by Choirboy
---

Kathryn Janeway leaned back in her favourite chair and let the music wash over her. Mahler could solve any mood, help with any emotion, she thought. She could close her eyes, lie back and within moments be back in the Alpha Quadrant, snuggled with Mark in front of a roaring log fire, her dog by her side.Although her ready room could by no means be regarded as homey, when she heard the counterpoints in the First Symphony, she was instantly transported home.

Home. The word conjured up so many images, rising as usual unbidden in her mind, that they threatened to overwhelm her. She tapped the panel on her low table and instantly the music ceased. Maudlin idiot, she thought to herself, and turned back to her work.

The discreet doorchime announced her first officer. She waved him to the chair opposite and poured him coffee. "How's the jailbird?"

Chakotay smiled. "Surprisingly thoughtful, actually. I gave him lots to think about."

"Oh, Chakotay, was that such a good idea?"

The Commander shrugged. "Captain, you and I both know that this situation won't resolve itself. Tom needs to face the fact that Harry wants him. He also needs to decide if he wants Harry, as a lover, or just as a friend."

Janeway regarded her commander with a keen stare. "The problem is that if Tom decides that he wants to be just friends, Harry may not be able to settle for only that. Then where would we be?"

Chakotay set his cup down. "I don't think it will come to that. Tom's too cool a character to turn Harry down. He knows he can't afford to alienate the one real friendship he's made on this trip."

The Captain was shocked. "In other words, Commander, you think Tom will give in to . . . sexual blackmail? Harry will either say love me or leave me, and Tom will just . . . submit?"

Chakotay nodded.

"You're talking about a major lifestyle choice here. Tom can't just switch on and off his heterosexual feelings like a light!"

Chakotay shook his head. "You're forgetting one important thing. Tom's been there already, remember? In prison? At least he's had some practical experience of the situation."

For once, Janeway was speechless. God, the man was a bastard. With an effort, she got herself under control.

"Commander. If Harry loves Tom and Tom decides he can love Harry, then fine. But what if this starts something Tom doesn't want, or can't handle? He can't just ignore his own feelings!"

Chakotay leaned forward. His eyes met hers and locked them. "Of course he can. Some people on this ship have been doing it for years. Don't you agree?" With that, he rose and left.

The Captain sat, stunned by this last salvo. Eventually, she came back to herself. "Dismissed," she said thoughtfully to the empty room.

---

The sirens blared throughout the ship. Crewmembers hurrying to their duty posts grabbed railings and held tight to consoles as Tom swung Voyager this way and that, frantically trying to dodge the asteroids that pounded the small ship.

Janeway gripped her chair as the bridge tilted, then lurched backwards, as a huge rock seemed to bounce off the forward screen.

Tuvok's voice cut through the reports babbling from every speaker. "Captain, shields are failing. We must withdraw."

Janeway shook her head. "No! We're not turning back now. Tom, evasive maneuvers!"

The pilot called back over his shoulder, not daring to take his eyes off his panel. "It's no use, captain. I can't navigate this storm; it's way too dense. We've got to turn back!"

Janeway ignored him. "Auxiliary power to the shields!"

Chakotay's hands danced over his console. "Not enough, captain. We must retreat!"

"NO! I will not turn back. Options, people! Now! I want alternatives. . ." Janeway's voice trailed off as Voyager entered a calm area of space.

Tom swivelled to face her. "Sorry Captain, but if we'd stayed out there much longer we'd have been pulverised. I took Voyager out of the asteroid field . . ." he hurried on as her mouth opened, "only while we decide our next move. It's much easier to think when you're not dodging rocks." He smiled, hoping to disarm her before she ordered him off the bridge for insubordination.

Janeway drew breath to chew her pilot out, then closed her mouth as the accuracy of his statement hit home. "Very well, Mr Paris. Hold position here. Senior officers to the briefing room."

---

Two hours later, the plan was ready. Two shuttles would fly at the front of Voyager, laying down phaser fire to clear a path for the larger starship. Tom had immediately volunteered for this duty, and Harry had followed suit. Janeway reluctantly agreed that Tom should take pole position, but flatly vetoed Harry's request. "Sorry, Mr Kim, but you're too valuable at Ops. One of the other pilots can take the second shuttle."

Tuvok pointed out that if they replicated additional phaser banks on to the hulls of the shuttles, it would logically increase the chances of success. The captain detailed Tom and Harry for the job, and the two friends found themselves working on the shuttles through the night.

---

Harry finished coupling the power relays into the port phaser array and stood up just as Voyager shook from another frantic course change as Chakotay fought to keep ahead of the approaching asteroid storm. As he rounded the nacelle, Tom let out a curse as his hand slipped off the coupling bolt, bruising it badly. Harry examined the bruise, rubbing it gently. Tom grew embarrassed.

"Stop it. My hands are dirty."

Harry smiled. "So? My hands are dirty too. What are you afraid of?"

Tom pulled his hand away. "Afraid? I'm not afraid."

Harry's grin grew wider. "I think you're afraid of me. Afraid of getting excited by me."

Tom grinned sarcastically. "Sorry, ensign, but being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited."

Voyager lurched again and Tom was thrown forward, his body tight against Harry's. He could feel the ensign's erection against his thigh, and unbelievably felt his own body responding.

Harry rubbed against Tom, enjoying the feel of the pilot's strong body against his. "Sorry, Tom, but it seems as if you're fairly excited to me."

The young ensign let go of Tom's hand and gently stroked the pilot's face, his hand moving round to Tom's neck and drawing him down for a kiss. Tom responded hesitantly at first, but then he found himself starting to enjoy the feel of Harry's mouth against his. He allowed his lips to part to admit Harry's probing tongue while his hands slid down Harry's back to his ass, pulling his best friend tight against him. Their erections ground together through the uniform fabric as they writhed against each other. Tom gasped as Harry's hand slid down to his crotch and grabbed his straining cock through his trousers. The young man broke their kiss long enough to grin at Tom.

"Still not excited?"

"Shut up!" growled Tom, and forced his tongue into Harry's mouth, kneading the twin globes of Harry's ass frantically. Harry wanked Tom slowly through his trousers, eliciting a low moan of desire. Tom could feel the pressure building in him, a feeling he thought had gone for ever, when Voyager gave another lurch and threw the two of them apart. They stood, panting, staring at each other, almost unable to believe what had just happened.

Janeway's voice came over the intercom. "Mr Paris, Mr Kim?"

Tom started, and flushed a guilty red. "Here, Captain."

"I'd like to get started as soon as possible, Tom. How long do you think you'll be?"

Tom looked over at his best friend. Harry smiled back at him.

"We're ready to go, captain. I'm just about to start pre- flight countdown." "Very good, Tom. Let me know when you're about to launch. And Tom?"

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Be careful out there."

His eyes met Harry's. "Don't worry, captain. I've got some unfinished business when I return. Paris out."

---

End