X-Men is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said comic series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah. Oh my god it's been almost a year since I updated. Time to finish this thing once and for all. And for those who barely remember, this was supposed to take place between MekaniX and "God Loves, Man Kills 2". Considering all that, it's very pre-Astonishing and all that.

"It's My Life" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz@yahoo.com)

Chapter 22

She couldn't even remember what day of the week it was. Kitty zipped up her bag and glanced at the sleeping Pete Wisdom. 'This is it.' she thought, 'Time to let go.'

Kitty stepped out onto the balcony, overlooking the Los Angeles streets. There was an odd lull about the place. Life kept on going. That was the lesson she'd learned throughout it all. Her mind wandered. 'What was I thinking?' She felt embarassed by her own actions over the last few days. Sobriety kicked in, and although things were resolved in one fashion, it opened up another door she wasn't prepared to handle. A knock interrupted her train of thought.

"Mind if I join ya?" Pete stepped out.

"Free country." Kitty gestured. She quieted down again, looking out at the road.

"Sure is, ain't it?" Pete tapped at his cigarette box, allowing one to slip out as he grabbed it with his lips. "Got something in mind?"

"My plane leaves today." Kitty said matter of factly. "I really have to go back."

Pete looked stunned. He pulled the unlit cigarette from his mouth. "Oh."

"Mad at me?"

"Not at all, luv."

"Please don't call me that." Kitty looked down. "That's a weight I'm not prepared to handle."

"Fair enough. But I've got a question for ya." Pete tucked the cigarette behind his ear, "Did you have fun?"

"If by fun you mean..."

"Just answer the bleedin' question." Pete nudged her.

"In some ways, yes. Just like the old days. What's not fun about beating up your friends and getting ambushed in public places?" She shrugged her shoulders. "But I lied to you."

"Lied?" Pete wondered.

"The person that I was those years ago would not have jumped at the chance to be with Piotr. That was true. It was like... whoa, open wound." Kitty shrugged. "I met a guy a few months back. Nothing important, really... it was around the anniversary of Piotr's death. Local cop in Chicago looked like his spitting image. With all the crap we've been through over the years it just got me worked up and... emotions were there. Stuff I had thought I left behind. I guess it just means I miss my friend, a lot more than I thought I ever could have."

"You can't forget the ones you love, Pryde. Past, present, or future tense. We got a whole ball of unpredictability in this profession o'ours and can't deny the simple, human stuff along the way."

"True." Kitty nodded. She felt better, getting that out. "And it's the same here. With you. I never would have... this? Not under normal circumstances."

"That just makes me feel all warm and squishy." Pete's tone was very deadpan.

"Oh stop." Kitty closed her eyes. "We knew what this was. And now it's... well..."

"The word is 'over'." Pete sighed, rubbing his head.

"At least that part of it is." She gave a sympathetic smile. "I'm still glad it happened, but I'll probably pretend it never happened when I get home." Kitty somewhat joked.

"Probably best we both do." Pete nodded.

"So... looks like I'm going to need a ride to the airport."

"You mean I can't just stuff you in a cab and say toodle-loo?"

"Jerk."

"Seriously, Pryde. I'll take y'there." Pete seemed a little wistful. "You packed?"

"Packed and more packed." Kitty stepped back into the room. She reached down and pulled out a few discs. "Here. These are the backups of the crime photos. Didn't think I needed them anymore on my computer. I'm sure someone has got to make good use of this."

"Will pass that along." He absentmindedly tossed them over at his jacket on the other bed. "Do you think we have time to catch lunch?"

Kitty hesitated. "No, I should really check in."

Pete picked up her duffle bag. "Then we'll eat at the airport. C'mon."

She shook her head, glancing around the room one last time to make sure she didn't leave anything behind. Kitty pulled on her jacket and then shouldered her laptop bag, following Pete outside and down to the car.

Pete loaded her bags into the tiny trunk of the roadster. He climbed into the drivers side and adjusted the mirrors as Kitty joined him. "This is such a bloody somber event." He remarked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Hmmm, Pete?" Kitty asked. She watched out the window thoughtfully. "Howso?"

"Hate to say it, but I think I'll be missin' you."

"Naw. You'll do fine. This time I'm the one who's leaving."

Pete pulled onto the freeway. He started, "When you get back, I want you to be on full alert. Be careful with everythin' you're doing and wot not."

"I know, Pete. I will." She looked at him. "I'll be fine. And if I'm not? Someone's bound to have my back. I learned that the hard way."

"'Nother life lesson, eh?"

"Seems to be." Kitty then directed, "Next exit."

"Yes'm." Pete pulled the car into the right lane to exit for LAX international airport.

The silence in the car wasn't as unnerving as it could be. Kitty was exausted and knew that the vacation had to end. Her mind was elsewhere as they parked the car in the garage. Pete retrieved her bags, walking with her to the ticket counter.

"Any bags to check?" asked the agent.

"Just one." Kitty set the duffle on the scale. They tagged her bag and tossed it onto the line as she pocketed her ID and ticket.

They walked to the security checkpoint together until the sign indicated that no ticketed passengers were allowed beyond that point. She turned to look at him. "So... this is it."

"It was bound to happen." Pete chuckled.

"You forgot this." Kitty reached up, pulling the cigarette from beside Pete's ear free. She held it out to him.

"Eh. Toss it."

"Toss it?" Kitty questioned, then checked Pete's forehead. "Are you unwell?"

"Mock me, right. I just don't feel like it." Pete furrowed his brow.

"Huh. Well, if you say so." She tossed the unsmoked cigarette in the nearby trashcan. She looked at Pete and smiled.

"What? What's that look for? If you think I'm doing this for..."

"No Pete, not at all. Just a smile. That's all." She pulled him into a soft hug. Pete's arms wrapped around her to close the gap. "Goodbye, old friend."

"Emphasis on the 'old'." Pete scoffed, then said softly. "You don't be a stranger, now. An' don't forget the UK could use a good hand like you."

"Heh." Kitty pulled away. "Maybe in another life. I've still gotta do my time here. I think I really have something good."

"Good. Then keep it that way." Pete paused, then frowned. "Well... go on an' go. Don't be dawdling." He gestured exaggeratedly. "You'll miss yer flight."

Kitty shook her head, taking a few steps into the line before turning her head to look back at Pete. "I'm glad you're not dead. Good luck and be safe."

"You too."

The taxi cab pulled around the corner, stopping in front of the apartment complex Kitty had known as home for the last year and a half of her life. "Thank God." She muttered to herself as she retrieved her bags and headed upstairs. She dropped her things off at her apartment and headed back downstairs to check her mail. A light was on in Dylan's apartment. She closed her lock box and gave a gentle tap to the apartment door.

"Who is it?"

"Kitty."

"Hey!" The door opened. "What are you doing home early, girl?" Dylan gave her a hug.

Kitty looked embarassed. "I missed you guys?"

"You're a terrible liar."

"I've been told that recently." Kitty let out a sigh. "The west coast isn't my place." She said truthfully. "I really just wanted to be home. Being away I was reminded of the more important things in life."

Dylan wondered, "Such as?"

"Being true to myself. It's my life. I'll do with it as I damn well please."

"That's my girl. You wanna get a drink, talk about your trip?" he asked.

"Naw. I think I'm just going to veg out upstairs. I've probably got a billion emails to answer and that term paper is not getting done any sooner. Raincheck?"

"You bet."

Kitty made her way to the door.

"Oh, and Kitty?"

"Yeah?"

"Welcome home."

--- The End ---

Notes: Thanks for the support you guys have given over the... looks at publish date and last time it was updated 2 years that this fic has been around.

It started as an idea, as I mentioned before, just a simple spring break / Pryde and Wisdom sort of story. Wanted to resolve things. Little did I know the comic world would eventually catch up and surpass these ideas. Pete's back in Excalibur, Kitty and Piotr are in Astonishing, and it's like the whole college thing was really a tiny chapter in her life. I remember Chris Claremont told me that he always had planned on MekaniX to become a full on series, but it was reduced to 6 issues. I liked the feel of MekaniX and wanted a similar mark, but times changed and things moved quickly. Plus, I'm lazy. Finally with a little nudging from dear Casakitten, I realized more than anything this chapter needed to be closed and I needed to move on. At least with this done, I won't feel guilty about moving on to another story (maybe Evo related again, who knows?). Heck, that Virgin Megastore doesn't even exist in Vegas anymore. That's how long it took to write this thing. And for that, I'm sorry.

Thanks again, everyone.