Secrets:

While everyone else was asleep, Doctor Smith quietly exited his cabin and strode over to the Robot's programming station. The nightmare, he had suffered the night before, reminded him of a piece of damning evidence which he still had in his possession. Smith placed the programming cassette into the console and activated the unit.

On the display, the commands instructing the Robot to sabotage the Jupiter 2 came up on the screen. Smith typed in the instructions to format the media, erasing the evidence of his duplicity. Be exorcized, ghost of my wretched past, he thought.

Smith's mood sobered, when he read the error message; INVAILD COMMAND, MEDIA READ-ONLY.

"Invalid command indeed," he muttered. "Well, there is more than one way to skin a cat."

Smith removed the data cassette and switched off the station. He wandered into the lab area and opened the waste disposal. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the cassette into the garbage.

Satisfied that he had buried the evidence, Smith returned to his cabin, looking forward to a good night's sleep. Unbeknownst to him, his show of flourish had altered the path of the data tape, causing it to land behind the waste container.

...

The next morning, John and Maureen sat in the galley quietly talking over their morning coffee. The rest of the family was still asleep.

"Darling, you never told me how your conversation with Judy went, yesterday," said John.

"I almost forgot about it," Maureen responded. "I think we can relax. Judy told me that she has been saving herself for their wedding night, but she admitted to cuddling with him in his bed."

"So she was in Don's cabin…"

"Yes, she was, and that wasn't the first time."

They looked at each other for a moment before she continued, "No, John, I don't really approve, but, they are adults and they have been discreet about it. This is the first time in almost three years that we suspected anything. Besides, in a couple weeks, they are going to be sharing the same bed, as husband and wife. We had better get used to the idea. The Jupiter 2 is just as much their home as it is ours."

"I suppose you're right. I'm just glad it was you and I who met with Jarrock and Lana, and not Don and Judy," he said. "They wouldn't be able to keep their hands off of each other."

"You mean, like us," Maureen quipped.

"That's different."

"You know, John, I would never have thought that our marriage needed a shot in the arm, but between Judy's comment and joining with you yesterday, I feel more alive than I have since our honeymoon. It seems that we spend all our time just trying to survive. It felt good to just live again."

"Do you want to settle here, Maureen?"

"Will, brought up a very good point. We could get back into space, find Alpha Centauri, and end up being the only inhabitants. I just don't know if that is the right decision anymore."

"And the Jupiter 2?" he asked.

"I know it's a lot of work, but, I think we should finish repairing the ship, even if we decide to stay. Being able to leave in a hurry has saved all of our lives, more than once."

"I wasn't going to tell you this right now, sweetheart, but Don and I found another problem yesterday. It's very serious, Maureen. Much worse than I thought."

"Oh, John…"

"The truth is we may not be able to leave for a very long time, if at all. The main drive unit underneath the ship is showing signs of stress fractures. To repair it, Don and I are going to have to get the ship off its belly…"

"And the only way to do that, is to engage the drive," Maureen finished for him.

"Or manually jack the ship up. Either way, it's risky. We won't know for certain until we can do a load power test and that's months away."

"Does Judy know?"

"Don was going to tell her last night," said John. "I think they are leaning towards settling here anyway, and to be honest, in light of recent events, so am I."

"Then let's make it unanimous, because, I was thinking the same thing."

...

After breakfast, the family met outside the ship. John, Don, and Doctor Smith all had backpacks with the relay station components.

"We are going to have to wait until the chariot has been assembled to bring up the weather station equipment. It's too heavy to carry all at once," said John.

"The girls and I were going to assemble it this morning," said Maureen. "With the auxiliary power units functioning now, we can open the bay doors automatically."

"Good idea. Why don't you bring the weather equipment to the site when you finish? By the time we get the relay station installed, it will be late morning and if the gear is delivered, we can finish up by early this afternoon."

"All right," said Maureen. "I'll send Will and Judy up with the equipment once we finish. Don't forget, we have a dinner engagement this evening."

"I won't, darling," said John, as he kissed his wife.

"Will and I are going to bring lunch," Judy said to Don, mirroring her parents.

"Who's going to be driving?"

"I need the practice more than Will does. Dad will let him drive on the way back. You and I can sit in the back seat and snuggle," Judy said, with an impish grin.

"Miss Robinson, I like the way you think."

"Let's go, Don," said the Professor.

He kissed Judy one last time and the three men set out for the foot hills east of the ship.

Maureen made her way to her daughter's side.

"Mother, do you ever get over worrying, anytime Dad goes off?"

"It gets easier over time, but no, I never stop worrying. We just learn to deal with it, just like you and Don will."

Judy took comfort in the fact that her mother understood.

Maureen stood with her daughter as they both watched their significant others march towards the hillside.

"Well, let's get this chariot assembled. I want to show our men that we aren't a group of helpless women."

"Okay, Mother, I'm coming."

...

On the way up the ridge, John and Don were discussing the Lamotia Clan.

"Maureen ran the tests, yesterday afternoon, after they returned to their village. There is no question, they're human," said John."

"Really? That's incredible. Parallel Evolution?" asked Don.

"Or, we all came from one origin. The only difference in the base pairs, was the genes that control ESP or in their case telepathy."

"What made Maureen decide to run the test?"

"After watching the children interact yesterday, she and Lana started talking about the future. You know, Don, I've always admired Maureen's practical side. It gives her strength of character that I would be lost without."

"The two of you complement each other so well. I only hope Judy and I can do half as well…"

"You will, Don. Trust me."

Doctor Smith chose that moment to chime in.

"Am I to understand that these people are human?"

Robinson stopped and turned to face him, "That's right, Doctor Smith, they are just as human as you or I."

"But, how is that possible, Professor," Smith retorted. "We have no idea where we are in relation to Earth, and there are certainly no records or evidence of a mass exodus in our history."

"I'm not suggesting that they are from Earth, Doctor Smith. As I'm sure you are aware, there are many theories as to the origin of mankind. How do we know that our planet wasn't colonized by their ancestors, just like we are now beginning to colonize other worlds?"

"You make an interesting argument, Professor, however, I still do not trust them."

"You don't trust anybody, Smith, because you can't be trusted yourself," added Don.

"Spare me, the poisonous barbs, Major, I expected you, of all people, to be more sensible on the subject. Or has Miss Judy removed your fangs?"

Don turned to lunge at Smith, but John stopped him, "Easy, Don, he's trying to goad you. It's not worth getting upset over."

"I quite agree, Professor. Please tell Major West to control his Neanderthal behavior."

"That's enough out of you too, Smith, and you keep my daughter out of this."

"Of course, Professor, forgive me…"

"And one more thing, I didn't much care for your opinion of our guests, but what you think about them, is your business. I expect you to keep your opinions to yourself. So help me God, if you do anything to upset the mutual trust that we've established, like you did with the Taurons, I'll clap you in irons and let Don, skin you alive. Do we understand each other?"

"I assure you, Professor Robinson, violence is unnecessary," Smith said, indignantly.

Starting back up the hill, Don said quietly to John, "Sorry, he still knows how to get under my skin."

"That makes two of us, Don."

"You know, John, even though he's been helping by pulling his weight, he's still the same old Smith."

...

By mid morning, Mrs. Robinson and her children had completed the assembly of the chariot. In the driver's seat, Maureen revved the engine while Will made a few final adjustments to the power units.

"That should do it, Mom."

Maureen turned off the engine and praised her son, "Thanks, Will. I know you wanted to go with your father, but it is nice to have a man around the house."

"Aw, Mom, you're just trying to make me feel good…"

"No, it's not that at all. There are quite a few things that you are able to do that your sisters and I aren't capable of. I depend on you much more than you know."

"Thanks."

The gear was already loaded and Judy climbed into the driver's seat just vacated by her mother. She handed Will a laser pistol.

"Thanks Judy," he said, sliding into the passenger seat next to his sister.

Maureen climbed out of the chariot and spoke to them before closing the door, "Now, you two be careful. Your father said that the terrain is rough as you climb the ridge."

"We will, Mother," said Judy, rolling her eyes. Will caught her and had to suppress a grin.

Maureen closed the door and Judy started the engine and put the vehicle in gear. Slowly, she depressed the accelerator and the chariot lumbered forward. In a few minutes, she had reacquainted herself with the vehicle and she increased the chariot's speed.

"In three years, I've only gotten to drive this twice," she said.

"Judging from Mom's reaction, you would think you've never driven before. Gosh, Judy, you and Don are going to be married soon and sometimes Mom still treats you like a child."

"Tell me about it," she said.

They rode in silence for a while as she considered what her younger brother had said. At twenty two, her mother still sometimes treated her like she was still only twelve. Although, your behavior the other day wasn't very mature, was it?

"Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on her, Will. At least we know that she cares about us. When I was in high school, so many of my classmates got to do whatever they wanted to. I used to be so jealous of them, until they ended up in trouble. Looking back now, I'm glad Mother and Dad were strict."

"I wish I had a little more freedom," said Will. "I know Mom needs my help with things, but lately it seems that I always get stuck with the girls."

"Oh, I see," Judy said, feigning hurt.

"I'm sorry, Judy. I don't mean you."

"You didn't seem to mind spending time with Brina, yesterday. She's a girl."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, but we had fun together," said Will. "Judy, can I tell you something?"

"Of course, Will."

"Do you remember when we went back in time and landed on Earth?"

"Yes, I do," said Judy, wistfully. She and Don had planned on getting married soon after they landed. Finding out that they were out of their own time had ruined their plans, and broken her heart.

"I met one of the girls from Manitou Junction, her name was Stacey. Please don't tell Penny this, I'll never hear the end of it, but, after we left, I found out that I missed her. If we decide to leave here, I'm think I'm going to miss Brina."

Judy smiled, "Your growing up, Will. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I think Penny is a bit preoccupied right now."

"That won't stop her from teasing me," Will added.

"Maybe, but your secret is safe with me. But you have to promise me something in return."

"Sure, Judy."

"Leaving camp without telling anyone was very irresponsible of me. I came very close to losing my life. I want you to promise me that you won't make the same mistake. Will, since leaving Earth, we've all had to grow up fast and in some ways, you've surpassed Penny and I."

"You really think so?"

"Before we crashed here, Don taught me some of the basics of flying the Jupiter. I can make it fly a straight course, make some simple course corrections, make and break orbit. With Mom's help, I could handle an emergency lift-off. But you can really fly it, almost as well as Dad and Don. Not to mention being able to fly the space pod. That's quite an accomplishment for a thirteen year old. I haven't contributed nearly as much to our survival. Even Penny has much more aptitude in the sciences than I do…"

"You shouldn't sell yourself short, Judy. If we had to depend on me to try to grow food to eat, we'd all starve. We've had to all work together to survive."

Judy pulled hard on the right stick and the chariot rounded the tight corner. The hill was a twelve degree pitch and the engine labored as the vehicle negotiated the rough terrain.

Maneuvering the chariot had given her a chance to consider what her brother had said.

"Just promise me that you'll think before you act, okay, Will?"

"I promise."