Chapter 6

"It's punishment, I tell you," Malcolm grumbled, his hands clasped behind his back as he waited for the turbolift they were riding to reach its destination. "Archer's getting me back for not coming to dinner last night."

"I think you're being silly," Hoshi said. "The Captain just needed someone to speak with Michael about ship protocol and communication procedures." The lift stopped and the two passengers stepped out. "We really are the logical choice."

"Perhaps," Malcolm grumbled. Why did everything have to be upended he thought. He had never been so happy as he had been on Enterprise, and now Michael was here, sure to mess everything up.

Turning down the corridor which led to Michael's quarters, they could see that the door to his cabin was open. Michael stood just inside the door, and in the corridor, clad only in her nightclothes was the blonde engineer who had been on the shuttlepod yesterday. She was giggling and then abruptly was pulled back into the room against Michael's chest, her lips crushed to his. When he released her, she giggled playfully, and with a parting wave and a blown kiss, she scampered off down the corridor in the opposite direction from Malcolm and Hoshi.

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, Michael turned in Hoshi and Malcolm's direction.

"Couldn't wait?" Malcolm asked when they got nearer.

"Just what do you mean, brother?"

"I mean that we saw Ensign Davis leaving your quarters."

"Oh, you mean the blonde?" he asked.

"Yes, Michael, 'the blonde'," Malcolm said icily.

"Oh, she was just returning something I left behind in the shuttlepod."

"Wearing her negligee?" his brother questioned.

Michael wrapped one arm around Malcolm's shoulders and drew him into the cabin. From behind his brother's back, he flashed a broad smile at Hoshi. "Ever hear the saying, Mal, if you don't want to know something, don't ask?"

Hoshi could see the blue daggers flash between the twins. Other than Michael's hair being tousled and in need of a cut, and in addition to the fact that he certainly hadn't shaved yet this morning, the looks on their faces were nearly identical.

It was Michael, though, who broke eye contact first. "So tell me, Malcolm, to what do I owe the honour of this visit? You certainly didn't come all the way down to see me, just to act as my conscience, did you? Or was it Hoshi's idea?" Michael turned to Ensign Sato and smiled warmly at her.

"Actually, the Captain asked us to come by and brief you in ship's protocol and communication procedures," Malcolm said.

"Sounds incredibly mundane," Michael said with an exaggerated yawn. "Couldn't you even wait until I've had my morning coffee?"

"It's 0900 hours," Malcolm said, as if the time explained everything.

Michael looked at him incredulously. "And?"

"And, the work shift starts at 0800 hours," Malcolm explained. "If you want to be an embedded reporter on Enterprise, it's time you were up and about. Besides, I do believe Captain Archer mentioned to you that Ensign Sato and I would be stopping by this morning to see you."

Michael tapped a finger against his chin, cocking his head to one side. "You know, now that you mention it, I do recall something he said, but I don't remember it including you--just Hoshi. So why don't you just leave, and Hoshi and I can have a little talk." He winked at the communications officer, causing her to blush slightly.

"Sorry to disappoint you, brother, but I'm not leaving. Not until I perform my duty. Actually, it shouldn't take very long," Malcolm said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Remember the incident on the HMS Intrepid?"

"You mean when I...when they..."

"Right. It isn't allowed. So don't try it."

"And do you recall the time you circumvented procedure on the U.S.S. Colin Powell? That's another thing that won't be tolerated on this ship."

"Aww, Malcolm...the Powell's captain clearly didn't have a sense of humour."

Malcolm ignored the protest and continued. "Just to make it clear, if you think I don't know about your actions when you were reporting in Finland--think again."

Michael looked like a fish out of water, his mouth agape. "It was all a misunderstanding," he argued.

"No excuses, Michael. You will take responsibility for your actions on this ship. I have the full concurrence from Captain Archer on this. While the crew will cooperate with you, it is expected that you will toe the line if you want to file your reports. Just in case I haven't covered everything," Malcolm said, grasping his brother's hand, turning it palm up, and slapping a dataPADD into it, "you can read all about it in here. Ensign, I think it's your turn."

Malcolm turned away from his brother and moved to stand near the viewport, making it look like he was more interested in the stars than what might transpire between the other two.

"How is it you put up with him?" Michael asked softly, tilting his head towards his twin after she had given him the proper procedures for using the communications systems on board.

Hoshi's bowed mouth turned up slightly. She spoke to Michael, but her eyes remained focused on her crewmate.

"He's actually very nice," she said. "He always looks out for me--well, not just me, the rest of the crew too. I guess it comes with his job, being protective, that is."

"Is that all?"

Hoshi chuckled. "As he would say, to tell you anything else would be inappropriate."

"Does my brother ever tell you, you have the most gorgeous, drown-in-me, velvety dark eyes? Or that your lower lip looks tasty enough to nibble?" he asked, his British accent thick and suggestive.

Darting her eyes in Malcolm's direction, she saw he had observed the entire exchange. His eyes had narrowed and he maintained a pinpoint focus on his twin.

"Dear me, Hoshi," Michael said. "It looks like dear ol' Malcolm doesn't like me talking to you. What do you suppose that means? Do you think he's jealous? Or maybe I was overstepping my bounds? Are you two in a relationship?"

"Oh, oh no, Michael. We are friends, but nothing more." Nothing more Hoshi thought sadly, but perhaps? Her eyes drifted back again to Malcolm.

"You're sure?"

She nodded. "I consider him a very good friend, someone I can always rely on. Out here, that means a lot." And perhaps it could mean a lot more, she mused.

He tilted his head toward hers and lowered his voice. "Sometimes, luv, even that isn't enough. Sometimes you need someone, not only to rely upon, but someone to warm your bed as well. Particularly, I would think in the cold vacuum of space." Raising one hand he trailed his forefinger lightly down her cheek, from her temple to her chin. From their position, the gesture went unnoticed by Malcolm.

Stunned, Hoshi stepped away from Michael, pressing her hand against her throat.

Malcolm was at her side in an instant. "Are you okay, Ensign?"

Hoshi breathed deeply, her eyes remaining fixed on Malcolm's brother. "I--I'm fine," she stammered. "But I do need to report to the bridge. I'll wait for you out in the corridor, Malcolm." With a polite nod to Michael, she exited the cabin.

"Michael," he said, "it would be wise to fully read the dataPADDs. Of course, if you have any questions, you can speak to either Ensign Sato or myself."

Bringing one of the dataPADDs up to his forehead he saluted his brother with it. "I'll be sure to remember that," he said. "In fact, I'm sure there'll be a number of items regarding ship communications that I'll need to review with Ensign Sato. I am also looking forward to seeing her work station."

Malcolm stepped forward, positioning himself directly in front of his brother. "I'm going to say this once, Michael, so listen to me. If you ever touch Hoshi Sato or I find out you have caused her any grief, you will answer to me." Not waiting for a reply, Malcolm turned on his heel and left.

From the corridor, Malcolm could hear his brother's mocking laughter.

"When are you going to tell me what's going on between you and Michael?" Hoshi asked as they walked to the turbolift what would take them to the bridge.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Well, it is rather like a mystery, and I've always been a sucker for a good mystery," she explained, trying to draw him out

"Let's just say we are like oil and water," Malcolm said, clearly not wanting to divulge anything so personnel as his relationship with his twin, but feeling compelled to share something with Hoshi. Normally he wouldn't permit himself to speak of his past with anyone, but he felt a special attachment to her. "Since the time we were born, we haven't gotten along." He shook his head. "I think even in the incubator we must have fought over the blanket. All the while growing up, we fought. I finally..." his voice trailed off. "Let's just say, I just don't think it's ever going to change--not if it hasn't by now."

Hoshi placed her hand on Malcolm's upper arm and pulled him to a stop. "You do know, you can talk to me if you want to," she said. "Any time, any place. Just let me know."

"You don't have any idea how much that means to me," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Please do me a favour. When you are around Michael, please be careful. He..." Malcolm paused and cleared his throat. "...has a reputation with women. I would hate for you to become one of his victims."

"I'll keep that in mind, Malcolm." She patted his upper arm. "Just remember, I'm here for you if you need me."

He looked at her for several moments, as if deciding what to make of the conversation and her offer, before they reached the turbolift and headed for the bridge.

End Chapter 6