"His backup for ISS is Emma Watson," said Woody Ellis. "We could send her up on STS 160. With Vance's crew." At the mention of Emma's name, Gordon was careful not to reveal any sign of special interest. Any emotion whatsoever.

"What do you think about Watson? Is she ready to go up three months early?"

"She's slated to relieve Bill. She's already up to speed on most of the onboard experiments. So I think that option is viable."

"Well, I'm not happy about it," said Bob Kittredge.

Gordon gave a tired sigh and turned to the shuttle commander.

"I didn't think you would be."

"Watson's an integral part of my crew. We've crystallized as a team. I hate to break it up."

"Your team's three months away from launch. You have time to make adjustments."

"You're making my job hard."

"Are you saying you can't get a new team crystallized in that time?"

Kittredge's mouth tightened. "All I'm saying is, my crew is already a working unit. We're not going to be happy about losing Watson."

Gordon looked at Hank. "What about the STS 160 crew? Vance and his team?"

"No problem from their end. Watson would just be another passenger on middeck. They'd deliver her to ISS like any other payload." Gordon thought it over. They were still talking about options, not certainties. Perhaps Debbie Haning would wake up fine and Bill could stay on ISS as scheduled. But like everyone else at NASA, Gordon had taught himself to plan for every contingency, to carry in his head a mental flow chart of what actions to follow should a, b, or c occur.

He looked at Woody Ellis for final confirmation. Woody gave a nod.

"Okay," said Gordon. "Find me Emma Watson."

She spotted him at the far end of the hospital hallway. He was talking to Hank Millar, and though his back was turned to her and was wearing standard green surgical scrubs, Emma knew it was Jack. Seven years of marriage had left ties of familiarity that beyond the mere recognition of his face.