A/N: Well this is it, finally the last chapter of my 10th fic! I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 7 - Future, Part 2
"What did the doctor say?" Linka asked at last, keeping her lips close to his.
Wheeler grimaced "They wanna keep me in overnight so that they can make sure all the toxins are out of my system."
"It is best to be sure." She agreed, but it was clear she was disappointed.
Wheeler smiled. "I'll be home soon, and in the mean time, you can bring our daughter to see me."
"Nyet, I cannot bring her here… this is where Maria was." Linka said sadly, still inwardly thrilled by his reference to 'our' daughter.
"Yeah but I'm not going to die." The American said, and seeing the doubt on his girlfriends face. "Babe, I don't want her thinking that hospitals are where people go to die, it's not good for her."
"Maybe, but it is too soon." Linka objected, but seeing how disappointed Wheeler was, she added. "I will see how she feels and maybe bring her when I come to pick you up."
He gave her a squeeze. "Thanks Babe."
"Oh and you need to call your mother." She said suddenly.
Wheeler had been kissing his way up her neck, but now he stopped. "Huh? Why? Is my dad…?"
"Nyet." She replied at once, kissing his cheek and running her fingers through his hair. "She called, that is all. I promised I would make you call her. We did not tell her you were missing but it has been so long, you should get in touch. You will need to tell her about Paige anyway."
"I guess." He shrugged and would have gone back to his exploration of her neck if she hadn't pulled away.
Linka reached over to pick up the phone on the nightstand and gave it to him. "Call her."
"What, now? I can do it when you've gone!" He said putting it back.
"Promise you will!" the Russian insisted.
Wheeler sighed and gave in. "Okay, okay, I promise I'll call Ma. Now come back here." He pulled her back, giggling into his arms.
The hospital were keeping Ma-Ti overnight as well so when Paige and her grandfather opened their front door, it was only Kwame and Gi they had to greet.
Paige looked up at the two planeteers and suddenly became incredibly shy, moving to hug Linka and stand slightly behind her.
The Russian laughed. "What is this Paige? And I have been telling them how much you resemble your father!"
"She does though." Gi commented. "She has his hair and his eyes…"
Kwame nodded and chuckled. "Only she is much prettier." Seeing her eyes sparkle at the compliment, the African planeteer leant down slightly and asked. "May we come in Paige?"
She nodded shyly for a moment and then seemed to pull herself together, straightening up and moving away from Linka to take Kwame's hand. "This way."
The two female planeteers giggled together as they followed the others into the house.
Within the space of half an hour, Paige had lost all of her shyness and was talking away to her new audience as if she had known them all her life. For the Planeteers part, they were enchanted with her and were more than happy to play games and amuse her with stories.
Linka observed her two friends as she watched over their antics. They are different with each other, more relaxed? Closer. I guess it is the inevitable result of being alone together for so long… it is good to see.
When Linka took Paige upstairs to get her ready for bed however, the child seemed to grow quiet and thoughtful.
"Is there something wrong moya sladkiy?" the Russian asked as she tucked her in.
Paige shook her head, still looking miserable.
"Are you sad because your Grandpapa is going back to work tomorrow?" Linka ventured.
Her daughter shrugged. "I guess."
The planeteer stroked some stray hairs from the girls face and said. "Please tell me what is bothering you Paige, I want to help."
Paige was silent for a moment longer and then whispered. "What if he doesn't like me?"
"Your Grandpapa? Paige he loves you he just has to..." Linka began but the child shook her head.
"Noooo... My Dad." She said, as if it were obvious.
Surprised, Linka replied. "Wheeler? Of course he will like you, he loves you!"
"It's not the same thing." The young girl said sadly.
Linka smiled. "Nyet, but I know him very well - better than anyone - and I know he will like everything about you!"
"You're just saying that." Paige accused warily but Linka could see that she wanted it to be true.
The Russian shook her head and said in a confidential tone, "Do you want to know what I really think?"
The young girl nodded nervously.
"I think you will find that you have a great deal in common and will have lots of fun together. I also think that when you argue there will be fireworks because you are so much alike." As she said that last, Linka began tickling her daughter in her side causing her to wriggle, laughing with pleasure.
When things calmed down Linka asked. "Are you okay with coming to the hospital with me tomorrow? If you are not Kwame and Gi can pick Wheeler up..."
Paige hesitated. "I want to see him…"
"I know you do, and he wants to see you, but after all this time an hour or so will not make a difference so if you do not want to go, it is fine." Linka told her reassuringly.
"It'd be to collect him though, right… not a visit?" She queried and when the Russian nodded. "And he wont have to go back?"
Linka smoothed the young girls hair from her face once more and took a breath before she answered. "Paige, Wheeler is fine and he is going to come home… but our job is dangerous and we get hurt occasionally. Hospital is a place we have to go to sometimes, but to get better."
"I understand." She said quietly and closed her eyes, snuggling down.
The wind planeteer regarded her dubiously, wondering what she was thinking. "It is up to you, you do not have to."
"No, I'll go with you." Paige said sleepily. "Night Linka."
Linka kissed her daughters forehead and returned downstairs to rejoin her friends.
While they were waiting for Doctor Jacobs cab the next morning, Linka rang the hospital for an update on her friends. The Russian sighed as she entered the living room and explained. "Ma-Ti is ready to leave but they are still waiting for some of Wheelers results because of that insect bite."
"So he's not coming home?" Paige said warily.
Linka smiled. "Of course he is, but we have to wait until later so…" She looked at Gi and Kwame. "If you two do not mind, can you pick up Ma-Ti and explain to Wheeler that Paige and I are going to see her grandfather off, but will be by this afternoon?"
"Of course Linka." Gi said happily.
Kwame nodded too. "We were planning to go and look for the Geo-copter as well, even if we cannot repair it, we cannot leave it where it is."
Doctor Jacobs was listening to the exchange and now offered a suggestion. "Linka I know you intended to leave here when I did but the rent is paid up for the rest of the month, why don't you stay here with Wheeler a little longer?"
The Russian planeteer smiled. "Thank you, I think that is a good idea, at least for a few days. Gaia is making some preparations for us anyway."
Paige and her Grandfather took a tearful fair well of each other at the airport, each promising to write to the other. Then Dr Jacobs turned to Linka and held out his arms to give her a brief hug. "You are my family now too, I hope you will remember that?"
Linka's eyes misted with unshed tears, she would not soon forget his kindness to her. "I will not forget, I promise, and I meant what I said, whenever you want to see us, you only have to call."
"Thank you my dear." He said, giving her another hug and blinking away tears of his own. "And please tell Wheeler that I am sorry I did not get to see him this time.
"I will." Linka smiled.
They waved until his plane was out of sight, though Linka was sure he could not see them, it made Paige happy. "Well now, shall we go and get your Papa?"
Paige nodded enthusiastically.
"I've never been so nervous in my life." Wheeler said to his mother as she sat by his bedside. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"Of course she will." Mrs Wheeler laughed back. "I've never known a girl who didn't!"
Wheeler chuckled but he shook his head and said. "This is different."
Keeping his promise to Linka, the fire planeteer had called his mother when his girlfriend left. The kindly woman had been pleased to hear from her son, and impressed that Linka had gotten him to call even after all those weeks.
Wheeler explained where he had been and though she was concerned, she was glad that Linka hadn't told her earlier, saying that since he never calls her anyway it was easier not knowing until he was safe.
He also explained about Paige and much to his surprise she cried a little, though she seemed happy about it.
Both his parents had visited that morning - and were there when the other planeteers had come in to give him Linka's message - but his father was not a well man and chose not to return in the afternoon, despite wanting to meet his sons family.
By the time his mother returned, Wheeler was dressed in the clothes they others had left him and was ready to leave. The doctor had been, and was satisfied with the results of his blood tests, and after some light exercise to check his muscle reactions, he'd been told he could go home.
There was a knock on the door and assuming it was a nurse, Wheeler called out for them to come in.
Outside, Paige hung back, "You go in first." She whispered making Linka grin.
The Russian entered the room and stopped in surprise, "Oh! Mrs Wheeler…"
"How are you my dear?" The older woman asked, getting up to hug her son's girlfriend. "You work miracles, he actually called me!"
Linka returned the embrace and chuckled awkwardly as Wheeler protested. "Ma! I do call you! Hey Beautiful!"
He stood up and Linka went quickly to his side to help support him. "Should you be doing that?"
"Yep, I've got the all clear to go home. I just need to follow a nutritional thingy." He picked up a piece of paper from the nightstand, still with his arm around his girl friend, and waved it. "And build up my muscles with light exercise, but that wont be a problem."
"Nyet it will not, because I will be keeping an eye on you." Linka warned him.
Grinning down at her, the American said. "See Ma? I told you I'd be looked after." Then lowered his lips to kiss his lovely Russian.
Linka returned the kiss but only for a second, feeling very self-conscious in front of his mother who was beaming at them. "I thought you wanted to meet your daughter?" she asked.
Wheelers face lit up and Linka hoped Paige was listening, as the excitement in his voice was evident. "She's here? Where? Of course I do!"
The Russian stepped away and looked at the open door, as on cue, Paige peeped shyly around the corner. "Hey." She whispered.
The Fire planeteer had been worried about saying or doing the right thing when he finally met his daughter, but as Linka watched him, she saw his face melt into that soft look she only usually saw when they were alone. He didn't say anything, but knelt down and held out his arms.
An affectionate child anyway, Paige's face filled with relief and she rushed to join him, throwing her arms around his neck and holding on tightly.
Wheeler enveloped her in his arms and held her for a moment before lifting her up and standing. She didn't weigh much but his body still needed to gain strength so he sat down on the bed so that she wouldn't notice.
Mrs Wheeler moved to put her arm around Linka and looking at her, the Russian realised they both had tears in their eyes, and it made her chuckle.
"Hey," Wheeler said gently, kissing Paige's head. "Let me look at you."
She sat back in his lap and looked up at him, wiping away her own tears.
"You're as pretty as your Mom you know that?" He said. "You look like her."
Paige's eyes lit up. "You thinks so? Grandpa said so but I thought he was just being nice."
"You do." Wheeler said and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."
The young girl shrugged. "Mom understood, and we had Linka. Besides, you're a hero, you have to go away sometimes."
She'd said it very matter-of-factly but Wheeler gave an embarrassed laugh. "Hero? I'm not sure about that…"
"I am." His daughter replied decisively. "Linka said so."
Wheeler's eyebrow rose and he looked over Paige's head. Grinning at his blushing girlfriend he said. "Did she?" Then looking back at Paige. "Well it must be true then, Linka is always right."
"I've noticed." The small red-head replied, wrinkling her nose slightly and making them all laugh. Her father hugged her close again until she pulled away. "Can we go home now?"
"I think that's a great idea." Wheeler told her, "But you have someone else to meet first." He nodded towards his mother. "This is my Mom, your Grandma."
Paige shifted around on his lap and smiled shyly at the older woman. "Hi."
"Hello Paige, it's wonderful to meet you. I hope you will come and visit your grandfather and me sometime?" Mrs Wheeler asked kindly.
"Sure." Paige shrugged, leaning back against her father. She didn't dislike the woman, but she hadn't felt the instant connection she had experienced with her father either, it would take them time to get to know each other.
"Will you come back to the house with us Mrs Wheeler?" Linka offered. "We will be staying at Paige's Grandfathers for a few more days, until the others can come back and get us."
"Call me Mom dear, and thank you but no. I need to check on Joe and you have your own family to look after now, but I do want you to come and visit before you leave, or maybe I'll bring Joe to you?"
Linka nodded. "We would like that, and you are most welcome."
"Thank you my dear." She said, and then hugged each one and kissed them on the cheek (including a somewhat stiff Paige,) before leaving.
"Can we go home now?" Paige asked again, somewhat impatiently.
Wheeler laughed. "What, before anymore relatives crawl out of the woodwork? You bet, sweetheart!"
He let her slide to the ground and stood up, holding the hand she held out to him.
"I think we should get a wheel chair…" Linka said. "They do not usually like patients walking out do they?"
"Can't imagine why not." He shrugged. "And I'm not gonna get in one so we might as well just go."
Linka sighed, knowing she wouldn't win the argument, and followed the two Americans out of the room.
Wheeler and Paige got on like a house on fire, just as Linka had predicted. He kept the young girl laughing and happy all evening but Linka could see her boyfriend was getting tired, whereas, Paige was over-excited and she knew it was up to her to do something.
"Paige, it is past your bedtime." She said gently.
"I'm not tired." The girl replied quickly and defiantly.
Linka met her eyes calmly, her own voice determined, something she had had to learn over the last few weeks. "Why not let me get you ready for bed and then your Papa can tell you a story before you sleep?"
"That's a good idea." Wheeler said, trying to help. "Do you have a favourite story or would you like me to make something up?"
Paige looked back at him. "Not made up. I want to hear about the Planeteers."
"Okay." He replied, grinning at her affectionately. "But only when you're in bed."
Paige sighed. "Okay."
To her surprise, Paige invited Linka to stay for the story, so the Russian sat in the window seat and listened to the pleasant sound of her Yankee amusing his… no, their daughter.
When he was done, he kissed the sleepy child on her forehead and stood up. "Good night sweetheart."
"Goodnight… Daddy?" She said cautiously.
He sat down again and scooped her up into his arms, holding her tightly. "Yes."
Paige's face was wreathed in smiles. "I like having a Daddy."
"I like being one." Wheeler replied. He tucked her in once more and gave her a last kiss on the forehead before heading to the door and waiting for Linka.
"Dobroy nOchi!" Paige said as the Russian leant down to kiss her cheek.
"You taught her Russian?" Wheeler said, sounding scared.
Linka nodded, walking around the bed to join him. "Just a few phrases."
"Great! Maybe you'd better teach me too, or I'm gonna be out-numbered." He said, but Linka could see that he was amused.
Paige yawned. "Say Ya tebyA lyublyU."
"Ya tebyA lyublyU?" Wheeler repeated imperfectly.
"Good." Paige said, "Now go to bed." She closed her eyes and turned over.
Linka chuckled and herded her boyfriend out of the room.
"What did I just say?" He whispered when they were outside.
The Russian smiled up at him and raised her lips to his for a brief kiss. "I love you."
He reached around her and pulled her close, resting his hands on her hips. "I love you too."
Linka giggled. "Nyet, I mean, da I do love you, but I was answering your question."
"Ya tebyA lyublyU means I love you?" he asked, comprehension beginning to dawn.
His girlfriend nodded and pressed her mouth against his again. "Mmm-hmm."
"So…" He said against her lips, running his hand up and down her back. "Where am I sleeping tonight?"
It was suggestive but it was still a question and it made Linka smile. "You are tired and still recovering lyubov moy. You will sleep with me, but we will sleep."
Wheeler sighed. "Whatever you want Babe, but not because I'm tired, I'll never be that tired!"
"Maybe not." She giggled and added teasingly. "But I want to be sure you are in top condition."
They had already locked up, so taking his hand, Linka led him to the room she had been sleeping in. Dr Jacobs had cleared out Maria's room for her, but she still did not feel comfortable about using it.
Once they had gotten ready and climbed into bed, and each others arms, Wheeler said. "You're a great Mom, you know that? I mean incredible, you just have everything down so natural!"
"Spasiba," She chuckled. "But it was hardly natural, it took weeks of practice and Paige and I still have our 'moments'."
Wheeler grinned and gave her a squeeze. "Well the practice paid off Babe."
"You make a great Papa too. Paige adored you on sight." She told him affectionately and snuggled down into his embrace. "Very natural."
Wheeler chuckled. "Or I'm just a big kid and can relate to her on her own level."
"That too." She looked up at him, a loving smile on her face. "I missed you Jason."
He leant down to kiss her, deepening it as he felt her respond.
Linka sighed with happiness and allowed her hands to explore the contours of her boyfriends body. If he is really not too tired…
There was a knock on the door, just before it opened, and the planeteers parted quickly.
"Erm." Paige said, sniffing a little. "I had a nightmare."
Wheeler looked at Linka with a lopsided grin. "Has she been taking lessons from the others?"
The Russian rolled her eyes, the upward curve of her lips betraying her amusement. "Come on in moya sladkiy." She said, holding her arms out.
"Sladkiy?" Wheeler asked as the young girl clambered over him.
Linka shrugged. "Honey."
Paige climbed into bed between them, and cuddled into Linka's arms, leaving Wheeler to tuck them in and then put his own arms around them both.
The young child was asleep in seconds, but the new couple remained awake a while longer, gazing happily at each other over their daughters head, content in being together.
Linka made sure Wheeler ate properly and stuck to his exercise routine, so he was nearly back to full strength by the time the others returned.
They had air lifted the remains of the eco-copter back to Hope Island and Kwame took great delight in telling Wheeler. "She is all there, ready and waiting for you to put her back together my friend."
"Gee thanks." Wheeler chuckled in reply. "Don't you guys know I'm a recovering invalid?"
"There are other things waiting for you back home too." Gi said mysteriously, exchanging a look with Linka.
The American gave her a wary look but then his attention was claimed by Paige as she climbed into his lap, no doubt because the adults were talking over, instead of to, her.
When they were ready to leave, Paige climbed into the Geo-cruiser with an excited air, not even looking back at her old home. Her new parents answered all of her many questions as the other two planeteers piloted their craft. The contribution Gi made to the conversation was to call out how much Ma-Ti was looking forward to meeting his young 'niece', since he was the only member of the family that had yet to do so.
"Oh! It's so beautiful!" Paige exclaimed as she got her first look of Hope Island. "We're really gonna live here? Like, all the time?"
"Da." Linka laughed and Wheeler nodded, "You bet."
Paige beamed. "That is sooo cool!"
It only took a few minutes to land and Ma-Ti was waiting to greet them, but to Wheelers surprise, he was not alone. The South African planeteer was in close conversation with a pretty young girl about his own age.
"I am so happy to meet you Paige." The youngest planeteer said as he came forward and bent down to shake her hand.
"Pleased too meet you too Uncle Ma-Ti." She said politely.
"Who's your friend Ma-Ti?" Wheeler asked teasingly, his own arm slung low around Linka's waist.
Ma-Ti grinned and gestured for his companion to come forward, which she did, her slight blush standing out against her pale skin. "This is Chrysiptera, she's from Oceanus."
"I'm a studier of medicine." She said in a quiet, soothing voice. "But Gaia asked me to come here to care for your daughter while you work." Then looking down at Paige. "If you'll have me?"
The young red-head seemed entranced by this new stranger, but she looked up at Linka for confirmation.
Linka smiled and nodded. "Gaia picked all of us, so I think we can trust her judgement."
"How do you say your name?" Paige asked, moving to take the hand of her new child minder.
The Oceannan repeated it, but then relented. "You can call me Chrysi, as Ma-Ti has been doing, if you like?"
"Much better!" the small child nodded in approval, making the others laugh.
"Do you want to see your room Paige?" Linka asked and then looked at Ma-Ti. "Assuming Gaia has everything ready?"
The heart planeteer chuckled. "Yes my friend, everything is ready for you.
They walked inland towards their cabins, Paige trying to take everything in a once and running happily around and ahead of them. With his arm around Linka and his daughter in sight, Wheeler seemed content to follow patiently until everything was revealed.
"Here we are Paige." Linka said, stopping outside her own cabin. "This is your room now."
The red-head ran back to her step-mothers side and looked cautiously into the room. "This is mine? All to myself? Cool!"
"Chrysi has the Cabin next to you." Linka said, indicating a new addition to their little settlement. "And your father and I are opposite."
Wheeler turned his head with Paige to regard what had been his own cabin… it looked larger. As the young girl was absorbed in discovering what the girls had set up for her, Wheeler slipped away to take a peek in his new living area.
The first thing he noticed was the double bed in the middle of the room and it brought a huge grin to his face. Guess Lin is all set to make this permanent!
The cabin was laid out symmetrically, and enlarged to allow for the extra furniture. He could identify his own wardrobe from the scorch mark he'd put there before he got the hang of his powers, so he figured that the rest of the furniture on the same side of the bed, would be his too. As he went to investigate further, a familiar voice from behind him asked. "I hope this is okay with you Lyubov?"
"Okay? You're kidding right?" Wheeler turned back and took his girlfriend in his arms. "This is like a dream come true, I'm beginning to think I died back in that crash and this is heaven."
Linka laughed and put her arms around his neck. "You will not say that the next time Paige has a tantrum."
"Yeah I will." He kissed her nose. "You've made everything perfect Babe."
"I think Ma-Ti agrees with you." Linka whispered, indicating their young friend through the window, who could not take his eyes from Chrysi.
Wheeler laughed. "Yeah I noticed, it's cute."
"This place is amazing!" Paige exclaimed, as she suddenly burst into the room.
Chrysi followed her, frowning a little. "Hush, you should not barge in either, your parents wanted some privacy."
Paige pulled a face. "Oh, they're always doing that! They haven't let go since Daddy came home and they don't mind, do you Daddy?"
The quiet confidence in his child's face was not to be denied. "No honey, but you should still knock."
"Okay." She shrugged. "Can we go down on the beach now please? Linka bought me swimsuit and everything!"
Linka nodded. "Da, we will all go down there and cool off as soon as we have thanked Gaia for re-decorating." She pulled away from her boyfriend and held her hand out to Paige. "I will help you unpack and we will find your swimsuit."
"I'll have to take you windsurfing." Wheeler offered without thinking.
Before Paige could reply, Linka turned saying sharply. "You will not! It is too dangerous! She is not old enough and you are not one hundred percent better yet!"
"I am, and I'll be happy to prove it anytime you like Babe." Wheeler winked at her. "And I didn't mean today for the surfing anyway, but as long as she can swim she'll be fine if she's with me."
"I can swim." Paige said quickly. "Grandpa taught me, and I promise I'll be careful and do what Daddy tells me to…"
"I think the two of you will drive me crazy." Linka said in exasperation but Paige immediately shook her head and put her arms around Linka's waist.
"We'd never do that, we love you." She said, receiving a fierce hug in return. "I wont do anything you don't want me too, I promise."
"Thank you Paige." Linka said sincerely. "Just give me some time to make sure you will be safe, I do not want anything bad to happen to you."
"Neither do I." Wheeler put in. "And she would be safe with me, but I wont do anything to worry you either, there's been too much of that."
"Spasiba."
He approached her as he spoke, and gave her a light kiss on her lips. "Now lets go have some fun?"
Hours later, Wheeler flopped back on his new double bed and watched his girlfriend as she brushed out her hair. "I thought she'd never go to sleep, she was way too over-excited!"
"And whose fault was that?" Linka asked, gazing at him affectionately.
The American gave her his classic lopsided grin. "You love me really."
Linka nodded, putting down her brush and moving to kneel on the bed next to him. "I love you very much."
"In spite of my past and all my bad habits?" He teased, gently pulling her down to lie next to him.
"Because of them Lyubov Moy, they are all a part of the man you have become… just do not repeat them!" She kissed him.
He chuckled and began to explore the soft curves of her neck and shoulders with his lips. "I love you too, you know that right?"
"Da and I know where this is going too." She told him, not easily taken in.
Wheeler pulled her top free and lifted it over her head without meeting any resistance. "Well we should christen the new bed don't you think?"
"Definitely." She purred as he kissed his way down over her bare flesh. Then added teasingly. "If you are sure you are up to it?"
The American looked up to meet her eyes. "That sounds like a challenge, I hope you weren't planning to get any sleep tonight."
Linka laughed and shook her head. "I asked Chrysi to answer Paige if she calls tonight, and to give her breakfast in the morning too."
"That was organised." He said, a little taken aback.
The Russian laughed and liberated him from his t-shirt, sitting up so that their lips were nearly touching. "You have to be organised with a child Jason, but I promise that is the end of my planning for tonight. Now I am completely in your hands."
That signalled the end of their conversation but as the sunlight fell upon them the following morning, just before they drifted into a pleasant dream filled sleep, Linka whispered two more heart felt words.
"Welcome home."
