Smith slathered on a layer of mud, then hefted another crudely shaped brick on top of another. It wasn't pretty, but he didn't have the time to make it so. It was functional and that was all that mattered at the moment. In three days' time, he had managed to get the walls of his cave's anteroom to a height of four feet. He placed a muddy hand on his back and stretched with a groan. Mud was caked on his knees, his arms up to his elbows, his forehead, and practically everywhere.

"My back shall never be the same, my dear," he lamented. He shot a look at the black cat. "I could use some help, you know", he griped, knowing full well that construction was not a task that cats could or would participate in. Artemis yawned as she stretched, then rolled over on her side with her back to Smith, paying him no heed.

He slumped on a nearby rock, resting his elbows on his knees, his mud-caked hands dangling above his equally mud-caked boots. He closed his eyes and surrendered to exhaustion for a moment, until an audible rumble from his belly reminded him he hadn't eaten in nearly six hours. Smith's complaining stomach was so loud that Artemis lifted her head in response. Grudgingly, she got up and ran off toward the tall grass to help in the only way she could, hunting for their next meal.

Smith acknowledged her departure with a grunt and decided he had no more energy to expend on construction for the day. He went down to the nearby river to wash his hands and face. Despite the chill in the air, his fastidious nature wouldn't allow him to remain dirty. So, he stripped off his muddy clothes and boots, washed them off in the river, and then hung them on a tree. For a few moments, he stood staring at the river, eager to scrub the rest of the mud and dirt from his body, but dreading how uncomfortable the task would be. Before he could change his mind, he plunged into the icy waters, determined to get it all over with. An involuntary scream escaped him as the shock of the water nearly paralyzed him. Shivering, he cleaned up as quickly as he could, grabbed his wet clothes, and ran back to the cave as expeditiously as his legs would carry him.

Once back at the cave, Smith slung his wet clothes over the branch of a nearby tree again and retreated into the warmth of the cave. He immediately headed towards the hot spring. Stepping into the pool, he submerged himself in the soothing waters. "Aahhhhhh," he sighed as the water enveloped him. Closing his eyes, he rested the back of his head against one of the rocks surrounding the pool.

The doctor imagined what life would be like once the structure he was building was complete. He envisioned a cozy home that he and Artemis would share, safe from the elements and unknown dangers. There were no luxuries or conveniences, like the Jupiter 2. The Jupiter 2 wasn't Earth, but it had been his home for several years and he missed it just as much as he did his home planet. He missed Will and Penny. He missed all of them.

Smith wondered what they'd think if the Robinsons and Major West could see him now. He wondered if they were still alive and, if so, did they think he was dead? No. He convinced himself they were gone and he'd never see them again. He'd live out his life on this rock alone, no other sentient lifeform to keep him company. Not even a Robot. Artemis was better than nothing, but he missed real conversation.

The doctor held his breath and slipped his head under the surface. For a brief moment, he considered inhaling deeply, but the survivor in him just couldn't do it. Instead, he released his breath in a stream of bubbles and re-surfaced, slicking back his hair with both hands. He heard a sound right behind him and his head snapped around to find the source. It was Artemis, her face just inches from his. He inhaled sharply at the surprise. Smith was about to admonish her for giving him a fright, but her stare unnerved him and left him speechless. He had the distinct feeling that she knew what he had thought about doing, however fleeting the thought was, and had come back to check on him. A sense of guilt overwhelmed him and he looked away.

Smith pulled himself up out of the spring and shook himself like a dog, since he didn't have the luxury of a towel with which to dry himself. He squeezed the excess water from his hair, which was now much longer than he'd ever worn it, and then walked over to the fire pit to build a fire. Artemis followed him as close as his own shadow. She chattered at him as he sat on a rock, poking at the growing fire with a stick. Smith tried to ignore her, but she continued, staring as intently at him as when he was in the spring. The doctor sighed and locked eyes with her again. It was as if she was staring into his very soul.

He cocked his head to one side and narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "You knew, didn't you?" he asked. "Somehow, you knew. Just like with the hunt. I didn't have to say a word. You just knew."

The sound she made in response sent chills down his spine. A rebuke, if ever he'd heard one. She sauntered over to him and sat on her haunches at his feet. She placed a paw on one of his knees and at that moment, Smith remembered he wasn't the only one who had suffered a loss. We're in this together. The phrase echoed in his head and for a moment, he couldn't be sure the thought was entirely his own.

Smith stroked her head and spoke softly, "I'm sorry, my dear. I am a weak man, dreadfully lacking in discipline. Even so, I should never have let my mind wander to such a dark place." He sighed. "You are fine company, to be sure, but you are not of my own species. I miss my family. I... I can't promise my mind won't stray there again," he admitted as he scratched behind her ear.

Artemis placed both front paws on Smith's knees, stood on her hind legs, and rubbed the top of her head underneath his chin. A sense of calm enveloped the doctor. He picked the cat up and held her to his chest and she continued to rub her cheeks against his.

"Soon, you will be too big for me to hold you like this," Smith stated, relishing the sensation of her soft fur against his face and the feeling of being loved unconditionally. "Better enjoy it while I can."