Thanks to dennisud and john lao for feedback!

The night of the ball –

She felt as though she had stepped into a fairy tale, her red gown flowing about her legs like it had a life of its own. Her embroidered bodice fit like a glove, pushing up her "assets" modestly, yet enticingly. She wore no actual mask, having opted not to hide her identity. Hers was painted on, accenting her classic beauty and weaving an air of mystery about her.

The opulent ballroom went on for miles, seething with Laons and her fellow shipmates. Having opted to take the last shuttle down, Hoshi didn't have to wait for long before somebody approached her. She stood in the foyer, feeling as though she had made her grand entrance.

A cloaked figure crowded next to her and she looked into the eyes of his white mask. All the men were dressed exactly the same – dark cloaks, white mask that covered their entire face, and various hats.

"Wow, Hoshi! You look great!" She heard Travis's muffled voice say through his mask.

She relaxed and grasped his proffered arm, trying not to trip on the folds of her dress as they walked down the stairs. "Thanks," she said, smiling at the compliment.

"Do you think this will get his attention?"

Travis sneered jokingly, "If this doesn't get his attention, the man is probably dead."

"Any luck finding Katie?" she asked in a conspiratorial tone.

To make things interesting, the men had arrived first, letting the women make grand entrances. So far, only Travis had noticed her. Off to the side she noticed three figures and rolled her eyes.

"Don't they ever leave you alone?" Hoshi asked irritably, noticing Romero, Chang and Kemper.

Travis shook his head no. "They think of me as their pet project. I think they feel ripped off because they didn't actually get to play matchmaker. If you don't mind, I'll hang with you, until I can find Katie."

Hoshi's step faltered and she cleared her throat. "Um…actually…I do mind. If, Mr. Right is here, I don't want him getting the wrong idea, thinking you're with me."

"Oh," Travis stated softly, and started to pull away from her.

Hoshi patted his arm. "Hold on," she said, and walked over to his shadows.

Travis watched as his friend approached the three stooges. She motioned for them to gather round her, like she had something important to tell them. After a few minutes, all three looked up quickly and beat a hasty retreat into the crowd.

With a wicked smile, Hoshi walked back up to her friend and patted him on the shoulder. "There! They won't be bothering you and Katie tonight."

Travis laughed. "What did you say to them?"

Hoshi simply smiled over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd, letting her friend ponder her powers of persuasion.

--

Later that night –

Standing with her back against the wall, Hoshi sighed. Thankfully, the dances were easy enough and didn't require a partner. As the minutes turned into hours, her hopes of her lover approaching her quickly diminished. She felt like Cinderella, waiting for the stroke of midnight before her dress turned back into rags. Add that to the way her poor feet felt, and Hoshi could have cried.

A shadow moved and a gloved hand touched her bare shoulder.

"You're looking for someone," a muffled, unfamiliar voice stated through the mask.

She looked up at the man and smiled. He was about her height, covered from head to toe in the Laon's traditional black cloak, with a white mask. His hat was larger than most and reflected a kind of buccaneer style.

"Yes," she replied seductively, wondering if she was speaking to a Laon or one of her crew, as the man's accent was thick and undistinguishable.

She couldn't see his smile behind the mask.

"Follow me," he stated simply, gently grasping her elbow and walking with her into the courtyard.

Once outside, Hoshi heaved a sigh of relief and bent over. Standing up, she held her shoes in her hands. "These things are murder."

"So is the mask," the man said, steadily weaving the woman on his arm farther into the elaborate maze.

It was dark and the moons provided little light. "Take it off," she replied demurely, and sat down on a bench.

"That's against Laon custom," the man's muffled voice retorted. "You have to guess who I am first."

Hoshi laughed then, adjusting the folds of her dress nervously. "Then you are from Enterprise?"

He made no reply, and she squinted into the darkness, trying to look into his eyes.

"Perhaps a kiss would help you guess," he suggested, baiting her.

Her heart hammering in her chest, Hoshi acquiesced to the request, watching in fascination as the man removed his hat and the lower portion of his mask, revealing his lips and chin.

She had no time to study his features as he swooped down and took her into his arms, crushing his lips to hers. He held her hands to her sides so that she couldn't cheat and feel her way across his body. His tongue sought entrance and she granted it willingly.

A rustling noise broke the moment and the kiss stopped.

"I told you all I would be fine," a feminine voice called into the night. "Why are you following me?"

Male laughter taunted her.

The bushes rustled and Katie McKenzie walked into the clearing, unable to see the two would-be lovers on the bench. "Just tell me what kind of hat he has on and leave us alone."

Kemper stopped short as he saw a flurry of red in the corner of the clearing. "Oh, shit."

Hoshi stood and walked over to the intrusive group of people with a glare. "I obviously did not make myself clear, gentlemen, for when I told you to leave Ensign Mayweather alone that extended to Corporal McKenzie as well."

"Ma'am," all three nodded in unison and backed slowly out of the clearing and into the bushes.

Katie sighed. "Thanks, Hoshi."

Hoshi smiled at the woman and said, "He's wearing an old time aviator's hat. The last I saw him, he was near the north end of the ballroom, waiting for you. If you hurry, you might get to dance with him."

McKenzie smiled and ran off.

With a satisfied smile on her face, Hoshi turned her attention back to her "date." Her smile fell. Only his hat remained.