Hey! Okay, so I actually planned on releasing this on the fourth, a week before the original date, but then I got a little stuck, and tied up. School's back on, so I've got a whole a bunch of stuff that has to rank higher on my priority list. Still, here's the new chapter! And just so you know, I'm back to the updates every two weeks.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own XME or any of its characters. I own Maria, and Roberto's two teammates Davi and Luiz. They're not really significant characters, just some people who needed names filled in.

WORD COUNT: 2515

Wednesday, March 13th, 2002

LOCATION: RIO DE JANIERO, BRAZIL

"Ah, home sweet home!" Roberto cried as he stepped out of the plane and into the bright Brazilian sunlight, "How I've missed you so!" He took a deep breath and paused for a moment, soaking up the warm energy gifted to him by the sun. In fact, he stood there until the man behind him poked him and told him to "get the fuck out of his way". Someone was in a bad mood. But Roberto wasn't going to let that bother him. He was home, and he had his favourite girl right by his side. How could he be upset?

"You seem glad to be home," Rahne remarked. Roberto couldn't help feeling a little bad, given her experience when they went to visit her home.

"You got that right. Sunshine, soccer games, and some of the best beaches ever! You and I are going to have the best three days together, trust me."

Rahne grinned and hooked her arm into his, shifting the handle of her suitcase into her other hand so that they could walk together properly. "I can't wait."

As soon as they managed to get themselves out of the crowded airport, Roberto led Rahne to a bus stop. There was only one vacant seat left, so he offered to let her have it.

"Nah, I've got a better idea. You sit down."

Roberto shrugged and did as he was told, and then was mildly surprised as she plopped herself down on his lap, to the amusement of the little kid a few seats down. "Comfy?" he asked playfully.

"You bet." She snuck a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Ugh, do you mind?" an all-too-familiar voice snapped, "Some of us just had breakfast."

Roberto looked over and saw Juliana Sandoval standing there, glaring at him and Rahne in disgust. Great. Just great. They'd only just arrived, and she had to spoil his happy fantasy. No, don't think that way, Roberto, he scolded himself, you came here to have fun and you are not going to let the likes of her ruin it. "Just ignore her," he whispered to Rahne, "No way is she ruining our vacation."

Unfortunately, Juliana was difficult to ignore, in more ways than one. Not only was she the kind of girl who made guys' heads turn as she walked by, but she wouldn't let you ignore her if you tried. She stalked over, stiletto high heels clicking on the pavement. "What are you doing here, da Costa?"

Roberto rolled his eyes. "Um... I live here? You remember that, right? We went to school together."

"I mean, why aren't you at that weird new school of yours?"

Rahne, ever trying to see the good in people, stuck out her hand. "Uh, hi," she greeted Juliana, "I'm Rahne Sinclair, Roberto's girlfriend. You two are old friends?"

Juliana sniffed. "Hardly." Her eyes travelled up and down the Scottish shape-shifter. "Figures you'd wind up with her," she stated, "She's just like you, isn't she? A freak?"

Rahne's expression grew annoyed, and she stood up. "What's your problem?" she asked irritably.

"Hey, the bus is here!" Roberto immediately picked up his bag and Rahne's with no problem (these were times when he really loved his powers), took his girlfriend by the hand, and started pulling her towards the bus. "Come on, we don't want to be late!"

He was able to get Rahne on the bus before she could argue, and sat her down next to him near the back. "What was that all about?" Rahne asked, confused.

Roberto breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Juliana stalked away through the bus window. "Nothing. She's just a nasty girl who went to my school. I just didn't want her starting a fight."

"Oh." Rahne nodded understandingly. "All right, then. Let's just forget her."

He grinned. "Gladly."

Sunday, June 4th, 2000

"Good luck." Juliana gave him a peck on each cheek. "I'll be cheering for you."

Roberto watched as his girlfriend ran back to where Mom and Dad were sitting in the second row of the bleachers, then returned to his pre-game warm-up. Today was the state finals, and he and his team, the Thunderbolts, were facing their fiercest rival: the Dynamos. He was pumped and ready to take them on. Roberto didn't know why, but he had a feeling today would be a big day. The sun was shining, Maria and her squad were performing their little routines to perfection, and he felt fully energised and in top shape. This was the game he'd been training for all year long. The Dynamos were pretty rough competition, but even they weren't going to stop him; he just knew it. This year was their year to win.

Roberto and his teammates took their spots on the field for the start of the game. The captains grudgingly shook hands, scowling at each other, the ref blew his whistle and tossed the ball into the air, and the game was on!

Davi Alves managed to take possession, ducking around one Dynamo before passing it to Luiz Cruz. He made it halfway to the other team's net before he was elbowed in the ribs by another Dynamo. The ref blew his whistle, declaring that the Thunderbolts get a penalty shot. Roberto stepped up to take it, and sent the ball whizzing past the goalie, scoring the first point of the game.

Looking over to the sidelines, he could see his parents and Juliana up on their feet and cheering. He loved being right.

"Robbie!" Roberto steeled himself as his mom practically jumped at him to give him a hug. "How was your flight, bebê?" she asked him.

"Fine," he choked. Mom finally released him, only to give Rahne a huge hug.

"And you must be Rahne. Robbie's told us so much about you!"

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. da Costa," Rahne greeted her politely.

"Oh, call me Nina, please."

"Hey, fedelho." Roberto didn't even realise Maria was behind him until she messed up his hair and spoke up.

"Maria, cut it out!" he protested.

"Whatever. What, you can't be glad to see your big sister again?"

"Not like that, no. Rahne, this is my older sister Maria. Maria, my girlfriend Rahne."

"Hi." Maria gave Rahne a friendly wave. "So you're the girl my little brother's been raving about."

"Maria, don't," Roberto warned her.

Rahne just laughed. "Don't worry about it; Jamie hacks into your computer all the time; he told me about your gushy e-mails and stuff."

"What?!" Roberto cried, surprised, embarrassed, and a little ticked off, "That little runt is going to get it when we get back!"

"Easy, son." Dad was just coming out of the house. "You know I've talked to you enough about your temper."

"Relax, Dad, I'm just gonna get Forge to help me put a camera on my laptop so I can catch him in the act. What do you think will be his punishment, huh Rahne? Ten bucks says he'll have to wash all the uniforms for a week."

Rahne scrunched her face up in thought. "Depends on whoever you show it to. The Professor would probably just let him off with a serious warning, Mr. Logan would sentence him to extra Danger Room sessions, and all the other instructors would go with the uniform washing thing, or some other terrible chore."

"How about we all catch up inside?" Mom suggested, "As soon as I heard you were coming, I baked some fresh cookies."

"Sweet!" Roberto exclaimed. Mom babied him a bit, but anything she cooked was the best, especially cookies. He took Rahne by the hand and pulled her behind him as he ran inside. "Come on, I'll give you a tour."

"Hey!" Maria called from outside, "I'm not bringing these bags in! Get back out here!"

"Mmm! These are scrumptious!" Rahne declared.

"I'm glad you like them," Mom said, "If you like, we were in the middle of watching some home movies. Want to join us?"

Roberto groaned inwardly. "Sure!" his girlfriend eagerly agreed. Before he knew it, Roberto was on the sofa in the living room, watching an old video of Maria and her cheerleading squad last year.

It wasn't until he took a look at what was happening on the field that he realised which game this was. 'Oh boy,' he thought, 'It's that game, isn't it?'

The score was tied, 3-3, with only twenty seconds left on the clock. Roberto sprinted past his opponents, who were starting to tire out after such a long play, while he was still full of energy. The goal was in his sight. He was going to make it. He'd score the winning point and claim victory for his team.

At least, that was what he was thinking right before one of the Dynamos launched himself at Roberto, knocking him to the grass. Another one landed on top of him, followed by another. Roberto soon found himself trapped under at least half a dozen guys, struggling to breathe as all their weight compressed down on his chest. He could barely move, and was quickly starting to panic when the pressure didn't ease off. He had to get out... he needed to breathe...

Desperate, Roberto pushed on the ground and managed to shove himself upward, and felt the other guys easily fall off him. At first, there was a moment of relief, then the screaming started, and Roberto caught a glimpse of his hands.

They had inexplicably turned jet black, mere silhouettes against the freaky fiery aura that surrounded them. When he looked even closer Roberto realised that it wasn't just his hands; the same thing had happened to his entire body. He gasped, and then joined in with the screaming. "AAAGGGHHH!"

"Hang on!" Rahne insisted, "Pause it there!" Dad paused the video, right at the moment where Juliana had been giving Roberto his good luck kisses. "That's the girl we saw at the bus stop!" She turned to Roberto. "You never mentioned she was your girlfriend."

"Who? Juliana Sandoval?" Maria interrupted, "Oh, forget about that cadela."

"Maria," Dad scolded her, "Remember what we said about cursing in this house?"

"Whatever. If it's about offending our guest, I'm sure she doesn't know what I said, anyway."

"Actually, I do," Rahne replied, "Every time someone comes into the Institute with a new language, it takes only about a week for all the other students to learn how to swear in it. It confuses the teachers at school. But that's not my point. Why didn't you tell me about her?"

Roberto bit his lip. "She's just a piece of bad history, and I didn't want to ruin our vacation by bringing up an ex. Besides, that was actually the last time she even touched me; just wait till the end of the game, you'll see."

Roberto panicked, seeing all the players, both the Dynamos and his own teammates, scrambling away from him. He had to get out of here. He dashed away from the field, towards the old abandoned art building. Skidding to a stop once he was far enough away, Roberto slumped down against the wall, panting.

He held up his hands in front of his face, staring at him. What the hell was happening? He suddenly felt very tired, now that he was in the shade. Slowly, the orange glow faded, and his hand returned to normal.

"Roberto!" He heard his name being called, and jumped up. He peeked around the side of the building and saw Maria and Juliana heading over to his hiding spot. "Come on, fedelho, where'd you go?"

His sister's use of her favourite nickname for him convinced Roberto it was safe, so he stepped halfway into view. "Over here."

Maria immediately ran over and hugged him. "We've got to get you home," she said hurriedly, "People are freaking out back there."

"They're not the only ones," Roberto answered shakily, "What the hell was that?"

"I don't know, but now's not the time to try and figure it out. Not here." She glanced over her shoulder. "Any second now, those Dynamo lugs are going to get over their shock and come after you; it's not safe here. Mom and Dad have gone to get the car, and we can sneak around to the parking lot."

"Okay." Roberto looked over at Juliana, who hadn't moved a step. "Are you coming?" he asked her, starting to walk over.

Juliana took three steps back, grabbing a rock off the ground. "Back off, freak!" she cried, "Don't touch me!"

Roberto stared at her in shock. "But... Juliana? It's still me."

"I said keep your distance, you monster!" She whipped the stone at him, striking his left shoulder, before turning and running. "IT'S HERE!" she shouted, "SOMEONE GET IT!"

Roberto couldn't move, purely out of shock, until Maria grabbed the back of his jersey and pulled him in the opposite direction. "Let's go!" she insisted.

Roberto stood up abruptly when he realised they were getting close to the dogpile in the video. "I'll get some sodas," he mumbled, and wandered off towards the kitchen.

He took his time rifling through the fridge and picking out drinks for everyone. Slightly muted screams came from the living room, and he knew they'd reached the part where his powers showed up. Eventually, he couldn't drag it out any longer, and grabbed the cans and shut the fridge door.

Roberto was a little surprised to see Rahne standing by the door. "You okay?" she asked softly, "I saw what happened. Your parents apparently got it mixed up with a different game and didn't realise we were watching that one."

He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I just don't like reliving that moment. I mean, it was pretty much the scariest one in my life. Okay, maybe it could rank second to the battle with Apocalypse, but that's it."

He handed Rahne can of root beer – her favourite – and she accepted it quietly. "Juliana didn't take it so well, did she?" She popped it open and took a sip.

"If you consider calling me a freak and a monster and throwing a rock at me taking it well, then I guess you could say she did take it well. But the point is, she's in the past now. It only bugs me when she pops back into my life."

Rahne set her root beer down on the counter and moved closer to him. "Well, she won't be popping in anymore," she declared, "And if she does, I'll pop her back out."

Roberto raised an eyebrow. "Huh. I've known you for quite a while, and you still managed to surprise me every now and then."

"Here's another one." She wrapped her arms around his neck and started kissing him passionately. Roberto gladly returned it, enjoying the bliss of having his wolf girl in his arms.

"Hey, fedelho!" Maria called, entering the kitchen, "You got those drinks or – geez, get a room, would you?"

Well, I really hope you liked it. BTW, Maria's nickname for Roberto translates to 'brat', and she called Juliana a bitch. Which is totally bang-on.

This is a little different from the comic version (at least, according to Wikipedia). Originally, Roberto gets attacked because some of the Dynamos are racist (fun fact: Roberto is Afro-Brazillian), and his girlfriend sticks with him. What-ever! He's got Rahne now, and that's all he needs!

Coming up on the 18th (I hope - fingers crossed): Amara! See you then!