Summary: The Planeteers have some down time after a mission and take the opportunity to take in a few sights in Verona Italy, the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Can our star crossed Planeteers find love and a happier ending than Romeo and Juliet?

A/N: My friend spent some time in Verona Italy last summer with her boyfriend and told me about some of the sights she saw. And while I was trying my best to pay attention to what she was saying, the whole time, I was picturing Wheeler and Linka on a romantic trip. I had some time to write it this weekend (long car trip, perfect opportunity).

Disclaimer: Wheeler, Linka, and the other Planeteers are not mine and are used without permission. Neither are Romeo and Juliet. The lines used within this fic as part of the story telling belong to Shakespeare...I texted him to ask permission, but he never got back to me. ;)

"Verona Italy…home to Romeo and Juliet," Linka muses as she looks out the window of the Geo Cruiser.

"You tryin' to tell me somethin' Babe?" Wheeler asks as he leans across the aisle, invading her personal space as he looks out the window with her.

"Nyet. As a matter of fact, I was not speaking to you at all. I was thinking aloud. When I talk to you Yankee, I will address you so you know when it is ok to speak…otherwise, shut up."

"Oh yeah. This place is sooooooooooooo romantic," he says as he rolls his eyes and sits back in his seat.

Once they find a place to land, Gi and Linka anxiously exit. Clearly this little side trip was their idea. Kwame and Ma-Ti voted no because they wanted to go back to Hope Island and relax. This left Wheeler with the deciding vote. He could tell from the look on Gi's face that she thought for sure he was going to stick with the guys. Linka hid her disappointment a little better, but she was thinking the same thing as Gi. Wheeler kept his eyes locked on her when he said,

"I vote for Italy."

Linka looked up quickly, the surprise of his choice evident on her face. Then she hugged Gi excitedly. Wheeler thought for sure his hug would be next, but instead, all he got was a small but grateful smile.

Gi and Linka had spent the flight looking at sights around Verona that they want to see. Kwame and Ma-Ti spent the flight quietly navigating, only speaking when necessary to give directions. Wheeler was listening to the girls' plans. He wondered if maybe he should act more interested, so that it looked like he genuinely wanted to see the city of Verona and wasn't just trying to get on Linka's good side.

"So uh…any good restaurants we should try?"

"Bozhe moy Yankee, only you would think of food when there is so much more to see!"

"Well, we gotta eat right? I just thought we could find some place nice, some place well known and a tourist hot spot…but whatever. I'm not really that hungry anyway," he said, suddenly wishing he'd stuck with the boys. He'd rather be at home on Hope Island, hiding in his room.

So now he finds himself alone in Italy. Linka and Gi went off on their own. Kwame and Ma-Ti did the same, neither group bothering to ask Wheeler to join them. He contemplated just staying in the Geo Cruiser, but he decided he wasn't going to let them keep him down. He could find plenty of things to do on his own.

He should have known better. He always manages to get in trouble when he's on his own! Well, trouble found him. Trouble in the form of two American girls named Rachel and Catherine, who are on a trip with their class. They latched onto him while he was checking out San Bernardino and have followed him everywhere since. He has to admit though, it's nice having them around sometimes because both of them are fluent in Italian.

"Where do you wanna go next?" Rachel asks.

"I have no preference," Wheeler says. "I'm just killing time until my friends are ready to leave."

"I say we go to Casa di Giulietta," Catherine says.

"Oooh yes!" Rachel agrees.

"What's that?" Wheeler asks.

"Juliet's house."

"Juliet? From Shakespeare?" He asks.

"Yes."

"I thought that was a made up story…you mean she's really got a place here?"

"Not exactly. You're right, it was a made up story…but it's possible it was based on a little bit of truth...a real family," Rachel explains.

"Ok then…let's go to Juliet's house," Wheeler says, trying to sound enthusiastic.

To Be Continued…