The BLTS Archive - Pursuit
by T'lyr (tlyr@tlyr.co.uk)

---

DISCLAIMER:  Chakotay, Tom, et al belong to Paramount.  I'm just
borrowing them for awhile.

Many thanks to The Troika, Ms. M, Britta and Paul!

---

Voyager's First Officer was grateful that the only other patrons at
Sandrine's were the holocharacters.  The popularity of Neelix's resort
program practically guaranteed that he was to have a quiet evening
alone in which to ponder the strange behaviour of one Lieutenant
Thomas Eugene Paris.

Sandrine had been her usual self and he had smiled wanly in response
to her attention, knowing that she would soon become bored with his
lack of response.  Chakotay watched with amusement as she moved back
towards her bar, hips swaying suggestively and well aware of the
figure she cut.  The distraction was short-lived however and soon the
situation of the past few days descended upon him, pressing against
his heart like a ton weight.  He took a swig of his beer.

What a stunt Tom had pulled, appearing in Chakotay's bed all glowing
and golden!  Now, in the cold light of the past several days, the
Commander knew that the Lieutenant was avoiding him.  To almost anyone
else it would seem that the relationship between the First Officer and
the Conn Officer had not changed.  But Chakotay knew.  He could feel
it.  He could see it in the way Tom's eyes slid away from him after
acknowledging an order or answering a query.

As he stared into his near empty beer glass, Chakotay felt reluctant
to analyse what all of this might mean.  To entertain the notion, even
for a second, that that night in his bed could all be a joke to Tom
made his heart beat erratically.  Paris' reputation was well known,
wasn't it?  Tom Paris, playboy of the Delta Quadrant.  Chakotay found,
much to his astonishment, that he did not believe this about Tom.
Even now, remembering that evening, Chakotay could feel every part of
himself responding as if Tom were there with him, those long fingers,
that beautiful mouth doing impossible things to his body.  He closed
his eyes with the memory of how Tom looked, incoherent with arousal;
his aura of innocence as he slept in Chakotay's bed, deeply and
contentedly.  How could he believe that Tom did not want to be beside
him each and every night?

He knew he had to talk to him, try to confirm what he was nearly
certain was true.  Yet he dreaded the confrontation.  If by some
horrible twist of fate he had misread this situation completely,
Chakotay wasn't certain he could endure Tom's rejection.  As he sat
there surrounded by the shadows of Paris' past, he found it impossible
to decide which would be more unbearable; that they returned to
barely tolerating each other or remained forever in this limbo of
friendship when the Commander wanted and needed so much more.

There was a bit of a commotion at the doors and Tom and Harry fell
through, laughing and joking easily with each other.  When the two
friends caught sight of Chakotay, a slight flush crept over Tom's face
and Harry, Chakotay noted, covered his surprise and nervousness well.
A second later, Tom regained his equilibrium and moved towards the
pool table.

"Evening, Commander," he breezily said as he began to rack the balls.

"Lieutenant.  Ensign."

Harry nodded.  He seemed rooted to the spot, his face carefully
composed but there was an air of expectation about him, as if he
waited for a sign from Paris as to how he should proceed.

"We were just going to shoot a few.  Care to join us?"  Tom asked.

Harry was already moving to pick up a cue and Chakotay could not
suppress the little prick of jealousy as he watched the camaraderie
between the two young men.  He imagined secret signals passing between
them; a questioning look from Harry that was answered by a barely
perceptible, careful shake of the head from Tom.

So, Chakotay thought, the Ensign was privy to whatever this was that
was happening between

Paris and himself.  Doing his best to control his jealousy, he joined
Tom and Harry. He snatched a cue, flashed Paris a flirtatious smile,
one that best displayed his dimples, and was rewarded with a flush
that reached Tom's ears.

"Sure Tom.  And you can tell me all the stuff going on, that the First
Officer is not supposed to know anything about."

Harry chuckled appreciatively and the tension began to seep out of
him.

"That's a pretty tall order, Commander, since I bet you get all the
gossip from B'Elanna.  She's pretty thorough.  Probably has told you
far more than I could."

"Ah, but she doesn't tell it as well as you do."

Chakotay winked at Harry and nearly dropped his cue when the young
Ensign smirked as if to say,

"I know exactly what you're up to."

He was going to have to revise his opinion of "naive" Ensign Kim.

"I'll break," Harry offered.

Tom moved towards Chakotay to allow Harry easier access to the pool
table.  Watching closely as Harry carefully lined up his first shot,
he asked, "So did  you hear about Vorik's quip to Carey?  ---  Well,
inasmuch as Vulcans quip...."

"I think they've been known to quip, "  Chakotay smiled.

"Well if Carey hadn't been so shocked, he might have been royally
pissed.  As it was, he couldn't even catch his breath he laughed so
hard...."

Harry quietly began to clear the table as Tom, with the appropriate
embellishments, related the tale.  There was barely a pause as he then
parted with all the gossip from stellar cartography.  Only when he
began to describe the Doctor's latest bizarre experiment and the paper
he was planning to write for Starfleet Medical once Voyager made it
back to the Alpha Quadrant did Paris notice that Harry had disposed of
nearly every ball.

"Geez, Harry!  Leave a few...."

"Getting in as much practice as I can, Tom.  I'm almost ready to
relieve you of a few rations."

"Harry, Harry...."

Chakotay watched, amused, as Tom stepped up to the table and surveyed
the lay of the land.  The shots remaining were difficult ones indeed.
Tom stepped before him and draped that long, lean body over the pool
table.  The sight stopped all coherent thought as blood rushed
straight down to Chakotay's groin.  The big man's heart wanted to
burst from his chest and he vaguely wondered that Paris did not turn
to him with a demand for quiet as he lined up his shot.

Tom made short work of the remaining balls, then grinned at Harry.

"Well that's it for me,"  Harry gave an exaggerated sigh.  "Think I'll
turn in."

"What!  Harry!  It's early!"  Tom protested.

"Busy day for me tomorrow.  I promised B'Elanna I'd give her a hand in
Engineering before my bridge shift so I'd better go get my beauty
sleep."

As Chakotay ducked his head to hide a smile, Tom threw Harry his best
"Traitor!" look.  When the door closed behind Kim, brown eyes, soft
with unspoken emotion, looked directly into troubled sapphire ones.

"I need to talk to you."

"I thought you might say that."  He paused for a moment.  "Let's leave
it alone, Chakotay."

There was no hostility, only determination.  Tom moved to rack the
balls again and before Chakotay realised it, he was beside him, his
hands atop Tom's stilling their movements.  For a moment, neither of
them moved and Chakotay caressed those skilled hands then dared to
press his throbbing body close to Tom's.  Large brown hands travelled
tenderly, tentatively up Tom's arms to grab him tightly just below the
shoulders.  Chakotay made the smallest sound as he exhaled and began
to nuzzle a perfect, ivory ear.

"Why should we leave it alone?"

"No fair.  If you want to talk, let's talk but stop trying to seduce
me."

"Damn.  I was hoping you wouldn't notice until it was too late."

There was a hint of a smile in Tom's voice and Chakotay found himself
smiling in response.  He turned the younger man to face him, ready to
fold him in a tight embrace again but was stopped cold by his look.
That perfect body had stiffened slightly and it took every ounce of
will Chakotay possessed to force his hands to his sides.

"Look, Chakotay, I really don't want to go into this now...."

The anger and jealousy of earlier returned, slamming into him quickly.
His voice low, Chakotay said, "I think that if you can tell Harry what
you're feeling, you can at least try to do the same for me."

Tom briefly closed his eyes and when they opened again, the fierce
stubbornness there was impossible to ignore.  Chakotay became aware,
vaguely, that the holocharacters had paused in their activities and
were watching the two of them with some interest.

Tom moved towards the bar.  "Computer, delete holocharacters,"  he
growled and helped himself to a real beer.

Paris leaned against the bar and Chakotay found that he could not move
from his spot beside the pool table.  The silence stretched before the
two as they held each other's gaze, anger and frustration crackling
between them.

"If it's any of your business, *Commander,* there's nothing to tell."

"Isn't there?" There was a shade of danger to the question.  Chakotay
felt himself teetering at the very limit of his control.  "Don't you
think there are a *few* things that need resolving between us?  Don't
you think I've got some right to know what the hell you think you're
doing?"

Panic flitted across Paris' face and Chakotay's eyes narrowed.  When
Tom turned to his beer, leaving the questions unanswered,  Chakotay's
anger dissipated.  He sighed.  Joining Tom at the bar, he grabbed a
beer for himself.  Since he did not trust himself to speak, was
uncertain he would say the right words, he waited.

"I don't know,"  Tom finally mumbled.  "I don't know exactly....  what
I'm doing....  It all seemed clear enough that night.  Everyone was
disappointed.  I knew you'd be in for a tough time."

Tom trailed off and turned those bluer than blue eyes upon the
Commander.  The tenderness Chakotay saw there left him breathless.

"Why have you changed your mind?"  he asked softly.

"I don't think I have, really.  It's just....  now I'm not so sure
this is a good idea."

"Is there someone else?" To Chakotay's shock, the question was barely
a whisper, as if he were steeling himself against an unexpected and
dreaded reply.

Surprise lit Tom's face.  As he lightly traced those high cheekbones
with his fingertips, he replied, "No, Chakotay.  There's no one else."

Tom suddenly found himself in Chakotay's arms.  The older man nuzzled
his jaw then kissed him quickly on that sometimes annoying mouth.

"I want you to explain it to me then.  A few days ago, there you were
in my bed.  I couldn't get you out of it!  Now, I can barely get you
to stay in the same room with me.  You know how I feel about you and
those feelings haven't changed.  I want you to tell me what you're
feeling.  Right now."

Chakotay released him.  Tom took a quick sip of his drink then smiled.
The smile faltered a little when the response it got was a steady
gaze. Chakotay could not decide what that smile meant and dearly hoped
it was not a sign that Tom was going to resort to that old Paris
standby -- flyboy cockiness to hide his true feelings.  But then the
smile vanished.

"How did you feel when we were first stuck out here?"

"Same as everyone else, I guess.  Upset.  But eventually, a little
excited...."

"Well, you know how I feel about the Alpha Quadrant.  But out here, it
was if my life had started again.  I couldn't believe I had another
chance to fly.  Couldn't believe I had a CO who was willing to trust
me again.  I only had one problem and I thought with time, I could
overcome that problem...."

"The crew,"  Chakotay finished softly.

Tom nodded.  "You can't believe how hard I worked to really become
part of this crew.  The hardest part was acting like I really didn't
give a damn."

Chakotay held himself absolutely still.  He felt that if he moved even
a millimetre, the spell would be broken, this sudden trust would
evaporate and Tom would fall silent.  He began to think of all the
times Tom Paris proved himself, his loyalty, his bravery, his
tenacity. Only now did he begin to understand what this journey to
becoming a respected member of Voyager's crew, with no guarantee of
success, might have cost the Lieutenant.

"I thought perhaps I'd paid my dues; thought perhaps I'd shown I have
what it takes.  Who else could have gone undercover to catch the Kazon
spy?  Who else could have gotten a shuttle through that battle with
the Kazons and brought back the Talaxians to help us?"

There was a defiant light in Tom's eyes, a look that caused every bit
of Chakotay's body to tingle.  But the Commander felt regret as well,
for he had long been one of those who needed  convincing that there
was more to this young man than first impressions would suggest.

"You not only brought the Talaxians.  You brought Voyager back to us,"
Chakotay said softly as the memory of his relief at seeing Tom again
washed over him.  Then, surprised at how difficult the words were,
Chakotay added, "I didn't always see it, but you always had it in
you."

Paris gave him a small smile.  "Well, you're not the only one who
didn't see it.  Hell.  A lot of people still don't and before you say
that that's *their* problem I know it is.  It's just that I don't
think I need to do anything right now to muddy the waters.  I may not
be Mr. Popular, but even the Maquis seem to give me a grudging
respect these days.  I worked damn hard to get this far."

Chakotay closed his eyes, as if somehow that would make all of this
easier to comprehend.  When he opened them, he sought to meet Tom's
gaze but Tom was swirling patterns on the bar with his sweating beer
glass.

"You're afraid of what the crew's reaction would be to a relationship
between us."

Tom chuckled bitterly.  "I know it's crazy, but yeah.  I'm not sure
going any further with this is a good thing for either of us."

"Do you want it?"

"More than you know!  But we don't live in a vacuum, Chakotay.  Wish
to hell we did," he mumbled after a pause.  "I can see it now, Tom
Paris, the First Officer's 'cabin boy'....."

Fighting his mirth, Chakotay replied, "Yeah, but it could easily be
Chakotay, the Senior Pilot's 'sugar daddy.'"

Just as the Commander was having second thoughts about his quip, he
saw Tom begin to shake with silent laughter.

"This is no joking matter, Chakotay,"  he chuckled and visibly relaxed
against the bar.

"I know, Poocah.  But I don't intend to give up.  I'm going to make
you change your mind."

"I can't stop you from trying, but you shouldn't get your hopes up."

"Have you definitely made up your mind about this?  Are you going to
stand there and tell me I'd be wasting my time?"

Everything stopped as Chakotay waited for Tom's answer.  What gave him
courage was the look on Tom's face, his answer so apparent there.  But
he wondered, even as he was quickly, gently kissed, if Tom could admit
the truth to himself.  He was moving away before Chakotay realised it,
retreating to a safe distance as he gave the Commander an unreadable
look.  Then, without a word, he turned and left the holodeck.

Chakotay ran a hand through his closely cropped hair.  At least Paris
had not answered yes to his questions, he consoled himself.  Then the
Commander smiled as he began to plan all the things he would do to
convince Tom to change his mind.  He was still plotting as he made his
way back to his quarters.  But when he finally climbed into his bed,
it was too large, cold and empty.

---

Surrounded by his crew mates, ostensibly enjoying Neelix's resort
program, Paris reflected on the past few days since Chakotay had all
but promised to pursue him relentlessly.  The Commander's opening
moves of the campaign had been decidedly low key; requests to lunch
together which Tom good naturedly refused:  everyone knew that
whenever possible, he and Harry Kim lunched together.  Chakotay's
requests to have dinner together were also refused, with just the
appropriate amount of regret; there was always something that needed
doing in Sickbay, the aeroponics bay or some flight sims that needed
tweaking before the Captain could preview them. Chakotay had
retreated, though Tom could tell the man's feelings had not diminished
in the slightest.  He thought he should feel relief.

As he lay on a chaise lounge, basking in the artificial sun, Paris
tried to organise his thoughts and sort out his feelings.  The relief
was definitely there but in all honesty, he had to admit to a morsel
of disappointment that Chakotay had backed off so easily.  This
realisation disturbed him even as his thoughts rushed down the path of
speculation:  if they were to establish a relationship, what would be
the worst that could happen?

He did not like the answers that immediately sprung to mind.  Not
surprisingly, his first thought was of Janeway and just imagining what
her reaction would be made him squirm uncomfortably.  The common
expectation was that she and Chakotay would eventually....  Tom left
the thought unfinished, shying away from examining too closely his
feelings about that particular scenario.  However, a small voice
whispered that if that pairing were going to happen, it would have by
now.

He didn't want to think about the Maquis and how they would react.
The Starfleet crew seemed to give the big guy their respect.  Probably
because of Janeway, Tom thought.  She had the foresight to make him
First Officer and he quickly proved that she had made the right move.
Their captain trusted him so they trusted him.  What would happen to
that trust if Tom and he pursued this thing between them?

Despite all he'd done, too many would still be willing to believe the
absolute worst of Tom Paris and though this thought left him too angry
for words, he could accept it.  What he could not accept was that
something over which he had control could jeopardise Chakotay's
position.

No.  It was a mad stunt he'd pulled, hiding out in Chakotay's bed that
night.  He didn't regret it.  He wanted desperately to repeat it.  But
it wasn't happening again, never mind what Chakotay thought.

He couldn't help wondering what the Commander would do now to try to
get him to change his mind.  Seduce him?  Throw him down and take him.
Hold him down and rain kisses over every inch of his body until he was
sobbing with the pleasure of it....

"Hi Tom."

Paris' eyes flew open to see Harry Kim smiling down at him.

"Let me guess.  Thinking about Chakotay?"

Tom turned bright red and mumbled, "Shut up, Harry."

Harry only laughed.  "Still determined that nothing's going to
happen?"

"Absolutely.  I think he might be accepting things as they are now.
He's quit asking me to have meals with him."

Harry's eyes twinkled.  "I don't know, Tom.  I figure the Commander
for a more determined guy.  He's biding his time."

"Maybe.  But I think he'll finally see that I'm right."

Harry pulled up a nearby lounge, made himself comfortable and, with a
small sigh, turned his face to the sun.  They sat in companionable
silence, Paris' preoccupation hanging between them like a familiar
spirit.

"You never did tell me how it all began,"  Harry presently murmured.

"Does it matter now?"  Tom sighed.

"Good question.  Maybe it doesn't but I'd still like to know."

Tom  was silent for so long that Harry began to think that his friend
would not reply.

"I wanted to screw him and screw him good the second I laid eyes on
him.  But he looked at me with such distrust when he gave me that
bucket of bolts to fly.....  I had to do a serious reality check on
myself.  This guy didn't trust me as far as he could throw me and the
dislike radiating from him was like being near a faulty plasma
conduit."  Tom chuckled softly.  "You know the rest of that part of
the story..."

"Except for one thing.  Why did you agree to help the Captain?"

"Didn't expect to get anywhere *close* to him!  The Maquis know the
Badlands better than *anyone* in Starfleet!  I was around them for so
little time.  I figured there was no way I could really be a threat.
And it was a chance to get out of prison for awhile, back into
space....  Gods.  When he nearly died in that damn cave..."

"Shit."

"Yeah.  Exactly.  Knew he'd be just *thrilled* to see me so I acted as
if I were doing him this big favour.  When I got him out of there, it
was all I could do to stop myself pinning him down on that sand and
taking him right there.  Harry, why are we talking about this?"

"Because I asked.  Sorry Tom."  After a small pause, Harry commented,
"Must have been the shock of your life to realise his feelings for
you...."

"You can't imagine,"  Tom interrupted.  "After all this time.  When
I've decided it's probably the worst thing we could do right now."

Not exactly certain what to say next, Harry rose and went off without
a word.  He returned with two drinks and handed one to Paris who took
it silently, his thanks obvious in his eyes.  As Harry sipped his
drink, whatever thoughts he had he kept to himself and unobtrusively
watched his friend.  That Paris mask was in place again as Tom lay
there enjoying the sun, his drink and Harry's company.

When Harry decided he'd had enough sun, he turned to Tom and asked,
"Dinner?"

"Not tonight, Harry.  Think I'll just replicate some soup."

Harry bit his lip.  He hadn't intended to stir powerful memories,
hadn't intended to cause Tom pain.  He smiled wanly at his friend.

"No problem.  If you're up for something later, comm me."

After slapping Tom playfully on a bare thigh, Harry sauntered off.
Tom lay there a few minutes more decidedly thinking as little as
possible before gathering himself for the trek back to his quarters.

At the door to his quarters, Tom keyed in his access code and stumbled
inside.  He carelessly threw his towel into a corner.  As he looked
up, the sight that greeted him drained the colour from his face.

Standing on his table was a tall vase overflowing with roses.  The
roses were so deeply red, Tom could only think of blood as it rushed
from his heart, newly oxygenated.  In a state of disbelief, he
approached them.  He wasn't even aware that he was holding his breath
until his body demanded air.  He became aware slowly of a delicious
smell permeating his quarters and nearly jumped out of his skin when
he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Thought you'd never get here."

"How'd the hell...."  Tom trailed off and he grinned stupidly.

"Well, Lieutenant, since I couldn't get you to dinner, I decided to
bring dinner to you.  Come taste this and tell me what you think.  I
bugged Neelix  until he let me have a few vegetables from our last
supplies gathering mission....  Just a little fresh stuff with the
replicated stuff...."

"Chakotay...."

"Com'on.  Taste this."

Suppressing a sigh, Tom approached the spoon held in his direction and
took a taste.

"Excellent," he managed, licking perfect lips and beaming at Chakotay.

"Good.  Sit.  You arrived just in time."

"Chakotay....."

"Don't tell me you aren't hungry."

Tom chuckled.  "You know that's not what I'm going to say.  Look, this
is.... great.  It really is.  But I don't think it's a good idea...."

Chakotay did not pause as he laid dishes under the roses onto Tom's
coffee table.  Paris threw up his hands in frustration.

"Stop.  We're not doing this."

Chakotay straightened, a dish in each hand.  Just as well, Tom
swallowed and thought, for if those hands were free....  But Chakotay
was already speaking.

"I want to feed you, not fuck you."

"Promise?"

"Promise.  Now will you relax?"

"Gonna let me change?"

"Well, I kinda like what you're wearing...."

"Hey.  You promised."

"Okay then.  Change.  Quickly.  This stuff is ready now."

Why, Tom asked himself as he quickly showered and changed, is my heart
beating so quickly?  Why this tingle in every part of my body?  Why am
I behaving like some love-sick adolescent?  Why the hell haven't I
kicked him out of my quarters!?  But dressed in comfortable clothes,
he joined  Chakotay at the table.  The roses had been moved to a side
table and Chakotay had already taken his place.  He gave Tom a warm
smile and Paris' hesitation began to melt.

They tucked  into dinner without speaking, the Commander watching the
Lieutenant with a small smile.  Tom cleaned his plate with an
enthusiasm that left no doubt that he was enjoying the meal.  Chakotay
made certain the wine glasses were never empty and small talk about
the food was exchanged.

"I like to cook too," the young man said, "but I see you have a few
things to teach me.  Neelix should watch out.  You could take over his
job if the Captain decided to bust you from First Officer."

"Thanks.  I'll remember that.  Then you could squeeze in being sous
chef when you weren't at the helm or in Sickbay."

Tom laughed.  "We could write a holoprogram, 'Chez Chakotay' the
finest haute cuisine."

"Not my style, Poocah.  It would have to be more along the lines of
'Chakotay's homestyle cooking.'"

"Well, Chef, what's for dessert?"

Deep dish apple pie appeared and Chakotay chuckled when Tom's eyes
widened with delight.

"Perfect," was his only comment as he helped himself to a generous
piece.

Tom leisurely ate his pie and commented on the morning briefing.  The
engineering report had interested him greatly; that and the Captain's
desire to allow junior crewmembers more bridge duty time.  Chakotay
was startled to find that he was only half listening as he watched
Paris make short work of his dessert and then, unthinking, run his
tongue across his fork.  When he saw the Commander sitting still as
stone, Tom abruptly stopped talking.

Chakotay flushed and got to his feet.

"Better clear up.  Care for some coffee?"

"Not just yet.  I'll help you clear up and then we can finish the
wine."

Tom picked up his narrative as he helped Chakotay and distracted by
the task at hand, Chakotay was able to keep his unruly body under
control.  He had promised, after all, that he was only interested in
feeding the Lieutenant this evening -- a promise that was getting more
difficult to keep.  They sat on the sofa and talked shop.  Paris was a
little flushed with wine, completely relaxed, his head thrown back,
exposing his throat.  Chakotay swallowed.

"Music, Cha?"

"No.  Better go.  I've got a busy day tomorrow."  It was said with a
calm he did not feel.  Every bit of him wanted music, dancing,
romance. "Can we do this again sometime?"

Neither was breathing and though Tom's face did not change in the
slightest, the rise in tension was tangible.

"Only if you let me cook for you."

"Deal."

"And the same rules apply," Tom said with a smile.

"For now."

"Don't know when to quit, do you!?"

"No.  And that's why you like me.  Good night, Tom."

Eyes sparkling, the picture of contentment, he waved good bye to
Chakotay, giving a little sigh as the doors swished closed again.

---

Chakotay was early for breakfast.  He went through the mess hall doors
without a pause and unobtrusively scanned the room.  He was relieved
to see only Harry Kim at the table the Ensign often shared with Tom.
Making no attempt to hide neither his intentions nor what he held, the
Commander approached the Ensign.  Without a word, he placed the rose
on the table before the spot he knew Tom preferred and winked at
Harry.  Harry only grinned back.

When Tom arrived that morning, Chakotay was finishing the last of his
small breakfast and nursing what remained of his coffee, hoping that
Tom's reaction to his present would be favourable.  He watched Tom nod
to Harry then move to select his breakfast.  He watched as Tom joked
with Neelix then turned towards his table.  His eyes fell on the rose.
Tom placed his tray on the table, exchanged a few words with Harry,
then turned, seeking out Chakotay.  Here we go, the Commander thought
as he raised his coffee cup to his lips, his eyes never leaving Tom.

When they locked gazes, the heat transmitted set every nerve in
Chakotay's body ablaze and his cock was suddenly pushing dangerously
against his uniform.  Tom's smile grew slowly as if he were aware of
the effect he was having on the older man.  But Paris' treacherous
body began to betray him as Chakotay's gaze travelled possessively
over the lieutenant's body.  Enjoying every millimetre of him, a look
of longing swept up the long legs and Chakotay remembered the feel of
the fine blond hairs that covered those legs; the flat, muscular
abdomen; Tom's chest sprinkled with red-gold down.  He wanted to rub
his face there, in the centre of that chest, seek out tender nipples
and suckle him until he was writhing uncontrollably and begging for
more.  Tom's little smile of triumph was fading, being rapidly
replaced with a much more urgent look.  Chakotay's gaze fell upon that
one spot and he nearly whimpered at the sight of Paris' obvious
arousal.

Flushed, looking good enough to eat, Tom reluctantly turned away from
the Commander.

Oh yes, Chakotay thought, definitely a favourable reaction.

When the First Officer arrived on the bridge, Captain Janeway gave him
a long, appraising look.  Chakotay, in return, gave her only a hint of
a smile and took his seat.  Nothing stayed private on a ship this size
for long but if the Captain already knew about the breakfast rose, the
speed with which this particular news had spread would surely be a
record for the rumour mill.  He wasn't completely certain how he felt
about that, though he had no intentions of keeping his courting of Tom
secret.  Secrecy would do nothing to rid Tom of his doubts.  Also,
Chakotay had to admit, a part of him  *wanted* everyone to know that
Tom Paris was worth having and worth loving; that not only did he want
him but that he wanted also to belong to him.

Tom and Harry finally arrived, just in time for their shift.  Tom
glanced at Chakotay only briefly and the two exchanged small smiles.
Janeway began to look smug, Chakotay noted as he returned to his work.
So perhaps the rumours had already started.  So be it, he thought and,
though still perplexed as to how to best make use of Tom's weakened
resistance, began to plot his next step in this dance of courtship.

At the end of  alpha shift, as if by silent agreement, Chakotay and
Tom found themselves sharing the turbolift alone.  He wasn't really
sure how Tom managed it, but Harry Kim had not waited for him.  As far
as the Commander could tell, there hadn't even been secret signals
between the two.  Not that any sort of signal would be necessary after
the scene that morning in the messhall.  During his break, B'Elanna
had cornered him demanding to know if the danger of spontaneous
combustion that morning had been exaggerated.  Stepping onto the
turbolift now he couldn't control a chuckle as he remembered her face
when he refused to respond to her prying.

"Are you busy tonight?"  he softly asked Tom.

"No," he replied and ran his hand through his hair.

Tom's action, instead of smoothing his hair, rumpled it even more and
suddenly, that smile, the Commander's favourite, lit Paris' face.
Chakotay began to think about breakfast and the look that passed
between them.

"If you've got time, there's something I want you to see."

The lift doors opened and he started off towards the holodecks, Paris
close beside him.  He instructed the computer which program to run and
they stepped through the opening doors.

"Computer, engage privacy lock," the Commander instructed.

Tom couldn't help but admire the view as Chakotay started off.  He
smiled, refusing to think too deeply about where he was and what he
was doing.  Tearing his eyes away from Chakotay's rear, he began to
inspect his surroundings.  They walked through woodland.  Old pines,
with young hard wood trees scattered amongst them, reached into the
darkening sky. There was silence, not even the song of insects and
judging from the light, it was dusk.  They moved through the grove of
trees without a word and Tom became aware of the fact that the soft
light was gradually fading.  Just as he began to wonder if this was
some crazy idea Chakotay had or some fetish about complete darkness he
hadn't noticed before, they stepped through the trees onto a wide
grassy bank.  Spread before them, disappearing over the horizon, was a
peaceful lake.  As Tom watched, the top of a large yellow moon
appeared, seemingly much closer to this artificial world than the moon
was to earth.  Tom slowly exhaled and squatted down, watching the
black and silver water ripple silently in the moonlight.

Chakotay spread blankets.  Paris looked up, smiled softly at him and
Chakotay suddenly could not move, could not think, for in the moon's
glow Tom Paris was angelic, completely otherworldly beautiful.  Tom
took the large hand and pulled Chakotay down beside him.  He caressed
that hand as he watched the water, a calm he seldom experienced
settling upon him.

"When did you write this?"  he whispered.

"I began it when we were first trapped out here.  I wanted to create
my own place here in the Delta Quadrant --  and it gave me something
to focus on that didn't involve being First Officer."

"Chakotay, it's beautiful."

"It's also unfinished."

A soft "Ummm" was Tom's reply and, as if he could read the
Lieutenant's mind, Chakotay said, "No one's ever seen it."

Tom turned to him.  "If you want, I'll help you finish it."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

As Chakotay pushed him down onto the blanket and straddled him, Tom's
brain began to shut down.  He looked skyward just before his eyes
closed as Chakotay began to rub his erection against the cock coming
to life beneath him.  He pressed his mouth against Tom's neck on the
spot beneath his ear, tugging the turtle neck aside and sucking hard.

Tom puffed,  "I'm surprised you didn't put stars in the sky yet."

"That's what I need you for."

"You say the *nicest* things, Big Man,"  Tom laughed.

Strong hands travelled over Paris' body then began removing the
uniform slowly, as if unwrapping a precious gift, gently licking and
sucking each bit of flesh as it was exposed.  With Tom finally naked,
Chakotay returned to his mouth, bestowing wet, languid kisses that
stole Tom's breath.  Paris began to moan and move with greater urgency
and Chakotay made his way to an ear caressing it slowly, thoroughly
with his tongue. He could not suppress the triumphant smile as Paris
arched upward with a tiny sound and started fumbling with the
Commander's uniform.

The time it took to hastily remove that uniform seemed an eternity.
Not a moment too soon, skin met skin and the two moved rhythmically
against each other, their kissing unhurried.  Chakotay pressed into
the man beneath him, pinned  Tom's wrists firmly, then gave him a
quick smile before fastening onto a nipple, alternating between gentle
nips and long, teasing licks.  Back and forth between each he went
until he could feel Tom pushing continuously against his hands,
desperate for more.

Down Tom's arms went Chakotay's hands, caressing, stroking, across the
ribcage, out again and down to slender hips.  Tom's erection stretched
towards his navel and when Chakotay bent to taste the pearly drops
waiting to fall from its perfect crown, Tom spread his legs wide.

He gasped and thrust towards the mouth that teased him now, the tongue
that swirled around his tip, dipped into his slit, ran down his length
to play in the straight blond hairs waiting there.  Chakotay's grasp
on Tom's hips tightened slightly as he made his way back to the tip of
that lovely cock and without a pause, took it fully into his mouth.

He was lost in that wetness sucking him expertly.  Long fingers
entwined in dark hair as Chakotay continued the sweet torture, holding
his beloved captive firmly until Tom thought he might very well expire
from the perfection of it all.  Chakotay fondled the tightening
scrotum and felt the pulsing of the cock against his tongue.  A scream
that began in his very centre rushed through Tom and along with his
seed, was torn from him.

"Love you, love you," Tom muttered as Chakotay wrapped his arms around
him and pushed his straining erection against Tom's hip.

They lay there wordlessly, Tom limp and sated in Chakotay's arms.  The
big man could feel him humming as he basked in the afterglow of
intense orgasm.  Presently, he turned to Chakotay and kissed him,
running his hands over the smooth bronze chest.  A long leg snared
Chakotay's and he knew what would happen next, wanted it with every
fibre of his being.  Tom rolled and pressed the Commander into the
blanket.

"Your turn, Cha,"  he whispered, then licked at those full lips,
teased the dimple in Chakotay's chin with the tip of his tongue before
finally attacking that luscious mouth in earnest.

The wiry strength of the man dimly surprised him but coherent thought
was receding as Tom rubbed against him, seeking out every erogenous
zone and sighing with approval at Chakotay's every reaction.  It felt
as if he had been hard forever as Tom kissed his way down his chest to
nuzzle the inside of a thigh.  Chakotay squirmed and tried to bring
that mouth closer to where he desperately wanted it.

Tom fastened onto the inside of the other thigh and sucked hard, then
gently licked the bruise forming there.  Chakotay began to murmur:
Tom grunted, gently spreading moisture around the big man's scrotum.
His hot tongue travelled up the Commander's cock, swirled around its
head before engulfing him completely.  Chakotay groaned his
satisfaction as he thrust with abandon, losing himself in the feel of
the mouth surrounding him.  A tingle started in his toes, rocketed
through his body and he exploded into Tom's mouth.  With every drop
swallowed, murmuring sweet nothings, Tom kissed the hips still moving
beneath him, kissed Chakotay's navel then moved to curl up in his
arms.  When they kissed, the taste of each other fuelled their passion
and the kiss deepened, lengthened until Chakotay threw back his head,
gasping to fill his lungs.

Tom's arms tightened around him.  Neither spoke.

---

He awoke with a start.  Only the thought of irate ship mates had
driven them from Chakotay's place of magic.  Magic seemed one way to
explain this spell he was under, a tremendous power that had drawn him
to Chakotay's bed last night; waning now in the clarity of ship's
morning as Tom watched the man sleeping beside him.

-What the hell am I doing?  Getting all hot and bothered again,
watching Chakotay sleep.  Look at him lying there, so completely
untroubled.  Shit.  What the hell have I done?-

Tom's very first thought was to dress quickly and leave; skip
breakfast, not deal with anyone or anything until he had to report for
duty.  But lying there, he felt Chakotay's heat and was conscious of a
feeling very close to panic growing inside him as each second passed.
This was not suppose to have happened, he sternly admonished himself.
But he could not resist tracing that tattoo, running a finger down
that straight nose.  Memories of last night engulfed him and suddenly,
more than anything, he wanted those strong arms around him.

Chakotay opened his eyes.

"Good morning, Poocah."

Then, he reached for Tom's morning erection.

Tom arched into Chakotay's hand with a small incoherent sound.  Even
as he grabbed the broad shoulders, desperate to feel every inch of
him, Tom murmured, "We... don't .... have time....."

"Plenty of time."

"I don't think...."

"Good.  Don't," Chakotay chuckled, pleased at the opportunity to turn
the tables on the Lieutenant.

Chakotay sighed and kissed him, pushing inside his mouth, seeking,
finding, entwining with his tongue.  His hand sped up and Tom began to
buck in earnest.

"Janeway to Chakotay."

Both men froze, the only sound their laboured breathing.

"Janeway to Chakotay."

There was definitely a note of annoyance at having to repeat the hail.

"Chakotay here."

"Commander, I need you in my ready room before you start your
shift...."

"I'll be there in ten minutes, Captain."

Salvation from unlikely quarters, Paris thought as Chakotay kissed him
tenderly, ran his hands possessively over the young man's hot and
yielding body.

"I'm going to finish what I started tonight," he murmured against
Tom's neck.

Washed and dressed in no time, Chakotay gave him a soft smile and
hurried off.  Tom lay there for a few minutes more getting his body
under control and battling the realisation that he was already wishing
this day finished, the evening upon them and Chakotay beneath him,
naked and screaming his name.

No more pretence, Tom thought later as he rode the lift to breakfast.
He licked suddenly dry lips, uncertain as to how things were going to
proceed but proceed they would.  That damn holodeck program.  If he
hadn't gone there.....  He wouldn't be feeling so damn happy now.

Take your own advice, Paris and don't think, he laughed softly,  just
enjoy for now.

The lift halted and Dalby sauntered on.  He gave Tom a cold look.  Tom
looked at him with indifference.

When the turbolift began to move, Dalby, eyes straight ahead,
inquired, "So is it true?"

Something twisted inside Tom but, keeping any hint of emotion off his
face, he asked, "Is what true?"

"You and Chakotay.  Are you two an item now?"

Gods.  Already.  No lull before the inevitable storm, we just get
right to it.....

But before Tom could answer, Dalby said, "I just want to tell you one
thing, Paris.  Break his heart and I'll rip yours out."

Tom nodded sagely.  "I see.  Speaking for yourself or all the Maquis?"

"Mostly myself but I think I could get help.  Not that I'd need it."
Then Dalby smiled.  "Personally, I don't think you're the arrogant
'Fleet brat, double-crossing shit you were when all this started.  I'm
willing to give you a chance....."

"Mighty big of you,"  Tom dryly remarked.

Dalby's smile grew.  "Yeah, isn't it.  Just remember my promise."

The lift halted and the doors opened.  Dalby exited without a
backwards look and Tom headed to the messhall, trying to wrap his mind
around this latest turn of events.  As he went through the messhall
doors, he realised he had no time for a leisurely breakfast.
Fortunately Neelix had prepared something that looked like toast and
the coffee was always plentiful.  Tom had just made himself
comfortable at his usual table, noting the absence of both Harry and
his breakfast rose, when a tray plopped down beside him.

"So what's the story with you and Chakotay?"

"Gods, B'Elanna!  You're only the second person I've seen so far this
morning and guess what?!  You're the second person to ask me that
question!  Good morning to you too!"

Tom bit his toast and sipped some coffee.

"Okay, Paris.  Be that way.  But let me tell you.  The odds are not in
favour of you and Chakotay staying together...."

"There's a damn *book* already?"

B'Elanna shrugged.  "Isn't this better than having the Maquis out to
do you serious damage?"

"Yeah.  I wondered about that.  Ran into Dalby.  Down right pleasant
as far as encounters with him go...."

"That should tell you something."

"Well, aside from the fact that I feel like my private business is
everyone else's business...."

B'Elanna laughed and Tom suddenly had the feeling that she saw through
his nonchalance.

"Wish I could stay and get all the gossip," Tom continued, "but I
gotta get to the bridge."

"Well, be prepared for the assault.  Don't even try pretending that
there's nothing going on.  Chakotay begged, borrowed and stole extra
holodeck time for last night and after that scene at breakfast
yesterday, it wasn't too difficult for a lot of people to put it all
together."

Tom slowly shook his head.  Set up.  And set up extremely well.  He
laughed and B'Elanna looked at him curiously.  Tom did not share the
joke.

"Well, they can ask all they want," he said, flashing her that angel's
smile.

Then, he hurried to the bridge.

---

Captain Janeway gave her First Officer an appraising look as he sat
next to her on the sofa beneath the viewport.  Ship's business had
been discussed and there were a few minutes before they were due on
the bridge.  If Chakotay noticed some nervousness from his Captain, he
did not remark upon it.  Janeway began to wonder if he was enjoying
seeing her squirm.

"A quick cup of coffee, Commander?"

Chakotay nodded and hid his smile.

"Any interesting gossip going around?"

She hid the bluntness of the query by taking a sip of her coffee.

"Nothing you probably haven't heard, " Chakotay replied.  "You always
seem to know all the news before I do.  Heard anything interesting
lately?"

He wasn't going to make this easy, she realised.  She looked at him
sharply and was unsurprised to see barely disguised humour in his
eyes.

"Oh come on, Chakotay.  You know what the recent scuttlebutt is about!
What's going on between you and Tom Paris?"

Everything.  Nothing.  A situation better than it had been, the
Commander thought, but still so uncomfortably undefined.  He looked at
Janeway.

"That's a little difficult to answer, Captain."

Janeway leaned forward, a tiny frown of concern encouraging him to
continue.

"I'm pretty certain we're...."

She watched, amused and just a little amazed as Chakotay flushed as he
searched for a way to explain the situation to her.

"When did all this happen?"

"Well, it was all kind of gradual.  I came to realise that I wasn't
seeing him with the same hostility, wasn't reacting to him with anger
and mistrust.  I've known for awhile that my feelings for him have
turned around completely.  Funny thing is, if you ask me what one
event changed my mind, I don't think I could tell you."

"And Tom?"

"How much time do you have, Captain?"  Chakotay joked.  The humour
vanished and he continued, "I know he feels the same.  But he's
hesitant.  He's concerned about what the crew's reaction might be."

Janeway pursed her lips and turned slightly to watch the stars drift
by the viewport.

"What do you think of that?"

"I understand it.  I don't agree with his assessment of things but I
understand how he arrived at this conclusion."

"He might be right, Chakotay."

Chakotay blinked.  His surprise was not lost on Janeway who quickly
held up her hands.

"You know I try not to get involved with the personal lives of my
crew. But Tom might have just cause to worry given his history with
both the Maquis and Starfleet...."

"Most of which I think is behind him now."  Chakotay's voice was soft
and urgent.  "Even he has acknowledged a change in everyone's attitude
towards him."

He paused and she made no comment as she watched him marshal his
thoughts.

"I know he's worried about things and I intend to let him call the
shots.  But I think all of this is not as big a deal as he thinks."

"Let him call the shots, hmm?  What happens if he decides to keep you
at arms length indefinitely?"

"That won't happen.  I can be very persuasive."

For a moment, the Captain had a far away look in her eyes.  He could
guess where her thoughts lay, but did not expect her to express them.
His own turned in a similar direction; the two of them, an intimate
relationship that might have been.  But it would have been doomed from
the start.  What he believed he felt for Kathryn, in comparison with
what he knew he felt for Tom, was like the teasing warmth of spring
versus the intense, sultry heat of high summer.

She turned to him, Captain Janeway once again and declared, "We'd
better get to the bridge, Commander."

All was in order as the Captain and the First Officer arrived on the
bridge.  Paris glanced up quickly, gave Chakotay a smile and the
Commander's heart beat double time.  He returned the smile, reflecting
that this was a good sign and while most of his brain was engaged in
the work scheduled for that morning, a tiny portion was reserved for
contemplation of the blond seated before him and how that body would
feel under him later that evening.

---

The End