The BLTS Archive - Un series #8: Uneasy by Kiff (Kiff47@yahoo.com) --- Disclaimer: Paramount is God. I am not. I make no money from this. Promise. Archiving: Okay for my webpage, ASCEM, BLTS. Anything else, please ask first. Feedback: Anything except flames are welcome. If you wish to send it privately, e-mail me. --- I wash the outward evidence from my body, although it will remember. *I* will remember. You never forget the first time you have sex, and you never forget the first time you have sex that might mean something more. Wait. This is Tom Paris we're talking about. We have virtually nothing in common. He's a son of Starfleet privilege, born to carry on the spacefaring tradition. I'm a son of a proud people, close to the earth and its rhythms. I was also supposed to carry on the tradition. Okay, maybe we're not so different. We aren't the sons our fathers expected. I've known Tom as a liar, a gambler, and a cheat. In bed, he's anything but. He can fill a need that I've not even been aware of. But should I let him? I step out of his shower, dry off, and dress in the clothes I had worn last night. I still smell beer on the shirt. It is early enough that I can probably make it back to my quarters and get into uniform before anyone misses me in the Mess Hall. Tom is sitting on the bed as I come out. He looks up at me. "I guess I'll see you on the Bridge." I nod in reply, words failing me once more. I need to sort out the confusion in my head. I turn and start to walk out. "This wasn't a mistake, Chakotay." I stop for just a moment. "I know." And then I leave, at last. --- Right. I have a job to do. I'm second in command of a starship that's thirty-five thousand light-years from home. I have a captain who relies on me. I have a crew to supervise. Safely in the Mess Hall, I pour coffee and Neelix's breakfast gruel into my stomach. B'Elanna stops by my table to say hello, but I've brought a padd or two along for company, so she doesn't stay. What am I reading? Tactical reports from our last battle? They could be yesterday's lunch menu for all I'm getting out of them. I can't put last night out of my head. At least Tom seems to be staying in for breakfast in his quarters this morning. It'll be difficult enough to see him on the Bridge in half an hour. Harry's here though, and he's sitting down and staring at me from a couple of tables away. I give him a brief nod and focus on my padd as though it's the most fascinating thing I've ever read. I finish my meal and put my dishes away without another word to anyone. --- "Commander, I'd like to see you in my Ready Room." Hell's bells. But Kathryn's the boss. "All right," I say. She turns the Bridge over to Tuvok, and I follow her into her sanctum. "Something wrong, Captain?" Might as well take the initiative. "I'm not sure." She's scrutinizing me. "I was informed of an incident that occurred last night on the holodeck. An incident involving you and Mr. Paris." "Word gets around fast, doesn't it?" Now she's frowning. "It sounds to me like Tom was far over the line. This concerns me, Commander. We've had the recent incident with the Moneans, and now I find that he's assaulted a superior officer in full view of at least five witnesses. There's a pattern beginning to form here, and I don't like the implications. Not one bit." "Captain, may I speak freely?" "Absolutely." "There's another side to this." "I'm all ears." She perches on her desk. Okay, how to say this without being too obvious? "I chose not to press charges against Tom because...well, I believe I provoked him into throwing the beer at me." Kathryn's eyebrows jump. "You *provoked* him?" "I can't think of any other way to put it." She shakes her head. "Well, then, should *he* be pressing charges against *you*?" A snort escapes me. "No, I don't think so." She folds her arms. "All right. I know that the two of you have had difficulties getting along in the past. Lately I thought you were working together fairly well, up until now. You know I don't like to meddle in the affairs of my crew, but it's very important that you and Tom resolve whatever disagreement you may be having, for the sake of this ship. I'd be happy to serve as a mediator, if you wish." "That won't be necessary, Captain." "Very well. I trust that the two of you will work this out like responsible adults. Now let's get back to work." --- I take my seat. Tom is at the helm. The shift passes by, and it almost seems like things are back to normal. I order a couple of course changes, and Tom complies each time with a brisk "Aye, sir." He's the model officer all day. But what will this evening bring? --- The End