A/N: Did you think I was going to neglect my Troshi shippers, even for a second? For once, this is a drabble proper. I mentioned Hoshi losing a bet to Trip in one of my earlier chapters, and decided to go back and tie up that particular loose end. It's only fair. I mean...you guys had to suffer through the RTP honeymoon. I don't blame you if you're still shaken up.

I've been working the past few days to get my notes together and prepare for the next part of this series...the teenage years. My baby OCs can't stay children forever, but all the same. God help us all.

Intertwining Destinies: Kitsch City

The One Where The Tuckers Get Tricked and Hoshi Gets Inked

"Trip, this is not funny," Hoshi chastised firmly, although she was having a hard time maintaining her focus while the sound of her husband's exaggerated guffaws billeted about the room.

The man in question had fallen to his knees with all the power of his laughter, shaking with mirth. "I knew it! I just knew it! Why else would Jon and Erika recommend this place to us?!"

Recognizing that he was nowhere near regaining sobriety, she sighed dramatically and fell backwards onto the plush bed of the resort's best honeymoon suite.

Immediately, she was met with her reflection, pouting slightly and arms crossed defiantly. This could not be happening.

But…then again…it most decidedly was.

Seconds later, Trip had followed suit, his head propped up in his palm in order to display the smug grin that was plastered across his face. He didn't even have to say anything before Hoshi clutched her cheeks and began to giggle herself.

"I thought this was going to be a classy place, what with its reputation and—"

"Well, I guess that notion's been shot to hell," he interrupted wryly, motioning towards the full length mirror that covered the ceiling. "I 'spose we'll get used to it eventually."

"You're probably right," she replied, closing her eyes and breathing deeply, savoring the temporary serenity. It was only the first night of a glorious two weeks the Tuckers would spend together in the Caribbean, soaking up some sun and getting into more trouble than either of them were probably worth.

"Hosh'…you still lost the bet!"

"Don't remind me," the woman exclaimed, standing and slinging a knitted shawl over her shoulders. As Trip stood to join her, she decided that if she was going to really go through with it, she might as well be a good sport. "Your terms. That was the deal."

As the two left the hotel and strolled along the boardwalk in search of the shop they had both seen upon their arrival, Hoshi asked, "So, what is it that I'm going to be getting?"

"My name," he responded drolly, his tongue moving around in his cheek.

"Your name?" She was strangely satisfied with the notion. What better way to solidify their union than making sure that everyone knew that she was his?

"Yes, ma'am. You wanna know where?"

Hoshi had a feeling that he was only messing with her, but decided to humor him. "Where?"

As he lightly slapped the area in question, she jumped and let out a small yip of surprise. Starting at his abject flirtatiousness, she allowed herself to be dragged into the tattoo parlor and shown to the attendant.

"Just a few little letters and numbers for the lady, please, wherever she wants them. I'd like to commemorate the place where we first met."

Half an hour later, a bandage taped to her right flank under her skirts and her hand firmly clasped in Trip's, Hoshi felt that it was her turn for a little teasing. "'NX-01', huh?"

He nodded. "Consider it a badge of honor. A lot of the MACOs I know have inked their first locations of deployment. Besides, I never want to forget the ol' hunk of metal and bolts that led me to you."

Struck by his devotion for her, Hoshi drew him to her by the lapels of his ridiculous Hawaiian shirt and kissed him firmly. Releasing him moments later, she whispered, "If you follow me back to the hotel, I'll show you why you'll never have to wander again."

And as the sun sets over the tropical island, bathing the landscape in russets and golds, he is only too willing to let her guide him into eternity.