TEARS OF JOY

This is an AU based on the third-season episode entitled, "The Space Primevals."

            Trapped in the cave together, and almost out of air, Smith and West had made friends, even calling each other by first names.

            "You know, Don, now that we're finally friends, I wish more than ever that we could survive, so that we could have a long time to enjoy our new friendship," Smith said plaintively.

            West smiled gently. "I understand, Zachary. I wish we could, too."

            Smith went on, "But no matter what, I want you to know that, even at our worst, I never truly hated you, and I hope that you never really despised me."

            "No, I never did."

            "But I will confess that I genuinely feared you." Smith reached out and took West's hand. He led it to himself, and carefully molded the fingers into a fist. He laid his cheek softly against it. West smiled at the poignant gesture. Smith went on, "I was always so frightened you would hit me for real someday," Smith whispered into his former adversary's clenched fingers.

            "Well, I won't kid you," West replied, "I came very close many times."

            "I know you did. And I was terrified. I was always afraid of the Professor, too."

            West nodded. "With good reason. He was frequently tempted, also."

            "I know that he was. You know, of course, that while I wouldn't wish this predicament on anyone else," he said as he gestured at the cave around them, "I still can't help but wish the Professor could be here with us now, so that perhaps I could make up with him as well."

            "I understand, Zachary. I wish you could, too."

            It was shortly after that, that Robinson entered the greater cave above, and unsealed their smaller-cave entombment. But the larger cave entrance was now blocked. After struggling vainly against it for long moments, the Professor and the Major went to sit on either side of Smith where he slumped despondently on the floor. Smith looked from one to the other apprehensively.

            West smiled at him encouragingly. "Why don't you go ahead? You have your chance now."

            Smith looked from West to Robinson. The latter regarded him quizzically. "Your chance for what?" he asked, not unpleasantly.

            Smith swallowed. "Professor, while we were trapped down there, we became friends." He glanced at West. "We even began to call each other by first names."

            Robinson's brows rose.

            "And I remarked to Don that I wished I had an opportunity to make friends with you as well." He glanced self-consciously at West for reassurance.

            West put in, "And now I'm urging Zachary that this is a good time."

            Robinson smiled kindly. "Yes, it is. And I'll gladly give it a try if you will, Zachary."

            "Thank you, John." Smith reached out for Robinson's hand, and, as he had done with West, he slowly formed the fingers into a fist, which he laid upon his cheek. "For so long I've been afraid of you. It seems astonishing to be able to trust you now."

            Robinson smiled gently at the sight and symbolism of his own fist pressed against such vulnerable flesh. The image brought to mind the cliché of a "bull in a china closet."

            Having been through this stage himself before, West carefully extended his own fist and touched it to Smith's other cheek, carefully brushing his knuckles against the soft skin.

            Smith covered it with his free hand and leaned into it slightly, letting his eyes say a fervent prayer for future kindness and mercy, to both men.

            Their eyes responded that if he would behave and maintain the friendship bond, his prayer would be answered.

            Smith's eyes brimmed with tears of joy.