The BLTS Archive - Love series #3: Living and Loving by Kym H (hamilton@altu.net.au) --- Well, here it is. The third and final story in the 'Love' trilogy. I have another story line mind set in this universe, but I can't seem to get it down on to paper. This is the sequel to 'To Live Is To Love' and 'To Love Is To Live'. Forgive my unimaginative names, but I've never been good with titles. Stories, yes. Titles, no. It's terrible. Disclaimer: All Star Trek characters and settings copyright Paramount and Gene Roddenberry. They own everything - I own nothing but this story. This story contains a m/m sex scene. If you are under 18 then please go away and come back when you're legal. Archive anywhere you like, but tell me first so I know where my baby's headed. --- "No!!!!!!" It was an agonised cry. Chakotay flew across the cave to where Tom lay prone on the floor. "Tom!!!!!!!!!! Oh, god, no!!!" He laid his head on Tom's chest, listening for a heartbeat. But there wasn't one. "Chakotay to Voyager! Two to beam directly to Sickbay!" There was no response. Chakotay tried again. "Voyager? Come in Voyager. I need an emergency transport now!" Still no answer. "Damn!" Chakotay rarely swore, but when he did it was with good reason and this was a pretty good reason. "Fuckin' hell, Tom! Why did you have to poke your nose where it didn't belong?! Fuck! How am I supposed to get along without you, you smart-ass little prick?!" Chakotay was surprised to find tears running down his cheeks as he cradled his lover in his arms... --- It had all started with Harry Kim's sensor reports... "Captain, I'm picking up something on long-range sensors." "What is it, Ensign?" "It appears to be a planet, Captain, but I'm getting some very unusual readings." "Specify." "If my sensors are working right, it appears that the whole planet is moving..." "Moving?!" Janeway was shocked. "Are you certain that your sensor are functioning properly, Ensign Kim?" Tuvok asked. "A moving planet is highly illogical." "I've run a full diagnostic on the sensors, Tuvok. Everything is working properly." "Captain, I would advise caution in this matter. Following that planet would be very risky." "What makes you think I'm going to follow it, Mister Tuvok." Janeway's voice was amused as her stoic Vulcan Security Officer answered "I know you, Captain." Janeway nearly laughed out loud, but managed to repress it. "You're right, Mister Tuvok." Then, "Tom?" The young, blond lieutenant answered "Yes, Captain?" "Let's play chasey. Catch that planet!" "Aye, aye, Captain." Tom was grinning for all he was worth. "Coming round to heading 411.2 mark 7." "Engage at Warp 7." "Aye, Captain. Warp 7." Janeway turned to Chakotay and asked, "What do you think?" Chakotay smiled "Its a bit late for my opinion, isn't it?" Janeway had the grace to blush, but continued on "I suppose so, but I'd still like to hear it." "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about this planet, Captain. But I agree with Tuvok. We don't know anything about that planet. It may not even *be* a planet. We should err on the side of caution." "I'm with Chakotay, Captain." Tom Paris interjected. "We should be careful." Janeway looked at Harry Kim. "What's your opinion, Harry?" Harry thought for a moment and then said "I agree with the Commander and Tom, Captain." "Very well." Chakotay was always suspicious when the Captain accepted things like that. She usually took some persuading - this was too easy. He looked at Tuvok and the Vulcan nodded. Tuvok knew his captain well. He also suspected something was up - but he would never put it like that. He *was* a Vulcan, after all. Tom noted his lover's face. Chakotay looked worried. Tom didn't blame him. They were chasing after a moving planet and the Captain had her 'exploring' face on. That was worrying. "Captain," he called out, "We're approaching the planet." "Drop out of warp and approach slowly until we're in sensor range." "Aye, Captain." Down in Sickbay, Kes looked up, startled. She felt a presence, a living presence. It was just pricking the edge of her consciousness, but it was there. And it was not pleased. "Kes to Captain Janeway!" "Janeway here." "That planet's sentient Captain, and its mad! Get us out of here, now!!" Over the comm channel, Kes heard the captain order Tom "Mister Paris, full reverse, warp 6." "Aye, Captain." But it was too late. Too late. Kes felt the planet building its power. It spun and threw out an energy wave. Kes could only hold her breath and wait for the devastation. She wasn't disappointed. The energy wave hit the ship full on, disabling her shields and sending her flying. On the bridge, Janeway was knocked across the room. Chakotay crashed into Tom, who fell heavily against the Conn. Harry Kim hit his forehead on the Ops station panel and was knocked unconscious. Only Tuvok came through the disaster in one piece - minus the huge bruise on his arm where'd he'd collided with a bulkhead. "Damage reports!" Janeway demanded, rising shakily to her feet and heading back to her chair. "Minor damage reported on all decks, Captain. Several personnel injured, but no fatalities." "Good." she breathed a sigh of relief. "What about my bridge crew?" she asked, looking around. "Ensign Kim appears to be unconscious. Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Paris are injured, but are still capable of performing their duties. I am also fit for duty." Tuvok's calm voice reassured Janeway. His measured tone and calm, controlled demeanour eased her concerns. Tuvok is a steadying influence on me - and on the rest of the crew, Janeway thought gratefully. Chakotay and Paris were also feeling relieved. They were alive! They shared a brief hug before Chakotay returned to his seat and Paris resumed his original position at the helm. Man! That was some ride!, thought Tom, adrenalin pumping through his veins. What a rush!! Then he looked down at himself and grinned wryly. Well, he thought, danger always did that to me - but I'm not sure Chakotay would consider this sort of situation appropriate foreplay... Captain Janeway barked into her comm-badge "Bridge to transporter room one. Lock on to Ensign Kim's signal and beam him directly to Sickbay." Then she turned to Tuvok and ordered. "Lieutenant, I want to know what that planet's doing. Activate the main view screen." "Aye, Captain." As the screen blinked on, they could see the planet, hanging gently in space, looking as though it wouldn't harm a fly. It was a strangely innocent planet, but there was something not quite right about it. The fact that it had moved only heightened Janeway's perceptions that it was hostile... No, hostile wasn't the right word...it was more... wary. Like a dog who constantly gets kicked when it does something wrong - it was wary of doing anything right in case it got kicked... "Janeway to Kes." "Kes here." "Report to the bridge as soon as possible." "On my way, Captain." When Kes arrived on the bridge, Janeway asked. "Kes, you seem to have made some sort of connection with this... life-form. Do you know why it's stopped?" "I'm not sure, Captain. I *do* know that the energy wave it sent out wasn't meant to destroy us. If it had wanted to do that, it would have. *That* energy wave was meant to scare us and it was the life-form's version of a sensor sweep." "So it was scanning us?" "I believe so, Captain." "Can you tell what it wants, Kes?" "Its puzzling, Captain." Kes sounded confused. "In what way?" Janeway knew that Kes' mental abilities weren't very developed, but she could usually tell what was going on... "It wants us to land on it, Captain. It wants us to visit. But after its display just now, I can't understand why..." Kes' voice trailed off. Janeway frowned. Yes, that *was* confusing. She thought for a moment and then decided. She looked at her first officer and Chakotay knew what was coming. "Chakotay, take Lieutenant Paris and Kes with you and beam down to that planet. I want to know what's going on." "Captain. I would advise against such direct action. We do not know what the planet wants." Tuvok's voice was calm and his advice was logical - as always. Janeway looked directly at Tuvok at answered "We can't find out what the planet wants until we land on it, Tuvok. Something strange is going on here. I don't know what it is, but I am determined to find out. We'll keep a transporter lock on the away team at all times. If anything goes wrong, I want them out of there. Clear?" Tuvok nodded. As Chakotay, Tom and Kes left the bridge, Janeway couldn't help feel a twinge of apprehension. It was necessary for the away team to go over there - who could know what would happen if they'd tried to take a shuttle or piloted Voyager closer to the planet. But still, it was a *very* dangerous situation. A sentient planet was something no Captain in Starfleet had ever encountered before... In the transporter room, Chakotay, Tom and Kes stepped up on to the transporter pad. Armed with an emergency medkit, tri-corders and phasers, they were ready for anything. Well, almost anything... Chakotay nodded to the transporter chief. "Energize." The familiar noise of the transporter and the glittering light shone.... --- The trio materialised on the planet and looked around. The planet was very beautiful, green and lush with fragrant flowers and huge trees that created enormous patches of shade with their foliage. The sun shone down on them, creating warmth and the temperature was cool and balmy. "Its beautiful!" Kes exclaimed, her love of plants shining through. "Yeah, it's something alright," was Paris' comment. "Something? Oh, come on Tom! Don't you think this is *the* most beautiful sight you've ever seen?" "Kes, I think its pretty okay? But let's not forget that this planet nearly destroyed Voyager, hmmm?" Kes sobered. "Yes, you're right Tom." Chakotay nodded. Pulling out his tri-corder, he scanned the immediate area. "There are some caves a few hundred metres to the south. We'll start there." Kes and Tom nodded and the three walked towards the caves. Tom and Chakotay had agreed to keep their relationship a secret from the crew of Voyager. Only themselves, Harry Kim and Janeway knew they were lovers - Tuvok suspected, but, being Vulcan, he would never say anything. B'Elanna also suspected, but she couldn't prove anything, so she was keeping her mouth shut. Still, the planet was such an idyllic spot that it was hard for Chakotay not to reach out and pull Tom close as they walked towards the caves. He repressed the urge, vaguely thinking that it would be improper for him to show such affection in mixed company... As they neared the caves, a huge bird-like animal swooped down on Kes, raking her face with its talons. She screamed in fright and pain... Chakotay was at her side in an instant, opening the medkit and running the medical tri-corder over her. "The cuts aren't very deep," he stated. "But there's an unusual venom in the wounds that the tri-corder can't identify." Chakotay grimaced. "There's nothing I can do, Kes. You need the Doctor's expertise for this one." Kes nodded, blood streaming down her face. Chakotay tapped his comm-badge. "Chakotay to Voyager." "Voyager here," came the Captain's voice. "Captain, Kes has been injured. Please beam her directly to Sickbay." "Understood, Chakotay. What happened?" "A large animal, very like a bird, decided to take a dive at her, Captain. Apparently, we intruded on its territory." "Do you want to abandon the mission?" "No, Captain. That won't be necessary. We can go around." "Understood. Voyager out." The light of the transporter beam glowed for an instant and Kes disappeared. Chakotay turned to Tom and said "Okay, Paris, lets get going." "Whatever you say, Commander." Tom replied meekly, grinning that hotshot fly-boy grin of his. "Cheeky!" Chakotay reprimanded, amused despite himself. The two men continued towards the caves, using their tri-corders to scan for any more hostile indigenous life forms. There were none, and the bird didn't come back. They stopped at the entrance to the caves and Tom waited as Chakotay scanned the inside for life-forms. They *definitely* did not want to run into any other nasty animals... "I'm not reading any life-forms inside the caves, but there is a strange energy reading..." "Great." Tom commented dryly. "Maybe it's the answer to all our questions." "Maybe," Chakotay agreed absent-mindedly, intent on his tri-corder. "Shall we find out?" he suggested. "Lead on, Commander." Chakotay shot Tom a withering glance and walked into the caves, Tom following close behind. Tom laughed to himself as he followed Chakotay into the caves. He loved teasing the big man. It was always *so* much fun making up afterwards... Curiously, Tom looked around as he followed Chakotay. It looked like a regular cave to him. Dark, dank, and smelly; with fungus growing off the walls. Stalactites and stalagmites hung from the ceiling and rose from the floor respectively. As they went deeper into the cave system, Tom began to feel a presence. It was just a feeling, but it pricked at his consciousness. He thought about telling Chakotay, but he shrugged it off, sure the feeling was just a reaction to the caves - he was slightly claustrophobic, after all. But, as Chakotay lead them deeper and deeper into the blackness, the feeling became more pronounced. Now it was a voice in his head, telling him to walk on. Telling him to continue. Telling him what he had to do when the journey ended... He would have told Chakotay at this point, but his mind was consumed. Suddenly, the tunnel they were following widened out into a huge chamber. There were no stalactites or stalagmites here, no fungus, no dank smell, no damp atmosphere...and no dark. The walls glowed softly in this chamber. Chakotay switched off his wrist light. There was enough light in this chamber for the two of them to see. Running his tri-corder over the walls, his face took on a puzzled expression as he took the readings. "Tom, according to the tri-corder, these walls aren't rock. The tri-corder can't identify what they are, but they aren't rock!" There was no answer. "Tom?" called Chakotay, turning around. "Tom!" This time panic was evident in Chakotay's voice as he watched Tom walk towards the back of the chamber. There, seemingly carved into the wall itself, were two hand-prints. One for the left hand, one for the right. Tom reached up and placed his right hand in the corresponding hand-print. He faintly heard Chakotay cry out. "Tom! No!" But the voice in his head was too strong to be ignored. It told him what to do and he did it. --- Chakotay was crying. The tears flowed down his cheeks like a waterfall, falling gently on to Tom's face. As he cradled his lover in his arms, he knew that Tom was dead. And he knew he would never make it without him. "Peace, Chakotay." A voice spoke to him. "Who are you?!" Chakotay demanded through his grief. "A friend," came the reply. "Where are you?" "Your species requires a visual reference point?" asked the voice curiously. "Yes." "Then here is your reference point." Suddenly, a shimmering rainbow appeared before Chakotay. It was beautiful. A glowing riot of octarine fire. Red, white, blue, green, yellow, indigo, and a dozen other different colours Chakotay could not even begin to name. "What do you want?" he asked. "Your companion is not dead, Chakotay," the voice replied. Chakotay sobbed. "Don't play with me, whoever you are. His heart isn't beating and he isn't breathing. What else can he be?" "I am not playing with you, Chakotay. The one you love is not dead. He is simply in a deep coma." "How do you know my name? How do you know I love him? And he can't be in a coma, even in the deepest coma the heart still beats. His doesn't." The voice sighed. "Your species is most stubborn, Chakotay. I know your name and I know you love him because *he* knows. I've been inside his mind since you entered my caves. You are right about his coma. It isn't, strictly speaking, a coma. But it was the only word in his vocabulary I could find to approximate his condition." "If you're in his mind, why didn't you stop him before he touched the hand-print?" Chakotay was shouting, directly all his anger, grief, fear and frustration at the entity hovering just a few feet in front of him. "It was necessary for him to touch it, Chakotay." The voice sighed again. A weary sigh. "I am old, Chakotay. I have been alive for many millions of your years. My life-force is weak. I need your help to rejuvenate myself." "So you decided to rob Tom of his life-force to rejuvenate?! You've been alive for millions of years! Tom has barely started his life!" This time the voice held a touch of impatience. "Your species is most suspicious. Be at peace, Chakotay. No harm will come to Tom. He will live as he has lived before - and so will I. If you love him enough to have the courage to make it so." "How?" Chakotay knew he would do anything to save Tom's life. "You know how, Chakotay." The voice lingered and then faded away, the octarine rainbow disappearing at the same time. Chakotay exhaled. He had been holding his breath without realising it. Still cradling Tom's head against his shoulder, he turned to look at the wall. The right hand...and the left. Tom had placed his right hand in the print...Chakotay knew what he had to do. He slipped his right arm around Tom's waist, supporting his body. With his right hand, he moved Tom's right hand back up to the hand-print. As Tom's hand touched the print, he reached out with his left hand... There was a blinding flash as both their hands touched the prints simultaneously. Chakotay felt something building in his mind, something powerful. It rushed through him, searing his blood and his mind reached out for Tom's - as Tom's did for him. #Where have you been Chakotay? I've been waiting for you# #I'm here now, Tom. We are together# #Yes. Together. Forever# #Forever# Each felt the other's love, drew strength from it. Then another mind entered their circle. It said: #The strength of your love has bound you as one. What has been joined in this place, let no man put asunder. My blessings to you. Thank you.# It was said with the profoundest respect. Then, the octarine fire flashed again and the mind was gone. Tom and Chakotay blinked, their eyes adjusting to the dim light in the chamber. Chakotay looked at Tom and saw him smile. "Tom!" he cried out in relief. Grasping his lover gently in his arms, he lowered them both to the floor. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned. Tom smiled at him and reached up to lay his palm against Chakotay's face. "I'm fine, 'Kotay." He murmured. Then he started as Chakotay's thoughts flowed through his mind. #Thank god. What would I have done without you Tom?# Tom smiled and reached up to kiss Chakotay. "You'll never be without me, Chakotay. Never." Chakotay started. How had Tom know what he was thinking? Suddenly, *he* could hear Tom's thoughts. In his mind. Tom answered #I can read your thoughts and you can read mine. We are one# Now Chakotay understood the significance of what the entity had done. They *were* one. And it made him happier than he could ever have imagined. Chakotay threw back his head and laughed the laugh of someone who knows complete happiness. --- On the bridge, Tuvok reported "Captain, something unusual is happening to the planet." "Have we re-established the transporter lock on Chakotay and Tom?" Janeway could hear the anxiety in her voice and willed it away. Now was not the time for her to stress out. It wouldn't do the crew any good if their Captain couldn't handle herself. "Negative, Captain. And the planet is beginning to change." "Change?!" "It would appear so, Captain." Janeway tapped her comm-badge. "Bridge to Main Engineering." "Engineering here, Captain." came B'Elanna's voice. "B'Elanna, have you been able to make any progress on the transporter lock?" "No, Captain. I've tried everything I can think of, but the planet has some sort of energy barrier around it that our sensor can't penetrate - or our transporter beam." Janeway sighed. "It's alright, B'Elanna. You did your best." "Don't give up hope yet, Captain. Chakotay and Paris have a knack for surviving impossible situations." Strangely, B'Elanna's sentiment calmed Janeway's nerves. "Captain." Tuvok's voice drew her out of her reverie. "Yes, Tuvok?" "The planet, Captain." Janeway, Tuvok, Ensign Batehart and Harry Kim's replacement, Ensign Blakemore, watched in silence as the planet spun. Faster and faster it spun, gaining momentum. And when it seemed as if it was going to spin itself out of existence, it flashed - a bright burst of dazzling fire... and changed. Suddenly, it was no longer a planet, but a shimmering rainbow entity of octarine fire. Red, white, blue, green, yellow, indigo, and a dozen other different colours Janeway could not even begin to name. It was so large it dwarfed Voyager and Janeway felt a twinge of fear as she wondered what the entity would do. "Calm yourself, Kathryn." She gasped, as did Ensign Batehart. Tuvok, in his usual Vulcan manner, looked merely mildly startled and arched an eyebrow in curiosity. The voice continued. "Chakotay and Tom have saved my life and so I now return them to you. My blessings to you and your crew." "Please accept this gift in return for my life." "What gift?" asked Janeway. But the voice was gone - and so was the entity. Suddenly, there was another brilliant flash and Tom and Chakotay appeared on the bridge, locked in each other's arms. "Jesus!" Tom swore, looking around at the Bridge. Looking into Chakotay's eyes, he asked #What was *that*?# #I have no idea. But it looks like we're not in Kansas anymore...# Tom grinned. #Where on earth did you hear that archaic saying?# #Where do you think? From the movie it originated from, of course# #No shit? I didn't think you were into movies like 'The Wizard of Oz'# #Well, I'm not. But...# "Gentlemen?" Janeway's steely voice interrupted their mental conversation. "Yes, Captain?" replied Chakotay. Janeway opened her mouth to speak but suddenly the ship heaved and began to move. Faster and faster she moved, rocking as she did so. Janeway was thrown off balance and Tom and Chakotay held on to each other for dear life. Ensign Batehart gripped the Conn for support and the Ensign at Ops gripped her station in the same manner. Only Tuvok remained upright by his own balance. Then the movement stopped, almost as suddenly as it had begun. "Report." Janeway barked, regaining her feet for the second time that day and re-taking her seat. "Captain?" "Yes, Ensign Blakemore?" The Captain turned to face the young woman at Ops. "According to my sensors, Captain, that... ride we just experienced took us thirty-seven thousand light years closer to home. "What?! Are you sure your sensors are working properly, Ensign?' "Yes, Captain. A level one diagnostic confirms the sensors are functioning properly." "Captain. I have a theory." "I'm listening, Mister Tuvok." "I would speculate that this is the *gift* that the entity spoke of." "Agreed," said Janeway. She turned to look at her First Officer, who had resumed his seat beside her. Then she looked over at her Conn Officer, who had relieved Ensign Batehart. Looking back at her First Officer, she asked "What did you do, Chakotay, to warrant a thank-you present like this?" Chakotay shrugged nonchalantly. "It need life-force to rejuvenate itself, Captain. We supplied it." Janeway gave him a hard look. He made it sound simple, but she suspected it wasn't. "I'll want a full report on this on my desk in forty-eight hours, Commander." "Understood, Captain." --- Later that night... Chakotay stopped outside Tom's quarters and rang the door chime. He was wearing his red shirt and gold earring again. "Enter." called a familiar voice. Chakotay walked into Tom's quarters and halted, shocked. There was Tom, gloriously nude, sprawled out on his back across his bed. Chakotay felt himself grow hard at the sight. #Damn! Tom has got to be the sexiest man I've *ever* seen!# "Why, thank you 'Kotay. No-one's ever paid me a higher compliment." Tom's voice was amused as he sent back the thought #And you, my delectable Indian Commander are *definitely* the sexiest man *I've* ever seen# This thought was followed by a very pornographic mental image of what Tom would like to do him. Chakotay shifted slightly on his feet and sent the thought #Well? What are you waiting for?# Tom apparently needed no second invitation, because he launched himself from the bed with a cry and fastened his lips on Chakotay's. Chakotay groaned and locked his arms around Tom's shoulders, guiding them both towards the bed. While his lips paid homage to Chakotay's, Tom's hands were busy unfastening the red shirt and the black slacks. Tom moaned as the pants fell to the floor and his hands caressed Chakotay's hard length. #Damn! He is *definitely* a *big* man# thought Tom in delight. #And he's all mine!# #Yes!# Chakotay was exultant. #I am yours and you are mine!!# Quickly tossing the pants and shirt aside, Tom fastened his mouth on one of Chakotay's brown nipples. He teased and tormented it, alternating between his teeth and his tongue until the nipple was a tight bud. Chakotay's hands tangled in Tom's hair and he moved Tom's head to the other nipple. While Tom was working his magic on the neglected nipple, Chakotay's hands were busy stroking Tom's ass, his fingers probing Tom's cleft. Tom moaned as Chakotay's first finger slipped inside. "Ohhhhhh, 'Kotay..." "What do you want Tom?" "You know what I want, 'Kotay." "Say it," Chakotay demanded. "Say it!" "I want you inside me, 'Kotay. Deep inside me..." Chakotay slipped another finger in, revelling in Tom's moaning as he gently rotated his two fingers, loosening his lover. When he felt Tom was ready, he slipped in a third finger. "Ahhhhhhhhh!" Tom shouted with wild abandon. Keeping his mouth on Chakotay, Tom's hands moved to his erection. He began to touch himself, stroking and petting his hard length. He was close, so close. The he came, spilling his essence into his hands. Reaching over, he spread himself over Chakotay's *very* enlarged penis and then rolled over. "Inside me! Now!" he demanded. Chakotay needed no further encouragement, and, removing his fingers, pushed into Tom with one hard thrust. "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!" Tom screamed as the pleasure/pain washed over him. Then Chakotay began to move. Tom matched his strokes easily. They pulsed together, moving in an rhythm as old as time itself, until, finally, Chakotay came inside of him, spilling his seed into Tom and forever sealing them together... --- The End.