Captain Archer frowned as he watched Hoshi sigh, close her eyes and rub her temples for the third time since her shift had begun.  For the past week he had noticed her looking increasingly tired, though she tried to cover up the shadows under her eyes.  He turned his head and saw that Ensign Mayweather was also watching Hoshi, the young man's concern evident.

"Ensign Sato," he called as he stood up from his chair.  "Can I see you in my ready room?" he asked as he motioned for her to follow him.

Hoshi's eyes flew open as she left the bridge, worry and doubt plaguing her mind.  He couldn't want to complain about her performance, could he?  She knew she hadn't been getting enough rest, but since losing her temper with Trip the night before, she was working even harder to do the best job possible.  After all, that was her normal method of dealing with personal problems: throwing herself into her work.  She wasn't going to let her weaknesses be held against her.

"Sir?" she asked as she entered the ready room.

"Hoshi," Archer began, in a reassuring tone.  "I wanted to check-in on how you were feeling.  We haven't really talked lately about how you're recovering from that situation with Tarquin."  As hard as he tried not to, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty for having left her alone with the alien.

Hoshi worked to keep the flush from rising on her cheeks.  "Have I been somehow deficient in my duties, Captain?" she asked, in a voice much harder than Jon had ever heard from her before.

"No," he replied, slightly puzzled by her attitude—it was unlike her to be so defensive.  "You're work is not in question here.  What I am concerned about is your health."  His eyes were compassionate as he tilted his head down to her.  "It's obvious that you aren't getting enough rest and that you're suffering from some headaches."  He paused for a moment, expecting her to say something, but at her stoic silence, he continued.  "I want you to end your shift now and then go see Phlox.  And that's an order."

Hoshi paused for just a moment before coolly answering, "Yes, sir," and quickly left the room at his nod.  As she stalked through the bridge to the turbolift, she didn't notice the worried frown on Travis' face.

"Ah, Ensign Sato," Dr. Phlox called in cheerful greeting when Hoshi entered sickbay.  "Are you here to visit with me, or perhaps the animals?  I believe that my bat has missed you these last weeks."

He had expected a smile or a joke from Hoshi in response, and was surprised to be greeted with her weary and slightly sullen demeanor.  "The Captain ordered me to get checked out," she grumbled as she sat on one of the beds.

"For lack of sleep, perhaps?" he perceptively asked with his usual smile as he quickly scanned her.  When she simply nodded, he questioned her further.  "Do you have any other symptoms I should be aware of?"  He simply waited in silence until she finally volunteered more information.

"I've been experiencing some headaches," she grudgingly admitted, as he passed the scanner around her head for the third time.  "Though they're probably from not getting enough sleep.  Nothing serious," she hastened to add.  "It's just a case of bad dreams.  They'll pass soon enough.  The Captain was just overreacting."

"I'm not so sure about that," Phlox replied, as he transferred the data from the scanner into the computer.

Hoshi jumped down from the bed, frustration and fear quickly rising to the surface.  "What do you mean?"

"Some of these readings are unusual," the Denobulan mused as he looked over the data.  "It will take a little time to process it all." Phlox frowned ever-so-briefly before he flashed a reassuring smile at her.  "No reason to worry just yet, Ensign.  Though I am going to recommend that you be pulled from your shifts until I have a chance to look this over."

"No!" Hoshi practically barked at the physician.  Now it will be official!  Everyone will know that I can't handle this job!  Everyone will be right…He was right… I don't belong here

Phlox quickly took in her agitated state.  "Now, now, Ensign.  It won't be forever!" he cheerfully responded, trying to cover his concern for his young friend.  Hoshi forced herself to calm down, a voice within telling her that her reaction was making the situation worse. "But you definitely need to rest now," he continued as he reached for a hypospray.  "This is a very light sedative, it will help you get some rest."

Hoshi nodded numbly as she recognized the sense in his words.  She quickly left sickbay after receiving the injection, leaving Phlox alone and reflecting on her bizarre behavior.  He looked back to the computer—the hints he had gotten from the data were just as troubling; he doubted the two were unrelated.  Phlox quickly got to work.

"You are uncharacteristically silent, Commander Tucker," T'Pol stated as she precisely pressed her fingertips onto Trip's bare back.  "Much the same as last night."

Her comment shook Trip out of his reverie.  "What, are you complaining?" he asked, with a slight smirk.

"No," she replied.  You had to hand it to the Vulcans, Trip mused.  They certainly had a way with words.  Or a word, as the case might be.  "I am simply pointing out the fact that this behavior is unlike you, suggesting that your mind is preoccupied.  I also note that you are not responding well to the neural pressure."

 "You think that's connected?" he asked, turning his head towards her.  She simply stared at him, one brow raised.  He let out a breath.  "Well, I reckon you could be right."  He paused for a moment, and then twisted around on the bunk so that they were face-to-face.  "Could I ask you a question?  It's about a personal matter."

"I believe that our relationship has progressed to the point where such questions may be appropriate," she responded, as cool as always.  Trip almost laughed.  Who would have thought almost three years ago that he and T'Pol would become friends?  But that's what they were.  Trip had slowly learned to value her steady character and her unwavering attention to detail.  Sure, her cultural idiosyncrasies could still bug the hell out of him, but he was now mature enough to look past such differences.  She had sacrificed a lot to be on this mission, and because of that, he trusted her.  He knew now where her loyalty lay: with the crew of the Enterprise.

He took a breath.  "It's Hoshi.  I'm real worried about her.  She hasn't been sleeping, she's tense, and last night she practically snapped my head off.  Why, I still don't know."

T'Pol's eyebrows furrowed ever-so-slightly together.  "I too have noticed changes in Ensign Sato's behavior.  More so today, on the bridge.  However, it serves little purpose to speak of your concerns with me.  The logical choice would be Ensign Sato herself."

Trip rolled his eyes and ran his hand through his hair, as he jumped up from the bed and began pacing.  "I know!  I just don't want to upset her again."

"Perhaps you should first speak to Ensign Mayweather," T'Pol suggested.  "I have often noticed a special closeness between the two.  Ensign Sato even wrote in her report that Tarquin attempted to use her friendship with Ensign Mayweather to further manipulate her into staying on the planet.  He could perhaps advise you of the best way to proceed."

Trip was surprised at the stab of emotion he felt when T'Pol mentioned Travis.  Sure, he knew that the two were close friends, but it bothered him to have to go to the young man for help in talking to Hoshi.  Don't be an idiot!  Do you want to help her, or not?  He sighed and forced a smile.  "That's a great idea, T'Pol.  I guess I should get going."

"Good luck with your endeavor, Commander.  Ensign Sato's happiness is important to many members of this crew."  She paused, as if considering whether or not she should continue.  "Including myself," she finally stated.

This time, Trip's smile for her was genuine.  As he left her room, his mood lightened noticeably.  At least he had a plan.  With his hands in his pockets, he whistled a cheerful tune as he sauntered down the hallway to his own quarters.

At the other end of the hallway, unseen by Trip, Hoshi stood shock-still.  As she watched him, happiness and contentment radiating from him, she felt a sudden ache deep in her chest.  Oh, God!  He must really be in love with her.  She quickly made her way back to her room and collapsed on her bunk, tears flowing freely down her face.