Never Been Kissed
by Terranfem
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June 2000

Introduction: This is really just for fun and written on the run. LOL Beta'ed very slightly. I saw the movie "Never Been Kissed" and started imagining a Tom/Harry scenario for it. This is set at the very beginning of their voyage in the Delta Quadrant with a slightly different twist - Harry and B'Elanna are the two best friends, instead of Harry and Tom. B'Elanna knows that Harry really likes Tom and is encouraging him to ask Tom out.

Feedback: Constructive criticism is welcome.

Archive: Just at my webpage. Not to be archived anywhere else.

Warning: This is slash, folks. M/M slash to be exact. Get out now if you don't like.

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"C'mon, Harry! This is your chance to talk to him. He's all by himself."

Ensign Harry Kim chuckled nervously, swiping his hair back as he felt beads of anxiety-induced sweat slowly trickling down the sides of his face. He mercilessly poked at the uneaten morsels on his plate with his fork, all the while studiously keeping his eyes down. He felt so self-conscious that B'Elanna would be able to read in his eyes just how much he was attracted to Tom Paris. "It's not easy for me, B'Elanna. This is the first time I've been attracted to a guy," he confided quietly.

Her mouth puckered in a surprised 'O'. "I just assumed…" her voice trailed off. "That means you haven't ever --- ?"

Harry grinned wryly. "That's right. I've never been kissed by a guy."

"Wow, Starfleet." B'Elanna shook her head in disbelief. "Tom must be one special guy!"

"There's just something about him, you know. I can't explain it," Harry shrugged helplessly.

"Well, do something about it, then," she urged. "Go over there and ask him out." She stared unabashedly at the lone figure of the lieutenant who was silently eating his dinner. "Have to admit, Harry. Tom Paris is one good-looking guy. If you don't do it, I just might ask him out myself."

"B'Elanna!" was Harry's dismayed response.

She laughed and patted his hand, reassuring him that she was only teasing. "I didn't mean it. I just wanted to show you that if you don't make your move, there are other people on this ship who wouldn't mind getting to know Tom better, if you know what I mean."

Harry risked a glance at Tom. "I do know what you mean, B'Elanna." He sighed. "Look at him. He's confident, good looking. He could have anybody he wants on this ship. He probably doesn't know I'm alive." He slumped lower in his seat, dejected.

"Didn't you tell me he saved your butt from that Ferengi scammer?"

"Well, he did…"

"Good, good," B'Elanna said encouragingly. "That could be your opening - tell him how much you appreciated his help and that you'd like to repay him with dinner. Your treat."

Harry looked askanced. "That sounds really lame, B'Elanna. Besides, I don't know if he would even want to go out with me."

B'Elanna eyed Harry consideringly, remembering the look of profound relief and joy in Tom's eyes when he finally found them in the steps of that underground cavern. She saw how Tom had headed straight for Harry, the way his hand had tenderly caressed the golden cheek for one tiny second, withdrawing when the ensign's eyes fluttered open. Afterwards, Tom had enclosed Harry in a protective embrace and she wondered how Harry could be so oblivious. Men could be so blind sometimes, she sighed, not without a trace of envy. She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Know what Chakotay told me? When we were trapped down on the planet, Tom volunteered to go down with the away team. Janeway didn't want him to go but then Tom said he would hate to see anything happen to you!"

She had the satisfaction of seeing Harry's eyes go wide with pleased happiness.

"He did?" For the first time, a hopeful gleam brightened his face. He turned to look at Tom again. At the same time, Tom happened to look up and caught Harry's gaze with a bashful smile.

Harry flushed and nodded awkwardly, smiling back at Tom, before dropping his gaze.

Tom's gaze shifted to B'Elanna and she grinned at him before he too found his plate of food suddenly very interesting. Even from several tables away, B'Elanna's sharp eyes could see that Tom's neck and face were turning an interesting shade of red. "There you see?" she gloated. "I think he likes you too!"

Harry grinned lopsidedly then winced when B'Elanna suddenly gripped his wrist.

"He's leaving, Starfleet." Then B'Elanna relaxed her hold on Harry. "No, wait! Actually, he's heading our way," she said in amazement.

"What'll I do?" Harry whispered desperately. Then it was too late for Tom Paris was at their table.

"Hey there," Tom said. "B'Elanna. Harry." He gazed at both of them, glancing at Harry from beneath lowered eyelashes, looking sweetly gawky.

"Hey, Tom" Harry felt his heart beat faster as Tom pinned him under his blue gaze.

"Please sit down," B'Elanna invited with a sweep of her hand, feeling slightly exasperated as Harry seemed inclined to just gaze at Tom.

"Thanks," Tom said gratefully, taking the seat next to Harry. "Listen, I was wondering if -" Tom stopped short and glanced at B'Elanna who was watching them with undisguised curiosity, a smile playing on her lips.

"What?" she asked when Harry cleared his throat meaningfully. Her eyes flicked from dark brown ones to blue ones then back to dark brown ones again.

Harry made jerking motions with his head.

"Oh," she exclaimed, finally taking the hint. "I have to go. I'm late for … something. See you later!" With a graceful movement, she was out of her chair. Don't blow it, she mouthed at Harry when she passed behind Tom's chair, and then the mess hall doors swished closed behind her.

"Harry?"

"Yeah, Tom?"

"I was wondering, if you're not doing anything after dinner, that is if you don't have any plans, if you'd like to go for a walk with me tonight?" Tom rushed his words, staring hopefully at Harry.

Somehow Harry kept his jaw from dropping. Tom was asking him out! Say YES quickly! "Yes," he responded eagerly. A little too eagerly, he berated himself. "Sounds good to me, Tom."

"Good," Tom said, a look of relief on his face, his shoulders relaxing. "I was checking out the holodeck programs and there's a nice 'sunset at the beach' program that we could run. If that's all right."

"That's fine," was the only thing Harry could say. If you wanted to walk on the sun, I'd still go with you, he thought.

Ten minutes later they were strolling leisurely along the shore, the scarlet rays of the setting sun lighting their path while the ocean-scented breeze ruffled their hair and foam-capped waves lapped playfully at their feet.

Harry glanced sideways at Tom who smiled at him. "It's a wonderful program, Tom." And romantic, he thought longingly. He wondered how Tom would react if he suddenly reached out and took his hand. Just the idea of it sent his heart beating in nervous anticipation.

"Well," Tom glanced around critically. "It could use a little tweaking…" He swallowed on a suddenly dry throat when he felt a warm hand slip into his and he couldn't help from breaking out into a broad smile. "On second thought, it's a great program!"

Harry laughed as he tightened his fingers around Tom's, his initial nervousness ebbing away when Tom responded with an equally tight squeeze. They continued strolling in companionable silence, hand in hand, until Tom stopped and faced Harry.

Flustered and suddenly shy, Harry dipped his head. "I never did thank you before," he said. "For coming down to the planet to help find me. So, umm…thanks." He heard a chuckle and a finger tilting his head up.

"You're quite welcome, Harry." Tom leaned closer, angling his head slightly. There was no mistaking his intent.

He's going to kiss me, Harry thought, then there was no more time for further thoughts for Tom's lips were upon his. Harry savored the softness of it, of Tom's gentleness as he slowly explored Harry's mouth with tongue and lips. Heat suffused his body as they slowly pressed against each other in a tight embrace. Holding and kissing Tom felt so good and just so right. He groaned in disappointment when Tom suddenly drew back.

"I'm sorry," Tom murmured contritely. "It's just that ever since we met, I've wanted to kiss you so badly."

"That's okay. I… liked it." Harry smiled. "I wanted to kiss you, too. But I was a little scared."

"You were?" Tom asked concernedly. "I didn't mean to kiss you so hard!"

"No, no," Harry quickly reassured him. He could feel the heat of his blush flooding his face. "I was nervous because I've…you're the first guy I've ever kissed."

"Never been kissed huh, " Tom said with a pleased, delighted smile. "I've never been a guy's first kiss before. Do you think we should kiss again? Just to make sure that you really like it, of course." His hand was already winding its way to the back of Harry's neck.

"Of course," Harry replied in all seriousness. "It wouldn't do to have that be my one and only kiss, now would it?" he smiled broadly. He tugged Tom closer. "Kiss me again, Tom," he urged, a little impatiently, and joyfully succumbed to the now irresistible sweet heat of Tom's lips.

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End