Part Six

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"Try it again, Crewman," Trip instructed.

Liz Cutler tried the system again.  "No response," she told him.

Trip sighed and started fiddling underneath the console again. 

"Pretty bad luck you've been having lately, huh?" she said conversationally. 

"Sorry?"  Trip called out.

"I mean, we've only just got the Comm and the UT fixed again, now the bioanalysis computer's gone.  All in one week.  That's pretty bad luck, I'd say," she said.

"Welcome to my life," Trip grunted.  He pulled himself out from under the computer console.  "You wouldn't believe me if I told you how much stuff breaks everyday around here.  Try it again."

Cutler pressed a button on the console.  She shook her head.  "Nothing." 

Trip walked over to the next console and started doing something.  Elizabeth looked across at him.  "You know, it's good how quickly you and Hoshi fixed the Comm.  You seemed to make a pretty good team."

Trip turned quickly round and looked at Liz.  "What exactly do you mean, Ensign?"

"Oh, nothing!" Cutler said hastily.  "Just that, well, Hoshi's told me about how she hates all the technical stuff in her job.  She thinks she's not very good at it.  -  The technical stuff I mean.  But she seemed to find it easier… working with you, Commander."

Trip looked at her very carefully, then turned back to his work.  "Hoshi doesn't need any hand holdin'," he said.  "It was her idea that got the thing fixed so fast."

"Like I said – a good team, Commander," Liz said, looking away.

They worked in silence for a while.  Elizabeth noticed that Trip kept fiddling.  Tapping his fingers, pulling his hair.  Pacing back and forwards.  She smiled to herself.

After a while, he started the conversation again.  "Do ya know Hoshi well, Liz?" he asked cautiously.

Cutler looked up from her work.  "A little," she replied.  "She's been giving me Deno- I mean, language lessons."

"She a good teacher?"

"Sure, the best.  No one like Hoshi.  But then, I'm not the only person on board that thinks so."

"Oh?" 

"No, sir.  Hoshi's certainly very well… admired around here - and respected.  I know more than a few people who think so.  In particular, I could mention a certain explosive lieutenant, who would probably like to see Hoshi a lieutenant too."    

Trip was staring at her strangely.  "Malcolm?  Well, well, well," he said flatly.

Liz felt a little worried now.  She was, after all, talking to the Chief Engineer.  It was too easy to forget when talking to the approachable Trip.  I guess it's understandable Hoshi forgot herself and asked him out, she thought.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Commander," she said contritely, "Don't take any notice of me.  I'm talking way out of turn.  Sometimes my mouth likes to disconnect itself from my brain.  What can you do?"  She tried to laugh.  Somewhat unconvincingly she thought. 

"Don't worry about it, Ensign," Trip waved his hand dismissively but his face was still thoughtful.  "I've got ta get back ta engineering, but I've found the problem here.  I'll send someone over to finish it."

"Thank you, Commander," Liz called out as he walked away.  Whoops!  Hoshi's going to kill me.    

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Hoshi was finally feeling happier with herself.  T'Pol was satisfied now the Comm system was fully functional again, the Captain was pleased the UT was back online and Hoshi had been able to decipher the message they had received, which was in fact an invitation to an inter-species conference in their sector of space.  She herself was enjoying the prospect of being able to reply to the aliens' invitation in their own language.  And of course there was the added bonus of all the interaction with Trip she had had over the past few days.  Never a bad thing, Hoshi mused.  Maybe I should give the UT a few "tweaks" myself, see if I can get it to malfunction again… but no, I'd probably just make a fool of myself a second time.  You'd have thought the major embarrassment of being knocked back would have cured this stupid crush.  She sighed deeply.  It was still as strong as ever.

"Hello, Hoshi - is anyone sitting here?"

Hoshi looked up in surprise, and with a little embarrassment, to see Malcolm Reed standing over her.

"Ah, er, no, Lieutenant, not at all, please - " she gestured to Malcolm to take the seat opposite.  He sat down quickly.

"One of chef's specials tonight?" he asked, nodding at Hoshi's plate.

Hoshi glanced at it.  She had hardly touched her food as yet, being content enough just to daydream. 

"Yes.  Looks good, doesn't it?" she answered congenially.

"A good 'ol steak always looks good to me," a familiar voice said from behind them.  "Can I join you two?"  Trip Tucker nodded at his colleagues as he took the last seat at the table.

"Not dining with the captain tonight, Trip?" Malcolm asked politely, through what sounded like clenched teeth.

"Captain's busy tonight," Trip smiled, "so I guess you guys'll just have to put up with me."

Hoshi smiled shyly at Trip.  Malcolm looked at his food.

"That is, if I'm not interrupting anything?" Trip asked carefully, looking from Hoshi to Malcolm.

"Oh no, Commander!" Hoshi answered immediately.  "Lt. Reed just joined me himself."

"Please," Malcolm said stiffly, indicating Trip should stay.  Trip relaxed into his chair comfortably.

"So, Hoshi – you manage to get that message translated?" he asked, with an air of making conversation.

Hoshi cleared her throat.  She felt a little self-concious, sandwiched as she was between Trip and Malcolm Reed.  "Yes, I did.  It was an invitation from an alien race in this sector.  It was lucky we got the UT repaired when we did, otherwise we could have missed a new first contact."

Trip smiled at her.   "Guess it's lucky we work well together," he nodded at her.

Hoshi really wished she wouldn't blush.  Doesn't stop it happening though.

"In fact, we've been invited to an inter-planetary conference.  The captain was quite excited by it.  Looks like an away mission could be on the cards," Hoshi told both men.

"You know, Hoshi, I've been thinking we should get in some more phaser practise before the next away mission.  You can still be a little erratic," Malcolm turned to Hoshi.

"Oh, I think Hoshi can take care of herself pretty well," Trip answered for her, chewing on his steak.

Malcolm stared up at Trip. 

"Forgive me, Commander, but I believe crew safety and security is my job on Enterprise.  And I believe Hoshi needs more expertise."

 "Excuse me, don't I get a say in this?" Hoshi asked.

"Armoury to Lt. Reed," the Comm panel on the wall next to them beeped loudly into the conversation.

Sighing at the interruption, Malcolm got up and went to the panel.  "Lt. Reed here, go ahead,"

"Sir, we're having some problems with the canon diagnostics.  You said to contact you if - "

" - I'll be right there," Reed cut the crewman off.  He looked down at Trip and Hoshi.  "Excuse me," he said tightly, then left.

"Bye, Malcolm," Trip muttered.  Looking up he saw Hoshi picking nervously over her food.  He smiled at her rather stupidly.  "Just you an' me then," he said awkwardly.

Hoshi just nodded and smiled, trying not to make eye contact.