Hanging By A Moment

Hanging By A Moment
Chapter 33: End Of Year Plans

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With the dramatic ordeal with the Grey family behind them, Scott Summers and Jean Grey moved on with a new sense of optimism and hope. While they didn’t stick around after the night where everything had gone so horribly wrong, John Grey made good on his promise and began the long road towards reconciliation between his daughter and the family. He began talking and discussing the past, present, and future concerning their strained relationship with the rest of the family, paving the way for hope and change.

Scott and Jean spent the rest of spring break in Bayville together, celebrating and enjoying it on their own terms. Jean kept in constant contact with her father, who gave her continuous updates with how things were going back home. Progress would definitely be slow at first, but Jean was hopeful that it would all work out for the better over time. She had spent many years dealing with a troubled relationship with her family…And if she had to wait just as long to reconcile and establish a better bond with them, then so be it.

In the meantime, Scott helped her through the dramatic transition as he had promised her. Almost their entire spring break was spent in each other’s apartments, celebrating the calm and relaxing feeling of a nice vacation away from the stresses of college. It was a great time for them…So full of hope and possibilities. Their relationship had survived one of their biggest tests to date…And through it all, it helped strengthen their connection and bond, for they had overcome so much difficulty together and now the future looked very bright for them in both the short and long term. And with the school year nearing its end, Scott Summers and Jean Grey knew they had so much to look forward to.

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After spring break, things once again eased back into their regular flow at the Xavier Academy. With the weather getting warmer and the end drawing near, many were already making plans for the summer and next year. The flowers and trees were blooming as the snow and ice thawed, ushering in the final part of this most eventful year at the Academy…And for many like Scott, Jean, and the rest of their friends, it was definitely a year they wouldn’t soon forget.

For many, this had been a year of great growth and change. For some…They had found and discovered things they never thought they’d find…They learned and grew in ways they’d never thought they’d experience…And in the end, they had truly come into their own through both the blessings and challenges that life brought. And for those like Scott and Jean, this year had a truly special significance, for the had found the love of their lives in each other and had grown so much since that fateful moment when their eyes met and so much changed. However, while the year had been quite dramatic for them…They hadn’t been the only once to experience such great change.

For Rogue and Remy, it had also been a very eventful year in terms of matters of the heart. What had started out as a mere game of flirtation, fun, and sex had grown into something far greater than either of them ever could have imagined. It took them so long to see just where their connection and interaction would lead them. They had been in so much denial and it had caused them so much stress, but in the end, they found something with each other that they never could have found with anybody else. There were times when they didn’t know what to make of it, for the concept of this kind of real, honest love was still so alien to them…But they had come to learn its true splendor together. They still played their games, flirting and frolicking in the way that had brought them so close together…And from the rate things were going now, there seemed to be no end in sight to such…Which was just fine with them.

Kurt and Wanda had also experienced a great deal of growth in terms of their relationship over the course of the year. What had started out as friendship and simple flirtation had truly grown into something very deep and profound. Their eager, free spirited nature seemed to feed their bond and helped their connection grow from mere attraction and lust, to all out passion and love. They had simply taken a chance…And it had led them into a world they never thought they’d experience. When their relationship began, they had no idea they would find such great companionship within one another. Whether it was going out on dates to unusual places like rock concerts or the playful exploration and rigor they put into their lovemaking…Kurt Wagner and Wanda Maximoff had found a relationship together that they had come to treasure.

Kitty Pryde and Piotr Rasputin were also among those who had experienced a great deal of change and growth in terms of their relationship since that fateful night when artistic passion fused with erotic passion. This sweet, kind, outgoing young woman had truly captured Piotr’s heart…And whether he was painting her, kissing her, or making love to her, she had become such a powerful presence in his life. For Kitty, who had been through enough relationship troubles dating bad boy wannabes or deceptive jerk offs, Piotr was the tall, dark, handsome man of her dreams. He was as strong as an ox, yet so kind and sweet to her that she couldn’t help but fall for him. Like the evolution of a work of art, their relationship had grown and matured…Taking a solid shape and form that brought so much passion into their lives. In a ways, the relationship they built through such passion and love was an ongoing work of art in of itself…And while neither of them knew if and when it would ever be completed in a sense, they continued to enjoy the happiness and bliss all along the way.

While many had experienced a lot in terms of love and relationships, some had grown in other regards. For Betsy Braddock, she had gone through the year still clinging to old dogmatic beliefs about men, relationships, and love. Only after she had nearly ruined her friendship with Jean did she begin to let go of such dated values and now she had come to see that love truly did exist. So many of her friends had experienced and now enjoying solid, stable, loving relationships…However, Betsy remained single even though she had come to accept this. While she still made her cynical comments to the others as she so often had, deep down she was actually beginning to wonder if she would ever find the man who would give her the kind of things that her friends were experiencing. While she still didn’t know if she was destined to experience something like love, she still remained hopeful…Knowing that if it ever came, she would be ready to fully embrace it.

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The weeks of work and studying melted away at the Academy and the end of the year was now so close in sight. Among one of the biggest events creating a buzz throughout the campus was the big, elaborate party that Professor Xavier was throwing in celebration of the Academy’s 10 year anniversary and also to commemorate the opening of the new building from where he would run this illustrious place he had so eagerly built to teach and educate. The big party would attract upperclassmen, teachers, and even officials from other schools that included potential contributors, charities, and business partners. And with a school that had come so far in such a short period of time, it was definitely going to be a time of great celebration for teachers and students alike.

Yet before the celebration could begin, the students still had to get through the last few weeks of classes. And as always…This was easier said than done at the Xavier Academy.

The warm spring breeze filled the air around the campus as Scott and Remy left the engineering class they had together. Over the course of the year, they had both become pretty good friends since they shared many similar passions like motorcycles, mechanics, and even career aspirations. After having heard about Scott’s plans to become a fire fighter, Remy also became intrigued at the idea of working to help save lives. To him, it seemed like a fitting path to go for a man who had once been a thief and had even enrolled in some of the EWC programs that Scott was already a part of. And not surprisingly, Remy showed a natural aptitude for fire fighting skills with everything Scott had taught him. And through this, the young Cajun finally felt he had a goal to shoot for in life. It would definitely take quite a bit of work on his part, but it was work Remy Lebeau was more than willing to do.

“Ah springtime in New York…” said Remy as he and Scott exited the building together, “Usually by dis time o’ year in New Orleans, it’s over 80 degrees.”

“Yeah, I have to admit…Spring here is a hell of a lot better than many other places I’ve been,” said Scott in agreement, “It sure beats the hell out of the weather in Iraq.”

“Well a desert an’ a swamp compared to dis place ain’t really a fair comparison mon ami,” said Remy with a laugh, “It’s one of de many things that make dis place great.”

“Yeah, I really hope to stay around here after I graduate,” said Scott as they made their way to the parking lot behind the building, “What about you? Have you thought about where you’re going to go after you graduate?”

“Me? Naw, dat’s too far off for Remy to think about now,” said the Cajun, “I’ve never been one to think dat far ahead.”

“I won’t argue that…” said Scott with a slight chuckle, earning him a somewhat snide look from Remy, “But seriously man…Have you really given any thought to what you going to do after you’re through with this place? I mean, college is like the end of the line…Once you’re out, it’s all kind of up in the air.”

“Well…I’d be lyin’ if I said I never gave it any thought,” said Remy as he began to wonder just where he would be in a few years, “Remy used to think about comin’ here, gettin’ a decent education, an’ goin’ back to New Orleans. But ever since I came here…Remy’s been thinking about stickin’ around dis place.”

“Really?” said Scott, sounding somewhat surprised since he had heard from Remy say on numerous occasions that he would always consider New Orleans home, “You really want to stay here in New York?”

“Well, dis place has been real nice to Remy,” said the Cajun as he thought about how things had changed since coming to the Academy, “Life up here has just been so excitin’ and fun. Now don’t get me wrong, New Orleans will always have a place in dis here Cajun’s heart…But I’m beginnin’ to think dat maybe I’d be happier here.”

“Yeah…This is a great place to be,” said Scott in agreement, who had come to see New York as his home since he was adopted.

“Amen to dat,” said Remy with a grin as they neared where he had parked his motorcycle, “It’s much less complicated than the grim and gritty world o’ New Orleans.”

“And there are probably many other things here that would probably motivate a guy like you to stick around…” added Scott, “One of them probably being a tall, beautiful southern woman with a white streak in her hair.”

Remy couldn’t help but grin at his clear mention of Rogue, for that was definitely another factor that made life in Bayville all the more sweet. And Scott knew that all too well from everything Remy had told him about her and their relationship.

“Not gonna argue wit ya on dat one, homme,” he said in response with a grin, “As long as ma cherè is here…Remy’s got all de more reason to stick around. It ain’t no different den what’ll probably keep you an’ Jeannie around here.”

“Well, you’re right about that…” admitted Scott, knowing it was true, “Speaking of which…How have things been between you and Rogue lately? I hear they’ve been getting pretty serious.”

“Oh dey are mon ami,” admitted Remy with little hesitation, “Just over de weekend, Remy got a chance to meet dat mother o’ hers, Raven Darkholme.”

“Ah yes…Kurt’s told me a bit about here,” said Scott with a hint of sympathy in his tone, since he knew that woman was no pushover, “How’d that go?”

“Well…Better den Remy expected,” he answered, “But I swear…Dat mother o’ dere’s is a hell of a character. I tell ya, if she ever went to New Orleans…She’d be de last person you’d want to pick pocket…Because she’s definitely de kind o’ woman dat would just hunt ya down and beat you to a pulp.”

“Yeah…After what Kurt’s told me about her, I wouldn’t doubt that,” said Scott with a chuckle.

“And just imagine how it must be for a guy like me to come up to a woman like her and say, ‘hey dere, cherè. I’m de guy who’s datin’ your daughter,’” added Remy, able to laugh at it somewhat now, although it had been a nerve racking experience for him to say the least.

“Oh believe me…I know the feeling,” said Scott, thinking back to that fateful visit with Jean’s family that had been wrought with so much turmoil, “But I’d be willing to bet anything that she wasn’t anywhere nearly as bad as Jean’s parents.”

“Well…Dat part Remy won’t argue wit ya on,” said Remy, who knew the story all too well after Scott had told him all the dreadful details, “It may have taken a while, but as rough as Rogue’s mere is…She’s got a big heart and after talkin’ to her and lettin’ her know how much Rogue means to dis here Cajun, she was happy for de both of us and gave us her blessin’.”

“Yeah, that sounds like Raven alright,” said Scott as they finally reached Remy’s motorcycle, which was parked right near the edge of the parking lot, “That woman is a titan of protection when it comes to her kids, but she knows how to make them happy and accept the things that other parents probably wouldn’t accept.”

“Yeah…Like her daughter datin’ some run o’ de mill swamp rat from de bayou,” laughed Remy as he set his backpack on the back of his bike, “But I gotta admit, homme…Gainin’ de trust of Rogue’s mere was a hell of a lot easier den gainin’ de trust of dat brother o’ hers.”

“Oh, so I take it Kurt is still giving you a hard time?” said Scott, remembering how uneasy Kurt had been when Rogue was acting really strangely because of things between her and Remy.

“It ain’t as bad as it used to be…But let’s just say dere’s room for improvement,” said Remy, shaking his head at the many memories he had of how Kurt would scold or make comments about him and his increasingly strong involvement with his sister.

“Just give it time, man…” said Scott, “I know Kurt pretty well, and he’ll eventually come around. As long as you keep making Rogue happy, then you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

“Until den…I’m just hopin’ dat Wanda can keep him busy enough in de meantime,” said Remy with a laugh as he started up the motor on his bike and revved the engine a few times.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you later on, Remy,” said Scott as he watched his friend flip up the kick stand.

“Sure thing homme,” he said as the noise of the engine began to settle into a steady hum, “We still got one last big project to handle before all is said and done wit dis class, and Remy wants to make it one to remember!”

“And I have no doubts we will…” said Scott confidently, knowing he and Remy had proven themselves to be a very effective team over the course of the year with projects in their engineering class.

“Right, see ya later Scott! Now if you’ll excuse me…Remy’s gotta pick up de most beautiful southern belle in de world!”

And with one final wave goodbye, Remy sped off on his bike and set a course back towards the center of campus where he knew Rogue would be waiting for him and if there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was making a beautiful woman wait.

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Back out in the open field area of the central campus, Jean, Kitty, Betsy, Piotr, Kurt, Rogue, and Wanda had gathered under the beautiful, warm spring weather that was finally beginning to set in after yet another bitter cold winter in upstate New York. Most of the snow had melted away and it was no longer necessary to bundle up in layer upon layer of warm clothing to combat the cold.

Spring was definitely in the air and for many of the students on campus, it was clearly a sign that the year was finally winding down. The Xavier Academy was now engulfed in a great aura of optimism and excitement as things like graduation and the tenth anniversary celebration loomed ever closer. It was a feeling many couldn’t help but embrace, and with so much enthusiasm brimming about, there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic about it.

“Ah finally…Weather warm enough not to have to dress up in layers,” said Jean, who seemed to be a bit more cheerful than usual for this time of year, “Isn’t it great?”

“Well it’s still a bit cold for my tastes,” said Rogue, feeling as thought it wasn’t quite warm enough to classify such weather as being so perfect, “Then again…I guess that’s the drawbacks of living in the south for most of my life. Hell, by this time of year, it was usually up to 80 degrees from where I came from.”

“Yikes, that would be, like, way too weird for me,” said Kitty, who spoke from the point of view of a girl who had lived in the far north her entire life, “80 degrees in April would be just too much a shock to the system.”

“Well then maybe you would like Russia better at this time of year, Katya,” said Piotr, who was doing a few sketches of the beautiful spring landscape, “Back in my home, there’s probably still some snow on the ground.”

“Ooh, that would be, like, so cool!” said Kitty as she snuggled close to her boyfriend with a gleaming smile upon her young, vibrant face, “I would so love to visit a place like Russia!”

“Well maybe you’ll get you’re chance, Kit,” said Jean, smiling somewhat at the romantic little gesture she put on for Piotr and the look on his face that ensued, “Summer’s almost upon as and the time for vacations is drawing ever near!”

“And you say I have a flare for the dramatics…” said Wanda, rolling her eyes at Jean’s overly chipper mood as she sat next to Kurt on the bench, just soaking in the nice weather along with the others, “You certainly sound happier about it this year than last, Jean.”

“Yeah, she’s right luv. I remember how you wouldn’t stop bitching and moaning last year about how much summer was going to suck,” commented Betsy, remembering quite clearly at Jean’s over the top mood of dread that seemed to permeate all throughout the last month of classes last year, “In fact, I remember your exact words being ‘this time of year is so fucking overrated and I’d rather be strung up by my ankles and beaten with my ex boyfriend’s old S&M whips than spend the summer at home with my parents.’”

“Vow, Betsy…You remembered all that?” said Kurt with a slight chuckle, earning him a scorn from the purple haired woman.

“Shut up, Kurt,” she said in response.

“Hey, I’m not going to deny it…I know my mood this year is a hell of a lot different than previous years,” admitted Jean, “But this year is different. Things with my family have really improved a lot over the past month, I have a super sweet boyfriend that I love to death, and on top of that, I finally get a chance to say goodbye to all the lousy business classes that have made my life so miserable for the past three years. So of course I’m happier this time around!”

“And we’re happy for ya, sugah,” said Rogue, even though it was a little strange seeing Jean so chipper, “We’re all glad that things with you and yer folks have been gettin’ so much better. Maybe now I can come over for a visit without them gettin’ all hostile on me.”

“And maybe now they won’t keep trying to make those Satanist comments on me,” added Wanda, remembering all too well how some of her visit’s to Jean’s house had gone.

“Just give time…” assured Jean, feeling more positive about her family now after having spoken to her dad about how things had been changing back home since Scott’s fateful visit, “They’ll come around eventually…But don’t expect it to happen overnight with them.”

“Can’t say I would expect anything less, sugah,” shrugged Rogue.

“So then…If your family isn’t going to be so overbearing anymore, the vhat are you going to do next year?” inquired Kurt, not knowing Jean’s family nearly as well as some of the others, but knew that her improved demeanor was reason enough to believe that this was a major development.

Jean took a moment to think about that, for it had been something her mind had only briefly touched on with everything that had been happening over the past month. It was definitely a rare, profound, and significant turning point for her in life. For so long now, she had been forced to contend with the wishes of her family just to stay in the Academy to begin with. Now, she actually had a chance to make a sound choice with what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go in life. It was an opportunity that she never thought she’d have…But now that things were so different, she could finally do things on her terms for a change and pursue the things she had once only dreamed of pursuing.

“I…Honestly don’t know, Kurt,” said Jean as pondered the path that lay ahead of her, “I haven’t given it a lot of thought.”

“Well now you finally have the chance, Jean,” said Piotr as he made some of the finishing touches on his sketch, “I know the Academy here has so much to offer.”

“Yeah, I know, but it’s just that…I’ve never really had a choice like this before,” said Jean, still feeling as though she was stuck in the controlling mindset of her family in many ways, “There are so many things I’m passionate about…But I just don’t know which one is really for me.”

“Well you’ve always bitched about how you’ve wanted to do something in the sciences,” said Betsy, “Maybe you could start there.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking…But science is a broad field,” said Jean, feeling both excited and anxious at all the possibilities that had now been presented to her, “I just don’t know what I should really pursue. My old Biology teacher, Hank McCoy, told me I had a lot of potential in the field of medicine.”

“Hey! Maybe you could become a doctor!” chirped Kitty, always the enthusiastic one.

“Doctor Jean Grey…I like the sound of that,” said Jean with a smile, “But biology is still so broad…And there are still many other things I’ve always wanted to try after the stuff I learned in that class.”

“Really? Like what?” asked Wanda curiously.

“Well…” said Jean, hoping they wouldn’t laugh at this, “I’ve kind of always wanted to get into psychology…You know, looking into the human mind and deciphering all its little mysteries.”

“Psychology?” said Betsy, sounding a bit surprised, “You mean dealing with nutters and the clinically insane?”

“No, Betsy…” said Jean, rolling her eyes at some of Betsy’s shallow perceptions, “I mean with things like psychiatry, consoling, and behavior study. I’ve always believed that there had to be a reason why my parents were uptight, why I was different, or why some people end up the way they do. And I think it’s something worth looking into.”

“Hey, if that’s your passion, I say go for it sugah!” said Rogue in encouragement, happy to see her friend so excited about this crossroads she found herself in.

“Yeah…I think I will,” said Jean with a smile, “Maybe I could one day become a therapist or a counselor. I could really get a chance to learn about the crazy world of the mind first hand. That definitely sounds a hell of a lot better than just going into the bland, insipid world of business.”

“Hey, don’t knock business too much, luv,” said Betsy with a snide grin, “Some of us actually excel in that world.”

“Don’t I know it…But I guess I’m just not one of them,” said Jean with a shrug, showing she had no regrets and she had made her choice.

The group of friends continued to sit around and chat about this and that as the warm spring air swept across the campus field. The overall optimism and enthusiasm about the year drawing every closer to an end continued to hold strong as they discussed everything form summer vacation plans to final exams. There was definitely no shortage of topics or comments, but with everything they touched on, it simply kept leading to another and another. And eventually…One upcoming event came too stand out over all the others.

“So ladies…And guys…Have any of you given some thought as to whether or not you’ll be attending the big tenth anniversary celebration at the alumni hall after finals?” asked Betsy with a wide grin on her face.

“Vhy? Are you going?” asked Kurt, “I thought that vas one of those fancy invite parties vhere you have to dress up and look real nice for.”

“It is…” affirmed Betsy, “And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.”

“Oh, so I take it you’re going?” assumed Jean, knowing Betsy always had a taste for fancy parties.

“You bet, luv!” said Betsy in a confident tone, “I’ve already got this amazing new dress that’s going to make the eyes of every man shoot right out of their heads!”

“Wow…How’d you get an invitation an invitation to an event like that?” asked Kitty, having heard that it was strictly an invite only party.

“Simple, luv…My parents made a few contributions,” answered Betsy, “And in return, Xavier gave me an invite.”

“Suck ups…” muttered Kurt under his breath, once again earning him a snide look from Betsy.

“Well, at least you won’t be alone, Bets,” said Rogue, drawing her attention away from her brother, who she knew had a knack for making comments that pissed the purple haired woman off, “Kurt and I got an invite too.”

“Really? So you’re going to be there as well?” said Kitty, now beginning to feel somewhat left out.

“Yep! Our mother’s in town and she’s going to be there as an old friend to the Professor…” answered Kurt, “And in return…Ve both get to go and bring a date.”

“Guess that means I get a double invite…” said Wanda with a grin as she took Kurt’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, “Pietro and I were already planning to go since Xavier and our dad have known each other since ancient times.”

“And I’ll bet that also means you’ll have to deal with that girlfriend your brother won’t stop hanging around…” added Betsy.

“Hey, Crystal’s okay…” said Wanda with a shrug, “She just…Well…Shares many of my brother’s defining traits, so of course she’s a bit annoying at times.”

“Sounds like a match made in heaven…” said Rogue, rolling her eyes at the thought of a couple of party animals like Pietro and Crystal at a party like this, “What about you Jean? You plan on goin’?”

“Oh don’t worry. I’ll definitely be there,” said Jean with a smile, “Like Betsy, sometimes rich parents can have their benefits since my folks have met up with Xavier on several occasions.”

“And I take it you’re going to bring soldier boy as well…” said Betsy, since people were usually allowed to bring dates to the party even if they didn’t have invitations.

“You know it girlfriend!” said Jean with a grin, “And being that he’s the only soldier who’s ever attended the Academy, I’d think it would be fitting he got a chance to be at an event like this.”

“Yeah, good point, sugah,” said Rogue.

“So does that mean you’re going to try and bring Remy as well?” asked Jean, staying with the topic of dates.

“If I can get that swamp rat to put on a decent suit…Then yeah, he’ll probably tag along. If for anything, for the free food,” said Rogue, almost laughing at the thought of her Cajun boyfriend at such a formal party

“Dang, now I feel kind of left out,” said Kitty, “All you girls and your dates are going and I’m probably going to be stuck in my apartment packing up to go home for the summer.”

“Well it’s not too late Kitty,” assured Jean, “There’s still a chance you could get an invite before the big event.”

“Yeah, but why would they want me to come anyways?” mused Kitty, “I don’t think Xavier knows my parents, who aren’t nearly as rich as yours or Betsy’s mind you, and I don’t know anybody else who’s going.”

Just then, a thought came to Piotr, who was just finishing up his sketch.

“Well…That’s not necessarily true, Katya,” he said, quickly drawing Kitty’s attention.

“What do you mean?” she asked, now feeling somewhat excited at what he could be implying, “Don’t tell me you got an invite and didn’t tell me.”

“Well…Not exactly,” explained Piotr, “You see…Since the new building was completed, Xavier’s been looking for a painting to put in the main hall.”

“Cool! And I take it he turned to the Academy’s number one art student for help,” grinned Kurt, knowing his friend had the talent to make something that grand.

“Actually…He more so made it a competition,” made Piotr, not sounding too confident about it, “Practically every artist in Bayville is vying for the reward, which includes an invite to the party and a five thousand dollar prize.”

“Ooh! Please tell me you’re going to submit something!” said Kitty, her excitement now sounding almost fevered, “I just know you’ll blow everybody else away!”

“Well yes, I do intend to submit something,” said Piotr, laughing somewhat at his girlfriend’s giddiness, “But I haven’t really found the inspiration I need to make something that I feel would truly stand out.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it big guy,” said Wanda, lending her support along with the others, “I know if anybody on campus can make something that’s going to stand out among anything and everything that other sub-talented hacks muster, it’s you.”

“Yeah, I definitely agree, sugah,” said Rogue, having seen some of the things Piotr had made in the past, “You’ve definitely got the talent and the skills.”

“But unfortunately, that only goes so far when it comes to competition,” said Piotr, having never really entered competitions before with his art.

“Oh now you’re just making excuses, Petey,” said Kitty, still feeling very excited about the thought of one of her boyfriend’s paintings hanging in the main building for all to see, “I know you’ll, like, totally make something that’ll floor the judges! And I know because I’m going to help you!”

“Really?” said Piotr, looking back into his girlfriend’s eager blue eyes, “But…How?”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll think of something,” she said with a smile as she took his big, strong arm and leaned into his powerful Russian body that she so often relished in.

That helped lift the Russian art student’s hopes as he smiled back at his upbeat girlfriend. It seemed as though no matter what situation he found himself in, she had a way of giving him the confidence often lacked to succeed where he probably would have failed otherwise. It was one of the many things he loved about her and with her help…Maybe he could make something that would stand out among the imposing competition.

Just then, as the group of friends continued to go into their plans for the end of the year, the loud sound of a motorcycle engine roared in the distance as it sped down the narrow, two way street along the perimeter of the field. It was a noise Rogue immediately recognized as she smiled and stood up.

“Well, y’all…It’s been great talkin’ to ya, but it looks like my ride’s here,” she said as the motorcycle pulled up along the curb.

“Hey dere, cherè,” said the driver, Remy Lebeau.

”Hey sugah,” said Rogue as she walked up to him and gave him a welcoming kiss on the lips, “You’re right on time…”

“Couldn’t keep a pretty lady waitin’…” he said with a grin as she hopped on the back of his bike and wrapped her arms around his torso.

“Always the gentlemen,” she said as she held on tight and turned back to her friends, “Later y’all!”

“Take it easy you two! And stay out of trouble!” said Jean as she and the others waved goodbye.

“Now where’s de fun in dat?” grinned Remy as he revved up the motor to his bike and sped off down the street with Rogue clinging to him.

It didn’t take long for the young couple to disappear from sight and everybody for the most part went back to their casual conversations. However, as always, Kurt still looked back at what he had just seen with a bit of distaste, for he was still getting used to his sister dating Remy. While in recent months, he had shown him that he was a decent guy who seemed to really, honestly love Rogue, it was still a bit unnerving for him. He knew his feelings towards them were a bit superfluous now…Hell, even their mother had come to approve of Remy. But as long as Remy made her happy, then that’s all that really mattered to him.

“Oh give it a rest, Kurt…” said Wanda, knowing all too well what he was thinking about from the look on his face.

“I know…” he said with a sigh as he snaked an arm around his girlfriend’s waist, “And believe me, I vill…Eventually.”

This got Wanda to smile as she and Kurt once again joined in the conversation with their friends, simply passing the time under the warm spring weather for yet another day at the Xavier Academy.

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The rest of the day was fairly standard for any end of the year type setting for the students of the Xavier Academy. As night fell, Jean met up with Scott and went on a double date with Rogue and Remy. Kurt, Wanda, Betsy, Pietro, and later on, Crystal, decided to do a little clubbing to help unwind from all the stress that this time of year brought to most college students. There were still things like final exams and major projects to worry about, but in all it was definitely starting to wind down and that alone was cause for celebration in their eyes.

However, for some, work and stress left little room to unwind and this definitely seemed to hold true in Piotr’s case. For the rest of the day, Piotr finished up a number of small assignments for his final portfolio, leaving him some time later on to think about a piece for him to submit to Xavier for the competition. He knew this was definitely going to be a unique challenge for him, for in all the years he had been an artist, he never actually submitted a piece to a real competition with real money at stake. The closet thing he had ever come to was when he submitted work to the admissions board of the Academy for the scholarship that allowed him to enroll in the first place. However, the rules and guidelines of a competition like this were quite different and as always, Piotr didn’t just want to submit something he threw together…He wanted to make it truly meaningful.

And as she had promised earlier, Kitty had stuck with him and spent the latter part of the day at his studio, helping him at times finish his smaller assignments. They worked through most of the afternoon and early evening hours simply getting things squared away, but for the most part, Piotr was still struggling to determine what exactly he was going to create for this very ambitious competition. And at the moment, Kitty was simply throwing around ideas as she and her boyfriend sat at his table and finished up the Chinese take out they had ordered.

“Ooh, how about a still life or something abstract?” suggested Kitty as she finished up her won ton soup, “That one you made back in February really seemed to impress your teacher.”

“I don’t know if that’s the best thing for a competition like this…” said Piotr, still racking his brain for any sort of guidance to this matter, “I want to make something that you can truly see fitting in with the setting it’s destined to hang for who knows how long.”

“Well given that you’re working with pretty big canvas requirements here, maybe you should think about a landscape,” said Kitty, knowing that’s what he was best at.

“Yes, I was thinking that too,” said Piotr in agreement, “But for this competition…I want to add something to it that’ll make it more than just another landscape. I don’t want to make something that any ordinary student could type up on Google and get a piece of equal value…I want it to be unique…I want it to be something that’ll define the Academy.”

“Hmm…Now that’s definitely going to make it a lot tougher,” said Kitty as she finished up her soup and watched as her boyfriend’s daze grew somewhat distant as he considered what he was going to do in order to make this painting truly one of a kind.

The young couple merely sat there in silence, each of them thinking about what would truly add a little magic to this very important piece of art that would probably end up being witnessed by generations of future students. Usually, Piotr was always one to embrace a challenge…But this time there was a contest at stake and he wasn’t sure how to go about it.

“Well, I wish I could help more, Peter…” said Kitty with a sigh, feeling fresh out of ideas, “But then again…You’re the one with the talent, not me.”

“Oh don’t say that, Katya,” said Piotr with a smile, “You’ve been a greater help to me and my work than anybody else I’ve come across.”

“Oh come on…” said Kitty, her face now blushing feverishly, “It’s not like I do too much other than occasionally pose for you…Amongst other things.”

“Nyet…You do a lot more than that,” said Piotr, “You give me the kind of inspiration that I never would have gotten otherwise.”

“Aw…You’re just saying that,” said Kitty playfully.

“No, I really mean it…” said Piotr in full confidence, “There are many things I’ve done this year that I don’t think I ever could have done without you. And with everything I’ve accomplished, I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for what you’ve done.”

“Wow…That’s really sweet of you, Petey,” she said as she reached across the table and took his hand, “I can’t tell you how much something like that means to me.”

Kitty couldn’t help but smile back at her tall Russian boyfriend. And such a gesture made Piotr smile widely as well. Even when he was frustrated with a piece he couldn’t even start, he still had a knack for being so sweet to her. And after having dated too many jerks in her life, Kitty Pryde couldn’t help but feel blessed, for she doubted that there was another man like this out there and the more she was around him, the more certain she was that this was the man for her.

Thinking once again about the current challenge before them, Kitty’s mind began wandering back towards the many other pieces that she had helped Piotr make since they became an item. From that fateful first portrait to that oh so memorable holiday surprise she gave him…There were a lot of meaningful pieces that she helped him with…Many of which had their own little spice to them. Art had brought them together in many ways. It was responsible for much of the closeness they had now after having learned and grown together personally and emotionally since they began their relationship. And on other occasions…Art also brought a new level of eroticism to their love life.

Then suddenly…As Kitty continue to dwell on the fond memories she had of the times when she and Piotr mixed romance and sensuality with art and creativity…An idea came to her.

“Hey Petey…” she said as she got up from her seat and sat on her big, strong boyfriend’s lap with a suggestive look on her face, “Maybe there’s another way I can give you some inspiration…”

“Katya…” said Piotr, who quickly found himself drawn into her irresistible allure as his hands found their way around her waist, “What are you…”

“Shh…” she said, immediately silencing him as she began running her hands from her handsome face down to his strong, muscular chest, “You’re tense…And there’s no way you can get inspired if your tense. So let me help you…Let me relieve your stress.”

The low, erotic tone in the beautiful young woman’s voice quickly captivated Piotr’s senses as she captured her lips with his and snaked her arms around his neck. The Russian art student quickly returned the gesture, kissing her back with every bit of intensity and passion that she was giving as his grip on her waist tightened, causing her to let out a soft moan that deeply aroused the young man before her.

“Mmm…” she gasped as she felt a wet feeling begin to form between her legs, “Peter…The bedroom…”

Quickly adhering to her request, Piotr used his strong, powerful muscles to lift her up with ease. She held onto him by tightly wrapping her legs around his waist, feeling the growing tightness in his pants as she did so. Her touching and kissing quickly became more frenzied as he stumbled towards his bedroom, knocking over a few cups with paint brushes in the process, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Once they were in his bedroom, Kitty went to work on his shirt, swiftly sliding it up over his head and exposing to her the warm skin of his strong, sexy upper body. Piotr then fell upon his bed, now laying flat on his back as Kitty began trailing her lips down his neck and towards his chest. The intoxicating feeling of the sweet, beautiful, yet very sexual young woman quickly inhibited his senses as her movements became increasingly erotic.

Then, with his hands still on her hips, Piotr began sliding them up her sides, grabbing the hem of her shirt in the process and sliding it up over her head, exposing to him her sexy white lace bra. Upon seeing her beautiful, yet still covered breasts, Piotr eagerly reached up and touched them with his powerful hands, causing Kitty to let out a deep moan as his actions sent warm shots of pleasure through her body.

“Oh Peter…” she gasped as she reached around behind her back and undid the clasp to her bra.

With her bra now loose, Piotr was inclined to remove it and he wasted no time in doing so, exposing to him her beautiful breasts, which he quickly lost himself in as he began touching and massaging them to his girlfriend’s delight. Kitty’s eyes closed as she felt blissful shots of pleasure fill her mind and body. This caused her to respond by more thoroughly rubbing her lover’s exposed upper body with her hands, adding to the growing arousal she was feeling as she straddled his pelvis. The hard bulge in his pants was growing bigger and harder by the second as Piotr grew drunk of erotic foreplay, helping to further add to the intense wetness growing between her legs. Soon it became too much for her to bear as she let her body collapse upon her lover and began to slowly kiss her way down his rock hard chest and abs, working her way lower and lower until she reached the inevitable.

With a sexy grin that hinted to Piotr what she was about to do, she made quick work of his pants, allowing his rock hard erection to be freed from it’s confines. She gave it a few playful strokes, evoking a soft moan from her lover as he helped her work his pants off so that he would be completely exposed to her.

Now, with her naked lover lying there before her with a look of great passion and desire upon his face, Kitty took the next step as she held his hard dick firmly in her hand and began to sensually tease it in the way she knew he liked it.

“Wow, Peter…” she said in a deep, sultry voice, “You’re so hard…Yet so tense. Here…Let me help ease your tension.”

Then, before he even had a chance to respond, she took his large, erect cock into her mouth, practically devouring it in a show of sexual hunger. Immediately, Piotr let out a gasp as he placed his hands on her head while she began working her way up and down his penis, sucking and licking him with her tongue and teasing him every step of the way. She went a bit slower than usual, choosing quality over quantity for a change since she was trying to help him more so than just fuck him. She held him firmly in her hands as she worked her head up and down his throbbing member, kissing and teasing the sensitive tip while running her hands up and down the warm, rock hard shaft.

“Mmm…Katya,” he gasped as he tightened his grip on her head as she continued to orally tease him, “You’re so good at this…”

Flashing him another sexual look, she went on to deep throat him, sucking and licking with more intensity as the feeling of his rock hard dick continued to add to the growing wetness between her legs. Soon, after a relatively good amount of sucking and oral teasing, Kitty couldn’t take it anymore…She had to have him in her.

With one last sensual tease of her tongue, Kitty removed his dick from her mouth, giving him a few more strokes with her hand before rising to her knees and going to work on her pants. Swiftly, she pulled them down along with her panties, exposing to him her throbbing wet pussy. And as she slid her pants off, she made sure she did it slow…Giving him somewhat of a show as he watched her remove the last of her clothing so that she was now completely naked.

With her pants gone, Kitty found her way back on top of her naked lover. Her wet juices were dripping from her pussy and fell upon Piotr’s warm skin, helping to further heighten his intense desire for her. He moved up to take her, but she beat him to it…Pinning him back down and giving him a deep, passionate kiss, showing him that she wanted to lead with this.

“Peter…” she gasped as she broke the kiss and now loomed over him, giving her lover a complete, full view of her sexy, naked body, “It’s okay…Let me do the work this time. Just relax…And enjoy it.”

Then, as she straddled her lover’s pelvis, Kitty guided his rock hard cock towards her vagina, slowly working it into her wet pussy and allowing it to fill her completely. Her body contorted to the feeling of his rock hard dick inside her, causing her to let out a high pitched moan as a wave of new sensations shot through her as the feeling of being one with her lover exacted a wonderful feeling of completion and bliss.

“Oh God Katya…” gasped Piotr as he felt her tight pussy around his hard cock while his hands roamed over her naked body, touching her beautiful face and working their way down the curves of her body.

“Mmm…That’s it…That’s it,” she gasped as she allowed his dick to go in as far as it could go, giving herself time to adjust to the feeling.

Then, once he was completely inside her, she began slowly gyrating her hips around his throbbing member…Relishing in the waves of pleasure that it brought her. Piotr’s hands were now firmly placed upon her hips, grasping her sexy little butt and supplementing her movements with a little added help of his own. Soon, the rhythm of her movements began to grow more intense and fervent, causing her to gasp and moan even louder as his hard cock thrashed within her tight, wet vagina.

The intensity of their movements soon caused them to break out in a hot sweat as Kitty began riding him with greater passion and energy. Piotr kept up with her every step of the way, keeping a firm hold on her hips and thrusting upwards into her pussy as the mounting pleasure filled their bodies and minds. The pace of their sex fluctuated from fast and furious to small increments of slow and sweet as the young couple communicated their wants and needs through their gestures. Such actions helped the young couple ride it out as long as they could. However, after so much intense riding and humping, their building climax began to grow too great for them to handle.

“Oh God Peter! Ugh-I’m-I’m-Oh God-I’m going to cum!” gasped Kitty as she began touching and fondling her own breasts as she felt her building orgasm.

“Katya-ugh-I’m…Cumming…Too!” grunted Piotr as he tightened his grip on her hips an butt, feeling his cock start to throb and twitch in her tight, wet pussy.

Then, as words devolved into passionate moans, Kitty arched her back and squeezed her breasts as her intense climax hit her, sending an intense wave of pleasure through her body. As her pussy throbbed and tightened around her lover’s cock, that got Piotr to cum as well as he delivered one last powerful thrust into his girlfriend, releasing his load into her and filling her with his semen.

As the rush of her orgasm subsided, Kitty collapsed atop her boyfriend’s muscular upper body, which was now beading with sweat. She was gasping and panting in an effort to catch her breath and so was Piotr as he slowly ran his hands up from her hips and rested them on her back as he looked down at the beautiful young woman who had given him so much.

“You are an amazing woman Katya…” he told her in a deep, loving tone, “I can’t tell you how lucky you make me feel…”

Kitty, still trying to catch her breath from their intense sex session, managed to smile warmly at her lover, gently tracing patterns around the contours of his face.

“I’m lucky to have you too, Peter…” she told him warmly, “I’m so lucky…To have a man who’s so caring…Sweet…And strong.”

“And I must say…You have quite a knack for stress relief,” he said with a smile, causing her to laugh somewhat.

“Well…I guess I just know what you like, Petey,” she said playfully, “And right now…I can tell…You’d like something…Very…Very…Hot.”

“Mmm…Katya,” moaned Piotr as he felt her lips begin to trail small kisses down his face and around his neck, “You know me…So well.”

With a slight giggle, Kitty once again felt her desires overtake her as she began kissing her boyfriend again, running her hands along his warm, sexy body. Piotr was also quickly taken by her sensual gestures, once again running his hands around her naked body as their want for sex still lingered, waiting to be fulfilled.

Soon, Piotr felt himself stiffen up to the moment again as he heard Kitty’s soft moan’s of delight. Feeling such an intoxicating need for her, Piotr flipped her over so that now she was under him, completely naked and waiting for him to grant her the love and pleasure that only he could. And never one to keep his lover waiting, Piotr once again took a firm hold of Kitty’s hips as she spread her legs and allowed him to guide his hard penis into her eager pussy.

With his imposing weight pressing against her, she felt the strong penetration of his rock hard dick fill her as Piotr entered her with a level of strength and care that caused Kitty’s entire body to contort and tense as another soft moaned escaped as she tightly wrapped her sexy legs around his muscular Russian body.

“Oh God Peter!” she moaned as she felt him began too thrust in and out of her with his powerful strength.

“Uh…Oh Katya…” he moaned as he relished the tight feeling of his lover’s wet pussy, watching the beautiful look of ecstasy and joy form upon her face as she gazed in a loving, pleasured daze upon her Russian lover.

With the strength and power that so often defined him, Piotr Rasputin continued to make love to his girlfriend thoroughly and passionately, working it carefully to give it the greatest possible feeling of pleasure and euphoria. The sweat of his sweaty muscles began mixing with hers, engulfing them both in a beautiful glow as he began to quicken the pace of his thrusts, driving his hard dick in and out of her eager vagina with more and more rigor and passion.

The entire bed frame rocked as a result of the force created, forcing Kitty to hold onto him in an even tighter grip with her arms and legs. Soon, they managed to attain a powerful rhythm, enjoying the sweet bliss of the waves of pleasure that filled their minds and bodies. Piotr’s hands lovingly caressed the curves of her sweaty naked body as he looked at the beautiful sight before him, listening to the sweet music of her loud moans as his powerful thrusts sent wave upon wave of pleasure up through her body. He thrust into her with such force that he practically penetrated into her womb, causing her to moans of ecstasy to become all the louder and more passionate as she supplemented each thrust with energetic movements of her own to ensure that eat pump brought to them the greatest level of pleasure and euphoria.

After a good long while of raw sex and passion, Kitty Pryde and Piotr Rasputin once again found themselves near an orgasm as the waves of pleasure sent Kitty’s body into an orgasmic fury, causing her moan out as she felt her pussy start to throb and tighten around Piotr’s hard cock.

“OH PETER! OH-OH-I’M CUMMING! I’M GOING TO CUM!” she moaned as she tightened her grip around his body as she felt his thrusts begin to slow, pumping into her with greater force and less rigor.

“Oh…That’s it, my love…That’s it…” he grunted as he took her hands in his and held onto them tight as the rush of a powerful climax soon overtook him as well.

The two lovers then let out a long, passionate moan as they held onto one another while their bodies took them on a ride to paradise. Kitty’s wet pussy began to throb, sending Piotr over the edge as he filled her once again with his cum. The feeling of his warm fluid filling her gave Kitty the extra push she needed as well, causing her pussy to tighten and clamp down as she released her sweet juices upon her lover, capping off this passionate session of lovemaking with a deep kiss.

After the fury of their respective orgasms finally died down, Piotr rolled off his naked lover, letting out a deep sigh of contentment as both he and his lover tried to catch their breath from the intense activity they had just endured. They both had warm smiles on their faces as their bodies remained entwined with Kitty cuddling up close to her naked lover and resting herself upon his large, sexy muscles that he knew how to use so well. To her, he looked so relaxed and content, letting her know that she had done exactly what she wanted to do for him. She knew he needed this…He needed to have a way to relieve himself of the great stress he put on himself as an artist. And if she could help by given him passionate, mind blowing sex…Then that was just fine with her.

“Feel any better Petey?” she said playfully as she slowly traced patterns on his sexy, muscular chest.

“Indeed…I feel much better,” he said with a warm smile as he snaked his arm around his beautiful, naked lover, hugging her close to his body.

“Glad I could help,” she said as she leaned in and gave him another kiss, “I may not be as good as you when it comes to art…But that doesn’t mean I can’t help you in ‘other’ ways.”

“And you do so with such great skill…” he told her as he looked back into her beautiful blue eyes, “I must be the luckiest artist in the world…For I have a true masterpiece of beauty and passion…Right here with me.”

His warm embrace and loving words made Kitty blush a bit as she gave him another kiss…This time to show him just how much she took those words to heart…And to show him just how much she cared.

“Mmm…I love you, Peter,” she said softly as she broke the kiss.

“I love you too, Katya,” he said back, savoring such a passionate moment, for as an artist, he had come to hold onto such wonderful feelings that few people could ever hope to fully ascertain.

Just then…As he looked back into the loving eyes of his beautiful girlfriend…Piotr had a flash of inspiration. Right before his very eyes…A picture in his head formed…A picture that was so beautiful…So enchanting…So perfect. It was exactly the image that he had been seeking…The inspiration that he had been missing for this very ambitious project. And contest or not…He absolutely had to capture this feeling…For this was a once and a lifetime flash of inspiration.

“Peter…Is something…” began Kitty in a concerned tone, noticing the strange look on his face, but she was quickly cut off as Piotr was suddenly consumed with a feeling of great excitement.

“I’ve got it…” he said, his eyes practically brimming with enthusiasm, “I know what to do for the painting…”

Kitty, knowing that he was always dead serious when it came to art, knew that for him to get this excited, he had to have thought of something big…Something the likes of which he had never done before.

“Hurry Katya…Get dressed,” said Piotr as he jumped out of bed with renewed energy, quickly grabbing his boxers and pants, eager to start what he knew would be the work of a lifetime, “I have a lot of work to do and I’m going to need your help…Because this is a piece I definitely can’t do on my own…”

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AN: That’s it for now folks! Another chapter is down and this fic is about to enter the home stretch! I hoped you all liked the Kitty/Piotr smut! I thought I was due for a scene with them. And if you want to see just what kind of inspiration Piotr had at the end, stay tuned because the big party is coming up and you won’t want to miss it! So what do you all think? As always, I implore you to tell me! Send me your comments via email at slickboy444@aol.com or post them on the fanfiction website! The end is in sight, so please review before it’s too late! Thanks a ton for reading everybody and I wish you all the best!