Chapter 4

Bud Roberts was also getting off duty and he finally had the time he'd been looking for all day to stop by sickbay and talk to the doctor about the strange dreams he'd been having. The doctor was still there when Bud arrived since he'd let his nurse go a little early that evening. Jen Rabb had confessed the game she and Harm played a few weeks ago, so now whenever they weren't busy the doctor let her leave a few minutes before shift change.

"Doctor, could I speak to you, please?" Bud asked when he entered.

"Certainly Commander, what can I do for you?" Dr. Webb inquired.

After Bud explained his problem and gave as much detail as he could remember about his dreams the doctor said, "Well, my scans show nothing physically wrong with you. The dreams could be stress related. I'm going to recommend that you talk to the ship's counselor about this. If you're worried about it, remember that no one need know. Unless Counselor Sims thinks the problem will affect your duties, seeing her is on a strictly need to know basis."

"Thanks Doc, but I need to think about that. I'd feel weird talking to her about these dreams, when in them she and I are married!"

"That's a normal healthy reaction to an attractive single woman, son. If you're worried about how she'll react, just leave that part out," Clayton Webb suggested.

"Okay Doc, thanks!" Bud said and left sickbay.

Meanwhile, Harm and Jen were busy trying to make a baby and Mac had just finished changing clothes when Victor arrived at her door. Wondering if AJ hadn't been able to wait any longer to see her, Mac opened the door with an eager smile that faded when she saw a grim faced Victor Galendiz standing there. "What is it Vic? I don't have much time."

"I know you're going out with Chegwidden. I was there when you made the date, remember?"

"Yes, I remember. I'm sorry he asked me out in front of you."

"But not sorry that he asked you out!"

"No, but who I date isn't your business Vic. We're no longer seeing each other."

"Not by my choice!" he protested.

"I'm aware of that, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm free to date whom I choose."

"Mac, we belong together! If you'd just give us another chance!"

"I'm sorry Vic. It just wouldn't work out for us. You want half a dozen children and you know that after the exposure to that unusual radiation on an away mission last year, the doctor said the chances I would ever have children are very slim."

"I don't care! I love you!"

"You say that now, but you've dreamed of a large family all your life. Someday you'd come to resent me and then hate me for taking that dream away from you. Find someone who can give you what you want Vic!" Mac said, brushing past him and heading for the VIP quarters.

Victor watched her go, determined to find a way to get her back.

Mac arrived at AJ's door and was pleased at how quickly he answered it; clearly he'd been waiting for her. She was surprised when he handed her a tiger lily saying, "I hope you like flowers?"

"I love them, but this is an unusual choice," she replied inhaling the fragrance.

"I wanted something as intoxicating and lovely as you. This seemed to suit your coloring well and the meaning also suited your personality."

"Meaning?"

"There is a language of flowers, each has its own meaning, a tiger lily means wealth or pride. I see you as a very proud woman."

"Thank you," she said blushing. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, you are," he answered as they walked down the hall. She seemed a bit flustered by his response so as they stepped into the turbo lift he said, "I suppose I should have asked if you were involved with anyone before I asked you out, but I didn't think of it until after I saw Lieutenant Galindez' reaction to my invitation."

To be continued…..