To my lovely reviewers:

Guest(1): I'm glad.

Guest(2): I hope to really explore Judy in this fic.

max2013: I'm sorry for the delay. Real life has been kicking my butt a lot lately.

DJ: I will continue to write this. Slowly but surely. Thank you for continuing to read.

Thank you all for your support and patience. It means a lot to me.


Once the Robinsons had set up camp, they were free to explore the planet. (As long as they didn't go far and were back for dinner). Penny and Judy had decided to pick some fruit and plants for their mother to test.

"Wow! Look over there!" Penny exclaimed, her eyes wide as she pointed at the trees. "They look just like apples."

Judy let out a small huff as she shifted her basket to her other arm. "You don't have to keep pointing out the similarities to Earth fruit. I can see that for myself."

Penny grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. I'm just so excited. The flora is Earth like, and I saw some birds that looked just like doves. It's like we're back home."

Her sister frowned as they moved to the trees, plucking the alien apples from the branches. "Yes, it is only missing restaurants, Broadway, and of course, other people." It wasn't that she didn't love the lush green landscape which was a very welcome sight compared to the barren worlds they visited. But she still wished that they could find some civilizations and not be forced to forage and scavenge like pioneers.

"You sound like Doctor Smith," Penny commented with a snort.

Judy straightened, lifted her nose in the air and said in the haughtiest tone she could manage: "Indeed. How dare you!"

Penny burst into laughter. Judy couldn't help giggle in spite of herself. Once her sister had paused to breathe, she added. "Actually, while we were landing, I had a thought that we had landed somewhere dark and dreary. Imagine my horror when Dr. Smith repeated the same sentiment verbatim."

"Oh dear, I think you might be becoming a pessimist," Penny remarked with faux horror.

"I think I'm just tired of nothing changing," contradicted Judy with a heavy sigh. "It is always the same thing. We just go from planet to planet. Every time I think something is going to go differently, it ends up the same way."

Penny opened her mouth to respond when Don appeared, carrying a box in his hands. He was scowling but it lightened when he saw them.

"Hey, there's my two favorite Robinson sisters."

"Do you know many Robinson sisters?" Penny snarked. Judy said nothing, keeping her eyes on the apples, acting as though she hadn't seen him.

"No. But if I did, you would be my favorite," Don insisted with a chuckle. He glanced over at Judy, noticing she seemed to be purposely ignoring him. "Uh, Penny, can you do me a favor and take this stuff to your dad."

Penny glanced between Don and Judy and decided that she should make herself scarce. She quickly took the box from him, said her goodbyes before rushing off in the direction of her father.

"Judy?" Don tried to meet her eyes. "Did I say something wrong?" They had only landed a few hours ago and other than that brief conversation, they hadn't interacted.

She couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "You'd have to say more than a few sentences to me for that."

"Come on, that's not fair," Don protested, spreading his hands defensively.

"In fact, we've barely had a conversation in the past two months," noted Judy. "Let alone any quality time together. I'm beginning to wonder if you are avoiding me."

"What are you talking about?" Don questioned, bewildered. He had no idea where she had gotten that notion from. "Why would I be avoiding you?"

"I don't know." Judy leaned on the tree, still avoiding his gaze. "Maybe you regret…you know what." She didn't dare utter their coupling out loud least someone was listening nearby.

Don stared at her for a few minutes before he realized she was talking about the night they consummated their relationship. He quickly went to Judy, wrapping his arms around her. "Judy, that was the best night of my life. Of course, I don't regret it. I admit that I've been a little distant, but that's only because I've had a lot on my mind."

"Like what?" Judy reached up to stroke his cheek.

"You. Me. Alpha Centauri," Don explained, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Alpha Centauri?" she repeated, her heart plummeting. "You mean the place we might never get to."

"We will eventually," insisted Don, conviction ringing in his voice. "And when we do, we can get married, build a house, start a family."

A wave of frustration overwhelmed Judy. "I don't want to wait for my life to start. Especially when there is a possibility it never will." With a huff, she pushed Don's arms away and began to walk back towards the ship.

Don called after her, but she ignored him.


Judy returned to the Jupiter, her basket of apples still flung over her shoulder. She spotted Will at the force field generator with a toolbox.

"Will, is something wrong?" she inquired, glad for a distraction. She went around so she could peer over his shoulder.

"I'm not sure," Will admitted, focused on his work. "The force field keeps flickering. Where's Penny? With Dad and Don at the drill site, I might need her help."

But not mine, Judy guessed, biting her tongue. She was certain Will hadn't meant it like that. But the fact that he wanted Penny's help over hers was a reminder of how her younger siblings would always be smarter than her. "She is doing an errand for Don. I'm sure she'll be home shortly."

Without giving Will a chance to respond, she marched inside the ship and was immediately assaulted by a repugnant smell.

"What is that?!" she exclaimed.

"What is what, dear?" Maureen inquired as she came up the elevator.

"That stink." Judy pressed a hand to her mouth. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Maureen's brows knitted in concern as she went over to her daughter. "I don't smell anything."

"Ugh, I need some air." Judy deposited the basked of apples in her mother's arms before fleeing outside to hydroponic garden, hoping to get away from whatever was causing that smell.

She wondered if it could get any worse.