Smith's irritation with the situation did nothing for his mood. Major West found more verbal barbs aimed in his direction than usual and they were decidedly more pointed. This did not go unnoticed by Kai. He decided the antagonistic relationship between those two might be key to his plan, divide and conquer. They were nearly halfway there themselves. All he needed was to turn up the heat and widen the gulf a little more, until Smith was completely shunned by the other humans. If he could rid himself of the suspicious doctor, the rest would be relatively easy. The others were far too trusting to suspect anything.
As he lounged in a chair just outside the Jupiter 2, Smith was thinking similar thoughts of ridding himself of the pesky alien who had stolen his companions from him. A feeling of uneasiness fell over him. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked to his left. His gaze fell upon Kai, who was staring back at him intently. The doctor shifted uncomfortably, feeling for all the world like prey trapped in a corner by a salivating predator. He immediately stood, his hand resting on his laser pistol, and quickly made his way into the relative safety of the Jupiter 2. The corners of Kai's lips tugged slightly upward at the fearful doctor's retreat.
Will had just climbed the ladder to the upper deck when his path crossed with Smith. He couldn't help but notice the older man's agitated state.
"What's wrong, Doctor Smith?" he asked.
"What's wrong, William? I'll tell you what's wrong. That rapacious reptile out there would like nothing more than to feast on our flesh," Smith warned.
Will laughed at the suggestion. "First off, Kai is not a reptile. He's a mammal, like us. Secondly, he's not going to eat us, Doctor Smith. He's friendly. You'd know that if you'd give him a chance."
"Like us? Friendly? Hardly, William," Smith countered. "You would do well to listen to me, my young friend, and keep your distance from that wolf in sheep's clothing. But then," he sighed heavily, "no one ever listens to me."
"Perhaps it's because you've cried wolf so many times that we're all hesitant to listen to you," Will suggested. "Every time we meet a new alien species, you think they're out to get us. Well, they aren't... especially Kai. He's a good friend and I'm not going to stand around and listen to you talk badly about him." With that, Will stalked out of the Jupiter 2.
Smith was a little taken aback. He called out, "William? Please...", but it was useless. The boy had left. He resisted the urge to run after him and simply went down to his cabin to sulk.
Later that evening, Mrs. Robinson paid a personal visit to Smith's cabin to let him know dinner was ready.
"We're having a nice roast tonight, courtesy of Kai," she announced.
Smith looked over her shoulder and saw the children smiling and laughing at the dinner table with Kai.
"Thank you, madame, but I'm really not very hungry," he replied. At that moment, his stomach rumbled audibly, betraying his words to the Robinson matriarch.
While Mrs. Robinson didn't agree with his reluctance to accept Kai, she understood how difficult it was for Smith. He was not one to place his trust lightly, unless, of course, there was something in it for him. It had taken him some time to trust the Robinsons. It would take him even longer to learn to trust Kai. "I'll save some for you for later," she offered.
Smith nodded in appreciation and closed the cabin door.
"Smith's not coming?" the Professor questioned.
Mrs. Robinson shook her head.
"Is he sick or something?" the Major asked. "It's not like Smith to miss a meal, especially something this good." He gestured at the delicious roast sitting before them.
"I think I know what's wrong," Kai suggested. This was the perfect opportunity for him to play the victim and garner their sympathy. He wouldn't let it slip away. "He does not like me. I do not understand him or his behavior. He is so unlike the rest of you humans. He IS human like the rest of you, is he not?"
Major West laughed. "Sometimes I wonder, Kai." Judy lightly shoved an elbow at him, which quieted him for the time being.
"I have tried my best to be a friend to all of you, but with him, I have failed," Kai concluded.
"Oh, no. You haven't failed," Penny reassured him. "You mustn't blame yourself." She paused for an awkward moment, and Smith, who was listening at his cabin door, read into the silence. It said very clearly to him "Smith is to blame." The child was just too polite to give voice to that thought. She continued, "Doctor Smith will come around eventually. You'll see."
Smith sighed heavily and doubt began to creep into his thoughts. Could he have been wrong about Kai? No. He had never felt so strongly that he was right before. Smith questioned himself. Was holding onto that belief worth it? Look what it was costing him, the only family he had. But... what would it cost his family if he was right and he didn't warn them? His mind struggled with the dilemma. Either way he could end up losing them, unless there was some way to expose Kai for the wolf he truly was. That wouldn't be easy, he would have to find enough evidence to convince them, but they would thank him for it in the end. He comforted himself with the thought of the gratitude that would come when he saved them all.
