The BLTS Archive - Blood Fever
by JanitaMB, a.k.a. Blackcat (janitamb@aol.com, blackcat66@email.com)

---

Disclaimer: The characters are the property of Paramount. I just like
playing with them a little. Neither I nor Paramount Is making any
money off of this story. As for the "Blood Fever" story line, this is
my version of the events during that episode. The original idea
belongs to Paramount. They know all and see all. I'm just a lowly fan
having a little fun with their world.

WARNING: This is a C/P story, involving male/male relationships with
definite sexual connotations. If this doesn't float your boat, don't
read it. Simple ain't it? If you are under the age of 18, leave now
while you still can.

Postings: CPSG, BLTS, R'rain's Archive

(I actually wrote this in September 1998, but real life kept me from
correcting and posting it until now.)

Okay, I know this has been done before, but it's been nagging and
nagging at me. So, here's my version of the events during this
episode. Hope you like it. Oh, and by the way, it's told from both
Chakotay's and Tom's point of view. As always, feedback is
appreciated.

Thanks to Bridget for beta reading it for me. If you find any errors,
they are mine, not hers.

---
Commander Chakotay - Personal Log, Stardate 50542.3
---

I've had more things happen to me on this mission than I can count.
Sometimes I wonder if fate has dealt me someone else's life. Things
like this aren't suppose to happen to me. Or, at least, so I thought.
But out here in the Delta quadrant, I guess anything is possible.

It started five days ago while scanning the fourth planet of an
uninhabited star system. The sensors indicated that a large deposit of
galacite could be found there. B'Elanna was more than pleased, because
after the damage Voyager had sustained in the previous two years, the
warp coils needed a refit.

The Captain ordered me to put together an away team to go to the
planet and find the galacite. I decided to make myself part of the
team. I'd been sitting on the bridge for a while, and besides, rank
has its privileges when you want to get away from the ship.
Accompanying me would be B'Elanna, of course, Neelix for his previous
mining experience, and Paris.

I entered Engineering, looking for Torres, but she wasn't there.
Apparently the Doctor was having some difficulty with the
holo-emitters in Sickbay and she went to troubleshoot and repair the
problem.

Ensign Vorik, the young Vulcan engineer, approached me. He handed me a
padd indicating the area that should be searched first, then
volunteered to be part of the away team. I agreed, thinking he could
assist B'Elanna and Neelix in locating and mining the galacite, while
Paris and I served as safety patrol.

Vorik turned to leave, then, as if having an afterthought, turned
toward me once more and said "Commander, let me take this opportunity
to declare kunat so'lik."

"Ensign, my Vulcan is a little rusty, but did you just ask me to be
your mate?" I replied, more than a little surprised.

"Yes, I did," he said.

For a moment I was speechless. The academy prepared me for many things
- combat, parallel universes, even death and destruction. But I was in
no way, shape or form, prepared for this. I've never, in my life, had
a Vulcan declare his desire to have me as a mate. Now, mind you, I
don't have anything against Vulcans, but this came completely out of
the blue. "Well, Vorik," I began, "I'm honored that you would want me
as a mate, but I must decline."

"Perhaps you would like to give it some thought, Commander," Vorik
stated, a slight hint of urgency in his voice.

"I don't think so. Besides, there are plenty of other crew members who
would probably jump at the chance to have you as a mate. Why ask me?"
I asked.

"You are a logical choice. You are not in a relationship now, nor have
you been since Seska left the ship. You are very strong, and honorable
- both qualities highly regarded among Vulcans. And you are a private
man - not one to needlessly broadcast aspects of your relationships to
others. Another attribute I admire." He looked at me with that placid
demeanor as if knowing that with all his cited logic, I would agree to
his proposal. He was wrong.

"Like I said before, Vorik, I'm flattered that you would choose me,
but I can't." Marveling over the Ensign's request, I turned to leave.
Suddenly, gripped by a strong hand, I was spun around by a notably
rage fueled Vulcan.

"You WILL be my mate!" he growled as he gripped my face with his hands
and glared intensely into my eyes.

For an instant, I was stunned - unable to move. Then, all I could
think of was that I had to get this crazy Vulcan off of me. I tried to
pry his hands from my face, but that just made him tighten his grip.
So I forced my arms through the space between us, breaking his contact
with me, and sent him flying across a console with one punch. My hand
stung from the impact to his jaw, and I wondered if I had fractured
it. But at least I was free of his grasp. Immediately after, I had us
beamed to sickbay.

Once my injury was treated, I left sickbay. Later, I discovered what
was wrong with Vorik. He was in the beginning stages of the Ponn Far.
Tuvok was asked by the Doctor for his insight on this strange Vulcan
phenomenon, but his attempts were futile. Tuvok would tell him
nothing, except that there is no treatment for it. It looked as if the
only way to end it would be for him to fight someone to the death, do
extensive meditation or take a mate - which explained his strange
behavior toward me. But I didn't want him as a mate. Personally, I
like a little more courtship than *let me take this opportunity to
declare kunat so'lik.* Besides, he's not my type.

---

That night, I had difficulty sleeping. I kept slipping into fitful
bouts, and was startled awake several times in the span of two hours.
Finally, I drifted into a calmer state of slumber. Although it was no
longer erratic, I was having these incredibly erotic dreams. Dreams of
making love to a man - nameless and faceless, but it seemed I could
actually feel his lips on my skin, taste his tongue in my mouth, feel
him filling my body as he moved on me. It felt so realistic - as if it
were really happening. I woke up the next morning, sweat soaked, and
needing to change the sheets.

After showering and dressing, I felt much better, despite the
irregular sleeping pattern the night before. In fact, I was full of
energy, feeling younger, more vibrant than I had in a long time. I
left my quarters to join the rest of the away team in the transporter
room.

For some unknown reason, my thoughts kept drifting toward Tom Paris.
As I entered the transporter room he and B'Elanna were reviewing the
map of the site. The first thing I noticed was how incredibly sexy he
was in his silver environmental suit. As they finished up, B'Elanna
moved near Neelix and both decided to double-check their supplies. Tom
showed me the map of the area we would transport to.

"So after we beam down, we'll hike a little then start
spelunking...ten meters here, fifteen meters deeper, after more
hiking, which will bring us here," I said, pointing to the map. Then
wanting to get a rise out of him, I said "Do you have a problem with
that, Tom?"

"N-no," he stammered, looking at me strangely, "not if we take it slow
and easy."

"Are you two ready?" I ask B'Elanna and Neelix.

"Yes sir," said B'Elanna, looking at me with barely held amusement. I
was going to ask her what her problem was, but I thought better of it.
Neelix just nodded.

"In other words you're ready. All right, let's do it!"

They all sort of looked at each other in a peculiar fashion, but I
didn't care. We were on our way, and I was eager to get at it.

---
Lieutenant Tom Paris - Personal log, Stardate 50542.3
---

I haven't seen him in a few days. No doubt, he's recovering. I want to
see him. God, I have it bad. I can't get him out of my mind - how he
felt for those brief moments.

I had a feeling that he wasn't exactly *himself* when he entered the
transporter room. From the look on B'Elanna's and Neelix's face, I'd
assume that they thought the same thing. It was obvious that Chakotay
was trying to provoke me, but it wasn't in a hostile way. In fact, if
I didn't know any better, I'd say there was quite a bit of sexual
tension between us. There never was before. I mean, sure, I was
attracted to him, but I never let him know. It wasn't until we were on
the planet, however, that we all realized something was definitely
wrong with the Commander.

---

"You don't have to be so hard on him, Chakotay. He couldn't help it
that the device malfunctioned," I said, looking empathetically at
Neelix, sprawled on the cavern floor with B'Elanna at his side.

"Sorry - Neelix," he said sternly. Then he turned to me and said,
"Arrange for a medical beam out. I'm going to search for the
galacite."

"Wait Chakotay, you shouldn't go by yourself. Give me a second and I
go with you," I said to him. I was totally unprepared for what
happened next.

He grabbed me by the collar of my uniform and shoved me against one of
the cavern walls. Then, securing a hand full of my hair, he pulled my
head back, exposing my neck. I could feel his breath on my skin as he
spoke. "I am in command of this mission," he hissed, "I'm not waiting
for you." He pushed my head forward slightly, looking me straight in
the eye, and for an instant I thought he might kiss me. Then he
abruptly let me go and took off down the cavern. Neelix and B'Elanna
both looked on in amazement.

"Paris to Voyager," I said after regaining my composure.

"Voyager here. Go ahead," said the Captain.

"Captain, we have a problem..."

I explained to her about Neelix's injury and she sent down a medical
team to retrieve him. As the medical team arrived and started going to
work, the Captain asked me where Chakotay was.

"He just took off down the cavern, Captain. And he's acting very
strange."

"Strange? How so, Lieutenant?" asked Janeway.

"He yelled at Neelix like it was his fault the mounting device failed.
Then when I suggested he wait for me before trying to locate any
galacite, he shoved me against the wall and grabbed the back of my
head like..."

"Like?" she said, waiting for an answer.

"...like he was going to make a move on me. An intimate move. And he
appeared to be enjoying it." I could feel myself blush as I said the
words.

"Stand by Mr. Paris," said the Captain.

After a long pause, the Captain informed me that Chakotay was
suffering from a severe hormone imbalance caused by the Ponn Far.
Apparently, Vorik attempted to initiate some sort of mental link
between them. "You have to find him, Tom. We have to get him back to
sickbay immediately. If he's left untreated, he could die. Tuvok will
beam down to help you and B'Elanna locate him."

"Yes Captain. Paris out." Now, my primary goal was to find Chakotay.
What a day this was turning out to be.

"Tom," B'Elanna said, "What the hell is the *Ponn Far*?"


Once Tuvok arrived, we started down the cavern with our wrist lights
and tricorders. Scanning for his life signs proved to be pretty
useless. The mysterious dampening field surrounding the cavern kept
the tricorders from scanning more than a two meter radius. Lucky for
us, we found him 15 minutes into the cavern.

"Tom! Come and see what I've found." he shouted when he saw me coming
toward him. "I found the source of the galacite readings. It's some
sort of alien power device."

"That's great, Chakotay. Now, we need to get you back to Voyager."

"What for? I'm sure there's more to be found here," he replied, his
enthusiasm off the scale.

"Chakotay, haven't you wondered why you feel so agitated? Don't you
think you're behaving strangely?" I asked him trying to get his
attention.

"There's nothing wrong with my behavior. And I'm sorry for grabbing
you back there," he replied, "but I'm not leaving yet. Not until I
find more galacite."

"Chakotay, there's a problem with your hormone balance due to what
Vorik did to you. You're experiencing symptoms of the Ponn Far," I
explained.

"Okay, Tom. You can stop joking now," Chakotay replied, giving me a
huge grin, then continuing to scan the cavern.

"The Lieutenant is not joking," said Tuvok. "You have found the
galacite and completed your mission. It is imperative that we return
to Voyager now, Commander."

"No!" he shouted, "There's more galacite. I know there is. I just have
to find it and..."

"Chakotay," B'Elanna interrupted, attempting to get the Commander to
see reason, "we don't need you to find anymore."

"B'Elanna, how can you say that?" he asked. "You of all people know
how important it is for us to find more."

"Okay, you go with Tom to the ship," she said, trying to convince him
to leave. "I'll stay here with Tuvok and..."

"No. This is *my* mission!" he emphasized. "Tom, help me out here,
will you?"

I couldn't believe it. I've never seen Chakotay so irrational before
in my life! He was clearly disturbed, and sweating to the point that
he opened his jacket to cool off. His skin was glistening in the faint
light of our flashlights and I thought for a brief second, that he was
the sexiest I'd ever seen him.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they did. Out of
nowhere these aliens appeared. Armed with very impressive looking
weapons, their life signs didn't register on any of the tricorders,
and they blended in with the cavern walls almost completely.

After questioning our intentions, not completely satisfied that we
weren't hostile because of Chakotay's irrational state, there was a
seismic tremor. One of the aliens indicated that the wall Chakotay was
near was unstable and attempted to move him to a safer place. Chakotay
resisted, however, and they both ended up fighting over the alien's
weapon. Then the wall gave way. With strength I didn't know I
possessed, I grabbed hold of Chakotay's shoulders, pulling him and the
struggling alien away from the wall. We ended up on the other side of
a huge pile of rubble, cut off from Tuvok and B'Elanna. I looked
around, but the alien and his weapon had disappeared. Jeez, when it
rains it pours!

---
Chakotay's Log - continued...
---

It was so warm - almost steamy in that cavern with Tom. And he seemed
genuinely angry with me. But I was too hot and agitated to care. "What
was it you said? That I'm going through the Ponn Far?"

He moved over to the newly formed barrier blocking our path as if
accessing the damage. "Yeah. It certainly explains how you've been
acting," he said, irritation in his voice.

My anger began to rise at his tone. "Nothing's wrong with the way I'm
acting, Paris."

"Really? Well, let's do a little assessment shall we?" he quipped,
moving toward me until he was about an arm's length away, "you picked
a fight with a group of armed aliens, tearing into Neelix for
something that wasn't his fault, edging me on in the transporter room
before we beamed down, and oh, lets not forget the display back there
where you threw me against the wall. If I can recall correctly, the
last time you did that to me, we ended up..."

"Please Tom, don't go there. That was a long time ago," I said, moving
away from him. "Okay, so maybe I do feel - something. What am I
suppose to do about it?"

Tom's face radiated a mixture of anger and arousal, no doubt at our
situation and the memories of our short-lived romantic interlude. He
steps toward me until his face is inches away from mine. We're
actually breathing each other, we're so close. "When we get back to
the ship, the Doctor will be able to help you. Of course, there's
always Vorik...."

"I will NOT help him! I not even sure I like him!" I turned away from
him, continuing down the cavern looking for an exit. Tom was right
behind me trying to keep up. At that point, I was totally pissed. For
him to even think I would consider being with that emotionless Vulcan
angered me beyond reason. I came to a dead end. It appeared to be an
area where the wall had collapsed. I took my phaser out and aimed it
at the rubble when a strong hand gripped my wrist.

"Don't! You don't know what will happen if you do that," Tom said.

I was already incensed at his irritating wisecrack about Vorik. Once
he grabbed my wrist, my anger came to a head. All I remember after
that was feeling a flash of blinding rage, and unfortunately for Tom,
I lashed out.

---
Tom's Personal Log - continued...
---

I saw it in his eyes before he did it. Lucky for me I did, or else I'm
sure I'd have been a permanent fixture in one of the cavern walls. I
blocked his swing and we ended up wrestling in the cavern. Finally
after what seemed like a long, drawn out struggle for dominance, I had
him pinned to the cave floor. "This isn't about the weapon. Give it up
Chakotay! It's about sex. But it's not happening right now." With
great effort, I lifted myself off of him.

"You're right you know," he said then got up and backed me against the
wall again. "It is about sex," he breathed against my skin. I felt his
lips rub against my neck and cheek. My resolve was failing fast.
Really fast. I wanted him so badly I could almost taste him. But I
stopped him.

"No, Chakotay, not like this. We've become friends now, and I won't
take advantage of you - not when your judgment is impaired like it
is." I managed to gently push him away from me, and to my surprise, he
backed down.

"Maybe we should continue separately," he rasps out.

"No, I'm not leaving you here alone."

"Tom," he began, wrapping his arms around himself as if to control his
actions, "You don't know... how strong these urges are," he says, his
voice radiating arousal. "It's so hard to fight them."

"Come on," I say, torn between wanting to do what's right and wanting
to take him right there. "Maybe if we keep moving, it will keep your
mind off of it," and we continued down another corridor.

A few meters through the cavern, I notice the Commander was stumbling
more. He appeared weak and very tired. "Are you okay? Can you go on?"

"I don't have much of a choice, Tom," he says, just before another
seismic shift. This time we're trapped on all sides, alone. The closed
in space seems to fuel his restlessness, and he paces the small area
like a caged panther.

"This is driving me crazy! I feel like I'm turning inside out! I've
got to do something," and then he's on me again. Somehow, I managed
to pin him on the ground. I want him so badly. I feel his body
underneath me, moving sensually, and I want to kiss him until I see
stars. But I back off.

"I don't believe this. You're playing hard to get! You NEVER play hard
to get with anyone."

"I've never been in this type of situation with *you* before either,"
I say, moving to the other side of the small space.

He lifted himself off of the ground, looking somewhat defeated. "What
about our first encounter?"

"Our first encounter, you caught me off guard. We're yelling at one
another and the next thing I know you've pushed me against the wall,
and instead of beating me to a pulp, you kissed me. You left little
room for playing hard to get," I replied, my own emotions in turmoil.
"Besides, after that, you left me standing there wondering what the
hell happened. And since you never brought it up, I sort of got the
impression that you don't want that type of relationship with me."

"Tom," he whispered, moving closer to me, "I was wrong. I've been
fighting my feelings about you for years." He's very close to me now
and I feel his breath on my face. "Ever wonder why I was so hostile
toward you? Didn't you notice that I would get extremely irritated
when I saw you with someone else? Spirits, I want you, wanted you for
so long..." and he's kissing me. His lips part and his tongue slips
through gently caressing my mouth. I couldn't help myself and I gave
in. All I could think about was that luscious mouth on mine and how
positively addicting it was tasting his tongue.

I want to lose myself in him - give in to his sensual demands, and
take him there - right on the cavern floor, but I know it's the wrong
thing to do. I gain control of my hormones and am about to dislodge
myself from his grip when I hear gravel falling. Someone was digging
behind the wall of rubble. I push him away and shout "We're in here!"
I look back to him and he's crouched down on the cave floor, rocking
as if he's in pain. "Hurry! Chakotay needs help!" and I rush back to
his side and sit with my arm around him as he rocks.

Soon we are out of the cave. Tuvok attempts to contact Voyager, but
for some reason our comm badges aren't working. Chakotay is sitting on
a rock, fading in and out of reality, and I'm going out of my mind
with concern for him.

"Tuvok, what are we going to do?"

"Mr. Paris, you will have to help the Commander," says Tuvok, as
urgently as a Vulcan can.

"But why me? Do you have any idea what this will do to our
friendship?" I've worked so hard to gain Chakotay's respect. For me to
take advantage of him now, he'd hate me more than he did before.

"He has obviously chosen you as his mate, Mr. Paris. And considering
the circumstances, there is little room for this type of speculation.
The simple fact is, if you do not help him, he will die."

That's all I needed to hear. Damn the repercussions. I wasn't going to
let him die. I couldn't. So I knelt down next to him and took his
hands in mine to get his attention. "Chakotay, I - uh, know this is
very awkward but..."

He didn't let me finish the sentence. He looked at me, sweat
glistening from his bronze skin, and whispered "Come on," and he
pulled me to a secluded place in the large wooded area.

He sat on the ground, pulling me down with him. Once I was seated next
to him, he pushed me back and straddled me, removing his shirt at the
same time. He was absolutely beautiful. His skin was golden, his
muscles strong and extremely inviting. All I wanted to do was run my
hands over him. Then he reached under my shirt, sensually caressing my
skin. Chills made there way across my body as he lowered his lips on
mine. When his tongue entered my mouth, I embraced him, and he
stretched the length of his body over mine. Our passion was building
as the kiss deepened. I could feel our erections meet through our
clothes which caused us both to moan. He seemed to want dominance when
we were in the cave, but I wanted it now, so I rolled over on top of
him. I wanted to feel him beneath me.

He felt so incredible as I moved down the length of his body, stopping
to tease a nipple with my tongue while he murmured endearments that I
couldn't quite make out. I ran my hands down the length of his torso
and was about to undo his pants, when I was suddenly gripped hard on
the shoulders and brutally snatched off of Chakotay.

"YOU ARE MY MATE, NOT HIS!" It was Vorik. I'd never seen him look as
enraged as he did at that moment. His face was all contorted, flaming
red and he was sweating profusely like Chakotay.

Chakotay jumped up and shouted "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm here to claim you as my mate and defeat my rival if necessary!"
he spat out. By then, Tuvok and B'Elanna had rushed over after hearing
the animalistic declaration from the angry engineer. Then Vorik
demanded the rite of ritual combat.

Now I'm pissed! "Damn-it, you want a fight you've got one!" I yell
before I can think about it. I'm advancing on Vorik, intending to
rearrange his face, when B'Elanna grabs me.

"Tom, are you insane? You can't fight him!" she shouts as she
continues to hold me back. Then Chakotay races forward and Tuvok and
I grab him to keep him from doing anything to the young ensign.

"There is no way in HELL I'm mating with you!" Chakotay shouts, "Tom
is the one I choose, not you!"

"We shall see about that!" Vorik barks.

Rage has taken over Chakotay's entire being. "I'll kick your ass all
over this planet! I accept your challenge myself!"

---
Chakotay's Personal Log - continued...
---

That hormonal imbalance had me saying things I had absolutely no
intention of saying. I told everyone down there on the planet, in no
uncertain terms, that Tom was the one I wanted - the one I chose to be
my mate. It would have been a secret still kept to this day, if I had
been in my right mind. The only thing that was worth the declaration,
was the look on Tom's face when I made it. And if that wasn't bad
enough, I took on Vorik's challenge!

All I could remember thinking was that I wanted to rip his head clean
off of his shoulders. I've never felt such fury in my life. Not even
when I killed that Cardassian with my bare hands. The next thing I
knew, we were circling each other. The fight was brief, but brutal.
Vulcans are known for their strength, and Vorik was no exception. I'm
not even sure how, but I defeated him. It must have been the chemical
imbalance that gave me the power I needed to overcome him. Afterward,
I fell into Tom's arms, pain surging through my body from just about
every point - my arms, head, chest, everything cried out in agony.
Then suddenly the world around me went black and I woke up in sickbay.

Now, I'm in my quarters, afraid to go out, because I may run into Tom.
What the hell am I going to say to him? Tell him that it was only the
hormone imbalance that caused me to proclaim my desire for him? Or do
I tell him the truth? I've faced more dangerous, life threatening
situations in my life, and I'm dreading seeing Tom because I'll have
to deal with my emotions. I'm glad people can't see what a coward I am
about matters of the heart. One thing is for sure - I can't stay in
here forever. In about 15 minutes, I have to meet the Captain. She
wants my report on the events. Another embarrassing moment for me.
Shit, why do these things always seem to happen to me?

End personal log.

---
Tom's personal log, continued...
---

I can't act like nothing has happened. Something definitely did. And
as strange as it may sound, I want to pick up where we left off. It's
not just the sex, either. I want to expand it beyond that. I've felt
that way ever since that first kiss we shared. Man, that seemed like a
life time ago.

Sometimes I wish I had fought Vorik. Then I would be Chakotay's mate
in reality. I wonder if he meant it when he said he chose me for his
mate? I wonder if it was just his impaired judgment talking? And if it
was, how the hell am I suppose to go back to the way things were, when
I want so much more?

End personal log.

---

Tom was due in sick bay in a few minutes, so he grabbed a report he
was working on and left his quarters. He called for the turbolift, and
was surprised when the doors to the lift opened, and he looked up into
Chakotay's eyes.

Chakotay stood frozen. Talk about Murphy's law! Tom stepped into the
lift next to him and called out his destination. Then the lift began
to move.

"How are you feeling, Chakotay?"

"Fine. Much better, thanks." *God just let me die now,* Chakotay
thought wishing he would disappear into the deck.

"That's good. I'm glad you're feeling better." *Wow, is the air thick
in here or what?* Tom thought.

They rode the lift for about 20 seconds in very uncomfortable silence,
when Tom called for the lift to halt.

"Chakotay, look, this is ridiculous," he said without waiting for the
turbolift to comply with his command. "There's no need for the tension
between us. Besides, we can't avoid each other for the rest of the
trip. We're going to be on this ship together for a long time."

"You're right, Tom," Chakotay agreed, "maybe we should pretend that
the whole thing didn't happen."

Tom looked at the Commander as if he had grown a second head. "You
can't be serious. Something did happen, Chakotay. And it was more than
just sexual." Tom replied.

"Tom, I appreciate what you were willing to do for me, but I was under
the influence of a Vulcan chemical imbalance. Whatever I did, or said,
it wasn't me," he lied, rather convincingly he thought. Tom wasn't
going for it.

"That's bullshit and you know it, Chakotay. I had a talk with Tuvok
and found out some interesting information about the Ponn Far, which,
incidentally wasn't easy to do considering the *Victorian* attitude
Vulcans have about sex. Anyway, he told me that although you
experienced a chemical imbalance, your thoughts and feelings were only
enhanced by it, not the cause of it." He looked at Chakotay, searching
his face for any detectable reaction to his words, and was immensely
satisfied to find one. "So if you can look me in the eye, and tell me
that it meant nothing, and that you don't want anything else from me
other than friendship, I'll back off and never mention it again."

Just then the turbolift started to move again, obviously answering
someone else's call. The doors opened and Chakotay stepped out, past
two crewmembers entering the lift. Tom was right behind him,
determined to get an answer. The Doctor could wait.

"Chakotay, you didn't answer my question." Tom gently lay a hand on
Chakotay's shoulder, turning him to face him. "Did what happen on the
planet mean nothing?"

Chakotay looked into those azure eyes and melted. "Damn, Tom. You know
I can't tell you that."

Tom smiled, relieved. "So, how about we discuss our feelings over
dinner, say - 1900?"

"Okay," Chakotay smiled, "Where?"

"My place. I'll come by and pick you up." Tom said.

They both stood there in silence, not really wanting to leave. "Well,
I should go to Sickbay before the doctor sends Security after me."

"Yeah, the Captain is waiting for me as well," Chakotay replied,
anxiety leaving him almost immediately.

Tom smiled, then placed a gentle kiss on Chakotay's lips which ignited
the spark between them. Then he turned and headed toward sickbay with
a little more pep in his step. Sometimes things did go the way you
wanted.

---

The End

(c) 1998 Blackcat