Chapter. 2

"It's not so bad is it?" Hoshi asked T'Pol as she stepped out of the bathroom after her shower. She was dressed in blue jeans and a red sweater.

"Not entirely," T'Pol admitted, "all though I can't say I am enjoying the pain."

Hoshi smiled, "I know what you mean, I used a few muscles I haven't in years."

"We've been here nearly a week," T'Pol pointed out.

"Only seven more days until we're back on Enterprise," Hoshi said, but she didn't sound too terribly excited. It wasn't that she wanted to stay, it was just she hadn't slept in a comfortable bed in months and the showers on Enterprise were so weak you had to stand under the spray for twenty minutes trying to get the shampoo out. But here…on Earth, there were good-pressured showers and nice beds. Time to relax and not worry about the ship falling out of the sky.

Hoshi sighed and pulled her hair into a high ponytail.

"I understand the others are enjoying their stay as much as you."

"Aren't you having fun T'Pol?"

"Fun isn't exactly what I would call it, but its it's not, not enjoyable."

"You'd feel more comfortable on Enterprise?"

"I enjoy having something to accomplish. I'm not really sure what to do with all this free time."

"Meditate," Hoshi offered, "or read a book. I have a few you could borrow, or," Hoshi grinned. "Come to the hockey game with us tonight."

"I do not know," T'Pol replied, "I may meditate after all."

"Well, you could do it before, or after. Come on T'Pol, it's a once in a lifetime chance. Who knows when we'll be back on Earth? Besides you can tell all you're…Vulcan friends about how illogical a sport it is."

"All right," T'Pol gave in, "if its that important to you."

"I think it will be a good time."

~*

"You think this is a good time?" T'Pol asked, later that evening. The four of them were scrunched into nosebleed seats and Malcolm was nearly behind a pole. It was the second period and two players were in the middle of the seventh fight this game.

"It's a great time," Trip replied, as the opposing team member hit the ice with a crunch.

"Which team do I cheer for?"

"Well, the home team."

"But I am not from Toronto," T'Pol replied.

"Then…cheer for the other team then." Hoshi replied.

"But which is acceptable?"

"Whichever team you like best."

"Hmmm," T'Pol observed the tiny flecks skating around on the ice. "I believe I enjoy the…Bears?" She took a drink of her iced water. "Their plays seem to be much more logical and thought through."

"But, you do realize that hockey is a game of mistakes right?" Malcolm pointed out. "See," he pointed, "number eighteen just lost the puck to number twenty on the Leafs," suddenly the coliseum erupted in cheers and Hoshi and Trip stood to clap with the other fans. "That's why he scored. Not because it was planned that way." [yes, of course sometimes it is planned.]

"I still don't understand why these men feel the need to attack each other. Are they enemies?" T'Pol asked.

"In a sense," Hoshi held out her popcorn but T'Pol shook her head. "But it's really a part of the game."

"It doesn't really make sense, and it's not really logical. They do it for the fans and to get the other players motivated and in the game," Trip explained sipping on his coke. "Its just hockey!"

T'Pol nodded, turning her eyes back to the game. She still liked the Bears better, besides they had more points [no offense Toronto fans!] and wasn't that the object of any game? To get the most points and win? So the next time the Bears scored T'Pol clapped and even cheered. Surprising even her.

~*

"I thought Vulcan's didn't believe in displaying emotions," Trip said innocently.

"I was just trying to blend in," T'Pol replied feebly.

"Sure you were."

"There isn't really much point, everyone knows about Vulcan's anyway."

"In fact," Hoshi said grinning, "there's even a town in the province of Alberta named after your people."

"So there's no reason to hide anything at all," Malcolm cracked, chuckling to himself. Hoshi just shook her head.

"That really was awful Lieutenant." T'Pol said as they reached their hotel.

"So what now?" Hoshi wondered.

"I believe I am going to 'turn in' as you humans sometimes put it," T'Pol said pulling open the front door.

"I'm exhausted," Trip yawned.

"Goodnight then," Malcolm said.

"You're not going to sleep?" Trip wondered and Malcolm shook his head. "Hoshi?"

"No, I think I'll stay out here for a while," she smiled, sticking her hands into her pockets. She looked up at the stars. Still finding it so hard to believe that she'd been there. Seen it up close. That she hadn't wanted to really go in the first place.

"So," Malcolm said, breaking her out of her thoughts. Hoshi looked over at him.

"So." She repeated.

"Not tired then?" He wondered.

Hoshi shook her head, "not really."

"Want to go for a walk then?" Malcolm offered. "It's something to do."

Hoshi nodded, "I would actually, I was just waiting for someone to ask."

"So you're the walking type then?"

"The which?"

"The walking type. Some people like to knit, others like to read a book or have a bath. You're the walking type."

"Oh," Hoshi nodded, "I guess so. I never really used to walk before. But there's not really much to see on Enterprise. Are you the walking type?"

Malcolm shook his head, "no but its better than standing here freezing."

They walked off together in silence. Something cool landed on Hoshi's cheek.

"It's snowing." She said looking up. An infinite amount of snowflakes seemed to pour out of the sky and Hoshi linked her arm with Malcolm. She couldn't really help it, the snow falling was just so…and besides it's not like he minded. Or, at least he didn't appear to. Hoshi shivered and Malcolm slipped his arm out of hers and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"It's bloody freezing," she said grinning.

"Where are we going?" Malcolm wondered.

"For a walk." Hoshi said.

"Yes, but does this walk have a destination?"

"Does it need one?" Hoshi shot back, nudging Malcolm, "just…look at the stars and—."

"Shut up?" Malcolm offered.

"I never said that!"

"It's what you meant though."

"No it isn't, I was going to say 'just look at the stars and relax', not everything has to have a destination." Hoshi shook her head. "You know—," she began. Malcolm spun her around and planted a kiss on her lips. Hoshi's eyes widened in shock but before she could react Malcolm pulled away. "Malcolm," Hoshi said, brushing her fingers across her lips.

"I'm sorry." Malcolm said quickly.

"It's okay," Hoshi said blushing.

"I'm sorry," Malcolm repeated.

"Don't be, it's fine." Hoshi said, she glanced at him then looked away quickly.

"I've made you uncomfortable." Malcolm took her arm.

"No just surprised me is all."

"See you won't even look at me now." Malcolm sighed.

Hoshi forced herself to look at him, "I'm looking at you." She smiled kindly at his tense face. "It's okay Malcolm. Just got caught up in the moment." They came to a bridge and Hoshi stopped. She leaned against the railing and watched Malcolm.

"Actually," it was Malcolm's turn to blush, "I've wanted to do that for sometime now."

Hoshi's mouth dropped open. She blushed and looked away across the bridge to the bright lights of the city. They were so far away…from space, everything that they had grown accustomed too.

Who knows what was going through Malcolm's head.

If he really meant it, Hoshi thought darkly.

"Want to head back?" Malcolm blurted and Hoshi nodded.

They walked back to the hotel, a safe distance between them.

So…what did you think??? Review please!!!