Chapter 7

The Robinsons were bracing themselves for the upcoming birthday celebration. Dr. Smith would be turning 54 years old, but much had changed in the past year. He had shed some of his cantankerous countenance and had allowed his compassion to surface. Perhaps he would be less demanding this year. One could always dream.

"Now, Judith, do not take your leave yet. I must be sure that the coffee is suitable for my sensitive palate." He took a sip. "Oh, no, no, no… Just a tad more sugar and it will be perfect. " He gave the cup back to her. "Now, hurry, as I cannot abide cold coffee."

Judy rolled her eyes as she left him and decided to pass her errand onto her husband, who, after all, had been the one originally called to serving duties. She encountered Don in the galley.

"What's your number today?"

"Well, good morning to you too, Sweetheart." He snatched her hand and brought it to his lips. "After last night? It's a very endurable three."

"Well, my patience is at a one. Here, take this to Dr. Smith before it gets cold."

"Ah, that's right! It's the good doctor's birthday. I'd be glad to, Judy. In fact, I'll cover all serving duties for today."

Don wheeled his way into Dr. Smith's room and handed him the cup.

"Good morning, and happy birthday, Dr. Smith! I will be you self-appointed server for today. Your wish is my command."

"Thank you, Major. And you appear to be in fine spirits today."

"The, uh,'meditation' you suggested has worked pretty well. As long as Judy and I 'meditate' together, I start the day well.":

Dr. Smith patted Don's knee and added, "Splendid! Now, I wonder if Mrs. Robinson has any of those delicious muffins she made recently?"

"Don't say another word. I'm on my way."

And so the day went on with Dr. Smith being as demanding as ever. By lunchtime, Don was ready to pull his hair out and decided that it was time for a little payback.

Carmella, Penny's pet, had taken to everyone except Dr. Smith, who avoided the little creature like the plague. Don asked Penny if she wouldn't mind helping him set-up a little birthday treat for Dr. Smith, who had requested that his lunch be delivered outside to him, along with an electronic set-up to play some classical music for his listening pleasure. Penny was more than happy to assist.

"Dr. Smith, would you please hold Carmella while I help Don set-up your lunch and music?"

"Oh, dear me, no. I cannot stand the little rodent."

"It's just for a minute. She won't hurt you, she really is very gentle. Just hold her like this."

Penny held Carmella with her left hand under its belly and her right hand petting her head. She put the animal in Dr. Smith's hand, and he held it at arm's length. Carmella immediately began to squirm and wiggle out of Dr. Smith's grasp. He held on tighter, which caused her to bite his thumb. Dr. Smith screamed and dropped the poor thing, and it ran straight to Penny.

"I've been bitten by a wild animal! Oh, the pain, the pain! I'm doomed with rabies!"

Penny and Don rushed over to look at his hand, and, as Don grabbed Smith's wrist to take a good look at it, the wound healed before his eyes. He and Penny exchanged amazed gazes and looked back at the thumb. It was healed as if it had never been bitten.

Don asked Penny, "Did you see that?"

"I've never seen anything heal like that before."

Dr. Smith was still carrying on as if he had lost his hand when Don admonished him to look at his thumb.

"Oh, dear me," Dr. Smith responded. "Where's the gash? Blood was simply streaming out of it. It's gone!"

Don replied, "Gone alright, like you were never even bitten. We've got to share this with Maureen."

"Just because it's gone doesn't mean that I haven't been infected by some terribly horrifying disease, Major!"

"Well, you could be right, Zach. Let's get you and this little bacta factory to Maureen for some analysis."

"Bacta?"

"You, know, Star Wars? The bacta tank that healed all wounds?"

"Star Wars, bah! I never understood the popular culture's infatuation with science fiction movies. It was all just drabble and special effects if you ask me. Now, Shakespeare, there was a master story teller."


As a biochemist, Maureen was somewhat skeptical of the tale that Penny and Don told her regarding Dr. Smith's wound. She found no trace of a wound or scar on his thumb.

"The bite must not have broken the skin," she announced.

"Oh, I assure you, Mrs. Robinson, it did indeed break the skin. It was quite painful and the blood was streaming down my thumb, I thought the little abomination would be the death of me. In fact I would not be surprised if I have contracted rabies. You should never have allowed…"

Don rolled his eyes and thought he'd speed Maureen's analysis up. He took Carmella from Penny and shoved it onto Smith's hand. As expected, Dr. Smith screamed and pulled away, dropping the poor thing, but not before she sank her teeth into his thumb, yet again. As Penny recovered her pet, Don grabbed Zach's hand and held it in front of Maureen. Her eyes opened in wonder as the bite healed before her eyes.

"Well?" Don asked.

"I don't believe it!"

"Do you think there could be an enzyme or something in their saliva that has healing properties?"

"That is a possibility. I'll do some investigating."

"I'll be your test subject. I think I've caused Zach enough pain."

"Now, Don, I know what you're thinking, but don't get your hopes up too high."

"Too high? I finally have something to be hopeful about."