Malcolm knelt in front of the marker, running his fingers through his already disheveled, graying hair. Her headstone wasn't ready yet.
Pale slivers of the waning moonlight streamed across the freshly disturbed ground as if to spotlight the object of his sorrow. He scoffed when he noticed the one constant that had been present in their short yet memorable relationship, and he took comfort in knowing that the celestial body above would keep her company. Knowing her, her spirit was up there right now looking for the rabbits she had insisted were living there. He smiled as the memory of her conviction came back to haunt him.
--------------
Two months ago...
He stepped off the transport nervously and adjusted his Captain�s pips. For some reason, the pips had never felt right on his collar. Jon had requested his services personally, and he wasn�t about to let the man who saved his life on numerous occasions down � much less the woman whom he had loved from afar most of his adult life.
Captain Malcolm Reed had been head of security of Jupiter Station for six years now and the first thing he noticed about being back on Earth was the lesser pull of her gravity. It was late evening and her natural satellite, dotted with the colonies of mankind, still looked primarily the same, lighting his way to Admiral Archer�s apartment.
�I don�t care what time you get in. Come directly to my apartment to discuss the matter.� Jon�s voice sounded desperate, as Malcolm recalled his conversation with his former captain.
He had mentioned Hoshi � Ambassador Hoshi Sato. Another attempt had been made on her life. That was all he had to say.
Malcolm sighed, recalling the news flash of the attempt on her life. Two of her security guards were dead, doing their job and succeeding. After all, she was alive and able to carry out the task ahead of her. Earth was currently the mediation site for two warring species �the Brewnings and the Cathage. Apparently, a faction from one of their planets did not want the talks to succeed.
Malcolm continued walking, not wanting his movements tracked. Jon�s apartment was just a mile from his arrival port, and his feet covered the distance quickly, his mind wandering about Hoshi�s devastation over losing Em several days ago. Commander Emmanuelle Gomez had been head of the Ambassador�s security up until her death, leaving behind three children and a distraught husband. For Malcolm�s life, he couldn�t remember the man�s name.
He looked up to the tall high rise as he stood in front of it and resigned himself to taking over the personal security for Hoshi. It was the only way to keep her safe. In his gut, he knew what Jon was getting ready to ask him, and in his heart he knew he wouldn�t refuse.
He barely recognized the man who opened the door.
-----------
Jonathan Archer stood in his rumpled uniform, bleary eyed and relieved. Hoshi was asleep in his bed across the lofty room of his apartment with Aramis curled under her arm. Except for a few minor markings, Aramis looked just like her daddy, who had passed away several years ago.
Hoshi had a few bumps and bruises from the attack, but she had brushed it off, fearlessly agreeing to meet with the delegation in one week�s time. She understood the importance of the necessity of the peace treaty between the two warring factions and the value it would play toward Earth�s presence in the region. But, two nights ago she had showed up on Jon�s doorstep and had broken down.
She had refused a security detail stating that she would take her chances, as she didn�t want anybody else to die on her behalf. She had started to cry then, whimpering about Em�s children and wishing it had been her that took the phase pistol blast instead of her friend. Jon had comforted her as best he could, and ordered a security detail outside his door at all time against her wishes.
Thank God Malcolm was here, Jonathan thought, because Hoshi was being pig-headed and wouldn�t hear of letting the detail follow her around. They had argued and she sat on the bed simply stating that she wouldn�t leave his place until the detail was gone.
Hopefully Malcolm could persuade her.
---------
Jon motioned for the younger man to enter, noting the severity of his stare as Malcolm noted Hoshi�s sleeping form in his bed. He smiled as he saw the spark of jealously Malcolm tried to hide.
Raising his hands he stated, �It isn�t what you think. I�ve been a perfect gentleman. She came to me two days ago, refusing security. She says she won�t leave until they�re gone.� Jon motioned toward the door.
Relief flooded Malcolm�s body feeling as though the same nightmare, which had happened so long ago, was repeating itself. He had never told Trip how he felt about Hoshi, knowing that the chief engineer had feelings for her that went beyond the simple crush Malcolm held. Trip had pursued and won Hoshi, wooing her with a simple charm that wore her down over time.
He had to bite his lip until they were raw and bloody, bearing witness to the ups and downs of their courtship, and letting the jealousy comfort him through the lonely years. She had mourned Trip�s death at the hands of the Xindi to the point where it affected her health. He and Jon were the only people who could talk to her about it. When the Enterprise came limping back home, she had resigned her commission.
Now she lay on the rumpled cream color sheets, her hair spread out around her head like a dark halo. The only contrast was a streak of gray that had meandered into the silky mass with the passing of time.
�You will talk to her, right? Convince her that she needs the protection. The sad thing is that ever since she�s taken the post, the death threats have been there, ever increasing throughout the years. She�s exhausted, Malcolm. We argued last night, and she�s been asleep ever since.�
Malcolm dropped his duffle bag at the door and walked into the light of Jon�s living room. He walked over to the windows, checking the setting so that nobody could see in. Satisfied that the large window was secured he turned to Jon. �I�ll do what I can do,� he stated.
�And just what the hell do you think you can do, Malcolm?� Hoshi stretched angrily then shook her head back and forth as if to clear the fog from her mind. �All you can do is die. Is that what your plan is? To join the multitude of people who have died protecting me. I�m sick to death of your noble breed. Why don�t you just leave well enough alone? I�ll be damned if I�ll add anymore victims to my body count!�
Malcolm quickly hooded his gaze and hung his head. She was furious and standing in his face, issuing him a challenge he accepted wholeheartedly. He raised his chin and looked directly into her stormy dark eyes. �It�s nice to see you again, Hoshi.�
The low, distinctive timbre of his voice held the measure of his conviction. He would not be swayed and he would die protecting her if need be.
Hoshi glared at him then stormed away toward the bathroom, muttering under her breath about pain in the ass friends and stubborn Brits.
Malcolm turned to Jon, a shadow falling over his face. �I won�t let her out of my sight, sir.�
| Send Feedback | By the Light chapter listing | On to Part 2 |
| To Cindy's page | To Main MEG Archive page |