Chapter 1

Ruminations

"The Space Captive, Penny Robinson, is in search of the something, anything to relieve the monotony of almost six weeks of space travel. As she approaches the main area of the ship, relief is in sight."

Professor John Robinson and Major Don West huddled around the navigation table. As John pulled up a star map, Don leaned closer to take a better look. Neither he nor John noticed Penny, who stood in the shadows admiring the view. She whispered into her video diary. "The captain of the ship speaks with the handsome pilot…"

"I think that system is worth checking out," John Robinson commented as he pointed to a cluster of planets.

"We can do a flyby for more information," Don replied.

Penny continued her muse. "…whose full, kissable lips answer in his deep, sexy voice."

"We should be in range of the system tomorrow. If you and Maureen narrow down the planetary choices, we can land within three days," Don continued.

A figure crept up behind Penny with the stealth of a cat. An arm stretched over her shoulder…

"We've already done that and…" before the Professor finished his sentence, his two youngest children ran past.

"Will Robinson, you give that back to me!" Penny yelled as she chased after her brother.

"Ruminations of the Space Captive!" Will shouted. Imitating his sister's intonations, he continued, "Oh, he's so cute! If only he would kiss me!"

Penny blushed and hoped that Don was too involved with the star map to pay attention to Will. No such luck. Don reached out and grabbed Will around the waist while snatching the video diary from his hands. Having been a younger brother himself, he fully understood what Will was thinking.

"Okay, Will. I know you think it's funny, but diaries are private," Don reprimanded.

Will appealed to Don's baser instincts, "Aw, don't you want to know who she's talking about?"

"No." He handed the vidcam to Penny, who mumbled, "Thanks" without looking at him, and ran to her room. "And you," he gave Will a stern look as he let him go, "I'll meet you at the chess board in five minutes for a match."

"Ten minutes. I have to clean up my experiment."

John fought to keep his mouth shut while Don handled the children and now stated, "Well done, Major. I was going to let them fight it out for themselves."

"Well, I was a bratty kid myself once."

John smirked. "Some people would say that you still are."

Don tilted his head. "I prefer to call it boyish charm."

John laughed. He was beginning to appreciate the major's sense of humor and was glad that there was more to the man than the macho arrogance he had displayed at their first meeting. "I'll go help Maureen with dinner. Oh, and if you see Judy or Smith on your way down, let them know we're having a family meeting tonight."

Don strode down to the lounge area. The soft sound of voices floated towards him and he stopped just short of turning the corner to listen.

"Judith, that was a beguiling move. The queen cornering the king? The king will have to punish the queen for that one." Dr. Smith's saccharine voice raised Don's hackles.

"Now, Dr. Smith, the queen is well protected," Judy coyly replied.

'Is she flirting with him?' Don wondered.

"She won't be protected for long," Dr. Smith warned as he made his move.

Don turned the corner and marched directly to the chess table. His eyes scanned the pieces. He picked-up Judy's white knight and made her next move. "Knight comes to the rescue. Checkmate."

Both players turned to confront him.

"I don't believe you were invited to the game, Major," Dr. Smith hissed.

"And I didn't ask for your help!" Judy fumed.

"That's because you didn't know you needed it!" Don retorted.

"Why you arrogant…"

"You think I'm arrogant? Take a closer look at your chess partner, Doctor. There's more arrogance in his little finger than I have in my whole damned body!"

He turned to leave, but Judy stood and grabbed at his arm. "Despite what you may think, I am not one of those dim-witted, incompetent women you are so attracted to. I can take care of myself."

His eyes narrowed into slits. "If you're gonna go swimming with sharks, babe," he pointed to Smith, "you better be prepared to be eaten alive." Don turned and stomped out of the lounge.

"Donald West, you come back here!" Judy stalked after him.

"And it was such a lovely game," Dr. Smith murmured as he reset the chess pieces.