I let out me breath slowly. "Bloody Heaven, Earth, and Hell."

"Like it?" Pan giggled.

I was at a loss for words. Pan's black dress was low in the front and much lower in the back. It reached down into a long skirt, with a slit running high on each side. It was all I could do to keep me hands at me sides.

"Every other guy will be jealous." I managed to sputter out.

I offered me arm, and we walked away from the Blackbird, toward the party hall. As the hosts, Peter and MJ were there from the beginning. Aunt May had decided not to come, much to Elixir's relief. I was late only because I had to convince Laura that, yes, I really did want her to come to the party.

She had refused at first, and that made me feel bad. So, I spent an hour convincing her to come, against my better judgment. I knew it was bound to cause trouble.

As Pan and I entered the hall, the MC on stage announced our names as we came in. Behind us were Professor Xavier, all the X-Men, and a few of the students. I had done a little extra "work" on Scott just before the party, so I was sure he would be fine.

Vegeta, Goku, their families, and some of their friends were already there. Coming in just after us, came Nick Fury and Agent Romanova. Well, I did invite everyone...

******

With Pan beside me, I made my way to Peter. He clapped me on the back, and MJ gave me a hug.

"Welcome back Angus!" said Peter with a smile. "Hi Pan, you look great."

"It be good to be back."

As we spoke, the few belongings of mine that had been at the X-Mansion were on their way home. This party was also kind of a homecoming celebration. There wasna' much news to catch up on, so Peter and MJ soon left to greet more guests. I took Pan to the dance floor.

We danced for some time, getting caught up on random details of each other's lives since we had last been together (like, two days before...). We had a live band on stage, singing some slow songs. The mood was perfect.

I drew Pan in closer to me. "I love ya."

Pan just giggled. "After all we've been through, you'd better."

She looked up, and time seemed to slow. I inched my face closer to hers, and then time sped back up. I felt a tap on me shoulder.

Laura lifted an eyebrow, "Would you mind sharing your guy?" she said to Pan, "I don't have a date."

Pan was fuming. So was I, and I gave her a glance that told her so. Ironically, that made Pan feel better. I hesitated, but Pan turned to Laura.

"As a matter of fact, I'm getting kind of hungry. Angus, why don't you give her some company while I see if the caterers were worth the price paid."

With that, I was alone with Laura, and for the first time, I was genuinely mad at her.

"Listen, Laura. I be sorry, but that was bloody bad timing."

"What, you afraid she'll get angry?" she replied saucily.

"I happen to know that she was very angry, and for that matter, so am I."

I didna' really mean to tell her that, but I couldna' help meself.

"So that's it? I'm some sort of irritation?"

"No. Normally, ya be a very good friend." I kept digging me own grave. "Now, I do na want to hurt ya in any way, but ya do na' seem to realize that Pan is my girlfriend. I am in love with her. Do na' get in the way."

Laura smiled a plastic smile. "Fine."

We finished the dance in silence. When she left, Pan quickly returned. "So what happened there?"

I hung my head in shame. "I believe I have just lost a friend."

Pan scowled. "And I'm to blame?"

I just stared at her. "What?!?"

Pan walked away from me too.

******

I stood near the wall. I held my head in my hands. Then I looked around at the visitors. I couldna' show any of this to the guests. This was a party. I looked for something to do. Just then, the MC announced a new guest.

"Carol Danvers."

And there she was. I quickly looked for Scott. He had been busy sampling the food, but had turned when he heard the announcement. I felt for his emotions, checking to make sure that all was in place. Scott would do fine.

He walked up to her, and within minutes, Carol was feeling giddy. They headed for the dance floor. "Well if my own romance life goes down the drain, I'm just glad I helped someone else." I thought.

******

In a while, Pan approached me. "You're not out of the doghouse, but I'll take the leash off if you'll get rid of Wonder Bread for me."

She pointed toward the SHIELD agent known as Wonder Man. "He's a creep, and he's been hitting on me." she said by way of explanation.

"No problem." I said.

I walked up to him. "Hey, ya be Wonder Man, right?"

He was very tipsy, if not drunk. "Yeh, that'd be me."

"Listen, could I just have a word with ya outside?"

"Sure, why not?"

******

Five minutes later I came back in the building. In that time, I had beaten the living Hell out of Wonder Man, without even wrinkling me tuxedo. Wimp.

Laura was coming toward me. I avoided her, and looked for Pan. I didna' want to end the night on these terms. Unfortunately, something stopped me.

"Hey guys! Conner Kent is in the building!"

There goes the neighborhood...

This entry was posted by Fade, on Friday, November 03, 2006. You can leave your response.