The days passed slowly as Lance and Keith watched Sven sink deeper and deeper into a well of despair. They were surprised that he kept going to his councilor. They were sure he would have stopped seeing her as soon as it was possible.

Marshall Graham was disappointed to hear what Keith had to say about Sven's continuing education. He urged Keith and Lance to continue urging Sven to start doing the lessons that they had prepared for him because he felt deep in his heart that Sven would never meet all the requirements before the final exam.

They were surprised at how fast the two weeks went by. They followed the trial coverage very closely through the media and through the bits and pieces they could pry out of Sven.

They were ecstatic to learn that the doctor had been convicted on all charges that had been brought against him. He was ordered to pay pain and suffering to all his victims and sentenced to life in a maximum-security prison.

Keith and Lance turned off the TV as the report ended. "Well, it's finally over for Sven. Now he can begin to heal."Let's hope so. Have you seen him today?" "No, though he might be down in the park. Pidge and Chip told me they have seen him down there a couple of times after school."

At that moment the door opened and Sven came in. For once he wasn’t in his custom jeans and hooded sweatshirt. He wore clam diggers, sandals, and a t- shirt. Keith and Lance had to do a double take, not only at the sudden change of attire but they knew it was warm out but not that warm.

He came over and sat on the armchair diagonal to the couch.

"I've had a lot of time to think these past couple of weeks when I have not been needed at the trial. "I've gone to the park or on the trails just to be alone. I really appreciate you leaving me alone as well. Giving me my privacy has really meant a lot to me.

"I think I have come to a decision. You were right when you said that if I didn’t finish this year I would lose all that I had worked for so far, plus all the money that I had put into it. You were right when you said that going into space was the one thing that truly made me happy. Even though it only showed on the outside for a little while but on the inside it was all I could think about but as you knew other things haunted me as well.

"But now I think that it's time that I start to put my life back together. I am ready to begin whenever you are. I know I must have sounded really ungrateful but I was just so upset that I had allowed myself to be suckered in the way that I was, especially where my health was concerned.

"Will you guys ever forgive me for being such a jerk?"

Keith and Lance went to Sven and gave him huge hugs. Sven accepted them with open arms. He was so glad to have their friendship and support. He knew he was going to be all right now, thanks to his friends.

Over the next couple of months Sven was surprised at how well laid out and detailed they had made each lesson. There was a lot of material to cover but each lesson seemed real easy and Sven was quick to catch on.

Marshall Graham was really proud of Sven's progress and recorded the marks as they came in as if Sven had actually been attending class. He was doing so good that he didn't need to attend classes if he got caught up and had time to spare. Sven was glad for that. He had a lot of energy but not enough to tolerate a days worth of classes.

When it came time for final exam registration, Sven started to get nervous. He knew he knew and understood all the material and had done well on the reviews. Even the mock exams that Keith and Lance had done up for him, he had passed them with flying colors.

Lance patted Sven lightly on the shoulder as they handed in their registration papers.

"Well, it's done. There's no turning back now. Starting Monday we'll see how good a tutors Keith and I actually are."

"Don't make me any more nervous than I all ready am. I don't know if I can do this after all."

"You're not going to chicken out on us now. How about we go out tonight, all three of us? To the campus bar, it'll relax you. Have some fun for once in your life."

"Well, okay."

"Great, you won't regret it. You'll have the time of your life."

"Your right. For once an actual idea you had, Lance, actually worked. I feel great. So, where's Carly? Aren't you two an item anymore?"

"Oh yeah, we're still an item but she's working tonight at Darcy's. Marla got sick and Carly had to take her shift cause Alison couldn't handle it all on her own. She still fairly new there."

Sven shook his head and laughed. "Keep it up, Lance, and you'll be grounded with a little bundle of joy."
"Won't happen. She's on the little magic pill." Keith and Lance exchanged glances and snickered.
"Suuurrrree." Keith laughed. Lisa Robinson came up to them at that moment. She had long, black hair piled high on her head with soft ringlets hanging down around her face. She was a beautiful girl and Sven secretly wished that she would get chosen for the space program as well. He, definitely, wanted to be in space with her.

"Well, hello. Good to see you looking so well. I see your hair has grown back."

"Yeah, it didn't take long."

"I'm so glad you made it this far. You've come a long way. How do you think you'll do on the exams?"

Sven shivered slightly. "Thanks Lisa. Just when I thought I had forgotten about them."
Lisa smiled as she patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll do fine. Keith and Lance did a really good thing and your marks show it. Marshall Graham used them for your official classroom marks so that should say something."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Well, let's forget about that now. I'm a little nervous myself but I think a few more drinks and a few dances with you and I think I'll be fine."

Sven put his arms around Lisa's waist and guided her to the dance floor. He brought her close and gently waltzed her around the small dance floor. He loved the smell of her perfume and the lightness of her touch.

He leaned down and lightly whispered in her ear.

"You are such a beautiful woman."

"Thank you." She whispered back. She looked up into Sven's eyes and smiled.

Sven smiled back. He had wanted to date Lisa for so long but had been too afraid to pursue it. A girl like her wouldn't want to be with the likes of him.

Lisa reached up and touched Sven's face. She seemed to know what he was thinking. She had wanted him to ask her out but she really didn't think he liked her all that much. She also harbored other thoughts about Sven but forced them down.

She wanted to but not here, not now. Plus how could she be sure that he had or wanted to or even if he did, would he want her?

"Want to go for a walk?" She asked. "Sure." Sven smiled.
They walked quite a distance before speaking. "Next year we will be starting our specialized programs. W'll all get split up, it may be a long time before we see each other again." Lisa whispered.

"Yeah. Three years worth of that crap then we get our assignments."
"Yeah but it'll be worth it." "Not if I don't get to be close to you."
"Do you really mean that?" "Yeah, I do." Lisa wrapped her arms around Sven's neck and kissed him deeply. He lightly touched her cheek.

By that time they had made their way back to Lisa's dorm. She had a room to herself so she invited him in.

They kissed again and Sven felt brave enough to let his hand stray. Lisa felt her nerves tingle but didn't push his hand away as Sven slid it down her thigh.

He started to kiss lightly down her neck. Oh, good it felt. She responded, nudging her head closer. Could this really lead to love making? Would she give herself to him if he asked? Was he thinking the same things as she was?

Oh yes, he was thinking the same things as she was. He was as nervous as she was. He did want to make love to her right now but would she let him. He knew that she had dated other men but didn't know if she had had sex before.

He had had sex before but had found it uncomfortable and pleasureless. Would it be different with her or would he disappoint himself as well as her? He knew there was only one way to find out.

She moved away from him and took his hand. She gently guided him towards her bedroom. She closed the door then allowed him to guide her to the bed.

She sat down and looked at him. She had been this close to a few guys but as close as they got was a serious make out session on the bed. Would she get further with Sven or would it just fizzle out?

She was just as equally uncertain of the outcome. She could see the sudden uncertainty in her eyes. He knew someone had to make the first move otherwise they would be standing there staring at each other all night.

Sven moved and sat on the bed next to her. It was up to him. He leaned in to kiss her and brought his hand up to rub her breast. She gave a small moan of pleasure. Sven reached over and turned off the lamp. That was the last light they saw.

When Sven opened his eyes, it was just starting to get daylight. He looked over to Lisa who was sleeping soundly. The night had been excellent. It had been a unique experience for both of them. There had been both pain and pleasure but the pleasure far outweighed the little bit of pain that had come.

Lisa slowly opened her eyes. "I suppose you gotta go home now."
"Yeah, but I'll stay if you want me to." "No, that's okay. I'll be fine. Ginger is coming over around 8 to stay with me and get some studying done. That's only a couple of hours away. I think I'll go back to sleep until then."

"Okay." Sven gave her a light kiss, got dressed, and quietly left.

Sven walked a brisk pace back to the apartment. He felt more alive than he had ever been. He felt like he was walking on air. He prayed that he and Lisa would continue their relationship. He even dared to hope that they would get the same assignments.

He opened the apartment door and let it close with a loud bang. Lance's head whipped up from the couch.

"Sven? You're back." "Yeah, and I feel great. Life couldn't be better."
Lance sat up slowly on the couch and rubbed his eyes. "So, where were you?"
"With Lisa." Lance arched an eyebrow.
"All night?" "All night." Sven's eyes twinkled brightly. "The next thing you're going to tell me is that you and Lisa landed in the sack."

"Crudely put but yeah, and it was great. The best." "Gonna share any details?"
"Not this time, sorry buddy." Lance got up, went to Sven, and patted him on the shoulder.
"Understood and I don't mind." Sven smiled as he headed towards his room. He came out after a few minutes with fresh clothes and went to the bathroom. Keith came out of his bedroom a few minutes later.

"What's all the noise about?" "Sven was with Lisa last night."
"All night?" "Yeah, all night. Take a wild guess at what they were doing and it wasn't gin rummy."

Keith licked his lips.

"Bastard." He whispered harshly. "How in the hell did he manage to do that?"

"He wouldn't say but what I say is that he was looking great and well on road to recovery."

"Now the only thing left to do is get him through the final exams and our job is done."

"Done and done."

Monday came fast for everyone. No one wanted to do their exams and had wished for all sorts of delays but none was forth coming.

Lance and Keith tried to reassure Sven that he would do fine on his exams but Sven could tell that Lance and Sven were just as nervous as he was.

But it was proven that they had nothing to worry about after all. They found that knew and understood all the material that was being presented to them.

Lance couldn't resist looking up from his papers to see how Sven was doing. He could tell by the set of Sven's shoulders that he was relaxed and doing fine. He shifted his gaze over to Keith and could see his face.

His expression was confused and he was tapping his pencil. He must be on the math problems; Lance thought to himself, if it's the problem I was stopped on, he's going to be thinking for a while.

But when Lance looked up again Keith expression was relaxed and a vicious little smirk was on his face as he wrote furiously. Keith turned his head slightly when he felt eyes on him. He could see Lance watching him, he gave Lance and thumbs up and Lance returned it.

The week seemed to go quickly for the three. They talked and chatted after the each exam and talked about how ell each seemed to understand the material and that there had been only a few odd things that had stumped them.

But all that was forgotten when it came time to start preparing for graduation. It didn't take long for the marks to come back and they had all passed with very high marks.

The evening was surrounded in ceremony. Sven thought a lot of it was hot air and pomp but necessary. Then it was the moment of truth. Sven's name was called. He stood up slowly and gave the jacket of his uniform a tug to straighten it. He lifted his head high and walked towards the stage.

He felt like he was about to explode, the joy in him was so overwhelming. He shook hands with all his teachers, the ones he had before he had to stop classes, and accepted their congratulations with sincere thanks. They knew he had worked hard to get where he was right now and were glad that he was proud of himself.

Sven accepted his diploma, took off his hat, and threw it in the air. He caught it one handed and let out a glorious whoop. He had finally made it.

Marshall Graham shook Sven's hand with a big grin on his face.

"Welcome to the Space Program, Ensign Anderson. You did it, you made it, and you deserve it."

The room erupted with applause and cheers.

"I did, thanks to Keith and Lance. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be here right now."

It was at the reception hall that the full impact of all that had happened hit Sven hard. He found a chair and sat down. Lance and Keith eventually found their way over to him.

"Anything wrong?" Lance asked. "You should be pleased with what you've done, plus the fact that Lisa is in the program too."

"No, I know that. And nothing's wrong. I couldn't be happier." "Then why so depressed looking?" Keith asked.
"I didn't realize I looked that way." "Just touch of stress more than anything." Lance ventured. "Yeah." Sven stood up. He went over to the punch bowl and came back with three glasses. He gave two to Lance and Keith.

"A toast. To two of the greatest guys to ever walk the face of the earth. For all the help you guys gave me, I can never begin to repay. Thank you for my chance at the Space Program and thank you for saving me. If it hadn't been for you guys I don't think, no, I know I wouldn't be here today.

"I don't think I would even be alive today if it hadn't been for you. So, to you I say thank you and all my blessings. Two of the best friends a guy could ever have. Thank you."

Keith and Lance went over and hugged Sven.

"Friends forever." Lance said.

"Friends forever." Keith and Sven echoed and clinked their glasses knowing that they would truly be friends forever no matter what.