A/N: Sorry for the wait, hope you're all doing well!

Chapter 9

"Just one more. How about..."

"How about this?" Wheeler interrupted, pulling his wife closer and giving her a passionate kiss.

The photographer chuckled and took the shot, "I'll just go get these developed for you."

They didn't notice her leave and it was a few minutes before they came up for air. They were in the garden area and instead of heading back inside immediately, Linka suggested they look around. Hand in hand, they reached a rocky outcropping and stood gazing out over the landscaped area and further out over the desert.

Linka sighed and leant back against her husband's chest, holding his arms close as they came around her.

After a few minutes Wheeler kissed the side of her head and asked, "what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," he could hear her smile in her voice, "just being in the moment."

"Huh?"

She turned enough so that she could look at him, "you do not do that?" He raised an eyebrow in question, "take a breath, let it out, and just let yourself be here, right now... I cannot explain."

"It's ok, I think I get what you mean," he told her, then after a few moments silence, "We did it huh?"

She chuckled softly, "Da, now comes the hard part."

"We're up to it," he hugged her close and bent his head to kiss her neck, placing a second kiss when she agreed.

"We should go back," Linka said at last, "we still need to go and see your uncle."

He agreed and released her to take her hand, and walk slowly back to the chapel reception area.

The receptionist and the woman who took their photo's were talking to each other at the desk, but stopped and turned their smiles on the couple as they entered.

The photographer held out a small book, which Linka - laying her bouquet on the desk - took and opened. It was a wedding album, with a selection of the photographs she'd taken printed and arranged carefully within.

"It is wonderful, thank you!" The Wind Planeteer exclaimed and was echoed by her husband.

"All part of the service," the woman beamed at them, and then coo'd in delight as Linka carefully removed two of the flowers from her bouquet, entwined them together, and then pressed them into the back of the album.

After more thank yous and a few goodbyes, the young couple collected their things and headed back to the geo-cruiser.

"Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere fancier for dinner?" Wheeler asked with concern.

Linka looked around their hotel restaurant and smiled at him, "this is nice, and you do not like fancy food anyway."

"No..." He replied dubiously, "But it is our wedding day, it should be a celebration."

She turned into him wrapping her arms around his waist "if that is what you wanted you could have given in to your uncle, and let him throw a party?"

"Is that what you wanted?!" he asked with alarm but she laughed.

"Nyet Lyubov, I have everything I want."

He pulled her closer, "Me too, I just want to make today special for you."

Linka raised her lips to his, "Today is perfect."

"I don't mean to interrupt," one of the restaurant's staff was grinning at them, "but were you looking for a table?"

"Yeah," Wheeler grinned back, giving Linka a squeeze, and not entirely releasing her. "Sorry… newlyweds."

"Congratulations!" She said cheerily and led them to a quiet table, taking their drinks orders and leaving them to talk.

Wheeler reached across the table to take his wife's hand in his. She accepted it willingly, gently nudging his new ring with her thumb, "I like seeing that there."

"Because you want to own me?" He teased.

She met his eyes, her own brimming with amusement, "definitely."

They both laughed, and before they could speak again the waitress came over with their drinks and a couple of menus.

Conversation turned to food but once their orders were given and they were again alone, Linka asked, "do you think your Uncle liked me?" Then she added quickly, "I mean he was very kind but he is obviously fond of you and would probably not say outright if he disapproved?"

Wheeler was clearly surprised, "why wouldn't he approve?"

She shrugged, "he has not met me before, this probably seemed sudden to him."

Wheeler grinned, "nah, they know about you."

She raised an eyebrow, "we were not exactly on good terms, what they know of me cannot be good..."

"Why not? I didn't go around making up stuff about you because you didn't want to be with me, Babe." She was glad that he didn't sound annoyed and even happier as he continued, "I'd go visit now and then, mostly to see Joey, and I'd tell them about the Planeteers... I never meant to talk about you any differently to the others, but my aunt said it was obvious you were special to me."

He took a sip of his drink before adding, "I told her we were just friends but I didn't mention that it was because things didn't work out. She always asks after you and tries to tease me."

Linka grimaced, "that must have been unpleasant... It was similar with my family."

Squeezing her hand he said, "guess they were all right though, huh?" And that made her smile again. "Anyway, my Uncle loved you, stop worrying so much."

She tilted her head to the side in submission, "I was amazed that he had everything so organised, especially when he had only known for a couple of hours. I knew he was going to do the paperwork but I thought that just meant taking copies of our documents and filing them with the authorities."

"Ha yeah, I'd completely forgotten about the blood tests," he agreed, "we were lucky that he has a contract with a lab for legal work or we'd have been waiting weeks to get it all finalised."

Linka nodded, "it will still take a few days, I will be happy when it is done."

"They're not going to find anything Beautiful, I'm a hundred percent sure we're not related." He teased.

Rolling her eyes, "I know that, I just want all the legal things completed so that it is all settled."

"I know," he spoke softly, letting her know that he understood that it was part of her to want all the details attended to, rather than any distrust in their commitment to each other. "Were you really ok with changing your Surname to mine? I mean Uncle Donnie just kinda assumed you would..."

"And it is not likely that I would have felt that I could object?" She asked with slight disbelief.

Wheeler was prevented from answering by the arrival of their first course but as soon as the server had departed he said, "I know you don't need anyone to stand up for you, that's why I didn't say anything while we were there, it's just... You've been great about everything, don't take this the wrong way but, you're not normally this easy going about stuff and this is major stuff. I guess, I just worry that you're doing it all to please me because you don't want us to fight, and I need to know it's what you really want, like if you'd disliked one thing I'd know you were ok with the rest, you know?"

She swallowed the bite of food she'd taken, keeping her voice neutral, "are you actually complaining that I am not being difficult?"

"No!" He said quickly, "not complaining..." Then under his breath, "Just not used to it."

Linka gasped in mock indignation, "Are you calling me high maintenance?"

She watched him go to answer, pause and rapidly review several responses before giving her a cheeky grin and saying, "I love you?"

Leaning towards him conspiratorially she said, "I love you too, but that is not going to get you out of the little hole you are digging."

"What will?" He challenged.

Her eyes lit mischievously, "I will think of something… later."

Wheeler grinned, guessing where her mind was going. "Deal."

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Linka asked cautiously, "You were ok with my changing my name da? I mean, I did not ask you either, and I know you do not have the best relationship with your father."

Putting down his fork to take her hand again he replied, "Of course I'm ok with it… at least, I want us to have the same name and I'd have been happy to change mine but can't pronounce yours." She laughed and squeezed his hand as he continued, "But yeah, I'm fine with it. I'm used to everyone calling me Wheeler, I don't really think of it as a family name, it's just mine… and now it's ours. I like that."

"Me too."

A few moments passed until they realised they were gazing into each others eyes, then they laughed at themselves, and went back to their meal.

"I gotta admit Babe," Wheeler continued after a while, "It never occurred to me how many places you'd have to contact to change a name. I thought the list you wrote for my uncle was gonna turn into a novel."

"Da," She agreed, "I hope the World Defence Agency will accept the lawyer's office authority, or I will have to visit them, and it took long enough the first time to fill out all of the paperwork."

"I'll go with you," He shrugged, "You can wake me up when you're done."

"Haha." She rolled her eyes but she was smiling.

"Seriously though, it'll probably be the least important one that'll give you hassle, that's always the way." She nodded in agreement and he added. "you know I really am sorry that I implied you can be difficult, but you are a perfectionist - and that's a good thing – only today you're not… I guess I'm just being paranoid."

Linka laughed and took his hand back, "I am happy Lyubov. I have not been this happy since… actually I have never been this happy. Maybe that has made me more easy going today, but personally I think it is just because this is my idea of perfect."

"Me too Babe," he agreed sincerely, slightly choked with emotion, "Totally, me too."

Having taken their time over dinner, talking and frequently laughing together with an understanding that had always been just below the surface but was now blossoming, the new couple made their way to their room.

Entering first, Linka slipped off her shoes and then moved to pull the curtains, pausing to admire the view. "It is still early, do you want some coffee?"

"Sure." Wheeler picked up the kettle and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll get it."

The lights of the city reflected on the water of the harbour, but further out there was only the moon to show the agitated state of the waves and the dark clouds amassing in the sky, "It is going to storm."

Wheeler switched the kettle on and struggled to open the little sachets that had been left for them, "I don't suppose we'll hear it much in here."

"It looks bad," his wife whispered, "I can feel the wind building."

"Can you really?" he asked, leaving his task to wrap an arm around her, pulling her against his side as he too looked out over the ocean.

She nodded, "Now that I am thinking about it, da. I have to take my ring off when it storms at home or I cannot sleep at all."

Wheeler gently took her right hand in his and eased her Planeteer ring off her finger. "No sense in getting all uneasy, Babe."

Linka let him take her ring without objecting, smiling when he took his own off and placed them together on the bedside cabinet. She closed the curtains then, shutting the weather out and climbing up onto the bed to wait for her coffee.

"This is very domestic," Linka teased her husband as he settled beside her, leaning forward slightly so that he could put his arm around her again. "Just like an old married couple on a weekend away."

He laughed, sipping his drink. "Married yeah, but I'm willing to prove I'm not old any time you want Beautiful."

"I know, we will do that." She assured him. "I have not forgotten that it is our wedding night."

Wheeler looked surprised, "I wasn't reminding you, it was just a joke." An expression of concern crossed his features, "You don't have to… do anything, just because it's our wedding night, you know that right? I mean yesterday was like… amazing, but I know it's probably soon for you… or something."

She chuckled, amused at how he'd gotten more worried as he continued, "Jason stop. I am fine, and I want to make love with you." She leant in to kiss him, "I was talking about my expectations, not yours."

"Oh yeah?" He went from worried to hopeful in a moment and it made her laugh again.

"It is very sweet that you are not taking me for granted Lyubov," she told him, "but we really need to find a balance before one of us goes crazy."

He nodded, "I know Babe, and we will. Thing is, I've already screwed this up once because I was guessing how you felt..."

"We did." She corrected softly.

"... And things are better, and we're talking more, but I'm still guessing." He continued, "I need some direction here."

Linka sighed into her coffee, "I do not want to tell you how to behave."

"Good," he grinned, "I don't want that either. Tell me what you want, tell me how you feel. Then let me work out what to do about it."

"I do not find that easy."

"I know, that's why I keep checking." He teased.

She laughed and raised her eyes to his, and saw her own feelings reflected there. "I will try, but you will have to do the same."

He nodded, "I promise."

Wheeler interpreted her snuggling back against him while sipping her drink as thinking about what he'd said, so he finished his coffee in silence.

At last she looked up at him again and said, "I like being with you like this... more kissing would be nice too."

Laughing, he leant down to bring their lips together in a soft, somewhat brief gesture, "Like that?"

"Da, but it would be ok if you took your time." Linka replied, warming to the game. She surprised him a few moments later by pulling away, but as it was only to put her mug on the side before settling more fully into his arms, he didn't complain.

It reminded her of the first time they'd made out. Although she'd been a little nervous back then, it had never felt awkward. They'd had an afternoon free and instead of doing the research she'd been planning, Wheeler had talked her into curling up next to him on his bed. Talking and laughing had become kissing, and had gradually morphed into more, innocent though it was.

"I could do this all night," Linka murmured against his lips, her mind returning to the present.

"Mmm," he agreed, claiming her mouth again, "And more often."

They lost track of time as they savoured the taste of each other, their hands gently exploring in silent encouragement. They finally had time to themselves, and only each other to please.

Eventually Linka pulled back slightly, "Do you mind if I take my make-up off? I hate waking up with it all…" she gestured to her face in a vague way that made him grin.

"Go for it." As she got up he said, "Does this mean we're getting ready for bed?"

"Unless you would rather watch television?" She called back over her shoulder.

He started undoing his shirt, "Haha, very funny Babe."

"I should have bought something more… appropriate to sleep in," She said through the open door of the bathroom.

"You won't need anything." He promised. Then asked curiously, "Do you still have your Secret Santa present from last year?"

She came to the door, "Then that was you? Da I still have it… what there is of it."

"Technically it was Gi. She dragged me into the women's lingerie section on a shopping trip and told me to pick out something I'd want to see you in." He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, "Have you tried it on?"

Cheeks going deep red she replied, "Da, actually I did." Before disappearing into the bathroom again.

"And?"

"It fit perfectly." He groaned audibly making her laugh. "Remind me on your birthday."

"I will Babe," He assured her, "I will."

They took turns in the bathroom rather than sharing but it wasn't long before they were back in the main room, Wheeler having stripped down to boxer briefs while Linka had only removed her overshirt.

She walked over to where he was sitting on the bed and turned her back, lifting her hair around the front so that he could see the zip.

"Is it stuck?" he asked, finding immediately that it wasn't as it slid easily down her back.

"Nyet, I just wanted you to do it." She turned round, adding shyly, "you said to tell you what I want da?"

"Da." His gaze was full of love and it helped her continue.

She ran her hands over his chest, letting them come to rest on his shoulders, "I want my husband to undress me."

Holding her gaze with his own, Wheeler slid his hands up her body letting them brush the sides of her breasts and then carefully lifted the dress over them, letting it fall to her waist. He'd expected her to be wearing a bra underneath so for a moment he was mesmerised by the sight of bare skin, then as if drawn in he brought his lips up to caress it.

Linka gasped, enjoying the way his tongue played over her but still managed to say. "Yankee… Jason, my dress?"

He didn't stop what he was doing but his hands moved down again to help the white fabric over her hips to pool on the floor. He did pull back then to see what he'd uncovered and admire her form as she stood before him, only a small lacy covering giving lie to her nakedness.

"God you're beautiful." His voice was low and full of passion. He traced the edge of the white fabric across her stomach and then drew a line down the centre making her shiver, "Did you get these in Portland with the dress?"

"Nyet," She licked her suddenly dry lips, "Not all of my underwear is boring."

He looked up into her eyes, "Nothing on you is boring, I just imagined you being more practical… I mean technically this was a mission."

She shifted slightly as his finger continued to trace its way over her, and blushed at the way his eyes kept being drawn back to her breasts. "I like the way it feels."

"Because it's sexy?" he leant in again, kissing her torso in a random but thorough kind of way.

"Is it?"

"Oh yeah."

She laughed, "I have more than once wondered what you would think if you knew what was under my uniform… even after we argued I would see you looking sometimes."

"I was wondering about it too." He pulled the last of her clothing down her legs and steadied her as she stepped out of it, but then trailed one hand back up the inside of her leg.

"Jase…" She gasped again.

His mouth had returned to teasing her skin so when he spoke she could feel his words as well as hear them, "Tell me what else you want?"

"I…" she blushed, "I want to make love to you."

He stopped what he was doing and grinned up at her, "What's stopping you?"

Linka laughed and put her hands on his shoulders to gently push him back onto the bed, letting him steady her as she climbed up over him. When she looked down she could see the desire in his eyes as he waited to find out what she would do next.

Reaching between them, she clumsily freed him from his boxers, laughing with him at her efforts, before settling herself in their place. She began pressing soft kisses to his neck, trailing upwards over his jaw until she found his lips, teasing them with her tongue before claiming them fully.

Wheeler was so absorbed by what their mouths were doing it took him a few moments to realise that she had started rocking against him, their lower halves finding a natural rhythm for a tender love-making. Moving one hand down to cup her bottom, and the other up to play with her hair, he did what she'd suggested earlier and let himself be in the moment and take in the reality of what was happening.

Linka's breasts brushed his chest with every movement while her hands roamed freely over his body in that precise, possessive way that she had, which he loved so much. He knew she was just doing what felt good but from his perspective it was a fascinating dance that drew pleasure with every breath.

He began to gently roll his hips up into her, matching her rhythm to enhance what they were feeling... their lips were still locked together but he felt her approval in every inch of her frame.

They took their time savouring the intimacy of the contact and wanting to prolong it. It couldn't last forever however, and the slow build did nothing to diminish the climax when it came. Wheeler gathered her back against him, breathing in the scent of her. "I love you Linka."

"I love you too," she snuggled contentedly against him.

When he felt sufficiently recovered, Wheeler lifted her gently and moved them into the bed, thinking she would want to settle down for the night. He was surprised and pleased when instead of wishing him goodnight, she gave him a playful smile and encouraged him to roll over on top of her, supple legs wrapping around him.

It was a couple of hours later when Linka finally yawned and cuddled into him like he was the most comfortable pillow she'd ever had, "I need to sleep now."

Finding her ridiculously adorable even as he was awed by what they'd shared, her husband grinned into her hair, "sweet dreams Babe." Tucking the covers up around them, he followed her into a peaceful slumber.

To be continued…