by Bruce
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Permission to archive is cheerfully given to Paris/Kim Slash Fic and
PKElite. All others, read the disclaimer, please.
DISCLAIMER: The characters and settings of this story belong to Paramount
Pictures, I'm just borrowing them for creative fan fiction. DO NOT
read further if you are under 18 years of age, or are offended by romantic
situations involving men. Feel free to save this story for your own
purposes, but please do not repost it without contacting me. Thank you.
Feedback is appreciated.
c. Feb. 16, 2000
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Harry was in a funk. That was the scientific name for it. A funk. Two days
earlier, Neelix had surprised the crew by throwing a Valentine's Day
bash in the mess hall. Red and pink and chocolate and flowers covered
everyone and everything. The party had been lovely, but it was what else
went on that troubled Harry.
Tuvok and the captain exchanged poetry. B'Elanna and Chakotay held
hands and fed each other caramels, then they traded small red boxes. Harry
gave Tom an isolinear chip with several love songs he'd composed and
performed on his clarinet. But what had he gotten in return? Just a lame
excuse from Tom that he was ". . . still working on it, but it would
be done soon."
Harry didn't need to get a present from Tom. The gesture would have
been nice, but it wasn't necessary. What hurt was that after that, Tom
hadn't been around. They'd been spending their nights together for
months, alternating quarters each night. But for the last two evenings,
Tom had come in late, after Harry had turned in. Just a peck on the cheek,
then Tom was snoring away. Harry found himself staring out the view port
once again, watching the streaks of warp-shifted stars go by. He sighed so
loudly that he didn't hear the doors of his quarters whoosh open.
"Oh, Lucy, I'm home!"called Tom in a Cuban accent.
Harry managed a half-smile and turned. "That's my line.
You're the wacky redhead."
Tom's face fell. "Oh, Har, don't be like that. Let me see
that smile." Tom put his arms around Harry, who just stood there for
a moment, then hugged Tom back. Tom looked him in the face again and
pushed out his lower lip. "You upset because I haven't been
around?"
Harry quietly nodded, his eyes downcast.
Tom tried to smooth it all over. "Tell you what -- let's go grab
dinner, and I'll make it up to you. Whadda ya say?"
Harry sighed again, nodded, and started for the door. Tom pursued,
clapping his friend on the back. They entered the turbo lift and headed
for deck two, but when they stepped out, Tom turned left instead of right.
"Tom, the mess hall's this way."
Tom smiled. "We're not having dinner there tonight. Come
on."
They passed several doorways, then Tom finally stopped in front of one
labeled Deck 2, Section 9. Tom bowed and gestured for Harry to step
through the doors. "After you."
"Surprise!"shouted about 20 crew members, jumping out from
behind furniture. Well, Tuvok didn't shout, but he was holding a
Vulcan fondue pot. Seven threw confetti streamers into the air, scowling.
Janeway dashed over and kissed Tom and Harry on the cheek.
"It's not every day we have a couple who needs new quarters.
I'm so happy for you both!"
Chakotay was next. "Congrats, gentlemen!"He handed a padd to
Harry. "Everyone chipped in a holodeck ration each. You can play
'Captain Proton' for weeks -- but I expect to be written in!"
"Me, too!"chimed in B'Elanna, hugging Tom and then Harry.
"And I want to be one of the good guys next time!"
Harry laughed. He couldn't believe what was happening. He and Tom
were finally an official couple, and all of their friends were a part of the
celebration. Neelix swam through the crowd.
"Harry, Tom! Tonight, it's your favorite -- steak and potatoes,
cherry pie, and fudge ripple pudding!"
Tom grinned. "Thanks, Neelix!"
Throughout their new quarters, Harry observed their friends and crewmates,
having drinks and nibbling snacks, sitting on the new chairs and sofa,
adjusting the artwork on the bulkheads, rearranging the flowers on the
dining table. The last thing Harry had ever imagined was a housewarming
for him and Tom, but here it was. He felt an arm slide around his waist.
"Happy belated Valentine's Day, hon!"
Harry rested his head on Tom's shoulder. "Thanks, Tom.
You're the greatest!"
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End
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