Okay, this is my first attempt at an Enterprise. This my first attempt at just a spur of the moment something so please be kind. And remember... Don't forget to review. Thanx a bunch...

Also, there's spoilers for "Silent Enemy" so if you haven't seen it, you might be confused.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own Star Trek!!

Explanations

 

Hoshi had just finished the beta shift and was exhausted. She was planning on taking a really nice, long nap.... after she ate breakfast. She was famished! She walked into the messhall and got her food. Looking around the messhall, she saw Malcom sitting by himself, eating, surprise surprise, some of his pineapple cake.

"May I join you?" she asked.

"Ummmm... yes of course," he said.

"You're still eating that cake," she said as she eyed the cake.

"Yes," Malcom said, "it's really good. How on Earth did you find out my favorite food anyways?"

"It was really hard," Hoshi said, "the Captain thought that finding out what your favorite food would be easy. You know, just ask your parents or something. That didn't work, so he put me on the assignment. I asked your sister; she said something about octopus and suction cups."

"Ha ha," he laughed, "yes I remember that. I'm so glad you didn't take her seriously, octopus isn't quite my favorite."

"Well, she said that you were probably joking. She told me that you were a very difficult person to figure out. And she was right."

"Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?"

"Doesn't matter to me," she said mysteriously, "take it however you want, but it's true. After getting nothing from your sister, I asked you best friend. He told me about this restaurant you went to. He said that you usually ordered this fish dish or something."

"Ah yes," he said, "To tell you the truth, I only went because I fancied the waitress."

"Maureen," Hoshi said, "I was prompting your friend to remember exactly what kind of fish you ordered. In the middle of his thoughts, he said 'Maureen.' I wasn't sure if it was a fish or not."

"She was really nice," he said dreamily while starring out a window, "very ambitious. Could have done anything she wanted; I never did quite figure out why she was a waitress. She had one hell of a smile. She wouldn't go out with me though."

"Well," Hoshi said, "she didn't know what she was missing."

He smiled at her and pinked a little. Finally, he broke the awkward silence, "Please continue, I really would like to know exactly how you found out that I like pineapple."

"Well," she continued, "I was on the bridge, talking about my dilemma. T'Pol overheard and suggested I talk to you if I wanted to find your favorite food."

"And then we had that incident here in the mess hall," he said sheepishly, "I truly am sorry about that. I didn't know and it just sounded like—"

"I was flirting with you?" Hoshi finished, "yeah, ummm, no, I mean. I was just trying to find out what your favorite food was... that's all."

"Yes well, I apologize again for that. I jumped to the wrong conclusions."

"That's alright," Hoshi said, "after that incident in the mess hall, everything felt hopeless. I had gone to sick bay. I told Dr. Phlox about the problem. He said something about you liking breakfast. That didn't exactly help. I was about to leave when he said bromelin. I had no idea what that was. He accessed your medical file, there was a list of allergies. Bromelin was one of them. It said that you were taking injections so your body could tolerate bromelin. He said that it's found in various foods... including pineapple."

"So that's how you found out," Malcom said, "you really didn't have to go through all that trouble."

"I was under direct orders from the Captain," Hoshi said, "It was my first priority above all else."

"Well, thank you," Malcom said, "it was probably the best birthday I've ever had."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes," he said, "birthday's back home were always family affairs, sometimes a couple of close friends... but they always were too predictable."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Well, you know I'm going to have to do something to thank you," he said.

"You will?" Hoshi asked nervously.

"Of course," he said, "what do you want?"

"Malcom you don't have to—"

"I insist," he cut her off, "please?"

"Fine," she said hesitantly, "something small... and inexpensive, I don't need you spending a fortune on a gift."

"When's your birthday?"

"It's ummmm..." she hesitated, "some time... in about 2 weeks."

"Perfect," he said as he got up, "plenty of time."

"Plenty of time for what Malcom?" Hoshi asked.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "it's a secret."

And with that, he walked out, leaving her in a whirlwind of confusion.

 

When he got out of the messhall, he leaned against a wall, 'where did that come from?' he asked himself.

'What was that?' Hoshi thought as she smiled to herself.

 

To be continued (maybe)…

Explanations

A/N: Hey you guys, thanx for the great reviews. I'm so happy...

 

Two weeks had passed by and her birthday was in 3 days. Hoshi hadn't noticed any sort of strange behavior in Malcom and she had thought he had probably forgotten or was just bluffing.... she would soon find out that she was so wrong.

"Hoshi," Malcom said as he stopped her in the corridors. He looked dishevelled, like he hadn't had any sleep in day, "I need you."

"Excuse me?" She said nervously, shocked at what he said to her, trying to make sure she heard properly. She made sure she answered tactfully, "you need me Malcom? For what?" After saying that, she was afraid she would get a rather graphic explanation.

He handed her a data PADD that had strange language written on it, "I need you to translate this for me. This was written on all of the weaponry we just exchanged. I can't translate it. That's why I need you."

"Oh," she said in realization, relief, but also a twinge of disappointment, "yeah, sure of course. Ummm... Malcom, how long have you been working on those weapons anyways?"

"About 3 days," he said casually, "why?"

"No offence or anything," she said, "but you look like hell.... literally. You really need sleep.... and a shower."

"I know," Malcom said, "I've been working on this for 3 days, I haven't had a chance to rest, I've had about 2 meals in those 3 days."

"Why don't you come with me to get something to eat," Hoshi said, "I was just heading there. You really need food, Malcom."

"Alright," he said, "but not for long, I need to be going and working on these new weapons."

"Of course oh almighty armory officer," Hoshi joked.

They sat down with their food. Hoshi began looking at the new language, Malcom just ate, and ate, and ate some more.

"You must be really hungry," Hoshi said as she watched his food disappear really fast.

"I never realized until I was actually able to get a hold of some food," Malcom said before shoveling down some more food.

"The way you're food is disappearing so fast oddly reminds me of Trip," Hoshi said.

"That's understandable," he said, "considering the way Mr. Tucker eats."

"Well," Hoshi said as she looked at her chronometer, "I'm due on the bridge, soon. You stay here, enjoy your meal, and get some sleep. Or take a shower at least."

"But I'm due on the bridge in 15 minutes!" He protested.

"I'll talk to the Captain, I promise, you won't have to be at the bridge unless we're attacked, which I doubt will happen," Hoshi assured him.

"But I need to work on those weapons!" He protested again.

"Now how can you work on the weapons if you don't have a translation?" she asked as she waved the data PADD in his face.

"I," he started, then he realized that she was right, "fine you win. I'll finish my food and I'll get some sleep. I promise."

"Good," she said, "I'll see you later, Malcom"

"Wait, Hoshi," he said before she stood up.

"Yes?"

"I haven't forgotten your birthday," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine.

She had no idea how to respond to that. She gave him a look that, she hoped, looked playful, flirty, and angry all at the same time. Then she left.

'Why did I do that again?' he asked himself, 'she probably doesn't want anything to do with me now!'

'He did it again,' she thought like a 10 year old school girl, 'So, he didn't forget. I wonder what he has planned.'

 

Two days later…

"So Captain," Malcom Reed explained to Captain Archer as they sat in his ready room, "that's my plan for tomorrow."

"And you don't plan on including the rest of us in on the festivities?" Jonathan said, giving Malcom a suspicious look, yet knowing full well exactly what his armory officers intentions, thus scaring Malcom just to see him squirm in his seat.

"Well, Captain," Malcom started, "I highly doubt that you guys would be interested this sort of birthday celebration. I mean, you understand what I mean Captain don't you?"

"Well, I don't quite understand Lieutenant," Jonathan said, still messing with his armory officer, "when it was your birthday, Hoshi shared the cake with Trip and I. Can't at least the two of us join in?"

"Captain—"

"I'm joking, Malcom," Captain Archer said, "I'm just kidding. I know you want to be left alone. I'll make sure no one get's in your way."

"Thank you Captain," Malcom said.

 

A/N: Okay, so I'll just stop right there and keep you guys guessing what he has planned for her... he he he... well, actually, I just have an idea... if anyone has any other ideas.... please feel free to tell me.... I would love to hear your suggestions... thanx a bunch....

Explanations

A/N: Okay, I finally got this chapter done. Hope you like it.... took me forever. Thank you for all the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek...

 

The next day…

*Beep Beep*

Hoshi heard her alarm going off. She knew it was time to wake up but couldn't physically or mentally for that matter, get herself out of bed.

*Beep Beep*

"Computer," she mumbled, "shut off the alarm."

As soon as she said that, the annoying beeping stopped. She lay in bed for a few more minutes, hoping to work up the energy to get up.

*Chime Chime*

'Who could be here at this hour?' Hoshi thought as she forced herself to get out of bed.

"Come in," she said sleepily.

Her door opened and Captain Archer walked in with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face, "Good morning Hoshi."

"Good morning Captain *yawn*" she said, "I'm sorry, I'm just really tired."

"Don't worry about it," he said, "can I come in?"

"Oh yes, of course," she said, still kind of disoriented from just waking up, "so what brings you to my humble abode?"

"Well," Jonathan said, "for one thing I came to give you this." He handed her a package that he was holding behind his back, "Happy Birthday, Hoshi."

"Oh, you didn't have to get me anything," Hoshi said, "thank you."

"Well, of course I had to, it's your birthday."

"Thank you," she said again, "I really appreciate it."

"Well aren't you going to open it?"

"Of course," she sat on her bed and carefully unwrapped the gold foil wrapping paper that covered the small box. When she finally opened the box it revealed a gold chain necklace with a simple diamond pendant on the end, "Oh my... Captain... this is beautiful.... You didn't have to go through all that trouble."

"It's no trouble at all. I'm glad you like it," the Captain said, "maybe you can wear it tonight."

"What?" Hoshi said, "tonight what's going on tonight?"

"Nothing," Captain Archer said, suddenly realizing his mistake, "you just enjoy your gift."

He proceeded to leave her caban, "oh," he said, "and you don't need to be on the bridge today. It's your day off."

"Thank you Captain," Hoshi said, "I needed that."

"Enjoy your day off." he said as he left.

She had decided that since she was already awake, there wasn't any point in going back to sleep. She decided to finish the translation of the language that Malcom needed. She could give it to him if she saw him at lunch.

A few hours later, she noticed that her quarters had become really hot, she had changed into a pink spaghetti strap tank top and white short shorts. Even wearing that, she still felt considerable warm. She decided to contact the bridge.

*Captain* she said over the comm system, *is it me or is there something wrong with the environmental controls?*

*It's the environmental controls,* Archer said, *how are you faring?*

*Oh, I'm okay Captain. I just feel sorry for anyone that isn't allowed to change out of their uniforms*

*Duely noted, Ensign. Enjoy your day off.*

*Thank you*

 

Another few hours later, she had finished her translations. It was just before lunch so she decided to stop by the bridge to give Malcom the translation just before going to the mess hall to eat. She walked onto the bridge. The crew seemed to be deep in conversation, but, when she walked in, everyone went quiet and all eyes were on her.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"Hoshi?!" Trip said quickly as he heard her voice, "Hoshi! Well, well, well... look at you. Looking gorgeous as always, even more so now that you don't need to stay in your uniform in 110 degree temperatures. What can we do ya for?"

This received an evil look from Malcom.

"I just needed to talk to Malcom," Hoshi said as she walked towards the armory officer's station, "you guys can get back to your secret conversation when I'm gone."

"Malcom, huh?" Travis Mayweather said with a lopsided grin plastered on his face.

"Yeah," she said, "what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," Travis said, getting back to his work.

"What's going on in here?" Hoshi whispered to Malcom.

"It's nothing really," Malcom said, "don't worry about it. So what did you need to see me about?"

"Oh yeah," she said, remembering exactly why she had come down to the bridge. She handed him the data PADD, "I finished the translation."

"You did?" he said surprisedly, "already?"

"Yep," she said, "it was pretty easy. Here look, the language is actually —"

From that point on, he wasn't paying attention to a word she was saying. He was too wrapped up in her attire. Sure he had seen girls wearing far less than short shorts and a tank top. But on the Enterprise, that wasn't happening. He suddenly became very thankful that the environment controls decides to mess up on her day off.

"Malcom are you listening to me?" he voice rang through his head.

"Of course," he said, "continue."

Travis and Trip started sniggering, Archer was grinning, and T'Pol looked.... amused, if that was actually possible.

"What is so funny?" Hoshi asked.

"It's nothing," Captain Archer said, "you get back to your day off Hoshi. I don't want to see you on the bridge until tomorrow."

"Yes sir," Hoshi said with a smile.

 

After she had left....

"That sure was close," Trip said.

"Yes, we should be more careful," Reed said.

"Yes," Captain Archer said, "getting back to our discussion: Trip, I want you to keep her distracted, make sure she's away from the mess hall. Do whatever it takes. Malcom, you do what you need to, alright. And this evening Trip, please do not complain, leave your camera in your room, and for pity's sake, do not spy on them."

"I can't believe that you think so low of me, Cap'n," Trip said in mock hurt, "I would never do anything like that!"

"Of course Trip," Archer said sarcastically, "of course."

 

Later some time in the afternoon…

Hoshi sat in her quarters reading. She was grateful for the day off, however, she was extremely bored. She had no work to do and nothing at all to do.

*Chime chime*

"Come in," she said.

"Hi Hoshi," Trip drawled out, "come I come in?"

"Yeah, sure Trip," Hoshi said as she let him in, "what brings you here?"

"Well, I have it on good word that it's your birthday today."

"Maybe," Hoshi said.

"Happy Birthday Hoshi," he said as he handed her a really large box wrapped in very flamboyant wrapping paper.

"Trip," Hoshi said, "you did not need to get me anything. First the Captain, and now you."

"It's your birthday Hoshi. You deserve something special," Trip said, "I know you weren't really gung ho about coming on this mission and this is your first birthday away from Earth. We just think it should be special. And this isn't all from me, there's some stuff from other people in here, but they chose me as the messenger."

"You know what you could do to make this a super extra special birthday?" Hoshi asked playfully.

"What's that?" Trip asked.

"Tell me what's going on!" She said seriously.

"Don't know what you're talkin' about."

"You know full well what I'm talking about. On the bridge you guys were deep in conversation and when I walked in, you all stopped. And this morning when the Captain came to my room, he said something about something going on tonight."

"Tonight?" Trip asked, "What's going on tonight?"

"That is what I'm asking you."

"I honestly don't know anything about tonight!"

"Trip!"

"Alright, alright, I give," Trip said, "I heard someone saying that chef is making you a little something for your birthday."

"On whose orders?"

"Well," Trip said quietly, "I heard that there was a bunch a girls planning something. Some of the ensigns or somethin'. They wanted to plan a little somethin' special for ya."

"Are you sure?"

"That's just what I heard."

"I don't believe you," she said suspiciously.

"Alright, you want the truth?"

"Yes."

"I have no idea what's going on tonight."

"Okay," Hoshi said, not believing him, "thanks anyways Trip."

"Yer welcome," Trip said as he left.

After he left she sat down and began to open her gifts. The first one was a short purpley flowery dress that came down to about her knees.

"Oh my gosh!" Hoshi said to herself.

She looked at the note inside the box:

Just a little something for next time we go on shore leave!

Happy Birthday

From: Trip

 

After looking through the rest of her gifts, she decided to go to the mess hall, maybe get something to eat. She was in the turbo lift on her way up when she ran into Trip.

"Hey Hoshi," Trip said, "where ya headed?"

"Mess hall," she said.

"Oh, no, you can't go in there."

"Why?"

"Uh, they're repairing the replicators."

She eyed Trip suspiciously, "are you sure? What's wrong with the replicators?"

"Just a routine diagnostic to see if they're functioning properly. It'll take another 3 hours. Besides, you've got a hot plate in you quarters, why do you wanna go to the mess hall to eat?"

"There's people in the mess hall, you know, I can interact and socialize when I eat there. Make sense?"

"Yeah, yeah," Trip said, "but you can't go in the mess hall.... alright?"

"Alright there Mr. Possessive.... I won't go near the mess hall while your precious engineers work on the replicators."

She went back to her quarters. As she looked at some gifts she had the unstoppable urge to try them on. She tried on the dress that Trip had given her, the necklace the Captain gave her, and a pair of diamond earrings that Elizabeth gave her. She stood in front of her mirror admiring herself. Trip had picked the perfect fit.

She was about to change back when....

*Chime chime*

"Come in." she said.

"Well, well beautiful, I'm glad you like it!" Trip drawled out.

"Thank you Trip, it's perfect, I don't know how you got the perfect size."

"Well, I hate to spoil your fun, but there's something that needs your expertise."

"Alright, just let me change."

"Nah! Don't worry about it, you don't need to."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, now let's go," he said as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of her room.

'Where are you taking me Trip?' Hoshi thought.

 

A/N: Alright, this chapter is a little longer, also took a little longer to write. I had to rewrite it about 5 times...

Don't forget to review.

Also, did I make Trip overly flirty? I didn't mean to, but he was supposed to keep her distracted and what have you so he's not really trying to be flirty, just being distracting.

For a picture of the dress go to:

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/15m/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/59898.jpg

I need your help

 

 

Okay, people, I have a REALLY horrible case of writer's block! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!! This is where you guys (and gals) come in. I need you to just give me ideas.... I don't care how crazy and far fetched the idea may be!!!!! I just need ideas, just spit them out and they might provide me with some kind of inspiration..... PLEASE!!!! Or just tell me what you want to happen.... that would work.... I'm begging you guys... I swear, I have been so busy with school work (staying up 'till 12:30, waking up at 6:30, but needing 8 hours of sleep a night) I have lots of other stuff going on.... so just blurt out anything... no idea is a dumb idea.... just leave them in the reviews... or e-mail me, either way, it doesn't matter...

If you give me an idea, there's no guarantee that I'll use it, so don't expect me too... but if it's a good idea, I probably will. And if you give me an idea and I use it in my story or even if it just switches on a light in my head, then I'll make mention of that in my next chapter and wherever that idea may apply.... unless you don't want me to in which case I won't mention it.

Thanx a bunch for your help,

Bluebubblegrl