It was a bright new day, and it was beautiful. Not a cloud in sight, the sun shined as bright as ever. Kitty got up from bed and got ready for a new day. She still wasn't over the fact that Bobby kissed Polaris but she started to recover and think about it. In the back of her head she was surprised that one kiss has her mind more occupied than the fact that the Professor is unconscious along with Jean and Emma.

“Come on, Kitty, focus. Bobby is just a friend. A damn good best friend, but still just a friend. I mean, you are freaking out over nothing. Bobby is nice, but still just a friend, right? Just calm down Kitty, just calm down. I don't like Bobby more than just a friend. He's great, funny, and I always enjoyed hanging around with him, but he still is just a friend,” Kitty thought to herself as she sighed.

She continued to think of Bobby and all the times he made her laugh. She thought about all the time they spent together, all the time that they cried, and all the times that they helped each other go through whatever obstacle that had been bothering them.

She even remembered one very special Christmas back when they were both only 15.

Every single one of the X-Men were getting ready to go home to their families for that one special day of the whole year. Yes, Christmas, the day of giving and gathering. The day in which no matter what had happened, families celebrate, talk, and forgive.

But for now, it was just the day before Christmas Eve, that stupid day that you wish would just hurry up and end. Scott and Jean had already started their romantic relationship and decided to go back home to Pennsylvania. Storm decided to go back to her family in New York City. Angel, even with his complicated relationship with his father (since his father didn't like mutants too much), was looking forward to Christmas because it was the one of the few days in the year that his dad seemed to lighten up on the mutant issue.

Rogue and Kurt, since they were technically brothers and sisters (as Mystique was their mom/adoptive mom, even if she is rather evil) decided to go on a vacation to connect with each other and headed off to Europe. Emma was going to spend the Christmas with a couple of friends at Los Angeles. Professor, Wolverine, and Beast didn't have much of a family so they stayed together for Christmas at the Institute.

Bobby was going to return home to his family in Virginia and Kitty was returning home to Illinois. They were both planning on leaving at noon that day.

“So this is it, huh?” Kitty said, looking for comfort in her friend. Both of them had gotten to know each other as X-Men very well and have already formed a strong friendship but they never have been apart from their fellow X-Men for that long, so they were a little hesitant and nervous. They were both sitting on the curb of the driveway, their parents would pick them up in any minute. She looked back at the Institute one last time. “I'll miss this place. Even if it is just a 2 week vacation,” She thought.

“I guess so,” Bobby replied, “I haven't seen my mom and dad in such a long time. I wonder if they still have problems with mutants.”

“Last time I saw my parents, they were arguing over me and my powers,” Kitty said, in a sad tone. She hates remembering her parents. She knew they loved her, but they just never understood here. Not like Bobby. Not like the X-Men. No matter how she tried to talk about her mutant abilities with them, they never learned that mutants were just like people.

Bobby leaned over and hugged her. He put the side of his forehead on her head. She could feel his blond hair brush up on her head, she could even feel his breath on her skin. “It's Christmas, cheer up,” Bobby said to her head. Her heart start to sped up as Bobby got closer and it started to fell like the surroundings were getting much, much hotter. She didn't know how to describe the feeling, but she felt so much better when Bobby hugged her.

“Hmph, I wish. You should have seen my parents before they agreed to leave me here. Part of me thinks the only reason they said “Yes” to me staying here is to just get rid of me. Like I'm some kind of problem.”

“You're not a problem Kitty,” Bobby reassured her, “You never are.” Bobby smiled at Kitty. He enjoyed being with her near Christmas.

“Thanks Bobby,” Kitty said, giving Bobby an appreciative smile as a car rolled up on the driveway. She felt the warm feeling from her face spread through her body. “What is this feeling? Where is it coming from?” Kitty questioned to herself.

“Looks like that's my ride,” Kitty said to Bobby. “Bye Bobby, I'll miss you.” Kitty winked at Bobby and got in the car. Now she felt a shiver as she remembered that she will be separated from Bobby as well as all the other X-Men. “What is causing these feelings?” She continued to question to herself.

“I'll miss you too,” Bobby said softly, but audible enough for Kitty to hear.

“Oh wait!” Kitty half-screamed as she flung the door open so fast that it could have actually broke. “I can't believe I forgot,” she thought. She dug in her pocket until she felt the small box. “Here,” she said, stretching her arm and showing the small box to Bobby. “Your Christmas present,” she said, wearing a smile reaching to her eyes.

“Don't mind the size, it's better than it looks. I promise.” Kitty winked again. Bobby was starting to find her winks very entertaining and interesting.

“Thanks,” Bobby said. His eyes lit up at the thought that Kitty would give him a present, but then his eyes turned dull for a minute, as if he was upset. Kitty noticed.

“Anything wrong?” she asked.

“It's just that, I didn't give you a present.” Bobby said coldly, looking the other way.

“It's OK,” Kitty said. Deep down, she was disappointed that Bobby didn't bother to get her a present. She felt like part of her wanted to scream. Was she not important that he couldn't even remember to buy some chocolate or something? But she understood that Bobby has been busy with X-Men business lately and he probably forgot to give anybody a present. Still, wasn't she not special enough for one?

“Oh!” Bobby said, reaching out his hand as ice started to form into the form of a flower.

“A rose,” he continued, “Your favorite flower.”

Kitty admired the beauty of it and amazed by the fact that Bobby would remember that a rose was her favorite flower, she must have only mentioned it once or twice. It may have been a last-minute present but it was still considerate.

“I know it's not exactly the greatest gift ever, I'll make it up to you when you come back,” Bobby said shyly, rubbing the back of his head and messing up his blonde hair.

“Thanks,” Kitty said, still admiring the rose, “See ya Bobby.” She couldn't wait until she came back home. She wanted to see how Bobby “would make it up.” Knowing him, it's going to be something hilarious yet meaningful. She would skip Christmas just to find out, but she got in the car and slammed the door.

“Bye,” Bobby said, with obvious sadness.

“Bye,” she replied, looking back from the car window until she couldn't see Bobby anymore. She hated the fact that it seemed like he just disappeared.

Hours passed and Kitty was at home, listening to her parent's yells in the background.

“It's almost Christmas, and yet they still yell,” Kitty thought to herself, “Some Christmas, thought they might actually change.”

“THE HELL?!” yelled Mrs. Pryde, Kitty's mom, “ALEX HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?! WE ARE NOT TURNING OUT OWN DAUGHTER TO THE MRD!”

“I NEVER SAID THAT!” yelled Mr. Pryde, just as loud as , “I SAID THAT THE MRD MIGHT HELP WITH KITTY'S POWERS.”

“YOU REALLY ARE AN IDIOT,” screamed Mrs. Pryde, “They are just going to take our daughter.”

started to cry and came over to comfort her.

“Silence at last,” Kitty thought. She sighed. “I miss the X-Men, I miss Bobby.”

She jumped up at a thought. “I can always call him,” she thought to herself. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed Bobby's number faster than Quicksilver could have. She waited for a few seconds, losing hope that he might pick up. Just as the call was about to go to voicemail, Kitty heard a click.

“Kitty?” The voice on the other line seemed curious.

“Bobby?” Kitty said with excitement. She felt relieved hearing her voice, something so familiar, something to allow her to forget the hell it was at home.

“What's up?” Bobby asked. Kitty could imagine the smile on his face, the same kind he always had when talking to her. She wished she could see it for herself.

“My parents suck,” she replied bluntly, “How about yours?”

“They're OK,” Bobby replied, happy to be talking to Kitty. “How bad are they?”

“Bad. Just bad. It's what you think and ten times worse.”

“That bad, huh? You know, you could always stay with my family. They don't suck … that much.”

“Very reassuring,” Kitty said sarcastically. Bobby could imagine her signature smirk of sarcasm. She also missed his jokes. She missed everything about him and she couldn't stop herself.

“Anyways,” Kitty continued, “I don't think my parents would let me, but I would love to spend the Christmas with you. It's so unbelievably boring here. Half the relatives won't even talk to me, my parents argue nonstop, and the only people that will talk to me are old people and I rather wish they would ignore me too.”

Bobby couldn't help but feel sad for her. After all, his family has been a lot more accepting. His parents still argued over his mutant powers but most of his cousins still talked to him and didn't care he was a mutant. Some of his relatives ignored him but for the most part his Christmas was actually going by better than he expected. He was even playing football with his cousins in the snow before Kitty had called.

“Don't listen to them. They're stupid if they can't see how amazing you are when you're right in front of them,” Bobby replied, hoping to make Kitty feel better.

“You mean that?” Kitty said, she was blushing on the other end. She wanted to stop her body from feeling so warm, but she couldn't. Bobby's words stuck in her mind and the more she thought about them, the warmer she felt.

“Every word.”

“Thanks,” Kitty said, “I wish you were here, Bobby. I really wish you were here.” She really missed Bobby now. Before this conversation, she just missed him because she wanted another friend with her for Christmas. But now, she missed him because she really likes him. Loves him? “No way,” she thought, “Just as a best friend, a true friend.”

“Me too,” Bobby said, “I missed you.”

“Ugh, crap,” Kitty responded, with a tone of annoyance, “Stupid family dinner, but really it's just a family dinner for anybody that isn't a mutant. I gotta go. Sorry.”

“That's OK,” Bobby said, disappointed that the conversation ended somewhat abruptly, “See you later.”

“Bye Bobby,” Kitty said, sadly, “If only you were here.”

Then she hanged up. As soon as she did, she missed his voice. She just talked to him a second later, and it's just his voice. “What's wrong with me?” she thought, but then she heard Bobby's voice in her head. “Nothing, you're perfect,” the voice said. She smiled a little.

Bobby decided to continue his game of football but the Kitty's words kept coming back to his mind. “Wish you were here,” Kitty had said. “Wish you were here...”

“Bobby! Pay attention!” yelled his cousin Sam.

Bobby turned just in time to see the football land in the snow in front of him.

“Good job!” yelled Sam, sarcastically, but Bobby still thought about what Kitty had said.

Bobby went inside and admired his family's shining Christmas tree. “They really outdone themselves this year,” Bobby thought to himself. The tree was so big that they had to place it in the kitchen, which had an elevated roof. There was so many decorations on the tree that it was a miracle that the tree didn't just fall down from the weight of the numerous ornaments. He saw the presents under the tree and remembered the one that Kitty had given him. He kept it in his pocket the whole time and he now took it out. It was small and hand-sized and wrapped in colorful wrapping paper. Bobby delicately opened up the present to discover a miniature, handmade Iceman action figure. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a small folded-up note. He un-folded it and read what was written.

“Bobby Drake, you may just be one, small person in this big world, but you impacted my life in such a huge way. I don't know what I'll do without you. Merry Christmas, wish you were here (in boring Illinois). Love, Kitty.”

Again, the words “Wish you were here” occupied Bobby's mind. It's all that he could think about.

During dinner, Bobby kept thinking about Kitty. “Wish you were here...” Bobby had imagined Kitty's face when seeing that. Her eyes filled with grief and sadness caused by her own family but happy at the thought that Bobby would be there at Christmas. Bobby suddenly got up after finishing his dinner and ran out the door.

“Important Mutant business. The professor called and wanted me to come right after dinner,” Bobby lied.

“Is this trip really that important?” Bobby's mom questioned, hoping that his son could actually stay for Christmas.

“Yes,” Bobby called back. And this time he was telling the truth, this trip really was important. Very important.

Bobby turned into his all-ice mode and created an ice slide. “This is going to take a while,” thought Bobby.

“Ktty, wake up! It's Christmas!” her mother called from downstairs.

“Christmas,” Kitty thought, “Would be special if my family had any brains.” She groaned. She truly didn't like this Christmas. Yesterday, during Christmas Eve, her cousins decided to build a snowman. Kitty had nothing better to do, so she joined but she felt that daggers shot through her. She looked back and saw her cousins glaring at her. She truly did wish she could just beat them all up, but the little brats would just tell their parents and give them more reasons to hate a mutant.

She went downstairs and waited until all her younger cousins had finished squealing and opening their presents. “Stupid brats,” she thought. She then went and picked up her presents and headed to her room to open them. After she made sure there wasn't a pesky little cousin following her, she closed the door and began opening her presents.

“Hmph,” Kitty thought. Her presents actually weren't half bad. Despite the mutant hatred, her relatives had managed to give her a total of 200 dollars and some gift cards and her parents bought her a new cell phone.

But Kitty still felt upset. The Christmas spirit was just absent today. She didn't feel like talking to anybody. She wished that she would feel happy during this so-called special holiday. She smirked at what she had just thought of.

“My wish,” she said out loud, “Is that this Christmas would actually be special.”

Just as she finished saying that, the doorbell rang.

“I got it!” Kitty yelled as she ran down the stairs from her room to the door.

When she opened the door, she gasped. She saw Bobby panting on his knees in his all-ice form.

“Bobby!” Kitty yelled as she ran up to him. She was so happy that her friend had actually came at Christmas, but she was more shocked. So many thoughts crossed her mind, so many questions. She wanted to ask them but she just went up and hugged Bobby. “Questions can wait for one minute,” Kitty thought as she put her head on his chest. She listened to his heart beat, she listened to her heart beat, she felt as if the beats were synchronized. Bobby's face lit up at the sight of her. After a lot of work, he had finally found Kitty.

“I'm fine.” Bobby replied, smiling, “Your house is really hard to find you know. I had to ask for directions at least 50 times and you know how hard it is when everybody is with their families at Christmas.”

Kitty laughed at the joke. “So why are you here?” She asked, curious. “You had to cross a third of the country to be here.”

“Heh,” Bobby said, still catching his breath, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Kitty said, softly. “Did he really come all this way just for me?” she thought to herself. She stared deeply into his blue eyes to search for the answer and he stared back at her brown eyes. Both of them felt themselves leave reality as they got lost in their eyes. It may be a little cheesy, but that was what she was feeling, something she never felt with anyone else before.

“So are you going to just stand there or are you going to let me in?” Bobby teased.

“You know what,” Kitty said, surprised that Bobby would break such a moment. Thinking, she continued, “My family sucks, we'll have much more fun if we go ice skating.”

“Ice skating?” Bobby asked, confused.

“Yeah, there's a pond nearby here. It's frozen from the weather. I always wanted to go ice skating.”

“Well I'm obviously good at ice skating. Hope you can keep up.”

“We'll see,” Kitty said as she gave Bobby a wink and pulled on his arm, not giving him a chance to catch his breath. She didn't want to waste a single minute with Bobby.

“Hey!” Bobby yelled, surprised by her sudden enthusiasm.

“No time to waste! Christmas only comes by once a year, the pond is just around a few corners.”

“We'll if you want me there in one piece you have to slow down a little!”

The pond was beautiful when they finally reached it. The snow covered the surrounding trees and it was a white winter wonderland.

“Whoa,” Kitty started, “Seems slippery.” She cautiously took the first step on the ice but her second foot was still in snow to steady her.

“Hold my hand,” Kitty said, stretching her hand to Bobby. She hoped that he would accept her hand and not question it. She didn't think she could give a logical explanation that wouldn't cause her embarassment. “Please.”

“Of course,” Bobby said taking her hand, flattered that she would ask him in the first place.

Kitty and Bobby then carefully went on the ice, but as soon as they were on it it felt like they were floating, away from all the problems of the cruel world. They started skating (or using their shoes to slide on the ice). Kitty grabbed onto Bobby's waist since she wasn't as experienced with ice. Bobby decided to have some fun and started moving quite fast on the ice.

“Would it kill you to slow down?!” Kitty yelled as they sped on the ice at a dangerously fast pace.

“It's only fun this way,” Bobby said through laughter.

Kitty had to admit, it really was fun skating with Bobby. The surroundings may be cold but she felt warm hugging Bobby's waist. She eventually leaned her head against his back, as if it was a soft pillow. She trusted Bobby as they gracefully and swiftly moved on the ice.

“Uh, Kitty,” Bobby said nervously, “HURRY AND PHASE US.”

“Huh?” Kitty mumbled as she escaped her trance just as she fell in a pile of snow.

“Sorry, zoned out for a second,” Bobby said as he got up and helped Kitty get out of the snow.

“Good going, Iceman,” Kitty teased. She picked up some snow and made it into a snowball. Giving Bobby an evil stare she lifted up her arm to a throwing position of a MLB pitcher.

“Uh, Kitty, I said I was sor-,” but before Bobby could finish his face was covered with white snow.

“Well if that's how you want it,” Bobby said playfully as he made a snowball and threw it at Kitty, who phased through it.

“Sooo not fair,” Bobby said.

“Deal with it,” she said as she threw another snowball.

Hours passed as the two young mutants threw snowballs at each other. They created snow fortresses and waited at the right time to strike as if they were enlisted in the army. It may have just been the two of them and they may be a little too old to have an intense snowball fight but they didn't care. It was just too fun for both of them.

“I think we should call it quits,” Bobby finally said, his clothes incredibly wet.

“You're only saying that cause you're losing,” Kitty teased. She was pleased with the fact that she won a snowball fight against Bobby. It would be a funny thing to tease him about later.

“I only hit you once,” Bobby said, “I hate your power.”

“Ha!” Kitty responded in laughter, “Oh look the sun is starting to set. I need to show you this beautiful hill near my town.”

Bobby responded with a look of horror. “You are not dragging me there before I catch my breath, are you?”

Kitty gave a sinister grin.

“Oh no,” Bobby said but before he could say anything else, his arm was pulled and he was forcibly dragged as Kitty ran with excitement to her favorite spot.

By the time they reached the spot on the hill, the sun was just about to set and Bobby and Kitty sat down on the grass next to each other as they witnessed the purple skies and the orange sun. They didn't say anything as they saw the breathtaking scenery. It soon turned to night and the stars started to sparkle.

“So why did you come? For me?” Kitty asked, truly curious. She wanted to know whether or not he actually came for her.

“You wish,” Bobby teased, “But yeah, I did come for you. It's not like I came here for your lame family.” Bobby blushed. So did Kitty.

“Thanks,” Kitty said under her breath. She didn't think her own parents would do that and here is Bobby, traveling a third of the country for her. He probably would have traveled the whole country if she lived in California or something.

Bobby smiled back. “You know this has been a fun Christmas. Last Christmas the police came knocking on my door looking for mutants. Their technology wasn't so good then and since their was no obvious signs of anything unusual, they just left. But it still ruined half of the Christmas.”

Kitty frowned thinking about that. She, herself, understands that feeling. The feeling of discrimination about being being a mutant. The amount of days that have been ruined simply because she was a mutant was countless. She decided to change the subject into something more happier.

“How did you like your present?” she asked curiously.

Bobby smirked. “It was a nice present, very special actually.”

“Thanks,” Kitty said, happy that her present was appreciated and received.

“Sorry again,” Bobby said in a more serious tone, “Even after all this time I still forgot to give you a present.”

“Don't sweat it,” Kitty said. She really didn't care that Bobby didn't give her a present anymore. She was just happy that he was there, it was really sweet.

A shooting star passed by as both of them stared at the sky.

“How appropriate,” Bobby joked. “Can this night get anymore beautiful?” He thought to himself.

“Yeah, so what did you wish for?”

“Hmmm?” Bobby said, surprised to be interrupted from his sight at the stars.

“The shooting star, you're suppose to make a wish.”

“Oh yeah, I'll tell you later.”

“I'll tell you what mine is later then,” Kitty replied, just a little sad he didn't tell her.

They continued to stare at the stars, admiring their beauty.

“So what is so special about this place?” Bobby asked.

“Oh, nothing. It's just a place I come to every once in a while when I'm down at home because it's so beautiful here. There is a lake down there and the sun is so beautiful while the night is so peaceful. Whenever I'm upset back home at the institute, I go to Lake Victoria. It's just like here.”

“Mhm,” Bobby said quietly, as he processed what his friend just said.

“Do you go anywhere special?” Kitty asked, she was really taking an interest into the workings of Bobby Drake.

“Yeah, my bed,” he joked, “Especially after a training session with Logan. Those things are brutal.”

“I know what you mean. He makes us train even when we have homework to do.”

“Ugh, thanks for reminding me of that math project we have to finish.”

“You still haven't done it?! It's going to ruin your whole break.”

“Doesn't matter. Not as long as you're here,” Bobby said, softly, sweetly.

“Are my ears hearing correctly?” Kitty asked, in fake disbelief, “Bobby Drake is actually complimenting someone?”

“Don't get used to it,” Bobby replied, joking, “It's Christmas.”

“You're not half bad yourself, Bobby,” Kitty said.

“Are you saying you like me?” Bobby teased, laughing.

Kitty gave him a playful punch to the shoulder. “I'm saying that for a guy that pulls pranks on everybody, you're really quite nice.”

“Are you saying that I'm not usually nice?” Bobby continued to tease.

“I'm saying you're very nice Bobby, very nice,” Kitty said sincerely.

“Uh, thanks.” Bobby blushed for a moment. “It's getting late, we should go home.”

“Yeah we should.” As much as Kitty hated to leave, Bobby was right. Her head was starting to feel heavy and her eyes were starting to droop and she did not want to fall asleep in the snow.

The days passed by and the two talked, laughed, hugged, and had a lot of fun. On New Year's, Bobby and Kitty even took a picnic out in the snow. It was messy, but it was a whole lot of fun. They rode into town to witness the colorful array of fireworks being set off, signaling a new year for new adventures. They both watched in amazement at the sight.

“Beautiful,” Kitty said, simply amazed.

“Like you?” Bobby replied, smiling.

Kitty couldn't help but return the smile. “This is like the tenth compliment he has made about me,” she thought. It wasn't that Bobby wasn't nice, but it's not like him to just say meaningful compliments every other time he spoke with somebody.

Unfortunately, the fun only lasted so long and Bobby had to go home after a few more days.

“Bye,” Bobby said as he started to go out the door, “Thanks for the stay. It was a hell of a lot of fun and that was the best Christmas/New Year's I had in a long time.”

“Same,” Kitty said, not wanting Bobby to go. She didn't want to feel lonely again and she certainly didn't want the fun they both had in those days to go away.

“Oh wait!” He said. “You never told me your wish that you made from the shooting star.”

“Oh yeah,” Kitty said, “It was to have a fun Christmas. Yours?”

“Ha, I wished that my parents wouldn't kill me when I got back home. But this really was a fun Christmas. I'll miss it. A lot.”

“See ya back at the Institute,” Bobby continued, smiling. He was heading down the driveway and about to go on his ice slide. Kitty didn't want Bobby to leave. She didn't the memories of him to leave, even if she would be able to see him in a only a matter of days. She didn't want him to leave her. She phased through the door and hugged Bobby one last time.

“Thanks,” Kitty said, “For being here. You gave me the best Christmas present of all, and that was coming here and giving me a fun Christmas. You even granted my wish while doing it.”

“No problem,” Bobby replied, giving her a giant bear hug. She felt the warm embrace of his body and the it felt as if the warmness has made her blood move faster since her heart started to pump incredibly fast. She's going to miss Bobby a whole lot more than she did before.

“Well see ya,” Kitty said, fighting back tears and she stood there as she saw him get on his ice slide. He looked back one last time and waved. “Am I really crying over Bobby?” she thought to herself.

When she got back to the house, her pesky little cousin Jake was bothering her.

“What a loser boyfriend,” Jake sneered, “But I guess you can't get any better since you're a stupid mutant.”

Just as Jake had finished his statement, a very swift and hard kick had connected to his head and he fell back.

“Don't ever insult him, or me, ever again,” Kitty warned, sternly, as she went up to her room. “I miss him already,” she thought to herself. It felt as if a piece of her was missing as Bobby left.

Kitty continued to ponder on the memory. She and Bobby had been friends before that Christmas, but after that Christmas they had been a lot more relaxed around each other. They felt as if they could trust each other with their innermost secrets, it was really a special bond. They quickly came best friends soon after.

She smiled at the memory. “Doesn't mean I love Bobby,” she reassured herself, yet she had that feeling inside. The feeling she has when she lies about something, but she ignored it.

She walked down the halls to observe the other X-Men doing what they did on every normal day. Angel was out happily flying with the birds, Beast was at the lab studying chemicals and trying to figure out the origin of the attack, and Wolverine was talking to Magneto.

“Wait! Wolverine is talking to MAGNETO?!” thought Kitty.

She immediately phased through the walls to confront both of them.

“What is going on here?!” Kitty asked with obvious anger in her voice.

“It's OK,” Wolverine bluntly stated. “He's here to help.”

“Help with WHAT?!” Kitty asked, obviously very skeptical.

“My dear child,” Magneto said, “To get Charles back of course. My Acolytes have been hard at work. With 3 telepaths knocked out, it's obvious that it was caused by a telepathic attack. The X-Men has agreed for my family to stay here only until we figure out what has actually happened.”

“Watch it Magneto,” Wolverine warned, “I said you can stay in our guest room, which means if you try anything funny, the security system will wipe you out.”

“Relax Wolverine,” Magneto said, “We will figure out how this happened.”

“Whatever,” Kitty said, still skeptical. “But I will keep an eye on you. Don't think we want you on our side.”

Kitty then walked out the door and with Magneto so near the X-Men, she needed some comfort. She decided to go find Bobby and talk to him about the current situation. After going upstairs, she phased into his room where he was still sleeping.

“Bobby,” Kitty whispered, “Wake up.”

Bobby rolled around in bed. “Mmmm, bacon,” Bobby said, still mostly asleep. He started to drool on his pillow.

“Oh brother,” Kitty said as she rolled her eyes as she gave Bobby a gentle, firm punch.

“HUH WHAT?!” Bobby half-yelled as he suddenly got up. He immediately saw Kitty's worried face and frowned. “What's wrong?” he asked, serious. He wanted to make sure Kitty was alright, it kills him inside if Kitty is ever upset..

“Did you hear?” Kitty said, in a rush. “Magneto and his Acolytes are going to stay here and try to find out the cause of the explosion. Can we trust him?”

“I'm not sure,” Bobby said, pondering on the situation while getting up. “With Logan around, I'm sure he will keep an eye on him.”

“I wish the Professor or at least Jean or Emma was awake, they can read his mind,” Kitty stated.

“Yeah, but if they were awake then we wouldn't be in this situation, now would we?” Bobby stated. “Besides, no matter what happens, I'm sure the X-Men can overcome it.”

“Yeah,” Kitty said, “Yeah...yeah, we can. Thanks Bobby.”

“Anyways, if anything ever happens, I promise I'll protect you,” Bobby said in his joking voice, but he meant it with every ounce of sincerity in his body.

“I knew I could trust you to be there for me,” replied Kitty, grateful that someone like Bobby would be willing to be there for her when she needs him. She went up to hug him and muffled in his chest, “Thank you,” in a sweet, tender tone.

“I'm just cool,” Bobby replied, laughing to himself. “Got my pun?”

“Yeah, of course I got it,” Kitty said laughing. She didn't laugh because his jokes are funny (which they weren't); she laughed because the way Bobby looked at her when he said them, the way he says it just melts her away. She laughed because she loved being around him.

“Again,” Kitty said, “Thanks. You always know how to make me feel better.”

Bobby enjoyed the words she said to him. The fact that she comes to him for comfort, or the fact that she's always there when he wakes up to a new day, is all that he needs. He brushed Kitty's brown hair.

“No prob, what are best friends for?” Bobby replied, with a smile on his face.

“Yeah, best friends.” Kitty said to herself, softly.

Kitty walked out of Bobby's bedroom as he went back to sleep. She walked down the hall to see Polaris and her sister, Wanda, the Scarlet Witch. Upon seeing them, her heart almost skipped a beat but she recovered.

“Remember Kitty,” she thought to herself, “Bobby and I are just friends. Nothing more.” But what was the feeling she had? She wanted to punch Polaris as soon as she saw her. Her eyes wanted to glare at her, she could feel adrenaline just by looking at her. Jealousy? No, can't be. She can't possibly be jealous because of Bobby. She just can't...

Nevertheless, Kitty went to find Rogue, who hopefully can comfort her on the current situation. Kitty found her outside on the porch, reading a book.

“Hey Rogue, can we talk?” Kitty asked.

“Sure, what's up?” Rogue responded, putting the book down.

“Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to bother your reading,” Kitty replied.

“Naw, it's OK. Book isn't even that good,” Rogue assured her.

“Well, I need some advice. It's complicated.”

“About relationships and love, right?”

“Well, it's not really about relationships...”

“Then what is it?

“I'm just confused.”

“About what? Come on, Kitty. Tell me!”

“I … I just saw Bobby kissing Polaris back in Genosha. I … I don't know how … but I have this strange feeling inside.

Rogue pondered on how to respond. Finally, she said, “So, you're jealous? And you like Bobby?”

“NOT JEALOUS! And of course not!” Kitty pouted, quite loudly.

“So you are jealous and you do like him,” Rogue stated, while laughing.

“Am not! Do not!”

“Then how can you be so upset from some kiss?”

“I don't know … I guess I'm just mad at him that Polaris can just walk into his life and be more important than me. It's like all the past memories I had with Bobby mean nothing.”

Rogue tried to resist laughing, “You are so jealous.”

“Hmmm,” Kitty sighed as she put her head down on the table.

Rogue patted her back. “Come on Kitty, you know that Bobby likes you back.”

“How would you know?”

“The way you two stare at each other. The way he hugs you whenever you're hurt. The fact that whenever you're upset he's the first person you run to. Whenever he's hurt in battle you always go up next to him. Oh, and one time, when he was in the hospital after a battle with Juggernaut, you were next to his bed the whole time. The connection you two have is so obvious Kitty, even Wolverine could smell it.”

“What do I do then?”

“Tell him you love him.”

“BUT I DON'T LOVE HIM!”

Rogue sighed, “Well then I guess you'll have to deal with him and Polaris.”

Kitty groaned. She couldn't understand this. She doesn't want to believe she could possibly be in love with Bobby Drake. She never even considered it until she saw the kiss. “Damn Polaris,” she thought. Now the kiss has caused her to feel angry, upset, even jealous. “This can't be happening,” she continued.

“Oh brother,” thought Rogue, “This is why relationships suck.”

“Kitty,” Rogue said, sounding more serious, “The way he looks at you. The way he smiles at you. It's not a coincidence. This Polaris thing, however serious it may be, is just teenage boy hormones or something. But he truly does love you.”

“You think?” Kitty asked, curious.

“I know,” Rogue stated bluntly.

Kitty didn't know whether or not Rogue was right. Her heart practically skipped a beat when the thought that Bobby loves her came to her mind. She wished she could feel his warm embrace right then and there and that he could help her in this tough time, like he always did.

“I hope I'm right,” thought Rogue, “Relationships...”

Rogue sighed as she remembers the fact that her powers won't allow her to touch anybody.

Kitty walked down the hall and phased into her room. She lied onto her bed, thinking.

“How can I be jealous?” she thought, “This isn't normal. I never felt this way before.”

Kitty thought about Bobby. His jokes, his personality, his smile, his body, everything. She realized she loved everything about him and she even wished that she could be with Bobby right at this moment. She remembers that every single timed that she ever felt upset, Bobby would be right next to her. Telling her that whatever was upsetting her wasn't worth it compared to her. He knew how to make her feel special, how to make her feel better.

When they were on missions, Bobby would always be there to help her when she needed it. If she was ever in trouble, Bobby would be there in a heartbeat, making sure she wasn't harmed. She loved the way he cared about being a hero, protecting other people. He really always was there for her. She didn't want to lose him to Polaris.

“But I don't love him,” she thought, “I don't.” Her brown eyes caught a glance at a dark cat-like sculpture. Bobby had actually made that for her for her 16th birthday. He teased that since her mutant name was “Shadowcat” that he made a sculpture of an all-black cat, like it was the shadow of a cat. The sculpture didn't turn out all that great, but she still loved her gift.

She smiled at the cat-like sculpture, then she thought about Bobby and her smile grew even more. The sculpture had made her recall every special memory she remembered with Bobby. She remembered when both of them managed to beat Juggernaut just by using teamwork. She remembered when both of them went on vacation last summer to the beach and how much fun they had. She remembered how nice Bobby always was to her.

She wasn't going to try to deny it anymore. She really was in love with Bobby and she was surprised how she couldn't have admit it sooner, and she wasn't planning on giving him up to Polaris anytime soon.

Just about as she was about to phase into Bobby's room to share her feelings, she heard another voice in the room.

“Polaris,” Kitty said to herself, in some disgust. She decided to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Hey Bobby,” Polaris said.

“Yeah?” Bobby replied.

“I know you and your teammates don't like my dad much, but he really does want to help.”

“I'm sure he does.”

“Look, we really are sorry for what happened to the professor and Jean and Emma, but my dad has nothing to do with it.”

Bobby just sat their silent.

“I guess I understand,” Polaris continued. “Anyways I have to thank you again for being there. I know you were a total stranger, but...you helped a lot.”

“No prob,” Bobby replied, with a smile on his face, “I seem to have a way in making people feel better.”

“Yeah...” Kitty thought to herself.

“Quite a place you have here,” Polaris said, “Back at home, I just stay at my room most of the time. My dad doesn't want me to see the whole world. I practically had to beg him to let me come here.”

“Oh?” Bobby commented, intrigued by the green-haired girl, “Well over here the Professor is a lot more laid back, which may seem surprising. I remember, one time when I was only about 13, I put hair dye in Beast's shampoo and soap. He was hot pink for a week! I didn't even get in trouble.”

Polaris laughed. “Seems like fun,” she said, “I had to sneak Gambit in my room just so we could talk. My dad can be so overprotective at times...”

Polaris started to frown, so Bobby decided to hug her to make her feel better.

Kitty decided to take a look and she couldn't believe what she saw. After Polaris and Bobby hugged a little bit, they looked into each other like they did back in Genosha. Then they kissed. Kitty's heart felt worse then it had before. She wanted to run away, somewhere far away. Somewhere where she can just leave all her problems behind and not care about Bobby and Polaris.

“I can't believe this,” she thought. With tears rolling down her face faster than she had ever experienced before, she went to her room.

Bobby and Polaris kissed seconds longer, but Bobby pulled away and looked out the window.

“Sorry,” Bobby said quietly. Kitty's face was staring back at him in his mind.

“What am I doing?” Bobby thought to himself, kissing someone he just met for about an hour.

“Yeah, me too.” Polaris said. “Guess it was too quick.”

“Yeah, we shouldn't have done that,” Bobby said, a little bit upset, “Sorry, but excuse me.”

Bobby left the room, wanting to talk to Kitty but he decided to just watch TV to get his mind off the drama of relationships. He didn't know what to do.

Rogue heard Kitty crying in her room. She was truly heartbroken at the sight of those two kissing. She couldn't explain the feeling she had, it was like jealous, rage, fear, sadness, and a touch of helplessness all combined into one big disaster for her heart.

“Oh gawd,” Rogue thought, “Please tell me my advice didn't cause this.”

Rogue entered the room and saw Kitty crying hysterically.

“What's wrong Kitty?” Rogue asked, concerned.

“He...he...” Kitty was gasping for breaths as she cried.

“Bobby?”

“Yeah..he...he...kissed her! Again!”

“I'm sure it's just his stupid hormones and puberty and what not.”

“Yeah, sure. You should see them … them kiss! That stupid skank!”

“Why don't you just tell him you love him?”

“And see them kiss again? I don't think so. I already tried.”

“You aren't going to get anywhere if you hold a meaningless grudge.”

“Whatever.”

“Kitty?” Bobby said, knocking on the door. He was still troubled with his quick relationship with Polaris and was hoping that he could talk to Kitty.

“Here's your chance.” said Rogue, giving her a look that says she should try.

“Tell him I'm away. I don't want to see him.” Kitty said, before phasing through her bed and the floor.

Rogue sighed. “Is it really that hard to just confess the love they have for each other?”

Night soon fell on the X-Men mansion and all the X-Men went to sleep. Most of them slept peacefully but Kitty was tossing and turning in her bed.

AH!!!!

Kitty ran down the hall. Running away from the Brotherhood that was following her. All she can do was run, but Quicksilver was obviously much faster. She moved back, but Avalanche was right behind her and he started to create a rock slide. She tried to phase through the rock slide but her powers won't work for some reason and she soon gets buried under the rock slide.

“Help!” Kitty yells as loud as she could from under the rock slide. Soon, she could see light from above the rocks and she saw Bobby's face.

“Oh thank god! Bobby!” Kitty yelled, excited her best friend had saved her. But Bobby just stared back at her and does nothing. Polaris walk up next to him and hugs him and then they both walk away.

“Bobby! Bobby!” Kitty yells but they both disappeared.

“Ahh!” Kitty yells as she wakes up from the nightmare. Usually after a nightmare like this she would go to Bobby's room and he would be more than happy to hug and sleep with her. But what do you do when the only person that can stop your tears is the one that caused them?

“Kitty?”

She heard Bobby's voice from behind her door.

“Is everything all right?!” the voice continued, a little shaky as if he was worried.

“I'm fine!” Kitty replied in a bratty tone, still upset over the Bobby/Polaris relationship. “You can leave!”

“Just wanted to make sure.” Bobby said before heading back to his room. He was a little bit confused but he trusted Kitty and if she wanted to be alone he'll let her.

But Kitty wasn't fine, she started to sob and cry. Her mind was everywhere, she just couldn't focus. She turned on the radio and a Taylor Swift song has started to play.

I'm dreaming about the the day

When you wake up and find that what

Who you're looking for has been here the whole time.If you could see that I'm the one who understands youBeen here all along so why can't you see.You belong with me.

“So true,” thought Kitty.

Morning soon came but Kitty just stayed in her room, still upset. She was reading a book when Rogue came in.

“Come on Kitty. You know Bobby will go head over heels to apologize if he knew that you're this upset because of him,” Rogue stated.

“I don't care,” said Kitty.

“Gosh Kitty, I'm telling you that if you just say 'I love you' to Bobby or just say something to him this whole mess can be fixed in a heartbeat.”

“And I'm telling you I don't care. Now just leave me alone.”

Rogue sighed as she left the room.

During dinner, Kitty quickly finished her meal and went up to her room. Bobby thought that Kitty was acting off and decided to follow her into her room.

“Kitty, are you alright?” Bobby asked.

“Yeah, just fine, didn't know you cared so much,” Kitty said, her back to Bobby.

“Of course I care, you're my best friend,” Bobby said, trying to hug Kitty, but Kitty just phased through it.

“I appreciate it and whatever, but please, just leave me alone,” Kitty said as she phased herself to downstairs, leaving a dumbfounded Bobby just standing their upset.

“This is so annoying,” thought Kitty. “Love sucks.”