Hoshi sat in the observation lounge reading. She had read this book over and over again and never got tired of it – “The Joy Luck Club.” Her feet were tucked under her as she read an intense moment in the book. She twirled her hair and concentrated on the drama that unfolded on the pages before her. Hoshi was unaware that Trip had entered the lounge and was observing her reflection in the window.
Trip stopped dead in his tracks as he watched the interplay of emotions cross her face. She looked so comfortable and relaxed. He hid in a shadow so that she could not see him in the event she looked up.
He was at a loss. He didn’t know what to do next. He had envisioned himself knocking on her door and sweeping her up in a passionate kiss to see how she reacted, but then she wasn’t there. Plan A was shot to hell. To tell the truth he hadn’t even thought of a Plan B.
Hoshi laughed at something in the book. He could see her lips move slightly as she mouthed the words partially. God she was gorgeous and smart. She had saved Enterprise’s skin on more than one occasion. He felt like a voyeur, but he felt he couldn’t move from the spot he was in.
Hoshi set her book down and picked up a recording PADD. She cleared her throat and spoke. “It’s been two days since Feezal Phlox left and that embarrassing scene with Trip.” She sighed.
Trip’s ears perked up at mention of his name.
“I had no idea that Feezal had marked Trip as her territory. She purposely embarrassed me, telling Trip I thought he was good looking.” Hoshi paused in her musings. “The truth of the matter is, that Trip is very handsome, and his southern drawl would make any girl’s toes melt, especially mine. He is such a womanizer though, always on the prowl. It makes me wonder…”
Hoshi stopped the recording and looked out the window.
Trip's mouth hung open. Panic was set in his gut. “Wonder what? Wonder what? What do you wonder? I can make her toes melt? I’m handsome? My southern drawl? Hey wait a cotton pickin’ minute. I am not a womanizer,” Trip thought to himself.
Hoshi sat back down and picked the PADD up and resumed her recording. “Trip is such a womanizer. It makes me wonder if he is overcompensating for something else. He’s always hanging around Malcolm. I wonder if those two are an item. I wonder if Trip is gay…”
“Now just wait a cotton pickin’ minute! I am not gay!” Trip blurted out and wished he could sink through the wall at his outburst. Then he realized Hoshi hadn’t startled or gotten skittish.
“Ya knew I was there all along, didn’t ya?” Realization hit Trip like a super-sized hauler.
Hoshi stood up calmly and walked up to Trip, pulling her petite frame flush against the tall engineer’s. “Yes I did. It serves you right if you got an earful.” With that, Hoshi sashayed her way out of the room, leaving a dumbfounded Trip in her wake.
“Well, if she did like me, she doesn’t now.” Trip left the observation lounge with his head hung low.
TBC
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