A/N: Please do tell me what you think, I'll finish this either way, but it is nice to get reviews.
Chapter Six
When Wheeler woke the next morning, Linka was still fast asleep. He watched her dream, marvelling at how peaceful she looked. He himself had had the best night's sleep he'd had since Linka first started dating Greg, and he found himself thinking about what she'd said the night before. She wasn't in love with him, I guess that's why they broke up then, I thought he'd called it off. I don't see why she should be so depressed over it though, if she really didn't want anything more with him…
Linka sighed and snuggled into his arms and he found himself grinning down at her. She doesn't seem too depressed right now. he thought and before he could stop himself, the fire planeteer bent his head down and gently brushed his lips against hers. Even such a brief contact was electric and it took all his willpower to stop himself from deepening it when he felt her automatically kiss him back.
As Wheeler pulled away, his mind immediately began telling him what a bad idea it was, and how mad she would be with him. Way to go genius, so much for being trustworthy. Just when you're getting your friendship back on track too!
Linka's gave a small sigh and smiled making Wheeler's heart do a back flip. Oh, who am I kidding anyway? Even if we're 'just friends' for the rest of eternity, I'm not ever gonna get over you!
He lay there a while longer, savouring the way she felt in his arms, before glancing at the clock. Sighing, he lovingly rubbed her cheek with his finger and spoke softly in her ear. "Time to wake up beautiful."
Linka tucked herself tighter against him, sighing contentedly, and making the older planeteer chuckle. He was sorely tempted to stay where he was until she woke naturally, but he knew his mom wanted to go back to the hospital for early visiting, and that it would embarrass Linka if she came in to wake them.
"Come on Babe, time to wake up!" He spoke a little louder this time, giving her a gentle shake.
This time it worked, she yawned and opened her eyes, smiling sleepily. "You make a very comfortable pillow Yankee."
"You're welcome beautiful." grinning at her. "I wouldn't have disturbed you," he added apologetically, "but Mom will want to go soon."
When Linka saw the time she gasped, and telling him that he should have woken her sooner, she scrambled out of bed, gathered her things and made for the bathroom. Wheeler lay there for a while longer thinking about his ever over-complicated relationship with the wind planeteer, but not coming to any further conclusions.
When they arrived at the hospital, Linka suggested that as family, Wheeler and his mother should go in by themselves at first, but Wheeler snagged her round the waist, saying "Hey, you're family too." and Katy agreed.
At any other time the young girl would have been delighted by their assurances, but as she was nervous about Joe Wheeler's reaction to what she had said to him the day before. Linka would much rather have been allowed to have her own way, and remain alone in the corridor until it was 'safe'.
As it happened, Wheeler's father didn't mention it. Greeting them all cheerfully, he said, "Well, I've gone and put my name on the donor list, so I don't want no more nagging from any of you!" His eyes briefly caught Linka's and she blushed, but no one noticed.
Katy exclaimed and fussed over her husband, but Wheeler just grinned and hugged Linka tighter. The wind planeteer wrapped her arms around her friend and smiled up at him, pleased that he was happy.
The conversation remained jolly as Joe asked Linka to tell him about his son and their work. The young Russian was only too happy to oblige, and as she kept everything positive, focusing on missions where the fire planeteer had come out as a hero, Wheeler started to get uncomfortable. "Jeez Lin, don't exaggerate, they wont believe a word you say at this rate!"
"I do not exaggerate Matthew, everything I said is true!" her look turned saucy "I just left out a few things, like your allergy to housework and cooking, your occasionally inappropriate sense of humour, your refusal to study so that I must always explain things to you."
Amused at her list, Wheeler interrupted at this point, "Hey, that's 'cos I like hearing you talk, didn't I tell you? You got a cute accent Babe!"
Ignoring him she continued, "Your habit of flirting constantly with any girl in the vicinity, your"
"Okay, lets go back to my good points shall we?" Wheeler said ruefully.
Without missing a beat, Linka did just that. "You would go to any lengths to help out a friend, you keep everyone's spirits up even when your own are low, you always keep your word, you are always honest, you care about what we do a great deal more than you let on, you"
"Stop!" Wheeler exclaimed. He was half laughing at her words but his face still made an effort to match the colour of his hair.
The elder Wheeler's burst out laughing at that point, pleased with Linka's assessment of their son. Linka joined in, adding affectionately "You see, I don't need to exaggerate."
Wheeler shook his head, unconvinced by the picture she presented, and stunned by her opinion of him. Wow, that's what she really thinks of me? That means a lot from someone like you Babe. He wanted to tell her that, but his mother was already convinced they were a couple, and he knew it embarrassed Linka. Later! He decided.
Wheeler had always had a low opinion of himself, partially because of the things his father had constantly bombarded him with when he was growing up, and partially because he simply had a naturally unassuming nature. Of course, bravado was an essential survival technique in downtown Brooklyn, but unlike some of his friends, he'd never really believed his own publicity.
Realising he was still staring at his lovely companion Wheeler became aware that both she and his mother appeared to be preparing to leave. In an undertone he asked, "You goin' somewhere Babe?"
Linka blinked, "To the shop, with your mother, didn't you hear her say she wants to get a few things for your father?"
"I was miles away I guess." He shrugged and she rolled her eyes, but she was smiling too.
After the women had left, Joe Wheeler looked appraisingly at his son before speaking. "Are you serious about that Ruskie?"
Wheeler felt his hackles rise, "Her name is Linka and we are just good friends." There was a warning in his voice, he knew it was a slight over-reaction but he couldn't help it.
The older man smiled grimly at his son, "Sounds like it! I'll tell you something Matt. I've said a lot of nasty things to you over the years, things that were totally unwarranted, and you've proven me wrong more times than I can count. I'm more proud of you than you can imagine but if you let that little spitfire get away, you'll convince me that their isn't a bigger idiot on the planet than my son and that's the truth of it!"
Not sure how to respond to his fathers rare praise, the young man focused on the subject at hand and found that he was relieved that his Dad liked the beautiful Russian. Wheeler chuckled, "Believe me, if she liked me that way I'd hold on to her and never let go." The fire planeteers expression became sad and showed more of his feelings than he realised, as he added quietly, "She doesn't."
Joe snorted, "Are you blind? She adores you!"
Shaking his head the young man replied, "Linka's just really affectionate sometimes, but it's friends stuff. She hasn't long broken up with someone, she said they weren't that serious but it's been bothering her all the same."
"You're wrong you know," Joe's voice was kinder now than his son had ever heard it, "She told me I didn't know how lucky I was to have you and Katy and that I had to stop being selfish if I wanted to make things up to you. She's right too, though I think I've left it a bit late."
Wheeler shook his head, "It means a lot that you're trying. I can't promise that I'll be able to forgive everything, I certainly wont be able to forget, but I still want to get to know the real you and maybe… I don't know."
Joe finished it for him, "Maybe have a real father for a while?"
Instead of answering the planeteer asked, "When did Lin speak to you? She hasn't been here alone…"
Laughing, the older man said, "Last night after you and your mother left the room. She gave me a mouthful at high speed, then took off after you without giving me a chance to argue." Looking thoughtful he added, "Probably for the best, I wouldn't have been too polite! But I thought about it after she'd gone, and I decided she was right."
"She usually is." Wheeler smiled
The doctor said Joe could go home the next day, since there was little more they could do for him at that stage, it would be a matter of waiting for an appropriate donor. Consequently, the trio that arrived back at the flat that night were in excellent moods.
Linka insisted on being allowed to cook, reminding them both of their earlier assertion, that she was one of the family now, and therefore no longer a guest. "Let her Mom," Wheeler agreed, "She's a terrific cook and you should put your feet up while you have the chance, I can help her if she wants."
His friend promptly closed the distance between them and reached up to place her hand on his forehead, "You don't have a temperature Yankee, but if you are serious about helping me cook, I think it must be something more worrying." Doing her best to keep a straight face, she faked alarm in response to the menacing look he was trying for, and ran away into the kitchen, followed closely by her friend. Katy smiled and went to watch television.
Catching up with Linka in the kitchen, the young American began to tickle his beautiful companion, but after a few moments simply pulled her close and burying his face in her hair, breathed "Thank you."
"For what LyubOv?" she asked returning his embrace as if it were perfectly normal.
Pulling back, just enough to look in her eyes, "Dad told me what you said to him last night." Seeing her mortified expression, he tightened his arms, "Hey, don't sweat it. Dad thinks you're wonderful, and it had the desired effect after all."
"I lost my temper, I was afraid you would be angry with me." Linka confided.
Wheeler laughed, "You can say anything you want and I'll back you up too! You're way too nice to say anything unjust anyway." He kissed her forehead. "And while we're on that subject..." he hesitated causing her to look up at him in enquiry.
"What you said about me earlier, about my being a good friend, well it means a lot coming from you... so thanks." he felt uncomfortable now, it had seemed so simple in his head, but now he was thinking how lame it sounded.
Linka gently turned his head back towards her, looking affectionately up into his eyes. "I meant it, and you are welcome. I figured it was time someone told your parents how important you are, since you obviously weren't going to do it yourself. You know, you are too ready to put yourself down."
Wheeler grinned, "Another one of my failings."
"It was on the list, you stopped me before I got there this morning." she replied cheekily, kissing him lightly on his cheek, then pulling away, "Come on Yankee, we are supposed to be making dinner!"