A/N: Merry Christmas!

Chapter Six

Wheeler couldn't believe that Linka had passed out. At first he was worried and he had a terrifying vision of trying to explain to a doctor that no, he wasn't boasting and he just wanted to know that she'd be ok, however, after he'd moved them both so that she was resting comfortably in his arms, his body cradling her as if she was something very precious, she began to stir.

"You had me worried for a minute there Babe," he let out a sigh of relief.

"Hmm?" She snuggled closer making him laugh.

The American pressed several kisses to her head, "You fainted."

Linka turned a concerned face up to his, "Sorry."

"Don't be." He kissed her lightly, but there was some slight nervousness in his voice, "Just tell me it wasn't because I hurt you."

Her eyes opened wide, "It did not hurt." She wrapped her arms around him and offered what comfort she could, "Jason it was beyond anything, I… I was overwhelmed, but it was… perfect. Nothing like I imagined it would be, and much more than I hoped for."

"Good," Wheeler held her tightly against him, not wanting her to see how deeply her words had affected him. "I wanted tonight to be special for you, I don't want you to ever regret it."

"I told you I could never regret being with you," Linka kissed his chest where her head lay. "The fact that you are good at it is just a bonus."

He laughed, his tension ebbing away.

After a few moments Linka spoke again, this time less sure of herself, "Did you like it? I mean I know you were focused on me because that is what I asked of you, and I suppose you had to enjoy it on some level because you er… but what I mean is, was I… was it very awkward for you with my being so inexperienced?"

She was blushing furiously and he had to gently but firmly force her chin upwards to make eye contact. "Don't doubt yourself for a second Beautiful, you were amazing."

"Do not lie." The lovely Russian looked at him sadly, "I do not want platitudes, I just wanted to know that it was not one sided."

"It wasn't! I mean it Linka, I'm not humouring you… I wouldn't do that!" She looked at him warily but did not argue so he continued, "I know you don't have a basis for comparison here but please Babe, believe me, I've never had someone give themselves to me so completely, I've never felt anything so natural as the way we were together and I've never been as open as I was in your arms. I'm awed by the trust you've given me, and impressed with how you adapted to whatever I threw at you… it wasn't awkward and I didn't like it, I loved it!"

I love you. He cried silently as she buried her now tear stained face in the crook of his neck. He wished that he dared say the words but it would start a whole other conversation that he didn't think she was ready for.

When Linka calmed down she began to nuzzle his neck and rub herself against the leg that was entwined with hers. At first Wheeler thought she was seeking comfort and returned the gestures without any heat but as she continued, provoking a rather predicable response he felt compelled to say something. "You keep doing that and I might not be able to control myself."

Of course he was joking… right up until she answered him, "Promise?"

They hadn't had much sleep.

Despite how well satisfied the two Planeteers felt after each encounter, it was never long before one of them was reaching for the other and the sun was already in the sky before they finally succumbed to exhaustion.

Linka hadn't fainted again, despite Wheeler's continued instruction and creativity, and much to her surprise it had been more than a learning experience and a mile stone to be gotten over, it had been fun. Her Yankee seemed to always know how to make her laugh, at least when they were alone, and he'd definitely taken a big step forward in teaching her how to play.

The telephone rang and Linka sat up to answer it, holding the bedclothes up to cover herself though there was only Wheeler there to see her. Thanking the hotel reception desk for the pre-arranged wake up call, she sighed and lay back. They are calling us back to reality… and I am not sure I want to go.

Wheeler pulled her back to him and wrapped himself around her, "How long do we have?"

"The balloon does not leave for a couple of hours but if we want breakfast we should start getting ready now." She sounded sad that it was ending and it gave Wheeler some hope for their future.

"How about I run you a bath, then I can take a shower while you're soaking?" He gave her a loving kiss and it made her expression soften as she looked up at him and nodded.

Linka felt his absence immediately, and she watched him cross the room to the en-suite with a fond smile; half asleep, ginger hair ruffled by the pillows and completely unembarrassed by his nakedness. Not intending to follow his example she began to hunt around for her nightdress which had not out lasted their second lovemaking.

Wheeler had closed the bathroom door so she waited until it opened again to follow him inside. He looked around as she entered, his eyes once more appreciating her choice of attire as he reached out to pull her against him. "You could've stayed in bed a bit longer, Beautiful."

"I wanted to be with you." She replied, laying her head on his shoulder. "We do not have long left."

His mouth went dry, "Isn't that up to us?"

She shook her head, dashing his hopes, "We will not be able to continue like this once we get home, it would raise too many questions. I do not think the others would understand that we do not want to be involved."

Wheeler grimaced and released her to reach down and test the bath water. "Think this is ok? How are you doing anyway?"

"Sore." She gave him an amused smile and reached down to approve the water temperature. "This should help... Do you want to share?"

Linka had kept her voice as neutral as she could but he heard the tinge of hope and grinned, "You bet."

"You should get in first then," she told him, and then squealed as he picked her up in his arms, only to set her down again on her feet, but in the bath. "You did not need to do that just to be awkward!"

He climbed in after her and wrapped his arms around her waist again, holding her from behind and kissing her neck, whispering, "And you don't need to direct everything."

"That is not fair Jason, I was not directing things last night!" She protested.

He pulled her small gown up over her head and threw it over the toilet seat, then sat down guiding her to sit between his legs.

"It seems to me that you are the one who will not give up control," she continued, settling back against his chest and sighing as the water helped her relax.

He laughed, "It doesn't seem to bother you too much."

"Nyet..." Linka considered that for a moment, "I would not like you doing something like that on a mission though."

"I know." He said reassuringly, nuzzling her neck and giving her a chance to enjoy a few moments of peace and tranquillity.

What Wheeler didn't do was promise not to do anything 'like that' on a mission because he knew himself too well, and that he would break that promise the first time he wanted to annoy her, which was all too often. What made her laugh now would of course just come over as childish in that situation, but he could never seem to help himself.

The fact that she had practically given him permission to override her habitual orders and get a little physical with her when they were not on a mission, albeit in a non-sexual kind of way, was not lost on him and he considered it as a definite victory.

"Does this count as skinny dipping?" The Russian asked after a while, her eyes closed but a smile on her lips.

"Nice try Babe, but no." Wheeler laughed and then dropped his voice. "That will have to wait until your body has recovered a bit though."

It was Linka's turn to chuckle, and she turned her head to look at him, "Do not think you can trick me Yankee moy, I know what skinny dipping involves, and the only thing I am promising is a swim."

"Naked." He reminded her, "Somewhere public."

"Naked." She countered, "But I choose where, and I still say it will just be swimming."

He trailed a lazy finger up her side, "We'll see." She shook her head, so he played his trump card. "It's my list, so I get to say what it involves, and I say that we need to go for the full experience."

Linka chuckled, "We will see." And he took that for agreement. "We should get washed and tidy up, assuming you want breakfast?"

"See now I know you're just mentioning food to try to get me to behave, and it's totally not going to work." He teased, reaching out for their wash things, "However, as I wouldn't want you to think that I'm a control freak, I'm going to co-operate, just this once."

"You are fooling no one," she told him her face a picture of affectionate amusement, and then gasped as he caused the water to splash her. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world just then to splash him back and a fight ensued that soaked not just the two friends but most of the bathroom.

The Planeteers were still laughing together when they finally made it down to breakfast, after having helped clean both each other and their living space.

Wheeler was sure that his companion was unaware of the change their intimacy had wrought in her, but the comfort and ease with which she allowed him to touch her, not to mention her unconscious playfulness, were profound differences and he felt himself falling for her more deeply by the moment. At the same time he was genuinely worried about what would happen when their bubble burst… would her new found confidence carry over into the reality of their daily lives or would the realisation of what she'd done crush her spirit completely? Either way he would be there for her, and he was determined to not let it spoil whatever time they had left.

Once again they took their place in the balloon, this time finding themselves at the rounded corner of the basket, giving them a wider view. Linka had remembered to put a jumper on for the ride back but it didn't stop them from snuggling together, there no longer being a need for excuses.

The return trip didn't seem to take nearly as long and after thanking the pilots and wishing the other passengers well the young, temporary, couple were soon on their way back home.

"It was a wonderful trip Yankee," Linka said with a smile as they began their descent to Hope Island, "Thank you for coming with me and making it so special."

"You're welcome Babe," He replied, hiding the sadness that he couldn't help but feel in knowing it was ending. "Thank you for… well, for wanting me to be the one to take the trip with you. It was special for me too, I hope you know that."

She gave him the warmest smile, and he could see how happy she was. "I am glad. And this will be our secret, something that no one else will ever be a part of, even if they find out that it happened."

Wheeler grinned, understanding what she was trying to say even if her words didn't quite convey it, and agreeing. "Definitely."

Gi was waiting for them the minute the eco-copter landed and demanded to know where they'd been. Linka of course launched into a description of the balloon ride, talking excitedly of all they'd seen as she followed her friend back towards the main living area, leaving Wheeler to deal with their luggage.

"Seriously, if Wheeler's shorts get any lower we're gonna know if he's a real red-head." Gi rolled her eyes but continued to watch the boys play volley ball. The American was, as usual, showing off by playing alone against the other two.

Linka chuckled, not even bothering to pretend that she was reading the open book in her lap. Wheeler's well defined body had been occupying her thoughts since the game began and she knew that he had deliberately not worn a shirt from the moment he'd turned up at her side with a bottle of sun tan lotion claiming that she couldn't let him be irresponsible by not helping him apply it. Since the others hadn't been around at the time she'd obliged, and watching him now her fingers itched to do it again.

"You should go away with him more often."

"What?" Linka's head snapped around to look at her friend, her eyes widening.

The Asian girl giggled, "Your balloon trip, you've been super relaxed all week, and you didn't even try to pretend that you didn't understand me just then."

Linka blushed, "I guess I needed a holiday."

"And you liked spending time with him?" Gi grinned.

"Da, it was fun." She replied honestly.

The Water Planeteer looked smug, "So maybe you should do it more often."

Linka was saved from replying by Wheeler himself who, along with the others, came over to gloat at winning his game and try to convince the girls to join them for the next. Gi's advice stayed with her all afternoon however and by the time she got into bed she had to admit that her friend had voiced something that had already been very much on her mind.

Why shouldn't we? We both enjoyed it, after all. And we are both adults, surely we can have a mature physical relationship without letting it get complicated… We don't have to be involved, I do not need him to make a commitment, I just… need him.

When his light finally went on, Linka slipped out of bed and checking the coast was clear, made her way over to Wheeler's cabin. She entered without knocking, making him jump but he smiled when he saw who it was. "Hey Babe, what can I do for you?"

She laughed, immediately caught up in his energy, "Do you really need me to tell you?"

The American raised an eyebrow, "Yeah… I think maybe I do."

Linka shrugged and moved towards him, wondering if she should have changed from her usual pyjama shorts and top into something more appropriate. When she stood in front of him she slowly brushed the palms of her hands up his chest and linked her arms around his neck, pulling him down into a passionate kiss.

When they broke apart she said, "I want to extend our agreement, no strings attached."

"Oh?" That wasn't what he'd been hoping to hear but the truth was he'd agree to whatever she wanted just to be close to her and maybe for the chance of getting her to feel something more for him.

She nodded happily, unaware of his disappointment as she went over her arguments, "I mean we are both adults and we enjoy being together, we do not need to complicate things. It is just about fulfilling our bodies' needs, da? And I must admit I have been much more aware of what my body needs since we were together, it just makes sense… what is the point of denying ourselves?"

Whatever he might have wanted, Wheeler was only human and his response was to kiss her, before scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to his bed. At the very least he didn't have to lie, "I want you so badly, the last few days have been torture."

"Tell me what you want." She said boldly, as they quickly shed their clothes, "You can have it, whatever it is."

I want your heart… He pulled her to him, "I want to hear my name on your lips and have you beg for more. I want you to tell me you don't want anyone else the way you want me."

"I want you Jason," She gasped as he touched her.

Wheeler was watching her carefully. "That doesn't hurt?"

"Nyet!" She told him quickly, "It feels wonderful, I have needed you so much."

Deciding they were both ready he gathered her hands together and held them over her head, "Slide down."

She did as she was told, bringing herself in-line with him, her legs on either side. Still holding her hands captive with one of his, "Is this what you want?"

"Da," He waited, "Please Jason."

He gave her exactly what she asked for and though she was to some extent following his instructions, her voice left no doubt that it was what she wanted. Neither did she remain still beneath him, but matched him perfectly, demanding as much with her movements as she did with her words. "Let go Jason, please… I need you so much, just you, always you."

"Did I hurt you?" he asked sometime later.

The Russian sighed, "Stop asking that Yankee, I am not fragile. Nyet, you did not hurt me, you would have known if you had."

"I've never let go so completely… I wouldn't have done if you hadn't pushed me… it's too soon for you." He sounded guilty and it made her sigh again.

Suddenly she sat up and moved to sit astride him, "It does not feel too soon, it will never feel like too soon!"

He laughed but his hands on her hips stopped her from moving, "I get the point, but if you don't slow down it's gonna feel like more than too soon in the morning."

"I know." She winced, "Just do not apologise for giving me what I wanted."

"I didn't apologise." He said, "I'm not sorry it happened Babe, I'm just thinking of you."

She smiled, "It was what we both needed… but if you are determined to be gentle for the rest of tonight I will let you have your way."

He chuckled, "Whatever you say Babe."

To be continued...