The Rival 03:

Secrets and Lies

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"Hoshi!  Wait!"

Hoshi turned round and saw Andy Sawyer hurrying down the corridor towards her. 

"Morning," she said as he reached her.  "Where's the fire?"

Andy laughed.  "No fire – I just wanted to say hi."

"Okay," Hoshi said, smiling too.  She started to walk again. 

"So – do you want to meet for lunch?" he asked easily, as he fell in step beside her.

"I… er, I don't think I can today – I'm meeting Dr. Phlox."

"Oh, that's a shame.  How about tonight?" he pressed.

"Are you always this pushy?" Hoshi asked, a little taken aback first thing in the morning.

"Only when I want something," Andy grinned, but Hoshi looked away at that.  He stopped walking and put a hand on her arm to make her stop too.  "Okay, I'll be straight with you Hoshi; I enjoyed talking to you last night and I'd like to have dinner with you or something – a date.  Tonight would be good for me, or even tomorrow, but a week from now it might not be so easy.  What do you say?"

Hoshi blinked. "I don't know… maybe.  Can I get back to you?"

Andy just shrugged and reached for her hand and kissed it.  "I'll be waiting," he said.

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Trip heard Andy's repair team before he saw them.  The whole of engineering heard them.  The doors swished and eight people trooped in talking and laughing loudly.  Andy was at the front, spinning a young female crewman a yarn.  Trip caught Lt. Hess's eye – she had strict ideas about discipline in the engine room.

"Andy!" Trip called him over.  "Repairs all done?"

"Absolutely," Andy replied confidently. 

"Rebecca?" Trip walked over to the female crewman who was now repeating Andy's story to the others.  "Did you put the section out of bounds?  I don't want anyone walking over that plating for two hours."

"No, not yet, sir," the crewman answered nervously.

"Well get it done; unless you all want to spend this afternoon repairing' what you did this mornin'," Trip said squarely.  He turned to Hess. "Lieutenant?  You can take your people back now."

"Thanks, Commander," Hess nodded and called up her usual crew for debriefing.

"You don't want me anymore?" Andy asked Trip, as he put down his tools.

"How about a little one-on-one?" Trip asked, chucking him a welding mask.

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The sparks flew against the metal exterior of the shuttle craft.  Finishing a section, Andy and Trip sat back and observed their work.

Trip lifted his mask up.

"Better leave it a few minutes before we carry on – let that lot settle."

Andy drew away and peeled his own mask and gloves off.

"I wanted to say thanks, Trip, for letting me work with you this week.  It's been great to get my hands dirty again – especially on one of our own engines.  You've got a good crew here."

"Thanks," Trip nodded, "I think so too.  But they have to be good.  When we get into trouble out here I expect them to be ready for anythin', at a second's notice.  When they're on duty they've got to be focused."

"If this is a way of telling me to stop chatting with crewmen, Trip, it's about as subtle as a sledgehammer."

"Jus' leave it for off duty hours, that's all - there's plenty of time to socialise."

Andy smiled down at his feet. 

"Speaking of which, did you talk to Hoshi yet?" he asked slyly.

Trip just stopped himself putting his hand down on a piping hot soldering iron.

"What?"

"Have you spoken with Hoshi?" Andy repeated.  "The way you were talking the other day sounded like you had some stuff to say to her."

"Sounded like you had some stuff you wanted to say yourself," Trip said sharply.  "Haven't you spoken to her?"

"I have, as a matter of fact," Andy answered simply.  "I asked her out on a date."

Trip looked up at Andy, suddenly feeling very angry.

"You asked her out – after everything I said?"

"Yeah – she was a little hesitant though.  It made me think maybe you'd said something, but I guess not."  Seeing Trip wouldn't, or couldn't, answer, Andy looked him squarely in the eye.  "Ah, come on, Trip, I gave you fair warning.  If you're not going to do anything yourself, why can't I have a go?"

Before Trip could speak, he got a Comm. call from the Captain.

"Trip, can you come up to the bridge?  I'd like a word."

"On my way, Cap'n," Trip said through gritted teeth.  He gave just one last hard look at Andy before leaving.

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"Trip, did you get anything out of Andy the other night?"

Trip was a little taken aback by Archer's question.  He'd only just walked into the ready-room and his mind was still occupied with Hoshi.

"About what, sir?"

"The Vulcans, Trip," Archer emphasised.  "You said you'd ask him about what happened on Vulcan."

"Oh, ah, yeah, I didn't quite get around to it."

"Well I wish you had," Jonathan said thoughtfully, sitting down at his desk.  "We've just received a message from the Shelan.  They're coming back."

Trip sat down too.

"What do you mean?"

"They've sent coordinates for a rendezvous," Archer scratched his head.  "They want us to transfer Andy back to their vessel.  They said there's been a change of plan."

"They say why?" Trip asked curiously.

"No," Archer shook his head. "They just said there's been some kind of mistake.  But since when do the Vulcans make mistakes?  Or at least admit it to us.  No, there's something not quite right here, but I can't put my finger on what."

"Well, maybe Andy'll let on something when you tell him he's gotta go back.  I can't see him being too pleased about it.  He's not stopped complainin' about the Vulcans since he arrived."

"I thought you might want to tell him," Archer offered.  "Maybe you can soften the blow a little."

Trip let out a deep breath, his mind briefly filled with images of Andy with Hoshi in the mess hall.  "Nah, Cap'n, I think he'll take it straighter comin' from you."

"Okay," Archer agreed.  "Maybe I can get him to open up a little."

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As Trip left the Captain and walked out onto the bridge, he saw Hoshi handing her station over to another crewmember.  He hung back a little, waiting for her to walk to the turbo lift.

"Finished your shift?" he asked.

"No, just a lunch break," Hoshi replied, stepping into the lift beside him.  The doors swished closed in front of them, the bridge disappearing from view.

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"I'm sorry about last night, Hoshi," Trip started, as soon as the doors had closed.

"You already apologised, Trip, its fine.  Besides, Cmdr Sawyer kept me company."

"So I heard," Trip said sharply.

Hoshi turned on him.  "Meaning?" she asked pointedly.

"Meanin' nothing, Hoshi.  Andy told me, that's all…  He also told me he asked you out tonight," Trip added, after an uncomfortable pause.

"Yes," Hoshi answered awkwardly. "He did."

"You gonna go?"

"I haven't decided yet," answered Hoshi surprised.  "And what business is it of yours exactly?"

The words stung but Trip continued recklessly. 

"I don't think you should go."

"Oh you don't," Hoshi smiled oddly.  "And why is that?"

"The crew's already noticed you talking with him.  He's a Commander, you're an Ensign.  You got out to dinner with him and people are goin' to make assumptions."

"You're a commander too, Trip," Hoshi said, in a low voice.  "The crew don't seem to object when I'm having dinner with you."

"That's different, Hoshi," Trip said breathlessly, unable to think too clearly with her staring at him so earnestly.  Hearing his reply, she took a step closer to him.

"Why is it different, Trip?" she asked, passionately.  "Why is it different with you?" she whispered.

Trip closed his eyes briefly.  "I don't know exactly…" opening his eyes he saw her again, her lovely face filling his vision.  "Because it's harmless," he said eventually, a sigh caught in his throat. "Because we're just friends."

Hoshi stepped back from him immediately and turned her head away.

"I see," she said, swallowing.  "And it can't be the same with Cmdr Sawyer."

"People wouldn't see it that way," was Trip's answer.  "As your friend, Hoshi, I'm sayin' maybe you shouldn't go out with him."

"As my friend," Hoshi repeated, with a  harsh laugh.  "We went to the movies a couple of times!  You don't own me, Trip.  Not if none of that meant anything.  It was just harmless, wasn't it?" she said coldly.

Trip couldn't answer, couldn't say anything.  He was torn between hurting her –by lying to her – or telling the truth when he wasn't sure what the consequences would be.  Given his own time, he might have been able to get things straight in his head but Andy had forced the issue and now he was lost.  His head was a mess and he had no answer he could give her.

"I thought so," she said, nodding when he gave her no answer; her voice sad and quiet.  They both felt the lift whoosh to a stop.  She turned away from him.  "Just leave me alone in future, Trip – and I'll stay out of your way."

She opened the lift doors and walked out and Trip felt his brain kick in two minutes too late.

"No, Hoshi!  Wait!" he called after her, but she didn't even stop.

"Just leave it, sir," she answered without turning round.

Trip looked after her helplessly, then, realising she was gone, he put his fist through the turbo lift wall with such force that he broke the casing on one of the panels.

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"Commander," Hoshi saw Andy as soon as she entered the mess hall.

"Hoshi," Andy smiled.  "Hello again."

"About dinner," she said hurriedly.  "I'd like to – if you still want to that is."

"Sure," Andy was a little taken aback at her sudden eagerness.  "Of course I do.  I guess there isn't much choice of restaurants though.  Shall we meet in here, around seven?"

Hoshi shook her head.  "No, I've got a better idea.  Why don't you come to my quarters?  I've got a hot plate I can cook on."

"Your quarters?" Andy repeated.  "Er, okay, I'll be there."

"I'll see you at seven," she gave him a slightly aggressive smile.  Then hurried away, wondering what she'd done.  Andy just stared after her thoughtfully.

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"Andy, thanks for coming," Archer stood up as Andy entered, his fingers twitching nervously.  "I've got some new for you."

"News, Sir?" Andy asked, puzzled.

"The Vulcans have contacted us again.  We'll be meeting with the Shelan tomorrow; they've requested we return you to their ship."

Andy's face went pale and Archer was struck by the fear in his voice as he asked:

"Did they say why, Captain?"

"No," Archer shook his head and looked carefully at the young commander.  "I was hoping you might be able to tell me that."

Andy paced a little back and forth, the colour slowly returning to his cheeks. 

"I think I can guess…  I couldn't believe it when they let me come aboard here.  There must have been some mistake and now they've realised it and they want me back.  They think I'll tell you what I know!  But you have to help me, Captain!  You can't let them take me back.  I'm scared of what they'll do to me!"

To be continued…  please read/review!