Abducted

Somehow, something had gone wrong, not slightly wrong, but seriously wrong, Captain Janeway thought, as she paced her bridge. Checking each member of her bridge crew with a glance, she searched their faces for a clue, a breakthrough, something. But with each uncomfortable returned glance, she received another disappointment. Neither Chakotay nor Tom were answering their hails; but the government of Kilian swore to her that neither of her two senior officers had arrived. Tuvok and Harry were both busy trying to locate the Commander and Lieutenant Paris, but as of yet, were unable to get a solid lock on their com badges.

"Captain," Tuvok said. "It would appear that a dampening field has been placed around the Commander's and Lieutenant Paris' com badges giving false readings as to their location. I am unable to obtain even a general area to begin a search."

Janeway looked at Harry Kim. "Harry, have you found anything?"

"Captain, as soon as they materialized...well, it's almost looked as if they were transported again. I can't get a lock on either of them and I can't trace the second transporter beam, if that's what it even was." The younger man's voice was strained. Janeway knew Harry felt like he was not only letting her down but Tom as well.

Janeway held her temper in check. "Then I would suggest that you two put your heads together; and come up with a way to either pin down that signal, or trace the second transporter beam, because I want them back."

"Yes, Captain," both men answered.

"I will be in my ready room if you need me, Tuvok."

Seven hours later, Janeway was speaking to Kartock, the High Counsel of the Kilian, again.

"Captain Janeway, as much as it pains me to admit this. I'm afraid we have no further options for you. It appears as if your crewmen have been abducted by a rogue faction of our society. We refer to them as the Rashu. They're a dissident group that is continually trying to disrupt our way of life. We're a peaceful culture, but these outlaws steal, pillage, kidnap and are a continual torment. They think we need to embrace our more emotional and violent side."

"This is unacceptable, High Council. You, yourself invited us to your planet, and our people have been taken by these dissidents. Are you telling me you have no idea as to the whereabouts of my crew." Captain Janeway knew her tone was clipped, but damn it, her men were missing and no one knew anything. Why hadn't Kartock warned them about these abductions? According to him, this wasn't the first time it had happened. Was he part of it? Why were visitors to this world being kidnapped? And where were Chakotay and Paris?

"Captain, if I knew where they were believe me, I would have taken care of it a long time ago. Your people are not the only ones who have been taken." The High Council sighed. "If you can get even a location where you think your people might be, I'll assist you in any way I can. We have already sent out word to our security force to be on the lookout for your men. I wish I could offer you more hope, Captain."

Kathryn Janeway did not like the way this man sat. He looked defeated, his tone was weary. How long had this been going on? What was going on? She drew a deep breath, held it and then released it. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, and it frightened her. Her heart rate doubled, she felt herself pale, her eyes snapped to the screen, drilling into Kartock's eyes.

"You make it sound as if my men were dead, High Council."

"Not dead, Captain, but the Rashu are not renown for their kind and gentle treatment of their captives."

Tom knelt beside and slightly behind Chakotay. They were on their knees, metal collars around their necks, and their wrists attached to the back of those collars. Chakotay took in the positioning, they were kneeling, their captor was above them, they were securely restrained and under guard. He understood the mindgame, he had played it himself in the Maquis. Looking up at a massive man sitting in a chair. He was dark headed and vaguely familiar.

The man made a small gesture with his head and Tom was dragged from the room. Chakotay was pleased when Tom kept his mouth shut, he had purported himself well. And knowing Paris, it had cost him dearly to keep quiet.

They both knew something had gone wrong when they had materialized a second they to face a room full of guards. Voyager was searching for them, they knew that too. However, since they had no idea where they were. They realized, they only had each other to rely on. Not that Chakotay would have chosen Tom to be the only person he could trust, but he was better than some other people that Chakotay could think of.

"You are in charge?" The dark man sitting in the chair asked Chakotay. Chakotay took in the dark stare, the powerful body and the predatory gaze. He knew this humanoid as well as he knew himself. He was in charge, he reminded Chakotay of himself when the Crazy Horse was in a battle. He reminded him of B'Elanna when she was angry, barely under control.

"Yes," Chakotay answered simply. The man appeared to deliberate for several moments.

"Tell me of your people."

Chakotay knew Raton was seeing how far he could get with him. What information he would volunteer. He also realized no amount of calm was going to get him out of this situation. He opted for regs.

"Commander Chakotay, Gamma 27 Alpha 179 of the Starship Voyager of the Federation of Planets in the Alpha Quadrant."

"You have told me this before. I want more information. Strengths, the type of ship you have."

"I am Commander Chakotay, serial number Gamma 27 Alpha 179..," Chakotay began his litany again.

When he finished the man continued to stare at him and except for a narrowing of the dark eyes, his face was unreadable. He stood up and walked towards Chakotay.

"The other man, is one of your soldiers?" His captor moved behind him, circling his captive.

"I am Commander..."

Chakotay was knocked off his knees by a vicious backhand to the back of his head. It threw him forward, but Chakotay brought his arm in, twisted his body and rolled to his back.

"Kneel," his captor ordered. Chakotay considered lashing out with both feet, but knew it was futile at this moment. He was about helpless with his arms restrained as they were. There were also the four remaining guards to contend with. He struggled back to his knees.

"I would suggest you become more reasonable in your responses, Commander Chakotay of the Starship Voyager. I have many ways of extracting information from one such as you. Or perhaps I should question the other one...Paris, was that his name?" The man's voice darkened with the threat.

Tom sat quietly in his cell, it was approximately 8 x 8 x 8. He had a bunk, a sink and a toilet. That was it. The walls were metallic gray, so were the floor and the ceiling. No windows and the force field held a horrific shock capable of numbing his entire arm. He assumed it was the next day, because the lights had dimmed for several hours. He thought it might be important to try to keep track of time. This was their second day, wherever they were.

Tom came to his feet as Chakotay was dragged down the hall and thrown into the cell across from his. He watched as much as he could, while staying clear of the force field.

He could see Chakotay had been tortured. The Commander's face was covered in bruises and blood, and his body slumped limply, almost as if he was unconsciousness. Although, when one of the men released him to deactivate the force field, Chakotay was in fact conscious to some degree or another. He managed to stay upright.

They were in trouble.

Chakotay stumbled as he was shoved into the cell. Tom watched as he took several staggering steps and then collapsed to the floor.

"Hey," Tom barked. "Take it easy on him." He watched as Chakotay curled up slightly and then stopped moving.

"Commander?" He asked quietly, after the guards had left the area. His voice was tinged with compassion and worry.

No answer.

"Chief?" he called a little louder. Tom knew he could hear the nervousness in his own voice and hoped no one else correctly identified it as panic. This was too close to Auckland, much too close.

Still no answer.

"Damn it, Chakotay answer me!" Tom ordered, needing to hear Chakotay's calm, deep voice. He needed to know he wasn't alone in this.

But no answer was forthcoming.

Several hours later, Chakotay rolled over and looked at Tom through the forcefield. He saw the look on the cock-sure pilot's face, and hated him for it. Chakotay had one eye almost swollen shut and was sure most of his face was black and blue, but when Paris' eyes dipped, he knew Raton had left marks on him.

Marks that would quickly identify what he had been through: bite marks, bruises and his pants were not completely closed. Chakotay didn't close them, choosing to ignore that particular insult and not give it credence by closing them in front of Paris.

"Oh, shit Commander, what happened?" came the whispered question. Chakotay took in the pale visage and he knew Tom was frightened, although his voice betrayed only the barest hint of horror.

Chakotay's eyes betrayed none of the rage within him, nor did they betray his pain, the mental pain, the physical pain, and the emotional pain that coursed through him with every breath he drew. After being trained by Starfleet, he had always been prepared, or so he thought, to face any torture, and more so after his time in the Maquis. He had seen some real horrors there, but this, this took him beyond his limits.

When Raton released the manacles and challenged him to a fight, Chakotay thought he had a chance to win. He thought he had a chance to win his and Tom's freedom.

Chakotay had been wrong. Despite his best efforts, Raton was faster and stronger, taking Chakotay's best and shrugging it off. Chakotay, on the other hand, took the beating of his life. And then, when he had been unable to rise, unable to get to his feet, Raton had almost carelessly pinned him over a table, only to...Chakotay's jaw tensed even now in the cell...only to rape him.

He had faced the Cardassians, Vidiians, the Kazons, but nothing had prepared him for rape. For the mental assault or the effects of the physical assault. For the deep seated anger that threatened to strip away his serenity, his control.

"Commander, can you hear me?" Came Tom's quiet voice. Chakotay noted he sounded calmer now.

"Yes," Chakotay answered, leaning back against the back wall of his cell, trying to find a comfortable position to sit in.

"Are you alright?" It was a tentative question.

Chakotay just lifted his head to stare at the Lieutenant, who was at the very edge of his doorway. Tom sat back and swallowed visibly.

"Okay, that was a stupid question. I'm sorry," Paris amended, putting his hands up as if warding off the accusations in Chakotay's eyes. "Can I help?"

Chakotay shifted again and snorted, looking pointedly at the cells they were in. "How?" His eyes boring into the younger man's. The anger almost overwhelmed Chakotay.

"Commander...um, it's...uh...look, I had the same thing happen when I was at Auckland and...uh, it's easier if you stay on one hip or lie on your side if you can."

Chakotay lowered his head, not caring to discuss this with Lieutenant Tom Paris.

"I'm sorry, there's just no easy way to share that."

"I'm sure," Chakotay growled, unable to stop himself from striking out at the young man who wasn't to blame for their situation.

Later that day, after he and Tom had been fed something that made Neelix's worst disasters seem like a tasty repaste, Raton and several guards came down the hall. Raton looked into Chakotay's cell. Slowly, raising his eyes, Chakotay met Raton's steely glare. The slight smile playing on Raton's face was almost enough to make Chakotay rush the force field, but he had had a chance in the previous hours, to calm himself. He would not play into his captor's hands by loosing his temper.

With a sigh of disappointment, Raton turned away from Chakotay and stepped across the hall, to stare at Tom. Chakotay noted, with some pride, that Paris stood up and faced the much larger man. Raton studied him, and Chakotay could see the same measurement on Tom's face.

Raton turned back, but Chakotay remained passive, not rising to the obvious bait.

"Bring him," Raton said turning completely away from Tom.

"No, take me," Tom cried. "Or are you afraid?"

Chakotay could have laughed at Tom, but he didn't. There wasn't a person that didn't know Tom was afraid, but still the Commander appreciated the effort and the bravado. If Tom could face this man, so could he.

"Paris, shut up."

Chakotay was lifted to his feet by two of the men. He tried not to flinch. But when he saw Raton standing outside Tom's cell again, he stood up of his own free will, struggling against the hands holding him.

"We had a deal. You keep your side of it, I'll keep mine," Chakotay growled.

Raton turned to him and levered his head backwards by his hair.

"You will do whatever I want, whenever I want, and you'll say nothing," Raton moved very close to Chakotay, making him look up. Chakotay fought against the arms holding him.

"Or..." Raton's head swiveled back to Tom.

"And you claim to be a warrior. I've met carrion with more honor," Chakotay hissed.

Raton laughed as he looked down into Chakotay's eyes, moving so that they were pressed fully against each other. Chakotay tried to pull away.

"Ah, ah. If you misbehave..." Raton's dark eyes shifted slightly towards Tom again.

Tom paced the cell. He knew he had made an impression on Raton when he had literally stood up to him. The flicker of surprise when Tom had met his eyes, gave Raton away. From his experience in Auckland and with the Maquis, he knew that scum like that never expect anyone to stand up to their bullying. Oh, Raton knew he had been frightened, that went without saying, but he had knocked him slightly off-balance.

'Good,' Tom thought. He couldn't irritate the man into punishing Chakotay for his actions, but he sure could express some of the pent up anger and frustration.

This time, when they brought Chakotay back, he was in far worse shape. The powerful man was in only his pants, no shirt, no shoes, and the manacles were back. He was covered in bruises, fresh blood and he limped. Tom's mind could only try to categorize what he could see. Broken ribs, abdominal injuries, were those bruises along his chin.

Shit, it looked like he had been lifted by the collar. He fought down the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him as he took in the injuries.

He had to do something to help Chakotay. Although they weren't best friends, Chakotay couldn't take this abuse without suffering some serious after effects.

Was Raton out to kill him, or just destroy the Commander? He watched, expecting them to put Chakotay in the other cell, but instead they deactivated Tom's force field and pushed him in.

Tom was wondering what was going on, but the look on Chakotay's face wiped most other thoughts from his mind. His gut sank, and Tom knew he went white as a sheet as he clearly saw the bite marks on Chak's face, the bruises on his neck.

No, not that. Not just the shame of being raped, but also the humiliation of being used this way against his will.

"Oh, Chief," Paris whispered as the Commander dropped to his knees and began to collapse.

He moved quickly and pillowed his Commander's head in his lap, gently stroking the battered face. He looked up at the guards, his voice ragged.

"At least give me a dermal regenerator."

The guards laughed and walked off. He checked Chakotay over. Relief spread through him, if this was the extent of his injuries, Chakotay would live. He went to the sink and drew his own shirt off, ripped off a sleeve and soaked it.

He went back to Chakotay and began to tend his many wounds.

Wiping the blood from the Commander's face and chest, Tom noted the teeth marks and the broken ribs, scratches. Oh, that bastard had worked the Chakotay over good. Tom remembered being in the infirmary at Auckland with similar injuries, but he was surprised Chakotay was taking such a beating. Even he had taken one or two of them with him to the infirmary, why was the Commander... Then he remembered Raton's words.

'You will do whatever I say, whenever I say...'

"Oh, shit. Chief," Tom said stroking his abused face.

Chakotay opened his eyes. "Tom, just be quiet. The Captain will find us."

"Yeah," Tom agreed grimly. Sooner or later, he thought to himself. "Help me get you on the bed." He heard the muffled groan as Chakotay moved his legs. Tom shivered as he remembered that pain, but kept his own memories at bay as he focused totally and completely on Chakotay.

They came and took him again. Chakotay was grateful that Tom had done as he had asked. He hadn't fought, and had kept his mouth shut, but nothing could stop the blue glare. Chakotay was happy with what he got.

They had talked quietly as Tom had tended him. Tom had objected strenuously when Chakotay admitted he was doing it to protect the pilot, but when he grabbed Tom's arm and said,

"This is my choice. This is the only way I can deal with what he is doing. Don't goad them into taking you, too. One of us in this condition is bad enough."

"Chak...I can't let you go through this for me."

"I'm not doing it just for you. It's the only stand I can take. There has to be a reason to endure this, don't throw it away as if it were nothing."

As he was led through the corridors, Chakotay couldn't stop the memory of Tom's hands. The way he had gently spoken to him, calming him. Talking about when Janeway found them and they got back home. The hope he gave.

They had both laughed lightly when Chakotay reminded Tom that he was the counselor.

Memories of Tom's light, delicate touch, soothing him, touching his face, his chest, checking him for injuries. Gentle, just when he'd really needed it. Tom's obvious pain when he couldn't suppress a groan or a hiss.

Tom had beautiful hands. Chakotay had watched them while they were on the bridge. He would occasionally find himself watching Tom's hands during a course change, it was almost as if he were playing an instrument. How the pilot made Voyager do things she probably wasn't designed to do was beyond the ex-Maquis, but how he loved watching him do it.

The door to Raton's chambers opened, and Chakotay was taken inside. Chakotay braced himself mentally, all thoughts of Tom Paris leaving his mind as he sought out his nemesis. He studied the hard lines of Raton's body. The humanoid carried no extra fat. Even though he was humanoid, it was very, what was the term, Cro-Magnon. Ape like, a wide forehead, with a big nose and a strong jaw, almost jutting. Chakotay had noticed, even though this was a planet wide occurrence, it was very evident on Raton.

The ludicrous thought that Raton did this because he was too ugly to get a date almost made Chakotay laugh. It also made him doubt his grip on reality for a moment. Chakotay lifted an eyebrow, allowing the derision to show in his eyes as he looked at his captor. That was it Raton was reduced to rape because he was one butt-ugly humanoid.

Raton was sitting in his chair. He held a hand up and the guards stopped, released Chakotay and left the room. Chakotay waited, wondering what would be on the schedule for today.

"You find something about me amusing?"

Chakotay stared at the man. Would he be tied up and raped, would he be beaten and then raped or teased and then raped. The ludicrous thought of introducing him to B'Elanna occurred to Chakotay, bringing another slight smile to his lips.

The mental picture of setting the diminutive woman going complete Klingon on this sorry excuse for a life form, brought a strength.

"Not something you would enjoy," Chakotay said.

"I see your man tended your injuries."

Chakotay remained silent, unconsciously fighting the restraints holding his arms behind his back. Again picturing Tom as 'his' man brought about another mental picture of the Admiral's son in a butler's uniform. His mouth twitched, which irritated Raton even more. Raton stood abruptly and strode angrily towards the Commander. Chakotay braced for the blow that never landed. Instead, Raton moved behind him and in a quiet whisper, pointed out,

"He is a handsome man, almost beautiful." Raton's blunt, thick fingers moved over Chak's shoulder. Mental images of Tom's lithe fingers flittered across Chakotay's mind. He had to agree with Raton, Tom was beautiful.

"Ah, I see the fire in your eyes, Chakotay. Do you sleep with the man?" Raton whispered in Chakotay's ear, "Do you fuck him, like I fuck you? Driving yourself into him? Making him take your manhood?" Suddenly his head was levered back. "I asked you a question."

"No." Chakotay tried not to fight his jailer. To fight was to be beaten or worse.

"You know, if I continue, he will beg to take your place."

"We had a deal," Chakotay hissed his neck aching from being held so far back.

"True." Raton released his hair. Chakotay straightened back up, but Raton stayed behind Chakotay. His hand strayed to Chak's throat and chest, stroking it. The Commander was not prepared when the teeth sank into his shoulder. He cried out as the teeth broke skin. He tried to pull away, but Raton only bit down harder, forcing Chakotay to still himself unless he wanted to have a chunk of flesh removed. Raton began to suck at the wound. "You taste good." But he released Chakotay and took him to another room. A room that the Commander would soon learn to fear.

Now it was the fifth day.

Tom met them at the force field and took Chakotay. It frightened him that it was now common place to take the abused body of his Commander every morning. The first two days he had almost cowered from the guards when he realized how vulnerable he was. A run-in with a guard ending with him pinned to a wall inches above the floor by one hand around his throat impressed that fact on him. His stomach churned continually, he jumped at the sound of footsteps, and strangely praying that they never deactivated his forcefield while he was alone.

He realized yesterday while Chakotay slept fitfully, that he wasn't being part of the team player. His father used to say that. Each person had to do their part for something to work. Tom smiled ruefully. Who would have thought his father's advice would ever come in handy. But at the moment he thought of it, the revelation had been chilling.

Chak had moaned something about not taking Tom, to leave Tom alone. Tom had been pacing the cell, three steps up, three steps back, three steps up, three steps back. But when he heard what Chak had said, his heart froze and his stomach plummeted as he was forced to remember why Chakotay was doing this. Then his father's words had sounded in his mind. After a moment of shock, Tom Paris thoroughly kicked himself in the ass. A senior officer was having to submit to the greatest degradation a person could be subjected to for him, and he was worried about himself?! Cowering like some child? Not anymore!

'Come on, Paris. He's going through hell for you and all you can do is cringe in fear! If it were the other way around, Chakotay would be doing a hell of a lot more than this.'

Tom's anger doubled and he unwisely begun to taunt and berate the guards. He called them every name he could think of, using his travels to introduce them to some new languages, including Klingon. But when they put Chak in the other cell after one of his little tirades, he had stopped. It was probably the hardest thing he had to do. Controlling his tongue was not one of his strong points, but he didn't want to get Chakotay in trouble. He didn't want Chakotay hurt because of his mouth. He didn't want to goad the guards into revenge. And he certainly didn't want to experience being raped again. Tom knew if he was hurt for whatever reason, it would destroy Chak. The idea that everything he had been through had been for nothing. No, that would be too much for the big Maquis to deal with. So Tom toned it down. He wasn't silent by any means, but he didn't lose control again either.

Tom found the hardest thing to deal with was the control they exerted over the two of them. To have to keep his temper and mouth in check for fear of what they would do to the Commander, left a foul taste in his heart. And he knew Chak was doing what he did, so Tom wasn't hurt.

So, he began to rant at others. He called Janeway every name in the book, projected some really mean, illogical thoughts at Tuvok, and wished to hell and back that Kess was still around, or that there was an honest to goodness telepath on board to hear him screaming for them. Damn! All he could do was not mention his nightmares and still the quaking in his hands as he tended Chakotay.

Once more, Tom slowly moved and lowered the big man to the bed. Chakotay didn't even try to hide it anymore, he immediately lay on his side and submitted to Tom's ministrations.

"Bad session?" Tom asked gently.

Chak just nodded.

Slowly, pausing at each hiss and groan, Tom began to run his hands over Chakotay's bruised body, checking for injuries. He didn't know how the Commander felt about his touch, but he had already reset a dislocated shoulder. Tom felt the need to do a physical examination. He tried to be gentle, almost like touching a lover, murmuring to him, talking to him. He had to do as much as he could to help, as much as Chak had to face Raton every single fucking night. Tom drew in a deep breath and released it as he sat beside Chakotay on the bed. He looked at the bite on Chak's shoulder. It was deep and getting infected. It appeared to be a favorite of Raton's. There wasn't a morning that it hadn't been ripped back open. Tom noted the red color and swore as squeezed the cloth to at least rinse it out, fighting with the futility of the situation.

As he gently removed his weight from the bed, shifting his weight incrementally from the bed. A thought occurred to him, a slightly irrational thought. When Chakotay wasn't there, Tom heaped curse upon curse on that animal's head. He paced the cell, cussed the Captain out, shook his fist at the ceiling, muttered, just as angry as a person could be. However, as soon as they brought Chakotay back, he was gentle, quiet. He never raised his voice, never moved suddenly. He shook his head in irony.

"Look Dad. I'm learning control," He muttered inanely.

Tom was drawn back to the present as Chakotay jumped. He had rinsed the rag out and flushed the shoulder wound again. Then he had continued his exam. Tom looked at where his hands rested on the back of Chak's legs. They had taken Chakotay's pants the day before and given him a piece of cloth. The guards had callously made comments about how if he was going to be Raton's whore, he should at least be dressed like it. Tom had given them a ration of shit for that little comment, but stopped before they became too angry at him.

Tom soothed him with his voice as he slowly moved the piece of cloth and suppressed a gasp as he took in the welts. They appeared to be the only new injury, but they were deep, really deep. The only thing he knew that would inflict wounds like that was a crop or a cane. Oh shit, that had to hurt.

"Anything else?"

He felt the big man tense and saw his hands become fists. The only other response was a quick shake of Chak's head.

"Okay, roll onto your stomach. I have to take this off, so it doesn't become part of the scab," Tom said trying to emulate the EMH's professional voice.

Chakotay shook his head.

"I know you don't want to be that exposed but, believe me, you don't want this scabbing onto your ass. I think Raton is the kind of guy that would rip it off, just to hurt you," Tom said, rubbing his hand over Chakotay's back. Slowly, the muscles relaxed under his touch.

Chakotay gave a short burst of laughter. His first audible response to Tom's presence. Amused laughter he noted, not hysterical, yet.

"Do what you have to do, Tom."

Tom nodded, knowing Chak was coming back into himself. When he could start to speak and trust Tom, he was centering. Slowly and gently, Tom removed the cloth and bit his lip to keep all verbal reactions quiet. Chak's ass was a mess. It was covered in welts, bruises and blood. Tom washed him as gently as possible, not hearing the hisses or seeing the involuntary jumps as the cool water and rough material hit the traumatized flesh.

"I'm sorry," Tom whispered. Then he removed both of them from the here and now.

"You know I was thinking about Sandrine. Remember, I was telling you about her the other day. When we get back to Earth, I want you to meet her. She is one hell of a woman, Chak. One hell of a woman." Tom kept the quiet monologue up. If nothing else to distract Chakotay to some extent as Tom used his shirt to wipe away the remaining signs of Raton's rape.

However, he forgot himself, as he began to clean the back of his legs.

"Shit! Doesn't this guy do anything but rip into you?" Tom heard the pain in his own voice, but he felt Chakotay go tense under him. "I'm sorry," Tom apologized. He knew Chakotay's way of dealing with this was pretending it never happened. Tom sighed and wondered for at least the millionth time, 'Where in the fuck was Janeway?'

He drew a cleansing breath and looked away for a moment, blinking until his vision cleared.

That night was a bad night. Raton was angry. As he came into the room of torture, he only slowed minimally as he took in the big Indian spread for his enjoyment. Chakotay could not stop himself from pulling away from the Ape, which he now referred to Raton as.

"Your Captain," Raton began, "is a woman that needs to learn her place."

Chakotay gasped when he heard those words. Raton had met Janeway? Had she found them and was trying to get to them? Hope filled his heart, despite his best intention for it not to. He knew the Ape loved the joy of cruelly snatching hope away from someone, like letting Chakotay think he had a chance to win his and Tom's freedom that first night.

"Oh, yes. All that interesting red-hair. She ordered me about as if I were some lowly messenger. Dismissed me from the room, so she could talk to Kartock."

Chakotay wanted to cheer. He was glad that the Captain had seen through this man. Then he realized where the Ape had seen her. He was Kartock's brother. Janeway was still searching for them though, that was good. He relaxed back into the chains holding him.

"Who does she think she is? And who are you that you obey a woman?" Raton hissed in anger, advancing on Chakotay.

His head snapped to the side at the Ape's backhand. He slowly lifted it, licking the blood away from his lip. Chakotay's heart dropped as he realized that he would pay for the Captain's actions, but for some reason he was glad there was a reason for it.

He could sense Raton behind him. He bit back the humiliation as the only covering he was allowed was ripped from his hips. He tensed and bit his lip in pain as Raton bit at the wound he had inflicted on Chakotay's shoulder. It was infected. Tom was worried about it. Chakotay pictured Tom's eyes as Raton began to inflict pain on his body, seperating his mind from the situation. It wasn't until he felt the cockring tighten that he was aware of what the Ape was doing to him. Once he was too hard to free himself from the device, the Ape reached up and released his arms.

"Come my pretty, let's see if your fighting has improved."

Chakotay slowly lowered his aching arms and rubbed the stiff muscles. Warily, he turned, continuing to work the muscles in his arms and shoulders. These words worried him.

Chakotay had realized that these people were people of tradition and he could understand that. His people weren't as cruel as the Ape and his buddies, but they did follow tradition, and there was a tradition to this as well. It was his place to throw the first punch. But, it was the Ape's place to make him angry enough to do it.

Unfortunately, Raton knew just how to do it.

Raton started pushing Chakotay, pushing him backwards and then telling him how much he enjoyed bending the big man to his will. Then he started fantasizing, with lurid detail, about what he would do to Tom if Chakotay didn't do what he wanted. It took a while, but finally Chakotay attacked when the Ape commented that perhaps they could get the Captain the same way they had gotten Tom and him.

Chakotay lay panting on the floor. His hands slipping on the tile, slick with sweat and blood, his entire body screaming in pain, as his mind screamed that he get back up, because if he didn't...

Raton hauled him up by his hair. He struck out weakly.

"Pitiful," Raton said as he threw Chakotay.

In a matter of moments, Chakotay found himself in a position that scared the shit out of him. He was tied over a waist high bar. His legs spread to the point of cramping, shackled in place and his arms bound to his ankles. Raton never gagged him, he liked hearing the pain he inflicted. Chakotay swallowed heavily as Raton undressed and stroke his massive cock, staring at Chakotay's ass spread for him. His bile rose as the Ape licked his lips and moved closer.

"Such a pretty fuck," Raton whispered. "So pretty." He moved forward and Chakotay tensed, but instead of the cruel hard invasion he was used to, the Ape scraped his fingernails over the fresh welts. Chakotay jumped and cried out shortly.

"Your Captain is most upset that Kartock cannot find you. But then again Kartock, idiot that he is, would never suspect his brother of being the one who led the Rashu." Raton moved away from Chakotay laughing.

Chakotay could only wait. He listened as Raton raved for a few moments. Then he watched the man approach him again. He felt him insert the end of something into his exposed ass and fill him. Closing his eyes, he prayed to the spirits for strength, or death. He almost didn't care any more which they granted him, just end this. To be so helpless before an enemy, so vulnerable wasn't something he had ever faced before. He clenched his jaw as Raton slowly began to work his entire fist into Chakotay. That was the first night Chakotay screamed.

He awoke slowly, he felt his cock, hard and heavy, a hand was gently stroking him. In that fuzzy world of between sleep and awake, he thrust his hips and almost cried out again. Reality came screaming back. Chakotay still had the cock ring on, his hands were once more bound behind him as he lay in Raton's bed.

"What, my pretty fuck, are you sore?" Raton laughed cruelly as he continued his tormenting stroke.

Chakotay literally bit his lip to remain absolutely silent, the tang of the blood a familiar taste now. He continued to bite down harder and harder until Raton brought him to the edge of release and then stopped. Chakotay knew he was going to do it, but still it was almost beyond his control to not make a sound.

The bigger man started to laugh.

Chakotay's eyes shot open as he tried to still his body's reactions, to calm his harsh breathing, to not move his hips but it was so hard. His shame was complete as he realized what he had wanted. He had wanted this maniac to let him get off, he wanted to end the aching in his groin, and was willing to let this man do it. Chakotay wished the sharp pain from being fisted would stop his need, but it didn't. He wished he weren't here, he wanted to be anywhere but here. And despite every ounce of self-control he had, his eyes filled with tears, allowing his captor that much more joy in his achievement.

He turned his head away from his tormentor only to have the Ape suck on his earlobe and the earring now in that ear. Chakotay had forgotten about it until the ape touched it. He remembered as the needle pierced his flesh. He had tried to console himself that it couldn't be as bad as when he got his tattoo. But he had wanted the tattoo. He didn't want this mark placed upon him. He didn't want the gold in his body, one more mark showing that he was nothing more than a distraction to Raton.

Spirits, what would Tom think when he saw it. Tom, Chakotay latched onto that thought. Soon, Raton would take him to Tom, and the pilot would stop the pain, if only for a little while. He wouldn't condemn Chakotay for his actions. He would distract him from this hideous reality. Tom.

"Ask me and I'll get you off."

Chakotay resolutely kept his mouth shut, refusing to beg. He was rolled over and he grunted as Raton pushed himself deeply into Chakotay and used his body for his own pleasure. Chakotay fought gagging as he felt the Ape's seed fill him. Tom, he held onto that thought.

Then as Raton climbed off, and called his guards. He did the one thing that Chakotay could consider a kindness. He had him taken back to their cell.

It didn't bother him, at that particular moment, that he was in this condition: Naked, bruised, bleeding, hard, restrained, covered in the Ape's come. The guard's taunting and groping meant nothing. He was focused. All he needed was to get away from this torture and see Tom.

Once more, he felt the warm, gentle hands come around his waist and guide him to the bed. Chakotay felt as if he could relax now. The quiet, calming voice started talking. The cloth was gently applied to his face wiping away the blood.

He had made it through another night.

Tom knew he couldn't undo the shackles holding the Chak's arms behind his back. However, the sight of Chakotay's cock, swollen, bruising and leaking almost made him ill. Gods, if there were sizes to these things, this one was definitely too small for Chakotay.

"Chief," he whispered desperately as he slowly helped the man. "Don't do this anymore. He's gonna kill you."

As he cleaned or at least tried to clean and comfort the big man, he tried to talk Chakotay out of this.

"It's not about you anymore, Tom," Chakotay finally whispered.

Tom was so frustrated. He felt so helpless to do anything except triage when they brought Chak back. Now this, to send him back in this condition. He knew what happened, but must they parade him around like this? Did they have to leave him like this where now he had to get involved in it? He had to add to his humiliation. Then he too centered.

"How can I help?"

"I know it's asking a lot, but will you..." Chakotay blushed. Tom couldn't believe after all that he had been through, the Commander could blush about this. "I'm hurting Tom," Chakotay whispered.

Tom's indomitable spirit rose to the occasion. His eyes narrowed as he met Chakotay's eyes.

"Is that an order?" He asked with a quick smile to let Chakotay know he was teasing. He made a show of spitting in his own hand.

Chakotay smiled. "No."

But the smile was replaced as he twisted and groaned when Tom touched him. The Commander was no lightweight in size that was for sure, Tom thought as he began to gently stroke. Tom had to watch, biting back his own pain as Chakotay closed his eyes at the pleasure/pain. How humiliating for the Commander, Tom thought sadly.

"Oh Spirits," Chakotay groaned. Tom could see that each thrust of his hips was pure agony. Raton must have really torn him up. He kept his eyes on Chak's face to gauge if he was hurting him. Hurting with him each time he grimaced.

Unexpectedly, Chakotay opened his eyes and met Tom's. An unguarded moment and Tom didn't expect to see what he saw.

He made a decision and leaned over, still watching Chakotay for the smallest sign of distress. Gently, their lips touched and as Tom cradled Chakotay's head, and their tongues met. Chakotay twisted against him, cried out quietly and came, struggling against Tom as his long denied orgasm tore through him. Tom gentled him down, stroking the tears from from both of their faces.

"Sleep, Chakotay, sleep."

And Chakotay did. Tom sat beside him for a long time, watching, stroking his finger's through that short, dark hair and wondering what in the hell was tomorrow morning going to be like.

Chakotay slept peacefully, somehow aware of Tom's presence by his side. He felt the warmth of Tom's kiss long after he slept. He was dreaming they were back on Voyager, heading for home. He and Tom were in his quarters, sharing the evening over a few glasses of wine, when he awoke to a scuffle and to Tom screaming. When he tried to move, he cried out in pain.

"Get him tied down," Someone ordered, and Chakotay felt his ankles bound to the end of the bed.

"No!" He screamed, struggling against incredibly strong hands. "Raton promised he wouldn't be touched."

"Well, Raton ain't here," someone hissed. "And it ain't him we're gonna fuck."

Tom felt ill as at least ten men went into the cell across the hall. He had screamed, threatened and convinced himself he could kill all ten of them with his bare hands if he had to. The smile on each of there faces as they came out hitching their pants up was almost enough to make him throw himself at the forcefield. Finally, they were all gone.

"Chakotay, can you hear me?" He asked quietly only to be answered by silence.

He kept talking, but Chakotay didn't respond to him. Finally, he was allowed back in the cell. He couldn't even release Chak from the bed. With tears in his eyes and his voice shaking, he once more wet the cloth and began to tend the Commander.

"It's gonna be okay, Chak. The Captain will find us."

Later, Raton came to the doorway.

"You have to let me care for him, he needs medication, antibiotics, a fucking bath," Tom said loosing some of his cool. Raton stared into the blue fire and at the man on the bed.

"Step back," Raton said, and Tom stepped back from the force field.

Raton and two other men entered the cell and touched something to the shackles holding Chakotay's arms behind his back, and cut the ropes holding his ankles. The knots had been pulled too tight by the Commander's struggling to be untied.

Tom watched horrified as Chakotay's arms tumbled limply to the bed, taking in for the first time the deep brown eyes staring sightlessly at the far wall. One of the men coldly lifted Chakotay onto his shoulder and Raton led them down the hall. Chakotay never even twitched a muscle. Tom hurriedly picked up the cloth thrown against the wall, and the remnants of his uniform shirt and followed.

Raton didn't have to warn Tom about behaving. Chakotay was helpless, and Tom was not a man that could move that quickly carrying that much weight. And Tom knew exactly who would pay for any disobedience on his part.

Raton stopped at a door, placed his hand on a pad and the door opened. He called for lights and the other man dumped Chakotay roughly on the bed. Then they turned and left the room.

Tom looked around, somewhat surprised. These quarters were almost luxuriant, windows, another door, carpeting, chairs, but the sunken bathtub got his attention. He filled it with warm water and with some difficulty maneuvered Chak into it. He caught his breath as he stripped to his briefs and got in. He may have an inch or two on the Commander, but Chak's dead weight was almost too much for him.

With the same tender care he had used all along, he bathed him. Tom began to speak quietly as Chak started to respond to him, gentle instructions, superficial jokes, anything to distract them both.

When the cleansing became personal, Chakotay protested weakly. Tom spoke quietly to him and the Commander settled down. He reminded Chakotay of how much they hated each other in the beginning, wondering if either of them ever thought they'd be taking a bath together, and anything else that came into his mind.

Finally, he got the Commander into the only bed in the room and covered him. He searched the room for anything he could use, but found nothing. He would have slammed the last cupboard shut, but was afraid he would wake Chakotay.

Later, two people entered the room by the ther door. One carried a tray and the other moved to Chakotay. Tom hovered as the man examined him. When he was done he turned to Tom.

"You have medical skills?"

"Some."

He reviewed the medications, how much and how often. Tom listened carefully. The two left and Tom sat beside Chakotay and began to feed him. When the other man had gotten off the bed, Chakotay had woken up and Tom felt his heart twist, when Chak jumped in fear. He recognized shock and mental trauma when he saw it. He also remembered the feeling after he had been used by one of the prison gangs in Auckland. When there was no response to his voice or his touch, Tom knew Chakotay was lost in his own mind. But he just kept talking, not knowing what else to do. Chakotay would come back when he was ready to.

"You know, my mother used to tell me I had a gift for gab, Chak, but you are really pushing even my limits. Good thing you didn't get stuck down here with Harry and B'El. They'd be talking Specs and Techs and bored you to death. Me, I tell you the good stuff. Did I tell you about Louise? Man, she was my first love...she ripped my heart out..."

When the food was gone, Tom slipped off his boots and lay down beside Chakotay. He just lay beside him, still talking, wanting, no, needing some respons. He needed to hear they were going to make it, as much as Chakotay needed to here it from him.

"I'll tell you this Chak, when we get back to Voyager, I am kicking Janeway's ass. This is just unbearable. Leave us down here like this. Yeah, her and Tuvok...I'll get B'Elanna to help with him though. Vulcan's are strong."

He felt the Commander move and Tom saw a faint smile.

"Hi. How you feeling?" He asked stroking the Commander's cheek.

"You may need Vorick, too," Chakotay rasped out. Tom looked into those chocolate brown eyes, and smiled.

"Good idea. I hadn't thought of him."

"Tom, would you...Don't leave."

"And where exactly do you think I'm going? Vacation?"

Chak smiled weakly. "No, stay here. Don't go."

"Okay. I'll be right here. I promise."

That night, Raton didn't come and get him. Tom warily pulled the covers over himself, as he lay beside Chakotay. He didn't trust that fucking pervert to not try something like letting them get comfortable and then coming and dragging Chak away. He dozed lightly all night long.

He woke up with his arms around the big man, Chakotay's head on his shoulder. He didn't move, he just held him, strangely content that this was good for both of them.

The next day, Chakotay stayed in the bed. Tom had to do something to get Chakotay moving or he was going to completely lose it. Unfortunately, except slapping him across the face or putting him in a cold bath, Tom couldn't think of anything, but he tried to stop talking. He didn't want Chak to get comfortable...wherever he was.

He puttered around the room, took a bath himself. Got clean for the first time in who knew how long. But time after time, he found himself sitting beside Chakotay, stroking his hair, urging him to come back. He held the big man's hand, relishing the warmth and wishing there was a return squeeze.

"Talk to me, Chak. You're worrying me here." He watched the face for any signs of actual consciousness. None.

Then Raton came in, with three guards. Tom was wrestled to the far side of the room by two guards. The third stayed by the door. Raton strode to where Chakotay lay, helpless and vulnerable, and touched him.

"Get your filthy hands off him," Tom growled. "Haven't you done enough damage?"

Raton didn't even look up, but one of the guards slapped him across the back of his head hard enough to blur his vision for a moment. Chakotay didn't move. Tom watched horrified as Raton lifted his hand and slapped the Commander. The guards tightened their grip on Tom. He was bound to have bruises from it, but it barely registered in his mind. His attention was focused on the bed. When Raton didn't get a reaction from the slap, he turned to his guard.

"Take him to my quarters." He gestured to Tom.

"No."

All eyes turned to the bed, as Chakotay rolled to his side and pushed himself up on his arms. "We had a deal. Me, not him."

"Chief, No," Tom said. His voice shaking not only with fear but with the intense emotions as he watched Chakotay fight to get out of the bed. He couldn't let this happen, Chakotay was played out. Raton was looking at Tom and Tom met his eyes calmly. "Take me."

Raton looked back to where Chakotay struggled to get out of the bed.

"You think you can keep up?" he asked as Chakotay pulled the covers off his body. Raton smiled cruelly, completely ignoring Tom.

"Anything you can dish out," Chakotay responded, getting to his feet very slowly. Tom felt a hands tighten on his arm as he tried to move forward.

"No!"

But no one listened to him. He watched, helpless in the guard's hands as Chakotay and Raton walked towards the door.

"NO! Chak, no...don't do this!" Tom pled, desperation clear in his voice. He had to do something. Raton was going to kill him.

As the door locked behind the guards, Chakotay gone, Tom sank to the floor, drawing his knees to his chest. He started to rock and cry.

The next morning he turned as the door opened. Chakotay took two steps in the room. Their eyes met. Tom moved to catch the battered man before he hit the floor.

Tom cared for him. It was bad. But he found that he could no longer deal with the situation. He was taking more and more refuge in his own mind, just like Chakotay did. He couldn't cry anymore as he washed the blood from Chakotay's body.

"Chak, you've got to stop this. He's going to kill you. This is suicide."

Tom had already drawn a bath and slowly slid the Commander into it.

"Got you, Chak, Tom's got you. It's gonna be okay." He slowly washed the blood from the battered body. He gently washed the eye crusted shut, and the bruised area almost obliterating the tattoo. Tom cleaned the blood from the Commander's ears trying to keep his head above water. Head injury, not good.

"Chak, you have to stop, because I can't face this alone. If he kills you, you'll leave me here alone and I can't deal with that."

Tom finally got Chak onto his stomach with his arms pillowing his head on the side of the tub and washed his back and ass. Without even thinking, he leaned over the Commander and whispered,

"Let me do it, Chak. Just relax." He took the Commander's cock in his hand and slowly stroked him off.

He touched and stroked Chakotay's back, kissing at the whip marked shoulders. He remembered that first time when Chakotay had kissed him, coming in his hand. The look in his eyes, now this act, which had brought both of them solace, was performed by rote.

Chakotay shuddered. He removed the cock ring and pulled the weeping man into his arms, gently touching and stroking his arms, kissing the side of his face.

"It's okay, Chak. I'm here, but you have to stop. Please stop."

Tom got him into the bed and spread the ointment over his back, murmuring to him until he slept. Tom pulled the covers up as far as he could. The bite on Chakotay's shoulder was open again, swollen and raw, but at least the ointment had cleared up the infection. Great, now Raton could rip it open all he wanted to, Tom thought shaking his head.

What made Tom really sick was knowing this scenario was going to be repeated over and over, until it killed Chakotay. It was already killing both of them.

"Captain, where are you?" he said aloud. "Find us, Damn it!"

Numbly Tom sat with him through the nightmares, and the shaking as his body tried to deal with the physical and mental tortures. Holding, touching, comforting. Dealing with his own personal hell, as well as helping Chakotay with his. If this was all he could do, then he would do it. Except for the anger and pleasure that the image of strangling the life out of Raton with his own bare hands, Tom didn't feel anything.

Tom thought it couldn't get any worse, but he found out he was wrong. That night, he was taken with Chakotay. He had screamed and fought as they lifted Chakotay to his feet. He hadn't spoken all day, in fact, he hadn't moved. His eyes opened the minute someone else's hands touched him, but that was all. It took two guards to support the Commander down the hall, and two to contain Tom.

Tom thought he would be frightened, but instead, he was mad. He was as angry as he had ever been in his life. He was even angrier than when his father had let him be thrown in a maximum security prison. Tom found himself looking forward to meeting Raton in this situation. As far as he was concerned, he had nothing to lose.

But he realized, it wasn't him that was going to lose, and his heart was jerked around as Raton used Tom against Chakotay. Tom very quickly realized Raton was only interested in breaking Chak and if that meant he torture Tom to get a reaction from Chakotay, then so be it.

By the end of the night, Tom felt as if himself had been raped. To have to watch what that man did. He could only meet Chakotay's eyes and will strength to the older man. Raton laughed when he caught them staring at each other. He bound Chakotay to a wall with a head strap, so he stared at Tom, and then jerked the Commander off. Tom's eyes never wavered. Where Raton thought he was going to break Tom's spirit making him watch this, instead Tom began to seethe. That was the only word he could come up with, because the anger surged and boiled inside him.

When Raton met his eyes, Tom channeled every bit of anger, hatred and vehemence into his eyes. He assured Raton wordlessly, if he ever got the chance, he, Tom Paris, would kill this being who tortured Chakotay as painfully and slowly as he possible could.

Tom could only pray that somehow Chakotay's mind would forget the horrors of being forced to perform not only for the maniac but also in Tom's presence. Before, when Tom had been left behind, Chakotay could keep the pain and humiliation to himself, now someone knew. Someone had heard his screams, his submission to the other man, his weakness, his body's traitorous acts. Tom knew that Chakotay's pain was doubled at his presence, but what he wanted Chak to know was that he understood. That he had been through the same things and he didn't think Chak was weak or any less a man.

At one point in time Raton left them alone.

"I'm proud of you, Chak," Pain-filled eyes met his. Not just physical pain, but a soul scorching emotional pain that tore Tom apart. "I'm proud of you! Shit, I thought you were some sort of pantywaist after Seska."

Chakotay's brow creased.

"Was I wrong! You are one of the strongest fucking men I have ever met. Don't let him beat you Chak. Don't let go!"

Chakotay's head fell forward again, his body held upright by the steel binding him to the wall.

"Why do you encourage him?" Raton asked from the doorway.

"Because, you fucking bastard, you aren't worthy of him. You are the fucking scum of the Delta Quadrant. And he is a man, a man that I am proud to know, proud to call my friend."

A week later, a security team from Voyager and the local constabulary burst into the room where Tom and Chak were imprisoned. Tuvok in the lead. He took in Tom's protective stance over the Commander who lay in the bed.

"Tuvok?" Tom gasped. Then in a strong voice ordered. "Get us the hell out of here!"

"Tuvok to Voyager. Emergency beam out. Two directly to sickbay."

The EMH was very put out with Tom Paris. He would not allow anyone near Chakotay, not even the Captain. In fact, it had taken some fancy talking on Ensign Kim and Lieutenant Torres' parts to keep the Captain from locking Lieutenant Paris up after he had ordered her out of sickbay.

"You left us there for two weeks, now get the hell out of here. I've taken care of him and will continue to do so."

Of course, his threats to turn the EMH off were not warmly met either.

Slowly he fought his way to consciousness. Something was missing, but he couldn't decide what it was. Groggy, he opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling, it wasn't grey. 'Voyager?'

"Chak?" a quiet voice questioned. "They got us out, Chak. How you doing?"

He reached out towards the sound of that familiar voice as his head slowly followed. Slender hands took his, blue eyes blazed at him. He slowly let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding.

"Tom?" Was that his voice? It sounded so rough, so weak. He held those hands as if they were his lifeline. Chakotay allowed one hand to disentangle from his. It gently stroked his face.

"Is your throat still sore?" Tom asked with sympathy. He reached to the side with his free hand.

"A little," Chakotay responded trying to clear it. His throat ached from the screaming and from Raton continually forcing him to...no. He wasn't going to let his mind go there again.

There was a nervous laugh from Tom. "With everything else I had to fix, I forgot about that." He heard a dermal regenerator start. His throat stopped feeling so raw.

Then he realized what was missing. He wasn't in pain anymore. All the aches and pains were gone. Breathing no longer had the price of piercing pain. Moving body parts no longer made him bite his lip to keep from screaming. Even his lip, that he had almost bitten through, was smooth. They must be on Voyager, or he was having a dream that he never wanted to wake up from.

"Are we really here?" Chakotay whispered, afraid if he spoke too loud, it would all go away and they would be back in that hell hole.

Tom nodded. "We've been here about 12 hours." He stroked Chakotay's face. "You made it Chak, you got us out."

Tears slipped out of the big man's eyes. Tom slowly gathered him in his arms and held him as they rocked. Chakotay knew he was safe. He fell asleep.

As the Commander fell back asleep, Tom carefully laid him back on the biobed.

Kathryn Janeway cleared her throat. Tom turned to where she stood just inside the doors. Janeway fought down her irritation as Tom turned his back on her and gave Chakotay a sedative to help him rest.

"Now, Lieutenant. Would you care to explain this to me."

Tom paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Let me get him settled and I'll tell you what I know." Tom gently covered Chakotay with a blanket, arranging him with his arms over the blanket. Janeway watched, noting that Tom handled Chakotay like a hurt child or...like a concerned lover.

She raised her eyebrow at that thought. Then Tom turned back and hitched his hip onto the edge of the bed and held Chakotay's hand. He met her eyes calmly and levelly. Janeway noticed he still stood between her and her First Officer, and had a feeling he was going to continue to.

"He sleeps better if I'm here."

She said nothing. She waited. Then she listened, and then she wanted to throw up. The horrors Tom described were worse than she had ever heard about, worse than the Cardassian prison camps, maybe worse than the Kazons. At least the Kazons would kill you, when you were no longer amusing. This was slow torture with no end in sight.

"The last week was...beyond belief," Tom continued quietly staring at Chakotay. "Raton didn't always take him away. He had me held, and used Chak right there. It was horrible. I couldn't help, I couldn't stop it and Raton used us against each other. If I tried to interfere, Chakotay was punished. If Chak didn't do what he wanted, I was punished. We only knew it was over when he left." Tom had been looking at Chakotay as he spoke, but then he looked up. "Captain, I owe you a lot, but I have to tell you very honestly. I am madder than hell at you."

"What? You think we just left you there, Tom?" she asked quietly. Surely not.

The entire crew of Voyager had helped with the rescue. It had taken them forever and it had taken a lot of pushing to get access to the Kilian's technology to be able to break through the shielding and find them, but they never gave up.

"Felt that way. I know you didn't. But we had to face that every single day we were there and I'm sorry. That's where it's fallen."

"I can understand that Tom. I can appreciate the honesty, too. But I want you to know, we didn't. We tried everything we could think of to find you two," Janeway said coming forward. "It took a long time to figure out you were in a shielded underground facility beneath a large city. We scanned the entire planet for your DNA and that took a while."

When she thought about it, she could understand that Tom needed to be mad at someone, better her than someone else. She could handle his anger, for a while.

Tom nodded. "Anything else, Captain?"

"Kartock has requested we stay for the trial. You and Chakotay are the only two that were actually tortured by Raton. He needs that testimony to imprison him."

"Prison?" Tom laughed dryly. "That bastard deserves a lot more than prison, Captain." Then his head flew up, his voice became sharp and accusing. "You want Chakotay to face him?"

"His testimony is needed." The Captain nodded. She had moved forward during the conversation, but the EMH and Tuvok had both warned her that Tom was being almost violently protective of Chakotay. She kept her distance. In fact, she almost took a step backwards at Tom's sudden change in demeanor. He looked almost...dangerous. Not the cocky pilot she knew, that was for sure.

"No," Tom said firmly. "Captain, you don't understand, but no way. Chak isn't going to be able to face him and testify. He may not even be able to face a court and testify."

"He's gonna have to, Tom." She held the irritation out of her tone. She didn't need to unduly anger Tom. Given a few days, he would see that this was necessary. If Chakotay didn't testify, Raton would walk away.

Tom stood up, gently putting Chakotay's hand down, and stepped firmly in between Janeway and Chakotay. "Captain, you talk to Kartock and you get him to pull whatever strings he has to and let the Commander testify remotely. Otherwise, his case against his brother will fall apart."

That was it. Time for a little Federation authority. She pulled herself to full height. "Excuse me, Lieutenant. I am the Captain of this vessel and you will not speak to me like that."

"Excuse me, Captain," Tom replied not back down one micron, "but we just went through living hell, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you or anyone else put Chak back in it!"

"Tom? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Chak. The Captain and I are just discussing something," Tom soothed dropping his tone and taking Chakotay's hand again. Janeway watched the transformation with awe. The moment before Tom had been angry enough to scream at her, now his tone was calming, his attitude concerned and caring.

She watched as Tom and Chakotay held hands and Tom touched her first officer, soothing him back to sleep. Her training told her this was not good. These two needed to be separated for a while to straighten themselves back out. They went down barely able to tolerate each other and came back, holding hands? Not good.

"Don't forget. You'll need Vorick when you get to Tuvok," Chakotay laughed weakly. Janeway felt her eyebrow shoot back up at that comment. "We're really on Voyager?"

"Yeah, Chak. We're really on Voyager."

"Set a course for Alpha Quadrant. Warp 10," Chakotay ordered as his eyes began to droop again.

Tom turned back to her and arched an eyebrow. That was when she realized Chakotay never spoke to her, even though she was in his line of vision. That was shocking. She needed to think about this situation carefully before she did anything else.

The next day, when Tom finally let anyone near Chakotay, the Doctor announced the Commander was physically whole but ordered him off duty for at least a week.

He also ordered that the Commander go to counseling.

Chakotay took that order calmly. He sat on the edge of the biobed in some civies that Tom had brought down for him. He found himself rubbing his wrists where those accursed manacles had been for so long. He remembered asking Tom when they were alone if he had healed his ear.

Tom had nodded.

"What did you do with the..."

"I put it in the recycler. I didn't think you wanted it."

"I don't. I just wanted to be sure it was gone. Did anyone see it?"

"No one but the Doc and maybe Tuvok."

Tom's movement by the door brought him back to the conversation.

"So, as long as you don't experience any pain, Commander. I see no reason for you to stay in sickbay. I have programmed a sedative for you if you find sleeping difficult. It is available through the replicator. Also, since you are the ship's counselor, I will offer my services in this matter. I have access to several different therapy programs and would be available if you decided that was something you would find helpful."

"I'll think about it," Chakotay responded. He didn't want to talk to anyone about this. He wanted to put it behind him and never think of it again. "So, I can go to my quarters?"

"Of course."

"Has Tom been released?"

"Lieutenant Paris was released 4 hours after you got back from the planet." The Doctor's disdain was heavy. "His presence has been at his own insistence."

Chakotay looked at Tom, taking courage from the roguish grin and nod the pilot threw at him.

"Can I walk you back to your quarters, Commander." That was strange to hear from Tom. It had become Chak or Chakotay. The formality sounded so strange. Chakotay stood up and nodded.

Janeway had asked Tuvok to talk to Chakotay. She thought his calm would be good for the Commander. Tuvok had his reservations, but did as the Captain asked.

Tuvok went to the Commander's quarters. He was not surprised to see Tom Paris there as well. Tuvok greeted both men. He looked at Chakotay with a pointed glance. The Commander, who had a cup of tea in his hands, looked at him calmly.

"Did you need me for something?" the Commander asked, sitting in a chair beside the couch.

"If I may have a few moments of your time, Commander."

"And that is my cue to go inspect the conduit in the wall right outside these quarters," Tom said moving to the door.

Tuvok understood Paris was trying to be humorous, but he still found it illogical at times. He remained quiet as Paris left the room. Tuvok noted the glance the two men shared and the almost imperceptible tensing with fear and then nod of okay from the Commander. Tuvok suspected that Tom wouldn't have left without that assurance.

When he turned back to Chakotay, the Commander asked,

"What was it that you wanted, Tuvok?"

"The Captain has requested I offer my services as a counselor for you." Tuvok noticed the slight tremor in both the tea cup and saucer as Chakotay set them down on the coffee table between them.

"She did?"

Two hours later, Tuvok entered the Captain's quarters. She looked at him not quite masking all of her anxieties. Tuvok sat down and took a cup of tea. He did not want to tell the Captain that although the Commander had agreed to counseling, he also made it evident, he was not happy with the prospect.

"Well?" she asked finally.

"I am reasonably sure the Commander will recover from his...ordeal, Captain. However, I am also reasonably sure he will need extensive counseling to overcome what was done to him on the planet. The Commander is a strong man, but, to be subjected to the degradations that he was, that would be difficult for anyone to deal with."

"Will it effect his ability to resume his responsibilities as my First Officer?" Janeway asked all business.

"At this time, I think perhaps light duty, reports would be beneficial for the Commander. Something to occupy his mind and direct his attentions to other matters, could be considered therapy. I did however notice, he appeared to be having some trouble with his concentration." Tuvok did not deem it necessary to inform the Captain that Commander Chakotay had stopped in mid-sentence to stare blankly at the far wall of his cabin four times during even the most superficial discussion of his captivity.

Janeway nodded. "I wondered if I could talk Kartock into letting me beam Raton into deep space with just enough protection to let him suffer before he died."

"I am sure there would be several volunteers among the crew that would help."