Body Heat

Disclaimer: I make no money from these fics and recognise the sole rights of the original creators to do so.

Summary: A little light relief for Wheeler and Linka fans.

A/N: This story is set after the series finished and is Rated M for language and intimacy, though Becks tells me I usually set the rating too high anyway… oh and she said she wouldn't read it unless I added the following disclaimer…

"I do hereby promise that there is nothing in this story that is likely to have a negative effect on the digestive system."

I guess that depends on personal preference though, so please do let me know what you think.

Chapter One - Stranded

"Wheeler will you stop making jokes!" Linka growled. "We could die up here!"

The American glared at her back as they made their way up the mountainside, "Who said I was joking? If we can't find this fucking cabin of yours, an igloo is gonna be our best bet!"

"Do not swear!" She yelled, ignoring the rest.

"Oh so one minute it's 'We could die' and the next you're worrying about my fucking language?" He stomped on ahead of her as they reached a flat bit. It was slightly more sheltered from the blizzard there, where a few trees were growing.

"Do not run off! We cannot afford to get separated." The Russian complained. "And Da, the situation is bad enough without having to listen to your sewer-mouth."

Wheeler stopped and waited for her, not wanting to lose her despite his mood, but he was still glaring. "The expression is potty-mouth for your information."

"Mine was more accurate!" She snapped in response, stalking past him. "Keep up!"

Groaning loudly, the fire planeteer set off after his companion, grabbing her hand as he came level with her.

She spun around as if to give him another mouthful, but as his response was a raised eyebrow and gentle squeeze on the hand he held, she kept her peace, and turned back to the trail to lead him silently on through the storm.

Ten minutes later the log cabin finally became visible through the sparse trees and the snow. Breathing a sigh of relief, the two Planeteers re-doubled their pace.

The door of the shelter was stuck from disuse and for a minute they were worried that it was locked, but then it gave way, and they practically tumbled into the darkness beyond.

"Fire." Wheelers ring lit the small cabin and he gave another squeeze to Linka's hand, which seemed to have developed a death grip on his fingers at their entrance. "It's not so bad in here... bit drafty."

Linka nodded, releasing his hand self-consciously. "We will have to clean it up a bit, it is for travellers but there are not many that come this way, especially at this time of year."

She was relieved not to have to shout anymore, and she was even more relieved to be out of the icy wind. Being the Wind Planeteer she had tried to lessen its effects around them at first, but she hadn't been able to maintain it while they were climbing.

Shivering, Linka closed the door and indicating the stone fireplace said, "Can you see if you can light a fire please?"

"Yeah Babe, good idea, I'm freezing." He agreed, moving over to the wood pile that had been left for just such an emergency.

While the American busied himself with trying to warm their temporary abode, Linka set about making it habitable. There were cleaning things in the cupboards, and since the lovely blond could not bear to sit amongst dust and cobwebs, she set about using them.

"Looks like there's a well out back." Wheeler said. Having got a small blaze going in the hearth and lit a few candles, he had moved to look out of the small kitchen area's window. "It's gonna be frozen though, I don't know what we're going to do for water."

Linka kept her face straight. "Snow."

The American looked at her blankly for a moment and then blushed. "Oh yeah."

The Russian giggled, her eyes sparkling.

"Are you sure it's safe to drink though?" He asked, pretending to ignore her reaction though he was actually thinking about how pretty she looked when she was teasing him.

Linka shrugged. "It is not particularly polluted in this area, but we will boil it first to be safe."

Still dressed in her padded winter coat and gloves, the young girl nevertheless shivered again, and moved closer to the fire. "We should call the others… I was hoping they would already be here."

"Yeah. Here," He stepped up behind her and put his arms around her, pulling her back against him and linking their ring hands before she could complain. "We might as well stay warm while we call them."

Linka hesitated for a second, torn between the idea that she should object, and not really wanting him to let go. "Ok, but we should really take our coats off, or they will not help when we go back outside."

"Not that I'm normally adverse to removing clothing, especially where you're involved." He ignored the look she gave him and continued. "But let's let it warm up in here a bit first, Babe. We wont be going out again for a while anyway."

She nodded and closed her eyes, leaning back against him. "Concentrate."

Wheeler closed his eyes as well, and tightening his embrace, rest his head against hers. "Ma-Ti? You there, little bud?"

Nothing.

"I hope they are all okay." Linka said after a few minutes of trying, her voice betraying her worry.

Wheeler kissed the side of her head and then rested his own back against it. "They'll be fine Babe, they were coming up the long way, through that settlement. They were probably cut off when the storm hit and it probably just has more pollutants there to block our signal."

"I hope that is all." She said quietly. "I am sorry I suggested coming up here, but there should not have been such a bad blizzard this time of year."

"So maybe the others are investigating it or something." The American suggested with another reassuring hug. "Or maybe they thought they'd give us some time alone."

Linka turned her head to look at him and scoffed. "If it is that, I will kill them myself."

Instead of the smart-alec remark she expected in return, Wheeler released her, a hurt look in his eyes. "I didn't realise you found my company that trying.

Alarmed, his lovely companion quickly recaptured his hand. "I did not mean it like that, I just… I do not like the idea of being match-made."

He paused, trying to work out how to correct her sentence, and then mentally shrugged it off. "I'd believe that if you ever wanted to spend time with me, but I think your first thought was more honest. I'll try not to get on your nerves while we're stuck here."

Pulling his hand free, Wheeler walked over to the small table and pulling out one of the chairs, slouched down in it, refusing to look at her.

Linka was on the verge of tears.

Her further attempts at reconciliation had been met at first with a shake of the head and the growled response, 'Drop it!' and after that, by silence.

In the end she had accused him of sulking and after shedding her warm clothing, had retired to one of the two small beds that made up the cabins sleeping area, and sat staring out at the blizzard through the dirty window.

The problem was that – despite her dissembling – the Russian cared very much what her red-headed friend thought of her, and hated being at outs with him. She was also worried about their friends and wishing they'd stuck together, but when Wheeler had challenged her to take the more difficult path with him, it had seemed like harmless fun.

"Do you want some dinner?" Wheeler asked at last, seemingly having gotten over his annoyance.

He'd taken his winter wear off as the room had warmed up, and like Linka, was now in his normal clothes that he had been wearing underneath. He'd also investigated the rudimentary bathroom and was now routing about in their rucksacks.

Not trusting her voice, Linka simply shook her head.

The American rolled his eyes. "Now who's sulking? You need to eat."

Babe, she thought. If he would just say that then she would know that everything was okay between them, but it wasn't, and all she could do was wait for the snow to stop so that they could escape. And then what? Go back to Hope Island and pretend that I do not care? Does he really think that I…

"Linka." His proximity startled her and she jumped, leaning back slightly and looking up into his eyes. "Come and have dinner."

"I am not hungry. Thank you." She said quietly, and though her voice was steady her eyes filled with moisture.

The last of Wheelers resentment seeped away at the sight of her distress and he immediately sat down next to her, tucking his arm around her and saying. "Oh Babe, I'm sorry. You know what I'm like."

Linka turned to cuddle into him. "I am sorry too, I never meant to say that I do not like being alone with you, I just do not like the others teasing and making a fuss over our relationship."

Wheeler's arms tightened around her, incredibly pleased by her words and the promise of 'their relationship' but for once not daring to pursue it. Instead he began to rub her back and shoulders. "You're freezing! You should be by the fire."

"I did not notice, I suppose I was worrying about the others." She replied blushing and then lifting her hand as if to show him, "My fingers are numb."

The American took the hand she offered in both of his and rubbed them. He repeated the gesture with the other hand and then cupped them both together in his larger ones while he blew on them. "Better?"

Linka nodded, embarrassed by how much she liked being looked after by her handsome team-mate. He was incredibly gentle with her and it made her even more aware of him than usual.

"Good." He grinned and pulled her back into his arms. "Maybe we should think about making the beds up, it might be a bit warmer. Did you find any blankets when you were going through the cupboards?"

"Da." She snuggled against him, not wanting to get up. "I think we should only make up the one bed though, it will be warmer if we share."

The Russian girl had been thinking about nothing more than survival techniques when she had said that last, but Wheeler's hesitation and the way his body tensed, made her realise what she had actually suggested. Looking up into his eyes she asked. "Unless you are not okay with that?"

Wheeler laughed ruefully. "I might be a little too okay with that."

"Well, we do need to produce heat." She said it quite matter-of-factly but her eyes betrayed her amusement.

"Oh really?" Wheeler replied, his face alight with mischief. Delighted by her response he deliberately lowered his head so that they were so close, she could feel his breath on her lips as he spoke. "Well I know a great way to warm us up."

Before she had a chance to object or pull away, he took her completely by surprise by finding the exact spot in her side where she was the most ticklish.

Squealing and trying to retaliate, Linka had no time to be disappointed that he hadn't taken the course of action she'd been hoping for. Desperately needing the chance to release some tension, the beautiful blond threw herself into his chosen game.

Encouraged by her enthusiastic response, Wheeler attempted to capture her hands, and found the best way to subdue her was to straddle her legs and pin her arms behind her back. "Surrender?"

Still laughing, the Russian gave him a saucy smile. "That depends, what will you do if I say nyet?"

"This..." He pressed his lips against hers, closing his eyes and marvelling at the softness of her skin, his heart beating faster as she began to respond.

For a few moments it felt like time stood still, but then she pulled back, her cheeks pleasantly flushed and a smile on her lips. "I surrender," She said softly. "Now let me up so I can do something about dinner."

Wheeler released her and sat back in confusion as she rose and went to finish what he'd started with their provisions. Did I do something wrong?

Looking over at him as she put their dinner on the small table, the Russian gave her companion a shy smile. "I thought you were hungry?"

Grinning, Wheeler got up and moved to join her. Or, maybe I did something right for once!