When contact is lost with Mission Control, Commander John Dennington isn’t overly concerned. Such hiccups in communication are common. The first inkling of the larger problem occurs when he sees the very shape of the world change before his eyes.<br><br>John must ease his crew into a new mission and keep the Station together by any means necessary. The crew jeopardizes their chances by fighting his orders, but Jason Weiss, his mission specialist and the light of his life, makes John’s situation more bearable.<br><br>The smallest malfunction to Station or crew would spell the end for six astronauts trapped high above a ruined Earth. It’s their mission to carry on. Random chance of the universe hasn’t operated in their favor so far, but John is determined to see them all safely home.

Expedition 63 Book 1: Dusk

In a way, he did and they both knew it. John had made it abundantly clear over the years that Jason was entitled to everything John had. Up here was no different than down on the ground. Hell, he hoped their apartment had survived.


“You know,” John started after a moment. “I think we can zip these together, if you want.”


“You weren’t kidding about the sleeping together part,” Jason whispered, but his voice was light andamused, much to John’s relief.


“No, I wasn’t.” John pried apart his bag and showed Jason the zippers. “If we put one bag on top of the other and just use it as we would solo, it should work right.”


Jason took his bag and opened it fully. When he came at John with it draped all the way down his slender frame, John couldn’t help the smile that bloomed. He felt like a little kid goofing around when he madehis bed. It was the effect Jason had on him, some hidden talent that brought John’s inner child out so he could enjoy the world.


Chapter 23