Malcolm, it’ll only be a slight intrusion of her privacy,” Trip tried to persuade the armory officer to go along with his plan. Constantly doing a jury-rig job on the UT just wasn’t cuttin’ gettin’ close to Hoshi anymore. She avoided him like the plague, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t get away from him whenever he had an ‘official’ reason to be around her.
“Commander, I can not, in good conscience, do what you are asking, no matter the good cause. It would be highly unethical.” Malcolm whispered his response and looked around as though he were a small child with his hand in the cookie jar.
“All I’m askin’ is a tiny-winy invasion of privacy. You get into Hoshi’s quarters and break something that requires the attention of my staff.” Trip cleared his throat and looked around the mess hall.
Malcolm rolled his eyes and took a bite of his lunch. He choked down what he had just been chewing when he noticed Travis walk in with Lt. Trinidad Luevano and Ensign Pamela J. Merrill. Suddenly, the tastes of his lunch he were enjoying turned to chalk to his mouth.
He had woken early this morning in a panic. He turned on the light and glanced around his quarters making sure everything was in order then laid back down. The smell of Pamela’s hair filled his mind and he shot up in bed unable to sleep any longer.
“Bloody Hell! Even off duty, she is getting to me!” stated Malcolm to no one in particular as he got up and stepped into the shower. He might as well start his day now. It wasn’t like he was going to get any more sleep. It was almost time for his morning workout.
Malcolm walked into the gym and there was the object of his frustrations stretching like a cat. He had to resist the urge to turn around and walk out, but squashed it as soon as she looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Sir.” She said in a huff as she stretched down to the floor. Her Irish brogue was barely noticeable, but he noticed it.
Distracted, Malcolm backpedaled. “I’ll think about it.”
“Thanks!” Trip clapped him on the back, causing the staunch Brit to choke on the food he was chewing.
Malcolm glared at Travis as he pulled a chair out for Pamela and put his hand on the small of her back. Well that is just great! Travis was dating her. Now she was definitely off limits. Malcolm rolled his eyes in exasperation at his thoughts and left the mess hall, leaving behind a befuddled engineer.
“Well, I think you have him on the run,” replied Lt. Trinidad Luevano as she rubbed her booted foot up her lover’s leg underneath the table.
Travis smiled. “I don’t know Tri - I mean Lieutenant. Even if Lt. Reed were interested, I don’t think he would take any kind of actions on his interest. Rumor has it, he really frowns on fraternization.”
“Well, he would have a conniption fit if he saw us this morning.” Trinidad murmured huskily, her dark brown eyes reflecting thoughts of future encounters. She tossed her curly dark ringlets to one side of her shoulder showing a slight bruise on the olive complexion of her skin.
“You two are incorrigible,” said Pamela as she rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Well, Malcolm, I thought you were going to go to bat for me, but you obviously didn’t. I have been waiting for a repair order to come through for Hoshi’s cabin.” Trip had an almost desperate whiny quality to his voice.
Malcolm’s temper was short and he didn’t feel up to the ramblings of his friend as they pedaled on the exercise bikes together. “I didn’t break into her quarters and break anything because I agreed to no such thing.”
Trip had the decency to look chagrined. “Well, you said you would think about it. But that’s okay. It doesn’t matter anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Malcolm responded to the despondent sound of his friend’s voice.
“Well, I kinda had an epiphany last night and realized that no matter how much you love someone, you can’t make them love ya back. I guess I should let Hoshi go.” Trip stated in a wistful tone.
“Oh for pity’s sake! When was the last time you spoke with her?” Malcolm’s voice was stern yet soft.
“We broke up about two weeks ago. She doesn’t talk to me outside of our duties.” Trip looked straight ahead at his reflection in the mirror. In his mind he saw the hole in his heart that belonged to Hoshi.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Malcolm nodded as he leaned forward and started to pedal faster.
Trip perked up at the mention of help. He had gotten nowhere fast, trying to win Hoshi back. “Thanks, Malcolm. I knew I could count on you.”
The only response Trip received was a low grumble.
She opened the door expecting anybody but, “Malcolm! Um, Lt. Reed, is there something I can help you with?” Hoshi tightened her robe tighter.
“Um, yes,” nodded Malcolm as he looked up and down the hall. “May I come in?”
“Certainly,” Hoshi stated as she motioned him past her.
Malcolm cleared his throat and shifted from foot to foot. His nervousness put Hoshi on edge. “Would you please cut to the chase, Sir?” She sounded irritated and added sir to the end of her question as a respectful afterthought.
“Ok. What happened?” Malcolm blurted.
“Excuse me?” responded Hoshi.
Malcolm ran a frustrated hand through his hair and took a deep breath. He lifted his head and looked Hoshi straight in the eyes. “I know this is none of my business and one word from you will silence me on this subject forever, but what happened between you and Trip? W-What I mean is…what happened to where you broke up with him? What I mean is why did you two part ways? I-I mean…”
“I know what you mean, Lieutenant.” Hoshi whispered, trying to hide the hurt on her face. She had suspected that Trip had sent their mutual friend for answers but quickly ruled that out since Malcolm could barely look her in the eye. This was a prime example of why fraternization rules were in place.
As Hoshi spoke, Malcolm finally looked at the play of emotions on her face. She still cared for the daft engineer. That was for sure. Never thinking he would be a go between for the lovers, he dove in. “Commander Tucker’s miserable. He’s miserable without you. More importantly, he’s making me miserable. Did you all have an argument? Did he do something wrong? The only thing he tells me is that you broke it off, and something about fraternization regulations.”
Hoshi looked up at the mention of the point of contention in her heart. Here she was, just getting out of the shower, trying to relax and Malcolm stood in front of her, wanting to talk to her about Trip. After everything was said and done, and she had ‘broken up’ with Trip, she was glad she had. Both she and Trip were senior bridge members and high profile. That night, the night they had made love, she couldn’t quite keep a handle on the sense of unease she felt. Every time somebody whispered during the movie, her imagination had taken flight. Were they whispering about them? Were they looking back at them?
The only thing more powerful than her paranoia was the pent-up passion she felt for him that night. She stood there and blushed from head to toe just thinking about it.
“Earth to Hoshi.” Malcolm said as he snapped his fingers in front of her face. He grumbled because he realized that sounded like something Commander Tucker would say. “Why did you break up with Commander Tucker?”
“Well, for one, would you listen to yourself? Here you are, in an unofficial capacity of course…personal you might say, and you still refer to Trip as Commander Tucker. Yes, it’s true. I called it off due to the fraternization regulations. He and I are senior staff members and I didn’t think it would be appropriate to be rolling around in the hay with one of them. I didn’t think it was right. I didn’t think …” Hoshi took a deep breath as she tried to continue her tirade in one breath.
“I refer to Commander, err, Trip by his title strictly out of habit, Hoshi.” Malcolm put emphasis on both of their names and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “You are wrong if you think this isn’t any of my business. It became my business when two of my friends were in pain. Fraternization rules… I don’t know what to tell you about those. I adhere to them for my own personal sanity,” continued Malcolm as he thought of his auburn-haired Ensign.
Clearing his throat, he continued. “I may be out of line when I say this, but I am very good at reading people. It’s my job. You obviously care deeply about Commander Tucker. This nonsense about fraternization shouldn’t keep you apart. I think it’s just an excuse that you have concocted. After all, it’s easier to be miserable, than it is to be happy.”
The look on Malcolm’s face was priceless. He had obviously had some sort of epiphany while he was giving his little speech, but Hoshi remained unconvinced. “Thank you for dropping by, Lieutenant.” Hoshi motioned to the door.
Malcolm could see her face shutter and knew she would broach no more discussion on this topic. Stubborn women! “Think nothing of it Ensign. I hope things work out for you and the Commander.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”
Without looking at who caught her she started to mumble nervously. "E-Excuse me, so sorry, my fault, really should watch where..."
Hazel eyes met blue, and Pamela gasped. Malcolm held her upper arms firmly and pressed her chest into his.
"I'm sorry. I should have watched where I was going," said Malcolm as he finished her thought.
"No, no. I didn't mean that you need to watch where you were going. I meant that I needed to watch where I was going." Pamela whispered as though she were afraid to move.
"No, Ensign, I was apologizing as well. From now on we should both watch where we are going, deal?" Apples and strawberries assailed his nose and he inhaled. Their lips were mere inches apart. He swallowed as he saw her tongue lick her full lips.
"Kiss her, you fool!" screamed as Malcolm's heart skipped a beat.
His brain had no time to reply as he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. Hesitant at first and waiting for her response, the kiss was gentle. Pamela pressed closer and moaned as Malcolm's hand's splayed over her back and traveled a path lower.
Sensory overload! Her tongue sought entrance across his lips, making him groan and open to her. Her hands were in his hair. His hands were on her ass.
Malcolm pulled away and turned away from her. He didn't want to shag her right her in the armory. He was aroused enough to do so. Breathing deeply, he finally got control over himself and turned to face her. "I-I'm", he faltered in his apology.
Apology? That is what was wrong. He wasn't sorry. "I'm not sorry." He stated and approached her.
Shock still held her captive but melted away as Malcolm embraced her. Time seemed to stand still as they held one another.
"What the hell are you doing?” Reason shouted. Malcolm pulled away slightly and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "W-Would you consider accompanying me to movie night sometime this week?" He hesitated on a specific day of the week, because he was unsure as to when movie night actually was. He seldom went.
"I would love to," sighed Pamela into Malcolm's chest.
“That’s a tight fit!” A voice that sounded like his second in command’s reverberated throughout the access tunnel. Curiosity as to what Trinidad was doing down here drove him to the direction. “Tight, tight fit!”
Trip noticed that she sounded like she were straining with something, then stopped dead in his track when he heard a male voice that sounded like Travis. “God, Trini, you are so tight!”
Trip took some hasty steps back as he realized what he had overheard. Now that he thought back, he must have been deaf, dumb and blind not to see that Trini and Travis were going out.
Trip continued to walk through the tube and stopped dead in his tracks. Malcolm had talked to him shortly after he had spoken with Hoshi, stating that she was adamant about not continuing their relationship. For such a ‘got it together’ guy, Malcolm looked flushed and relayed his discussion with Hoshi verbatim. He walked out of Trip’s quarters damning the fraternization regs.
Then it hit him! Obviously, Lt. Trinidad Luevano and Ensign Travis were having an affair - a superior officer and a subordinate. He had to get Trini to talk to Hoshi. Maybe that would sway Hoshi from this foolish notion about fraternization. Trip looked around and leaned against the entrance to the shaft. There was no other way for them to leave without going past him.
“Evenin’ Lieutenant!” Trip smiled as tossed one of his tools into the air and caught it with ease. He had been waiting for a little over an hour and didn’t think they would ever come up for air.
Trini paled and stammered, “I-I…”
Trip righted himself quickly. “Relax, Trini. Your secret is safe with me…”
Just then Travis bounded around the corner and stopped.
“Well, I must have been deaf, dumb, and blind not to see that you two were together,” explained Trip in a hurried manner. “But you needn’t worry about me. In fact, you really don’t need to worry about anybody…”
Travis spoke up at that point. “I-I just didn’t want our relationship to impact Trini’s career Commander…”
Trip put up a hand. “Travis, Trini, my name is Trip, use it when we are off duty.” There was an almost pleading quality to his voice.
“I need a favor, Trini…” Trip implored and set out to get his girl back.
“No, please. Have a seat.” Hoshi bit into her sandwich. Her nerves were frayed and her stomach protested at being fed.
Well, now is as good a time as any. "What do you think of Travis Mayweahter? I was thinking of asking him out for movie night next week." Trini put a quick bite of pasta into her mouth and started to chew.
Hoshi couldn't believe her ears. Trip must have put Trini up to this because she knew for a fact that Trini and Travis were already seeing one another. She said the later of her thought out loud. "What are you trying to pull here, Lieutenant?" Hoshi sat there with her back ramrod straight.
Trini felt like the biggest fool ever. "Look, Hoshi. I am sorry. I didn't really know how to broach the topic."
"And what topic would that be, Lieutenant?" Hoshi's appetite had abandoned her and she pushed her plate away preparing to leave.
Damn she was stubborn. She reminded her of herself, but she was able to see the light regarding a relationship with Travis. "You know what I am talking about, Ensign. I am talking about a man and a woman, in love; a man and woman who work together; a man who is so in love with a woman that he would move the heavens for her; a woman who is so in love with a man that she would give him up to stop from causing him harm; a woman who can't see that by giving him up, that the harm she was trying to avoid was inflicted upon him by her own hand. What you have done is admirable, but stupid." Trini stood and excused herself. She needed to talk to her lover and tell him that she loved him.
Hoshi sat there, conflicted.
"You're overdressed, Commander." Hoshi purred and rubbed up against him.
Trip's heart was in his throat at being scared spitless, but soon recovered at the vision in front of him. He must be dreaming.
"This is no dream, Trip. I'm as real as you are, as real as our love for one another is. It just took me a while to accept your love. To..."
Hoshi's words were cut off as Trip's lips covered hers. They were starving for one another, remembering the night so long ago that they tasted one another only to be denied seconds.
Trip's clothes dissolved and they stepped underneath the shower spray. Their kiss was never ending. Trip lifted Hoshi and impaled her slick sheath over his manhood. It was better than coming home after a day of fishing on the banks.
She wrapped her legs around him and bucked wildly against him as her orgasm overtook her. He obtained his release within her depths and moaned into her mouth.
Hoshi broke their kiss, but held firmly onto the glistening wet chest of the man she loved more than anything else. Her tears mixed with the water. "I'm so sorry Trip. I-I didn't mean to..."
"Shush darlin', what's done is done. All is forgiven on one condition..." Trip pulled away and looked into her dark brown eyes. Hoshi looked back with the promise of their love reflected in them. "...I don't want to ever be apart from you. I love you with all my heart and then some. I'll forgive you for everything you have put me though in the last few weeks, if you do one thing."
"Anything," whispered Hoshi as she held tight to him and let the warmth of the water wash over them.
"Marry me." Trip said and kissed her deeply.
Trip and Hoshi were surprised when they caught Malcolm and Pamela in the back row of seats during movie night, necking like randy teenagers. Malcolm turned beet red and led Pamela out the door. She didn't protest at all.
FIN
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