The BLTS Archive - Tangled Web
by Yvette (yvette@ecn.net.au)

---

Intro:  Malissa has suffered through this one like she suffers
through the others. She is the Beta-Reader from heaven without whom
this story would have a lot more extraneous words. And lots of other
bad things. You're a champion, Boyd!

---

The lean body arched up beneath the questing tongue, bucking as the
throbbing black cock was taken into a hot mouth, and tongued
thoroughly.  Tuvok was as silent as always during sex, but he gasped
as he was deep throated in one practiced motion.  Experience had given
his lover an edge - he knew exactly how to extend Tuvok's pleasure as
long as possible.

As he came close to orgasm, Tuvok reached down to grab a handful of
silken hair and the mouth that had been sucking on his cock left it
now.  Words were unnecessary for two people who knew each other's
bodies so intimately.  The younger man lay face down on the bed, and
Tuvok lubricated him before pushing slowly inside the tight ass.  He
waited for a moment, lying full length on top of the human, his cock
fully sheathed inside the snug channel.

Legs either side of the body beneath him, slightly bent for some
leverage from his knees, Tuvok began to thrust.  Hard, long, deep.
He ignored the pleading for him to go faster and kept his own pace -
his own gratification a higher priority than his partner's.  He knew,
also from experience, that the younger man needed little more than a
firm fist around his own cock to come, and Tuvok intended to make him
wait.

The moans turned to pleas . . . also ignored, as Tuvok picked up
the speed slightly.  He could feel the orgasm building within him and
thrust harder into the body.  As his body reached its crescendo,
Tuvok grasped his lover's cock.  The ass surrounding his cock
tightened in orgasm, drawing the climax from him.

A low sigh of relief was the only noise Tuvok made as he pulled out
carefully, and turned over to lay on his back.

Moments later Tuvok reached for the damp cloth on the low table
beside the bed.  He cleaned himself, folded the cloth in two and
handed it silently to his partner.  Tom Paris took it and performed
his own cleanup.  Afterwards, he sat up in the bed, breathing a
little heavily, and turned to look down at the man lying on the bed.
Tuvok met his gaze steadily, raising  one eyebrow in query.  Tom
shrugged and smiled - the nonchalant grin he used so effectively on
the bridge.

"Just checking.  You never know - one day I might get an invitation
to stay the night."  The words were lightly spoken, and Tom quickly
reached for his uniform and began to dress.  Tuvok was silent.  He
had already made his views on this subject clear and there seemed
little point in repeating himself.

Tom dressed under the silent gaze, used to it by now and not nearly
as self-conscious as he had been the first time he  and Tuvok had
fucked.  Tuvok wasn't likely to comprehend the yearning buried deep
down under those lightly spoken words, but he would think about them.
And possibly decide that Tom wanted more from the relationship than
he was prepared to give.  Slipping on his boots, Tom searched for a
change of subject before he was completely dressed and had no further
excuse to stay.

"I won't be able to come tomorrow night.  Promised Harry I'd spend
some time with him at Sandrine's."

"Very well."

Tom stood then, full dressed, and looked down at the naked form of
Voyager's Chief of Security.  He always felt vaguely ridiculous at
this point - wanting to 'okay, I'm going' or something equally
redundant, but he hated seeing the faint derision in Tuvok's eyes.
Tuvok wouldn't answer him, anyway.

Tom glanced at him once more, and then left Tuvok's quarters without a
word.

---

Captain Janeway was bored.  Chakotay was off doing crew evaluations,
Tom was clearly miles away, even Harry appeared a little dreamy.
Thank God for Tuvok - the Vulcan never changed.

Voyager's Pilot had been thinking about his relationship with Tuvok.
Tom had been sleeping with Tuvok for nearly four months now.  Well,
fucking him, anyway.  In fact, getting fucked by Tuvok would probably
be the best description of their relationship.  He had been getting
fucked by Tuvok on a regular basis for four months now.  Jesus.

Tom had made the first move, of course.  He turned up at Tuvok's
quarters and propositioned him one night.  The tight pants and shirt
made no visible impression on the Vulcan, but Tom was prepared.  He
listed the very logical reasons for Tuvok to take him as a lover.  He
was experienced, not looking for a commitment, discreet, and gifted
with an advanced ability for deception.  No-one need ever know -
no-one *would* ever know.  He and Tuvok were both grown men, after
all - and in need of some physical relief.  Tuvok had just watched
him, silently, as he slowly ran out of words.  On the verge of just
walking out and burying himself under a rock somewhere, Tom had
pulled the last argument out of nowhere.

//"You know, you haven't told me to leave, Tuvok."  Still the Vulcan
did not speak, his arrogant gaze burning a hole in Tom's confidence.

As he gathered his thoughts together, though, Tom noticed that Tuvok
was leaning - *leaning* - against the wall.  His arms crossed in
front of him, his inscrutable facade showing no emotion whatsoever,
but somehow radiating an air of dangerous amusement.  He wasn't
poised to throw Tom out, or to speak, or to hail security on his comm
badge.

He was waiting for something.

Tom met his silent gaze and swallowed nervously.  He was beginning to
get aroused despite his nervousness, and a familiar cheeky grin
appeared unbidden on his features.  Slowly, he lifted the shirt by its
hem and pulled it over his head.  It was tossed over the couch, and
he began to slowly unbutton his trousers.  Tuvok remained silent as
Tom dispensed with every item of clothing on his body and stood
naked under that searing regard.

Finally, Tuvok spoke.  "Very well."

Tom smiled then, a beautiful grin, as he approached the Vulcan.  He
was used to being taller than his partners and it was strange to be
able to look Tuvok straight in the eye.  He leaned in to kiss the
Vulcan, who pulled back to avoid his mouth, the hard look in the
Vulcan eyes warning him not to try that particular intimacy again.
Tom stripped him silently, and then ran his hands along the lean,
muscled frame before sinking to his knees . . . //

On the bridge, Tom shifted uncomfortably in his chair, hating the
fact one more time that he had to sit with his back to everyone all
day.  What he wouldn't give for Harry's station where he could at
least spend part of the day watching Tuvok.  Now there was an irony
for you - Tom Paris wanting something Harry Kim had.  Tom knew full
well that Tuvok intended to make Harry his bond-mate, if the Ensign
would have him.  If Tuvok was even capable of love, that emotion was
reserved for Harry Kim.  From the start, Tuvok wanted to talk about
Harry.  He asked all manner of questions about the young Ensign,
making absolutely no effort whatsoever to disguise his interest from
Tom.  It wasn't Tuvok's way.  Tom sighed to himself.

From the very first time he'd seen Tuvok, Tom had wanted him badly.
Getting to know him had only made the wanting worse.  Tuvok was
stability, security, confidence; everything Tom Paris had always
wanted but had never had.  Tom remembered Harry telling him about the
time Chakotay taught him to communicate with his animal spirit.  The
first thing Chakotay had told Harry was to go to a place in his mind
where he was truly happy.  Somewhere he felt safe and  content.  Tom
had thought for a long time about that.  Sure, he'd been happy at
times in his life, he'd had some fun - but there was no real place
that matched that description.  Nowhere where he had felt safe, or
truly happy.  His life had been one constant search for a place to
belong - and Tuvok could provide that.  All he had to do was convince
Tuvok that he was a better option for a bondmate than Harry Kim.

At the Ops station, Harry was thinking about Tom Paris.  Tom was his
best friend.  Harry had wanted for so long for there to be something
more in their relationship, but Tom was clearly not willing to go the
extra step.  Harry had thrown out ever subtle lure he could, and for
a long time had thought he was being *too* subtle.  Months of
Tom-watching destroyed that theory, though.  Tom always knew - he
just didn't respond to it.  Oh, he flirted with Harry occasionally,
but then Tom flirted with everybody.

Once Harry realized that Tom wasn't going to risk their friendship by
sleeping with him, he stopped thinking about it.  No more special
outfits, no more standing just a little too close - just friends.
And the difference in Tom was so obvious Harry had mentally kicked
himself for those wasted  months.  Tom relaxed, *truly* relaxed in
Harry's company and Harry loved seeing Tom happy.  He wasn't going to
gamble with their friendship again.  Occasionally Tom would laugh,
or the light would hit his hair just so - and Harry would feel the
familiar thrill of desire again - but they never spoke of it, and
Harry was happy to keep things that way.

The shift dragged on throughout the afternoon.  Tuvok manned his
station, drew up Security rosters for the next two weeks and
completed several crew evaluations.  He had plans for his off duty
hours which included a certain young Ensign, who was currently - if
he was not mistaken - daydreaming at his station on the bridge.

---

Harry and Tuvok were deep into a game of Kal-toh on the holodeck when
Tuvok was called away on a security matter.  Before leaving, he
suggested that they could continue the game at another time, and
Harry agreed easily.  It was great spending time with Tuvok.  He was
easy to talk to.  Harry  never felt stupid or naļve in Tuvok's
presence - never felt the need to assume a confident or experienced
air.  Tom was the only other person onboard Voyager that Harry felt
this comfortable with.

Harry didn't leave the holodeck straight away.  Instead he saved
their game and watched it disappear from view.  He sat back in the
tall chair and thought about Tuvok.

There was no doubt that Tuvok was courting him.  And for the first
time since he had boarded Voyager, Harry was interested in someone
else besides Tom.  Tuvok was great to be with, especially when he let
his guard down a little.  Those brief moments were a fascinating
glimpse into a man  he would know intimately if they were to meld.
And there was  no doubt that Tuvok was a dynamically sexy man.  Harry
knew Tuvok was aware of his attraction to him, and sometimes played
on it.

It was just that . . . Tuvok was *always* so sure of himself.  Like
he knew exactly what he was doing and what result his actions would
have.  How could he ever understand what it was to make a mistake?  To
doubt yourself?  Maybe he should talk this over with Tom.  After all,
Tom knew a lot more about relationships than he did.

As Tuvok headed for his station on the bridge, he considered with
satisfaction his growing closeness to Ensign Kim.  He enjoyed Harry's
company more than any other human's - even including Captain Janeway.
Harry was everything he had ever wanted in a bondmate, loyal,
passionate, highly curious but with a strong moral center.  Tuvok
hadn't chosen T'Pel, his parents had, and they had experienced a
satisfactory bonding.  They were two people who were no more than
reasonably suited to one another - but there was no grand passion.
For them the fever of the Pon Far was slaked quickly.  Theirs was
not the joy of mating with one's T'hy'la, the days of unrelenting
heat and passion that was so much a part of a true bonding.  His
parents had experienced such a bond.  A love so deep his mother had
died within hours of his father's death - unable to live without him.

It was less than a month after he had boarded Voyager in the Delta
Quadrant that Tuvok knew Harry Kim was the one for him.  For the
first time in his life, Tuvok was deeply in love.

---

They ate dinner together that evening, and when the meal had come to
an end, Tuvok spoke the words Tom had been  dreading for ages.

"I believe the time has come for us to discontinue our arrangement."
Tuvok looked straight at him, no trace of embarrassment.

Tom was glad of the dimly lit room which would hide the paleness of
his face.  "Really?  Well, I guess that means I'll have more time to
spend with Harry."

"Meaning?"  Tuvok was simply curious, not concerned.  He knew Tom
wanted Harry as a friend far more than as a lover, so he didn't
suspect a potential rival.

"I've been neglecting him lately - at least now Harry and I will able
to go back to spending more time together, that's all."  Tom spoke
idly, one elegant hand playing with his wine glass as he sprawled,
apparently unconcerned, in the seat opposite Tuvok.  The candlelight
played over his features, bringing out the golden highlights of his
hair and emphasizing his surprisingly delicate beauty.  It was
wasted on Tuvok, who was beginning to suspect that Tom was up to
something but at a loss to know what.

"Harry will no doubt discuss my intentions with you."  The carefully
worded question hid a multitude of other questions.  Did Tom mean to
tell Harry about their relationship?  Surely it would be at least as
damaging for him as it would be for Tuvok - and the Vulcan knew how
important Harry's friendship was to Tom.

Tom's reply was amused.

"He already has, Tuvok."  Tuvok's eyes snapped up to meet Tom's.  One
eyebrow rose, demanding an answer.

Tom smiled gently.  "Harry isn't sure that he can view you as a
potential lover, Tuvok.  I think he sees you more of a father
figure."  This wasn't true, but it would be enough to concern Tuvok.

Tuvok was sure now that Tom had some hidden agenda here.  The
vagaries of human relationships had always mystified him.  It was one
of the reasons he was so drawn to Harry - there was no artifice to
him, no guile.  With Tom, on the other hand, one could never be sure
when he was telling the truth - if ever.

"I believe he will change his mind once we have become intimate."
The answer told Tom everything he wanted to know.  For Tuvok to even
condescend to discuss it with him showed that he wasn't anywhere near
as confident on this point as he should be.

"Well, you know Tuvok, I don't see Harry looking at you the way he
looks at me," drawled Tom lazily.  "And it's not just that you have
to get him into bed in the first place - you have to find a way to
make him want to stay there."  The implied insult was obvious.

Tuvok raised one eyebrow thoughtfully.  He wasn't offended by the
remark, merely intrigued.

"I do not recall you complaining about my sexual technique."  Straight
to the point, as always.  Tom fought back a fond smile at Tuvok's
very directness.

"Let's just say - I have plenty of imagination.  I don't know that
Harry is going to be as easy to please as I am, though."

Tuvok considered this point for a while.  "You do not have the
requisite information from which to draw that conclusion."

That comment stung, but Tom was too careful to show his bitterness.
"You mean you know the difference between having sex and making
love?"

In fact, it was a point that troubled Tuvok.  He enjoyed being with
Harry - looked forward to spending time with him.  He wanted him
sexually, but more importantly, he was very conscious of his desire
to become one with Harry, to share his mind and his soul.  These
things would take time, however - and Harry had to be sure of his own
feelings before agreeing to bond with Tuvok.  Humans were capricious
by nature and Harry was very young.  Was it possible that Harry would
reject him on the basis of his performance in bed?  His knowledge of
human behavior was too meager to make an accurate judgement on this
question.

He looked up again to find Tom watching him.  It seemed logical to
take him up on the unspoken offer.

Tuvok rose from the table, for once ignoring the empty dishes and
glassware.  He approached Tom, who stood to meet him.  Tuvok took
Tom's face in his hands, spanning the delicate jawline.  A thumb
traced the lower lip and Tom's mouth opened, waiting for his kiss.
Their first kiss.  Tom's desire was escalating as Tuvok waited,
gazing at his mouth for a moment.  And then Tuvok kissed him.  At
first it was a gentle pressure on his mouth, a light kiss, and then
some tongue.  Tom opened his mouth further and Tuvok took
advantage, one hand curling around Tom's neck.  This time the kiss
was deeper, impossibly hotter.  Tom moaned into Tuvok's mouth as he
tasted the Vulcan for the first time.

The kiss deepened until Tuvok was ravishing Tom's mouth.  He was
holding them both up as Tom poured his heart and soul into kissing
Tuvok back.  Then they were on the bed, but this time around it was
Tuvok undressing Tom - kissing the areas he uncovered, sucking on
Tom's throat and nipples, eventually going lower to take the aching
flesh between Tom's legs into his mouth.  By this time Tom was
beyond moaning, beyond anything except the feel of Tuvok's mouth, the
gentleness of his touch, the unbelievable sensation of that heat
engulfing him.  From the ache in his muscles he knew that Tuvok had
been making love to him for some time, but his mind could comprehend
little more than the journey towards climax which was always
halted, only to have Tuvok start again somewhere else on his body
and begin again.

He was crying out now, wordless, meaningless noises that begged Tuvok
to stop - he wanted so badly to come but he never wanted the bliss to
end.  Finally Tuvok's mouth was on his once again and they were
kissing as Tuvok rubbed his own hard length against Tom's and Tom was
finally allowed to explode into orgasm - his tongue in Tuvok's mouth,
his body covered completely with the Vulcan's.  He had never known
such incredible sex.

He couldn't have moved if he'd wanted to.  Every muscle in his body
was exhausted and the wave of incredible sleepiness picked up his
very soul and tossed it into the deep sea of unconsciousness.

--

When he awoke the next morning, he was alone.  He showered and
dressed quickly, needing to get back to his quarters and into a
uniform before anyone saw him.  He had never felt so great in his
entire life, and as he showered in Tuvok's bathroom, he planned his
assault for tonight.  Maybe he could stay awake long enough for he
and Tuvok to talk for once - *really* talk.

---

Tom joined Harry at a table in the Messhall for lunch - the two of
them eating alone today.  Harry had noticed Tom's cheerfulness and
correctly attributed the cause.

"Someone get lucky last night?"  Harry asked with a grin.

Tom grinned back at his friend and said, "If it brings some happiness
to some poor crew member's life then I'm happy to spread my favours
around, Harry.  So yeah - you could  say that someone got lucky last
night."

Harry rolled his eyes at that blatant self-promotion, but laughed
anyway.

"So who was the lucky crew member?"

Tom speared a chunk of the chewy yellow meat with difficulty and
before raising it to his mouth leaned in to Harry  and whispered, "It
was Neelix, Harry.  He promised me an extra serving of leola root
fudge cake and I *couldn't* turn him down!"

Harry made gagging noises - he wasn't sure which image turned him off
more, Neelix or leola root fudge cake.

The two continued eating and joking around, but the atmosphere
changed suddenly when Harry bought up the subject of Tuvok.

"He asked me to his quarters tonight for dinner, Tom.  Not to play
Kal-toh, not to discuss ship's business - it's a *date*, Tom."  Harry
was obviously excited and wanted to share his good fortune with Tom.

For some reason, though, Tom didn't seem too impressed with the news.

"Tonight?  So when did he ask you?"

"This morning, on the way to work.  We got the same turbo-lift to the
bridge.  God, this is weird - I mean, I've been thinking about this
for ages and I really want to be with Tuvok, but I'm scared of taking
that final step."

Tom continued eating like Harry hadn't spoken.

"Tom?  Is everything okay?"  Now Harry was really confused.  Was Tom
upset that he was thinking about having a relationship with someone
else?  He'd made it clear that he wasn't interested - was he now
going to get all jealous because Harry was finding happiness
elsewhere?

"Yeah - Harry.  You have a really great *date* with Tuvok.  Who
knows?  Maybe he'll bore you into bed!"  With that bitchy comment,
Tom was gone, leaving Harry sitting open mouthed at their table.

---

After the shift ended Tom took off for the turbo lift like a bat out
of hell.  No-one was keen to stop him - he'd been in a foul mood all
afternoon.  It wouldn't have been so noticeable if it wasn't for his
exceptionally *good* mood all morning.  Something had obviously
happened during his lunch with Harry Kim, but no-one knew what.

Harry watched Tom from his station all afternoon.  He had been *at*
the lunch and even *he* wasn't sure what had happened.  But he hadn't
felt this way in a long time for someone else, and he wasn't about to
let Tom's attitude get in the way of his relationship with Tuvok.

Had Tuvok been on the bridge that afternoon, there is little doubt he
would have guessed what was going on and been disturbed by Tom's
apparent possessiveness.  He was running security training several
decks below, however, and so missed watching his previously
insouciant sexual partner turn into a jealous, possessive lover.

When Tuvok finished the training session, he went immediately to his
own quarters to prepare for his date with Harry.  This night would be
very important for them both, and he wanted it to be as special as
possible.

Tom tried everything he could to calm himself down before going to
see Tuvok.  He'd played his part too well, obviously.  Tuvok
considered him to be the Vulcan equivalent of a 'fuck-buddy' and
clearly had no idea of Tom's feelings.  And he'd been so careful to
ensure that Tuvok never had a glimpse of his feelings - terrified
that if he did he would break off their relationship.  And Tuvok,
being Tuvok, had taken  him at face value.  Literally.

He had no idea what he was going to say to Tuvok, but he had to do
*something* before he was completely out in the  cold.

When Tuvok let Tom into his quarters, Tom couldn't help but notice
the beautifully set table, the music, the candles.  Tuvok had never
made the slightest effort at romance for *him*.  Anger pushed the
words out of him.  "How could you do this?  After last night - how
can you possibly think that Harry is the one for you?"

Tuvok was stunned into silence.  Tom Paris had . . . feelings for him?
Tom Paris, whose body was anyone's for the taking, for whom flirting
was a method of communication - Tom Paris was in love with him?  "I
do not understand.  Did we not conclude our relationship during a
conversation after dinner?"

Tom stared at him, speechless with frustration.  "Yes - but
then. . . . !"  He broke off, realizing how completely clueless
Tuvok was to what had happened.  It was make or break time.

"I *love* you, Tuvok.  We're good together.  Why can't I be the one
you do all this for?"  Tom waved a hand around the room, encompassing
the candles and the attractive table setting.

Tuvok took a deep breath and stared with some dismay at his one-time
lover.  His expression was as calm and unchangeable as ever as he
motioned Tom to the couch and took a seat in the single chair facing
it.

His words were measured, revealing nothing of the guilt he was
feeling.  "I did not realize you felt this way.  Had I done so, I
would never had entered into a relationship with you."

"Then why did you?"  Tom's question showed his complete lack of
understanding and suggested some of his desperate desire to have Tuvok
admit to having some feeling for him.

Tuvok raised an eyebrow in surprise at the question.  "I wanted to
learn more about human relationships.  You were experienced,
discreet.  It seemed like a logical step."

Experienced.  Discreet.  Tom closed his eyes in self-disgust at the
words.  "So I was nothing more than your whore?"

This time the eyebrow showed disdain.  "I see no need for melodramatic
statements.  I did not consider you a prostitute.  I considered you a
short term casual sexual partner.  You fulfilled my needs for a time,
and since it was you who began the relationship, I assumed that I
fulfilled a need for you also."

Tom lay his head on the top of the couch, eyes still closed.  "Didn't
you ever ask yourself what it was *I* was getting from the deal?"

"No.  I knew for a fact that you had taken several other partners
during our time together, and you never gave any indication of
harboring deeper feelings for me.  I regret that I did not realize
this earlier."

Tom sat up slowly, elbows on his knees as he stared at the floor.
"And what if you had known?  Would you have considered me for your
bond-mate?"

"No."  To the point, as always.

"Why not?"

Tuvok sighed, unwilling to have this conversation but wanting to get
Tom Paris out of his life completely before beginning a relationship
with Harry.

"You are highly volatile.  Prone to impulsive behaviour.  I . . .
cherish Harry because he suits me.  Dedicated, loyal, curious.  He
seeks to *learn*, you seek to *experience*.  You are two totally
different people.  We would not suit."

"You mean *I* wouldn't suit *you*."

Tuvok was confused by the flat statement.  "The meaning is the same,
regardless."

Tom stared at Tuvok in anguish.  His last chance for peace was
slipping away and there was nothing he could do to stop the
inexorable tide.  If Tuvok and Harry got together, he would be alone.

"Call Harry and cancel.  You've just never given me a chance, Tuvok.
I could show you how perfect we are for each other."  His entreaty
fell on deaf ears.  Tuvok was giving every indication that annoyance
was fast over-riding concern.

"I will not cancel this evening.  You knew from the beginning that I
wanted Harry as a bond mate - you knew that there was nothing more
between us than a convenient relationship.  You have deceived me and
I cannot take responsibility for your misguided assumptions.  Our
relationship is concluded."

Tuvok stood then, clearly waiting for Tom to leave.  Tom rose too,
wanting to say something more, but unable to.  The only thing that
could make this hideous situation even worse would be to break down
in front of Tuvok.  He turned and strode out of Tuvok's quarters,
only to nearly run Harry down in the corridor outside.

"Hey, Tom - what's wrong?"  Harry's concerned face was the last
thing he wanted to see.

Tom took a deep breath before answering.  Harry had clearly made a
big effort with his attire for this evening, and he looked good.
There seemed little doubt that he would end the evening on his back
in Tuvok's bed.  There really was only one solution.

Tom smiled at his friend, but it wasn't a smile Harry had ever seen
directed at *him* before.  The full force of the Paris charm seemed
to blaze from every inch of the Pilot's lanky frame as he stepped
closer to Harry, invading his personal space to the point where Harry
was backed against the wall and Tom braced himself with a hand either
side of Harry's head.

"Tom?"

"You're looking good this evening, Ensign Kim," Tom drawled, a lazy
smile taking in Harry's slight flush at his nearness and his teasing.

"I have a date with Tuvok, Tom - remember?  What's the matter with
you tonight?"  Harry was seriously worried about Tom.  If he didn't
know better he'd say Tom was in full seduction mode, but why would he
turn the charm on his best friend, now of all times?

Tom leaned in even closer to Harry, his breath hot on Harry's cheek.
"I don't know, Harry - maybe it's something in the water."  His reply
lowered to almost a whisper as he leaned in at the end of the
sentence and let his lips pick up Harry's and mouth them gently.  His
tongue ran over Harry's full lips and sought entry into his mouth.
As Harry took a breath, or perhaps opened his mouth to protest,
Tom's tongue gained access and he pressed his entire body against
Harry's, putting everything he had into the kiss.  Harry wasn't
kissing him back exactly, but he wasn't fighting him off, either.
Tom had always known that Harry would have a sweet mouth, and the
muscled body pushing against him wasn't anything to complain about
either.

It was probably only moments, but it seemed longer, before Tom
realized that Harry *was* pushing him away.  Not with  any particular
force, just enough to let Tom know he wasn't a willing participant
anymore.  Tom pulled away from the intoxicating mouth and looked
straight into the troubled eyes of his best friend.  In his
peripheral vision something moved, and he knew, even before he looked
over, what he would  see.  Both men turned at the same time to see
Tuvok standing in the doorway to his quarters, watching them.  His
face was as expressionless as always, but there was no missing the
hard anger in his eyes.

Tom looked back at Harry, saw the concern in his eyes and in that
moment he knew that if he pushed hard enough he could get Harry to
come with him.  He could get Harry into bed if he put in a real
effort.  He would ultimately destroy  their friendship, but it would
keep Harry out of Tuvok's bed.  As he stared transfixed into Harry's
confused eyes though, a wave of self-disgust overwhelmed him, and
he pushed away from the confused Ensign and strode down the corridor
and into a distant turbolift.

---

Harry watched Tom disappear into the turbo lift, and then turned to
look at Tuvok.  The Vulcan stood aside silently, gesturing for Harry
to precede him into his quarters.

There was a definite mystery here, and Harry was determined to get to
the bottom of it.

"What was that all about, Tuvok?"

There was never any possibility of prevaricating, of pretending not
to know what Harry was talking about.

"Lt. Paris and myself have been sexually intimate for four point zero
three months.  I ended the relationship last night.  Lt. Paris did not
agree with that decision."

Harry stood silently through this recitation, his mind going in
circles.  Tuvok and Tom?  Tom and Tuvok?  *Tom* *and* *Tuvok*?  He
sat down on one of the chairs and took a deep breath.

"He's in love with you then?"  That would explain one hell of a lot.

Tuvok sat also, facing Harry.  "We entered into a relationship of
convenience.  He had other partners - there was never any suggestion
of anything  permanent.  He was aware of my intentions regarding my
relationship with you."

Poor Tom.  All those lunches in the Mess Hall, listening to him
blathering on about Tuvok.  And then the kiss - Tom could have
pushed it, could have used their friendship - but at the last minute
he had pulled away.  Harry sighed, and looked at Tuvok.  He had
felt, over the past few weeks especially, that he and Tuvok had
gotten a lot closer.  It seemed they still had a way to go.

"You deceived me."

Tuvok considered the point.  He had been under no obligation to
inform Harry of his sexual practices and he had certainly not lied
outright.  But Harry was talking about the trust that had existed
between them and Tuvok knew then that he should have finished with
Tom a long time ago.  He had erred, and this mistake may well cost
him the most important thing of all - Harry.

"Yes."  In all of their encounters, Tuvok had dictated the pace.
Now it was he who waited for Harry to decide if they could continue.
He wanted to more than anything in the world, but Harry was now in
control here.  Harry watched Tuvok, getting a very clear indication
of his thoughts despite the stoic features.  How long had it been
since he had felt this way about anyone?  How long would it be
again?

He had looked forward to this night - had been fantasizing about
something similar for ages.  Was Tuvok worth it all, despite what
he'd done?

Harry stood then - and went to the door.

"I have to check on Tom."

Tuvok nodded once and remained where he was, watching as Harry left
his quarters.

---

There are three endings to Tangled Web.  I recommend reading them in
reverse order - i.e., read The Ugly first, then The Bad, and finish
with The Good.