Chapter 6
Life proceeded as usual after their Launch Dad ceremony, but perhaps with more understanding and less impatience among the group. Although Dr. Smith was as pompous as ever, it was softened by the twinkle in his eye that seemed to be ever present now. He had known that the Robinsons had come to terms with his past deed, but having Major West's forgiveness had lightened the burden of guilt he had carried. He was now able to concentrate on forgiving himself. He looked forward to the next Launch Day when he could thank them for their compassion and forgiveness. Maybe then he could allow himself to feel like a part of the family. He even had daydreams about being a grandfatherly figure to Don and Judy's children. In their many discussions in the exercise room, Dr. Smith knew that Don's most fervent hope was to give Judy a family. Dr. Smith made a silent vow to himself that he would do whatever he could to help Don realize his dream.
It had been difficult for Don to admit that he needed help, and he was almost sorry that he had. He found the constant queries of "How are you doing?" to be somewhat annoying. He became aware that his mood depended on his pain level of the day. On a scale of 1 to 10, with one being low, he found that he usually ran between 6 and 8. He, Judy and Dr. Smith were in the exercise room, brainstorming ways to help him deal with the pain. Judy was now well aware of his frustrations, and they were finally able to work together on improving things, rather than expend energy on protecting each other. Dr. Smith's first idea of acupuncture was not met with much enthusiasm.
"Do you know anything about it?"
"No, but I am certain that I can easily acquire the necessary knowledge."
"I don't think so, Zach. I'm not letting you use me as a pincushion."
"Biofeedback?"
"Don't you need to be able to reduce the heat in the painful part of the body through a brain-body connection? That would be hard to do since the nerves from my brain to my legs aren't communicating."
"Of course, you're right. Stress reduction?"
"I wish… Any ideas?"
"Meditation?"
"I guess I can give that a try."
Judy interjected, "I know of some things I'd like to try to reduce your stress. Would that be okay?"
"Sure. What did you have in mind?"
"Let's go to our room and I'll show you."
Raising his eyebrows at Dr. Smith, he innocently followed Judy out to their room. She helped him ease himself onto the bed and roll over on his stomach. She put some oil on her hands and started to gently rub his neck and shoulders.
"You are so tense."
"Hmm…"
She massaged his scalp and arms, and slowly worked her way down his back. Even though he couldn't feel her ministrations, she continued down his legs and feet. Then she turned him over and worked her way up the front of his legs.
"Judy, you're wasting your time down there."
"Don't talk and don't think. Just clear your mind. You're floating on a soft white cloud on a beautiful day. Nothing is waiting to be fixed and no one is calling for you. It's just you and the cloud floating in a sea of blueness."
She felt his chest and marveled at how well defined his muscles had become. Even his leg muscles had maintained their tone, thanks to the rigorous exercise regimen that Dr. Smith had him on. She smoothed the creases and lines in his face with her fingers and caressed his lips.
After she completed the massage she leaned down and kissed him lightly on the lips. He had closed his eyes and she wondered if he had fallen asleep, but as she kissed him more firmly, he responded. Keeping her movements slow and deliberate, she kissed his neck and his chest and lay down beside him. She swirled her tongue around his ear and he moaned in pleasure as she covered his mouth with her lips and met his tongue with her own. Before she knew it, he had taken control and kissed every part of her body as she moved over him and he continued until she threw her head back in ecstasy. She lay back on his legs and he moved his hands sensuously up and down her thighs. After recapturing her breath, she twisted around and lay beside him.
"Oh, my. That was incredible."
He smiled with true delight and commented. "I'm getting good at this, aren't I?"
She giggled in return and responded, caressing his face with every word. "Yes… you… are. That tongue and that mouth. Mmm…."
"I guess I should use them more often."
"But this wasn't supposed to be about me. It was supposed to be about you. I guess I got carried away."
"I loved carrying you away. Come to think of it, I was so involved with you, I forgot about everything else."
"On a scale of one to ten?"
"About a 4."
"That's an improvement."
"Yeah, let's see if we can get it down even more."
He turned his head and kissed her long and hard.
