Chapter Three

"She is asleep again." Linka whispered when her friend re-joined them a little later. She was looking, if not happy, then more at peace than she had since she first heard the news.

Wheeler smiled, "Probably what's best for her. How are you doing?"

"Okay." She sighed, "She has not said anything, and I will not try to ask her any questions, it can all wait. Is everything alright at home?" Linka nodded towards the entrance where he and her brother had been talking.

"Yeah, but since we're staying here Mishka decided to head back. I said we'd let him know what's happening in the morning."

With her daughter safe in her arms Linka was able to take in more and she said with concern, "There is something you are not telling me."

Wheeler grinned at her insight and tried to make light of it, deciding it was better that she be prepared anyway. "He's gone to smooth some ruffled feathers, it seems that Tanya's a bit put out that her best friend's been keeping stuff from her. She'll get over it."

Linka paled, "What… what stuff?"

"Gram let slip a few things." His eyes flicked to the sleeping child and back again, "Does she know?"

The rest of the colour drained from his friend's face and she shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper, "She told you? You knew, and you came with me anyway?"

"Yeah she told me." The American sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, he hadn't intended to tell her like this but it was out now. "Babe look, I mean, it's not like any of us have shared everything about ourselves, I'm no saint, and I'm no hypocrite either, you don't owe us any explanations. The Planeteers was a chance for us all to start again, and we took it. We're friends now, and we help each other when we're needed, that's all that matters."

Friends. Linka heard everything he said, but it was that word that stuck with her because it neatly summed up the change the revelation had wrought to their relationship. He classes me with the others now. He will stand by me, just as he would for any of them, but any other feelings are over.

"Spasiba." She told herself that what she had been imagining had been far worse, that losing him altogether would have broken her and that this was what she had wanted all along because nothing else had ever been possible. It didn't help.

Refusing to show how she was feeling, the Wind Planeteer offered her friend a weak smile and turned her attention back to Natalya. She half expected him to ask her questions anyway now that the subject had been started between them, but he didn't and she didn't offer any information. I hope Mishka can convince Tanya to be equally silent…

"Will you stay here while I go to the bathroom?" Linka asked quietly after a while. She didn't really want to ask Wheeler for anything, even something so simple, but she had to be practical.

He felt like asking her where she thought he was going but he was determined not to let his irritation show, this wasn't the time or place to start a quarrel, even if it would have made them both feel better. "Sure."

She nodded her thanks and carefully disentangled herself from the sleeping child, settling her gently against the pillows before slipping quietly out of the room. Despite her care, her movement must have disturbed the little girl because she woke a moment later, her eyes widening in alarm when she realised her cousin was gone.

"It's okay Nat," Wheeler said at once, leaning forward into her field of vision. "Linka will be back in a minute she just needed the little girl's room. You remember me don't you Angel?"

Natalya blinked and then nodded, her small hand reached out to him and he took it in his larger one. "There's nothing to be afraid of I promise."

She smiled and closed her eyes again but was disturbed a few moments later when an orderly came in carrying her dinner. He spoke to Wheeler in Russian causing her to chuckle softly at the American's blank and slightly panicked expression, "Sorry man, I don't have a clue what you just said."

The man looked equally blank but fortunately for both of them Linka returned just then. She too seemed inclined to be amused and Wheeler was glad to see her in a better mood. Helping to get Natalya in a comfortable position, she thanked the hospital worker and then explained, "He said if we want any dinner there is a restaurant downstairs where we can buy something."

"Oh right, spasiba." He added to the guy, who was waiting to make sure everything was ok for his patient.

When he was gone Wheeler asked if Linka wanted him to go down and get something for them both, again amusing his companion. "That is a kind thought Yankee, but I think it would be better if I go… you might be lucky to find someone down there who speaks English, but…"

Wheeler cringed, "I thought everyone spoke English, you all seem to…"

"It is taught in a lot of places but not everyone knows it, and most do not have a need to practice it." She shrugged and turned to Natalya, "Will you look after Wheeler for me while I get us some dinner?"

The little girl nodded but her attention was mostly on her own food.

After a while Wheeler noticed that she wasn't eating any of the meat on her plate and he asked her if she didn't like it. Natalya nodded and picked up her knife again, but when she tried to use it she pulled a face, put it down and held her arm to her body.

Cursing himself for being stupid, "You want me to cut it for you, Sweetheart?"

She nodded and offered him her fork, smiling gratefully.

"I should have thought of that! I am sorry." Linka said as she returned, carrying a tray which she set down on the other bed.

"It's okay," Wheeler told her, returning the plate and fork to its owner, "We've got it covered, right Nat?"

Again the child smiled at him and nodded, and it made Linka's stomach flip over to see them together that way.

"There was not much choice," The Russian told her friend, indicating the tray, "But I thought you would be happy with burgers."

"Always… providing Doctor Blight had nothing to do with the cattle." He grinned and took one of the plates and bottles of water."

Linka settled down with her own dinner beside him, marvelling at how he always managed to put her at her ease, no matter what had or hadn't happened between them.

The orderly returned at last to collect Natalya's plate and offered to take the others too, and then a Nurse came in to check on the patient and get her settled for the night.

Linka would have liked to help but she allowed herself to be shooed out of the room along with Wheeler, promising the young girl that they would only be outside.

"She doesn't seem too bad." Wheeler commented, "I know she doesn't want to talk but other than that…"

"Da," the Russian smiled but she was conscious of the distance that had arisen between them and it made her uncomfortable. "It will take time, like the Doctor said." The silence stretched on for a few minutes and then Linka asked, "Do you… do you think it is selfish of me to want to go back to Hope Island? I mean, even if I return to live with Grandmuska she would have to change schools, it is just too far… perhaps it might even be easier to make a clean break. But then I think, she would have family here and new friends, and perhaps sometimes see her old ones…"

Wheeler swallowed, "I'm not exactly an impartial judge here but, I think it would do her good to come home with us and not be constantly reminded of what she's lost. I don't know, maybe you could tell her it's for a holiday at first, see how it goes? If she's not happy then we'll rethink it. You're the last person in the world to be selfish about anything."

"That is not true." She told him sadly, "I…"

The nurse came out and told them Natalya was set for the night and that they could use the other bed in the room if they needed to.

The young girl was struggling to stay awake but she wouldn't let herself relax until she knew her cousin and her friend were back beside her. Linka pulled the blanket up a little more and bent to kiss her forehead, "Sweet dreams, we will be here if you need us."

Natalya smiled and then looked expectantly at Wheeler. He chuckled and leant over to place another kiss on her temple, "Night Angel."

They sat beside her until they were sure she was asleep, then Linka suggested her friend use the other bed.

"You take it Babe, I can sleep anywhere." He replied.

"I will not be able to sleep, you go ahead."

Wheeler shook his head, "You need to sleep for Nat's sake, not taking care of yourself is not going to do her any good. At least lie down and rest."

Linka shook her head and made her companion roll his eyes. "Come on." He took her hand and gently compelled her to rise and follow him. Kicking off his trainers he got up on the other bed and lay on his side, holding his arm out for her."

"I cannot… it would not be appropriate."

He laughed, "Babe we're in a public hospital with a six year old chaperone, I am not going to try anything."

Linka couldn't help but smile but was still reluctant. "I know, I just…"

"Stop worrying so much." He sighed, "You overthink everything."

"I do now, da." She said, looking at her daughter. Her hand was enclosed in a warm grasp that made it tingle.

"Just this one time, let me do the thinking, huh?" Wheeler asked, willing her to trust him.

The lovely Russian looked down at her friend and for once was unable to resist the look in his eyes or the pleading of her own heart. She sat down beside him and took off her shoes before laying down with her head on his arm.

He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her back against him. "Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

"I cannot stop looking at her." Linka confessed. "I have missed so much Yankee."

Wheeler linked their fingers together, "You did what you thought was best for her."

"You do not know that." She replied sadly.

"I know you." He said firmly, "There's just some things that don't change and that's one of them."

Linka wished she was as sure as he sounded but she didn't want to argue. "Thank you for staying with me."

He pushed himself up slightly so that he could kiss her temple, as he had done for her daughter. "You're welcome. Goodnight Babe."

"Goodnight."

He was asleep before her but his comforting presence helped her to relax and her eyes finally did drift closed, giving her some much needed respite from all her worries.

To be continued…