Chapter Seven: Save a Dance

Alfgrhio and Hoshi fit perfectly together. They spun, turned, twisted, and twirled on the dance floor. Their audience "oohed" with every move. The dance finished with a climactic dip of Hoshi. Everyone cheered and clapped.

Alfgrhio and Hoshi grinned at each other, breathless from all the moves.

"It was a pleasure dancing with you, Hoshi," Alfgrhio said as he led her back to the table.

"Well, I'm glad I was able to help you boost your reputation with the ladies," Hoshi replied. She followed his gaze to the young Horienzi women gathered in a group, whispering to each other.

"Excuse me," Alfgrhio said.

"Go right ahead." Hoshi stepped out of the way.

"Man, Hoshi!" Travis exclaimed. "How did you know how to dance like that?"

"I've been dancing for many years now. My old partner, back on earth, and I won the bronze medal at a ballroom dancing competition for salsa four years ago."

"That was a secret talent you never mentioned to me, Hoshi," Archer said.

"Well, there are a lot of things you don't know about me, Captain," Hoshi replied.

Trip, Malcolm, and Travis cat-called and Hoshi shook her head.

"That was a very well-executed dance, Ensign," Malcolm commented.

"Thanks, Lieutenant." Hoshi smiled. "Of course, only you would think of executions being well done."

The others chuckled while Malcolm gulped his drink.

"So, Hoshi, when are we gonna dance?" Trip asked, charmingly. "You have to teach me some of those steps. Gotta learn new ways to charm the ladies."

"I don't think you have problems charming the 'ladies,' Commander."

Malcolm sputtered his drink, Jon smiled smugly, Travis laughed, and Grunehf curiously watched his guests, pleased that they were enjoying themselves.

-----

After their day and night on Horienzi, the shore leave crew said their goodbyes. Once again, life aboard the Enterprise was back to normal, whatever normal was. Hoshi sat at her console, this time, perfecting the translation of the Horienzi language.

"It's the end of your shift, Hoshi," Archer said, distracting her deep concentration. "Why don't you get something to eat at the mess, before all the food's gone?"

Hoshi smiled sheepishly, she had completely forgotten everything else but her work. Before she exited the bridge, Archer said, "By the way. Captain Grunehf wanted me to let you know he appreciates what you did for his son. Apparently, their father-son relationship is slowly repairing. Alfgrhio promised his father he'd wash out the green dye from his hair and grow it out, and Grunehf promised his son he'd allow him to use the banquet hall as a studio for dancing lessons. It seems the salsa is now the big rave on Horienzi."

Hoshi smirked. Who would have thought that she would make a difference on any world?

"Oh, and before I forget," Archer held a small box and threw it to her.

She caught the box and gave him a questioning look.

"That's a gift from Alfgrhio. He would have given it to you in person, but he felt kind of awkward; that you'd think it was a proposal or something like that."

Hoshi blushed. "Thank you, Captain."

-----

She opened the box and gently picked up the gift. It was a golden necklace, designed after the leaves of the blue trees she remembered seeing on Horienzi.

She rounded the corner and bumped into someone. "Oof," they both grunted as they collided.