Emma Peel, Mother and Rhonda stood or sat outside the space station. Dr. Hughes was inside with his friend, Mr. Whelan, discussing Steed's predicament and showing the Mother's communication box. It had taken a bit of coaxing to get Dr. Hughes to the space station. Even after Emma had shown him the intercom box, Hughes was reluctant to go, but he had promised the lady that if she found any proof that it was Steed in that rocket, he would talk to his friend.

That was why Emma found herself pacing up and down the walk outside the space station, hoping that Mr. Whelan would believe his friend and take this news to a higher authority. Mother was likewise, "pacing," meaning Rhonda was wheeling him around in tight circles. Everything was quiet, save the occasional squeak from the wheelchair and Emma's footsteps.

*She's so pale and thin,* Mother thought as he gazed at Mrs. Peel. *Does she eat and sleep at all? Is she pining for Steed? She doesn't look like a sentimental fool who'd put her life at risk over a man, but you can never tell. She almost makes me feel sorry.*

Mother was interrupted from his musings by the sound of a door opening. Dr. Hughes and Whelan stepped out of the building, shaking hands and smiling. Whelan held the transmitting box in his left hand.

Hughes approached Mrs. Peel, saying, "He has agreed to talk to Steed and teach him how to get down. It's bound to be an educational experience for all. Would you care to listen in as he speaks to your friend? Perhaps you can get to say hello to him."

Emma's heart tugged at the thought of speaking with John Steed, but she knew it was better if she didn't bring on any unpleasant memories. He was doubtlessly happy and content with his life. Why should she upset him now by making him remember their old times together? Emma found her voice and replied, "I don't wish to talk to him." Her voice was quivering as she added, "Please, don't tell him that I was part of this rescue mission. I want him to think it was all Mother's doing."

Mother was beginning to feel even guiltier than he had before. Why did this woman have to be so noble and complicate matters? Why did she always have to be considerate of Steed's feelings? Why couldn't she just be selfish and converse with Steed?

Dr. Hughes was taken aback at her abrupt manner but sagaciously said nothing about it. "Very well, Mrs. Peel, I will do as you request."

Emma smiled feebly before walking toward her car. Before entering the vehicle, she turned and added, "Please make certain to inform your superiors and the police that Steed-and Miss King-are not the enemy. I wouldn't want him-and her-to be whisked off to jail the minute he . . . and she stepped on earth." After receiving an affirmative answer, Mrs. Peel left the premises and Steed's life again.

Her soul was in torment on the drive home, half of her wondering what would have occurred if she had talked to him, half of her knowing it was all for the best. How she wished she could forgo British propriety in order to do the things she longed to but knew were not right!

Mrs. Peel gripped her steering wheel with an iron strength and stared at the endless, deserted road ahead of her. "That's how my life is," she murmured to herself, "an endless and blank road."

*************

Steed was chasing Miss King around the rocket with a champagne bottle. He threatened to hit her over the head with it unless she got them down from outer space. On the verge of tears, Tara confessed she didn't know how to run the rocket. In a fit of unadulterated rage, Steed raised the bottle as if to strike . . .

Tara awoke from her vivid nightmare with a gasp. She surveyed the area and spotted Steed floating by the window. He was as solemn and silent as a monk during prayers. Miss King wondered if he was as frightened as her at the possibility of never getting down. They could starve to death, or die of thirst.

Tara realised with chagrin that she was incredibly thirsty. Was there anything to drink; water, juice, more champagne? She unfastened herself from the seat and drifted over to Steed. Tenderly, she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her chin on his shoulder. "Steed," she began in a whisper, "are we going to make it?"

Ignoring her advances, Steed responded, "Of course we will, my dear, or my name isn't John Steed!" Usually he would have spoken in a flippant tone, but this time his voice was heavy and monotonous.

Tara noted this little change in his mannerisms and became alarmed. "Steed, what's wrong?"

*Nothing, my dear, just your annoying little hug and resting your chin on the same shoulder Emma did,* Steed thought bitterly. Suddenly he came to a startling conclusion: *It's not Tara's fault she's acting romantic. If you had told her a year ago of your true feelings she would have gotten over you by now.*

"You fool, you idiotic, stupid fool," Steed muttered to himself, not caring how redundant he sounded. To Miss King he said, "Nothing is the matter, my dear, nothing at all."

Tara removed her arms and chin from his body as she replied, "You know what I like about you, Steed? You're always the perfect gentleman, even when you're lying to me."

*So Tara's become capable enough as an agent to see through my lies?* Steed thought.

Tara mulled, *He's upset because he's thinking about Mrs. Peel again. He always gets this detached when he's been dreaming over her. Hang the woman!*

These musings would have continued if it hadn't been for the message that came over the intercom. "Mister John Steed, can you hear me?"

Steed became alert at the mention of his name and tried to run to his end of the communication system. Because of the lack of gravity, he almost flew onto his head but caught himself at the last moment. As soon as he reached the device, he bellowed into the mouthpiece, "Yes, I'm listening."

"I'm Mr. Whelan, and I've been commissioned by a chap named Mother to help you get down from space."

"Good, old Mother, I knew he'd come through for us," Steed exclaimed to an excited Tara.

"A Dr. Hughes and several other scientists are explaining the situation to the higher officials. They're going to convince these men that you are perfectly safe and are not a threat to Great Britain," Whelan continued.

"That's very decent of them!" Steed proclaimed.

"Now will you please begin the landing lesson, or whatever you want to call it?" Tara implored the stranger.

"I will begin right away, Miss King," Mr. Whelan responded.

Tara was in raptures as Whelan instructed Steed. "We're going home at last!" she cried

Slowly, the two began their descent to earth.

***********

The next day over by Primrose Hill, Mrs. Peel was watching the news again. A special report on the miraculous return of Tara King and John Steed was being televised to the whole country. Cameramen and reporters were following Steed and Tara as they walked arm and arm down the street to who knows where.

At that minute Tara was commenting, "It was phenomenal up there in space, but I can guarantee you that I never want to leave earth again!"

Steed remarked, "I am very pleased at the cooperation of the astronauts at our space programme. They did not begrudge me for being the first person Britain ever sent into orbit. They even congratulated me on my safe return."

Steed and Miss King were swallowed up by the rabid paparazzi. To conclude the story, an anchorman stepped into view of the camera. "There is still no word as to how Mr. Steed and his female companion, Tara King, came to own a rocket. However, from the little interview we just heard, we can be assured that this Englishman and woman will not be taking any more rides in unidentified spacecrafts."

As soon as the special report ended, a slender hand clicked a high tech remote control. The telly turned off, and Mrs. Peel rose from her seat. She entered her bedroom and crumpled onto one of the two beds. She had done exactly the same thing yesterday, yet it felt like ages ago.

She should feel secure in the fact that Steed was now safe, but Emma was a bundle of nerves. Perhaps it was because she had actually seen Steed's face on the television. Perhaps it was because she had received a call that her husband was returning after another long absence. Perhaps she was agitated because she had seen her Steed linking arms with a beautiful female. Whatever the cause, she was edgy.

"I have at least one consolation," Emma began, as her winning smile spread across her face, "Steed will never be that far from me again!"

*************

Steed and Tara evaded the remaining photographers and reporters and entered an abandoned drugstore. The two descended a staircase to the cellar where Mother was beaming proudly. "I'm delighted that you have returned."

"So am I, Mother," Miss King replied truthfully. She dusted dirt from her white dress before sitting in a chair that was provided for her.

"And you Steed, are you going to be buying any more confounded contraptions out of that Spies Catalogue of Unique and Expensive Objects?"

"Actually, I'm burning every issue when I get home," Steed promised. "The rocket itself was given to the scientists at the space programme."

"Now that this sordid business is behind us, I think we ought to celebrate!" Mother declared.

"You want to celebrate our return?" Tara asked.

"No, I never want to have this escapade mentioned again!" Mother snapped. "Actually, I just want to throw a party to celebrate the many years this ministry has been around. Rhonda has already started sending the invitations to our agents, retired and still active."

Steed's eyes lit up with an intense fire. "Does this mean amateur agents can attend the party, too?"

"Yes, everybody from Dr. Keel to . . . Mrs. Peel is invited! Of course, they might not all come."

"Mrs. Peel will come, you can depend upon it. Keel might not because he's an old married man now." Steed, who had been exhausted several minutes ago was extremely vivacious.

"I think we ought to go home and rest," Tara began, annoyed at Steed's behaviour. She practically dragged the energetic man out of the drugstore.

Once the two spies were gone, Rhonda gazed inquisitively at her employer. "I know you're wondering why I decided to bring Mrs. Peel and Steed together after she was determined never to see him again. It just so happened that I thought to myself-and I'm sure you'll agree- what's the harm in it? She'll never see him again afterwards."

Mother saw no harm in the fete, but that was his mistake. He thought it was the last Mrs. Peel and John Steed would ever meet, when in reality it was going to be the beginning for them. A new beginning of discovery, adventure, and love. But that is another story, a story you can read all about in the form of *Mother Knows Best.*

The End . . . For Now!