Merry Christmas!

This was supposed to be posted on Christmas Day as my present to you, but the website was being evil. I could log in, but couldn't get to my account to post.

After surveying the scene and not coming up with any ideas as how to get the wolves out of their predicament, Laura takes Wheeler and Linka to where they'll be staying.

"Sorry, it's not much. We don't have any spare rooms in me and Daddy's place. We have a few hunting cabins that we rent out to out of town folks. Unfortunately, we just built this one and haven't gotten around to furnishing it yet. The sleeping bags are the best we can offer right now," Laura apologizes. "Oh, and food in the pantry. Canned goods mostly."

"It is fine."

"Yeah, we've had to sleep outdoors in sleeping bags or tents. At least we've got a roof over our heads and a fire place. We'll be fine here. There's nothing we can do until the others get here. I really think Ma-Ti and Kwame's powers are going to be the best option for getting those wolves down...or calling Cap."

"Well, I'll let you get some sleep until they get here. Call the house if you need anything."

"We will, thank you," Linka says.

Once Laura leaves, Wheeler turns to his girlfriend.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you look exhausted Babe."

"I am. I have been up for over 24 hours now."

"Come on," he says as he rolls out the sleeping bags. "Get in. I'll get a fire started in the fireplace and we can both get some Z's before the others get here."

"Good idea...can we zip those together so that it is one big sleeping bag? For warmth of course."

"Yeah...right...warmth." He does as she suggests and then points his ring at the wood in the fireplace. "Fire!"

Within seconds, the wood is crackling and making the room warmer. He crawls in to the sleeping bag and spoons behind her.

"Warmin' up?"

"Da. This is nice."

"Just think, last night we were complaining that it was 70 degrees and too hot for hot chocolate...sure could use that now!"

"Chyort voz'mi! We left the hot chocolate on the table."

"Yeah so? Did you forget to put a coaster underneath them?"

"The others will see it and think we were just being inconsiderate and leaving our mess behind for someone else to clean up," she worries.

"I think they'll understand," he says, kissing her behind her ear. "After they see my shirt and your belt on the floor, they'll figure out we got distracted and didn't just leave our drinks behind because we're slobs."

"Bozhe moy! Your parents! They will think I am such a...slut!"

His eyes fly open.

"Oh my God! Your brother is gonna kill me! And your Grandma...she'll hate me!"

"They will both lecture me!" She cringes as she turns in his arms and burrows her head into the crook of his neck.

"I thought you said they liked me?!"

"They do! But they still see me as the child that left them...not a 25 year old woman. It is like the 10 years I have been with the Planeteers have not happened when I am around them. I am still 'Little Linka.'"

"Want me to tell them you're all grown up?" He leers as his hands creep up under the back of her shirt.

"Wheeler, two seconds ago, you were worried they were going to hate you!"

"Two seconds ago, I didn't have your hot breath on my neck!"

She chuckles and pulls away.

"Sorry Yankee, I am going to sleep. The others will be here in a few hours and then we will be back to work. You should get some more sleep too."

"Yeah, yeah, I will. Once I know you're comfy, cozy, and asleep," he says, holding her closer and rubbing her back to help warm her up.

"I am both comfy and cozy and soon I will be asleep," she lifts her head to kiss him goodnight. "Dobroy nochi. Ya tebya lyublyu."

"Sweet dreams, Beautiful. Love you too. Horoshego sna tebe."

"Very good Yankee! I hope you sleep well also."

He kisses her forehead and watches as her heavy eyelids close and her smile relaxes slightly into the content look he has become accustomed to when she is sleeping in his arms.

To Be Continued...