A/N: Thanks for sticking with me and for all the kind words of support, there's not much left to go now...

Epilogue

Chapter 25 - Lean On Me

Wheeler smiled but didn't open his eyes. The soft, warm body nestled against him was still deep in a peaceful slumber and he wanted to savour every second.

Aware of her every movement, the American knew exactly when she crossed into consciousness and placed a loving kiss against the top of her blond head. His wife snuggled closer in response, wanting to prolong the moment.

"Daaaaddddyyyy!" A high pitched cry sounded from the next room making Wheeler groan.

"I knew it wouldn't last." He complained good naturedly, kissing his wife again before disentangling himself and pulling his trousers on.

"Get a move on Daddy," Linka teased, "Before she wakes the baby and I have to get up too."

He was about to retort when his three year old repeated her demand for his attention and he darted out of the room. The Russian chuckled and closed her eyes, knowing that she had a few minutes at best.

It was not to be supposed that every day in the Wheeler household presented such a picture of domestic felicity, however by and large they were happy as neither of them had forgotten the lessons they'd learned from their time apart. Having recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary however, they had long since made peace with their past and settled into a comfortable and loving relationship.

Linka wiped her son's face, cleaning up the remnants of his breakfast. The one year old beamed at her and she leant down to rub her nose against his, eliciting a delighted giggle.

Wheeler watched the way his wife's face softened as she cared for their children and his heart filled with warmth. In those moments she seemed so different from the oh so correct and logical young girl he had first met, but he knew that she hadn't really changed, she just didn't hide her feelings any longer.

"Anyone want more juice?" The Russian asked as she stood up and took her plate to the sink.

Three hands immediately went up, with various versions of "Yes please!"

Linka rolled her eyes and laughed. "I have three children."

Wheeler winked at her but got up, collecting the rest of the dirty dishes and started running water.

"Spasiba." The pretty little red-head with her mother's eyes and delicate features took the glass Linka offered and watched as her brother accepted his beaker.

The Russian poured out two more glasses and moved to place one by the sink, but when she would have moved away, Wheeler's arm caught her around the waist and he pulled her back for a kiss, "Spasiba, Beautiful."

"You're welcome, Yankee." She chuckled and kissed him again before pulling away. As she turned and picked up her own drink, she caught sight of the small television on the cabinet and immediately dropped the glass, letting it smash against the hard laminated floor.

The other three laughed and applauded at the mishap, but as Wheeler turned to help clean it up he saw that all the colour had drained from Linka's face and moved quickly to steady her, "What's wrong Babe? Did you cut yourself?"

She shook her head and pointed at the television where the report of a shooting was still scrolling across the bottom of the screen, under a picture of the victim, an African diplomat. Kwame.

Wheeler swore and reached over to put the sound on.

"…apprehended the shooter who is believed to be motivated by a political agenda. The Ambassador, who is well known for campaigning to protect to his country's natural beauty and the rights of all its indigenous populations, was taken to hospital and is believed to be in a critical condition."

They went on to say that his wife was at his side and showed a picture of a beautiful young woman the Planeteers knew as Dr. Georgina Carbor.

"We have to go there." Linka said, "We cannot let Georgie face this alone."

Wheeler gave her a hug, his voice tight. "Peter and Olga have an early appointment, they should be at the office by now. I'll call and let them know we won't be in while you finish getting the kids ready for day care, ok?" She nodded but didn't move and he kissed her temple, "Kwame'll be ok Babe, he's a fighter."

"I know," She gave him a weak smile, knowing that he was as worried as she was. "I will clean this mess up first."

"I'll do it." Wheeler said softly, earning another smile.

A fretful look greeted Linka as she picked up her daughter, "What's wrong Mommy?"

"A friend of your Daddy's and mine is sick sweetheart, we are going to visit him." She gave her a squeeze, "It is nothing for you to worry about."

The little girl nodded and lay her head on her mother's shoulder making Linka feel insensibly better, as the love and affection of her family always did.

Linka froze as they approached the entrance to Washington General Hospital. "The reporters…"

Wheeler took her hand. "It's been a long time Babe. I know you don't look any different but those guys have short memories."

"I have had two children Lyubov, it is you they will recognise." She replied with a smile but he shook his head, and indeed the years had been good to both of them, they seemed to have hardly aged at all.

"Ok look, see that group over there, the ones with the balloons?" She nodded, "It says new baby so they're headed for the hospital, go join them and keep your face turned away from the camera's, I'll follow."

Linka nodded, "I do not mean to be so difficult."

The American winked, "I know. Go on, you'll miss them."

His wife did exactly as he suggested, and he watched her enter the building without attracting any attention, with a sigh of relief. Wheeler wasn't really bothered about being caught by the press, but he felt bad that Linka had never really got over that one aspect of their breakup, and he'd do everything he could to protect her. Not seeing anyone else likely to provide cover, the red-head took his chance and headed up the steps, careful not to look at the cameras… he was just another visitor.

Linka let out the breath she had been holding as Wheeler joined her, and held out her hand for him to take. "No sweat, now we just have to convince the Feds to let us see Kwame."

"Do you think so?" she asked, "I thought there might be police, maybe bodyguards…"

He grinned, "I was exaggerating, though you never know, judging by the news report it's a high profile shooting."

Linka shuddered, "Do not say it like that, you are talking about our friend, not a statistic."

Wheeler let go of her hand and put his arm around her instead, "Sorry. You know I didn't mean it like that."

The woman at the front desk asked if they were reporters, and looked dubious when they assured her they were friends. "Well… you can go up to the desk on the third floor but I doubt they'll tell you anything."

They thanked her and headed for the lift. They didn't actually need to ask for directions on the third floor because as they reached the desk they could see two armed guards standing outside one of the rooms further down the corridor.

Wheeler hesitated, "Maybe you better wait here, we don't want them to get the wrong idea."

"Because you are much less threatening than I am, I suppose?" Linka rolled her eyes and took a firm grip on his arm to stop him wandering off, as she pulled him over to the desk. "Excuse me, we are friends of the Ambassador and his wife, could someone please let Georgie know that we are here?"

The nurse cast a wary look at the protected doorway and one of the guards came forward, "Can I help you Ma'am?"

Linka smiled, "Da, spasiba. Could you let Georgie know that Linka and Wheeler are here? We are old friends of Kwame… er, the Ambassador. She knows us."

The guard still looked suspicious and Wheeler couldn't help but wonder if it was her accent so he said, "We don't mean to trouble her, we just want her to know that she's got friends here if she needs them."

"Do you have any identification?" The guard asked, still trying to sound polite while looking as if he was deciding whether or not he should tackle them.

Again Linka smiled but when she would have reached into her handbag, she was asked to place it on the desk and step back. Doing as she was told and taking Wheeler's hand incase he took it into his head to object, she said, "Our passports, just inside. I thought they might come in useful… my driver's license is in there as well and probably my work pass."

The guard inspected the items, looking carefully at each Planeteer, and then nodded, handing the bag and its contents back to Linka. "Wait here please, Ma'am, Sir."

"Well he's got all the charm of…" Wheeler stopped as Linka squeezed his hand and shook her head at him, though her expression was mild annoyance rather than worry.

They didn't have to wait long. When the door to Kwame's room opened again, Georgie hurried out, and ran to embrace them. "I'm so glad you came… it is just me and Kwame these days and he…" she bit her lip, holding back the tears.

"How is he?" Linka asked softly, keeping one arm around the other woman.

"They tell me he is stable, as well as can be expected." Georgie swallowed. "They operated to get the bullet out, there weren't any complications and it was over quickly but… Linka he's unconscious and they don't know when he'll wake up or… or if there'll be brain damage."

"Kwame won't give up," Wheeler told her. "He won't let this keep him away from you, trust me."

She smiled though her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "Come into his room, it is more private. I cannot believe you are both here together… I mean at the same time. Kwame would be so happy."

"I hope so." Linka said, fighting her own tears. "But we have not given him much cause to be happy with us."

Georgie smiled and shook her head, thanking a guard as he brought in an extra chair so that they could all be seated. "Kwame worried for you both, but he was never angry with you, if that is what you mean?"

"Disappointed?" Wheeler asked, hating the idea that their de-facto leader might have felt that way but wanting to know anyway. They had all looked up to Kwame and he had always felt that he had let him down.

"No." Georgie shook her head. "He hoped… hopes, that you would find each other again. He knew that whatever you chose to do it would be with the good of the planet in mind… I cannot tell you whether he would have left the Planeteers if the two of you had not led the way but despite the present circumstances, I do not believe Kwame regrets the decisions he made, and I certainly do not. We have been happy."

Linka hugged and thanked her. "I wish he knew we are here."

"Maybe he does." Wheeler commented, "He might be able to hear us." He cleared his throat, "Just in case you can hear us… Linka and I have finally got our act together so if you feel like telling me 'I told you so', go right ahead."

The two women chuckled and the Russian linked her fingers with her husband's, glad of his presence.

Many miles away, on a lovely tropical island, the Spirit of the Earth called its last remaining human inhabitants to come to her crystal chamber. The view screen showed a news report of a shooting that made them visibly start, but as they listened to the report, the woman pointed suddenly to something in the background. "Look!"

"Wheeler! He is there already." Ma-Ti smiled through his distress. "Should we try to call Linka too? If she is in Russia she might not have heard…"

Gaia smiled in a way that suggested she knew more than she was telling, "She knows. Go and be with your brother."

The two Planeteers nodded and hurried to gather everything they would need.