A Desperate Searching Place / Interruption

A Desperate Searching Place

Day 4 (cont)

Smitty

2337 Hrs

Fishing lines disappeared into placid water. MacGreg's voice droned about stress levels and hormones needing balance, but Smitty wasn't listening. A flash caught his eye; the water's surface broken by a tail fin too large for anything but a shark.

"That's the one I want." MacGreg wriggled his fishing pole. "That'll balance my hormones just fine." There was another flash as the creature turned their way, then it jumped from the water, landed in MacGreg's lap. Smitty stared in astonishment at the fiery hair, bright green eyes and pale skin of the mermaid. MacGreg was already fondling her as she turned her pink mouth toward the doctor. Smitty swatted at a buzzing insect, aware of his own body's interest. He-- blasted insect!

Smitty opened his eyes as he recognized the insistent ringing of his doorbell. Blast these infernal dreams! "Computer, open!" he snapped, sitting up. "What in space do you want?" he demanded, twisting to face the opening.

The corridor light revealed Lt Bugalu. "I'm ... looking for Lt MacDowell."

"You won't find her here!" Smitty growled. He bristled as brown eyes roamed around his room, as if to test the veracity of his statement. "Lights on!" he snarled, and then blinked his watering eyes in the sudden brightness.

"Of course I didn't expect to find her here," Bugalu stated. "But, uh, I was wondering if you'd seen her ... any place ... this evening?"

Repeatedly, in my dreams! Smitty pulled his blanket into a lump in his lap, trying to hide his erection. "Not since the end of shift. I signed her shore leave authorization, and she left with Abdulla."

"Oh." The younger man looked thoughtful for a moment. "Thank you for giving her all 3 days, Mr Smythe. She needs them."

"So MacGregor said." If the fool doesn't realize he's got competition for her, maybe he should wake up.

"MacGregor? I thought Abdulla--"

Smitty gave him a sharp look. Sicced Abdulla on me, did he? Didn't work; she gave up after only one try. "MacGregor was quite ... insistent," he stated. Even got the captain involved. He must be as crazy to get his hands on her as I am. I am not! It's not going to happen! I have to forget her! "Lights out!" he barked, and threw himself down on his bed. "Lock my door!"

He rolled over to face the wall. Disheveled red curls accented the astounding body lying next to him. Emerald eyes watched him from behind fiery lashes as she slid closer. Smitty groaned and pretended - again - that the hands belonged to her.

Interruption

Day 4 (cont)

Drake

2339 Hrs

MacGregor awoke to the pleasant realization that he was not alone in his bed. Beth's head rested on his shoulder, her arm lay across his chest, and her leg was atop his. How did I ever give this up? He placed a light kiss on her forehead. She snuggled closer. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"That's okay," she returned sleepily. A moment later, she asked, "Drake, where does this put us?"

"We're in my bed. Why, did you think we'd sleep-walked?"

He felt the corner of her mouth smile. "I meant our relationship. Are we back where we were 5 years ago? Or 5 days ago?"

He thought about that for a moment, remembered ugly details he'd tried to forget. "Remember Dr Jamison and Nurse Randle?"

"Hard to forget that ugly mess. Everybody knew they were together."

"Randle was also dating Capt Acosta."

"And things blew up when Jamison found out."

"Actually, things blew up because Randle got impatient, threatened to file sexual harassment if Acosta didn't 'make her an honest woman.' Acosta told Jamison the nurse had been cheating on him, and then, everything blew up." The whole ship had been effected, though most of the crew didn't understand what was happening.

She was silent a moment. "I'm not Randle," she said. "Jane Burke is definitely not my type. And I'm not interested in only seeing you. Never was."

Am I relieved or disappointed? "Never meant to imply you might be like Randle. Could have handled things better, I know. I was running scared. Things were spiraling out of control. Knowing Randle - or thinking I did - I was afraid she'd take more of us down with her. I stopped dating. Almost stopped talking. I must have seemed psychotic. When the accusations started, I sat tight and sweated."

"I remember."

"I hoped it was temporary. That it would blow over, and we could date again."

"It did, eventually," she stated.

"Jamison and Randle were gone. A couple others, and months later, Acosta. All of them transferred, sent who knows where. A flurry of promotions, transfers, rearranging of personnel, and when the dust finally cleared--" He pulled her closer. "I was Chief Physician, you were Head Nurse, on the same shift. That made it too easy."

"Made what too easy?"

"Dating you."

"You didn't date me, anymore."

"I was afraid to. Before that, we'd been on opposing shifts. Planning time together took thought, effort, and being discrete was part of it. With us on the same shift, I was afraid I'd get sloppy. So I didn't ask." He sighed. "I should have at least explained it to you."

She sighed. "Eventually, decided you weren't interested anymore."

He guided her hand to his growing manhood. "Seems like time for more therapy."

She smiled as her hand encouraged his lower region. "You haven't answered my question."

He fondled her breast. "If you want an answer, you'll have to repeat the question. My mind keeps wandering to ... other matters."

Her lips brushed his jaw. "Are we back to 5 years ago, or 5 days ago?"

He didn't know how to answer, so he gave her a passionate kiss, tried to ignore the insistent buzzing doorbell. Finally, he broke the kiss and slapped the intercom button. "This had blasted better be a medical emergency!"

"Uh, Dr MacGregor, it's Lt Bugalu."

Beth stiffened, and MacGregor saw her eyes were round with shock and disbelief. "What's the matter?" he asked.

She mouthed, My date!

"I need to talk to you," Bugalu answered over the intercom.

"Not now." MacGregor fumbled for the intercom button as he lowered his mouth to cover Beth's.

"It can't wait!" Bugalu insisted.

"Go to sick bay," he instructed.

"It's about Mac," Bugalu added hurriedly.

Beth moaned, and her hand jerked, sent agony through MacGregor. He gasped, took a couple deep breaths. "I take it you don't want him to know --." He tried to whisper, but the pain made his voice hoarse. She shook her head. "No, it's probably best," he agreed. "Hold on a minute," he told the intruder, and turned the intercom off at last. Climbing to his feet, he grabbed a robe from the closet.

"Drake!" He turned to Beth as he tied his robe closed. "Mind if I listen in?"

"Why?"

"Our date went sour because he was so obsessed with where Mac was, what she was doing."

"It can't be easy, being her watchdog," he replied. It's a job I volunteered for.

"I don't think she needs one as badly as he thinks she does. Anyway, I was so angry, I ... well, I implied you were trying to ... have your way with her."

"I'm not."

"I know, but ... he's so positive she can't take care of herself. She's not a little girl! And she's not helpless, either. In 5 short days, she's gotten you out of your rutting fever and made you an uncle. If she can manage that, he doesn't need to be that worried about her!"

"But you deliberately fed those worries," he pointed out.

"I'm not proud of it! I was angry."

"So, why do you want to listen?"

"If he gets too intense, I'll help you explain."

Would he be any more calm to find I'm with his date, not his sister? Maybe. He's never been jealous of any dates. "We just discussed being discrete," he reminded her. "Listen, if you want, but stay in here. And quiet."

MacGregor padded through the living room to the corridor door, where he saw Bugalu staring at his bedroom door. "Alright, what's this about?"

Bugalu turned and came forward, slowly closing the gap between them. "I can't find Mac."

He's so tense, he can hardly walk. If he really thinks I've-- This could get ugly. "Maybe she's avoiding you. That was a hell of a fight you two had."

"A stupid fight. I intend to apologize, as soon as I find her." He stopped a couple feet from him, then visibly relaxed. "Sorry for interrupting your date, Doc, but have you seen Mac this evening?"

Let's get this straight right now. "She's not here."

"Of course not. But since you had supper with her, maybe she mentioned what she planned to do?"

What does he mean, of course not? "On the other hand, she's a gorgeous young woman, enough to boil a man's blood. And I am a man."

Bugalu frowned. "You can't think like that and expect to be her friend."

"Maybe I've given up on friendship. Maybe I've decided to try for something ... more." Blast! I'm doing the same thing Beth did! Never realized Bugalu was so irritating.

Bugalu nodded slowly. "Can't say I'm surprised. She'll be disappointed, but--"

"I don't think she was," Drake broke in. He is completely blind to the others might also see her non-sexual but lovable qualities. No wonder Beth was angry with him. "Surprised, when I first made the suggestion, but then she liked the idea."

Shocked, the helmsman gave the doctor's face a good look, then shook his head. "She didn't hit you. It's possible she didn't understand what you were saying."

"I was quite explicit. We discussed all the ramifications."

"Doc, you have no idea how naive Mac is. What's explicit for you is thick mud for her. That gives me something else to explain, so unless you have an idea where she might be, I'll keep looking, and you can get back to your date." He started to turn away.

"Maybe she's my date." Yep. I thoroughly understand Beth's anger.

Bugalu paused. "No, she's not."

"What makes you so sure?"

Bugalu glanced both ways and lowered his voice. "You had the intercom on, Doc, I heard your ... activity. If it had been Mac, you'd be a bloody mess. Besides-" He indicated a spot next to Drake's mouth. "-Mac doesn't wear lipstick." He turned again. "My apologies again to you and your friend, Doc."

He is so sure of his knowledge, it's maddening! "When you find Mac," Drake stated, folding his arms, "tell her I meant what I said, about meeting at my hotel."

Again the helmsman stopped. "She won't."

"Maybe not," Drake conceded. "But she said she'd think about it. And it makes sense, since we're getting together on shore leave."

Dark eyes went cold. "Lay a hand on her, and I'll--"

"She's old enough to make her own decision."

Bugalu hesitated. "Legally, but ... not in her mind."

"She's not stupid."

"No, just horribly naive. Blast! If Matt hadn't been so pig-headed-- If she hadn't been so pig-headed-- If her blasted father hadn't brain-washed her!"

MacGregor stared at the younger man in realization. The poor guy is desperate. All this lip-service I've given to how hard it is for him, and I make him think it's worse than it is. "Maybe you need someone to help."

"Not with this. There's nobody I can trust."

"Sorry to hear it." He sighed. "Because she's decided to trust me."

Danger flashed in those dark eyes. "Not after I tell her-"

"I wish you wouldn't." He sighed. "She's still getting used to me as her uncle."

Bugalu's anger changed to shock. "Uncle! But you said--"

"Forget how I said it. We're getting together to fish. She agreed my hotel is the logical place to meet. We have moved on from being friends. Any other questions?"

"Do you have any clue what you've gotten yourself into?"

"Probably not, but I'll give it my best, just like you. Good night."

"Have you seen her this evening?"

Right, that's why he originally came. "Not since supper. She wasn't going to study, but she had something to do. She didn't say what. Is it that important?"

"I don't want her to wind up in the brig."

The brig? "Is that likely?"

"Is it likely someone will ask her to bed, and not accept 'no'?"

Drake frowned. Damned likely. She had a couple missed leaves on her first assignment, because she was in the brig. "Well, if it happens, let me know. I'll try to pull strings."

Surprised, the negro gave him a rueful grin. "If it happens, make sure you chew her out. Don't let her think you'll rescue her all the time."

"I'll keep that in mind. Now I suggest you get some sleep."

"Not until I find her," Bugalu stated, and walked away.

MacGregor let the door close behind him. He tripped over a shoe on his way through the living room, but he soon slipped his robe off and climbed back into bed. He scooped Beth into his arms and kissed her.

"And the answer to my question?" she asked.

"Somewhere in between," he answered quickly, before he lost the thought. "I'm not willing to give you up completely, not again. But discrete has to be the rule."

Bugsy's Search

Bugsy’s Search

Day 4 (cont)
Bugalu
2302 Hrs

Bugalu wasn't surprised when a young woman answered the door in a flimsy night robe. Her confusion turned to anger as soon as she saw him. "Blast it, Bugalu, I told you she isn't here!"

"She's got to be here." He walked past her to the middle of the bedroom. Barely aware of the man in Della's bed - or of Della and her lack of attire - he stared at the other half of the room. I've looked everywhere. She's got to be someplace. There's got to be something here to give me a clue. But what? Everything's neat and tidy, just like always.

"She was with MacGregor for supper," Ryan stated.

"I know," Bugalu stated absently. Why'd she pick a holo-photo of just me and her for the bedside table? Maybe one with Matt is too painful. He glanced at the other man. "They didn't leave the mess hall together, if you're trying to insinuate something."

Ryan shrugged. "Maybe they got together again later."

Bugalu snorted and turned to Della. "Did she give any clue where she was going? Or when she'd be back?"

"No."

"She must have said something! You didn't pick a stupid fight with her!"

Della sighed, sat on her bed, looking thoughtful. "She came in about 1730. I was in the other room. She had a clipboard. She came into the bedroom and put the clipboard ... someplace. She grabbed a pair of pants, mumbled she had a debt to repay, and I shouldn't wait up. So she didn't plan to be back tonight!"

"Don't be daft," he muttered. What debt? What clipboard? I don't see a clipboard. "You mean she grabbed a change of clothes," he stated. Della must have had company, even that early, or Mac would have changed then. Maybe she changed in the gym locker room.

"No, all she carried out was slacks."

She wouldn't be running around without a shirt. So she's either still in uniform - in which case, why take pants with her? - or she's someplace where a shirt's optional. In which case, pants would be, too, so why take them? No, that's stupid. I'm missing something. "Tell me about the clipboard."

"I don't know anything! She came into the bedroom with it, she didn't have it when she left, but I haven't seen it. What's so important about it?"

He shrugged. "I don't know." He opened drawers, but they were mostly empty. Mac with a clipboard? If it doesn't fit in a pocket, and it isn't liquid fire, she doesn't want to be bothered. Why would she have it? Anything she wanted to know would be in the ship's computer. Space, she did get rid of all of her clothes! It doesn't look like anybody lives here!

Not having found a clipboard, he rummaged through the closet. Two clean uniforms. Not even a robe or nightgown. Does she sleep naked? No, I am not going to think about that. She wouldn't feel safe in nothing. He turned to consider Mac's undisturbed bed carefully. Stepping over, he lifted the edge of the mattress.

"What are you doing?" Ryan asked.

"Looking for the clipboard," Bugalu returned. "And there it is." He glanced at the clipboard's readout. Her shore leave authorization. All 3 days, signed by Mr Smythe. Don't know how Abdulla did it, but she did. Only fair, after -- Wait. Mac was worried she wouldn't get any leave, and here he authorized all 3 days. At the last minute. She would have felt ... Uh oh. Like she owed him a very big favor. Combine that with... puppy love, and-- "Blast!" He tossed the clipboard back into the bed's base and replaced the mattress.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked. "What's on the clipboard?"

Bugalu stopped his rush for the door, remembering the man loved juicy gossip. "Her shore leave plans. She's busy tomorrow, so I need to modify mine."

"She made plans that didn't include you? I'd break up with her, if I were you."

"What a rotten thing to say!" Della declared.

"He thinks if there's trouble between us, he'll have a chance with Mac," Bugalu stated. "She's going shopping, Ryan. Something I didn't want to do, but I didn't know when she planned it. Sorry to have been a pest, Della. Remind me to make it up to you."

"I will," she promised with a grin, and he escaped.

Bugalu wasn't surprised when a young woman answered the door in a flimsy night robe. Her confusion turned to anger as soon as she saw him. "Blast it, Bugalu, I told you she isn't here!"

"She's got to be here." He walked past her to the middle of the bedroom. Barely aware of the man in Della's bed - or of Della and her lack of attire - he stared at the other half of the room. I've looked everywhere. She's got to be someplace. There's got to be something here to give me a clue. But what? Everything's neat and tidy, just like always.

"She was with MacGregor for supper," Ryan stated.

"I know," Bugalu stated absently. Why'd she pick a holo-photo of just me and her for the bedside table? Maybe one with Matt is too painful. He glanced at the other man. "They didn't leave the mess hall together, if you're trying to insinuate something."

Ryan shrugged. "Maybe they got together again later."

Bugalu snorted and turned to Della. "Did she give any clue where she was going? Or when she'd be back?"

"No."

"She must have said something! You didn't pick a stupid fight with her!"

Della sighed, sat on her bed, looking thoughtful. "She came in about 1730. I was in the other room. She had a clipboard. She came into the bedroom and put the clipboard ... someplace. She grabbed a pair of pants, mumbled she had a debt to repay, and I shouldn't wait up. So she didn't plan to be back tonight!"

"Don't be daft," he muttered. What debt? What clipboard? I don't see a clipboard. "You mean she grabbed a change of clothes," he stated. Della must have had company, even that early, or Mac would have changed then. Maybe she changed in the gym locker room.

"No, all she carried out was slacks."

She wouldn't be running around without a shirt. So she's either still in uniform - in which case, why take pants with her? - or she's someplace where a shirt's optional. In which case, pants would be, too, so why take them? No, that's stupid. I'm missing something. "Tell me about the clipboard."

"I don't know anything! She came into the bedroom with it, she didn't have it when she left, but I haven't seen it. What's so important about it?"

He shrugged. "I don't know." He opened drawers, but they were mostly empty. Mac with a clipboard? If it doesn't fit in a pocket, and it isn't liquid fire, she doesn't want to be bothered. Why would she have it? Anything she wanted to know would be in the ship's computer. Space, she did get rid of all of her clothes! It doesn't look like anybody lives here!

Not having found a clipboard, he rummaged through the closet. Two clean uniforms. Not even a robe or nightgown. Does she sleep naked? No, I am not going to think about that. She wouldn't feel safe in nothing. He turned to consider Mac's undisturbed bed carefully. Stepping over, he lifted the edge of the mattress.

"What are you doing?" Ryan asked.

"Looking for the clipboard," Bugalu returned. "And there it is." He glanced at the clipboard's readout. Her shore leave authorization. All 3 days, signed by Mr Smythe. Don't know how Abdulla did it, but she did. Only fair, after -- Wait. Mac was worried she wouldn't get any leave, and here he authorized all 3 days. At the last minute. She would have felt ... Uh oh. Like she owed him a very big favor. Combine that with... puppy love, and-- "Blast!" He tossed the clipboard back into the bed's base and replaced the mattress.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked. "What's on the clipboard?"

Bugalu stopped his rush for the door, remembering the man loved juicy gossip. "Her shore leave plans. She's busy tomorrow, so I need to modify mine."

"She made plans that didn't include you? I'd break up with her, if I were you."

"What a rotten thing to say!" Della declared.

"He thinks if there's trouble between us, he'll have a chance with Mac," Bugalu stated. "She's going shopping, Ryan. Something I didn't want to do, but I didn't know when she planned it. Sorry to have been a pest, Della. Remind me to make it up to you."

"I will," she promised with a grin, and he escaped.

 

Reunion / Bumps in the Night

Reunion

Day 4 (cont)

MacGregor

2032 Hours

As he approached his quarters, MacGregor was surprised to see Beth ringing his doorbell. Thought she had a date. "You looking for me?"

She turned to face him. "Yes. May I have a word with you?" She glanced up and down the corridor. "Alone?"

"Thought you had a date," he blurted out as he came closer.

She grimaced. "It turned to muck."

Poor girl. "Come inside," he invited as the door opened. Looks close to tears. How could her date have turned to muck? She's beautiful. Whoever her date was with, he's an idiot. I have half a mind to- "Men who offer a shoulder to cry on are just trying to take advantage!" Oh, space, was Mac right about that? I thought she meant men like Winthrop! I do not want to be another Winthrop! He moved away to pick the book up off the sofa and put it away. "Did you want a shoulder to cry on? Or a sympathetic ear?" He turned to face her from the increased distance. Still Beautiful. Still looks lost. I Still want her. Blast, I'm a cad!

She stared at him bleakly. "I- Maybe this was a bad idea." She turned toward the door.

I called her date an idiot for letting her get away, and now I'm doing the same? "Beth, wait." He hurried across the room to touch her arm. When she looked at him, he lowered his head to touch his lips to hers. "I was trying to be a gentleman, not an idiot," he murmured. "Just tell me what you want."

She slid her arms around his neck. "First, may I have another?"

He slipped his arms around her as he lowered his face again. There's heat in her kiss. He pulled her closer. Get a grip, Drake. She asked for another kiss, not- He broke the kiss and took a deep, ragged breath. "What else can I do to you? I mean, you must have had a reason for coming here-"

"Actually," she stated, nuzzling his neck, "I was hoping for a warm body. Pressed against mine. All night long."

So much for not dating doctors. Never should have stopped asking her out. "The bed or the sofa?" he asked as he squeezed her closer to him. "The sofa's closer."

She flicked a quick glance that way. "Not much. The bed's more comfortable, and we wouldn't have to change location later."

He felt her unfasten his shirt. "You ready now?"

"I was ready when I got here." He nodded, led her to the bedroom, pulling his shirt off as they went. He heard her shoes fall to the floor as she followed, but when they reached the bedroom, he found she had also removed her shirt. He stared in fascination at the maroon bra that held her breasts captive as they each sloughed their slacks. "Computer, lock the doors," she instructed as she moved toward the bed in her underwear.

He stepped closer, and they hesitated, looked at each other in confusion. "It's definitely been too long when the computer doesn't remember you," he muttered. "Computer, lock my doors," he commanded.

"Accomplished."

With a grin, Beth threw herself on the bed, rolled across the mattress to come up against the bulkhead with a muffled thump.

"You okay?" Did I hear her elbow hit the wall?

She reached out to stroke his thigh, curled her fingers around it and gently pulled. "I'll be fine, just as soon as you start playing doctor."

"This sounds like a serious case of lust," he said, and lowered himself beside her. He left a trail of kisses on her shoulder and neck as they adjusted their positions. "This could require several doses of treatment."

"Repeated doses," she groaned in agreement and pressed against him.

He moved a thigh between her legs and she jerked in response. That was her foot against the wall. "You are ready," he observed.

"Come on, Drake. Don't tease."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he responded. She feels so good. Always did. I'm ready, myself. Hope she wasn't wanting slow and easy, because I can't do that this time. With a gasp, he began driving himself into her, vaguely aware of a dull thumping that kept time with him.

 

Bumps in the Night

Day 4 (cont)

Smitty

2042 Hours

 

Smitty gave a sad look at the empty bottle, then placed it carefully in the disposal chute. That's the end. Not more than half a bottle in any one of them. The three together hardly gave me a buzz. I won't need that detox MacGreg's leaving for me.

Going to his bedroom, he sat down heavily on the bed. He pulled his tunic off and dropped it to the floor. His boots soon followed.

He was startled by a thump on the bulkhead separating his bedroom from his neighbor's. That must have hurt. Rolled over and hit the wall, I suppose. Done it myself, a time or two. He stared at the clock with fuzzy eyesight. Early for him to be in bed. Maybe he's as anxious to get the day over as I am.

He stripped the rest of his clothes, climbed into bed. A good night's sleep is what I need. Some no-nonsense work with Wilson in the morning, get the emergency bridge set to rights, and everything will be on an even keel.

Another thump, further along the wall. That was his knee. He's having a restless night. Anticipating his fishing- No! Don't think about-

His eyes flew open as he became aware of a rhythmic thudding softly transmitted through the wall. "About tonight," MacGreg called from the door of the privacy room.

"Yes, yes, I'll be there!" MacDowell promised.

Smitty groaned, rolled away from the wall. Hanging over the bed's edge, he wrapped his pillow around his head. Despite these efforts, the thumping was soon accompanied by moans of passion that grew more intense until two voices cried out in orgasmic ecstasy.

We're supposed to be either celibate or discrete, but the lack of sound-proofing in these bedrooms makes only one of those doable. And that one isn't.

When he turned over, he saw disheveled red curls accenting a sweaty, naked body. He reached out with a shaky hand. Emerald eyes watched from behind fiery lashes as he started to fondle her, slid closer to her.

"Oh, dear," she muttered as he lowered his head to kiss her.

"Give me that!" She was torn away by two dark hands. "Hello, Mac. You ready to make it up to me?"

"I can't refuse you anything," she simpered.

"About time you remembered it," the helmsman stated. And then his brown eyes turned to Smitty. "Find your own, old man."

The floor was hard when he landed. Sitting up, he looked around in confusion. His room, his own one-person bed. There was nobody else; would never have been room for her in his bed. Just a dream.

He climbed back into bed. The only thing real is this erection. Blast, I am not taking a cold shower! I don't want to be awake, nor sober! I'll just ... deal with it!

He tried to pretend they were her hands.

 

Spoiled Date / Tipsy Imaginings

Spoiled Date

Day 4 (cont)
Temple
2010 Hours

Temple snuggled against Bugalu's shoulder, surprised by his unusual interest in the movie. He's got his arm around me, but he's not fondling. He doesn't usually take this long to get started. So what's wrong? She glanced over, saw him frowning at his lap. He isn't even watching the movie!

Taking hold of his chin, she turned his head and kissed him, putting all the fire she could muster into the encounter. Nothing. Drake showed more interest, and he was waiting for- I should have known! For a woman who claims she isn't any competition, she sure has put a damper on my love life. "Let's go," she stated, getting to her feet. She ignored the knowing grins of others in the theater. She walked out, without caring if he followed her.

"Beth." Bugalu caught up with her outside the theater, and turned her to face him. "I'm sorry, Beth. I'm ... upset."

"About Mac?"

He hesitated. "Yes, but not like you think. We had an argument, and-"

"The whole ship knows that."

"Yes, I imagine it does," he said. "It was pretty nasty. And loud."

"Jealousy doesn't become you, Bugalu. It's out of character. And it doesn't go with this brother relationship you have with her, either."

He looked surprised. "You aren't going to make me protest a dozen times that she is my sister? That makes you unique."

She raised her chin defiantly. "I am unique."

"Sure are, if you can accept that about us. But I'm not jealous. I'm worried."

"She's a big girl."

"A woman, but she isn't good at staying out of trouble. Drove her brother ragged, her first month at the Academy. He couldn't let her out of his sight." He leaned against the bulkhead and shook his head. "Now I know how he felt. Every minute I don't know exactly where she's at, what she's doing- She's going to wind up in the brig! Or worse! And it'll be my fault! What kind of brother can't protect her?"

"You need help," she stated.

"Not likely to find any here, am I?"

You'd be surprised. She turned to walk away.

"Beth, please! I didn't mean to mention her! I promise to do better. If the movie isn't what you want to do, then just name it."

"What about Mac?"

He hesitated, tried to grin. "Mac who?"

She tsked. Pitiful. "Are you aware she had supper with MacGregor?"

"MacGregor!" For a moment, he looked panicked, then he calmed down. "Right, she asked if he'd be a good friend. He doesn't know what he's in for."

And you don't know Mac as well as you think you do. She knows how to pick her friends - and adopted relatives. Maybe you need to learn that. "I believe he's working on a much different kind of relationship than ... friendship." Yes, there's the worry, the panic. Wonder what Drake and Mac doing now? Something innocent, I'm sure. "Bugalu, do you know where you sister is?" she asked.

"That's cold, Beth."

"I'm not happy with you right now," she returned. "Forget it. There's others who'll date me." Somewhere in this universe. "Go find her." She walked away.

It took him a while to protest, he was so worried about Mac, torn between the two commitments. "Beth, we have a date!"

"Not any more," she answered, still walking. And not likely to again. Even after he figures out Mac and Drake have adopted each other, he's not likely to forgive me! Blast! And I told Drake I wasn't available!

  

Tipsy Imaginings

Day 4 (cont)
Smitty
2017 Hours

"I've got reservations," Smitty assured the other man. "At the Golden Star, Star of Gold, something like that. Other than that, I don't know. Hire a woman." All the right curves and plenty of them. "Sex. Drink." A lot. "Who knows?" He turned his head. When did MacGreg's hair go red? "What are you doing?" He looks ridiculous. A topknot isn't his style.

"Space station museums are all the same, so not that. I'll probably hire a woman."

Why, when you've already got one? Probably wants to keep that quiet. He won't manage it if he copies her hair. And wear her uniform. Strange. He's got just as much cleavage as she does.

"I'll go fishing in the park lake. Won't catch anything, of course, but it's a basket of corned beef sandwiches, cheese and apples, whatever."

Good, he's become himself again. It was disturbing to see him look like her. No, of course he didn't; I must be drunker than I thought. I haven't drunk that much! "Sounds good," Smitty decided, nodding slowly. "But roast beef, not corned beef. And last time, you brought that fancy white wine; I prefer gin."

MacGreg looked stunned by the acceptance, cleared his throat. "I'm flattered you remember our last fishing trip and want to repeat it. But I've already invited someone, and- You're welcome to come, if you like. We'd be happy to include you, but-"

"I'm afraid to ask," Smitty whispered.

"I've invited Mac," MacGregor stated softly.

"I knew it!" Smitty closed his eyes. Not trying that hard to keep it quiet. I don't need him flaunting his success in my face. "Sorry you have to leave so soon, MacGreg."

"You trying to get rid of me, Smitty?"

"Yes," he returned bluntly. "I have to work in the morning."

"It's still early."

"I want to get an early start." Not that I'll be able to, with everybody wanting a podride to the station.

The physician studied him. "Okay, Smitty, I can take a hint." He put his glass down and got up. "I'll leave a dose of detox in sick bay with your name on it, in case you find it hard to ... concentrate in the morning." He started for the door, then paused. "You might want to lock your door behind me, Smitty."

"Yes," Smitty agreed, and watched the man leave. "Computer, lock my doors."

"Accomplished," said the soft voice.

He eyed the small amount left in the gin bottle, and knew it was time to get another out of the cabinet. Time for some serious drinking.