Linka and Wheeler enter the crystal chamber looking for Gaia.
"I've been expecting you."
They turn to see her walking up behind them.
"It is not forever…just a few weeks," Linka begins defending immediately.
"Yeah, we deserve a break…some time to ourselves," Wheeler adds.
Gaia holds her hand up and the two Planeteers fully expect her to deny their request and tell them why they can't just come and go as they please.
"I agree," she says.
"You do?!" They both exclaim in surprise.
"Yes. I knew this day would come…that some day, some of you would wish to leave, or no longer be able to continue…I have had replacements in mind for years now…this opportunity will give you two the time you need to make decisions about your future, and it will also give two other young people the opportunity to step up and become Planeteers. Remember the young boy who fantasized about being a hero and ended up getting himself in trouble because he would act before thinking?"
"Wheeler Junior?" Linka asks.
"His name was Jason!" Wheeler argues.
"Exactly!"
"Oh yeah…hmm, that's a good choice Gaia!"
"I hope he has matured since then," Linka teases.
"He has," Gaia confirms.
"Too bad we cannot say the same for our Jason!" Linka jokes as she elbows Wheeler in the ribs.
"Hey! That's not what you said earlier! Honest Gaia, Linka admitted that I had changed the most out of all the Planeteers and that she could admit that she was wrong about me."
"I agree with her. You have changed the most," Gaia says.
Wheeler stands up a little straighter, proud of his personal growth and glad that it hasn't gone unnoticed by the two women who mean the most to him.
"What about for her? Who did you have in mind?" He asks.
"Remember that little girl who restored Kwame's faith in people and their willingness to do their part to save the planet?"
"Da, everyone around her had given up because they figured it was just easier to give in to the problem because solving it would take too much effort…but she did not let that discourage her."
"Katie, right?" Wheeler asks.
"Yes, that's the one."
"Wow…I can't believe those kids are old enough to be Planeteers now?"
"They're older than you were when you joined," Gaia informs them.
"Damn…I feel old," he says.
"Da, me too."
"Well, you two have a safe trip…have fun. And I hope you find the answers that you're looking for about what your place is in this world."
"Spasiba Gaia."
"Yeah, thanks for being so cool about this," Wheeler adds.
"This isn't a prison…you can come and go as you please. I'd never force you to stay here…but…I am going to have to ask you for your rings."
"Oh…right…I forgot about that," Wheeler looks at Linka as they both twist their rings off their fingers and hand them over to Gaia. "Feels weird."
"Da."
"Get used to it…you might decide you like it out there in the real world."
"Wow…I never considered that," Wheeler says, still rubbing the spot where his ring used to reside.
"We ARE coming back Gaia. This is just two friends traveling."
"Like they do in college! Just stuff we missed out on so we're making up for it," Wheeler explains.
"So, where do you two plan on going?" Gaia asks.
"I do not know…we still need to make plans," Linka says.
"No…no plans. Totally spontaneous. Let's just pick a place, get there, and then see where it takes us from there."
"Wheeler, you know I cannot do that! I need to make plans!"
"Yes, you can. This is the new you."
"Ok…fine. Da…the new me…completely spontaneous."
"You two should go pack…sounds like you're going to need a wide variety of clothes for your spontaneous travels!" Gaia suggests.
"Good idea," Wheeler says as he takes Linka's hand and leads her away. "It's gonna take her a while to pack either way!"
"Goodbye Gaia…and thank you again," Linka says as she follows Wheeler out the door.
Linka is packing when she is interrupted by a voice behind her.
"So it's true? You're leaving?"
"Da, Gi…just for a few weeks."
"And Wheeler is going with you?"
"Da."
"What's that all about?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…have you been holding out on me?"
"Spit it out Gi…I am in a hurry and have no time for games. What is on your mind?"
"You and Wheeler…suddenly leaving on a world tour together…it's like the ultimate romantic get away!"
"It is just a vacation with a friend," Linka insists.
"Hmm…then why not invite me, or Kwame, or Ma-Ti?" Gi teases.
"Because you were not there."
"So if Wheeler had turned you down, you would have come to one of us and asked if we wanted to join you?"
At Linka's silence, Gi giggles and says, "I didn't think so."
Linka smiles and shakes her head at her friend's teasing but remains silent.
"So are you two coming back or running off together forever?" Gi asks, attempting to maintain her joking demeanor, but afraid of what Linka's answer will be.
Linka stops what she's doing and seriously contemplates what her friend has just asked.
"I do not know."
"Do you want to come back? In all seriousness, I'm not just teasing that you're going to run off with Wheeler…do you still want to be a Planeteer."
Linka sighs and says again,
"I do not know."
Gi sits down on the edge of Linka's bed and clasps her hands in front of her. All she can manage to say is, "Oh."
The two girls sit in silence, sensing the end of something is near, but wondering if it could be the start of something else.
To Be Continued...