Is it forever?

Summary: Can Wheeler and Linka's feelings endure the test of time? Set after the series ended.

A/N: I can't remember exactly how this story came about, it was too long ago. I do remember that it followed a conversation with Becks7 and that somewhere in her archive, waiting to be finished, is her take on the concept.

Thanks Becks for all the help and encouragement!

Disclaimer: I do not own Captain Planet, I'm just borrowing it and will make no money whatsoever from these stories.

Chapter One – Far beyond the world I've known

Wheeler swore and chased after Skumm, determined not to let the evil rat get away as he dodged between the trees of the small Russian forest. He could hear the others calling to him as they struggled to catch up but the American didn't wait for them, nimbly jumping over roots and around the narrow trunks, never losing sight of his quarry.

He's not going to get away this time, he thought dangerously. I don't care what the others say, it's no co-incidence that his operation is right next to Linka's home town, that sicko vermin has some sort of obsession with her and it stops now!

Skumm ran out into an empty clearing where a strange light was glowing. If he'd thought about it at all he would probably have assumed that it was a trick of the sunlight streaming down through the trees, but as it was Wheeler only had time to register that the eco-villain seemed to vanish as he passed through it, before he himself was surrounded by it.

It was an odd sensation as if a single moment lasted an eternity, like he'd been put on pause and then released.

A glitch in the matrix, he joked to himself as he fell out of the glimmer at a full run, but slightly off balance. He tripped and fell and would have got up again if it hadn't been for the armed guards that were already restraining Skumm. Where'd they come from?

The Fire Planeteer hauled himself up into a sitting position and looked around, his stomach turning over... Everything had changed.

It was still the same clearing, he was sure of that, even though the trees looked a lot bigger, thicker than they had before. The strange light was gone but there was equipment spread all around and a beautiful blond was walking towards him.

"Hey Babe." Wheeler put on his most charming smile but it fell a moment later as she came forward and he saw that it wasn't in fact Linka. The resemblance was uncanny however and when she spoke her accent, and even her voice brought his favourite colleague strongly to mind.

"Jason Wheeler?" her smile was dazzling and when he nodded it grew even wider. "My name is Tanya. It is very good to finally meet you, my grandmother spoke of you often."

Understanding dawning he stood up and held out his hand for her to shake. "Linka didn't say she had another cousin, I can see the family resemblance though. How is Grandmuska? We were going to drop by when we were done with Skumm."

Tanya's eyes turned sad, "I am sorry Wheeler... I am not... That is, there was a kind of an accident, I will explain it all to you later but for now you should know that you and Skumm have... Arrived at a new point in time. Sixty years after you first entered this clearing to be precise. Linka was not my cousin but my... Grandmother."

The lovely young girl hung her head, "She sent me to find you."

Wheeler's eyes had opened wide and he almost growled, "This is some sort of sick joke." he raised his voice, "This isn't funny Linka!"

Tanya shook her head, looking up at him with compassion in her eyes and when she spoke there was a hint of pain and guilt. "She is not here. She lived out her life and passed away a couple of years ago, but not before she made sure there would be someone waiting here to help you when you returned. She never forgot you Wheeler."

The American's face paled but he could see the evidence with his own eyes. The forest surrounding him was older, no-one had been there before and the others should have caught up by now... She had to be telling the truth.

To Be Continued…