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Part Two:

Don silently watched as two robotic arms released their hold on the compacted Chariot and slowly retracted into a curved slot in the rear of the Jupiter 2. With a whine of hydraulics, the telescopic arms vanished into the darkness of the opening. A sloped hatch began to quietly slide down, covering the Chariot’s storage area between the decks of the spaceship. Don moved closer to the Chariot, grabbed a folded strut and pulled the front windshield up into a locked vertical position. He repeated the procedure for the other three sides of the vehicle, quickly snapping each side into place. If only relationships were this easy to handle, he thought, life would be so simple. He kept thinking back to what Judy had said at the breakfast table about feeling like she’d been stuck with him all this time. That had really hurt. Until now, he hadn’t fully realized the depth of their problem. He had thought their not speaking to one another was just a temporary thing. Eventually they would be able to work through it. Now he wasn’t so sure.

                Opening one of the Chariot’s side doors, Don climbed up on the tread and swung the attached roof panel up into its place as he stepped into the vehicle. Then, he turned a few locking bolts along the opposite side to secure the roof. He reached up and checked the topside radio dish and secondary solar battery to be sure they were locked in place and undamaged. Satisfied with the assembly so far, he moved forward, pulling the seats up and unfolding them as he went. On one seat, he found a hand-held fan that belonged to Judy, left behind from when they had last used the Chariot. Memories of better times came flooding back and Don found himself aching for the old days. The thought of how far apart he and Judy had grown overwhelmed him with despair. He briefly clenched his eyes shut, fighting the pain.

                Don looked down and saw that he had broken the fan in his grip. He dropped it on the floor and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Stepping to the front of the Chariot, he pulled the vehicle’s radar unit up from its slot in the floorboard. Don snapped a couple of switches and the unit came to life. Then, as he climbed into the driver’s seat, he saw John come walking around the rim of the Jupiter 2.

                “Great,” he muttered. “The last thing I need right now is a lecture.” He hit the power switch and the Chariot’s engine roared to life. Don revved the power a few times, causing John to stop in his tracks. The two men locked eyes, each waiting for the other to make a move. Well, this is pretty immature, Don thought after a moment. Might as well listen to what he’s got to say and get it over with. He slackened the power to an idle rumble, then switched it off.

                John grinned. “Pretty powerful, isn’t it?” He walked to the side of the Chariot and leaned in. “It amazes me that after all these years; it still starts right up.”

                “Yeah,” Don replied. “I’ve had plenty of time to keep it tuned up; that’s for sure.”

                There was a brief, uncomfortable silence. “Look,” John said. “Judy was out of line earlier, but you shouldn’t take it to heart. She’s just upset right now. I’m sure whatever it is that’s bothering her; she’ll find a way to work through it.”

                “I wouldn’t count on that,” Don said. “Sometimes, you just gotta take a hint and cut your losses.”

                John frowned. “Really? It’s not like you to give up so easily, Major.”

                “It’s not so easy, believe me,” Don said, shaking his head. “You know I’d patch things up with her if I could. Breaking it off is the last thing I want, but it looks like I’ve got no say in the matter.”

                “She just needs some time to sort things out,” John said. “She’ll come around. In the meantime, just give her some space and don’t do anything that’ll make her upset.”

                “I guess that means I better stay away from Smith,” Don said. They both laughed.

                John grinned. “Okay,” he said. “Now how about bringing this old tanker around to the front of the ship so we can get this show on the road?”

                “You got it,” Don answered.

                John stepped away from the Chariot as Don restarted the engine. Watching behind him, Don backed the vehicle up a bit. Once there was enough turning room, he changed gears and moved the Chariot forward, following the curve of the spaceship. The tank-like treads of the Chariot dug into the sandy ground, leaving a trail as it went along. In much the same way, several thoughts were running through Don’s head, leaving their own traces in his mind. It began to occur to him that he couldn’t let things remain as they were. In spite of John’s advice, Don knew he had to take some kind of action, no matter what the consequences.

                A short while later, as John heaved his bedroll into the back of the Chariot, he spotted Penny and Will approaching from the Jupiter. Good, he thought. I knew they’d be back to say goodbye. He looked up at Maureen, inside the vehicle, strapping down the last of the equipment and luggage. “I think that’s everything, darling,” he said. “I guess it’s time we got going.”

                Maureen looked around and gestured at the empty seats. “There’s still so much room in here,” she said. “I’m wondering if we shouldn’t ask Judy to come with us. It might do her good to be away from everyone for a while.” She bent over slightly and climbed out of the Chariot.

                John took hold of Maureen’s outstretched hand and helped her down. “You know I’d love to have her come along, but it’s best she stay here and work out her problems with Don.” He grinned at Maureen. “Besides, this is my big chance to spend some time alone with my lovely wife and I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”

                “A trek through the desert isn’t exactly my idea of a romantic getaway,” Maureen said laughing. “But somehow I have the feeling that we’ll make the most of it.”

                John feigned surprise. “Why darling,” he said. “You must have read my mind.” They both laughed and then John swept Maureen up in his arms, gently but passionately kissing her.

                Will and Penny came around the side of the Chariot and stopped short. Seeing his parents kissing, Will rolled his eyes and muttered, “Oh brother! Not again!”

                Penny looked down at him and said, “Just you wait, Will Robinson. Someday you’ll find the girl of your dreams and then you’ll be the one kissing all the time.”

                Will frowned. “No way! All that mushy business is just a big waste of time.”

                “I don’t know about that, son,” John said. He and Maureen had stopped kissing and were both looking at the children, smiling. “I’ve always found kissing to be quite beneficial and of great practical value.”

                Maureen laughed. “I have to agree with your father on that,” she said. “Kissing is very important stuff.”

                “See?” Penny said, taunting Will. “Everyone knows it but you.”

                Will rolled his eyes again while the others broke into laughter. John rubbed his hand across Will’s head. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m betting that you’ll be changing your mind about kissing and all that so-called mushy business soon enough.”

                Judy emerged from the hatch of the Jupiter 2 and walked over to the Chariot. She carried a picnic basket in one hand and a small pillow in the other. “I’m glad I caught you before you left,” she said. “I’ve made lunch for you and I also found that pillow you were looking for.”

                “Oh, thank you dear,” Maureen said, taking the items from Judy. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

                “Well I just want you to have a great trip,” Judy said.

                “Thank you darling,” John said. He leaned forward and gave Judy a hug.

                Don walked up to the family as they were saying their goodbyes. He had taken apart the force-field generator and was polishing one of its focusing cams as he walked. Casually glancing at Judy, then at John, he said, “You two don’t worry about a thing. Just have a safe trip. We’ll keep everything around here in ship-shape. Well, I can’t guarantee anything about Smith, but as far as the rest of us; we’ll be fine.”

                Laughing, John said, “Just where is the good doctor, anyway?”

                “I think I saw him near the pipeline, dragging a shovel around,” Will said. “I heard him saying something about his back.”

                Don cocked his head and laughed. “I’m sure by now, he‘s found a comfortable rock somewhere and is taking good care of his back.”

                Everyone laughed at Don‘s remark, even Judy.

                John looked at his watch. “Well I guess it’s time we were going. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today.”

                “Which way are you going?” Judy asked. “Toward the plains?”

                “Well,“ John answered in a sly voice. “We thought we’d start off with the weather station over near that box canyon, and then go on up to the Pinnacles.”

                “Wow,” Don said. “That’s kind of taking the long way. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to get some time alone.”

                Maureen spoke up. “That sounds like a good idea, if you ask me.”

                After a few more hugs, John helped Maureen into the Chariot, then climbed in himself. Taking the driver’s position, he started the engine, shifted gears, and headed out. Maureen turned in her seat and waved goodbye. Behind the Chariot, everyone waved goodbye for a while, and then they turned back to their duties around the Jupiter 2.

                After the Chariot drove off, Don glanced over at Judy. He wanted to say something, but remembered John’s advice. Give it some time, maybe it’ll help. He had other thoughts on his mind anyway. He bounced the focusing cam in his hand and silently walked back to where he had been working.

                As he turned the Chariot toward the desert, John grew silent. He fixed his gaze on the barren landscape ahead and wouldn’t even glance at Maureen. She could tell when something was bothering him. She was well aware of John’s tendency to internalise his problems. He tried to apply rational thought and logic to everything. He believed that given enough time and thought, he could resolve any issue, work through any problem. But Maureen knew that often such an approach couldn’t solve anything. Many times, just letting out one’s frustration was better than straining for a solution. She watched her husband, noticing his furrowed brow, and realized he needed her help. Whatever it was, she had to be the one to wrestle it out of him.

                She poured a cup of water and handed it to him. “Here,” she said. “You look like you could use a little refreshment.”

                He took the cup and slowly drank its contents. “Thanks,” he said quietly.

                “John, what’s the matter?” she asked. “You haven’t said two words since we left the Jupiter.”

                He glanced out the window at the passing dusty hills, then back at Maureen. “You know I’m not one to place any value on what Dr. Smith says,” he started. “Most of the time I either ignore his comments or get a big laugh out of them. But this morning, before you and Judy came out of the ship, he really started in about going back to Earth and how the children were suffering from our situation.” John shook his head. “It just blew me away to hear him talk like that and I’m afraid I lost my temper.” He smiled a bit, remembering Smith’s frightened face. “I did give him quite a scare, though.”

                “Well that’s probably just what Dr. Smith deserved,” Maureen said. “He had no business saying something like that. He knows perfectly well that our being lost out here isn’t anyone’s fault. He should be grateful I wasn’t there.”

                “Like I said, normally I wouldn’t let it bother me. But just this morning, I was thinking pretty much those same thoughts,” John said. “I realize the children are getting older. I see it every day. Will’s nearly in his teens and Penny’s on her way to becoming a young lady. I hate the fact that they’re growing up without anyone their own age to be with. It makes me worry sometimes and I can’t help but regret bringing them on this mission in the first place.”

                Maureen gently placed her hand on his. “You’re afraid the children are going to resent you and blame you for their lost childhood, aren’t you?” John didn’t say anything, but looked into her eyes. His pained expression spoke volumes to her. “Listen darling,” she said. “You have to know that none of us blame you for anything, despite what Dr. Smith might say. Yes, it’s an awful situation we’re in, but all any of us can do is to try and make the best of it. Believe me, I’ve felt the same way. There have been plenty of days that I’ve felt so bad for the children and what’s happened to them. But it’s times like these, when we’re in trouble and danger, that it’s so important to be together. We can’t give them friends their own age right now, but we can provide the stability and love they need to get them through this ordeal. That, to me, is an absolute blessing.”

                He took her hand in his, raised it to his mouth and kissed it. “You’re the real blessing,” he said, smiling. “Do you know that you’re the backbone of this family? And do you have any idea how much I love you right now?”

                She nodded her head. “Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea.” .