A/N: Thanks again for the reviews, I do like to hear what you think. Sorry I've kept you waiting a little, it's been a busy week.

Chapter 3 – You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This

Linka collected her luggage when they arrived at the airport and made her way through customs, grimacing at the reaction her special passport received. Even after all the time that had passed since that fateful day, using it made her feel vaguely sick.

Given the reflections this trip had brought to the surface that was perhaps to be expected, but the closer she got to her destination the worse she felt, and though she should have been excited at seeing London for the first time, her thoughts were still in stuck in the past…

Locking her cabin door and retrieving the mobile phone the president had given her, Linka sent the message that they would be attending a large movie premier in New York that evening. She told herself that there would be press there anyway but somehow that didn't make her feel any less guilty.

All the time she was getting ready, the lovely young girl was reminding herself that she wasn't changing anything, It is not as if I do not like him, I want to be with him and I know he wants the same. He has been trying very hard to convince me of that lately, it cannot be wrong for me to give in to him now just because someone is watching, can it? This would have happened sooner or later anyway… I know he did not like the idea of being on display but we are public figures… it will all work out and this way we will be doing something good for our countries and the planet at the same time.

When she walked into the common room a little while later Wheeler's jaw dropped. "Wow, Beautiful, you look… er, Beautiful."

Linka laughed, and turned around to give him the full effect of the long form-fitting black dress, and the golden curls that cascaded over her shoulders. Then she moved to stand in front of him and adjusted the tie that he'd just about managed to put on. "There," She admired his new black suit. "You brush up very well too, Yankee."

"Guess that means we make a good pair." He teased in return, gently resting his hands on her hips and beginning to lean forward.

"The Geo-cruiser is ready to go." Ma-Ti said as he entered, not noticing how quickly his friends moved apart, or perhaps just not mentioning it.

Linka hadn't moved away when Wheeler had tried to kiss her, not because of her promise to her president, but because her American friend's presence had made her forget about everything else. Ma-Ti's entrance had brought it all back to her however and the redness of her cheeks wasn't simply due to the interruption.

The youngest Planeteer left once again to see if Kwame was ready, and noticing her distress, Wheeler returned to her side. "You ok Babe?"

"Da." She couldn't meet his eyes at first, but finally yielding to the gentle pressure of his finger under her chin, she smiled.

"What is it?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for an explanation.

Linka knew that she should tell him the truth, get it all out in the open so that there wouldn't be any misunderstandings later, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Nothing," And seeing that he wasn't going to buy that, "I guess I feel a little awkward… I was not expecting Ma-Ti to come in like that."

"Oh? Disappointed?" he asked hopefully, once again pulling her into his arms. "You think he'll come back?"

Linka laughed, immediately feeling better now that she was back in his embrace. "Probably."

"We better be quick then." He was already moving closer as he spoke and the last word was muffled against her lips, but the touch was gentle and he waited for her to respond before deepening it.

Linka closed her eyes and leant into him, everything else forgotten.

The rest of the night had gone past in a blur for the young couple.

At first Linka had been a concerned that Wheeler would be all over her after their brief kiss, which she would have found extremely embarrassing, but he seemed content to leave an arm about her waist or hold her hand, as he did throughout the film.

If there was anyone watching neither of them noticed, and they danced together at the party afterwards in relative anonymity. They were there as Bambi Blight's friends rather than Planeteers anyway, and that suited them just fine. Wheeler didn't even flirt with their hostess, for once he only seemed to have eyes for Linka, and that in turn made her more affectionate.

The other Planeteers exchanged amused glances and kept their distance.

When they arrived back on Hope Island, Wheeler suggested a walk along the beach and Linka agreed, so they said goodnight to the others and headed off alone, only pausing long enough for Linka to remove her high heels.

All the time they'd been out Wheeler had kept up a steady flow of conversation intermingled with the cheerful background noise and various entertainments. Now back in the undisturbed peace of their tropical home, he fell into a contented silence, taking in the scenery and savouring the way it felt to walk along with Linka at his side, one arm cradling her close and not having her push him away.

Unfortunately, the tranquillity had the opposite effect on the young Russian as it left her alone with her own thoughts, and the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her something wasn't right.

"Wheeler I..." she blurted out, shaking her head and coming to a sudden stop.

The American stopped too, his arm gradually falling from her shoulders. There was disappointment in his voice but he at least tried to hide the hurt. "You don't want to do this."

"It is not that." Linka kept her eyes lowered, still not able to say the words because the closer she got to him the more she feared the consequences of the promise she'd made.

"What then?" He spoke softly at first but then his voice took on a hint of sarcasm. "You're not going to tell me that this is the wrong time and place are you?"

The lovely girl shook her head miserably, her long hair falling forward to help conceal her face.

Wheeler sighed and put his arms around her, kissing her head and holding her close. "Just tell me what's wrong, Babe. I don't want to make you unhappy, I just need to know where I stand."

Linka slid her arms around her friend's waist and buried her face in his neck, breathing in the familiar scent of him and letting it calm her nerves.

Now was the time to tell him the truth, she could explain how she really felt and though he might be angry that she had made an agreement behind his back, he would forgive her and they would be together.

Taking a breath, as if steeling herself for the worst, Linka pulled back just far enough to look into Wheeler's eyes. "I will try to explain but I am not sure you will understand."

"I'm not that stupid!" He protested, looking a little hurt.

The Russian girl shook her head vehemently, distressed by his reaction. "I did not mean it like that, like you were not capable of following me! I meant that you will not agree with me and we will end up arguing again, though I seem to be making enough of a mess of it as it is."

Wheeler sighed. "Just tell me if you want me to leave you alone, ok? I'll wait for as long as you need me to, if you're just not ready, but if you're trying to find a way to tell me 'no', get it over with."

"I am not, I..."

"You're not?" He sounded so surprised it made her wince but she shook her head.

"Seriously?" the smile was back in his voice and his eyes twinkled with the hint of mischief she'd learnt to love… and it proved to be her undoing.

Standing barefoot on the beach in the arms of the man she loved, with him looking at her just so, a smile crept over the Wind Planeteer's lips. "Da."

They kissed then and for a long time afterwards, not doubting each other's regard and sure that whatever came their way, they would face it together.

Only when they finally said good night and Linka was left alone in the quiet of her own room did some of her fears begin to return, but they were intangible shadows of things that might never happen and compared to the reality of her boyfriend's tender touch they never stood a chance.