There. The last leg was secure to the floor. Standing up, Malcolm inspected his work. Each leg had been screwed to the floor, using a piece of metal that was wrapped around the leg near the wheel and attached to the floor. The thing could be dangerous if it wasn't properly secured. Leaning his tool case against the wall, he stepped out into the corridor, where Hoshi was leaning against the wall twiddling her thumbs and staring off into space.

"Hoshi." Malcolm said, a mischievous grin on his face.

She turned to him, a smile on her face. Her hair dangled in a thick braid instead of the usual ponytail.

"Close your eyes!" Malcolm said again as she attempted to get past him into her quarters.

She closed her eyes, and let herself be led in by the Lieutenant.

When he had positioned her in the quarters to his satisfaction, he said, "Alright. Open your eyes!"

Hoshi opened her eyes and gasped. There, sitting near the wall, was a large, upright piano. It was considerably smaller than the average piano, say, 100 years ago. A row of ebony and ivory keys rolled along at the front, glittering with newness. A bench sat about a foot away from the piano. Hoshi gasped, and looked up at Malcolm, who was standing behind her.

"You didn't!"

"I did."

Hoshi looked back at the piano, and back at Malcolm. "How did you know?"

"I have my sources." Malcolm said with a grin.

Hoshi went to the piano, and sat down on the shiny, wooden bench. "Can you play anything?" She asked.

Malcolm thought for a moment. "I do know one song, a duet. Called 'Heart and Soul'. I haven't played it in a while, though. Not since before I went through the Academy. My sister taught it to me, and we played it together."

"I used to play Heart and Soul with my mother and grandfather." Hoshi said. She patted the space on the bench beside her, motioning for Malcolm to sit down beside her. She pressed a few keys to get the feel for the piano.

Malcolm hesitantly sat down beside her. He gaze swept over the rows of keys and moved up to Hoshi, her dark eyes down on the ivory, a smile on her face. So she was happy.

"Do you want to play it? Together?"

Hoshi looked at him in surprise. She knew he was nervous around women, knew he wouldn't fraternize if his life depended on it. Finally, she smiled. "I'd like that."

Flexing her fingers, she waited for Malcolm's hands to get into position, and then they played, the heart and soul of each of them flowing through the music.

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Sorry for taking so long with the last chapter! It was sitting on my computer and I forgot about when school started. But here it is! There are a few things I want to say.

First, I was going to post the link to an image that inspired me to write this story, but the URL doesn't seem to be showing up.

Next, I want to thank Reedie for always commenting. Your reviews encouraged me, and without you, I would have stopped at chapter 5. Thank you!!