A/N: I do not own the Captain Planet series, nor any of its characters, and am not making any money from these stories.
Wheeler jumped up from his seat before Gi finished landing the Geo Cruiser, after thegroup of planeteers returned to Hope Island from their latest mission which they had successfully accomplished. It had not been an easy one, but Wheeler had already put thememories of dangers behind him, as the moaning of his stomach was becoming loud enough for even Ma-Ti to hear, who sat the furthest away from him.
„Whoa!" he shouted towards the pilot seat, almost loosing his balance."Take it easy, will you Gi? I'm not plannin' on makin' my on landing on the control panel."
„Well, you should have stayed seated, until we safely land." Linka said turning to him, withher eyebrows pulled together. „It is not the first time you make moves you later regret. The kitchen can wait, and so can your stomach."
„Hey I'm a growin' boy!" he retorted.
He soon proved his point, as he unloaded sixty percent of the refrigerator and started chewing away on a some leftover lasagna, with the other four Planeteers watching him in disbelief after they parked the geo cruiser and gathered in the main hut.
„Are you really going to eat that Wheeler?" asked Kwame looking at the pile on the dining room table.
„Maybe, maybe not." Wheeler shrugged, his words being muffled between two bites."Whichever the case, these bananas have got to go…" he said shoving a bunch of rotten bananas aside in disgust.
„We really shouldn't waste food like that" Linka said sadly.
„I kow what you mean"said Ma-Ti in agreement „When I think of all those starving children…."
„Oh c'mon you guys. It's just a bunch of bananas. Don't start getting all emotional." Wheeler interrupted."We're doin' all we can. Could we just relax for a while, huh?"
„But how can you be hungry anyway? We have eaten only two hours ago-„Linka started tosay, but stopped as she felt her cell phone starting to buzz in her pocket.
„Da?"she spoke and started walking out of the main hut.
„So anyway," Wheeler said getting up, suddenly forgetting about his lunch." Who's in for some volleyball?"
„Me," Gi said. „But first clean up after yourself!"
„I'm coming too!" said Ma-Ti cheerfully.
„Count me in" came the answer from Kwame.
The four of them gathered on the beach of Hope Island.
„Is Linka playing?" asked Ma-Ti
„Probably." Gi answered „She…"
„Da, I am here" came the reply from the Russian blonde, emerging from the bushes."Did we plan anything for tomorrow?"
„Sure. Rest and relaxation!"Wheeler grinned at her.
„Then maybe I would go visit my Uncle. I just spoke to Mischka, he said he would be happyto see both of us."
„Okay, Linka" Kwame nodded. "One of us will drop you of tomorrow. At what time should you be in Russia?"
„Well…uh..Washington." Linka replied looking at the ground.
They all looked at her. Linka was hoping the conversation wouldn't remind all the others of the events that took place the last time she was in Washington visiting her Uncle and her cousin Boris. Verminous Skumm had invented a new type of drug named Bliss, to which several young people her age had fallen a victim to. Among them was Boris, who had died the day the planeteers had come for her. She too, had become addicted to the drug, not that she meant to, Boris had tricked her into taking it by mixing it into her food but it was addiction all the same, and it had taken several weeks of rehabilitation for her to recover. A rehabilitation camp had been set up near the White House, and she had stayed there with all the others who struggled with the pains of withdrawal. The Planeteers had stayed with her the first couple of days, but after that, she told them to go back to Hope Island. She felt there really was nothing more they could do for her, it was up to her to recover.
„You mean he-„Wheeler was about to ask whether it was Boris's father they were speaking about, but Linka cut him short.
„Da, he still resides there." She waved her hand dismissively. „We haven't seen him…in quite a while." Since Boris died, she thought to herself.
But it was all too obvious for everyone else too, what the real end of her sentence was.
Great, Wheeler thought to himself. He just couldn't help having a bad feeling about the trip Linka was planning for the next day. It all reminded him of how he felt when they all went to get her out of trouble in Washington when they already suspected tragedy was near, as Skumm had already spread his stupid pills among almost everyone in the city. By the time they got there it was too late-Linka was wandering around in a zombie like haze, from all the poisonous stuff she had been taking. Never, ever would he forget his shock when they found and saw her, or her agony in the days that followed partly due to her withdrawal, partly to the loss of her cousin.
„How long are you staying?" Kwame asked.
„Well, if no Eco emergencies occur…I thought maybe like about a week…."
„Oh you mean like the last time you were there? When the ONE WEEK turned out to be TWO MONTHS?" Wheeler blurted out. After the words were out, however, he was sorry. The sentence was all wrong, and he was angry at himself for being so inconsiderate. Oh for Gods sake, he thought to himself, its just a trip. He was about to apologize, when Linka spoke.
"I will not get into any trouble if THAT is what you are implying." She gave Wheeler a cold look.
„I know, I'm sorry Babe, that was a stupid thing to say." Wheeler said quickly.
Linka's pretty face softened again. „It is okay."she said.
After all, if it hadn't been for him, she did not know how she could have managed go through those rough times. His support had meant a lot to her. He had stayed with her day and night, for those few days at the rehabilitation camp, and would have stayed longer, but she had told him to go back with the others and spend his time more usefully. But, from then on, it was the memory of his encouraging smile that got her through several difficult moments. Still, although she had thanked all four of them for sticking by her, she had not filled Wheeler in on the details of how much of a comfort his caring had been for her.
„No problem Linka." Kwame nodded reassuringly. „I will drop you off tomorrow at around noon if that is okay."
„Excellent!" Linka said suddenly cheerfully, then looked at the volleyball, which was hanging forgotten on Wheelers side. „So, who's team am I on?"
The next morning the group of planeteers gathered in the main hut at 9 am. In the end, they had decided they would all accompany Linka, and on their way back to Hope Island, they would stop to do some shopping.
„Ready to go?" Kwame asked the others. They all nodded.
On the way to the capital, Wheeler still couldn't help having an uneasy feeling about Linka's visit. Every time she visited one of her relatives, something bad allways happened. First, the whole thing with her cousin and getting addicted, then when she visited her hometown in Russia, when her grandmother fell ill, she almost quite the group. What's gonna be next, he thought, being tricked into taking cocaine, and quitting? Still, when they waved her goodbye, from the window of the Geo Cruiser, after they dropped her off, he put on a bright smile.
Linka walked down the sidewalk of the street which lead her to her Uncle's house, a bit distractedly. The elegant buildings she passed all brought back sad memories. She had happily admired this neighborhood while bycicling with her cousin, and she felt that now the same buildings were looking back at her as if they were saying: you're here alone now.
She soon reached the doorstep of Uncle Dimitri's house. She rang the bell, and waited for her Uncle to answer it. She was surprised to see Mischka's young face appear from behind the door.
„You're already here?" she cried happily, and hugged her brother. „It's so good to see you!"
„I am very happy too!" Mischka said hugging her back. „I arrived about two hours ago. Dimitri and I were preparing lunch. Are you hungry?"
„A bit." Linka answered, than put a hand on Mischka's shoulder to stop him, as he had already turned and headed for the kitchen. She then spoke in a lower tone. „How is he? Did either of you mention…"
„No." Mischka said shaking his head."We haven't talked about Boris. He didn't bring it up, so I didn't either. He seems cheerful….but you know how it is."
„Da, I know." Linka nodded. „A person can never totally get over losing his own child. All we can do is be here for him."
„It is what we came for." Mischka agreed.
„Linka!" her Uncle exclaimed happily when he saw her. „You're finally here!"
He looked and acted the same as the last time she came, and she was somewhat relieved, that he had, at least seemingly, managed to pull himself together after the Boris's death.
She hugged him warmly. „Oh, Uncle Dimitri, I am so happy to see you! I was so excited when Mishka called yesterday, and said we could visit you!"
„Da, we have a lot to catch up on." he said smiling, then sighed a bit sadly. „It's been a long time."
The three of them soon sat down to eat and did not get up for almost three hours. They indeed had a lot to catch up on, Dimitri told them about his work at the embassy, Mischka about his new job in Moscow, and Linka about all the things that she and the other planeteers had been lately doing to save the environment. It was a pleasant lunch, and Linka started to relax. She had been a little worried of what it was going to be like in Washington again with her Uncle, but it seemed like there were going to be no problems.
„I tell you what. I have a little work to do at the embassy, why don't you two take off and enjoy the city, and we could meet at a nice restaurant for dinner?"
„Great!" Linka said. „Which restaurant?"
„There is one just a couple of blocks from here. I'll show you on the map in a minute. You like Italian?"
„We sure do!" Mischka laughed.
Linka and Mischka arrived at Alfredo's restaurant at half past seven. Though they had agreed to meet with Dimitri at eight the two of them decided to occupy their reserved table a bit earlier, as they grew rather tired from all the sightseeing they had been doing right after lunch. It was basically Linka who showed Mischka around the Capital, as she had already been there.They of course had not managed to see everything in one afternoon, but they figured, that a week would be enough to cover up the city. Mischka was very enthusiastic, he took photos of just about everything they saw.
„You're just like Wheeler." Linka told him as they were sitting down to their table. „He carries his camera around all the time. Even to some of our most dangerous missions, he brings it along."
„He is right, you know. There is nothing better than to look back on old memories. By the way, how is Wheeler?"
„Orange juice, please." Linka said, looking up at the waiter, who just arrived to their table, asking for their order.
„Just some water for me, please." Mischka said, and looked at Linka after the waiter left.
„Well?" Mischka said.
„Well, what?"
„How is Wheeler?"
„Oh, he is fine."
„Great. But are you two……dating?" he finally asked.
„Well….Nyet" Linka said after an apparent hesitation.
„I thought you would. I had the impression that he liked you alot."
„He likes a lot of girls a lot."
„Still, I really had the feeling, that you were special to him. The way he came after you….."
„Mischka." Linka put down her glass trying to be patient."Wheeler, although he annoys me to death sometimes, is a wonderful person, someone we can all trust and love. But that is it. That's where it ends. I don't want to date him, because at the same time, he is totally immature, and flirts with almost every girl we meet, when we are not on the island. We would break up in no time, and what would we have left? No love, no friendship, nothing! We are better off the way we are now. Now, can we please change the subject?!"
„Okay, okay! I was only asking! No need to blow up like that." Mischka said raising his hands defensively.
Linka bit her lip. Had she been too harsh? Perhaps. But the truth was, that she didn't like it whenever Mischka raised this subject, as she didn't know how to handle it. Sure, she knew Wheeler liked her as a girl, but she didn't think he considered her „special", she was just at hand. After all, there were not many women on Hope Island to choose from, and Wheeler just had to have someone to flirt with. There always had to be someone. It wasn't that she didn't like him, in fact, though she would never admit it, she liked him a lot, but the truth was, she was scared. Scared of loving someone, someone like Wheeler, who would in no time cheat on her, no doubt, and thus humiliate her. She coudn't stand even the thought of humiliation. Furthermore, she just couldn't confide in anyone to discuss this with, not even Mischka. It was just too complicated, because on one hand she yearned to be with Wheeler, and on the other she just couldn't ever bring herself to admit it.
„Sorry."she mumbled.
„I can't believe it! Linka!"someone was calling out to her from a couple of tables away. She turned around to see Greg Hanson approaching her with a broad smile.
„Greg! What a coincidence!" she said in surprise, getting up to greet him. „Nice seeing you again"
„Not as nice as you." he answered giving her a hug and kissing her cheek.
„Uh….this is my brother Mischka, Mischka, this is Greg Hanson,…a good friend." She stammered, feeling slightly uncomfortable about Gregs affectionate greeting.
Mischka stood up to shake hands with a slightly surprised look on his face.
„Nice to meet you."he said.
„Nice to meet you too."
„Would you like to join our table?" Linka asked.
„Well, sure." All three of them sat down.
„So what are you doing in Washington?" Greg asked her.
„We're visiting our Uncle. He works at the embassy. You?" Linka answered.
„Oh, business as usual. But I only came for two days. I'll be having a meeting tomorrow at eleven, and then I have to head back to the factory. But my stay here is turning out to be a lot more pleasant than I expected." He said looking at her meaningfully. „You're more beautiful than ever."
„So….how did the two of you meet?" Mischka asked, shifting around in his seat uncomfortably.
„Well, it is a long story….." and soon Linka started telling him about how the five planeteers went undercover to learn who was sabotaging a factory owned by Greg's father after he decided to convert to more environmentally friendly practices. When she finished Greg added how Linka convinced him to side with his father, despite the fact that he initially was against the idea of recycling toxic chemicals. They were about fifteen minutes into the conversation, when Mischka's phone rang. It was a short call.
„It's Uncle Dimitri. He will not be able to make it. He is still at the embassy, and does not now when he will finish but it will not be anytime soon. He told us to enjoy ourselves, and postpone the dinner with him for tomorrow."
„Oh. Greg, you'll have dinner with us won't you?" Linka asked politely.
„Definitely. This sure is a pleasant surprise, I thought I would have to eat alone. Hey, but this reminds me, I have a call to make as well, will you excuse me for a second? I'll be right back." Greg said. The other two nodded, and watched him leave the table. He kept his word, however, and was back in no time.
„Sorry. Just something for tomorrows meeting." He said sliding back into his seat. „Lets order!"
About an hour later, just as they were all finishing their meal, a waiter appeared at their table carrying a huge bouquet of red roses.
„For you, miss."he said to Linka. She stared up at him.
„There must be a mistake." she said. „I hardly know anyone here."
„No mistake, miss, it's for you. I'm sure the card will explain everything." He handed her the flowers, and left.
Linka found the card under a big red bow, and without thinking, read it aloud.
„You've made my day. Love, Greg." She looked at him. „Greg! You really shouldn't have."
„I know, but I wanted to."
„They are beautiful. But when did you arrange this?! You didn't know we would meet, and you've been here the whole time!"
„Well, not the whole time." He said chuckling."I had an important call to make, remember?"
„But, of course!" she punched him playfully in the shoulder."That was really sly. But really, I don't know what to say! They are so lovely!"
„Very, pretty indeed."Mischka nodded, than suddenly looked up with a happy face."Camera time! Your flowers certainly deserve to be immortalized."
„Bohze Moi." Linka rolled her eyes, but Mischka had already gotten up from the table, to get into a better position, while Greg put his arm around her shoulder for the photo, and a moment later, the picture was taken. They took a couple more photos, each taking turns with the camera. Soon, the evening was coming to an end. The boys ordered some desert, and after finishing it, they all stood up to leave.
„Well, it was a pleasant evening. I'm glad I got to know you." Mischka said to Greg as they shook hands.
„Same here." Greg said smiling, than looked at Linka."It's really unfortunate that I have to leave tomorrow. But perhaps, we could have breakfast together?"
„Oh, I am sorry Greg, but our Uncle said he has plans for tomorrow for us, and wanted to get an early start." She told him apologetically.
„Sure, I understand. Neither of us thought we would meet today. Well, I 've got to go. But we will keep in touch, wont we? You have my number? I still have yours."
„Sure, I have it." Linka answered."We will call each other."
The next morning, Linka got up at around nine, and when she reached the kitchen for some coffee, Mischka was already there.
„Good morning."he said."You slept well?"
„Too well." She answered yawning.
„Great. So what plan does Dimitri have for us so early in the morning?" Mischka asked glancing at his watch. „Whatever it is, it will be hard to accomplish it all the way from the embassy. Unless of course, this was just a mere excuse, so you will not have to meet with Greg today."
„Okay, okay, I admit it. The flowers were too much on their own. I didn't want to encourage him into something I don't want."
„Why? As long as I know, you have no boyfriend. Or do you?"
„Well, no but…it just didn't feel right."
„Because of Wheeler?"
„Well, da…maybe." she finally admitted.
Mischka shook his head. „One can never understand women. Even if its his sister."
„If it's any consolation, I don't understand myself, either. I mean with Wheeler, we are not officially dating, but whenever one of us dates, or something, the other gets jealous. And I am a fool too, because in a similar situation like this, he would waste no time agreeing on a date with someone."
„Of course, he wouldn't as YOU wouldn't give him a chance! Anyway, you should decide what you want, to be with him, or not because you are halfway between friendship and relationship, and that's a temporary state. And as it is, it has been lasting way too long."
Linka thought about what he said. He was right. This could not go on forever. Maybe, the next time Wheeler would approach her with one of his silly, but at the same time sweet compliments, she should take her chances, and be more open?
At that moment Dimitri walked through the front door.
„Well, good morning to you both! How was dinner last night?"
„It was nice. I met an old friend there. The meeting is already over?" Linka said.
„We postponed it for tomorrow. So, if you had company, than I hope you didn't miss me too much. I apologize, for last night, but I promise to make it up to you this evening. But first, I'll show you around the city. Or have you already explored?"
„Well, Linka showed me around, but we didn't have a chance to see everything."
„Of course not. It's a huge city. We can continue, where you left off. Just let me drink some coffee first. Have you two eaten?"
"I have. I'll go take a shower, before we leave." Mischka said, standing up and leaving the kitchen..
„I haven't but I'm not hungry. Coffee sounds good, though." Linka said.
„I'll make it. Could you get two cups?" Dimitri asked.
„Sure." Linka said. The coffee was soon ready, and they both sat down around the table.
For a while they sat in silence sipping their coffee. Then Dimitri finally looked up and spoke.
„Linka." he looked at her. „I hope you do not think I blame you for anything that has happened in the past."
„Nyet, I do not. But sometimes I do question myself, wether I had done enough to prevent this tragedy."
„You did all you could. You tried talking Boris out of using drugs, but it was too late. He had become addicted, before you even arrived."he looked away sadly.
„I will never get over losing my only son. But believe me, it would be even worse if I had lost my niece as well. I am really glad, you are here."
Linka felt tears welling in her eyes. She got up quickly, went over to her Uncle and hugged him comfortingly. „Uncle Dimitri, this means so much to me."
„I know." He patted her arm. „I felt I had to say this, because there are some moments, when I feel you are blaming yourself. Don't. If anyone is responsible, it is much rather me, than you. He was my child, I should have noticed the signs that something is wrong earlier."
Linka shook her head. „Nyet, you should not blame yourself either."
„Al right. Neither of us then. Deal?"
„Deal."
From then on, Linka felt much more relaxed for the rest of the week. It had always bothered her, that she did not know how her Uncle was thinking of the past, but now that they had discussed it she did not feel uneasy around him anymore. The remaining days of her stay in Washington flew by very quickly, and before she knew, it was time to head back to Hope Island.
Wheeler looked out the window of his hut to see the Geo Cruiser landing near the main hut on Hope Island. He hopped out of bed, as never being a morning person, at 10 AM he was still laying lazily in bed. He jogged over to the main hut where Kwame and Gi were reading.
„Looks like Linka and Ma-Ti's back." He said.
Kwame nodded. „They said they would be arriving at this time."
Sure enough a couple minutes later the two of them appeared in the doorway.
„Hey, nice to have you back, Babe!" he called out to Linka. Man, she looked prettier than ever.
„Thank you. Nice seeing you all again too!" Linka said to them happily.
„Did you have a nice time?" Gi asked.
Linka nodded. „I had a chance to sort things out with my Uncle! That was the best part!"
„We told, that he wouldn't be mad at you. There is no reason to." Kwame said.
„Da, maybe. Anyway, it was really great. Thanks again, Ma-Ti, for coming to pick me up."
„No problem Linka. Tell us all about the places you visited! Did you take any pictures?"
„There was no need. Mischka made enough for five people." She laughed.
„Great! Lets see them!" Gi cried and extended her hand for the photos.
„Yeah, toss it here, Babe!" Wheeler said referring to the thick envelope of snapshots Linka just fished out of her back pack.
„Here." She handed it to Gi, next to whom Wheeler hopped down on the sofa, so he could also see them.
„Ma-Ti and I will take the next turn." Kwame said chuckling. „I think it would be too crowded on the sofa for all of us."
„The first few, are just taken inside Uncle Dimitri's house. Nothing exciting. I didn't understand why Mischka wanted to take so many pictutes there." Linka said explaining the photos as Gi flipped through them. „Oh, that's us with Mischka at the Olympic National Park. It way pretty rainy." she continued. „Oh and that's…..that's…"she was suddenly left speechless.
Oh no, she thought to herself. She had forgotten all about that. The photo Gi moved on to, loud and clear for Wheeler to see, pictured her holding a huge bouquet of red roses, hugged close by Greg wearing a thousand dollar smile. Anyone, who had not attended their table that evening, based on the photo would easily take them for a couple celebrating some sort of anniversary. She was almost afraid to look at Wheeler. She knew how hot tempered he could be. Slowly she raised her eyes to look at him, and sure enough, his face was becoming as red as the bouquet she was holding on the photo. Three…two….one……she was silently counting, and precisely when she reached zero, Wheeler exploded.
„That's Greg Hanson there, with his hands all over you!" he shouted at her, finishing her sentence.„What, my I ask, are you doing with the dude in that fancy restaurant, candle light, red-roses and all? Is this some sort 'a stupid romantic reunion with the wise-guy who nearly sent his dad's business down the drain by hiring Greedly, or what? And all this time, you've been feeding us this crap about visiting your Uncle! Hey, why didn't you just say: Guys, I'm going to Washington to hook up with Greg Hanson! You shouldn't have bothered with this charade you pulled off saying you're doing some family visiting. Why would you?" somewhere in the back of his mind, Wheeler knew he was getting carried away, but he couldn't stop. The shock and pain he felt when he saw the photo of Linka and the guy who tried to take her away from him just hurt him too much for him to think straight. She had hurt him, and maybe if he hurt her back some of the pain would go away that he was feeling inside.
„So?„he continued."Don't tell me, that all of a sudden, you started to care how that would make me feel? You never cared to spare my feelings, as you never cared of how I felt about you either. When you know perfectly well, that from the first moment I saw you, I would of done anything for you, and you never gave a damn!"
As she stood their, listening to his outburst, Linka was becoming more and more angry. First, she had wanted to explain how it all happened, but when Wheeler got to the part about her being dishonest, she decided not to bother with it. How dare he?! She got so upset, that it didn't even get through to her that-though not in the most romantic of ways-Wheeler had actually just admitted his feelings for her.
„How dare you?!" she shouted back aloud. „How dare you imply that I was lying? I never lied to any of you! Of course I went to Washington to visit my Uncle! I shouldn't even bother answering to that!"
„Oh yeah?" Wheeler asked."You're Uncle's in a pretty good shape, considering he's turning sixty! Don't you guys think so?" he said showing the snapshot to a frozen Kwame and Ma-Ti. „How does he do it?" he asked sarcastically.
„What is this, some sort of trial, with you being the prosecutor?" Linka asked. „Well, if you must know, Greg and I met by coincidence. We were dining at the same place, and so he joined our table! That was the only time I saw him and it had nothing to do with romance!"
„Well, I've gotta hand it to him then, for a guy who didn't score, he's really generous." Wheeler answered pointing to the expensive bouquet of roses on the photo. „And he can even see in the future, knowing that he would run into you, without talking to you and agreeing on a date with you and buys you flowers!"
„He ordered the roses while we were there!" Linka yelled."We were not even alone! Mischka was there as well."
„Oh yeah? I don't see him anywhere!" He said sticking the photo in front of her face to see.
„It's really sad to see, that despite all the time you spend annoying us by following us around with your camera, you have not yet realized, that the person who takes the picture, is usually not in photo! If you care to look at the next one, you will see, that at the same time and place, Greg is missing, and Mischka takes his place" Linka was yelling on the top of her voice, and pointing to the next photo picturing Mischka and her, which was now on top of the pile of photos, as the much hated one was in Wheelers hand.
„Surprise, surprise." She said sarcastically, when the other four looked at it. „You see how it works now?"
Wheeler was not feeling any better by being made to look like a fool by Linka in front of everyone. Though he did feel some relief, he was still too shook up to apologize.
„Anyway, you're acting like I owe you some sort of an explanation." Linka continued. „When we are not-„
„Not in a relationship?" Wheeler asked cutting her short. „Right, I forgot. We are not in a relationship, and probably never will be, because you don't want to." he shouted again. He than looked at her in the eye and after a short pause added more quietly and sadly:" You don't want me." He continued to look at her for a second longer, than abruptly turned around and stormed out of the hut.