The BLTS Archive- Lean On Me
by Joanne Collins (luchenbackoutlaw@gmail.com)

---

DISCLAIMER: Star Trek, Star Trek: Voyager, and everything you
recognise belongs to Paramount. I'm just playing with them for a
little while (and doing things with them that Paramount can't or
won't). They can have them back when I've finished (unless they want
to come up with an arrangement about Tom or Chakotay ;-)) The songs
Lean On Me and Can You Feel The Love Tonight? belong to Michael Bolton
and Elton John.

This is the sequel to my story That Wasn't Me. This is a post-Chute
story, which deals with how the events of that episode affect the
characters in this universe. And yes, there is lots of angst. Hey,
we're talking Chute issues here, people!

Archiving: ASC archive, R'Rain's slash archive.

Lists: BLTS, CPSG

Please do not distribute elsewhere without my express permission,
except for private sharing with friends.

Set, oddly enough, before, and (mostly) after The Chute.

This is, for those who haven't realised yet, slash, which means that
it contains sex, in intimate detail between two men. If this turns you
off or you're under eighteen, don't read it, 'kay? And if you do read
it, don't bother flaming me, 'cause I warned you. Oh, and there's m/f
sex too. K/T.

Dedicated to Moondancer and Anita, who asked. Or was that nagged?

---
Lean on me, when you're not strong,
I'll be your strength, I'll help you carry on,
For it won't be long, till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

Michael Bolton, Lean On Me.
---

When the heart of this star-crossed Voyager,
Beats in time with yours.

Elton John, Can You Feel The Love Tonight
---

Chakotay woke before the alarm went off, and smiled, as he opened his
eyes and looked at his lover. Tom was going on shore leave today, with
Harry, so this would be their last chance to make love for a while,
and Chakotay wanted to make it memorable. He eased himself out of bed,
not wanting to wake Tom just yet.

Chakotay moved into the outer room, replicating a simple breakfast of
fruit, croissants and coffee, then he walked quietly back into the
bedroom, ordering the computer to play some classical music. He shook
Tom awake, gently, kissing his forehead as he came to awareness.

"Mmmmm, morning," Tom yawned, leaning up to put his arms around his
lover, trying to pull him down to join him on the bed.

"Not yet, love. I have plans for us this morning. Come and eat
something, you'll need it. And, after that wonderful night you planned
for us last week, I'm playing that Beethoven piece you played then."

Tom blushed, remembering the dance they'd shared to that piece of
music, and the gentle, exciting lovemaking that had followed it. Tom
had not as yet gotten completely over his shyness at having a male
lover, which amused Chakotay, that Tom Paris, the cynical rake, was
shy because his current and, Chakotay hoped, future lover was another
man.

The two men walked quietly to the outer room of the cabin, eating
quickly.

Tom grinned as he finished the last of his coffee, saying, "So,
'Kotay, we have," he checked the chronometer, "Three hours until I
have to leave. How do you suggest we spend that time?"

Chakotay smiled at Tom, pulling Tom to him for a passionate kiss, and
Tom responded eagerly.

"You are so GOOD at that," Tom gasped when he pulled back to take a
breath.

"I want you to remember that when you're looking at all those nubile
young Akritirian women. And this as well," he grinned wickedly as he
moved a hand down to wrap it around Tom's erection, loving the gasp of
pleasure that escaped from his lover as he began to stroke him.
"Chakotay," he begged, voice hoarse with need, Chakotay knew what he
was asking, and leaned forward to take Tom in his mouth, opening his
mouth and throat, taking Tom in completely.

"Oh, gods, yes, Chakotay," Tom moaned and sobbed as Chakotay began to
move his mouth up and down Tom's heated length. Chakotay smiled around
Tom, he loved this, the way Tom gave himself up to pleasure so easily,
he was truly beautiful like  this, even more so than he was when he
put on that "I know I'm attractive, and you know it too," attitude
that had so infuriated Chakotay before Tom had turned it on him one
night soon after they'd gotten together. Chakotay moved his mouth on
Tom faster as he remembered the wild sex that they'd had that night,
how he'd sworn that Tom's mouth on him would blow the top of his head
off. Tom was nearly screaming now, and Chakotay flicked his tongue
over the head of Tom's penis, once, twice, three times, and Tom surged
forward, going even further into Chakotay's mouth and throat, then
exploded in hot spurts at the back of Chakotay's throat, screaming.

Chakotay gently disengaged himself from Tom, who collapsed forward,
blacking out. Chakotay chuckled quietly, lowering Tom into his arms,
and held him until he came out of it. Tom blinked his eyes, and said,
quietly, "Wow."

"It was good then?" Chakotay asked, although he knew the answer
already, Tom's screams were almost loud enough to alert security.

"Yes, and you know it, egotist," Tom said, tired but sated. He
caressed Chakotay's hair, and leaned in for a kiss, tasting himself on
Chakotay's lips. "I love how you make me feel, Chakotay.
It's not just the sex, wonderful as that is, it's all of it. The
holding hands in the Mess Hall, remember the first time Neelix caught
us doing that," and both men chuckled at the memory, "sitting down to
watch a vid with you, dancing with you, walking down the corridor
hand-in-hand, that *look* you give me when our shifts are nearly over,
or during the briefings, when we're on the holodeck, in any program,
which reminds me, when I get back, we have to try the pool table in
Sandrine's, we haven't done that yet, the way you make me feel
protected, but not coddled, all the little things. I sometimes almost
feel like the sex, great as it is, would be easier to give up than all
that."

"I know exactly what you mean, Tom," Chakotay began, not sure how to
reply to this, Tom had never said anything like this to him before,
and he wanted to give some of the same feelings back to Tom. "I love
the way you always know what I need, the way you know to talk, or not
after a difficult shift, which I would never have expected of you," he
grinned, teasingly, "the way you look first thing in the morning, how
you're always there for me, and yes, the sex. But it's all part of our
love, Tom. I love you."

"And I love you, Chakotay," Tom moved, and felt Chakotay's erection
against his leg, "So, it looks like we have to take care of you, now,
doesn't it?" and Tom began to stroke Chakotay, who threw his head
back and moaned at Tom's gentle touch. Tom continued his stroking, and
moved to kiss Chakotay, who moaned into his mouth. Tom gave one last
stroke, then moved off the chair, walking towards the bedroom,
throwing a come-hither look over his shoulder. Chakotay didn't move
for a moment, then followed Tom, who was lying on the bed, waiting for
him.

"What took you so long?" he asked, smiling as Chakotay pounced on him,
kissing everywhere he could reach. He kissed fiery trails over Tom's
skin, stopping here and there at Tom's sensitive areas, returning
again and again to Tom's lips. 'I never want to stop kissing him' ran
through Chakotay's mind, as he explored Tom, everywhere. He reached
almost blindly for the bedside table, pulling open the drawer to find
a tube of lubricant, while still kissing Tom, stopping only to
breathe. Tom's skin was burning under Chakotay's hands, and he
squeezed some lubricant onto his hand, spreading it on his erection,
then squeezing some more onto his fingers. He found Tom's opening with
the first finger, and Tom screamed silently as he brushed across his
prostate, then added a second finger, moving in and out of Tom, then
adding a third, twisting them in that way that he *knew* drove Tom out
of his mind. Tom pulled him down for another kiss, then moved onto his
back, throwing his legs up over Chakotay's shoulders. Chakotay entered
Tom slowly, pushing past the tight ring of muscle, then pushing
himself further into his lover until he was buried to the hilt. Then
he began to thrust in and out of Tom, reaching a hand down to wrap it
around Tom's erection, still slick with the lubricant. Tom put a hand
on Chakotay's speeding him up slightly to that pace that never failed
to send him over the edge. Chakotay looked deep into Tom's eyes,
thrust even more deeply into him, and came, exploding deep inside his
lover. That was all it took to send Tom over the precipice, and he
came all over his and Chakotay's chests.

Chakotay eased himself out of his lover, and said, "I'm really going
to miss you, Tom. Are you sure you can't change your shore leave?"

"I wish I could, but I owe Wildman some time on the planet. If it were
anyone else..." Tom trailed off, and Chakotay nodded, if it were
anyone else it would be easy for him to ask for time to spend with his
lover, but Samantha Wildman would not see the man she loved for
seventy-five years, barring a miracle, so it seemed inappropriate to
complain to her about a few days' separation.

"Besides," Tom added, "Harry's in the same boat, so we can hang
out and commiserate with each other about how much we miss you and
B'Elanna. Now, I think I need a shower before going to meet Harry, and
I know you need one before going on duty. Want to take it together?"

"Only if you promise to behave yourself," Chakotay chuckled. They
still hadn't made love in the shower, and Tom had tried almost every
day to get him to. Chakotay wanted to wait, to make it a surprise for
Tom on the day he chose, but once or twice Tom had come awfully close
to getting him to forget those plans.

"Hey, I know you'll be late for duty if we try anything now, and even
I'm not that sure of my irresistability, you know," Tom laughed at
him, and the two men made their way to the bathroom.

Tom kissed Chakotay goodbye at the door, promising to comm him that
night.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to do that.

---

The next few days gave new meaning to the term nightmare for Chakotay.
Tom and Harry Kim had been thrown into an alien prison, and they
couldn't even find where the prison was for several days, let alone do
anything about getting the two men out of there. Chakotay couldn't
even let himself vent the anger and frustration he was feeling, as he
had to keep B'Elanna from breaking everything in sight over Harry. He
hadn't realised that their relationship was as serious as it was, and
said as much to B'Elanna.

"I didn't think it was either, Chakotay. But now that I might lose
him, I've realised just how important Harry is to me. And I can't just
*sit* here, waiting," she yelled in frustration.

"I know, B'Elanna. It's not easy for me, either, you know," he
replied, more calmly than he would have believed possible.

"I know, Chakotay. Gods, *how* did this *happen*?"

"I wish I knew. This can't be easy for either of them, but I really
worry about Tom. He still has nightmares about New Zealand, even after
nearly three years, B'Elanna, this isn't going to help that."

"I never even thought of that. I mean, it's got to be awful for
Harry, but I never even thought that this might affect Tom. I guess he
always seems so self-assured."

"B'Elanna, that's a *very* thin veneer. You'd be surprised how
insecure and vulnerable Tom can be. He's a survivor, no doubt about
that, but what he went through in prison, that would affect *anyone*."

"I've heard that 'enlightened' Federation prisons aren't as
'enlightened' as Starfleet would have us believe. Laren once told me
about a prisoner her cell sprung from Auckland, and the story she told
he...I wouldn't believe it coming from anyone else. Not of a
Federation prison."

"I know," Chakotay replied, remembering late night talks over bad
liquor with Ro Laren, who had occupied a similar niche to himself in
the Maquis, and who had been a good friend to both himself and
B'Elanna. "She told me too. And this Akritirian prison is in all
likelihood worse. Gods, I just pray Tom will come back to me himself,
and that Harry will come back to you."

Insight dawned on B'Elanna. "You're holding it all in, trying to
keep me from destroying more than I should, aren't you? Dammit,
Chakotay, let yourself go!"

"I *can't*. That won't help Tom or Harry, and it won't make me feel
any better, so what's the point?"

"Maybe there isn't one. Maybe you should just let yourself rage
against the whole thing."

"I don't think so, B'Elanna. It really won't help, and will
just make me feel worse in the end."

"But wouldn't it be worth it for the few minutes of relief from this
endless worrying?"

"No, because I'd feel worse after it. I guess I'm just not really
the type to do something like that just for the sake of doing it."

Chakotay's comm badge chirped.

"Janeway to Chakotay."

"Yes?"

"Is Lieutenant Torres with you, Commander?"

"Yes she is."

"Lieutenant, please report to shuttlebay two. We have decided to mount
a
rescue mission with Neelix's ship. Our...guests have agreed to help.
Chakotay, you have command of the ship."

"Captain, I want to come with you."

"Chakotay," the Captain's voice was soft, but unyielding, "You
can't. I have to have someone I trust to take care of my ship while
I'm not on it. And I promise, I'll bring Tom back to you."

"Thank you, Captain," Chakotay answered, knowing that she was right,
no matter how he wished she weren't.

---

Several hours later, Neelix's ship returned to Voyager. Chakotay was
in the shuttlebay to greet it, unable to keep away. He gasped in shock
as Harry emerged from the ship on B'Elanna's arm looking pale and
haunted, then rushed forward as the makeshift stretcher Tom was laid
out on emerged, carried by two Security ensigns. He smoothed Tom's
blonde hair from his hot forehead, and Tom managed a smile, asking him
if he had anything to eat. Chakotay looked enquiringly at Harry, who
explained that he and Tom had kept themselves going through the bad
times by thinking of food. "Whatever you want, Tom. Just don't *ever*
do that to me again."

"Commander," Ayala said, gently, "We really need to get Lieutenant
Paris to Sickbay," and Chakotay realised that Tom had lapsed into
unconsciousness.

He stepped back, stunned.

"Chakotay, are you all right?" Kathryn Janeway was standing next to
him.

"I'm fine. It's Tom we have to worry about. And Harry. How
are you?" he asked the ensign.

"I'm all right. Tom...nearly died. I nearly..." and Harry began to sob
harshly, soul-destroying cries that tore at Chakotay's heart.

"Harry, you need to get to Sickbay too," B'Elanna said, gently pulling
him towards the turbolift.

"What happened, Kathryn?" Chakotay looked shell-shocked.

"I don't have all the details, but it was bad. The conditions were
appalling, Chakotay, and I don't know what happened to them in there.
I
think we'll be needing your skills as our unofficial counselor badly
over the next few days."

"As long as I can have some time to be with Tom. I just want to hold
him and tell him everything's all right, Kathryn."

"You'll have it, Chakotay. But you'll need to be available to Harry,
and possibly B'Elanna. This won't be easy for them, either."

"I know. But Tom, he just seemed so...fragile, lying there on that
stretcher."

"Why don't we go to Sickbay?" suggested Kathryn, knowing that Chakotay
would be no good anywhere else today.

"Thank you, Kathryn," he replied, standing back to allow her to enter
the turbolift.

The ride to Sickbay seemed to take longer than it ever had before, and
Chakotay was rocking on his heels in frustration every time the lift
stopped. Eventually they reached Sickbay, to find Tom lying on a
biobed, still and pale. The Doctor was working on Harry, and B'Elanna
was hovering over him, although she came to greet Chakotay and
Kathryn.

"Captain, Chakotay. Tom will be all right, and so will Harry," and
B'Elanna explained the clamps that the men had had forced upon them,
and the ability that the devices had had to distort emotions and body
chemistry.

"Dear gods," Chakotay breathed, realising that Tom and Harry had gone
through more than just imprisonment. That would almost seem to be the
least of their problems, he thought.

"Commander?" It was Harry's voice, to Chakotay's surprise, but he went
to him. "Commander...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Harry whispered.

"What for?" Chakotay asked.

"It was me. I did it. So I did what he wanted so that I could get
help."

Chakotay didn't understand what Harry meant. "What do you mean,
Harry?"

"I nearly killed Tom. I would have..."

"Harry, you didn't do that. You *didn't*."

The young man couldn't seem to stop now that he'd started. The Doctor
and Kes were working on Tom now, and Kathryn and B'Elanna were sitting
in The Doctor's office, probably connected to Engineering through the
computer, Chakotay thought in amusement before turning his attention
back to Harry.

"After Tom was stabbed, I nearly finished the job. Then I realised
what I had done, so I did what Zio wanted me to. It was the only way
that I could make up for it, or at least try. And it might have been a
way out..."

"What did Zio do?" Chakotay asked, gently.

"It was for shelter and food, for Tom. He wanted to...fuck me. He
didn't use nice words like sleep with. He just said that he wanted to
fuck me. And I let him. For Tom."

"Harry, no matter what you let him do, it was rape. Remember that. You
did *not* sleep with him. It was a means to an end, and that's all it
was. I'll help you get through this, I promise."

"You-you're not angry with me?"

"What on earth for? Trying to help Tom?"

"Nearly killing him."

"Harry, you *didn't* kill him. You couldn't do it when it came
down to it. That's the important part. Now," he smiled at
B'Elanna who had just emerged from the office, "I think you have
someone who is much nicer to look at than me who wants to see you."

"Oh, I don't know, Commander," Harry tried to smile, "All Tom
could say after it got bad was that he wanted to see you again, just
once, so he could remember how beautiful you are."

Chakotay blushed a deep red, and turned to his lover, who was still
unconscious.

"I had no idea...I know he loves me, that the physical side of our
relationship is...it's the best it's *ever* been for me, with anyone,
but he's never said anything like that to me. I thought that maybe it
was just physical for Tom, with maybe some affection, even love, but
if he could say that..."

"Commander, you were *all* Tom talked about, other than food. He said
that he didn't want to die, because he knew how much you would be hurt
by his death."

"Gods, that it took something like this...."

"Something like what?" Tom asked, eyes opening slowly, then when he
saw Chakotay, a look of such utter joy spread across his face that
Chakotay knew without a doubt that he'd had nothing to fear from the
"nubile Akritirian women" he'd joked with Tom about before Tom had
left.

"Tom, Harry's been telling me about what you went through. Don't
try to talk. I love you."

"He told you what, exactly?" Tom asked, looking almost teasing.

"Oh," Chakotay could do teasing if that was what Tom wanted, "About
how you kept talking about me, when it got bad."

Tom looked serious, then. "The thought of you got me through all that,
Chakotay. I knew that I had to come back and tell you..."

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you that it's not just affection and sex. I thought it was, but
when I realised that I might die, the face that I *ached* to see, one
last time, was yours. That's when I knew that I was in love with you.
Fully and completely. So, I'm afraid that you're stuck with me, at
least until *you* get tired of me."

"That's not going to happen."

"Good. I'm serious, Chakotay. This is it."

"I've been telling you how serious I am for the past month. I was
starting to wonder when you'd catch on," Chakotay teased.

"Gods, Captain, could you get him out of here? I think I'll ravish him
where he stands if he doesn't go soon," Tom called to Kathryn.

"Lieutenant Paris, you are to undertake no strenuous activity for at
least forty-eight hours," The Doctor reminded him crisply.

"Damn, does that mean that the whips are out?"

"Tom's feeling better," B'Elanna remarked, smiling.

"Never better, B'Ela," Tom said, looking at Chakotay, "Never better."

---

The next few days were difficult for everyone. Harry still couldn't
forgive himself for what he'd almost done to Tom, Tom was having
nightmares on a regular basis, and B'Elanna and Chakotay were just
trying to readjust to the changes in their lovers.

Chakotay was also counselling Harry, trying to get him to forgive
himself. He, Tom and B'Elanna had all reassured him over and over that
they forgave him, and Harry seemed to accept that, but he still had
difficulty forgiving himself.

"I still have nightmares where I did kill Tom, where I couldn't stop
myself," Harry said to Chakotay.

"It's perfectly normal for this to happen," Chakotay said, knowing
that normal wasn't a word that really applied here...but there wasn't
a better one to use.

"Normal? Hell, Commander, normal is something that I don't think
I'll *ever* be again. I haven't been able to make love with
B'Elanna since..."

Chakotay didn't know what to say. He and Tom had moved on from where
they had been. Tom had needed to be with him, after that awful time,
and finally realising the depth of their feelings. Last night, Tom had
taken the initiative, and Spirits, Chakotay would bear the bruises for
a few days, as they were in slightly too intimate places to explain to
the Holodoc. But he had to return to the subject at hand. "Harry, you
may not be able to make love for a while. You have to get through
this. It's not something that'll go away in a couple of days."

"But Commander, I *want* to make love wtih B'Elanna. I *
need* to, but every night, when I try to...I keep remembering, and I
can't go through with it."

"Is it that you...can't sustain your...desire?" Chakotay didn't
use the word erection, Harry would understand.

"No, it's not that. It's usually dark, and around the time
that...it happened, and I keep...remembering."

"Harry, have you considered trying at another time?"

"No, I hadn't thought of that..."

"You're not on duty now, are you?"

"No...but B'Ela is."

"Not for long. I can change her schedule. If you want to..."

"Thanks, Commander."

"Chakotay. I think it's time we started getting to know each other
outside of our ranks."

"Chakotay," Harry smiled at him, then rose to leave.

Chakotay gave the order to the computer, then the request to B'Elanna
to meet Harry in their shared quarters. Then he gave a weary sigh, and
buried his head in his hands. He didn't even hear the door open, and
jumped when he felt strong hands on his shoulders. He looked up, at
Tom, who was smiling at him.

"Hey, what is it?" Tom asked, looking concernedly at him.

"I don't know, sometimes it just...all gets to be too much. I have so
many people leaning on me, who do I get to lean on?"

"Me," Tom whispered, kissing him gently, holding him, letting him get
the emotions and feelings that were unloaded onto him off his
shoulders.

Meanwhile, Harry had made some preparations. His and B'Elanna's
quarters were brightly lit, but he placed candles on the bedside
tables, and on some of the other flat surfaces. He replicated a bottle
of wine, and some appetisers, slipped out of his uniform into his red
silk robe, then waited.

The door opened, to reveal B'Elanna, who looked puzzled.

"What on earth is going on, Starfleet? Chakotay asked me to meet you
here, but he didn't say why."

"Well...you know the problems I've been having?" B'Elanna nodded,
"Well, Chakotay suggested that we try it at a different time. Now.
If you want to..."

B'Elanna smiled. "Whatever you need, love. Whatever it takes to
get you past this."

"Would you like a glass of wine? Some cheese?"

"Yes, thank you," and they sipped wine for a few minutes. Harry
couldn't take it any longer, and took B'Elanna into his arms. They
kissed passionately, and B'Elanna could feel his arousal through her
uniform and his thin robe. She made relatively short work of her
uniform, and it was the work of a moment to get his robe off.

Harry picked B'Elanna up and carried her into the bedroom. He
continued
kissing her all over, wherever he could reach.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered, licking trails along her
sensitised flesh. She arched up into him when he took a breast into
his mouth, and moaned when he slid two fingers inside her.

"Now, Harry," she pleaded, and he wasn't about to deny her what they
both wanted.

He buried himself in her warm tightness, feeling completely safe and
wanted for the first time since...then he pushed those thoughts out of
his mind, and began thrusting into her. She answered each of his deep
thrusts with one of her own, and soon, they were gasping and moaning
with desire. B'Elanna came first, clenching tightly around him,
triggering his orgasm, and he came deep inside her.

"Wow," she said when they were capable of speech again, "That was...I
don't think it's ever been like that..."

"No, it hasn't," Harry smiled. "We are new, different people.
That...experience changed me, and you. But now we have each
other back as we are now, and we won't lose it again. I love you,
B'Elanna Torres, and I can ask you this now. Will you marry me?"

B'Elanna was shocked, there was no other word for it. But she knew
what her answer would be.

"Yes. Oh yes. I love you Harry Kim, more than I ever thought
possible. Of course I'll marry you."

"Good," Harry smiled, "So, how about arranging a party tonight, in
Sandrine's?"

"Sounds wonderful. Most of the ship will be there, anyway, so we just
have to make sure Tom, Chakotay and Captain Janeway are there."

"I'll ask Tom and Chakotay, you make some excuse to the Captain about
needing to talk to her about something in Engineering."

"Okay," and B'Elanna picked up her com badge, and arranged to meet
Kathryn Janeway in Sandrine's in an hour. Harry then called Tom and
Chakotay, asking them to do the same. He smiled when he realised that
they were together, Tom must have come into Chakotay's office soon
after he had left.

"Well, no chance to back out," Harry smiled as he let B'Elanna to the
shower.

"Oh, I could still make up some excuse about Engineering," she said,
teasingly.

Harry laughed at her, then pulled her under the warm stream of water.
Neither of them said anything more for a while.

---

An hour later, Kathryn Janeway, Chakotay and Tom were seated at a
table in Sandrine's. Tom had just whispered to Chakotay his plans for
the pool table later that night, and Chakotay was trying to control
his blushes under Kathryn's amused stare. She hadn't heard what Tom
had discreetly whispered to Chakotay when her attention had been
distracted, but obviously it had been something slightly wicked. She
hoped that it was fun, they needed that.

"And what do you need, Kathryn?" she asked herself silently. Someone
to care for, who would care for her, like Tom so obviously did for
Chakotay.

"Captain, would you like to dance?" came a voice. It was Kenneth
Dalby.

"I would love to dance, Mr Dalby."

"Please, call me Kenneth, Captain."

Kathryn smiled wickedly, and replied, "Only if you call me Kathryn."

Dalby looked a little surprised, but began to be more comfortable
using her first name as the dance progressed.

Tom looked toward the door, wondering when Harry was going to show up,
and what this was all about anyway. He really wanted to take Chakotay
back to their quarters, tuck him into bed (to *sleep*, he reminded
himself), and watch a vid. But he'd agreed to meet Harry. And the
Captain had been waiting for B'Elanna, until she'd been asked to
dance. Dalby and she seemed to fit well together, Tom mused, then the
doors of the holographic bar opened, and Harry and B'Elanna came in.
There was something about them, a glow, and Tom wondered again what
this was about.

Kathryn noticed them come in, too, and politely left Dalby to see her
Chief Engineer.

Harry cleared his throat, and the music and talking slowly stopped.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Tom, Commander Chakotay, Captain Janeway,"
Harry began, "I have an announcement to make. It's why some of you
have been asked to be here," glancing across at Tom and Chakotay.
"B'Elanna and I... we want to announce our engagement. I've asked her
to marry me, and she surprised me completely," a low ripple of
laughter echoed around the room, "By saying yes."

There was a flurry of congratulatory hugs, kisses and good wishes from
many of the  people in the bar.

Tom decided that he would do more, and ordered the pool table to be
removed, and replaced by the piano. Then he began to play.


There's a calm surrender,
To the rush of day,
Where the heat of the rolling world,
Can be turned away,
An enchanted moment, And it sees me through,
It's enough for this restless warrior,
Just to be with you.

And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are,
It's enough to for this wide-eyed wanderer,
That we got this far, And can you feel the love tonight,
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best.

There's a time for everyone,
If they only learn,
That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn,
There's a rhyme and reason,
To the wild outdoors,
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager,
Beats in time with yours.

And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are,
It's enough to for this wide-eyed wanderer,
That we got this far, And can you feel the love tonight,
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best.
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best.


Harry and B'Elanna danced, as did Jerron and Samantha Wildman, and, to
many people's surprise, Kathryn Janeway and Kenneth Dalby, who had
murmured that the last dance *had* been interrupted, after all.

After much talking, drinking, dancing and eating, the bar began to
empty. Harry and B'Elanna were almost the last to leave, only Tom,
Chakotay and the holographic characters remained after they left.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Tom asked, glowing with happiness for
their friends.

"Yes, it is," Chakotay agreed, smiling, wondering if now...

"Harry looks so happy, and B'Elanna...I've never seen her look more
beautiful."

"Did you ever...think about her?"

"B'Elanna? No, not really. I must admit, when I first came on board, I
might have, but she thought I was a pig. And I didn't want to
jeopardise our friendship when she started to get over that. I like
our relationship just as it is. And besides, if I'd pursued her, I'd
never have been free for you. And I would *know* something was
missing. A part of my soul would be incomplete without you, 'Kotay. I
love you."

"I love you, Tom. More than I ever dreamed that I could or would love
anyone. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter
how long it is. Will you be my husband?"

Tom was speechless for a moment, then to Chakotay's utter shock, he
began to cry. Not harshly, but with a soft, gentle rain of tears.
Chakotay took Tom into his arms, feeling his body shake with reaction.
Tom calmed after a few moments.

"I'm sorry, 'Kotay. That was just so...unexpected."

"Was it too soon? You don't have to answer right now if you can't."

"No," Chakotay's face fell at that, "I mean, no, I can answer you
now. Yes, 'Kotay. I'll marry you."

"Gods," Chakotay chuckled quietly, "Kathryn's going to be busy.
*Two* weddings to prepare for."

"But it'll be wonderful. What is it?" Tom realised that his
fiance was yawning.

"It's just a bit emotional, after a difficult day. Like I said
earlier, I do need someone to lean on sometimes."

"We all do, 'Kotay," and Tom smiled, moving over to the piano again,
playing softly.

---
Sometimes in our lives,
We all have pain,
We all have sorrow,
But if we are wise,
We know that there's always tomorrow.

Lean on me, when you're not strong,
I'll be your strength, I'll help you carry on,
For it won't be long, till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

Please, swallow your pride, if I have things you need to borrow,
For no one can feel, those of your needs that you won't let show,
Just call on me, lover, when you need a hand,
We all need somebody to lean on,

I just might have a problem that you'll understand,
We all need somebody to lean on.

Lean on me, when you're not strong,
I'll be your strength, I'll help you carry on,

For it won't be long, till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

You just call on me, lover, when you need a hand,
We all need somebody to lean on,

I just might have a problem that you'll understand,
We all need somebody to lean on.

If there is a load you have to bear, that you can't carry,
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load, if you just call me.
Call me.

Lean on me, when you're not strong,
I'll be your strength, I'll help you carry on,
For it won't be long, till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.
---

"You've always got me to lean on, 'Kotay. Always," Tom
whispered, turning his face up for Chakotay's kiss.

---

The End