Chapter Twelve

"Personal log, Lt. Malcolm Reed, December 15, 2153. I am still unable to determine how Hoshi was able to decipher the alien mine. She states she doesn't remember anything. Dr. Phlox ran some scans, which were inconclusive. Maybe she is some sort of savant. Commander Tucker assures me that his team scanned for explosives, but apparently the alien race uses a polymer that our scanners were unable to detect.

"On a positive note, I am now able to limp and run at the same time. The xanographic splint is working quite well. Of course, Dr. Phlox tells me that my ankle would be completely healed already if I had stayed off of it like he suggested." Malcolm sighed, shutting the computer off and limping to his bunk, pausing long enough to check on the sleeping form in the top bunk. Reaching out a hand to brush a stray hair out of her eyes, he stopped. For somebody who was supposed to have the emotional maturity of a six-year-old, she sure knew how to throw him for a loop. There was no way he could continue avoiding her. Their living arrangements had to change and change soon.

"Personal log, Lt. Malcolm Reed, December 24, 2153. I am the biggest git on this ship. Where the time went, I haven't a clue. Tonight is Christmas Eve and I haven't a gift for Hoshi. I don't celebrate it as a rule, but Em told me that she discussed it with Hoshi and that Hoshi is really excited about it. What do you get a wo-girl-no woman, such as Hoshi? I haven't a clue. Gift-giving has never been my strong suit. There is a party tonight and Hoshi has been talking non-stop about going to it. There will be a gift exchange," Malcolm sighed.

"I don't want her feelings to be hurt when she doesn't get anything. Maybe the quartermaster could suggest something," he mumbled as walked out the door leaving the recording going.

Malcolm shifted from one foot to the other nervously. "A scarf! All the quartermaster had left was a scarf!" Malcolm thought. He didn't even have any wrapping paper. He didn't even know why he gave a hoot.

Then it hit him like a gale force wind as Hoshi entered the mess hall with Em, her hair done up with tendrils curling gently around her shoulders, which were bare. Bare! She was wearing a shimmering red sleeveless dress with a sheer shawl over it. So, yes, technically her shoulders weren't bare, but if he could see them, then so could everybody else. That was unacceptable.

He walked up to Em and Hoshi, glaring at Em. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" he motioned to Hoshi.

Em took a deep breath, afraid that he was going to react this way. "It's Christmas Eve. This is a party. Hoshi was excited about going, but concerned that she had nothing to wear. She was crying, in fact. I gave her a dress that she could wear… sir. I honestly don't see what the problem is. It's a party, everybody is dressed up." She stopped and bit her lip as she realized Malcolm was in his uniform.

Hoshi stood by nervously, watching the interplay between the two. She could sense Malcolm's anger and frustration and Em's dismay. She had become quite adept at "reading" people, but kept it under wraps. Her father was manipulated due to his curse.

Hoshi stepped up to the two and handed Malcolm his gift.

He stared at it as though it were a snake, anger coursing through him.

She could sense his anger and started to withdraw the gift, not really understanding where his anger came from.

His hand clasped her wrist to stop her and she stared wide-eyed at him.
Anger, happiness and a variety of other things she couldn't define washed over her, all of them emanating from him.

"You look very nice, Hoshi," he managed to get out. "I have a gift for you too." He handed the bag to her.

Em could see the condition of the package Malcolm gave the young woman and knew the man was in trouble. "That's not the gift you got her, Lieutenant."

"It's not?" Malcolm said.

"Wow, thanks for saving my tail. I completely forgot to get Hoshi a present." Em waved her hands in the air and made a big production of going over to the Christmas tree, picking an elegantly wrapped present, quickly taking the nametag off.

"This is to you from Malcolm," Em handed the young woman the present. "And this one is from me." She grabbed the bag and handed it to Hoshi.

Hoshi sat down, holding the packages, sensing half-truths and nervousness, but from whom she didn't know. She ran her hand longingly over both packages, noting the stark contrast between the two. She opened the brown bag first, gasping when she saw the contents - a beautiful red silk scarf. She took the delicate item out and rubbed it along her face. Her mother had one like this once, often wearing it to tie her hair back.

She rose and gave Em a quick hug, telling her that it reminded her of her mother.

Malcolm felt a surge of pride in knowing his gift had made her happy.

Hoshi sat back down and unwrapped the ribbons around the box, saving each one. She looked at Malcolm as she tore into the paper as gently as she could. Once the paper was gone, she lifted the lid, her eyes lighting up brighter than the tree as she lifted a little doll, dark hair pulled straight back and dressed in a Spanish peasant dress.

She hugged the doll to herself, rose and gave Malcolm a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," whispered into his ear.

Malcolm stood still, not breathing, completely forgetting the gift in his hand. A torrent of …he wasn't even going to go there. He smiled back and managed to spit out the appropriate reply.

He weighed his gift in his hand, knowing it was a book of some sort. He started to unwrap it and looked up to watch Hoshi biting her lip. He was taken by surprise as the title of the book revealed itself from behind the paper. "The Complete Collection of the Brothers Grimm?" He looked up, confused.

"Read the inscription," Hoshi prodded, knowing he wouldn't get it until he did.

"You remind me of the Beast, page 126. Love, Hoshi." He read the inscription out loud, earning a laugh from Em and a chuckle from Trip, who had been watching the entire gift exchange.

Trip couldn't help but notice the wistful way that Em looked at the doll Malcolm had "given" Hoshi. He knew the truth. He saw her rip the nametag off and pick it up. If he were a betting man, he would bet that Em had brought "her doll" with her on board. They all knew that Hoshi was like a kid but Em treated her special, like a sister. The doll looked weathered, like it had been loved. To give it up must have meant a lot to Em. He wished he were home. If he were home, he would be able to run into his granny's room and find one of her antique dolls a new home.

Malcolm and Em were exchanging barbs about the Beast analogy when Trip pulled Hoshi aside without them noticing. "Can I ask a favor of you?"

Hoshi grinned, sensing how nervous and exhilarated he was, and nodded.

"Give this to Em, but don't tell her who it's from." He folded her hand around a small box.

"Remember, don't tell her who it's from."

Hoshi watched Trip leave, a puzzled look on her face. She could sense the way he felt about Em. It was warmth with longing… longing for what Hoshi didn't have a clue.

She looked at the rectangular box and turned to the two people who were bantering back and forth, relief pouring from them over the "gift giving fiasco," whatever that meant. The curse was kind of hit and miss. Sometimes she could discern actual thoughts, most of the time she could sense feelings.

She could sense Malcolm was pleased with his gift and felt a measure of satisfaction knowing that she had pleased him. She had neither thought of nor had the opportunity to get Em anything.

Hoshi approached Em with the box in her hand. A picture of a simple raindrop necklace, gold chain with a clear lavender stone had flashed through her mind when Trip handed her the package. He liked Em a lot.

"Is that for me?" Em asked nonchalantly.

"Yes," smiled Hoshi, as she extended her hand. Curiosity was piqued.

Em took the box from her hand, thanking her and opening it. She gasped and took the necklace from its perch, holding it in her palm. "Oh, Hoshi, thank you!" She slid off the table she was sitting on and hugged her.

Hoshi pulled back. "It's not from me."

"Then who's it from?" Em asked, perplexed, as she found no tag on the box.

Not really practiced at the art of subterfuge, Hoshi blurted, "I found it beneath the tree."

Em hurriedly put the necklace back. "Perhaps it isn't mine and somebody else is looking for it."

Hoshi panicked. "No, no. He said to give it to you."

"Who?" Em prodded gently, as she could tell that the younger woman was embarrassed.

Hoshi looked down and mumbled, "He said I couldn't tell you who it's from."

She immediately felt Malcolm in her head, guessing it was Trip, saying it was way too obvious. "He's had the hots for Em ever since they left space dock."

Em was confused, which was the important thing.