Notes: I want to thank Lu Baihu for making me get this fic done: he poked & prodded me into writing it, was major help with the dialogue (writing over a third of it), never mind betaing it…
Okay for anyone who doesn't remember Kenjiro is the cover name being used by Mystique at the moment.
I am not myself involved in a Gay-Straight Alliance chapter though there was one at the college I went to.
Warnings: Femslash, nothing else not even lime this chapter.
Pairings: Rogue/Kitty, minor Evan/Pietro.
Two girls are standing by their lockers at Bayville High. The smaller of the two asks her friend, "Kara, are you going to the meeting?"
"What meeting?" her friend answers.
"I thought Jill told you… let's find somewhere quieter to talk."
"Um, I guess; what's up Nat?" They slip into an empty classroom.
"You remember what happened last Thursday, right — The fight and, well, everything…"
"Oh yeah, that…" Kara whispers, "Sorry 'bout them two…"
"How can people act like that? They're human beings just like the rest of us."
"What're you saying? What if somebody hears us?"
"That's why I wanted to talk some place quieter, I don't want to meet those asses any more than you do."
Kara sighs, "Alright, yeah…"
"Anyway, some of the other kids, who think like we do, are trying to start a group…"
"Oh?"
"A Gay-Straight Alliance thingy to show them and others, they can't be the only ones, that not everyone thinks like those idiots."
"… Y'sure this is gunna be safe and whatnot?"
"I think so, things have quieted down anyway…"
"One time, at least, I guess, right? Why're you telling me this?"
"I'm going and I thought maybe…"
"Want me to come along just for the heck of it? Or something else?" Kara asked teasingly.
"I-I though you'd be interested — in going I mean."
"And why's that?" Kara asks again, still lightheartedly.
Nat blushes. "Y-you hate injustice and…" she trails off.
"Oh! Yeah," Kara answered sounding much more serious, "I mean… erm… sorry." She takes Nat's hand. "Sure, I'll go with you!"
"Thanks."
"Who's in charge?"
"Scott's (you know, the guy from the Track team, with the glasses?) been involved, and that new kid Ken; Jill's been involved with setting stuff up too, I'm not sure anyone's exactly in-charge yet."
"So meet you by your locker after last period?"
"Sure!" Nat replies, with a big happy grin.
"See ya then." Kara answers, returning the grin.
—————————————————————————————
Kara and Nat quietly slip into the meeting room, and find seats. Kara says, "Lot more people than I expected."
"That's good, the more good guys the better, right?" Nat answers her.
"I guess."
"I think that's them, now." Nat pauses to listen to the voices coming from the hall.
"Y'sure about this, Kitty?" Rogue asks.
"It's, like, going to be fine, these are the people who think what happened was, like, wrong, and stuff."
"It's just well, groups are not my thing." Rogue says hesitantly.
"We don't have to come back if ya don't want, but try, for me?"
"For you? Anything." They slip through the door and quietly take seats at the back of the room. Looking around, they are surprised to see Evan and Pietro apparently here together. "Look at those two."
"Like, what are they doing here? And together?" Kitty questions.
"Ah dunno-" Rogue is cut off as Ken begins the meeting.
"I think it's time to start the meeting, so welcome to the first meeting of Bayville High's Gay-Straight Alliance. I'm Kenjiro Nakata, but you can just call me Ken; I've just transferred in from the City."
Scott continues, "I suspect most of you know me already, but I'm Scott Summers. I think everyone here is aware of the events of last Thursday, which demonstrate a clear need for tolerance education here at Bayville. It's heartening to see how many of you have shown-up, for this first meeting. Now I'd like to open the floor for suggestions & questions"
"Wouldn't it be great if we could have a dance where everyone could just be themselves — gay, straight, bi, whatever?" someone asks.
Everyone quickly gets excited over the idea, babbling ideas and plans.
"But what about a place? We can't use the gym because well, ya know." Evan says, briefly putting a damper on the planning.
Nat comments, "Renting a place is going ta be expensive."
People agree with her, but seem unwilling to drop the idea.
"There seem to by quite a few kids from the Institute here, do you think you could get your Professor to help us?" Ken asks ~I know Charles was linked to those monsters somehow~
Kitty nervously says, "We could ask…" ~It's kinda our fault, after all~
The meeting continues, and detailed plans are made for the dance, despite not knowing whether it will actually happen.
—————————————————————————————
After the meeting, the girls pull Evan and Pietro off to the side.
"You know, Kitty, you're pretty scary when you get that determined look in your eyes"
"Scared?" Kitty answers jokingly.
"The Great Pietro Maximoff is never scared."
"Sure… sure…" Kitty starts to laugh; then Rogue wraps her arms around Kitty's shoulders and joins in.
"Really, what do you two want?"
"It's not like you really had to come, right? Y'all are straight, yeah?"
"Uh, Rogue last time I noticed Straight guys don't hang on the arm of their arch-rival."
"Except to spook them?" Kitty says
"Evan, I think they're terminally clueless."
"Nah, remember how out of it we were, the first couple a weeks?" Evan responded.
Rogue shrugs. "Some get it, some don't-" She grabs Kitty and starts to tickle her, "and don't worry, she's probably just faking it, right Kits?"
"I think there's finally a couple who acts stranger than us." Pietro comments.
"Nah, that's (Rogue!) Probably Duncan and anyone, like," her words are interrupted by giggles as Rogue continues to tickle her, "weird enough to date him…"
"I wouldn't say that in front of Jean — even if they did break-up." Evan responded.
Pietro whines, "But I like being thrown across the room."
Kitty and Rogue stare at Pietro, while Evan smacks him lightly.
"Am I the only one here who can recognize a joke?" Pietro asks.
"Sure… sure…"
"What do you want to know before I take this one home to get his meds?" Evan asks.
"How long has it, like, been since you two…" Kitty questions.
"Before Bayville—though we've broken-up more times than I can count."
Kitty responds, slightly shocked "And this is our first…" She shakes her head.
Rogue looks at Kitty and shrugs "Boys these days…"
"We were kinda…" Pietro waves toward the cafe.
"Oh?"
"We didn't want something like last Thursday…"
"Oh-h…" Rogue looks down, not willing to meet the others' eyes.
"Gunna be kinda nice to have someone to talk with who knows…"
Kitty answers, "Sure! Like, that's why we're here…"
"I wish…" Pietro trails off
"Wish what?" Kitty asks
"Nothing." he answers with a tone of finality
Rogue sighs, "It's gettin' kinda late; we're the only ones here…"
"Yeah, I guess we'd better head home," Pietro answers looking lonely.
"Tell Auntie O I went boarding with a friend, OK?"
"I guess."
Rogue questions "You're goin' with him?"
"Just for a bit."
"Sure, Ah… Ah guess." She waves, "'cya laters…"
"Later."
———————————————————————————————
After dinner, Kitty and Rogue head up to the Professor's office.
"May I help you?" He asks.
"Yes, erm, well, we were, like, at the club today, and…" Kitty starts nervously.
"They were talkin 'about havin' a dance but well, with the Gym gone…
"Yes?" Charles questions.
"Someone said we should, like, try the Marriott, but, like, that takes money…"
"Given that it is our fault the gym is, ahem, non-functional, I should be able to help, with that."
"Really? Like what?" Kitty asks
"I assume the worst problem is the funds, though I can help with the arrangements as well, if you need."
"It's cool - we're sure we wanna go with it, I mean, officially the club's, like, running it and all."
"Everyone was so excited 'bout it."
"Do you have an advisor yet I should talk to?"
"Oh yeah, it's Ms. Andrews, she's with the Home Economics department, she's a really nice lady, like, volunteered for it and all…"
"I'll give her a call tomorrow, then."
"Sure! Umm, we're thinking of holding it real soon, like, in a few days, that work?"
"It will depend on their schedule of course, but I see no other problems with that, and as it isn't quite prom season yet, nor a holiday, we should be fine — I suppose you'll be wanting advances on your clothing allowances?"
Kitty stopped in shock ~I didn't even think of the shopping yet~
"Ah hadn't even thought about…"
"Me neither; can't even think of what to wear…" She blushes. "I just wanted to get it up and running…"
"As fascinating as this is I have paperwork to do and I suspect you have homework as well."
"Oh my god, I forgot about that too!" She turns to Rogue, wide-eyed.
"My History paper!"
"Yeah! And my honors stuff! Oh my god, Oh my god…"
"You'd better get working then, girls."
"Yeah, talk tomorrow," Kitty answers, nervously, then grabs Rogue's sleeve and dashes back to their room to start their homework.
————————————————————————————————-
"I've got, like, absolutely nothing to wear!" Kitty exclaims, then sighs, "I guess, like, we'd better take the Professor up on his offer…"
"Yeah … think this is gunna hurt our allowances?"
"I dunno—think you can get the car?" She pauses as someone knocks at their door. "Who is it?"
"It's Jean."
"Oh, okay. What's up?" Rogue asks as Jean enters the room.
Jean looks the clothes strewn around the room. "Looks like I don't even need to ask, but have you two thought about what you're wearing to the dance?"
"Yah — something new."
Kitty turns to Rogue, "Big break, girl…"
"I'm heading down to the mall…"
"Mind if we go with you?" Kitty asks, making puppy-dog eyes at Jean.
"No problem."
"Sure! Thanks!" Kitty smiles, and grabs Rogue. "Let's go already!"
———————————————————-
"Meet you back here at 6, okay?" Jean says.
"Sure… if we, like, remember!" She giggles; then takes Rogue's arm. "C'mon 'long now…"
"Yeh, we'll be here." She turns to Kitty, and asks "Where first?"
"Um, like, what do we need have?"
"Think we need to look at dresses, or maybe pants-sets, first, before we decide anything else," Rogue looks over Kitty, "You want to try 3-5-7?"
"Lessee… how d'ya wanna go looking? Me, nothing too special or throw-away…"
Rogue nods, "It's not the prom, but it's special…"
"Sure, so like, erm… no need to be the 'shiniest' thing on the floor…"
"Me, Shiny? Not even for the Prom."
Kitty laughs, "I know, I mean, like, fancy and all… something we could actually move in, y'get?"
"Yeh — and knowing us, we're not going to find them at the same shop, so we'd better get moving."
"Sure… yours first, let's go… what're you looking for, Hon?"
"Dark, long, mabay with a jacket."
"Hmm … I think Dresses & More has something on sale… I'm not, like, that much of a shop-hopper, so like, you're gunna hafta be more specific… you're not talking trench coats and all that weird stuff, right?"
"Nah, not a trench coat — a blazer, we're going to get enough attention…"
"Well, I saw one in that shop on the top level, can't remember the name, last time I was here…"
"Well, let's go take a look."
They head up to the top level and head into the shop Kitty was talking about, and start looking at the dresses.
"Kitty, look at this."
"Hmm… looks about right, I guess, so like, how much?"
"Not too-too bad… I'll still be able to get new shoes, and mabay some jewelry — Guess I'd better try it on?"
"Sure!"
Rogue heads in to the dressing room, then emerges wearing a simple princess line dress that clings to her every curve, in a green so dark it's almost black, with a thigh-length, black velvet jacket. "What d'ya think?"
Kitty stares wide-eyed, "Whoa… that, like, erm…"
"That good, huh?"
She takes several deep breaths. "Ya…"
"Okay, then; just let me get out of this and we'll see what you want." Rogue goes back into the dressing room, and comes back out dressed normally. Then she heads for the registers. "Where now?" she asks, after finishing with the cashier.
"Not sure."
"What are ya looking for?"
"Well, like, it's not gunna be pink, I wear that all the time. Something that, like, does look kinda fancy, because I want to look like a princess… your little princess…" She slips her arms around Rogue, who hugs her back.
"Yah pink would look funny against this. Um, let's try 3-5-7 first unless you've got a better idea?"
"Nah, it's okay… lessee, don't mind being my prince?" She grins up at Rogue.
"Um… Nah. I will protect my princess from all that is evil" She points across the mall, realizing too late that Lance is sitting where she's pointing.
"Umm, yeeeahhhhhhhhhhh…"
Rogue blushes, looking awkward, "I didn't mean…"
"Yeah, I believe you…" Kitty answers, looking unhappy.
"Sorry… Um 3-5-7's down this way…"
"Alright…" Kitty sighs.
They go in to 3-5-7 and look around a bit. "See anything you like?" Rogue asks.
"This one looks good." The ankle-length, high collared dress Kitty's pointing to is a shimmering combination of blues — a subdued aqua blue for the bodice, and a darker blue for the sleeves, the skirt a pattern of overlapping, wave-like 'stripes' of aqua and blue.
"Definitely."
Kitty looks closer at it, and notices a matching tiara. "Mmm… nice—very nice… but it's kinda expensive…"
"Might as well try it on unless it's way outa our range…"
"Well, like, sure!" Kitty goes into the dressing room, and then reappears before Rogue in it.
"Wow!" Rogue, while not looking quite as wide eyed as Kitty before her, is definitely impressed.
Kitty turns a 360, showing off the dress. "Feels right… not too tight…"
"Either need heels or to hem it a bit — it's hitting the floor."
"Ya think silver heels are gunna look too much like the 'Wizard of OZ' or something?"
"Nah, most people think of the movie any way."
"Sure — if nobody minds…" Kitty changes out of it and holds it up. "How much are we paying in all now?"
"That's $130 and mine's $97 — he gave us $150 each right?"
"I think…" She checks, "Yeah… that's not a lot left here… I've got some money saved though."
"Where next?"
"I don't know."
"Ah ought ta figure out what Ah'm doing with mah hair…
"Hmm … I like how it is right now, but like, y'wanna be my perfectly stylish prince and all?" Kitty giggles.
"It's okay… but I dunno, this stupid white streak…"
"It's cool, trust me…" Kitty brushes her hand through the streak.
"Maybe a hat."
"Why d'ya, like, hafta wear one inside? It's not stupid…"
"I guess…"
"Listen, dress it up and what not, but don't hide it… it looks beautiful on you…"
"You sure…"
"Yes…"
"Try and dress it up, I'm sure, like…" Kitty fingers Rogue's hair a bit. "Gimme a sec to get an idea here…"
"Long as you're not planning to come after me with a perm kit…"
Kitty smiles, "Of course not, now, but like, how about I, like, gel it up and brush it all towards the front?"
"We can try it…"
"Sure! And curl it up just a little, so you look like Oscar from that Marie Antoinette comic I so love…"
"Oo-kay…"
"Oh, sorry, it's a little secret of mine, but I remember how it looks, so I'll try it out and you tell me how it looks!"
"Okay — if we do my hair that way I don't need any kinda new hair thingies; jewelry?"
"I guess not, unless y'wanna get, like, a headband for the two of us with matching hearts and all…" Kitty grins.
"Nah, yours has a headpiece remember? Jewelry, lemme see the neckline of this wants a long necklace or a choker, yours?"
"Short or maybe a choker."
"Let's see what they've got—Afterthoughts first?"
"Okay… come on, we need to be done by six."
—————————————————————————————————————
The girls return to their room laden with shopping bags, trying to keep their new dresses clear of the floor without dropping anything else.
Rogue says, "Think we'd better hang these up…I think they got crushed enough in the car."
"Ooh, but like, can't we try them on first?"
"Yeh…We never did really look at them together…"
"Yeah, let's go!" They both change into their dresses. Kitty pulls her hair loosely back and slips the tiara on.
Rogue brushes her hair back, and then scowls because it made the white streak more prominent. "This thing's hot."
"Mmm…" Kitty smirks. "Looks perfect on you…"
"At least the dress has long sleeves too so if it gets too hot…"
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"I mean I can still hold you if I take off the jacket…"
"Ooooh… and then what would you do with me in your arms?" She winks.
"At the dance? Or after?"
"Oooh… But still, that looks, well, yeah!" She takes Rogue's hand. "Mirror's over… oh, oh my God…" Kitty freezes, stunned at seeing them two as a couple in their dresses.
"Ye-eah…. Ah…."
"They have got to see this! Hey!" Kitty cries impulsively, pulling Rogue out into the hall.
Rogue murmurs, "Long as I'm the only one who gets to see you out of it."
Kitty looks oddly at Rogue for a second, kinda inscrutable, then back to the hallway. "Hey guys, you all got ready for the prom?"
Scott stops, and looks over the girls. "Wow, you two look stunning," he exclaims.
"What about you?" Kitty asks.
"Eh, my good suit still fits, and Jean's in there with her hair stuff — I haven't seen her dress yet."
Jubilee comes up, "Whoa, you two look awesome."
"Thanks!" Kitty thinks a minute and then takes Rogues hands as if posing for a photograph as a couple.
"You're going too right, Jubilee?" Rogue questions.
She nods. "With Bobby."
"Lucky you! Kurt?"
"Ja, with Amanda. Anyone else?" He answers coming out into the hall.
"Evan?"
"I want him to see this too…" Kitty gripes
"I think he said he was going shopping…"
Kitty nods, "Sure… I guess he'll have to see this at the dance, I guess!" She turns and whispers to Rogue, "I want everyone to see this…"
"Yeah…"
"Mmm… on second-hand, save all the surprise for the dance, right? Put this away till then?"
"Yeah… we've still got to figure out exactly what we're doing with this mop of mine too."
"Oh, I'm sure we've got it covered … but how about what we're doing with something else of yours?" She winks.
"Kitty!" Rogue giggles.
"Y'wanna?"
Rogue looks around, "Umm"
"Not here, silly!" Kitty snuggles against Rogue. "Tonight!"
Rogue snuggles closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, "What did you have in mind?"
"You two do have a room you know." Scott gripes.
Kitty whispers to Rogue, "You can guess…" then she shifts them through the walls headed to their room.
"Watch the dresses…" Jubilee cautions.
"We will…"
"I think I can guess." Rogue smiles anticipating the evening.
————————————————————————————————-
"Kitty! Hold still so I can brush your hair."
"I know, but, well, like, alright!" Kitty takes a deep breath to get herself under control.
"And careful with the nails, we paid good money for those." Rogue pauses "Sorry I know I'm freaking over nothing it's just…"
"I know, but yeas…"
"You ever been to something laike this?"
"Not really…"
"Me either."
"I mean, run it by me again, who's got the music?"
"'Tro of all people found us a DJ, and the hotel's doing the catering, and that kid Ken found a photographer, everyone's put so much into this…"
"Yeah… and again, what did we do?"
"Well, we got the professor to pay for it all, we helped the decoration committee plan…"
"Oh yeahs… so hard to remember, I mean, all I've been thinking about is you…"
"Me too" Rogue leans forward for a kiss, and Kitty gently phases her lips through Rogue's. "Love ya."
Kitty pulls away then freezes "Shoot, what time is it?"
"5-ish, we've got enough time."
"Whew! Car's coming when again?"
"6 — but Storm wants to get some photos first."
"Oh yeah … well, we have everything, right?"
"Tickets are in my bag, we're not done with the make-up…"
"Alright, alright, well, like, let's go, I don't wanna miss a thingy or anything…"
"Lemme finish up your make up first…"
"Yeah…" Kitty sighs and sits back. "Anything I can do to speed it up? Well, besides holding still…"
"We've got plenty of time, luv. Close your eyes so I can do the shadow, please"
"Sure."
"Ah'm so glad this is really happenin'—Ah never expected to go to a fancy dance with someone I really cared about…"
"Oh, it's okay… we had it all set up so, like, we could just stick together if anything like dance-floor-fright or something took over, right? You don't have to dance if you don't want to…"
"Ah want to, long as you do; it's just…"
"What?"
Rogue looks at the floor "These kinda things always seemed reserved for the normal girls…."
Kitty looks up at Rogue wide-eyed "Oh no… I mean, it's not that hard to dance, right? If you want, we can just hold each other-"
"Yeh, I mean everything though, just going to a dance like this…"
"Oh, it's okay … looks like the prince needs some sweeping off her feet by the princess!" Kitty giggles.
"This is an equal opportunity kingdom, no?"
"Very much so, m'lord…" Kitty hugs her girlfriend tightly.
"M'lady, I believe we are done here."
"Good, then off to the ball, Prince Charming!"
"Don't forget you bag, luv."
Kitty reached over for the bag. "Got it."
"Okay then my princess, to the ball!"
"In your arms, then!" Kitty launches herself into Rogue's arms.
"Kitty!"
"You're my prince, aren't you supposed to carry me in your arms to our, well, 'wedding'?" Kitty says, shifting to a teasing tone on the last word.
"Then Ah will carry you away and ravish your sweet maidenly charms…" Rogue swings Kitty up over her arms.
"Not for me to complain, sire…"
"Whatever happened to maidenly modesty?"
"She's still here, prim and proper…" Kitty whispers into Rogue's ear, "Until tonight…"
"Your prince Ah may be, but Ah don't think Ah can manage the stairs like this—" She moves to put Kitty down.
"Alright…" Kitty answers, formally taking Rogue's arm and following her down the stairs.
Evan looks the girls over; "Don't you two look great, tonight?"
"Why thank you…" Kitty answers then looks up at Rogue.
"Storm said something about wanting photos?" Rogue asks.
"We're just waiting on Kurt — he went to pick-up Amanda a few minutes ago," Scott replies.
"Oh? Well, this is our night, so like, we wanna like have it framed up and all."
"We've got professional pics at the Hall too, so…"
"Sure! Before the dance, or like after it? Prince, your lady's so out of it tonight…"
"Luv, stop worrying the pics will be fine."
"I know, I know." She drops to a whisper, "M'prince, but yes indeed…"
Kurt bamphs in, behind them. "The fuzzy blue elf is in the house."
"Hello! And is…?"
Amanda speaks up, "Just lemme check my hair — I swear he ports in 2 feet above the floor on purpose."
"Oh, it looks about right… again, how much time till the car gets here?" Kitty asks nervously
"About 20 minutes, now and there's slack in the schedule; we don't have to leave as soon as it gets here." Scott replies, calmly.
"Luv, stop worrying everything's going to be fine."
Kitty sighs. "That's nice…" She leans on Rogue, taking hold of her arm.
Rogue snuggles against Kitty; then jumps when a flash goes off. "Wha?"
Ororo smiles, "I couldn't resist, that was just the perfect shot"
"Oh my!" Kitty leans back against Rogue, hand to chest, feigning shock.
"I will save my princess." Rogue leans over for a kiss. The camera flashes again, making both girls jump.
The Professor rolls into the room. "Who are all these lovely men and women?"
"Oh-oh!" Kitty pretends to push herself away from Rogue. "Professor!"
"Oh, carry on; I just wanted to see what you spent my hard-earned money on."
"Let's try a group shot on the stairs — as couples," Storms suggests.
Scott comments, "I think Kitty's the shortest."
"So it's in the front for me… can I still hang on to Rogue, pretty please?" Kitty grins, beseechingly, still holding on to Rogue.
"I think we can manage that," Ororo replies.
"Okay then," Rogue answers. They get in to position and Ororo takes several shots.
Ororo says, "Scott, Jean, I think the fireplace would be a good backdrop - over this way."
"This is, like, so exciting, and I'm, like, so nervous, and I'm going to start sounding like Pietro If I don't calm down…"
"Ah think I can keep you distracted." Rogue pulls Kitty in over to the couch, and then bends in for a kiss. They kiss and cuddle while Ororo finishes the others' pictures. They are interrupted by a car horn. "OMG—do you have everything—is mah hair still okay—Is"
"Yes it's fine, we can fix it in the car if you-"
"Come on you two, you look fine." Jean says patiently.
Rogue replies nervously, "Sure?"
"Sure! C'mon, you can't worry yourself so much that your princess has to make it to the ball on foot…"
Oh Luv, I just want this to be perfect."
Scott asks, "Weren't you having this discussion the other way around a few minutes ago?"
"C'mon, you heard the 'king' now, now off with us in our carriage! —Of sorts."
"Nah, he's just the crown prince." Rogue takes Kitty's hand and heads for the car.
"Whoops. And what did I say earlier about the proper way to escort your princess…?"
Rogue bows and formally offers Kitty her arm, "M'lady?"
"Indeed, m'prince…" Kitty curtsies and takes Rogue's arm.
The camera flashes yet again, but they ignore it.
"Onward ho!" Kitty calls, pointing to the limo.
"Okay…" They head for the limo, getting in and settling down together in the back.
"This night is going to be perfect."
"Just perfect…"
Fourth Chapter is slightly over half done - I'd say Friday if nothing comes up.