Kitty Pryde, Logan/Wolverine, Excalibur and the X-Men and all characters therein are trademarks of Marvel Comics. This story is an unauthorised work done purely for my personal enjoyment, and is not intended to infringe on any of their rights in or their profits from these characters. But this story is copy write to me.

Comments, especially (constructive) criticism, always welcomed. Please e-mail me at

mshakespeare@callnetuk.com

Notes

This story is set after Kitty's break-up with Pete Wisdom, and before she rejoined the X-Men. Oh, and she NEVER had that stupid haircut Raab gave her, and her eyes are brown, NOT hazel (sigh).....

< > indicates thoughts

Courtship Ritual

"Nice piece of work there, Pun'kin," Logan grinned ferally. He looked back at the burning base, the flames making his visage seem almost demonic. The grin was shared by his companion, only a little taller than him and much more slender in build. "I hate those damned racist bigots as much as you, Logan - and that gave me a GREAT deal of satisfaction!" Kitty returned his evil grin, whistling to herself with pleasure. They headed back to where Logan had left the motorbike, and Kitty carefully put the disks she'd made in her backpack. A few seconds later came the roar of the powerful trail bike.

**************

They checked into the hotel at around 6:00. It wasn't a great hotel, but it was the best in the small Alaskan town. There wouldn't be any time to get the return flight today - the local airfield didn't exactly cater for much traffic. Kitty would have to go back to New York with Wolverine before she could get a flight back to Scotland, otherwise it was a case of waiting for 2 days. In the meantime, the two of them agreed to simply spend some time catching up on old times over dinner.

****************

Logan was first down. He'd made a bit of an effort, even if he hadn't exactly come prepared for a social outing - more a violent one. He'd nevertheless put on a clean blue checked shirt, clean jeans and had even polished his boots and put on a (relatively) new leather belt with a large silver wolfs head buckle. He waited for Kitty to come down, smoking a cigar - this hotel allowed smoking in the lobby, unlike many. When she finally descended, however, he did a double-take. Not that she looked totally unfamiliar - but the clothes were DEFINITELY not what he'd expected on her. Her jeans, absolutely white apart from red stitching down the sides, were skin-tight, outlining long, slender dancer's legs. The boots she wore were calf-length, with raised heels, pristine white affairs. Her blouse was deep royal blue, her favourite colour, long-sleeved but with the cuffs pushed up her arms, the stitching done in silver, with the top three buttons all open, showing her silver Star-of-David, hinting at the white skin of her small but perfectly-shaped breasts. Her hair was brushed out in long flowing waves. She'd even put on a touch of lipstick - not much, just a little, but enough to enhance her appearance.

Logan felt his eyes widen. In the years since she'd been away from the X-Men, Kitty had grown up. She wasn't the skinny, gawky adolescent she'd been at the time of the Morlock massacre - she was a woman now, and a beautiful one. Logan felt his breath come a bit faster. His hyper senses filled with her scent as she came closer. And suddenly he felt himself want her, desire her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her - but he held back. He'd treated this girl - this WOMAN - as almost a daughter for so long, how could he change that now?

Kitty smiled at him. He was still the old Logan she'd loved - the brave, idealistic, driven warrior. She giggled - <and still the same hairstyle - some people never change, UNLIKE yours truly and my costumes!>. Then as she neared him the smile wavered - Logan was looking at her in a strange way, one she'd never seen on his face before. The look brought a flush to her face, and caused her heart to beat a bit faster. She'd seen that look on Pete's face, but she'd never thought to see it on Logan's. And she'd never thought how much she'd WANTED to see that look on his face - she'd never thought of him in that way, as a MAN, before. He'd been her tutor, her sensei, and her friend. She took a deep breath - <I'm just imagining it, Logan's never acted like he's seen me like that before, so why should he now?> - and offered him her arm. "Come on Wolvie, we've got a LOT of catching up to do."

****************

The meal was delicious, and punctuated by laughter from both of them. "Cripes, I wish I'd seen that! Everyone apart from you and Ray covered in custard - I bet th' Elf complained about the sticky fur!!" "Yeah, he did - unfortunately 'Manda wasn't around to lick it off him......." "Ouch!! Kid, that was a bit SHARP! And a bit - what's the word?...." "Risqué? Well, I AM an adult now - I HAVE turned eighteen, you know. I've even had my first lessons in the ancient art of loving......."

Logan looked at her at that remark. <And I wouldn't mind continuing it>. He mentally kicked himself for that thought. < She's young enough to be my daughter - hell GRAND daughter - stop being so flamin' SICK!>

Kitty looked at Wolverine, a furrow between her eyes as she wondered to herself <What's wrong with him? One moment we're laughing and joking like old times, the next he's on edge round me. Surely I wasn't right earlier.... was I?.>

******************

"Ya mean this Stuart character closed his eyes?? I'd 'a thought he'd take a good look at what was on offer..."

"DO YOU MIND?? I was fourteen at the time!! Anyway, with Ray there I could have jumped on the table and performed the Dance of the Seven Veils and he wouldn't have noticed me - creep!"

"Ah, but the young 'uns 're more fun - they haven't got good - sorry, BAD - habits yet."

"Yes, Rip Van Winkle."

"WATCH IT, PRYDE!!!"

*******************

They even danced a bit later, Kitty showing him some moves, his natural animal grace making up for technical deficiencies. For Logan, however, that simply made him even more uncomfortable. Feeling her warm, soft, slender body, the silky white skin, the perfume of her hair, so close to him was becoming an agony. He felt a stirring in his groin, and tried to keep the arousal from his face. But Kitty was also feeling a tingling she hadn't felt since her break-up with Pete. His strong male scent filled her nostrils, the feel of his powerful arm around her waist making her weak at the knees. She tried to look him in the eyes, to see if he felt the same way, but he avoided her gaze.

If it had been anyone else that she'd been dancing with, Logan would have easily picked up the signs of Kitty's attraction towards him. But his denial of his own feelings for her were interfering with his usual perceptiveness. He was still trying to convince himself that she'd never be interested - <too old, too ugly, too darn uncivilised, and too much baggage in my past> - he wasn't as alert as he would normally have been. Seductive thoughts kept slipping into his head; in his mind's eye he pictured Kitty slowly removing her clothing, standing naked before him, embracing him, kissing him, caressing him ...... <For cryin' out loud, Logan get a grip on yourself! You're actin' like a damn twelve year old with a crush! An' no way are you right for her, anyway! Why would someone that smart, that beautiful, that YOUNG be interested in you?? Back off, fella, while you're still friends - don't ruin it!>

Not that Kitty was doing any better. She was similarly distracted. Her nose was filled with Logan's strong masculine smell, her body warmed to his rough touch. A heat had begun in her belly; as they danced together, his chest pressing against her, she felt her breasts tingling with warmth. <God, girl, you really DO go for older men!> she joked to herself, a little desperately. <I mean , he's married for God's sake - even if he MIGHT not be sleeping with his delightful wife, Viper! Why should he want a skinny thing like you?? After all, he's spent YEARS wanting Jean, and HER figure's so much fuller than mine. Just calm down, Pryde, 'cause nothing's gonna happen, okay??>.

The rest of the night passed, for both of them, in a haze of frustrated sexual longing.

***************************

Eventually, they decided to turn in for the night. They both had rooms on the first floor, though on different sides of the landing - Kitty's looking out over the bay, Logan's facing the mountains behind the town. Their rooms were opposite each other, separated only by the corridor. There was no-one else up when they went to their rooms - hardly surprising at 2:30AM. They lingered in their respective doorways, illuminated by the moonlight falling through the window at the end of the corridor. Neither of them seemed able to speak; both were still uncomfortable with how they'd reacted to the other during the evening.

Logan was the first to turn away. "Well Kit, we really caught up on things there, didn't we? Tomorrow it's back to the States, then Scotland for you. Let's not leave things so long next time, 'kay?" He'd opened the door and was about to enter his room when Kitty said, in a hesitant voice, "Logan?" "Yeah Kit, what is it?" Kitty looked at the man opposite her, gave a mental shrug and a <what the heck, now or never> to herself, stepped up to him and kissed him passionately. If she'd been able to see, Logan's look of surprise would have been comical. Then he reacted, pulling her to him, holding her tightly as his tongue entered her mouth, finding hers ready and willing. For several seconds they stood like that, then Logan gently pushed her away to look at her. "You sure about this, Cat? Not just joshin' me?" Without a word Kitty stepped past him into his bedroom, smiling as she took his hand, pushed the door shut and pulled him towards the bed. "Nope, Logan, I'm dead serious - if you are....."

After that there was no time for further talk.

*********************

The morning sun was bright through the window, falling on the svelte back of the young woman lying on the broad chest of the man, rich chestnut hair falling over the pillow. One strong arm encircled her waist, holding her tight to him.

Logan ran his hand through her hair, feeling her slowly stirring against him. They'd made love repeatedly that night. He'd been surprised by the fervour of her passionate lovemaking, even his enhanced stamina had been pushed to keep up. She'd learnt a lot from her time with Wisdom, and had been more than happy to demonstrate. First he'd been on top, then she had. They'd made love like there was no tomorrow, like they'd never see each other again. Over the years he'd been attracted to many women - Jean, Silver Fox, Betsy, Ororo, Mariko, Yukio - but none of them had reached into his heart the way the young woman lying in his arms had done. He ran his hand down her back, gently. Kitty raised her head to look at him. "Morning, lover boy. Recovered from last night's exertions?" She grinned wickedly. "Yep, the old fast-healin's done its' job," Logan laughed back. "Great," she giggled, jumping out of bed, "I need a shower - care to wash my back - and front??" He didn't need any further encouragement. Not that showering was what took most of their time........

***********************

They ordered breakfast in bed, as neither of them felt like getting up - they didn't need the exercise, they'd both been getting plenty of that........ They made love repeatedly throughout the day, only getting up to go downstairs to eat. Their lovemaking had been slower, more gentle than the previous night, both finding out their partner's sensitive spots, what they really enjoyed, taking satisfaction from their partner's satisfaction, the way it should be done. Logan had always been good with the ladies, his senses told him what his partner felt and needed, his experience allowed him to do it. Kitty, on the other hand, might not have had the knowledge, but her brains allowed her to improvise, much to his delight..........

***********************

They kissed one last time. "Sure you won't come back, Kit?" She sighed. "Not just yet, Logan. Excalibur's still going - though maybe not for long. Kurt's got it into his head that we haven't been doing enough in the front line fight for the Prof.'s dream. I think he'll propose winding the team up soon. If he does, it's UNCLE SAM HERE WE COME!!" They both laughed at that. She waved as she ran up the steps to the British Airways plane waiting to take her back to Scotland.

"I'll be waitin' for ya, darlin'," Logan whispered softly to himself.

FINIS