The BLTS Archive - You Gotta Have Friends
fourth in the Simon & Garfunkel series
by Yvette (yvette@ecn.net.au)

---

Introduction: Thanks again to Malissa for her preposition  alert,
amongst other things. This story is dedicated to Sandy, whose very
nice e-mail inspired me to get off my backside and finish writing
this story!

---
~And I am all alone.~
---

"Commander Tuvok, please report to Transporter Room Two."

"Acknowledged." Another meditation session interrupted.  Tuvok
uncurled his long frame and rose from the floor, sighing to himself.
He had been expecting the summons, but had hoped for an hour or two of
meditation before going down to the planet. Harry Kim would almost
certainly be in the away team and Tuvok really needed some time to
compose himself before spending a couple of days on the planet with
Harry.

The Vulcan picked up his away-team gear and made his  way to
Transporter Room Two. The mission was hardly  likely to be a difficult
one, given the particular nature of this planet. Scans had shown no
life forms, but it was rich with an abundance of flora, and should
prove an excellent site for  some much needed shore leave. After the
recent run-ins with the Vidiians, the crew of Voyager were due some
rest and relaxation.

When Tuvok entered the Transporter Room, he was unsurprised to see
Harry Kim already there. The Ensign  saw Tuvok enter, blushed slightly
and looked away, busying himself with the contents of his kit. The
other crew members were checking their own gear and appeared to have
missed the subtle interaction between Tuvok and Harry Kim, but the
Vulcan had no doubt that once they left for the planet, rumours of
what had transpired between them in the transporter room would do the
rounds of the ship's gossips in no time at all.

It was less than a fortnight since Harry had ended his relationship
with Tuvok, and the ship had yet to come across anything else
interesting enough to take their attention away  from this most
unusual couple. During their relationship, many of the crew had
speculated as to the cause of the attraction between two such
different crew members, and their recent and obvious break-up had lead
to all sorts of rumours onboard Voyager. Tuvok ignored the blush, and
the glances from the other crew members, simply taking his place on
the transporter pad. Harry hurried to follow, as did the crew
members, and when they were all ready, Tuvok gave the order.

"Energize."

---

When they materialised on the planet it was clear to see why the
Captain and Chakotay had named it "New Earth". Even a Vulcan could see
that it truly was a beautiful planet. Tuvok wasted no time in admiring
it, though.

"Crewmen Dolson, Sihk and Larsen - you will accompany Ensign Kim due
south. I will take Crewmen Peterson and McLean due east. You are to
record as much information as you can about the planet, paying
particular attention to possible food supplies and mineral deposits
that can be utilised. We will meet back at this point in exactly six
hours. Is that clear?"

It was Harry who answered, naturally.

"Yes, Lieutenant."

Tuvok didn't wait to watch them follow his orders, simply shouldering
his pack and setting off. Peterson and McLean hurriedly followed him
and within minutes the other team were out of earshot.

For the following six hours, Tuvok attempted to immerse  himself in
his work, but it was a difficult task. Gathering tricorder readings
was hardly labor that occupied the mind, particularly on a planet as
seemingly benign as this one. Tuvok maintained a continual state of
alertness, but there was a significant portion of his brain that could
not help considering his current situation.

When Harry had broken up with him, Tuvok had returned to his previous
rituals of intense meditation. He ignored the social events onboard
Voyager unless ordered to attend by the Captain, instead preferring to
spend the time alone in his cabin. The meditation was, at times, very
necessary. It was difficult to hear about Harry's new flirtation with
a crewman from Engineering, still more difficult to return to a life
almost completely devoid of interaction with Harry. Harry had yet to
overcome his embarrassment at the turn their relationship had taken,
and if Tuvok were not Vulcan, he would surely long for the day when
Harry could look him straight in the eye once again, and chat to him
with the same open friendliness that he once used to.

The Bridge crew seemed to share the same feeling of embarrassment that
Harry did. Tuvok was at a loss to understand why, as his relationship
with Harry was surely no concern of theirs - but it was impossible to
ignore the Captain's concern. Chakotay had broached the subject just
the one time, but Tuvok had made it clear that he did not wish to
discuss the matter. He behaved exactly as he had  behaved every day
since boarding Voyager - why couldn't the rest of the bridge crew
follow his example?

As Tuvok took yet another reading of yet another variety of berries,
he was conscious of a desire to return to the days before his affair
with Harry. There was no denying that the sex had been an incredible
experience and his Vulcan mind had no difficulty in recalling every
blissful second of the five weeks with Harry. But from the first day
they had begun sleeping together, their friendship had ceased to
exist. There were no more games of Kal-toh, no more friendly debates.
If Harry needed advice he was apparently getting it elsewhere, because
the formerly friendly young Ensign avoided Tuvok like the plague.

When Harry returned to the beam-down site fourteen minutes past the
six hour limit Tuvok had set, the Vulcan forbore to mention it.
Instead, he gave orders for the crew to begin setting up camp for the
night, and began unpacking his own kit. In the normal course of
events, Harry would have been reprimanded for his tardiness, but Tuvok
was all too aware of Harry's propensity for blushing whenever Tuvok
spoke directly to him, and, not wishing to be the topic of
conversation for the rest of the away team, he resolved to avoid any
such situations. His resolve was put aside only minutes later,
however, as one of the crewmen yelled out.

"Ensign Kim - watch out!"

Tuvok was farther away than both McLean and Dolson, but he reached
Harry the quickest, catching the Ensign as he toppled to the ground.
The buzzing insects that had appeared from nowhere were still flying
around Harry's now unconscious form and Tuvok brushed them away
impatiently.

"Stay back! Voyager, emergency transport. Two to.." there was a sharp
pain in his neck as one of the  insects stung him, and then it was
Tuvok who was sinking into an inky blackness as he, too, toppled to
the ground.

---

The temporary shelter was almost finished and it looked no bigger now
than it had when Tuvok and Harry had started  building it. They had
worked in complete silence thus far, Tuvok concentrating on unpacking
the emergency kits beamed down from Voyager. Harry had assisted for a
while, before going inside the tiny shelter to unpack his personal
items.

They had been in stasis for 18 days as the Doctor worked on finding a
cure for the virus they had been infected with. Fortunately, none of
the other away-team members had been stung, and the Doctor confirmed
that there was no lasting ill-effects from the insect sting. Unless
Tuvok and Harry left the planet. The regret in the Captain's voice was
apparent as she spoke to the two of them for the last time, before
Voyager broke orbit and left the two men alone.

The shelter was small. In all, about half the size of a single
quarters onboard Voyager, and with far less privacy. One main room
with a basic portable replicator, two sleeping alcoves, sanitary
facilities, a sonic shower. No running water, of course. They would
have to rig up some system to get fresh water from the nearby creek or
else lug it in  buckets every time they wanted to shower.

When Tuvok had finished unpacking and setting up every piece of
equipment from Voyager, he too went inside the shelter and unpacked
his personal items. There wasn't much more to do. As he made the bed
in his sleeping alcove, he heard Harry sigh for the fourth time, and
ignored  it, as he had ignored the others. Harry was clearly depressed
about their new situation, so far away from his friends onboard
Voyager. There was nothing Tuvok could do or say to make the Ensign
feel any better about his  situation, so he would say nothing.

What he wanted more than anything at this moment was several hours of
uninterrupted meditation, where he could sort out his thoughts. At
this moment, Tuvok had great difficulty comprehending how he could
possibly continue to spend all of his time in such close proximity to
Harry Kim. This was like one of those incredible trials of Vulcan
control that every young man went through as a test of their
abilities. Only this one was much, much worse than anything his Vulcan
mentors could ever have tested him with.

---

The first day crept by at snail's pace. There was a lot to do to adapt
their shelter to fit in with their surroundings, but each moment of
working on it only served to remind Tuvok of how alone he and Harry
were. Voyager was light years away by now, and it was clear that
Harry was missing his friends.

For the first few hours Harry performed his duties with an almost
painful dedication. His efforts to appear cheerful only emphasised the
difference in his behaviour. Tuvok considered his options, and came to
the conclusion that there wasn't much he could do but wait it out.
Eventually, Harry would say *something*, and perhaps then Tuvok would
have some idea of what to do.

The outburst came the very first night on the planet. The two men had
only just finished eating their evening meal, and were tidying up. It
was clearly Harry's intention to disappear into his sleeping alcove
after the evening meal, but Tuvok had spent an entire day being
ignored by Harry, and he was determined to get the young Ensign
talking. And when Harry sighed audibly one more time, Tuvok spoke up.

"What is the problem, Ensign?"

Harry looked surprised at Tuvok's bluntness.

"Problem? There's no problem, Tuvok. I'm going to go..."

Tuvok interrupted uncharacteristically.

"Ensign - it is obvious from your behaviour that something is wrong.
Please remain until we have concluded this discussion." Tuvok was
annoyed, and it showed in his tone.

Harry hesitated for a moment, looking indecisive. At Tuvok's raised
eyebrow and stern look, however, he sighed noisily and spoke.

"I miss having someone to talk to."

How typical. For all that he desperately loved this man, Tuvok was not
blind to Harry's faults. At times he could be incredibly self-centred.

"I received the impression that you were not in the mood for
conversation, Mr. Kim."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"That's exactly my point, Tuvok. We're the only two people on this
planet and you can't even bring yourself to call me Harry! I *miss*
being called Harry." He didn't mention few times Tuvok *had* called
him Harry - mainly when the  Vulcan was gasping for pleasure during
sex.

The slight frown on Tuvok's face showed his incomprehension of the
importance of this point, but he was in a conciliatory mood. "Very
well." There was a slight pause. "Harry." Tuvok waited for an
instantaneous improvement in Harry's mood.

Harry chuckled softly.

"Thank you, Tuvok. I appreciate it." There was humour in the reply,
but the underlying resignation was obvious. Tuvok was at a loss to
know what to say to improve the situation.

The silence reigned for several long moments. Tuvok watched the
fleeting expressions chase themselves over Harry's expressive
features, having no trouble at all deciphering his thought processes.
A few more seconds, and Harry would begin to realise how much of an
effort Tuvok was making with him, and how self-absorbed he had been.

Several long seconds passed and then Harry looked up at Tuvok and
blushed instantly.

"God, Tuvok - I'm sorry. I've been really rude, haven't I? ?I mean -
you must miss the ship too, and I've been wallowing since we got
here." The earnest expression on Harry's face gave no doubt to the
sincerity of his apology. Harry was nothing if not predictable.

"You have been indulging in a typically human emotional reaction to
our situation. However, one cannot expect mature behaviour from a
crewmember with your inexperience. I trust you have indulged yourself
enough."

Harry went even redder.

"Yeah. I mean, yes, I have, and I'm sorry." Here the Ensign took a
deep breath, as though preparing himself for the effort of
socialising. "So. How about a game of Kal-toh tonight?"

Tuvok nodded in reply.

"Very well."

The two men played on long into the night, Harry rallying
surprisingly to almost win the game they had begun more than two
months ago. He immediately challenged Tuvok to a re-match, and came
very close to winning that one as well. It was after midnight when the
two men retired for the night, and for the first time since they'd
ended their relationship, Tuvok felt confident that they could regain
the friendship he  had missed so much. It was a start, anyway.

---

The days turned into weeks without any major problems. They had worked
out a routine to fill their days and managed to keep quite busy. Tuvok
catalogued the plant and animal growth on the planet and grew a wide
variety of vegetables. He had built a wood oven and tended to the
majority of cooking. Replicated food was all right, but both men knew
that the replicator wouldn't last forever, and was irreplaceable.
Harry couldn't cook to save his life, and he seemed pleasantly
surprised with most of the vegetarian meals Tuvok came up with.

Harry spent his days searching for a cure for the virus they both had.
He worked on other projects as well, though - taking time out to work
on a way to convert the minerals they found on the planet to a fuel
source for the oven, and a heater for the outdoor shower. Both men
kept up an exhausting physical routine, for a number of reasons. They
had limited medical resources, so neither could afford to get sick.
Also, it was a way to pass the time. For all the ways they found to
pass the hours in the day, there were still more hours at night to
fill.

Somehow, though, time began to pass very quickly. Harry had never
lacked confidence in his dealings with Tuvok - and the two men could
argue quite heatedly for hours on matters of logic, religion, politics
and morality. The only subject they avoided was sex.

Voyager had copied and downloaded gigaquads of data to the computers
they left with Tuvok and Harry, and both men had virtually unlimited
resources with regard to time and lack of restrictions on furthering
their studies. Harry possessed an insatiable curiosity that had never
been quenched during his time at the Academy.

Tuvok had more than twenty years of experience training at Starfleet
Academy, plus a decade teaching at the Vulcan Science Academy and, of
course, his real life experiences as an officer in Starfleet. He was
an able and willing teacher, and Harry loved having the attention of
someone who could answer his questions. The two argued, debated,
studied, learned and taught together. And the time flew.

Were it not for one thing, Tuvok felt like he could be quite content
with his life on New Earth. He had Harry, after all. But there was
always the spectre of their previous relationship hanging over them.
Harry was a young man - he couldn't be expected to go without sex for
the rest of his life, after all. And Tuvok, though Vulcan, also had
the natural urges of a Vulcan in his prime of life. Meditative
suppression could only do so much. Not to mention that at some point
in the next two years, he would undergo the Pon farr.

But however great the sex between himself and Harry had been, Tuvok
was less than enthusiastic about resuming their relationship. For one
thing, the emotional dynamic had not changed. He was in love with
Harry - and with the two of them being the only people on the planet,
that fact would be far more difficult to hide from the Ensign if they
were to  be intimate. And then there was the change in their
relationship. It had taken effort from both parties to achieve,  but
finally they were back to the state they'd been in before the affair.
A relaxed, casual friendship - the likes of which Tuvok had never
experienced before meeting Harry Kim. Every human he'd ever been close
to had always been careful with him. Careful to remain distant, to
avoid physical contact. Harry just acted like Harry.

And while Tuvok loved Harry Kim he knew also that the Ensign had the
power to hurt him badly. Vulcans did not have the training to cope
with emotional pain like humans did. They knew how to control it, hide
it, bury it deep. They were taught that all emotions could be
conquered, but Tuvok knew that to be untrue, at least as far as he was
concerned. His love for Harry was like a constant ache that travelled
with him everywhere he went. He had begun to get used to the pain, to
accept it - even to welcome it during the long nights when the Vulcan
could not help but wonder what the weeks and months ahead would bring.
After a time, the pain became a part of Tuvok, and he was loathe to
disturb it. There was always the chance, after all, that Harry could
turn it into something far worse than it was, and perhaps into
something that would ultimately destroy Tuvok. He couldn't take that
risk.

---

"That is the stupidest thing you've ever said." Harry relaxed  further
into his chair with a sigh of contentment, both feet resting the low
table between them.

In the seat opposite his, Tuvok raised both eyebrows at the remark.
There was a familiar gleam in his eyes as he replied.

"Given that you have not even been alive for the first 81.63 years of
my existence, that comment is based on insufficient data."

There was speculation in the grin Harry flashed at his comment.

"Oh, so it's time for 'most embarrassing moment' stories, huh? I can't
wait to hear what you could possibly have said that could be weaker
than your argument against putting your feet up on this table."

"Distance from Starfleet Headquarters has nothing to do with adherence
to standard regulations."

Harry smiled lazily.

"Now you're trying to change the subject. C'mon, Tuvok - most
embarrassing moment. You tell one, I tell one - that's how it works."

"And the purpose of this exercise?"

Harry pondered for a moment. "Crew morale."

"Our 'crew' consists of two members."

"All the more reason to increase morale. At least 50% of our crew is
in desperate need of a couple of embarrassing anecdotes. So fire away,
Tuvok."

Tuvok made one last ditch effort, realising the futility of his
struggle even as he made his final argument.

"Why must I begin?"

"Because."

"?????"

"Because, Tuvok! Because you're the oldest. Because today is Tuesday.
Because I said so. Now stop stalling."

Tuvok sighed, but obeyed.

"Very well. I was in my third year of service onboard the Excelsior. A
junior officer - a human female - had developed somewhat of a crush on
me. I was unmarried at the time and did not have the experience to
deal with the matter properly. Despite my avoidance of the crewman,
she managed somehow to be present wherever I was on the ship. She gave
me gifts, which I returned. Finally, I told her in what I thought to
be a clear and understandable manner, that I was not interested in
pursuing a relationship with her. Two days later, I returned to my
quarters to find her naked, upon my bunk. Before I could request that
she get clothed  and remove herself from my quarters, my room-mate
returned with several friends. It was their poker night."

The memory of that night still rankled. He had been so much younger
then, far less able to maintain a proper Vulcan dignity in the face of
such trying circumstances. Tuvok glanced up to find Harry chuckling.

"I assure you, Harry - it was not an amusing situation, although my
room-mate and his friends thought otherwise."

Harry grinned. "Sorry, Tuvok - I just had this image of you trying to
explain your way out of that situation. God, how embarrassing!"

Tuvok was gratified by the comment.

"Indeed. In which case, I have fulfilled my end of the bargain. Now, I
believe it is your turn."

Harry sobered quickly, but there was still a smile about his eyes.

"Oh - what to choose from? My entire Starfleet career was one
embarrassing moment to the next. Never had any naked females in my
room, though."

Interesting. Harry seemed so at ease with the crew members onboard
Voyager. Tuvok was conscious of a desire to hear more of Harry's years
before Voyager. "Now it is you who is prevaricating. Your most
embarrassing moment, if you please."

Harry paused for a moment, a rueful smile on his face.

"Then I guess it would be in my second year at the Academy. I won the
Canaris Prize that year, beating out some stiff competition. One of
the other cadets in particular wasn't very happy about it. His name
was Michael Weaver, and he'd been a short odds to win the prize.
Anyway - he came to me a couple of days later, congratulated me, and
asked me out for a drink. I was an idiot - I thought he was sincere,
and I really wanted to be friends with him - so I went. Well, one
thing led to another and the next morning  when I went to my classes
everyone seemed to be giggling behind my back. He'd taped us... you
know, doing it? And edited his sounds out so it was just me. Then he'd
played it for the whole second class. That tape followed me around for
my entire time at the Academy. No matter what the occasion, or how big
the party, somehow that tape would be played and everyone would roar
with laughter at the sound of me... you know."

Harry was blushing now from the memory. Tuvok was pretty sure he'd
understood the story, but surely a Starfleet cadet would not behave in
such a reprehensible manner.

"He taped you during intercourse?"

"Yeah."

Tuvok was silent for a long while. Eventually, he spoke. "I believe
your 'embarrassing moment' consisted of considerably more humiliation
than did my own. That being the case, you have won the game."

Harry laughed.

"Good. Then as a forfeit I demand that you put your feet up on this
table and *relax*! Starfleet is 70,000 light years away, Voyager is God
only knows where - the only person who's going to see you is me."

To Harry's obvious surprise, Tuvok did not argue the point. Instead,
he stretched out two long legs, resting his heels on  the low table
next to Harry's. He shifted in his seat, attempting to get comfortable
in the new position whilst maintaining a proper Vulcan dignity, and
somehow managed it. The chairs were designed for comfort, and Tuvok
ended up sprawled elegantly in the chair, head resting on the back  of
it, eyes closed, arms crossed in front of him.

He allowed himself to relax further, in the company of the man he
loved and desired, knowing instinctively that Harry would never think
less of him if he were to relax his somewhat rigid standards.

They talked for several hours that night, and for the first time in a
long time, Tuvok was content.

---

Tuvok stood under the outdoor shower for a long time, using this time
to collect his thoughts and plan for the day ahead. Inside the
shelter, Harry was cleaning up from their breakfast and setting up the
equipment they would require for the tasks ahead that day.

The shower had taken three days from design to completion, and it was
a luxury both men needed. The water came from the freshwater stream a
small distance away, channeled through Starfleet issue conduit to the
pumping mechanism. Tuvok had designed a small generator that powered
the heating pan and the two men were rewarded with a daily supply of
hot, clean water for showering. As Tuvok soaped his body down, he used
the Vulcan rituals he had learnt in his youth to attain the calm,
emotionless veneer that would see him through the day. Today, and
yesterday, and the day before that, the main emotion Tuvok was
disseminating was anger.

In the fortnight between the time they had concluded their
relationship and the day they were put into stasis on New Earth, Tuvok
hadn't allowed himself to delve too deeply into his emotions regarding
his relationship with Harry. It was enough that he maintain control in
front of the Bridge crew and the rest of Voyager. Enough that he
re-establish the intense meditation rituals that had been of some
benefit to him prior to his relationship with Harry. But it was clear
to him now that he needed to spend some time thinking about it. At
over a century in age, it was a rare event for Tuvok to show any
emotion that wasn't a deliberate response to a given situation. But
for the past few days, his controls had been required more and more to
stem the surge of anger he felt at Harry's actions.

It shouldn't have been a surprise when Harry had smiled at him in that
particular way of his three nights ago. He should have been expecting
the casual touches, the very light flirting, the sensuous glances
thrown his way when Harry knew that Tuvok would catch them. Harry
wanted sex.  They had been on New Earth for just over a month now, and
had finally re-established their friendship to the point where they
both felt comfortable in the other's company - and now Harry was
willing to throw all of that away in order to feed his  sexual desire.

It was exactly the same as before. Clearly Harry's cock was more
important to him than Tuvok, because the last time Harry had done this
he hadn't thought it through then, either. And this time Tuvok was
prepared. And he was angry. The Vulcan knew full well that if an alien
ship were to dump a nubile female on the planet Harry would forget
Tuvok ever existed. Harry wanted a body to use, a convenient recipient
for his sexual urges. Just like before.

Tuvok allowed the surge of anger to build within him as he
methodically washed his body. It was easier somehow to work through
the emotion now - when it shouldn't have been. His proximity to Harry
should have made this difficult, but somehow Tuvok felt in charge this
time around. Perhaps it was the knowledge of Harry's weaknesses that
made Tuvok less vulnerable this time, less apt to trust. One thing was
clear. If they were to resume their sexual relationship, this time
Tuvok would be the one calling the shots. He had absolutely no
intention of trading their current easy relationship for a sexual one
- either Harry had to learn to do  both, or the Ensign was going to
spend a lot of time masturbating.

With that interesting image in mind, Tuvok shut off the flow of water
and reached for a towel to dry himself. As he turned, he caught sight
of Harry's form standing at the window to the shelter in the corner of
his eye. Instead of wrapping the towel around him immediately, Tuvok
instead slowly dried himself thoroughly with it before getting
dressed. There was a definite feeling of satisfaction in seeing
Harry's flushed features and the arousal in his eyes as Tuvok entered
the cabin. None of this showed on Tuvok's face, and his voice was as
flat as ever as he addressed the Ensign.

"We will patrol the southern perimeter this morning. Please be ready
to leave in twenty minutes."

Tuvok ignored the heated look Harry was giving him, inwardly amused at
how easy it was to arouse the younger man. In the twenty minutes it
took for Tuvok to stow away his gear and pack a kit for the day's
work, his controls were fully in place once again, and the only
thoughts occupying his mind were calculations of how much ground they
could cover this day.

---

It was after dinner the following evening when Harry made his move.
They had just cleared up after dinner and were in the process of
setting up the Kal-toh board when Harry had reached over and kissed
Tuvok on the mouth. There was awareness in Harry's eyes, and a
confidence that Tuvok found insulting. The Vulcan reacted immediately,
rising from  his chair and heading for his sleeping alcove without
acknowledging the kiss. His anger simmered below the surface.

"Tuvok, please don't go."

Harry's pleading stopped Tuvok like nothing else could have. He stood
stock still in the middle of the cabin, his back to Harry, frozen in
place and unwilling to look Harry in the  face.

He could hear Harry standing, and when the Ensign came to stand behind
him, there was a feeling of deja vu so intense Tuvok wanted to lash
out and hit him. In the very next second that violent instinct was
quelled and Tuvok remained where he was, waiting for Harry to speak.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you, Tuvok. I'm sorry." Harry's voice was
gentle. Still, Tuvok did not respond.

"We've been here over a month, Tuvok. How much longer before we both
admit that we're going to have to rethink our relationship? I kissed
you because I knew that if I left it to you we'd both grow old and
gray without ever bringing the subject up." Harry's voice was firmer,
now. Tuvok recognised the tone. Harry was horny and determined to be
fucked that night. The blunt mental statement helped a lot as Tuvok
continued to stand in silence, concentrating on nothing more than
maintaining his controls.

Harry placed his hands at Tuvok's waist, and lower, spanning his lean
hips and massaging the Vulcan's behind with his thumbs. His voice was
softer now, as he turned on the seduction mode. Tuvok knew this Harry
Kim. This was a man with incredible charm who was willing to do or say
whatever it took to get what he wanted. People thought Harry Kim was
shy and na?ve, but there was a reason Harry had been given a posting
as good as Voyager. Despite his youth and inexperience, the Ensign had
a great deal of personal charm and could be extremely determined when
he wanted something. And right now, he wanted Tuvok.

"We were good together, Tuvok. God, the sex was incredible, wasn't it?
?Do you remember putting your cock in my mouth the first time? I want
to do that again, Tuvok. I want to taste you and I want to fuck you
and I want you inside me so bad it's killing me."

His thumbs continued their sensual massage, and Tuvok closed his eyes
briefly, fighting the need that was almost overwhelming him. It was
easier this time, though, because he had anger to help him. Using
skills that had taken over a century to perfect, Tuvok allowed the
anger to spread, until it blanketed the arousal, and the two were
intermixed. He was in control, for the first time since Harry had
first touched him. The Ensign had used him then, and wanted to do so
again, but Tuvok had no intention of being used again.

He turned to face Harry, and though his face remained perfectly
impassive, his even voice had a thread of steel in it.

"Indeed." The dry response had Harry flushing with embarrassment, and
the hands spanning Tuvok's hips dropped to his side. With one word,
Tuvok had made his derision for Harry's lack of control clear. For the
first time, too, Tuvok had the upper hand.

"Very well."

Harry was clearly surprised by Tuvok's capitulation, and his mouth
dropped open for a brief second. ?

"Tuv..." Harry's reply was stopped by one long finger from Tuvok's
hand. The Vulcan was on fire now, the arousal and the anger melding
perfectly, his controls completely in place as he considered the
lesson he would teach Harry this evening.

"I do not wish to hear it." Harry's eyes opened wider at Tuvok's tone,
the question in them apparent as Harry tried to figure out what the
hell Tuvok was thinking. The Vulcan's bland facade gave him absolutely
no clues.

Tuvok took in the sight before him, and were he not a Vulcan, he would
have smiled to himself. He was in physical contact with Harry Kim,
about to indulge in sexual intercourse, and he was completely in
control. It was a heady sensation.

"I do not require the verbal seduction your other lovers apparently
crave, Mr. Kim. In fact, I would prefer it if you were to remain
silent during intercourse. I find your constant chatter somewhat of an
irritant."

Harry looked shocked as hell at this turnaround. But it was clear that
Tuvok's words hadn't dampened his ardour any, if the erection Tuvok
could feel was anything to go by. Tuvok just watched him gape for a
long moment, before turning  and walking into the alcove that housed
Harry's bed. He didn't have to wait long. Harry followed him in
quickly, his expression confused, but his body clearly aroused.

Tuvok glanced his way and immediately knew what he wanted this night.
There was no hesitation in his voice as he gave Harry his
instructions.

"Remove your clothes, then kneel." Tuvok was unzipping himself as he
gave the order. Harry took a sharp intake of breath, his eyes dilating
until they were almost completely black. He practically ripped off his
uniform as Tuvok waited silently, then took a step towards the Vulcan
before dropping to his knees. Tuvok allowed Harry to take his cock out
of his pants and closed his eyes as Harry's mouth closed over the top
of it. For a long time, Tuvok allowed Harry to suck and lick on his
cock. Finally he was so hard he was aching and there was a genuine
streak of relief in amongst the bliss of climaxing inside Harry Kim's
mouth. Tuvok allowed himself one very low groan as he came, thrusting
deep down Harry's throat.

Harry rose to his feet then, a smile of triumph on his face even as he
panted to get his breath back. Tuvok stared at him coldly, feeling his
own ire rise again at the look on Harry's face.

"On your back."

Harry obeyed quickly, clearly keen on getting his own relief. Tuvok
tucked his now flaccid cock away and zipped up, looking down at the
vision laying on the bed before him. Harry was hard and leaking, the
muscles in his entire body seemingly clenched with the effort of
controlling his arousal. Tuvok knew exactly how long it had been for
Harry, and he appreciated the effort Harry was making now. That
thought was followed so quickly by the realisation that Harry had had
a lot of practice, after all, and it was that thought that returned
the frown to Tuvok's features.

Instead of joining Harry on the bed, as the Ensign clearly expected
him to do, Tuvok walked the few steps into the main room and picked up
one of the chairs, lifting it effortlessly before placing it next to
Harry's bed and sitting down on it.

His arms crossed comfortably, Tuvok was the picture of relaxation. Not
so for Harry, however. The younger man was beginning to look very
angry. As he opened his mouth to speak, Tuvok pre-empted the angry
query with one raised eyebrow. Harry still looked angry, but now also
confused. He wasn't used to Tuvok being in command in this part of
their lives, that much was clear.

"Use your left hand."

Harry gaped for a moment, before glancing down  involuntarily at his
straining cock. He grasped the obvious immediately - that Tuvok wanted
to watch, and was simply directing events so that he would have the
best view  Annoyance vied with arousal, as Harry tried to decide
whether he was pissed off or turned on. Arousal won the day, however,
as Tuvok recognised the smile that now graced Harry's features. The
Ensign's left hand slid down his abdomen in a smooth caress, before
cupping his balls almost reverently.

It was over too soon for Tuvok. The incredibly erotic sight of Harry
performing such an intimate service for an audience of one was
something he would never forget - assuming his photographic memory
ever allowed him to. Harry didn't make much noise, just breathing
heavier and faster as his hand picked up the pace, finally coming with
a soft moan as his hand pumped impossibly fast and his cock spurted
its load onto his stomach and chest.

There was silence for several long minutes as the two men regarded one
another. Tuvok could tell from the faint frown on Harry's features
that the Ensign was trying to figure out what the hell the Vulcan was
up to. The Vulcan in question, however, was not about to drop his
defences now.

"Goodnight, Harry."

Tuvok rose from the chair and went to his own sleeping quarters
without another word. He expected a protest from Harry, but the
younger man remained silent. As Tuvok undressed and prepared for bed,
he could hear Harry moving around in his small sleeping quarters, and
then there was the sound of Harry leaving the shelter. Some moments
later the reflection of the outdoor light cast a sliver of brightness
into Tuvok's sleeping alcove and he heard the sound of water running
as Harry took a shower.

He waited until Harry had finished showering and was safely tucked in
bed once more before relaxing enough to allow sleep to come. It was a
long way off - there was too much to process this night. It was an
unusual sensation, this feeling of duality. He loved Harry Kim, and
had just been intimate with him. It was satisfying to be able to enjoy
the sexual contact, and yet maintain control. But in many ways  Tuvok
was reluctant to face the coming day. Could he possibly teach Harry
that it was possible to be friends *and* lovers? He, who had so little
experience with love or even sex? What could a Vulcan possibly teach a
human about relationships?

---

The following day they circled each other warily. They were polite,
unfailingly courteous, and both men wondered what the other was
thinking. There was little conversation during dinner, but the air was
thick with anticipation. Tuvok maintained his bland facade, ignoring
the arousal in Harry's eyes, ignoring Harry too, when the Ensign
stood far closer than was necessary whilst they cleaned up.

And then suddenly there was nothing more to do and Harry, predictably,
made his move.

The Ensign wore a look Tuvok was very familiar with - a kind of
determined stubbornness that meant he was not about to be fobbed off.

"So. Will we sleep in your bed tonight, or mine?"

Tuvok was inwardly impressed by the forthrightness of Harry's comment.
He was silent for a moment, his expressionless features giving no
outward indication of his own determination not to bend to Harry's
whim again.

"I believe mine is the more suitable. We constructed the shelter to
allow you two windows beside your bed instead of one. The nightly
breeze lowers the temperature to an uncomfortable level for me."
Tuvok's voice was almost indifferent.

Harry looked surprised for a split second, but recovered quickly. He
smiled, and reached for Tuvok.

"Great. Then let's go to bed, huh?"

Tuvok took Harry's hands firmly in his own and put them away from his
body.

"No. We will finish the game of Kal-toh we began three evenings ago,
and then we will go to bed." Tuvok's gaze held Harry's evenly as he
laid down his ultimatum.

Harry met Tuvok's gaze unflinchingly for a long moment, and then
nodded his head thoughtfully.

"Yeah - I'd like that, Tuvok."

Harry made a pot of coffee whilst Tuvok set up the Kal-toh board, and
the two settled down to finish the game. Conversation, at first
stilted and uncomfortable, eventually flowed more smoothly, and for a
while it was like the days before Harry had Tuvok had ever begun to
sleep together. As Harry crowed about his victory, Tuvok hid his
amusement at the childish glee and calmly dismantled the board before
rising from the chair. Harry rose too, still smiling, but this time it
wasn't a leer. Harry was clearly aroused, but in his expression was
the warmth and friendliness that Tuvok had missed for so long. ?

The Ensign reached for Tuvok then, and Tuvok allowed the embrace,
welcoming Harry's mouth on his own and Harry's hands on his body, and
concentrated on enjoying the feel of Harry's body under his own hands.
Their lovemaking was an unhurried affair, and for the first time they
were truly equal as they explored each other's bodies with mouth and
hands. It was almost bliss.

Tuvok fell asleep that night with Harry in his arms, and with the
thought that perhaps there was hope for the two of them  yet. They
would be on New Earth for a very long time, after all. Was it
illogical to hope that one day Harry would love Tuvok as much as Tuvok
loved Harry? Time would tell, and at that moment, time seemed to be
something they had in abundance.

---

The signal from Voyager came through while the two men were eating
breakfast the following day. For a moment the two men sat frozen, but
before Captain Janeway's message was even finished Tuvok was on his
feet and reaching for the communicator. The ship had come back for
them. They had found the cure for the virus Tuvok and Harry had and
they had come back.

Tuvok turned around to see a look of such relief and joy on Harry's
face that the hope inside him that had flowered since the previous
evening shriveled and died. He drew up his mental shields then and
concentrated for the next few hours on nothing more than packing up
the shelter for transport. Harry worked fast too, chattering away
almost the entire time about what he planned to do once back onboard
Voyager. He didn't appear to notice Tuvok's silence until just before
they were due to beam up.

With the boxes stacked neatly behind them, Tuvok commed the ship to
beam them up. As they waited for the transporter chief to get a clear
lock on them both, Harry turned to Tuvok.

"Tuvok? Are we..." Tuvok was not destined to hear what Harry had to
ask as the beam took them that moment, and an instant later the two
had materialised onboard Voyager and the Captain and Chakotay were
there to greet them. The Vulcan returned the greetings stoically,
ignoring the looks of amusement that passed between the First Officer
and Captain at his 'Vulcaness'. In truth, it was easier to be Vulcan
at that moment that at any other moment since he had joined the
predominantly human crew of Voyager. Being Vulcan meant that not a
glimmer of pain showed through his emotionless facade. No one would
have an inkling that Tuvok had buried every illogical longing he'd
ever had so deep down in his psyche it would take a miracle to unearth
it.

As he watched Harry laughing with sheer relief as he greeted his
friends, Tuvok congratulated himself on feeling nothing at all.

---

End -- Simon & Garfunkel series