I don't know how to live up to Sunshine's review. O.o Nope.

Anyway, the feedback I've gotten generally says, "We want to see more of Trip with Hoshi" so…Here's a chapter with Trip and Hoshi!

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            Trip walked down a corridor, tapping a padd in his hands. Hoshi had left it in the mess hall. Apparently, she had been in a rush to leave and Malcolm hadn't stayed around long enough to notice the padd full of alien words lying there Hoshi had sat. He didn't know why he was going to her quarters to do this -- after all, he would always see her when his shift started. There was just something about her quarters, products of that night they dreamed they shared together, which just made him want to go back.

            But he'd have to behave himself. He had to…this time he couldn't blame his actions on being possessed by aliens. The engineer wasn't sure how easy it would be to hide his feelings for Hoshi however. Malcolm saw right through him just because he winked at the ensign. Chances are, she'll take the padd and shut the door. He thought, doubt coming over him.

            Then, there it was. The door to Hoshi's quarters. It was either turn back now…that option was barely even considered. Trip gently pushed the button, taking a deep breath as he watched the door open with a swish.

            His eyes widened for the briefest moment; there she was, in a robe with a her hair down… The air caught in his throat at the sight. The commander shook off the feeling, fighting his body's urges to just sweep the woman off her feet. Instead, he composed himself the best that he could, a grin on his face and padd in hand.

            "You forgot this at the mess hall. Thought that you might need it." As he spoke, his hand was extended to offer her the item. She reluctantly took the padd, seeming to recoil as her fingers brushed his.

            "Thanks. I'll talk to you later?"

            Trip gave himself a point for guessing what the ensign was going to do. "Hey, ah, maybe I can come in? You ran off before I got the chance t'talk to you at dinner tonight"

            The reluctant look on her face showed she really didn't want him to enter. And he didn't blame her after what had happened after visiting her quarters the last time…but that wasn't real, couldn't a person be let off for something he was made to do? But then a small nod signaled her answer as she murmured a half-hearted, "Well, okay, I guess..."

            He stepped in, the memories of the quarters rushing back to him. He knew where the pans to make breakfast were, the softness of the sheets on the ensign's bed, the delicate feel of her skin…the thought was shaken from his mind. "So," he began, coughing slightly as the thoughts lingered in his mind, "what's on the padd? Couldn't read a damn word of it."

            "It's from the alien distress call we received. I'm trying to figure out more of the language since, with any luck, there'll be someone to talk to onboard the ship…" Her eyes glimmered as she spoke. Those gorgeous eyes… "It's really an amazing language. Very delicate; it's such a nice change from Klingon. I hope that I get to speak to one of them."

            He loved listening to her talk about her job. It seemed like all the stresses of the day just dropped from her as she spoke of the newest language. He supposed that was how it was when he was around the warp core -- it was just like a piece of him and when he was working with it, it was like being right at home. "I'm sure you'll get to talk to 'em. And you'll have the best damn conversation ever."

            She smiled, finally glancing up to look Trip in the eye. It had to have been the first time since they all had woken up from the alien memories. "I hope you're right."

            He couldn't bear it any longer. The engineer moved forward, slowly bending his head to kiss Hoshi. His arms wrapped around her as he held her close, praying that she wouldn't pull away. He may have said that he was going to act like a gentleman, but in presence of the linguist, it just wasn't possible.

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            Hoshi was taken by surprise by Trip's kiss. She had been blissfully talking about an alien language, and suddenly…this. She found herself leaning into it only the slightest amount, but her mind was busy analyzing something else. Trip's kiss was so much different from Malcolm's, it was hungry and feral, rather than that delicate, loving embrace the lieutenant had given her in the turbolift. She suddenly regretted snapping at the man. All the armory officer had tried to do was apologize and make sure that she was looked after.

And she also suddenly realized how deep the kiss had gone while she was thinking. Euphoria began to cloud her mind at being so close to Trip, close enough to smell that addictive cologne. But still, she wrenched herself away, stepping back several paces. "I can't do this."

"Hoshi!" His blue eyes were pleading as he stared at her in shock, his voice husky and deep.

"You're my superior, Trip. It…it's not allowed." The linguist choked, fighting the feelings that were flooding her consciousness. Every cell in her body was screaming at her to go ahead with the kiss. Go ahead with what would happen later. But, she knew she couldn't.

And it must have shone in her eyes, because Trip's confident demeanor just slipped away. "Hoshi, no one has to know…"

How did she know that he'd be willing to sneak around? She rubbed her eyes in agitation, trying to clear her thoughts through the haze. And, though that fog, the unlikeliest name manage to come though, "Malcolm would know. He knew that we slept together before."

"So he'd just think we actin' odd from that."

"No he wouldn't. He'd know." Why was she bringing up the armory officer now? Why was she using him as an excuse to get Trip to stop kissing her? Her thoughts drifted to her kisses with the British officer. She had to swallow before mumbling, "It can't work. We can't do this, Trip…"

The engineer sighed, taking up her hands in his own. The faintest amount of understanding began to glimmer in his eyes, as well as disappointment. "I won't do anythin' you don't want me t'do." He paused, "So, I'll leave."

"Thank you, Trip." Hoshi whispered, reluctantly letting go of his hands. Her fingers still tingled from where they touch his… "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, Hoshi. Talk to you later." And he left without another word.

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As Trip stepped out of Hoshi's quarters, he found himself stopping short. He was suddenly staring into the eyes of a very annoyed looking Malcolm Reed. There was an air of pure hatred that could be felt around the officer, even if his face was ridiculously stony.

"How dare you talk advantage of Hoshi." Reed said, glaring at the engineer. "You used that dream to get her to sleep with you again, didn't you?

"I swear, Malcolm, I was a perfect gentleman." He shouldn't have to defend himself…he could have been in there for any number of reasons.

Apparently, his words had very little affect on the other man. "That's what you said after you got pregnant with that Xyrillian's baby. And with that Liana woman you followed around everywhere. And must I mention that you had me following two complete strangers into a basement because you hoped to get laid?"

Trip simply started walking away. He could hear that Malcolm was hot on his trail, but he didn't care. He wouldn't put up with be bashed like that. "Lieutenant, why don't you just leave me alone? It's none of your business what I did, or didn't do."

"She was in a bloody robe!"

The engineer whirled around, blue eyes glaring daggers. "I didn't do a damn thing. Now, get back to the armory, or back to your own quarters. That ain't a request, either."

Anger seethed from the lieutenant, but his face once again turned stoic and composed. "Yes sir."

Trip watched him walk away with a sigh of relief. So, Hoshi was right. Malcolm would be able to tell if the two of them had slept together again. And if that happened, this Southern boy would be in some bit of trouble -- it was obvious Reed was the jealous type of man.