Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men. Don't sue me, and I'll be your best friend...

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Back to Lance.

Author's Note: This story is semi-AU, meaning it isn't completely alternate universe, but it doesn't really go along with the show completely either. Basically, it takes place after "Day of Reckoning," and ignores anything that may come after it. (I can't see into the future, so I can't predict season three...sorry...) Anyway, it diverges from what is sure to be the path the show takes by having Lance leave town following the battle in the mall between the Brotherhood and the X-Men. (I just don't see the writers doing that…)

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Return of Love like a Dream

By: Addie Logan

 

I didn't believe what I was seeing at first.

It had been so long. Why would she even be there? Unless...

Unless she came to see me.

But then I didn't know why she wanted to see me. Was she there just to see an old friend? To let me know how much she hated me? She couldn't still have feelings for me. I knew that wasn't her reason for coming.

I didn't care.

She looked so beautiful standing there, and I had to touch her.

I walked up to her, and she opened her mouth to speak. I didn't let her. I grabbed her—kissed her. She froze at first, but I didn't stop. I pulled her closer until her body melted in my arms and her fingers tangled in my hair.

When I finally pulled away, she started up a me with flushed cheeks and swollen lips. My chest grew tight. So beautiful...

"Lance?"

Her voice was soft...so soft.

"Kitty? God, I feel like I'm dreaming."

She made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "I know. Me, too."

I started to reach for her again, when I realized Rogue was there. I stopped. "Oh. You. Hi."

Rogue looked almost smug. "Well, looks like my work here is done. You kids have fun."

Kitty looked frightened, and I felt a sudden wave of panic I couldn't quite give a reason for.

She asked Rogue where she was going, in this quick, nervous tone, and I knew exactly what I was afraid of. Kitty didn't want to be alone with me. She'd come to see me, even let me kiss her, but she'd had Rogue there for moral support.

I still wanted her. That was completely clear. And she didn't want me. Not for good. I steadied myself, waited for the pain I'd grown so used to. I can make myself immune to it now.

Rogue said she thought we might want some time alone, and what Kitty did after that shocked me. She gave Rogue a hug good-bye and told her she'd call her on her cell if she needed her.

Rogue walked away. Kitty smiled at me. My heart soared.

I took Kitty's hand and started showing her around, telling her about every little thing I could think of. I'd never talked so much in my life. It was so much like my dreams, that I was afraid if I stopped and let it be silent, I'd wake up.

Kitty kept smiling at me. Her eyes were as blue as I'd remembered, and they were glistening with tears.

I asked her if she was happy. I trembled as I waited for her answer. She had to say yes. I still loved her. I couldn't believe just how much I still loved her... I had her so close to being back in my arms. She had to be happy there with me. She had to say yes.

"Yes."

Before I could say anything else, Mike walked up to us. I knew immediately he was going to say something stupid.

He did.

"Who's this one, Lance? Or do you know her name?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth I panicked. Mike always teased me about my women, and it didn't matter when I was with some groupie looking for a one-night stand with a rock star.  But when the woman in question was Kitty...

I didn't want Kitty to know about the others. I was suddenly ashamed and reminded of why I'd never been good enough for her in the first place.

Kitty raised an eyebrow. I figured it was time for damage control.

"Mike, this is Kitty. You know...Kitty."

"Kitty?" Realization set in on his face. "Kitty as in the girl from the song Kitty?"

"Yeah."

Mike looked flustered then, and something about that really pleased me. Sometimes he was just too calm and collected. Sorta reminded me of Summers.

"Um, nice to meet ya, Kitty," Mike said, shaking Kitty's hand—the one I wasn't clinging to. "Lance talks about you a lot. And, um, I was just teasin' him earlier."

Kitty giggled and I felt like I could breathe again. "It's all right. Lance and I haven't been together for three years. I didn't exactly think he'd taken a vow of chastity through that time or anything."

"So are y'all back together now?"

I couldn't breathe again. My entire life rested on Kitty's answer.

"I don't know. Lance and I haven't really had the chance to talk about it yet."

It wasn't a no, and that was something. A start at least. I told Mike I'd been about to leave. That I wanted some time alone with Kitty.

Mike and Kitty were both okay with that. She left with me and stood calmly beside me, even when the throngs of women converged on me, all wanting autographs and probably dreaming of something more.

Usually, one of them might have had a chance.

Not tonight.

Tonight I only want Kitty Pryde.

She'd be quiet, really ever since I kissed her, and she didn't say a word as we rode in the limo back to the hotel.

When we got to my suite, she just stood there, looking around.

"Say something, Kitty."

"Nice room."

Not exactly what I'd been hoping for. "The record company's paying for it." I sat down on the bed and motioned for her to sit beside me.

She did, although not very close.

For once, I decided to just lay my emotions all out there in the open. Usually, I tried to protect myself; stay guarded. This time though, I knew after coming this far, if Kitty walked out that door, I'd crumble regardless of what I said to her now. She still had that effect on me somehow. I thought maybe my chances would be better if I let her know how I felt, so I decided to go for broke.

"I'm still in love with you."

"I'm still in love with you, too."

It didn't seem possible, that Kitty could actually still have feelings for me—that she'd ever had them, but I wasn't going to push things then. But I thanked whatever higher power may exist, just to be on the safe side.

I pulled Kitty into my arms and kissed her until I was sure she was real.

"I want to touch you," I said between kisses. "I want to make love to you."

She fell into my arms, and I didn't let go until the sun began to rise, and the exhaustion became too much.

I fell asleep with Kitty in my arms, and for the first time in three years I slept well. I didn't know how things would be when we woke, if she'd remember in the light of day that she hated me, that she'd wanted me out of her life.

I let the night be perfect. Like a dream. Tomorrow I'd brace myself for the pain of reality.

But if Kitty did plan to leave, then I hoped I'd never wake up.