A Charming Match: Chapter Three

Chapter three- taking your advice.

Spoilers for the books Lord of the Rings and The Three Musketeers and Macbeth.

I do not own the books mentioned above, nor the characters and settings for Star Trek.

Bridge

The next day Hoshi wouldn't even look at Malcolm she was afraid of what she might see. 'I can't believe I kissed him. On the cheek isn't that bad but still…what if he didn't want me too…what if I read to far more into his walking me to my quarters? It could have just been his British manners. Well as in Macbeth, "What's done can not be undone." I'm going to continue seeing him anyway. It's hard not to on a star ship. I will not act embarrassed... I don't even sound convincing in my head.'

'She hasn't even looked at me.' Malcolm thought. 'When she kissed me, was it as a friend, or a brother, or something else? I wish she would at least look at me. Well, I could always ask her what it meant. But I don't think I have the nerve.... maybe I'll see her later and talk with her then. Maybe we can go for a walk on the recreation deck- she said she loved the view. Maybe we could get a bottle of wine and…' Malcolm pulled his rambling mind to a halt and with a sigh reminded himself of the crucial fact. 'She still has yet to look at you.'

Later, in the mess hall...

Hoshi walked into the mess hall to find Malcolm at the table by the window, staring intently and a Padd. After she went over to the counter and picked up some pizza and a glass of orange juice, she walked over to where Malcolm was sitting. He had been so tuned in to what he was looking at he didn't notice her approach. When she was within hearing range she asked, "Mind if I sit down?"

At the sound of the voice Malcolm jumped in his chair and dropped the Padd. It landed face down on the floor. "Oh, Hoshi. You scared me."

She put down her tray and reached down to retrieve the Padd. At the same time she bent down, Malcolm reached for the Padd as well. Hoshi got it but they bumped heads again. It was not as hard as the day before, but it was enough to be uncomfortable.

"What are you reading?" She looked at the Padd and a grin spread across her face. "You're reading Lord of the Rings?"

"You seemed to think it was worth reading, so I thought I'd give it a try. I guess I got engrossed."

"Don't worry about it," Hoshi replied with a sheepish grin. "I had to force myself to put down The Three Musketeers. It's in my quarters. If I hadn't put it down I probably would have read until I fell asleep, and forgotten to eat."

"So you chose to take my advice, and read it?"

"Yeah. Guess we had the same idea last night."

"So how do you like it so far?" Malcolm asked.

"I think it's great. You're right about what you said last night. The movie was very inaccurate."

And then there it was, the awkward silence caused by last night's kiss. They ate in silence for a few minutes, unable to look at each other.

'What do I do now? Should I ask her why she kissed me? I'll probably look like a fool, and besides I'm not sure I want to hear the answer.'

Hoshi couldn't stand it anymore, 'Why hasn't he said anything about my kissing him? Well, someone has to, so I will.' "So, where in the book are you Malcolm?" 'Okay so I'm a chicken. I really was going to say something. It's just like me to chicken out as the words leave my mouth.'

Malcolm was thankful for the break in the silence. "Frodo just sold bagends to relatives."

Hoshi thought a moment. "So you aren't that far. How long have you been reading?"

"Since last night. I found it in the database when I got back to my quarters."

Hoshi smiled, obviously lost in a memory. "My favorite part in The Fellowship of the Ring is when they go though the Mines of Morea."

"Well, don't tell me. I haven't read that yet." Malcolm jokes. "So how far have you gotten in The Three Musketeers?"

"D'Artagnan just met the Countess de Winta."

"You're that far already?" Malcolm asked, stunned. "You must be a fast reader."

"Yeah," she replied. She didn't want him to know she had needed something to distract her mind last night, so she had gone into the literary database and looked up The Three Musketeers. "Like I said, I couldn't put it down."

Just then Trip called from where he was seated with Travis, three tables away. "Hey, you two taken a fancy to each other, or you just bein' anti- social together?"

Hoshi rolled her eyes and Malcolm looked annoyed, but they got up to join their friends.

Hoshi was the first to speak. "Sorry Trip. We were discussing books… I thought you would feel left out so we sat over there."

"Ooh, and Hoshi gives a low blow." Travis said, not bothering to hide his amusement.

"Well, he's always teasing me about something. I figure I have to return the favor sometimes," Hoshi said with a smug smile.

Malcolm was quiet for the most part. He had an idea for the next evening that might help determine the reason for that kiss. 'Okay. I just need to talk with the steward, the captain, then Hoshi. If I could get off duty about five minutes early, that would be wonderful.'

Hoshi finished with her dinner and rose to leave. Malcolm got up as well and got ready to leave with her.

"Where you goin' Malcolm?" Trip asked.

Malcolm turned and replied, "I'm going to walk Hoshi back to her quarters."

"Okay, see ya both tomorrow."

Once they had left the mess hall Trip turned to Travis. "Do you see what I see?"

Travis nodded with an obvious grin. "You mean the fact that he has walked her to her quarters two nights in a row, and they can't stop looking at each other?"

"That's it," Trip said. "And the funniest part is, they can't see the other feels the same."

"Should we tell the captain?"

"No." Trip was quiet a moment, "Malcolm needs to feel like he's part of this crew, 'cause right now he's not sure he belongs. If anyone can help him realize he's one of us, it's Hoshi."

 

Outside Hoshi's quarters...

"Thanks for walking me to my quarters. You know you really don't have to."

"Nonsense. It's my pleasure," Malcolm said

'So,' Hoshi thought with a smile. 'He likes walking me to my quarters. This is good.' "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

Hoshi was just about to enter her quarters when Malcolm asked, "Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow…just the two of us?"

Hoshi turned beaming. "I'd love to, but where? The mess hall's always got somebody there."

"I could ask the steward to bring something to my quarters, if that's all right?"

"That's fine." Her mind was racing. He was inviting her to dinner, alone, with him. "What time?"

"Is 21:30 all right?"

"Sure. I'll be there. Did you want me to bring anything?"

"No. I'll take care of all that."

On impulse she went to kiss his cheek again, but he turned his head and their lips met. Hoshi refused to jump- even though her stomach had just done a somersault.

She forced a smile and said in haste, "G'night Malcolm." And with that turned and went into her quarters.

He hadn't meant to do that, but it happened and now it was done. Not that he really minded. He just hoped she didn't.

End Chapter 3