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Chapter 10Hoshi stepped into the armory the next morning. She didn't see anyone so she called out "Hello?"
A surprised Malcolm stepped out from behind a console. He was covered in grease and his hair was sticking out in all directions. There were parts strewn all over the floor.
"Hello, Hoshi." He moved around front, walking toward her.
"Hi. Do you have a minute?"
Malcolm gestured around him and said, "Do I look busy to you?" Hoshi looked around in confusion.
"Why are you working on this?" she asked.
He looked embarrassed and coughed. "Normally I would call Commander Tucker but he and I..."
"Are not getting along because of me," she said, looking morose. "You know, there's nothing that remarkable about me."
Malcolm walked back over to the console, staring at it. Without looking at her, he said, "I beg to differ, Hoshi."
Hoshi blushed and turned her back to him. She looked down at the floor and then raised her head. "I love him."
Malcolm was quiet for a few minutes. He said, "I know."
She finally turned back toward him but he was still facing the console.
He slowly turned around and gave her a sad smile. "Well Ensign, I guess I will see you tomorrow at 1500 hours for our defense training."
Hoshi walked out the door.
Malcolm looked at all the console pieces lying about. "Damn, what a mess this is." He bent down and began working again.
**
Surrounded on all sides by mechanical parts, Trip bent over the desk in his quarters, completely entranced in his work. Although he didn't really hear it, soft jazz, his favorite working music, played in the background. Trip spent most evenings in his room lately, buried in engine schematics. With parts of an engine in his hands, he didn't worry about Hoshi.
The two of them had barely spoken since Duonia. She was recovering and he was keeping his distance, unsure of what to say to her. Every time he did try, her new watchdog Jon miraculously appeared and sent him packing. He consoled himself with the knowledge that Malcolm wasn't getting any closer than he was.
Tonight, Trip's door sounded.
"Come," he yelled, without looking up.
The door slid open and Hoshi, dressed in her uniform, stepped through. "What's up?" Trip said, glancing up. He did a double take and scrambled to his feet, kicking aside some blueprints in his way.
"Hey," he said nervously. He was having a hard time finding a good place for his hands. "How're ya doin'?"
"Fine," Hoshi answered, equally nervous. She solved her hand problem by tucking them behind her back. "You know…much better. I go back to regular duty tomorrow."
"Good. I mean, that's great. I…we were pretty worried about ya for a while there."
"I know. Actually, that's why I came to talk to you. I owe you an explanation for everything I put you through…you know." His eyes darkened; they were both thinking of Malcolm. She half expected Trip to stop her right there, but he didn't, so she forged ahead.
"What happened with Malcolm… I'm sorry, Trip. I've been so lost." He held her eyes, but she couldn't read his expression. "I was so afraid all of the time. And I didn't want anyone to know, because I already have such a reputation as a weakling." Trip opened his mouth then, but she held up a hand, making an ironic face. "Anyway, Malcolm…he makes me feel protected. He's so vigilant; always ready to defend others, especially the people he cares about."
"Like you," Trip interjected dryly.
She nodded. "Yes, like me. And you," she added pointedly. Trip glanced away and she continued. "But when I'm with you, it's different." He looked back at her; she made a frustrated sound at the expression in his eyes. "This is coming out all wrong."
Trip turned slightly away, running his fingers through his hair, his anxiety further revealed by the increasing volume of his voice. "No, I think you're doin' all right. This is the part where I step aside, tell you I'll always be your friend, right?" His faced her again, eyes burning. "Well, screw that." Hoshi started in surprise at the anger in his voice. "I'm not just steppin' aside, playin' the hero. I had you first! And I love you. So I am not gonna make this easy for you, Sato!" Almost shouting, he punctuated every word with his hands.
A brilliant smile spread over Hoshi's face, catching Trip off guard. He eyed her, confused.
Hoshi cleared the space between them with one leap, wrapping her arms around his neck. He instinctively closed his arms around her, catching her tight against him.
"What I was going to say…" Hoshi planted a quick kiss on his mouth and smiled up at him, "is that you make me want to be strong. You look at me and it's like you see me, not a girl who needs protection—but a woman who can take care of herself. And when I'm with you, I see it too." She reached up, kissing him again.
For a moment, Trip's face was slack. Then his arms tightened around her. He deepened the kiss, smiling inwardly. The scent of sandalwood, of shampoo, of Hoshi, wrapped around him.
She pulled back a little. "And I love you."
Trip gave her a 1000-watt smile. "Glad to see you've finally come to your senses, woman." She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Now…" He lowered his head and kissed her, nipping lightly at each lip. His lips slipped across her cheek and down her neck, settling briefly, and then moving back to her mouth. His hands traveled across her back and down to her hips, pressing her against him. Their breath came in gasps and sighs.
Trip leaned back slightly. She opened her eyes and saw the question in his. For an answer she smiled back, and unzipped the front of his uniform, peeling it back from his shoulders to rest at his waist. Trip watched her hands, and looked back up to meet her gaze. His eyes crinkled with humor. "Thank God," he said.
Hoshi burst into laughter and he swept her back into his arms, preparing to dump her onto his bunk. Halfway down he caught her, holding her with one arm while he pushed mechanical parts off the bed and onto the floor. He grinned apologetically and Hoshi laughed again, the laugh ending on a gasp as he dropped her onto the bed beneath him. He stretched out beside her, propped on one arm. His hand trailed up her arm, caressing her cheek briefly. He was still smiling, but his eyes were serious.
"I do love you, Hosh. I'm glad you're here."
Hoshi smiled up at him. "Get used to it, Commander," she said, twining her hands in his hair and pulling him back to the business at hand.
***
One chapter to go…
