I really appreciate all the reviews, private messages, and favorites. Nice to see some new names and equally nice to see the familiar ones. Sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all yet. But I'm glad you're liking it!

She's still sleeping when I wake up, which is a good thing. She needs her rest. I can't believe I'm up this early. I think it's because part of me still can't believe that I'm here, in Linka's bed…with Linka curled up against me, in my arms. I had to wake up and see it for myself to believe it. And now that I've seen it, I can't stop looking at her. As if she senses that she's being watched, she wakes up and looks at me.

"Hey there sleeping beauty," I say as I smile at her.

"Good morning," she sighs, and then closes her eyes again, as if she's not quite ready to wake up. "What time is it?"

"A little after nine," I reply.

She suddenly sits up in surprise.

"Whoa, calm down," I say, trying to settle her.

She looks down at me and says,

"We have to get up, why did you not wake me?"

"Because you need the rest and we don't need to do anything," I respond calmly, gently pulling her down again.

She frowns at me, but isn't protesting too much.

"The others…"

"Are not going to bother us. Babe, you really need to learn how to sleep in." I close my eyes and snuggle against her.

"I am awake. What is the point of staying in bed once you are awake?" She argues.

This is the point, I squeeze her closer to me to prove it and say,

"Cuz it's comfy."

"Wheeler I…"

"Shhh Babe." I rub her back with my thumb and tenderly nuzzle her, kissing her forehead.

I think I'm winning the argument. She's pressing herself closer to me and I respond by clutching her more tightly to hold her in place against me. I'm going to make her feel so comfortable and relaxed that she's not gonna want to get up…EVER. I continue to rub her back, soothing her…not that she feels like she's tense. She feels pretty relaxed to me. This is encouraging. I can hold her, I can cuddle with her, and she responds by doing the same. She's not getting angry; she's not pushing me away.

But there's a little voice in my head, the one that never allows me to be happy…the one that doesn't think I deserve to be happy. That voice is telling me that this is only temporary. Soon, she won't need me and this will all come to an end. I guess I should just shut up and enjoy it while I can.

Once again, I wake up before Linka, my previous thoughts leaving me restless and wanting to soak up every moment like this that I have with her. I close my eyes and enjoy the moment, and then I feel her stretching, and I reflexively tighten my hold on her. I can feel her gently stroke my hair from my face as she says,

"Time to get up Yankee, and I mean it this time." Then she teases me by adding, "Your stomach is keeping me awake."

I can't help but laugh.

"Whatever you say Babe. But how about I go and get our breakfast and you wait for me here?"

"Trying to keep me in bed Wheeler? You will have to do better than that!"

Don't tempt me Babe, but she's blushing, obviously not meaning for it to sound that way. I smile at her and wink.

"I'll keep that in mind. For now though, maybe we should just get up."

I get out of bed and reach for my jeans. Bending down and stepping into them. When I straighten up to pull up my jeans and fasten the button and zipper, I notice her watching me closely. Even when she knows that I'm looking at her, she still doesn't turn away like she normally does. Instead, she just looks at me and smiles. Good. If I'm not embarrassed about dressing in front of her, she shouldn't be either. After all, I still have her beat. I've seen a little bit more of her than she has me.

"Meet you in the kitchen," I call over my shoulder as I exit her room.

I head to my room to change into a clean pair of jeans and put on a shirt. I don't want her to think that I'm intentionally walking around all day without a shirt on. Although holding her in my arms last night, feeling her against me…that felt right. I can't wait to do it again tonight.

We were just finishing up the dishes when we hear Gaia say,

"Planeteers, to the Crystal Chamber."

Figures, I had just asked Linka if she wanted to speak to Gaia about her nightmares today and she had agreed that she shouldn't put it off any longer. Although, I gotta admit, I'm scared to know the answer.

"Well, I guess it'll have to wait until we get back from the mission," I say.

"You mean until YOU get back from the mission. No doubt I will be kept at home again."

"We'll see about that," I say.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'll suggest you come along."

"Wheeler…after the other night…even I do not know if I am ready."

"The other night is EXACTLY why you need to get back out there. You're a part of this team. We need you. How are you going to convince the others of that if you don't believe it yourself?"

"I do not know," she says as she turns away.

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her.

"I believe in you," I whisper against her ear.

"Thank you," she says as she covers my hands with hers.

"We better get going. They'll wonder where we are."

"They will wonder where you are. They will not care if I am there or not. They will not be as willing to let me come along as you are, I am sure."

I put my arm around her and lead her out of the kitchen. I'm not leaving her alone, so if she doesn't go…I don't go.

When we get there, Gaia has already started briefing the others on the mission. She stops when we arrive.

"Hello Linka, how are you feeling?" Gaia asks.

"Fine, thank you."

"Nice of you to finally join us Wheeler," Kwame says, making sure to let the rest of the team know that he doesn't like tardiness.

"Sorry. We were eating breakfast and didn't want to leave a mess in the kitchen," I sort of lie.

"Breakfast? It is nearly 12:30 in the afternoon," he says as he checks his watch.

"Thanks for the update Big Ben. I slept in."

"Did you not get enough sleep?" He asks. It's a loaded question.

So he'll get a loaded answer…

"Rough night. I was up pretty late. I had an…eventful night…had my hands full," I say with a challenging look in my eyes. I know it's wrong, and it puts Linka in a bad spot, but I hope he DOES get the wrong impression.

"Is everything ok back home?" Ma-Ti asks.

Ah Ma-Ti, sweet, naïve Ma-Ti. Thanks for the subject changer buddy!

"Yeah buddy, everything is fine now. Thanks for asking."

"You are welcome."

And then in my head, I hear,

"Whenever you are ready to talk about what is really bothering you, I am here for you my friend."

Or maybe he's not as naïve as I thought. I look at him and nod with a smile of thanks. Gi gets things back on track.

"Gaia was just telling us about a typhoon that has hit the Philippines. It's caused much damage and our help is needed to help find survivors and rebuild."

"No Eco-Villains?" I ask.

"No," Gaia confirms.

"Great! Then Linka can come!"

"What? No!" Kwame is quick to respond.

"Why the hell not?"

"Because, she is too weak. We need stamina, people who can work all day, carry victims, lift and clear debris,"

"AND WHOSE POWER DO YOU THINK WILL HELP THE MOST IN DOING THAT?" I yell.

"Can she even fully use her ring yet?" Kwame asks.

"YEAH, SHE CAN!"

"STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU!" she yells. "STOP ACTING LIKE I AM NOT EVEN HERE! Yes, my ring works, and yes, I think I can be a valuable asset in helping to clear and clean up, and even if you do not think I have the stamina, I can help the victims, I can help treat their wounds, or comfort the scared ones…"

"Uh, Linka…this is where I must interject," Ma-Ti says carefully. "Even something seemingly as simple as taking care of the wounded could be very emotionally trying and tiring. It could be too much for you to deal with."

"Since I myself am a victim?" She challenges. "This is different!"

"No, that is not what I mean. I just do not think that someone who has been through as much as you have recently can handle seeing any more tragedy," Ma-Ti explains.

"Ma-Ti is right Linka," Gaia says.

This is ridiculous! This mission is perfect for Linka's first one back. It'll be like easing her back into things. I gotta fight for her.

"She'll be fine. I'll…we'll be with her to comfort her, or if she needs to talk about anything. And if we need Captain Planet…"

"We will do what we planned on doing last time…Ma-Ti will contact Linka and"

"MA-TI COULDN'T CONTACT LINKA A FEW DAYS AGO, WHAT IF HE CAN'T CONTACT HER WHEN WE'RE GONE?" I argue.

"He couldn't? Why not?" Kwame asks Ma-Ti.

"Uh, I do not know. I just assumed that since she is still dealing with the withdrawal, her mind and body are still polluted," he explains.

"My point exactly," Kwame gloats. "She is still recovering."

Fine. I didn't want to resort to this, but I will. I can't leave Linka here by herself. I trust that she'll be ok, she won't do anything like she did the other night…but who knows how long we'll be gone? She needs me…the nightmares…if I'm not here…

"No, Linka staying behind is NOT an option!"

"Wheeler…" she tries to say something.

"No Babe, I mean it," I say to her sincerely before going back to addressing the others. "Even if you don't let her do anything on the mission, we can't leave her here by herself for God only knows how long! She needs to get off this damn island!"

"Perhaps she can go home while we are gone?" Ma-Ti suggests.

"NO!" She and I both say at the same time, causing the other's to look at us strangely, probably wondering what the big deal is.

"She's coming with us, and that's final!" I demand.

"You are outnumbered Wheeler. Ma-Ti, Gi, Gaia, and I…none of us think she is ready, and we all know that it will be impossible to keep her from wanting to help if she is there."

"He is right Wheeler. I would want to help, but apparently I am not capable."

"Then I'm not going either," I say defiantly.

"WHAT?" The others all exclaim.

"D-d-d-did I stutter? I'm. NOT. Going."

"Wheeler, are you abandoning your teammates?" Gaia asks.

"I guess I am. But how is it any different than what they're doing to Linka? So no, I'm not abandoning my teammates. I'm staying behind so I DON'T abandon a teammate…especially at a time when she needs me most. I'd rather help her than a bunch of strangers!"

Linka takes my hand and pulls me aside.

"Wheeler, do not say that. You have a job to do. You are a Planeteer, not my babysitter. Those people need you more than I do right now. People are trapped. They are dying. They need to be saved. You have already saved me. Now go save them," she says as she squeezes my hand.

"Are you sure?"

"Da. I will have Suchi to keep me company," she says as she steps forward to hug me.

I'm surprised. While we are out of earshot from the others, they can still see us…and I can still see them. They are all gathered around, whispering…probably coming up with arguments against us. Why bother? It looks like Linka is going to be staying behind, and for the most part, she seems ok with that…and if she's not, she's hiding it really well.

"What about that discussion we were gonna have with Gaia? Are you gonna do that while you're here?"

"Nyet, I want you there…incase I get bad news."

"Ok. Good thinkin'. I was kinda hopin' you'd say that, because I need to know the answer to that question almost as badly as you do…and I wanna be here with you, to celebrate the good news!" I say as I give her a squeeze.

I release her and turn back to the group.

"Fine. I'll go, but only because Linka says she'll be ok…but I don't feel right leaving her behind…AGAIN."

"Good, now that that's settled, you must get going. The sooner you get there, the sooner you can come home," Gaia says.

Kwame leans in and whispers so that only I can hear…or at least I hope only I can hear,

"And the sooner you can crawl back into bed with Linka. I know the real reason you are upset about leaving her behind, but stop being so selfish and try to control your teenage hormones. You have gone this long without sleeping with her every night; you can go a few more days. And Gi told us that the other night, you were convinced that you were sending Linka back to the facility in DC…why the sudden change of heart? What did she do to convince you? Never mind…do not answer that."

I want to punch him. I want to defend her honor, but I guess I only have myself to blame for him thinking what he does after my comment earlier about my "eventful" night. So I decide to be the mature one…it's what Linka would want.

"Nothin' is going on between us Kwame. She's been through a lot and she's still dealing with it. You haven't been there, so you have no idea what's going on…what she's going through. She just needs things to get back to normal for her, and that's not gonna happen if we keep treating her differently. Maybe the next mission I'll agree with you, it'll be too hard, too dangerous…but this one…the danger is over. It's a relief effort. She would've been fine."

"Gaia did not think so. And we have to do what is best for the team, and the Planet…not what is best for Wheeler and Linka," Kwame says before walking away.

Linka is well ahead of me, talking to Gi. I head to my room to start packing…and get the bag of my hoodies that Linka gave back to me. I have a feeling she's going to want them back…and I want her to have them as well.

As I'm packing, I hear a knock. I turn around to see her standing in the doorway.

"Hey Babe."

"Hey."

"I'm sorry we're leaving you again…are you sure you're going to be ok?"

"Nyet, I am not sure…but I will try. And thank you for sticking up for me. It really means a lot."

"Well, I mean it. You should be with us…think you can fit into my suitcase?" I joke.

"Looks uncomfortable…but I wish I could."

"Here," I say as I hand her the bag of hoodies. "Hopefully this will make a good enough substitute."

"Maybe I can stuff them with pillows to make them lifelike!"

"Pillows? You'll need rocks if you're trying to replicate this rock hard bod!"

"I am trying to replicate your body…not your head!" She says as she grabs my head in her hands and runs her fingers through my hair.

I rest my hands on her hips, look down at her, and get serious.

"I'll call you whenever I can. As soon as I figure out the time difference, I'll call every night before your bed time," I promise as I press my forehead to hers.

"And what about you? How will you sleep? What about your nightmares? It is not just about me."

"To me, everything is about you," I say as I slowly, carefully unzip the sweatshirt she is wearing, and slide it off her arms. "And since I gave you my hoodies, it's only fair that you give me one of yours." I toss the garment in the direction of the bag I'm packing.

"I do not think it will fit you," she teases.

"I'm not gonna wear it, just sleep with it…hug it, use it as a pillow…whatever. As long as it smells like you, maybe my brain will think you're there."

"Call me before you go to bed too? I would guess that there is a 12 hour time difference."

"I will," I promise.

"So two calls a day, once before I go to bed, and once before you go to bed."

"Sounds good Babe."

"Ok…until then, Suchi will keep your side of the bed warm," she teases, but then retracts, "I uh…did not mean…not that you have an official side…but when you have stayed with me…you have always been on the same side…"

Hmm, let her squirm or bail her out?

"Babe…slow down…I know what you mean…and make sure that monkey knows that when I'm back, he's out!"

"Ok…and you do not honestly believe that I would let a dirty animal in my bed do you?"

"Hey! I bathe on a regular basis!"

She smacks my arm and chuckles.

"I meant Suchi!"

"Oh good…and if you'd feel better…you can stay in my room…since it looks like I won't get around to fixing your door so that it shuts.

"Thank you."

I look out the window and see that Gi and Kwame are standing at the Geo Cruiser. I better not be the last one out there or Kwame will make this trip even more miserable for me than it's already going to be.

"I guess I should be going."

"Wheeler wait…I want you to have something."

She takes off her ring and hands it to me.

"What is this? You're gonna be here when I get back right?"

"Da! I will still be here. Sorry, I did not mean to alarm you. I am not turning it in. I want you to have it…incase you can use it during the mission…or incase you need to call Captain Planet. We cannot chance that Ma-Ti will not be able to reach me."

"Ok," I say as I slide the ring onto my little finger. "As long as you know this is only temporary…and I'll be putting this ring back on your finger when I come back."

The symbolic implications of the gesture aren't lost on me…sure, it's just a Planeteer ring that I'll be sliding on her finger…but someday…maybe…hopefully.

"Da, it is only temporary. Take care of it."

"I will," I say as I hug her to me. "So I guess this is goodbye?"

"For now. Be careful Yankee…and hurry home. I will miss you."

"I'll miss you too Babe," I say as I turn my head to kiss her cheek. More than you'll ever know.

"Walk you to the Geo Cruiser?"

"After you," I say as I hold the door open for her.

I take her hand as we walk towards the beach, but as soon as we see the others, I let go. I'm surprised when she reaches out and takes it again. Pleasantly surprised.

We arrive at the Geo Cruiser shortly before Ma-Ti and Suchi.

"Suchi, you stay here with Linka," Ma-Ti says.

The little monkey hops from Ma-Ti's shoulder to Linka's.

"You take care of her, Fur Ball," I tell Suchi as I scratch his head.

He nods and makes a monkey noise…I'll assume that's primate for "yes." Now for the tough part…saying goodbye.

"Bye Babe," I lean forward to kiss her on the cheek, but am shocked when she turns her head and places a quick peck on my lips. I'm smiling so big, it hurts.

"Be safe Yankee."

"I will."

I wink at her as I climb into the Geo Cruiser, never breaking eye contact as I take my seat. When we take off, she waves sadly, and I press my hand to the glass window. I keep her in sight as long as I can until we've flown away. The further away we get from Hope Island, the tighter my chest gets. I can feel my heart breaking.

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 27 of LouiseX's Codependence.