Chapter Three.

"You what?" Trip exclaimed.

"You bloody well heard me," Malcolm muttered into his beer two nights later. For the past two days Malcolm had been avoiding Hoshi. He didn't mean to…and he knew it wasn't fair, he just couldn't help it. He never should have kissed her. Well of course he should have. But he never should have kissed her! Now everything was different. Not that he and Hoshi had been great friends before, but now they barely spoke. Even T'Pol had taken notice.

"Has something happened between you two that I should be aware of?" She had asked Malcolm when Hoshi had gone to the ladies room. Malcolm and shook his head and said no. He had a pretty good idea that T'Pol knew he was lying. She was Vulcan, not stupid.

Trip opened his mouth to say something then clamped it shut. "I just can't," he blurted. "Man."

"Yes I understand," Malcolm snapped unhappily. "I've ruined everything you do realize."

Trip looked up at the waitress, he motioned to her, "keep them coming." He motioned to Malcolm with his head. The waitress smiled and nodded.

"Thanks my friend," Malcolm murmured into his drink before finishing it off.

He decided that a bar was exactly what they needed on Enterprise, somewhere to get piss drunk after making an ass of oneself. Perfect way to forget, except for the next morning.

He gathered that's why they didn't have a bar on board. It was pretty stupid idea actually, but it didn't mean that he wouldn't appreciate a private one in his quarters at times.

"So what are you gonna do?" Trip wondered.

Malcolm furrowed his brow, "I don't know." He replied finally, "I figure I've done enough as is."

"Just let it fester until neither one of you can stand to look at the other; and one of you has to leave the ship?"

Malcolm shook his head slightly, "talking about something personally Commander?"

"For crying out loud, we're in a bar, don't call me Commander," Trip grumbled, "and what makes you think I'm talking about something personal?"

Malcolm tried to cover his smirk. "No reason."

"There's three days until we head back to Enterprise, I think you better think of something quick."

Malcolm sighed. He knew Trip was right. But he…

Malcolm smiled as another beer appeared in front of him. He took it and swigged it down in a gulp.

~*

"Ensign," T'Pol began, and Hoshi looked up. She was sitting in a crouched position on her bed watching an episode of Maury.

"Hoshi," she sighed.

"Pardon?" T'Pol quirked an eyebrow.

"Call me Hoshi."

"Okay…Hoshi," T'Pol said slowly. "Is something bothering you?"

Hoshi sighed, was she really that obvious? For the past two days Hoshi had been avoiding Malcolm. She didn't mean to…and she knew it wasn't fair, she just couldn't help it.

Now that everything was different…now that he had kissed her. And it didn't really seem like Malcolm was going out of his way to talk to her either. Which Hoshi really couldn't blame him for.

Even T'Pol had taken notice.

"Has something happened between you two that I should be aware of?" She asked and Hoshi turned to look at her.

"Yes," Hoshi nodded. "But it's highly illogical and against protocol. I don't know if you'll want to hear about it." Hoshi looked at the Sub Commander. T'Pol had never been kind towards her, in fact at the beginning of the mission she had been…almost condescending. T'Pol was gradually warming up to the ensign but it wasn't like they sat together in the mess hall. Or really even talked to each other if it wasn't nessisary.

Hoshi sighed again.

"It's quite obvious that something is making you upset." T'Pol said quickly. "I don't want it to affect your work back on Enterprise so—."

"Malcolm kissed me," Hoshi blurted out, "oh, I mean Lieutenant Reed."

"Is that all?" T'Pol wondered, raising her eyebrows.

"What?" Hoshi faltered, "is that all?" She repeated, confused.

"There's no need to get excited," T'Pol began, "I really don't see why humans always let everything effect them so much."

"So, if Commander Tucker kissed you, you wouldn't be affected?"

T'Pol was quiet for a moment before she replied, "that's different." She said finally. "I wouldn't let Commander Tucker kiss me."

"I didn't let Malcolm kiss me," Hoshi snapped.

"Please Ensign—Hoshi, I've seen the way he looks at you. It's quite apparent he has feelings for you."

"No he doesn't."

"Is that what you've been telling yourself?" T'Pol sat down beside Hoshi. She normally didn't play the resident shrink, but she'd nearly had enough. "I'm Vulcan Hoshi, not stupid."

Hoshi bit her lip, "sorry for snapping." She whispered.

"There's no need to apologize," T'Pol said standing up. "I'm having a bath," she said walking to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her. Leaving Hoshi alone in the dark.

~*

Hoshi sighed as she packed the rest of her clothes into her suitcase. She had been running over and over in her head, the things she was going to say to Malcolm. But nothing sounded right…everything sounded stupid and contrived. She didn't even know where to begin.

T'Pol shook her head, she knew that Hoshi had been up most of the night before. She had heard her mumbling and gathered that the Ensign was trying to think of something to say to the Lieutenant.

Why can't humans be honest with each other? T'Pol wondered. They seemed to enjoy beating around the bush, or saying whatever suited the other party best.

This observation expanded father than just romantic relationship issues. She had seen friends on Enterprise forgive the other, whom had deeply and honestly hurt them.

She wondered why they did that? Sent themselves through more hurt than nessisary.

If Ensign Sato said what she really felt, she would feel much better. So would Lieutenant Reed.

They made one final check of the hotel room before exiting into the hallway.

Hoshi nearly collided with Malcolm.

"Oh! Sorry!" She exclaimed, backing up.

"Sorry Ensign didn't see you," Malcolm muttered, nearly tripping over Trip. Trip caught T'Pol's eyes and shook his head.

"The shuttlepod leaves at 1400 hours." Hoshi pointed out as she hobbled down to the elevator. She never had been one for packing properly. Especially for short trips; she always thought it better to safe than sorry. So she always packed far more than necessary. She still wasn't sure why she had three pairs of shorts in her suitcase.

You need to take some tips from T'Pol, Hoshi thought grinning as she spotted T'Pol's single suitcase packed with the simple necessities. Clothes, a towel her toiletries [what else would they be called? Do Vulcan's use toothbrushes?] and two pairs of shoes. That was all she needed. Unlike Hoshi, who apparently thought they would be in Canada for a couple of months.

Hoshi sighed and hefted her suitcase.

"Let me help you with that," Malcolm offered, Hoshi looked at his suitcase.

"It's all right," she said, "I can manage."

"It's the least I can do."

Hoshi's face dropped and Trip flinched.

The least he could do? She seethed, storming into the elevator. For what?

"Nice one," Trip said in his ear as he shuffled in beside Malcolm.

"Shut up," Malcolm hissed as T'Pol hit the button and the door whizzed shut.

Oh! The suspense! Will they ever forgive each other??? Of course! Review please!!