Potion No. 9

Summary: Wheeler and Linka are looking forward to a peaceful Christmas but an eco-villain attack changes their plans and their relationship

Disclaimer: I don't own this show and I'm not making any money from these stories, they're just for fun.

Rating: This story is marked as M for implied violence and adult themes.

A/N: Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Chapter 1

Wheeler sniffed the air as a delicious aroma wafted in his direction, and would have followed it back to the market stall that was selling the festive treats, but his companion caught his hand.

"Nyet Yankee," Linka said firmly, pulling him in the other direction, "Your stomach can wait, we are here to buy Christmas presents, remember?"

He rolled his eyes but went without complaint, willing to exchange sampling the delicacies of the Christmas Market for holding her hand. The American still wasn't sure where he stood as far as her feelings were concerned, but they were spending a lot of time together and he was hopeful. 'It's not dating, we're just friends; playing on the beach, going to the cinema, having dinner out… shopping. She has to figure it out sooner or later, doesn't she?'

"Wheeler! I was talking to you." The look she was giving him was a mixture of frustration and affection - which he also counted as an improvement – and her tone was almost pleading, "We have only just got here, you cannot be bored already."

His smile warmed his eyes, "Sorry Babe, I'm not bored, I promise. There's just a lot to take in and my mind wandered for a moment."

Her expression was still dubious but she indicated a selection of hand-crafted wooden jewellery boxes, "I wanted to know what you thought of these, for Gi?"

"Nice I guess, does she wear much jewellery though?" he got a look that said he should know the answer so rather than respond, he took a closer look at the designs, pretending more interest than he really felt. "I think there's some sort of fish on this one?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down," Her eyes flicked to the store holder, who was fortunately serving another customer. "I think they make them themselves."

Wheeler sighed and lowered his voice, "Seriously, can you tell what it is?"

She bit her lip and then giggled, shaking her head. "Come on." She pulled him on to the next stall before he could say something that might be overheard.

After a couple of hours, and a relatively successful search, Wheeler finally convinced his companion to stop for something to eat. Rather than stand at one of the stalls though, they headed into a small café, taking a table for two in the window so that they could continue to look out at the brightly coloured displays and various entertainments.

"I gotta say Babe, I'm kinda impressed," Wheeler said between mouthfuls of his sandwich, "I didn't think we'd find much here, but for the most part it's really good quality."

Linka nodded, a little smug at being right, "Da, they are keeping up the old traditions, even if they are now art forms instead of necessities, it is wonderful to see."

He nodded, "And it gives us some unusual presents… this is the earliest I've ever bought gifts for Christmas."

"I know." She chuckled, giving him that look of affection that only ever turned up when they were alone.

A small commotion in the street had them looking round, and then laughing as they realised that the people were reacting to a light flurry of snow.

Linka looked as excited as a small child to see the flakes come down, and Wheeler laughed again, "I'd have thought you'd seen enough snow for a lifetime?"

She shook her head, "I love it," she hesitated a moment and then added, "I will be right back."

The American's grin widened, his heart displayed plainly on his face as he watched her twirl out in the cold, her hands out to catch the delicate ice. The joy in her face was brief however as she looked first at her hands and then at him, mouthing her disappointment through the glass, "It is fake."

Heading back towards the entrance, he saw her stumble, swaying and putting her hand up to her head as if she was dizzy. Wheeler was up in a moment, their shopping forgotten as he all but ran to catch her. She managed to stay on her feet however and even made it back inside before he reached her.

"Babe, what's wrong?" his anxiety eased a little as she leant into him, her gaze focusing on him, though she didn't object to the way he held her close, even though it was a public setting. "What happened?"

"I… do not know. My vision blurred for a moment." Her fingers gripped his t-shirt as if looking for reassurance. "I am ok now, I think… just a little, warm."

He studied her, "It's not warm, even if it's not really snowing. Let's get you back to the table so you can sit down."

They didn't have far to go but when they reached their belongings he found her reluctant to let go of him, "Do you not want to hold me?"

He laughed nervously, "Er yeah, but… I really think you should sit down, you might be coming down with something."

She wound her arms around his neck, smiling, "I feel fine… wonderful. Everything is perfect when I am with you."

Wheeler's eyebrows rose, "Ok, now you're really worrying me. Seriously Babe, what gives?"

"I love you." She said simply and raised her lips to his, taking him completely by surprise.

Even knowing something was wrong, the soft brush of her mouth against his was irresistible, and he instinctively responded. Her lips parted and he tasted the sweet flavour of the pastry she'd chosen for lunch mixed with something that was distinctly her.

It was a perfect moment.

"They're going to start ripping each other's clothes off in a minute!" A laughing voice sounded close by and Wheeler pulled away, sure that Linka would be mad.

She smiled dreamily up at him however, and it only took the American a second to realise that the cafe patrons weren't looking at them, but at a couple pressed against the window at the far side of the room.

Looking back out at the street it slowly became obvious to him that they weren't the only ones. All across the square there were people indulging in some very public displays of affection. In fact, only children and the very elderly seemed unaffected by the strange behaviour.

"Weird." By way of response, Linka leant in and kissed his jaw, making him jump back and nearly fall over a stray chair. Before she could reach for him again a young girl stumbled past the window, obviously in distress, and was almost immediately seized by an older man who was clearly pursuing her, making her cry out and struggle in his grasp.

Seeing that no one was inclined to venture outside, Wheeler took a gentle but firm hold of Linka's shoulders and pushed her down onto her chair. "Stay here, I'll be right back."

Without waiting for a response he shot out of the café and separated the pair, though he had to punch the guy before he'd let his quarry go. She was crying and obviously as frightened of Wheeler as she had been of the man, and for some reason it seemed she couldn't look at him.

"I won't hurt you," he assured her, "let's go in the café, there's plenty of people there, ok?"

She was trembling with fright but his voice apparently soothed her and she let him guide her. Fortunately the woman that ran the café was waiting to greet them in the doorway and the girl fell into her arms, crying.

Returning to Linka, past a number of people who wanted to show their approval of his quick actions, Wheeler found her pouting with tears in her eyes, an expression he did not associate with his friend at all. "What the… what's wrong?" He pulled his chair round the table so that he could sit closer to her and took her hands. "Talk to me."

"You are always running off after pretty girls, why do you not want me?" she asked plaintively, making his eyes widen.

"Babe, I… that's not… what the hell?" she lowered her eyes as if trying to hide her emotions from him. "No… Linka. Look, something is going on here, this isn't natural…" In the distance he could hear police and ambulance sirens and he guessed (correctly) that someone there had called them. "I don't know what's happening, but I do know you're going to regret this when you're yourself again and I would be wrong to take advantage of it."

She swallowed, "You want her."

"No, Babe." He replied sincerely, not misunderstanding her, "She was in trouble and I went to help, I don't want anyone but you… but you don't want me, that's what you always tell me."

Linka looked up, her wet eyes hopeful, almost pleading. "It was not true, I do want you! I love you, I always have." She leant in to kiss him again and he let her, kissing her back softly but keeping the contract brief.

"I hope someday you'll say that to me and mean it." He whispered, "But right now you're under the influence of some weird bug or something."

She shook her head, "I am not sick, I do not understand, I…" she broke off and blinked. "… what was I saying?" her confusion turned to horror as a slow realisation crept over her and her head whipped round to look out of the window.

Outside, a lot of confused and embarrassed people were coming to their senses.

"Bozhe moy'!"

"It's okay…"

She turned to him, her expression furious, "It is not ok!"

Wheeler shrugged and slumped back in his chair, watching as the emergency services arrived to help in the aftermath. "At least it's stopped snowing."

"It was not snow," Linka said irritably, "It was fake, almost like soap suds."

Their eyes met as realisation dawned, and Wheeler got up to again rush to the door, only to find his passage blocked by a police officer. "It was the snow! We have to find the machine before they leave."

The older man looked at him blankly, but Linka arrived at his side to explain. "We think someone was spraying something from a snow machine."

Wheeler took over again, "It looked like it had started to snow, but then everyone went crazy. Only it wasn't real snow, we need to be quick, it's already been too long but those machines must weigh something so…"

The policeman nodded but didn't get out of the way. Instead, he called over his radio for his colleagues to search the area. "Now, does someone want to explain this properly?"

To Be Continued…