Her time aboard the international space station done, Jane had returned to the blue pearl she loved and despised so much.
Three months of research and testing in microgravity, endless challenges, nausea, "fake" exercise, the smells, the terrible food. The novelty of being in space had worn off in a few weeks, and the last month had been pure drudgery. Of course, part of that could have been her resistance to come home to a divorce.
"The prick," as she had taken to calling him, had served her just before going up. She knew they were having problems, but clearly she hadn't realized how bad it was. Or how willing his single twenty-something co-worker had been.
In any case it took some time to get used to gravity again, and she walked around with nobby knees for a few days, always trying to look strong for the cameras. It took her those few days to get home to her flat in London, but when she did it was finally enough. As the door closed, a sigh let loose. She dropped her bags, looked at the lonely surroundings, then slumped against the door and started to cry.
The incident the last night on the station didn't help any. That southern belle from the States named Sam had seduced her. And she had enjoyed it. The other astronauts knew, of course, but were kind enough not to say anything. She was grateful for that at least. You couldn't eat a flake of cereal without everyone knowing.
So here she was, a so-called renowned scientists, one of Mother England's bright lights, freshly back from a stint on the space station, divorced, alone, and her thoughts drifting to a woman.
The problem was that they had landed in Kazakhstan and been separated quickly, each of the three returning astronauts going home. Which meant Sam went back to the States for her own debriefing, so even if Jane wanted to spend time with her, it was impossible. Fuck! It was a frustrating time.
***
The first day home was busy. Blood work, workups, the usual shit they subjected astronauts to. Two press interviews. Fake smile, good, stiff upper lip and all that. It was busy enough that she hadn't thought about Sam all day.
When she got home and finally checked her email, there was one from Sam. Jane's heart skipped a beat. Don't be silly, she thought, it's probably a sorry-I-can-never-see-you-again email. Wouldn't be the first one. Well, it would be the first one from a woman, but-
Oh shut up and open the goddamn email, she chided herself.
"Hey love, you're probably going through the same shit I am right now, hope you're doing alright! Thinking of visiting London. Could I crash? Buy you a pint?"
Holy shit. Reply. Pause. What to say? Keep it simple: "Absolutely you can crash, might be a bit cramped by American standards but it's pretty posh compared to where we spent the last few months! When were you thinking?"
Send. Wait. Breathe. She considered just going to bed, since it wasn't too likely she would get a reply right away, but just as she started to get up, it chimed. A new reply.
"Next Friday work?"
Next Friday, tomorrow, forever, of course you silly goose. Instead she wrote: "Absolutely! Let me know your flight and I can meet you at the airport!"
For the first time in forty eight hours, she smiled a genuine smile.
***
She was crazy. That's all there was to it. How else could she explain this fascination with a woman? Not that lesbians were crazy, but this wasn't Jane. Waiting breathlessly, anxious, nervousness betraying her actions.
Standing waiting at the international arrivals gate at Heathrow, she was struggling to stay calm, especially since a couple of people had recognized her. So much for her disguise of pulled back hair and sunglasses.
The gate opened, and passengers started filing through. The plane had apparently landed. Or a plane. The right one? Was she on it?
It only took a moment to find out, and as soon as Sam saw Jane standing there, that sunlight bright smile took over.
They embraced, and Sam kissed her on the cheek. "Hi Janey!"
"Welcome to England," was all she could muster.
***
The ride back to her flat had been filled with idle chit chat. Nothing that would have hinted at their intimacy. Jane was glad for it, since she truly hadn't figured out a damned thing yet, but it was heartbreaking at the same time. Was she sincere? Was this to be the Sam she knew? Or was this to be the Sam she loved?
Jane led her friend into the flat, helping with the luggage, and when the door closed she found the one she had hoped for.
Sam kissed her, hard, wrapping her arms around her neck. Everything Jane remembered, but better. Wet, soft, caressing, smooth, but this time strawberry too. Some kind of flavoured lip thing. She liked it.