A/N: so... first off, i have a friend who's been like... encouraging me to start posting... so i figured i'd give it a go. second off, i totally believe there is a shortage of kiotr fiction in the world right now, and this is me aiming to redeem that with what will probably shape up to be a series of one shots. this first one might be a little AU... but, i'm not certain;p (hopefully) they will get better with time and some lovely suggestions from some kind souls who want to help.

i don't own x-men evolution. if you thought i did... you're a kind of a moron.

"This is not going as planned."

Indeed, this was not going as planned. Not going as planned at all. He had thought it would be a friendly gesture, a way of saying thank you for being so welcoming to a former enemy. Clearly: it had not been the wisest choice he'd ever made. Had he known he would be putting himself so close to the edge of death, he might have swallowed the words before they made their way out. He would have observed the red flag that was everyone making nonsense excuses about why they couldn't help her ("I have to... brush my hair" or "My aunt's cat has an appointment with a physical therapist and I'm the only one who can take it"). But then she had those wide hazel eyes that seemed so bright and sweet when he'd offered and, well, he was a sucker for it.

Which is how he got roped into this mess when she was all "OMG! I like, have to retake my driving test," and went on for several minutes about how she couldn't believe they would fail her because she was a good driver and everyone else was just perpetuating harmful situations where she happened to be.

But as the X-Van came throttling to a stop (in the middle of the cross walk) he had to wonder if she'd exaggerated. Piotr braced himself against the dashboard of the armored vehicle before leaning back into his chair.

"Sorry." She winced as the bicyclist beside her shook his head.

"You are doing... fine?" Pete tried to think of something positive to say (really, he did). "It just takes," he looked over at her, her pretty face awry with nerves. "Practice," he said, softer, remembering how inviting she had been when he left the Acolytes and joined up less than two weeks ago.

His easy words made her smile, gave her confidence (maybe a little too much confidence:p)

She accidentally let off the break, rolling the massive van forward. Crap! At which point she accidentally mixed up the gas and the break, sending them flying forward. She recovered though, slamming down on the break... but not before sending his head into the roof over a speed bump.

"I'm like, so sorry!" Her hands slapped over her Perfect Peach lip-gloss coated mouth, but failed to hide the strawberry red in her once creamy cheeks.

He rubbed a hand through his dark hair. Perhaps he should have armored up before going on this adventure. "It is... alright." He looked up at her, the panicked expression on her face bringing a twinkled to his eye. He suppressed a swelling chuckle threatening his throat. "I grew up in Russia. I have experienced worse." He couldn't think of anything at the moment- he certainly couldn't think of anything more dangerous- but there had to be something... right?

She let out a nervous giggle. I can do this. I can freaking do this. Her hands clamped around the steering wheel in a death grip.

Piotr smiled. See? She was so sweet. He had to have gone through a more dangerous situation. He had to have.

-Later (like less than three minutes later)-

Again, it was totally not her fault. That rogue squirrel came out of no where (and how could she have lived with herself if she had hit the adorable... ravenous little critter?).

Which was why they were standing by a smoking X-van, the front end smashed against a light post.

"Katya."

"Piotr." She squeaked. Great. She had ruined this for sure... ugh. Why did he have to be so cute? Why couldn't she just get some ugly guy to teach her to drive?

Contrary to her initial fears though, there was no raging blow up (from the smoking engine or from him).

"Are you alright?" He looked at her with patient blue eyes.

"Yeah but that squirrel almost gave me a panic attack. Did you see how that little guy darted out of there. He was like a flipping ninja squirrel or something crazy like-" She pursed her lips when it dawned on her that she was babbling. Like a weirdo.

He quirked a brow at her, fighting off a chuckle again. She is... strange. And, oddly enough... he liked that.

A/N: so... this was only kind of ended. i'll admit, i didn't really know how to close it. but i do that with a lot of my stories, and i kind of like it that way.

anyway, if you liked this and would like to read more, or if you have some suggestions for future chapters, please review.