Chapter Twelve –
"Personal log, March 20, 2152, Lt. Malcolm Reed.
"Doctor Phlox gave me a sedative an hour ago and I'm still unable to sleep. He says my injuries are superficial, and I agree with his assessment. He suggested I might be suffering from posttraumatic-stress disorder. I think he may be right.
"I've never felt so helpless in my life, locked up in my quarters. If Commander Tucker hadn't figured out a way to rig the com system and instigate the escape, or if Ensign Sato hadn't crawled through the vent system… Well, we might not be alive today.
"The commendation in my file is a moot one. I wouldn't have been able to do anything without them. Computer pause."
Standing up, he walked into the bathroom and looked at his reflection, his eye still swollen and purple, his lip swollen as well.
"Beep, beep," chimed his cabin door.
Without thought, he called out, "Enter," and was startled to see Hoshi standing in his doorway with a stack of freshly laundered clothes.
She stepped inside hesitantly. "I – I wanted to see how you were doing, sir."
"I'm fine," Malcolm replied, doing his best to smile but wincing as he felt his split lip sting.
Hoshi held out the clothes. "And to return all these," she added nervously. "Thank you."
Taking the clothes, he nodded.
She chuckled. "I kept wondering where the uniform with red piping came from. Then I remembered you loaned it to me when I came on board."
Malcolm nodded again, not really sure what to say next. She appeared tired and dull. Maybe her trek through the crawl space had been too much for her.
Hoshi turned to leave.
"Are you well, Ensign?"
Pausing, she turned around. How did she tell him she missed him? How did she tell him how furious she was with him for leaving her? How did she tell him she loved him? It was worse than a nightmare, being so close to him – him totally unaware of what he meant to her. "I'm fine, sir," she replied with a smile and walked out of his quarters.
--
"Chief Medical Officer's log, April 30, 2152.
"I'm happy to report that my sickbay is empty with one exception – Lieutenant Reed. Luckily the spike did not pass through the bone or any arteries. Although the pressure of the spike was sufficient to prevent any major blood loss, he will have mild anemia for the next few days, and has been instructed to rest. He scoffed at my instructions so I am keeping him sedated in sickbay.
"If I ever come across Mr. Reed again, I really must request some foreknowledge into any other injuries he may suffer while on board Enterprise.
"Ensign Sato's recovery is going slow. She still complains of headaches and insomnia even though I have found no medical explanation."
The sickbay doors hissed open and Phlox smiled as Hoshi walked in.
"Computer, pause log," Phlox stated.
"I'm sorry, Doctor," Hoshi murmured. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I'll just come ba –"
Grabbing her arm, Phlox steered her to a table. "Nonsense, Ensign."
She glanced over to the drawn curtains. "I'm having trouble sleeping," she announced with a yawn.
Phlox frowned and started running a scanner over her. She was showing obvious signs of stress. Maybe it was time for him to divulge the nature of his relationship with Mr. Reed. Perhaps it would help her if it were easier to talk to someone about it.
"H-how is Lieutenant Reed?" Hoshi asked quietly.
Drawing a curtain around the biobed, Phlox set the scanner on the bed. "The lieutenant is fine," he paused. "And how was he on Risa?"
Hoshi gave the Denobulan a guarded look. "I believe the lieutenant had a good time, but he hasn't really mentioned anything to me about it."
"That's odd. He said, and I quote, 'I'll toss her over my shoulder, and drag her kicking and screaming to the ship if I have to' when I contacted him regarding your lack of escort to Risa."
Surprise was clearly etched on her face, and she gasped, "You know!"
"Mr. Reed came to me for the antidote," Phlox confessed. "He asked me not to interfere in either of your timelines. However, I fail to see how me interfering in your timeline would make much difference, seeing as he already has – and has caused you great duress, I might add."
Relief washed over her, and a deluge of emotions overwhelmed her. Silent tears fell.
Handing her a tissue, the doctor continued. "I'm amazed Mr. Reed has survived to the age he seems to be," Phlox chuckled, trying to lighten Hoshi's mood.
Smiling through the tears, Hoshi sniffled. "You have no idea what it's like…constantly looking over my shoulder…jumping at every shadow that moves…having…him so close. We…we--" she paused, lowering her voice. "I love him," she finally admitted out loud.
Phlox nodded, already having arrived at that conclusion.
"It's difficult being around him…attracted to him…him not knowing –"
"Hoshi?" a groggy voice interrupted.
Motioning for Hoshi to be quiet, Phlox disappeared behind the curtain.
She held her breath and listened.
"Lieutenant Reed, how are you feeling?" she heard the Denobulan ask.
"I thought I heard Hoshi," Malcolm mumbled. "I had the strangest dream."
"Oh?" Phlox questioned.
"How is she?" Malcolm countered.
"She's fine."
"I'm right here, sir," Hoshi announced, pulling the curtain back.
Malcolm smiled, his eyes closing. A soft snore soon followed.
His hair was mussed and his smile faded.
"He'll be asleep off and on for the next few days," Phlox stated. "His stubbornness left me no other alternative."
--
"Personal log, July 17, 2152, Ensign Hoshi Sato.
"I shouldn't be surprised by the outcome, but I'm relieved Malcolm and Captain Archer were recovered without incident. I mean…obviously, Malcolm survived. He wouldn't be…involved in my life if he hadn't.
"It's been four months since Risa. It helps having somebody to talk to about…everything. Travis thinks I'm having an affair with Doctor Phlox," she giggled, tucking her foot under her leg and shifting position on her bunk.
"The spot on Commander Tucker's hand has reappeared, and – "
"Beep, beep," chimed the door.
Rolling off her bunk, Hoshi walked over to the door and opened it.
Lieutenant Reed stood before her, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
"Can I help you, sir?" she asked, motioning for him to enter her quarters.
Looking over his shoulder, Malcolm stepped inside enough to allow the door to close. "I just wanted to thank you."
"Sir?"
He tapped his PADD on his hand. "I was…um…reading over the mission briefing and if it weren't for you, the captain and I would be swinging at the end of their rope," he explained.
"Oh," she stated.
"I wanted to let you know that the captain…and I have both entered a commendation in your record."
"Th-thank you, sir," Hoshi stammered.
"I just wanted to let you know," Malcolm repeated, beating a hasty retreat.
--
"Armory Officer's log, September 20, 2152, Lt. Malcolm Reed.
"The armory is finally secured. The Takrets left quite a mess.
"In all honesty, inventorying the armory was nothing compared to our ordeal in the catwalk. Thankfully, Travis was able to pilot us out sooner than expected. I don't think I could have stood another day without a proper shower.
"I must admit. I did enjoy my time with the crew." He smiled. "Hoshi is an awful poker player," he stated, thinking of her lack of desserts during those last few hands, and pausing the log.
Stopping the computer from recording, Malcolm sighed and buried his face in his hands. Hoshi.
She was the only crewmember he didn't want to mention in his duty logs. For some peculiar reason, he just wasn't able to focus around her.
She was a natural, in skill and beauty. She had the ability to adapt to any circumstance – a quality he never would have thought she would have mastered. She had come a long way since they had met.
Malcolm ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He wasn't ready to admit the possibility he had feelings for her. Of course, he did. She was his friend.
Friends don't have overly erotic dreams about other friends, a little voice heckled him.
One dream, in particular, kept repeating. It was so real. His leave on Risa had been anything but memorable, but his dream about Risa was.
He had made love to her like a man possessed. They had fought, arguing about her being alone. She had mentioned another man and a streak of jealousy coursed through him. He had wanted her…always had.