Part Three: Elaine! Elaine!!!!!!
Jon Archer looked around and bit back a sigh. The small chapel on the campus of Starfleet Academy was filled to the brim. In the first three rows were seated Hoshi's and Hamilton' families. On Hoshi's side, sitting behind her family were the surviving members of the Enterprise's crew. Sixty-seven people, from Jonathan Archer, Phlox, Trip, Malcolm and Travis, to Chef, Karen Tran and Michael Rostov. The only people missing were Alison Hess, Liz Cutler and T'Pol, who were serving as three of Hoshi's bridesmaids.
No, thought Jon, sadness overwhelming him, the rest of the missing were those who hadn't made it back.
Jon shoved that thought aside. Today was supposed to be happy day. Looking at the glum faces of Trip, Malcolm, Travis and Phlox, Jon snorted to himself: yeah, right.
Hoshi was marrying the wrong man and there was nothing they could do about it.
To distract himself, Jon looked over at the other side. There on the groom's side were many of Hamilton' colleagues from UCLA. Jon counted at least fifteen professors, but they were out numbered by Hamilton's fellow coaches, as well as the entire football team. Jon Archer tried to be charitable about that: after all Hamilton was their head coach. Still, he thought it was a bit much.
Behind them were friends of Hamilton' from Earth's Mobile Assault Commandos. It turned out that Hamilton had served as a lieutenant for five years. Major Hayes, who was sitting with Jon and the rest of the former bridge crew, knew Hamilton and didn't like him. That fact alone let Malcolm bond with the former MACO leader after all these years. Jon still hadn't gotten over that one yet.
Music began to fill the room and Jon realized that everyone had turned to look at the back of the chapel. First came in the bridesmaids. Hoshi's cousins, Sora and Kim came in first, followed by Alison, Liz and finally T'Pol, as the matron of honor. As Alison floated past, Jon smiled. God, if anyone had told him that he would be in love with one of his former officers, he'd have laughed in their face.
T'Pol, he noted, looked very nice in the flowing, ice blue silk of the bridesmaid's dresses. It was funny, but he really liked her in either her Vulcan robes or in something like she was wearing now. Skin tight clothing just wasn't sexy on her, yet the robes and this dress made her look wonderful. Jon wondered how he could tell her that without coming across like a jerk. He'd have to ask Alison about that.
The music changed and doors in back closed. Seconds later, they re-opened to reveal Hoshi, clad in a strapless, yet flowing silk dress, her hair piled up in cascading curls. She looked beautiful beyond words.
As she started down isle, Jon looked back toward the groom. What he saw made him pissed off. To Jon, Hamilton' expression was one of...boredom. How could anyone look at Hoshi and be bored? Or not choked up with emotion? Why the hell was she marrying such a cold fish?
Glancing over at Trip, he saw that his best friend was eyeing Hamilton with distaste. Malcolm, Jon saw with amusement, was looking at Hoshi as if he'd never seen her before. His jaw was hanging in shock. Travis was trying to hold back his tears and was searching his pocket for a tissue. Phlox, Jon noted, looked worried.
Oh, shit. Phlox looking worried was not a good thing.
Jon turned his attention to the front of the chapel and saw that T'Pol was staring at Phlox, while Alison was trying to catch his eye. She flicked her eyes toward the front row. Following her gaze, Jon saw that Hoshi's father was looking...perturbed.
If she were marrying anyone else, Jon would have written it off as a father just trying to hold onto the image of his daughter as a little girl. But she was marrying Hamilton Leighton; a man that for everyone who knew Hoshi well, pretty much hated at first sight.
As Hoshi took her place at Hamilton' side, Jon took a good look at his friend and former communications officer. She was pale and her eyes were not happy.
That was it. He'd be damned if he was going to let her marry the sonuvabitch.
As the Starfleet chaplain began the service, Jon turned Trip and nudged him. "Get Malcolm's and Travis' attention," he whispered.
Trip tapped Malcolm and threw a nod toward Travis. Malcolm jostled Travis' knee with his leg and surreptitiously pointed to Jon. Leaning forward, Jon whispered. "We've got to stop her."
Trip gave a firm nod of agreement, Malcolm smiled and Travis didn't even blink as he gave a small thumbs up. As Jon straightened up, Major Hayes leaned in and whispered to Jon, "Well, if you're going to do something, the perfect moment is coming up." He then threw Jon an amused grin.
Two minutes later, the chaplain intoned solemnly, "If anyone has a reason as to why this man and this woman should not wed, then speak now or forever hold your peace."
Jon, Trip, Malcolm and Travis all stood as one as Jon shouted, "I do!"
Almost in unison, Trip, Malcolm and Travis followed with, "So do we!"
A gasp went up in the room. Hoshi and Hamilton whirled around, shock on her face, anger on his. The chaplain gulped nervously. "Captain Archer, Commander Tucker, Lieutenant-Commander Reed and Lieutenant Mayweather? All of you object to his marriage?"
To Jon's surprise, Malcolm and Trip pushed their way past Travis and into the aisle. "Hell yes!" responded Trip. "Hoshi, darlin', this guy ain't the one for you. He doesn't respect your opinions or expertise."
"He treats you like an object to be admired, not a vibrant woman to be loved," continued Malcolm fervently.
"And besides, you really don't love him," added Travis.
"If you did love him, you wouldn't look so scared, Hoshi. You haven't let your fears rule you since your first year on the Enterprise. Don't do so now," finished Jon.
Hamilton stepped away from Hoshi and glared at the four men. "How dare you say such things! You call yourselves Hoshi's friends? Get the hell out of my wedding! Now! I swear, none of you will ever be welcome in our home!"
Liz and Alison stepped forward. "Then we won't be welcome either," said Liz. "Because I agree with my husband. Hoshi, you really don't love this putz. You should have stood your ground and not retracted your cancellation of the wedding."
"That's right," agreed Alison. "Hoshi, this is a mistake, a big mistake."
With a snarl, Hamilton shoved the two women back a bit and Jon was hard pressed not to go over and start punching the man. "If you two think this a mistake, then leave, goddammit!"
Liz and Alison grinned at each other. With identical shrugs, they turned and tossed their bouquets over their shoulders, narrowly missing the chaplain. As the Enterprise crew cheered, T'Pol raised an eyebrow and then followed suit. Stepping up to look Hamilton right in the eye, she coolly appraised him. "I find you to be a selfish, closed-minded and narrow thinking human being." As the groom's side gasped and muttered, T'Pol calmly went over to Hoshi and took her hand. "You are my friend and I greatly value your friendship. Know this Hoshi; you can do much better for yourself than to marry this man. Therefore, I find it illogical for me to continue as your matron-of-honor."
T'Pol let go of Hoshi's hand and walked over to join her former crewmates. Jon winked at her and he felt so proud of them all. Facing Hoshi, Jon gave her a sad smile. "Like I said last night, when a Vulcan agrees with a bunch of us humans, you know we're on to something. We all love you Hoshi, or we wouldn't be saying this to you. Marrying this guy is a mistake."
"Shut up!" yelled Hamilton. "Fuck you people! Who the hell do you think you are? You are ruining our wedding! Just get out of here!" Hamilton turned to Hoshi, who was standing there, wide-eyed and stunned. He gave her a little shake. "Hoshi, tell them to leave. You might have served with them for seven years, but they still just see you as the little Ensign, a little sister they can boss around. They don't know you, they don't know who you are now! Tell them to leave!"
Hoshi stepped back, looked at Jon and turned to look at her father. Mr. Sato threw a glance toward Jon and in that split second, Jon knew what he was going to say.
"Hoshi, my dear, it's up to you. If your friends are right and you really don't love Hamilton, then don't you dare marry him."
"Hoshi,"said Hamilton menacingly, "Tell everyone that you love me and let's get married!"
Jon held his breath as Hoshi bit her lower lip for a moment. He could see fear, longing, sadness and finally, determination play across her face. Drawing herself up to her full height, Hoshi tossed her bouquet to her cousin Kim and Jon let go of the breath he was holding. She'd made up her mind.
"Hamilton, my friends are right. I can't marry you. I'd be marrying you for all the wrong reasons and not for the right ones. I'm sorry." She started to walk away, but Hamilton grabbed her. With a rough jerk, he spun her around to face him.
"You stupid fucking bitch! Sorry? Sorry? No, we're getting married and...arrgghhh..."
The Enterprise crew, with the exception of T'Pol, cheered as Hoshi took Hamilton's wrist, with a fluid motion, pulled it back, twisted his arm around and kicked him between the legs. "No one, and I mean no one, speaks to me in such a manner!"
She kicked him again and Jon started laughing as Malcolm, with a proud look on his face, crowed, "Did you see that? That was brilliant! I taught her that move!"
Trip threw an arm around Malcolm, his expression smug. "Yep, that's our girl! Feisty as all get out."
As Hamilton writhed on the floor in pain and as his family and friends gaped in shock, Hoshi marched over to her beaming father and speechless mother. Kissing them both, she said, "I'm sorry about all of this, but I can't marry him. Especially now that he's called me...well, you heard what he said, and tried to manhandle me. Make the reception into a nice family reunion party and have fun, okay?" Her father nodded and her mother's mouth moved, no sound coming out. Mr. Sato took his wife's hand and patted it gently.
Kissing them once more, Hoshi broke away and walked up to Jon. Giving him a hug, she whispered, "Thanks, Jon."
Grinning from ear to ear, all he could think of was to say, "My pleasure. After all, what are friends for?"
"Hoshi! Are you leaving me at the altar for your former captain? That old guy?" gritted out Hamilton as he began to get up off the floor.
Letting Hoshi go, Jon decided that he'd had enough. Ignoring Trip's warning look and Malcolm's resigned one, he pushed past T'Pol and Alison. "For your information, I'm engaged to Alison Hess. So, no, Hoshi is not leaving you for me. But I gotta tell you, calling me old really, really, really pisses me off. You do NOT want to piss me off."
"Well screw you, Jonathan Archer, I just don't give a damn!" Hamilton swung and Jon ducked neatly. As he came up, Jon countered with a full punch and knocked Hamilton flat on his ass.
At the sight of their coach going down, an outraged roar broke out from the football players and they began charging over the pews. Hoshi let out a loud, raucous yell and throwing her bouquet at Hamilton, kicked him in the crotch. As the rest of the wedding guests scattered, the entire Enterprise crew led by Trip and Malcolm, along with Hoshi's brothers and Major Hayes, surged forward and all hell broke loose.
Jon Archer looked around and bit back a sigh. The small chapel on the campus of Starfleet Academy was filled to the brim. In the first three rows were seated Hoshi's and Hamilton' families. On Hoshi's side, sitting behind her family were the surviving members of the Enterprise's crew. Sixty-seven people, from Jonathan Archer, Phlox, Trip, Malcolm and Travis, to Chef, Karen Tran and Michael Rostov. The only people missing were Alison Hess, Liz Cutler and T'Pol, who were serving as three of Hoshi's bridesmaids.
No, thought Jon, sadness overwhelming him, the rest of the missing were those who hadn't made it back.
Jon shoved that thought aside. Today was supposed to be happy day. Looking at the glum faces of Trip, Malcolm, Travis and Phlox, Jon snorted to himself: yeah, right.
Hoshi was marrying the wrong man and there was nothing they could do about it.
To distract himself, Jon looked over at the other side. There on the groom's side were many of Hamilton' colleagues from UCLA. Jon counted at least fifteen professors, but they were out numbered by Hamilton's fellow coaches, as well as the entire football team. Jon Archer tried to be charitable about that: after all Hamilton was their head coach. Still, he thought it was a bit much.
Behind them were friends of Hamilton' from Earth's Mobile Assault Commandos. It turned out that Hamilton had served as a lieutenant for five years. Major Hayes, who was sitting with Jon and the rest of the former bridge crew, knew Hamilton and didn't like him. That fact alone let Malcolm bond with the former MACO leader after all these years. Jon still hadn't gotten over that one yet.
Music began to fill the room and Jon realized that everyone had turned to look at the back of the chapel. First came in the bridesmaids. Hoshi's cousins, Sora and Kim came in first, followed by Alison, Liz and finally T'Pol, as the matron of honor. As Alison floated past, Jon smiled. God, if anyone had told him that he would be in love with one of his former officers, he'd have laughed in their face.
T'Pol, he noted, looked very nice in the flowing, ice blue silk of the bridesmaid's dresses. It was funny, but he really liked her in either her Vulcan robes or in something like she was wearing now. Skin tight clothing just wasn't sexy on her, yet the robes and this dress made her look wonderful. Jon wondered how he could tell her that without coming across like a jerk. He'd have to ask Alison about that.
The music changed and doors in back closed. Seconds later, they re-opened to reveal Hoshi, clad in a strapless, yet flowing silk dress, her hair piled up in cascading curls. She looked beautiful beyond words.
As she started down isle, Jon looked back toward the groom. What he saw made him pissed off. To Jon, Hamilton' expression was one of...boredom. How could anyone look at Hoshi and be bored? Or not choked up with emotion? Why the hell was she marrying such a cold fish?
Glancing over at Trip, he saw that his best friend was eyeing Hamilton with distaste. Malcolm, Jon saw with amusement, was looking at Hoshi as if he'd never seen her before. His jaw was hanging in shock. Travis was trying to hold back his tears and was searching his pocket for a tissue. Phlox, Jon noted, looked worried.
Oh, shit. Phlox looking worried was not a good thing.
Jon turned his attention to the front of the chapel and saw that T'Pol was staring at Phlox, while Alison was trying to catch his eye. She flicked her eyes toward the front row. Following her gaze, Jon saw that Hoshi's father was looking...perturbed.
If she were marrying anyone else, Jon would have written it off as a father just trying to hold onto the image of his daughter as a little girl. But she was marrying Hamilton Leighton; a man that for everyone who knew Hoshi well, pretty much hated at first sight.
As Hoshi took her place at Hamilton' side, Jon took a good look at his friend and former communications officer. She was pale and her eyes were not happy.
That was it. He'd be damned if he was going to let her marry the sonuvabitch.
As the Starfleet chaplain began the service, Jon turned Trip and nudged him. "Get Malcolm's and Travis' attention," he whispered.
Trip tapped Malcolm and threw a nod toward Travis. Malcolm jostled Travis' knee with his leg and surreptitiously pointed to Jon. Leaning forward, Jon whispered. "We've got to stop her."
Trip gave a firm nod of agreement, Malcolm smiled and Travis didn't even blink as he gave a small thumbs up. As Jon straightened up, Major Hayes leaned in and whispered to Jon, "Well, if you're going to do something, the perfect moment is coming up." He then threw Jon an amused grin.
Two minutes later, the chaplain intoned solemnly, "If anyone has a reason as to why this man and this woman should not wed, then speak now or forever hold your peace."
Jon, Trip, Malcolm and Travis all stood as one as Jon shouted, "I do!"
Almost in unison, Trip, Malcolm and Travis followed with, "So do we!"
A gasp went up in the room. Hoshi and Hamilton whirled around, shock on her face, anger on his. The chaplain gulped nervously. "Captain Archer, Commander Tucker, Lieutenant-Commander Reed and Lieutenant Mayweather? All of you object to his marriage?"
To Jon's surprise, Malcolm and Trip pushed their way past Travis and into the aisle. "Hell yes!" responded Trip. "Hoshi, darlin', this guy ain't the one for you. He doesn't respect your opinions or expertise."
"He treats you like an object to be admired, not a vibrant woman to be loved," continued Malcolm fervently.
"And besides, you really don't love him," added Travis.
"If you did love him, you wouldn't look so scared, Hoshi. You haven't let your fears rule you since your first year on the Enterprise. Don't do so now," finished Jon.
Hamilton stepped away from Hoshi and glared at the four men. "How dare you say such things! You call yourselves Hoshi's friends? Get the hell out of my wedding! Now! I swear, none of you will ever be welcome in our home!"
Liz and Alison stepped forward. "Then we won't be welcome either," said Liz. "Because I agree with my husband. Hoshi, you really don't love this putz. You should have stood your ground and not retracted your cancellation of the wedding."
"That's right," agreed Alison. "Hoshi, this is a mistake, a big mistake."
With a snarl, Hamilton shoved the two women back a bit and Jon was hard pressed not to go over and start punching the man. "If you two think this a mistake, then leave, goddammit!"
Liz and Alison grinned at each other. With identical shrugs, they turned and tossed their bouquets over their shoulders, narrowly missing the chaplain. As the Enterprise crew cheered, T'Pol raised an eyebrow and then followed suit. Stepping up to look Hamilton right in the eye, she coolly appraised him. "I find you to be a selfish, closed-minded and narrow thinking human being." As the groom's side gasped and muttered, T'Pol calmly went over to Hoshi and took her hand. "You are my friend and I greatly value your friendship. Know this Hoshi; you can do much better for yourself than to marry this man. Therefore, I find it illogical for me to continue as your matron-of-honor."
T'Pol let go of Hoshi's hand and walked over to join her former crewmates. Jon winked at her and he felt so proud of them all. Facing Hoshi, Jon gave her a sad smile. "Like I said last night, when a Vulcan agrees with a bunch of us humans, you know we're on to something. We all love you Hoshi, or we wouldn't be saying this to you. Marrying this guy is a mistake."
"Shut up!" yelled Hamilton. "Fuck you people! Who the hell do you think you are? You are ruining our wedding! Just get out of here!" Hamilton turned to Hoshi, who was standing there, wide-eyed and stunned. He gave her a little shake. "Hoshi, tell them to leave. You might have served with them for seven years, but they still just see you as the little Ensign, a little sister they can boss around. They don't know you, they don't know who you are now! Tell them to leave!"
Hoshi stepped back, looked at Jon and turned to look at her father. Mr. Sato threw a glance toward Jon and in that split second, Jon knew what he was going to say.
"Hoshi, my dear, it's up to you. If your friends are right and you really don't love Hamilton, then don't you dare marry him."
"Hoshi,"said Hamilton menacingly, "Tell everyone that you love me and let's get married!"
Jon held his breath as Hoshi bit her lower lip for a moment. He could see fear, longing, sadness and finally, determination play across her face. Drawing herself up to her full height, Hoshi tossed her bouquet to her cousin Kim and Jon let go of the breath he was holding. She'd made up her mind.
"Hamilton, my friends are right. I can't marry you. I'd be marrying you for all the wrong reasons and not for the right ones. I'm sorry." She started to walk away, but Hamilton grabbed her. With a rough jerk, he spun her around to face him.
"You stupid fucking bitch! Sorry? Sorry? No, we're getting married and...arrgghhh..."
The Enterprise crew, with the exception of T'Pol, cheered as Hoshi took Hamilton's wrist, with a fluid motion, pulled it back, twisted his arm around and kicked him between the legs. "No one, and I mean no one, speaks to me in such a manner!"
She kicked him again and Jon started laughing as Malcolm, with a proud look on his face, crowed, "Did you see that? That was brilliant! I taught her that move!"
Trip threw an arm around Malcolm, his expression smug. "Yep, that's our girl! Feisty as all get out."
As Hamilton writhed on the floor in pain and as his family and friends gaped in shock, Hoshi marched over to her beaming father and speechless mother. Kissing them both, she said, "I'm sorry about all of this, but I can't marry him. Especially now that he's called me...well, you heard what he said, and tried to manhandle me. Make the reception into a nice family reunion party and have fun, okay?" Her father nodded and her mother's mouth moved, no sound coming out. Mr. Sato took his wife's hand and patted it gently.
Kissing them once more, Hoshi broke away and walked up to Jon. Giving him a hug, she whispered, "Thanks, Jon."
Grinning from ear to ear, all he could think of was to say, "My pleasure. After all, what are friends for?"
"Hoshi! Are you leaving me at the altar for your former captain? That old guy?" gritted out Hamilton as he began to get up off the floor.
Letting Hoshi go, Jon decided that he'd had enough. Ignoring Trip's warning look and Malcolm's resigned one, he pushed past T'Pol and Alison. "For your information, I'm engaged to Alison Hess. So, no, Hoshi is not leaving you for me. But I gotta tell you, calling me old really, really, really pisses me off. You do NOT want to piss me off."
"Well screw you, Jonathan Archer, I just don't give a damn!" Hamilton swung and Jon ducked neatly. As he came up, Jon countered with a full punch and knocked Hamilton flat on his ass.
At the sight of their coach going down, an outraged roar broke out from the football players and they began charging over the pews. Hoshi let out a loud, raucous yell and throwing her bouquet at Hamilton, kicked him in the crotch. As the rest of the wedding guests scattered, the entire Enterprise crew led by Trip and Malcolm, along with Hoshi's brothers and Major Hayes, surged forward and all hell broke loose.