February 22, 1992 — Cape Canaveral, FL
9:00 AM, EST

The bright lights of the waiting room stung Shelby's sensitive green eyes, even from under the trusty dark lenses of her Ray Bans. Though it had been a week since the incident, she was still suffering from her concussion, and the artificially bright room didn't help.

She sat outside of a psychologist's office, an outside source that NASA had hired to evaluate the crew, along with Ethan Wilson, Chris Walker and Adam Mitchell. The surviving members of the Tenacity team had finally been called in for their psychological evaluations, something Shelby had dreaded since the day of Dr. Feldstein's funeral.

"I would hate for you to bring up such hysterics there, and lose your place with NASA."

Dr. Croft's words echoed through Shelby's mind as she sat quietly.

"Guys, I have to tell you something," Shelby said, twisting her hands nervously in her lap.

The rest of the crewmembers turned towards the redhead. "What is it, Red?" Wilson asked.

"A few months ago, I overheard a conversation in Dr. Croft's office."

She continued to describe the contents of the conversation, the mention of extraterrestrials, and the connection she'd made between that conversation and the incident during the Tenacity's return from the moon, and subsequently Dr. Feldstein's death.

She then told them about Dr. Croft's threat.

They all looked uncomfortable, but none of them more than Walker.

"He wants us to lie?" Walker asked, shifting in his seat.

"Not lie as much as hide the truth," Shelby sighed. "But we can't afford to do that. We can't dishonor Dr. Feldstein's memory like that. He would want the truth to be out there."

Wilson scoffed. "I can't believe this is real life," he said with a shake of his head. "They'll think that we're crazy. Or, if they don't, Dr. Croft will convince them they are."

"If we all go in there and say the same thing, they can't think we're all crazy. If we were all crazy, we wouldn't go in there and all say the same thing," Shelby said. "We have to tell the truth, the whole truth. For Dr. Feldstein."

The group was silent for a moment before Adam spoke up. "For Dr. Feldstein."

Walker nodded. "I can't go in there and lie, not while knowing NASA is trying it's damndest to cover this up."

"If we go down, we go down fighting, right?" A flicker of a smile appeared on Wilson's face.

Shelby nodded. She didn't want anything to happen to their careers at NASA, but for the truth, she was willing to sacrifice her position.

"If we don't at least try, I couldn't live with myself," Adam said. "Not here, not where ... where everything reminds me of what happened."

"The whole truth, then," Wilson said, scooting his chair in towards the others. "This feels like a 'hands-in' moment. Is this a 'hands-in' moment?" He asked, reaching forward with his hand.

For the first time since the incident, a genuine laugh escaped Shelby's mouth. "Ethan. Come on now."

He grinned. "What's that, Colewell? Was that a smile?"

"Yes, I think this deserves a 'hands-in,' as you say," Adam replied, putting his hand on top of Wilson's.

"Aww, what the hell," Walker placed his hand in the center.

The boys looked expectantly at Shelby, who rolled her eyes and placed her hands on top. Instead of cheering or yelling as was common to a "hands-in" moment, the group held onto each other's hands, as if they needed each other's strength for what they were about to do.

The office door opened, and the psychologist walked out, clipboard in hand. "Dr. Colewell, are you ready? You're up first."

Shelby glanced at her crewmates, who all gave her a silent look of encouragement. She stood and removed her sunglasses, then followed the psychologist to the office.

"I hope you have enough paper," Shelby said confidently as the door closed behind them. "Because I have a lot to say."

March 3, 1992 — Cape Canaveral, FL

10:26 AM, EST

Over a week after being evaluated by the psychological team, Shelby found herself in the company of her Tenacity crewmates once again. They were still all on administrative leave following their return from space, but Walker had called them all to the local coffee shop to meet up and enjoy each other's company. Shelby was growing lonely in her apartment, as Maggie worked long hours and Tony had long ago returned to New York, so she was glad to receive Walker's coffee invitation.

She ordered a cup of the house brew they had on special, then took a seat at an empty booth as she waited for the others to arrive. She dumped a packet of sugar and a dash of creamer into the mug, stirring it absentmindedly as she watched the door.

Soon enough Adam arrived, and she watched him order his favorite cup of earl grey tea before he took a seat across from her.

"Hey." He offered a polite smile as he sat down. "How's it going?"

Shelby smiled and pointed to her head. "I'm cleared from my concussion, so I'll say pretty good."

"Nice," Adam nodded, awkwardly staring at his tea as he bobbed the bag up and down.

"How are you?" She asked. They'd been through so much together, but when they were alone, things were still awkward between the two exes.

He shrugged. "Things could be better."

"Right."

The door jingled, alerting another customer, and Shelby was happy to see Wilson walk inside. He got his Cafe Americano and took a seat next to Shelby, not a single word escaping his lips.

She frowned, watching as he stared blankly at his cup.

A silent Swampy was a curious Swampy.

Before she could say anything more, Walker entered the store. He made a beeline for the booth, not even bothering to grab a drink, though it had been his idea in the first place.

"Hi, everyone." Walker folded his hands on the table and let out a deep sigh. "I've got some news."

The grip on Shelby's mug tightened, and she felt her pulse quicken as she waited for Walker's news. "What's that?" She asked, though the sinking feeling in her stomach told her she already knew what he was about to say.

"I've taken back my old position in the Navy," Walker said, and Shelby felt her heart sink.

"What? Why?" Shelby said, her hands clenching into nervous fists beside her.

He sighed. "I need something more stable. I never thought I'd call the US military stable, but ... I can't keep doing this back and forth with NASA. I have a family. I have to do what's best for them. What if something were to happen to me? Would NASA cover the truth up too, the way they did with Joe's death?"

Shelby wanted to protest, but she knew he was right. She couldn't convince him otherwise.

Wilson cleared his throat, speaking for the first time that morning. "I'm going back as well. I've been offered a promotion in the Air Force, and I'd be silly not to take it. I mean, classified shit still happens there, but at least I won't be another casualty brushed under Dr. Croft's rug."

Shelby's heart was now in her throat, and she couldn't quite get any words out. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes and she looked down at her coffee.

Her team was falling apart.

"I don't blame either of you," Adam said. "To say the least, I'm not pleased with how NASA's been handling this investigation."

"With the Navy, I know the routine," Wilson said. "I don't have to constantly question whether I need to be watching my back, or wondering when the bosses are going to come marching down to my office and demand for my resignation because I told a truth they didn't want people to know."

"Or if they'll knock on my door when my kids are home, and if I'm putting them in danger because of that potential risk," Walker added.

Shelby felt each of their eyes on her, as if they were awaiting her response.

"I'm sorry to see you all go," she said quietly. "But I wish you the best of luck. You're all like family to me, I hope you know that."

Wilson wrapped his arm around her shoulder, giving her a friendly squeeze. "Aww shucks, Red. You're going to make me cry."

Walker reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "You know you'll always be my baby redheaded sister, Colewell. If you ever find yourself in Charleston, give me a call."

"Same with me, but D.C.," Wilson said. "All of y'all. I mean it. Shelby's right -- we are a family. A multicultural, dysfunctional, been-through-hell-and-back family. Damn, I'm not afraid to say it -- I love y'all."

Shelby pulled the boys to their feet, wrapping her arms around them in a tight hug. As she relished what might have been the last Tenacity group hug, she looked towards the future, wondering what fate had in mind for Shelby Colewell.