"What's wrong?" after all they had been through, they were back on earth, and no one knew what to do."Jake, my family just called me. They won't take me back in Germany because they're convinced I'm-" Ute couldn't bring herself to finish what her mother had said. She was the odd one out in her family's eyes, the black sheep. When she went to work on the space station, she'd been outed. Other than bare communication when it could not be avoided, they hadn't spoken in over 5 years.
"You don't have to finish. I'm pretty sure I can guess what they think. Don't want you because you've been to space and they haven't?" Ute nodded. "Well, until we know for sure what is happening , don't worry. They can't do anything other than just say anything as long as you are here."
Jake didn't know what else to say. He'd been in few situations where he had to talk to someone in a situation like this, and the fact they'd just come out of space and both of them would unlikely be alive without the other made it all the worse." I'm trying them again in the morning. But right now I just want to go to sleep."
"I get it. But you've got to go eat something first." Jake didn't want to say it, but Ute was worrying him. Her face was grey and she looked like she hadn't slept in days (which could be true, given the previous few days).
"I can't now. I'm too tired." Ute replied. She knew if she told Jake she just didn't want to eat he'd hear nothing of it. "Well, see you in the morning. I'd go back to my own van thing but we all have to stay here until further notice."
5 AM in the morning
"Lawson, are you awake?" Jake woke up to Fernandez shaking him gently. "It's got to be what, 5 in the morning? Can't this wait?" no response. "What is it"
"It's Ute. Apparently she woke up screaming ." He didn't have to say anymore. "Where is she?" was all he said. "Outside in the corridor. She's terrified." Jake stumbled out of bed and walked outside. Ute was shivering and tears were streaming down her face.
Jake crouched down on the floor next to her. "You're okay, shh you're okay. Just keep taking deep breaths..." It seemed to start working. "They all hated me... They were all yelling at me and calling me useless..."
"You're not useless Ute. You saved the entire planet from disaster yesterday. They just don't see it." Jake kept saying the same things and keeping a firm hold on Ute, who eventually seemed to calm down and relax. "Everyone will be getting up soon, but you need to go back to sleep. I'll cover for you."
"Thanks Jake. I don't think I should talk to them now." Ute said.
"After this and what you said to me yesterday, I'd be worried if you wanted to."
End of part 1
