What They see, chapter four
"How did your Poker game go Friday night, sir?"
Malcolm looked over at Hoshi, sitting at the Communications console. "Quite well, actually. Although I prefer Bridge."
"You play Bridge? Perhaps if we can find two other players we could have a game. If you want."
"I play Bridge," Travis chimed in.
"You do?"
"Yep. Not a whole lot to do on a transport, and I liked the strategy of Bridge better than the bluffing of Poker."
"Well," Malcolm looked at the other two officers on the bridge. "Seems all we need is one more player."
The little devil in Hoshi spoke up before she knew it. "Why not ask Commander Tucker? You went to his Poker game …"
Malcolm frowned. "I don't think the Commander plays Bridge, Ensign."
"We'd be getting used to each other anyway, and you didn't know how to play Poker …" Why are you doing this?
"Tit for tat, eh Ensign?" Malcolm gave a rather sly grin. "He'll be there."
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Hoshi sat at a table in one of the smaller recreation rooms, nervously shuffling cards. She hadn't seen much of Trip since setting up the Bridge party two days ago, but she found herself thinking about him at the oddest times ever since Malcolm said he would be coming. Those blue eyes in his smiling face kept coming back to Hoshi.
"I tol' you, Malcolm, I don't play Bridge …" Hoshi looked up at the door as Trip followed Malcolm in. Was it her imagination or did he pause when he saw her? Quickly shifting her attention to the deck of cards, Hoshi watched Trip from under her lashes.
"Comm … Trip, sit across from me, you'll be my partner." Malcolm waved Trip to a chair next to Hoshi.
"I don't play Bridge. M' Aunt Flossie plays Bridge," Trip grumped as he sat down.
Hoshi glared at him. "Bridge is a game of strategy, Commander. It has elements of logic, partnership cooperation, discipline, psychology, mathematics, and ethics."
"Whoa! Sorry, Hosh. Didn't mean t' offend." Trip threw up his hands in surrender.
"My fault, Commander," Hoshi smiled at him.
Trip grinned back. "Trip. We're off duty, call me Trip."
"Trip."
"Are we ready?" Travis came in and sat right down.
Hoshi smiled and dealt the cards, trying not to watch Trip. Soon she didn't have to try as she got swept up in the game.
"Do you remember what I told you on the way over?" Malcolm looked up at Trip.
"Yeah, I do …" Trip's forehead creased as he looked at his cards.
"Ready, Hoshi?" Travis looked at her.
"One diamond."
"Two clubs."
"Two hearts."
" …"
"Trip?"
"Hold yer horses, I'm thinkin' … Pass."
Hoshi smiled to herself. "Four hearts"
"Pass."
"Pass."
"Pass."
"I'm dummy then." Hoshi waited until Trip played the seven of clubs, then spread her cards out on the table. Travis took the two of clubs from the dummy. Trying not to look at Trip to often, Hoshi watched the boys play.
After a few hands, Malcolm suppressed a sigh. "Trip, that's the third trick you've lost us." Trip gave Malcolm an evil look. "Hoshi, you're dummy. Help Trip out."
Hoshi blinked a few times, then moved over to sit by Trip. Leaning over she started explaining the reasoning behind each play.
"No offence, Hoshi," Travis looked up from his hand. "But can you whisper more?"
Shifting so Trip was almost in her lap, Hoshi got to within a few inches of his ear.
I hope I'm not blushing … ohhh, he smells so good … Trying to keep her mind on the game, but not being very successful, Hoshi concentrated on Trip's cards, showing him which to play. Unconsciously she began to touch his hand while making a point. Too soon (not soon enough?) the hand was over and Hoshi went back to her side of the table.
The game continued, whoever was dummy helping Trip out with his hand. By the middle of the second rubber, he was practically holding his own. The group finished three rubbers before Hoshi started to yawn. "We keepin' ya up, darlin'?" Trip grinned at her as he shuffled the cards.
"I'm sorry," Hoshi got out as another yawn split her face.
"Shall we call it a night?" Malcolm took the cards from Trip and slid them in their case. "I think we did rather well taking that last rubber, thanks to some over aggressive bidding by Travis here." He smiled at the helmsman.
"I like a spirited game, what can I say." Seeing Trip and Malcolm get up from the table, Travis spoke quickly.
"Say, Malcolm, I wanted to talk to you about scheduling my next target practice."
"Now?"
"If you don't mind." Travis turned to Hoshi and Trip. "You guys don't have to wait."
"Are you sure?" Travis nodded at Hoshi. "Ok, see you tomorrow." She walked out with Trip a step behind.
Malcolm looked at Travis. "I thought we scheduled your practice already."
"We did, but I wanted to give those two some time alone." Travis grinned at the Armory officer.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Malcolm! You didn't see the way Hoshi and Trip were circling each other the entire night? Why do you think I asked Hoshi to whisper?"
Travis just laughed at the baffled look on Malcolm's face.
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"You did pretty well for someone who's never played bridge before." Somehow Hoshi and Trip had mutually slowed to an ambling walk.
"Well, as to that …" Trip looked sheepish as he ran his hand over his head. "I never said I didn't know *how* to play Bridge. Just that I don't play. And I don't. Haven't played in … oh, ten or more years, ever since I started at the Academy and learned Poker."
Hoshi stopped and stared at him. "You're a ringer?!"
"Wha …? No! I … Malcolm acted like I was some kinda redneck that only knew how t' play a simplistic game like poker … I guess I wanted t' prove somethin' …" Trip looked at Hoshi's shocked face. Aw hell, I've done it now …
A smile tugged at the corner of Hoshi's mouth. "Malcolm is going to flip when he finds out."
"You're not going to tell him … ?"
"… that you pulled a fast one over on him? What's in it for me?" Hoshi was actively laughing by now.
Trip gave her a grin and took a step closer. "Dinner? Movie?"
The smile faded from Hoshi's face as Trip came closer. "We work for Star Fleet, dinners and movies are included."
Trip leaned his arm on the bulkhead next to Hoshi, still giving her plenty of room to escape. "What would you like?"
Hoshi recalled what the other crewmembers thought of Trip. Stubborn, nice, loyal, generous, kind, brilliant … and oh yes, handsome, definitely handsome … But in the end, isn't it best to form your own opinions?
"You. I'd like to know you."
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Later that evening over ice cream …
"Trip?"
"Hmm?"
"Who taught you to play Bridge?"
"… m' Aunt Flossie … Ow! Hoshi!"
FINIS