Chapter Text
The Mess Hall is quite crowded this evening, Hoshi thought as she looked up from reviewing the report she wanted to hand in to the captain the next morning. Several crewmen sat at tables sharing dinner with their friends and bunkmates. Hoshi had chosen to sit alone, taking the evening to enjoy a bit of passive interaction by watching the crew and listening to bits and pieces of their dialogues. However, if any of her friends showed up, she definitely wouldn't mind having a cheerful conversation herself.
Her mind wandered as she thought of the busy week past this evening and the one ahead. Enterprise was about to drop off numerous crewmen for shore leave at home, but Earth wouldn't be in reach within the next six days and until then there were plenty of things that needed to be done. Was there ever a time Enterprise needed nothing to be done? If it was repairs, medical examinations or training sessions - whenever the ship didn't pick up a distress call or found yet another planet to discover, the senior staff would simply find something else to keep their department occupied for the meantime. No time for a lot of privacy and personal relationships.
Occasionally, there were moments she'd bet she'd seen rather personal interactions among her friends - certainly, a few relationships had settled among the crew during the past four years, but none seemed to have developed among the senior officers. Now, Hoshi wasn't entirely sure anymore.
She was nobody to ask about the most recent gossip but with eyes and ears almost everywhere on the ship due to several friendships she had developed, she was almost always up to date - and there was for sure no harm in being a bit curious, was there? No, nobody will hear anything from me. Sipping her mint tea, she remembered what a friend down in the Armory had told her about a conversation between Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed almost three years ago. Funny how memories always come up at unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways.
After Enterprise got attacked by an unknown species and being left in the dire need of a few repairs, Archer had set course towards Jupiter Station, aiming at extending the weaponry on his ship. Enterprise was meant to have three phase canons aboard which were, due to their early departure, not installed by September 2151. The whole incident had everyone caught up in work for the rest of their flight to Jupiter Station, leading to a rather capricious cooperation between Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed.
"Have you still got those guns of yours hooked up to the impulse engines?" the Commander asked approaching the Armory Officer in Canon port one.
"I'm just disconnecting them now." Reed answered without hesitation, determined to let actions follow his words.
"Hang on a minute." Trip's sudden objection forced Malcolm to stop and look up at him. "You're sure this'll work?" A determined short nod was followed by Reed's response given with absolute certainty, prohibiting Trip's earlier doubts.
" Yes, Commander, I am."
"Then based on the recommendation of the Armory Officer, the Chief Engineer finds the level of risk acceptable." Trip smiled cautiously, trying to keep his authority visible after all.
"In that case, if the Chief Engineer wouldn't mind getting his hands dirty, I could use some help."
Hoshi remembered the crewman who had secretly listened to the dialogue between his superior officer and the Chief Engineer say that it was much more the tone than the words alone that implied a certain intimacy between the two men. Of course, this was not entirely clear, but she had more than enough evidence for her assumption. A thought struck her mind as she looked out of the window at the passing stars looking like oddly colored lines at warp 3. In November 2151, Tucker and Reed had been surrounded by an ocean of stars in the belief of dying in Shuttlepod One. Hoshi could barely imagine the thoughts and emotions that must have come upon the two men. Although, she had to admit to herself, I did get a brief insight into their thoughts, didn't I?
Captain Archer he demanded her to check the log records and to her surprise, there was far more materiel than probably even her two friends had known. She had checked the entries, identifying a few as letters and an explanation of the circumstances Reed and Tucker had faced. The further material, however, seemed to be rather unplanned - she quickly had figured that Lieutenant Reed had simply forgotten about the recording at some point and since the small vessel was severely damaged, a malfunction had caused the computer to leave the recording soundless and therefore unnoticed. Hoshi had found a few dialogues due to that malfunction that she didn't share with anyone regarding the fact that they were not of any need or interest for the captain. Besides, the commander and the lieutenant were probably thankful not having their conversations spread. Certainly, there had been difficult situations.
"What's your problem with having a little hope?" The commander had asked, rather cranky.
"What's your problem with facing the truth?" Reed responded with a question, simply emphasizing what he had been certain of the past hours, the logs and letters were evidence enough to clarify his position. Clearly, Tucker didn't share his opinion on that aspect (if ever).
"You're a regular grim reaper, Malcolm. Anyone ever tell you that? Well, if this little trip is a death sentence, then it would seem to me we're entitled to a last meal. What'll it be? I'm afraid our selection is somewhat limited."
"I'm not hungry." A clinking sound followed Lieutenant Reed's brief response.
"Well, then how about a drink?"
"I don't drink on duty."
"Are you serious? We're dead men, remember?" Now it was Trip's turn on saying out loud what Malcolm had been thinking all along, but he was still far from letting it hit him. "What's the matter, Lieutenant? Are you afraid the autopsy will show your blood-alcohol level was too high to pilot a shuttle?" The noises that could be heard through the recording were questionable, but Hoshi guessed that somebody took glasses and filled them with leftover Bourbon. "Live a little. That's an order." Another awkward sound was recognizable, followed by Reed's rough, doubtful voice.
"Do you really think that's going to provide any heat?"
"The bourbon'll provide the heat. The candle's just for mood."
The mood, Hoshi had thought. More like candlelight dinner with old Kentucky Bourbon, huh? She knew after all that the mood the Chief Engineer had mentioned was far from romantic, but there was for sure something in his voice, even hidden under the melancholy, that added to her assumptions.
Another memory flashed through her mind, also from those records she had listened to. Something she knew was probably one of the most emotional and intense moments she'd ever get from her friends, especially from Malcolm who was after all distanced from the few who he considered his friends.
The communication panel released a few clicking sounds as if something - or, more likely somebody - was trying to speak to them without actually sending a word.
"It's probably nothing, right?" Lieutenant Reed had said, although a certain curiosity was recognizable in his voice. A rushing and uncontrolled rustling followed a moment of silence.
"It's definitely not nothing." It was Trip who seemed to be a lot closer to the comm panel as much as the recording.
"Well then, that means it's something. What is it? Well, is it something or someone, because if it's someone-"
"Shush!"
"Sorry." A moment of brief silence followed the Lieutenant's muttered apology before Tucker spoke again.
"Definitely someone."
"We have no way to respond, do we? This is like the plane flying over the desert island in a lost-at-sea movie."
"Malcolm!"
"Sorry. Happy endings. I must think happy endings."
Right, happy endings...If only Malcolm had known just what a happy ending they were about to get! A broad smile crossed Hoshi's face as she remembered how this horror trip had ended for both of the men. For sure, hypothermia was close to killing them, but Enterprise had found them in just the right time for a complete recovery. When Reed awoke as the first to do so, the captain had assured him they'd both be fine again if they'd rest - Commander Tucker was, according to a crewman who had just been on duty, fast asleep. Crewman Novakovich had also told her he had heard the lieutenant talk to Commander Tucker probably thinking it'd not be overheard by anyone.
"Trip? Mind if I call you Trip? Sleep well, my friend."
Friend, for sure! Hoshi thought as she emptied her mug, standing. She was certain that by that time, neither of the men had been aware of the feelings she assumed they were having. But, she added in thoughts, they had plenty of time to notice and I know about a lot more auspicious situations and conversations!
Suddenly, Hoshi remembered how Victoria had once told her about a conversation she had overheard. Hoshi always wondered how her friend was so lucky to gain all that information every time something was going on between the two senior officers. Lucky me…she thought.
It was late when Trip and Malcolm were the last to stay from Beta Shift, Gamma Shift was done by Lieutenant Hess. Reed and Tucker were working on purging a clogged injector assembly. Main Engineering was quiet, there were not a lot of things going on – luckily. Victoria couldn’t help but listen to her C.O. and the Armory Officer.
“Damn this stupid-“ Commander Tucker sighed when a cloud of steam and smoke escaped the injectors.
“I am not going to ask how you managed this…” Reed stared at the forming cotton-like clouds. “You know, Trip, I certainly know a way this’d work better.”
“You do?” The Chief Engineer raised his glance, puzzled, strained. He looked terribly tired and lost. Victoria watched the two older men interact. There was nothing else going on anyway.
“Why don’t you just massage it with your magic fingers?” Lieutenant Hess was both, confused and delighted. It was rare to hear the Armory Officer tease his friend in front of other people, especially when they were still on duty. This was something she definitely had to tell Hoshi.
That Victoria had done and Hoshi was quite thankful. She was sure the both men were a lot closer than they’d ever admit. She knew and someday, they would show it.
Though, she was willing to give it a rest for tonight.
*
"Commander!" Trip looked up from the console he had approached to check the matter antimatter reaction, making sure his lady was running smoothly. At this late hour, he didn't expect anybody to talk to him - More likely had most of his own crew left, being relieved by only few crewmen taking the Gamma Shift that night. Lieutenant Reed made his way, rather stiff but quickly.
"Lieutenant?"
"May I have a word with you, Commander?"
"Sure." Trip checked the console once more before leading the Armory Officer into a quiet corner of Main Engineering. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"
"I am certain the captain told you about the-" Reed thought of a nicer way to put it, trying not to show his discomfort with the captain's decision. "- General overhaul of the systems?"
"He did."
"May I speak frankly, sir?"
"Go ahead."
"I would be a lot calmer about this overhaul if we would have our departments check the possible risks and changes arising from it beforehand. We have six days left and I am convinced that Captain Archer would allow us a complete insight into the new system's database."
"He would, probably. And I do understand your concerns, Lieutenant. I'll see what I can do at breakfast tomorrow morning." The Armory Officer nodded with the glimpse of a smile, knowing that Trip was invited into the Captain's Mess for the next morning. Curious at Reed not moving to leave Main Engineering, Tucker looked at him once more.
"Was there something else you'd like to talk about, Lieutenant?"
"Yes. There was." Lieutenant Reed looked at his shoes, trying to figure out whether he should have asked Trip rather off duty but concluded that, technically, they weren't on duty anymore either.
"Mind telling me?"
"I was just...wondering if you were up for dinner tomorrow."
"I see. Dinner sounds good, Malcolm. I'd like that."
"So, you're not busy in the evening? Schedule clear?" Commander Tucker was unsure where this conversation was heading but curious enough to let Reed take the lead of it.
"I'm free at 1900."
"What about dinner at 1930 then? That'd leave about an hour until they're running the film..."
"Malcolm, are you suggesting to spend the evening watching an old-fashioned Sci-Fi classic?" Trip couldn't hide the smile he had felt coming due to his friend's rather nervous, almost shy behavior. He knew the man as the stiff and straight-forward though never impolite Tactical Officer who could have been the prime example for military. Of course, throughout the past four years they had served on Enterprise, he had also gotten to see bits and pieces of Malcolm Reed, the man behind the military facade. Still, every time the curtain opened up, Trip was surprised.
"I guess I am, Trip..."
"You wouldn't like to spend the evening another way, say, with a proper candlelight dinner?" Reed looked up at the Chief Engineer, eyes wide and Trip would bet he could see the hint of a blush on the Armory Officer's cheeks. As Reed hadn't said a word even a few moments later, Trip broke the silence again. "We could, of course, spend our evening watching an old-fashioned Sci-Fi classic, I wouldn't mind, just-"
"No! Honestly, I didn't have proper dinner in ages, actually. I'd appreciate that."
"Great! I'll make sure that Chef keeps a table reserved for 1930."
"Good."
"Is it?"
"Very."
Neither of the men noticed that their rather private conversation was overheard by Lieutenant Hess who was part of the Gamma Shift crew - and a close friend of Hoshi Sato.
**
Archer sat on the chair in front of his computer, rereading the message he had received from Admiral Leonard featuring general commands and reports from Starfleet along with an overview of the system's overhaul Enterprise was supposed to receive when they reached Earth. He was relieved to return to his own apartment and let others deal with the 'improvements' of his lady but a tiny voice in his head kept telling him it wasn't right to leave Enterprise in somebody else's hands.
Porthos stood and let out a muffled bark.
"Yes, yes, I know. I know. Alright, let me just take a shower, will you?" Another muffled bark was the beagle's response before he laid down on his dog bed, waiting for his master to reappear. Archer had to smile at his companion's forced patience. He knew that Porthos was the only reason he didn't spend many nights sleepless reading reports and personnel files. When his master entered the room fifteen minutes later, the beagle raised his head and waggled his tail.
"Yes, I promise, I won't read the files once more. Come on up!" Jonathan sat down on his bunk and thumped on the blanket. Porthos padded over to him and jumped up on his master's bed joyfully.
"I just wished somebody would stay aboard and have a cautious eye on the work they're planning to do."
"Hmpf!"
"I know, I shouldn't be this suspicious. But think of it, old boy, you wouldn't want to leave your home renovated by foreign people, would you?"
"Mmf."
"See? But I promised the crew shore leave without any exceptions. After all, they definitely deserve it. Don't you think so?"
"Mrrf."
"I wonder if anybody would stay without any complaint if I asked. T'Pol didn't seem too keen on going back to Vulcan. On the other hand, I wouldn't like to ask her - she's always my first choice to have an eye on everything if it's not Trip."
"Hmurff!"
"I know. Don't tell me. But if I asked Malcolm, he wouldn't hesitate to follow my demand. He isn't likely to tell me if it wouldn't fit into his schedule...Leaving everything to him for three weeks and him only isn't alright either, is it?"
"Mppff!"
"Alright then, what if I asked someone to keep him company? Does that make it any better?" This time, the dog didn't respond with anything but a look of reproach. "Fine, I'll stop talking. Let's go get some sleep. I'll think about it tomorrow." Jonathan stood once again and turned off the light before laying down in his bunk.
***
"Good morning!" Hoshi set down the datapad she had planned on reading during breakfast.
"Morning, Victoria." she smiled at Lieutenant Hess who held a tray with scrambled egg and two slices of toast.
"May I join you? You seemed busy reading."
"It's fine, take a seat." Hoshi nodded at the young engineer who sat down in the opposite chair.
"So..." Hess took a bite from one of her toasts, taking a moment to start the conversation. "What were you reading?"
"Oh! It was just a...a novel Lieutenant Reed had recommended to me."
"Hoshi, you're probably the only ensign who'll ever get a book recommendation from Lieutenant Reed. You're also probably the only ensign who'll ever get any kind of recommendation from any senior officer!" Both of the women chuckled and Ensign Sato couldn't help but agree with the accuracy. Although...
"Travis might as well ask the lieutenant for an interesting lecture! After all, we simply spent more time with them than with the junior officers..."
"Still, you don't get to hear as many private conversations as we do down in Engineering!" Victoria threw an auspicious glance at the Communication Officer, noticing the curiosity in her eyes. "Whatever I tell you, you didn't hear it from me! Deal?"
"Deal. Now tell me, please!"
"Okay, so I heard Lieutenant Reed and Commander Tucker when I had Gamma Shift yesterday night. Apparently, they're having a date this evening, 1930 hours." Hess recounted what she had heard the two men say, stating once in a while that she was only guessing it could be a date from the intonation she had perceived. Hoshi knew; Reed and Tucker would never admit it, not even to themselves, even if it was. It was good news anyway, no matter which kind of feelings this dinner was based on. She was curious how they'd interact - there was no way she couldn't possibly find out because there was only the Mess Hall they could choose to dine and this was exactly where she'd be. That might get interesting! Hoshi thought, smiling to herself.
**
"So..." Lieutenant Reed took a bite from his roast beef, eyeing his counterpart curiously, unsure how to start a proper conversation. Even after years of knowing Trip it was anything but easy to speak to him as relaxed as the Commander was. "How did it go down in Engineering today?"
"Oh, c'mon, Malcolm! You can do better than that!" It was by no means an accusation, simply a reminder that being off duty and enjoying a candlelight dinner weren't supposed to bear the topic work.
"Alright. You're right. Did you talk to Captain Archer?"
"I guess you're referring to your request?" It was more of a statement than a question since Commander Tucker was certain he was right. "I did. He said he was even thankful if we checked on everything beforehand. Guess he doesn't like it either leaving everything in others' hands."
"I suppose." Trip raised his glance at the older man's brief reply, shaking his head with a gentle smile. Did I honestly expect him to be a bit more talkative? In fact, he knew the answer - he hadn't expected it, but he'd hoped so. Knowing he couldn't dig any further into his friend's safe castle if he wouldn't get the walls to crack, Trip tried another technique.
"The captain also mentioned that his-" He paused, thinking about the proper words. "- discomfort concerning Enterprise being left in others' hands for a while made him consider to ask somebody to stay aboard."
"Any idea who he was referring to as this somebody?" Relieved that the new technique had a seemingly positive effect on his friend, Trip continued recounting the situation at breakfast that morning.
"No, he didn't mention a name. But..." The Chief Engineer took a moment to look into Reed's curious eyes, carefully intending to hide another smile.
"But?"
"But I did tell him I wasn't exactly planning on visiting my family since they're all quite busy with the current harvest - they'd only be bothered if I were sticking 'round all the time."
"I hope you also told him that I wasn't intending to visit my family either!" Now, Tucker couldn't hide the grin anymore. Family was a topic Malcolm usually seemed to become grim about whenever it was mentioned, it was like playing with fire when one intently spoke about it around him. This time, luckily, it didn't seem to bother him at all.
"I told him that I figured you weren't likely to plan anything in particular for shore leave. Thought I shouldn't go into detail." Malcolm nodded, somewhat thankful that the younger man left the matter only briefly discussed. After all, he didn't like sharing personal information, if it was with friends or with the captain.
"You...do know what that means, you and me most likely alone aboard Enterprise?"
"Movie nights, candlelight dinners and sleepovers?" joked Trip, chuckling a bit. Reed joined in in his muffled laughter at first but nodded slightly seconds later.
"Sounds like a plan to me. We might even try to ask Chef if he can store a pecan pie for you."
"We might as well ask Chef to leave some pineapple for you, too."
"Mhmm...Candlelight dinner, film night, a sleepover and dessert - I'm in!"
Only a few tables away from the two men, Hoshi Sato smiled to herself at the interlude she had just perceived. She knew after all that her friends were mostly joking, but just witnessing the closeness between the two men - friendship status or not - was a pleasure for her. She was wondering how the three weeks aboard Enterprise all by themselves would benefit them.
*