Impenetrable

Chapter Three

25th December

It was two A.M. by the time the Planeteers trudged into the small apartment; relieved beyond words that they'd found accommodation during the busy peak period. No one was capable of flying home in their current condition; having spent the last 48 hours operating on little to no sleep.

So they'd travelled the short distance to Shanghai instead, chancing upon an available tiny one-bedroom apartment courtesy of Ma-Ti's diligent web-surfing.

The girls had both showered and climbed into the double bed together, just like they had on countless other missions. After six years on the job, they knew better than to argue with the guys about perceived gender expectations when it came to sleeping arrangements. Regardless of their backgrounds and cultures, they were nothing if not perfect gentlemen.

Linka smoothed the sheets out around her, listening to Gi snoring gently beside her. Her body was seriously depleted but her mind refused to shut down. She flicked the lamp on and looked up, craning her neck and studying the intricate cornices lining the ceiling. Her damp hair was plaited and lying across her chest and she gripped the loose strands at the end, still trying to regain the feeling in her fingertips.

Low murmurs issued from the kitchen/living area. The door separating the rooms was slightly ajar and Linka could still see movement. She rolled over with a sigh, pulling the blankets around her as she watched Kwame sink onto the sofa in the living area. He dragged a thick quilt around his legs, speaking in hushed tones to Ma-Ti beside him.

She found herself wondering if they had witnessed anything at the landslide site on the same level as she and Wheeler had experienced. The Russian found herself almost resenting the fact that while the others had been dealing with the exhilaration of finding and rescuing living, breathing people; she and the Yankee were left to deal with the emotional aftermath of handling the deceased. It certainly wasn't the first time.

The water pipes groaned above her head as the water was shut off. A cloud of steam billowed out as Wheeler crossed into her line of sight. Hair wet, bare chested and a towel wrapped around his waist, he nudged Ma-Ti's leg with his foot and propped himself on the arm rest, talking quietly.

Linka's gaze drifted from Wheeler's broad chest to his well-defined arms - a habit that was becoming frustratingly familiar lately. She narrowed her eyes, biting down on her thumb as a warm flush enveloped her face and neck. Her mind stalled and went blank for a moment, blissfully devoid of her usual chaotic thoughts.

Damn Yankee.

He glanced up unexpectedly, tilting his head and appearing to glance in Linka's direction. She rolled over with a gasp, curling up into a foetal position and shutting her eyes with renewed vigour. Her body shifted restlessly and she exhaled, breathing out the events of the day and focusing on her personal mantras.

But sleep remained elusive.

Linka had stumbled out of the room at around 10:30am, crossing her arms across her chest to stave away the chill in the air.

Gi had immediately greeted her best friend with a warm smile, wishing her a Merry Christmas and wrapping her arms around the Russian. Linka returned the gesture as Gi had stepped back, her eyes wide with surprise. "Ugh, you look terrible," she commented.

"I did not sleep much," Linka replied softly, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror above the luggage rack and grimacing. Her skin was pale and dark circles were evident under her eyes. She squeezed Gi affectionately, before disentangling herself and sinking onto the lounge beside Ma-Ti. For the first time she noticed that two team members were missing.

Linka enquired as to their whereabouts and Ma-Ti explained that they had been called back to Guandong about two hours ago.

The Russian rose to her feet, her mouth dropping open and feeling surprised that no one had woken her. Ma-Ti held his palms out. "Relax, Linka. They're just wrapping things up."

"Oh," she replied. She sat back down, watching Gi bustle around the minuscule kitchen, clinking mugs together in her efforts to make tea and coffee. She gratefully accepted the steaming mug Gi offered her and leant back. "Spasiba."

"Will you still try to see your family at some point, Linka?" Ma-Ti asked.

She nodded, taking a sip. "Da. The Russian Christmas Day is technically on the seventh of January. Although I've become accustomed to celebrating it earlier with them, like the rest of you."

"Shall we go out for a Christmas lunch?" Gi had asked, leaning her elbows against the kitchen bench and looking down at them. "May as well do something to celebrate."

"Will anything be open? It's Christmas day?" Ma-Ti asked.

"We're in China, Ma-Ti," Gi said, smiling with amusement. "Jesus really isn't their thing. Shall we find a noodle bar, or maybe a restaurant while we wait for the guys?"

Linka grinned, feeling a little lighter. "Da. Lets."

They had caught a taxi to the Pudong district, finding themselves at the entrance to a massive structure that looked like a cross between a rocket launch tower and an alien mothership.

Linka wrinkled her nose as she studied the unusual architecture of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the revolving restaurant perched like a bulbous growth off the main tower.

They rode the lift to the top and were seated immediately in a booth beside the windows. Ma-Ti headed straight for the buffet, complaining that he was starving. Linka sat back, taking in the scenery while she played with the seams of her fabric napkin.

It took her a few minutes to notice Gi studying her quietly. She met Gi's gaze and raised her eyebrows questioningly.

Gi sighed. "Are you all right?"

Linka opened her mouth and closed it again, frowning as she contemplated her response. "Da. Why do you ask?"

Gi had pressed on carefully, knowing her friend hated admitting anything that resembled weakness. "I've just…" She swallowed nervously. "We've just noticed that you've been kinda' tense lately. You seem really stressed."

Linka bristled. Her voice wavered slightly and she bit back the waves of panic that were rising. "Of… of course I have been tense, we all…we have all been very busy," she stammered, feeling flustered.

Gi shook her head, grabbing her hand. "I'm only asking because I'm worried about you. You haven't been yourself. You know you can talk to us, right?"

Linka shrugged, squeezing her hand. "I appreciate it, Gi. But I am fine. Just a little tired."

"Okay." Gi looked unconvinced but knew she would get no further with her gentle prodding. She looked up as Ma-Ti approached their table, grinning with his plate piled up with food.

Gi slapped him on the back as she stood, beckoning for Linka to follow. The Russian squeezed out and trailed along behind her best friend.

They piled their plates and returned to the table. Gi and Ma-Ti chatted comfortably as Linka gazed out towards the city below, chewing her food slowly. She sat tensely, struggling to rid herself of the lump that still remained in her throat; triggered by Gi's innocent probing.

Focus. Get it together. Ivanov's do not cry.

But the sight of a garbage trolley distracted her as it was wheeled past, lined with an innocuous black plastic bag. Her pulse went into overdrive and her stomach turned. She abruptly excused herself. Ma-Ti and Gi watched her go, their conversation halting as they traded worried looks. The blonde weaved unsteadily towards the restroom and locked herself inside a stall, breathing heavily.

Linka shuddered and leaned forward, pressing her cheek against the toilet door. She clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails drew blood against the smooth skin of her palms.

She dropped her forehead into her hands and leaned against the stall walls, trying so desperately to hold it together.

Control it. No weakness.

Because she is supposed to be independent.

Strong.

Impervious to negativity.

She so desperately wants to be impenetrable… But demonstrating such a high level of perfection was becoming harder and harder to maintain.