Calavicci thought for a moment that most anyone would be tempted by Thrace's words. Having such a convenient (albeit difficult) out was something most astronaut-hopefuls would quickly seize. He did have the confidence that she would survive -- they were the type to make their whole lives about just that -- but he wasn't sure how he would if he just left her there. Likely not well.

"I didn't leave you out in that desert and I'm not going to leave you now." He leaned his head so he could try to catch her eye. "Got it?" She might as well put that right out of her mind. Sure, Al could be just as self-serving as the next guy, but when it came to his friends, he was as loyal as loyal can be.

Pressing his face into her hair, Bingo was immediately struck with the rushing memories of their time together. It felt distant, far from this place and time thanks to a rigorous schedule he'd maintained for the six weeks since. Not so idly, he wondered what Kara had done with her time. Obviously she'd kept herself busy.

And, because he was intensely curious: "You really make all those repairs that quick?" He was impressed. More than impressed, in fact, since he'd been informally debriefed by Stern earlier.

[[*Memphis up there <.<]]