A/N: Thanks for the reviews and the favourites, it's always good to hear what you're thinking.
Chapter Twenty Eight – Day Twelve Continued
It is quiet and lonely and I give the Crystal Chamber a wide berth, but it is not as bad as last time.
Wheeler and I are talking for one thing, and I have his call to look forward to… I cannot stop thinking about that small kiss, and what might have happened if he had stayed.
Suchi sat with me all afternoon, chattering away, cuddling in my arms and hiding his face if the film made him jump. He really is very cute and has made me laugh several times, but he will never be much of a substitute for my Yankee.
Gaia has not called me or bothered to speak to me to make sure I am okay… is it because she knows that I am and does not realise that humans need reassurance, or is it because she does not care? She is mother nature, she has to know everything so that only leaves the second option. Perhaps Wheeler's idea about us going away from here is not such a bad one, I know he only meant me to have medical care but at least in America I would not feel that I was a minor annoyance.
I eat a little dinner, just in case Wheeler asks me about it when he calls, I am not hungry.
I feed Suchi at the same time and once he has eaten he goes to the window, waiting for permission to go and join his friends in the trees. "Da, go on." I tell him with a smile, and he scampers away happy.
I return to the lounge and search for another film but cannot find anything I want to watch. It is creepier here without my little furry friend for company and I shiver inside my borrowed hoodie. Looking at the clock, I decide to start getting ready for bed, Wheeler will call soon and if I am comfortable I can say good night to him and go straight to sleep.
A quick shower and a last look around to make sure everything is turned off and I am heading back to my room with the cordless telephone. One look at my bed though has me turned around and headed straight for Wheeler's cabin.
I make myself comfortable in his bed and wait for the phone to ring. I have his sweats on again over my night things and my charm bracelet on my wrist… surrounding myself with him I guess. Under normal circumstances I would consider this rather pathetic behaviour, doing nothing but waiting for a boy to call is not exactly my style. But then I have never known a guy like Wheeler before… besides, I remind myself, I have not been well so I am allowed a little self-indulgence.
The telephone rings at last and I snatch it up.
"Hello?" I cringe at the eagerness in my voice but I cannot help my feelings now.
He sounds equally happy at the contact. "Hello Beautiful!"
I am thrilled to hear his voice but that is not the right thing to call me anymore and I feel the need to point that out to him. "I am sorry, I think you have the wrong number,"
"I don't think so… as a matter of fact, I'm sure I have the right number." he says confidently.
I am not ready to let it go though. "Is it hot there? Are you keeping hydrated? Clearly you are delusional."
"Knock it off." He says quietly, and then explains. "Hearing you talk badly about yourself scares me… like, what kinda mindset are you in."
"I am fine Wheeler, really. I just do not know how to take a compliment." I did not mean to worry him.
"Oooh, well that explains a lot… all those times I've flirted with you and been shot down… maybe I should insult you and be mean, then you'll like me better!"
"I like you just fine as you are…" Best not to dwell on that though, I change the subject quickly. "So how are things going over there?
He sounds sad as he replies. "Ok, I guess."
I am not surprised, it is not a pleasant job sometimes and from everything I heard, this time it must be fairly heartbreaking. "Has my ring been useful to you?"
"SO MUCH!" he sounds excited. "And the first time I used it… it was great Babe! You should've seen the look on Kwame's face!"
Ah, that explains it! I chuckle. "I am glad you have been able to use it… it makes me feel useful."
"I wish you were here, being the one to use it," He is straight back to sounding depressed.
"Da, me too." So much!
"Using your ring though… kinda makes me feel closer to you… uhhh, I mean, like you're here. I wasn't sure if it was gonna work for me." He confesses.
"I was not sure either… I just thought… it would be worth a try. Why did you think it would not work?" I ask curiously and snuggle down under his bedclothes, ready for a more comfortable chat.
"I just assumed that our rings would only work for who they were assigned to." He replies. "What about you?"
"Same thing." I agree. "Why do you suppose it worked?"
He does not seem to be in a rush to get away, we could talk like this for hours. "I don't know. I have a few theories though."
"Share them?" I ask, trying hard not to yawn but failing, maybe I am too comfortable.
Wheeler heard me and decides to tease. "Am I boring you?"
"Nyet! You know how I get fatigued. I did not take a nap during the day like I usually do." And I am warm and cosy in your bed, but you do not need to know that. "Now tell me your theories before I really do fall asleep!"
He chuckles but does as I ask. "Well, either your ring worked for me because it 'knew' that you wanted it to work for me…or…we have a connection…a bond…and that's why it worked….or I'm full of hot air and since that element is already a part of me…"
That makes me laugh aloud, "That is very likely!"
"So I guess that means that if you tried to use my ring, you could because you're hot." He suggests, trying to be clever.
"Wheeleeeeeeeer," I groan, that really is terrible.
"Uh uh uh, the correct answer is, 'Spasiba Yankee… you are also hot!'"
Again I laugh, loving the way he has returned to the familiar banter, it has been a while. At the same time, an image of him emerging from his shower with nothing but a damp towel to cover his differences pops into my mind, and I have to agree with him, albeit silently.
I force my mind back on track. "But I like the second idea… about the connection."
"Yeah?" He sounds like he likes that too.
"Da," I yawn again and hear him mimic it, yawning is always contagious. I wish he were here so that we could go to sleep together.
"Well then, we'll stick with that theory until proven otherwise." He says cheerfully. "I have a feeling that when I'm ready for bed, you'll still be sleeping until I get on somewhat of a normal sleep schedule here."
"I hope you are not there long enough to need to get on their sleep schedule!" I reply somewhat alarmed and then forcing myself to calm down. "What time do you think you will be going to sleep?"
"Six more hours maybe?" It is a question, can I be awake by then?
"I will set my alarm and wake up to talk to you," I promise.
He argues though. "You don't have to do that Babe, get your rest."
"I will go back to sleep after we speak… unless you do not want to talk to me." I am joking… mostly. There is still that small fear at the back of my mind that says I am being a burden.
"Of course I wanna talk to you! I just don't want you to feel like you have to go out of your way… you need your sleep." He is just worrying then.
"I also need to hear your voice as often as possible." I confess. I have it worked out now though. "So I will wake up at 6am, and you will call me. We will talk again, and I will say good night to you, and you good morning to me… and then goodnight because I probably will go back to sleep. Or maybe I will get up and go for a run,"
"Wait, are you sure that a run is a good idea?" He frets. "I mean, that's great that you feel up to it, but don't over do it… especially with no one there to help if you pass out or something,"
"Suchi will take care of me." I know he will come if I call him.
Wheelers voice drips with sarcasm as he replies. "Oh right…I forgot, King Kong Suchi can carry you back to your room if you pass out on the beach!"
"Fine Wheeler, I will just sit around in my room all day and wait for you to come home before I do anything." His response needled me just a bit. Is it not bad enough that I am stuck here on my own? Must I act like an invalid too?
"I'm sorry Linka. You know that's not what I want." He sounds worried again. "Just promise me that you won't push yourself too far if you don't feel well enough. I'd feel better."
If it will make you happy Yankee, I sigh. "I promise."
"Thank you. I should probably get back to work and let you get some sleep." He says.
"Da, the sooner you finish, the sooner you can come home." To me, I add silently
"That's what I keep telling myself." He replies, and then brings a surprised, if sleepy smile to my face. "I miss you, and it's only been half a day."
I can barely keep my eyes open now but respond sleepily. "I know… I miss you too. Goodnight Yankee."
"Goodnight Babe. Sweet dreams…and remember, if you're having a bad dream, I'll be there, in your subconscious, to protect you. Just think of me, and I'll be there." He promises.
Smiling, I snuggle down further. "I will. Thank you for calling."
"My pleasure Babe. Talk to you soon." I nod, knowing he cannot see me and when I hear him hang up, automatically turn the phone off.
I need to put it on the side and set the alarm…
To be continued…
A/N: And don't forget, to get the full affect of the story, you HAVE TO read Wheeler's side of the story in Becks7's Co-dependents Chapter 28! Let us know what you think!