Hope you all are doing well and staying safe and healthy. Been about a year since I posted a story so I did some digging to see if I had anything ready or close to being completed and found this quick little one shot that I had finished (I have sooooo many unfinished. 2020 would have been an ideal year to get some work done on them, but I had to work). Not sure how I managed to miss this one and not post it sooner, but I hope you enjoy it and it brings some smile to your face at the end of a crappy year.

This story is a conclusion to the Season 6 episode 101 Mutations. I don't own these characters and I'm not making any money from them.

Linka smiles fondly as she watches Wheeler interact with his cousin and Joey's two new dogs. After Lady and her pup finish kissing Wheeler and return to rolling around on the ground with Joey, Linka kneels down behind Wheeler and drapes her arms over his shoulders, kissing his cheek and resting her head against his.

"Hi," he says, putting his hands over hers. "Careful. Someone might see you and think you're my girlfriend."

"Mission is over...I can be your girlfriend again," she says with a smile.

"Funny how work seems to follow us wherever we go. Who would have thought that we'd find trouble while babysitting my cousin?"

"He is a Wheeler...of course he is going to find trouble," she teases. "You are very good with him. Like a big brother."

"He was barely four when I left. I missed so much. He's like a little man now."

"He is a mini you...but more mature."

He laughs.

"That's what you think. When you weren't around, he asked me what a nice girl like you was doing with a bum like me! He's just as bad as I am...he just hides it better!"

She laughs but reassures him.

"There is no other bum I would rather be with."

"I'm glad you guys were all here with me. I don't think I would have gotten through the panic of losing him if I were on my own," Wheeler admits.

"Da, it is good that the others came along. But I would have been here regardless. I would not have been happy if I stayed behind on Hope Island while you were here all week."

"Me neither. All I needed was you to keep me calm," he says, turning his head to kiss her cheek. "Until we needed to call Captain Planet. Then I would have needed the others."

She laughs and stands up. He does the same. She moves to stand in front of him and wraps her arms around him.

"You were very impressive with how you have handled everything. From Skippy's death, to the way you took the lead in the search for Joey, and at the puppy mill."

"Oh yeah? How impressive? Like, 'I deserve an award' kind of impressive?"

"Nyet, like 'he is so attractive right now, I do not know if I can control myself' kind of impressive...but if you just want an award...I suppose I can print you off a certificate when we get home..."

"I was thinkin' more like a statue...five foot six, long blonde hair, curvy like this," he makes his point by running his hands down her sides to rest on her hips before bringing his lips down to her ear and brushing them against it as he whispers, "and naked like an Oscar, but female."

She blushes, but smiles as she stands up on her toes to kiss him, more than just a friendly peck.

"Eww gross!" Joey says from beside them.

The two Planeteers smile against each other's lips before pulling apart.

"You callin' my girlfriend gross?" Wheeler asks, reaching out to ruffle his cousin's hair.

"No, I'm saying you're gross and she should know better!" Joey retorts. "Even the dogs think it's gross."

"Not likely. Dogs eat their own crap! They don't know what gross is," Wheeler points out.

"And you just let them lick your face a few minutes ago!" Joey replies.

Linka laughs at the exchange and the look on Wheeler's face.

"What're you laughin' at Babe? You just kissed me."

Her face now turns to match his grossed out expression.

"Linka do you want to come with me to the pet store to pick out new collars and toys for Lady and her pup? I think Lady would like it if a girl picked out her collar so she looks pretty."

"Da, I would love to join you."

"Gee, can I come?" Wheeler asks flippantly.

"I suppose...someone's gotta pay for it!" Joey says.

You tryin' to steal my girl, twerp?"

"Nah. She's too old for me."

"Hey!" Linka says, putting her hands on her hips.

"No offense," the young man says. "But besides the fact that you're my cousin's girlfriend, I don't want Stephanie to get too jealous."

"Stephanie?!" Wheeler asks. "You never mentioned you had a girlfriend."

"Well, she's not actually my girlfriend. Just a girl that I kinda like."

"Oh, well then if that's the case, you're going about this all wrong. You WANT to make her jealous...so she'll notice you more."

Linka smacks her boyfriend in the stomach.

"Have you learned nothing?!" She then turns to Joey and says, "do not ever listen to your cousin when it comes to advice about girls. It took him 6 years to get me to finally give him a chance. Just be yourself and Stephanie will like you just as you are."

"Ok. We walk past her house on the way to the pet store. Maybe she'll be outside and we can invite her over to show her my new puppies," Joey says.

"Perfect. Chicks dig cute things, don't they Babe?" He says flirtatiously.

"I would not know. You never show me anything cute."

"I was talkin' about me! Must be the language barrier," he says to Joey.

"I knew what you meant," she says, rolling her eyes.

"Can we go now?" Joey says impatiently.

"Yeah yeah," Wheeler turns to the others and calls out to them, "Hey, we're heading to the pet store to get these pups some supplies. Do you mind keeping an eye on them until we get back with collars, leashes, and whatever else Joey decides we need?"

"We do not mind at all," Kwame says. "Ma-Ti says Gaia wanted to have a short briefing with us about our latest mission, but you go on ahead. We can handle it."

"Ok, we will not be long," Linka promises.

As they are walking, Joey stops abruptly when they round the corner and see a young blonde girl sitting at a lemonade stand.

"It's Stephanie! Do I look ok?" He brushes his fingers though his hair and brushes the dog hair off his shirt.

"You look fine Joey," Linka reassures him. "Let us go buy some lemonade from her."

"Ok!"

"Wheeler, you have money, da?"

"Geez, am I like the bank? Money for the pet store, money for lemonade..."

"Come on Yankee, give Joey the money so it looks like he is paying."

Wheeler pulls out his wallet and does as Linka instructs, and then the group makes their way over to the lemonade stand.

"Hi Stephanie."

"Oh, hey Joey. Would you like to buy a lemonade? It's for a good cause. I'm trying to earn a new badge for Girl Scouts by collecting money to donate to charity...just haven't decided which one yet."

"Sure...I'll take three. That's my cousin Jason and his girlfriend Linka over there."

"The Planeteers?! So it's true. You really are related to a Planeteer!"

"Yeah...they were hanging out with me while my parents are on a cruise with my other aunts and uncles. We were having a good time until..." He trails off, still saddened by the loss of Skippy.

"I heard Skippy died. I'm sorry."

"Thanks...I got two new puppies now though."

"Two?! Already?!"

"Well, it wasn't exactly planned. I saved them from a puppy mill with some help from the Planeteers."

Linka looks over at Wheeler, "Gee, who does he sound like?"

Wheeler just shrugs innocently as the couple continue to watch the younger pair interact.

"What's a puppy mill?" Stephanie asks.

"They're these awful places where dogs are kept in cages and just forced to keep having puppies. Some of them are still puppies themselves. As soon as they're old enough, the breeders make them start having babies, and then they sell them to pet stores. A lot of times they are inbred and those puppies are often born with deformities or genetic illnesses that can't be seen. That's what happened to Skippy."

"That sounds awful. How did you save your new dogs?"

"Well, I jumped on a bus to the town out in the country where the puppy mill was. There was this nasty lady there, a mad scientist named Dr. Blight. She locked me up in a cage. That's where I met Lady. Eventually I got out and my cousin, the leader of the Planeteers, showed up with the rest of them to help me free the rest of the dogs..."

"Leader?" Linka whispers to Wheeler with a quirked eyebrow.

"Hey, you said yourself I did a good job of taking control of the situation...I believe you said it turned you on?" He leers.

"Not my exact words," she points out.

They continue to listen as Joey works his Wheeler charm.

"...but then Dr. Blight started a fire so Captain Planet had to be called to put it out. I went into a burning building because Lady ran in there. I found out she had a pup and that's what she was going back for, but then a beam fell and knocked me out. Lady dragged me and her pup out of the building."

"Wow!"

"Yeah, it was pretty intense," Joey says casually, like it was no big deal and that he rushes into danger all the time.

"Where are your puppies now?"

"They're at my house with the other Planeteers. Wheeler and Linka are taking me to the pet store to get them some stuff. You should come over later and play with them...they really love people, even after being treated so badly by them."

"I'd love to come see them...and you just gave me an idea as to where I can donate the money I make from the lemonade stand."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, I'm going to give the money to an animal shelter," Stephanie declares.

"Cool," Joey says.

"That is a great idea," Linka adds.

"If your stand is still open for business when we get back, we'll stop by again for another glass of lemonade, and we'll bring you some more customers," Wheeler says.

"Yeah then you can meet my new pups and the rest of the Planeteers."

Stephanie smiles at her classmate.

"I'd like that...maybe the Planeteers can give me some more ideas of things I can do to help earn more badges. I need to do all kinds of stuff relating to nature."

"We would love to help in any way we can," Linka says.

"Well, we should be going, but we'll be back later," Joey says.

"Ok, can't wait," Stephanie replies.

Once the trio rounds the corner and are out of Stephanie's sight, Wheeler clasps his younger cousin on his shoulder.

"My man! Nice show!"

"It wasn't a show. I just took Linka's advice and was myself."

"At least one Wheeler boy listens to me," she jokes.

"Yeah except for that part where he embellished the fact that saved the day."

"I kinda did...if you wouldn't have had to tracked me down, you wouldn't have known about the puppy mill operation," Joey explains.

"Yeah yeah, nice stretch...she's a little cutie though, so I can see why you'd feel the need to impress," Wheeler says.

"Watch out Yankee, she is a little too young for you."

"She's like a little version of you, all I'm saying is he has good taste, like his older cousin!" Wheeler says, putting his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder and kissing the side of her head as they continue to walk to the pet store.

Upon returning from the pet store, they drop off the dog beds, bowls, collars, and toys at Joey's house, and then brought the puppies and the other Planeteers to Stephanie's lemonade stand. It did wonders for her business as curious passersby would stop to see the puppies and buy a glass of lemonade while they were there. Linka and Wheeler watch as Joey and his friend play fetch with the pups and the other Planeteers.

"A few days ago, I never would have guessed that Joey would be so happy again. I really thought Skippy's death was going to hurt him big time," Wheeler says as he tucks Linka under his arm.

She reciprocates by putting her arm around his waist.

"Da, it is amazing how good a pet is for the soul. He will never forget Skippy, but Lady and her pup have given him something new to focus on."

"Yeah, I just hope that Aunt Sandy and Uncle Tom are cool with him having TWO dogs. I mean, they left and he had one dog, now when they come back, that dog is gone and he's got two new ones."

"Do you think they will make him get rid of them?"

"I don't know. I think they'll be ok with one dog...not sure about two."

"What will you do?"

"Well, I was thinking WE would take one of them," he says cautiously.

"Oh?"

"Would that be ok?"

"Well...we have to consider what would be fair to the puppy...do we have time to commit to it?" Linka asks.

"I just thought it would be good practice...you know...as part of the next step."

"Next step?"

"In our relationship. You know? Dating. Living together. The next step is getting a pet together."

"Oh...I see," she says.

"Too much? Too soon?"

"Nyet, it is not too much. Maybe we should start out small though. Dogs need a lot of attention. If Joey's parents do not allow him to keep Lady's pup, then of course we will take care of it...but if they do and we consider getting our own pet, maybe we should get something a little more independent and will not mind if we are gone on a mission for a few days."

"Aww Babe, not a cat!"

"I was thinking bird."

"You can't cuddle a bird!" He protests.

"Birds can be affectionate! They just need a little time to bond with their person, but then they will sit on your shoulder and nuzzle your cheek."

"Kinda sounds like you…takes a while to be affectionate. You don't have to wait for a dog to show they love you."

"Yeah, they'll hump the first thing they see…sounds kinda like you," she repeats his words back to him and laughs.

"LINKA!" His jaw drops in shock, but her laughter is infectious and soon he's joining her.

Once their laughter subsides, he turns the discussion back to the original topic.

"I don't think we have to worry about Joey having to give up one of his pups...not after they see how happy he is. His parents are all about keeping Joey happy...hard to believe his dad and my dad are brothers...total opposites."

"My father and uncle Dmitri were quite different as well...the miner and the politician."

"And look how completely different me and Joey are...he's got that girl's full attention after one day! I wish I'd had his skills."

"I wish you had his maturity! A 10 year old has your 16 year old self beaten by yeeeeears! He may even have your 22 year old self beaten!"

"Why you gotta ruin a good moment?" He jokes, suddenly scooping her up and putting her over his shoulder.

"Wheeler! Put me down!"

He smacks her butt and carries her past their friends and the dogs who are now barking at all the excitement.

Joey turns to his friend and shrugs.

"They do that a lot...you get used to it," he says.

"Come on Joey," Wheeler calls over his shoulder, the one Linka isn't draped over, "it's getting late and you need a bath."

"Aww man," Joey protests.

"Do you have plans for tomorrow? Maybe you can come over again?" Stephanie suggests.

"Really? I mean, yeah, ok...cool. I'll be here. I'll even make some flyers for the local shelter to pass out to people so they know where the money is going and maybe they'll even decide to go get their next pet there."

"That's a great idea, you're so smart," she says affectionately and boldly gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks," he says, rubbing the back of his head nervously the same way Wheeler does. "I'll see ya tomorrow."

"Bye."

"Damn, he's good," Wheeler says proudly to his friends, causing the other Planeteers to laugh.

"G'night Joey, and remember, if the dogs wake you up in the middle of the night, it's because they need to go out, so DO NOT ignore them! Part of owning a pet is being responsible for them," Wheeler says as he starts to close the door.

"Yeah yeah Jay, I know. Goodnight. Goodnight Linka!" He calls out, knowing that even though he can't see her, his cousin's girlfriend can't be far away.

She pokes her head in from the hallway and smiles.

"Sweet dreams, Joey."

Once Wheeler has shut the door, she links her arm with his as they walk down the hall.

"What? There's that look again," he says.

"I just cannot get over how good you are with him. I am seeing a whole new side of you this week."

"Oh? Well, from the way your eyes are sparkling, I wanna say you like what you see? But I'm a little nervous what that means to be honest."

They stop outside of the guestroom that she is staying in and he leans his back against the wall.

"It is a good thing. Why are you nervous?" She asks, stepping between his legs, wrapping her arms around his waist, and leaning into him.

"I don't know...just wanna live up to your expectations."

"I have no expectations of you Yankee...other than I want you to love me as much as I love you."

"I can't do that," he says.

She lifts her head from where it was resting on his chest to look at him worriedly.

"Because I love you more," he adds.

She lets out a shaky breath.

"Do not scare me like that! And do not say you love me more...it makes me feel like you think I do not love you enough," she says sadly.

"I didn't mean it like that Babe...I just...well, I can't imagine anyone ever feeling for me what I feel for you...because no one has ever really made me feel like they cared."

"Until now," she corrects as she stretches up to kiss him.

"Until now," he agrees against her lips. "So are you gonna tell me what's so special about the way I am with Joey?"

She lowers her forehead to rest against his chest to hide her embarrassment.

"It is silly...a silly girl thing I suppose. Seeing a man being so...paternal towards a child that is not his...it just makes me think."

"About?" He presses, liking where her train of thought is headed.

"That you will make a good father."

His eyes widen.

"Are you...?!"

"NYET!" She quickly clarifies. "I mean in the future...someday."

"I'm glad you think so...cuz I seriously have my doubts."

"You are great with children...you always have been...I just always thought it was because you were so much like them," she teases.

He unclasps his hands from where they're resting on her lower back and swats her backside.

"Hey!" She squeals, causing him to laugh as he hushes her by covering her mouth with his.

She continues,

"BUT, now I am seeing that you are good with them because you are patient and understanding."

"I don't know where I got that from...seeing as I never was shown either of those things as a kid."

"Must have been all the practice you had being patient with me...and understanding of why I was taking so long to allow myself to admit my feelings for you."

"I knew you were worth the wait," he says, kissing the top of her head. "But this whole sleeping in different rooms while we're here is killin' me."

"Da, me too...but it would not be appropriate behavior in front of Joey."

"My Aunt and Uncle are totally cool with it. They even said, 'there are enough rooms for you and your friends to each have your own, but you and Linka will probably be sharing anyway,' so they know. And Joey knows that boys and girls who love each other share beds...his parents do!"

"They are married!"

"Well apparently, you're thinkin' about the kids we're gonna have someday...that means we'll be married eventually, so it's all good!"

She doesn't know why but for some reason, thinking of having children with Wheeler had less of an affect on her than hearing that they would one day be married. She knows she's thought about it, but knowing that HE is thinking about it makes her heart soar.

He brings his head down to kiss her neck and nuzzles his nose against her ear as he whispers,

"Don't send me away. I just wanna hold you."

And with that, she was putty in his hands.

"It is never just holding when we are together," she says, knowing neither one of them can help themselves or their roaming hands.

"You tell me to stop, and I will," he says.

"You know I cannot say no to you."

"I know," he says with a devilish grin as his lips return to her neck before making their way to her mouth.

She reaches over and opens the bedroom door, standing upright as he walks her backwards into the room.

She turns him and guides them towards the bed. He loses his balance when the back of his legs hit the bed and he sits down on the bed, looking up at her.

"Sit. Stay." She pulls his shirt over his head and admires the view. "Good boy."

"Woof," he replies, pulling her to him and rolling her onto the bed.

"Like I said, first thing that moves," she giggles as his hands slide up her sides and push her shirt up so that his mouth can nip at the newly revealed flesh.

"I'll show you moves," he says in a low voice.

She laces her fingers in his hair and commands, "Get up here."

"Don't have to tell me twice," he says, making his way up to her neck.

"Cute and obedient. If you are housebroken, you will make the perfect pet."

He gives her a wink before bringing their lips together for a goodnight kiss that turned into something that lasted long into the night.

THE END