Chapter 7

Disclaimer: See earlier chapters!

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As the shuttlepods docked with Enterprise, Jon's voice hailed the pod that Travis was piloting. "Trip, you there?'

Trip leaned up and pushed a button. "Go ahead, Captain."

"The doctor says decon can't handle all of us at once. We're going to go in two shifts. My group will go first; the rest of you will have to wait in the hanger until we're done."

"That'll still be pretty crowded," Trip pointed out.

"I think we all want this to be over as soon as possible," Jon answered. "We'll go through first; Phlox will let you know when he's ready for the rest of you.

"Understood," Trip said.

The shuttles settled into their places, and Trip and his people watched as the group from Shuttlepod One, including Jon, T'Pol, and Malcolm, climbed out and entered decon. There were ten people in Jon's group, since none of the couples had opted to ride separately. Judging by their expressions as they passed SP2's windshield, their journey had been as hushed as the one Trip had just been on.

After a few minutes of everyone looking awkwardly at the floor, he looked around the little craft. "Well, there's no since in stayin' in here like a bunch of sardines. Let's get out an' stretch our legs while we wait."

Everyone started climbing out, spreading around the hanger. Travis moved forward quickly when Ensign Lourdes reached the door and took her elbow, helping her out. She smiled at him gratefully.

Trip remained in his seat, waiting to go last. So did Hoshi. She had settled into a seat at the back of the shuttle. Now her gaze was fixed on Trip. He looked back at her silently. She seemed uncomfortable in the Rashila costume now, fidgeting with it for a moment. I know how she feels, Trip thought, giving his shirt a sympathetic tug. He had no idea what to say, and when she didn't speak, he stood, moving toward the door.

"Wait."

He felt a rush of adrenaline when she spoke, born of nerves and relief. He dropped back into his seat.

Her voice husky, Hoshi said, "I owe you an explanation."

Trip flushed with shame. "I wouldn't say that, exactly. But I would like to know what that was. It's all over now, right?"

She nodded, chancing a quick glance at him. Whatever she saw in his face seemed to give her confidence. She sat up straight and continued in a stronger voice.

"I just…well, first I want you to know that it was you, with me, for a reason. They…let me choose, in a way. It was you because I wanted it to be you."

A little of Trip's tension drained. He didn't interrupt, for once content to just listen.

"It was like…coexisting," Hoshi explained haltingly. "Sort of." She made a frustrated sound. "Not so much as we were possessed, though, as…influenced. The rings are a kind of amplifier for psychic energy." Trip's eyes automatically dropped to Hoshi's hands. She was still wearing the ring. "They gave the Rashila access to our desires and inhibitions. They knew everything that went on in my mind and vice versa—for a little while, it was like I was one of them."

"Why? What the hell was that ceremony?"

Hoshi slipped off the ring and started to twist it in her hands. She stared down at it.

"A long time ago, the Rashila evolved beyond their physical forms…they didn't require them anymore. But a few of them wanted to hold on to the old ways—they found comfort in their bodies, especially the ability to touch."

"Yeah, I could see that," Trip said, wryly. The entire story was a little hard for him to comprehend. How did an entire people just give up their physical form? The idea made him shudder.

Hoshi continued. "Anyway, their solution was the Col'Wic. They distributed thousands of amplifiers in different forms, like these rings, around the universe. At the correct intervals, the amplifiers activate and seek out proper hosts. During the Col'Wic, the Rashila get to experience physical form again, for a short time. In the most intense form that the host race is capable of."

Trip raised his eyebrows. "Intense is an understatement." As soon as the words passed his lips, he colored, privately damning his stupid mouth.

Hoshi turned a corresponding fuchsia. "Yes. Well, it's over now. They're gone."

"Hoshi, did they hurt you?"

She smiled forlornly. "No, not exactly. Mostly I just feel relieved…and a little lonely. I have to get used to being all by myself in here again."

That answer wasn't what he expected. Before he could come up with a response, Travis stuck his head inside the shuttlepod. The Ensign exchanged a compassionate glance with Hoshi before he looked at Trip. "They're ready for us, sir."

"That was fast," Trip said.

Travis just shrugged and pulled his head back out. Hoshi darted out the door after him, leaving a bewildered Trip in her wake.

He followed slowly, filing into decon with the others. There would be no opportunity to continue their conversation while they were packed into the decontamination chamber with six other people, but it didn't matter. He needed to figure out what he wanted to say first, anyway.

****

Once Phlox had completed his examinations of the men, Jon released them with orders to go to their quarters and rest. The women needed to remain and undergo more thorough exams while Phlox tried to determine if the rings had had any lasting effects. This announcement sent a rush of concern through all of the men. Trip was about to insist on staying when Phlox added, "I see no real reason for concern, gentleman. And having you here will only hamper my ability to treat them."

A reasonable argument, but Trip still felt like he was abandoning Hoshi. Her dark eyes were locked with his as he was shoved out the door. He wasn't sure if her expression signaled regret or relief.

After being shooed out of Sickbay with the other hovering men, Trip headed to his quarters. There he donned a fresh uniform, gratefully disposing of his costume, and went straight to Engineering. Despite what Jon said, he needed to be busy.

He stayed there until he was exhausted—which didn't take long considering the day he'd had. The most draining part, though, was that all during the shift he had to endure the curious glances of his crew. News spread fast on a ship this size.

His mother had always told him the fastest way to kill gossip was to ignore it and not give them anything to fuel the fire. Take the high road…or something like that.

That was his plan. But after several hours of whispers and covert looks, combined with his private concerns about Hoshi, he had just about reached his limit.

When he looked down from the second level and found three of his staff huddled together and talking in low voices, he lost his fragile grip on his temper.

"Ok, that's it!" At the sound of his shout, the entire crew stopped what they were doing and looked at him. Hurrying down the stairs, Trip stalked toward the three offenders, shaking his finger in their surprised faces. "If you all have any questions about me and Ensign Sato, you can come right out an' ask me to my face. An' then I'll have the pleasure of tellin' you it's none a your business."

The three crewmembers looked stunned. One of them, Ensign Sanchez, flushed. "Sir?"

Hands on his hips, Trip snapped his neck toward her. "What?!"

"I…we were discussing your designs for the core upgrade. I don't know anything about you and…Ensign Sato." She held up a data PADD for him to see. Warp core schematics.

He stood there with his mouth hanging open, as if that would help him conjure up something intelligent to say next. Finally, aware of their frank appraisal, he closed his mouth and dropped his hands. He could feel the flush creeping upwards from his neck. "Um…carry on. I'm uh…I'm gonna take off for tonight. I'm a little tired…"

He rushed past them, heading for the door. Carry on? Great save, Tucker. Halfway to the door, he heard quiet snickers. He stopped. So did the laughter. His brief hope that no one knew about what happened on the planet died with the sound of those giggles. Without turning, Trip closed his eyes briefly. Dropping his shoulders in defeat, he headed out of Engineering.

He'd devise all sorts of small ways to make them pay later, he decided as he walked down the corridor. Despite his horrible mood, he felt a little better plotting to make others suffer. Kept his mind off of Hoshi…

Damn. That lasted for about twelve seconds, Trip thought with a sigh. Twelve seconds and her image was right back in his mind. He had no idea what to do about her. Should he try to talk to her? Did she hate him? Supposedly this all happened because she'd been attracted to him—but did that mean she wanted anymore to do with him now that it was all over? Maybe she just wanted…temporary relief.

Nah. That's not Hoshi…At least, he didn't think it was. Truth be told, he was realizing he didn't know much about that side of her personal life. He knew what her skin felt like and how her lips tasted—the memory made him break out in a sweat—but he had no idea what she might have been thinking while all of that was going on.

And he really wanted to know. Needed to know.

Pondering how he might find out, Trip rounded a corner and slammed right into the object of his distraction.

"Oof!" He reached out and caught her shoulders to keep her from falling back. "You ok?"

Hoshi looked up at him intensely. She was back in uniform too. "Yes. Are you?"

Trip realized how close she was to him. Before his body could respond, he let go of her and took two steps back. "Fine."

Catching her balance after his abrupt release, Hoshi said, "I was just coming to talk to you."

Trip had been staring at his feet. He looked up fast, a tiny flame of hope lighting in his chest. "Oh yeah?"

As soon as his gaze met hers, Hoshi looked down at her feet. She tucked her arms around her. Trip watched the top of her head. Even in the dull lighting of the corridor, her hair was shiny.

"Yes," she said nervously. "Trip...I mean, Commander." She stopped, took a deep breath, and met his eyes again. "I mean…Trip. I wanted to apologize for involving you in all of this. And for my behavior. I hope you can forgive me."

Trip looked at her seriously. "Hoshi, there's nothin' for me to forgive. I just hope you can forgive me. I shoulda had more willpower…I shoulda protected you, instead of takin' advantage."

Hoshi shook her head. "You only did what I asked. And you were under the same influence as me…just slightly diluted." When he started to reply, she talked fast to stop him. "I actually have something else to ask you."

He shut his mouth and waited, skin tingling with apprehension.

She seemed to screw up her courage. Eyes dodging around the corridor, she blurted, "Trip, do you have feelings for me?"

Trip blinked. His slow reaction caused her to rush on. "Because…the Rashila picked you for me for a reason. And I know this could get really awkward and weird and we could just tiptoe around each other for a long time and not really decide anything…but I was wondering…could we just skip that part? Maybe just…try it out, see where it leads? I mean, I know it might not go anywhere, and if you don't want to I totally understand..."

"Hoshi!" Trip interrupted. "Breathe!"

She stopped talking, a little out of breath. Her eyes flickered to his face. Trip took her hand lightly into his own. For a moment, the two of them stared blankly at their combined fingers. Trip brushed his thumb across the back of her hand, watching the contrast of his rough skin over her lighter, softer hand.

"I want to," he said simply, his voice drawing her eyes back up to his.

"Really?" she whispered, a smile starting.

Trip used her hand to pull her forward until she was pressed chest to chest with him. He kissed her. It started as a soft kiss, but the feeling of a responsive Hoshi against his body had him seeking more.

Murmuring low in her throat, Hoshi reacted by pushing him back against the wall. His hand slid down to her hips and he lifted her so that she stood on tiptoe, allowing him better access to her mouth. His heart was pounding as he slid his mouth along her jawline to her throat. Hoshi gasped and buried her fingers in his hair, arching into him.

"Commander Tucker!"

T'Pol's voice was like a bucket of cold water. They jumped apart, both wiping their mouths as subtly as possible. They turned as one to face the Subcommander. By now, Trip could identify her non-moods fairly well—she was currently repressing annoyance.

"I was just on my way to see you, Commander," T'Pol said.

"That seems t' be goin' around," Trip muttered. He was doing his best to stand behind Hoshi, at least until his physical state was a little less obvious.

T'Pol just raised an eyebrow and continued with, "I am speaking with each of the eighteen crewmembers, to be certain that there are no lasting effects from our experience. Clearly, my concerns were not unfounded." She eyed Hoshi.

Trip launched in. "Look, this is completely my fault. I take full responsibility. I just…couldn't help myself for a minute." He flinched as soon as he said it; he was fully aware of T'Pol's outlook on "couldn't help myself."

"No, Subcommander," Hoshi said, giving Trip an annoyed look over her shoulder. Her face was bright pink. "I'm to blame. Commander Tucker tried to argue with me, but I…I wouldn't take no for an answer.

"What?" Trip said incredulously. "I think I missed that part of the conversation."

Hoshi ignored him, focusing on T'Pol.

T'Pol looked between them. "Come with me."

She turned on her heel abruptly. Shamefaced, Trip and Hoshi fell into step behind her. "We're going to see Phlox," T'Pol told them. "I want to know just how long we can expect to be suffering residual effects from the rings."

"T'Pol…" Trip started, but Hoshi touched his arm and shook her head. Rolling his eyes dramatically, Trip fell silent again. They didn't talk again until they swung into Sickbay, T'Pol calling for Phlox.

The doctor popped out of the backroom, cheerful smile in place. "Yes, Subcommander?"

"Doctor, I understood you to say that there was no evidence of the alien influence remaining."

"That is correct."

"I believe you need to run more tests. I just came across Commander Tucker and Ensign Sato in a compromising position," T'Pol said briskly. "They are clearly still experiencing lingering effects."

Phlox looked ecstatic. "Really? Please, Commander, Ensign, have a seat."

Hoshi settled quickly onto a biobed. Making a point of sighing deeply, Trip reluctantly sat beside her.

Phlox produced a scanner and the three of them waited silently while he carefully scanned both Trip and Hoshi. While he worked, he asked casually, "And what about you, Subcommander? Any residual effects for you?"

"NO," T'Pol said quickly.

Trip glanced up. "Sounds like the lady protests too much," he said dryly. "Is there some particular reason you're so curious about this?"

T'Pol clasped her hands behind her back and ignored him.

Phlox stepped back, lowering the scanner.

"Well?" T'Pol asked.

"They both have elevated heart rates and respiration. And an increased blood flow to their…"

"DOC!" Trip yelped. Beside him, Hoshi buried her face in her hands.

Phlox sighed. Clearly he didn't understand the many hang-ups humans had about their perfectly normal body functions.

"I'm finding no evidence of Rashilan influence. Only normal sexual attraction between two adult humans."

TPol opened her mouth. And closed it. She looked almost flustered.

"See," Trip announced triumphantly, "I told ya." Being proven right over T'Pol was enough to temporarily suspend his embarrassment.

Hoshi made a funny snuffling sound, drawing the attention of them all. Her face was still hidden away in her hands.

Oh God, she's cryin', Trip thought, horrified. He looked frantically at T'Pol. She appeared to be extremely uncomfortable. No help there.

"Great, T'Pol. Real nice," Trip snapped. He patted Hoshi's shoulder awkwardly. She made another noise. Her shoulders were starting to shake.

T'Pol leaned in. "Ensign Sato, I apologize. There is no need to become upset."

Trip frowned at her.

Hoshi cracked her fingers enough to peek out at them. Her face was pink. Trip peered at her closely. The eye he could see sparkled at him. She made another noise—this one more of a squeaking sound.

"Hoshi?" Trip said.

She startled them all by dropping her hands and exploding with laughter. They stared at her, dumbfounded.

"I'm sorry," she gasped. "I just…this whole thing…all of us…" Laughter choked out anything else she might have said. She grasped onto Trip weakly, her body quaking.

T'Pol looked at Trip as if expecting an answer for this odd behavior.

Trip felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Hoshi was still trying to talk, and he made out the word "horny" in the midst of the gibberish. He snickered. Hoshi turned her face up to him.

"Increased blood flow," he reminded her, and caught her when she shrieked and slipped halfway off the bed, clutching her middle.

Trip's stomach muscles clenched. The bubble of laughter rising in chest burst out of him in great gasps, forming horsy sounds that just spurred Hoshi on.

Her eyes were squeezed nearly shut, and tears were starting to leak down her florid cheeks. The only noise she made was a funny little clacking sound in the back of her throat, interrupted by the occasional gasp for air.

The blank expression on T'Pol's face, next to the open fascination on Phlox's, only made it worse.

Trip thought of how they must look to the non-humans—faces red, mouths stretched open, eyes squeezed shut, and shaking all over. He pointed at the Subcommander. Following his finger, Hoshi chortled. The two of them dropped against each other, both laughing soundlessly now.

When Phlox said something about "nervous tension" and T'Pol calmly responded with "Agreed," Trip and Hoshi nearly fell off the bed together.

"Stop…stop it," Hoshi begged no one in particular. Trip couldn't answer; he was clutching his aching sides and trying to breathe.

They went on that way for five solid minutes. Every time one slowed down, the other would blurt "console…Captain's face" or "blood flow" and it would start all over again.

Finally, Trip caught his breath enough to gasp, "Anythin' else, T'Pol?"

T'Pol shook her head. "No," she said crisply. "You are dismissed. Carry on with what you were doing."

This struck Hoshi as particularly funny and she fell into a fresh fit of giggles. Trip practically had to drag her to her feet so that they could leave. As they staggered out of Sickbay, Trip managed to toss "Thanks, Doc" over his shoulder.

"My pleasure, Commander. In fact, I was wondering…"

"Nope," Trip said.

Phlox's disappointed sigh was nearly drowned out by the swish of the Sickbay doors. Trip and Hoshi stopped short at the sight of the Captain entering the room.

He looked them up and down, taking in their red faces and disheveled appearances. "Everything ok here?"

Hoshi had her face partially buried in Trip's arm while she tried to get control of her features. Trip nodded solemnly, answering for both of them.

"Nervous tension."

Hoshi made a choking sound. Jon eyed her with confusion.

Before he could ask, Trip said, "G'night, Cap'n" in a strangled voice and rushed past him, Hoshi in tow.

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