The story of Pogue and Kate continues...

Song Title: Kiss the Girl
Artist: Sebastian. From Disney's The Little Mermaid
Pairing: Kate/Pogue
Rating: T (language)

Summary: Every relationship has a beginning. Continuation of Genesis

Author's Note: Song lyrics are in bold. Inner monologue is in italics.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Covenant or The Little Mermaid (though IMO - Ariel is the best Disney Princess ever)

OoO

First, you got to create da mood

Despite being late to class on her first day, Kate was euphoric that Pogue Parry was taking her to Fall Fest. She could barely concentrate on the teacher's lesson because she was too busy making a list of lip gloss flavors that she thought Pogue would enjoy. Topping the list was Watermelon Blast. At her old school, this was the boys' favorite.

Beneath that she'd written Strawberry Swirl and Cherry Pie. Both of these had also brought her good luck in the dating department. She made a mental note to watch what Pogue ate over the next few days, so she could judge if he had a preference.

Kate had only brought one gown with her, the one she'd worn to the Spring Formal last year. In her vast experience (at sixteen), she knew that boys only cared about 3 things when it came to dresses.

First, it had to show off every millimeter of cleavage you had. And fortunately, Kate was given a generous share.

Second, it had to be tight and form fitting around the bodice (and you had to be thin enough to wear it well– which Kate was).

Last, it had to be easy to remove. Boys didn't like to fuss with buttons and hooks or dresses that laced up the back. If men had their way dresses would be fastened with Velcro. Kate's gown had one zipper, which could be undone with one hand.

Not that she was going to allow Pogue that much access, at least not yet. Kate Tunney was not THAT kind of girl.

Percussion; Strings; Winds; Words

Being new to Spenser, Kate underestimated how quickly news spreads. She was on her way back to the dorms, when several girls flocked around her like a swarm of bees. One stood directly in front of her, blocking her path.

The girl was small, petite with short cropped blonde hair. Two jeweled barrettes were firmly in place on one side of her head. Despite her meek appearance, she spoke with the venom of a poisonous snake.

"So you must be Kate."

Kate wasn't sure how to respond to that tone. Her instinct put her on the defensive, but she shook that feeling away. She was a transfer and barely knew anyone here. There's no way she could have offended this girl already. Right?

"Yes. I just transferred in."

Kate used her friendliest voice and extended her hand.

"Well, Kate," the girl smacked her lips together as though Tunney was something on a dinner plate. "Since you're new here I'm assuming no one told you."

Told me what? Kate got a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Pogue is taking ME to Fall Fest."

"Oh," Kate felt the color run out of her face. "I didn't know."

Had Kate misinterpreted Pogue's intentions earlier? Why would he pretend to ask her to Fall Fest if he already had a date?

Kate's mind clouded with doubt.

The little girl and her friends continued to stare Kate down, eyes scouring for any sign of weakness.

But Kate was strong and confident. A few hard looks didn't bother her, especially since she had done nothing wrong.

There you see her

At dinner Kate took her normal place beside Kira. As soon as she set her tray down, the conversation stopped.

"What's up guys?"

She tried to sound cheery and ignore the fact that they had obviously been talking about her.

"Nothing's up. Nothing at all," someone at the end of the table answered.

Kate stared down at the unappetizing chicken marsala on her plate.

"So how was your first day?" Kira asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah, heard you're in Jackie Chan's Advanced Chemistry class," Aaron added.

That seemed to lighten up the mood as everyone at the table shared stories about "Jackie Chan" practicing for his belt test during classes last year.

Some of the stories were clearly exaggerated. Kate didn't know much about martial arts, but she was fairly certain the chemistry teacher did not do a back flip spin kick off his desk or steal the skeleton from the Biology classroom to demonstrate his nunchuk skills.

Sitting there across the way

Later that evening, Kate sat on her bed flipping through her Chemistry textbook. Since she hadn't gone to many classes, she didn't have much to do tonight aside from a few review problems. She briefly thought about reading ahead to the next chapter, but her focus wasn't on chemistry – at least not the class.

She meant to ask Kira about the girl in the hallway, but dinner just didn't seem like the right time. Maybe when Kira came back from the library.

But what to do in the meantime?

Kate rummaged through her snacks, extracting a pack of Swedish Fish. Then she put on her jacket and shoes and went outside for a walk.

The Spenser campus was large with plenty of walking and biking trails on its perimeter; like the brochure said "Here at Spenser, we take pride in promoting a healthy lifestyle."

While Kate strolled leisurely along the paved walkway, she gave her parents a call. She knew they'd be excited to hear about her first day of classes. Kate talked to her father first, whose main concern was "getting his money's worth" out of Spenser.

Her mother, on the other hand asked a million questions. This was Kate's first time living away from home and she knew her mom was worried.

"Have you been sleeping Ok in the new bed?"

"Yes, mom."

"How are you and Kira getting along?"

"We're getting along fine."

"How is the food? Are you eating enough?"

"The food is…plentiful."

"Do you need anything?"

"Well, there is a dance on Saturday night and I could use some new…." Even if she wasn't going with Pogue, she was still going – and she was going to look her best.

Kate was on the phone with her mom for over an hour.

She don't got a lot to say

Kate was on her way back to the dorms when she saw the familiar yellow bike and its rider off in the distance.

Kate stopped, placing her feet shoulder width apart toying with the idea of talking to Pogue. Maybe she didn't need to involve Kira in whatever drama might or might not be unfolding with Mean Tinkerbell Girl. Maybe she should just ask Pogue what exactly was going on with Fall Fest.

Worst case, he had asked someone else. Kate knew she'd be disappointed, but she'd rather have this conversation now, when it was just the two of them than later in a crowded hallway or during lunch.

The first step his direction was the hardest, but the second step and those that followed were much easier.

His back was toward her, and as she approached she realized he was on the phone. She thought she was giving him enough space, but the wind carried his words and she couldn't help overhearing the conversation.

"Can't you return them or something?"

"Mom, come on. I haven't worn briefs since I was a kid."

Pogue's biker exterior didn't seem so tough as he argued with his mom about underwear. Kate felt her cheeks pull into a smile. Even pissed off he was adorable.

"I don't care what color they are - I'm not wearing them!" He moved the phone from one ear to the other, turning as he did.

Kate stood there stiffly as he caught sight of her, thus immediately ending his conversation.

"Mom. Mom. I gotta go."

He cupped his hand around his mouth and turned his head again. Kate would never be one hundred percent certain, but she was pretty sure she heard him say "love you too" before hanging up the phone.

It was so sweet.

Kate decided then and there, she was going to do everything she could to get to know Pogue Parry, even if it was just as a friend.

But there's something about her

"Hey Kate," Pogue smiled. Whether it was an "I'm happy to see you" smile or a "I hope she didn't hear me talking to my mom about what I wear under my jeans" smile, Kate wasn't able to determine.

"Hey Pogue." She knew she was wearing a big silly grin, but she couldn't help it. Saying his name just make her that happy, which was ridiculous, right? Stupid crush!

Being in such close proximity to him, nearly made Kate forget the reason she'd approached him in the first place. His Spenser uniform was replaced with a pair of jeans and leather jacket. His hair flowed freely without a trace of whatever styling product he'd used to slick it back earlier that day.

Soooooo hot!

But in the back of Kate's mind was the nagging question. She had to at least mention the dance.

"Are those," he pointed toward her pocket, "Swedish Fish?"

"Umm, yeah," Kate replied distractedly reaching into her pocket. "You want some?" she offered, wishing she hadn't eaten so many while talking to her mom. What would he think of a girl who took down almost an entire bag of the red gummy candy in one sitting?

"Definitely."

Pogue cupped his hands together and held them out, like a small child holding something fragile.

"You can have the rest," Kate placed the bag in his hands. "There's not much left," she added sheepishly.

"Thanks," Pogue lifted the bag, rounded out the opening and poured the remaining fish into his mouth.

"Mmmm," he chewed loudly pushing a few protruding fish back into his mouth with the base of his palm.

Oh my God.

Kate covered her mouth so she wouldn't laugh at the sight. Clearly Pogue's table manners needed a little work.

His cheek bulged on one side as his tongue traced along the gum line, no doubt in search of some particules that were stuck. When that failed, he stuck a finger in his mouth to accomplish the feat.

"Walk you back to the dorm?" he asked, nestling his helmet underneath one arm.

"Thanks," Kate answered. Her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much.

The path was wide enough for them to be side by side. Pogue's helmet was on his far side, thus leaving his left hand dangling close to her right hand.

Kate contemplated brushing her hand against his – accidentally of course – to gauge his response. In her mind she'd already made the following hypothesis:

If he pulled his hand away, that meant he only liked her as a friend.

If he didn't pull his hand away, that meant he was interested.

Kate knew she hadn't moved her hand, yet she felt the slight warmth of his hand against her own.

It was like he was reading her mind.

Again.

And you don't know why

Kate's eyes darted first down to her hand, as if she had to see to believe that Pogue Parry was actually touching her. Then a split second later, those same eyes locked in on his green ones.

"So about Fall Fest," he began.

"Fall Fest," Kate nodded.

"I, uh," Pogue swallowed, as if trying to figure out what he wanted to say. "Have a conflict."

"A conflict?" Kate had no idea what he meant. What could possibly be more important than the first dance of the school year?

"It's a family thing," he added, almost as an afterthought.

"Oh," Kate tried to keep up a pleasant façade. She had a feeling she wasn't doing too well.

"Sorry," Pogue mumbled.

"It's okay," Kate told him, trying to hide her disappointment. "Family should always come first."

Even though she said the words, she didn't believe for one second that Pogue's sudden "conflict" had anything to do with his family. This little sabotage had Mean Tinkerbell Girl written all over it.

But you're dying to try

Kate wanted to say something more. Even if Pogue wasn't taking her to Fall Fest that didn't change how she felt about him. But it might be better if he had a girlfriend. It would be much simpler if she and Pogue were just friends. That way, Kate could do what she came here to do in the first place; Get on the fast track to Harvard University.

Talking herself out of liking Pogue wasn't working. At least not with him roughly six inches away.

Kate knew it was stupid, especially after what he just said about Fall Fest. And maybe what happened earlier was just a fluke.

But she just had to know for sure.

With a painstakingly slow motion, Kate flexed her right hand in preparation.

"Awwwww how cute?"

Kate jumped at unexpected comment. Instead of touching Pogue as planned, her right hand flew to her chest as she whirled around to see who had snuck up behind them.

It shouldn't have been a surprise to see Reid standing there.

"See aren't they cute?" he held up a spiral notebook with a pair of fluffy kittens on the front. "I just love pussy (dramatic pause) cats, don't you?"

"What are you doing?" Pogue looked at Reid uncomfortably.

"Just returning this to Josie(1)," he waved the notebook in the air. "I'm Reid, by the way," he extended a hand Kate's way.

"Kate," she slid her hand into his.

"Nice to finally meet you." It was as though he'd waited months for this introduction. "Hey, isn't there a song about a Kate?" he continued.

"A song?" Kate was caught off guard with his seemingly random comment.

"Yeah, it's on the tip of my tongue…," Reid trailed off sending a sideways glance toward Pogue.

Pogue's fingers raked through his hair, his light laugh escaped into the night air.

"Kiss me, Kate."

"What?" Kate turned to Pogue who was looking over at Reid.

"That's the song he's talking about," the leather clad boy answered keeping a wary eye on his friend. Pogue and Reid stood in their little silent stand off for a moment.

"Kiss me, Kate," Pogue repeated casting those mystic green eyes her way.

"Oh," Kate uttered. Love to.

"I have notes to return," Reid announced cutting in between them, giving Pogue a clap on the shoulder. "Nice meeting you, Kate."

You wanna kiss the girl

Kate had no idea if "Kiss me, Kate" was a real song, but the way Pogue was looking at her right now was definitely real.

Being "just friends" with him was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

A/N: (1) Josephine "Josie" Wesley is the exclusive property of SilentKnightInDisguise11 from her story I Caught Myself - if you haven't read it yet, be sure to check it out : )

oOo

Gemma