Chapter 29

Bud had suggested that he and Harriett have dinner in Ten Forward that night, but what she wanted to talk over with him wasn't best done in a public room where anyone might wander by their table and overhear. Instead she invited him to dinner in her quarters. Understandably, Bud assumed she wanted to be alone with him, and while that was her goal, it wasn't for the same reason he had in mind.

He was a bit disappointed when he discovered the true reason for her need for privacy. However, he was intrigued when she revealed the shocking news of Lieutenant Mackenzie and Vice President Chegwidden's engagement to him. Harriett did tell him it had to remain a secret until Sarah had a chance to talk to the Captain about it. Bud told her he suspected that she already had since he had been the one left in charge of the Bridge when the two of them had gone to the Captain's Ready Room for a private talk.

"So basically if what we think is true about your dreams, then all we have to do is fine someway to see that Lieutenant Galindez is happy," Harriett told him.

"But if he's in love with Lieutenant Mackenzie like you said, then will he fall for someone else so quickly? If he pines for her for a long time I could be having these dreams indefinitely!" Bud protested.

"Maybe we don't need to get him to fall in love with someone else. We might just need to distract him from dwelling on his loss of her."

"So are we looking for someone to fix him up with for just a fling or do you think a promotion might be enough of a distraction?"

"What do you mean a promotion?"

"Well, he should be next in line to take over as Chief of Security when Lieutenant Mackenzie leaves the ship."

"Yes that might do! Because I don't know anyone we could set him up with for a fling."

"Oh I do!" Bud offered eagerly.

Eying her fiancé suspiciously, Harriett asked, "And just how would you know that!?"

Innocently he answered, "Because there have been a few women who offered a night or two of 'fun' since I've been on the ship."

"BUDDY!" she protested.

By her reaction he suddenly realized how that had sounded and quickly raced to try and correct his blunder. "Oh I didn't take them up on it!"

"Oh and why was that?"

"Because I was already in love with you and no one else would have done for me!" he assured her.

"Oh," she sighed slightly mollified at his response. "Do you still remember who they were?"

"Oh sure! A guy doesn't forget something like that!" he assured her, once again saying the wrong thing.

"Buddy, why would you remember that?"

"Well gee Harriett, most girls think I'm kind of goofy, so when one doesn't, it sorta sticks in your mind!"

"Oh, okay…I guess," she tried mentally to forgive him. "Well do you think we should try and fix him up with one of them?"

"If he really loves Lieutenant Mackenzie then I doubt that he would be happy with just a fling. A fling can never replace true love."

"I would have to agree with that," Harriett answered with a loving smile. "You're very smart Buddy. What do you think we should do for Lieutenant Galindez?"

"I think we should just keep our eyes open for any opportunity to help him, but other than that try not to interfere."

"Alright Buddy if you think that's best then that's what we'll do."

And the two of them did keep as close an eye on Victor as they could during the next week, but nothing seemed to come up that they might assist him with. The week did pass quickly though, when not busy with their duties and keeping an eye on Victor, Bud and Harriett were planning their wedding.

To be continued…..