Chapter 4. The Alert

Wheeler opened his wardrobe door, inviting Linka to look inside before flopping on his bed, just as Gaia called them for an alert.

"I don't believe it!" he said clearly frustrated. "Is it any wonder we can't get it together when they wont leave us alone? It's not like we're even doing anything!"

"Wheeler, this has nothing to do with us..." The Russian was a little confused by his response and she also felt a strong compulsion to respond to Gaia's summons but she clearly couldn't just walk out.

"Are you sure? It always happens when we're alone!" Then seeing that she was looking a little helpless he calmed down. Going to Linka and taking her hand the handsome American said, "Sorry Babe, I didn't mean to take it out on you." and he moved to lead her towards the Crystal chamber.

As she followed him, the Russian quickly reviewed the last few years in her mind. He does have a point but... "Maybe we should try more often."

"Huh? Try what more often?" Wheeler said in surprise as he had been lost in his own thoughts.

"To be alone." The lovely girl smiled up at him, "Perhaps we would not always be interrupted then."

Wheeler grinned "Anytime Babe."

Grinning back Linka tugged on his hand, "Come on, the others will be there by now." and pulled him into a jog.

The planeteers had been sent to Siberia to investigate the pollution of one of the lakes. Fortunately -- since it wasn't near anywhere they could stay for the night -- it was summer there, so camping wasn't a problem and they had the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Their guide, Svetlana, had taken an instant liking to Wheeler and much to Linka's dismay, he was flirting with her.

So much for spending time together. Linka thought, Only a few hours ago he wanted to be with me. How can he blame the others for us not spending time together when as soon as a pretty girl smiles at him he forgets I exist?!

"Do you want help with your tent Babe?" The object of her thoughts asked as he joined her beside the half completed structure.

"Nyet." she replied sharply and then added. "Thank you but I can manage."

Wheeler recoiled from her tone. Now what have I done? "Lin..."

"I am busy." she replied without looking at him.

"Hey!" he said becoming annoyed but lowering his voice rather than raising it. "We promised to talk to each other remember?"

"Da I remember, but I am surprised that you do!" And she glared towards their guide.

Following her gaze, Wheeler's eyes went wide. "So... what? I'm not allowed to talk to another girl? That's a bit much since you wont even agree to actually go out with me!"

"You were not just talking to her, you were encouraging her to flirt with you!" the wind planeteer said, returning her attention to the American and also lowering her voice.

Wheeler shrugged and shook his head, "I'm not flirting with her, I'm flirty with everyone it's just the way I talk."

"That is my point!" she replied, a little louder than she intended, causing herself to blush. Lowering her voice to a whisper "You will give her the wrong idea."

"It doesn't mean anything Lin and she knows that... we're just being friendly, having a laugh." Wheeler didn't know how to explain the difference to his beautiful almost-girlfriend so he decided to take another tack.

He moved closer to her. "You asked me what I would expect from my girlfriend, well I would expect her to trust me because I'd never do anything to hurt her. I don't lie and I don't cheat but I need to be myself, I can't spend every moment of everyday worrying about saying something the wrong way. I do that now sometimes 'cos I never know how you're gonna react and I still get it wrong."

Wheeler was afraid that he had just messed everything up again and there was a voice at the back of his mind that told him he should just beg her forgiveness and do whatever she wanted. But I need her to want to be with me, the real me. He told it. I can't pretend to be someone else, I'll go crazy.

As usual their attention was recalled by the others at that point, but this time Linka was grateful as she needed time to think.

Once their camp had been set up, the planeteers settled around the fire, over which, Wheeler was cooking dinner with Gi. He'd actually volunteered on the basis that it was supposed to be slightly burnt, and therefore the only cooking he could manage, though privately Linka thought it was harder to get right.

The others were all chatting happily but the wind planeteer was lost in her own thoughts, while she watched the attractive red head. What if he sits with her? I have pushed him away again... But why can he not see that it is wrong to encourage her!

"I hope you're hungry Babe?" Wheeler said as he held out a plate of food. He raised his eyebrows in enquiry at her hesitation, but as she looked up into his eyes Linka realised that he was waiting to see if she was going to snap at him.

"Thank you." She said quietly taking the plate and lowering her gaze. Her heart sank as he moved away unable to say what she needed to.

A few seconds later Wheeler was back. He had his own dinner plate in his hand and he sat much closer to her than was necessary. The fire planeteer continued the cheerful conversation he was having with the others, including the playful banter with Svetlana, who didn't appear to be bothered in the slightest by his not sitting with her.

Beginning to relax, Linka allowed Wheeler to draw her into the group conversation. "... so then Linka decides she wants to go down into this dank cave, I mean it was dark and slimy and she wants to explore!"

"You did not have to follow me Yankee!" Linka retorted. She sounded irritated but her eyes were sparkling.

Wheeler bumped his shoulder against hers, "I'd follow you anywhere beautiful."

As the night wore on, the others couldn't help but notice a difference in their friends. Linka was more relaxed than normal and inclined to lean against the fire planeteer. In turn, Wheeler was quieter and less inclined to make stupid jokes. His attitude towards his fair companion, while always attentive, was somehow softer and supportive.

And the funniest thing of all, Gi thought, is that neither of them have the slightest idea how they are acting towards each other!As they all rose to prepare for bed, Wheeler pulled Linka aside. "Are we okay Babe?" he asked softly, trying to look in her eyes.

"I guess so. Da of course we are." she responded quietly, looking down.

The American sighed and gently put his hands on her upper arms, "Talk to me Lin. Hell, yell at me if it'll help but don't shut me out! Please?"

Linka raised her head to meet his eyes, "I... I understand what you were telling me, that Svetlana did not think you meant anything by the way you were talking to her but... I cannot tell, and if you act that way with my friends..." The young girl couldn't begin to describe how mortified she'd be, not just because it would show her up in front of her old classmates, but mostly, and more importantly, because it would throw doubt on his feelings for her in her own mind.

"I wont do anything to embarrass you in front of your friends Lin, but it's easy to tell the difference, even if you can't see it yourself, " He rubbed her arms gently, his voice quiet and sincere. "If I'm not talking to you then I'm not interested, simple."

Linka's heart suddenly felt lighter, not that she was had any intention of telling him that. She couldn't help but smile however, "Very smooth Yankee."

"I mean it." he told her, his usual playfulness completely absent.

She blushed and looked away, "It is late. We should sleep."

Wheeler shook his head, "Not until I know we're okay."

"Da Yankee, we are okay." The Russian beauty met his eyes briefly, her own lit by her smile and something more.

Grinning back, the American bowed his head slightly to give her a brief kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well Babe."

"You too Lyubov maya." she replied giving him another dazzling smile and quickly escaping to her tent before he could distract her any further.