Chapter Ten

Wheeler had turned around just in time to see Linka disappear out of the geo-cruiser. His face was pale and there were unshed tears in his eyes. He felt guilty for being so nasty to her and he'd longed to go her and tell her he didn't mean it, but she was right, he still couldn't believe that she really loved him and unless that changed…

The American looked down at the book she had given him and hesitated, knowing how uncomfortable she had been about him seeing it the other day, but then his curiosity got the better of him. Well she did say she wanted me to read it. Sitting down in the back seat he opened the journal at the first page. Dear Matthew! She writes her diary to me?

As he continued to read, the fire planeteers eyes opened wide and the tears locked in them began to flow freely, for the first time since he was a very small child. Why didn't she just tell me?

By the time he'd finished, of course, he knew the answer to that and the weight that had been sitting on his heart since Linka had first met Greg, lifted. He promised himself that he would make it up to her and not disbelieve her again. That's if she ever forgives me for what I just said to her.

He took the rest of the luggage into the house and turned it over to the waiting staff, then he asked directions to the pool and went in search of his love, to return her journal and beg her forgiveness.

Bastian was holding court at the poolside, but Wheeler no longer cared. Walking up to Kwame he asked, "Where's Linka?"

The Earth Planeteer looked surprised, "I thought she was with you?"

Wheeler looked uncomfortable, "We had an argument."

"There's a surprise!" His friend commented, "Don't worry, neither she nor Gi have any interest in Sebastian."

"Yeah I know, but she might not want to talk to me for a while, I owe her an apology." The American replied glumly.

Kwame shook his head, "She's used to you over-reacting when you're jealous Wheeler."

"Trust me man, this was different, I've really screwed up this time." He looked around trying to spot her, beginning to worry that she'd gone off somewhere alone.

By the pool Bastian demanded, in a humorous spirit, that one of the guests, a young pop singer, entertain them all. Laughing, the young girl retrieved her guitar, obviously having intended to sing at some point anyway, and began a lively number to the delight of everyone present, except perhaps Wheeler who barely heard her. The fire planeteer had just spotted the beautiful Russian. He gasped, thinking she looked incredible, even more so than usual.

Coming down to the pool from the house, Linka had dressed herself in a blue, two-piece swimsuit with a sarong around her waist and her hair was down over one shoulder. Luckily for Linka, she was one of those people whose eyes don't go puffy when they've been crying, and therefore, the beautiful young girl looked perfectly serene. Only Wheeler knew her well enough to see the unhappiness in her eyes and it made his heart constrict.

For a moment she looked as if she would join him and Kwame, but she must have remembered his injunction because she went to sit beside Gi instead. When the singer finished and everyone had applauded, their host turned to the two female planeteers and said, "Now perhaps one of you two lovely ladies would favour us?"

Gi laughed, "Linka's the musician." Turning to her friend.

"Oh no, I do not feel like singing, besides I have not brought my keyboard with me." The Russian said, dreading the thought that Wheeler would think she was trying to impress Bastian, and not being entirely sure that she could sing something the slightest bit emotional, without bursting into tears.

The singer who had been entertaining them joined the group at this point and said, "I can play for you if you like?"

"No really, please, ask someone else." Linka begged.

Bastian smiled, "I think she wants a little encouragement." He leaned forward, "What can I do to convince you to sing for us?" He asked suggestively, increasing her distress.

"Is something wrong LyubOv?" Wheeler asked, copying Linka's pronunciation perfectly and having the satisfaction of seeing both surprise and relief in her eyes.

Linka stood up, bringing her closer to Wheeler, "They were trying to convince me to sing, but I would really rather not."

"Yes," Bastian took up the story, "We have decided that it is the planeteers turn to provide entertainment and Gi tells us that Linka is the musical planeteer. We are all friends here after all." It was obvious that he was going to make an issue out of it.

The fire-planeteer tucked his arm around the beautiful Russian and gave her a squeeze, He wanted her to know how much he loved her and this seemed like a good opportunity to show her, and to apologise. "Lin's not the only musical planeteer. Hold this Babe." He said, handing the journal to its owner. Then he held his hand out to the singer, "May I?"

She smiled and handed over her guitar, "Surely."

Giving Linka another squeeze, and kissing her temple, he released her putting the guitar strap over his head and testing the tuning of the strings. He would have asked Linka to pick a song, but he had something in mind.

"Stop him!" Ma-ti whispered coming up beside the wind planeteer, "It is one thing for him to make a fool of himself over you at home, but he will be mortified when he realises what he has done here!"

"Nyet Ma-ti." Linka whispered back, her eyes sparkling, "Just wait."

The heart planeteer looked at her in amazement, not because of what she had said, but because for once, her emotions were completely open to him, in fact her happiness and love for her fiery friend was radiating from her. It was mixed with a sense of pride in her companion that the youngest planeteer didn't quite understand.

When Wheeler began, everyone was amazed at how good he was, though instead of singing it straight, he was actually doing an impression of Elvis. Linka recognised the song immediately and laughed quietly, realising that he was referring to the conversation they'd had on the journey there. She was forgiven, and more than that she realised, he'd overcome his fear for her. She clutched her journal against her chest, holding it there with her arms as she applauded with everyone else.

"Did you know he could do that?" Gi asked beside her and the Russian nodded happily, waiting for Wheeler to return the guitar to it's owner before throwing her arms around his neck.

"You are wonderful." She told him.

Wrapping his own arms around her in turn he asked, "At singing or just in general?"

"Both." She answered sincerely.

They weren't allowed any more time as the other guests wanted to speak with them, but Wheeler took his lovely Russian's hand and didn't let it go until it was time to get changed for dinner.