Thank you all for the reviews. I had 2 guest reviews that I can't reply to, but they were very sweet, so since I can't thank you personally via private message, I'll do it here. Thanks! Glad I made your day, and glad you liked the "Christmas present" if only it were this easy (and cheap) to get my friends and family their presents! ;)
Also, just to be clear, this is a stand alone fic and does not follow along with the Holiday Fic Series I did a few years ago. Thanks Jas-El for asking. It made me realize I should mention that! :)
On the 2nd day before Christmas, Becks7 gave to thee...(that was awful, I apologize!)
Later that night, when all the decorating was done, the Wind and Fire Planeteers curled up together on the couch.
"Nothing like sitting in front of a fire and sipping hot chocolate when it's 70 degrees on the tropical island you live on with your super hot girlfriend."
"Are you too hot?"
"I don't know, am I? Would you still be with me if not for my hottness?"
She sighs and rolls her eyes.
"You know I meant temperature...with the fire and hot chocolate and me laying against you."
"Yeah, now that you mention it...we should probably take off some clothes," he says, nuzzling his nose behind her ear and taking her earlobe gently between his teeth.
"You are incorrigible!"
"If that means 'can't get enough of you,' then yes, yes I am."
She takes his mug and places it on the table next to hers before moving to sit across his lap, then puts her arms around his neck and rests her head on his shoulder.
"Hey, my hot chocolate is gonna get cold," he complains jokingly, not really minding their new position at all.
"It was too hot anyway!" She replies, kissing him softly.
He quickly forgets about his hot chocolate as they spend the next few minutes kissing. When they part, he rests his forehead against hers.
"So...I get to celebrate Christmas twice now that I'm with you? The perks of this relationship just keep getting better and better!"
She chuckles and shakes her head.
"Durak," she says jokingly as she presses her lips to his neck. "So two Christmases...is that the only perk that interests you?"
"What you're doing now is a good one too."
He closes his eyes and hums his approval, relaxing as she strokes his hair.
"Thank you for all your hard work this evening."
"Anything for you Babe."
"I think we did a good job decorating," she states.
"We make a great team," Wheeler says, kissing her temple. "Any idea when the others will be arriving?"
"Gi left her parents and picked up Kwame and Ma-Ti in Africa earlier today and they flew to Russia. They are staying the night with Grandmuska and Mishka, leaving in the morning for New York to get your parents, and should be here tomorrow afternoon."
"So we still have some peace and quiet left?" He asks, bending his head to nibble on her neck.
"Da, about 12 hours or so."
"Mmm."
"Please do not leave a mark there! I do not want our families and friends staring at my neck all through the week!"
He laughs at her self consciousness.
"Relax Babe, I wasn't gonna do anything...much."
He changes their position so that she is now laying on the couch and he is braced above her, reaching down to undo her belt so that it is easier to untuck her shirt from her shorts. She also busies herself with the task of pulling his shirt up and over his head, skimming her nails lightly over the bare skin of his back.
Normally they would never be so bold out in the open, but knowing they were alone on the island made them feel more audacious. Gaia had stopped materializing in their presence after catching them in a compromising position once when she came to ask Linka a question in her cabin. After that, Gaia started showing up in the next room and making her presence known ahead of time before entering.
His hands slip under her shirt to caress her skin.
"I take it you are no longer worried about your hot chocolate getting cold?" She jokes.
"There was hot chocolate?" Is his response as he crushes his lips to hers.
"Come on, let us go to bed. We will be more comfortable."
He stands up, scoops her into his arms, and carries her off to his cabin, their lips never breaking contact.
He sets her on his bed and crawls in next to her.
Wheeler, Linka...
"Go away Ma-Ti!" Wheeler says.
I have a favor to ask...
"So do I...for you to GO AWAY!"
"Wheeler!" Linka admonishes, pushing him away and sitting up.
"Please?" Wheeler tries in vain to get his way by 'using the magic word'.
"What is it Ma-Ti? Is everything ok? It is early in Russia, da? Are you getting ready to go to New York?"
Yes, we will be leaving soon...but I just received a call from Laura Talbot. She needs our help...and since we are busy at the moment, I need you and Wheeler to take the Eco-Copter and help her, Ma-Ti explains.
"Is she ok?" Linka asks.
She is, yes. But there was an avalanche on the mountains near her town.
"That sucks, but how can we help? Especially with you three on the other side of the world at the moment? We're not exactly equipped to do an avalanche search and rescue," Wheeler states.
"Do we need to call Captain Planet? We will look for Kwame's beam," Linka says.
No, no human lives are in danger...but Laura can see a wolf pack stuck on a ledge. A mother, father, and three pups. She watched the father try to climb the snow, but it is loose and he just kept sinking, and the more he struggled, the pile of snow started falling and almost pushed the mother and cubs off the ledge and he almost went over himself and they lost a big chunk of the space they had left to stand on. Now they're just huddled together. There is no hope for them. They will die up there.
"Get in touch with Laura. Tell her Wheeler and I are on our way."
Thank you. We will drop your family members off at Hope Island and then join you.
"NO!" Wheeler shouts. "You can't leave them alone together!"
"Wheeler?! Why not?" Linka asks angrily.
"Because...my parents...they can't be alone with your grandma and brother...there's no telling what stupid things my parents will say to embarrass me."
"You are the one being stupid! Everything will be fine. And the sooner we get going, the sooner we will be back here. Ma-Ti and the others may not even have to make the trip if we can get the job done."
"Ok, ok...so much for getting any sleep tonight," Wheeler grumbles.
"You were not planning on getting much sleep tonight anyway!" Linka reminds him with a roguish grin.
Thank you my friends...and sorry to interrupt.
"It is ok Ma-Ti. All that matters is saving those wolves...RIGHT Wheeler?"
"Yes dear..."
"I will fly, you can sleep. Now get dressed and let us go!"
To Be Continued...