A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, and thanks to Miss Mango for the extra nudge.

I'm sorry I didn't get an update out sooner, work has been crazy.

Chapter Thirteen

The first thing Linka became aware of when she woke was the enveloping warmth of her companion and the way his arms encircled her, keeping her close to him as they slept. She smiled.

Coming home after a particularly exhausting mission, they hadn't had the energy to do more than have a quick shower and tumble into bed… that they fell into the same bed was still a novelty to the lovely young woman, even though it seemed to happen every night now.

Linka would have been happier if it had meant more than companionship but she had no intention of spoiling what they did have by pushing for a commitment. They were both content to be together and to fulfil each other's needs and they had neither the time nor the interest in pursuing other relationships, it was a good arrangement.

Wheeler's embrace tightened about her as he began to come to and she became aware of another part of him that had woken up. Obligingly pressing back against him and squeezing the arm that was tucked beneath her breasts, she waited.

She's so soft. The American pressed tender kisses along her neck even before he was fully awake. He felt her immediate reaction to him and it made him smile, "Good morning Babe."

"Good morning Yankee. Did you sleep well?" This casual question was said with some amusement since his hand begun to massage her stomach and had found its way under her top.

"I always sleep well with you." He told her sincerely and was pleased to receive a brief, "Me too," in response.

The action of his lips on her neck became more serious and her hand reached back to rub against his thigh in silent encouragement.

"Not in any rush to get up?" he teased.

By way of an answer she pushed her shorts down over her hips and wriggled out of them, finally kicking them off at the bottom of the bed.

Wheeler moaned at the way her supple curves rubbed against him and then again as she attempted to remove his boxers. He had to stop what he was doing to help her and ended up ridding her of her t-shirt as well but when she would have turned over he gently but firmly moved her back into her former position.

"This ok?" he asked, pressing light kisses over her shoulder.

She sighed with pleasure, "I love the way you touch me."

That should be enough for me. Wheeler thought ironically as they lay recovering sometime later. Given the type of relationship we're supposed to have I should be able to get up and walk away.

He wasn't even attempting to fool himself however, he knew it would never be enough. He lovingly turned her towards him and cradled her in his arms. Their lips met in tender kisses, satisfying a different need, one they weren't ready to admit to and prolonging the moment when they would have to part to start their day.

"The Power is Yours!" Captain Planet dissipated back into his constituent elements and the Planeteers breathed a sigh of relief.

The Water Planeteer surveyed the Thames in the fading light with concern, but the pollutants that Sludge's factory had been releasing were no longer evident, she just hoped they'd done enough.

Kwame walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder, "It will be okay Gi."

"Yeah," Wheeler agreed, beside them "Cap got rid of the worst of it and the clean-up teams are already arriving. The police are talking to them now, we should probably join them."

It was a little while longer before it had been confirmed that the majority of damage had indeed been removed and that the rest would recover in a relatively short amount of time thanks to their efforts. By then it was beginning to get dark and they were all hungry.

"Can we find somewhere to have dinner before we go home?" Ma-Ti asked, "It is a long flight."

Gi yawned, "I'm not sure I'm up to flying us home so I doubt any of you are either, I think we should find a hotel… and then get dinner."

The others agreed gratefully and after asking one of the policemen that had not yet departed the scene for directions, found themselves at a reasonably priced (for London) hotel. The rooms were small and it didn't have anything larger than a twin so Wheeler quickly opted to have one to himself. He hoped for some company of course but wasn't counting on it since he didn't think Linka would risk alerting Gi to their relationship by slipping out of the room she was sharing with her.

What the hotel didn't have, and was of more immediate concern, was a restaurant.

"Hey I know." Wheeler said quickly, remembering another item on Linka's bucket list. "How about The London Eye?… I heard they serve meals at night."

Kwame looked dubious, "Would the motion not make the customers ill?"

"It must be very expensive…" Ma-Ti put in.

"It's probably booked up." Gi said but added, "It'd be fun though."

Linka smiled and nodded, "We could go there first… and there are bound to be other places to eat nearby if we cannot get in?"

The African still sounded unhappy at the prospect as he commented that although they'd been able to change at the hotel they were still only in their uniforms and might be out of place in a fashionable area. He gave in however and they made their way along the Embankment.

When they arrived at the large ferris wheel it soon became clear that it wasn't something you could just drop in on, making Wheeler wish he'd thought to look it up earlier. While they were reading the information on the board outside however they were approached by a young man in a business suit.

"Excuse me… you are the Planeteers, is that correct?" He looked from one to the other with polite curiosity and when they confirmed that that was indeed the case he said, "The company I work for has booked every capsule for a special celebration tonight but we have a number of spare places, and my employer would like to invite you to join us?"

He turned slightly and indicated an attractive dark skinned woman in a sparkling silver evening dress who was surrounded by several individuals but still managed to stand out.

Kwame straightened a little and forgot all of his previous objections, "We would be delighted."

Gi rolled her eyes in Linka's direction and as they made their way over to meet their host the Russian whispered back, "We should at least find out who she is before we agree!"

As it turned out it was a telecommunications company with a very good reputation for being eco-friendly, which allowed the Planeteers to breathe a little easier. Its owner, Marianne Gunning, the woman in the silver dress, appeared to be the same age as the oldest Planeteers but might have been a few years their senior. She was however, very friendly and eager to discuss concerns that were important to all of them.

"I'm sorry I can't ask you all to be in the same capsule as myself… this was organised as a company function to reward some of my most valued staff." Marianne explained, "Kwame perhaps you could join me and Richard will arrange everything else?"

There were only eight table settings in each capsule so Ma-Ti and Gi found themselves entering the second one together with Richard while Linka and Wheeler accepted places in the third. None of them minded, especially Wheeler and Linka because without the other's presence they automatically acted like a couple.

The first course had been set up as a buffet in the middle of the table with various wines available. This was not the usual arrangement but Miss Gunning's wishes had been accommodated and it was fortunate for the Planeteers as they would otherwise have had to have whatever had been previously ordered.

The reaction to the inclusion of the Planeteers in the private function seemed to be positive, with most of the employees eager to talk to the minor celebrities. Wheeler and Linka were lucky enough to be seated opposite each other at the end of the table so they had a great view through the glass sides.

At first they were drawn into conversation with their dinner companions but as more attention was paid to the food they were able withdraw a little into their own company, although their conversation centred on what they were eating with Linka trying to get Wheeler to try a few of the less obvious dishes.

The first rotation, and first course, lasted 30 minutes and by the time the second course was served Wheeler was getting restless. "We're going to be in here all night." He complained under his breath.

"It was your idea to come here." The Wind Planeteer reminded him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"For you." He shrugged and leant forward conspiratorially, keeping his voice low. "I don't have a clue what they're talking about and the food is… fancier than I'm used to."

Her eyes warmed and she instinctively reached out to touch his hand. "Da I know… me too, but I am glad we tried it. Spasiba."

Wheeler's answering smile made her feel warm all over… it was more than desire and her heart whispered that he could not be indifferent either, when it made him so happy to please her.

The third rotation seemed to come quicker although the speed was steady, and the American was happier with his dessert anyway since it was (fancy) ice-cream. There was more leisure this time to look around and each carriage stopped for a short while at the top of the journey to give the patrons time to enjoy the view.

Night had fallen and the lights over London were beautiful to behold.

The two Planeteers rose to stand by the window, a glass of champagne in one hand and the other arm wrapped about each other, now oblivious of their company. Wheeler gently clinked his glass against Linka's, "To us."

Her cheeks heated slightly at the suggestion but she repeated his toast and took a sip of her drink. They had had little alcohol between them, though some of the others in the capsule had indulged rather heavily and were flirting in a way that they would probably regret in the morning.

"It looks so peaceful." Linka commented, resting her head against her friend's shoulder and looking out on the scene. "So pretty."

Wheeler turned his head to press a kiss to her hair, "I guess they have the same problems as other major cities… but yeah, it's nice to look past all that for once."

"Like Venice." He could hear the smile in her voice.

"Hopefully better than Venice, considering how that ended up." He told her, amused but glad their few stolen moments had meant something to her.

Linka took another sip of her drink and then nodded thoughtfully, "It always seems to end up with us fighting for our lives… right on cue."

"Thailand."

"Da." She laughed, "Or being rescued too early."

Wheeler was thrilled to hear her speak of their near kisses with as much regret as he had always felt in the missed opportunities and wanted to encourage her to continue. "The 'cruiser filling with water, and Kwame being a bit too clever about how we were going to get out."

Linka sighed, "He was very pleased with himself."

"Yeah, actually I'm surprised you didn't work it out first."

"What makes you think I had not?" She responded, smiling into her glass.

Wheeler choked on the mouthful of champagne he'd just taken, but when he recovered he met her eyes with a challenge, "Doctor Derrick's first computerised world."

Linka blushed, knowing what he was getting at. Instead of an aborted kiss, she had started to tell him that she liked him but had lost her nerve the minute they were no longer in danger and had brushed him off as if he'd misunderstood. Breaking eye contact and taking a gulp of her drink she replied, "You are different when you are protecting me, more like… more like the way things have been since the balloon ride. I like it."

"This is better." The young man told her, "What we have now is way better than a dozen 'almosts', but at the same time, I can't let go of them, they…"

"Represent hope." She finished for him, and looked up to meet his eyes.

He nodded and began to lower his lips to hers, only to jump when the giant wheel started to move again and they had to steady each other. They laughed, and let the conversation drop although they felt that they had taken a step towards something that they might just both want after all.

Wheeler put down his glass on the table and gently unwrapped Linka's arm from about his waist, moving to stand behind her as he had on the balloon and pulling her close as they made the most of the view.

One carriage away, Gi's eyes widened as she saw her two friends comfortable embrace. Their heads were close together as they spoke, laughing with ease at what the other said. "Ma-Ti, look."

The young South American turned his head in the direction she indicated and laughed, "Do not let Linka know we saw, it will only start an argument when they try to deny it."

To be continued…