Chapter Thirteen
Linka sat in the small courtyard located beside the hospital cafeteria, lightly thrumming her fingernails against the rubber tyres of her wheelchair. She sighed, blowing a loose clump of hair out of her eyes as she watched people talking in hushed voices to one another.
A sandwich, coffee and a glossy magazine lay open on the table beside her; one of several purchased by Gi in a bid to help alleviate the boredom and restlessness.
She had been here for just over a week now and was eager to leave. The monotony of hospital life had reached a crescendo and she found herself pining for the white sands of Hope Island. It frustrated her no end that her wish was still out of her grasp… at least for a little while longer.
The Russian had been advised that she could be discharged as early as tomorrow and she was clinging to that with all her might. Despite Linka's objections however, her time recuperating wouldn't be back home with her team-mates: the next two weeks would be spent at her brother's house.
Accessibility on Hope Island was not exactly wheelchair-friendly and the rest of the Planeteers had enough on their very busy plates without having to worry about her.
But she was confident her body would recover quickly. She had a moderate scar embedded within her hairline, however the stitches were small and she hoped the scarring would be minimal. It was assumed that Linka had hit her head as she fell from the geo-cruiser but apart from some general dizziness, the injury could have been a lot worse.
The wires and rods had been removed from Linka's leg and replaced with a plaster cast. Her tibia was healing well, but mobility was an issue. The abdominal surgery from her ruptured spleen meant that crutches were out of the question, since she was unable to use her stomach muscles to shift her body weight. So for the moment, Linka had to persevere with the wheelchair.
She had become quite adept at manoeuvring herself around the corridors and had initially delighted in checking every corner of the medical facility. But the novelty quickly wore off once her visitors had returned home. She had spent the last few days hanging out near the cafeteria, watching the world go by.
Linka's phone buzzed and she reached for it, swiping the screen across with her thumb. It was a message from Gi, who had been blowing her phone up with messages several times per day.
The previous message had been a photo of the Water Planeteer's feet; Gi's painted toenails curled upwards against the backdrop of Hope Island's beautiful sandy beach.
Linka's response to that had been rather uncouth.
She laughed as she opened the most recent message. The image consisted of Gi standing in the kitchen, clowning around with her eyes crossed and her mouth slightly agape. Only this 'selfie' also included a pair of bright blue eyes peeking mischievously over Gi's shoulder. Linka grinned as she read the short amount of text.
"Pyro's back in action."
She dialled Gi's number and only had to wait a few moments. Gi's chirpy voice quickly put a smile on the Wind Planeteer's face.
"Hey there!"
"Hello," Linka said, delighted to hear her best friend's voice. "How is everything going?"
"Yeah, good," Gi said as the line crackled somewhat. "Hang on, I'm in a bad spot."
Linka waited patiently, smiling as she heard Kwame's low voice in the background. She heard a door slam, then shuffling before Gi's voice returned.
"Okay, all better. Everything's good! It's so good to hear your voice!"
"You too!" she said warmly. "Any word on Blight and Plunder?" Linka asked, biting her lip.
"Hmph. Blight somehow made bail and skipped town soon after," Gi said with a sigh. "Idiots, we warned them but the judge didn't listen. Oh, and Sludge was indicted, but since his name isn't on any of the paperwork, he'll probably walk."
Linka grimaced, annoyed but not surprised at the news. "What about Plunder?"
"He's gone. Slipped the border patrols and probably caught the first flight out." Gi said. "Slippery little creep that he is."
"How can they cause this much damage and continue to get away with it?" Linka's voice was tense with frustration. "This is appalling!"
"Yeah, I know. Shoulda' heard Kwame lose it during Blight's court hearing. Absolutely blew his stack." Gi seemed rather awed. "I've never seen him lose his temper like that before."
"I think all of our temper's are all a little frayed, Gi," Linka said, staring ahead at the automatic doors, feeling bitterly disappointed at the news. "They nearly killed us. Please tell me Bleak…"
"They've got Bleak for abduction, conspiracy to commit trafficking and common assault based on the testimonies alone."
Linka rolled her eyes. "How long before those charges are rearranged, Gi?"
"Well," Gi said in a droll voice, "I take comfort in the fact that a certain Yankee rearranged Bleak's face before he was dragged away to jail."
Linka winced. Gi had filled her in on everything that had happened, including the American's violent encounter with Argos Bleak. "How is he?"
"Ugh, who cares?" Gi scoffed. "I hope his ugly… Oh wait, you mean Wheeler?"
Linka smiled. "Da, I mean the Yankee."
"Oh. He's all right." Gi sighed, contemplating the American's return. "He's not himself. He misses you. His mom asked him to come home for a few days. I don't think things went well. He's been a bit mopey since he got back."
It saddened Linka to hear this. Gaia had requested that the remaining Planeteers take some time off to recover. Ma-Ti had remained behind on Hope Island, but the others had returned to their respective families for some R&R, entrusting Gaia to make some repairs in their absence. Wheeler was reluctant to head home to Brooklyn but Gi had talked him into it.
"Did something happen?" Linka asked, concern settling across her furrowed brow. She switched the phone to her other hand and reached for her cappuccino.
"He wouldn't say. His mom seemed to really want him home, too," Gi said. "He's been a bit depressed, just kinda' keeping to himself."
Linka leaned back, letting her free hand drop down beside her wheelchair. She missed them all greatly, but she suddenly found herself pining for the American in particular.
"Perhaps I should return to Hope Island tomorrow, instead of going to Mishka's," she said softly. "I could stay in the main building…"
"Linka," Gi began, trying to phrase the rest of her sentence as delicately as possible. "I don't think it's going to work."
"But why not?" Linka said, frustration mounting as she found herself blinking away tears. She just wanted to go home. "I will not be a bother to anyone, Gi. I am more than capable of looking after myself!"
"I know," Gi said in an effort to placate her friend. "But we're back to semi-normal routines this week and we're not going to be around if you need us."
"But I do not need people waiting on me hand and leg, Gi," she whispered, wiping tears away with the back of her hand. "Bozhe moy, I am crying again. All I do is cry."
"Oh honey," Gi paused, allowing her friend to compose herself. Stubbornly independent, Gi knew that Linka would be struggling with the thought of being overly reliant on people. "Linka, it's only two weeks. It'll be over before you know it."
"But Irina has taken leave from work to care for me! My Grandmushka is also moving in to help." Linka sniffed, her shoulders slumped as she stared down at her fingernails. "I just want things back to normal."
I know," Gi soothed. "We miss you, okay? Kwame's here and he says to say hello."
"Hello," she said softly, smiling at the sound of his voice in the background.
"I've gotta go, but I'll be there tomorrow morning to pick you up in our sparkly-new geo-cruiser."
"Gaia repaired it?"
"Yeah. Ma-Ti's made some modifications to your chair," she added cheekily, but refused to elaborate when pressed further.
"All right. I will see you tomorrow, Gi."
"Can't wait," Gi said warmly. "And if you behave yourself tonight, I'll bring Mopey along with me… although I don't think he'll take much convincing."
Linka laughed, her mood significantly buoyed. "All right… and I miss you all too."
"Bye, Linka."
"Goodbye," she replied as Gi's voice clicked off, replaced by the empty dial tone. The Russian placed her phone back on the table and sat back against her chair, cursing her current isolation and wishing that she was anywhere but there.
"Is that everything?"
Gi stood next to the hospital bed with her hands on her hips, watching on as Linka packed away her phone charger and books.
"Da, I think so," the blonde said, looking around to give the room one final sweep. She sat perched on the edge of the bed with her cast resting on the linoleum flooring. She smiled up at Gi while she arranged her hair into a loose ponytail, using the elastic band dangling down from between her teeth. "I am getting anxious to leave."
"That's fair enough," Gi said, regarding her friend affectionately. "We knew you'd be getting cabin fever!"
Linka caught a flash of red streak past the doorway and she rolled her eyes as she grabbed her travel bag. "Yankee, I am in need of my wheelchair!"
Wheeler appeared in the corridor. "This is awesome!" he exclaimed, passing through the doorway and screeching to a halt at Gi's feet. Gi took an involuntary step backwards as the rubber tread came close to scraping her toes. He rolled back and forth on the spot, grinning up at Linka. "Your chariot awaits, my lady."
Linka cocked an eyebrow, an amused smile playing at the corner of her lips. "You have no intention of getting out, do you?"
"Nope."
She sighed, as if greatly inconvenienced. Nonetheless, the blonde girl pushed herself off the bed and stood, bearing her weight on her good leg and using the metal bed-end to steady herself. She swivelled herself into position and dropped herself onto the American's lap, feeling his hands on her hips as he guided her into place.
She settled herself comfortably against his chest, before leaning her head back and turning her face towards his.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Surely it will not support both of us…"
Wheeler chuckled, brushing his lips against her cheek. She felt his breath warming her skin and she smiled, breathing in the familiar scent of smoke and mint that always seemed to permeate the air around him.
"Are you implying I'm fat, babe?" he murmured against her ear, the light contact causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. She giggled as he passed his hands over the wheels and rolled their combined weight through the door and out into the corridor.
"Nyet, silly." She frowned at him suddenly, resting her cheek against his and briefly meeting his eyes. "In fact I would say the opposite, Yankee. You look as if you have lost some weight."
She touched his face, running her fingertips over his cheek, then sweeping her thumb upwards to graze the fading scars covering his temple.
Linka bit her lip as she watched him narrow his eyes and tilt his face towards her touch. He slowed their progress and they glided for several feet. They barely noticed Gi overtake them and continue onwards; with Linka's bag hooked over one arm and fielding a phone call with the other. Gi disappeared around the corner as they rolled to a stop outside of a supply room.
He shrugged, wrapping an arm around her and squeezing gently. "It's been a pretty shitty couple of weeks. I guess I haven't been eating as much..." He trailed off as his expression clouded over and she knew the conversation was in danger of shutting down. Linka glanced nervously at him but continued regardless.
"How bad was it?" she said softly, her eyes and fingertips still focused on his temple. "Mishka told me that somebody tried to shoot you."
"Missed by miles," he said ruefully, but his eyes (and temple) told a different story. "But yeah, it got pretty hairy there for a while."
"You went home to your parents?" she asked gently, pressing on in spite of the tensing of Wheeler's chiselled jaw. "How are they?"
"Still breathing," he muttered, returning his hands to the wheel rims and propelling them in a forward direction again.
Her heart sunk as she realised Wheeler wasn't going to elaborate any further.
They rolled to a stop and Linka sighed, leaning forward to press the button for the elevators. "Are we going up?"
"Yeah, we're parked on the helipad," he said, gliding them inside. They sat in silence for a moment, Wheeler's lips pressed close against her forehead and Linka snuggled comfortably within his lap, with her good leg hanging over the arm rest.
They reached the roof and headed towards the helipad. She spotted the Geo-Cruiser straight away. It was no longer gold but silver, with some major modifications evident even from her limited vantage point.
"Bozhe moy," she said, staring in wonder at the aircraft as they came to a standstill. He applied the hand-brakes and shifted slightly. Linka glanced at Wheeler in confusion as he placed his feet on the ground and slipped his arms beneath her knees and back.
"End of the road, babe," he said, lifting her easily and carrying her towards the Geo-Cruiser. Gi appeared, folding up the wheel chair and following close behind them, hauling it towards their vehicle.
"You should not be lifting me, Yankee," she said, concern creasing her soft features. She placed her hand against his chest as he ducked in under the main door and gently dropped her into her seat. "You are still… ah, what is this?"
Linka spun around in her chair, feeling a scraping sensation against the back of her arms. She glanced down and saw copious amounts of duct tape wrapped around her seat, as well as under her feet; essentially anchoring the chair to the floor. She looked up in surprise as Gi tossed a canvas pack into her lap.
"What are …" She frowned, although she cottoned on to the joke pretty quickly. "Let me guess, a parachute? Very funny."
Gi snickered as she held up her hands. "Hey, don't look at us, it was Ma-Ti's idea!" Gi smiled down at her before heading over to the drivers seat to start the pre-flight checks.
Her gaze returned to Wheeler as he helped her up and over to a regular chair with a wide grin on his face. She smiled in thanks, reaching for his hand.
"I am sorry about your parents," she said after moment.
He shrugged and smiled, squeezing her fingers and dropping down to his knees to meet her eyes . "Not your fault my parents are assholes, babe."
"But still…"
He shrugged, peering down at her long, graceful fingers gripped within his own. "Can't be disappointed if you don't have any expectations to begin with."
She regarded him with pity but remained silent.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Wheeler reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin chain. Linka's eyes went wide and she gasped, reaching out in wonder.
"Wheeler, I thought I had lost it…" She trailed off, overwhelmed and emotional at seeing her beloved charm bracelet again. She gripped the silver musical note between her thumb and forefinger, before reaching forward and throwing her arms around Wheeler's shoulders.
"Thank you," she said, her words muffled against the American's neck. She breathed in, feeling more content and at peace than she had in a long while. He hugged her tightly in return, nuzzling her cheek with the tip of his nose.
"It was broken," he said, moving his lips against her ear. "Lucky for you, I know a guy who's really shit at spot-welding." Wheeler pressed his ring against her ribs and she squirmed, her face beaming.
She laughed, leaning back as he fastened the bracelet back over her wrist. "Thank you," she said again breathlessly and Wheeler winked, attempting to stand and return to his seat.
Linka held firmly to his hand however and she pulled him back, his body jerking as the movement left him momentarily unsteady. Wheeler raised his eyebrows in surprise as she pulled him back down to his knees, to her level.
"Uh…" she began, her face growing hotter with each passing second. Linka swallowed, raising her flushed face to meet his vibrant blue eyes. His steady gaze communicated comfort, warmth and love, and she knew she owed it to him (and to herself) to press on, regardless of her discomfort. "Um, could we maybe… ah, talk when I return from Russia?"
Wheeler nodded slowly, his eyes twinkling with delight. "Sure, babe," he said, reaching out and pulling gently on a loose tendril of hair. "On one condition…"
"What is that?" she asked, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes in a manner that Wheeler found completely adorable.
He leaned forward and grinned, stopping just short of their noses touching. "You gotta tell me what your Grandma said just after you woke up! I know it was about me!"
"What?" she retorted, her cheeks reddening even further. "Forget it Yankee!"
"Aw, c'mon! It's been eatin' away at me!" he laughed, delighting in her flustered reaction.
"Nyet, you do not want to know," she muttered, pushing her hair behind her ear and regarding him from beneath her long lashes. "It was a little… inappropriate."
"How inappropriate?" he teased. "Although I can probably guess. She spent the rest of the visit squeezing my biceps and rubbing my chest."
"Da, I noticed that," Linka said, her lips curling into a smile as she shook her head at the memory. "All right, I will tell you when I return. Deal?"
"Yep!" He glanced over at the Water Planeteer, who was craning her neck to try to get a glimpse of what was happening. "I better get to my seat before Gi starts snapping pictures."
He started moving away again but Linka suddenly leaned forward, cupping his face in her hands and brushing her lips gently against his. She pulled back slightly but her hands remained where they were, stroking her thumbs over his rough skin. Wheeler's momentary surprise was fleeting as he leaned forwards and captured her soft lips within his own.
Linka's breath hitched in her chest as he wrapped his cast arm around her neck and pulled her further towards him, raising himself and leaning over her. She gasped as she felt his tongue tenderly touch her own and she opened her mouth, deepening the contact. He angled himself until her face was tilting upwards, guided by his other hand resting against her cheek and hair.
They broke apart after a moment, regaining their breath as Wheeler glanced over his shoulder. He kissed her neck and she sighed before he moved away.
"We have an audience," he muttered, jabbing his thumb in Gi's direction. He smiled down at her. "We'll talk when you get home, yeah?"
Linka nodded shyly, her eyes wide as she pressed her thumb against her bottom lip, lost in thought. She watched him saunter over to the co-pilot's chair, dropping down into it and throwing their pilot a warning look.
"Shut up, Gi," he muttered in a low voice.
The blonde smiled to herself, gazing out the window and knowing that the next two weeks in Russia would be made all the more bearable knowing that she had Wheeler to come home to.
~Fin~
And we're done… I will definitely do a one-shot in the coming weeks. It won't be straight away, as I have a huge amount on. It'll definitely be an 'M' rating, so you won't find it in on the main page. Keep checking, or put me down as an 'Author Alert' if you want to be notified.
I really hope you liked it. Thanks to all my regular reviewers, you guys have been amazing!