Part Twelve
-----------------
Okay guys, this is the last part (at least for now, never say never again and all that!). Thanx for all the reviews, it's really helped keep me going. Hope you've enjoyed it!!
AnnaP xx
-----------------
"Ah! Crewman Cutler, how are you this morning!" Doctor Phlox greet Liz as she entered sickbay.
"Fine," she said glumly. "I've got that cell analysis you asked me for."
"Wonderful! The reproductive cycle of that bacteria we found on Ensign Mayweather is fascinating. Quite unlike the usual pattern of prokaryotic cells."
"Fascinating," Cutler said blankly. "Was there anything else?"
"Are you alright, Crewman?" Phlox asked. "You seem – hm – not your usual effervescent self," he smiled.
"No well, I'm not feeling much like effervescing right now," she nodded. "But I'll be fine. It's nothing. I just had an argument with Hoshi – I'm not in a very good mood."
"Ensign Sato certainly seems capable of creating strong reactions in her friends," the Doctor deliberated.
"Huh?"
"Oh nothing, nothing. You're just not the first person to mention Hoshi to me recently."
Liz grunted. "Let me guess, Trip Tucker?"
"Oh," the Doctor looked at Elizabeth. "You know about the situation."
"Unfortunately."
"Then you don't take a positive view of it?"
"I don't know what view I take anymore. I think I've finally learnt to keep my mouth shut."
"I'd have thought you would be happy for Hoshi. She and Commander Tucker seem well suited."
"You like it?" Liz asked, interested.
"Certainly!" the doctor said enthusiastically. "What could provide a more relaxed atmosphere on board ship than a budding romance?"
"I know Denobulans have different, um, practises; but trust me, with humans, these things aren't always as straightforward as they look."
"I have observed while watching movies with you, that the crew seems to enjoy seeing the romances of fictional characters," Phlox mused. "Why should they find that of two real-life people less enjoyable? In fact, I believe the general lack of intimate relationships long term can have serious effects upon crew contentment and morale. I believe most of Enterprise will react positively."
Cutler smiled at him. "Maybe you're right," she said. "That's certainly the optimistic view."
"It certainly would be disappointing if Cmdr Tucker and Ensign Sato were forced to deny their feelings because of fear of condemnation." Phlox said carefully. "Or lose friends because of it." he added quietly.
----------------------------
"Commander," Malcolm Reed nodded as Trip entered the armoury.
Trip looked around him at the empty room. "Malcolm?"
"Problem, sir?"
"My name's Trip, Malcolm, or had you forgotten?"
"Sorry… Trip."
"That's better," Trip nodded. "I've got those repair orders for you."
"Thanks," Malcolm took the padds Trip offered. Instead of leaving, Trip stayed where he was, as if waiting for something. "Was there something else?" Malcolm asked at last.
"No, no not exactly," Trip replied, but his shifted his feet uneasily.
"Trip?"
"It's not somethin' I can ask that easy, Malcolm, it's kinda personal."
"If it's something that needs saying, then say it," Malcolm said reservedly.
"Do you… ah," Trip scratched the back of his neck uneasily. "What I mean is… do you care for Hoshi at all?"
"Hoshi Sato?" Malcolm asked innocently.
"How many other Hoshi's do we have? Yeah, Hoshi Sato! It's just that, well I've got the impression that you liked her, but I could be mistaken."
"What possible interest could it be of yours, sir?" Malcolm answered back, a little testily.
Trip put a hand up, a peace offering. "I just wanted to check, that's all. I like to think we're friends, Malcolm, and if that' true then I should be straight with ya. Hoshi and I… well, ah've realised I have feelin's for her and it turns out she feels the same way. But I'd feel real bad if you feel I'm cutting in."
Malcolm looked away from Trip and fiddled with the computer console in front of him.
"Malcolm?" Trip asked, after a fairly lengthy pause.
Malcolm looked up at last.
"How can it be cutting in when you admit that Hoshi reciprocates your feelings?," Malcolm said softly. "There's obviously nothing to cut in on."
"Things 'aint always as simple as that, Malcolm."
"I think you've been mistaken, Commander. I have no particular feelings for Hoshi, beyond friendship." Malcolm looked up at last. "Please believe me, Trip."
Trip didn't answer; just nodded. He understood.
----------------------------
"Hoshi! Hoshi, wait!"
Hoshi turned round to find Liz Cuter following her as she walked back to her quarters after shift. She waited until Liz had caught up with her, then started walking again.
"Look, Liz, I'm really tired, maybe we could talk tomorrow," she said, a little awkwardly.
"Sure, sure, whatever you want," Liz said eagerly. "I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry – I know what an ass I've been lately and I'm not surprised if you hate me forever."
Hoshi stopped walking and bit her lip to stop a smile coming out.
"I don't hate you, Liz."
"Well you should be. You were right, I have been jealous, and although I did believe some of the things I said, the way I said them was all wrong," she admitted more seriously. "I really regret arguing with you, Hoshi."
"I'm sorry about the way I spoke to you too," Hoshi added. "I didn't even give you a chance to let you have your say and maybe you were right to caution me…"
"- No! Look, Hoshi, don't listen to me. I don't know Trip that well, and if you think he's right for you, then that's enough for me. And I want to hear all about it! Everything. I've missed out on all the juicy details because of being stupid."
Hoshi did smile this time. "We-ell, there are a few things I've been… dying to tell you."
Cutler grinned. "Great! Let's discuss it tomorrow over a glass of wine and a Denobulan lesson."
"Denobulan? I thought you were giving up?" Hoshi asked, puzzled, but smiling.
"Hmm, let's just say, I'm thinking of taking it up again!" Liz laughed.
----------------------------
Hoshi's door opened to reveal Trip, leaning against the door frame. He looked tired, but his face brightened up as he saw Hoshi smile at him.
"I've been looking forward all day to that," he said gently, returning her smile.
She stepped back to let him in. "To what?" she asked.
"To that beautiful face 'a yours, lookin' pleased to see me. Always cheers me 'right up."
Hoshi blushed a little as she smiled. "Sweet talker," she teased.
"Nah, I 'aint the linguist. I'm just being honest. It's been a long day, but now I get to the best part."
"Oh? Which is?" Hoshi asked.
"Why, your cooking of course," Trip winked. "I've been looking forward to it since you told me about that hot plate 'a yours."
"Ahh, about the hot plate," Hoshi started guiltily. "I haven't actually had time to cook anything yet… Or go to the replicator. But! I have got chips. Oh, and fruit. And maybe some cheese," she frowned as she tried to remember everything, but Trip just laughed.
"Whatever you have sounds fine with me."
She went up to him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm pleased to hear it," she grinned.
"This is nice," Trip said happily, scooping an arm round her. "Yeah," he sighed, "this is real nice."
"You think things will stay that way," Hoshi murmured. "If we stay together?"
"I know they will," Trip promised.
-----------------------
"So let me get this straight. Liz knows, the captain knows, Malcolm knows. Travis and Suzie think they know, Ballard knows something; and despite all of this, we're still going to keep us a secret?"
"Not a secret exactly – just keep things quiet."
"And how long do you think we can do that?"
Trip leaned towards her and gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind Hoshi's ear.
"Let's find out," he whispered. Leaning closer still, he bent his head to kiss her, her hand sneaking it's way into his hair as she responded eagerly.
Mmm, heaven, Hoshi thought.