Sorry for the delay. Summer time and we're attempting to have lives! ;) Besides, it seems like people read more during the week than on Sundays...sneaking online at work, eh? Don't worry, I won't tell your boss!

Chapter 16: Day 9, Evening

Going to Boris' funeral was rough. I felt for his family and friends, I really did, but at the same time, I hated him. I didn't know the "good" Boris that everyone was mourning. I knew the Boris that was out to kill me and my friends just so he could get a fix. The Boris I knew tricked his cousin into getting addicted to a dangerous, deadly substance. And the whole time I was at his funeral, I was thanking God that it was his funeral and not Linka's. I know, I'm a horrible person, right? But he chose this. She didn't. And now I have to watch her suffer through it; Suffer through the pain of addiction and withdrawal, suffer through her cousin's funeral. And it also brings back my own painful memories of James' funeral…and for that, I hate Boris. But I'd never tell Linka that. When she asked me to attend the funeral with her, I didn't even think twice. Linka doesn't ask for favors often, so the fact that she did says a lot about how vulnerable she's feeling. That she felt like she needed me there…that she needed someone to help her through this. I'm glad she's not still trying to do this alone…I'm even happier that she's letting me be the one to help her.

As if this day wasn't bad enough, it's also her birthday. So for the rest of her life, she gets to associate her birthday with the day they buried her cousin. What did she ever do to deserve this? Nothing. And while I know she's probably not in the mood to celebrate, it's just not right to miss out on celebrating a birthday. It's the perfect excuse to celebrate life instead of mourning death. Besides, I already got her a present and I have to give it to her on a special occasion, not "just because."

I grab my guitar and sling it around my back, and then head to her cabin with her presents. It's not much, but it's the best I could do since I had to work around the funeral. Besides, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know my way around a kitchen. So it probably is for the best if all I could do for her cake is a two pack of those chocolate cupcakes with the cream in the middle that she likes, but hardly ever allows herself to eat. It's a special occasion I think she'll make an exception. I stick a candle on top of the cupcake intended for her and knock on the door.

"Come in Wheeler."

I enter and say,

"Wow, how'd you know it was me? Did your 'handsome guy radar' start going off?"

"Nyet. By now, I know your knock….and I looked out the window and saw you coming."

"Oh."

After a short pause, she adds,

"AND my 'handsome guy radar' started going off."

I smile at her. Then I pull the cupcake out from behind my back.

"Happy Birthday Babe."

"I do not believe you remembered!"

"Why wouldn't I? Any excuse to have a party right?" I joke before adding in a more serious tone, "and I always remember important things. I didn't want to bring it up at an inappropriate time…but now that we're home…maybe we can pretend that this day has started all over."

"I like that idea."

I point my ring at the candle and use my power to light it…I think out of all the powers, I get the most use out of mine when we're not on missions!

I pull the guitar from around my back and sing happy birthday to her, which makes her smile.

"Now blow out the candle and make a wish."

She closes her eyes and acts like she's thinking about what to wish for, then blows out the candle.

"So, what'd you wish for?" I ask.

"I cannot tell you; otherwise it will not come true."

"Yeah, but if you tell me, I can do my best to MAKE IT come true."

Her only response is to smile sadly at me. Crap…what if her wish was that Boris was still here? Or God forbid, that it had been her instead of him. I need a diversion.

I pull the candle out of her cupcake and offer it to her so she can lick off the excess cream, then take the cupcake out of the plastic container and hand it to her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I say as I take a bite out of my cupcake. "You still love these things right?"

"Da. I am just not sure if I can keep it down. I am feeling sicker than usual today."

"That's understandable. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."

"Oh, I want to!"

She's eyeing up the pastry before deciding to take a bite. She smiles when she does. I guess she's happy that she made the right decision.

"I got you a present too," I say as I pull the small box out of my pocket.

"You did not have to get me anything. You have done enough for me these last few days. Your kindness is more than enough."

"Yeah, but you can't unwrap kindness," I say. "Unless you wanna take off my clothes! Then in that case…" Damn it! Wheeler, you idiot! "Uhh, just kidding. I didn't mean to…uh…here," I say as I shut up and hand her the box.

She rolls her eyes and sighs…most likely at my impeccable ability to be an immature ass. Then she gives me a half smile as she starts to unwrap the box and holds up the gift to look at it.

"Oh Wheeler…it is beautiful," she says as she examines the small trinkets of the charm bracelet.

"Yeah, that's what made it remind me of you," I say, trying a more gentlemanly approach to my flirtations. "I know it's not something that you can wear all the time, especially during a mission, but I still thought it'd be nice to have."

"I have never had one before. And since I will not be going on any missions any time soon if our teammates have their way, I can wear it all the time. Will you put it on for me?" She asks as she holds out her wrist and the bracelet.

"Sure," I reply as I take it from her and put it on. "Are you sure you like it? I know it's not practical, given our line of work, but…"

"Da, I love it."

"Good. I already got you started with a few charms of things that I know you like," I say referring to the bird and musical note charm. "I figured the more we get to know each other over the years, I can buy you a new one for every birthday or Christmas. It kinda sucks because you'll always know that you're getting a charm, but you just won't know what it will be."

"That is a sweet idea. You thought of that yourself?"

"Yeah! I'm not a total caveman!" I say, trying not to be offended, but knowing that she didn't mean it that way at all. I was just teasing her.

"I did not mean it like that! I mean, you took the time to really put some thought into the gift, and that in itself is a great present. Thank you again," she says as she admires the bracelet around her wrist and then hugs me.

"You're welcome…and Happy Birthday Babe."

I wrap my arms around her to return her hug and rest my chin atop her head. She fits me perfectly. Perfect height; the way my arms encircle her comfortably…is there any doubt that we weren't made for each other? I don't think so. I want to hold her like this all the time; whether it is for a hug on a special occasion like a birthday, to comfort her, or for no reason at all. I'd love for it to be that way…to be able to just wrap my arms around her anytime I felt like it, and have her accept it.

"It will be one that I always remember, that is for sure. At least now, thanks to you, I have some good memories to add to the date."

"Good. Glad I could help," I say as I pull back to look at her. "Now, put on your suit and meet me at the beach."

"I do not feel like swimming…especially if the others are going to be there, and I have a slight headache."

"I can take care of that headache, the others won't be there, and I didn't say anything about swimming."

"Then why would I need…"

"It's a surprise."

"Ok…but do I really need a swimming suit? It is too cold to go into the water."

"Not where we are going!" I say.

She gives me a questioning look.

"Will you just stop asking questions and trust me?" I say with a grin.

"Not with a sly smile like that! I know that look Yankee…you are up to no good!"

"Don't say that until you see what I have planned…'no good' just might be the best thing you've ever experienced."

She quirks her eyebrow at me…probably not sure how to respond.

"Just hurry! The more questions you ask, the longer it's gonna take you to find out!" I give her a wink and a pat on the shoulder as I walk past her and exit her cabin.

To Be Continued…Don't forget, in order to get the full affect of the story, you HAVE TO read Linka's side of the story in Chapter 16 of LouiseX's Codependence