Chapter Eight

*****

"I would prefer if you stayed here while I was on duty," Malcolm said as he motioned around his quarters. "There's plenty here for you to do. You can browse databases, watch movies, and listen to music."

Hoshi could tell Lieutenant Reed was uncomfortable around her. He reminded her of her Papa, down to the British accent and the strict attitude. She would be happy when he left, secure in the knowledge that he would come back, not covered in blood and distant from her. Yet, she couldn't help scanning the room for hyposprays just in case.

"I'll be fine, Lieutenant Reed."

Malcolm was so prepared to argue with her and had resigned himself to taking her on duty with him. He was surprised when she readily agreed to being left behind.

He showed her how to access the database and pull up movies and music, and was amazed when she showed him a shortcut to the information. For somebody who was orphaned at such a young age, she was full of surprises. He took out his PADD and made a notation to check school records and awards, in particular the Language Arts. Certainly a six-year-old who knew Sanskrit and ancient Sumerian was worth noting somewhere.

"If you need me, my frequency is 142," Malcolm said as he handed her a communicator.

***

Em opened the door to Malcolm's quarters and resisted the urge to jump back. "Hola?"

"Yes," Hoshi replied shutting off the monitor, disappointed that it wasn't Lieutenant Reed.

"Lieutenant Reed can't get away and instructed me to escort you to dinner," Em stated looking straight ahead and standing at parade rest.

"OK," Hoshi replied reluctantly. Her stomach was growling and she knew it was time to eat but didn't want to make Lieutenant Reed unhappy with her.

"Very well then, follow me," Em grimaced and stepped to the side.

They walked down the corridor, took a lift and walked into a busy mess hall. Hoshi's eyes widened in surprise, as she didn't realize there would be so many people. "It's just like the camp. Are there any children? Where am I?"

Em looked at the arm upon her sleeve, then looked up at the worried expression on her face. She placed her hand on Hoshi's reassuringly and tugged her along. "Let's get something to eat and I'll answer any question you ask."

At ease with Em's answer, she grabbed a tray and started picking out food - one of everything that was available to her. She was actually starting to like Lieutenant Gomez.

As Em sat down at the nearest table she finally got a good look at Hoshi's tray, yet kept calm about the mostly dessert selections and motioned for Hoshi to ask the questions the younger woman wanted answers to.

"Where am I?" was the first question out of Hoshi's mouth as she stuffed it full with pie.

"You're aboard the starship Enterprise," Em answered quickly and distinctly.

"Starship Enterprise?" Hoshi asked with a mouthful of food, cocking her head to one side.

"A space ship. It flies in the stars. You must have ridden in one to get from Mars colony to Daven Five," Em asserted, then took a sip of her beverage.

"I went to sleep one night and woke up the next morning in the jungle. I remember Mama wasn't happy with Papa for drugging me and putting me in…s-stasis," Hoshi replied nonchalantly and started eating her second dessert.

Hoshi continued. "I was sick for days, but Mama kept cleaning up after me and checking me for fever. We didn't see Papa during the day, but he would come back with food every night. They were so quiet, neither one talking to the other. I guess Mama was talking to Papa inside his head because he would nod his head occasionally like he was talking to someone. It was a while before I was able to do things for myself."

Em nodded encouragement toward Hoshi to continue, making mental notations to give to Malcolm, but just then Trip Tucker walked up and sat down.

 "Oh my God, it's God's gift to women," Em whispered quietly under her breath.


Sensing she was speaking ill of him, Trip ignored the Lieutenant that he was trying so hard to attract and turned his attention to the young woman to his right. "How are you doing, Hoshi?"

"I'm good. I really like this pie." She smiled and took a bite of the concoction.

"You are a girl after my own heart. That's pecan pie - my favorite," Trip said as he cut into his slice of pecan pie.

Em rolled her eyes, which did not go unnoticed by Trip or Hoshi.

Trip could tell he was getting a rise out of Em and pressed on. "It's sweet, like you." He pointed to Hoshi. "And makes a good late night snack like…"

"What the hell do you think you are doing? You do realize what she has been through and what she is, don't you? She's a child! And you're hitting on her? You are beyond depraved! You need to get laid and…" Em huffed, catching herself too late, yet proud of herself for keeping her voice lowered so that only their table could hear the exchange.

Hoshi was oblivious to Trip's flirting but was confused about what Lieutenant Gomez was saying.

Trip folded his napkin and placed it on his plate, the chair scraping the deck plating as he got up. He stood up and bent over a pale Lt. Emmanuelle Gomez and whispered into her ear. "If you're offering, I am certainly up to it, Lieutenant."

Her pallor turned into a bright fiery blush. Before he could pull away, she retorted, "I would rather be impaled on a long sharp object than become one of your many conquests."

"You really should watch your choice of words, Emmanuel - impale and long sharp object? Tsk, tsk! That can be arranged," he grinned as he walked away, secure in the knowledge that he had riled her.

Hoshi heard the entire conversation and her curiosity was piqued. "Why would you rather be impaled on a long sharp object?"

Em looked at her like she had sprouted horns. "It's just an expression," she stated and pushed her plate away, not really hungry now that God's gift to women had ruined her appetite. "Are you ready to go?"

Hoshi shoved a rather large piece of pie in her mouth and nodded.

*****