A Joining of Thoughts:

Don didn't wait for orders. He rushed into the ship and re-emerged with three laser pistols. As Doctor Smith and Will rounded the ship, the Major handed him a laser.

"Strap this on, Smith. We've got company."

"Oh good heavens, more monsters…"

"Not this time," said West. "They look human, but I don't want to take any chances."

"I'll turn the power back up on the other two pistols, Don," Will said. "It will only take a minute."

West stepped beside John and handed him the weapon. The Professor strapped it on but turned to the Major and Smith, "Keep your weapons holstered unless I give the word."

Reluctantly, Don complied, but Doctor Smith still had his pistol drawn.

"Judy, stand by the force field."

The eldest Robinson daughter took her place behind the field generator.

"Ready, Dad."

Maureen looked to her husband, "John? Do you really think they mean us any harm?"

"I don't know yet, darling. Let's see what they do."

Slowly, Doctor Smith raised his weapon, "I have a clear shot, I can hit them from here…"

"Easy Smith," said John. "We don't know their intentions. They may not be hostile."

Robinson turned to see Smith, drawing a bead on the visitors.

"Smith! I told you to holster it!"

Doctor Smith deflated somewhat, "Of course, Professor. As you wish," he said, as he returned the weapon to its sheath.

"Dad, look at their clothing," said Penny. "It looks like something that the Native American Indians used to wear."

Two more of the strangers emerged from the woods. One of them was no taller than Will.

Two of the first group, a man and a woman, dropped what appeared to be primitive weapons on the ground. Leaving the others behind, they continued walking to the Robinson camp.

"I've seen this before," said John. "I think I know what they want."

He unstrapped the laser pistol and handed it to Don, "Maureen and I are going out there to meet them. Now, Don, I know you won't like this, but if they do attack, I don't want you to return fire. Activate the force field instead."

"You're right. I don't like this, John. Let me go with you…"

"No. I think this is similar to a Native American custom. The two people approaching are probably the leader and his wife. We'll meet in the open, unarmed."

John took his wife's hand, thinking that if he was wrong, he was placing her in jeopardy, but through a squeeze of her hand, she assured him that she trusted him implicitly.

At the force field generator Penny looked at her sister, "Do you think they'll be all right?"

"I think so," Judy said, not quite convinced herself.

"Dad usually knows what he's doing," Will added.

Thanks, little brother, thought Judy, I needed that.

"Will is right," Judy said. "He wouldn't take Mother out there unless he was sure it was safe."

...

As they approached each other, Professor Robinson took a mental assessment of his male counterpart. He looked to be in his mid forties with a rugged build and dark blonde hair. His complexion, while darker than his own, was much lighter than the Native Americans that had inhabited the plains, of his home planet, over two hundred years ago. His slate grey eyes looked ancient and Robinson could sense wisdom in them.

Maureen's counterpart was about her height but she could have been anywhere from twenty five to fifty. John couldn't tell. Her slender figure was topped with long ash blonde hair. By human standards, she would be considered very attractive. They both wore clothing made of tanned animal hides and the woman sported a jewel pendant that held a two carat stone which appeared to be a diamond.

The male spoke first, his voice having a resounding baritone timbre.

"Jarrock," he said, placing his hand on his chest.

The Professor followed suit, "John."

"Lana," said the woman, her voice was midrange and musical.

"Maureen," said Mrs. Robinson.

Jarrock spread his arms and indicated to the ground, and the two couples sat across from each other on the grass.

"Well, what now?" Maureen asked, not unkindly.

Lana and Jarrock joined hands, extending their free hands out to the Robinsons.

"John?"

"It's all right, Maureen," he said, assuring her as he took her hand. Together they joined hands with the other couple.

Jarrock and Lana closed their eyes, and for a moment John and Maureen felt nothing but peace. A warm euphoric feeling began to sweep over them and they realized that they could hear each other's thoughts.

...

In his mind, John heard his wife call his name and she appeared before him.

John, where are we?

Robinson could physically feel his wife's concern, but before he could speak, he felt that she had been reassured by his own thoughts.

I don't know, darling, I think we are still sitting in the field. Jarrock and Lana must have created a mind tree.

As he held her, he could feel the love that she felt for him. The raw intensity and strength of her love was overpowering.

John, I can feel everything, the love you have for me, the children. I knew that you loved me, but I had no idea…

Professor, Mrs. Robinson, do not be alarmed. It is I, Jarrock. Your supposition is correct. Lana and I have created a joining of our minds.

For communications? Maureen asked in her thoughts.

Yes Maureen, Jarrock and I have damped down the effect for you and your husband. Your love for each other runs very deep. It is seldom that we find a couple so in tuned to one another without the benefit of the joining.

It's a telepathic link, John.

When we break the joining, Lana and I will be able to speak with you. Your language is a difficult one, John Robinson.

Do you already know everything about us?

Only what you would choose to reveal, Professor Robinson. We know that you have no hostile intent, and you now know the same of us. May I suggest that we return to the real world so we may all be introduced to the others?

Of course.

...

Having left Will to tend to the force field, Judy walked over to Don. She could see that he was getting restless.

"I don't like this, Judy," said the Major.

"Easy, Don," she said, in an effort to assuage his fear. "I'm concerned as well. But, like Will just pointed out, Dad usually knows what he's doing. As long as they seem to be okay, I say we wait it out."

"All right, but if it looks like they are being hurt…"

"If it looks like they are being hurt, I'll lead the charge with you."

Don looked at her, seeing that she had strapped on the laser that Will had retuned. The look on her face said that she would broach no argument on the subject.

"Hey, look," said Penny. "They're standing up. Dad is shaking hands with one of them."

Visibly relieved, Don turned to his fiancée, taking her in his arms, "It looks like you were right."

She returned his embrace, "I could have just as easily been wrong. I'm glad you were here."

Don looked over his shoulder, "Smith, put the weapons away. It looks like we might have some new neighbors."

...

While John, Jarrock, and Lana, taught the Robinson's language to the rest of Lamotia Clan, Maureen returned to the camp to tell the others about their new found friends.

"It was like nothing I have ever experienced in my life," said Maureen, as she described the extraordinary encounter. "Jarrock and Lana created a mind tree. Your father and I communicated to them with just our thoughts."

"Mother, you're glowing," said Judy. "It must have been an incredible experience."

"There's more. John and I were able to feel each other's emotions. It was overpowering, for both of us. I don't think I've ever felt as close to your father as I do right now.

"Maybe we should give this mind tree a try," Don said to Judy. "What do you say?"

"Do you think they'd let us, Mother?" asked Judy.

"From what I gather from Lana, the joining across the sexes is only done within the bonds of marriage. Unless you are a family member, it is considered taboo for a man to touch the mind of a woman." Maureen quietly said to Judy, "After experiencing it with your father, I can understand why."

Judy and Don exchanged an unreadable look as John returned.

"How are you feeling, darling," said John, as he sat down next to his wife.

"Never better," she said. "I wonder if this will eventually wear off."

Jarrock had told the Professor that the aphrodisiac effect of the joining would indeed fade in time, but the memory of their encounter would endure forever.

"Jarrock says it will. Speaking of Jarrock," said John, addressing everyone. "He and his family will be joining us in a few minutes, so before they arrive, Maureen and I, have an announcement. After breakfast, Judy and Don came to see us. They would like, very much, to be married and this morning, we gave them our permission and our blessings…"

The cheers and applause had started before the Professor could finish. He rapped on the table for attention.

"Don, Judy, we wish you a long and happy life together."

"Mom, Dad, they're here," said Will, as Jarrock and his family approached.