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Chapter 8

Hoshi paced back and forth in front of the Captain's room.

I cannot believe this is happening. Not that I really know what is happening..

Suddenly the door swung open revealing Jon in his drawstring sweats and shirtless.

"What are you doing?" He asked.  He was towel drying his hair, watching her.

"I don't actually know."

"You're not here so I can ravish you. I just have a bad feeling, and need to look after you."  He stepped back allowing her to move past him.

"Why do you need to protect me? There are several other women on the ship you know. Should I call them and tell them our great captain has deemed us in need of safekeeping? Maybe I could just say, 'Hey pajama party in the Captains quarters, bring a phaser'."  She flung her hands about, emphasizing each word.

Jon walked to his closet, opening the door and hurling the towel inside.

"I don't know exactly. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am not exactly in control of my emotions. All I know is I need to protect you. You are all I think about." He stalked toward her backing her into the wall. " I wake up, I think about you. I go to sleep, I think about you. I dream all night about YOU."

He looked down. Their breath was coming fast. Her cheeks were flushed. He leaned into her, laying his forehead against hers.

"Hoshi, I'm the Captain." He whispered so quietly that she almost didn't understand him.

"I know who you are, Jon. What I don't understand is what I am to you." She started to continue but was stopped by Jon's lips against her.

He mumbled, "Open your mouth." 

His tongue swept in, dueling with hers. She moaned and leaned into him, allowing him to press his hands into her back, pulling her even closer. He reached for the zipper on her uniform pulling it down, slowly.

Beep.

"Shit." He reached over smacking the comm.

"What?" He barked into it.

"I am sorry to disturb you Captain, but Ensign Mayweather has regained consciousness. He did not wake up in a good mood. Just wanted to let you know. Phlox out."

Hoshi started to pull back away from Jon, but he held on to her. Leaning in he pressed his mouth right above the top of her ear. Using his teeth, he tugged on her earlobe causing her to gasp in surprise.

"We are nowhere near being done here, Hoshi." Then he zipped her uniform, grabbed a shirt he had laid out, and said, "Let's go see Travis." Taking her hand, he pulled her out the door and into the hall.

**

On the way to Sickbay, shouting they heard down the hall stopped them.  Jon shoved Hoshi behind his back and they ducked into a corridor.  Sticking his head around the corner, Jon was annoyed to see two crewmen punching each other senseless.  When one successfully knocked the other unconscious, he grabbed Hoshi's hand, pulling her down the corridor again. As they started to pass the Crewman who had won, he stepped out in front of them, blocking their path.

Jon growled and shoved him on top of his fighting partner.  He pulled Hoshi along, gripping her hand tightly in his. 

When they arrived in Sickbay, the disarray of the room amazed them.  There were trays spilled everywhere, broken glass on the floor, and an overturned biobed. Dr.Phlox stood over a restrained Ensign Mayweather.

Travis was trying in vain to get off the table.  Dr. Phlox grabbed a hyposray and injected him, forcing Travis to sleep.

Phlox stepped back, leaning against a counter for support. He had a small cut above his eye and seemed to be at a loss for words.  He looked over at Archer and Hoshi, noticing for the first time the Captain's grip on the Ensign. 

"Hello, Captain. Hoshi." He watched them carefully for any violent signs.

"Have you found a cure for this crap yet?" Archer asked, frowning.

"No, but Sub-Commander T'Pol is helping me and we seem to be getting closer." Hoshi snorted at hearing the name T'Pol.  Phlox moved slowly toward the Captain.  He tried to get a look at Hoshi to make sure she was safe but was stopped when Archer shoved her behind him. In annoyance, Hoshi pushed back, causing Jon to stumble forward.

"Alright, we're leaving."  Jon moved toward the door.

"Find the damned cure, Doctor."  He pressed the door panel and walked out leaving Hoshi behind.

She opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by the Captain's shout.

"Now, Hoshi."  She swore and walked out the door. As she went down the hall, Phlox could hear her berating the captain. "I don't know who you think you are but…"

"That was very interesting." The doctor walked back over to Travis to examine him.