Chapter 2

The bright and relatively spacious interior of the shuttle was a stark contrast against the dark cramped quarters of the satellite pod. " Oh wow… I didn't think that we would see this again…" she whispered, tracing her fingers over the metal hull, as her senses slowly accustomed to her new environs. She could hear the beep of the advanced technology systems, the steady hum of the machinery and the footsteps approaching her. Taking in a deep breath, she wiped the little bubble of joy which had formed at the corner of her eye. Behind her, Jake let out a smile. They were safe… She was safe.

" Fass…"

That was all Hernandez could muster before running towards her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. " Are you ok? Are you hurt?" the concerned Hernandez asked. " Thanks for worrying about me but i'm alright thanks to Jake. It was his idea to evacuate in the satellite. Without him, I wouldn't have made it…" Fass said slowly, her voice trembling at the thought of what would have happened if Jake had not been there. Nodding, the concerned man let out a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the 6 foot five American walked in. " Jake, I'm so glad you are fine!" exclaimed Hernandez as he ran over and gave him a bear hug. " It's good to see you too pal" said Jake as a grin spread across his face.

Cheers erupted throughout the control centre in Houston as the sight in the shuttle was caught on camera. President Palma smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity. They were coming back.

Strapped into the seats aboard the shuttle, Jake stared at the ceiling, utterly exhausted as the rush of adrenaline wore off. The events of the past few hours had taken their toll on his mind and body. He needed some time to think them through. The confrontation with Duncan in the control room… The deactivation procedure… The satellite… Her

He had remembered how vulnerable she looked in the pod as tears streaked down her face, turning her big brown eyes red and puffy. He recalled staring into a seemingly endless darkness filled with the occasional debris and space rock. Just those memories alone caused him to sink into a deep thought. He hadn't always been the best father he could have been. There were countless days and nights where he'd lay by the truck in the grassy yard with a cold one by his side as he stared into the dark night sky. He would envision being up there on the ISS with his crew but just like the stars in the night sky, it was an unattainable, almost ludicrous dream. It was as if an invisible veil had shrouded him, causing him to be filled with anguish. He thought of all the times he would wake up in his bed every morning, devoid of meaning or purpose. There were days in which the only conversation he would have with his daughter would be the words " What would you like for dinner?" Jake recalled a time where things were better. Perhaps it was when his wife was still with him as the house was never a dull place. Shrieks of laughter and joy would fill the hallways which were languishing in silence. But what hurt him most were the words his daughter had uttered to him prior to his trip to the ISS. " You're never a dependable person." Those five words had hit home… hard. It was the first time in ages in which Jake had felt such guttural emotions. Sadness, guilt and regret had seemingly formed a dagger, stabbing at his heart. The feeling of soft warmth flesh disrupted his train of thought. Raising his head, he saw that Fass had interlocked her fingers with his and was caressing his hand.

" Everything alright?" She asked, concern evident in her eyes.

" Yea, it's just that the events in the past few days have been rather… overwhelming." Jake smiled.

Clasping her hand tighter around his, Fass leaned closer and whispered " Thank you Jake… I owe my life to you… If you had not been there, i would have perished."

Jake could smell the scent of her warm skin, the maple syrup shampoo on her hair. She smelled...wonderful. He simply smiled as she moved closer towards him, pressing herself into his muscular chest. Her arms moved behind him wrapping them around his neck as she leaned in closer and closer. Jake could feel her hot sweet breath against his neck as she they locked lips. She tasted sweet like strawberries as the sensation of warmth spread throughout his body, radiating throughout his entire being. Frankly, he didn't want this moment to end as she gripped him tighter. Soon, everything around them faded into oblivion as all that remained was the feeling of her lips on his, the feel of her fingers running through his hair and the lovely feeling of her body on his. It had been a while since he felt so free… so alive…

" Prepare for reentry in 10… 9…"

The two pulled away from their passionate, intimate and tender kiss. Fass stared into his big blue eyes and whispered " I love you Jake…" " I love you to Fass…" he said as they strapped themselves into their seats. Jake had no idea what was going to happen once they landed but he knew one thing was certain, she was going to be a key piece in his life from now onwards.

Leaning back into his seat, he let out a smile as he glanced at her, only to find her smiling back at him.