Chapter Twenty-Five: Friends

"Is anyone sitting here?" Hoshi asked, timidly.

Travis looked to his right and then to his left. Clearly, there was no one else sitting with him. "Nope."

She set her tray down and sat. He didn't speak to her and Hoshi felt dreadful. Silently, she ate her lunch.

"Travis?" she finally asked.

He only slightly lifted his head from his own food in response.

"I…I'm sorry," she said.

He lifted his head completely and looked at her. "Best friends don't shut each other out."

"I know, but—"

"Best friends talk to each other."

"Travis…"

"Best friends listen to each other."

"I'm listening!" she said, exasperated.

"No, I'm listening."

She stared at him and smiled. "You always do."

"So, talk."

-----

"Sub-Commander, wait!"

T'Pol placed her arm between the lift doors before they could close.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Ensign?" she asked, when Hoshi rushed into the lift.

"I…want to apologize. My behavior toward you…it was uncalled for."

"You are right."

Hoshi's mouth opened, but she shut it before she said anything else she would later regret.

"However, there is no need to apologize," T'Pol continued. "You were under stressful circumstances. Although, I sincerely hope in the future you will learn to control such erratic…outbursts."

"I promise."

"It is pleasant to see you smiling again."

Hoshi smirked. "It's just pleasant to see you too, T'Pol."

-----

"Come."

Hoshi entered Archer's ready room. "Hi, Jon."

"Hoshi," Archer said, rubbing his eyes. He placed his PADD on the table and yawned. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to say that you were right."

"Right?" he asked.

"Yeah. Remember when you called me and…Trip, here?" She still had difficulty saying his name without feeling pain.

"Yes."

"I was thinking…you were right all along. I promised that whatever happened between us would stay between us, but it hasn't. I almost created a negative atmosphere on your ship. It wasn't right."

"Hoshi. I wish I wasn't right. But, at the same time, I'm not right. Trip, he was my best friend. I miss him, as much as you and anyone else."

Hoshi suddenly realized how selfish she had been. She wasn't the only one affected by his death.

"You haven't hindered Enterprise from anything," Archer continued. "Just as you were willing to sacrifice your life for me, Trip did the same for you, for all of us. And, instead of shrinking back down, you've become more dedicated to your work here."

"Thank you," she said.

"As much as we'd like things to be differently, life eventually has to go on."

She looked away, briefly, and inhaled. "I know."