Chapter 2: Middleverse, the After Party

Disclaimer: Hey, I haven't been paid yet, I can't own the X Men!

After they'd gotten Kurt's spare inducer from the mansion the X Men drove to the house of one Duncan Matthews. Scott having let up in his worries about it being a bad idea.

Kurt leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. Evan was grinning like a mad man as they cruised toward the impressively large house, not as big as the mansion, but large enough to tell people that the family that lived there was well off.

"This is going to be so sweet! Man, I'm glad we found you in time to actually go to this thing." Evan elbowed Kurt who could only laugh.

"I'm just glad you guys didn't blast that thing like you were planning to."

Up in the front seat Jean and Kitty exchanged looks before smirking at Scott.

"Uh, yeah, about that." Scott seemed very embarrassed and Kurt decided to take mercy on their so called 'fearless' leader.

"Hey no vorries, man...just next time, have Kitty phase through it, ja?"

Kitty twisted in her seat to send Kurt a warm smile, glad for the show of confidence. After her big screw up on her very first mission to find Rogue, she was worried that Kurt would never trust her. Apparently, her fears were for naught.

Scott rolled his eyes behind his shades as Jean and Evan laughed before parking his car.

"Here we are." They piled out of the car but Scott grabbed Kurt's arm as the others went on ahead of them.

"Kurt, just...please be careful."

Kurt looked up at his friend and smiled, "I vill be." He held up his left hand and put his right over his heart, "Crawler's honour."

Scott sighed, "Alright. Now c'mon, we still have to find a way to get Kitty in."

Kurt's grin widened, "I've already got a plan for that, mein Fruend."

They rejoined their group as they reached the door.

"Hey, no freshies." The jock 'guarding' the front door glared at Kitty who crossed her arms and glared back.

"No vorries, dude, she's vith me." Kurt wrapped his arm around Kitty's waist.

Evan hid his smirk ~Way to take advantage of the situation Kurt! ~ he silently commended his friend for being so bold.

Meanwhile Kitty was struggling to keep her blush at bay, Kurt's arm was very warm and very secure around her and for some reason she was close to giggling giddily.

The jock seemed to deflate before their eyes, apparently he really wanted to kick someone out, "Alright, go on in."

"Thanks." Jean smiled and they entered the house to be hit by a wall of music and teenage chatter.

"Okay, guys no locked rooms, stay in the main room or outside, be careful what you eat and drink and just don't do anything illegal." Scott quickly told them.

"Aye aye captain!" Evan mock saluted Scott before heading to the dance floor. No one had thought Evan danced, but then they noticed the amount of girls in the crowd. Case closed.

Kitty smiled and tugged Kurt over to a less crowded area, "Come on Fuzzy Elf, you're my boyfriend for the night, remember?"

Scott and Jean struggled not to laugh at the ecstatic and goofy grin that came onto Kurt's face at those words.

The two reached the balcony outside and Kitty gave her friend a smile, "Thanks for getting me in Kurt."

The hologram hidden mutant shrugged, "No trouble at all."

She blushed, though it was hidden by the dark, "Um, Kurt?"

He looked to her, "Ja Katzchen?"

She brushed her bangs behind her ear, "Would you like to dance?"

He smiled and took her hand, leading her back inside, "Of course."

They danced to a few quick songs, Kitty becoming more comfortable with each pulse of drums over the speakers. This was her element and it showed.

But Kurt surprised her yet again when he took her into his arms as a slower song started. Kitty felt her face heat up again but allowed herself to basically melt into his embrace.

Kurt wanted to kiss her in that moment as they swayed to the music, the gentle voice of a female singer crooning through the air. But he didn't, he wouldn't mess up what was turning out to be a cherished friendship.

So they just kept dancing, but Kurt did allow himself one thing. He kissed the top of her head and hugged her warmly. Both things Kitty took notice of and both sent her heart hammering.

oOo

A/N: I was going crazy, I just seriously needed to update something before I lost my mind!

(oh and happy day, I finally fixed the scene breaks in Tortured Shadows, yay! It makes sense again, woo!)

Special note at the end of the next Blood Passion chapter, be sure to read it for info on the Tortured Shadows sequal!

Read, review and show some love (or I may lose my mind! And that can't happen...not yet anyway)