Chapter 7
Travis scanned the crowded mess hall, nodded and motioned for the rest of his group to follow him.
Weaving through the mass of eating, talking and laughing Enterprise crewmembers, he navigated the male portion of the senior staff to where she was sitting.
"Enjoying that large slice of cheesecake, Hoshi?" Travis asked sweetly as the captain, lieutenant and commander looked on.
"Uh, yes. Nice to be able to relax for a change," Hoshi said nervously, her gaze grazing over Archer, Malcolm, Trip and Travis before making its way back to her dessert.
"Ya know, Hoshi, we were just talking 'bout this newsletter of yours," Trip said, sounding more like his old self ... something that let off warning bells in Hoshi's head.
"And we discovered something very interesting, Ensign," Malcolm continued.
"I believe you said the entire senior staff was to be included," Archer finished for the quartet. "Now, if I am not mistaken, you are the head of communications on Enterprise, are you not?"
Hoshi swallowed the suddenly tasteless piece of cheesecake she had just started to eat.
"Now wait a minute," she protested as she stood up from the table.
"Going somewhere, Hoshi?" Travis asked sweetly as he came up behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"This will take just a minute, darlin'" Trip said as he moved to stand on the other side of her.
Malcolm produced a PADD from behind his back and placed it on the table.
Archer said down, motioned for everyone else to follow suit, and grinned like Dr. Phlox would when learning of a new disease he gets to study.
"Nickname, Ensign Sato?" he said, reveling in his chance for revenge.
Hoshi couldn't help but give them all a rueful grin.
"Fine, I'll play along," she grumbled good-naturedly. "But you guys are getting off easy."
"Nickname?" prompted Travis.
Hoshi mumbled something.
"I can't hear you," Malcolm said in clipped tones, his goofy grin giving away his amusement.
"Fine, it's Motor Mouth," she said reluctantly. "My mother would tease that I was the only kid she knew who would ramble in a dozen different languages and yet not say a thing."
"Most embarrassing moment?" Archer jumped in. Hoshi sighed. They were enjoying this way too much.
"Shirt. Malcolm. Need I say more?" she admitted and then brightened, causing the four men to exchange confused looks.
Hoshi just motioned for them to continue.
We'll see who gets the last laugh, she thought to herself. I still have time to make certain adjustments to this thing.
