A/N: Hope you are all staying safe out there in quarantine land!
Chapter 6
"So," Samantha Grant - sat on her lab stool examining bagged flora - addressed her work partner, "I take it you and Wheeler don't get on well?"
Linka, who was performing the mundane task of cataloguing soil samples, was functioning on autopilot while her mind replayed the way he'd rolled her beneath him to her kiss when he'd woken, and was genuinely confused. "What has made you say that?"
Shrugging as she continued her own task, Samantha said, "it's obvious he irritates you that's all. When we saw the others off this morning and he was offering round the doughnuts he'd bought for everyone, you were rolling your eyes and shaking your head... and it's not like you're like that all the time, you know?"
"Oh that," the Wind Planeteer laughed, relieved. "It was his 'Voodoo Donut Dance' that was irritating me, he can be so immature sometimes."
"He was just playing around, making us laugh," Samantha turned to look at her, her head cocked to the side as she contemplated her new friend. "You don't find him funny?"
A little defensive now, Linka replied, "sometimes, but there is a time and a place and I do not believe that is when we are on a mission. However, I did not interfere with his antics and he did not attempt to involve me in them, so we have achieved a harmony of sorts."
"Ok." Her companion seemed amused but didn't pursue the matter further, at least not directly. "I was just curious because there's so little out there about you guys... I mean there was the movie but that wasn't autobiographical was it?"
"Nyet," both girls returned to their work as they chatted, "there were elements of truth but, it was definitely not based on our personalities. We have a website though."
Samantha laughed, "Yeaaahh, I subscribe. You all share things about issues that concern you, but that's like the only thing we know about you. Wheeler posts some of the nature photos he takes, and that's about as personal as it gets."
"... well it should not be about us," Linka replied hesitantly. "It is the work that matters."
"But you're celebrities! Heroes!"
The Russian shook her head. "Captain Planet is the hero."
"Well people still want to know about you." The eco-scientist grinned, "you know; what was it like where you grew up, what's your favorite color, what music do you like, are you single? Stuff like that... you're rolling your eyes again."
"Been shopping?" Wheeler asked, eyeing the bags under Linka's desk as he handed off the days specimen collection to her lab partner.
The Russian blushed slightly, "Not much, just some things Samantha and I saw when we went to lunch."
"You don't have to explain Babe." He told her with a grin.
Linka smiled back and gave a small shrug, "you are back early, did you finish the survey?"
"Nah, we've still got two sectors to cover but everyone's worked so hard I figured it wouldn't hurt." He watched as she began clearing away her work, "we'll be done before lunchtime and the clean-up crews have already started on the areas we identified. Sanchez is going to stay behind and help you two as well, so we might even make it home for the bachelor parties."
"Do not sound too excited," Linka teased at sarcastic tone he'd used.
He leant back against a bookcase, "I'd just rather have one more evening alone with you."
"Me too." Their eyes met and held with a tenderness they had only ever found with each other.
The moment was broken by Samantha's return, "all stowed away. You might as well head off, I'm nearly done here... Oh and my boyfriend is picking me up tonight if you want to borrow my car?"
Wheeler, who felt that he'd done more than enough walking for one day, accepted the offer before Linka could reply.
After going back to their motel room to shower and change, the two Planeteers headed out to a restaurant one of the searchers had recommended.
Linka was wearing one of the dresses she'd bought, a blue evening gown that made her eyes glow, and showed off her figure. Wheeler was having a hard time keeping his eyes off her and had several times reached out unconsciously and caressed a curl of the hair that hung loosely about her shoulders.
By contrast, the American was wearing his jeans with a form hugging black t-shirt that he usually wore under his Planeteer shirt when there was a need for layers. It wasn't exactly what he'd pick to go on a date but it also wasn't a Planeteer top. Besides, judging by the way Linka was looking at him, it definitely had her approval.
They made their food orders and sat chatting quietly about work until Linka thought to say, "I heard from Gi, everything is ready for the wedding."
Wheeler nodded, "Ma-Ti called to ask if I minded him clearing out my wardrobe for Gi's parents."
"What did you tell him?" She sipped her drink.
"To dump it all on your bed and that we'd sort it out when we got home," he said it with an assurance he wouldn't have felt a few days before, but it was the twinkle in his eyes that let him get away with it.
Linka muttered something in Russian under her breath but her lips twitched with amusement, "What am I going to do with you Yankee?"
He leant forward and lowered his voice, "I have a few ideas."
She mimicked his gesture, "So do I."
They were interrupted by the waiter with their meals.
The lights in the restaurant were dimmed as the evening progressed and a DJ took to the stage. The two Planeteers were just finishing their desserts and were ready for the change in atmosphere.
After unconsciously moving to the music in her chair for a couple of numbers, Linka gave in to the urge and stood up, holding out a hand to her companion, "come on."
Wheeler grinned and let her lead him to the area designated as a dance floor, joining the other couples there as they gyrated to the energetic tracks. They danced and laughed together until they were in need of refreshments and then returned to dance some more.
"Penny for your thoughts?" The music had slowed, allowing them to move closer and sway in each other's arms.
"Huh?" Wheeler was roused from the reverie he'd fallen in to.
Linka laughed up at him, "am I boring you?"
"Never," Focused back on her, his eyes were a mirror for his feelings as they had been since they'd gotten back together.
She pressed herself closer, "So what were you thinking about?"
Wheeler gave a laugh and shook his head, "you don't wanna know."
"Because it involved me in a compromising position?" she teased, one eyebrow raised in mock censure, "or because it did not involve me?"
"It's always about you Babe," he said gently. "But it wasn't that kind of thing, I was just... working something out."
Linka looked a little worried, "What something?" And when he still appeared reluctant, "we were going to be open with each other, da?"
He huffed slightly, "it's not like that either. If you must know I was working out how long it would take to get to Russia and back."
"Why?" Genuinely confused.
Shrugging, "Cos I wondered if it was possible to convince you to marry me, and get there and back in time for Gi's wedding."
Linka's eyes opened wide, "that is crazy."
"Yeah I know, you don't want to get married yet."
"That is not why it is crazy," she lifted her lips to place a soft kiss on his, "no one would agree to perform the ceremony in such a rush, in the middle of the night."
He laughed, losing some of the tension her question had caused, "ok Miss Wedding Planner, how would you arrange an elopement?"
The lovely Russian couldn't entirely hide her smile but she said, "Well, we are practically next door to Las Vegas and your Uncle is a lawyer, so he could probably recommend someone to do the legal work."
"He'd do it himself," Wheeler offered, "or get someone in his firm to."
"I know New York is not as far as Russia, but even the Geo-cruiser would struggle to make it back in time for Gi and Pontus' wedding."
He shook his head, "He's opening a branch on the west coast. It's not that far and it's practically on the way home."
"He moved his whole family?" Linka asked, surprised.
"Yeah, Joey was real unhappy about it at first, I've been keeping an eye on him." Unspoken understanding passed between them as they remembered her cousin's fate, but Wheeler prompted her to get back on track. "I'm pretty sure we'd need our birth certificates though."
She shook her head, dispelling the bad memories rather than disagreeing with him. "They are locked in the Cruiser with our passports, from when we set up the security on the new world defence program."
"Yeah... we probably shouldn't leave them there."
Linka laughed and nodded her agreement, "it is convenient though."
"Is that a yes?" He asked hopefully, holding his breath and trying to steal himself for another rejection.
Linka's face revealed the state of her heart but she said, "do you not think it would be irresponsible? We have only been back together for a few days."
"Nope," he replied without hesitation. "If we'd only known each other for a few days maybe it would be, but I don't think it really makes a difference. It's up to us to make it work, right?"
She nodded, "I think that if we keep being open and honest we will be fine."
"Sooo..." Wheeler prompted and when she looked at him blankly, rolled his eyes. "Are you actually going to make me get down on one knee before you give me an answer? I mean if you want time to think, say so, but don't just leave me hanging here."
Linka laughed. "I do not need any more time Yankee, I still think it is a little crazy but... da. Yes. Let us do it."
The look of happiness he gave her mirrored the warmth in her heart and she returned his kiss, oblivious to the others around them.
Wheeler ducked in the bathroom when they got back to their motel room, only to return to find Linka struggling with the zip on her dress.
"It is stuck, can you look at it please, Yankee?"
"Sure." He gently gathered her hair and placed it over her shoulder so that he could inspect the fastening. "I think it's caught in the lining, hang on."
Linka stood there patiently, very conscious of the gentle way he went about his task and the accidental caresses his hand made against the bare skin of her back.
"Got it," he said at last, running it down her spine until it revealed the lacy band of her underwear. He also placed a kiss on the back of her neck, making her shiver.
"Spasiba." She turned and briefly kissed his lips in return, "I will not be a minute."
In fact she was several, but since she re-entered the bedroom in only her underwear rather than her night things, it wasn't the first thing on his mind when he looked round.
Wheeler was sitting on the bed, leaning back against the head board. He'd rid himself of shirt and socks and had been flicking the channels on the tv. "Wow."
She giggled, placing her dress over the chair, she walked over to the bed and took the remote to turn the television off. "No late night shows tonight Jason."
"Oh yeah?" He said with a grin, a little more than hopeful about her intentions. Given the way she was looking at him, it wasn't unreasonable.
She climbed up onto the bed, straddling his legs, and laying proprietary hands on his chest. "I think we will find other ways to exhaust you, da?"
He laughed and slid his arms around her, "whatever you say Beautiful."
She leant down to kiss him, letting him pull her closer.
The logical part of Linka's mind was surprised at how comfortable she felt. She'd expected to feel a little out of control, perhaps even needing to rush things along so that she didn't have time to over think it. Instead she felt safe, comfortable in their friendship and the understanding they'd established over the last few days.
Wheeler trailed kisses down her neck and over her collarbone, encouraging her when she did the same to him. Laughing as the gentle brush of his fingers tickled her sides, she let her own trace the contours of his chest, enjoying the firm skin and well defined muscles.
By unspoken agreement they ignored the growing sensations where their bodies met, in favour of the joy they felt in sharing the simpler pleasures with someone they loved. Each touch - whether new or something they had already learned in their previous explorations – was savoured and rewarded.
Slowly the interplay became more serious, their touches more deliberate as they sought to heighten the other's experience.
Wheeler moved them seamlessly so that Linka was laying with her feet by the pillows and her hair spread around her head. He continued to lavish attention on her now bare breasts, feeling triumphant with each murmur of pleasure and encouragement that fell from her lips.
When he let his kisses trail downwards over her stomach, Linka made no objection but continued to run her fingers through his hair. Even when he reached the black lace that was her only remaining clothing, and began to tease her through it, she made no signs that she wanted him to stop.
Tracing the intimate shape of the garment, Wheeler hesitated to reveal the sensitive skin beneath it, unsure how much she was ready for.
"Jason..." Her breathy plea answered his unspoken question and as his fingers reached her waistband, they hooked the sides and pulled them down, allowing him the access he craved.
"Yankee..." Linka gasped.
There was a desperate note to her voice that worried him, and he sat up to look at her, "Too much?"
He badly wanted to rid himself of his clothes, if only to relieve the pain of being constrained - something that wasn't helped by the sight of a flushed and panting Linka as she lay exposed before him... No that wasn't helping at all, but he kept drinking in the sight all the same - but if she already felt they'd gone too far, it might freak her out.
A moment later his worries were over, "Nyet, Lyubov please, I need you... All of you."
Wheeler's expression as he made love to her was one of intense concentration mixed with awe and it made her feel loved. With one hand on her hip, and the other supporting her, she realised he was gently teaching her how to move with him, and made an effort to show him she was ready for more by taking control of her own movements.
Her heart fluttered happily as her action made him look up into her eyes and grin at her. His hands began to roam then, stimulating her anew, and she mirrored him, letting herself enjoy their new relationship.
Whether one triggered the other's release or they were so perfectly in sync that they came together, neither could have said, but the ecstasy of sharing and prolonging that moment and knowing that they had fully given themselves to each other wasn't something that they would ever forget.
To be continued…