The BLTS Archive - A Friend in Need
by Jaye (wordsmith872@fastmail.fm)

---

Copyright May 2002)

Disclaimer: Star Trek, The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and
all  related characters and concepts are the property of Paramount. No
infringement is intended or profit made. This is NC-17 for m/m sex. If
you  aren't interested (or aren't old enough), don't read it.

Archive: OK, just drop me a note so I know where it's going. Please
keep the text (especially the disclaimer) intact.

Feedback: Sure but be kind, or at least constructive.

Note: For this story, I'm using the dates listed on a Star Trek
website. Riker and Chakotay are the same age (both born 2335), and
Chakotay  attended the Academy from 2350-54, while Riker was there
2353-57. It  makes sense, since the actors are the same age as well.
This was originally  written for ChakotayFest.

---
=San Francisco, 2367=
---

Starfleet Commander Chakotay almost flinched from the smoky, fermented
atmosphere that washed over him as he opened the dingy oak door. The
smell was unavoidable, like an aggressive drunk throwing an arm around
his neck, leaning too close and blowing fetid breath in his face with
a  slurred "Howyadoin'." Taking a last inhalation of slightly fresher
evening air, he squared his shoulders and walked into the Gold Coast
Saloon.

The bar looked just as bad as it stank. No doubt about it, this place
was a dive. Wood panels were blackened with the grime of generations,
while the timbered plaster ceiling was the kind of gray that only came
from starting out white---years of smoke ago. Chakotay hoped he
wouldn't  step right out of his shoes as he tried to make his way
across the  sticky floor to the bar that took up the back wall of the
room. The dull  mirror built into it reflected the low-wattage lights
scattered about,  but didn't do much to alleviate the dimness.

As he walked, Chakotay scanned the scarred tables, searching for the
man who drew him to this unpleasant pub. Figures slouched in defeat,
curled around half-filled glasses of different shapes and sizes. Many
avoided his eyes, simply drawing their drinks closer in protection.
The few  who did meet his gaze returned it with narrowed-eyed glares
of  suspicion. Chakotay didn't want trouble, so he simply nodded in
return and  quickly looked elsewhere.

He had almost reached the bar, dreading a conversation with the
sullen-faced man standing behind it, when he finally spotted his
quarry. The  one he sought was in the far corner of the room, half
sprawled across a  small table. Only a back and the suggestion of
broad shoulders were in  view, but that was enough. Chakotay moved to
the man's side and laid a  hand on one dangling arm. "Hello Wil," he
said quietly.

Like a bear rousing from hibernation, the lump in the chair slowly
lumbered into a sitting position. Red-rimmed light blue eyes blinked
blearily at the standing man, then a rumbling growl issued from
Commander  William T. Riker's bearded mouth. "What the hell are you
doing here,  Chakotay?"

"Practicing my tracking skills." He took a seat across the tiny table.
"I traced your trail of the last few days. Paid your tabs---and
covered  all the damage you caused. You started out in the bar at your
hotel,  then had a wild pub crawl to the seedier side of town. You
moved from one  watering hole to another until you collapsed here last
night, or should  I say this morning?"

"Hmph." Wil squinted at his glass, then raised it to his lips in a
futile attempt to find a last few drops of alcohol. He set the
cylinder  down with a surly click. "Congratulations. You're an able
little Indian  brave. Now beat it."

Black brows rose as Chakotay absorbed the insult and the realization
that somewhere along the line his friend had transformed into quite a
mean drunk. "How about you come with me?"

"Not a chance." Riker turned toward the bar, raising a slightly shaky
hand to order another round.

Chakotay was faster, yanking the arm back down to the table. "I don't
think so, Wil." When bearded lips opened to protest, he jumped in
with,  "We either both leave now, or you tell me why you've been
drinking  nonstop for the last three days."

Wil jerked his arm out from under the bronze hand, nearly toppling his
chair backward. He snarled, "Leave me the hell alone, Chakotay. I'm a
grown man on shore leave and I can take care of myself."

"Really. Then why were half of those bar owners planning to report you
to the cops? You're lucky you're out of uniform. If Starfleet Security
knew about this you'd be cooling your heels in their brig right now."

"Only long enough for me to turn in my resignation." Riker muttered as
he lay his face back down on his folded arms.

"*What*?!" Chakotay rose from his seat in shock. "Resign?" He grabbed
brown hair and lifted the slumped man's head until he was again
looking  into not-so-clear crystal eyes. "Wil, what in the world is
going on?"

"I told you to get the hell out of here!" The taller man reared up
from  his chair with a roar, clamping a hand around Chakotay's wrist
and  flinging him away. Chakotay went with the momentum, turning the
toss into a  spin that brought him back around to face a now-standing
Riker. He  brought a fist up and clouted the bigger man's bearded
chin, then caught  his less-than-fragrant friend as he sagged to the
floor.

He quickly slung Riker's arm around his shoulder and began dragging
the  heavy body toward the exit. He called to the barkeep over his
shoulder,  "This guy got a tab?"

"Nah, you pay your way here," the man answered honestly, not wanting
to  make his own acquaintance with those capable fists. He saw the two
large figures silhouetted against the evening sky, then the door
closed and  they were gone.

---

Chakotay was tired by the time he laid Wil Riker's unconscious body on
his own bed. He'd managed not to do any more harm---he winced at the
memory of punching his friend---on the trip from one transporter
station  to another, and from there to Chakotay's cozy off-campus
cottage. The  fumes wafting from the unconscious man's body were
explanation enough  and no one stopped him on his journey.

He quickly gathered a tricorder, regenerator, sponge, soap, towels and
a basin of warm water. Using the tricorder to find the bruise
underneath the beard, Chakotay quickly healed Wil's jaw. Then he
stripped the  large body and began a hasty sponge bath.

When the unconscious man was clean, Chakotay reviewed his condition
once more. He quickly dialed up a hypospray to combat the detrimental
effects of the large amount of alcohol Wil had consumed over several
days.  He added treatments for dehydration and the massive hangover
his friend  was bound to have when he finally woke up.

Chakotay returned all his paraphernalia, then prepared a quick meal
that he ate sitting in a bedside chair. It was also his base for
grading  essays as he watched over Wil. According to the tricorder
Riker was  simply sleeping off the effects of his three-day binge.

When his own bedtime came, a pajama-clad Chakotay scanned his friend
once more, then pulled out an extra blanket and approached the bed. He
lay down on top of the covers, and touched the other man's shoulder.
"Good night, buddy," he said softly, turned over and settled down to
sleep.  As he drifted off, he wondered what had happened to put Wil
Riker in  such a state.

---
=Starfleet Academy, 2353=
---

First Year Cadet Wil Riker slouched in a chair in Admiral Wallace's
empty anteroom. He couldn't believe he'd only been at the Academy
three  months and was already failing his Tactical Theory class. He
was dreading  the coming meeting. Though the gray-haired officer was
congenial  enough, Wil knew that if things didn't go well his
Starfleet career could be  over before it even started.

He straightened to attention when the door opened, then went back to
his slump when he realized it was just another teen, this one in
civilian  clothes. Wil noted the black hair and golden-brown skin that
suggested  a tribal heritage, but otherwise ignored the newcomer until
a soft  voice broke the silence.

"Hello. Are you here to see Admiral Wallace about a Tactics class?"
The  handsome young man had an engaging, dimpled grin, but Wil simply
did  not care about anything beyond his own misery.

"Yeah. Look kid, I'm guessing you're here because you're failing too.
No offense, but I'm not interested in commiserating or dissecting or
anything else. We don't really need to waste any more time or
conversation  on each other, okay?"

The youth shrugged. "All right."

Wil couldn't interpret the sudden gleam in the deep brown eyes. He
watched the slightly shorter man move gracefully to an empty seat on
the  other side of the room. The stranger pulled out a padd and soon
became  absorbed in whatever it contained. Wil himself fidgeted,
anxious for the  Admiral to show up so he could find out if the axe
was going to fall.

"Sorry I'm late," Admiral Wallace called out cheerily as he breezed
into the room. His face brightened as he looked at the two teens who
quickly stood to attention. "Chakotay, good to see you could make it.
Thanks  for cutting your excursion short."

"No problem, Sir." The black-haired youth relaxed and gave his
charming  smile. "I'm afraid a few lessons in a holosuite didn't
adequately  prepare me for a ski trip to the Alps."

"Ah, but I'm sure you had many lovely snow bunnies eager to show you
the slopes."

Wil was surprised to see the bronze cheeks heat with a blush. He
wondered how the two knew each other; their banter was much more
familiar  than the three-months' acquaintance Chakotay's freshman age
would suggest.  He snapped back to attention when Admiral Wallace
addressed him. "Sir?"  he responded.

"Mr. Riker, I hear you're having a bit of a problem in Commander
Preston's Tactical Theory." The voice was stern but the eyes merry;
Wil  couldn't figure out which to react to.

"It would seem so, Sir," Wil sighed, unable to hide his glumness.

"More than seem." Wallace gestured the other youth closer. "Well, not
to worry Cadet. Have you had a chance to chat with Mr. Chakotay?"

"Um, not really Sir."

"Chakotay is a Fourth Year student of mine, Advanced Tactics. I've
asked him to take you in hand, as it were." Wallace sat on the edge of
his  absent secretary's desk. "He's submitted an interesting approach
to the  teaching of strategy, and you get to be our guinea pig."

The older man nearly laughed aloud at Riker's startled-deer
expression.  He stood and clapped his hands on the gray-clad
shoulders. "Good luck,  Cadet Riker." He nodded to the other youth,
"You too, Chakotay." Then  he headed into his office, whistling.

Chakotay moved to stand in front of the stunned student. He noted
again  the crystal clarity of the teen's eyes, his dark brown hair and
tall  frame. "You've just had an important lesson in Tactics, Cadet
Riker." He  winked. "Never assume."

He turned and crossed to the door, saying over his shoulder, "Come on,
we can talk just as easily outside."

Wil followed the other cadet's loose-limbed stride, unconsciously
admiring the view as they headed into the slanting light of late
afternoon.  Chakotay led him down a nearly hidden path through the
gardens. They  slipped around the end of a tall hedge into a secluded
patch of grass and  flowers. A small table with two benches sat to one
side. Nearby were a  pair of loungers set low to the ground with a
flat round disk in  between.

"Welcome to my little corner of the Academy," Chakotay said, spreading
his arms in invitation.

Wil hesitantly stepped forward and perched on one of the benches. "How
did you find this place?"

"Boothby. He's the head gardener, and a legend around here." Chakotay
sprawled on the other seat. "I help him out sometimes, and he's my
boxing coach. When he found out I knew carpentry, he set me to
designing  little pieces of furniture like these for the gardens. In
exchange, I got  this corner of the grounds to call my own---at least
while I'm here."

Wil leaned on his elbows and peered at the young face across from him.
"Is this for real? *You're* my tutor? Just how old are you, anyway?"

Chakotay laughed. "Do you really think admirals waste their time
playing practical jokes on unsuspecting cadets?" He mirrored Wil's
position  and said, "I'm eighteen. I was accepted three years ago for
early  admission. And yes, I am your tutor. That is, if you want me."
The wide  shoulders shrugged. "If you don't, then I can probably get
someone else to  help you out."

Wil shook his head and laughed ruefully, treating Chakotay to a flash
of his own dimples and good-natured grin. "It's hard to believe that
my  tutor is probably younger than I am, but I'll get used to it." His
light eyes twinkled. "Yes, I want you."

Chakotay could feel himself start to flush and quickly jumped to his
feet. "Okay. We'll start tomorrow, then. Is sixteen hundred hours here
good for you?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine." Riker stood as well. "And thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. The Admiral wants us to use the lesson plan I've
devised. It might not be any good."

"Well, my grade can't get worse." The two moved back into the gardens.

Chakotay lightly touched Wil's arm before they parted. "Riker, your
first assignment is Sun Tzu's 'Art of War'. The faster you read it the
faster we can begin the real work." He moved away with a parting
smile.

Wil called out, "Hey kid!" and was pleased to see Chakotay turn. "My
friends call me Wil."

"I only have one name, Chakotay. You can use that." The black head
shook slightly as Chakotay chuckled. "And if you call me kid again
you're  going to be 'Old Man'. See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Wil said, then made his bemused way back to the dorm to
download Sun Tzu.

---

"But that's not what the Professor wants, Chakotay. He's looking for
an  application of *his* theories." Wil jumped up from the bench and
stormed around the small area of green.

"Regurgitation, you mean," Chakotay retorted from his seat on the
tabletop. "Do you really think that Commander Jason Preston is the
end-all  and be-all of critical thinking?"

It had been two months since the cadets had started their study
sessions. They had examined the writings and histories of Sun Tzu,
Alexander,  Napoleon, Rommel, Khan, Kirk and others. Under Chakotay's
tutelage,  there had been a transformation in Wil's mind; now he could
*see* the  different factors---objectives, terrain, combatants' forces
and positions,  support, morale---weaving together like threads to
form a  three-dimensional tapestry of conflict.

With his fellow student's help he had learned to put himself into each
leader's place and plot different strategies, gauge each plan's chance
of success and the factors that affected the odds. The problem was,
many of Wil's tactics were a tad...unorthodox. While taking tests in
Preston's class Wil had pretty much stuck to whatever would earn him
the  highest marks from his instructor. But now they were starting
simulated  battles. Chakotay was urging Wil to find his own approaches
to the  scenarios, while Cadet Riker was firmly convinced playing it
safe was the  only way to ensure a good grade.

Wil stopped pacing and stared at the hedge. It didn't help that he was
also wrestling with an unfamiliar attraction to his tutor. It hadn't
diminished over the last eight weeks despite Wil's steady stream of
dates  with comely coeds. Chakotay may be a Fourth Year cadet but he
didn't  put on airs or try to lord his seniority over Wil. In fact,
he'd been  very generous in showing the newcomer around the campus and
to some of the  more interesting places in the surrounding
neighborhoods.

Wil had found Chakotay's friendship increased his own prestige among
his classmates, but didn't care. He simply enjoyed the young man's mix
of  focused concentration and easygoing, lighthearted fun. Chakotay
also  had a sly sense of humor and a shy streak that popped out at the
oddest  times, adding an endearing blush to that handsome face. Wil
had  occasionally found himself lost in contemplation of deep brown
eyes, barely  absorbing the day's lesson. All this despite the fact
that Riker was  getting a rep as a campus ladykiller, and had never
even considered another  guy attractive before now.

Chakotay sighed and contemplated his friend's tense shoulders and
stiff  spine. He really should just back off and let Wil make his own
decisions. Or, if he had any sense of self-preservation, urge him to
follow  Preston's lessons while taking the sims. After all, his own
project for  Admiral Wallace depended on Riker's grade. Wil was now at
the top of his  class, and if he aced the sims Chakotay's approach to
understanding  strategy could actually influence next year's courses.

He sighed. But he believed in Wil, and thought that the freshman's
unique way of viewing things should be encouraged, not warped so it
could  fit into someone else's mold. Chakotay thought that Wil using
his own  tactics in these made-up conflicts would also be a good way
for him to  hone his instincts, to get a sense of when things were
going well and  when he needed to make adjustments on the fly.
Following someone else's  battle plan wouldn't do him much good in
that respect, because his  decisions would be reflecting another
person's mindset instead of his own.

Chakotay realized he was staring at his friend and quickly turned his
attention elsewhere, hoping he wouldn't blush. He found himself
thinking  about his pupil at the oddest times. He could be in his dorm
doing  assignments for his own classes and suddenly his mind's eye
would be filled  with Wil's infectious grin and striking light eyes.

It was a little disturbing. Chakotay had plenty of friends among his
own peers, but he was very much aware of the difference in their ages.
He  had come to enjoy the company of a contemporary. After Wil's
initial  disbelief he had accepted both his tutor and the situation
with  remarkable aplomb. Their natures complemented each other quite
well, Wil's  gregariousness balancing Chakotay's quieter insights.

Now these weird feelings were surfacing at the worst possible time.
Chakotay was *finally* popular with the fairer sex (at least the First
Year cadets), now that he wasn't younger than everyone else on campus.
He  was dating, cautiously considering the possibilities for his first
serious relationship. He'd been stymied before now because the only
Academy  women interested in younger men were the admirals, and there
was no way  he was getting involved in that scene.

Chakotay shook his head and slid to the ground. He needed to give Wil
some space to make his own decisions. And Chakotay needed time to get
a  handle on his unfamiliar attraction. Get rid of it, really, since
nothing could come of it. He walked over to Wil.

Riker started at a soft touch on his arm. He turned to meet grave dark
eyes. "Listen, Wil, you have to do what's right for you. If you think
you'd be better off not trying anything unusual during the sims, then
that's the plan you should stick to."

Chakotay could feel himself starting to blush as he continued. "I just
want to say thanks for letting me try out my ideas on you, and I think
you've got a real talent for tactics." He grinned. "And I *really*
think you should just admit you're an iconoclast, and throw
everybody's  opinions out an airlock. Including mine."

He quickly moved away, pausing at the edge of greenery. "Anyway, good
luck. Let me know what happens."

Wil watched his friend disappear behind the hedge. He returned to the
bench to do some serious thinking.

---

Chakotay hurried to Admiral Wallace's office. His gut was tight with
concern. The simulation tests for Tactical Theory had ended two days
ago,  but he hadn't heard from Wil at all since their last discussion
before  the exercises even began. He hoped that his friend wasn't mad
at him  for expressing his opinion. He hoped even more fervently that
Wil wasn't  avoiding him because he'd failed the class.

The secretary waved him through, so he hastened into the inner
sanctum.  Chakotay skidded to a stop at the sight of a tense Wil
facing Admiral  Wallace---and Commander Preston. The middle-aged blond
Tactics  instructor squinted at the newcomer. "That him?"

"Yes, that's Chakotay." Wallace waved him to a chair next to Wil.
"Welcome, Cadet. Have a seat."

Chakotay tried to catch Wil's eyes as he settled stiff-backed into the
seat, but the other student was facing forward as if no one else was
in  the room. Chakotay gave a sad mental sigh and hoped he hadn't
screwed  things up for Wil too badly.

"Now, Cadet Riker, Cadet Chakotay, I'm sure you're aware that the sims
results for Tactical Theory are scheduled to be posted today." Admiral
Wallace leaned back in his chair and regarded the two youths doing
their best impressions of mannequins. "I wanted both of you to know
Commander Preston's evaluation of Mr. Riker's performance."

He stood and indicated the frowning man. "Jason here was unaware that
I'd asked you, Chakotay, to do some tutoring. *And* to use your own
teaching method."

The Admiral circled his desk until he could perch on the front,
between  the two students. "The results were unexpected." He almost
laughed at  the matching crestfallen, disappointed faces. "And damned
impressive.  Highest scores on record since you were a freshman in the
same class,  Chakotay."

"Wil, that's wonderful! Congratulations." Chakotay turned to his
friend, torn between jumping up with joy and slumping in relief.

Riker still sat like a statue, stunned. "You mean I passed?"

"You not only passed, young man, you showed some of the most creative
thinking I've seen so far from the freshman class." Wallace glanced
over  his shoulder at Preston, who didn't look pleased. "The Commander
thought your solutions to the scenarios were highly unusual, but the
bottom  line is, they worked. And you get full credit for
originality."

"Well, not all the credit, Sir. Chakotay really helped me find my own
way of doing things." Wil quickly sent his friend an elated, grateful
grin.

"Yes, we'll be taking Mr. Chakotay's suggestions more seriously now
that they've gotten positive results." The Admiral shot another, more
pointed look at Preston. Then he turned back to identical sets of
beaming  dimples and had to shake his head at the euphoria of youth.
"Well, I'll  let you go now." He slid to his feet and shook each
cadet's hand as  they stood as well. "Congratulations again to both of
you. Dismissed."

Wallace waved away their thanks and watched the two bound out the
door.  He shook his head at their exuberance and returned to his desk.
"Pull  up a seat, Jason, and let's see how we can get more of our
cadets to  think out of the box."

---

The two young men managed to walk with proper decorum until they were
out of the building, then they started whooping with glee. "I can't
believe it!" Wil shouted, laughing.

"Neither can I. Weren't you just going to give Preston what he
wanted?"  Chakotay asked, smiling but confused.

Riker's body worked off excessive energy, pacing around his tutor
while  his arms emphasized his words. "I was all set to 'regurgitate'.
That  was the plan. Then the first sim started."

His eyes flashed with delight. "And I could *see* what was going to
happen, the way the battle would play out if I followed the standard
tactics. And then," he looked at Chakotay, "I thought about what you
said.  So I figured what the hell, and threw the rulebook out the
airlock." He  nearly jumped with glee. "I can't wait to tell my
folks."

"They'll be counting the seconds 'til they can congratulate you in
person," Chakotay agreed. He gave a teasing grin. "Your head will be
so  swelled, I bet you won't even be able to fit through your door
when you  get back from break."

"That's right. We get two weeks off." Riker lightly smacked his
forehead. "I was so caught up in finals and those damn sims that I
completely  forgot. Where are you headed?"

Chakotay shrugged. "I don't really have any plans. The vacation's so
short I can't go back to Dorvan. I may take a few day trips, or kick
around an archaeological dig somewhere."

"You should come with me, back to Alaska."

"Wil, that's really generous, but it's your first trip home since you
got here. I wouldn't want to crash your reunion."

"Nonsense. My parents would love to meet you. Besides," Wil flung an
arm around Chakotay's neck, "I figure you're so polite you'll end up
doing all my chores for me."

"Don't count on it."

They laughed together and continued walking down the path.

---

Wil's family was thrilled to meet his new friend, but a little
embarrassed that due to other visitors Chakotay was forced to bunk
with his  fellow cadet. The two men took it in stride. They figured a
week in the  same room was good preparation for sharing a tent for
their planned  four-day camping trip.

Alaska was a beautiful vista of water, forest and mountain, and
Chakotay was very glad Wil persuaded him to come along. He was lazing
on a  blanket at their campsite, watching his host arrange their food
containers. They had both stripped to their swimsuits in deference to
the heat.

Unnoticed, he ran his eyes over Wil's pale skin, admiring his muscles
and amazed at the thick dark hair on his torso and limbs. He gave a
mischievous grin. "Hey Wil," he called.

Wil hastily ended his surreptitious study of sleek golden-brown skin
laid out like a feast for the eyes. "Yeah?"

Brown eyes gleamed. "You ever get mistaken for a bear?" Chakotay
asked.

Wil's reaction was instinctive. With a roar of mock outrage, he flung
himself on the supine man, straddling him and pressing his shoulders
to  the blanket. "You take that back," he demanded, eyes laughing.

"Why, it's a perfectly reasonable question," Chakotay lightly touched
one brown-furred arm, "Bear."

Wil leaned down, getting into his companion's face. "Do you really
want  me to start calling you 'Kid' again?" Then his expression
changed as he  fell into liquid dark eyes. He moved closer, lightly
placing his lips  on Chakotay's.

The kiss was tentative, a little awkward as they bumped noses trying
to  come together. Wil felt a hesitant tongue and opened his mouth,
inviting deeper contact as he shifted to lay across the bronze form.
He moved  to touch the night-black hair, letting his fingers play in
the silky  strands. He felt a gentle brush along his neck, then
shoulders as his  partner's hands began their own exploration.

After a time they drew apart to stare into each other's shocked faces.
"What are we doing, Wil?" Chakotay asked quietly.

"I don't know." His voice was just as soft. "But it seems right." He
was stunned to feel his back hit the blanket as the darker youth
rolled  them over.

"How can it be right? We're both seeing other people." Chakotay's eyes
were concerned. "I *want* to kiss you, touch you," he ran his hands
through the mat of hair on Wil's chest, "but I don't think I'm in love
with you."

"I'm not in love with you either." Wil said. He shrugged. "And neither
of us is in an exclusive relationship yet. Maybe we're just ready for
a  new experience, and we feel comfortable enough to do some
experimenting."

The blue eyes were serious now as well. "Would you be okay with that?
We just...see what happens while we're on this trip, and when we get
back to the Academy we resume our regular lives."

Chakotay thought about it, then looked at the supine figure. "I think
so, but we have to promise that if either one of us wants to stop, we
do, no questions asked and no hard feelings."

"Agreed. I don't want to lose you as a friend, Chakotay."

"Same here. And we don't do anything in your parents' house. That
would  be disrespectful. So when we return there, we just share a bed
like  we've been doing."

"Okay." Wil gave his merry grin. "We can always sneak out to the shed
for some nookie."

Chakotay gave a surprised laugh, and Wil took advantage of his
distraction to try to reverse their positions again. The two young men
tussled  and rolled, finally ending up on their sides with erections
pressing  against their swimsuits. They started kissing, hot and deep,
as  animalistic grunts sounded in their chests.

Golden fingers sank into a field of brown curls, finding the pale pink
nipples hidden like treasures. Chakotay tweaked the pebbled nubs,
twisting them a little, and heard Wil's groan echo in his own mouth.
He felt  fingers on his back, sliding and scraping down to his hips to
catch his  waistband. He lifted his body a little, letting the pale
hands slide  off his only covering.

Wil growled when he felt nails rasping across his abdomen, carefully
removing the cloth brushing his erection, then yanking the material
roughly down his legs. He felt the hands linger on his limbs, palms
rubbing  his flesh as the fingers traveled back up to encase his
buttocks and  squeeze.

All the while the kiss continued in earnest, mouths open and tongues
dueling together in wanton abandon.

Wil put his hands on that tantalizing bronze ass and pulled, grinding
their erections together. Chakotay broke the kiss to moan, then turned
passion-glazed eyes on his light-skinned companion. The rapid pulse
beating in the pale neck drew him, and he descended on Wil's throat,
teeth  grazing the throbbing vein.

The crystal eyes closed, reveling in the primal beat of their bodies
against one another, strong hands grabbing his flesh as he groped at
Chakotay's. Their movements became frenzied as their mouths met once
more,  sucking and biting each other's lips, pressing hard enough to
draw  blood. They reached the pinnacle together, matched sets of semen
spurting  over their writhing forms.

Two bodies lay glistening with sweat in an exhausted tangle, feeling
the zip of pleasure running through their nerves and veins to linger,
tingling in the scratches and bites they'd bestowed on each other in
their  passion.

"I hope you packed a regenerator," Wil said, gently brushing the
scrapes on Chakotay's golden flesh.

"Yeah. Though I never thought I'd be using it to heal a hickey *I*
gave  *you*." Chakotay lightly touched the bruise on his friend's
neck. "That  was a bit wilder than I'm used to."

"Me too, but it was one hell of a ride." Wil grinned, but the light
blue orbs were concerned. "Are we going to be okay?"

"I think so." Chakotay flashed his own dimples. "I wonder what other
trouble we can get up to in a week." He touched his nose to his
companion's. "Bear."

"Why you---" Wil claimed the smiling mouth and they started again.

---

For all the opportunities they had, the two young men didn't take
their  fling very far. They enjoyed exploring each other's bodies,
necked in  unusual places as they stroked each other off, and
experimented with  oral sex. By unspoken agreement they never
attempted more intimate  joinings, preferring to keep things as
uncomplicated as possible.

A week later they stood at the Academy transport station, an awkward
silence falling between them as they readied to part for their dorms
and  pick up the lives they'd left behind on their Alaskan idyll.

"Are we going to be okay?" Chakotay blurted, cautiously regarding his
companion.

"Yeah. Still friends?" Wil asked, hoping.

Dark gold fingers twined with snowy counterparts as they clasped
hands.  Chakotay smiled. "Definitely friends." They shared a grin full
of  secrets as they went their separate ways.

---

Their friendship never wavered. Even after Chakotay graduated the two
kept in close contact, sharing what was happening in their lives.
Occasionally they vacationed together, and even double-dated. They
never  acted again on the attraction between them, even after they
both had other  male lovers. After Chakotay accepted the Academy
teaching post Riker  would crash with him when he was on Earth and
didn't want to bother with  a hotel or impersonal officers' lodgings.
The two were comfortable  platonically sharing a bed, just as they had
done that first semester break  in Riker's home town.

---
=San Francisco, 2367=
---

Chakotay was awakened by groaning. He quickly called on a low light
and  retrieved the glass of water, bowl and damp washcloth he'd set by
the  bed earlier. He knelt beside Riker, who was leaning over the edge
of the  mattress making retching noises.

"Easy, Wil. I don't think you have anything to bring up." Chakotay
held  the bowl under the bearded face just in case as he rubbed his
friend's  back comfortingly.

"Do me a favor. Just shoot me and put me out of my misery." Wil's
voice  was still hoarse as he gingerly lay back down.

Chakotay quickly ran the cool damp cloth over the wan face and throat,
then activated the tricorder. He read the results and dialed up
another  hypospray, shooting it into the pale neck. "This should take
the edge  off." Wil's body relaxed immediately. He picked up the glass
and sat on  the bed to put an arm behind the broad shoulders, helping
Wil drink.

Riker swished some water, trying to get rid of the cottony feeling in
his mouth. He ran through his memories of the last three days. He gave
his host a sidelong glance. "You hit me?"

"Yes, I thought you were going to get violent, so I made a tactical
strike. I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Wil sighed. "I was ready to punch your lights out."

Chakotay nodded in relief. "Do you want to clean up?"

"Yeah. Replicate me a toothbrush, will you?"

"It's all set. Your clothes are clean; I laid them on a chair with
some  pajamas. And you can grab my robe---it's on the hook. Are you
going to  be all right by yourself?"

Wil gingerly swung his legs to the floor. Both men stood; for him the
room swayed a little and then settled. He nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Okay. I'll go heat some soup for you. I think you've been on a
beverage-only diet for a while." He slipped from the room before Wil
could get  defensive.

Riker sighed and made his way to the bathroom. After he was clean he
just stood under the spray for a while, trying to keep his mind blank.
Eventually he dried off, dressed in the borrowed nightclothes and
wrapped  himself in the robe. He padded into the kitchen.

"I was beginning to get worried that you'd decided to drown your
sorrows the old-fashioned way." Chakotay quickly dished up the soup
and set  it on the table with a few pieces of bread. "Would you prefer
tea or  coffee?"

"Tea." Riker sat and lifted his spoon, moving the chunks of vegetables
and pasta around. He took a spoonful, realized it was going to stay
down, and began to devour the meal with relish.

Chakotay carried two cups of herbal tea to the table and took a seat,
just watching Wil eat. He noted the dark circles under the guarded
eyes,  but kept his questions to himself. He simply sipped his drink
and  waited.

Wil absorbed the last of the broth with a bite of bread. He chewed
slowly, then immediately grabbed his mug. He felt Chakotay's concerned
gaze  but wasn't ready to talk yet.

The black-haired man sighed as Wil continued to avoid his eyes. He set
down his empty mug and laid one hand on a pale wrist. "Wil, I'm not
going to pry. I don't know why you didn't call me when you hit town,
or  what would drive you to drink like that. But until you're ready to
talk  it's your own business."

He stood and gathered their plates, moving to the sink to rinse and
stack them to be washed tomorrow. "If you'd like to stay, you're
welcome.  If you'd rather go back to what you were doing, well..." he
regarded  the silent figure, "I'd appreciate it if you went somewhere
else. Off  planet. I'd still worry about you, but I wouldn't have to
*know* you were  in trouble."

Chakotay quickly dried his hands and walked back to the table, laying
a  warm hand on a robe-clad shoulder. "Let's just go back to bed. I
have  classes tomorrow, but I'll turn off the alarm so you can sleep
in. Maybe  things will be better in the morning."

Wil stood to follow, but spoke just before he got back into bed. "I
don't think they will be, but thanks anyway."

Chakotay simply nodded, and walked to the other side of the mattress.
Both men slid under the covers and Chakotay called out the lights.

---

Wil roused to faint morning sunlight filling a comfortable, masculine
room. He was grateful that Chakotay's timely intervention had
prevented  him from waking with a raging hangover. He turned over to
regard his  still-sleeping companion.

A fond grin softened the bearded face. Chakotay looked almost exactly
the way he did on that first camping trip their shared year at the
Academy. His features had softened in sleep, radiating innocence the
way the  bronze skin reflected the sun's caress. Wil sighed and lifted
one hand  to cup a high-boned cheek, warmth filling him as his
companion nestled  into the touch with the hint of a smile. Then he
sobered, remembering  his sorrows, and sat up to slide out of the bed
and away from the beauty  dreaming there.

"Wil," Chakotay said and blinked his eyes sleepily, watching the
strong  back stiffen. He pushed himself up, leaning against the
headboard as he  wrapped his arms around his blanketed knees. "What
are you planning to  do?"

Wil sighed and made his decision. "I'm going to the hotel." He looked
over his shoulder. "To get my stuff and check out. That is, if your
offer still stands."

"Of course. You can stay as long as you like." Chakotay tossed the
covers aside and stood. "Do you want something to eat before you go?"

"No, I'll grab a bite on the way." Wil watched his friend circle him,
trying to appear unconcerned. "I'll probably just drop everything off
and go for a walk or something."

"Listen, I'm in classes and meetings all day, but if you need
anything,  just comm me. There's nothing I can't reschedule. I'll be
back around  1700 this evening, so let me know if you're still out and
about by  then." Chakotay offered a small smile, "And if you happen to
wander by a  Chinese restaurant, take-out would be great."

Riker nodded his head wryly. "Message received. Dinner on me at 1700."

"Good. I'll let you get ready then." Chakotay paused at the door. "I'm
glad you've decided to stay."

Wil gave a ghost of his usual grin. "I figure I don't really have a
choice. You'll just track me by remote if I try to skedaddle."

"Damn right. I've already sewn a homing beacon to your shorts." The
bronze man winked and left the room.

---

Wil sprawled in a lounge in Chakotay's thriving backyard garden,
staring up at the clouds traveling across the evening sky. He'd
ignored the  interested gleam in the eyes of the concierge this
morning as he showed  up at the hotel for the first time in days, only
to check out  immediately.

He had dumped his bags at his friend's cottage and begun walking,
traveling to familiar haunts from his Academy days. He'd even spent an
hour  on the campus grounds. He'd debated calling Chakotay to meet at
their  old spot for a chat. Wil had slipped around the hedge, settling
down on  a still sturdy bench to think about what he wanted to say to
Chakotay.  He'd already decided to confide in his old friend, but the
exact words  of explanation still eluded him. They just couldn't be
extracted from  the muddle of his feelings. So he'd left and continued
his meandering  through the City by the Bay.

Wil blinked when a sturdy silhouette blocked his view of the sky.
"Still prompt as ever, I see," he drawled.

Chakotay lifted a shoulder. "For meals, anyway." He offered his friend
a hand up. "How are your legs?"

Wil grimaced. "Sore. Walking the decks of a starship---even one as big
as Enterprise---isn't anything like strolling the nearly-vertical
streets of San Francisco. Mountain-climbing would have been a better
preparation."

The two reached the kitchen. Chakotay headed for the bag on the table,
peering in and sniffing. "You walked all the way to King's Garden?"

Riker had moved to a cabinet to pull out bowls and plates. "Yeah, I
ended up in the neighborhood. Took a transport back, though."

"You'd have to. Otherwise we'd be eating breakfast, not dinner."
Chakotay dug out spoons and chopsticks, watching the taller man out of
the  corner of his eye. "Are you doing any better?"

"I thought you weren't going to pry." Brown brows rose inquiringly.

"I'm not." Chakotay smiled. "I'm just asking how my friend is
feeling."

"Your friend," Wil began to open cartons, putting some food from each
one into his bowl and passing it to his companion, "is feeling rather
embarrassed, now that he's sober. I don't know what I was thinking."

"After the first few bars, I doubt you were thinking about much of
anything."

"That reminds me," Wil sat and dug in. "How *did* you find out I was
in  town?"

Chakotay took his own seat and fiddled with his chopsticks. "A
colleague of mine mentioned that he saw you in the hotel lobby a few
days ago.  I left a message asking you to call. When I still hadn't
gotten an  answer yesterday, I went there myself and managed to pick
up your trail."  Brown eyes dubiously regarded light blue. "I don't
remember hitting that  many dens of iniquity in my whole time as a
cadet."

"Of course not. They wouldn't have let you in the door until your
senior year." Wil chewed a bit of bok choy, then admitted, "I don't
really  know why I ended up in 'Frisco. I mean, I could have gotten a
room  anywhere on Earth. I *should* have gone home to Alaska. Instead,
I pick a  hotel in the middle of your turf." He tilted his head and
peered at his  friend. "Maybe I was hoping you *would* show up."

"I'm glad I did." They shared a glance and continued eating.

Their conversation shifted to neutral topics for the rest of the meal,
until they carried glasses of wine out to the garden.

Wil roamed around a few moments, getting comfortable with the
twilight.  Chakotay just sat, absorbing the peace of nature and hoping
it would  provide a bit of comfort for his friend's troubled soul.

Riker finally returned to Chakotay, who rested on an intricately
carved  wooden glider-style loveseat beside the back door. "Your
work?" he said  as he set his goblet down on a side table and took a
seat.

Chakotay smiled and pushed off the ground with his foot to start them
rocking. "Yes. I try to keep my hand in."

Wil took a deep breath and faced his companion. "Do you remember
Deanna  Troi?"

"Of course. She's the counselor on Enterprise. The lovely Betazoid,
your...Imzadi, right?" Chakotay leaned over and laid a hand on Wil's
arm  in concern. "Has something horrible happened to her?"

The answering laugh was brittle. "Well, not from her point of view,
no,  but mine...." He sighed and looked at the ground. "She's fallen
in  love."

Chakotay's brow creased in confusion. "I don't understand, Wil. Why
would that be so devastating? I know *I* was sure you two would marry
years ago, but I thought you both agreed to just be friends." He tried
to  catch the light blue gaze in the twilight. "Did your feelings
change?"

Wil stood abruptly. "Yes---no, I don't know." He paced the small patch
of grass closest to the building. "Deanna has dated other people
before. So have I. But this time it's different. I honestly think that
it's  for real, maybe forever, and her lover is a good friend of
mine."

"Who?"

"Lieutenant Worf. He's the Klingon Security Chief on Enterprise."

"Yes, you've mentioned him before. Are you maybe feeling protective?
Is  he not good enough for her?"

"No, that's not it. He's an honorable man, and he hasn't been involved
with anyone since his mate died."

"Are you jealous, that she's with someone and you aren't? Or is it
that  she's not with you?"

"It's a lot of things. My thoughts, my emotions are all in a jumble.
That's why I took a few days off." Wil touched a tall blossom-topped
stalk. "When I found out about it, I knew they both wanted...my
blessing, I  suppose. I was sure Deanna wouldn't go ahead with the
relationship  unless she had it. So I told them I was happy for them
and wished them all  the best."

He returned to his seat. "It was a lie, but I faked it well enough to
persuade them I was sincere. Even Deanna bought it, but I think that
was  more because it's what she needed to hear. I knew I couldn't keep
up  the fa�ade for long though, so I bolted. When I stepped off the
shuttle I  thought about comming you, but I didn't really want to talk
to anyone.  So I checked into a hotel. Then I headed to the bar for a
drink, to  unwind. But that wasn't enough to stop the buzz in my head
from too much  thinking. So I ordered another. And another. And then I
began to  consider that venue much too nice to get really roaring
drunk in. So I moved  to one a few blocks away."

Wil shrugged. "The next thing I knew it was days later and you were
standing next to me." He ran a hand through his hair. "I still can't
wrap  my head around why I feel so...lost. It's like I always had this
picture in the back of my mind that Deanna and I would end up
together. Now  that's not going to happen and I don't know what to do
about it."

Chakotay put an arm around Wil's shoulders, relieved when the other
man  leaned into the touch. "There's not much you can do. Either you
try to  get her back, or you let her go. And you need to decide, to be
able to  live with the consequences, before you return to the
Enterprise."

"I know that. What I *don't* know is how I feel, or what my next step
should be." Wil moved a little closer and sighed.

Chakotay kept up his slow rocking of the bench as the men sat and
night  fell over the garden.

---

Chakotay rinsed his hair under the spray. He was glad it was Saturday;
he really didn't want Wil to be alone until he found his feet again.
He  ached for his friend, who was feeling so adrift and out of sorts.
They'd sat for hours last night, silent, until he'd finally pulled Wil
up  and the two had gotten ready for bed. Riker was still sleeping, so
Chakotay decided to get cleaned up and do some computer browsing. He
wanted  to check the local events information sites for some
distractions---concerts or sporting events---in case Wil was restless.

He felt a cool breeze as the shower door opened, then turned to see a
naked Wil coming toward him. A second later his back was pressed
against  the tile and a talented, demanding tongue was in his mouth.
He stood,  arms at his sides for a moment in shock. Then he felt
fingers skimming  down toward his ass and brought his own arms up to
push the taller  figure away.

Wil staggered back a step and paused, hot-eyed and panting. He let his
eyes drift down Chakotay's golden-brown skin, noting the added muscle
that had further defined his friend's enticing form. With a low sound
he  moved forward again, only to be stopped short by broad hands on
his  shoulders.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Chakotay said, trying not
to  shout.

"I've decided what to do---move on. And I figured you'd like to help
me  celebrate." Wil gave a friendly leer, but his eyes told a
different  story. He moved in again, only to be pushed back by a
furious Chakotay.

The dark eyes were blazing with a mix of hurt and anger. "Since when
did 'celebrating' include jumping me in my own bathroom?" he growled.

"Oh come on, Chakotay. Don't be such a prude. Maybe it wasn't in a
shower, but it's not like we haven't messed around before." Wil leaned
against the wall, "As I recall we were pretty damn hot."

"That was a long time ago." Chakotay turned off the water and stepped
from the cubicle, keeping a careful eye out for another attack. He
wrapped a towel around his waist and draped another around his neck,
rubbing  his hair.

Wil followed, still naked. He made a small moue of disappointment at
the concealing towel. He approached more slowly this time, leaning in
to  whisper seductively, "Why *shouldn't* we celebrate? We're both
single,  and available." He ran one pale finger along a damp shoulder,
drawing  random patterns. "We were so *good* together, Chakotay. I can
still  remember every minute of that week in Alaska. Don't you want to
find out if  we've improved with age?"

"Why are you doing this?" Chakotay moved away from the touch and the
voice, both too tempting.

"Why not?" Wil followed, this time bracing his arms on the sink on
either side of the shorter man. He looked in the mirror, meeting the
bewildered brown eyes. "I've wanted you since we were eighteen years
old. I  think this is long overdue."

Chakotay's jaw firmed and his eyes narrowed as they locked on Wil's.
"Fucking me won't help you forget Deanna."

Wil jerked in shock. "I don't want to fuck you." He pushed away from
the sink and moved restlessly, oblivious to his nudity. His face
contorted as emotions rose to the surface. "Gods, I'm praying that I
*won't*  fuck you, Chakotay."

Chakotay had turned when Wil released him. His own eyes grew wide at
the fear in Wil's as the taller man stopped and faced him.

Riker clenched his hands. "I figured it out. I'm not jealous or sad or
angry, Chakotay. I'm scared. Hell, I'm terrified. Because I don't
think  I will ever be happy. That I will ever again be touched with
love.  *That's* why I was trying to drink myself into oblivion. Why I
was  seriously considering getting away from Enterprise, from
Starfleet. From *her*.  I realized that everybody else I've slept with
hasn't meant a damn  thing to me. I've fucked men, women, aliens in
between. But she's the only  one I ever made love with."

He stepped up to his shocked friend, lifting and opening his hands.
"Except you, Chakotay." His eyes pleaded, matching the anguish in his
voice. "You are the only other person that ever felt...real. And right
now,  I need some reassurance, some certainty that I'm not going to
just  screw around for the rest of my life. I need to prove to myself
I can still  feel...love...with somebody else. With you."

Chakotay closed his eyes a moment, then lifted a hand to touch the
bearded face. "I *do* love you, Wil. But I won't lie. I'm not *in
love*  with you."

Wil smiled wistfully. "I know. I'm not in love with you either, and
we've had this conversation before. I know I'm asking a lot, but
please,  Chakotay, make love with me. Touch me." He laid his palm
against the  bronze hand. "Show me that I can still have hope."

"There's always hope." Chakotay shifted his hand to grip Wil's. "But
you have to promise me, whatever happens, I won't lose you as a
friend."  The dark gaze was somber. "I couldn't bear that," he
whispered.

Riker tightened his fingers. "Same here." He closed his eyes and
rested  his forehead against his partner's neck as he was gathered
into a warm  embrace.

Chakotay tenderly stroked the brown hair, feeling Wil's face pressing
against his towel. "It'll be all right. Everything will be all right."
After a few minutes he lifted the other man's chin and held it a
moment,  staring into Wil's eyes. They both smiled, a little
bashfully, then  Chakotay leaned up to brush their lips together.

It was the first time they'd touched this way in almost fifteen years.
They were no longer hormone-crazed boys looking for a new thrill. It
was a lovers' kiss, tender, gently exploring each other's mouths.
Their  hands drifted in slow careful circles, Wil's on Chakotay's
shoulders and  the tawny hands spanning a pale waist.

Chakotay drew back and felt a sense of relief and a rush of tenderness
at the peace in the light eyes. He pressed one last kiss to the
bearded  mouth, then lifted his hands to get rid of the towel around
his neck.  Then he unwrapped his other covering, leaving both men
bare. He took  Wil's hand. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Want, and need, Chakotay." He kissed the broad palm. "Please."

The black head nodded and Chakotay stepped around his friend to lead
them into the bedroom. He gently pushed the taller man onto the bed
and  leaned over the solid body to rummage in a drawer. "It's been a
while  for me," he said as he pulled out a tube of lubricant.

"Me too," Wil whispered and lifted his hands to run down the hairless
golden-brown chest. "You've gained a little weight in all the right
places. Looks good."

Chakotay reciprocated, fanning his fingers open and closed in dark
curls. "And you're still a bear," he teased.

Wil reached up to grip his bedmate's nape, pulling the smiling eyes
close to his. "I just decided not to feel guilty about the beard
burn."

Chakotay moved his head to the side, rubbing his cheek over the dark
strands along Wil's jaw. "I'm looking forward to it." Then he turned
back  and pressed his mouth against the warm lips below him, seeking
admittance.

Wil complied and soon they were leisurely kissing, letting passion
build slowly from affection as their tongues ranged from one
satin-walled  cavern to the other. He lifted his hands and ran them
down the warm,  soft skin of Chakotay's back, letting them drift over
the golden expanse.

Chakotay cradled Wil's face, rubbing his thumbs along the bearded jaw,
then ran his palms slowly down the pale throat and over the broad
shoulders. He felt strong thighs part for him, so he slid down and
curled  his fingers slightly, running the pads over the wide chest
below him.

He lifted his head, staring into his lover's eyes a moment, then moved
down to press a kiss on the spot he had punched days earlier. He
continued running his lips along the bearded jaw, then moved up a
little to  nibble on one ear. He was pleased to hear a rumble of
approval from Wil.  He slid down the strong neck, kissing and licking
until he reached the  point where the shoulder began. Then he gripped
with his teeth, sucking  hard enough to earn a thrust of hips against
his own and an aroused  growl.

Wil gripped a little harder as the rose-petal lips moved to his chest
to sweep open-mouthed across his skin, blowing hot breath against his
tingling flesh. He moaned as one nipple was tenderly laved, then
suckled.  His breath quickened and he thrust once more, as teeth
combed a random  pattern through the hair on his torso, eventually
reaching the matching  nub.

Chakotay rubbed his legs against his partner's, creating a sensual
friction as his smooth skin met Wil's more textured flesh. He let his
hands  stroke the sleek sides to encase pale hips, holding Wil in
place as he  nipped his way down the long torso. He paused a moment to
swipe his  cheek across the dark hair covering it, hearing Wil's low
growl of  response.

Riker's hands had moved up to the damp black hair, spiking the short
strands as he gripped in reaction to moist heat circling the base of
his  cock. He watched a teasing tongue lick up the vein slowly,
*finally*  reaching the flared head. Then the faintest graze of teeth
against his  shaft made him shiver and push against the restraining
hands. He met the  half-closed dark eyes with his own as Chakotay
opened his mouth sank  down on Wil's engorged penis.

The scent and taste were familiar to Chakotay from their brief fling
as  teens. He grinned a little at the memory of those thrilling,
awkward  encounters. He relaxed his throat, inhaled carefully and kept
moving  forward until his nose was buried in the brown pelt decorating
his lover's  groin. He hummed.

Wil gasped in surprise at the vibrations along his entire length. He
closed his eyes, his entire being focused on the exquisite sensations
surrounding his cock. He felt Chakotay back off slightly, then descend
again. The hands eased their hold on Wil's hips, and he gratefully
bucked  up, thrusting in time with his lover's sucks. They both sped
up until  Wil threw his head back with a roar of completion.

Chakotay felt the burst of fluid against the back of his throat and
lifted his head. He gripped Wil's spasming sex and pumped, milking the
white fluid onto his waiting tongue.

Wil was still shaking, moaning at the sight of his semen spurting
through the air into that sex-swollen mouth. He collapsed onto the
pillow.

Chakotay was intensely aroused, but he moved back up to meet his
companion's sated gaze. "No second thoughts, Wil?" he asked soberly.
"This is  a line we've never crossed."

Wil kissed his friend, tasting his own salt as he demonstrated what he
wanted Chakotay to do. When he was done he looked into eyes hooded
with  desire. He lifted and parted his legs, silently offering.

Chakotay nodded and reached over to grab the lube. He arranged Wil's
long limbs over his own thighs, then coated a finger. He lowered his
hand  to stroke up and down the cleft of the pale ass, in no hurry
despite  the rush of blood through his engorged cock.

Wil wriggled a little, tickled by the leisurely touch. He sighed as he
felt the teasing digit ease into his anus. He relaxed into the gentle
strokes as two slick fingers soon entered him, slowly stretching and
coating the rings of muscle. Three gave him a jolt as his prostate was
sought, then firmly stimulated. He groaned and sought hot cocoa eyes.
"Do  it now."

Chakotay nodded and pulled out, thoroughly covering his cock with the
lube. He leaned forward to share another kiss with Wil, then settled
on  his heels and lifted the long legs, parting them further to rest
on the  edges of his shoulders. He squeezed both thighs encouragingly,
then  carefully thrust into the waiting portal.

Wil gave a low growl of satisfaction as the dark penis filled him,
nudging his gland. He felt the golden hands descend once more to his
hips,  holding his body still as Chakotay began moving in a smooth,
powerful  glide. His own hands pressed flat to the bed as his chest
began to  heave, exhaling in low sounds as each forward beat sent
sharp sparks of  sensation up and down his spine. He looked at
Chakotay's face, features  tense in concentration but eyes soft with
love. Wil felt himself drawn  into that warmth and wealth of tender
feelings. He could sense the cold  weight of his fears melt away. This
was loving, not fucking. Hope filled  him, and with it, joy. He
laughed.

Chakotay sensed a change in his partner and smiled. He released Wil's
hips, letting his lover meet his rapid thrusts. He teased the again
aroused and weeping cock with light tickling touches. When Wil groaned
in  frustration he gripped it firmly, moving in time with his own
plunges in  and out of his lover's depths.

Wil's vision flashed white as he roared again in orgasm, cum spraying
his sweaty body, then grayed out a little as he sank onto the bed. He
was only vaguely aware of Chakotay's own shout of completion and deep
thrusts as he released his seed.

Chakotay's bronze skin was glistening as he tenderly lowered Wil's
legs  and slipped out of the limp body. He looked at his blissed-out
partner  and grinned, pressing a firm kiss to the barely responsive
lips. He  hopped out of bed and padded to the bathroom to wipe down
with one of his  earlier towels, then carried the other back to the
bedroom. He lifted  Wil's lower half to wipe the spilled lube and cum,
then settled beside  the pale form to carefully clean the matted body
hair. He finished,  picked up one pale hand and kissed it.

Wil felt more himself by the time Chakotay finished his ministrations,
but needed time to gather his thoughts. When the soft lips withdrew he
turned the clasp to bestow his own salutation on the his partner's
smooth skin. He tilted his head to meet the glowing dark eyes and
smiled,  then snuggled down into the warm embrace, just enjoying the
closeness  and quiet.

Chakotay relaxed, feeling the light press of their bodies. He mused at
how different they were now. Their "experiment" as cadets had been
rough and raw, reflecting the wild rush of teenage hormones. Now they
were  men, content enough with who they were to express tenderness as
well as  passion. He smiled as he recalled Wil's words. They had
*definitely*  improved with age.

Wil's voice broke the quiet. "I finally understand something Deanna
tried to tell me years ago."

"What's that?" Chakotay kissed one temple.

Wil stared at their clasped hands. "Deanna's parents had arranged a
marriage, and her fianc� came aboard to finalize the arrangements.
When I  asked her how she could marry a near-stranger she told me that
it was  possible to have a deep, true bond with more than one person,
and that  the addition of another love didn't diminish her feelings
for the first  one." He shifted to look into Chakotay's face. "I
finally realize what  she meant. I love her, I love you. Maybe someday
I'll love someone  else." He smiled. "That's the truth, and it
feels...right."

Chakotay kissed the softly curving lips. "I love you too, Wil." His
brows rose. "You seem content. Does this mean you've decided what
you're  going to do?"

"Well, my immediate future includes spending another day or two with
my  very good friend, and arranging the perfect opportunity to nail
his  absolutely gorgeous ass." Wil's familiar merry grin gladdened
Chakotay's  heart, even as he blushed in embarrassment and shivered in
anticipation.

"And Deanna?"

Wil's grin softened to a gentle smile; his eyes still reflected his
newfound peace. "I'm going to let her go. If I tried to get her back
it  would be out of fear, not love." He stroked a sleek golden-brown
hip. "I  don't know what's in the cards for any of us, but I know
everything  will be all right in the end."

Chakotay yelped when that teasing hand suddenly moved farther back to
deliver a firm pinch. "What was that for?"

"For spoiling my brilliant back-up plan." Wil laughed and rolled on
top  of his startled companion. "I came up with it this morning on the
way  to your shower, before you convinced me that I can be happy
without  Deanna." His light eyes twinkled. "You see, now that I know
Worf goes for  soulful brunettes, I figured all I had to do was just
introduce him to  you."

Wil sat up and spread his arms. "You would be such a distraction for
my  fiery Klingon friend that I could steal Deanna back before he even
knew  what was happening. Or he really *would* fall for you. Either
way my  problem was solved." He winked.

Chakotay rolled his eyes at the outrageous scenario. "Now I know what
was really wrong with you. Temporary insanity." He regarded his
grinning  friend. "I'm glad you thought better of that lunatic plot.
What did you  think would happen? We'd fall madly in love at first
sight and run off  together to get married?"

Wil settled back down on his lover. "Why not? Stranger things have
happened."

"Not in my universe."

"Then you, my friend, need to get out more." Wil kissed the doubtful
mouth, then bounded off the bed, pulling Chakotay with him. "Come on,
let's hit the shower."

Brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you going to jump me again?"

"Oh no," Wil leered, "I have something very specific in mind for you."
He laughed at the worried expression on his lover's face and yanked
him  into the bathroom.

---

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon as Wil placed a picnic basket on a
bench in Chakotay's corner of the Academy grounds.

They'd spent a playful Saturday visiting San Francisco tourist traps,
enjoying the city and their sense of loving camaraderie. They'd found
a  few quiet corners to steal kisses in, and had dinner at a bayside
restaurant with a perfect view of the water.

Wil had continued to tease his lover, dropping hints as to where and
when he'd take his pleasure in that luscious golden body. Chakotay had
offered last night, but Wil had shaken his head and pushed the tube of
lube into his friend's palm. And this morning they had only necked and
stroked each other off in the shower, then had a leisurely roundabout
stroll to the Academy grounds.

He turned to see Chakotay beginning to shake out the blankets he'd
carried, ready to spread them on the ground. "Don't do that, we don't
need  them yet."

Confused brown eyes sought his. "Then why did we bring them?"

Wil grinned wickedly. "For dessert." He almost laughed at Chakotay's
horrified visage.

"No way." Chakotay said, backing away and shaking his head decisively.
"Not a chance."

Wil just laughed and began to stalk his skittish quarry. "Why not? I
have fantasized about tossing you over that table and having my way
with  you since that first time you brought me here."

"*Why not*? Because somebody seeing me necking with the First Officer
of the Federation flagship would just make me the coolest professor on
campus." Chakotay looked at the table, at the tall figure looming, and
held the blankets out like a shield. "But getting caught being royally
fucked by him on Academy grounds could cost me my job. Maybe even my
career."

Wil was grateful Chakotay had only moved around the green, not fled to
the other side of the hedge. He lightly gripped Chakotay's arms. "I'd
never put you at risk like that." He drew the reluctant man forward,
taking the blankets from his anxious grip and putting them on a bench.
"I've taken care of everything. Why do you think I wouldn't let you
peek  in the basket?"

"Well I *hoped* it was because you'd prepared something special for
me." Chakotay shook his head. "Not that you were preparing to do
something  *to* me."

"Ah, but this will be both. Trust me." He pushed his friend into one
of  the low-set lounges. "Just sit a minute."

Chakotay debated making a run for it, but sighed and tried to relax.
He  mentally calculated their odds of being spotted, and hoped people
had  decided to enjoy the good weather by going somewhere else.
Anywhere  else.

He watched Riker reach into the wicker container and pull out a
handful  of small devices. "What are those?"

"My way of ensuring our privacy." Wil started placing them along the
perimeter. "I stopped by the Security Office the other day, while you
were in class. I mentioned that I might want to have a secure
discussion  on campus, and they lent me these little babies."

He set the last one and returned to the table to pick up a remote. He
pushed a button, and a sparkling curved dome of a forcefield rose up
above their heads, then disappeared.

"There. Soundproof and sensorproof, and we can't be seen from the
outside." He walked back to the basket and started lifting out
containers.  "So do you come here or are we dining on the lower
level?"

Chakotay shrugged. "I think I'd better stay put. If I get up I'm still
likely to bolt."

Wil laughed. "Honest as always." He carried the food and utensils to
the flat-topped disk that served as the loungers' table. He sat down
and  the men began to eat.

---

Wil handed his friend a slice of apple. Their hands brushed and he
felt  the electricity jump between them. He reached out to catch
Chakotay's  wrist. "If you're really not comfortable, we can go back
and play in  your garden." He grinned but his offer was sincere.

"No, I'm okay now." Chakotay brought their joined hands to his lips,
brushed a quick kiss over Wil's wrist and took a bite of apple. He
blushed. "I used to think about this place, and you, as well."

Wil leaned forward and moved his hand to trace the warm spots on the
bronze cheeks. "You blushed that first day in Admiral Wallace's
office."  He laughed and nodded toward the other set of furniture. "I
almost  kissed you right there when you asked me if I wanted you."

"As a *tutor*." Chakotay sighed. "I felt so damn *young*." He finished
his apple, wiped his hands and stood. "Shall we?"

Wil sprang up and clasped his partner's waist. He kissed the small
bump  on Chakotay's nose. "Your table awaits." He led them forward,
then  spread one of the soft blankets over the wooden surface. "No
splinters."

"You really did think of everything." Chakotay chuckled, then quieted
as he looked into the crystal blue eyes. "I think I've always been a
*little* in love with you, Wil."

"Same here, Chakotay." Then Wil kissed the man who would forever be
his  dearest friend. The carved mouth opened immediately to accept him
as  the two embraced, seeking warm skin beneath their layers of
clothing.

Wil drew back and began to undress his partner, who stood quietly
under  his hands, rapid breaths the only sign of excitement. He began
kissing  the golden-brown skin as it was revealed, causing Chakotay to
moan and  sway on his feet.

Chakotay closed his eyes and felt the sun on his face and bare chest,
leaning back against the cloth-covered table as Wil knelt to pull off
his shoes. He felt warm fingers in the waistband of his trousers, the
zipper parting, then the sun and air on his half-erect cock. He
shifted  his hips forward, making it easier for his lover to finish
removing his  clothes.

Wil stepped back a moment, tossing Chakotay's garments onto the far
lounge. He looked at the sleek muscled form gleaming like a statue
brought  to life. He quickly pulled off his own clothes and approached
his  raven-haired beauty. "On the table," he growled, his voice deep
and thick  with desire.

Chakotay lifted his derriere onto the sturdy surface, lying down with
his palms up and his calves and feet dangling toward the grass. He
parted his legs, welcoming. He was trembling in anticipation as a cool
shadow fell across his skin. Wil appeared above him, leaning down to
claim  his lips again. He moaned and ran his hands along the braced
forearms  sprinkled with dark hair. He felt the brush of Wil's beard
along his  cheek and neck, a slight rasp that made his skin tingle. He
lifted his  chin, baring his throat for his lover's mouth.

Wil used his teeth along the strong column, marking a trail down and
across the curved muscles of the broad shoulders. He moved to the
small  dark nipples, taking the pebbled flesh of one into his mouth
while his  fingers teased the other. He felt Chakotay's erection
pressing into his  stomach as the supine man groaned and shifted his
hips. Wil obliged his  partner, rubbing his torso against the turgid
length.

Chakotay started laughing breathlessly as the bearded chin next
tickled  his stomach. He felt the powerful hands cradle his hips and
lift his  pelvis. He propped himself up on his elbows, moaning and
quivering at the  rough stroke of beard against his thighs and
ballsac. Then he groaned  as Wil's mouth engulfed his cock.

Wil sucked at Chakotay's throbbing sex, feeling the pulsebeat against
his lips. He kept his head in one place, lowering and lifting
Chakotay's  hips as the tawny man gasped and groaned. He felt the
powerful muscles  beneath his hands bunching in tension as his captive
tried to move, to  thrust, anything to send himself over the edge. Wil
grinned around the  flesh filling his mouth and throat and bit down,
very gently.

The unexpected small pain pushed Chakotay over the edge of pleasure.
He  called Wil's name as the vise-like grip of those hands was matched
by a  strong suction on his cock, pulling forth the liquid proof of
his  orgasm to disappear down his lover's throat. He struggled to
catch his  breath as his body was returned to the blanket and Wil
stood, stretched,  then leisurely reached over to pull the lube from
the picnic basket on the  bench.

Wil took another long moment to look at the smooth skin shining with a
touch of perspiration and his own saliva. He licked his lips and
kissed  Chakotay, feeling his lover's hand sink into his hair as he
was pulled  closer. Chakotay's other hand wandered through the hair on
his chest,  tweaking his nipples and moving down to stroke his
erection, a thumbnail  teasing the slit.

Wil pulled free and opened the lube, then slid Chakotay forward until
his feet rested on the ground. He pulled his partner up, turned him
and  settled his lover's upper half back on the blanket. "You have
such a  fantastic ass, Chakotay, I want to see myself sliding into
you."

Chakotay trembled again as he felt the brush of Wil's thighs against
his own, parting them further. He lifted up and rested on his elbows,
surprised to suddenly feel Wil's beard against his crack. "Spirits!"
he  gasped as he felt the short stiff hairs scraping his skin.

Wil stood and soothed gel along the delicate tissues, feeling the firm
golden-brown globes relax under his touch. He breached his lover's
portal, sliding in to explore the inner walls of his destination. He
added  more lube and fingers, stretching and scissoring and thoroughly
enjoying the moans and gasps from his partner. He looked over the
bronze skin  laid out for his enjoyment, reflecting the sun. This was
better than  any teenage fantasy he'd ever had, and he treasured the
moment. "Thank  you," he whispered and placed a kiss on a satiny
shoulder. He withdrew  his fingers and lined up for entry.

Chakotay groaned when he sensed the flared head of Wil's cock sliding
through his anus to sheathe itself in his body. He gulped when his
gland  was hit, then felt hands pulling on his hips, impaling him to
the hilt  on Wil's heated length. They waited for a moment, breathing
together  and feeling the connection. Then Wil began to move.

Riker used his thumbs to caress Chakotay's buttocks as he continued to
move both bodies to his rhythm. He felt the rounded muscles begin to
flex as Chakotay pushed back on his own to meet Wil's thrusts. He felt
his penis gripped at the base as the head scraped along the hot silky
channel. He leaned forward and fumbled for his partner's cock, teasing
the  balls then fisting the leaking member.

Chakotay felt the roughness of the wood beneath the blanket against
his  forearms as he moved, caught up in their primal dance. The
relentless  press of Wil's cock against his gland was driving him
back, the slick  grip around his cock forward into the grasping hand.
He gave a  rough-voiced bellow when his climax finally hit, semen
shooting out of him to  coat the strong palm.

Wil felt the tawny body beneath him stiffen as he shouted, lifting his
heels to drive his cum even deeper into his lover's passage. After a
handful of fierce lunges he relaxed, laying his torso along Chakotay's
back, feeling the warmth of the body below and the sun above.

"Thank goodness," Chakotay panted, "you never *did* toss me on this
table when we were cadets. We'd have never gotten past Sun Tzu."

"We'd never have gotten away with it. As loud as we just were, we'd
have been caught on our very first try." Wil gently separated their
bodies  and reached into the basket once more, this time to bring out
some  pre-moistened cloths. He cleaned his hands and cock, then his
lover's sleek  bronze ass, bestowing a tender pat. Then he rolled his
dreamy-eyed  friend to remove the cum that had spattered the smooth
stomach and  black-haired groin. He pulled Chakotay up onto his feet
and led him over to the  empty lounge. Wil quickly spread the other
two blankets over it and  sat, putting his feet on the grass so he
straddled the lower half of the  structure. He guided Chakotay to sit
between his legs and carried them  both downward, so the shorter man's
back pressed against his chest as  they lay together.

Chakotay clasped Wil's hands and laid them against his own stomach,
resting golden fingers over pale ones. His head naturally moved to the
curve of his lover's shoulder. "It's time for you to go," he said.

"Yes," Will said, then brushed a kiss along the smooth brow. "My
transport's due in a few hours. I think I'm ready, thanks to you."

Chakotay shrugged and gave a small smile. "I was just helping a friend
find his way."

"You did more than that, Chakotay. You gave me back hope for the
future."

"With love, there's always hope, Wil. No matter what the days ahead
bring you, remember there's always someone who loves you." Chakotay
brushed a cheek against the pale skin. "Even if he's only a little *in
love*  with you."

Wil chuckled. "May it always be so, just like I love you." He stroked
the soft skin under his hands. "I'll remember. I promise."

They rested for a while, basking in the sun, marking the end of their
second stint as lovers. This span of time together was shorter, but so
much sweeter, that neither man would change a thing. Eventually they
got  up and dressed, and cleared the evidence of their indiscretions.
When  the blankets were carefully folded to conceal the one with the
wet spot,  Wil flipped the remote again and dissipated the force
field. He  gathered the small devices and slipped them back into the
basket.

Wil walked back to Chakotay and caught his hands. "Let's say good-bye
here, okay? I'll go back to the cottage, grab my stuff and beam to the
shuttle while you return those items to Security." His eyes were
peaceful but a little sad. "I'm going to miss you, Chakotay."

"Hey, it's not like you'll never see me again," Chakotay said, smiling
to reassure his friend. He lightly poked the solid chest with a
finger.  "Don't be a stranger. *Comm* me the next time you're in
town." His  expression softened. "You'll always be welcome, my friend.
Keep in touch,  let me know how you're doing." Then he lightly kissed
Wil and stepped  back.

Wil grabbed a hand and pressed a last kiss on the palm, holding it for
a moment to his face. "All right." Then he grinned, "But you have to
promise you won't be sneaking anyone else to our little outdoor
Academy  makeout spot."

Chakotay chuckled and shook his head. "Are you kidding? I'm going to
be  lucky I can keep a straight face in the Security office. I just
hope  they don't ask me what we discussed."

"Friendship." Wil said, kissed Chakotay's hand once more and released
it. He stood a long moment, just looking, then turned and disappeared
around the hedge, ready to go back to his ship and his life, once more
full of hope and able to face the challenges to come.

Chakotay turned to pick up the blankets and basket, gazing at the
wooden table, remembering the boys who became friends there, so many
years  ago. He smiled, and left the green.

---
=Federation Starship Enterprise, 2371=
---

Deanna Troi rushed to her lover's quarters, frantic with concern. She
could feel the grief pouring from his soul. It had driven her from a
lunch with Beverly and now sent her hurtling through the barely opened
cabin door.

She carefully approached the viewport, seeing the tension in the tall
silhouette. She reached out to gently brush her hand along a rigid
shoulder, and sent her mind to touch his. "Imzadi?" she said softly.

Wil whirled and pulled the slim figure into his arms, burying his face
in her neck and shuddering. His voice was a harsh sob. "He's gone."

"Who, Wil? What's happened?" Deanna asked, stroking the bowed back and
sending comfort through their link. They'd come together again after
years as friends, rediscovering the bond that had lain between them
since  the day they met. "Just talk to me," she whispered.

Blue eyes glittered with tears in the low light of the room as Wil
straightened. He kept Deanna in a loose embrace, needing the support.
"Chakotay. He's disappeared."

"Oh no," Deanna breathed, remembering the laughing dark-eyed man who'd
always been so caring and friendly to her. She pictured him the first
time they'd met in person, when she and Wil had visited the Academy
professor's cottage. There had been a true aura of peace about Wil's
longtime friend. And a quiet joy when Wil had mentioned he and Deanna
were  back together. She'd sensed a strong, vital connection between
the two  men that had caused a moment of real fear that this was a
dangerous rival  for Wil's heart. Then Chakotay had smiled at her and
radiated such a  sense of welcome that she'd embraced him on the spot.
She recognized in  that instant that while Chakotay and Wil loved each
other, it was the  deep and abiding bond of lifelong friends.

Chakotay had sent them a hasty message last year, letting them know he
was going to Deep Space Nine to seek news of his missing father. The
next thing they heard was that he had resigned to join the Maquis.
Occasionally Wil would get brief bits of news about his friend, just
enough  to know that Chakotay was all right.

But no longer. She felt tears well up in her own eyes. "How did you
find out? Was he captured by the Cardassians?"

"No, at least I don't think so. The report just came through the
official channels. Apparently that new Intrepid class ship, Voyager,
was sent  to hunt him in the Badlands after a Starfleet officer in
Chakotay's  cell had been out of contact for almost a week. There was
no sign of a  trail or wreckage from his vessel, and now Voyager has
disappeared as  well." He swallowed. "Nobody knows what happened. Just
that they're gone.  He's gone."

"It's all right, Wil. Everything will be all right," she soothed. She
cradled the bearded face in her palms. "Remember what you told me
Chakotay said to you? That with love, there's always hope." She smiled
softly. "So we'll just keep loving, and hope he'll find his way back
home."

"Yes," Wil said, and the two embraced once more, comforting each other
as they remembered a very special man. One they hoped, someday, to see
again.

---

The End