When Christy was finished she went to the exercise area. In about five minutes she stopped and looked at Kim, “I’m really tired. Just follow me back to my storage area.”

“You should be tired. You are on pain meds, had major surgery, and did exercise. And that storage area crap, no more of it as long as I’m in charge here. You are a part of this crew not a stowaway. I’m going past the galley and heading back to your area. Want anything?”

“Thanks. I could use something to drink.”

“Be back soon.”

Shane dropped off a drink for her a couple minutes later. Kim had gotten a call from the ground and was working on another issue.  He told her Dale was aware she wanted to see him. He was finishing setting up some cameras and should be in soon. As he was getting ready to leave she took his hand. “Thank you.”

The southern boy came out with, “Shucks, it wasn’t nothing. You are the real hero.”

“Don’t give me the ‘it wasn’t nothing’ story. You were as white as a sheet. I was concerned about you. But you kept on that camera and nobody else could have done it half as good. I could be dead if that wasn’t done right.”

He dropped his head. “Well. I usually pass out when I see blood. We do what we have to.”

She reached out and held his hand. “Thanks. Anyone who thinks you weren’t important and brave is dead wrong.”

“Well I didn’t do much.”

“Just what was needed to save my life.”

“But your legs. What?”

“Look at these.” She ran the videos of the thee DAK’s for him. “If they can do it, I can.”

“I don’t doubt you can do almost anything you try.  I’ll see you later. Thanks.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

She dozed a couple minutes. Dale came in, saw her sleeping and turned to leave. She woke as he was turning. “Don’t leave.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“I need to see you. If I remember you build stuff when you aren’t looking at stars.”  They had used the word McGuiver to describe him at times.

“Yes. Why?”

“Let me show you something. I don’t want to just sit here in storage till they come for me. There is a lot of work that to do and they are going to have to train someone else to do my work and send them up. That’s expensive.  It will take time and it will delay an important project.  We can’t afford that.” She showed him the videos of Maria and Patty. Then she showed him some stills of prosthesis.