A/N: Thanks for reviewing as always, and sorry for the suspense ;p Hopefully this will make up for it?

Chapter 21 – As Good As New

"I love you." It wasn't the only thing Linka needed Wheeler to believe but it was the most important, if he couldn't accept that, nothing else mattered.

Relief washed over the American's face but his eyes burned with need and something deeper. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her roughly with all the passion she saw building in him, but when his lips met hers they were gentle and loving and the desperate need they both felt to be closer, pulled them in until they were locked together in an embrace that nothing could come between.

Linka sobbed when they finally broke for air, and buried her face in his neck, clinging to him even as he tightened his arms around her and pressed a kiss into her hair.

"You've no idea how often I've wanted to do this." Wheeler told her, resting his head against hers and smiling when she assured him the feeling was mutual.

They were content to stand there for a while, just holding each other and letting the reality of it sink in but eventually the American lifted her in his arms and carried her back into the lounge, placing her in his lap as he sat on the sofa.

A little surprised, Linka commented, "This is not where I thought you would take me."

"Yeah... Well I figured we still had stuff to talk about and I wouldn't be able to concentrate in there." He kissed her forehead showing that he still needed to touch her. "But if you'd rather talk later..."

Linka laughed and snuggled into him, loving the way he responded, supporting her movements but keeping her close. "Nyet, I think we should sort it all out tonight, we already know that that is not a problem for us."

She looked up at him suddenly, pulling away just enough to look into his eyes and noting again how his arms adjusted to accommodate her without making her feel restricted. "You do really believe that I love you don't you? You are not just saying you will believe me to keep me here?"

He smiled down into her eyes, "I believe you, everything you've said and done since you got here has made me believe... I just didn't want to accept what a terrible mistake I'd made, I'm sorry..."

Linka shook her head and placed her fingers over his mouth. "We will be apologising forever, all that matters is that you know the truth. I will tell you my version once and you can ask me questions but unless there is anything you are not ok with, after tonight we need to let it go. Ok?"

He nodded and kissed her fingers so she dropped her hand back around his waist and settled back against him. "They made it sound so easy, I could do something good for our countries just by letting everyone see that I loved you. I thought it was only a matter of time anyway... I know I was the one putting it off but it was not because I did not love you, I just was not ready and I was frightened about what would happen if it did not work between us. It is perhaps ironic that they gave me the push I needed to show you that I do love you."

Wheeler noticed how often she was declaring her feelings for him and he guessed it was because he'd made a point of saying that she'd never said it when they were together, but he didn't say anything because the truth was, he liked hearing it.

"I felt guilty, I knew I should tell you... but being with you made everything else go out of my head." She nuzzled his shoulder, "It all felt so right, I had never been happier, I did not want to spoil things... That is stupid in hindsight but when you are in the middle of things it is so easy to convince yourself that it will work out somehow."

He laughed softly, "Yeah, I've been guilty of that a time or two."

She sighed, "I knew you would be angry and I worried about it, but I never really believed you would react the way you did, without giving me a chance to explain." He started to apologise again and she gave him a swift kiss to stop him. "It does not excuse my keeping things from you. If anything though, I thought I had been obvious about the way I felt, that I had shown you, I did not even realise that I had not said I love you out loud, or that I had left you in so much doubt before we were together either. I would have told you outright if I did not like you that way, back when first became Planeteers."

"You did." He said, amused at her conviction that he must have known she liked him. "Several times."

Linka raised an eyebrow, "If I had wanted you to believe that, you would have given up long before we ever got together."

His smiled widened, "Maybe."

"Definitely." She leant up to bring their lips together again and for a few minutes they were lost in the tender embrace.

When they parted Wheeler trailed light kisses along her jaw and down her neck, murmuring, "Go on with your story."

Linka made a soft humming noise in appreciation of what he was doing, "I am not sure there is much else to tell. I was supposed to give them photo opportunities when they happened naturally but they started to badger me for more because I was only telling them about events we were all going to when the press would be there anyway. I know the call you took made it sound like I was arranging things according to their directions but that is not even close to being true."

"Can I ask you something?" Wheeler said thoughtfully.

"Da, anything." She affirmed.

He seemed to be struggling to find the words as he began, "When we first got together… you didn't want to be with me off the Island, and you wouldn't discuss any dates with me, you insisted that I surprise you. That's kind of the opposite of what you were supposed to be doing, right?" The Russian nodded. "So was it… I mean at the time I thought you were ashamed to be seen with me but now I know the rest… you were trying to avoid telling them anything weren't you?"

Linka's face broke out into a smile and she nodded happily, "I told you then I wanted you to myself and I meant it. I could never be ashamed of you Jason, I know I criticised you sometimes but it was because I knew you were capable of so much more… and you have proven me right by the way."

His genuine laugh went a long way to helping her relax but just as it seemed they would settle in for a long make-out session, Linka's stomach made a horrifying noise and she blushed furiously.

"Jack's a cheapskate huh?" Wheeler teased.

Meeting his eyes with more amusement than she'd thought possible just a short time ago, Linka said, "Just for the record, I would never allow a colleague to pay for me, and the only options we had at the service station we stopped at was something that is termed fast food and resembled edible plastic… da you can laugh but you did not spend hours sitting in a traffic jam with nothing better to eat than toy food."

"Poor Babe." He resumed nuzzling her neck, making her shiver as he found a ticklish spot. "Do you want me to make you some toast?"

She groaned, "I am starving but I do not want to let go."

Her stomach protested again and he chuckled, lifting her onto the seat beside him. "It won't take long."

"How is your arm?" She asked, suddenly remembering his injury, "Bozhe' moy, you should not be lifting me!"

"It's fine Babe, it's been days, it's practically back to normal." Wheeler had never been kept down by physical injury for long but that would not stop her worrying.

She followed him to the kitchen area and coming up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist. "That is all the more reason not to overdo it."

While he was waiting for the toaster, the American turned around and took her back in his arms, leaning back against the cabinet. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to both of them.

"Do you have anything else you want to ask me?" Linka prompted him, "Not that you have to think of everything tonight, I will always answer you honestly, I would just like to put as much of the bad stuff behind us as possible."

He kissed her temple reassuringly, "I think we've covered the bad stuff… unless you have anything you want to ask me?" Linka shook her head. "I didn't really sleep with everything that moved you know…"

She smiled, "Just the girls that were as different from me as you could find?"

"Yeah." He replied ruefully, "But not until I came here, after I'd done my training and left Dr Derrick's… it was like taking another step away from the Planeteers, I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"And you have needs." Linka said uncomfortably. "I understand."

"No!" he shook his head, "I mean, yeah, but it wasn't like that… I need you. They were just… I don't know, me trying to be someone I'm not I guess. There were no feelings involved."

The Russian nodded, but said, "I appreciate your honesty Jason, and I am ok with it. We were not together and just because I dealt with that differently does not mean I think badly of you, but I do not want to know the details, in fact I would really rather not talk about them."

The toast popped up and Wheeler wasn't entirely sorry about the distraction, he turned to start buttering the now golden bread. "Ok, but just so you know, they're history too, with the rest of the bad stuff. I don't want us to waste any more time, I love you and I know we can make this work."

Linka leant on the cabinet beside him, one hand still resting on his side as if she couldn't stand to let go of him entirely. "I agree, but it always did work Yankee, we just have to rein in our tempers."

He laughed down at her, "Easier said than done."

"Definitely." She agreed, "But so worth the effort."

"Tell me about your day?" Linka requested as they settled back on the sofa.

He laughed, "I'm not sure I can, this morning feels like years ago." But he talked while she ate anyway, finally falling silent when she got up to put her plate in the kitchen.

"That was just what I needed, spasiba." She settled back on his lap and gave him a soft kiss before a thought occurred to her. "You did eat earlier, da?"

He smiled, "Yeah I had dinner when I got in, before you didn't come home."

"I did come home." She poked him in the side playfully and then squirmed in his lap, giggling as he tickled her in retaliation. Finally caught close to his chest the beautiful blond surrendered, their lips once more seeking each other out. Sometime later, after they had settled into a comfortable embrace, Linka said, "You are quiet, are you ok?"

Wheeler hugged her closer, "Yeah I'm ok, it's just…"

"Go on." She prompted him, "It is better that we talk about it."

"It's nothing like that…" He shook his head, "I'm not sure I can explain really… ok look, when I took that call back on Hope Island it was like my whole world tilted, it went completely out of whack, and then tonight we fixed it, just like that. It's almost like the last four years didn't happen, like we've been together all the time, sitting here, talking about work… it's perfect and surreal at the same time… I'm probably sounding like I'm crazy right now aren't I? Just forget I said anything."

Linka shook her head and smiled up into his eyes as if she were pleased, "Nyet, I know exactly what you mean, it does not feel real yet. I know the first thing I will think when I wake up is, 'Was I dreaming?', but that is ok because it is real."

"I guess it's because it's not a new relationship," He agreed, "We already know how to be a couple, we've been through the awkward stage." She nodded and Wheeler added, "I'm not sure how it's going to work in the office though, any ideas?"

She hesitated but did say what was on her mind, "I think, perhaps, it would be better if we carried on as we have been in the office, and keep this to ourselves." She continued quickly, "You are right about us knowing how to be together now, but outside pressures are what came between us… I suppose I am being a little paranoid but I would like it to be private for a while."

"Yeah, I think you've got a point actually." He smiled ruefully, "Just as long as we're open with each other."

"Da." Pleased, she cuddled back into him and relaxed.

After a while she began to doze and only woke when Wheeler called to her softly, gently rubbing her cheek with his finger. "It's late Babe, I think we'd better get you to bed."

"Oh," Linka murmured against his neck, not having the energy to get up. "I am sorry, and I should unpack."

"Leave it 'til the morning." Wheeler replied, "I wouldn't have woken you but I wasn't sure…"

Linka looked up at him sleepily. "About?"

"Where?" He shrugged slightly, "I don't want to let go of you tonight but I don't want you to think it has to go anywhere, we can take things slow, I just really need to keep holding you…"

She chuckled, "I definitely want to wake up with you… I do not need us to wait any longer, I just wish I was not so tired, I am liable to fall asleep on you. I will have to sort out my clothes too if I am to find something to wear to work tomorrow, not to mention something to sleep in tonight. I was in a hurry earlier and not very careful when I was putting my things in my bags."

"You get up with the crack of dawn, you can iron something then." The American kissed her cheek, "and, I can find you something to sleep in tonight… and, maybe if we go to bed now, we'll only have to 'wait' until morning?"

"Deal." Linka laughed as he immediately picked her up and carried her to his room.

Laying his beautiful girlfriend gently on the bed, Wheeler placed a soft kiss on her lips before going to rummage through his t-shirt drawer.

Linka watched him silently, content to lay there as long as he was close by.

"Rolling Stones?" He asked, holding up an oversized top. "It's big on me so it should practically be a dress for you."

"Spasiba." She reached out to take it but placed it on the bedside cabinet and held her arms out. "I will put it on before I go to sleep."

Wheeler grinned and sat down beside her, leaning his upper body into hers so that she could wrap her arms around him. "I thought you were tired?"

"Da, I certainly will not be breaking any records." He chuckled so she continued, "But I need to be close you, to feel a physical connection as well as the emotional one... After everything that has happened I do not think simply falling asleep in your arms is enough. I cannot explain."

"You don't need to," he assured her, kissing her tenderly.

They quickly helped each other remove their clothes, it wasn't the mad rush of impatient lovers but by unspoken agreement it had an air of efficiency to it, they didn't need any foreplay. Not bothering to get beneath the covers, the American covered his lady's body with his own, beginning to kiss and caress her. Linka kissed him back and ran her fingers through his hair, sighing with relief at the contact they'd both been yearning for.

"I missed you." He whispered running his hand down her side and along her bent thigh, gently pulling her leg further around him as his lips made their way down her neck, over her soft skin.

Linka had never been more aware of him. Her skin tingled everywhere they touched and each movement stoked the fire growing within her. "I missed you too Jason, so much." She wrapped her other leg around him, rubbing her foot up and down his leg encouragingly.

Wheeler let out a quiet moan, they were both ready but he didn't want to rush, eventually though, he couldn't resist and the little sound Linka made as they joined was both a cherished memory and a present source of satisfaction. They paused, needing a moment to let their connection seep into their awareness, it meant a lot more to them than just physical pleasure.

"I do love you, you know." He told her softly and she opened her eyes to smile at him.

"I love you too, so much." She hadn't realised she was crying until his fingers brushed away the tears and she half expected him to ask if she was okay, but for once they were completely in tune with each other. Instead, he smiled and kissed her tenderly, resuming their love making in a way that had her sighing with pleasure.

New Year had been fun, but they had both avoided thinking about what it meant, pretending that it was a momentary happiness, helping to heal old wounds but having no more significance. This was different. Each movement was savoured, and each sound memorised and exalted over, culminating in a perfect union that was a promise for the future.

"Love you." Linka murmured again but before her lover was able to speak, her breathing deepened and her heart rate slowed as she slipped into a deep slumber. Wheeler answered anyway, "I love you too, Babe, more than you know."

"What are you thinking about?" Wheeler kissed his lovely companion's head, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

Linka had woken early, curled in her boyfriend's arms, in the warmth of their bed. No longer tired she'd easily convinced him that making love to her was more necessary than sleep and they'd spent the last hour or so proving it. She knew they'd have to get up soon for work, but she didn't want to be the one to say so. "Do you remember the first time we made love?"

"Every second." He smiled, pulling her closer, "I'd been away and you jumped me the minute I got back."

She laughed, "I missed you."

"I kept waiting for you to put a halt to it, you know?" He told her conversationally, "Part of me was worried it was too soon, but I wanted you badly, almost as much as I do now," he added with a wink, " and it felt so natural, even then."

She placed a light kiss on his chest, "I had been thinking about it since we got together, worrying about it a bit maybe. I knew I wanted to be with you that way but I did not know when I would be ready or whether you would expect more than I could give you, I always overthink things. Then you went away for a few days." she looked up and grinned at him, "I was not thinking anything that day but that I loved you and needed you and that you were not going away again."

She'd meant to make him laugh but his expression turned sad, "And then I left you."

"Nyet," she reached up to kiss him, "I did not mean that. We are going to forget about that."

He sighed, "I know Babe, but you know, you told me that day that you could never regret being with me... But I made you regret it, you gave yourself to me because you loved me but I didn't understand ".

"You did." she told him, "What you found out made you doubt everything, but that day, you knew. Look at me." She waited until his guilt filled eyes were once more focused on her own. "I never regretted it Jason, not for a moment, do not ever think that. My first time was with the one person in all the world that I could give my heart to, and it was wonderful, better than I had ever thought possible. There is nothing in that to regret." Her eyes shone with tears, "I felt bad about so many things but never that, please believe me."

He kissed her and then spoke against her lips so as not to break the contact. "I believe you, I will always believe you, I know you won't lie to me now. You don't have anything to feel bad about anymore either, we're together and this time it's forever."

Their kiss was desperate but when she thought it would develop into something else, he pulled back with a groan and threw off the covers, lifting her into his arms. "We'll have to continue this in the shower I can't think of a good excuse for us both being late for work and Karen's been poking her nose in enough as it is."

Linka laughed and relaxed into him, and it made Wheeler's heart swell with love and happiness.