disclaimer: Don't own'em
author: Puma this time, I actually found time to write. Yippee!! Wolfsong is busy working on a Relic Hunter Trilogy.
summary: Sequel to "Deep Water Rising." More about Malcolm and Hoshi, can't give away to much. If you like drama and anything emotional this has it.
rating: PG-13
TITLE: Rain, Tax, It's Inevitable
Chapter 1: Unexpected Happenings
Hoshi stood before the door, waiting to be let in. "Come in love." A tall, handsome man in blue jeans and white pull over shirt said greeting her.
"Good evening Malcolm. Wow! I see you fixed the place up beautifully," she glanced around the candle lit room.
"It was okay till you came in and made it beautiful," he gently brushed her hair away from her face and smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, you are so sweet. How did I ever get so lucky?" she asked kissing him on the cheek. "So what's for dinner?"
"Ah! You are going to love it!" he pulled her over to the table. "First we'll start with our medium-well steak with steamed vegetables on the side. Then for desert we will have key lime pie."
"Wow it looks delicious! You out done yourself this time dear."
"I thought you might like it," he pulled her chair out and took his own seat.
They both dug into their food. Neither said anything for the first course even though they had been officially dating for a month now. Hoshi took the time of silence to take in every aspect of the small quarters. It was very neat and clean, yet homey. She did wish Malcolm would put some kind of picture of his family up. Of course, she could understand his distance with them. Occasionally, she would stare at him, taking in every detail of his face. They moved on to their desert. "This is excellent. Chef is wonderful. Here," she fed him a piece of her pie. He returned the gesture.
"I hate to ask, but can you give my neck a rub? It's been killing me," Malcolm asked kindly.
"Sure, no problem," she got up behind him and started a firm massage that she thought would be very effective.
"A little lower please." she found the spot and unkinked the muscle. She let her fingers linger a little up his back. She worked on his neck next, moving her hands to his shoulder blades. Then she stopped kneading and started to caress, moving her hands down over his broad chest. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her in front of him. He examined her soft, dainty hands, kissed them, then stood up. They stared deeply into each other eyes till a well of emotion over took them both.
He was very gentle she thought later that night, curled up next to him in the still darkness. She could heat him breathing lightly and the rhythm of his heart beating lulled her to sleep. * * * *
Archer and T'Pol came out of his ready rooms smiling. Well, T'Pol not actually smiling, but it showed that she was happy. Her relationship with Jonathon had really loosened up. Even now her and Trip got along better. Travis was at his post, so was Malcolm and Hoshi.
"Morning everyone," Jonathon said.
"Morning," they all greeted back.
"Any problems, Malcolm?" Archer asked.
"Nope, nothing so far."
"Travis, anything to report?"
"There is an uninhabitle system about 20 light years from here. It looks like one of the planets has an eccentric orbit," he answered. "Great! Let's go have a look. Set a course and then you all can have a break if there is nothing important you have to see to. Dismissed." T'Pol and him left the bridge together.
"Well, there's nothing for me to do. I'll see you guys later," Travis said leaving his post.
"You want to get something to eat?" Hoshi asked Malcolm.
"Sure. I don't think there's anything I have to do right away."
"Good." They headed to the mess hall.
Not too many people were in there, so they had their fair choice of seats. They decided on the table at the far end of the lunch room.
"Hoshi I've been thinking about last night."
"So have I," she said sweetly.
"I know you said you wanted to take it slow. And last night we seemed to have kicked it into full gear. I was just wondering if you thought last night was wrong. I loved every minute of it, but I just wanted to know if you are okay with it."
She stared at him for a second, then she put her utensils down and laid her arms on the table. "Yes, I'll admit, last night was a little faster than what I thought would happen." he gave a little depressed look. "But I wouldn't want to change what happened."
"You wouldn't?"
"No. I wouldn't. Listen I got a little bit of work I have to do, but why don't you drop by my quarters tonight, say oooh, around 8:00."
"Sounds great," he said with sheepish grin. Hoshi got up and walked to the door, gave him a wink, then went out. Malcolm leaned back in his chair, his arms folded, grinning from ear to ear. * * * * "Have you talked to Hoshi or Malcolm lately?" Jonathon asked T'Pol while they were eating in the captain's dinning room.
"No. I haven't. Was there something you needed from them.?"
"No, I was just wondering how they are doing. I think it's great that Malcolm finally decided to tell her how he felt."
"Maybe we should invite them to dinner sometime." T'Pol said casually.
"That sounds like a good idea. If you see them ask if they care to dine with us sometime."
"I'll do that. I need to run some analysis on the new system."
He got up to show her out, "You'll come by my quarters tonight?"
"Of course," he said playfully, walking closer to her. He leaned over and kissed her very deeply. Kissing wasn't exactly normal Vulcan behavior, but she had grown to actually enjoy it.
"Good," she walked out of the room. * * * *
"Ensign Sato."
"Hello Sub-commander. What can I do for you?"
"The captain and I was wondering if you and Lt. Reed would care to join us for dinner sometime, perhaps tonight?"
"Oh, I wish we could but we had something planned for tonight."
"Special dinner in the mess hall?"
"No, my quarters. Would tomorrow be good for you two?" she asked rushing the words together.
"I'll have to check with Jonathon."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later." Then she quickly walked away. T'Pol stared at her with one eyebrow raised. She went off to find Jonathon.
"Hey T'Pol! Did you see Hoshi or Malcolm yet?"
"Yes, I just finished talking with Ensign Sato. She said her and Lt. Reed were having dinner in her quarters tonight, but maybe tomorrow they could join us."
"In their quarters, eh? I guess tomorrow will be fine," he trailed off in thought.
"A penny for your thoughts?'
He smiled at that comment, "Nothing, love. Just musing." He kissed her on the forehead, "So what shall it be tonight? A movie, dancing? Your choice."
"A movie will be fine."
"I think they're showing 'The Music Man' tonight. Will that be okay?"
"That will be fine."
"I'll see you then." They both went their separate ways. Archer wanting to go find Malcolm and talk to him. * * * *
Malcolm was at his post when Archer found him. "Lt. Reed. Can I see you in my ready room for a moment?"
"Yes sir," he followed him in.
"Has Hoshi told you about tonight?"
"Yes sir. I regret that we can't make it."
"Don't worry about it, another day perhaps," he paused a moment. "Got big plan for Hoshi tonight?"
"No, nothing huge. Just dinner."
"Sounds nice. Sounds nice." Malcolm could tell he wasn't saying what he wanted to say. "Well, have a good evening and be careful." Jonathon put his hand on Malcolm's shoulder then dismissed him. Malcolm went back to his post very confused, he knew that the captain meant something in that cryptic message, but he let go for now. After he had finished thoroughly checking to make sure the weapons system was working properly it was 6:30. We'll I guess I could work out for on hour or so. He thought.
Trip was exercising on the bench press. "Howdy Malcolm."
"Good evening Commander Tucker."
"I told ya' Malcolm, you can call me Trip. Busy day?" he asked getting back to pressing.
"Yea, some what. You?'
"Naw, been in here for awhile now. How're you an' Hoshi doin'?"
"Great. Perfect," he started on the tread mill.
Trip sat up. " Uh-oh. Something wrong in paradise?"
"No. Everything is wonderful," he said with a wide grin.
"Ahhh. So what's the problem then?' he patted his forehead.
"I don't know. I guess...I guess I'm just...never mind."
"Come on. You can tell me. I swear I won't tell anyone." Malcolm looked at him skeptically. "Cross my heart and hope to die." He paused a moment looking around the room, "I'm just scared I'll do something wrong." Trip laughed a little. "What's so funny?" "I think every guy has that fear whether they're dating or not," he could tell Malcolm was upset. "Don't worry. If you do something wrong she'll tell ya."
"Thanks, Trip. I'm meeting her for dinner tonight."
"Just dinner, Malcolm?" he teased.
"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked laughing guiltily.
"I'm only guessin'."
"Well, you're a horrible guesser. Oooo, I better leave, have to get the food ready."
"Enjoy your dinner," he said sarcastically.
Malcolm shook his head and walked out of the gym waving back at Trip. * * * *
"It was the weirdest thing. I wish he would've just said what he was thinking." Malcolm told Hoshi that night at dinner about his conversation with the captain.
"That is strange. I mean wasn't he the one who talked you into asking me out?"
"Yes, he was. Well, as long as he knows what he means. Enjoying your dinner?"
"Mm-mm," she got and walked over to him. She whispered in his ear, " but I think I'd like some dessert now." She pulled him out of his chair. He started laying gentle kisses on her face and neck.
"Are you sure?"
"Shut up, Malcolm."
In the early morning they laid wrapped in each others arms. Outside the stars flew by, dancing like ballerinas against a black velvet curtain.
"Hoshi, love, are you awake?"
"Yes," she sighed deeply.
They lay there in the silence for a little while longer, till all of a sudden Hoshi jumped out of bed, running straight for the bathroom. Malcolm ran in after her and found her bent over the toilet.
"Oh my God! Hoshi, are you okay?"
"Must have been something I ate. I'll be fine." He helped her up and back into bed.
"If you don't feel better in the morning go see Dr. Phlox."
"Is that an order Lt.?"
"Yes, it is. Now go to sleep." * * * * * end ch. one. There is more to come.
author: Puma this time, I actually found time to write. Yippee!! Wolfsong is busy working on a Relic Hunter Trilogy.
summary: Sequel to "Deep Water Rising." More about Malcolm and Hoshi, can't give away to much. If you like drama and anything emotional this has it.
rating: PG-13
TITLE: Rain, Tax, It's Inevitable
Chapter 1: Unexpected Happenings
Hoshi stood before the door, waiting to be let in. "Come in love." A tall, handsome man in blue jeans and white pull over shirt said greeting her.
"Good evening Malcolm. Wow! I see you fixed the place up beautifully," she glanced around the candle lit room.
"It was okay till you came in and made it beautiful," he gently brushed her hair away from her face and smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, you are so sweet. How did I ever get so lucky?" she asked kissing him on the cheek. "So what's for dinner?"
"Ah! You are going to love it!" he pulled her over to the table. "First we'll start with our medium-well steak with steamed vegetables on the side. Then for desert we will have key lime pie."
"Wow it looks delicious! You out done yourself this time dear."
"I thought you might like it," he pulled her chair out and took his own seat.
They both dug into their food. Neither said anything for the first course even though they had been officially dating for a month now. Hoshi took the time of silence to take in every aspect of the small quarters. It was very neat and clean, yet homey. She did wish Malcolm would put some kind of picture of his family up. Of course, she could understand his distance with them. Occasionally, she would stare at him, taking in every detail of his face. They moved on to their desert. "This is excellent. Chef is wonderful. Here," she fed him a piece of her pie. He returned the gesture.
"I hate to ask, but can you give my neck a rub? It's been killing me," Malcolm asked kindly.
"Sure, no problem," she got up behind him and started a firm massage that she thought would be very effective.
"A little lower please." she found the spot and unkinked the muscle. She let her fingers linger a little up his back. She worked on his neck next, moving her hands to his shoulder blades. Then she stopped kneading and started to caress, moving her hands down over his broad chest. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her in front of him. He examined her soft, dainty hands, kissed them, then stood up. They stared deeply into each other eyes till a well of emotion over took them both.
He was very gentle she thought later that night, curled up next to him in the still darkness. She could heat him breathing lightly and the rhythm of his heart beating lulled her to sleep. * * * *
Archer and T'Pol came out of his ready rooms smiling. Well, T'Pol not actually smiling, but it showed that she was happy. Her relationship with Jonathon had really loosened up. Even now her and Trip got along better. Travis was at his post, so was Malcolm and Hoshi.
"Morning everyone," Jonathon said.
"Morning," they all greeted back.
"Any problems, Malcolm?" Archer asked.
"Nope, nothing so far."
"Travis, anything to report?"
"There is an uninhabitle system about 20 light years from here. It looks like one of the planets has an eccentric orbit," he answered. "Great! Let's go have a look. Set a course and then you all can have a break if there is nothing important you have to see to. Dismissed." T'Pol and him left the bridge together.
"Well, there's nothing for me to do. I'll see you guys later," Travis said leaving his post.
"You want to get something to eat?" Hoshi asked Malcolm.
"Sure. I don't think there's anything I have to do right away."
"Good." They headed to the mess hall.
Not too many people were in there, so they had their fair choice of seats. They decided on the table at the far end of the lunch room.
"Hoshi I've been thinking about last night."
"So have I," she said sweetly.
"I know you said you wanted to take it slow. And last night we seemed to have kicked it into full gear. I was just wondering if you thought last night was wrong. I loved every minute of it, but I just wanted to know if you are okay with it."
She stared at him for a second, then she put her utensils down and laid her arms on the table. "Yes, I'll admit, last night was a little faster than what I thought would happen." he gave a little depressed look. "But I wouldn't want to change what happened."
"You wouldn't?"
"No. I wouldn't. Listen I got a little bit of work I have to do, but why don't you drop by my quarters tonight, say oooh, around 8:00."
"Sounds great," he said with sheepish grin. Hoshi got up and walked to the door, gave him a wink, then went out. Malcolm leaned back in his chair, his arms folded, grinning from ear to ear. * * * * "Have you talked to Hoshi or Malcolm lately?" Jonathon asked T'Pol while they were eating in the captain's dinning room.
"No. I haven't. Was there something you needed from them.?"
"No, I was just wondering how they are doing. I think it's great that Malcolm finally decided to tell her how he felt."
"Maybe we should invite them to dinner sometime." T'Pol said casually.
"That sounds like a good idea. If you see them ask if they care to dine with us sometime."
"I'll do that. I need to run some analysis on the new system."
He got up to show her out, "You'll come by my quarters tonight?"
"Of course," he said playfully, walking closer to her. He leaned over and kissed her very deeply. Kissing wasn't exactly normal Vulcan behavior, but she had grown to actually enjoy it.
"Good," she walked out of the room. * * * *
"Ensign Sato."
"Hello Sub-commander. What can I do for you?"
"The captain and I was wondering if you and Lt. Reed would care to join us for dinner sometime, perhaps tonight?"
"Oh, I wish we could but we had something planned for tonight."
"Special dinner in the mess hall?"
"No, my quarters. Would tomorrow be good for you two?" she asked rushing the words together.
"I'll have to check with Jonathon."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later." Then she quickly walked away. T'Pol stared at her with one eyebrow raised. She went off to find Jonathon.
"Hey T'Pol! Did you see Hoshi or Malcolm yet?"
"Yes, I just finished talking with Ensign Sato. She said her and Lt. Reed were having dinner in her quarters tonight, but maybe tomorrow they could join us."
"In their quarters, eh? I guess tomorrow will be fine," he trailed off in thought.
"A penny for your thoughts?'
He smiled at that comment, "Nothing, love. Just musing." He kissed her on the forehead, "So what shall it be tonight? A movie, dancing? Your choice."
"A movie will be fine."
"I think they're showing 'The Music Man' tonight. Will that be okay?"
"That will be fine."
"I'll see you then." They both went their separate ways. Archer wanting to go find Malcolm and talk to him. * * * *
Malcolm was at his post when Archer found him. "Lt. Reed. Can I see you in my ready room for a moment?"
"Yes sir," he followed him in.
"Has Hoshi told you about tonight?"
"Yes sir. I regret that we can't make it."
"Don't worry about it, another day perhaps," he paused a moment. "Got big plan for Hoshi tonight?"
"No, nothing huge. Just dinner."
"Sounds nice. Sounds nice." Malcolm could tell he wasn't saying what he wanted to say. "Well, have a good evening and be careful." Jonathon put his hand on Malcolm's shoulder then dismissed him. Malcolm went back to his post very confused, he knew that the captain meant something in that cryptic message, but he let go for now. After he had finished thoroughly checking to make sure the weapons system was working properly it was 6:30. We'll I guess I could work out for on hour or so. He thought.
Trip was exercising on the bench press. "Howdy Malcolm."
"Good evening Commander Tucker."
"I told ya' Malcolm, you can call me Trip. Busy day?" he asked getting back to pressing.
"Yea, some what. You?'
"Naw, been in here for awhile now. How're you an' Hoshi doin'?"
"Great. Perfect," he started on the tread mill.
Trip sat up. " Uh-oh. Something wrong in paradise?"
"No. Everything is wonderful," he said with a wide grin.
"Ahhh. So what's the problem then?' he patted his forehead.
"I don't know. I guess...I guess I'm just...never mind."
"Come on. You can tell me. I swear I won't tell anyone." Malcolm looked at him skeptically. "Cross my heart and hope to die." He paused a moment looking around the room, "I'm just scared I'll do something wrong." Trip laughed a little. "What's so funny?" "I think every guy has that fear whether they're dating or not," he could tell Malcolm was upset. "Don't worry. If you do something wrong she'll tell ya."
"Thanks, Trip. I'm meeting her for dinner tonight."
"Just dinner, Malcolm?" he teased.
"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked laughing guiltily.
"I'm only guessin'."
"Well, you're a horrible guesser. Oooo, I better leave, have to get the food ready."
"Enjoy your dinner," he said sarcastically.
Malcolm shook his head and walked out of the gym waving back at Trip. * * * *
"It was the weirdest thing. I wish he would've just said what he was thinking." Malcolm told Hoshi that night at dinner about his conversation with the captain.
"That is strange. I mean wasn't he the one who talked you into asking me out?"
"Yes, he was. Well, as long as he knows what he means. Enjoying your dinner?"
"Mm-mm," she got and walked over to him. She whispered in his ear, " but I think I'd like some dessert now." She pulled him out of his chair. He started laying gentle kisses on her face and neck.
"Are you sure?"
"Shut up, Malcolm."
In the early morning they laid wrapped in each others arms. Outside the stars flew by, dancing like ballerinas against a black velvet curtain.
"Hoshi, love, are you awake?"
"Yes," she sighed deeply.
They lay there in the silence for a little while longer, till all of a sudden Hoshi jumped out of bed, running straight for the bathroom. Malcolm ran in after her and found her bent over the toilet.
"Oh my God! Hoshi, are you okay?"
"Must have been something I ate. I'll be fine." He helped her up and back into bed.
"If you don't feel better in the morning go see Dr. Phlox."
"Is that an order Lt.?"
"Yes, it is. Now go to sleep." * * * * * end ch. one. There is more to come.