head. "I know. But you know something, Ace, I got a feelin' she's gonna do the right thing. And I'm willin' to put my money where my mouth is."

"Oh?" Carol looked down at him giving him a wide smile.

"Yeah, Ace. I bet you dinner at the Russian Tea Room to a case of Scotch that Kitty comes through when it counts."

"You're on, Wildboy!"   Carol laughed as the couple discreetly shook hands to seal the bet.

As a second song, this one by Carole King, took over from the first, Natasha and Emma traded partners.   Kitty hid a scowl as Emma proved as good a dancer as the Widow and as Pete responded just as avidly to Emma's flirtations as he did to his earlier partner. Kitty tried to duplicate the flirtations of the older women, but Rigby couldn't keep up with her moves on the dance floor, resulting in his stepping on her feet more than once. "OUCH!" Kitty yelped as he once again stepped on her toes while she was dancing very close to him and trying to blow in his ear.

"Sorry, Kitty."   Rigby gave her an apologetic look as he stepped back. "I'm not a very good dancer, I guess."

'No — duh!' Kitty didn't say. Instead she smiled. "That's ok.   Here, let me lead."

While he devoted a small part of his attention to Natasha and Emma's flirtations, most of Pete's awareness kept a close eye on Kitty and her date, even though he hid it very well.   It was all he could do to keep from laughing as the useless toerag kept stepping on her toes, and when Kitty took the lead, he gave in to temptation as he led Emma in a complicated twirl and dip, shamelessly showing off before both Kitty and her inept partner.

The song soon came to an end and as the music transitioned to a faster beat, the couples broke up and started to go back to their tables. As Rigby took Kitty's hand to lead her back, she kissed his cheek and smiled. "I have to go powder my nose.   I'll be back in a bit. Will you order coffee and dessert?" Her date nodded his head as she turned to leave for the ladies room, his mood picking up even more as she gave him another peck on the cheek

Domino saw Kitty go towards the ladies room and broke off from Cable. "I'll be back soon, Nate. I'm gonna go freshen up."

The older mercenary saw that both Domino and Kitty were headed towards the same restroom and quickly sent out a telepathic call to Carol. "Ace? We might have us a situation. Dom and Kitty are both headed towards the ladies room..."

Carol frowned as she responded. "I'm on it! Tell Emma to link in with me — just in case!"   Seeing both Cable and Emma nod, she then turned towards Logan, a serious look on her face. "Keep my seat warm, Wildboy. I gotta go and make sure Domino doesn't kill that kid o' yours before Emma and 'Tash finish teaching her lesson to her."

As Kitty stepped out of the stall and went to the sink, she found herself in a very dicey situation, with Domino standing on one side of her and Carol on the other, both with their makeup kits out, touching up their faces. Kitty washed and dried her hands and, taking out her makeup kit, began to lightly apply powder to her cheeks.

"Why Carol, I thought tonight was a school night. What are the kids still doing up and about at this hour?" Domino turned towards the younger woman, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

'Ouch!' Carol thought as she saw Kitty momentarily grimace at Domino's little cut. 'Dom's got her claws out tonight!'

"Now, now, Dom!   Kitty's fellow seems to me to be a good boy. I'm sure he won't keep our little kitten out too late — will he Kitty?" Carol smiled sweetly at the younger woman next to her, showing her own claws, as she put down her compact and picked up her lipstick.

Kitty put down her compact, a little harder than she had intended. 'I so do not need this! I get enough of this treatment at the mansion and from Rigby — I don't need Domino and Carol both treating me like some 16 year old.' Forcing a smile, Kitty turned to Carol, "Actually, Carol, Rigby's taking me to an all-night club he knows. They're supposed to have a really good house band and a nice, big dance floor. Then, maybe a carriage ride."

"That's nice." Carol smiled back. "Dom, what're your and Nate's plans for tonight?"

The leader of X-Force grinned at Carol, seeing the game her blonde co-conspirator was playing. "Let's see..." Domino looked thoughtful for an instant.   "... Nate mentioned something about orchestra seats and backstage passes for Chicago over at the Shubert, after that, probably the 5757 — do some dancing; listen to some jazz, then a moonlit stroll. What about you? What are you and your 'wildboy' doing?"

"Oh, you know Logan, Dom!"   Carol laughed. "We're in Nick's poker game. Ben and Jen are showing up too. Now as for afterwards..." Carol flashed a wicked grin at Domino; "...I might see if I can interest Wildboy in a 'private' card game — some good old-fashioned strip poker — for old times sake, you know." Domino laughed as Kitty sighed inwardly at hearing both the older women's romantic plans and Carol's mention of Logan's poker game.   Once again, she had been relegated to the children's table.

"So..." Domino grinned widely, her claws now fully extended, "...what do you think Em and Tash's plans are for tonight?"

Carol leered as she extended her own claws. "Oh...I think they're planning on a 'long night' with a certain Englishman! Too bad Tash got to him before I did!"

Domino grinned back.   "Yeah, well, all I've got to say is that I hope Wisdom's stamina's up to it — after all, it's been a while since he's been with a real woman — much less two!"

The female merc's last jab hit Kitty hard, but she wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of seeing that. She jammed her makeup kit into her purse and quickly left the restroom, not looking at or saying a word to either one of the two women, stifling the tears that were coming to her eyes. Leaving the restroom, she found a small couch in a nearby hallway by some payphones, and taking out a tissue, wiped away the tears. After her cry, she went to another restroom and carefully reapplied her makeup before returning to her anxiously waiting date.

"Ow! Dom! That was vicious — even from US!" Carol had to laugh to hide her guilt. While most of her felt bad about her treatment of Kitty, a small part of her took a perverse pleasure in punishing the younger woman for what she did to her old lover.

"Yeah, well, the little witch had it coming!" Domino wasn't near as forgiving as her blonde ally. "Besides, you wouldn't let me hit her like I wanted to!"

Carol laughed uncomfortably as she put away her makeup and began to brush her hair. "How much time do you think we should give her to pull herself back together?"

Domino took her time in putting away her own kit, and then, taking out her brush, began brushing her own, much shorter hair. "Let's give her a few more minutes to have her cry and find another restroom to put her war paint back on, by then she should be on her way back to Useless."   They both stood talking and brushing their hair until they felt that enough time had passed.

"Ok." Carol said sometime later as she held the door open for her companion. "Kitty ought to be back now, let's get back to our men and see how this all plays out."

As Kitty rejoined her date, he noticed her eyes still red from crying. "Are you ok, Kitty? Is everything all right?"

Kitty smiled at the note of concern in his voice. "Yeah, Rigby. I'm just fine. The lights in the bathroom were just a little bit bright, that's all." Kitty then looked dubiously at her dessert. "Peach cobbler...thanks."

"It's my favorite. I thought that you'd like it too." Rigby looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"I just love peach cobbler." Kitty gave her date a polite smile — actually she hated it — she was hoping that he'd have ordered the chocolate mousse she saw at a nearby table. This date had rapidly degenerated into an utter disaster — all Kitty wanted to do now was go home and cry. 'What could happen now!?' Kitty grimaced, fearing the answer.

As Carol and Domino returned to their table, they heard Emma's voice in their mind as she grinned.   And I thought that Katherine was the only cat here tonight. Domino flashed a grin back at the White Queen while Carol looked a little guilty — she was beginning to want this little game to come to an end soon.

Logan looked at Carol, his concern for his student showing in his face. "What did the two of you do to her?"

Carol looked him square in the eyes and answered, "She didn't get anything she didn't have coming to her — she'll live through it. Beyond that, I'm claiming 'locker room privilege'."

Logan saw the determined look on Carol's face and the challenging look Domino gave him and reluctantly let the matter drop, but not before whispering into his old lover's ear.   "This had better come to an end soon, Ace, or I'm gonna end it." Logan's whisper then became more of a growl. "I'll go along with teaching Kitty a lesson — I guess she has it coming to her — but I'm not going to sit by and see her get mauled by all o' you. Tell Tash and Em to put an end to this — one way or the other — now."

Carol nodded her head and turning to Emma, mentally filled her in on Logan's warning. Emma nodded her head and telepathically told Natasha that it was almost time to put their final plan into action. We'll soon see whether our little kitten belongs with us grownups or not.

As the evening wore on, even with Emma and Natasha doing their best to distract him, Pete couldn't help gazing in Kitty's direction whenever he was sure she wasn't looking.   Seeing Kitty with that empty headed little toerag was beginning to tear him apart.  Sensing Pete's changing emotional state, Emma sent a mental message to the Widow. Natasha, I think it's time we played our last card. Are you sure you want to go through with this if Kitty doesn't rise to the bait?

The Widow then gave Emma a wicked grin as she replied, running her foot up Emma's leg after doing the same to Pete. It's not as if I haven't done it before — and the company's good.

Emma looked at Natasha and then sensuously licked her lips as she expanded her link to include Logan.   It's time to see whether our little cat's learned her lesson or not. We need you to make some comment or other that will attract her attention.

Logan nodded his head as he flashed a feral grin. 'Alright punkin, I'm sorry you have to go through all this, but if you do what I hope you're going to do, it'll be worth it.'

The Widow then laughed and deliberately pitching her voice so that Kitty could hear her through the din of several conversations, said to Pete, "Come with us, Pete. Emma and I have a special surprise just for you.   She then bent over and straightened out a stray lock of Pete's hair, giving him a clear view of her ample cleavage, while Emma placed her hand very briefly on his thigh as she pushed her chair back from the table.

Picking up on Emma and Natasha's signals, Logan laughed as he turned to his old war buddy and spoke loudly enough so that there was no way Kitty could not hear him. "Hey, Nick. Looks like we're gonna have to find us a couple of new players for our game.   I'd say Pete's gonna have both his hands full the rest of the night, and I think Tasha's planning on playing other games too."

The whole table burst out in ribald laughter and comments as the threesome got up to leave. By now, everyone there had picked up on the two women's plans and bets were being made on how things would turn out.

As the three of them walked past a Kitty about to boil over, Emma sensed that the make or break time had arrived. Licking her lips lasciviously, she then almost purred, pitching her voice so that there is no way Kitty could not miss her words. "So, whose room? Pete's is probably a mess, so, Natasha, your place or mine?"

Natasha smiled. "I think mine, there's a little something I want to try on. What about you, do you need to get something from your room to spice things up a little?

"No, I'm wearing all I'll need." Emma and Natasha both laughed as Pete's mood began to brighten as he imagined his immediate future prospects.   Turning to Pete, Natasha gave him a quick kiss and leered. "All I have to say, Wisdom, is that you better have that mutant furnace of yours well charged."

Pete then gave Kitty one last look that melted her heart. The look he gives her wasn't one of triumph or anger or hatred, but instead one of hurt and regret. That look made Kitty's decision for her. As the threesome began to walk away, she knew that her time was running short — she had to either do something now — or never. Kitty got up from her chair. "Rigby, I'm sorry. You're a very nice man, and I hope you'll find some girl who'll make you very happy one day, but I'm not that girl. I love someone else, and if I don't go now, I'm gonna lose him forever. Take care of yourself." She then gave him a quick peck on the cheek and took off after her former lover, not caring what the people at the other table thought of her.

Kitty rushed to where the threesome were standing, waiting for an elevator, and, grabbing Pete by the hand, yanked him away from the two older women, heedless of the spectators gathering. "Peter Paul Wisdom, you're not going anywhere with those two sluts! The only place you're going tonight's your room and the only person you're gonna be sleeping with tonight's me!" She then gave Emma and Natasha a challenging look before turning her gaze back on her old boyfriend, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Pete, I'm sorry. I did a stupid thing. Please, forgive me — I love you!"

Pete Wisdom looked long and hard at her, trying to decide what he should do. His heart told her to take him back, but his head told him that if she did it once, she'd do it again. "Yeah, right! You're just sayin' that because you're jealous of Emma. Besides, I thought you were happy with your Prince Charmin'."

Kitty then started to cry.   "I'm not, Pete. I haven't been happy since we split up — I've just refused to admit it to myself, until now.

Wisdom then looked at her, her brown eyes red with tears. "Why now? Why'd it take you so long?"

The tears flowed down Kitty's cheeks as she answered. "Because until now I didn't have to face up to losing you forever. You were out of sight, so I didn't have to deal with what happened to us. Now — you're here — I'm here — and they're here!" She pointed towards Natasha and Emma. "I have to at least try one more time. Pete — I really do love you — please, give me one more chance!"

"How do I know you won't do it to me again?" Pete's face softened as her tears began having their usual effect on him.

Kitty looked down, her face covered with shame and tears. "All I can do is promise you I won't do it again." She then looked up at him. "Besides, I wasn't the one who took off and left." Kitty wasn't the only one at fault here — Pete's leaving her had hurt her badly — he was the latest of a series of people she cared about coming into and out of her life.

'She's got me there.'   Pete grimaced, forced to admit to himself that she was right. 'We both screwed this thing up.' As he looked at her, he knew that he could never resist her eyes or her tears. "Ok, love, you're right. Are you sure this time? No more soddin' internships or empty headed toerags?"

"I'm sure Pete.   Please?" Kitty's brown eyes looked up at him, wide open and wet with tears.

"Alright, love, we'll give it another go." Pete then gave her a long, deep kiss, as Emma and Natasha gazed upon them in silent satisfaction, while the spectators waiting for the elevator began clapping their hands.

As the elevator opened, and he and Kitty went in, the young woman received a mental warning from the blonde telepath. Better not lose him again. Next time we won't give him back.

While Kitty was dashing back to her old lover, a confused Rigby suddenly heard the gruff voice of his boss, Nick Fury. The older man had sat quietly throughout the night, observing the little game the women were playing, and now took pity on the young man left suddenly all alone.   "Fallon!" The older man barked at the young agent who then practically ran to the table where he was sitting.

"Yes sir!" The younger man staggered as he stood at attention.

"At ease, Fallon."   Rigby then relaxed slightly as his superior looked him over. "I have an important assignment for you. You're to report to the Helicarrier pronto. They need you to take third shift in encryption. You'll be working with Agent Trainee Lucinda Morris.   Don't worry about the check, SHIELD'll cover it."

"Yes Sir!"

"Well, what are you standing around here for son — MOVE IT!"

Everyone at the table burst out in laughter as the young Rigby Fallon practically ran out of the restaurant. Valentina then turned to her long-time lover, "Nicholas Fury, you're a sentimental old fool."

Shocked, Nick turned to look at the Contessa, "What did ya say, Val?"

"You heard me. You know that Agent Morris is brand new and about Rigby's age. You also know that she's been giving young Fallon more than one look since she came on board." The Contessa then leaned over and gave Nick a kiss, murmuring in his ear, "And you'll get your reward tonight, you big softie. Tell Logan he's going to have to find another player for his game."

Emma and Natasha then returned to the rapidly fading party and greeted Logan with triumphant smiles.   "So, Kitty learned her lesson?"   Logan grinned as he saw the two of them returning and not Kitty.

"We think so, little uncle." Natasha gave her old friend a grin and a wink.

"Yes. We think young Katherine will be a little more careful in the future." Emma also flashed a smile.

"Ok, ladies, I want to know one thing." Logan paused to gather his breath as everyone else at the table listened.   "What were you gonna do if your little plan didn't work?"

Emma and Natasha then gave each other knowing winks and both grinned at the Canadian X-Man as Emma replied.   "Why Logan, we're both grown ups, we'd have shared."