A/N: Hey all! So this old-school Chris Brown song came on my playlist and it got me LOLing! I envisioned Ma-Ti having to deal with first dates, girls, and all the awkwardness around it, and that's how this story was born! THIS IS RANDOM, a little different from my usual! But let me know if it tickles your fancy all the same :)

Yo (Excuse Me Miss) by Miss Mango

Chapter 1

I can't say I'm not relieved when I spot Wheeler sitting alone in the Commons Room. The redhead is sprawled all over the sofa with a laptop in hand, engrossed in some video game of his. I smile. It's now been four years since Wheeler and I met. At recruitment, I was only twelve years old, and Wheeler sixteen. What struck me most about him was his spontaneity and curious attitude. He wasn't shy in the least, nor intimidated by Hope Island or Gaia. I, on the other hand, was a mess on the inside. Frightened and unaccustomed to so many new things happening all at once. Wheeler came over straight away and taught me some weird hand shake, not before complementing my tribal armband tattoo. His friendliness immediately served to calm me down, like a powerful anti-anxiety drug.

Seeing Wheeler still so carefree after all this time is like a happy reminder that some things never seem to change. I draw solace from that, somehow. Especially now, in my late teen years, where change is a constant part of my everyday reality. Sometimes I miss the days of childhood, now long behind me. Sure, life as an orphan has never been easy for me, but I'm lucky that my path crossed that of the Planeteers and Gaia. They have been like a family to me since day one. With its web of problems, support, laughter, tears, incomprehension, and unconditional acceptance.

Wheeler is my best friend, my mentor in a way. I've forever looked up to him. We play sports together and more recently work out, always having fun. Not to mention our epic video games marathons and staying up to watch horror movies late at night. We've even held junk food contests on that very sofa. The American is easygoing and funny, and even though I appreciate Kwame's serious and dedicated contribution to the team, I personally find myself more in line with Wheeler's personality. Wheeler has even taught me how to shave, among other things, and I cannot help but see him as the older brother I've never had but always wanted.

Plus, it really helps that Wheeler's specialty is girls. I need desperate coaching in that area, especially as of late. I'm a naturally shy and insecure boy. Wheeler's brash confidence, on the other hand, is an amazing phenomenon that I'm forever trying to emulate. Women seem to naturally gravitate towards the American, perhaps because he keeps getting more and more fit over the years. He's in-your-face handsome, with a smile that has a high charm factor. I find that getting noticed isn't hard with Wheeler around. Something that definitely comes in handy!

"Hey," I call out, making my way to the center of the room. I plop down on the soft cushions with a sigh, and Wheeler raises his eyes from the screen to examine me quickly.

"What's up, bud?"

"I need your help," I reply, switching my position so that I'm sitting cross-legged and facing the American.

Wheeler pauses his videogame when he hears the troubled tone to my voice. He watches as I run a hand back and forth through my dark as night hair. It did not take long for me to ditch the bowl cut of years prior, and now my hair is cut shorter. I know Wheeler is proud of my transition into manhood; I have to admit I'm turning more into a looker every day. Thanks to Wheeler, I'm following my workout routine religiously. I'm not nearly as lanky as I used to be and am developing solid muscles in the right places. The recent growth spurt sees me towering over the girls, too. I think it subtly serves to remind us all that time is racing by. We are growing up so quickly! Two more years and I will be eighteen. An adult, for God's sake!

"Shoot," the American grins, placing the laptop on the nearby table in order to give me his undivided attention. Over the years, he's always tried to be a reference point for me and help me along; as a result, a beautiful bond ties us together. Maybe he's trying to be to me the loving male figure he lacked growing up, since his father has always been emotionally unavailable all his life.

"It's… well… it has to do with… girls," I get out laboriously, playing with my fingers in my lap.

"You've come to the right place," smirks Wheeler, not without a touch of arrogance, and he winks at me.

"Yeah, yeah," I roll my eyes, hamming it up, with a little smile of my own.

"Laugh it up, but that's been one area of my life I've never had problems with," the American gloats, folding his hands behind his head without a care in the world. The solid muscles of his arms flex under his T-shirt.

"Well, I figured, since you finally won Linka over, you must be doing something right!"

"Hey!" Wheeler makes a face, throwing a pillow at me with considerable force, and I laugh while ducking.

"For your information, Linka's been in love with me for as long as I've been in love with her. She just needed some time to admit it!"

"Sure," I snicker, good-humored.

The epic love tale between the Fire and Wind Planeteers is something that is dear to all our hearts. The two started out on rocky ground, no denying it, with Wheeler forever chasing after the beautiful Russian girl and Linka's endless attempts to avoid him. They fought more than anything at the beginning, getting on each other's nerves and those of the entire team. Then, last year, something changed in their usual, immature relationship. Wheeler pursued her with more insistence, cutting out all other girls from his peripheral vision, and Linka started taking him more seriously. They are now a couple, have been solid for the past year, and the immense joy they bring to each other's lives is evident to all they encounter.

"Anyway," I continue on, shrugging my shoulders. "Remember how I told you I've been in touch with Laura again?"

"Laura Talbot?"

I calmly nod. We met Laura and her father a few years ago on a mission. They were honest, hard-working people. Then, days ago, Laura sent me an e-mail with some recent photos of the family ranch. She was especially proud of all the environmental upgrades they had installed on their extensive land.

I immediately liked the Midwestern American girl, and judging from the last pictures she has sent, she has become even prettier than I remembered. With her long, chestnut hair and hazel eyes, not to mention her engaging way of seeing the world, Laura easily stands out in a crowd.

"You had a thing for the little babe, didn't you?" grins Wheeler, throwing another pillow at me. This time I'm so lost in thoughts of Laura that it hits me full on. The blush on my cheeks serves to confirm Wheeler's hunches and he laughs merrily.

"We have been texting each other since the e-mail, and well, I was thinking of maybe… asking her out?"

Wheeler lets out a whoop and gets up to perform a funny little dance. I hide my face in my hands and wail, not expecting this would turn into some Superbowl party all of a sudden.

"Wheeler, you don't seem to realize that I need serious help here! I mean, what am I going to do? I don't have a clue how to even go about doing it. We haven't seen each other in years. What if she says no?"

"Whoa, whoa, chill out, lil' buddy," Wheeler speaks up while sitting back down, this time closer to me. His face turn slightly more serious.

"You've gotta be cool about this. Confident. Now, what kinda vibes are you gettin' from her?"

"It's been fun connecting with her again. She's smart, and funny, and we always find lots to talk about."

"That's a great starting point," nods Wheeler encouragingly. "But now you need to take it past that. It's one thing texting and talkin' on the phone, that's great and all, but you gotta get a feel for the actual chemistry between you two. That's where dating comes in."

"Her dad is kind of strict from what she tells me, though. What if he doesn't allow her to come out with me? After all, it's not like they know me that well. I'm not even sure he remembers me at all."

Wheeler grins. "Trust me, he'd remember a boy with a monkey on his arm comin' out of a yellow spaceship-type vehicle. You don't see that landing on your farm every day, know what I'm sayin'?"

I laugh and shove him away in annoyance, all in the same breath.

"Wheeler, I'm being serious!"

"So am I!" rebuts the American, putting his hands up. "Don't you worry your little head 'bout a thing. It'll be grand! You'll be irresistible! And you'll have me to thank when you get to second base with her."

"What's second base?" I ask naively and Wheeler groans aloud.

"We have some serious work to do."

The sliding doors open all of a sudden and in through the glass steps Linka. A spontaneous smile creeps over Wheeler's face as he watches her move about the spacious room. It's almost like he forgets all about me sitting beside him for a second.

I immediately pick up on the American's change of mood. My biggest struggle is trying not to meddle in their thoughts too much, something my Heart power easily gives me access to if I so please. Often, I'm completely caught off guard by the waves of happiness they both radiate around each other. I have to admit that sometimes I am fiercely envious of that, and often wonder what it's like to be that much in love with someone.

The beautiful blonde girl is waving at us, seemingly unsure whether to interrupt our session, before Wheeler calls her over. The American lets his eyes run over her gorgeous figure proudly. She is clad in jean shorts and a tank top with wide straps, barefoot and with her hair in a loose braid. Linka just keeps getting more beautiful as time goes on. Even when she's strolling around hand-in-hand with Wheeler, men turn around to look at her; it's a sure bet regardless of where we are in the world. Beauty knows no confines, I guess.

"Here, a girl's perspective on the whole dating thing may help you understand the ordeal better," Wheeler grins brightly at Ma-Ti, before turning to Linka.

The American reaches to take Linka's hand and pulls her down on his lap, where the Russian girl settles without making a fuss. I sometimes still half expect her to smack Wheeler in the face just like the old days, out of habit, but everything has changed since then. Linka is softer, much less uptight. I can tell they are extremely comfortable being so physically close to one another, natural like breathing. I watch as Wheeler's arms circle her waist from behind, holding her to him, and Linka leans back into his frame, content.

"So Ma-Ti's gonna ask Laura out," Wheeler immediately spills the beans to his girlfriend, causing me to flush furiously. I get easily embarrassed about these things.

"Laura Talbot?" Linka pipes up, intrigued, not without a little smile of her own. "That is fantastic, Ma-Ti! She seemed like a very nice girl."

"Most importantly, she's easy on the eyes," Wheeler winks deviously at me, winning a light smack from Linka on the arm.

"Yankee, do not taint him, please! He is still innocent and sweet," Linka pouts, and I cover my face with my hands for the second time today.

"Are you saying that I am neither innocent nor sweet?" Wheeler remarks, searching her eyes, using his most angelic tone of voice.

Linka rolls her eyes skywards, then reaches to pat me on the arm instead.

"Anyway, Ma-Ti, what do you have planned for your first date with Laura?"

I know I have a pained look on my face as I think this through.

"A little help?" I finally cave, eying Wheeler as if he is a lifeline out at sea.

"Why are you trippin', Ma-Ti? All you have to do is call her up and say 'babe, I'm takin' you out to Coney Island on Friday. Wear something cute.' Easy as pie!"

I watch Linka's face first become animated by exasperation at Wheeler's outrageous expressions, before she breaks into a ready smile.

"That is actually a great idea! Coney Island is beautiful. You will not run out of things to do or talk about, and you will not get so nervous in such a fun, casual environment."

"Plus, we know it works," concurs cheerfully Wheeler, "because that's where Linka and I went on our first date together."

"Really?" I ask, my interest piqued, and I forget my troubles for just a moment.

"Let us say that it was our first outing alone together without the rest of the team tagging along," Linka laughs a little.

"So no interruptions!" joins in Wheeler.

"Guys, that sounds like a good plan! I just hope her dad allows her to go."

Wheeler shrugs and offers a ready response. "Tell Laura that if it gives her dad more peace of mind, Linka and I will come along to chaperone you. What he doesn't have to know is that once we're there, we'll split up and give you two kids all the privacy you want!"

"And, if you find that you need our help or advice on anything, we will be close enough for you to contact us," Linka offers kindly, squeezing my hand affectionately.

All I can do is give her a heartfelt smile in turn. "Thank you. I will go call her right now!"

"Just remember, be cool and don't sound too desperate," Wheeler offers, winning him an elbow in the ribs from Linka.

"Ma-Ti, do not listen to him! Just be yourself and she will surely be impressed."

I flash them both a grin, feeling less nervous than I was before. Knowing how to initiate the first crucial approach seems to take a huge weight off my chest. I'm very grateful that I can rely on my two best friends right now, on their insights. If luck is on my side, the amusement park will bring me and Laura closer together, just as it did Wheeler and Linka. If it's anything like it was for the Fire and Wind bearers, then I can't hope for a better resolution.