Disclaimer:

These characters do not belong to me.  I make no profit from my stories. I
am just a humble fan writing for the sheer joy of it.

Feedback:

I would really love to hear what people think.  I am new at this and could
grow quite a bit from constructive feedback.  Please let me know what
works and what doesn't. Should I just give-up, or continue to try?


Sorry
Part 1


Kitty's breath hung in the air, its moisture condensing into ice crystals
as it was exhaled in little puffs of steam as she ran beside Logan.  The
rosy colours of dawn were showing just above the horizon as the two loped
across the frozen grounds of the West Chester base of the X-men. Neither
really felt the cold. They were dressed warmly in thermal sweats, and
their years of combat training enabled them to withstand the deep freeze
of winter.

Kitty tried not to lick her lips.  She was out of chapstick, and her lips
felt very dry.  Even though she knew licking them would only make things
worse, she was sorely tempted.  To distract herself, she stole a look over
at Logan.  He looked as if his thoughts were far away.  She smiled softly.
These early morning training sessions with her old friend were one of the
best things about transferring back to the American team.  Logan was good
company.  He didn't break the solitude of the morning with idle chatter,
but his strong presence beside her held a warm sense of companionship. 
Just like old times.  Tninking of old times reminded her of a game they
used to play.  Her smile turned devious.

She snaked a booted foot around Logan's ankle and twisted his leg behind
him.  He pitched forward into a controlled tumble.  Kitty phased so his
body could pass through hers.  He regained his balance and spun to meet
her next move.  She also was at the ready, crouched and wary.  "Tag, you're
'it'."

"Sure kid.  We played this game when you were younger.  You always lost."

She was circling him now.  "Things change."

"Maybe.  Same rules.  You tag me again, I buy you lemonade.  I tag you,
you buy me a six pack o' brew."

"Nope.  I win, you make me a martini straight up."

He rushed her.  "Think yer all grown up, huh?"

She leapt straight up, out of his path.  She did a flip and landed behind
him.  As her feet touched the ground, Logan spun and launched a snow ball
at her.  It smacked her square in the face.  Surprised, she lost her
balance and fall backwards into a snow drift with a strangled laugh.

"Snow balls don't count!"  She was soon up and throwing her own snow ball,
but Logan had already found protection behind a nearby oak tree.

"Doesn't matter.  The look on yer face when I scored was prize enough fer
me!"

The snow ball fight continued for some time, punctuated with laughter and
occasional swearing.  It ended with Kitty phasing a large scoop of snow
into Logan's underwear.

"Snow wedgie!" she crowed, slapping him on the back.

"You flamin' cheated!"

"I know, I'm a stinker.  Lets go in, I'll make you pancakes for
breakfast."

They trotted back towards the mansion, their faces flushed with exertion
and cold.  As they approached the front entrance Logan picked up a
familiar smell.  It seemed they had a visitor that smelled strongly of
whiskey and cigarette smoke.  Kitty was not going to be pleased.  He
debated on whether or not to warn her.  Since he was still a mite miffed
about the snow in his briefs, he decided to keep silent until the last
moment.

They were walking up the drive when Logan casually remarked, "Looks like
you've got a visitor, Kit."

Kitty looked up to see Pete Wisdom leaning against the fluted columns that
supported the porch.  He was wearing the usual uniform of a black suite
and trench coat.  He leveled a cool look at her and took a long drag from
his cigarette.

Kitty stopped in her tracks and openly stared.  This was the last person
she had ever expected to see here. After all, HE had dumped HER right
before she left Europe.  "That's right," she reminded herself.  "He dumped
you, he broke your heart.  Stop feeling like your prayers have been
answered."  Even so, she felt her pulse quicken.  She knew her face was
flushing a little.  She licked her lips, and immediately regretted it. 
The cold air dried them immediately, and she felt the tender skin crack.

Logan watched the scene with thinly veiled interest.  The scents and body
heat coming from Kitty indicated that she was having a positive reaction
to Pete's presence. However her expression and body language told him that
she was going to give Pete a very, very hard time.

Kitty shoved her hands into her pockets.  "Pete Wisdom.  What can we do
for you?"  She was being formally polite to set clear boundaries.  She
could behave civilly, but she didn't have to be friendly.

Pete scowled.  He had known that this wouldn't be easy, but had hoped at
least that she would be a little bit glad to see him.  He flicked his
cigarette into the snow covered yard.  "I want to talk to you, Pryde."

"That's funny,. the last time you said that you didn't like what you heard
very much.  In fact, I haven't seen you since."

Logan rolled his eyes.  This was not going well.  Kitty was playing a
dangerous game.  If she asked Pete to leave, he would go, and probably
never return.  If that happened, Kitty might actually respond to Pitor's
recent and less than subtle romantic overtures.  Logan knew for certain
that Colossus would be a horrible match for Kitty.  She was too darn smart
and independent for that domineering oaf.  If she chose Pitor, she ran the
risk of constant  misery.  She would  either be completely dominated, or
resist it and have a life filled with constant conflict.  Pete Wisdom,
despite the flaws he chose to showcase on the surface, was smart enough to
recognize Kitty's inherent need for freedom.  Had a good heart to boot. 
Logan grinned. This was his chance to get complete revenge for his numb
butt and do a good deed, all in one fell swoop.

"Good to see you, Wisdom.  Come inside with us.  Kitty owes me a pancake
breakfast, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind making enough for three."

To be continued...