by Bingley
---

Archiving: ASCEML. Elsewhere, please ask me first. I'm unlikely to say no.

Feedback: please.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Voyager and all who sail in her. This is just for fun, not to infringe of their copyright or to make a profit (on the other hand if Paramount want to pay me, I'll think about it)

---

Harry Kim stood on the path and looked out over the lake, a breeze ruffling his hair. He gave a little shiver as a cloud covered the sun, and then sighed.

Captain Janeway had given him a couple of days off duty to reflect on being taken for a visitor from the afterlife and then dying before being revived back on Voyager. His only reflection was to wish that they had left him dead.

He sighed again and resumed his walk round the lake. The sounds from the practice rooms faded behind him, leaving him alone in the autumn afternoon scene with only the occasional caw from the ravens, or were they crows? He looked out over the lake again. How easy it would be just to wade out and then sink beneath the waters forever.

That was far enough down that road. "Computer, end program," he said aloud. As he left the holodeck the mask he had worn all his adult life settled back into place and he became Harry the perfect Ensign again.

---

The doctor looked at the three scans again. The first and third were identical, but there was an anomaly in the second one. Admittedly the patient had been dead at the time of the second scan but that didn't account for the difference. He thought for a moment, and then called Captain Janeway.

"Captain," he said without any preliminaries, "I need to see the confidential report from the Starfleet Academy on Ensign Kim."

"Why, doctor? Is there something wrong?"

"I don't know yet, that's why I need to see the confidential report."

"Doctor, I need more than that."

"I have noticed an anomaly, which I would like to clear up."

"Are you saying that Ensign Kim may not be fit to resume his duties tomorrow?"

"Captain, there is such a thing as doctor-patient confidentiality."

"Only so far as it does not affect the safety of this ship."

"I do not think that is a factor yet, but I would appreciate a sight of the confidential report."

"Very well, doctor. Janeway out."

---

As Harry stepped into the turbolift he heard a voice behind him call out, "Hold that lift, Harry." Outwardly he just smiled as he saw Tom Paris half-running down the corridor towards him. Inwardly, it was if he had been suddenly transported into an anomaly where time moved much more slowly than normal and then with a lurch resumed its normal pace.

"Dinner?" Tom said. Harry nodded, but then from his comm badge came the message, "Ensign Kim, please report to sick bay. " Tom shrugged and followed his friend.

"You're not feeling ill or anything?" he said.

"No, I'm feeling fine for someone who's just died." Harry grinned.

"Ensign Kim, please come into my office. Lieutenant Paris, please wait outside."

"What's the matter, doctor?" Tom asked, worry in his voice.

"Ensign Kim." The doctor shooed Harry into his office, ignoring Tom.

"Ensign Kim, I have here the results of scans before, during, and after your 'death'. If you would care to examine this area of each one." Harry's eyes widened. He barely glanced at the scans, and then looked warily at the doctor.

"I have also seen the confidential report on you from your instructors at the Starfleet Academy. You do not seem to have had much of a social life while you were there, Ensign. If you wish I can conduct another scan while you are unconscious or I can make my report to Captain Janeway now."

"Doctor, please. . ."

"I cannot cover this up, if that is what you are about to ask. Doctor to Captain Janeway."

"Yes, Doctor."

"I recommend a disciplinary hearing against Ensign Kim under article 6794."

Janeway sighed. She hated 6794 cases and usually managed to avoid them by a quiet word to those concerned on the desirability of discretion or by demanding a level of evidence that anything less than a pair being caught in flagrante delicto would fail to satisfy.

"I hope you have very good grounds for this, Doctor."

After the Doctor explained his findings, she commed, "Janeway to all senior officers, please report to my ready room."

As the officers assembled, most looked merely curious. An expression of distaste could be seen on the Captain's face, and what looked like panic was on Harry's. Tuvok of course appeared as impassive as ever.

"The doctor has recommended a disciplinary hearing against Ensign Kim under article 6794. Your evidence, please, Doctor."

Chairs edged away from where Harry was sitting. Chakotay looked contemptuous while Tom Paris seemed to be having trouble breathing. On the view screen the Doctor pointed out the difference between the charts. "The most reasonable conclusion is that Ensign Kim is a homosexual, and that the difference is caused by camouflage of that fact while he is conscious - difficult but not impossible."

"Well, Kim, is this true?"

"Yes, Captain," came a whisper.

"You put me in something of a quandary. Normally the punishment would be a dishonourable discharge from Starfleet plus compulsory psychological realignment, but that it is hardly practical here."

"Captain."

"Mr. Tuvok?"

"Logically the phenomenon of homosexuality is anomalous in that it precludes reproduction. However, it is a fact in many sentient species. Your society's attitude to it is also logically anomalous in that you fail to recognise this fact in other species and you are unable to deal rationally with it among your own species. It is well- known that the so-called psychological realignment is only of temporary and very limited effect."

"What is your recommendation?"

"That this proceeding be adjourned until we reach the alpha quadrant. In the meantime in the interests of operational efficiency I suggest that it not be mentioned to anyone outside this room."

"Anyone else? No? Agreed. Mr. Kim, if I ever hear that you have been corrupting your fellow officers or the men serving on this ship you will spend the rest of our journey in the brig. Dismissed."

His face flaming, Harry left for his quarters. The others watched him leave and then got up to go. B'Elanna Torres was muttering something in Klingon as she left. Tom did not move at all, just stared at nothing.

"Mr. Paris?" said the Captain.

Suddenly Tom seemed conscious of his surroundings once more and hurried out of the ready room. He didn't exactly run but he certainly moved fast as he headed for Harry's quarters.


"Har, it's me, Tom," he called when he got there. After a pause, the door opened. Harry was sitting on the bed, his head in his hands. He waved Tom over to a chair but said nothing. Tom sat down, but then leapt up again and started pacing back and forth. "Harry, there must be some mistake. Perhaps the doctor's program is malfunctioning. Let's go and see B'Elanna. She can run a diagnostic on him."

Harry looked at him dully. "There's nothing wrong with the doctor. It's true."

Tom's pacing grew even more frantic. "It can't be. Not you, Har. Maybe it was just a phase when you were younger. I knew people like that while I was in prison." He gave an involuntary shudder at the memory. "You're not like them."

"Maybe I am."

"You are not." Tom's voice grew insistent. "Don't be stupid. Look, why don't I set you up with that transporter technician who's been eyeing you up ever since we got stuck here. Get to know her, if you see what I mean, and you'll soon forget all about this."

Harry looked at him for a whole minute and then with a howl of anguish, screamed "GET OUT".

Tom backed away as Harry launched furious blows to his chest and face. He pushed Harry back and rushed out of the door. He was almost half-way to his own quarters when he realised. His comm badge. It must have come off in the short tussle. Thoughtfully he walked back to Harry's door. This might be difficult. It opened automatically, however, and to his horror he saw Harry on the other side of the room turning his phaser over and over in his hands.

"Harry, don't. Oh no, please don't," he said, rooted to the spot.

His friend looked at him in surprise. "What?" Then he looked at the phaser. "You thought I was going to. . .? It just needs recharging, but then I started thinking."

Tom's legs felt like rubber as he cautiously lowered himself into a chair. When he felt he was breathing normally again, he said quietly, "Harry, tell me about it."

"About?"

"It, you, everything." Tom gestured vaguely.

"Could you be a bit more specific?"

"Well, have you actually ever, you know, with a man?" (I don't believe this. I'm blushing.)

"Been in love? Oh yes." Harry exhaled, a smile playing over his lips.

(You know that's not what I meant.) "Who was he?"

"He was in the year above me at the Academy. We were inseparable for a year until he dropped out to get married." A brief spasm of pain crossed Harry's face, making Tom flinch to see it. "He didn't know. At least, I never told him how I felt about him. I was just. . . Harry." He sighed and shrugged. "I've been in and out of love ever since, but I've never told the objects of my affections except once and that was a disaster."

"He didn't take it well?"

"You could say that."

Harry stood up suddenly. "That's enough true confession for one evening. We were interrupted on our way to dinner and I for one am starving. Let Neelix do his worst."

Tom stood up and put his hands on the younger man's shoulders and drew Harry towards him. He bent down slightly until their foreheads were touching. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid, Harry."

"I won't, not now."

"Good. I'm your friend, you know that, don't you. If you need to talk I'm always here." He hadn't seen the hope in Harry's eyes, nor did he see it fade away.

---
Not far away. . .

When Harry and Tom reached the mess hall it was obviously closing down for the night. Kes was still there, helping Neelix tidy up, but otherwise the room was deserted. She looked at the two men doubtfully as if she couldn't quite remember who they were, and then her expression cleared and she smiled at them both. She whispered something to Neelix. After he'd finished serving them he joined her at the far end of the hall.

Tom prodded the purplish mass with a fork and rather hesitantly put some in his mouth. He chewed for a while, and said "One of Neelix's better efforts." Harry smiled briefly and continued to push the food around his plate without really looking at Tom. They ate in silence.

After the meal, they left, walking close together but still not speaking. Outside Tom's quarters Harry paused and looked at Tom expectantly. Suddenly his expression changed and his breath came faster and faster. He staggered and fell into Tom's arms with a moan. His skin started to take on a mottled hue. Alarmed, Tom half- carried him to the turbolift and then to the sick bay. "Activate emergency medical hologram", he called.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

The doctor scanned Harry with the medical tricorder. Harry's breathing came in gasps and he was slipping in and out of consciousness. The doctor pressed a hypospray to the patient's neck and his breathing gradually returned to normal and he seemed to be sleeping.

"Just a food allergy," said the doctor, "but I'd like to keep him here for observation tonight. I'll talk to Mr. Neelix in the morning. In the meantime, Mr. Paris, since it is a rare treat to see you in sick bay even though you were assigned to assist me, let us review the use of some of the equipment here."

Casting a worried glance in Harry's direction, Tom obediently moved over to the doctor's console. An hour later, when the doctor released him, he went over to where Harry was lying. Harry's eyes fluttered open and he smiled weakly. Tom smiled back and squeezed his friend's hand. "You gave me quite a scare there," he said gently.

Harry's grip on Tom's hand was surprisingly strong. He waited patiently until Harry fell asleep again, and then, detaching himself, he turned to leave. He found Kes watching him. "The bond between you is very strong," said the soft-spoken Ocampan.

"Well, I guess. You know, I don't have that many friends on board what with my history and everything. I can't afford to lose any."

"Be careful, Tom. Such a bond can hurt as well as heal." She moved over to where the doctor was waiting. "Doctor, I've finished those works on comparative metabolism you gave me."

Tom looked at her in bewilderment, and then went back to his own quarters. In bed, trying to sleep, he thought about Harry - the naive enthusiasm for life that made Harry vulnerable and had first attracted Tom back on DS9. And all the time Harry had had this secret. Tom pictured again in his mind's eye Harry's face as he left the captain's ready room after that ghastly meeting, Harry sitting on his bed toying with the phaser, Harry lying in sick bay He could still feel Harry's grip on his hand. And what had Kes meant?

Feeling restless and agitated he jumped out of bed and paced up and down. "Computer," he eventually called out, "play tape Paris/night/6" and settled down to watch some mid 20th century cartoons. After an hour of the Flintstones, he yawned, and made his way back to the bed. This time he was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

---

The next morning, before breakfast, Tom called the sick bay. "Doctor, is Harry still there?"

"No, Mr. Paris. He seems none the worse for his experience, so I discharged him."

Tom hurried down to the mess hall for breakfast. Having collected a couple of slices of toast and a cup of coffee, he noticed Harry sitting by himself, and made his way over to join him. "Hi, how are you feeling this morning?"

"Good, Tom. Thanks for getting me to sick bay last night. I really thought I was going to die again."

"That's what friends are for."

"And you're one of the best."

Tom felt oddly pleased, but outwardly he just grinned and hastily turned his attention to his coffee. "Do you fancy a swim after we get off duty? We could invite the Delaney sisters."

Harry hesitated before replying, "Yes, that would be nice."

---

When Harry arrived at the holodeck, he found the standard beach program that came with every holodeck was already running. Tom was lying on the beach in a pair of skimpy swimming trunks. A quick glance was all Harry needed as he looked round to store the sight away for future reference. "No Delaneys?" was all he said.

Tom flushed and just said a curt "No" as he remembered Jenny Delaney's scornful "I think I can do better than that. Don't you get too close to him, Tom. That would be a waste."

Harry shrugged and stripped down to his own swimming trunks. He ran into the sea and waded out to where the waves were big enough to tumble him about. For about half an hour he swam back and forth letting the waves do with him as they wished. He padded back up the beach to where Tom was sitting up, talking to a young man and woman. The man and woman looked enough alike to be obviously brother and sister, though the woman was probably three or four years older than the man, whose age Harry guessed at about 18 or 19. They were both tall and slender with olive skin, dark hair and eyes, and high cheekbones.

"Harry," Tom said, "this is Annette and Gus. They're masseurs. Do you want a massage here on the beach?" Harry nodded in acquiescence, drying himself off while Annette and Gus each spread out a blanket.

"Please lie down," Gus said to Harry.

Harry lay face down with his eyes closed and felt Gus gently stroking the back of his left leg applying the oil. The strokes became firmer as Gus squeezed and released the muscles. The scent from the oil tugged at Harry's consciousness: what was it? Aches and tension he had been unaware of slipped away, and his mind drifted, barely conscious of Gus's hands continuing their work. In his mind's ear he could hear the long, lush strains of Albinoni's Adagio as Gus's hands moved expertly up and down his legs. Through his swimming trunks he could feel his buttocks being kneaded and then the oil (what was that scent?) being rubbed gently into his back and shoulders. As the pressure increased, his mind went back to his first trip off Earth with his parents when he was twelve and he saw the stars in all their harsh unblinking glory for the first time. It was then he had decided that he would join Starfleet.

From several star systems away he heard Gus say "Turn over, please." He was aware of his erection, but it didn't seem important whether anyone else noticed it or not. The gentle undertow from the scent of the oil continued to pull at his mind as Gus started on his legs again. At each long sweeping motion, Gus's hands moved further up Harry's leg round his thigh before sweeping back down again. Now it was the other leg's turn. Harry felt his hand being picked up gently and laid in Gus's lap while Gus started rubbing oil (what was that scent?) into his arm.

As his hand drooped loosely while Gus continued squeezing his arm he could not help but fee that the holographic character also had an erection. When both arms had received a thorough workout, Harry felt Gus's hands stroking his chest, pushing and pressing round the nipples, and then gently circling on his stomach, sweeping lower and lower each time. When the hands couldn't go any lower without getting into his trunks, Harry heard Gus whisper, "Shall we go inside one of the cabins?"

Harry opened his eyes and smiled. He glanced over to where Tom and the woman were talking quietly to each other on the other blanket, and then looked back at Gus. He smiled again and shook his head. He could still smell the scent (what was it?) as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.


Tom watched Harry's eyes flutter open. A contented smile spread slowly over Harry's face. "You sure do know how to program a holocharacter, Tom" he said.

"Good was it?" Tom asked mischievously.

"You have no idea. I still feel sort of diffused, and utterly relaxed. It's like my body is part of me for the first time instead of being an environmental suit I have to wear. Just what was the scent in that oil?"

"A present from Neelix."

"From Neelix?!"

"Uh-huh. You know that stuff you had the reaction to last night? Well, that was it. You already know what happens if you try and eat the plant. According to Neelix, it's not a common reaction, but not totally unknown either. People who have a bad reaction to eating the plant find that in very small doses the scent from the roots acts as a powerful psychological relaxant."

"Does it ever!"

"Come on, up on your feet. Our time here's nearly up. Other people want to use the holodeck as well."

Harry stood up a little shakily, but quickly got dressed and followed Tom out. When they reached Tom's quarters, Tom turned and said "Come on in and tell me what it's like."

Harry sat down on the floor and leaning back against a chair, said "I can't describe it. You'll have to experience it for yourself."

"I can't. You're the only who can, because you're the only one who's sensitive to the plant."

"Well, I think at least some of it was from Gus's massage. He was very good."

"It was obvious that he was turning you on, but you didn't go with him at the end."

"Not my type." Harry smiled reminiscently.

"So what is your type, then?"

"Blond and blue-eyed, a bit taller than I am, and maybe six or seven years older than me."

"OK, I'll adjust the program for that next time."

"There's going to be a next time? I'll look forward to it." Harry yawned and stretched. "Sorry, suddenly I feel terribly sleepy. Not tired, just very, very sleepy."

"Neelix said you might. OK. I'll walk you to your quarters. We don't want you keeling over on the way, do we?"

---

It was only on the way back from Harry's quarters that Tom realised what Harry had said.

"Blond and blue-eyed, a bit taller than I am, and maybe six or seven years older than me" echoed in his mind.

He paused wondering whether to go back or keep going, but then remembered Harry's desperate need for sleep. Tom hadn't even been sure they would make it as far as Harry's quarters. He made his way back to his own quarters trying not to think about the possible implications.


Some time later he sat bolt upright in bed, his heart yammering madly. That dream about his time in prison again. He hadn't had it for months now. He stared into the darkness as his heart rate slowly returned to normal. With a sigh he fell back. (Oh Harry, what am I going to do?)

---

The next morning Harry woke up from the best night's sleep he'd had in a long time, if not in his whole life. Dreamily he relived the previous evening on the beach. Then he felt his face colouring as he remembered what he'd said.

Very smooth Harry. Why didn't you just pounce on him and be done with it?

With a groan he went through his getting- up routine wondering how he was going to face Tom. Harry managed to avoid Tom until he stepped onto the bridge and saw Tom in his usual place. It was just as well Tom would have his back to him most of the time. With a bit of luck Harry needn't actually look at him or meet him or speak to him until they got back to the alpha quadrant.

---

A week later Captain Janeway was in the mess hall having a late breakfast. Neelix was hovering in the background wanting to speak to her about supplies. Suddenly Chakotay's voice came over the comm.

"Chakotay to Janeway. Mr. Kim has picked up a distress call on audio only. We are investigating."

"Very good, Chakotay. Please continue, but with all communications copied to me in the mess hall."

Static came through the speakers, and then "Please do not be afraid. Our. . . " more static "dying. . . plague. . . please assist." The distress call was repeated twice. Harry's voice came next. "Coming into visual range."

The image which appeared on screen was that of a humanoid. He seemed to be completely hairless and have six fingers on each hand. His ears were not quite Vulcan-style, but getting on that way. He was wearing a kilt with a sash stretched diagonally from his right shoulder over his chest to his waist. He had four nipples, a pair on each side of his chest. Captain Janeway heard a crash from behind her as Neelix dropped a tray of something.

The message was repeating as Neelix said, "Captain, you must go to the bridge and take over. Now Captain. Or we'll all die." He was jumping about with impatience and Janeway felt it was only a supreme effort on his part that was preventing him from actually pushing her to the turbolift.

Janeway merely nodded and as Neelix followed her, said "It's not usual, Mr. Neelix, for a morale officer to give the captain orders."

"I'm sorry, Captain, but it is the Kalaxar. They do have warp capability but are very rarely seen outside their own system. They are very suspicious of outsiders, regarding them as untrustworthy. Each of their ships has two captains, a female peace captain and a male war captain. They will assume our intentions are hostile if they see Commander Chakotay in command - and their weapons are extremely formidable."

Harry's voice could be heard over the turbolift speakers, "They are powering weapons."

"Janeway here. Raise shields but take no other action. Have a channel open for me as soon as I get there."

The ship lurched as she stepped onto the bridge. "Shields down to forty per cent," she heard Tuvok saying. Standing where she could be clearly seen, Janeway said, "We have no hostile intent towards you. We came in answer to your distress call."

The Kalaxar immediately said, "Please do not be afraid. Our peace captain cannot appear in person because she is very near her end. Our people have been suffering from a great plague, and we were sent outside to beg for help, but our ambassador is now dead and our peace captain is dying."

"We would be pleased to offer whatever assistance we can, but our doctor cannot come to you. May we beam your peace captain over, together with other females of your species for comparative purposes?"

"It is agreed."

"Chakotay, Tuvok, and Neelix, you're with me in the transporter room."

En route, Janeway asked, "What else can you tell us about these people, Neelix?"

"Very little, Captain. As I said, they do not venture outside their own system very often. No Talaxian has ever met them before as far as I know."


They reached the transporter room just as the Kalaxar flickered into being. There was a woman on a stretcher, who Janeway assumed was the peace captain, and two women acting as stretcher-bearers. When they arrived in sick bay, the doctor scanned the two healthy women quickly and then the sick one more slowly. "There seem to be two strains of bacteria involved," he said eventually. "I think I may be able to synthesise an antibiotic to deal with them."

"Please continue, Doctor. Keep me posted on your progress."

---

It was several hours later that the doctor's face appeared on Janeway's private viewscreen in her quarters. "Captain, the patient is responding well to the antibiotic, but both she and her attendants seem anxious to return to their ship."

"Is there any medical reason why they shouldn't?"

"I would be happier if she were here, but so long as they understand that they should bring her back immediately if there is any deterioration in her condition I suppose it can do no harm."

Janeway sighed. All attempts at further communication had been politely rebuffed by the other ship. Maybe positive news and the return of their peace captain would make them more communicative. "Very well, then. Do it."

---

The next morning, Tom was sitting at his post musing over what he could do to reach Harry, to reassure him that nothing had changed. For a week now he hadn't seen Harry except when they were both on duty. He heard Harry's voice from behind him saying, "The Kalaxar ship is hailing us, Captain."

"On screen."

Tom looked up at the sound of the Kalaxar's voice. It was beautiful, like the triple moonrise of Balan on a summer's evening made into sound. He felt pangs of longing for beauty just out of reach of his senses.

"Greetings, Peace Captain Janeway, and greetings to your war captain also," he heard the voice say. He saw the Kalaxar peace captain on the screen. She was wearing a kilt similar to that the war captain had been wearing, but no sash. To his eyes the war and peace captains looked identical except for her four breasts. Out of the corner of his eye he saw "War Captain" Chakotay give a brief nod of acknowledgement.

"Greetings, Peace Captain Nurassi, and greetings to your war captain also. I am glad to see you have recovered," came Captain Janeway's answer.

The voice came again. "I must thank you for your aid. You have saved my life and that of the blessing within me which I have received from my war captain."

"Ah," said Janeway. "Our doctor did not inform me. My congratulations."

"May you receive a similar blessing from your war captain."

Tom hastily became very interested in the readings in front of him. He sensed everybody on the bridge desperately not look at anyone else for fear of provoking a diplomatic incident.

"That would indeed be a blessing," he heard Janeway say gravely. God, the woman must have Vulcan blood in her somewhere to keep that degree of composure.

"Peace Captain Janeway, as you know our ambassador is dead. It falls on me, therefore, although I am not skilled in speaking, to beg you to come to our world. The victims of the plague are many. We are desperate."

"We will gladly come, Peace Captain Nurassi, and do what we can to help. Please send us the coordinates."

Harry read out the coordinates as they came in and, after receiving a nod from the Captain, Tom made the necessary course changes. When they came within scanning range of the Kalaxar system, he heard Harry say, "Captain, the third planet is very rich in dilithium, more than enough to replenish our stocks and build up considerable reserves."

"Tuvok, I think you will have to handle this. If the other female Kalaxar have voices similar to Peace Captain Nurassi's, humans would be handicapped by their emotional reaction. Give them whatever assistance you can in production of the antibiotics the doctor synthesised, and see if you can get us some of that dilithium."

---

Another day had gone by. Another day of Harry avoiding him, of Harry refusing to answer the door if Tom came to his quarters, of no Harry anywhere except on the bridge had passed when Tuvok's face appeared on screen.

"Peace Captain Janeway," he said in a formal tone which indicated that Kalaxar were present, "I have discussed the matter of the dilithium with the Kalaxar as far as I can. I am now returning to the ship to brief you and Ambassador Kim."

Tom swung round to see the newly-promoted Ambassador goggling at the screen. "Very well, Mr. Tuvok, we will wait for you in my ready room," replied Janeway. "Ambassador," she continued after ending the transmission, waving Harry to precede her. His face was the colour of her uniform as he scurried off. "Chakotay, Tom, B'Elanna you're with me."

They sat in the ready room waiting for Tuvok. This was certainly going to be an interesting briefing. "I assume, Tuvok, that there is a logical reason for Mr. Kim's sudden promotion," Captain Janeway began as soon as he arrived.

"The Kalaxar have an interesting society," replied Tuvok. "They are basically matriarchal, each female having two husbands. The trio is basic to their society. One husband in each trio represents the trio in negotiations and ratifies agreements under the orders of the wife or the other husband."

Janeway nodded. "But why does that necessitate Mr. Kim being our ambassador?"

"As a sign of good faith, on the conclusion of an agreement the ambassadors representing each side have sexual relations. The bonding this exchange of bodily fluids produces is nearly as intense as that between Vulcan spouses. It makes any breach of the agreement impossible. As the senior homosexual present, Mr. Kim is the logical choice for ambassador."

There was a stunned silence.

"And there is no other way to reach an agreement?" said Janeway after a few moments.

"Without sexual relations, the Kalaxar will assume we have fraudulent intentions."

"Well, Mr. Kim, it will have to be your decision. I can't order you to have sexual relations with the Kalaxar. Harry," she continued, her voice gentler than at any time since the disciplinary hearing, "we can manage on our current stocks of dilithium if we have to."

"Captain, this may be my only chance to have sex for the next seventy- five years. I think I'll take it." Tom saw a smile pass briefly over Harry's features, but winced at the undertone of bitterness in his voice.

"Very well then," said Janeway briskly. "Does anybody else have anything to say?"

"Umm, Captain, what is Harry going to wear?" asked Tom.

Janeway looked at him.

"Mr. Paris has a valid point," said Tuvok. "I was forced to represent Mr. Kim as my superior. He cannot go dressed as an ensign. I suggest Mr. Kim and Mr. Neelix design a suitable costume."

"Neelix!" Harry looked as if he was about to pass out.

"Kalaxar ambassadors do seem to have a dress sense similar to that of Mr. Neelix."

Grins appeared on several faces. "Do it," said Janeway crisply. "Back to your stations everybody."

---

"Another whisky please, Sandrine" said Tom, trying to remember how many he'd had already. Sandrine raised a holographic eyebrow but poured another stiff drink and passed it across the bar to Tom.

Tom had seen Harry in full ambassadorial gear making his way to the transporter room with Tuvok and was willing to bet Neelix had provided very little input in designing the costume. It was breathtaking. The intricate pattern in brown, gold, and black of the batik shirt brought out the best of Harry's colouring. The black cape thrown over his shoulders had an orange lining reflecting the orange cuffs of the black trousers and gave an impression of fire as Harry strode along, his head held high, every inch of him full of grace, dignity and power. Nobody had the right to look that beautiful.

"I really don't know which would be worse," Tom thought. "That Harry should have a fine old time with the Kalaxar ambassador or that he should hate every minute of it." He heard the bitter words echo again in his brain, "this may be my only chance to have sex for the next seventy- five years". Supposing Harry had such a good time he decided to stay? Oh God. "Another whisky please, Sandrine."

"I think you've had enough, Tom. Go to bed."

Noticing for the first time the way the bar did not quite keep up with the movements of his head, Tom was forced to agree, and off he went, walking with exaggerated care.

---

Tom was surprisingly un-hungover the next morning. A little queasy perhaps, but otherwise not too bad at all. In the ready room, waiting for Harry to arrive to give Captain Janeway his report on his mission, Tom held his breath. He exhaled with a sigh as Harry entered, still in his ambassadorial costume and looking magnificent, but subtly different - not exactly tousled but the encounter with the Kalaxar ambassador had obviously been rather more than perfunctory.

"Your report, please, Harry," said Janeway.

"Mr. Tuvok had done most of the work," Harry began, "and there was very little left to do except for the formalities. I signed the agreement with Haruthgar, my counterpart, and we kissed each other. Then, . . ."

Janeway interrupted with "I don't think we need those sorts of detail Mr. Kim."

"Yes, Captain. After completion of the formalities according to Kalaxar custom, Haruthgar knew I was not really an ambassador but that we were doing our best to conform to their customs. Actually I think custom is the wrong word, their social structure seems to be much more innate to them than ours is to us. Anyway, in appreciation he gave me these star charts for the region the Kalaxar know."

"Pass them on to Stellar Cartography. How should we thank Ambassador Haruthgar?"

"He knows, Captain. Our empathic bond is still very strong."

"Tell me more about this bond."

"I can feel him as a presence, like somebody standing just out of my line of sight, and I feel his emotions. I can pick up a sort of echo of the emotional states of his other counterparts. From what he told me, unless it's renewed the empathic link will slowly fade away over a period of about 20 years, but in the meantime I am vulnerable to everything that happens to him and he is vulnerable to everything that happens to me. If he dies I may well die too, and vice versa."

Tuvok looked concerned and said, "Mr. Kim, you may find this bond difficult to handle. Should you find the situation gives you any concern, I am ready to give you whatever assistance I can in your adjustment to this new situation. Vulcan mental techniques may be helpful."

"Thank you, Mr. Tuvok. I'll bear that in mind."

"I assume we can now start taking the dilithium," said Janeway, moving on. "B'Elanna, how long will you need to load and store it?"

"Six hours should do it."

"Very well. Tom, take us to the third planet. Harry, I want you on the bridge during your shifts, but dressed as ambassador while we're in the Kalaxar system. Take your normal position, but move over to me if we receive or send any communications with the Kalaxar. Meeting dismissed."

---

By the end of the shift Harry's lack of sleep the night before was making itself obvious and he hurried off to his quarters before Tom had a chance to speak to him. A couple of hours later, however, Tom's comm badge crackled into life. "Tom? Could we run that beach program again?"

"Sure thing, Harry. I've already got a two-hour slot booked for 20:30. Will that do you?"

"Thanks. I'll see you there."

Tom sped down to the mess hall. "Neelix. Have you got any more of that stuff Harry's allergic to? I mean the scent made from the roots."

"Why, yes, I think so. Let me see, now. Ah yes, here it is."

"Thanks Neelix." Tom sped off again before Neelix could ask any questions.

Ignoring Annette, Tom watched impatiently as Gus started his ministrations. When he thought the scent of the root had taken effect, Tom said quietly, "Harry, why've you been avoiding me?"

Harry grunted as Gus pressed down hard on his back, and then turned his head to look at Tom. "I was embarrassed about what I'd said. Worried that you'd take it personally, and that I'd mucked up a friendship that's very important to me."

"Harry, did it never occur to you that I might want to take it personally?" Tom held his breath.

"Huh?" Harry scrambled into a sitting position where he could see Tom better. "You're not interested in men."

"Not as a general rule, no. But for some reason I am interested in you, Harry Kim."

"Tom, please. This is not funny."

Tom got up and moved over to the other blanket. He carefully placed a kiss on Harry's forehead, and lay down, pulling Harry's head down onto his chest. Tom started slowly stroking his friend's hair. "My Harry, my sweet, sweet Harry," he whispered in time with the strokes. Harry gave a sigh of contentment and one arm came up to rest hesitantly at first and then more confidently on Tom's back. Harry's breathing got slower and slower until Tom realised he was asleep.


After a while Tom had to shift his weight to get more comfortable, and then he felt Harry's grip tighten. Harry's eyes flickered open. He rolled back to where he could look at Tom's face. "What happened?" he asked.

"You fell asleep," said Tom matter-of-factly. "In my arms."

"Oh. That's what I thought happened." Harry suddenly seemed very interested in the blanket's fringe.

"It was nice. I'd like it to happen again. Often."

"Oh." Harry sat up properly, and turned to look out over the sands towards the sea.

Tom stared at the back of Harry's head, willing him to turn round. After a long pause during which Tom's stomach made it to the Alpha Quadrant and back without him, Harry turned back and said, "I'd like that as well."

When he could breathe again, Tom said (keep it light Tom, keep it light for God's sake), "So, now what? You'll have to help me out here. This is all rather new to me. Am I supposed to bring you flowers and chocolates, or what?"

Harry grinned. "Chocolates are always acceptable. In the meantime, I'm feeling sleepy again. Sorry, a combination of last night catching up with me and the scent from that root."

"What did happen last night?" asked Tom. "Janeway might not want 'those sorts of detail', but I do."

"Honestly, I will tell you," said Harry, smothering a yawn, "but not now."

Tom shrugged and said, "OK, then. Let's go. Our time's nearly up, anyway."

As they stood up, Harry got his feet tangled in the blanket and almost fell. Tom steadied him, and then Harry, leaning into Tom's arms, laid a gentle kiss on his lips, so briefly Tom didn't realise what was happening before it was over.


When they reached Tom's quarters, Tom said "Are you coming in?"

"If I do, I might have to stay the night."

"That's what I had in mind."

Harry didn't exactly blush, but he did go sort of pink around the edges. When they found themselves inside, Tom's heart started pounding. Have I gone mad? To put off beginning, he said, "Make yourself comfortable while I just have a pee."

When he came out after taking rather longer about brushing his teeth than was strictly necessary, he found Harry curled up on the bed fast asleep. Tom sighed. Not tonight, then. He got into bed careful not to disturb Harry and fitted himself round Harry, holding on to him with one arm thrown across his chest from behind

---

Morning. Harry woke up after a very restful night's sleep, and frowned at the wall. It didn't look quite right somehow. He stretched, and froze as his hand made contact with a body behind him. He swung round to find Tom lying there watching him with a smile on his face. "Good morning, my sweet Harry," he said.

"Ooooof" said Harry.

"Ooooof? I'll ooooof you." And Tom reached over and started tickling Harry in the ribs.

"No, no, no. Tom, no, no, no. Stop, stop. Please Tom. Stop." gasped Harry as and when he could, while feebly swatting at Tom. When Tom did finally stop and Harry could breathe normally again, Harry said "How did you know I'm ticklish?"

"You told me. Remember, when Neelix was worried about Tuvok always sitting by himself in the mess hall."

"And you told him the usual way to cheer up a Vulcan was to tickle him. God, Tom, that was worth coming to the delta quadrant for." Harry's howl of laughter at the memory left him breathless again. While Harry was still comparatively helpless, Tom leaned over and gently kissed him on the forehead and then on the tip of his nose. Harry reached up and pulled Tom's head down until their lips met for what could have been seconds or could have been centuries. Harry's hands moved frenetically up and down Tom's spine, until, dizzy from lack of breath, the two men drew apart.

They lay there looking at each other for a few minutes, and then Tom's alarm went off. "How long have we got?" asked Harry.

"About three quarters of an hour."

"I'd better go. I need to go back to my quarters to get changed," said Harry, not moving.

Tom said nothing. Harry looked at him, and then looked at him more closely, gazing into his eyes. "Tom," he said eventually, "have you actually done this before?"

"Not with a man, no." Tom replied, blushing.

"Well, we can't have your first time be a quickie with one eye on the clock because we should be going on duty any minute, can we?" Harry leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the lips, and then swung out of bed and onto his feet with a smooth motion.

---

"Kathryn," Captain Janeway thought, "this isn't going to get any easier if you put it off."

Aloud, she said "Mr. Paris, Mr. Kim, in my office, please." As she turned to lead the way she saw the two men exchange a startled glance. Inside the office she sat behind her desk. "Gentlemen," she said, and they snapped to attention.

"Gentlemen, last night I entered the holodeck to find the previous program still running. You were both there. Kissing. You then both spent the night in Mr. Paris's quarters. Mr. Kim, I warned you of the consequences of any inappropriate behaviour."

Tom cut in, "Captain, it. . . ".

"Kindly let me finish, Mr. Paris." She paused, hoping the silence would convince them of the gravity of the situation.

"However, Mr. Kim, your, ah, proclivities have proved to be of great benefit to this ship, and to be honest I find the idea of Mr. Paris leading you astray more believable than the reverse, so I do not propose to take any further action for the present."

"Permission to speak, Captain?" asked Harry.

Janeway nodded. "Nobody led anyone astray, Captain. It was what we both wanted."

"Yes, I thought it probably was. Gentlemen, please sit down." She waved them over to the sofa. She sat in one of the armchairs, gathering her thoughts on how to continue.

"Tom, Harry," she said more gently, "you know our position. We are some 70,000 light years from home. To get us home I have to forge Maquis and Starfleet personnel into a single unit. To do that I must uphold discipline on this ship even though half the ship has no idea what discipline is. Whatever my personal opinion of regulations, I cannot afford to have accusations of favouritism or unfair treatment flying about, or not more than is inevitable, anyway." The steel returned to her voice.

"You and I both know that you have enemies aboard this ship, Tom. They would love to use something like this against you. If they come to me with a complaint, I will not hesitate to do what I think necessary to uphold discipline. Please do not give them the opportunity to do so. A modicum of discretion is all I ask."

The two men looked at each other and then at the captain. "Yes, ma'am," they chorused.

"Thank you, gentlemen. Back to your post please, Harry. Tom, can you stay behind a moment, please."

When Harry had left, Janeway said "Tom, be careful, don't hurt him."

"I don't intend to, Captain."

"And have you never hurt someone you loved unintentionally? You're a lucky man if so."

Tom grinned ruefully. Then a thought seemed to strike him, and he said, "Umm, Captain, maybe you should be careful as well."

A raised eyebrow. "That's what got me started. This strange urge to protect Harry, come what may. And yet, he's more than capable of looking after himself. A little green, perhaps. How does he do it?"

Janeway laughed. "That's your problem, Tom. Now, back to work."

In the turbolift after their shift ended, Harry turned to Tom and said, "Now. What did she want?"

"Nothing, Harry. Just to say be careful. I don't know why she thinks I might not be." Harry grinned in response to the mock-martyr tone. "Can't imagine," he said.


Without anything further being said, the two men walked to Harry's quarters. Once inside, Harry turned and looked at Tom. When Tom just looked back, Harry took him by the hands and wrapped them round himself in a hug. Wrapping his own hands round the back of Tom's neck, Harry kissed him on the mouth. At first there was no response, but then he felt an answering pressure from Tom's mouth and Tom's hands started moving up and down his back, caressing him gently. One hand found its way to Harry's head and started ruffling his hair. When they broke out of the kiss, Harry heard Tom whispering "My sweet Harry. Sweet, sweet Harry."

Harry stepped back to look at Tom, and then took him by the hand and led him into the bedroom. They sat on the bed, kissing again, their arms inside each other's tops. When they came up for air, Harry pulled Tom's top off and looked at his naked torso and arms - the soft, almost invisible, golden hair on the arms and the half-dozen hairs curling round each nipple. He traced the hairs with his fingers and then ran his hand down to where a few more poked out of the waistband of Tom's trousers. Bending his head as Tom pulled his top off, Harry started nuzzling Tom's nipples but Tom lifted his head back up for another long kiss. Harry's hands reached for Tom's nipples giving them playful tweaks, and then one hand wandered down Tom's torso, past the waistband of his trousers. He felt Tom stiffen and pull away slightly. "Tom?"

Harry drew back and looked at Tom for a moment. "Tom," he said, trying to keep the need out of his voice, "are you sure this is what you want?"

"I do want it, Harry, it's just. . . " Tom stopped and gave a baffled shrug. Harry looked at him more closely. He could see the desire, but mingled in with it was more than just first night nerves, there was real fear.

"Tom. I love you. I'm not going to hurt you. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Tell you what, I'll just give you a massage, a Harry Kim special. Anything you don't like, just tell me and I'll stop. OK?"

A hesitant nod, and then another, more confident, one.

"Shall I undress you, or would you rather do it yourself?"

In answer Tom shucked off his trousers and underpants, while Harry went into the bathroom for the massage oil. When he came back he found Tom stretched out face down on the bed. Harry quickly slipped out of his clothes and sat on the bed, rubbing the oil into his palms to warm it up. "Computer, lights down to 25%, play tape Kim/slow/4."

The sound of a violin being played very softly could be heard as Harry gently started rubbing the oil into Tom's left leg. With long, practised, strokes he moved up and down the leg, watching the way the oil glistened on the blond hairs. He then started at the ankle, and, pressing and squeezing each side, moved slowly up the leg searching out and destroying any tension. Harry smiled when he heard a sigh as he stroked the inner thigh and the space between Tom's legs. He said nothing, but turned his attention to the other leg. Another sigh when he reached the inner thigh.

He felt the immediate tension and clenching of muscles when he put his hands on Tom's cheeks. He let them rest there a while and then, leaning over, he kissed the base of Tom's spine, just above where the cleft began. "Your back and shoulders really are a mess of tension," Harry thought as he pressed and pushed his way up and down. He finished off with a series of long strokes from Tom's shoulders down to his heels and back again. "Turn over, and I'll do your front," he said.

A long exhalation of breath and then Tom rolled over. Harry started on his legs again, this time following them up to the thighs and beyond to Tom's waist. From time to time he 'inadvertently' brushed Tom's cock or gently moved it out of the way, and it was soon straining upwards. Harry shifted his attention to Tom's arms and then to his shoulders. Working his way down from there he squeezed and pressed the flesh round Tom's nipples and then the nipples themselves.

Laying one hand flat on Tom's stomach he used a firm but gentle circular movement which gradually expanded lower and lower until he was brushing Tom's twitching cock again on each pass. A low moan came from Tom's throat. Now Harry started rubbing the oil into the shaft of Tom's cock. Lying down next to Tom he kissed him on the neck, still tugging at his cock. Tom moaned again as Harry's hand moved faster and faster. Tom's arm came round to pull Harry towards him. Tom gasped and his whole body shuddered as he came, the milky white fluid spilling out over Harry's hand. When he was sure Tom had finished, Harry stopped and, still holding Tom's cock, rested his head on Tom's shoulder. He waited, smiling quietly to himself.

When Tom was ready to take notice of the outside world again, he bent his head to look at the head of black hair lying on his shoulder and gently kissed it. "Wow," he said, "you're good at this."

"Why, thank you kind sir."

Tom shifted his position to kiss Harry's lips again, and felt Harry's cock poking at his pelvis. Tentatively he reached down and pulled on it. Harry immediately rolled over onto his back and a sound like that of a kitten in distress came from the back of his throat. Tom pulled harder, his hand moving up and down the shaft of Harry's cock. He could feel his own cock being squeezed convulsively by Harry's hand.

Harry's head started twitching from side to side as the distressed kitten noises became louder and longer, punctuated by gasps. Harry's leg muscles clenched and unclenched and his back and thigh muscles lifted his pelvis upwards. The distressed kitten got louder and louder until a wordless ear- splitting yell tore from Harry's throat as his cock spurted and spurted and spurted. He collapsed back down level on the bed, shuddering and gasping for breath. Tom started to feel worried as the gasps continued. They finally became great gulps of air and then as a final shudder passed through his body turned into low chuckles. Harry reached over and pulled Tom towards him, hanging on tightly.

When Harry's grip loosened slightly, Tom pulled back to look at him. "Harry, are you all right?"

A nod and satisfied grin.

"Umm, is it always like that for you?"

Another nod.

"Dear God. We'll have to have an emergency medical team standing by every time."

A laugh.

Tom looked more closely. "Harry, you've got some in your hair!"

"So've you."

Tom ran his fingers through his hair. "Uuggh. Computer, lights to 50%." He looked round at the devastation they'd wrought on Harry's bed. Wet patches glistened here and there. "Look at this mess. Where did it all come from?"

"You should know."

"Shower and change of sheets?"

"All right. You go first." But when Tom got out of the shower, Harry was already asleep. Tom got back on the bed and lay down somewhat gingerly, trying to avoid the wet patches. Harry was in a near foetal position, so Tom curled round him. "Computer, lights out," he said.

---

Tom groaned. 04:00. He leant over and kissed Harry, who stirred in his sleep and flung his arms round him. "Harry, let go," whispered Tom. When this failed to have any effect, he repeated it a bit louder. Harry woke up enough to shake his head.

"Harry, I have to go. It's four o'clock."

Harry opened his eyes blearily. "I know, I know. 'A modicum of discretion.' But I don't have to like it."

"You think I do? Computer, is there anyone in the corridor outside Ensign Kim's quarters?"

"No life signs detected."

"See you later, sweet Harry." Tom gave him a quick peck and left before Harry could protest further. When Harry had woken up from his doze after their first time the previous evening, it had taken Tom quite some time to convince him that Tom should not be seen leaving Harry's quarters first thing in the morning.

There was no-one in the corridor but when the turbolift came he found Tuvok inside. "Tuvok, what are you doing up at this ungodly hour?"

Tuvok raised an eyebrow, but merely replied, "There was an accident in Engineering. Ensign Vorik was injured and the doctor requested my presence in sick bay."

"Is Vorik OK?"

"Yes, the injuries were not as serious as was first thought."

"Well, here's my stop. Good night."

"Good night Lieutenant."

---

The ship rocked again. "Shields down to 60%. Warp engines off line. " Tuvok reported. The four attacking ships were fast, and more maneouvrable than Voyager. But who were they? Not Kazon. "Hail them again," said Captain Janeway.

"Still no answer," reported Harry.

Another blast rocked the ship. "There's our answer," said Tom.

"Shields down to 45%."

"Two more ships have just appeared off our port bow," reported Harry. "Captain, it's the Kalaxar."

He hardly spoken before the mysterious attacking ships dissolved in balls of fire.

"Incoming message from one of the Kalaxar ships, Captain," said Harry.

"On screen."

"Greetings War Captain Chakotay and greetings also to your peace captain. This is War Captain Hnarr."

Janeway gave Chakotay a barely perceptible nod, and he said, "Greetings War Captain Hnarr, and greetings to your peace captain. Thank you for your assistance."

"Not at all. Ambassador Haruthgar insisted we come."

Another figure joined Hnarr on the screen. "Greetings, Ambassador Kim."

"Greetings, Ambassador Haruthgar."

Chakotay continued, "War Captain Hnarr, may we invite you, your peace captain, and Ambassador Haruthgar to our ship to express our gratitude?"

"That would indeed be a pleasure. Ending transmission."

"Mr. Kim, change into your ambassadorial costume and meet us in transporter room 2," Janeway said.

"Yes, Captain."

"Janeway to Neelix. Please prepare the mess hall for a cocktail reception. Mr. Tuvok, Mr. Chakotay, you're with me." On the way to the transporter room, Janeway said, "What did you make of that remark that Ambassador Haruthgar insisted?"

Tuvok answered, "Undoubtedly the Kalaxar came in response to Ambassador Haruthgar's picking up Ensign Kim's emotions via their bond and realising that we were under attack."

"That's what I was thinking too," Janeway said. "But if it's true, then they can move a lot faster than we can. I wonder what the technology is."


The whole bridge crew attended the reception in their full dress uniforms. Both captains and the ambassador from each of the Kalaxar ships were mingling with the Federation personnel. In a lull in her conversation with War Captain Hnarr and his peace captain, Roonixi, she distinctly heard Ambassador Haruthgar behind her saying, "That was quite a night you had, Harry. Who's the lucky guy?"

Harry's reply was lost as Hnarr rolled his eyes and said, "Ambassadors!" in what sounded like a fond, indulgent tone.

"Haruthgar tells me that among your people ambassadors do not usually have a blood bond with their husband or wife," said Roonixi in that beautiful voice all Kalaxar women seemed to have.

"That's right. Do I take it that ambassadors do usually have such a blood bond among your people?" said Janeway, grateful for the diversion.

"Oh yes. For example, Haruthgar is my brother. Our blood bond is very strong. And the bed bond he made with Hnarr on our bonding night is still strong."

No longer quite so grateful, Janeway merely nodded.

"Of course it does happen sometimes that neither of a husband and wife has a brother who is an ambassador, and then they have to find an ambassador who will make a bed bond with both of them. From what Haruthgar says, making a bed bond with Ambassador Kim must have been most enjoyable for both you and your war captain."

"Has she really just told me that Harry Kim is very good in bed?" thought Janeway, deciding the time had come to dispel a few misapprehensions.

"It is not usual among us for a peace captain, a war captain, and an ambassador to make a bed bond," she began, cautiously.

Hnarr and Roonixi nodded, but looked anxious, so she decided not to pursue the subject. "I take it your opportune arrival was the result of the uhh bed bond between Ambassador Haruthgar and Ambassador Kim."

They nodded.

"I was wondering how you managed to get here so quickly. As you know we are a long way from home and anything that might speed up our journey would be most welcome."

"We followed the bed bond between them. If there is a bond between an ambassador and someone at his destination he can bend space to make the distance nothing."

"I see," Janeway said, resolving to have a quiet word with Harry at the first opportunity.


After they had seen off their guests, Janeway said, "Please get changed back into your uniform Mr. Kim, and then meet me in my ready room." When Harry arrived, she waved him to a seat and started, "I understand the Kalaxar's arrival was a result of the bed bond between you and Ambassador Haruthgar."

Harry nodded.

"Do you think you could learn from him how to use the necessary techniques to take advantage of any bed bond you may have with someone back on Earth?"

"Captain, I. . . " Harry stopped, blushed, and then said, "Captain, is this conversation confidential? You know my situation. I don't want to get anyone into trouble."

"Completely confidential, Harry. As confidential as if I were the ship's counsellor."

"Captain, although I do have a bed bond with someone back on Earth, I cannot sense him the way I do with Ambassador Haruthgar."

"What about Libby?"

Harry shrugged. "A bed bond between us is not possible," he said.

Janeway sighed. "It was worth a try," she said.

"Umm, Captain?"

She nodded at him to speak. "We may not be able to count on any further help from the Kalaxar. Ambassador Haruthgar is dying. He does not expect to live more than about 3 months."

"He looked well enough."

"In our terms, he and his trio are over 90. The Kalaxar don't age in the same way as us. They stay as strong and active as in the prime of life until shortly before the end, and then they age very rapidly. He has felt the aging process begin."

"I see. Given the nature of your bond, how will that affect you?"

"I don't know. It may slow me down a bit."

"Hmmm. Make sure you have regular physicals from the Doctor. At least every other day. Dismissed."

---

Harry looked round Sandrine's. Tom was supervising a maintenance crew working on one of the shuttlecraft this evening, and he hadn't been in the mood for an evening alone in his quarters. After getting his drink he wandered over to where a group was watching a pool game in progress between two of the stellar cartography crew. As he approached the group shifted away from him and he heard a voice say in a stage whisper he was obviously meant to hear, "Backs to the wall, guys, here comes the Ambassador." The last word was pronounced with vicious contempt.

He flushed briefly and walked over to an empty table and sat down, trying to look as if that was what he'd always meant to do. He hadn't seen B'Elanna and the Captain in the group and was startled to hear B'Elanna's voice saying, "Mind if I join you, Harry?"

He nodded at one of the chairs, not daring to speak. She sat down and looked at him in silence for a minute or two. "Ignore them, Starfleet," she growled. He smiled shakily and after another pause she said, "Harry, I'm sorry I haven't seen much of you for a while. It's a bit of a shock to find out one of your best friends has been keeping it secret that he's a figure out of legend."

"What legend?" he asked.

"The khra'ath feature in some of the Klingon legends as mighty warrior- bards who used to fight naked and unarmed but were unstoppable in battle. They fought in male-male pairs because they believed that the presence of their lovers would inspire them to even greater feats."

"Well, that should give a new edge to the Beowulf program," he grinned. They chatted for a while, B'Elanna telling him what she could remember of some of the stories involving khra'ath. Neelix and Kes came over and joined them as soon as they arrived, and the talk turned to more general matters. All in all a very pleasant evening despite its rocky start, Harry reflected on his way back to his quarters.


Inside his quarters he found Tom sprawled on the bed, asleep. Harry got undressed and tried to get into bed without waking Tom, but after a moment, Tom's eyes opened and he said, "Hello there, sweet Harry."

"Hello, yourself," said Harry, snuggling in closer for a kiss. Tom hastily pulled his clothes off and slipped beneath the covers. Harry broke off from the long kiss and licked his way down to Tom's chest where he started giving little bites alternating between the nipples. Tom gasped, stroking Harry's hair and shoulders. Harry moved down further, kicking the bedclothes off as he did so.

When Harry reached his belly button Tom squirmed, choking back giggles. "Tickles," he said unnecessarily. By this time there wasn't much further to go before Harry reached Tom's cock. He kissed the head and then opened his mouth and slowly moved down the length of it. Tom moaned as Harry's mouth moved back up and then down again, slowly at first but gradually increasing the pace.

While he could still make a coherent sentence, Tom said, "Move round Harry, so I can get at yours."

Without releasing Tom's cock, Harry shuffled round. He felt Tom's hand stroking his cock gently and then faster and harder. Then he felt something wet. Out of the corner of one eye he could see Tom flicking his tongue in and out like a snake's, giving Harry's cock a little lick each time. Both increased their pace and started thrusting with their hips. Feeling himself on the verge of coming, Harry put his hands on Tom's bum and pulled him in closer till his face was buried in Tom's pubic hair. He swallowed convulsively as he started to come and then again and again as Tom's juices spurted down his throat.

Harry flopped onto his back, letting Tom's softening cock fall out of his mouth. When he could breathe and move again, he changed position to kiss Tom again, but found a big wet patch on the pillow. He quickly stripped the pillow case off and then the two lay together kissing gently. "Where did you learn to do that?" Harry asked between kisses.

Tom blushed and laughed. "When I was a teenager I used to do it to myself, it was the nearest I could get to having my cock sucked." Harry pulled back and stared at him. "This I must see," he said. "It's not possible."

"Maybe for you," said Tom. "Your build's all wrong. You need to be really lanky." He rolled over and knelt on all fours. Then he put his head down on the bed and kicked up with his feet till his shoulders and head rested on the bed and the rest of his naked body was upright and upside down against the wall. Harry drank in the sight appreciatively. Slowly Tom lowered his legs, curving his spine till his toes were back on the bed and his legs were as far down as he could get them. His long tongue flicked in and out. Now it couldn't quite reach his still flaccid cock, but Harry could see that it would reach if Tom was fully hard. Tom grunted and resumed a more normal position. "Not quite as flexible as I used to be," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Wow," said Harry, wrapping his arms round Tom for another long kiss.

---

Tom dragged himself onto the bridge the next morning and glanced over to where Harry normally stood at Ops before remembering that today was Harry's day off. It was a couple of hours later that he started feeling uneasy. He ran his eyes over the displays in front of him but could see nothing which might have caused his unease. He grunted as he felt the first blow to his stomach. He fell out of his chair, and curled up in pain as another blow came. The next blow was accompanied by what felt ominously like a cracked rib.

The bridge crew looked on in amazement as Tom fell out of his chair and curled up. Blood flowed from a cut on his forehead very close to one eye. The only sounds he made were grunts of pain and gasps for breath. Tuvok watched in silence amid the hubbub of startled comment. "Computer," he said, "locate Ensign Kim."

"Ensign Kim is in holodeck two."

"Is Ensign Kim alone?" "No. There are four other crew members in the holodeck and one unidentified male human."

"Beam Lieutenant Paris, Ensign Kim and the unidentified male human to sick bay and lock the holodeck. Security Code Tuvok Gamma Seven. Security Details C and D, please meet me outside holodeck two."

"With your permission, Captain," he continued, heading for the turbolift.

Janeway nodded and said, "Mr. Chakotay, you have the bridge." She was making for the turbolift herself.

Inside the turbolift, she said to Tuvok, "What is going on, Tuvok?"

"The only way I can account for what we have just witnessed on the bridge and for other observations I have made is that what the Kalaxar call a bed bond has been formed between Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim, that Ensign Kim has been attacked, and that Lieutenant Paris is feeling the effects of the bond."

Janeway sighed as she left the turbolift on her way to the sick bay. When she arrived she found the Doctor and Kes busy treating two patients. "How are they, Doctor?"

"Remarkable. Their injuries seem to be identical, except that Ensign Kim is also showing signs of rapid aging. We can treat their injuries easily enough but I don't know what to do about the aging. Oh, Mr. Kim and his comm badge arrived separately."

Janeway hit her comm badge. "Mr. Tuvok, report please."

Tuvok's voice came, "We have arrested the four persons who were inside the holodeck and are now taking them to the brig."

"Please deputize somebody to take care of that and come to sick bay."

"Understood. Tuvok out."


When Tuvok arrived, Janeway said, "Ensign Kim is undergoing a rapid aging process. I assume that this is connected with his bed bond with Ambassador Haruthgar. Can you do something to break the bond or weaken its effects?"

Tuvok went over to the bed where a figure barely recognisable as Harry Kim lay. The figure was bald and wrinkled, and breathing shallowly and painfully. It looked more like a man in his eighties or nineties than the young ensign. Tuvok's fingers reached out gently for the old man's face.

"My mind to your mind. Your mind to my mind," the others in the sick bay heard and then silence, broken only by the laboured breathing of the figure on the bed. Tuvok's breathing took up the same rhythm.


Janeway heard the sound of the two men's breathing become slower and slower and then stop. Alarms sounded from the medical equipment monitoring the patient's condition. Kes rushed over from where she had been treating Tom, but the Doctor waved her back. "It would be very dangerous to break the mind meld now," he told her.

Everyone in the room except the unconscious Tom seemed to have stopped breathing as well. Then the breathing of the two figures all attention was focussed on started again, weakly and slowly at first, but gathering strength. Janeway felt herself starting to breathe freely again.

Tuvok opened his eyes and looked round dazedly for a moment. With a visible effort to pull himself together he said to Janeway, "Ensign Kim's bond with Ambassador Haruthgar took him to death and beyond. Fortunately I was able to pull him back, but it was close. They nearly pulled me in after them."

The Doctor chimed in, "Ensign Kim's body is returning to its normal state - apart from the physical injuries he shares with Lieutenant Paris. We must break that young man's habit of dying. It really is not good for his health."

"Doctor," Janeway said, "please take care of your patients. Mr. Tuvok do you feel up to accompanying me to speak to the prisoners in the brig?"

"Yes, Captain, I am quite recovered."

The Doctor said nothing but ran a tricorder over the Vulcan's body, then nodded permission for him to leave.

On their way to the brig, Tuvok said,

"Captain, you should know that while I was melded with Ensign Kim, I experienced the attack. It was entirely unprovoked on Ensign Kim's part."

Janeway nodded grimly. She wasn't sure whether a Vulcan's account of a mind meld was admissible as evidence in a court of law, but it confirmed what she suspected from the previous night's scene anyway.

While they were in the turbolift, Chakotay's voice came over her comm badge, "Captain, incoming transmission from the Kalaxar. Do you want to be here to receive it?"

"On my way, Commander." Let the prisoners stew for a while.

When she arrived on the bridge she saw a male Kalaxar on the screen. No way to tell whether it was one of those they had already met.

"Greetings, Peace Captain Janeway. I am Ambassador Hroth. My co-father, Ambassador Haruthgar is dead."

"My condolences, Ambassador. Please also convey them to your parents."

"Thank you, Peace Captain Janeway. However, it is my unpleasant duty to inform you that my co-father's death was hastened by an attack through his bed bond with Ambassador Kim. Perhaps I should speak to another Ambassador from your ship."

"Unfortunately we do not have another senior Ambassador. I will act until Ambassador Kim has recovered. Please allow me to transfer this call to my office."


When she had finished her conversation with Ambassador Hroth, Janeway called Tuvok and said, "Tuvok, please bring the prisoners to my office under guard."

A look from her when the prisoners arrived had them snapping to attention. She looked at them in silence for a minute or two. Two Starfleet and two Maquis. Good. There could be no accusations of discrimination.

"Well, gentlemen. What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"He deserved it, Captain. He was looking at us."

"What, all four of you at once?"

The four men looked at each other.

"Mr. Tuvok has been in a mind meld with Ensign Kim, and he tells me that the attack was unprovoked. Do you volunteer to undergo a mind meld so that Mr. Tuvok can check the veracity of your account?"

As she suspected, this caused an immediate change of tactics on the part of the prisoners.

"Captain, how can we be expected to serve under someone like that?"

She looked at the one who seemed to have appointed himself spokesman for the group. Northbrook his name was, a former Maquis now assigned to engineering.

"Ensign Kim has proven himself to be a resourceful and reliable officer. He has even put this unfortunate predilection of his at the service of the ship." She paused to let her words sink in, and then continued.

"In normal circumstances the penalty for striking an officer would be a term in the brig followed by a dishonourable discharge. However, our circumstances are not normal. I have also received word from the Kalaxar that your attack on Ensign Kim hastened the death of Ambassador Haruthgar, and a request for your extradition. I have decided therefore to give you a choice. If you stay on this ship you will be confined to quarters except when on duty, and will permanently lose all replicator and holodeck privileges. I am sure Lieutenant Torres will be able to assign you to the more unpleasant duties in engineering."

She saw them pale a bit at the thought of B'Elanna's displeasure and the possible consequences.

She then continued, "If you are extradited, you will serve in a Kalaxar prison until you volunteer to have sexual intercourse with one of the dead man's sisters or one of his male lovers. If you do so, you will form what the Kalaxar call a bed bond, and will experience all the grief she or he feels just as if it had been your own brother or lover who died. How you will then fit in with Kalaxar society will be up to you. You have one hour to decide what you wish to do. Take them back to the brig, please, Tuvok."


She was not surprised an hour later to hear that the prisoners had decided to accept extradition. She called the Doctor. "How are your patients?"

"They seem to have recovered from their experience. However, I would like to keep them here for observation and rest for another 24 hours."

"Very well. I will come down and see them if they are allowed visitors."

On receiving the Doctor's permission, she went down to sickbay and brought Harry and Tom up to date with the latest developments. "So they will be extradited and off this ship. I have informed Ambassador Hroth. He tells me that as the prisoners have agreed to the extradition, there will be no need for. . . umm. . . marking the occasion at the ambassadorial level. "

The quick glance the two men exchanged did not escape her notice, and she smiled to herself as she left the sick bay ready to face the next challenge thrown against them by the Delta Quadrant.

---

End