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New Terrain
Commander Charles Tucker III was late for the Captain's staff meeting. A few minutes before, while in engineering, an amused Captain Archer had contacted Trip.
"Archer to Commander Tucker."
"Commander Tucker here, sir," said Trip in a distracted voice.
"Trip, what are you doing?"
"Just going over some reports, Cap'n."
"Well Trip, when you get some time, maybe you could join the rest of the officers in my ready room."
Trip swore and said, "On my way, Cap'n."
Regaining focus on the present, Trip realized he was standing on the bridge. As he hurried past Ensign Hoshi Sato, she smiled at him knowingly. Trip smiled back and entered the Captain's ready room.
*****
After the meeting, Trip wondered over to Hoshi's console. Leaning over her with his mouth next to her ear he said "Everything runnin' alright Ensign?"
Hoshi, having been concentrating on deciphering a new language, jumped and cracked her head against Trip's.
"Oh, I am so sorry sir. Are you OK?"
Trip rubbed his hand on his chin, and said "My fault Hoshi. I should watch where I put my head."
He smiled and Hoshi laughed. Trip was always surprised at how pretty she was when she smiled. He realized he was staring when Hoshi began to blush.
"Well Hosh, I'll see ya later."
He grinned and turned toward the lift. As he stepped on the lift, he chanced a glance at Hoshi and was very pleased to find her smiling at him. As the lift door closed, Trip laughed and turned his thoughts back toward engineering.
*****Later that evening…
"Oh, excuse me, Captain."
Hoshi found herself apologizing again for a mishap, this one her fault. Still intent on her work, her attention on her translator as she hurried through the corridors, she had walked directly into the captain.
"That's all right, Ensign Sato," Captain Archer smiled at her. Hoshi started back on her way, but the captain's voice stopped her.
"Hoshi."
"Yes, captain?"
"Is that the Duonian language you've been working on for the past three days?"
"Yes, captain."
"You know, we won't arrive at Duonia for another week. I'm sure you can afford to take a break now and then."
"Yes, captain, but…"
"You'll need to be well-rested for our meeting with the Duonian Council." He paused. "I want you to take the rest of the evening off."
When Hoshi looked as if she might argue, he added, "That's an order, Ensign."
Hoshi waited until he was out of sight before she sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. The captain didn't understand that, to her, working on a new language was like time off. But, now that she stopped to think for a moment (about something other than Duonian vernacular), she realized she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Maybe there would be some angel food cake left over from last night. Hmm. With that thought, she headed in the direction of the dining area.
*****
"Oh, yeah, and those legs…" Trip sighed happily, and grinned. During the course of dinner, he and Lt. Reed had fallen into reminiscing about the, er, love interest they'd had in common while at Starfleet Academy.
Malcolm grinned back mischievously. "Legs?! That was nothing! What about those…"
"Ahem, hmmph." Trip suddenly interrupted Malcolm with a poorly feigned cough. "Good evening, Hoshi." Malcolm, who hadn't noticed Hoshi approaching from behind, looked exceedingly embarrassed.
"Gentleman." Hoshi raised one eyebrow while trying not to smile (after all, they didn't need any encouragement). "Remembering old times?" She added sweetly, "Well, don't let me stop you." She started to carry her tray to another table, but Malcolm stopped her by jumping to his feet.
"Actually, I wanted to run one more test on those weapons modifications I made today. You're welcome to my seat." He didn't really wait for an answer. "Well, goodnight then." Face still red, he hurried from the room.
Not so easily embarrassed, Trip echoed the invitation. "Yeah, have a seat. I haven't finished my coffee yet, and I'd like the company."
Hoshi returned his smile, and sat in Malcolm's recently evacuated seat. "So, sorry again about startling you today, Hoshi. You looked pretty caught up in whatever you were doing. How'd that turn out?"
"Oh, well, that's all right, Commander.
"Please, we're off duty. Call me Trip."
"Oh, ok, Trip." She corrected herself a little nervously. "Actually, I've been working on the Duonian language. I'm beginning to understand it now. The problem is, the inflections they use are so unique and each one has a different meaning…" She trailed off at his blank look. "Sorry, sir. I tend to get carried away when I'm talking about languages."
"Trip," he reminded her gently. "And that's ok. I know what it's like to enjoy your work. Sometimes I don't come up for air for days." He winced. "Which is why I almost missed the officers' meeting today."
"Exactly! There's always one more step I want to finish before I stop."
Trip grinned. "Well, I guess that's somethin' we have in common."
For a moment, they smiled at each other silently.
Trip was thinking again how pretty she was. Hoshi was noticing that his eyes were blue.
Out of the corner of his eye, Trip noticed Ensign Mayweather watching them curiously. Realizing he was leaning forward in his seat, he gave himself a mental shake and sat back.
"Anyway…"
"Yes, anyway," Hoshi said quickly, "I'm under orders to take tonight off, and I suddenly realized I'm starving."
"And here I am keepin' you talkin'."
"Oh, that's ok." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "To tell the truth, I was hoping to find some angel food cake. But it's all gone. I'm settling for egg salad." She picked up the sandwich and dropped it unenthusiastically back on her plate.
Without thinking, Trip replied, "You know…Chef has been promisin' me a go at that kitchen some night. I've been missin' real southern cooking. If you could wait a little while until this place clears out, I'm sure I could talk him into letting us use it. I make a mean chicken-fried steak."
Hoshi looked surprised, but pleased. "Really? That sounds wonderful!"
"Well, then…great! We could meet back here in, say, an hour?"
"Ok." They both stood, feeling a little confused by the sudden change in events. "Ok. I will see you here. In an hour." With that, Hoshi deposited her tray, and left the dining area.
'Great, Trip. Now all you have to do is convince Chef to let you use that kitchen, Trip thought. And what are you doin' anyway?' But as he headed for the kitchen, he was grinning.
*****
"Oh come on Chef! Be a pal. All I'm asking for is a few hours in your kitchen." Trip had been trying unsuccessfully for 15 minutes to convince the chef to let him use the kitchen. So far he had been unrelenting. "Trip, if anyone finds out you used this kitchen, there won't be a member of this crew who won't be asking for the same favor. " At this Tucker realized he might have a chance of winning the battle.
"Chef, I swear to ya on my dead dog's grave if you do this for me, I will never tell another livin' soul. And I'll owe ya one. Big time." Trip tried to look as desperate as possible, hoping to convince the man.
Chef stared back at Trip for what seemed a lifetime, and then smiled. "Alright Commander, but you better clean up when you're done. And if you tell anyone, so help me…"
Trip nearly hugged the Chef. Instead he grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously. "Chef, you're a life saver!"
*****
45 minutes later Hoshi stepped back into the dark mess hall. "Commander?" she whispered.
"Hoshi, for the last time, we are not on duty—and why are you whispering?" She whirled around to find Trip standing behind her, wearing a towel for an apron. Hoshi laughed embarrassedly and said "I am not really sure, Trip. I guess I just feel like we're sneaking cookies from the cookie jar."
Trip laughed. 'He has the most amazing laugh. It's like he hasn't a problem in the world.'
"Well Hosh, are you ready for some old fashioned southern cookin'?" Trip grinned and tugged on her arm, leading her to the kitchen. As she stepped around the kitchen doors she noticed a table had been set off to the side. On the table were two plates pile high with food. There was the promised entrée, vegetables, and two plastic cups filled with water.
Not knowing how to read her expression Trip said, "I hope this is alright Hoshi. I just thought we would be less likely to be disturbed if we ate back here. You know, give us a chance to talk." He smiled at her hopefully.
"Oh Trip, this is perfect. Honestly." She lifted her face up at him and smiled. Trip, without thinking, leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. Hoshi stepped back surprised.
"Hoshi I am sorry, I dunno why I did that. You can leave if you want. I wouldn't hold it against ya…."
"Trip, it's ok, you just surprised me." Hoshi said interrupting his speech. Trip stopped talking and said, "I really am sorry Hoshi" but he looked relieved all the same.
Trying to bring back the mood of earlier Hoshi said, "I really want to start eating." This was punctuated by a stomach growl.
"Well, dig in, Hoshi." Trip quickly pulled Hoshi's chair out for her. Hoshi sat down and waited for Trip to take the seat across from her.
Trip pulled off the towel and settled into his seat. "I couldn't swing angel food cake for dessert, but Chef already made apple pie for tomorrow night. He won't mind if we have some tonight." 'Sure he will, but I already owe him, why not go for broke?'
"That sounds perfect." Hoshi cut and ate her first bite. "Mmm." She closed her eyes in appreciation. "This is perfect."
Trip had been waiting for her response. Pleased with the results, he started on his own meal. "Well, thank you very much."
"This is so good. Of course, I'm starving, so anything would be great, but …mmm."
Trip grinned and was about to respond when his com sounded. Their eyes met and he grimaced.
"Tucker here."
"Commander Tucker, you are needed in the Captain's ready room."
He sighed and they both looked a little crestfallen at T'Pol's voice. "What's the problem, Lieutenant?"
"A…unique situation has come up. We will explain when you arrive. T'Pol out."
Before either Trip or Hoshi could speak, Hoshi's com beeped as well.
"Sato here."
"Ensign, report to the captain's ready room."
"Aye, sir. Sato out."
They stared at each other for just a second before getting to their feet. They both looked at the food a little wistfully. "Roll to go?" Trip offered her the only portable food on the table. She accepted it gratefully and he took one for himself. At his indication, she took the lead out of the kitchen. Trip glanced around the room at the still-messy kitchen. Chef was not going to be happy if he didn't get back to clean up before morning. But for now, there were more pressing matters. He followed Hoshi from the room.