CHAPTER 3: LOVE GROWS
Flora Wall entered hydroponics. She had just seen Sato leave with a flower in her hand. Tank must have given it to her. She suddenly felt very disappointed, but had long given up on the idea that Tank would notice her. She knew she was mousy looking and not exotic like Hoshi Sato. Flora snorted, making her presence known.
"Hi, Flora. Your new roommate was just here," said Tank with a big smile on his face.
"Yes, I saw her leave," said Flora, keeping her eyes downcast.
"Yeah, you want to know something funny? She was getting a flower to give to a guy!" said Tank with a laugh.
"Probably to Malcolm Reed. They seemed pretty cozy," said Flora, thinking of the kiss she witnessed and brightening at the thought that Sato's flower was for someone else. She was just grateful she hadn't been woken up in the night and kicked out of her cot while Reed and Sato indulged themselves. Maybe they had more control than she thought.
Tank looked at Flora and for once his brain made a quick decision. "Flora, would you go out with me tonight? I mean, only if you'd like to."
"Well, sure, I'd like that, but what will we do? It's not Movie Night," said Flora, snorting and thinking Tank would back out if given an excuse.
"Uh, gee. I don't know," said Tank, but once again his brain was working madly, seeking alternatives. Couldn't ask a girl to wrestle. Even arm wrestling was out of the question. His brain finally produced an idea. "How about we play cards?"
"Okay, but it will have to be in your quarters," said Flora.
"No problem. I'll even get us some dinner. How about pizza? Chef said he'd do one for me anytime I asked because of the flowers he can put on the Captain's table."
"That sounds okay," said Flora with a snort.
-------
Sato glanced up as Flora Wall entered their temporary quarters. She had been writing a note to Reed, several actually, trying to think of just the right way to phrase things.
"Hello, Flora. You look like you're in a hurry," said Sato, trying to appear interested and friendly.
"Tank asked me on a date. He actually asked me on a date," said the Wallflower, snorting. She madly took a brush to her hair but left it in greater disarray than it was before. Sato smiled and thought that perhaps she could do something to return the favor to Tank.
"Here, let me help you with that," Sato offered.
-------
Flora and Tank had just finished the pizza. Tank looked at Flora. For once he could clearly see her green eyes sparkling because her hair was neatly combed with pins keeping it out of her face. He had often noticed how her smile could turn her rather plain face into something beautiful. His brain decided it was time to try his little experiment.
"Um, Flora. I brought these for you," said Tank, going to a shelf and lowering a bouquet he had hidden behind a speaker. Flora looked at the bouquet. "They're pretty."
"The heather means admiration my Granny used to say. The yellow ones are daffodils. Granny said they're for saying the sun shines when I'm with you, and the red one, that's the special one."
"What does the red one say," asked the Wallflower with her usual snort at the end of the sentence. Tank didn't seem to mind, however.
"That one says that the one who holds the flower doesn't realize how beautiful she is," said Tank, hoping he had remembered all the lessons he had been taught lately. His brain seemed satisfied.
A smile graced Flora's face. She set the flowers down and had Tank lying on the bed before he knew what hit him. But at this point, he didn't need much help from his brain to figure out how to proceed next, certainly not with Flora giving all the instructions she did.
-------
In her temporary quarters, Hoshi slept in Malcolm's bed, thinking about how he would respond to her message. She vaguely wondered when Flora would return, but soon sleep crept upon her. She was undisturbed by snoring this night.
Flora was with Tank, their synchronous snoring upsetting neither one of them.
-------
Reed came into Tucker's quarters at midnight. He was very tired, but pleased with the progress the team had made on the reinforcement to the hull. They may actually get ahead of schedule.
The physical exertion also did a good job of keeping his mind off of his situation with Hoshi. Malcolm had been struggling with his feelings towards her for some time now. It had become worse lately as he tried to decide what to do with the relaxation of guidelines concerning fraternizing with subordinates. But at the moment, he was hungry, fatigued and in need of sleep.
"Hey, how's the weather out there?" Tucker called as a greeting from his bed. "By the way, there's a plate for ya on the desk. Oh, and the flower's for ya, too."
Malcolm gave Trip a puzzled look as he turned the light on at the desk to low illumination. "Flower? Are you talking in your sleep?"
"No, that's your purview. Just eat your dinner and read the note with the flower. Hoshi left it for you. I'm gonna go back to sleep. Oh, the pecan pie is from me, but don't think I'm trying to compete with Hoshi for your affections. You're too high in maintenance."
Tucker turned over and closed his eyes just as the pillow hit him. He grabbed it and lobbed it back immediately, but Reed just caught it in midair, hearing Tucker's chuckle.
Malcolm saw the purple flower in a vase by the covered dish. He felt all warm inside thinking that she had gone to the trouble to think of him.
He began eating his dinner quickly as he read the note:
Malcolm,
Purple Hyacinth means I'm Sorry in the language of flowers.
Hope you enjoy your dinner.
Love, Hoshi
Reed looked at the word. Love. He read the note several times, always lingering at the word. Surely it was just habit. That was it. She had written it automatically. But, what if? Perhaps he should find time to visit hydroponics tomorrow.
Malcolm finished the pecan pie realizing he was suddenly developing a liking for the dessert.
-------
The next day Sato went to her temporary quarters after lunch because Tucker had insisted that Reed had left a message for her there. She found a pink camellia within a small bouquet of pansies and peonies on the desk in Reed's quarters with a note. She read the note that said:
Hoshi,
Pansies mean You Occupy My Thoughts.
Pink Camellia means Longing.
Peonies mean Bashfulness.
Love, Malcolm
Hoshi smiled, thinking of the time Malcolm must have taken to talk to Tank about an appropriate response. Now, what would her message be?
-------
Reed walked into Tucker's quarters, dreading that he would find nothing waiting for him. He actually appreciated the indirect way one could communicate through flowers.
Malcolm readied himself for disappointment, but instead heard Trip's drawl saying, "I'm gonna start charging for delivering messages. Look on the desk. And quit beating me with pillows."
There on the desk was a covered dish, a piece of pecan pie, and a small bouquet this time. The note read:
Malcolm,
Petunias mean Your Presence Soothes Me.
Freesias mean Trust.
Lady's Slippers mean Win Me.
Love, Hoshi
-------
Sato had spent another night unperturbed by Flora Wall's snoring. She would be moving back to her quarters this afternoon, but she stopped at Reed's cabin after lunch, hoping she would have a message to read. She smiled in relief when she saw the flowers and the note:
Hoshi,
Gardenia means You are Lovely.
Yellow Iris means Passion.
Purple Columbine means Resolved to Win.
Meet me tonight for dinner, my quarters, 2000. If you don't come, I'll have my answer.
If you do come, I'll have a flower for you.
Love, Malcolm
-------
Malcolm looked at the table he had arranged for dinner. He had spoken with Captain Archer earlier and had practically asked for permission to court Hoshi.
The Captain had appreciated this discussion, gave Reed the directives of any relationship not interfering with work and a personal warning not to screw this up.
Malcolm looked up when he heard Hoshi at the door. Relief washed through him as he reached for the flower that held his ultimate message.
Hoshi smiled at Malcolm. He was looking at her without any mask on his feelings and the smile that appeared melted her heart. How could she have ever thought he was indifferent to her?
Her own eyes and smile sent the same message to Malcolm. He took the single red rose he held and presented it to her.
Hoshi brought her hand from behind her back, it too holding a single red rose.
Tank had not needed to tell either one that in the language of flowers, the red rose means I Love You.
*****
Flora Wall entered hydroponics. She had just seen Sato leave with a flower in her hand. Tank must have given it to her. She suddenly felt very disappointed, but had long given up on the idea that Tank would notice her. She knew she was mousy looking and not exotic like Hoshi Sato. Flora snorted, making her presence known.
"Hi, Flora. Your new roommate was just here," said Tank with a big smile on his face.
"Yes, I saw her leave," said Flora, keeping her eyes downcast.
"Yeah, you want to know something funny? She was getting a flower to give to a guy!" said Tank with a laugh.
"Probably to Malcolm Reed. They seemed pretty cozy," said Flora, thinking of the kiss she witnessed and brightening at the thought that Sato's flower was for someone else. She was just grateful she hadn't been woken up in the night and kicked out of her cot while Reed and Sato indulged themselves. Maybe they had more control than she thought.
Tank looked at Flora and for once his brain made a quick decision. "Flora, would you go out with me tonight? I mean, only if you'd like to."
"Well, sure, I'd like that, but what will we do? It's not Movie Night," said Flora, snorting and thinking Tank would back out if given an excuse.
"Uh, gee. I don't know," said Tank, but once again his brain was working madly, seeking alternatives. Couldn't ask a girl to wrestle. Even arm wrestling was out of the question. His brain finally produced an idea. "How about we play cards?"
"Okay, but it will have to be in your quarters," said Flora.
"No problem. I'll even get us some dinner. How about pizza? Chef said he'd do one for me anytime I asked because of the flowers he can put on the Captain's table."
"That sounds okay," said Flora with a snort.
-------
Sato glanced up as Flora Wall entered their temporary quarters. She had been writing a note to Reed, several actually, trying to think of just the right way to phrase things.
"Hello, Flora. You look like you're in a hurry," said Sato, trying to appear interested and friendly.
"Tank asked me on a date. He actually asked me on a date," said the Wallflower, snorting. She madly took a brush to her hair but left it in greater disarray than it was before. Sato smiled and thought that perhaps she could do something to return the favor to Tank.
"Here, let me help you with that," Sato offered.
-------
Flora and Tank had just finished the pizza. Tank looked at Flora. For once he could clearly see her green eyes sparkling because her hair was neatly combed with pins keeping it out of her face. He had often noticed how her smile could turn her rather plain face into something beautiful. His brain decided it was time to try his little experiment.
"Um, Flora. I brought these for you," said Tank, going to a shelf and lowering a bouquet he had hidden behind a speaker. Flora looked at the bouquet. "They're pretty."
"The heather means admiration my Granny used to say. The yellow ones are daffodils. Granny said they're for saying the sun shines when I'm with you, and the red one, that's the special one."
"What does the red one say," asked the Wallflower with her usual snort at the end of the sentence. Tank didn't seem to mind, however.
"That one says that the one who holds the flower doesn't realize how beautiful she is," said Tank, hoping he had remembered all the lessons he had been taught lately. His brain seemed satisfied.
A smile graced Flora's face. She set the flowers down and had Tank lying on the bed before he knew what hit him. But at this point, he didn't need much help from his brain to figure out how to proceed next, certainly not with Flora giving all the instructions she did.
-------
In her temporary quarters, Hoshi slept in Malcolm's bed, thinking about how he would respond to her message. She vaguely wondered when Flora would return, but soon sleep crept upon her. She was undisturbed by snoring this night.
Flora was with Tank, their synchronous snoring upsetting neither one of them.
-------
Reed came into Tucker's quarters at midnight. He was very tired, but pleased with the progress the team had made on the reinforcement to the hull. They may actually get ahead of schedule.
The physical exertion also did a good job of keeping his mind off of his situation with Hoshi. Malcolm had been struggling with his feelings towards her for some time now. It had become worse lately as he tried to decide what to do with the relaxation of guidelines concerning fraternizing with subordinates. But at the moment, he was hungry, fatigued and in need of sleep.
"Hey, how's the weather out there?" Tucker called as a greeting from his bed. "By the way, there's a plate for ya on the desk. Oh, and the flower's for ya, too."
Malcolm gave Trip a puzzled look as he turned the light on at the desk to low illumination. "Flower? Are you talking in your sleep?"
"No, that's your purview. Just eat your dinner and read the note with the flower. Hoshi left it for you. I'm gonna go back to sleep. Oh, the pecan pie is from me, but don't think I'm trying to compete with Hoshi for your affections. You're too high in maintenance."
Tucker turned over and closed his eyes just as the pillow hit him. He grabbed it and lobbed it back immediately, but Reed just caught it in midair, hearing Tucker's chuckle.
Malcolm saw the purple flower in a vase by the covered dish. He felt all warm inside thinking that she had gone to the trouble to think of him.
He began eating his dinner quickly as he read the note:
Malcolm,
Purple Hyacinth means I'm Sorry in the language of flowers.
Hope you enjoy your dinner.
Love, Hoshi
Reed looked at the word. Love. He read the note several times, always lingering at the word. Surely it was just habit. That was it. She had written it automatically. But, what if? Perhaps he should find time to visit hydroponics tomorrow.
Malcolm finished the pecan pie realizing he was suddenly developing a liking for the dessert.
-------
The next day Sato went to her temporary quarters after lunch because Tucker had insisted that Reed had left a message for her there. She found a pink camellia within a small bouquet of pansies and peonies on the desk in Reed's quarters with a note. She read the note that said:
Hoshi,
Pansies mean You Occupy My Thoughts.
Pink Camellia means Longing.
Peonies mean Bashfulness.
Love, Malcolm
Hoshi smiled, thinking of the time Malcolm must have taken to talk to Tank about an appropriate response. Now, what would her message be?
-------
Reed walked into Tucker's quarters, dreading that he would find nothing waiting for him. He actually appreciated the indirect way one could communicate through flowers.
Malcolm readied himself for disappointment, but instead heard Trip's drawl saying, "I'm gonna start charging for delivering messages. Look on the desk. And quit beating me with pillows."
There on the desk was a covered dish, a piece of pecan pie, and a small bouquet this time. The note read:
Malcolm,
Petunias mean Your Presence Soothes Me.
Freesias mean Trust.
Lady's Slippers mean Win Me.
Love, Hoshi
-------
Sato had spent another night unperturbed by Flora Wall's snoring. She would be moving back to her quarters this afternoon, but she stopped at Reed's cabin after lunch, hoping she would have a message to read. She smiled in relief when she saw the flowers and the note:
Hoshi,
Gardenia means You are Lovely.
Yellow Iris means Passion.
Purple Columbine means Resolved to Win.
Meet me tonight for dinner, my quarters, 2000. If you don't come, I'll have my answer.
If you do come, I'll have a flower for you.
Love, Malcolm
-------
Malcolm looked at the table he had arranged for dinner. He had spoken with Captain Archer earlier and had practically asked for permission to court Hoshi.
The Captain had appreciated this discussion, gave Reed the directives of any relationship not interfering with work and a personal warning not to screw this up.
Malcolm looked up when he heard Hoshi at the door. Relief washed through him as he reached for the flower that held his ultimate message.
Hoshi smiled at Malcolm. He was looking at her without any mask on his feelings and the smile that appeared melted her heart. How could she have ever thought he was indifferent to her?
Her own eyes and smile sent the same message to Malcolm. He took the single red rose he held and presented it to her.
Hoshi brought her hand from behind her back, it too holding a single red rose.
Tank had not needed to tell either one that in the language of flowers, the red rose means I Love You.
*****