Disclaimer: Rahne Sinclaire(Wolfsbane), Julio Richter(Rictor)
   ,Moria Mactaggert,  Pete Wisdom, Kitty (Shadowcat) X-Factor,
    Excalibur and X-Force and all related/characters belong 
    to Marvel Comics.
    I am only borrowing them.
     The title inspiration comes from Gloria Estefan’s 
     remake album by the same name.
	
    Note: Written in response to  a challenge story pairing up 
    Rictor and Rahne,whose relationship has pretty much been 
    ignored since way back in the X-Cuetioner’s Song.
   
        Note: This doesn’t necessarily fit into any sort of 
    continuity, it’s just a light romantic piece I came up with.	
	Note: 
      
          “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” by Karen

  Rahne Sinclaire's decision to leave X-Factor and return to
  Muir Island to be with her foster-mother, Moira Mactaggert
  stemmed more from loyalty and love, than sense of obligation.
  Still, after everything she'd been through in her young life,
  helping Moira Mactaggert cope with the Legacy Virus, had taken
  its toll on her.  She'd earned a little rest and relaxation,
  for at least a little while.  Rahne leaned back in her
  leather-reclining chair, and closed her green eyes.  She softly
  hummed the words in time with the music on the CD.  Her rust
  brown hair fell down to curtain her oval-shaped face like
  drapes drawn over a window.  
  Rahne softly hummed the words, for a blissfully moment, 
  oblivious to the real world.

   ***
   Outside, Julio Richter, X-Force's Rictor, leaned up against
   the cool metal walls in the hallway corridors.
   He took a deep breath and mentally rehearsed what he’d been 
   meaning to tell her for some time now. 
   
 
    "Be honest with yourself, Ric. You're just trying to make
    up for lost time. Should have told her I loved her
    when I had the chance. Maybe it's too late.
    That's it, isn't?" he muttered to himself.
    
   He thought back to the last time they’d seen each other. 
  >Rictor thought to himself.
  And no one could help the fact that being on separate teams 
  created something of a wall between them.
	
 Rictor raised a clenched fist and knocked on the door.
 With all that running through his head,as the automated signal 
 chimed, indicating his presence.
	
 “Come in,” Rahne called out, as she heard the signal, and then 
 pressed the stop button on her CD player.
	
  Julio walked into the room, and the metal doors slid shut 
  behind him with a soft whoosh.
	
  “Rahne?” he began.
  <"Madre de Dios, I hope she got my letter. I hope
    I didn't come all this way just to hear her say no.>"
 
  "Ric?" Rahne responded, as she gasped in pleased shock.
  <"What's he doing here? How am I supposed to react?"
  Rahne thought in confused panic.

   "Who did you think it was?" Ric teased.
  
   That was about all he managed to get out. 
  Anything else he might have added was lost as Rahne dropped 
  was up and out of her chair, and Julio found himself on the
  recieving end of a full-blown kiss. The earphones slipped off
   her head and clattred onto the floor, unheeded.

     Rahne disentangled herself from his arms, and rocked back on 
   her heels, staring up at him, her green eyes boring into his 
   brown ones.
	
    He was used to girls thinking he was something pretty
    special. Even Tabitha, when he'd first met her had flirted
    with a relationship, but this was different.
    This was Rahne.  He had to admit that for the brief moment
    of their embrace, she'd felt good in his arms. It had felt
    right, somehow.
  
    "Och, aren't ye a sight for sore eyes," Rahne annouced,
     deciding for all her shyness, for once she;d be the one
     to break the ice, after all this was Rictor.
    
   “You missed me? You didn’t write, You didn’t call..." 
  Julio griped. and folded his arms across his chest in mock
  severity. 
  
   "Well, I've been kida busy, ye know?" Rahne laughed.
	
    "I guess you have at that," Julio laughed along with her.
     breaking the momentary tense atmosphere that had sprung
     between them.   
 
    “Ye have to ask?” Rahne teased back, flipping her rust-brown 
     ponytail over one shoulder.
	
    "I guess not,” Julio shrugged nonchantly.

  “Ye’re a long way from Arizona, Rictor,” Rahne observed coyly, 
   giving him a quick inspection that took in everything from 
   the white sweatshirt and blue jeans. "Cable let ye off for   
   good behavior?"
	
    "Actually he didn't. But that isn't why I'm here."

    "So, why are ye here? Rahne asekd, interest flaring, 
     reflected in her startling green eyes.
  
  “Well, I dropped you a line at X-Factor’s place in D.C. Lorna 
   told me that you’d left them to be with Moria. 
   I guess, you didn’t get my letter.”

   "Who put ye up to this?" Rahne suddenly demanded.
    "It was Kurt, wasnae it?"
    
   "Nobody 'put me up to this'. "I had this big speech prepared, 
    but it’s gone now right out of my head.
    So, I’ll just keep it simple," Julio said.
   
    “Okay, what did ye have in mind?” Rahne replied, toying 
    with a loose curl of hair, coiling it around one finger.

   "Rahne, would you like to go out with me?” Julio said, all in 
    one breath.

    “A date?” Rahne asked rhetorically, in response to 
     Julio’s silent nod. "With you?"
    <"What am I doing? Moira would have me hide for this.
      Look at me, I'm blushing like a school-girl, if it's
      wrong, why does it feel so right?"> Rahne thought .
   
     "Well, of course with me. Silly mujer," Julio laughed
     good-naturedly, tugging at his ponytail. 
    
     "Well, I'd have to think about," Rahne wavered.
      "Oh, Aye. I thought ye’d never as,” Rahne found herself 
      saying a few tense moments later.
    
    “Well, that’s a relief.” Julio cheerfully replied. 
     “Otherwise, Moria would have given me the third degree, 
      if you’d said no. Then again, if you'd said yes, she'd
    still lecture me, and I'd never hear the end of it."

     "She still might. Who knoews, you might even deserve it,"
     Rahne said, now more relaxed, as she pictured Moira giving
     Rictor a stern lecutring.
    "Very funny,” Julio griped, picturing the same thing 
    himself.
   
     Rahne laughed. “Where are we going?
     The mainland probably,there isn’t a lot to do here on 
     Muir... Rahne trailed off, tapping her fingers on her desk,
     wondering where he'd planned on taking her on their date.
 	
      "I've got a better idea," Julio answered, then grinned.

       "Oh," Rahne said, arching an eyebrow. 
       You're just full of suprises today, aren't ye?" Rahne teased.
     
     "It’s kinda of a surprise, but I’ll tell you anyway, ” 
     Julio said, bending down to whisper into her ear, “Lisbon.”
		
     Rahne's eyes opended wide, "Lisbon, as in Portugal?
     
     "Not unless you know of one somewhere else."
     
     “WOW!  When should I be ready?” Rahne asked.

     “In  about four hours,” Julio replied. 
      “I’ll see you then,as he gave her a hug.

   “Okay.” Rahne replied, hugging him back as she watched
    him exit her quarters.
	___________
	Interlude

	“Did he ask her?” Kurt Wagner inquired of the room in 
        general as the tell-tale smell of sulfur lingered in the 
        air. It was the unavoidable result of his teleporting field.
        He emerged and landed on a vanity table piled high with
        perfume bottles and a yard of lace that wound up wrapped
        around his feet.
	
       “Nightcrawler, I’d wish ye’d stop doing that. You’re 
        driving me crazy, Kurt! And to prevent ye from popping in 
        here every five minutes, yes, he asked her.”
	Moria replied, presently occupied in hemming Rahne’s 
        red beaded dress.

         Rahne ignored Kurt's question, as she concentrated
         on remaining moitonless perched atop a stool.
         She breathed a little shallowly, nervously tapping her
         left foot.
	
	‘Rahne, stop fidgeting or ye’ll get pinched,” Moria said, 
         grabbing a fistful of satin fabric.

	“I’m not fidgeting, Moria, I’m breathing.”
	___________________________________________
	Outside in the hallway, two other members of
        Excalibur were having a heated argument, much of it
        one-sided.
        
        Kitty/Shadowcat entered the room with Pete Wisdom all but 
        treading on her heels, having heard the tail-end of the 
        conversation, she turned to the tall, lean, British man, 
        as she chided him:
	
       "You're not me mun, so stop nagging me already! 
        At this rate, we might as well be the old ball and
        chain couple. If I wanted a keeper, I'd never have left
        London!" Pete Wisdom growled. 
       
        "Pete, I'm not nagging you to stop smoking because I'm
         a health-nut or because I'm trying to run your life.
         Kitty Pryde trailed off, running a little to keep up
         with Pete's long-legged stride.
         
         "So, why are you doing it?" Pete asked, annoyed.
         
         "Because I care about you, you...asinine British-bum!"
        
          "And I thought you liked me," Pete whined. 
        
         "OH, don't give me that. It's you I like. It's your
         smoking and drinking that I don't like. So there.
         May I remind you that your latest drunken fiasco
         involved a shower cap from Moira's room, and a wheel
         chair impersionation of Professor X?" Kitty continued.

         "Ah, my poor head. Don't remind me,"Pete groaned.
        
        Kitty entered Moira's room with Pete all but treading
        on her heels.  They stopped arguing about Pete's vices
        when they heard the tail-end of the conversation.
        Kitty pivoted on her heels and glared up at the tall,
        lean, British man.
       
        “You’d breathe easier too, if you gave up that 
        disgusting habit,” she sad as she stabbed out the 
        cigarette in his mouth.
	
         "Would you stop it!" Pete hissed at her.
         "You've been griping about this ever since day
         one when I joined this outfit.  Give it a rest already!
	“So, where are they going?” Pete asked, glaring at Kitty, 
        then lit another cigarette to replace the one she’d taken 
        away. 
	
	"Fine. Whatever," Kitty agreed, shrugging.

         “Lisbon. And I don’t see how it’s any of yuir 
         business, scamp,” Rahne said, then yelped as the pins
         Moira was using accidentally pinked her right shin.
	
	 "Told you so, now hold still," Moira said.
         “I’ve arranged to allow Julio clearance to check 
         out one of the Center’s minijets,” Moria added.
      
         "Pay up, Mister Wagner. You owe me one Ben Franklin,"
         Pete said, sticking his heand out, palm upwards.
	
         "Don't tell me you were betting on this," Moira
         exclaimed," as Kurt handed Pete a crisp ten dollar
         bill.    
   
        “You’re letting, Mister Bad-Hair Day, fly your minijet?” 
         Kitty exclaimed in shocked suprise.
         “After all Brian’s been doing to upgrade it?”

	“Why not" Moria shrugged. 
        “Cable lets him fly X-Force’s PACRAT.”

        “I just hope you’re insured, Mein Fruend,” Kurt laughed, 
         as he teleported out of the room to escape Moira's
         immediate wrath.
	“Why is everyone in here?" Moira griped.
   
         "Fine, we're leaving," Kitty replied, wrinkling her
          nose. "At least until we get an air-freshener in here
          for Kurt, as she left, towing Pete along in her wake.
          
       "You’re wasting time, find something else to do!
       Shoo! Shoo!” Moria griped, as she made dismissing motions 
       with her hands.
	____
	Lisbon, Portugal, 

	Rahne thought 
        wistfully. Lisbon was a beautiful city.
	Whoever the city planners had been, they’d given a lot of 
        consideration into detail and ornamentation.  
        Maybe she’d been sucked into the typical tourist mentality, 
        getting all mushy over old-fashioned European charm.
        Her arm interlocked with Rictor's as he played tour guide,
        sometimes referring to the glossy pamphlet they'd picked
        up at the airport.


	In the back of her mind,  Rahne felt a little concern right 
        after Julio said they’d be going to as 
        cosmopolitan a city as Lisbon.
	
	<“What if I stick out like a sore thumb? Or pick up 
        eye-tracks, ‘cause I’d have to to a partial phase-shift 
        from my wolfen form.”> Rahne had nervously thought the 
        entire flight to the contient, despite Ric’s protests to
	the contrary that she looked absolutely stunning in 
        her red dress.
	
	**********
	Somewhere,

       Rahne watched Julio rattle off something in Spanish to the 
       proprietor of a street kiosk, and managed to make himself 
       understood. Every square inch of the small
       kiosk was crammed with goods for sale. It carried 
       everything from magazines, stamps, postcards, t-shirts, 
       typical tourist stuff, to more useful items,
       including maps. 
       “Proof that men do ask for directions,’ Rahne laughed 
        silently to herself.
	*******
	Outside the Discoteque

         “I cannae dance,” Rahne whispered, as she wondred
          if she'd make a fool of herself in front of all these
          people.

	“Don’t worry. It’s easy,” Julio nodded encouragingly.
	
	“Won’t they card us, or somethng, for being underage?”
	
	“They’re not too picky about that in Europe. 
         Besides, all we came here for is dancing not alchohol.”
	
	“As long as ye’re not planning on wearing a white 
         polyester jumpsuit,” Rahne said wrinkling her nose as  
         various perfumes wafted to her nose.
	
	“You wouldn’t catch me wearing on those things. 
        Although," Julio cocked his head to one side, as though 
        thinking something through, “It might be fun
	to trick 'Star into one, telling him it was a new style 
        of battle-armor.”
	
	“Ric!” Rahne exclaimed in mock severity, “Ye wouldn’t!” 
         Rahne laughed, picturing the arena-warrior dressed in a 
         polyester suit.
	
        “Why a disco?” Rahne slowly counted the amount of people 
         ahead of them relative to their position, it looked 
         like it might be a while before they got in.
	
	“They’re like nightclubs back in the States are to 
         Europeans. And for our first offical date, I thought I’d 
         take you to one, “ Julio answered, reaching into
	his pocket, to remove his ID from his wallet as they 
        neared the discoteque entrance to show to the doorman.

	“Well, I’m honored. “ Rahne laughed, as they entered.
	Rahne’s hyper keen senses became suddenly awash in sights, 
        sounds, and smells.
        She felt Ric’s hand on her elbow, firmly but gently 
        preventing her from keeling over in front of all these 
        people.
	
         A few seconds concentration allowed her to filter 
        everything down to a bearable level.
	
	“You okay?” Julio asked, concerned.

	‘I’ll be fine,” Rahne smiled, as they approached the 
         entrance, enroute to the dance floor.
	***********
	The lighting was purposely dim at the entracne, but it 
        grew brighter.
	The dance floor was laid out in black and white tiled 
        squqres, dangling from the ceiling were round globes 
        reflecting mulit-colored spotlights from floor to ceiling.
	
	Julio rose to his feet, gliding over to stand directly
        opposite Rahne. He adopted what he hoped was a gallant pose,
        and took a deep breath. "Madam, would you care to dance?"

        "I'd....I'd love to," Rahne whispered back.
 
        She stood up, clasping her hands with his, as he 
        smoothly but gently lifted her up, and glided out to
        the edge of the dance floor.
   
         "I told you, it's easy,"Julio reassured her, sweeping
         her up into his embrace until they found a circle whose
         circumfrence of their arms was the sole focus.
         "Don't even worry about anyone else looking, or judging,
          this has always been about just the two of us.
          Just let the music be the guide, Okay," he smiled.
  
         "Okay," Rahne nodded.

         Then the music started, amplified by the sound system,
         but for them it had its own special magic, as it played
         only for them.

   {You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life.
    See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen
    Friday nights and the lights are low. Looking for a place to go.
    Where they play the right music, getting in the swing.
    You come to look for a King.
    Anybody could be that guy.
    Night is young and the music's high.
    With a bit of rock music, everything's fine.
    You're in the mood for a dance, and when you get the chance.
    You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only 17.
    Dancing Queen, you can jive, having the time of your life.
    See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen.
   
    {You're a teaser, your turn em' on.
    Leave them burning and then you're gone.
    Looking out for another, anyone will do.
    You're in the mood for a dance.
    And when you get the chance...
    You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only 17.
    Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine.
    You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life.
    See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen.
    *note:Words/Lyric by Abba circa 1970*


	____________
	After	
	
	“Ric,” Rahne whispered.

	Julio bent down, lowering his head slightly so 
        he was eye-level with Rahne.
	Then he lightly kissed her. In the instant their lips met, 
        Rahne tasted salt and sweetness. 
        It felt like catching snowflakes in winter.
	She wished, to whatever powers that be, that were 
        listening, that this moment could last forever.
        *****
	
   “Did ye ever wonder, if things might’ve worked out 
   differently, Ric?  That we.. " Rahne trailed off.

  “You’re still hung up on Havok?” Julio whispeered bitterly.

   "It’s not Havok. When we meet again at Scott and Jean’s wedding, 
    after that “brief reunion” we had, I remember you saying 
    something about that.”

    "Rahne, I hope you know how much I care about you,”
     Julio said,turning away slightly. Rahne placed a hand on
      his shoulder, and gently turned him around so he faced
     her again.
	
     “Shush! Let me finish. That whole business was a lie, 
      forced on me by those horrible people in Genosha. 
      Ye I was cured by someone called Haven, but that doesn’t 
      matter now."
	
    "Then what is it?”Julio asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

    "How could I smile at someone else, when ye’ve filled up 
     all the empty places inside me? Rahne smiled. 
    “Och, I do love ye,....”Rahne trailed offf, her eyes shining
     when Julio's resistance melted away, and reutrned hers with
     one of his own.

     “I love you, Rahne Sinclaire,” Julio simply said, 
      and kissed her again, holding her in a tight embrace, 
      as they stood locked together for a long time.


      Completed 2-6-00.
      
	To be continued in “Kismet”



   Song Lyrics 
   Words & Music by Harry Noble Jr. co1980, Mils Music
   Adaptation from album by same title
   Sung by Gloria Estefan 1994  Epic/Sony Records
	
 “”Hold Me, thrill me. Never let me go until you’ve 
   told me, told me What I want to know, and then just 
   hold me, hold me.
   Make me tell you I’m in love with you.
   Thrill me, thrill me.
   Walk down the lane where shadows will be, will be.
   Hiding lovers the same as we will be, will be.
   When you make me tell you I love you.
   
    They told me be sensible with your new love.
    
   Don't be fooled into thinking this is the last 
   you'll find,
   But they never stood in the dark with you, love.
   When you take me in your arms and drive slowly 
   out of my mind.
   Kiss me, kiss me, and when you do, I'll know
   that you will miss me, miss me.
   Make me tell you I'm in love with you.

   Kiss me, kiss me.
   And when you do I'll know that you will miss me, miss me.
   If we ever say I do, so kiss me, kiss me
   Make me tell you I'm in love with you.
   Never, never, never let me go.
   
  
   
	
	
	
	
	
		

	
	
	
	
	

Linkage

---

  The e-mail address I have (kareng1@uswest.net) will
   eventually become qwest.net, all messages can still be sent
   to the current for the next 12 months or so, but after that it
   will jus be under kareng1@qwest.net.

---