DISCLAIMER: I do not own Feron, Shadowcat, Excalibur, or anything else involving X's. They all belong to Marvel and are used merely for entertainment.

NOTES: Feron was introduced in issue 48 (so very long ago) and left back in issue 70 (though he did pop up for a while later on but we won't get into that.) Anyway, the point is, is that during his tenure with the team he didn't do much aside from sneering and sharing highly amusing arguments with Kitty Pryde.

I, for some odd reason, am probably one of the only people who actually rather enjoyed the pale brat and his bickering with Kitty so I decided to write this nifty little scene that could have taken place between issues 68 and 69.
 
 

"Ungrateful Brat!"

"Domineering Geek!"

"Obnoxious Jerk!"

"Psychotic Bookworm!"

Kitty seethed as she glared at the young, pale boy floating across from her. Once again she found herself in another verbal sparring match with Feron. With the rest of the team off in space trying to save Cerise, Kitty and Feron had been left back at the manor to watch over Meggan, who had become no better than a catatonic water nymph since her lover Captain Britain had been lost in the time stream.

Considering Meggan's 'condition' Kitty figured that there was no harm getting some household cleaning done. With their merry band of mutants frequently off fighting threats such as Galactus and Sentinels the manor was more than not left untidy. However she didn't want to do all the work alone and she was left with the one team member who, out of everyone, was the least likely to lend a helping hand.

It was kind of hard to begrudge Feron entirely. The way he had been raised back in the monastery everyone did everything according to his beck and call. That still did not mean that Kitty would sit around and let the boy have his way. Brother Francis had been adamant on Feron staying with the team, wanting him to get integrated into the real world. And integrate him was exactly what she was going to do!

"Child!"

"Spartan Dog!"

She huffed, irritated that he met her tit for tat. Her mind scrambled for another insult as they both staunchly stood their ground in the manor's humble kitchen. She knew it was childish to get into this kind of fight with him. It reminded her vaguely of when she had fought with the 'New Mutants' -- or 'X-Babies' as she had put it. Hadn't she grown up? Still, she would not yield, and thought of another zinger.

"Useless Baggage!"

"Dictatorial Despot!"

Pleased, Kitty crossed her arms. "'Dictatorial' and 'despot' mean practically the same thing. Is that the best you can do?"

Feron sputtered, obviously knocked down a peg as Kitty continued to drill in, "I thought a mind as 'superior' as yours could at least think more creatively."

Feron landed on his feet and stood before her, his face awash with confusion and annoyance. He wore his recognizable scowl for several moments, obviously unhappy at this outcome. Kitty grinned, happy that she had apparently won, and was about to order him to get to work when suddenly, out of nowhere, he reached out for her, taking her face in his hands, his lips sealing on top of hers.

Kitty screamed into his mouth, her eyes bulging as she pushed against him.

Feron didn't budge an inch, surprisingly strong as he strengthened his grip, holding the kiss as a bull rider holds the reins. Her screams subsided as he let her go. Quickly she scrambled back and began swiping at her mouth.

"How dare you..." she muttered. "Why did you..."

But instead of looking pleased with himself, Feron looked horrified. His white skin went beet red and he looked away, obviously overcome with embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry..." he mumbled, and then quickly dashed off.

Kitty stood dazed for several moments. It had all happened in such a rush that she had not even thought to phase. How had they gone from arguing to kissing? She ran a hand through her hair and tried to collect herself. An unexpected chuckle rose in her throat as she thought of what had taken place. It had been oddly comical. He had looked so hilarious -- his ghostly face turning such a bright red, his eyes unable to meet hers.

But why had he kissed her? Was it some blind attempt to top her cruel comments? To shut her up? Whatever the reason, it seemed to not garner whatever results he had expected. Shaking her head, she decided to do some of the cleaning by herself. Eventually, after his embarrassment wore off, she was sure Feron would come and explain his actions. Strangely enough, it only took about ten to fifteen minutes.

He poked his head around a corner as she swept the foyer, looking abashed, and cleared his throat. "Ms. Pryde?"

"Feron, it's Kitty. You know you can call me that."

"Yes, yes of course," he muttered and cleared his throat, "About what happened..."

"Look, you can just forget--"

"No, please, let me speak." Feron said, raising his hand. Letting out an uncomfortable sigh, she nodded, allowing him to continue. "Kitty, out of all the team members, you have been the one I have interacted with the most and, well...you see, in the monastery, I was denied many things, kept from many feelings and such. I never got to see many women, and..."

Suddenly it came full circle and Kitty had to keep from bursting into giggles as he went on, "What happened between us just now was in no way meant in a romantic fashion. I do not have those kind of feelings for you," he paused, stumbling, as if perhaps his last remark was not entirely accurate. "At any rate, when I am with you I feel so many...emotions. Feelings that until I joined this team I had cut off from myself. Most of the emotions are recognizable. Annoyance, anger...but some of the other feelings..."

Feron kept looking away, obviously uneasy with the conversation at hand. Kitty found it highly amusing to watch the oh-so-cool, smart-mouthed Feron at a loss for words. "Sometimes, when I see you I get this...stirring in my heart and in my..." his eyes cast downwards and he blushed again, "...in other places. When we were arguing I just got overcome with this -- that feeling in those... parts of me and felt that what I did, that kiss, was the best thing to do. I understand that there is no excuse for my actions and--"

"Feron, my turn to talk, okay?" Kitty said, and he surprisingly obeyed. "I forgive you for what happened. I understand, probably better than you do, what just took place. Whether you like to admit it or not, you're basically an average teenage boy -- an average teenage boy with average teenage hormones. Now, I'll admit that I am surprised that you chose me of all people to be your... how shall I put this... 'Ms. Robinson' as it were. But, by the same token, it's not completely impossible either. In fact, its kinda flattering to be the object of someone else's fantasies for once. After all, it's usually been me in your place."

Feron looked confused and Kitty sighed, her thoughts passing over Peter and Alistaire as she shook her head, pressing on, "What I mean is, I know how you feel. I was once in the same sort of position you are -- misplaced emotions on older, attractive members of the opposite sex. Heck, like you, I've even had it explode in physical embarrassment."

Remembering certain times kissing a befuddled Peter, Kitty felt a tiny smile take her face, "So what I'm trying to say is, all's forgiven. How about we just forget it and move on?"

She held out her hand and Feron took it, giving her a warm handshake and a wavering grin. Kitty returned the gesture. "Now how about we get to work on those chores, hmm?"

"Oh all right, if we must." Feron muttered, then, with a raised brow, questioned, "I--I don't suppose you and I will ever... um... do that again, sometime in the future."

Kitty chuckled as she returned to her sweeping, "Not in this lifetime."