Part Nine
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"It looks okay."
"It's blue!"
"Think of it as candy," Hoshi suggested.
"What do you think it tastes like?" Trip prodded his food suspiciously.
"Only one way to find out," she smiled.
Trip nodded. "To go boldly where no man has gone before, in a mouthful, – here goes."
He took a bite. Hoshi watched interestedly as Trip chewed. He swallowed. He took a gulp of his drink.
"It's quite good," he said, screwing his face up a little.
"Really?" Hoshi asked.
"Nah – it's horrible," Trip laughed. "But I didn't want you to think I don't have an open mind. How's yours?"
"Delicious," Hoshi grinned. "Sorry."
"Maybe I should'a gone with the captain after all," Trip teased. "Sounds like the ambassador's food was fantastic."
Hoshi put her fork down. "Well, I'm very glad you didn't. I've enjoyed myself this evening."
"Me too," Trip smiled. "Kinda makes up for turnin' you down the other week. The Doc'll be pleased - nearly chewed his ear off moanin' to him about it."
"To Phlox?" Hoshi asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Thought he might understand me predicament. Anyway, that doesn't really matter now. We're both here – that's what matters."
"Well, something must have made you say no before," Hoshi reasoned.
"Yeah, I told you, I was worried."
"Scared even?"
The corner of Trip's mouth turned up a little bit. "Okay, this isn't somethin' I admit to very often, but yeah, maybe I was a little scared."
"So what's changed?" Hoshi asked seriously. "Other than the fact that you asked me out this time, what's different?"
"Are you always this difficult on a date?"
"Don't answer a question with a question. Tell me."
Trip sighed. "Maybe I realised that if I really liked you, I had to do something about it before someone else did."
"Someone else," Hoshi repeated slowly. "Someone like Malcolm you mean?"
"His name may have crossed my mind," Trip said airily. "Among others…"
Hoshi stared. "Others? What others?"
"Oh plenty… half the crew are besotted with you, Hoshi – Liz Cutler told me so. Malcolm, Travis, Phlox, hell, maybe even the captain!"
Hoshi batted Trip on the arm. "She did not say that!"
He grinned evilly at her. "Oh yeah?"
"Charles Tucker, tell me the truth right now!"
Trip surrendered. "Of course she didn't. She didn't even mention Malcolm by name. But I'm tellin' the truth when I say she got me thinkin'. I've had two jolts to the head recently – one from you when you asked me out, and one from Liz when she made me realise just how desirable you are. And you are damn cute when you blush," he added, smiling at her reddened cheeks.
"Jolts to the head?"
"Yeah, jolts that made me realise what was really goin' on in that thick ol' brain stem of mine. That I like you, Hoshi, and I want to get to know you better."
Hoshi smiled at him.
"Well, if that's all it took, I'm not doing too badly so far," she said.
"That's your answer?" Trip was incredulous. "I pour my heart out and that's yer answer?"
Hoshi gave him a rich, Mona Lisa-smile.
"Just keep talking," she said.
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They were strolling through the large gardens surrounding the city.
"The sky's incredible here. Even at night. It looks purple rather than black doesn't it?" Hoshi whispered, as if she might disturb the stars by talking louder.
"That's the environmental shield," Trip replied automatically. "The gases they use react together and –" he caught sight of Hoshi's face. "You don't really care right now, do you?"
Hoshi smiled sweetly.
"I don't mind. That sort of thing really interests you, doesn't it?"
Trip shrugged.
"I guess I just like to know how stuff works. You don't?"
"Sometimes, but then other times I just like to believe there's still a little magic in the universe," Hoshi said dreamily, "instead of just chemistry and equations."
"I get the same feelin' every time I hear T'Pol talkin' about a spatial anomaly."
Hoshi laughed.
Trip stared up at the stars overhead.
"There's plenty of magic up there, Hoshi, and we'll be the first humans to see it. That's a romantic notion whatever way you look at it."
They stopped walking. Hoshi glanced at her watch.
"It's pretty late. Didn't you have to go and give the Captain your report?" she asked.
"Yeah, I guess I should – you guys got a long day tomorrow?"
"Intergalactic conference agenda: Discussion of Sector Regulations 150 – 275," Hoshi grimaced.
"Sounds great, shame I've got to be back on the ship cleanin' the warp coils, or I'd love to join in."
"It's hard to say which sounds like more fun."
They smiled at each other.
For a long time.
"Well, goodnight, Commander," Hoshi said at last.
"Goodnight, Ensign, thanks for a great evenin'"
He leaned to kiss her on the cheek. His face stayed close to her and looked into her dark eyes. They answered his unspoken question.
He leaned in to kiss her properly, feeling her respond immediately; one hand snaking up to stroke his cheek, his hand going to clasp her waist. Her mouth so soft and sweet on his.
They slowly drew apart, Trip keeping her hand in his and fiddling with her fingers.
"Goodnight, Hoshi," he whispered.
"Goodnight, Trip."
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Trip rang the door chime of the Captain's quarters.
"Come in,"
Jonathan Archer was busy playing with his dog Porthos when Trip entered the room.
"Where have you been, Trip?" Archer asked mildly. "We were expecting you at the ambassador's."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, sir, time got away from me tonight."
Jonathan looked at his chief engineer curiously. "That's not like you, Trip. Not on an away mission."
Trip crossed his arms. "No, well, I thought you could manage without me just this once."
Archer raised his eyebrows. "Somehow T'Pol and managed to cope on our own," he deadpanned. "What happened to you? Did you get a better offer or something?"
"Somethin' like that," Trip nodded. "Cap'n, can I ask you somethin'?"
"Sure."
"What do you think of Hoshi?"
Archer looked up at Trip in surprise. "Hoshi? Well, I think she's great, why?"
"Ah've been spending a bit of time with her lately – you know, working on the translator and everythin'. You know, she's a real asset to the ship."
"Yes," Archer said slowly, "I do know. I was the one that requested her for Enterprise. She was the only person who could have done the job." He looked at Trip strangely.
Trip clapped his hands together.
"Well, I just wanted to remind ya, that's all. I'll be goin' now, if you don't mind leavin' that report till mornin'. I'm pretty tired."
Trip rose to leave but Jon got up with him.
"Trip?" he asked warningly.
Trip turned round. "Yes, sir?" he asked innocently.
"Where did you have dinner tonight?
"Listen, Cap'n, don't get the wrong idea…"
"Where, Commander?" Jonathan insisted.
"In a restaurant with Hoshi," Trip admitted after a pause.
Archer paced a few steps about his cabin.
"Trip, listen, I'm sure I don't have to remind you about Star Fleet protocol –"
"- Cap'n please…"
Jon held up a hand in surrender.
"Just be careful, okay? Both of you?"
Trip looked at Archer for a long moment, as if he wanted to say more, then merely nodded.
"Goodnight, Trip," Archer called out.
"Goodnight, sir."