Stranded

Stranded
C/P, J/K, C, K, J, T, Tu, D
PG-13 - NC-17
Angst warning.
Summary: Away mission goes wrong, leaving them stranded on a hostile planet, Harry tells a tale about Chakotay and Tom first meeting.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We're going down, brace for impact." Tom yelled, he could hear the screams of the others behind him strapped down in the cargo bay, as the shuttle Harris crashed into the side of the mountain, with his remaining strength before he passed out, Tom started pushing as many buttons he could to try to make the landing a bit more bearable.
Beside him, his copilot Captain Kathryn Janeway, they had been talking about the mission they were on while Voyager with the Doctor left in charge, since it was mainly the bridge crew who were not hit with the illness, they had found sources of food other than Leola root and herbs to curer the illness that had hit them suddenly on an inhabitable planet with three suns that orbited the planet.
Kathryn and Tom had been laughing at talent night the night before, Neelix came up with the idea to help cheer up the patients, Chakotay had surprised them all by singing a song from his home world Dorvan V, when all hell broke loose, hitting an Ion storm, that tossed The Harris about like a toy shuttle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kathryn slowly came to with a moan, finding herself upside down strapped in her chair, moving her head to the side as she heard movement and someone moaning, "God damnit, I'm still alive."
"Crewman?"
"Captain where are you?"
"I think I'm still strapped into my seat, is everyone else OK?" Kathryn asked, looking over towards where Tom should have been but she couldn't see him and she was worried.
Dalby stumbled over the rubble that littered the deck, cursing under his breath, "Trust that little fucker to do this when I'm on the mission."
A voice from behind him said, "Stow it Dalby."
Chakotay grimaced in pain from where the strap cut into his shoulder, his head ached from hitting the bulkhead, he didn't need Dalby cursing Paris flying, they were alive thanks to him.
Frowning Chakotay looked towards the helm to see if Paris was there, when he didn't see him anywhere in the shuttle, he growled, "Where the hell is he?" Over the years Chakotay still held Tom at arm lengths, he never trusted him or liked him but unlike Dalby, he learnt to respect Paris's flying talent.
Harry crawled out of his straps with a groan, "God damn Tom, you did it again."
B'Elanna stumbled out after him breathed, "God that was some landing, Paris."
Harry stood up looking over at the face of the shuttle his face drained rushing to the front pushing Dalby aside in his rush to get to Kathryn, "Kat, are you alright?"
Kathryn smiled at him as he released the catch and placing her on the roof of the shuttle saying, "Fine, where is Tom and Tuvok? "
"I'm here Captain." Tuvok told her as he crawled out of cargo bay voice full of pain, "I think I have broken my leg."
"Fan out and see if you can find Tom, Harry bring the med. kit before you go, I'll do what I can for Tuvok."
Chakotay told them, "Work in pairs, holler if you find him,"
B'Elanna latched onto Chakotay as he passed her, knowing full well that she didn't want to work with Dalby, she felt awful leaving Harry to deal with him.
Chakotay looked down at his long time friend grimly saying, "We'll find him B'Ela."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tom slowly opened his eyes to find himself staring up at a green sky that moved then it changed colour, licking his dry lips thinking, 'Well I've done it again.' Testing to find what hurt and what didn't, Tom slowly sat up wincing as he did, 'Gotta have some broken ribs there Tommy Boy.' Moving his legs he saw that they were ripped to sheds must have happen as he when out the shuttle window, 'I've gotta move see if everyone else is Ok.' Slowly standing Tom bit back a scream as his body protested, 'Shit that hurt, move Tommy boy.' before he could take another step he collapsed before he hit the ground Tom was out cold.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
B'Elanna fumed, "Where could he be?"
Chakotay moved closer to the tree line saying, "Lets check over this way."
Growling, "What forever for? There no way in hell he'd be over there."
"This is Tom we're talking about anything possible." Chakotay shot back at her as he yanked her arm, making her follow him as he moved towards the tree line.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dalby grumbled, "What the use of looking for the little prick?"
Harry normally a calm and patience person but he hated Dalby with all his being, threw him a look saying, "Crewman Shutup or I'll shut you up."
Glaring at the younger man Ken saying, "Harry he not worth it."
Spinning on his heels, Harry hissed, "Get over it, He never gonna be with you."
With smirk Ken told him, "We'll see about that Ensign."
Harry fumed as he spun on his heel and stalked off towards the remains of shuttle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
B'Elanna scanned the area hoping to find her friend among the trees calling over and over, "TOM."
Chakotay added his powerful voice to B'Elanna's, pushing his concern aside for the young man, it didn't matter that he didn't like him but for some reason Chakotay always worried about Tom, when it's bought up by Kathryn he waves it off saying that he owns Tom a life debt nothing else. But deep down he knew that he was lying to her and to himself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Searching about the shuttle for anything, hoping like hell he'd find Tom, Harry found a padd lying on the ground near the front of the shuttle, picking it up he gave it a quick glance with a thin smile, he knew without a doubt who the owner was, there wasn't many things Tom treasured more than life it self, the items on the on the padd was one of the major one, it contained three holo pictures, one of his mother and another of a teenage boy and Tom at the age of five and one of him and Tom together while on shore leave, Harry also knew that deeply encoded on the padd was information about attacks on him, he wish he could just hand it over to Kathryn but he would never betray Tom like that tucking the padd into his pocket, Harry carried on searching for his friend.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tuvok tested his leg, flexing it before he tried to stand on it, not feeling the pain as he stood up and walked about he felt the stiffen muscles loosen up as he took each step, saying, "Thank you Captain,"
Kathryn nodded running the medical tricorder over herself muttering, "Well it could be worse."
Tuvok glanced over at her asking, "What could be worse?"
With a thin lip smile, she told him, "Nothing broken just banged up a bit," looking over the remains of the shuttle with a sigh, "Between Chakotay and Tom we won't have any shuttles left, we better gather what we can and make camp closer to that pond we detected."
"Aye Logical choice, closer to water and food." Tuvok stated as he looked through the rubble, "Captain I have to tell you that we need to keep a close eye Crewman Dalby."
Fuming Kathryn said, "I know and if I had a say in the matter he'd be on board Voyager right now but as you know the Doctor needed Ayala to calm Tem down and Dalby was the only crewman unaffected by this virus and we need all the hands we can get."
Tuvok nodded knowing that with them stranded here they couldn't get the herbs up to the others who were sick, "Captain you know that Crewman Dalby going to blame Tom for this."
Running a hand over her face with a sigh, "I know."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay leant against a tree wishing he could just fix everything like the Q with a snap of his fingers, he watched as B'Elanna couched down huddled up to the tree next to his, he knew that even though they broke up, she stilled care deeply for Tom, he nearly missed her saying, "Chakotay, do you know the real reason why I broke it off with Tom?"
Frowning he said, "I thought he cheated on you?"
With a grunt B'Elanna jumped to her feet pacing between the trees, "Nope I didn't catch him cheating on me, he caught me, it was when we traded with the Yuiri, do you remember Heiw?"
"Why are you telling me this?"
Looking over at her friend saying, "I need you to call off Dalby and his goons,"
"They'll still hassling Tom?"
"You didn't know?"
Shocked Chakotay asked, "What makes you think I did?"
Ranting, "Cuz they say they have your orders to hurt him."
Stunned Chakotay turned and punched the tree growling, "Those little bastards."
B'Elanna watched saying, "Chakotay they also know that Tom cares for you, with him thinking you're ordering them to attack him, he thinks that he deserves it."
Chakotay stalked over to her, towering over her, he demanded, "Why now B'Elanna? Why tell me now?"
Licking her lips as she stepped back, she didn't scare easy but right now she felt like running a mile the other way, "Because Dalby gonna kill Tom."
Chakotay moved away afraid that if he stayed there he'd hit her taking calming breath he asked, "Why?"
B'Elanna licked her dry lips saying, "Because he turned him down one to many time."
"Turned him down for what?" Chakotay asked her.
"To be his whore, he wants to pimp Tom for rations, I've protected Tom for as long as I could but I can't anymore not without help."
Chakotay stunned tried to take it in asking, "Why not tell the Captain or Tuvok?"
Not wanting to telling him the reason but knew she couldn't lie to him said, "Because they threaten you and Harry, if he tried to tell either of them, you or Harry would pay the price, I think if anyone it will be Harry."
Frowning Chakotay asked, "But they have just painted them self's into a corner." Waiting to see if she made the connection when she didn't saying anything he told her, "By threatening Tom, to hurt me, wouldn't work since I'm meant to be ordering the attacks."
"I know but Tom doesn't believe me, I tried to make him see that but he refuses to see it."
Shaking his head Chakotay thumped the tree again, "Why does he put up with that shit for?"
Harry who had moved to join them said, "Because he loves you and he'd died for you, in Tom's mind this is the only way he can have you and Dalby using that to work for him."
Chakotay shook he head to clear the buzzing sound saying, "It has to stop."
Harry glared at him saying, "Tell me something I don't know." Storming off Harry fumed so deep in his anger he nearly missed the moaning coming from the clump of bushes he was passing.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tom wished whoever was yelling like a banshee would stop, shifting to his side without screaming was a mission, though a moan escaped through his clenched teeth. Hearing a rustle of branches above him, Tom glance up into his best friends worried face, "Har, what happened?"
With relief written over his face Harry sank down beside him calling, "I found him." Pushing the branches out of the way saying, "You sure had us worried buddy."
Tom gulped as he listened to Harry asking, "Did I crash another shuttle?"
Harry watched as Tom face showed fear, wondering why he asked, "What do you remember Tom?"
Tom fingered the edge of his uniform jacket as memories flashed through his mind, wincing in pain as bitter one came forth with a yelp, Tom thrashed trying to escape the demons inside his head.
Harry stunned tried to hold him down so he wouldn't hurt himself more, while speaking in smoothing tones, "Tom you're safe, calm down Tom." Stoking Tom's sweat matted hair off his brow shocked when it came back bright red, Yelling, "Bring the damn Med. kit with you and hurry it up."
Chakotay rush up shouting, "B'Elanna race back and get the Med. Kit."
Sliding to a stop Chakotay sank down beside Harry, doing a once over and what he saw, he didn't like.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
B'Elanna rushed back to the shuttle yelling, "We found Tom,"
Tuvok dumped the load in his arms and grabbed the Med. Kit and raced over to where Harry and Chakotay where, with Kathryn on his heels, B'Elanna not far behind them spotted Dalby walking ever so slowly to join them.
Dalby watched as B'Elanna crossed her arms across her chest glaring at him as he passed, he smirked at her, "Lieutenant."
As he strolled passed her, she said just loud enough for him to hear her, "Dalby you're a dead man."
"So you finally said something, shows me that you don't care about Tom's life."
"What do you mean?"
"Tsk, tsk B'Elanna have you forgotten?" He sadly shook his head as he told her, "I told you and Harry that if either of you breathed a word of this Tom dies, you surprise me though, I thought you valued his life more than that."
"You wouldn't dare, Chakotay would kill you."
"I'm a dead man either way, so I might as well take that worthless prick with me." Walking off with a grin, he begun to whistle a tuneless tune.
B'Elanna watch with dread whispering, "What have I done?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 2
Staring at his back as he walked away, B'Elanna wandered over to the others, she heard Tuvok telling them, "I have to do a Mind Meld to calm him down but I wish for the assistant of a single person just in case of Bonding."
Harry frowned at that bit of news, "Bonding? You think that there is that risk?"
Tuvok looked over at him saying, "I already have a link with Mister Paris from my last Meld with him and I don't want to deepen the link I already have with him."
Ken stepped forward, saying, "I'll do it."
Chakotay shook his head, "No way Dalby. Tuvok can Tom decide who he wishes to link with him if it happens?"
Tuvok looked over at Tom saying, "We'll wait till he comes too, but we need to get him back on Voyager, so the Doctor can work on the damage, we only have the medkit and none of us know much in Medicine to even begin, to Meld with him is to get him stable so we can begin. If I have to I'd bond totally with him but with three people who are single with us, it would work better but there is only one I'd chose from, but it's between them."
Kathryn cursed under her breath, then louder saying, "B'Elanna I need you to boost the range of shuttles Comm's so it can punch through that interference and see if they can beam us up."
Glad to be doing something B'Elanna raced towards the crippled shuttle.
Dalby walked off fuming, his one chance to have Tom thawed, he knew that if he had that bond with Tom, he could have him totally under his thumb. He knew that if asked who he wished to link with he wouldn't be on the list, 'I have to find a way to keep the others from finding out, it has to me who bond with him, damn how can I make him chose me?'
Chakotay sat beside Tom's limp body, after Harry had called them over, Tom was thrashing about in pain, Tuvok had to perform the Vulcan Nerve Pinch, so that Tom didn't do any more damage to himself than what was already been done to him.
Tom came to with a groan only to find that he had be moved and that Tuvok was sitting beside him, his body felt like it was on fire, "Water?"
Tuvok peered down at him saying, "Here just a sip." Holding the water canister to his lips, Tuvok raised his head just high enough so Tom could take a sip, lowing his head back down, Tuvok said, "Tom I need to meld with you to block the pain, so we can start working on your wounds."
Tom voice came out rasped, "Why not. . . just beam. . . me to. . . Voyager?"
Laying a hand on Tom's fore head feeling the heat coming off from him, "We can't do that Tom."
Nodding Tom told him, "Do it then."
Tuvok told him, "There are some risks, I can not do another meld with you without our already formed link deepening."
"I understand Tuvok."
Dipping his hand into the helmet next to him filled with water, he wrung out apart of someone sleeve saying, "I don't think you do Tom. If I meld with you, it will mean you are my mate and I know how you feel about someone else, so it is illogical for me to deepen our link but I can help you form a link with one of the single people who are with us."
Tom dazedly stared up at him whispering, "Who are they?"
With a frown Tuvok was worried about the state of Tom's mind, "You can choose between Dalby, Torres or Chakotay."
"More water?" asked Tom.
Picking up the water canister again saying, "Just a sip Tom,"
Closing his eyes Tom tried to clear his head but the pain was to great with a grasp he fell back into unconsciousness.
With a weary sign Tuvok stood up, he knew that he was acting un-Vulcan like but Tom was a dear friend of his and if Tom didn't love someone else, he would be his mate. Tuvok had decided to give Tom the time to tell his beloved but so far his beloved still hated him. Tuvok decided to do something about it, Harry and he had a plan all worked out and he thought that tonight was the night, seeking out the younger man, Tuvok spied him over by Dalby moving equipment closer to base camp, he could tell by his shoulders that he was angry, through Tom he got to know the young man and through him, Kathryn and Harry fell in love, now they just need another certain member to wakeup and smell the coffee as Tom would say.
Strolling over to the men Tuvok said, "Crewman I need you to get some more water for me."
Dropping his load at their feet, Ken stomped off towards Tom limp body to pickup the helmet they were using to carry water, making sure that no one was watching he dumped the water close enough to splash him, leaning close enough his hissed, "Chose me you little shit, bond with me and I'll leave him alone." Standing up he made sure that no one saw him as he stroll off towards the river.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tuvok guided Harry towards a clump of trees once he was sure they were far enough he said, "Harry it's time to wake that numbskull up. Tom won't bond with him if he still thinks that he hates him and he's likely to bond with Dalby because he won't let B'Elanna near him. I won't allow Tom to bond with Dalby, we both know what he will do to Tom if he did. I'd bond with him before Dalby does."
Harry nodded saying, "I totally agree with you Tuvok and I think Kathryn would back us in stopping Dalby even B'Elanna would, so we need a way to bring this up."
Tuvok glance towards their friend saying, "That the easy part, you have the padd?"
Digging into his pocket saying, "I found it outside the shuttle why?"
"I knew he bought it with him, he never goes anywhere without it, give it to me and go along with me when we are around the fire tonight."
Handing the padd over to the Vulcan saying, "I wish he would chose you Tuvok it would be a hell a lot easier if he did but he's been in love with him for so long, that no one stands a chance."
Tuvok nodded saying, "If I had emotions I'd wish it as well."
Laughing Harry smacked his arm lightly saying, "You don't fool me, I know that you love Tom and in his way he loves you and if he wasn't already deeply in love, you would be with him."
Tuvok nodded, "I know that and I think if our plans don't work with that lug head I still might end up with him."
"You're a good friend Tuvok to do this for him."
"He's do the same for either of us and you know it, as long as Tom is happy that is all I care about and I know that he'll love me for all time, just as he loves that numb skull more but it's a different love and we share a bond that no one else can break."
Patting him on the shoulder saying, "You're lucky there Tuvok, I wish I had a bond with him as well."
"But you do, you're his brother there nothing stronger than the bond of brothers and the three of us are brothers and maybe we'll be adding another to the list."
Nodding Harry noticed that Dalby had returned with the water nodding his head towards him asking, "What are we gonna do with him?"
"Time to let the cat out of the bag, it's time Kathryn knew of his actions and break our oath to Tom."
"I was afraid you'd say that."
"I hate to do it as well but Tom will forgive us."
Just then B'Elanna stepped out saying, "I'll do it, it's the least I can do and I've already told Chakotay so why not the Captain?"
Tuvok nodded saying, "I agree, I hate to put you in the hot spot but your logic is correct, since you have already broken your oath to Tom by telling the commander, but it means Tom will be angry with you."
With a snort B'Elanna told them, "He already hates me, so what a little betrayal?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kathryn wondered what her husband and friends were doing gathered by the tree motioning her XO saying, "Looks like a meeting going on over there wonder if it's about Dalby."
"You know?" He asked.
"I know Harry and he been worried about something for a while and it only natural for him to seek out Tuvok, since they are both Tom's best friends, B'Elanna use to be but there been a falling out of some sort since she broke up with Tom,"
Chakotay thought it was only fair to tell her, "She didn't break it off, Tom broke it off when he caught her in bed with another man, and for some reason everyone blamed Tom, myself included."
Slowly grinning at him, she told him, "I know the whole story, I just wanted to see if you did, how did you find out?"
Grinning at her he said, "You tricked me, B'Elanna told me after the crash."
"Oh, it seems the plot thickens, now what is Dalby doing?" While Chakotay had be telling her, she looked over towards Tom and spied Dalby crouching down beside Tom.
Tuvok watched as Janeway and Chakotay walk stiffly to Tom's side, "Come on maybe none of us need to say anything."
Ken crouched down beside Tom side again, knowing he was risking everyone knowing, "You have to chose me Tom cuz I can give you what you want, nobody else can do but me and you know it."
Chakotay stopped a step behind Janeway, a smile fought it's way out as he noticed her usual stance, hands on her hips, as she demanded, "Crewman just want do you think you're doing?"
Dalby cursed under his breath before saying, "I was just checking Tom's temperature, he was looking a bit flush and Tuvok asked me to get more water, so I thought I'd check on him."
Kathryn shook her head saying, "I don't believe you Dalby, as you say Tuvok only asked you to get water, not check on him, and I also know that there is no love lost between the two of you, so you wouldn't care whether he lived or died now would you Crewman?"
Tom fought his way to the surface through the pain, he was sure he had heard the Captain talking, with a painful groan he asked, "Captain?" Turning his head towards the figure beside him trying to focus on it without seeing double, with a shudder Tom realize that it wasn't Janeway beside him, sobbing, "No, no more please."
Tuvok pushed Dalby out of the way as he sank to his knees, "Tom?"
"No more, Tay help me."
"Shh Tom everything Ok."
Tuvok slowly got through to him saying, "You're safe Tom, he'll never hurt you again."
Tom fought the panic as he felt Tuvok brushing through his mind, "Tuvok?"
"I'm here Thomas."
Weakly Tom turned his head asking, "I still hurt, I thought . . . . . you were gonna meld with me?"
Tuvok glanced over at Harry, then over at the Commander hoping that he would step forward, when he didn't Tuvok told him, "You have to chose can you remember what we talked about early?"
With a thoughtful look Tom nodded, "Yeah I remember, Tuvok when do I need to make the choice?"
Brushing a lock of hair off Tom's forehead saying, "Tom I'd liked to do it now but no later than tomorrow morning," Leaning forward so the others couldn't hear him, saying, "You know that I'd bond with you but since your heart belongs to another. Harry and I are working on a plan to make him see and to remember the promise he made."
Tom eyes widen as he listened, risking a look he peeked over at Chakotay and saw that he was staring back at him with a thoughtful look on his face.
Looking back at Tuvok he said, "Tuvok tell the Captain everything and I . . . . hope your plan works." Slowly raising his hand up cupping the Vulcan's cheek he said, "You're a great friend and I love you a lot, you know that if I didn't love him so much, you'd be the one?"
Holding Tom's hand to his cheek nodding, "I know and I love you as well." Tuvok watched as Tom slipped back into a healing sleep, laying Tom's hand back beside his other, Tuvok stood up facing Kathryn he said, "Captain I have to report a case of abuse and rape."
Surprised Kathryn nodded saying, "Let move this over to the shuttle then. Chakotay stay with Tom, Harry and B'Elanna join us please?"
Ken stood up saying, "Captain?"
Glaring at him, Kathryn said, "Stay here and wait."
Sitting back down Dalby glared at Tom's still form he watched as Chakotay wrung out the cloth and wiped the sweat off his face.
Chakotay still stunned as he went about caring for Tom's needs staring hard at him, he whispered, "Are you really that little boy Tommy?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 3
Once at the shuttle, Kathryn spun on her heels demanding, "What the hell is going?"
Harry looked over at Tuvok who was looking at B'Elanna, Kathryn rolled her eyes saying, "Someone tell me before heads start to roll."
When they still didn't say anything she asked, "This has to do with Dalby doesn't it?" Looking them over sighing, "Yeah I can tell, so how bad is it?"
Tuvok told her everything he knew ending by saying, "His plan is to bond with Tom and make him do as he wishes."
By the end of the explanation, Kathryn face looked like a thunder cloud, "Like hell, that is not going to happen to any member of my crew, I'm not running a whore house, So how is it going with waking Chakotay up?"
Turning so she was facing the man in question and saw that he was wiping Tom's face and what looked to be shock on his face answering her own question, "Looks like it going well," Looking thoughtful she ask another question, "Who is Tay?"
Harry nodded towards the two saying, "The Commander is."
B'Elanna crouched back on her heels, watching her ex-lover and friend with a slight smile saying, "They make a great looking couple don't they?"
Tuvok nodded as he to watched Chakotay tenderly wipe Tom's face and chest off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay stood up with the helmet in hand, glancing over at the others, wondering why he was left out of the loop of this but he knew that they knew more about this than he did and someone had to play nurse maid and to keep Dalby away from Tom, he wished that he would do anything to justifying punching him one, looking over at Dalby with a glare as he stalked over to Dalby who was sitting in the shade watching, Hissing at him, "Get some water Dalby."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken watched as his Commander came closer to him if looks could kill he'd be a dead man by now but he knew that he was a dead man walking anyway, he was stuck on a hostile planet with people he thought were his comrades but they were all out to get him, he had seen the Captain looking at him with that look, the one that could heat a warp core, he was thankful that Tem and Ayala weren't down here either, they were among Tom's support group, he wished that Connor and Gaes were with him but they were one of the victims of the viruses raging through Voyager.
Picking up the helmet, biting back the remark on the tip of his tongue but the look on Chakotay froze it for him saying, "Don't even think about it, unless you want me to knock your teeth down your throat, scam before I do it anyway." Clenching his fist at his side as he fought to hold his temper, glaring as Dalby raced towards the water.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Doctor ran another test on Naomi Wildman when Seven asked, "Any word?"
Pausing at his work to look up at the blond woman saying, "No I wish they would hurry up and report in, I'm starting to worry."
Seven coolly looked around sickbay saying, "It's getting worse isn't it?"
He followed the Borg as she walked over to Neelix placing a hand on his shoulder, she had seen the captain doing the same thing when she asked why she did it Janeway had told her that it was to offer comfort to the sick or injured.
The Doctor ran tests after test trying to find a curer for the crew.
The Doc glanced at his sick patience with a sign, "I'd be the first to admit this but this has me stumped, I need those herbs Neelix told me about, without them I can't do anything."
Seven nodded distractedly saying, "I'll try to Comm them again, if we haven't heard from them by the end of the Gamma shift I'll take another shuttle down."
Without another word Seven walked out of Sickbay and headed back to the Bridge.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sitting about the fire when Harry asked, "Anyone for S'Mores?"
Tuvok asked, "Did Tom bring them down?"
Shrugged his shoulders, Harry said, "I don't know but I know I did."
Hearing a groan, "Mine space dust along with the rest of my stuff I think."
B'Elanna grinned looking forward to having S'Mores, every time the three of them got around a fire, Tom pulled out the marshmallows and crackers.
Chakotay groaned, "I think the last time I had S'Mores was when I was fifteen."
Kathryn smiled at him saying, "You should have come to the Barbecue picnic we had two weeks ago."
Licking his lips as he glanced over at Tom who head was laid in her lap saying, "I was on duty or I would have come."
Kathryn stroked Tom's hair as she stared at her XO, hiding her smile as he looked away first and stared into the flames thinking, "You just lied to her Chak and she knows it."
Feeling the tension Harry looked in his bag saying, "Let them be here, Ahhh here they are, Tat ta." Pulling the bag of Marshmallow out with a grin saying, "They a bit squashed but that can't be help since I found the bag under a barrel of something Neelix thought we needed." With a laugh he opened the bag saying, "B'Elanna could you find us some sticks for us to melt these buggers on."
Jumping up B'Elanna grabbed one of the working torches, as she moved away she heard Tom say, "It was a barrel of Leola root, he'll be disappointed that we lost a barrel of the stuff."
Harry replied, "Sorry to bust your bubble my friend but the barrel still intact."
Tom groaned, "Just my luck we crash and end up eating barrels fill of Leola root, quick Harry before the Captain finds out destroy them."
Kathryn roared with laugher, looking down at Tom saying, "I might just help him, Tom."
Feeling drained Tom felt his eyes droop weakly saying, "Good." Letting sleep claim him, Tom missed the concerned looks that was passed by the others.
B'Elanna found some sticks that would do the job returned to the others handing out the sticks to them saying, "Ok who has some scary stories to tell?"
Harry grabbed a handful of Marshmallows, before handing the bag over to Tuvok, sticking two onto his stick saying, "Not me I'm not the story teller of the group." Watching as the Marshmallows roasting in the fire making sure that they didn't burn, turning them so they melted just right when he thought they were ready he pulled them out grabbing four crackers he made a sandwich out of them handing one over to Kathryn.
Reaching for her S'Mores with a smile and took a bite giggling as it run down her chin saying, "If this gets back to the others on Voyager, I'll deny everything and have you cleaning the manifolds out with your tooth brushes."
With a laugh Chakotay bit into his S'More with a sign, "God I forgot how nice and sticky these things are."
Harry licked his fingers saying, "Yup and there more."
Chakotay asked, "Where the chocolate?"
Dumbstruck Harry asked, "What chocolate?"
Rolling his eyes at him Chakotay asked, "You've never had these with melted Chocolate? It's even messier than these are."
Shaking his head Harry replied, "Nope, when we get back you've gonna have to share those with us Commander."
Staring into the flames Chakotay forced back the tears as he remembered the last time he had gone camping, he faintly recalled a little towheaded boy following him and his brothers like a little shadow, every once in a while he would wonder what happened to that little boy, who jumped at the shadows but tried to be brave in front of him, the day he had left Chakotay had given him a bear for his birthday and the boy had told him that when he was of age he would come back and look for him. Chakotay never gave that little boy's promise another thought thinking that by that time he would have forgotten him and his promise.
Tuvok watched Chakotay, fingering the padd sitting beside him, he knew that the time was right, picking up the padd Tuvok asked, "Does anyone know who this padd belongs to?" Flicking the padd to the picture he knew would jar the commander as he held the padd out.
Chakotay looked up at the padd and grabbed it demanding, "Where did you find this?"
Tuvok told him, "Harry found it by the shuttle and thought that it was to important to the person who owned it, is it yours commander?"
Shaking his head Chakotay said, "No but there is only two copies of this picture."
Handing the padd back to Tuvok without another word lost in thought he heard Harry saying, "It looks like Tom's padd."
Jerking his head towards the young man asking, "How did he get the picture?"
Harry looked over at him saying, "Tom told me this tale and show me the photo when we got back from Akriteria. This is what he told me."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 4
This chapter is told by Harry as it was told to him by Tom while in Akriteria.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was hot, little five year old Tommy was hot, he longed for the pool in their back yard, this heat was different than earths. Tommy hated it, he had moaned all the way from earth to Dorvan V, he hadn't wanted to come, he wanted to stay home and wait for his daddy to come home but his mama wanted to visit her long time friend Kolopak and his family, they had an open house, people he didn't know patted him on the head like a dog and saying what a cutie he was and pinching his chubby cheeks, Tommy hated the groups none of them were within his age group, he was the only five year old about, as usual the boys fawned all over his sisters but ignored him, so he took off towards the river, they had been here for three days and he wanted to be back at home but he felt that his mama had to be here among these people for some reason he didn't understand, she had asked Tom not to tell his daddy, she had told him that it he found out he would be angry with them all, the last thing he wanted was for daddy to be mad, Tommy didn't like when he was mad.
That when he saw him, sitting on the little island in the middle of the river, he had seen him once since they had arrived. Tommy couldn't wrap his mouth around his name, for that matter he had trouble with all their names, not that he talked to any of them, Sitting beside the raging river staring at the young man who was lost in a world of his own.
Tommy didn't hear his sister calling him, as he sat watching the teen, squealing at he was picked up and tossed into the water, he faintly heard Moira saying, "That will teach you Tommy."
Failing to keep his head above water, at five he could swim a little but that was only in their pool and that was dog paddling, he hadn't mastered the other styles yet.
Just as he felt himself sink under the water again, he felt a strong arm encircle his tiny waist bringing him up to the surface, taking in lung fill of air, Tommy wrapped his tiny arms about the teens neck gasping like a fish, once they landed on the shore, the teen stormed over to the young woman who had be howling with laugher the whole time. Tommy watched as she was picked up and flung into the very same water as he had be and the young man yelling, "See how you like it."
Tommy watched as Moira fought the currents and flop breathless on the shore glaring at him and the teen but wisely kept her mouth shut.
The young man knelt beside him wrapping a fluffy towel around him asking, "You Ok?"
Nodding Tommy couldn't find the right words but settled on, "Thank you."
Grinning he said, "You're most welcome, you're Tommy right?"
"Yup that me, you're Ch'tay right?"
"Close enough it's Chakotay."
Tommy tried saying his name again but gave up as he stamped his feet saying, "I'll call you Tay OK?"
Laughing as he picked the young boy up saying, "Ok but only you can call me that."
Tommy squealed in delight, "Honestly?"
Ruffling his hair Chakotay told him, "Only you may call me Tay, it's your nickname for me."
"Oh gee whiz I never had a special name before." Cuddling into the bigger boy, Tommy settled in for the ride back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tommy woke when he heard his mama screaming at someone, not risking anyone noticing that he was awake, he peeked through his lashes to see Moira standing with her back to him as their mama yelled at her, "Moira of the stupid things to do, how would I explain this to your father?"
"But we're leaving him behind, you wouldn't have to explain anything to him."
Tommy eyes widen at that bit of news never to see his daddy again? He loved his father but when he came back from that camp he had changed, Tommy didn't like his new daddy wished that his daddy would return, they were happy before the camp.
"He found us, he prepare to let us loose but refuses to let Tommy go."
"What?"
"We're stuck on Dorvan till your father comes for Tom."
"You're going to let him raise him?"
"If I could take him I would, your father has papers that say I can't take Tommy away from your father."
From the door way, Tommy heard a new voice by it powerful tone, he knew that it was Tay's father Kolopak.
"Did you sign them?"
He watched through hooded lids as his mama said, "I don't remember signing them but it has my thumbprint and signature."
Kolopak looked over at Tommy with sorrow saying, "Then Tommy has to go back Owen covered his back, I feel sorry for Tommy. I hope that he becomes a better man than his father is."
Tommy watched as the grown ups left his room not wishing to be alone he crept out of his room and to the one across from his opening the door he could see that Tay was at his desk working.
"Tommy why are you up?"
Jumping Tommy yelped, "Sorry I'll go."
"No stay." Standing up and walking over to Tom he crouched down to his level asking, "Tommy what wrong?"
Tommy looked at the carpet, then up at his face searching his face with a tiny smile Tommy reached up saying, "My daddy coming to get me and I may never see you again."
He watched as Chakotay pulled him into his arms saying, "When is he coming for you?"
Clinging to Tay he sobbed, "I don't know," Pulling back so he could look at him as he told him, "So I need to make these last days memorable, so that when I'm old enough to leave on my own, I'll come back to Dorvan on my eighteenth birthday."
"And when is your birthday Tommy?" He asked.
"Another two days away, remember that date Tay, because that is the day I will come back to Dorvan V if I am able."
Moving back into Tay's arms, Tommy sobbed into his chest, he felt Tay pick him up and walk over to his room.
Chakotay laid Tom on his bed staying, "I'll be waiting for you Tommy, now go to sleep."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Over the next few days Tommy tagged along with Tay and his brothers, sticking like glue, he didn't let the thoughts of never seeing any of these people dampen his day, he was going to remember this holiday for along time, he snapped photo's so when he got home he could bring them out and remember.
The day of his birthday was a bittersweet one, his father had arrived to take him home, they had to beg him to let Tommy stay long enough to squeeze in another memory.
At the time he was due to leave, Tommy wrapped his arms around Tay saying, "Remember Tay when it's my eighteenth birthday, I'll come back, but till then keep this to remember me by." Handing him a framed Photo of him and Tay, "There are only two copies of this photo, your copy and my copy."
"I'll cherish it forever." Reaching over to the table beside him, Tay picked up a present wrapped in blue paper handing it to Tommy saying, "Tommy this is for your birthday and something to remember me by also."
Tommy slowly and carefully unwrapped it revealing a light blue teddy bear with his name stitched along the overalls it wore, grinning up at him Tommy told him, "I'll treasure this for always."
"What are you gonna call him?"
Beaming up at him Tommy told him, "What else but Tay."
Chuckling Tay hugged him saying, "What else indeed."
"Thomas it's time to say your goodbyes."
Tommy nodded looking up at Tay saying, "It's time, Bye Tay I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you as well and remember Tommy."
"I will."
With tears in his eyes, Tommy walked slowly over to his mother and sisters, not sure what to say to them, "Mama why?"
He watched as she gave him a hug but she never explained to him why.
Walking over to his father he grabbed his father out stretched hand, gripping it as they walked over to his shuttle, with his new teddy clutched to his little chest Tommy took one more look before entering.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry stopped talking, looking over at the others he saw that Chakotay was looking at Tom still form he asked, "Harry did Tom ever tell you if he went back to Dorvan V on his eighteenth birthday?"
Tom struggled to sit up, he had been listening to Harry tell his tale, with a grimace as he sat up, he replied, "I did, I remembered but you weren't there."
Closing his eyes Chakotay asked, "Why didn't you tell me when we met up again in the Maquis?"
"You hated the name Paris and you hated what I did over Caldik Prime, would you have listened to me?" Tom looked at him with dull eyes saying, "I wasn't that little boy anymore and to you I was a drunken bum and doing anything I could to dull the pain of my miserable life, but you hated my father for what he did."
Chakotay looked over at him confused he asked, "What your father got to do with this?"
Doubt written over his face Tom asked, "You don't know who authorized letting Dorvan V fall into the Cardassian's hands?"
"I know who signed the papers for that deal but I never held that against you."
"You didn't?"
"Nope I couldn't blame you for your father's actions."
Tom said, "You know that he blames your family for mom leaving him and they had nothing to do it with."
"But they did, my family helped your mother and sisters to disappear, you were meant to go with them but he found you in time."
With a grin Tom nodded as he said, "That just the Paris luck."
Chakotay trying to sort out his feeling but shocked that Tom had keep his promise, "You really came back to Dorvan on your Eighteenth birthday?"
Nodding Tom told him, "I had a two week break before entering the Academy, I left Earth and took a Transporter to Dorvan V and spent two weeks looking for you but I couldn't find you, so I left and when to the Academy, why weren't you there?"
Swallowing as he broke his gaze from Tom and to stare into the flames, saying, "I didn't think that you'd remember that promise, I was on the USS Vico patrolling the Cardassia boarders."
Holding his side, Tom tried to move closer to him saying, "So you didn't believe that a little five year old boy would keep his promise? Did you even remember me when we met again?"
Shaking his head, Chakotay refused to look at him saying, "I never did know what your last name was, I only knew you as Tommy, I remembered him and always wondered what happened to him."
Disappointed Tom stopped moving, he slumped to close to the flames, as his arms gave out from under him, the stain of holding himself up had drained the rest of his remaining strength, he said, "Well you can ease you mind now, you know what happened to little Tommy, he died that day as his life with his father begun, from that day Tommy crease to exist, Thomas came into being the prefect little Cadet who could fly circles around officers, who was on the officer track way before he even thought about what he wanted out of life, at the time all he wanted to do is to be with Tay his friend, his only friend who his father didn't choose for him."
Chakotay looked up from the flames looking over at everyone as Tom told him, "I can't change the past, I can't take back what happen if I could I would, I would have done anything for Tay, even at Five, I knew that I loved him," Tom shook his head whispering, "I loved Tay and to this day I learnt to love the man he became and that man is you."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 5
Chakotay head jerked back at the young man laying on the ground saying, "What did you say?"
Raising his head and meeting Chakotay brown eyes saying, "I love you."
Shaking his head, Chakotay nodded saying, "That what I thought you said."
Tom just looked at waiting to see if he'd say anything more, he watched as emotions after emotions passed over the Commanders face, not daring to move an inch, he just laid there watching, he could feel the heat from the fire, heard the others whispering quietly to each other, he felt the pain piecing through his body but he didn't care, he just stared at the man he loved.
Chakotay tried to sort through his feelings for the young man before him, he knew that there was something that always drew him to Tom and he never knew what it was, staring into the flames, he knew that he had to sort out what he felt for the younger man, he knew that there was something, he had to meditate and talk to his guide, with that in mind, Chakotay moved over to Tuvok and whispered, "I need to seek my guide before I can do anything else."
Nodding Tuvok whispered back, "Okay I'll wait till you made your decision, Commander but don't take to long on deciding, I need to do this for Tom by the morning."
Chakotay nodded as he looked over at the young man who eyes were following him, "He really loves me doesn't he?"
Tuvok stared at him saying, "Never doubt that Commander, I wish it wasn't so but you have always held his heart, no one stands a chance while you're around."
"You love him don't you? Why help me then?" He asked.
Tuvok looked over at Tom saying, "His happiness mean the world to me," Tuvok looked back at him seriously as he stated matter factually to him, "Believe me when I say this Commander, if you hurt him in anyway, I'll come hunting for you and you won't live long enough to hurt anyone else."
Shocked Chakotay stepped back saying, "I don't plan on hurting anyone."
"See that you don't."
Chakotay nodded as he moved away to find a spot he could use to meditate, finding a spot by the tree line, within sight of camp, sitting down wishing he had his bundle with him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tom watched as Chakotay talked to Tuvok and then walked off towards the trees, looking back over at Tuvok, he watched as he stood up and walked over to him gathering him up in his arms moving him away from the fire, Tuvok carried him back to his spot asking, "What going on?"
Tuvok laid Tom down and lowered himself down beside him saying, "He's gone to meditate."
"I think we shocked him with it all."
Tuvok replied dryly, "You think? What gave that away?"
Tom smiled saying, "If anyone ever tells me that Vulcan's have no sense of humor, I'll point them to you to prove them wrong."
Rubbing the younger man cheek saying, "You are the only one to see this side of me love."
At times it still shocked Tom to see Tuvok joking about but it was only in front of him and sometime Harry and the Captain, to the others, he was as stiffed neck as any other Vulcan, they wouldn't believe him ever if he did say anything.
Pressing his cheek into the Vulcan's palm saying, "Tuvok I need to sleep but I'm scared."
"Of what?"
Looking into his eyes saying, "That I'll never wake up again, I don't wanna die like this."
Tuvok gently pulled Tom so his head laid in his lap saying, "You're not going to die Thomas."
Grasping Tuvok hand as he gasped in pain, "You. . . can't. . . . promise. . . . . me that. . . . I'm in . . . . trouble. ." Gulping in some air into his lungs as he continued, "I . . . know what . . . you gonna do is. . . to keep. . . . me alive. . . but there no guarantees. . . that I'll. . . survive. . till. . . . Voy. . . Ahhhh." Panting heavily as the pain ripped through him.
Harry moved closer to help Tuvok calm Tom, "B'Ela go and get some water, we need to bring his temperature down."
Picking up the helmet B'Elanna darted for the river, passing by Dalby who decided that for his health it was better for him not to join the others, after being warned by nearly all the away team to stay away from Tom, he heard Harry drone on about the Commander's first meeting of Tom, he didn't believe it one bit, he felt like asking how the hell did a five year old remember that sort of thing, he didn't remember much from when he was five, so how the hell did Tom remember that summer on Dorvan V?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seven marched into Sick bay, searching for the Doctor, spying him by Geron Tem and Greg Ayala moving over to she waited for him to finish scanning the young Bajoran man, listening as the Doctor told them, "Ensign you're doing fine, all we need are the herbs the Captain and other are gathering and you're be out of here along with everyone else."
Geron grasped Ayala hand as he asked, "Why didn't they get this virus Doc?"
Frowning as he stated, "I'm not sure why they didn't get this and you and the others did some cases are minor while others are really bad, some nearly died like Neelix, his heart gave out twice, while Megan and Jenny Delaney had the symptoms of the common cold, the only thing that cures it is the herb that grows on that unnamed planet that the Hureds pointed out to us."
Seven said, "The planet name is Garen V unpopulated by animals or races, it has three suns in orbit no moons, it's daylight all the time."
"Explains why no one calls it home." Tem joked.
Seven dryly remarked, "It would seem the case since human require sleep at some point of time, if the sun shone all the time they would feel the need to work or enjoy themselves all the time."
Ayala grinned at the fact that Seven didn't get the joke once again, he wondered how Chakotay and the others were doing, he was worried about Tom, since Dalby replaced him in going down to the planet, his ex-lover still couldn't cope working with Ken but did when he had to, he knew that Tuvok and Harry would protect him, he was actually amazed that Tom and he were friends again, after he broke it off at the beginning of journey to date Tem, they had steered clear of each other for awhile, then one day Tom turned up on his doorstep wanting to talk. Ayala amazed at the fact that Tom could be so forgiving and he went out of his way to be nice to Geron even when he wasn't talking to Ayala, Geron asked him why that was possible, how could Tom still talk to him like a friend, when it was he who replaced Tom in Greg's heart, to this day he still didn't know the answer to that question.
Greg jumped when Geron squeezed his hand looked over at the younger man with a smile, he heard The Doctor ask, "Seven, were you able to make contact with the away team?"
"Negative, I was unable to contact the away team."
Greg asked, "Do you think it's possible to send another team down to check on them?"
The Doctor who had been in charge since the entire senior staff along with Dalby went planet side peered at him saying, "Lets give them another twenty-four hours to get in touch or return to us, then we can risk another team to go down."
Ayala nodded as he said, "I'll volunteer to use a shuttle and fly down Doc."
Nodding as he told him, "I'm going down as well just in case there been an accident."
Seven asked, "Doctor that is unwise for you to leave the ship at this time, with to many of the crew need you on board."
"I'm going and that is that Seven, they may need me down there."
"It's illogical for you to go down, I'll go in your stead Doc."
Geron turned his head to hide the mirth in his eyes while the Doc and Seven fought over who was going down, just then Baytart stepped in, "Excuse me but I think it's unwise that either of you go down, I've had some medic training while with the Maquis and I'm a pilot, so I can use a shuttle to fly Ayala and myself down. Since the Doctor has only had two training sessions in the Sims and Seven, I know you can fly shuttles but we need you on the bridge, so since that settled, I'm heading back to the bridge and relieve Wildman from the Helm for a while. Comm me when we are ready to head down." Without another word Baytart headed out of Sickbay leaving behind four every stunned people.
Ayala was the first to recover by saying, "He can be quite demanding can't he?"
Seven replied, "Indeed, I've never heard him say more than few words before."
"That's because you never joined our weekly poker night." Geron remarked as he smiled at her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Coming out of his meditate state feeling refreshed and filled with a sense of relished relief, between his guide and father explaining everything to him, Chakotay felt ready to make his decisions about his future.
Tuvok glance over towards where the Commander was meditating as he had since he went to seek his guide, that was all they needed was for him to be attacked by some wild animal or local, he didn't trust the fact that they couldn't locate any living being since arriving and having the sun shining all the time annoyed him to no great lengths, he wished that it would just disappear for an hour or two, between the Captain and Tom they had ran out of sun block, Kathryn had moved to the shade of the trees with Harry for company, B'Elanna and a reluctant Dalby were building a shelter to cover Tom, who had remained unconscious since Chakotay went on his vision quest, from the burning suns.
Wiping Tom down again, his naked chest glisten with sweat, early on they had decided it was better for the younger man, if they removed most of his clothes, between him and Harry they got Tom stripped down to his shorts.
Chakotay moved towards the others, he watched as Tuvok gently wiped down Tom body, frowning as he saw Dalby creeping closer to Tuvok with something that looked like a log clutched in his hands, racing towards them yelling, "WATCH OUT TUVOK!" Chakotay threw himself at Dalby's back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 6
At Chakotay's yell, Tuvok threw himself over the top of Tom's body to protect him from harm, as he watched Chakotay and Dalby rolling in the dirt for the upper hand. He saw B'Elanna enter the melee and stomped on Dalby's wrist to loosen his grip on the log he held, with a howl of pain it slipped from his fingers as Chakotay dragged him up clutching his shirt front, he lifted Ken off the ground with a shake, he demanded, "What part of stay away from Tom don't you understand Dalby?" Without waiting for an answer he stormed towards the river, dragging Dalby with him and threw him in saying, "Next time you try something like that, I'll kill you, understand?"
Struggling to get his footing in the rushing water, Ken nodded numbly as Chakotay stalked away, he felt Harry's and The Captains eyes on him as they walked back towards camp.
B'Elanna picked up the log testing it weight saying, "He was playing for keeps, this ain’t no light weight, but who was he after?"
Tuvok eased his weight off Tom saying, "It doesn't matter who he was after, he was attacking one of us, planning on killing either Tom or me and if it hadn't been for Commander Chakotay yell one of us would be dead."
B'Elanna smiled as she watched Dalby dripping wet enter camp moving towards his spot he had been sitting before.
"Enjoy your bath B'Pah?"
Glaring back at her, Ken sat down watching warily, as Janeway approached him with something that looked like vines dangling from her hands, stopping just before reaching him, she called out, "Chakotay and Tuvok please join me."
Rising Tuvok waved Harry over to take his place at Tom's side and went to join his Captain and Chakotay by Dalby.
Kathryn waited for both men to join her before saying, "Crewman Dalby I hereby change you of assault and rape of Lieutenant Paris and attempt of murder of Lieutenant Commander Tuvok and Lieutenant Paris. I didn't want to do this while down here but you have proven to me that I can't trust you not to harm Lieutenant Paris while down here, so I have to tussle you up like a pig you are," Handing the vines over to Chakotay and Tuvok saying, "Gentleman the honors are all yours."
Tuvok called out, "B'Elanna can you bring my bag over to me please." At the Captains look he explained, "I have some Gel cuffs in my bag."
Chakotay stifled his laugh as B'Elanna quipped, "Never leave home without them."
Handing Tuvok his bag, B'Elanna walked back over to Harry saying, "It shouldn't surprise me that he had those with him but it does, did he know something was going to happen?"
Pausing in wiping Tom's brow to wipe his own brow replied, "You know Tuvok just as well as I do B'El, he what Tom calls a boy scout always prepared for anything."
With a chuckle B'Ela gazed fondly at her ex lover saying, "Do you think they know we're in trouble?"
Harry nodded as he resumed wiping Tom down saying, "Knowing Ayala and the Doc, they'll be planning something right now."
B'Elanna peered over at her friend asking, "Do you think that Tom will forgive me, like he did with Ayala?"
With his free hand Harry reached out and gripped her hand saying, "B'Ela he has already."
"It's amazing how he forgives everyone for their mistakes but he never forgives himself for his, I wonder why that is?"
Harry shook his head as he stared down at his best friend saying, "Who knows B'Ela?"
Kathryn stood back as Tuvok stepped up and behind Dalby while Chakotay held his arms behind his back, she saw the look of purer hatred flicker across the younger man's face as he was cuffed to a tree, she could see his mouth moving but couldn't hear what he was saying but from the look on Chakotay face told her it was bad, he was barely holding on to what was left of his control over his temper, moving closer she tapped him on the arm and said, "Go over to Harry and B'Elanna Chakotay."
Chakotay nodded as he released his grip on Ken's arm frowning down at him, fighting the urge to kick him while he was down was really tempting to him, turning away, he took in a deep breath to calm himself down and to get control of his fraying nerves, shaking his head as he moved away, slowly walking towards Harry and B'Elanna, he paused when B'Elanna turned towards him, suddenly he turned on his heels and headed towards the river, he didn't feel like taking on B'Elanna while he was in a bad mood, she still wasn't in his good books either.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
B'Elanna turned as she heard footsteps, she sadly watched her friend turn and head towards the river, saying, "He's not so easy to forgive like Tom is."
Harry frowned as he watched his Commanding Officer head towards the water saying, "If he was forgiving, he'd be here now but he's so stubborn he letting his anger control his life. I've seen him look at Tom when he thinks that no one looking, while on the Bridge and other places but since he won't let go of the past, he won't claim what he wants more than life."
"Which happens to be Tom."
"Yes though some people wish it wasn't so."
B'Elanna faced him and asked, "Harry are you one of the ones who wished to be with Tom?"
Harry's eye widen at the thought with a shudder, he replied in a shock voice, "Hell no, that would be like incest for my taste."
"Incest?"
"Having sex with a family member." Harry explained
B'Elanna shivered at the thought as she said, "But you're not related to Tom."
"You know that Tom and I think of each other as brothers and I've never thought of Tom in that way."
B'Elanna looked at the forlorn figure of her friend standing at the edge of the river bank, "Har go and see if he's alright for me please?"
Harry nodded as he slowly got to his feet saying, "Ok keep an eye on Tom for me?"
With a smile B'Ela shuffled closer to Tom's limp form as Harry moved off towards the bank, as he passed his wife and friend as they moved away from Dalby so they could talk in private.
Harry moved closer to his Command Officer clearing his throat, "Uh Commander?"
Chakotay faced Harry saying, "Yes ensign?"
"Are you alright?"
"No I'm not, but it's getting better."
Harry nodded as he watched the water rushing by, he wasn't sure if Chakotay would kill him for asking what he had rolling over and over in his mind.
Chakotay watched as Harry struggling with his thoughts, Chakotay smiled as he knew what Harry wanted to know and wasn't sure if he would tell him.
He decided to ease the young man mind, "Harry."
At his name Harry turned to face him with a questioning look.
"You want to know my feelings for Tom don't you?"
Nodding slightly as Chakotay continued, "I've always felt a pull with Tom and now I know why, I didn't see Tom as little Tommy, they were two separate people but I can see little Tommy in Tom now that I look but I never forgot that summer either it was the summer before I left Dorvan V to join Starfleet and I always wondered what happened to him and I'll always regret not being there that summer to meet Tom, if I had been there I wonder if Tom's life would have been different?"
"I think it would have been, Caldik Prime might not have happen or turned out the way it did."
"You know that Tom's not to blame for that don't you?"
"Yeah I know, I read the reports."
Chakotay smiled saying, "I won't ask how you got your hands on classified reports."
Grinning Harry told him, "From the horses mouth and not from it's ass."
Roaring with laughter Chakotay fell to the ground, "God Harry where did you pick that one up from?" He asked as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
Joining Chakotay on the ground at a slower pace told him, "You don't hang around Tom without picking up his slang."
"Harry tell me about Tom." Chakotay asked as he leant back on his elbows.
"You know Tom as well as I do Commander."
"Chakotay please call me Chakotay, you know a different Tom than I do or thought I did, tell me about him."
Harry peered off into the distance as he told Chakotay what he did know about Tom, "After Ayala dumped him for Tem, god I hate that word, anyway that was a month into being here in the Delta, Tom avoided him for a while but not Tem, Geron and he had be friends while in the Maquis, he never turned away from him, did you know that Geron and Tom have a lot in common?"
Chakotay shook his head.
"They do they both lost their child hood to the Cardassian's while Tem lost his whole family and home to them and in away so did Tom, that what drove Tom's mother and sisters away, while Tem maintain most of his innocent, Tom hid behind masks so no one could hurt him even when they did, no one knew it wasn't till Tuvok did the Meld with him when he was accused of murdering that Baneans, when Tuvok found out how bad Tom was being treated, even I didn't know everything. I found out by accident. I couldn't find him one day, he was late in meeting me and I asked the computer where he was, he had be stuffed into a room so small and with his fear of small rooms and the dark, he was in a real mess. I had to calm him down before I could move him, he kept repeating the name Tay over and over again, it wasn't till later that I found out that it was you, he was calling out for but I knew that his bear was in his quarters and he called it Tay, that was who I thought he was calling for, so I had us beamed to his quarters and got the bear for him, he latched onto it as if he'd never let it go again, then Tuvok arrived, I didn't know how he knew and I wasn't questioning it, I was just glad that there was someone who was calm enough to help me get Tom calm."
Chakotay asked, "Is that when you found out about the link?"
"Yeah once Tom was sleeping, Tuvok explained to me what had happened, he didn't know why a bond formed between the two of them, I don't think he still knows why, he told me that Tom never invaded his mind, he had a wall between them and it only lowered when Tom was stressed or not thinking clearly. Tuvok put in his reports but since Tom never reported the attacks he couldn't do anything about it but he did keep any eye on things. I think he was hoping to witness an attack, so then he could do something about it, then it stopped well mostly it stopped, I think it started getting better after he bought the ship back to us and rescued us off that planet, attitudes towards him started changing, every once in a while Dalby would pop up and hurt him but his followers never joined him, so it never got that bad again, that is till B'Elanna broke up with him, it flared up again it seem that all the things he had done for the ship and crew disappeared over night."
Cringing Chakotay said, "I didn't help matters in that one did I?"
"No you didn't, after you blew him up in the Mess hall it gave them the permission to treat Tom like dirt again, it made me sick that all the good Tom had does flew out the nearest airlock but between Tuvok, Tem, Ayala and I along with a few others, we managed to turned the tide back again. I honestly don't know why either of them didn't say anything. I understand sort of B'Elanna reasons but Tom just let them, it seemed as if he slipped back into that Tom from the first year and I hated having to fight through those damn masks of his, I never what to see them again."
"Nether do I but I didn't fight them like you did to get to know Tom and to know that in all that time he loved me, what did I do to deserve that honor if anyone it should be you or Tuvok."
With a snort of amusement Harry said, "You're the second one today to mention a relationship with Tom and I'll tell you what I told her, Tom is my brother and I have never thought of him in that way, and Tom does love me in a different way than he does say you or Tuvok, you know that Tuvok loves Tom don't you?"
"Yeah I know, it might be better if I step back and let them bond."
"Better for who? You or Tom?"
"For Tom and Tuvok."
"What do you know about what better for Tom? Do you know now many nights he cried himself asleep or wakes up screaming at night? Tuvok can't get him to sleep like you did that one time when you two did an overnighter, yes Tom told us about that night, he told me that it was the best night sleep he has in a long time. Chakotay you're what best for him, even Tuvok agrees with that and I know how much that cost him to admit that."
Chakotay remembered that night they had gone to a planet called, Koulder to gather some much needed supplies, they had to share a tent since they had been transported down, Tom had tried to sleep outside under the stars but it had begun to rain, so he had to move into the tent with him.
He remember being woken up to someone screaming blue bloody murder, to find himself straddled by furious blond yelling never again over and over again, it wasn't till he had dragged the blond down and cradled the younger man to him that the younger man calmed down, back then he never gave it a thought at as to why, he did admit that it just seemed right to him at the time, Tom had calmed down enough to settle back down without even waking up. The next morning he woken up alone, Tom had woken up earlier than he did which surprised the hell out of him. Chakotay had found him preparing breakfast for them, he didn't even bother trying to find out what happened, he could tell that Tom wouldn't tell him even if he had asked, so Chakotay had made out nothing had happen.
Bringing his mind back to the here and now saying, "That nightmare he had that night, that was tame compared to what he usually has wasn't it?"
With a curious glance Harry nodded asking, "Why?"
Looking over at the younger man saying, "I remember over hearing his neighbour complaining about someone screaming one night, when I bought it up to Tom he mumbled something and walked off and after that his neighbour didn't mention it again and I was wondering why."
"Heard of soundproofing? I was wondering when that started now I know."
Chakotay smiled, "You can lay the blame at my feet for that one."
"Not sure whether to thank you or hit you for it to be honest Commander, if it didn't happen Kathryn may have found out before this or you could have checked to see if he was alright, knowing that he suffered from nightmares and ones that just don't go away by themselves."
Slapping his forehead hard, saying, "I'm a god damn idiot, why didn't I check when it stopped?"
"No use hitting yourself over it Commander, if I could I would have said something way before this but he made me promised and pinky swear to never ever tell anyone about it, did the same with Tuvok and B'Elanna, I'm rather surprised that Tuvok agreed to it in the first place but he kept the promise, but B'Ela broke that promise by telling you."
Chakotay glance up when he heard voices moving closing to them seeing Tuvok and Kathryn walking towards them, Kathryn called out, "Safe to come any closer?"
Waving them over Chakotay told them, "We were just discussing the enigma called Tom Paris."
"Enigma huh? I've heard many things that people have called Tom but that isn't one of them."
"Pull up some grass and join us." Chakotay offered with a wave of his hand.
Tuvok glance over at Tom and B'Elanna before sitting cross legged by Harry saying, "So Commander I'm wondering if you have decided on anything yet?"
"That was one of the things I was discussing with Harry and as I told Harry, I thought it might be for the best for Tom if he bonded with you, but Harry set me straight about a few things like the fact that I don't know shit about what best for Tom and he told me a few things that coincide with what my guide and father told me and so I have decided to . . . . . . "
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 7
"So I have decided to . . . . . ." Chakotay glanced about at his waiting audience all holding their breaths on his answer deciding that they had waited long enough he carried on, "I'll bond with Tom, if the Captain will marry us afterwards?"
Kathryn nodded as she told him, "You tell him what you feel about him and I'll marry you gladly."
Chakotay nodded as he looked over at Tuvok to see what his reaction was, to say he was shocked by what he was greeted with was an understatement, Damn Tuvok was beaming at him, Chakotay was nearly blinded by the whiteness of his teeth, grinning back at him he asked, "I see you approve of my answer?"
Nodding as he glance over to where Tom laid, "More than approve, this will make Thomas very happy." Pausing as he calmly stated, "But you need to feel sure about this as well Commander, if Thomas thinks you're doing this out of pity or anything else, he won't agree to this union, no matter what everyone else thinks about him. He still has his pride and he'll dig his heels in if he thinks you were forced into this by us or you'll doing it out of pity for him."
"Are you trying to talk me out of this Tuvok?"
"No Commander I'm not, I'm just making sure you're doing this because you want this and not because of some blind sense of honor, if you feel that you own Tom because you weren't there when you promised him, then forget it he won't do it, if that the case let him bond to me and know that I'll do my best to make him as happy as he deserve."
Chakotay peered through hooded eyes saying, "That what I meant when I said that Tom would be better off with you but since Harry told me a few things that helped to clear up any doubt I may have after talking to my guide and father, now all I need to do is talk to Tom to clear up some things on where we both stand in this."
Tuvok nodded as he said, "Go and talk to him now the sooner we get this sorted the faster we can do the meld."
Climb to his feet saying, "I'll go and do that right this minute. If I forget I just want to say thanks for pushing me to remember a promise I made and didn't keep but I plan to make it up to him if he's willing to give stupid fool like me another chance."
Turning Chakotay walked over to where B'Elanna was keeping Tom company couching down beside them with out looking at her he said, "I'll take over now."
B'Elanna started to say something but closed her mouth at the look on his face knowing that he wasn't ready to listen to her side of things yet, standing up she joined the others by the water side.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay waited till he was alone with Tom before moving closer to his still body, lifting Tom's head and laying it back down onto his thigh saying, "Oh Tommy I wished you had said something a lot soon than this, all these years and you've suffered at my hands when you had the right to be pissed at me, you never said a word you just took the abuse as if you deserved it, but believe me you didn't not by a long shot."
Pausing to take a sip of water and to wipe down Tom's face and chest, "I always wondered why I felt a strong pull with you, do you remember the pact we made? Oh what a silly question of cause you do, it's me who forgets but that day is forever in my mind. I remember the look on your sister's face when I threw her in the water, that was one of the best summers of my life after you left Dorvan I entered Starfleet. I even served under your father not that he knew who I was but I remembered him, now that I'm thinking about it I should have put two and two together then, since I remembered him arriving on Dorvan to get you, if he had taken you earlier, we wouldn't have mingled our blood together making a pact to wait, damn I'm so sorry Tom can you ever for a stupid old fool for being so blind?" Blinking back the tears he hadn't realize that he had been crying.
In a low voice Tom gasped, "I forgive you Tay."
Stunned Chakotay leaned over Tom's still form asking, "You heard me?"
Reaching up with his hand till he cupped Chakotay's cheek in it saying, "I heard every word Tay and I remember that pact as well, your heart was pulling you to me course it remembered me, my blood flows through your veins as yours flows through mine. We are soul mates you are the other half of me as I'm the other half of you together we are whole."
Pressing into his palm Chakotay breathed a sigh of relief, pulling back he looked into Tom's blue eyes saying, "I'll link with you Tommy if you still want to."
Tapping his chin Tom growled softly, "Weren't you listening Tay? I can't live without you. Tay you make me a whole person, I need you more than life it self, if I thought I could live without you, I would have done a complete bond with Tuvok, he loves me you know?"
"I know but he not the only one who loves you, I just happen to love you as well."
"I knew that, I was just waiting for you to acknowledge it." Stroking his cheek staying, "Once we have done the link I wish to marry you Tay fulfill our pact and become one."
"I was hoping you wanted that as well."
Closing his eyes Chakotay witness a change, all Tom's hard edges became softer as masks slipped away the look of total bliss flowed over his face when Tom's eyes open again Chakotay notice that they weren't hard anymore, they were soft and loving as they gazed up at him, shocked at the loving overflowing from them and it was all directed at him.
Chakotay felt his last wall crumble letting his anger and hurt flow out of him as he drank in Tom's love and letting it flow back to Tom as he stared into his eyes without breaking eye contact. Chakotay reached over and placed his hand over Tom's heart while holding Tom's hand to his, saying, "Forever we shall be one from this day forth let no person come between us, we are now of one soul for all time."
Repeating Chakotay word for word, they both felt the peace they had been searching for flow over them, feeling safe content for the first time in long time, Tom slipped off into some much healing sleep.
Moving carefully Chakotay arranged Tom on top of him wrapping his arms about him, Chakotay held Tom while he slept slowly drifting off himself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay found himself in his clearing, he spotted the figure of his Tommy by the river, joining Tom he stood beside him, he wasn't completely sure why they were both there but it felt right to him, Looking up as they heard the shrieked of an Eagle flying above them and then hearing the howling of a wolf, turning as they heard, "You have made the spirits happy this day, they are honored that you recited the words of the old ones and bless your union in this time and the there after for you belong together for all times."
Chakotay said, "Thank you grandfather and welcome please join us?"
With a shake of his head he stated, "I'm being called back, remember what I said."
"We will Grandfather may I ask what your name is if it's not to disrespectful?"
"The pale faces of the old tribes called me Crazyhorse."
Tom smiled as he remembered just what Crazyhorse had done in his time before he had died.
"I see your mate has heard of me?"
"Yes Grandfather I have heard of you, you did something that no one else managed to do before."
"Ahh yes Yellow hair, or Custer as his name was."
Chakotay looking a bit confused since history that far back wasn't his strong point asked, "Forgive but what year are we talking about?"
Tom told him, "The year was eighteen hundred and seventy seven, Crazyhorse died at the ripe old age of thirty five he died of a stab wound on the fifth of September eighteen seventy seven."
Stunned Chakotay looked at Tom as if he had grown another head, "How did you know all that?"
With a grin he told him, "I had to do something with all that time on my hands."
"I'll leave you for it's time to return."
"Bye Grandfather."
Walking back the way he had come Crazyhorse disappeared from sight, facing each other Tom asked, "So what do we do now?"
"I'm not sure Angel."
"You are to bond not just link have your friend bond you totally join your minds together as your soul is one let your mind become one it is your destiny."
Turning Chakotay knew who was talk looking down with a smile, "It's been awhile."
"It has, but you weren't ready but now you are, everything happened for a reason, you weren't meant to be on Dorvan when Tom returned, his life was planned out by the spirits as was your, you both had lessons to learn, before you say it. I know some of the lessons were hard but can you honestly say you would be at this point of your life without them?"
"I wouldn't know." Chakotay replied.
"Do you except the blessing of the spirits?"
Tom nodded as his listen in awe, he wouldn't have planned half of the things he had to live through but he could and would admit that he was stronger for them.
"That is right Thomas, you are stronger for the pain and hardship you went through and now you're willing to ask for help, before you refuse all, pushed everyone away but now you open your heart, you have found what you were looking for, the both of you have, the journey now carries on together, working as a team when one is weak the other is strong, together you will get Voyager home, it is now time for you to complete the joining."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay tighten his hold on Tom as he woke feeling Tom move he loosen his grip saying, "Are you ready to finish this?"
"More than ready love call Tuvok and lets finished this for good."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 8
Chakotay stood up and called out, "Tuvok can you please join us?"
Chakotay sunk back down beside Tom again to wait for the Vulcan to join them, gripping Tom's hand with a silly grin on his face saying, "I can't wait for this to be over."
Reaching up Tom cupped his cheek saying, "Me nether, I've been waiting a life time for you Tay."
Pressing into his hand saying, "I wish I was there on Dorvan like I promised."
"Shh love don't let it eat you up, it was meant to happen this way I have no regrets and nether should you."
Tuvok stood over the two men and said, "I agree with Thomas Commander, there should be no regrets it's time to start over fresh."
Nodding as he said, "Tom and I wish to be linked Tuvok and if you're ready we would like to start now."
Nodding Tuvok said, "Give me half an hour to center myself and in that time cleanse your souls, Thomas will show you the way unless you wish to do it your way."
With a smile Chakotay gripped Tom's hand saying, "Tom and I will do it together."
"Good then I'll see you both in half an hour then."
Strolling over to his gear Tuvok found what he was looking for and then headed towards the river.
Tom smiled at his future husband as he said, "We need to head up river away from Tuvok to prepare ourselves."
Standing up again Chakotay said, "Give me a minute to tell the others where we're going."
Tom grinned as he looked passed Tay, when he heard a gleeful laughter saying, "I don't think you need to Tay, I somehow think they know."
Turning Chakotay grinned as he watched Harry and Kathryn dancing by the riverside with B'Elanna watching from the side.
Tom laughed as B'Elanna who with a squeal was dragged into the dancing by Harry and Kathryn.
Chakotay bend down saying, "We better get ready half an hour isn't all that long." Scooping Tom up into his arms Chakotay walked towards the others calling out, "We're just heading up river a bit, to get ready and Kathryn afterwards be ready for the other half of the ceremony."
With a smile that looked like it could spilt her face in half nodded her understanding.
Confused Tom looked between them trying to decide if he should ask or not deciding that if Tay wanted him to know he would, he trusted Tay not to keep things from him.
Noticing his loves look explained, "I'll explain later love without the others."
Leaning his head wearily against Tay's shoulder said, "Okay."
Chakotay headed towards a spot he had seen during the search for Tom earlier.
With his head on Tay's shoulder Tom felt his eyes beginning to droop falling into a light slumber only to jerk awake with a yelp as an unpleasant memory tried to work it's way out.
Concerned Chakotay looked at him asking, "Tom what is it?"
Waving his hand Tom said, "Not now I'll tell you later."
Still concerned Chakotay decided that it would be better to let the matter drop, that is for now he would, making a mental note to himself to bring the matter up again at a later date.
Reaching the picture prefect spot Chakotay asked, "Will this do?"
Taking in the sight Tom smiled at him saying "Oh Tay it's beautiful, it reminds me of where we first spoke."
Tay nodded as he looked seeing the island in the middle of the river with a near likeness with a Weeping Willow tree it's branches sweeping the water as it flowed by.
"Yes it does look a bit like our place doesn't it?"
"Maybe it was faith that you found this spot Tay."
Laying Tom on the ground Chakotay kissed his forehead saying, "Maybe. Now my beloved it is time for us to get ready for Tuvok and then our wedding."
If Chakotay was waiting for an argument he would sorely disappointed but at that glow on Tom's face made his day and his words even more, "Is that your way of asking me to marry you Tay?"
"Yes and what do you say?" He asked cheekily.
"Hmmmm, what do I say I have so many asking me these days."
"Why you."
"Yes."
Chakotay grinned as he asked, "Is that yes you'll marry me or . . . ."
Reaching up Tom kissed him as he pulled back he said, "Yes I'll marry you Tay."
Giving Tom a gentle hug saying, "You've made me one of the happiest men in the universe, but as much as I love to carry this on, we're running out of time." Without another word Chakotay begun to undress Tom out of his shorts, once done he begun to undress out of his ruined uniform, once done Chakotay lifted Tom up into his arms and walked into the water with his unshirt dangling from his fingers.
Sitting down in the water Chakotay eased Tom between his out stretched legs and begun washing Tom's body, being careful of the injuries, he took stock of his future husband body wishing he had more time to explore.
Making sure he washed every inch of Tom's body of blood and sweat Chakotay carried him up onto the banks laying him down letting the sun dry him off as he headed back into the water to wash off his own body and to get his libido back under control.
Watching from the banks Tom smiled lazily as Chakotay washed his body.
Feeling Tom's eyes on him Chakotay smiled up at him and slowly walked up to him, his smile deepen as he saw Tom's eyes widen at his naked body as the water caress his body.
With a stifled groan Tom torn his eyes away from Tay's groin saying, "God, you're gorgeous Tay."
Sinking down beside him Chakotay pulled Tom closer to his side saying, "If I'm gorgeous what does that make you my love?"
"Tay I am pale compared to you, you're all bronze and gold while I'm pale and boring compared to you."
"Not true, to me you're the most beautiful person around everything is totally pale compared to you and I've always thought so and I kick myself everyday for wasting all this time."
Laying a finger across Chakotay lips saying, "Hush that kind of talk, from this moment on what happened in the past is just that the past. I know that things will crop up and when they do we will deal with them."
Kissing the finger that laid across his lips as he reluctantly removed it from his mouth asking, "And how did you get to so smart Angel?"
With a smile Tom replied, "If you had Tuvok, Harry and Kathryn helping you through problems like I did, I think you would understand as well Tay." Tom had left B'Elanna out of his list since deep down he was still hurt by what she did to him.
Chakotay sighed as he laid back relaxing while letting the warmth roll over him between the Suns and Tom's body he was dry again within minute.
With a sigh of regret Chakotay edged Tom from his chest and sat back up saying, "We need to get dress Angel and meet the others."
Clutching his stomach as he tried to stay sitting without support groaning, "Damn I'm nice and clean but now I have to get into dirty clothes."
Shaking his head Chakotay told him, "I just putting your shorts on for now,"
Feeling queasy Tom covered his mouth with a groan, moving as much as he could Tom brought up everything in his stomach along with blood.
Jumping to his feet Chakotay raced over to the river, rising out his shirt he rushed back to Tom cleaning off the vomit that still clung to his chin and chest.
Moving him carefully Chakotay managed to dress Tom in his shorts once done he pulled his own on and gently scooped Tom up into his arms saying, "Lets head back now Angel."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kathryn wished that things were a lot better to perform a wedding ceremony as she and the others got everything ready like her husband and best friend she pushed for Chakotay and Tom to get together but things didn't happen the way they wished it took crash landing on an unknown planet to get Chakotay to open his eyes and heart to the young man.
Under normal circumstances she would have liked to perform the Wedding on board Voyager, their home with the others to witness the greatest day for Chakotay and Tom, Kathryn smiled as she checked Tom gear checking to see if had packed the box with the rings inside, she was with him when he had brought the items, they had gone on shore leave and between his friends had decided that Tom not go on his own since it was well known and often joked about how trouble seem to find him no matter where he was.
They all thought it was weird that Tom never gave up hope when it came to Chakotay, he had always stood up for him not matter what, he also gave up a relationship he could have had with Tuvok so that he would be free when Chakotay came for him.
Spying the blue box near the bottom of his bag, flipping the lid open she read the inscription 'For always love Tom.' he had left his blank for Chakotay to add his own message. Closing the lid Kathryn stretched her back, as she sat back watching her husband and B'Elanna gathered everything together for the small feast after the Wedding.
With a fond smile Kathryn remembered the day of her wedding to Harry, Harry and she owned Tom a lot for getting them together if it wasn't for Tom they wouldn't have got together at all.
Spying Tuvok walking back from the river, Kathryn nodded as he walked passed her without a word she knew that he was in deep thought his time alone was to get his feelings under control for his love for Tom was not to happen in the form of the bond. Kathryn knew that Tuvok would be happy with being Tom's brother, while Tom's true love would become his mate.
Standing up clutching the box Janeway joined the others handing the box to Harry without a word as she joined Tuvok.
Feeling his friend at his side saying, "This is illogical to feel this way but I somehow thought that Chakotay would turn him down."
Placing a hand on his arm saying, "You love him but you knew that Tom would never have mated with you while there was any hope that Chakotay would return his feelings, Tom didn't think it was fair on you that his heart belonged to another."
"I know all this Tom has explained it to me."
"But you still love him, just like I still love Chakotay knowing full well that it would never work between us, but Tuvok there is another who loves you."
"Yes I know and I'll seek that person out when the time is right."
Stunned Kathryn uttered, "You knew?"
"I did."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Entering camp Chakotay moved over to the others with a smile as he laid Tom down, "Tuvok do we need anything else?"
"No everything ready if you are?"
"We're ready then."
Moving over to Tom, Tuvok helped Tom to lean against their bags so he could watch and comfortable while Tuvok performed the meld. Tuvok gave a rare smile saying, "My brother it is time to join with your beloved," Turning to the others he said, "Form a ring around us holding hands, Commander place your hands on Tom's face like you're going to do a meld with him," Waiting till Chakotay fingers were in place he carried on, "Tom do the same." Once he was satisfy their fingers were in the right place. Tuvok explained to them, "I am now going to cover each hand that is closest to me with one of mine and then I can start the Meld."
Laying his fingers in between Tom and Chakotay's fingers reciting the words, "My mind to your, yours. . . "
Chakotay felt the rush of pain that flowed over to him from Tom then the pictures of what he guessed to be from Tom and Tuvok's life, Tuvok had warned him that there would be a slight link between him and Tuvok once it was done, Tuvok had told him that he'd teach him how to block him and to handle the link between Tom and him.
Tom felt the pain shift as the two calming presences entered his mind, normally a private person, Tom usually felt uncomfortable with people knowing the real Tom but this time he welcomed his beloved and his brother into his mind, as he searched Tay's mind learnt things that no others knew of, both men their love for him and spreading his love for both of them then he felt Tuvok pull out so that Chakotay and he could learn about each other.
Once he was sure about the Commanders feelings concerning Tom, Tuvok pulled back settling for the brother bond between the two men while enforcing the mating bond between the two men, once he was sure that their bond was strong, he slowly drew them back to the living world where their friends were waiting.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Clutching his wife's hand Harry watched with concern as the three men came out of the meld he smiled as he witness the gleam in Tom and Chakotay's eyes and the mourning in Tuvok eyes sadden him, he knew how Tuvok felt about Tom and in having to give up all hope had to be killing the Vulcan but he knew of another who would help him when the time of mourning came to an end.
Chakotay pulled Tom into his arms saying, "I love you Thomas Eugene Paris." Then kissed him senseless.
Kathryn laughed as she called out, "Okay you two before you even think of the Honeymoon don't you think that you need to say your vows?"
Pulling back breathless Chakotay eyes widen at the sight of a flush content Tom Paris.
"Uh yeah you have a point there Captain." Tom replied breathlessly.
Harry smiled he was glad that his friend had found and fought for the happiness that had been long denied him, glancing about he notice that Dalby was glaring at them all.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Still tied to the tree Dalby had to watch with sick horror as his plan flew out the window, he didn't stand a chance in hell of getting anywhere near Paris ever again since he had bonded with his former Captain, he'd know everything that happened if he tried, feeling eyes fall on him he looked up to find three sets of brown eyes staring at in a murderous rage as soon as it started two sets broke off wondering why Dalby looked around till he settled on Paris and knew that Tom had calmed Tuvok and Chakotay down but since he wasn't bonded with Harry his eyes still burnt into his soul, Ken knew that from now on he had to tread with the utmost care.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 9
Feeling a flash of anger coming from Tuvok and Chakotay when they laid eyes on Dalby, he sent a wave of love over the link to both of the men smoothing them.
Feeling a lot better since Tuvok did the meld the pain was bearable and wanted to take the others mind of Dalby he asked, "Has anyone gathered any of the herbs we came down here for?"
Kathryn smiled as she didn't need a link with the other three to know what had happened, laying a hand on her husband arm drawing his interest elsewhere once she had it she told them all, "Okay lets gather up enough herbs for the rest who waiting for us to return,"
B'Elanna turned towards Chakotay hoping to have a talk with her friend when Tuvok intervene, he felt Chakotay tense up as she moved towards him, "B'Elanna you're with me."
"But I wanted to talk . . . "
Tuvok interrupted her by saying, "Later, it's time to gather the herbs we came down for."
Fuming B'Elanna stomped off snatching a tricorder.
Chakotay sighed a sigh of relief in being given some time to work through his feelings, bending down he place a quick kiss to his love saying, "You rest, try and get some sleep."
"But I can help."
Getting a knowing look Tom sunk back down with a wiry grin when Chakotay said, "You're hurt, I know that the meld has warded off most of the pain, but you're still in pain and you know you can't tell me any different Poocuh and I want you one hundred percent better for our honeymoon. Now just lie back down and rest let us do the work."
With a cheeky grin Tom replied, just low enough for him to hear, "Since you put it that way I'll do as you say."
Tuvok waited for Chakotay to finish talking to Tom, as he moved away Tuvok stepped up to him saying, "Please join me Commander while we gather some of the herbs."
Reading the Vulcan's tone and reading the unlying message Chakotay nodded thinking, 'Here it comes another warning that if I hurt Tom he'll come after me with a knife, spirits how many times does Tuvok need to warn me? I understood him the first time. Okay calm down, you know that he loves Tom as well and you know that he has settled for the brother bond, set aside your doubts and remember that Tuvok want to try and be a friend as you saw during the meld.'
Tuvok hid his smile as he heard everything Chakotay was telling himself, blocking his thoughts as he thought to himself, 'Good he understands but I really need to teach him not to project his thoughts so much.' With a silent chuckle Tuvok lead them towards the herbs he had scanned before hand when he heard Tom, 'Take it easy with him Tuvok, he understands our relationship and won't come between us and he won't hurt me, you searched his mind during the meld to know that put his fears to rest, this is all new to him please ease his fears if not for him then for me.'
'I was never going to warn him again Thomas, I was offering to help him through the doubts of being bonded to me he knew that he was going to be bonded to you but not to me. Chakotay also needs to get over what happened he still needs to sort through some doubts concerning B'Elanna and to work through his anger over things he has just learnt through the meld.'
'Yes I was wondering how we were going to deal with the new information he learnt during that time.'
'For now Thomas let me handle it and when you're rested and well you can help him as well. Now rest as your mate and brother as asked of you.'
'Will do.'
Closing his eyes Tom send a wave of reassurance over to his husband, he remembered his feelings when he first felt the link between Tuvok and himself, Tuvok had helped him through the emotional roll coaster ride he went through but he knew that Chakotay would cope a lot better than he did since he was more emotionally secure than he was, but that didn't mean that Chakotay would adapt faster than Tom did since Chakotay was a very private person like Tom was, he had to learn how to shield his thoughts from him and Tuvok especially him since their bond was the more dominated one out of the two.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ayala stood up as he was hit with a feeling of dread, hitting his badge saying, "Baytart met me in shuttle two we're going down."
"Aye be there in five."
Patting Geron on the arm saying, "I'm heading down tell the Doc where I went."
"You feel it as well?"
"Yeah I do something wrong, see you real soon."
Racing past Seven who was just entering Sickbay, heading towards the shuttle bays cursing under his breath, "Fuck it, I should have headed down before this, hope to god we're not to late."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tem watched as his mate raced out of sickbay looking over at Seven who asked, "Where is he going?"
"Going down to the planet."
Frowning she nodded not sure why she felt the urge to follow him.
Tem rolled back onto his back trying to ward off the feeling of doom that laid heavy on his chest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay smiled as he returned from gathering the herbs and his talk to Tuvok. He hated to admit it but talking to the Vulcan has eliminated some of his fears of being bonded to another person not just one but two, he was pleased to be linked to Tom but he wasn't totally sure of being linked to Tuvok but his doubts were laid to rest after talking to Tuvok.
Kneeling beside Kathryn who was taking a turn of watching over Tom while the others gathered up the herbs needed to cure the others, "How is he?"
Worriedly Janeway wiped the sweat off Tom's body saying, "We really need to get him home the meld was only able to slow the damage down he has an infection that is rapidity taking over, if they don't send someone down with another shuttle we may lose Tom."
Picking up one of Tom's limp hands saying, "I can't lose him Kathryn not after just finding him." Bringing Tom's hand up to his lips he kissed it laying it back down at his side saying, "Hold on Poocuh just hold on please."
Laying down beside Tom, Chakotay gently moved Tom till he laid on top of him, caressing his back while whispering into the blond's ear.
With a sigh Janeway moved away from the couple joining her husband and long time friend.
Harry looked over shaking his head, "Damnit we can't lose him now."
"We won't."
Turning Harry asked, "How can you be so sure Tuvok?"
Without saying a word Tuvok pointed skyward at a shuttle that was approaching them.
B'Elanna raced over to them as she heard the shuttle engines from where she had been picking the herbs grinning wildly as she called out, "Finally."
Racing over to the shuttle as the door open revealing Greg and Baytart, Harry called out, "You two are a sight for sore eyes."
Baytart eyes roamed over the campsite asking, "Where Paris and the Commander?"
Greg strolled down the ramp walking towards the Captain and Tuvok as Pablo raced over to campsite with Harry on his heels.
"Captain, what happened?" Ayala stopped short as his eyes hit upon a sight he knew he'd never be able to explain to the others, Dalby tied up to a tree looking like a pissed off Targ, with a smile he looked at Janeway saying, "I see Dalby is all tied up."
Tuvok nodded as he said, "Indeed he tried to kill Tom and I."
"Shit."
"Indeed."
Kathryn smiled as she glanced at the irate man as she explained, "He under arrest for attacking and raping Lieutenant Paris till Tom is safe on Voyager leave him tied to the tree."
Shocked as Baytart yelled out, "Greg I need to get Paris up to Voyager, stay here with the others while I fly back with the Commander."
Getting his first look at his ex-lover Greg gasped out loud nodding as he called back, "Send another shuttle down straight away Pablo."
"Will do."
The others watched as Commander Chakotay carefully lifted Tom into his arms and walked as fast as he could to the shuttle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded Ten
Once he was sure everything was ready for flight, Baytart lifted off, he didn't understand why Commander Chakotay was hovering over Paris like he was but he was positive that if he was meant to know they would tell him but he really hoped that it was what he thought it meant.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay overheard Baytart comm as he talked to the Doctor as they got closer to Voyager, he knew that if the quiet man was worried enough to risk a beam out so close to an ion storm it was worse than they all thought.
Hearing Tom moan Chakotay brushed his hair out of his face, "Tom?"
Moaning Tom tried to sit up but the hand on his chest refused to let him up, "Tay?"
"Shhh I'm here baby rest now."
Looking blearily up at Chakotay asking, "Where are we?"
Stoking Tom's cheek softly, with a smile, "On our way home love."
"They came?"
"Sure did Greg and Pablo came down."
Tom weakly moaned, "Shit . . . are we . . . still gonna . . ."
Laying a finger over Tom's lips saying, "As soon as you're back on your feet my husband of mine, we're getting married in the eyes of the Federation, Kathryn will marry us Harry or Tuvok at your side or better yet both, and Gregor standing at my side."
Groaning as a pain hit him once it subsided he asked, "I thought B'Ela would stand at your side?"
"You see Greg and I have a pact we made as children, before our pact, he'd be my best man and I'd be his and I've been his best man twice now."
With a grimace Tom clarified his thinking to the older man, "Oh I thought it might have been because of what you found out."
Chakotay smoothly explained, "It hasn't helped but it wouldn't have mattered, rest now, if you want I'll explain later but right now all I have on my mind is getting you well and back onto your feet so we can finished what we started."
With a weak laugh Tom replied, "Is that an incentive for me to recover fully?"
"You bet ya sweet ass it is Poocuh, I have plans for us and they don't involve you being in pain or in sickbay keeping the Doctor company. If you don't mind."
Tom tried to think through the pain for a smart ass comment but couldn't come up with one with a groan, he screwed his eyes shut as screamed in pain.
Chakotay felt the pain through the link, reaching for the nerve that would knock Tom out without the use of drugs, once he found the nerve, he pressed lightly till Tom stopped screaming.
Baytart spun in his seat asking, "What happened?"
Chakotay wiped the tears from his eyes before looking over at the pilot saying, "Tom has an infection from his injuries that came about through the crash, Tuvok perform a Mind meld to ease the pain, the affects just worn off and his lung had collapsed because of it, so if you can move this crate any faster do it."
Baytart nodded as he turned with a smile he was right it was want he hoped had happened, he couldn't help over hearing want they have been talking about before and for once he was happy that Tom Paris had found what he was looking for.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tem watched as the Doctor pulled in able bodies to move some of the sick out of Sickbay, while getting the surgical bay pepped for his incoming patient, he barked orders out left and right.
Samantha Wildman moved her daughter out of range handing her over to Neelix saying, "Take her to Mackie, she'll look after her till I'm done."
Nodding Neelix headed out of sickbay while the Doctor sighed once the bubbly Talaxian was out of his hair.
Barking out orders the Doctor cleared out all the nonessential crew out of sickbay, the room was nearly empty apart from the sick crew who were unable to be moved remained, while others had been moved to the Holodecks which had been converted into a temporary Sickbay, where the ones who were still able looked after them.
Checking the status of the shuttle he barked out, "Once they docked, have Tom beam straight to sickbay and send another shuttle out for the others."
Sam nodded as she followed the Doctors orders calling to the bridge to relay the message, "Wildman to bridge."
"Gilmore here."
Frowning Sam wondered why a member of the Equinox crew would be on the bridge, deciding to ask Seven later, she replied, "Gilmore beam Paris to sickbay once the Flyer is docked in Shuttle bay one and have a fresh pilot sent out for the rest of the away team still on the planet."
"I'll have Noah Lessing go for them, he's the only decent pilot left."
Sam frowned at that since the Equinox crew joined them, they were under a lockout of all major systems, wondering how they got to the bridge but she knew that they had to trust them since they were all that was left, "Okay see to it, Commander Chakotay will join you as soon as the Flyer has docked."
"Acknowledged Bridge out."
Sam wondered if it was her imagination or did Gilmore sound happy about having the Commander joining her?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
On the bridge Gilmore nearly bounced with joy with a giggle and a little dance, Gilmore pulled herself together much to the shocked bridge crew who had watched the whole exchange amazement.
Sabrina Van Dune smirked as she told her, "Gilmore you don't stand a chance in hell of getting Chakotay to notice you."
Looking at her with a frown marring her face asking, "What do you mean?"
Sabrina hated Marla Gilmore with a passion, after hearing her running the Maquis cause among other things down stated coldly, "You don't have the. . . how shall I put this? Oh I know, you don't have the right equipment that he so desires." Van Dune not noticing that the Tubolifts door slide open to reveal her former Captain, Baytart had pushed the shuttle to it's limits getting Tom to the Doctors care a little faster, once in range Baytart beamed them both to sickbay before heading back for the others.
"Van Dune that is enough." A harsh voice bellowed out.
Chakotay stepped out of the lift shocked at what he overheard Van Dune saying, "Belay those orders, Gilmore report to holodeck two, Van Dune ready room NOW."
Chakotay stalked into the ready room, worried about Tom he let his frustration flew, "How dare you? What right do you have airing my sex life out in front of others, let alone on the bridge?"
Van Dune not having anything to say stood at attention while Chakotay stood at the viewport, Without turning Chakotay just said, "I'm disappointed in you Sab, I know you have a problem with Gilmore but this couldn't have happened at the worse possible moment,"
Turning slowly Sabrina witness the tears flowing from his eyes feeling guilty she knew that she would do anything to make it up to her former Captain.
"Spread the word to all Maquis, Tom Paris is not to be touched ever again, from this day forth Tom is under my protection, if I find out that even one hair on his body is harmed they'll answer to me."
"Why would you lower yourself to protect that piece trash for Cha?"
Chakotay glared at her as he said in a deadly tone, "You've stepped on his toes one time to many, you may be related to my uncle family but that doesn't give you the right to judge Tom or Gilmore for that matter. Not sure why I'm telling you this, do you remember a little blond boy who visited Dorvan V with his Mother and two sisters?"
Not sure where Chakotay was going, Sabrina nodded, "Little Tommy was his name, have you ever wondered what happened to him? Yes, I always wonder if he kept his promise to you. Why?"
"He did, Little Tommy grew up into Tom Paris."
"Fuck."
"Now you understand why I want them off his back."
"That sweet little kid grew up to be that . . ."
Chakotay cut her off with a growl, "Don't you dare say it."
Sabrina nodded as she asked. "That explains why that damn bear of his looks so damn familiar to me, it the one you gave him. Thank god I saved it from Suder and them in the beginning and letting them know in no uncertain terms that the damn thing was off limits, always wondered why I did that, now I know."
Chakotay nodded as she rabbeted on, totally ignoring her wishing that he was elsewhere other than dealing with her, finally having enough of her noise he snapped, "Dismissed."
Surprised that he didn't put her on report Van Dune not wishing to push her luck raced out of the room.
With a smirked Chakotay watched as she disappeared from his sight saying, "Van Dune it ain’t over, the others will deal with you or have you forgotten?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chakotay paced his office where he had taken refuge since leaving the Captain's ready room. Ayala had joined him when they had returned from the planet with the others.
Greg had been shocked at what Chakotay had told him about what Van Dune had done and set into motion Chakotay plan with Janeway's permission, Van Dune was going to find herself spending a lot of time with Gilmore, they had found that it was successful before with others who had problems before.
Eyeing the bear sitting on Chakotay desk, he asked, "That Tay isn't it?"
Nodding bemused that he had gone to Tom's quarters to get it, "Now how did you know?"
"Don't tell me you have forgotten that Tom and I have been together."
"No I haven't forgotten."
Ayala asked quietly, "It isn't gonna be a problem is it?"
Grinning broadly at his friend saying, "Let me tell you something that no one but the away team know," Chakotay waited for his friend to leant forward as he knew he would before exclaiming, "He's my husband. I've done the one thing no one else has manage to do."
Shocked stunned Greg stagger to his feet with a huge smile as he yelped, "Details my friend."
Before he could respond, "Sickbay to Commander Chakotay."
"Chakotay here, go ahead."
"I have someone asking for you sir, please report to sickbay."
With a smile Chakotay picked up the bear sitting on his desk saying, "On my way, Chakotay out."
Ayala smirked as he watched his friend race out of his office, following at a slower pace he went to give Tem a visit in sickbay.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Stranded 11
Hitting Sickbay at a dead run Chakotay burst through the door as the slid open slowing down at the sight of his blond Angel lying on one of the bio bed with his arm over his eyes moving to his side saying, "Tommy?"
Tom removed his arm with a smile, slowly sitting up with a grin, "Tay."
Moving closer till he stood between Tom's legs saying, "I brought someone to see you Poocuh."
Chakotay brought up the bear into Tom's sight grinning at the smile that grew bigger at the bear, "Tay." Reaching for the bear and for his husband Tom gave them both a hug saying, "Love you Tay."
From behind Ayala watched the two men with a smile moving silently towards Tem who has been watching them as well, Ayala waved the Doctor away as he moved to break the two men apart, Mouthing at him, "Not now."
Nodding he went back into his office to wait with the others.
Tom pulled back saying, "The Captain and the others are waiting."
"Let them wait love, how are you feeling?"
"Like I can go and get married and have the Honeymoon as well."
With a smile Chakotay leant forward brushing his lips across Tom's saying, "Good so what are we waiting for?"
With a chuckle Tom waved the others into the room saying, "Nothing everyone is here that nears to be here."
"You want to get married in Sickbay?"
"Hell no, we're moving this show to my favorite Observation lounge."
"You have a favorite one?"
"Sure do love."
Tuvok nodded as he stepped forward saying, "Thomas have you decide who. . . "
Tom cut him off saying, "Tay had a great idea that I have both of you standing for me."
"That is most logically choice."
Sliding off the bed Tom leant against Chakotay till he could stand on his own, still holding the bear Tom wrapped an arm about the Commander's waist saying, "Ok Tay lets finish this part off and then we can get to the fun part."
Harry piped up asking, "Which Tay are you talking to?"
Without thinking Tom replied, "Both."
Chakotay grinned as he plucked the bear out of Tom's hand saying, "I think this Tay can stay at home during the fun part."
"But he gonna be at the wedding right?" Tom asked, sounding disappointed that the bear might not be there, he knew it sounded silly but he really wanted the bear there since it had been apart of his life since Chakotay had given it to him.
Chakotay looked at the others but not really caring what they thought, hugged Tom to his chest saying, "Of cause Tay going to be at the wedding, I just said he not going to be joining us for the fun part." He knew he made the right choice as soon as he saw Tom's eyes light up and the grin that had dimmed was back even bigger.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Half an hour later after Tuvok and Harry had dragged Tom away from him to get him ready while Ayala and Tem went with him to get ready much to his disgust he want to get married right then but Janeway insisted on them dressing for part, so here he was rocking on his heels with Gregor and Tem at his side waiting for Tuvok and Harry to guide Tom into the room, once his eyes lit upon Tom, Chakotay grinned once Tom was beside him Tom moved closer to him sending him a thought fill of love and endearment, ~ Angel you have a really silly on your face. ~
~ It's for you Poocuh you make me so happy. How could I have not seen this sooner? ~
"Hush Angel, remember we agreed what happened before stays in the past, no regrets, we're together now that is the important thing the roads we travel alone are no longer we are together now our roads are merged together now. ~
~ Okay Poocuh you win. ~
~ What did I win? ~
~ He won you and you won him, it's a draw Thomas, now focus. Yes I mean both of you. ~
Both Chakotay and Tom looked over at the Vulcan with a grin, Harry knew beyond a doubt what just happened Tuvok had smiled just before the two men looked at him and guessed that Tuvok had done something most likely put forth his dry sense of humor into play.
Kathryn stood in front of Chakotay and Tom waiting for the signal from Tuvok at the slight nod from the Vulcan before saying, "Since the first ships sailed across the oceans
of Earth, it has been the duty and privilege of the ship's captain to join two people in the bonds of matrimony. This is a special day, not only for Tom and Chakotay, but also for all of us. We see these two men who have decided to go on with their lives, making their way together. Let us always remember that it's not the destination but it's the journey, let's make it a memorable one. Chakotay, please take Tom's right hand and repeat after me. I, Chakotay, of Dorvan V."
"I, Chakotay, of Dorvan V."
"Take Thee as my husband, to honor, love and protect as long as we shall live."
"Take Thee as my husband, to honor, love and protect as long as we shall live." Chakotay's voice was filled with emotion, his eyes full of love.
"Tom, please repeat after me. I, Tom Paris, Take Thee as my husband."
"I, Tom Paris, Take Thee as my husband."
"To honor, love and protect as long as we shall live." Captain Janeway's eyes had grown misty as she continued the vows.
"To honor, love and protect as long as we shall live."
"Are there rings?"
"Yes" Tom answered.
"The wedding band is a symbol of love, it is without beginning and
without end. May your love be like these rings, eternal without
beginning or end. Chakotay, place your ring on Tom's left hand, saying "With this ring, I Thee wed."
"With this ring, I Thee wed."
"Tom, place your ring on Chakotay's left hand, saying "With this ring, I Thee wed."
"With this ring, I Thee wed."
"By the power vested in me, by the station of Captain of USS Voyager, under the direction of the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you both, married. You may kiss the groom."
Chakotay pulled Tom to him and kissed him, a deep and loving kiss, filled with the promise of a life together.
Throughout all the offers of well wishes from their friends, Tom clung onto Chakotay feeling drained, he couldn't wait to leave with his husband, with a smile Tom watched as the Doctor mover closer holding the bear in one hand and the holo camera in the other, drawing closer saying, "Time for the wedding photo."
Handing the bear back to his owner saying, "Mister Paris here you go what photo would be complete without the other Tay?"
Chakotay reached out for the bear saying, "None."
Wrapping his arms about Tom, Chakotay placed the bear between them waiting for the Holodoc to take the picture.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Later that night laying together intertwined after a session of making love, Tom laid content when he felt Chakotay stirring in his arms, "Mmm that was great love, who would have thought that with the link we could make even hotter?"
Kissing Tay's nose saying, "Tuvok warned us."
"So he did. Ready for another round?"
"Let talk first."
Confused Chakotay asked, "You want to talk? On our honeymoon?"
"Yes but I promise not for long I just want are you going to do about Gilmore? I'm not into sharing Tay."
Chakotay smiled as Tuvok warning was coming into light at the Chakotay didn't know what the Vulcan had meant but know he did. Rolling on top of the younger man saying, "She has been dealt with, now I have something more pleasant to do than think about her." Chakotay claimed his husbands lips as he began to learn and map his body with his hands.
"Mmm love your idea Tay." Sending wave after wave of images over the link as to what he wished to do with his husband, only to have Chakotay moan, "Babe you trying to kill me?"
Rolling till he was on top as he deepen the kiss settle between his Angel's legs pausing long enough to say, "Ahh but what a way to go."
Chakotay rolled them again saying, "I want you Poocuh."
"You've got me Angel."
"If I'm your Angel let me show you heaven."
The end
To continued in the Trial of Dalby.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The dates of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Crazyhorse's death are real I got the info. from the book called Bury my heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown.