A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing... I hadn't meant to post again so quickly but this part of the story is written and it is a bank holiday so, enjoy ;)
Chapter Six
Having found a private spot with plenty of shade on the uninhabited side of the island, the two Planeteers set up their picnic and made themselves comfortable on the blanket to share it.
"So tell me what to expect when we get to your Gram's," Wheeler asked, once more turning the conversation back to more personal topics. "Any big do's or don'ts? Any weird Russian customs I should know about? Or should I expect to be accosted by dozens of jealous ex-boyfriends?"
Linka laughed, "How would I know if any of my customs are weird to an American? You will have to tell me if they are, or ask me to explain as we go… as for do's and don'ts, nothing you do not already know Yankee, you just need to be yourself."
"Myself? I thought you wanted your family to like me?" he replied, only half joking.
"They already like you," the Russian frowned, "I am not going to tell you how to behave, you do not need me to."
Wheeler smiled sadly and reached for her hand, "Sorry Babe, I didn't mean to ruin the mood, I'd meant it to be a joke but I guess it came out wrong."
"You are taking our relationship seriously," She shrugged, "That is not a bad thing, but Wheeler, I want to be with you. If you do not believe in yourself, at least believe in my judgement."
A warmer smile lit the Fire Planeteer's features and he gave her hand a squeeze, "I can do that."
Linka responded in kind and then the teasing light returned to her eyes, "As for my ex's…" She laughed and shook her head, "Nyet. Do not forget that I was only fifteen when I joined the planeteer's, I know you are only just over a year older but at that age it makes a big difference."
"Especially between a big city guy and a small town girl, huh?" he said with some understanding and the Russian girl agreed.
Then she shifted suddenly looking uncomfortable, "My brother's friend has recently… expressed an interest. I told him nyet but you asked, so…"
"Do you see much of this 'friend'?" Wheeler tried to keep the question neutral but as usual failed. "I don't remember you mentioning anyone in particular."
Linka sighed, "Da I see him when I am home because he is Mischka's best friend, but please do not start imagining that there is anything going on, I have not mentioned him because he does not occupy my thoughts."
Wheeler nodded in acceptance but she could tell there was still something on his mind. "Out with it Yankee moy, whatever it is you are thinking."
"Will you promise to not get mad at me?" He asked warily.
"Nyet, but I will promise to forgive you for whatever it is… eventually."
The American groaned and rubbed his hands over his face, "I'm not jumping to conclusions, and it doesn't make any difference anyway, but I can't help wondering… you weren't ready for any sort of relationship when you came here but, well you don't seem… shy, about being with me now…"
"And you want to know whether I have gained any experience since I joined the Planeteers?" She shook her head and to his relief, didn't look offended, "Nyet I have not, not with anyone else anyway, it is you I am comfortable with." The look she gave him then was openly affectionate, "I do not think you realise how often you touch me, or hold me… even before we were together, you are a naturally physical person when you show your feelings or comfort someone. I was not used to that but I always knew I could trust you, though I too have been surprised at how easy it feels to be with you." Her gaze turned wary, "Should I be glad that you think I know what I am doing, or worried that I am being too forward?"
Wheeler laughed, "I think you're amazing, you don't need to worry about anything. Like you said, just be yourself."
She leant over to give him a brief kiss but her cheeks had coloured a little and she was glad to turn her attention back to their lunch. The American watched her for a while, marvelling at how right their new relationship felt, before taking an interest in the picnic himself.
It was Linka that broke the silence, "So as long as we are together, can I call you Jason?"
Wheeler's head shot up, "Where did you hear that? I mean it's not exactly a secret but I don't remember ever telling any of you…"
"Your mother always asks for Jason when she calls." She shrugged, "Gaia introduced you as Wheeler so no one liked to ask."
The American laughed, "Guys back home go by their surnames, at least amongst their friends, I guess as it didn't come up I never gave it a thought." He shrugged, "I don't think I even know your last name."
Her eyes twinkled with mischief, "You do not know my first name either." She held her hand out as if to shake his. "Akilina Petrova, pleased to meet you Jason Wheeler"
"Akilina?" he pronounced slowly, taking her hand.
Linka nodded, "Da I know it is terrible, I was named after my great aunt, but it means eagle at least. Linka is a familiar form that friends and family use, though I always give that as my name for obvious reasons. I should have told you that when you asked me for a secret earlier."
He shook his head and brought her hand to his lips to kiss it. "It's not terrible, but Linka is definitely easier to say, although we'd probably shorten it to Lina, without the K. And to answer your original question, you can call me whatever you want."
"Spasiba." She began to clear away the remnants of their meal and Wheeler helped, moving when they were done into the empty space on the blanket and gently guiding her to sit between his legs, leaning back against him, so that he could hold her comfortably as they looked out to sea.
"This is nice," He told her, content in her company.
Linka nodded, "I used to think that if I gave in to you, you would not be able to keep your hands off me."
Her boyfriend gave her a gentle squeeze, "I can't."
"You know what I mean," she replied with a smile.
"Disappointed?"
The Russian laughed and shook her head, "This is perfect."
He kissed her cheek, "I figure you'll let me know when you're ready for more, but I'm not in any rush, it's a relief to just be allowed to be with you."
Moving so that she could look up at him, Linka asked, "Are you happy?"
"Happier than I've ever been in my life, Babe."
"Me too."
Their lips met then without either of them thinking about it, a tender embrace that confirmed everything they'd said to each other. Linka turned to wrap her arms around him and they lost themselves in the intimacy of the moment.
When they finally parted they resumed their former position, silently watching the tide come in and listening to the sea birds as they called to each other. This lasted some time before Wheeler said, "The water looks warm, did you want to try out that new swimsuit of yours?"
"Mmm," She sighed contentedly and began undoing the knot on her top. "We should reapply the sun block first too."
"I'll get it." Without getting up, Wheeler leant over to their bag and retrieved the tube, and then gasped as he looked back because Linka had stood up to shed her shorts and was standing in front of him in a very small blue bikini.
"Do you like it?" She teased, turning around so that he got the full effect.
The American nodded, his mouth had gone dry and he was wondering how he was going to strip down to his swimming trunks without embarrassing himself.
Linka laughed but her cheeks took on a familiar rosy hue. "I will take it that I was right not to wear it in front of the others."
"I'd kill 'em for looking." He agreed, unable to tear his eyes away and making her laugh again. Finally regaining his wits, Wheeler got up and stood in front of her, pouring some lotion in his hand, "Ready?"
The lovely blond nodded but shivered as the cool liquid first touched her skin. Wheeler's hands warmed it up quickly however and she closed her eyes, savouring his touch which, while respectful, was more of a caress than a practical application. Her body reacted to him, blazing into life and she found herself reaching out to pull his t-shirt up over his head in a misguided attempt to distract herself.
Wheeler saw the effect he was having on her as she opened her eyes and it made his own condition worse but he didn't try to calm things down, instead he handed her the sun block so that she could work on his now bare chest while he continued to rub it into her exposed skin.
They each turned around at the other's request but when Linka asked him to remove the rest of his outer clothing, Wheeler hesitated. "Um… you wanna give me a couple of minutes? I should probably finish my legs myself."
Linka giggled as she guessed his predicament but not entirely sorry for the chance to calm down herself, she chose not to embarrass him further, "I will wait for you in the water Yankee."
"Thanks Beautiful." He watched her retreating form enter the water and then turned away to finish getting ready.
After an hour or so swimming, splashing, chasing and when the mood took them, kissing in the warm water, the two Planeteers continued their walk around the island. Neither of them were in a hurry to get back to the others, they just strolled hand in hand along the beach and through the trees.
"Oh Jason, look a Tropicbird, are they not beautiful?" Linka pointed into the sky as their journey brought them back out of the trees.
Wheeler looked where she was pointing but he was grinning at the use of his name… he liked it, he decided. "Uh, I thought it was a seagull?"
"Nyet…" She hesitated, knowing he wouldn't want the full explanation, "Look at the tail, it is their most distinctive feature."
"Oh yeah… it's like a rat. I've never noticed that before." He agreed.
Linka leant into his side, "I know, I did not mean to bore you with my hobby."
The American squeezed her hand, "You don't bore me, I just don't pay a lot of attention to birds."
"Not the feathered kind anyway," She teased, giving him a saucy smile and making him laugh.
"So what other sort of birds do we get on the island," Wheeler persisted, "Tell me what I'm missing?"
For a while Linka did just that, pointing out the various species of birds and animals they came across until she happened to glance up and see a glazed look in Wheeler's eyes. She stopped abruptly. "I am boring you. I am sorry."
Wheeler laughed, "I'm not bored Babe, I'm confused… they all look alike to me. Well not all, I can tell a seagull from a parrot but… it never even occurred to me that there were so many variations. I really don't know how you tell them all apart." Then added apologetically, "I'm not sure I have the brains or the patience to learn either."
"You do have the brains." She assured him, "But it does not interest you the way it does me. That is ok, you do not need to be into everything I am."
"I'm not into anything you are." Wheeler pointed out, an edge of worry to his voice. "I mean yeah, saving the planet and water sports, but that's work and exercise. I guess it's not a big deal but I feel like we should have a least one thing we can do together… besides making out."
Chuckling Linka stopped and put her arms up around his neck, pressing herself close, "You keep reminding me how much I have underestimated you, please do not underestimate yourself, or us. We both like music, not always the same it is true, but I know you have a guitar, assuming you know how to play it I am sure we could find some songs we could play together."
The American grinned and cradled her closer, "I'm a bit out of practice but I can play, and yeah I'd like to try that."
"And watching movies… even when we complain at the other's choice I think we always both enjoy them?" She gave him a questioning look.
"And the popcorn that goes with the movies, we both love that." He agreed.
Linka nodded, "Did you not once tell me that you can ice-skate?"
Wheeler smiled, "I did, and you said you love to dance… not that I'd win awards at either but I'm willing to give it a go."
"Spasiba." She lifted her lips to brush his, "There are probably lots of things neither of us has tried yet, that we could do together. At least we will have fun finding out da?"
He laughed, "Da."
"And when I forget myself and get carried away in a lecture about something you are not interested in, you will tell me, da?" The Russian added, expressing one of her own worries.
"Probably not." Wheeler grinned, "Babe, I told you, it doesn't bore me and it doesn't bother me that you always know more than me either. That's what's worrying you, isn't it?"
She lowered her eyes to his chest, "You have a tendency to put yourself down and I know that I can get caught up in a subject… I have been told so, and I know I do it. I do not actually do it to try to make others feel inferior and I do not want it to get to you..."
Wheeler kissed her forehead, "Ok, in the first place I know that you would never do anything on purpose to make someone feel bad about themselves and whoever said that to you didn't know you at all. They were probably just intimidated by your intelligence, that's their problem not yours. The only time I feel bad about stuff I don't know is when it's mission stuff that I haven't bothered to learn and I know that I should know it… and I don't like looking bad in front of you." He silenced her objections with a tender kiss and continued with a shrug, "Now, you can get a little… focused on things, yeah. But the truth is, I could listen to you all day, even when I don't understand a thing you're saying."
Linka gave a soft laugh, "Still, I would rather we talk about things we are both interested in. I like to listen to you too."
"Like you said, we'll find stuff." He gave her a squeeze and started them walking again. "Sooo… as first date's go, this hasn't been bad right? I mean, I've enjoyed it and I'd like to do it again."
His girlfriend grinned, "I think it has been a wonderful first date, and I definitely want to do it again. I just wish it did not have to wait because of my family."
"Our relationship isn't waiting on anything, we're going to your family as a couple. It doesn't matter how we spend time together, remember?" When she agreed, he stopped and took her in his arms again, "Although it's going to seem like a really long time if we can't do this…"
Their lips met and for a long time they forgot everything else.
When at last they parted Linka said, "I promise you Yankee, nothing is going to stop us doing that!"
To be continued…