Shaddyr's Eclectic Collection / Enterprise Stories / PJ in NH / Jamelia / Optimistic Tendancies

Optimistic Tendencies
by PJ in NH and Jamelia

Rating: PG
Summary: A coda to Shuttlepod One. Hoshi pays Malcolm a visit in Sickbay.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns all the characters, etc., I am just using the characters for a little fun and relaxation.
Note of Appreciation: Special thanks to our beta reader, P.J. Sutherland
Posting: Please notify us before you do.


'Funny what you think about when you're worried about someone,' Hoshi thought as she hurried towards sickbay. A gentle touch on her arm, correcting her aim during shooting practice. A shy smile. The warmth of a body close to hers, relaxing in the decon chamber . . .

Lost in thought, Hoshi bumped into another warm, solid body as she turned the corner.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she said to the very tall form in front of her.

Jonathan Archer smiled down at his communications specialist, while his hand steadied her to keep her from falling. "No problem, Hoshi. I guess you had something on your mind?"

"I did," she admitted. "How are they doing, Captain? Really."

"They're going to be fine once they warm up."

Hoshi breathed a deep sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you ordered us to warp 4 when I didn't get a response from the shuttle, Captain."

"It was an easy call . . . especially considering how upset some of my bridge crew got when there was no answer."

She smiled shyly.

"Do you think it would be okay if I visited them?" she asked.

"Doctor Phlox wants them to rest . . ."

"Oh, I wouldn't have to talk to them. I'd just like to see them for a moment."

"Just clear it with the doctor first, Hoshi."

"Thanks, Captain."

Hoshi left the Captain behind and continued on her trek to Sickbay. Before long she encountered the Vulcan subcommander, who was walking away from the medical bay.

"Ensign."

"Subcommander . . . "

"You are going to Sickbay," T'Pol said. It was not a question.

"Yes, I am."

"Commander Tucker was sleeping when I left. And Lt. Reed is not himself. He appears to be suffering from the affects of the experience."

"Thanks, Subcommander, but I still want to look in on them to see they're okay."

"There is no need for your presence in Sickbay, Ensign. I told you their condition."

Hoshi smiled softly. "I guess it's a Human thing. I'm sure it's highly illogical. In order for me to sleep tonight, I have to see them myself."

The Vulcan appraised the Human. Nodding once, she proceeded past the Communications Officer, who moved aside as the Vulcan swept by regally.

It was only after T'Pol had left that her words registered with Hoshi. Malcolm was suffering? What did she mean by that? Hoshi quickened her pace as she neared her destination.

When she reached Sickbay, Hoshi paused. She placed her palm against the glass doors and peered inside. The lighting was dim, but she could see Trip and Malcolm. They appeared to be asleep. Looking around Sickbay through the glass, she didn't see the doctor. Well if he wasn't around, he couldn't tell her she couldn't come in, could he? She wasn't sure T'Pol would accept that rationalization, but it sounded logical to the ensign. Quietly, Hoshi pushed the doors open and slipped inside. Hoshi listened for the sound of any movement. Hearing none, she walked over to where the two men rested. They looked worn and very tired.

Well, she had seen for herself they were okay. Anything more would have to wait. Hoshi patted her pocket, stifling her disappointment, and walked back towards the entrance.

"Hoshi?"

At the sound of Malcolm's voice she swirled around, ignoring the sudden little thump in her chest, and saw that his sharp eyes were partially open.

"You're supposed to be asleep," she chastised, keeping her voice low.

"Can't sleep," he breathed.

"Too much excitement lately?" she teased with a gentle grin.

"Must be," he agreed softly.

* * * * * *

From a side room, Doctor Phlox heard the feminine voice in his Sickbay. Peering through the door, he recognized the visitor. Momentarily, he considered asking the ensign to leave, but then he thought better of it. Lieutenant Reed had been restless since he'd awakened. As close as he and Commander Tucker had been to that final, unending sleep, now that he had returned to life on Enterprise, he could really use a nice, natural rest. Perhaps a little human interaction would calm him down enough to let that happen. Interacting with a pretty girl, Phlox had noted when he was on Earth, had a way of helping a Human male with that sometimes. Of course, it could also stir up a Human and substantially raise the body temperature, but since, in this case, that was precisely what the physician wanted, he was more than willing to remain a silent observer while Ensign Sato provided that particular therapy!

Besides, Phlox thought the two of them looked rather good together. What was it that the Terrans call it when someone tried to get two people to like each other? Lighting a match? Something like that. On his home planet, such a service was highly valued in certain segments of the populace. Wouldn't hurt for him to put it to practice on Enterprise, he decided. Turning away from the open door without, he hoped, being noticed, Phlox quietly seated himself and waited for Hoshi to conclude her visit.

* * * * * *

Funny. Now that she was here, Hoshi felt a little tongue-tied. To cover the sudden flush of embarrassment that threatened to tinge her cheeks, she placed her hand on top of the armory officer's hand, which was resting upon his chest. "You still feel a little cold," she observed, giving it a slight squeeze.

Malcolm's eyes widened a little and blushed slightly as he recalled his dream of T'Pol placing her hand upon his own. For a second, he felt a wild urge to make the same revelation to Hoshi that he had to T'Pol in that dream, but he suppressed it quickly. Where the hell he had come up with the name "Stinky," he'd never know! "I'm much warmer than we were on the shuttlepod," he reassured her.

"Good . . . oh! I almost forgot. I brought you something." She reached into her pocket with her free hand and withdrew a data card.

He looked puzzled by the gift.

"It's your log from the shuttle," Hoshi explained.

"Oh." He looked uneasy.

"I didn't listen to it, Malcolm," she assured him. "Just the beginning, to identify whose it was. When I realized it was personal, I wanted to make sure you got it back."

"I appreciate that."

"I also wanted to tell you how much I admire you."

"Admire me?"

"I don't know if I could have done it. If I was faced with--with death, I'm not sure if I would have had the foresight and courage to make a log." Looking down at the data card, so she didn't have to meet his eyes, she laughed lightly, but there was no humor in the sound. "I probably would have crawled into a corner and cried."

Reaching up, Malcolm ran a finger slowly down Hoshi's cheek. "I'm sure you would have held it together. And I'm equally sure your log wouldn't have been as pessimistic as mine." Hoshi raised her eyes to look at the Armory Officer.

"Pessimistic? What do you mean?"

Malcolm grimaced. "Basically, what is on that data card is the last will and testament of Lt. Malcolm Reed, complete with good-byes to family and friends. Commander Tucker told me I was being pessimistic. And looking back, I guess I was. Perhaps this armory officer doesn't cope as well with impending doom as you think he does."

Noting the hint of distress in his voice, Hoshi removed her hand from his chest and placed it comfortingly against his cheek. She felt the stubble of his beard beneath her fingers and began to wonder what it would feel like against her face. "I would say you were heroic, Lieutenant," she murmured.

Malcolm's breath caught in his throat at her words.

"I really should leave you alone so you can get back to sleep or the doctor will report me to the captain," she said.

The Lieutenant was too numb to reply and merely nodded. Succumbing to impulse, Hoshi bent her head over Malcolm's and gently brushed her lips against his cheek. She liked the scratchy sensation of his beard against her mouth.

With her lips close to his ear, she whispered a suggestion with the hint of a saucy grin. "Malcolm, when you get back to your quarters, you might want to take a shower. You're a bit...stinky."

He chuckled.

As she straightened up, she passed him the data card and gave his chest another quick pat. Pivoting on her heel, Hoshi quickly walked back to the door and winked as she waved good-bye.

* * * * * *

As Malcolm watched her leave, a pleasant flush of warmth suffused his body. He enjoyed the paths his daydreaming mind began to take him to. His musings were interrupted by a drawled comment from his companion. "Ya know, she has a pretty nice bum herself." The Brit grinned, doing his best to ignore the smirk implicit in Commander Tucker's voice at this observation.

Finally, he couldn't help acknowledging, "She certainly does." Because she certainly did. Perhaps there was something to be optimistic about.