Title: Dark Enclosures

 

Author: Leah

 

E-mail: countryblue@edsamail.com.ph

 

Summary: Scot and Kitty come to terms with their feelings

 

Rating: NC-17

 

Disclaimer: I don't own them so please don't sue.

 

Archive: Just ask and you shall have.

 

Feedback: Yes, please. :)

 

Author's Notes: Remember Scott and Kitty in my L/M story First Christmas? Well, this is their story.

I've always wanted to write them. Ever since Karen introduced the S/K tandem, I got fascinated by them. Though Scott is Logan's opposite, there are a lot of similarities between S/K and L/M. One of them is, of course, the age issue. But I didn't want it to turn out like a L/M and that's where I kind of stalled. I didn't realize it would be that hard! I was in L/M mode for so long that it was hard to shift to S/K. It took me a long time to figure out Scott and Kitty's individual identities I just hope I was able to show their unique characteristics and weave them into a unique story of their own.

 

Thanks to Karen for the beta. :)

 

"Kitty's song" is A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. I'm just so in love with this song at the moment. :)

 

 

 

 

1. Kitty

 

 

Kitty took a swig of her beer and made a face, trying to shake off the gloom that threatened to ruin this Friday night yet again. She looked forlornly toward the dance floor where Jubes, Bobby and St. John were moving and grooving with their respective partners. The club was packed and everybody was having a good time--except her. She sighed and leaned back on the plush leather seat, suddenly feeling so small and insignificant. The whole world was having fun all around her as she sat quietly and alone in the small, dark booth. Despite the multi-colored laser lights chasing themselves around the club, she couldn't see past the darkness that enshrouded it. The music was loud, engaging, and almost mindless in its intensity, perfect for taking her mind away from her worries... but it wasn't for her. She needed to get out of here. She stood up, gathered her purse and jacket, and waved to St. John to come over. She explained that she was going home. Even if he didn't want her to go home alone, St. John let her walk away. There was a quiet pleading in her green eyes that he was powerless not to give in to.

 

The cold wind blasted into her as Kitty stepped out of the club. It was drizzling a little so she put on her jacket. Five minutes in the rain and not a single cab passed by, so she decided to walk.

 

Making my way downtown

Walking fast

Faces passed

And I'm home bound

 

Staring blankly ahead

Just making my way

Making my way

Through the crowd

 

Unmindful of the passing night crowd, she walked on wondering why her nights out with her friends didn't seem to work out. Perhaps if she went to these clubs for the right reason--to have fun and possibly hook up with some guy--she'd at least enjoy it. But no. She went there to forget Scott and show him that she was moving on because she'd gotten over him. Right. She can't even deceive herself, let alone him. Perhaps if someone--anyone--paid attention to her and asked her to dance or something in these night outs, she'd get distracted and feel that at least other men wanted her. But no. It must be part of the curse of loving Scott for other men to be blind to her charms. Kitty snorted. If she ever had any. God knows Scott--the most superior man in her heart--was blind to them, so how could mere mortals notice?

 

It's always times like these

When I think of you

And I wonder

If you ever

Think of me

 

'Cause everything's so wrong

And I don't belong

Living in your

Precious memories

 

It wasn't the first time she'd had to go home and cut her evening short. She just couldn't enjoy herself. She couldn't pretend long enough to have a good time and possibly meet a new man. She was still in love with him. It's been months since the mistletoe kiss but the memory still lingered in her mind. It was the time when she had thought something would develop between them but unfortunately for her, it must have been just the spell of the holiday season for Scott. He probably had just been in a giving mood that he was even generous with his compliments and kisses. After Christmas, he had distanced himself from her. He had become aloof and at times short-tempered with her. Gone was the easy camaraderie between them. They were like strangers, both wary and cautious of each other. Up to now she felt like he was punishing her with his indifference, for what she didn't know.

 

And I need you

And I miss you

And now I wonder....

 

She let out a frustrated breath. Love really sucks, she thought despairingly.

 

Kitty continued walking, unmindful of the drops of rain running down her face. She huddled inside her jacket as the cold wind blew through her short, low-cut black dress. Her long legs flashed whitely in the night. She was lost in her own turbulent thoughts that she didn't hear the screech of tires and a car door opening.

 

If I could fall

Into the sky

Do you think time

Would pass me by

'Cause you know I'd walk

A thousand miles

If I could

Just see you

Tonight

 

"Get inside, Kitty. NOW!"

 

Startled by the angry voice, she whirled around to face the speaker. It was Scott.

 

 

 

"Scott's song" is Lost in You by Chris Gaines. I thought it was the perfect song for him. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Scott

 

 

The dark interior of the SUV, the spattering of the light rain against the windshield, and the light and soothing music from the car radio suited his mood perfectly as Scott drove around town seemingly blind to the night life going on around him. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts that refused to be banked down. He wondered how long he could fool himself into thinking that the sleepless nights he curiously experienced every Friday weren't due to caffeine overdose. He wondered how long he could deny the fact that it was actually because he knew she was out enjoying herself that kept him awake--worried and wondering if she was having fun with some other man.

 

Kitty.

 

She was still on his mind. She never left it--not after the kiss Marie "forced" them to share, and definitely not after the months he stayed away from her. The girl had an effect on him that he hadn't expected. An effect that no woman, not even Jean, had on him. She had been one of his nicest, albeit shy, and most conscientious students and he had always noted that. When she had started training for the team, he started noticing her tough side and he liked what he saw. She was a perfect blend of all that was feminine and innocent but within that was an underlying strength and power.

 

There's no more waiting
Holding out for love
You are my Godsend
That I have been forever dreaming of
My angel from above

 

Then last Christmas came and he just went crazy. All his repressed longings, whether he admitted to them or not, had suddenly surfaced and the most unbelievable thing was, he had acted on them without thinking. It wasn't his style to follow his instinct but he had. Reason had flown out the window the moment his lips had touched hers and his tongue had penetrated her mouth... Scott shook his head as if to erase the memory. That one and only kiss they shared was the subject of so many of his dreams. Dreams that had caused him to awaken in the middle of night chest heaving and body humming in arousal.

 

What is this feeling
I've never known before
That I should touch you
Swearing to surrender ever more
That's what I came here for

 

He had made up for his irrational behavior, of course. But now it seemed that his "plan" was backfiring on him. He had successfully dismissed her and the kiss from his mind... but only on the outside. Judging from Kitty's reaction he knew how effective his ruse was. He would ignore her and if he had to talk to her, it was like from a superior to his subordinate. He had become distant and that was how he liked it. He wasn't exactly sure why he opposed his feelings for her so much. Him and Kitty in a relationship... it just couldn't happen. He was her teacher, for God's sake, and after she had completed her training, they would be teammates. There was the age thing between them. She was young and he was older. There were just too many complications! He thought that distancing himself from her would set things back to the way they were, but why was she on his mind more than ever? He was usually focused and in control but God knew he wasn't himself during the past few months. He seemed preoccupied and inattentive, something which Logan noticed also and didn't waste any opportunity to rag him about it.  Why did he feel jealous when he found out she was going out with Jubilee and company? He wasn't a violent man but why did he feel like that at the thought of Kitty with another man? Why the hell did he "feel" for her?

 

Heaven knows
I'm head over heels and it shows
I've played every field I suppose
But there's something about you
When you're around
Baby I have found
I get lost in you

 

Scott turned left, feeling more and more awake by the second. Sleeping was going to be impossible again. His gaze passed on a couple kissing on the sidewalk, the sight tugging at his heart. Memories of another kind of kiss flashed in his mind again. This is no use, he thought. He decided to go home.   He was about to step up the accelerator when he spotted a lone girl with great legs who suspiciously looked like Kitty walking aimlessly in the rain. He caught up with the girl and it was her. Worry and anger flared up inside him. Where the hell was she going? Didn't she know it was dangerous for a woman to be out by herself at this time of night? He bit back a curse as he steered towards the sidewalk. In an almost violent motion, he opened the passenger door on the startled Kitty.

 

"Get inside, Kitty. NOW!"

 

 

 

 

 

III. Crash into me

 

Kitty stole a glance at Scott's rigid profile. The muscle in his cheek was throbbing visibly--a sure indication that he was furious and was barely holding it in check. She would've preferred the dangers of the street than be alone inside the car with an angry Scott. The moment she got in the car, he had treated her to a sermon that made her cringe visibly. In a barrage of cutting words, he had told her she should know better than to be walking down the street, alone, at this time of the night. He had told her harshly that her dress was an open invitation for trouble. What was she trying to do, get picked up?

 

She had been barely coherent with indignation as she struggled to get the words out to defend herself. Her voice rising, she had told him that she was trying to get a cab. She had stressed that she was going home, and certainly not trying to attract any man's attention. And what was wrong with her dress? It was a decent, if short, dress that covered her appropriately. She hardly looked like a prostitute stalking the streets for men to service. Scott's heated, "Well, your legs were showing!" put an end to her tirade. Confusion had left her mouth hanging open but shut it when she couldn't think of a rejoinder.

 

They'd been driving for ten minutes now, cruising along the seemingly endless tree-lined road back to the mansion, and conversation had ceased. The silence was uncomfortable and Kitty couldn't stand it.

 

'And what about you?" she asked with just a little accusatory inflection in it. She didn't want to spark up another shouting match. "What were you doing driving around? Trying to pick someone up?"

 

Scott didn't rise to the bait. "None of your goddamn business."  He knew that he was overreacting and that his behavior wasn't exemplary at the moment, but he couldn't be expected to be rational when he was so angry with her he wanted to wring her lovely neck.

 

Kitty gasped in indignation. "Don't you dare swear at me, Scott Summers, 'cause I won't have any it!"

 

"Well, I just did!"

 

If it weren't for the animosity between them, he would've laughed out loud. He was delighted to see Kitty unruffled and speaking her mind. There was no trace of the shy Kitty that he knew. He found that he liked seeing her like that. On the other hand, he was amazed at himself for bantering with her. Being leader of the X-men, he'd had to be sensible and congenial, not given to irrational outbursts like he just did. Only Kitty could get a rise out of him. Jean had always been diplomatic and sensible like him. She had been the one to soothe him into calmness, banking down the fire. But Kitty... Kitty fanned the flames of his emotions... and he loved it.

 

Kitty threw her hands up. "God, what is wrong with you? You're acting like a complete... bastard!" She blushed at the use of the word. "You're angry with me for what? For catching me walking by myself? What's so wrong with that?"

 

"What's wrong is that you didn't give a damn about your safety!"

 

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much!"

 

"Well, you certainly didn't look like you could! You looked lost, moony-eyed and totally unaware of your surroundings!"

 

Her cheeks burned at the thought that he caught her looking like that. It's because I was thinking about you, you big oaf! she wanted to shout at him. "I was not!" she denied vehemently.

 

"Were, too!"

 

"Ooh!" Kitty bristled. "I don't get this macho attitude from you. Why the sudden interest in my welfare, in *me*, when you've been acting like I didn't exist?"

 

Scott didn't have a face-saving reply.

 

She saw his mouth tighten at the corners before she turned her head away to look at the passing scenery. In a subdued tone, she continued. "I don't understand you, Scott. I don't know why you've been ignoring me. What did I do to get this kind of treatment from you? It's like you're punishing me." Tears stung her eyes but she didn't face him.

 

Suddenly, he saw how the bantering had gotten out of hand. He could hear the pain in her voice and an answering pain throbbed in his heart. "I'm not punishing you, Kitty," he said quietly.

 

Kitty whipped her head around, this time tears were streaming down her face. "Then what do you call the way you've been acting around me?"

 

The alarming sound of another vehicle speeding nearby brought their argument to a halt.

 

"What the...!" Scott exclaimed, his ruby-colored glasses trained on the rearview mirror.

 

He didn't have time to do anything before a speeding truck overtook them, slamming against their side causing them to go off the road. Kitty's frightened scream rang out loud in the quiet night, the sound of the SUV hitting the bushes on the side before careening down the deep wooded ravine below following eerily.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Water trickled down the busted roof of the vehicle to her bruised and bloodied cheek, effectively waking Kitty up. She couldn't move at first, trapped as she was by her dislodged seat wedged against the dashboard. Her body felt like one big ache as she gingerly moved her limbs. Her head was throbbing. She raised her hand and touched it near her temple where it came away bloodied. The accident--or was it?-- replayed automatically in her head and she froze with the shock of it. It had happened too fast. She slowly became aware of her surroundings, noting that it was still dark and that it was raining hard. Lightning illuminated the woods as thunder rolled off into the distance. She silently thanked her Maker that the SUV didn't end up on its belly on its final turn. This way, she and Scott wouldn't have a hard time getting out of the wrecked vehicle.

 

Scott!

 

Kitty turned her head to the side and saw him slumped on the wheel, a nasty-looking gash was bleeding on his forehead. She quickly reached out a hand to check his pulse beneath his ear and was relieved to find out it was strong and steady. She looked around the darkened forest and felt the chill. How long had they been unconscious? Had anyone noticed their absence yet? Ororo was the only senior X-men left at the mansion but she was down with the flu. The Professor and Jean were in Washington while Logan, Rogue and the babies were on a short holiday. She remembered that Scott had a cellphone. She could call the mansion and ask for someone to come and rescue them. She felt for it on his jacket and found it in the left pocket. Her hopes were dashed when she drew out the cellphone and it fell apart in her hand. It most likey got crushed against the steering wheel during the impact. She threw the remnants of the phone on the floor in frustration. What happened to them might just be an accident but she couldn't take that chance. If they had been forced off the road purposely, whoever was responsible might be hunting for them right now. They had to get to safety. They had to get back to the mansion or at least, to a shelter.

 

She took out the high-powered flashlight from the compartment that she knew Scott always kept there. She phased herself out of the vehicle to stand outside the door on Scott's side. Rain immediately soaked her. She wrenched open the door and struggled with his seatbelt.

 

"Scott, please wake up." Finally unlocking the safety belt, Kitty pushed him back against the seat. She placed her hands on his shoulders and shook him a bit. "Scott? We have to get out of here." She couldn't keep from touching his bruised cheek. "Please be all right," she whispered.

 

There was no response. Leaving him there was out of the question. If she had to carry him, she would. Training with the X-men had increased her strength and improved her endurance. Despite her slight frame, she was actually strong. Without jarring him as much as possible, she eased him out of the vehicle and into the ground, letting him lean against her right side. She had his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist for support. She looked up and tried to make out the road above the ravine. They were in too deep--they couldn't possibly make it if they trekked up to the road. They were going to have to take another route.

 

Scott's head lolled to the side, pressing against hers as Kitty made her way through the trees. The path was wet and muddy as the flashlight revealed, and she struggled to keep from slipping. She didn't know where they were going. All she knew was that they had to get away. She walked and walked, past trees and low-lying bushes. The chill was seeping to her bones but she had to go on. The rain fell down in a steady pelt providing an almost soothing sound to her ears. She heard Scott groan but he didn't wake up. She worried about him. Now she questioned her decision. Maybe they should've stayed in the SUV until the other X-men found them. Maybe she shouldn't have moved him. He could have a concussion or he could be bleeding inside for all she knew... She mentally shook her head and tried to clear all her worries. She had made the decision and she was taking full responsibility for that. She only prayed that it was the right one.

 

They'd been walking for almost fifteen minutes, with Scott's body growing heavier by the minute when she spotted it.  She directed the flashlight to its direction. A cabin. She thanked her lucky stars for the small miracle. At least they would be out of the rain and she could take care of Scott. She half-dragged, half carried him until they reached the door of the small cabin. With what little strength she had left, Kitty kicked it open.

 

She passed the artificial light inside and it revealed a one-room cabin empty of furniture but with a fireplace, some kind of a wooden chest, and a generous pile of chopped firewood. Kitty almost sagged with relief. She hurriedly let them inside and out of the rain, managing to kick the door closed. She gently laid Scott down in front of the fireplace, making him as comfortable as possible. She placed the flashlight on the floor and pointed it to the fireplace. They had to get warm.

 

She scooped up an armful of firewood and arranged them in the fireplace. Her hand felt for a box of matches on the mantleplace but didn't find any. Great. It was going to be difficult but she had to start a fire the old-fashioned way. With cold and shaking hands, she got two pieces of firewood and started rubbing.

 

 

 

4. Nothing heals me like you do

 

 

Scott adjusted his eyesight to the darkness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a light. For a moment he was disoriented then the memory of what happened came back. The speeding truck... the crash... plunging into the ravine... Kitty walking and holding him up in the rain as he drifted in and out of consciousness... His head was pounding like a jackhammer. He must've hit his head pretty hard. He heard Kitty stifle a curse and turned his head to the side. The light from the flashlight showed her crouched by the rather crudely built fireplace and he was certain that she was trying to make a fire.

 

"I'll do that," he said in a rusty voice.

 

Kitty gasped out loud and turned to look at her patient. "Scott, you're awake!"

 

"Move aside, Kitty." He lifted his special visor and let out a weak laser beam, setting the mound of firewood ablaze.

 

She stared for a moment at the crackling, glowing fire, grateful for the warmth and light. She turned off the flashlight. "How are you feeling?" Kitty asked as she moved to kneel down beside him. "Head hurting?"

 

Scott tried to get up but his head threatened to split apart. He slowly laid back down.

 

She gently felt for bumps on his head.

 

Despite his fierce headache, Scott's scalp tingled at the touch of Kitty's hands. He was too weak to fight his body's reaction to her. "Like the very devil. But as long as I don't move too much, I'll be fine."

 

"You have a big gash right here on your forehead and it's bleeding just a little bit. I have to clean it up, though. Do you have a hanky I could use?"

 

"No," Scott croaked out. He looked at her inquiringly when Kitty lifted the hem of her dress to the tops of her thighs to reveal the white cotton lining underneath. He watched her tear two strips from the wet cloth. She scooted closer to him and arranged him gently until his head was lying on her lap.

 

Scott hissed at the first touch of the cloth on his open wound.

 

"Sorry," Kitty said in a repentant tone. "I'm being as gentle as I can." She couldn't help it, but her hands prickled with awareness as she touched him. They were in a dangerous and serious situation and yet her heart and body were unaware of it. They were only attuned to Scott. When his wound was clean, she tied the other strip of cloth around his forehead. "That should do it for a while."

 

"Thanks, Kitty," he said awkwardly. He cleared his throat and went into his fearless leader mode. "Where are we?"

 

"In a cabin we luckily stumbled onto. We're lost in the woods, actually. Did you see who hit us?"

 

"No. I only had time to see it was a truck before it rammed us."

 

Kitty nodded, welcoming the shift in the conversation. Despite what had happened, she knew the uneasiness between them was still there.  "I didn't see anything either. I just felt the impact and I remember screaming when we fell down the ravine. That's it."

 

"And when you came to, did you notice anything unusual?"

 

"No, I don't think so," she replied as she looked back on the earlier events. "I don't know how long we were out. I was afraid whoever those people were would come looking for us so I thought we should leave the crash site and look for shelter." Then she added uncertainly, "I hope I made the right decision."

 

"You did," Scott reassured her.

 

"They could still be after us," she said worriedly. "Who could those people be and what do they want from us?"

 

"I don't know but as of now we can only assume it was intentional. It could also just be an accident," Scott said reasonably. "At least for the moment we're safe." He slowly sat up and was relieved to find out his head didn't hurt as much.

 

Kitty tried to hold him down gently. "You shouldn't be moving just yet." But he did anyway and she looked at him worriedly.

 

"l'll be fine." He stood up carefully and looked around the cabin, silent for a moment as he contemplated what to do. Then he remembered something. His hands searched frantically on the pockets of his jacket.

 

"What is it?"

 

"My cellphone!"

 

Kitty let out a frustrated breath. "It got crushed during the impact. I got it from your jacket earlier on but it collapsed in my hand."

 

"Damn!" Scott paced, his hand stroking his chin as he did so. After a while, he went to the door and pulled it open.

 

"Where are you going?" she asked, alarmed.

 

"I'm going to scout the area. I won't be long."

 

She knew she couldn't stop him. "Be careful," she told him worriedly.

 

Scott looked at her for a moment before disappearing into the night.

 

Kitty shivered and drew closer into the fire. She was feeling a jumble of emotions that left her confused. She was scared, worried, cold, and still smarting from their argument. But she had to focus on the situation right now for they could still be in danger. She hugged herself and shivered. The fire couldn't seem to warm her enough. She scanned the small cabin and the wooden chest on the corner drew her attention. She got up, went over to it and lifted the lid. She gasped out loud at the contents--blankets! There were two of them and she immediately shook them out. They were dusty and a bit scratchy but they were better than nothing. She was laying out one blanket when Scott came in dripping with water.

 

"I found us some blankets!"

 

"Good," he replied distractedly as he closed the door. "Everything's clear outside so we're safe here until morning. It would be foolish to try to go back to the mansion in the rain."

 

"Especially when you're hurt," Kitty pointed out.

 

Scott touched the bandage on his head and winced a little.

 

Kitty took the other blanket and walked over to him. "Here, dry yourself off."

 

"Thanks." He got the blanket from her and that's when he saw the wound on her temple. "You're hurt!"

 

She stared blankly at him as her hand went automatically to her head. "Oh. Yeah." She gave him a rueful smile. "Totally forgot about it."

 

"Come here." He dragged her down on the blanket spread before the fire until they were kneeling face to face.

 

"It's okay. You don't have to do this--hey!" She was startled when Scott flipped the hem of her dress and tore another strip from the cotton lining of her dress.

 

Scott leaned closer to examine her wound. "It doesn't look that bad," he murmured, causing a different kind of shiver from Kitty as Scott's breath warmed the side of her face. "But still..."

 

"Ow!"

 

He dabbed at the wound with the cloth until it was clean. "It has to be cleaned. There, all done. I don't think we have to bandage it, though."

 

His face was so close to hers that her skin tingled with awareness. Her eyes dropped to his full yet masculine lips and her own lips parted in response. She remembered their softness when he kissed her that one time and she blushed. She saw him pull back and helplessly her eyes sought his through his visor. But of course she couldn't see his expression. Embarrassed, her eyes fell to her lap. "Thank you," she whispered.

 

Scott was silent as he retrieved the other blanket. "We should get out of these wet clothes. We'll catch pneumonia if we don't."

 

She knew he was right but she couldn't help the wave of shyness that overcame her. She lifted her head to protest and was shocked to see him shrugging off his jacket and pulling up his tight white shirt.

 

"But, I..." Her throat closed up when she got a view of his magnificent chest, lightly dusted with hair, gleaming in the firelight. He used the blanket to dry his hair and blot out the moisture in his upper body. When he stood up to unbuckle his belt, Kitty turned her head away.

 

Divested of everything except his boxers, Scott knelt down again and stroked Kitty's shoulders soothingly. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Kitty. I'll turn my back while you take your clothes off. You can leave your underwear on if you want. It's for health reasons, nothing else," he told her softly. "Come on. We have a nice fire going on and soon you won't be cold."

 

She nodded and still kneeling, turned her back to him. Exhaling deeply, Scott did the same.

 

It nearly took all his control to be on top of the situation when all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and warm her until morning. He didn't censor his thoughts nor his feelings anymore. He wanted her. There was no denying it. He closed his eyes when he heard the rustle of clothing being removed. Kitty was undressing just a few feet away from him--it was enough to give him a heart attack. When he heard no more movement, he turned his head just a bit and asked gently, "All done?"

 

"Yes," came her shy reply.

 

He turned to face her and swallowed convulsively at the sight before him. Kitty knelt with her head bowed and her arms wrapped around herself shielding her breasts. She wore only a pair of pink briefs and whole lot of skin. Cold skin--judging from the way she visibly shivered. She was beautiful. Wet brown hair and all. Her arms plumped up her breasts and then he realized she wasn't wearing a bra at all.

 

"You're not wearing a bra," he said before he could stop himself. He cleared his throat when he realized what he had said. He drew the blanket behind her and started rubbing her hair with it, careful of her injury.

 

Kitty blushed at his comment. "My br-- They're sensitive. I can't bear the feeling of being confined. Besides, I-I'm small. There's not much to cover up," she found herself saying to him. She kept still while Scott moved on to dry her shoulders, back, front and thighs.

 

"You think you could sleep?" he asked when he was done. "'Cause there's nothing left for us to do except that."

 

She looked at him as she nodded. "I think I could sleep."

 

A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Good." He scooted back as he indicated for Kitty to lie  down in front of the fire.

 

Kitty realized she couldn't do it without the use of her arms that were still covering her breasts. Leaving her with no choice, she dropped her arms and gingerly laid down on her back. She was relieved when Scott covered her with the blanket right away. She watched him gather their clothes and spread them over the chest, which he then pushed towards the fireplace so that the heat would make them dry faster. She made room for him by lying on her left side when he settled beside her. She felt cool air rush against her back as he lifted the blanket and covered both of them. Despite the heat of the fire at her front, she still shivered.

 

Scott didn't miss her body's reaction. He turned on his side and moved closer to her until his chest was against her back. He wrapped his arm over her waist and pulled her closer to him. He felt her body go rigid at the contact.

 

"It's all right, Kitty," he told her soothingly. "I'm just going to warm you. I won't do anything improper, I promise."

 

His bare legs tangling with her own, his smooth chest against her back and his breath against her neck felt really good. Her body was warming up. She pushed back against him until her buttocks were firmly planted against his groin. "Okay," she whispered as she closed her eyes. She refused to put any meaning behind Scott's gesture. She'd learned her lesson already. She'd just take what he was willing to give. He had offered her warmth and she accepted. It was as simple as that.

 

He adjusted their bodies one last time before finally settling down. He could feel her skin beginning to warm up. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply. He liked holding her in his arms. She felt so soft, so perfect in his arms. As he slowly drifted into sleep, he forgot his body's aches and pains, even the impending danger. All he could think of was that Kitty was in his arms, safe and warm.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Scott woke up slowly and cautiously, as if doing so would shatter the incredible peace in which he had slept in. His senses resumed functioning one by one. He turned his head to the side and opened his eyes. It was morning. He listened to his surroundings but all he could hear were birds chirping. He felt Kitty's warm and pliant body beneath him and smiled as he felt himself getting hard and rising against her leg. He breathed in her womanly scent as he nuzzled his face against her throat. Sometime during the early morning, he had felt Kitty turn and unknowingly climb on top of him. It would seem he had woken up too because their position was now reversed. The thought of them lying like they were now excited him.

 

"Kitty..." he murmured against her skin. His mouth planted lingering kisses down her throat to her collarbone. He went down further until he was kissing the skin above her pert breasts.

 

"Hmmm." Kitty was having the most delicious dream. Scott was making slow, delicious love to her. She arched her back when she felt his mouth on her breast, licking her skin before sucking her hard nipple into his mouth. "Scott!"

 

"I'm right here, Kitty-cat. I'm right here," he murmured before he sucked on her again.

 

Her small scream woke her up and jolted her into reality. Scott was really making love to her! She moaned helplessly as his lips and tongue worked on her, causing sharp rays of desire to shoot down between her legs. "Scott?" she asked tentatively.

 

Scott raised his head to look down on her breasts, one nipple wet and  glistening temptingly. One hand covered her breast and squeezed gently. Then he looked into her confused but desire-filled green eyes. "You're beautiful, sweetheart," he told her reverently, his morning voice husky. "So pink and white and lovely. And you're not small. You're just right. You fit my hand perfectly... and my mouth..." He swooped down to take the other nipple into the warm cavern of his mouth.

 

Kitty's hand gripped the back of his head, her fingers tangling in his hair as she urged him against her breasts. Her other hand ran up and down his back, feeling his muscles respond to her touch. Her body was on fire for him. She gasped when she felt his legs part her thighs and she was feeling him--hard and hot--against her moist, swollen flesh.

 

He tore his mouth from her breast, needing her mouth this time. "God, Kitty, but I want you." He kissed her roughly, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth. The stroke of his tongue inside her mouth excited her and she moaned. Shyly, she let tongue meet his and he groaned in response. The pressure of their mouths deepened until they were kissing wildly, almost desperately.

 

They kissed for a few more seconds before he heard it. His name. They were about to be found. He heard his name being called again and recognized it to be Bobby's voice. They probably found the wreckage and tracked them down to the cabin. Unwilling to let her go, he stilled his lips against hers. "Oh, sweetheart, we have to stop," he panted. "We're about to be rescued."

 

Dazed and still high with desire, Kitty could only stare back at him. "What?"

 

"Scott!" Bobby's voice was clearer and louder this time. He was close.

 

Kitty's eyes grew round as she realized what was happening. "Oh, God!" Scott helped her up as she scrambled to her feet and was soon frantically pulling on her clothes.

 

Scott watched her as they got dressed. She looked so beautiful muttering to herself, her cheeks flushed and her brown curls bouncing with her movements. He was glad they got interrupted. He realized he had a lot of explaining to do first.

 

"Scott! Are you in here?"

 

"I'm right here, Bobby!" Scott called out as he opened the door.

 

"Thank God, you're all right! What happened?"

 

"A truck slammed into us and ran us off the road. My cellphone got smashed and I couldn't call for help."

 

Bobby looked concerned at the bandage in Scott's head. "You're hurt. We'd better get you out of here." He went back into the clearing and cupped his hands around his mouth. "I found him, St. John!"

 

"The Professor and Jean--have they arrived yet?"

 

"No." Bobby shifted from one foot to another. "We have another problem."

 

"What is it?"

 

Bobby grimaced. "Kitty's missing and it's all our fault," he said in a rush. "We let her go home alone last night and--"

 

Kitty moved into Bobby's line of vision. "I'm here, Bobby."

 

Bobby was so surprised to see her he comically opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish. "H-how did you get here?"

 

Scott gave Kitty a speaking glance before turning back to Bobby. "It's a long story."

 

 

 

Author's Notes: Sorry for the long delay. :(  I hate it when work, real life, sleep deprivation, and depression get in the way of fic-writing! Anyway, here's the last two parts. They're especially dedicated to Karen, my wonderful beta, who said this fic simply couldn't do without a love scene, and Nadja, who, aside from Karen, indulged me with her wonderful S/K fics. Thanks so much to all those who have given me feedback. My heart overflows with joy. :) I hope you guys will enjoy these last two chapters. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V. Here with me

 

 

Kitty shifted the fat baby on her lap. "Come on, baby boy, entertain me. I don't want to think about him. I don't want to think!" She looked deep into Patrick's guileless hazel eyes. The happy baby was trying to touch the bandage on her temple. "If there's one bit of knowledge I can impart to you, my dear godchild, it's that thinking is hazardous to your mental and emotional health! It can kill you! Do you understand?"

 

Patrick gurgled, babbled, and then drooled all over himself in response. He gave a happy squeal and clasped Kitty's cheeks in his pudgy hands.

 

She gave a dramatic sigh and kissed him wetly on his forehead. "I knew you would. Now be a good baby and go to sleep." She stood up and carried Patrick into his crib and laid him down. He babbled incoherently for a second before sticking his thumb into his mouth. His eyes drooped and soon he was asleep. Kitty smiled at the innocent picture he made. She moved on to the next crib where her other godchild, Lisbeth, was already fast asleep.

 

"Thanks for putting them to sleep, Kitty."

 

Kitty turned at Marie's soft voice from the doorway. "It was my pleasure. You know how crazy I am about the babies."

 

Marie belted her robe tightly and padded over to where her friend stood by the cribs. She took Kitty's limp hands into hers and squeezed them. "Hey, don't brood too much. I have faith that Scott will come around."

 

Kitty dropped her gaze to the floor and gave a self-depreciating laugh. "I don't know about that." She shrugged a delicate shoulder. "Guess I'm back to square one--getting over him all over again."

 

"From what you told me about what happened in the cabin, I would say he's close to giving in to his feelings for you."

 

"He doesn't have feelings for me, Marie. If he did, he would've at least said something before he went away. Everything's hanging, you know? There's a lot of unresolved things between us and he didn't even say anything."

 

"Kitty, it was an emergency. Even Logan wasn't able to say goodbye to me," Marie told her patiently.

 

When Marie, Logan and the babies had arrived that morning, the mansion had been in an uproar. Ororo had worriedly informed them that both Scott and Kitty were missing, and that some of the trainees had been dispatched to look for them. Jubilee was in a tearful state of panic, crying over and over again that it was her fault that Kitty was missing. Logan had been about to leave the mansion to help in the search when Bobby and St. John arrived with Scott and Kitty. Marie had patched them up as best she could since Jean hadn't been due to arrive yet with the Professor. They had gotten a straight and air-tight explanation from Scott on what had happened, which Kitty had seconded. Scott hadn't even had the time to rest when they got an emergency call from one of the Professor's allies. A mutant community was being attacked by a large group of radical mutant-haters and the X-men were called for help. It was automatic that Scott and Logan would go, tagging Bobby and St. John along with them. They had not returned since then.   

 

Kitty blushed when she realized how irrational she'd become. "You're right, but I'm not keeping my hopes up."

 

"Kitty..."

 

"It's better if I don't expect anything. It will make it easier for me to go on."

 

Marie gave her friend and warm hug. "Oh, Kitty. Everything will be all right. You'll see."

 

Kitty remained silent.

 

It had better be or I'll kill Scott myself if he breaks Kitty's heart again, Marie thought darkly.

 

 

 

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

 

 

It was almost midnight when the men finally returned, tired but unharmed. Logan went straight to their bedroom and pulled his wife in his arms.

 

"Everything okay?" Marie asked.

 

“Yeah. Took a little longer than we planned ‘cause some of  them were extra stupid and didn’t give up without a fight.”

 

"And Scott?"

 

Logan growled. "I saved the damned pansy-ass' life twice! He was distracted from the very beginning!"

 

Marie soothed her husband's ire by rubbing her face against his throat. "I hope you didn't rub it in. You know how...troubled he is."

 

"Troubled! The man's fucking in love and he doesn't even know it!"

 

Laughing, Marie pressed up tighter against her husband. "Did you set him straight?"

 

Logan buried his face in Marie's hair. "Yep. I gave him some unsolicited advice."

 

"Which is...?"

 

He cleared his throat and acted like it was Scott he was talking to." I told him, 'I know you secretly admire me, Scooter, so go ahead, it's okay if you want to follow in my footsteps. Disregard the age matter and get it on with Kitty already. You're spending too much time thinking about the consequences when she could be warming your bed right now.'"

 

Marie burst out laughing. "You actually told him that? I'm surprised he didn't slug you!"

 

"Hell, Marie, the man was too busy being blinded by the lightbulb blinking on above his head.”

 

Her mouth formed into a satisfied smile. "Good. I won't have to kill him then."

 

 

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

 

 

Kitty turned another page of the book she was reading with such unnecessary force that the paper crackled crisply. After her conversation with Marie, she had immediately gone to the Professor's small, private library.It was her sanctuary and she always went there when she wanted some peace and quiet. Tonight she was hiding out, trying to keep her mind off "things" by reading a book. She started to become agitated when she heard the Blackbird arrive an hour ago. Scott was