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Malcolm knew that he was socially inept so he found it surprising that he felt comfortable talking to Hoshi's family, "I must admit Ama that I usually don't fit into these type of social situations, you are making it very easy for me to fit in." Malcolm wasn't sure where the admission had come from, he thought it might have something to do with the punch that Clayton, one of Hoshi's brothers kept pouring for him.
Ama looked out over the gathering of people, everyone laughing, dancing or simply talking, everyone seemed to have found a partner. Travis was speaking with Hoshi's sister, Iona, who for many years was the cover model for RevelMac cosmetics. Dr. Phlox was in an animated discussion with Hoshi's cousin Gerald, a botanist, over which earth plants were really medicinal and which was simply folklore.
Without so much as a warning Ama asked, "So when are you going to take Hoshi to your bed?"
Malcolm choked on his drink, thankful he hadn't spewed it across the table Did she just say what I though she said, she can't know about my dreams. Hoshi naked, her silken skin sliding across mine, the taste of her as she, don't go there or you'll really be in a fix Dead puppies, Suliban, torpedoes, no not torpedoes, Xindi Malcolm thought sternly to himself as he felt the blood rush south.
"Madame?" Malcolm asked after he got his voice and body back under his control.
"I know your not gay young man, I've seen how you watch Hoshi, when you think no one will notice." Ama's voice softened, "You tense up just like my Alfred did every time another man approaches. You are both very lonely, you Malcolm hide behind that brusque exterior to keep people away. My beautiful Star, she becomes everyone's friend, never letting anyone in. Except maybe you Malcolm Reed, I think you could find the fire in our Star." Ama smiled, "Now go and ask her to dance." She commanded.
Malcolm was across the room before he even realized that he was obeying her order, he found himself standing on the edge of the dance floor. Malcolm watched as Hoshi glided past in the arms of a tall blonde man.
Malcolm watched as the material of Hoshi's dress clung to her long legs outlining their delicious length, her breasts filled out the top of her bodice seeming about to spill over without ever quite doing so. Without conscious thought Malcolm moved to intercept the dancing couple.
He moves like one of those panthers, all sleek and muscle moving with purpose Hoshi thought as she watched Malcolm cross the floor. Malcolm's cultured tones caressed her nerve endings, causing a tingle in her centre.
"May I cut in," without waiting for an answer Malcolm deftly disengaged Hoshi's hand from that of her cousin and spun her into his arms. Malcolm's breath hissed as her breast brushed against his chest, thoughts of what he could do to those breasts again flooded his mind.
A Strauss waltz started to play, unconsciously the two dancers placed themselves in the proper form for a classical waltz. Without breaking eye contact they started to move around the dance floor.
Even with inches between their bodies, both were struck by the sensuality and beauty of the other. This dance was more intimate, more promising than any grinding of bodies on a dance floor that they had experienced.
Hoshi felt as if she were standing on the hull of the Enterprise, there was nothing anchoring her but Malcolm's hand in hers and his eyes that were darkening to a deep azure blue.
Their breathing came into synch with the others, even as their steps were, their heartbeats moved into synch.
Other couples left the floor, feeling as if they were intruding on some sacred ritual, something that they were not a part of.
There were only two couples left on the floor, their grace and beauty moving some women to tears as they watched, Travis murmured, "That is love brought to life"
The song came to an end, Hoshi and Malcolm stopped at the edge of the dance floor, "Hoshi", "Malcolm" was whispered. Leaning toward each other their breath mingling, they were suddenly interrupted by a loud whooping.
Malcolm dropped Hoshi's hands and stepped back, brought back to the present, Hoshi missed the sudden stiffening of Malcolm's body as she was to busy laughing and clapping. Malcolm finally noticed what had everyone excited, Hoshi's father was dipping his wife and kissing her at the same time.
Hoshi glanced back over her shoulder at Malcolm, happiness and laughter sparkling in her eyes over her parents' antics. Her breath stilled at the love and desire shining in his before the shutters came down.
Smiling softly Hoshi placed her arm through Malcolm's to lead him back to her Ama's table I know you almost kissed me Malcolm Reed, and I saw that look in your eyes. You are mine Hoshi thought.
The days passed swiftly at the compound, Malcolm found himself watching Hoshi more and more. He dreamt about the almost kiss on the dance floor, only in his dreams he actually kissed Hoshi and they came back to his room and made love, to many times to count.
Malcolm came to realize that Hoshi had somehow wiggled her way into his life, into his heart. He remembered the nights she cajoled him into attending movie night, always with the promise 'there will be explosions'. How they discussed books, classical literature vs pop literature when they were stuck on the catwalk. How Hoshi always waited for him to explain his opinions before agreeing or disagreeing. Malcolm always admired the way that Hoshi had never really been afraid of him, how she teased him and made him feel a part of something bigger.
Malcolm shook himself out of his reverie, he had to finish packing he was catching the shuttle tonight to Edinburgh for the weapons seminar, he found for the first time wishing he wasn't scheduled to speak and that he could just stay at the compound. Malcolm probed at the feeling, checking to make sure that it was actually real. For the second time in his life Malcolm actually felt like he belonged, he was welcomed and loved. With a smile Malcolm resumed packing, I am going to have to speak to Hoshi
Hoshi watched as her sisters tried on another outfit, her mind kept going back to the "NIGHT" as she had termed it in her mind. The night she had decided that come hell or high water, or Starfleet fraternization rules, she was going to have Malcolm Reed as her own.
"Hoshi, Hoshi, great she's off in Malcolm land again." Iona laughingly called out to Cassandra their other sister. "Hoshi, Malcolm just walked through the door nude"
Hoshi spun around to face the door with a smile breaking out across her face, as she realized what Iona had said she blushed.
Cassandra called from the fitting room, "Iona that was mean, funny but mean. I am not going to help you if Hoshi puts honey in your shampoo again." Coming out of the changing room she looked at her sisters who were glaring at each other across a rack of clothes.
"C'mon you two, lets get something to eat and plan operation Malcolm." Grabbing her sisters hands Cassandra pulled them out of the shop, ignoring Hoshi's pleas that there really was nothing between her and Malcolm, and Iona's Oh Yeah and is that why you call out his name in the shower?
As the waiter cleaned up the remains of the meal he felt almost sorry for the guy named Malcolm, he did not stand a chance, but damn it was a good way to go, grinning the waiter returned to the back of the restaurant to inform the rest of the wait staff the outcome of the meal.
"So is Saluea able to help?" Cassandra asked practically bouncing as she waited for Hoshi to get off her phone.
"One double suite coming up with, a water break in bedroom b, and one undeniably horrendous couch." Hoshi replied with a grin, a look of horror crossed her face. "What am I going to wear?" she wailed.
"Leave that to me." Iona flipped out her phone, "Pierre, I have an emergency, shuttle leaving tonight at 7:00, …. Uh huh Hoshi, …..alright we'll be there." C'mon sis, I got it all straight." Iona led the women away, resembling a general leading her troops.