My thanks go to Wayne from the LIS fan fiction group at yahoo for creating the fourth season episode project. Here is my contribution based on his idea of Maureen as the "Cosmic Doctor".
Cosmic Doctor
(Part 1)
Chapter 1
New planet… New problems…
The Jupiter 2 had been berthed for only 24 hours, but camp was set-up and the crew was prepared for a long-term stay. Maureen marveled at how efficient the family had become at the process. Even the hydroponic garden was seeded and watered.
The Robot had completed scanning the immediate area for life forms, and John and Don had left to survey the surrounding area a few hours earlier. Will was already pestering his mother to be allowed to explore beyond the campsite.
"Now, Will, you know that you're not allowed to leave the camp until your father tells us it's safe," Maureen explained.
Will persisted. "Aw, Mom, but the Robot didn't find anything harmful."
The Robot interjected, "That is correct, Mrs. Robinson. I do not detect harmful life forms in the area surrounding the Jupiter."
"I'm sure you're right, Robot, but Will can wait until his father returns."
"I can take care of myself, Mom," Will stated.
"Will, you know the rules." Maureen suggested, "Why don't you find Dr. Smith and start a game of Chess?"
Will uttered a disgruntled, "Aw, okay." He knew when it was time to stop arguing with his mother. As he entered the Jupiter, Judy passed him and smiled, but he walked by without comment.
Approaching her mother, Judy asked, "What's he unhappy about?"
"He wanted to go exploring and I told him to wait until your father gets back."
"Men…" Judy shook her head and sighed. "Why do they think they know everything?"
Maureen looked more closely at her daughter. "Judy, did you and Don have a disagreement?"
Judy folded her arms across her chest and sat at the table under the awning. She was in need of some motherly support and invited Maureen to sit with her. "I wanted to go out with them this morning. There is so much vegetation on this planet, I was sure there'd be fruits or berries or something we could bring back for testing, but Don didn't even give me a chance to finish my sentence before he said 'No', and Dad agreed with him."
"They're just being protective of you."
"Being protective is one thing, but you'd think that they could at least listen to me. Don was so condescending. I swear, Mother, sometimes he treats me like a child!"
"It takes time to work out a relationship, Judy. Be patient."
"It's been over three years, how long is it supposed to take? I know it didn't take that long for you and Dad."
Maureen smiled as she reminisced. "Our situation was different. We were both still in college, and much closer in age than you and Don are. You have to remember that you've lead a very sheltered life, and Don hasn't."
"Mother! It sounds like you're on his side!"
"I'm not on any side, dear. I'm just trying to have you see things from his perspective. He is five years older than you. Perhaps he still sees you as somewhat… innocent and wants to preserve that quality in you?"
Judy was appalled at her mother's lack of support for her. "I am twenty-two years old, Mother. I'm no longer a child." She stood. "I guess I still have to prove it… to everyone." With that comment, she returned to the Jupiter.
Her mother called after her, but she didn't respond. Maureen shook her head. She supposed that this was going to be 'one of those days'. First Will, now Judy, she wondered if Penny would be next to assert her independence.
In fact, Penny had already left the Jupiter, and was nowhere to be found. Will ran into Judy while he was looking for his chess partner.
"Judy, have you seen Penny or Dr. Smith?"
"No, Will."
"I can't find them anywhere."
"Well then, let's go out and look for them."
"But Mom said we can't leave camp until Dad gets back and gives the okay."
"I'm an adult and I said it's okay. We're perfectly capable of looking for Penny and Dr. Smith. After all, we have to take care of them too. Who knows what sort of trouble Dr. Smith has gotten into."
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Penny was high up in a tree dropping fruit down to Dr. Smith. Finding nothing in the galley that would appease his appetite, he had coerced Penny into accompanying him to pick as many fruit as they could carry back to the Jupiter.
"Dr. Smith, we have to get back to the ship," Penny complained. "You know we're not supposed to leave the camp until Dad says it's okay."
"Nonsense, Penny. You are with the indomitable Dr. Smith. No harm will come to you. Never fear for Smith is here." He pointed to an especially large fruit just out of Penny's reach. "That one, right there, my dear. Oh, how luscious."
Penny stretched to reach for the one he wanted and lost her footing, scraping herself against the bark as she struggled to regain her perch. "Ow! Oh, Dr. Smith, now look. I'm bleeding. I'm coming down."
As she shimmied down the tree, she heard a distant call. Judy and Will were approaching, and Penny called back, "Over here!"
Dr. Smith held a fruit up in admiration. He retrieved his pocket knife, cut a slice and popped it into his mouth. "Ah, perfectly ripe, a pleasure for the palate!"
Judy immediately chastised Dr. Smith as she walked up to him. "Dr. Smith! You don't know if that fruit is edible!"
"Nonsense, my dear, I know a peach when I see one. Peaches the size of grapefruits, how delectable!" He sliced another piece and let the juice run down his hands. "Heavenly. Such velvety soft skin… a true celebration for the senses."
He shoved the half-eaten fruit under Judy's nose, and she inhaled deeply in surprise. As she turned her head away from it, both the rind and peel rubbed against her nose and cheek. She wiggled her nose in irritation, feeling the beginnings of a sneeze that never came. "Dr. Smith, please!"
Dr. Smith couldn't contain himself. He tossed a fruit to Will, who caught it handily and rubbed it between his hands. "It feels really nice," he exclaimed.
"Don't eat it. We have to test it first." Judy warned him.
"It's perfectly safe," Dr. Smith commented as he consumed another piece.
Penny was down from the tree, holding her bruised leg. Dr. Smith leaned down to take a look at it, the juice from his hands getting in the wound.
"Oh, that burns!" she cried.
"I'm taking you back to the Jupiter," Judy commanded. "All of you come back now."
"In a moment, Judith," Dr. Smith responded. "William, do you see that especially large one up there on the highest branch? Retrieve that one and we will be right along."
Judy shook her head and helped Penny back to the ship, hoping that Will and Dr. Smith were moments behind them.