Finding Home
by Philippe de la Matraque
Sequel to Alien Us

Chapter Sixteen

Earth. Finally! The ship was docked. Hoshi packed her bag, checking it three times over. Still, she couldn't go to the Shuttle Bay or call out until the okay was given. The captain was ferrying the admiral and the ambassador down to the planet now. He promised to take her straight to Malcolm when he got back and the time limit was reached.

She had been fidgeting since the two had come on board. Several times she'd found herself outside Malcolm's quarters about to barge in on the ambassador. But he was moved out now. She zipped up her bag, left it on her bed, and headed out to the corridor.

It didn't take long to get to Malcolm's quarters. But she hesitated at the door, just in case. But the ambassador had gone with the captain. He wouldn't be there. She keyed open the door and stepped inside. She stood there, just inside that door, trying to determine what the ambassador had changed during his stay. Malcolm's books were still there on his shelf. Nothing looked out of place. She sat on the bed then lifted the pillow. But it didn't smell like Malcolm anymore. Tears welled up in her eyes. She hadn't meant to start crying. It was as if a stranger had erased Malcolm's essence. Besides the books, Malcolm didn't have any mementos to make the space his own. Take them away and this was anyone's quarters. He wasn't here. She replaced the pillow and left.

Instead of going back to her quarters, she turned the other way and hit the chime on Trip's door. It opened.

"Hey, Hosh. I was just packing. Have you been crying?" He waved her in and wrapped his arms around her. "We're home now. Just a little bit longer and you can call your folks."

"I know," she said through sniffles as they parted. She sat beside his bag on the bed. "I was in his quarters, and it was almost like he was never there."

"Did the ambassador mess it up?" He put some shirts into his bag.

She shook her head. "I know it doesn't make sense. Malcolm didn't decorate."

"Well, now he has a whole apartment in London," Trip said. "It's full of his sister's things, but you'll have to help him make it homey."

A nagging thought had been pushing through her mind since the ship had docked and she hadn't heard from Malcolm. She'd packed and repacked to push it away, but it came rushing forward now. "What if," she began, "what if, the therapy's been good and he doesn't need me, doesn't love me anymore?"

Trip stopped and sat beside her on the bed. "Hoshi, when we found him in the sand, the one thing he said was your name. When he woke up in the hospital, he was upset that he couldn't reach you. Trevon may be a great therapist, but he's no replacement for you. It's only been a few months; he's not going to have forgotten you or stopped loving you."

"I don't hear him," she cried.

He put his arm around her and squeezed. "He probably doesn't know we're here," he reasoned. "And we don't know if he can reach orbit with it, anyway. You know, maybe T'Pol could help calm your nerves until it's time. Should I ask her?"

Hoshi nodded, knowing he was right about all of it. She couldn't change Malcolm's condition by worrying.

"Hey, T'Pol. Hoshi's here and needs some help with the waiting."

"I'll be right there."

The wind was really starting to whip. Malcolm raised his pole higher until it clicked. Opposite him, Dad was doing the same. They had two more to go to cover the space between the house and the shed where all the controls were.

It had taken a lot of work in the last week or so. Miguel had even brought Owen to help. The boy had thought it fun to install the nodes on the roof. Mom moved the garden chairs to the space between the poles.

Malcolm moved to his last pole. Dad finished his last just before Malcolm did. "I think we're all set."

"Admiral Issu should be here before Griselda hits us hard," Malcolm told him. "Any minute now."

As if on cue, a flitter touched down, deposited two individuals, and left again. Issu waved and started over. "Good to finally meet you, Lieutenant. Looks like you've been busy."

Malcolm offered a smile. "More interesting than physical therapy." He then introduced the Tuckers. "This is Admiral Issu, Starfleet R&D."

The admiral shook hands with both of them. "This is my aide, Commander Abimbola."

She shook Malcolm's hand. "You confident this will stand up to a hurricane?"

"No," Malcolm told her honestly. "But thankfully, Griselda has been downgraded to a tropical storm. and I am confident it can stand up to that." He offered them seats then went to the shed to activate the force field. He caught sight of the mama cat poking her head up from one of the crates in the back. He was glad to know she was safe. He flipped the switch and the sound of the wind died down.

Outside was a soft white glow in a canopy overhead and all the way to the ground between the poles. Through it he could see trees whipping and rain starting to fall. The canopy covered both buildings as well, but was close to both structures.

"Impressive," Issu said. "I only feel a slight breeze now."

Leaves and twigs started to break off, and the rain came down harder beyond the barrier. Some small branches hit the barrier then fell to the ground. "It's an EM field," Malcolm explained. "Not strong enough for phase cannons or torpedoes, but it should be fine for flying debris. It's more of a proof of concept. I got it to shape around the house, even curve around a cylinder."

Issu smiled. "So, if we can find the right medium for proper shielding, you've got a start on bending it around the hull of a ship."

Mom brought out a tray of lemonade and passed glasses around. "It may take a while for the storm to pass over. Might as well be comfortable."

"Thank you," Abimbola offered, taking a glass. "How did you go from one plane, four corners, to this?"

"I got each node to emit the field in 360 degrees. It fanned out like an umbrella, and the edges are attracted to each other."

The trees were swaying and whipping back and forth. Small branches starting to fall, and the rain came down in sheets. But not a drop came through the barrier. It ran down the sides in cascades.

"May I see your calculations?" the aide suggested.

"Of course," Malcolm replied. "I'm no engineer so they may seem a bit rudimentary to you." He waved her toward the shed and joined her there. He gave her the PADD with his calculations.

"You can learn engineering terms and graphing and all that. You obviously have a knack for mathematics. Two semesters, tops." She looked at his cylinder. "That is, if you want to stay."

"It's tempting," Malcolm admitted. "And I am considering it. But I'm not alone. I love someone. I want to be with her. Here or there."

She started drawing some diagrams on the PADD, and they worked out the tech specs together. By the time they were finished, the storm was dying down.

"It even blocked the rain!" Issu exclaimed. "The ground is still dry. I'm very impressed."

Malcolm was relieved and proud. He'd protected his new family's home and property and moved Starfleet science just a little closer to deflector shields.

T'Pol had managed to help her relax enough to wait the last few hours until the captain called to say they could now contact their families and request shore leave. Hoshi had excused herself from T'Pol's quarters to call her parents from her own.

She explained to them, briefly, her concerns for Malcolm and told them she needed to see him before coming home. They were disappointed but were otherwise supportive. They even suggested she bring him with her when she did come home. They caught up some more as Hoshi waited for the captain to return.

The door chimed and Hoshi said her good-byes. She opened the door and was so happy to see Trip and the captain, she might have hugged the latter. "All ready to go?" he asked.

"Yes, sir." She retrieved her bag from her bed, and they all went to the Shuttle Bay.

"There was a big storm in the area," Trip said. "We had to wait until it passed."

"I had a good talk with my parents," she told him. "Have you called yours?"

"Yeah, but they had company over so Mom couldn't talk. We may be crashing some sort of party."

"Malcolm and a party?" Captain Archer asked. "And during a storm, the weakened leftovers of a hurricane?"

Trip chuckled. "Hmm. It was quiet there but no, Mom said she hoped she see me soon and that was that."

"Maybe the storm missed them," Hoshi suggested from her seat behind the captain.

"Well, it covered most of Mississippi, so I don't think that's the case. Did she sound worried about it at all?"

Trip shook his head. "Not a bit."

They descended below the clouds, and Hoshi felt her body begin to tense in excitement and worry. This was it. They'd finally find out how Malcolm had fared since Trip left. She saw Trip's leg was bouncing, so she thought maybe he felt the same.

They passed over the wide swath of destroyed land from the Xindi weapon. It was greener now with grass and trees. The sides were more sloped now, though the top edges were shored up to keep them from sliding into the valley far below. Trip had told her about the brain cancers. It was still a dangerous area. There were several buildings in some state of construction, but all construction had been halted.

Beyond that were cities and neighborhoods, highways, rivers, and lakes. Trip took the controls and guided the shuttlepod to his parent's neighborhood. As they landed in the yard, there were several people in the street talking and gesturing toward the house.

Hoshi didn't care about that. She was already up, waiting for the door to open.

"Hoshi?" she heard, and her heart nearly exploded. The door opened and she leapt out.

The admiral was congratulating Malcolm. "I know you want to return to Enterprise," Issu said. "But at R&D, you can protect all the ships."

He made a good case. If they found the right medium for shielding the ships, they could now find a way to wrap it around the ships. Trip had pointed out that R&D did more than make sonic showers. They developed the offensive and defensive capabilities for all of Starfleet, from hand weapons to planetary defenses. But he didn't want to live without Hoshi, and he didn't know if she'd be willing to leave the ship.

With that thought, he heard another ship landing. Something larger than a flitter. Malcolm watched it land and recognized it as one of Enterprise's. They were back! Oh, he hoped she was on it. His heart—their heart—began to pound, in a good way. Hoshi? he tried.

She didn't answer but the door opened and there she was. "Um, excuse me, Admiral," Malcolm said, without even looking back at him. He stepped toward her and she ran to him. He scooped her up in his arms, swinging her around. It was a dream come true. When he sat her back down, he realized she hadn't limped during her run. Didn't I promise to sweep you off your feet?

She was crying but she chuckled. "You did." She touched his face, his hands, his chest. "You're okay?" she asked aloud.

"Much better now that you're here." He felt warm and excited. She was there, in his arms. And he could hold her now unlike before.

She looked around at the admiral, the poles, the ground. "What's going on?"

"Just something to work my mind as well as my hands," he explained. "EM barrier, like we used with the crystalline entity, but shaped around the hose and shed—and the space between."

"The grass is even dry."

That it was but it hardly mattered now. Hoshi, you were right. I couldn't have managed on my own. I needed my therapist. I needed this family, my new family.

She replied the same way, "Your parents?"

He smiled and looked over to where Trip was hugging his parents and the captain was greeting an admiral. Those are my parents over there. I definitely couldn't heal what the other ones did without them. "How have you been?"

"A nervous wreck." She hugged him tightly again. "I nearly yelled at an admiral. I couldn't play well with others. Phlox has been a great help with the orcs, and Trip has been so supportive as I worried myself over you."

"When he left," Malcolm said, "he had reason to worry. I was lost. Flashbacks, hallucinations.…"

"I'm sorry about your sister," she offered, touching his chest. "I feel her heartbeat."

"Our heartbeat," he corrected. "It was something she said in a recorded message. 'Don't grieve so hard you break our heart.' Hers and mine. She also said I'd need it to love you." He kissed her forehead. "And I do. I love you." Then he chuckled. "Though I do have another lady in my life. Would you like to meet her?"

Hoshi was thrown for a loop. He loved her but he had someone else. She was confused, and couldn't manage to object as he took her hand and led her into the house. He took her to the living room and she couldn't see anyone. There were a couple of small cats on the sofa but no people.

"The calico is Trevon's," he said. "The couple he stays with are allergic, so she lives here for now. The other is my Lilibet."

The confusion and hurt fell away in the wake of relief and the utter cuteness of the two cats curled up together. "They're adorable."

"They were born in the shed," he told her. "Father never let us have a pet. Mom and Dad were more amenable."

Hoshi hugged him from the side. "You can't take her on the ship."

Malcolm sighed. "I don't know that I'll be going back to the ship. We have a lot to talk about. But not now. Let's just be happy to be together first."

She nodded and they sat down on the sofa together. The kittens woke up and stretched, then made their way to both of their laps, only to plop down again. They started cleaning themselves.

Trip didn't know how right he'd been. Malcolm was physically well, and emotionally, psychologically better. He was even working on a new invention.

"That was Admiral Issu and his aide out there, from Starfleet R&D. It's an option."

An option. That's what he'd meant. He had options. Hoshi hadn't even tried to think of options. She'd had to stay on Enterprise when he was sent back to Earth. But the thought of him having options didn't bother her. She could imagine now some options for herself. She could go back to teaching. She could work full-time on the UT. She wouldn't have to sit on the bridge and face dangerous missions.

"What are you thinking?" he asked in her mind.

Of options, she replied, reaching for the kitten in her lap. Do you not want to return to Enterprise?

"It's not that I don't. I don't know if I don't or if I do. I know I'd miss it, some of it. But there are some things I think maybe I wouldn't miss."

She nodded, feeling the same. Even before Trip had returned to the ship, she'd felt uncomfortable on the Bridge. She couldn't even stand to be in Sickbay. She'd kept mostly to herself, even as she was getting physically better. The people, she told him. I'd miss the people.

"Exactly," he said out loud.

Hoshi kept it nonverbal. Do you still dream of them?

"Yes," he responded in kind. "I admit, I sometimes still see one out of the corner of my eye. I know they can't really be here. Honestly, we've only started getting back to my time in Zheiren. Trevon and I have spent most of the time unraveling other traumas. When Trip left it was way worse. The orcs, my father, my sister, the water, all running together, bleeding into one another. I didn't know where I was or when. I'd seem them walking down the hallway while my father berated me from the corner. If Trevon wasn't also a telepath, I'm not sure I would be better today. I couldn't even talk to him this way. I could only show him my memories when he asked it of me."

And she knew what he'd asked. The drowning.

She felt him nod against her head. "That and a month after when Father tried to take me out wading and I ran from him. It got worse but I think Trip needs to hear that, too."

"Most of my therapy hasn't been about Sharu either," she confessed audibly. "It was being left there when you were sent here, then it was what Trip reported, and I know he sugarcoated it for me."

He kissed the top of her head. "I am sorry about that. If Trip had been able to stay longer, he could perhaps have given you more hope." He took a deep breath. "I couldn't, at the time, do anything different. I had no control. I thought I was losing my mind."

Lilibet, his kitten, leaned into him and licked his chin. Both kittens were purring.

Hoshi stroked the cat in her lap. "Trip kept telling me you'd probably be fine after months of therapy and being with his family."

"My family now," he corrected. "He offered to share."

"And I meant it." They looked up to see Trip in the doorway to the kitchen.

"I was wondering where you two disappeared to." He sat across from them in one of the chairs. "Dad told me the cat outside finally had her kittens, and I could see two of them in the house. Didn't peg you for a cat person, Mal."

"Maddie and I always wanted one," Malcolm told him. "We weren't allowed."

Trip was incredibly relieved to see that all his positive protestations to Hoshi had proved right. Malcolm was infinitely better than the day he'd had to leave. Mom and Dad were very proud of his good showing with Admiral Issu. "Thank you for protecting the house from a hurricane, by the way."

Malcolm's eyebrows lowered. "You did see the other houses in the neighborhood fared nearly as well? It wasn't a hurricane anymore."

"Still," Trip said, chuckling. "Admiral Issu is very pleased. He said to keep him up-to-date on your plans. He and his aide are heading back to R&D with your notes. And those kittens look mighty comfortable so I won't bother them now. I'll leave you two to catch up." He started to rise.

"Stay."

Trip sat back down and gave Malcolm his full attention.

"Hoshi already knows what happened when I was twelve." Malcolm took a breath and stroked the kitten on his lap, a Siamese-looking medium hair. "That's the start of all things. In short, I saved a younger boy from some bullies, who beat me up and pushed my head into a fountain until I drowned."¹

Trip had expected it was something his parents had done, not something as tragic and life-threatening as that.

Malcolm went on. "That's how I became aquaphobic. That meant I couldn't fathom being in the Navy. And that was a very big problem for my parents, especially my father." Trip could hear the purrs from across the room. It was like they were therapy cats. "Reed men have been Navy men for generations. I broke tradition. A horrible betrayal in my father's eyes. He tried to 'help' me remember that I could swim and thus overcome the aquaphobia, by successively more severe methods. First it was taking me wading. I ran from him. I missed meals because they were by the lake, or I was left in an anchored boat with no oars. But I couldn't swim to shore. The last one, I was fourteen. I didn't even realize he'd done it." The kitten chirped and he remembered to stroke her.

"He was being honored out on a pier. There was quite a crowd. I was bumped and fell off the pier. I was told it was because of my clumsiness." Malcolm was a lot of things, but Trip wouldn't describe him as clumsy. "A sailor pulled me out of the water. Within a week, we'd moved to Malaysia. My Father never tried to make me swim again; he never hit me. But my parents blamed me for my father having to resign his commission and for having to move. It was 'because of my behavior.' And all the love and affection I'd felt dwindling from the time before my drowning was gone. I was fourteen."

That was bonkers! Trip couldn't understand parents who would put tradition over their child's wellbeing.

"Trevon helped me see that it wasn't true. My father turned sharply, for no other reason than to bump me. The pier was slick from rain that morning, and Mother had insisted I wear these new shoes with questionable traction. He knocked me into the water. He was called out on it by the sailor. An inquest found him guilty. They gave him a choice: resign or be drummed out of the service. Children's services starting an investigation, so he moved us to Malaysia, which had no extradition agreement with Britain."

Malcolm had said all that relatively calmly, but Trip was furious on his behalf. Malcolm scoffed. "And I kept hoping that one day he'd relent and be proud of me. They called Madeline every day after she fell ill. Mother fawned over her enough she felt it was suffocating. But she saw through them. Knew what they thought of me. She wanted to give me her heart. Our heart." He took another breath but this time it shook. "And you gave me a family when I hadn't had one since I was fourteen."

Trip felt his eyes well up. "Happy to. It was kind of her idea," he said, gesturing toward Hoshi. "She made me promise not to leave you where can't heal."

He looked at the kittens curled in both of their laps. "And who might these two be?"

"Lilibet," Hoshi replied, pointing to the Siamese-looking one on Malcolm's lap. "She's Malcolm's. Seena here belongs to Trevon."

"Oh, there's something else I have to thank you for," Malcolm said. "The shower."

"A shower?" Seena jumped down from Hoshi's lap and rubbed on Trip's legs.

"Sonic," Trip explained, as he bent to pet the cat. "Something they were working on at R&D. I got them to let Malcolm beta test it."

She made a show of sniffing Malcolm's chest. "Well, he smells good, so it must work."

Malcolm smiled. "I, um, have a difficult relationship with water now."

"I thought you might," Trip replied quietly. "Glad it helped."

"How long until Enterprise leaves again?" Malcolm asked. Lilibet left his lap then and pounced on Seena, which sent them both careening around the living room.

Trip shrugged, laughing at the kittens. "Not sure. She could use some repair, maybe some upgrades. But neither of you need to worry about rushing back. The captain wants Hoshi to have as much time as she needs with you and her family."

Trevon didn't miss the large shuttlepod sitting in the front lawn of the Tucker's house. Perhaps Malcolm's Hoshi had returned. He was anxious to meet her. Elaine had pointed out that Malcolm was inside the house, so he let himself in from the back door and walked through the kitchen to where he heard three voices. Trip's he recognized, as he did Malcolm's, but yes, there was a woman's voice as well. He knocked on the door frame to get their attention. "I take it our session is canceled for the day." He smiled to show it was not a problem. Seena came to him and rubbed herself on his leg. "Though for a very happy reason."

Malcolm looked at Hoshi as she leaned into his side. "We have a lot of catching up to do."

Trip started to get up but Trevon waved him down. "That you do. And there's no reason we can't take a hiatus for a few weeks. You can always reach me if you need my help. I take it the demonstration went well?"

Malcolm smiled. "It did. No rain, no debris, even less wind. How did you fare with the storm?"

Trevon laughed. "I found it quite exciting. Reminded me of our vacations to the coast when I was a child."

Seena stretched her paws to his knees so he bent to give her a scratch on the chin. "There's my little predator." He picked her up and she nestled in his arms. "But where are my manners? I've, of course, met Malcolm and Trip, so you must be Ensign Hoshi Sato. It is my pleasure to meet you. I'm Dr. Koy Trevon, Malcolm's therapist."

"I gathered as much," she told him. "Thank you for helping him."

"It has been a pleasure. I hope you are well."

She nodded. "A lot better now that we're home."

"Will you see your family in Japan?" Seena squirmed so he let her jump down. That movement got Lily into a playful mood, and she ran to chase Seena. Then the two of them went tearing down the hall.

Hoshi chuckled at their antics. "Eventually. I spoke with them from the ship. I'll stay with Malcolm for a while first."

"Well, we're not all gonna fit on the couch," Trip said.

"I do happen to have a flat in London I haven't seen," Malcolm replied. "It will take some going through. Madeline left me everything."

Trevon remembered. Trip apparently did as well. "Maybe the captain and I can drop you two off there."

Another man joined Trevon in the doorway. He could hear the Tuckers in the kitchen. "The captain can," the man said. "Trip, you can stay with your folks for a bit." He turned to Trevon. "Captain Jonathan Archer." He offered his hand.

Trevon took it and shook it briefly. "Dr. Koy Trevon." He turned his attention back to Malcolm. "And a hiatus will allow me to get back to San Francisco with my little monster."

That brought an eyebrow raise to the captain's face until the two kittens raced back to the living room. "Probably should have left Porthos outside."

Trevon looked down and saw there was another animal colored not unlike his Seena behind Archer's legs. "Ah, I had not yet met a canine. It appears to be intimidated."

Archer sighed. "Well, he's used to being the only animal on the ship."

Malcolm started to rise. "Good to see you, Captain. I should go pack, then Trip can have his room back." He turned to Trip. "Mind if I leave Lily here with you?"

Trip was still mesmerized by the kittens' antics. "Not at all."

"You know your supplies?" Malcolm asked telepathically as he rose and offered Hoshi his hand.

Yes, carrier, cat box, litter, food, toys, things to scratch and climb.

"It won't take long," Malcolm told Hoshi. "I don't have much here."

"I don't either," she admitted as they left for the bedroom. "Left my bag in the shuttlepod."

"Well," Trevon said, "I've got some purchases to make. I'll be back to collect Seena. Good to see you again, Trip, and to meet you as well, Captain."

"Likewise," Archer offered. "Thank you for what you've done for him."

Trevon just nodded and turned back to the kitchen and the door beyond.

It was late when they arrived in London. Hoshi watched as Malcolm stood in the living room area and just took in the room. This was where his sister had lived. It was fully furnished, she could see. There was a kitchenette off to one side, with barstools up to a counter rather than a table. The appliances in the kitchen were smaller than what she saw in America, but about the same as those she had in Japan. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "It's just, well, like seeing what she saw when she lived here." He walked to the bedroom and she joined him. He opened the wardrobe to find it full of a woman's clothes and shoes. The dresser held makeup and a jewelry box. There was a desk with a computer, PADDs and architecture books. The bed was larger than a twin but not as large as a full.

"We'll need a new bed," Malcolm said, having similar thoughts. "We can pack most of this up for charity. Unless you'd like something."

She looked through some of the clothes in the wardrobe. "I liked your sister, when I spoke to her before. But I don't think our styles match." She did have a few nice scarves though. "Are you sure?"

"I can't use them," he told her. "Should go to someone who can."

There was a chime at the door. Malcolm had ordered dinner sent up, so he went to the door and opened it. But he froze there, speechless. Hoshi joined him and saw it was not a delivery of their dinner. Instead, it was a dour woman with pursed lips.

"Mother," Malcolm finally said. There was no affection in the word, nor animosity. "Is Father with you?"

She wrang her hands on the handle of her handbag. "May I come in, Malcolm?" Her tone was sweet and somewhat apologetic. Hoshi let him make the choice. She felt herself heat up in anger.

Malcolm stepped back a few feet. Hoshi stepped to the side. Mrs. Reed walked in far enough for Hoshi to close the door behind her.

"Have you been camping out, waiting for me to show up?" Malcolm asked.

Mrs. Reed didn't answer but looked at Hoshi. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"No," Malcolm replied. And Hoshi kept her tongue. "No, because you are of no consequence, and she will likely never see you again. As I will never see you again. What do you want?"

She appeared hurt by the words. "I have always loved you, Malcolm."

"Just stop." It was the first time he'd raised his voice or shown any emotion in the exchange. "Not once did you defend me, even when Father wasn't around. And I know you were in on it, as you made me wear those inappropriate shoes. Was that love when you told them to take me off the support keeping me alive? When you didn't even want to speak to me after I didn't die?" He took a deep breath and collected himself. "However, Madeline was your daughter. You may choose three items from her belongings as keepsakes. You should pick a few extra, because I will have veto power over all your choices. You have fifteen minutes. Be quick."

I'll go with her and keep an eye on her, Hoshi offered.

She retreated to the bedroom with Mrs. Reed as the door chimed again. Probably dinner, she thought.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that cruelty," the woman said to her.

Hoshi glared at her. "I'm on his side. You and your husband have been cruel to him for years. I wouldn't have even let you in the room. Time is wasting."

Mrs. Reed gave up trying to win her sympathies. She went to Madeline's jewelry box and took out a necklace and matching bracelet. She chose a scarf from the wardrobe, an architecture book and two photographs from an album on the dresser. Hoshi made sure she didn't put any in her handbag by taking the items herself back to the other room. She laid them out on the counter where Malcolm had placed their dinner.

"Do you want any of these?" he asked her telepathically.

Hoshi examined the jewelry. She'd seen nicer sets in the jewelry box. These probably meant something sentimental to Mrs. Reed. The scarf, though, was quite lovely. Scarf.

He faced his mother. "Which three do you choose?"

She pointed to the jewelry, the scarf, and a photo of Madeline and her parents at dinner somewhere.

"You may have the jewelry and a photo."

"There a set," Mrs. Reed argued and reached for the second photo.

Malcolm pulled it away. "I see three items: necklace, bracelet, and photo. You may take those or none at all."

Mrs. Reed pursed her lips and slipped the jewelry and photo into her handbag. She walked toward the door. Hoshi was ready to open it for her.

"Forget this address," Malcolm called to her. "I'll have management bar you and Father from returning."

She huffed and Hoshi opened to the door to allow her to leave. Are you alright?

She found him with his head in his hands at the counter. "Been better. Do you think I was too—"

Not one bit. She turned him to her and took his hands, which were trembling. "I would have cussed her out in so many languages."

He offered her a brief smile. "I could've let her take all of it. Save us the trouble of sorting it."

"Better it goes to people in need then a store room in Malaysia," she told him. She looked at the second picture. It was of the whole family, including Malcolm. The children were quite young. Probably younger than twelve.

"I can't allow her to come again. She might bring him along."

Hoshi nodded. "You can ask management to bar them, like you said. You could sell the flat and not worry about it."

Malcolm shook his head. "I like the idea of having a place of my own, our own. And being back in England."

"First thing in the morning, we'll talk to management." She kissed him. "Then you can show me some of the sights of London. The ones where all the tourists go: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Tower."

He chuckled. "They still have double-decker bus tours."

"Perfect!" She let go to open the warm box beside him. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Malcolm slipped out of bed while Hoshi was still sleeping. They'd pretty much just crashed after dinner. And they knew they'd have to align with Greenwich Mean Time to catch the tour bus. He grabbed some clothes from his bag and a washcloth and towel from the linen closet and made his way to the kitchen. There was no sonic shower in the flat, and he couldn't bear taking a shower. He undressed and used the rag to wash himself and the towel to dry. As he dressed, he thought about Madeline's life here. He imagined her returning from a day at work, sitting on the couch there, or fixing her dinner in the kitchen he was standing in. She'd eaten on the dishes in the cabinets, slept on the bed he and Hoshi had shared, dressed from her wardrobe.

He returned to the bedroom and looked around. He recognized the desk where she'd recorded her journal to him. He used the terminal there to order a new bed. There were things he'd hoped to do with Hoshi that he couldn't imagine doing in the bed his sister had slept in. Besides it was a bit small for the two of them, though he hadn't minded the closeness as they lay down.

Hoshi stretched and woke. She seemed startled for a moment, but then calmed when she saw him. He understood. He'd had a moment when he woke up as well. The nightmares he had caused him to forget where he was until the morning light through the window had shone on the furniture.

"Good morning," she offered.

He bent over and kissed her as she sat up. "Morning, shall I order breakfast?"

She kissed him more deeply. "We could go back to bed."

He gently took her arms from around his shoulders. "Not if you want to catch your bus."

"Right." She turned and stood up. She paused before she entered the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower. Do you need to go in the other room?"

He nodded. He didn't want to hear the water running. "I'll get breakfast."

He put in his breakfast order for delivery in the next quarter of an hour. That gave them time to eat and still catch the bus downtown. As he waited, he called down to building management and asked them if they could block his parents. They kept a no-admittance list. All they required was a picture of both of them. Malcolm retrieved Madeline's photo album from the bedroom and found a recent photo of the three of them. He scanned it and sent it on to management.

Hoshi emerged from the bedroom, showered and dressed for a day of being a tourist, just as the door chimed. He opened the door and tipped the delivery person.

"We really need to go grocery shopping," she said.

Malcolm put the box on the kitchen counter and opened it. "A traditional English breakfast. Scones and jam." He put a pat of butter on one and then spread strawberry jam on top. "But yes, there are a few things we'll need to shop for. Cat things, for one."

Hoshi smiled as she took a scone for herself. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Nightmares as usual," he replied. "You?"

"Yeah, those aside, the bed was comfortable as was the companionship." She skipped butter and went right to jam.

"It was rather cozy," Malcolm agreed. "I'd like to switch out the bed. Get something a little bigger. How about the decor?" He waved a hand toward the living room window. "Do we like it as it is, or do we want to change it?"

Hoshi turned to look around. "It's nice enough," she said. "And it says 'England' to me. Madeline had good taste."

"So, everything non-gendered can stay," Malcolm decided. "Dishes, pots and pans, drapery and furnishings. Except the bed. You can have anything of her clothing and jewelry that you like. The rest will go to charity."

"Sounds good. What time is the bus?"

Malcolm finished his scone and washed it down with some coffee. "We'll need to leave in about ten minutes."

They had to do a bit of running but they made the bus and found seats on the top deck. While Hoshi listened to the tour guide, Malcolm researched a charity to take Madeline's things. He found one to take the bed that evening and another for the clothes and jewelry tomorrow afternoon. When the bus stopped, he got off with her and gave her his whole attention, telling her what he knew of the history of the place or interesting stories he'd heard as a child.

They stopped for lunch at a café. After lunch, Malcolm ordered dessert. It came a few minutes later. Pineapple cake. À la mode.

Hoshi smiled. "It hasn't quite been a year."

"You did say 'maybe a year,'" he replied. "You were right. Though I can't recall any Trip jokes right now."

They tucked in and he got an idea. It might be rushing things. But it felt like they'd loved each other for years. And he didn't want to spend his life without her. He didn't have a ring. Yet. He took her hand as she took the last bite. But the bus came back and they had to catch it if they wanted to see the Tower.

They arrived back at the flat with quite a few purchases. They'd had to borrow a cart from downstairs. They had groceries for the next week or so, bedding for the new bed Malcolm had ordered during that morning, and supplies for Lily when she would come to visit.

The bed arrived while Hoshi was making enchiladas for dinner. She let Malcolm deal with the bed. They planned to do some sorting after dinner. As the enchiladas came out of the oven, Malcolm emerged from the bedroom. "All set for tonight." She was glad he'd ordered a new bed. It had seemed awkward to know she was sleeping in his sister's bed. There were certain things she didn't want to do in that bed.

After dinner, she chose some jewelry and a couple more scarves. Malcolm decided on some photos, Madeline's scout badges, and some of the architecture books. They put everything else in the bags from the shopping and set them on the living room floor in front of the big window. She and Malcolm hung their clothes in the wardrobe and flopped back on the new bed.

Hoshi felt tired in a good way. She felt at home, at a home. She had several now. Enterprise, her parents' home in Japan, and now this flat. And maybe one more. If they left Enterprise and worked at Starfleet Headquarters, they'd need housing nearby.

"Hoshi," he began, taking her hand. "I've been trying to think of a grand, romantic way to do this." He sat up and pulled her with him. Then he knelt in front of her on the floor, "But I just can't wait anymore." He pulled a small box from his pocket, and Hoshi's heart started to beat. "Will you marry me?" In the box was a beautiful, diamond ring. She didn't know when he'd bought it. Maybe when he'd excused himself from the pet shop for only ten minutes. She'd thought he'd had to use the restroom.

"Of course," she told him, pulling him back up onto the bed as she lay back again. "I was already planning our base housing." She kissed him deeply, feeling warm all over. He put the ring on her finger, and they lost themselves in each other's arms. She wanted him. She needed him. She started to remove his shirt, and he nearly ripped it off. She reached for his pants, and he froze and fell back onto the floor with a stricken expression.

"Malcolm?" She sat up and dropped to her knees in front of him. "What is it?"

He tucked his knees to his chest and rocked. "Them!" he whispered like a sob.

The orcs. She had known when the orcs were putting things inside her. She'd understood what they said to each other, and her imagination had filled in what her body couldn't feel. The idea of Malcolm inside her was exciting, not fearful. But Malcolm had felt what the orcs did to him. Twice. And it broke him.

She pulled the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around him, rubbing his back. "It's okay. We don't have to. We can just be together. We have time."

He didn't lift his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

She put her arms around him and kissed the top of his head. "I love you, Malcolm Reed. All of you. We'll work it out."

Malcolm felt deflated the next day. She hadn't held it against him, but he felt he'd let her down. He should be happy. She'd agreed to marry him. But it was also the day his sister's things were taken away. They had toast for breakfast together, then Hoshi said she was going to take a walk. He let her go by herself as he just wallowed on the couch. One wallow day. It was too early to call Trevon. There was an eight-hour time difference. He'd still be asleep.

She was gone maybe an hour. He hadn't really counted. Part of him had imagined she'd left for Japan. But she did return and she had a little shopping bag in her arms. She walked straight to the linen closet then handed him a dish towel. She leaned over him and whispered. "I've had an idea. Turn on Tactile." She kissed him on the cheek and then went to the bedroom.

Malcolm had no idea what the towel was for, but he imagined their console and turned Tactile up as high as it would go. Then he waited.

It started as a buzzing in his groin, but it grew into sensations he'd never felt before. He realized then what the towel was for. He had a brief moment to remember that women had thousands more nerves than he did before he lost all rational thought. His trousers became tight and he had to pull them down. He was getting aroused but her arousal overrode his. He was becoming erect and he hadn't even had to use his own hands. He could only see the ceiling, only feel the muscles in his legs tensing with hers. He had only just pulled the towel to him when he couldn't hold it any longer. She kept going though, and he felt every minute of it. By the time she climaxed, he wasn't sure he could even move. He was exhausted. Still, he felt little pulses in his groin.

"Did that help?" her voice asked.

He had no words. Uh huh, was the best he could manage.

"Any orcs?"

No orcs.

"Next time, you help me."

He nodded, knowing she couldn't see him. He wiped himself off and pulled his trouser back up. He needed water. He had to turn Tactile off just to stand. He stumbled to the kitchen, poured himself a glass and drained it. His hand shook. He was done wallowing.

¹ Again summarized from Last Full Measure by Michael A Martin and Andy Mangels, Pocket Books, 2006, New York, pages 150-154.