Part Eight
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The planet was beautiful. Hoshi breathed in its air as she stared out over the gardens surrounding the conference buildings. It was dusk, and the twin suns were setting, casting a rich honeyed glow over everything. It smelt sweet there.
The intergalactic conference was a success. Captain Archer was enjoying himself no end, and Hoshi had come across so many alien languages she felt as if she were in a linguistic heaven. Her head was filled with words day and night; the translator working continuously to define grammatical rules and verb conjugations. Yes, work was very satisfying, but what about the rest?
"Hoshi?" a softly-spoken voice cut into her thoughts.
She turned around.
"Hello, Trip," she smiled.
"I'm not interruptin' you? You were standing real quietly there."
"No, it's fine. I was just taking a break. The captain and T'Pol were invited out to dinner by Ambassador Latekka."
"You weren't invited?"
"No. I've too much work to do here. What about you?"
"Malcolm and I have been collecting engineering supplies in the next province. We've only just got back. I haven't seen the captain since yesterday. How's the conference goin'?"
"Great. But, I have to say, it's been a little boring at times." She blushed a little at Trip's grin. "What I should say, today they were mostly discussing flight regulations in this sector – oh it's interesting, seeing different alien races interact, but perhaps it's too… technical at times."
"Well, I have ta say, sittin' round a table for three days yackin' isn't exactly my idea of space travel." Trip smiled, moving to lean over the balcony next to Hoshi.
"They have such a beautiful planet here," Hoshi said gently, looking about her appreciatively. "I'd love to see a bit more of it. What was it like in the Kat sector?"
"More industrial than round here – not quite so pretty. Have you eaten yet?" he asked abruptly, turning to Hoshi.
She was a little surprised.
"Er, no, not yet."
Trip turned back to the garden. "Malcolm said he was going to that restaurant in town, the one the Ambassador recommended."
"Did he? I wouldn't know," Hoshi said.
"Maybe you'd want to go down there and join him?" Trip said, asking the question cautiously.
Hoshi looked at him. "No, I wouldn't."
"You wouldn't?"
"No. Trip – Commander, there is no reason for me to go down and join Malcolm Reed. I realise that certain crewmen may not think so, but I think- no, I'd like- you to know, that I won't be joining him, tonight or any other night."
Trip let out a sigh. "Well, for some reason that makes me feel better."
"Oh? Why?" Hoshi asked. Determined that for once she would follow her feelings and ask the questions she wanted to ask. She knew there was something between herself and Trip, and she was going to find out exactly what – once and for all.
Trip seemed a little stuck for words. He fumbled around a bit for an answer before saying;
"I guess, because maybe I'd like you to have dinner with me instead tonight."
"Are you asking me out?" Hoshi asked disbelievingly, looking at Trip very carefully.
"Is that so hard to believe?" he asked wistfully, seeing her face. "Or maybe I've just made a massive fool of myself here."
Hoshi paused, thrilled to the bone, but enjoying the opportunity to toy with the chief engineer for a few minutes.
"We-ell, it is kind of a turn-around," she said playfully. "After all, when I invited you for a drink the other week you were pretty quick to turn me down."
Trip, sensing Hoshi wasn't being too serious, hid a grin.
"I wanted to say yes to you, Hosh," he told her.
"Then why didn't you?"
"I don't really know right now," he gazed at her. "Right now you seem like something I could never turn away."
Hoshi looked passed them at the setting suns. Her playful mood shrunk away.
"Maybe it's just this place," she sighed. "A beautiful sunset on an alien planet. Tomorrow we'll be back on Enterprise. You might not like me so much then."
Trip spoke seriously now.
"I've always liked you, Hoshi, and I did want to say yes to you when you invited me for a drink, but I was worried… worried that you didn't mean it, worried that you did. Ya see, I thought I liked you more'n I should. More than you liked me…"
"No, you don't, Trip."
"Nah, Hoshi, I don't think you understand me – "
"- I do," she said quickly, walking up to him. "I do understand you… You don't feel more because I feel the same. I just, tried to hide it – not very well at times – because I didn't think I stood a chance."
Trip moved a step closer.
"Honestly?"
Hoshi said nothing, but her eyes said plenty. Trip was nearly lost.
"Hoshi?" he murmured. "Will you have dinner with me tonight?"
"Yes," she whispered.
He took another step towards her.
Then a communicator bleeped loudly between them.
"Archer to Tucker. Are you there, Trip?"
"Ah, damn!"
Trip moved away from Hoshi and flipped open his communicator. He took a deep breath.
"Go ahead, Cap'n."
"Trip! Where are you?" The Captain's jovial voice came out loudly in the night air.
"I'm back at the conference buildin', sir, with Hoshi."
"Great! You and Malcolm get those supplies?"
"Yes, sir. No problems at all."
"Well done, Trip, now I want you to get over here. T'Pol and I are having an incredible meal here with the ambassador and it's not fair you should miss out. You don't have any plans, do you?"
Trip looked over at Hoshi. She was looking very interested in her feet. He turned his back on her slightly as he made his reply.
"Actually Captain, I was just about to eat here, if you don't mind. I'm starvin'."
There was a pause.
"No, no, Trip, that's fine. How about you join us later? I know we'd all like to hear about your visit to the Kat province."
"Understood, sir, I'd be happy to give you a report. I'll see you later - Tucker out."
He closed his communicator. He turned back to face Hoshi. She was staring at him in surprise.
"I thought you were going to cancel on me," she said, smiling a little.
He just winked at her. "C'mon," he whispered, holding out his hand.
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