Chapter Thirty Nine – Day Twenty Eight Evening

The hotel we are directed to is a new, large establishment in London that is owned by one of the Eden Project's backers. If it were not for the Geo-cruiser of course, we would not have been able to get there, but it was all very well planned.

The room I have been assigned is amazing, it is big enough for all of us! Another reason to be glad that I will not be alone tonight.

We were all given separate accommodation though, and although I know it is perhaps wrong of me, I am glad Wheeler did not say anything about us only needing the one room, it would have been too embarrassing to explain. More than embarrassing if it got into the papers, the Planeteers are minor celebrities after all and everything about the Eden Project will go around the world. Even though our relationship is perfectly innocent, I would be ashamed to go back to Russia if it got out because no one ever believes the simple explanations, but then, the explanation is not so simple either.

He is taking his time though, what can he possibly have to do in his room that he cannot do in mine? We are supposed to be spending this time together, a special day… just like the couple that I keep forgetting we are not.

I want to forget it.

There are a million reasons why Wheeler and I being together would be a bad idea, but when his arms are around me I want to forget about the rest of the world, our responsibilities, everything except him. Why can I not? Would it really be so wrong?

Why is he taking so long? Maybe he really does feel uncomfortable about being in a hotel room with me… it is not normal is it? We could not share a room like this if he had a girlfriend, even though nothing will happen between us, and I would still need him to be here just as badly. When Wheeler meets someone else everything will change between us, we will not even be allowed to be close anymore, it does not work that way.

I close my eyes and try to smother the thought… I want to forget it all.

The sudden knock at the door startles me out of my reverie and I run to open it... at least he will not see that. "What took you so long Yankee?"

"Huh?" He has no idea what I am talking about.

I blush slightly as I step back to let him in, it felt like forever. "I just thought you would be here sooner…I think this is the longest we have been apart."

"It's only been…" He looks at his watch. "A half hour."

He can be really dense sometimes! "Well that is thirty minutes too long."

I smile at him and take his hand to pull him over the threshold… and get another surprise as he produces a bunch of flowers from behind his back.

"For you."

"Oh Jason! They are beautiful." I do not know what else to say.

He kisses my cheek and makes me blush again. "Not as beautiful as you."

"What did I do to deserve these?" I breathe in their lovely scent as I speak, he could not have picked anything better.

"I didn't know I needed a special reason to give a beautiful girl flowers…but if I must have a reason, these are to say 'Congratulations' and 'I'm proud of you,' and 'Thank you.'"

That last confuses me and I have to ask. "Thank you? For what?"

At first his explanation is flattering, he is proud of me for being a part of the project, and that means a great deal to me… which is what makes hearing the rest of his speech so distressing.

"…I could never pull off something like this. A loser like me isn't worthy of being in the same room as greatness such as yours…and yet, you allow me to be here with you…I…"

I silence him by gently putting my fingers over his lips.

"Do not ever talk badly about my best friend like that." I scold him. "I am the one who is undeserving of him. I would not be here right now if it were not for him. I owe him my life… I am lucky that he has stuck with me after all I have put him through…and I am honoured that he is here with me to share this very special day."

He does not comment, just smiles and kisses my fingers before asking me to have dinner with him.

"I would love to have dinner with you." I tell him honestly and confide. "I am starving."

"Really? Good! I mean, not good that you're starving…but that you're getting your appetite back."

I knew what he meant and I agree. "Da."

"Great. So do you want to go out somewhere or order room service?" he seems excited, but that is Wheeler for you, you only have to mention food.

My appetite might be returning but my need for privacy is still on overdrive, hopefully he will not mind too much. "Would it be ok if we stayed here? The restaurants will be crowded and noisy. I would like to just stay here where it is quiet and private, and I can wear something more comfortable."

"Sure…that's fine by me." He says it casually but be looks pleased, I guess we are on the same wavelength tonight.

I decide to test my theory. "This room has a hot tub."

"Oh yeah?" Wheeler really does not do unconcerned very well, I can see the interest in his eyes and my heart quickens in response.

"Da, I thought it would be good for my muscles." At least that is what I was telling myself earlier, but right now I am just caught up with the thought of sharing it with Wheeler and no amount of telling myself it is inappropriate is going to make a difference.

He raises an eyebrow. "Better than my massages?"

Nyet, nothing is better than one of his massages. "I may need both…I was pretty nervous about this…and tense."

My words must worry him because he moves immediately to try to release some of the tension in my neck… and as always it feels really good.

"One problem Babe, I didn't pack anything to swim in."

Still enjoying the feeling of his hands on my neck and shoulders, I answer without thinking. "Neither did I."

"Umm, sooooo are we gonna go skinny dipping?" he asks in a hushed tone, clearly hoping I will say yes.

I turn to smile at him and explain what I meant. "Nyet, I was thinking that after we ordered dinner, while we waited for it to be delivered, we could go to the gift shop and buy swimming suits."

"Oh…yeah. Good idea." I have to stop myself laughing at his lack of enthusiasm for my 'good idea'.

I would be lying if I said I was not tempted, but I do not think I could really go through with it, even if we were a couple. I would find it far too embarrassing, though if anyone could convince me to try it, it would be my Yankee.

I concentrate on picking something to eat from the room service menu – while still trying not to picture Wheeler naked in the warm water of the hot tub – and once the order has been placed, we make our way down to the gift shop… only to find it closed.

"Damn it," Wheeler swears in frustration.

I decide to tease him a little. "I guess we have no choice…skinny dipping it is then."

"REALLY?" So predictable!

"NYET! I am kidding!" I take a playful swipe at his arm.

"Oh. Yeah…I knew that," he says, as if I would believe it. .

I am disappointed too though. "Oh well. I guess I will just have to settle for a massage. You should probably not be submerging your wound in water anyway…it is still healing around the edges."

"It'd be fine. I don't think it would've been under…especially if you let me sit on your lap," he jokes. "But I guess it doesn't matter now."

"There is a way…" I say thoughtfully, quickly adding. "Other than skinny dipping."

I have caught his interest. "What's that?"

"Do you have an extra pair of boxers?" I ask. I always pack extra underwear but I do not really expect such forward planning from one of the boys.

"Yeah, I always pack extra in case we end up gone longer than we expected."

That is what I was hoping he would say. "You could wear those. And I could…go in…with my…well, it would be no different than what I wear to the beach, right?"

"Uh, yeah…right." He does not sound convinced, in fact, he does not look entirely happy about it.

I do not want to push him… though if he was happy to be naked, I cannot see why it should bother him, still. "Unless you are not comfortable with that."

"No, no…it's fine. As long as you're comfortable with it." Is he worrying about me? Does he think the reason I will not go skinny-dipping is because he might try something? That is not the reason at all, I am not even sure I would mind if he did try it on, I just cannot do something so… bold.

I want him to understand. I look up into his eyes and tell him simply. "I trust you."

"Good…I trust you too," He says, and winks at me. There was a time I think, when he would have been hoping he could not trust me… now I am not so sure.

We stop at Wheeler's room on our way back for him to get his spare boxers, and then back in my room, I change into more comfortable clothes while we wait for our dinner to arrive.

Wheeler has taken his shirt off, leaving only a sleeveless t-shirt on, and I find myself admiring the muscles of his arms. There is a quiet strength about him when he is relaxed like this, it is very attractive… and distracting.

The food, when it arrives, is very well prepared and fortunately, because of the options available, I do not need to worry about my stomach rejecting it. Wheeler wolfs his down like he has not eaten in days, he has always had a good appetite but I cannot see that there is any need to rush like that!

After our empty plates have been collected and we are alone again, Wheeler takes my hand and leads me to the couch. Time for my massage!

I lie on my stomach and he sits astride me in a now familiar position. When he first started doing this for me I would tense up even more at his touch, nervous about so personal a contact. Now though, I wait almost impatiently for his hands to slip up inside my top and feel his fingers gently but firmly manipulating my skin and the knots in the muscles underneath.

My body relaxes after a very short time but he does not rush to finish, for which I am grateful, I could stand this for hours. He makes his way down my legs, kneading out the aches and pains in my overworked limbs. "Mmmm." That feels soooo good.

I overdid it today, but it was worth it. I only hope that I will be okay tomorrow, at least until we get home anyway. I do not want to feel ill in a strange bed, even a comfortable one. At home I can curl up in my own room, with my Yankee holding me, and wait for it pass.

He moves back up over my hips and I sigh he begins the final movements over my neck and shoulders. This is my favourite part, it is just a shame that it also means that the massage is nearly over.

I am so relaxed right now, I am not even surprised when Wheeler leans over me and kisses his way up my neck to my ear. It feels like it is part of the massage, his lips are hot and it is more than pleasant.

"All better?" he whispers in my ear.

"Da." I nearly protest when he gets up, but he is waiting to help me up too.

"Ready for more relaxing?" I guess he is eager to try the hot tub.

I nod but I am suddenly feeling very self conscious, maybe I should not have suggested it.

"Are you sure you're ok with this?" He asks.

Da, I am okay with it but there is something about undressing in front of him that is making me hesitate. I nod but wait for him to make the first move… which he does.

I burst out laughing as his jeans hit the floor, I just cannot help it. He has his 'lucky' boxers on again, honestly, under other circumstances they could really spoil the mood!

"LINKA!" he protests.

It makes no difference, there is just something about them.

"You don't laugh at a guy when he drops his pants Babe…you just…you don't. It ain't right."

I am still struggling but manage to say. "I am sorry Wheeler, but I will never get used to those boxers!"

My laughter has broken the tension I was feeling at least, and it has put us back into comfortable banter territory.

He gives me a look, though I know he is not at all mad at me, and climbs into the hot water. "You better be confident in your choice of undergarments Babe, because it's only fair if I laugh at you now!"

I pull my trousers off, saying conversationally. "I think you will be disappointed Wheeler. Just plain black." I do not have any humorous underwear.

Dispensing quickly with my shirt, I slip into the hot tub without checking to see if my Yankee is still watching me. Part of me is hoping he is, part of me is still worrying that my body is not back to where it was before the bliss, and part of me is telling me I should stop thinking like this if I want to keep his friendship.

"Feels nice huh?" He asks.

I position myself so that I can look out of the window, expecting him to move around to join me. "Da, it is perfect."

He does not move though, and seems to be staring into nothing. I splash him and get his attention. "Earth to Wheeler,"

"Hmm? Sorry, did you say something Babe?" he says, blinking in surprise.

I smile affectionately at him. "You were a million miles away. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing, really. Just relaxing."

Feeling the cold I let myself slip down into the water until my shoulders are covered by the deliciously warm liquid. It means I can reach further across the tub though and that gives me an idea. I put my feet up on Wheeler's knees, he missed them earlier and they still hurt.

"My feet are not used to being in dress shoes for so long. They have gotten used to being in athletic shoes…and all that walking…"

He obligingly starts to rub them and I close my eyes, resting my head against on the edge of the tub. "Mmmm."

I am so relaxed right now I could go to sleep, and with my Yankee here it would be safe enough. I begin to daydream, imagining that instead of stopping at my ankles he continues his massage along my calves and thighs, bringing us closer together…

"You could not behave yourself could you?" I exclaim, opening my eyes and glaring into his.

Nyet, he did not do any of the things I was picturing, I would not be glaring if he had. Wheeler knows the underside of my foot is ticklish and he ran his finger along it deliberately!

"Couldn't resist!" He says, clearly unrepentant.

It was necessary to remove my foot from his grasp but it does not suit me to be out of contact with him. "Why are you sitting so far away? I will not bite."

"I got in and sat over here. You're the one that sat so far away."

Da, because I did not want to look at the wall. "The view from here is beautiful."

"So is the view from here." He counters.

I can feel another blush begin to creep over my cheeks. "I was talking about London."

"I was talking about you." He explains unnecessarily and moves to sit next to me, putting his arm along the tub's edge behind me.

I lean against him and he puts his arm around my shoulders and his head on top of mine. This is nice.

After a while I gently touch his knife wound. "You are making sure this does not stay submerged too long, right?"

"Honestly, that stupid thing is the last thing on my mind right now." Which means no and I should really make sure he is more careful, if he will not take care of himself but…

"What is the first?" I ask.

"Same thing as always," He tells me, placing a kiss to my temple and brushes his fingers through my hair.

I lift my head from his shoulder so that I can look at him, a smile on my lips. "Food? But we just ate?"

"Yeah. Food," He smiles back before leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. He repeats the action on the tip of my nose and then his lips meet mine, lingering as I respond.

It lasts a little longer than usual but I am still disappointed when he pulls away, though what he has to say distracts me. "We should probably get out before we turn to raisins. And I have a present for you."

"A present?" I can be as childish as him at times. "Where?"

"In my pants."

I raise an eyebrow, wondering for a moment if he is joking… or maybe serious.

"In the pocket," He clarifies.

Oh. Okay… well first things first anyway. "We should get out. The scab on your wound is starting to get soft. You need to let it dry and then I will reapply your medicine and put the dressing over it."

"You just want to get out and get your present," He teases.

I watch as Wheeler stands and begins drying himself off with a towel before climbing out of the tub. I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy the sight of him, the water cascading down his toned torso and muscular legs, the way his wet boxers cling to him (even if they do have gorilla's on them.)

It takes me a minute to recall myself, then I stand up too and hold my hand out for his assistance. He takes it and helps me climb out as I balance myself with my other hand on his shoulder. I jump down, my legs wobbling in their weakened condition.

Wheeler is holding a towel out for me and I walk into it, hoping he will wrap his arms around me as well, but after rubbing my shoulders briefly he says. "I'm uh, gonna get ready for bed. I'll let you have the bathroom first. Keep warm."

"Ok… thank you." I head to the bathroom, collecting my clothes on the way and wondering distractedly why I feel a vague sense of disappointment.

It does not take me long to finish drying off and I quickly pull my clothes on before I start getting cold again. Wheeler is there waiting, as I exit. "All yours."

"Thanks," He replies, throwing his jeans on the floor by the bed… I love how he is so much at home, wherever he is, it makes even the most unusual situations feel normal.

"Do not forget to bring out your medicine and bandages." I call after him.

He turns to wink at me. "Yes Dr. Orlova!"

I shake my head in amusement, but I like playing doctor with him… looking after him that is. Not knowing how long he will be, I look though my bag for the book I brought with me and make myself comfortable in the bed. I missed being able to read but I am more relaxed now, and with Wheeler nearby, I find it easy to slip into my novel. Which is why I am not paying attention when he comes out of the bathroom and leaps onto the waterbed.

"Surf's up Babe!" I am lifted up so far by his 'wave' that for a minute I think I am going to be thrown off the bed, but I suppose it feels worse than it really is.

"Very mature of you, Yankee!" I complain. I do not mind exactly, but it did not do my stomach any good at all.

He is such a child, but I cannot be angry with him. "I've been waiting all night to do that."

I roll my eyes and put my book down, then hold out my hands for the medical supplies and wait for him to get settled. I am used to doing this now and not so afraid of hurting him.

"Not done yet," He pouts.

I nod… I have done this before Yankee. "Da, I know…I still have to put the dressing over it."

"Nope, not that." he says stubbornly.

I roll my eyes again, he wants me to kiss it better… not that I mind the task but I feel that I have to make a pretence of it being a chore… like a little ritual. I kiss each side of the wound and as I do so, Wheeler starts playing with my hair. For a moment I consider continuing to press kisses over the rest of his chest and up to his throat. What would he do? Encourage me… or shy away, embarrassed? Things have been going so well between us, I do not want to spoil it, especially here.

I sit up to continue my doctoring, carefully putting the new bandage in place. Then I poke him in his good side and ask playfully. "Now…where is my present!"

"That was it…the joy of taking care of me," He jokes.

I know he is teasing so continue to dig him in the side until he manages to grab my wrist. "Ow! Hey! Fine. I lied…that was only part of it."

He makes his way down the bed to retrieve his jeans and I make myself comfortable, sitting crossed legged on top of the bed while I wait for him. He mimics my position, our knees touching, and hands me a small wrapped box.

I am as excited as a small child as I unwrap my present, and just as excited when I see what it is. "A new charm! An apple… for Eden. Very creative Yankee."

He smiles. "I wasn't sure if you'd get it…the whole Garden of Eden and the apple thing."

"The apple that Eve ate even though she was told not to…she was tempted by the devil and gave in." I think I know how she felt… and I am not talking about the Bliss.

"You're my apple," he says, sounding shy.

I decide to tease him. "Wheeler, are you calling me the devil?"

"NO!" I grin at him to let him know that I was not serious and he continues. "If I thought you were the devil, I would've said you were my snake…but you're my apple…my temptation."

My cheeks are trying to match the colour of the apple and I feel the need to say something in return. "This apple reminds me of you as well,"

"Really? How's that?" he seems eager for the answer.

I reach up to ruffle his hair. "Well, first of all, it is red! And they say New York is the 'Big Apple' so that makes me think of you. Will you put it on my bracelet for me?" I add, holding my wrist out.

"Of course." He replies, and as soon as the new charm is in place, lifts my hand to his lips to press a kiss against it.

The back of my hand tingles where it was kissed and I smile at him, but end up using that hand to cover my mouth as a yawn overtakes me. "Sorry,"

"Don't be. It's been a long day. We should get some sleep." He replies.

I nod. "Da."

My Yankee pulls the covers back down and we get in together. I lay on my side with my head on his arm and his body curled up behind me. We are so used to having a single bed, we are not taking up any more space, but I am not complaining.

"Goodnight Babe." He kisses me behind my ear.

"Dobroi nochi, Yankee," I say in reply, linking our fingers together and bringing up his captured hand to my lips, and then my cheek, holding him in place as I drift off into a pleasant slumber.

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 39! Let us know what you think!