Proof

Proof

C/P, J/K

PG-13 - NC-17

Summary: Tom been accused of stealing Rations from everyone and everyone is against him but one person who wants to clear his name.

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

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Chapter 1

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sitting in his quarters reading a flight manual for the latest flight Sim he been working on, Tom was startled when his buzzer sounded.

Looking up from his padd long enough to call out "Enter."

Looking up to see who his visitor was surprised when he saw Tuvok and an armed security team behind him, standing up Tom asked, "Tuvok what going on here?"

Ignoring him, Tuvok just looked at him saying, "Lt. Thomas Eugene Paris, I hear by place you under arrest."

Shocked as he looked over at Tuvok demanding, "What the hell for?"

Tuvok frowned at his cursing and replied, "I have found evidences that you have been hacking into the computer and taking replicator credits and placing them into your account."

Tom gulped as he tried to wrap his mind about what Tuvok had said, not believing what he just heard asking, "I did what?"

Refusing to repeat the crime Tuvok waved his team over saying, "Come with us peacefully Mr. Paris."

Tom shook his head hoping like hell that this was a nightmare and he would wake up.

Tuvok watched Tom, as he slowly closed his mouth and shook his head as if to clear it.

Walking slowly to the door between two of Tuvok's men, pausing as he turned slightly, he asked, "This is really happening isn't it?"

"Indeed it is." Tuvok replied.

Tom dragged his feet to the Brig, he felt eyes watching him as he walked passed them.

Everyone watched as Tuvok and his detail lead him to the brig.

Watching from a far, the shadow following behind with a shit-eating grin on his face, he tried not to laugh aloud as he did not what to give the game away too soon.

Tom sat down on the cot in the cell the look on his face was hard but deep down he was scared shitless. He hated being in the brig and would do anything to never return to another ever again.

Tuvok watched him, turning he then left for the bridge to let the Captain know his findings.

Tom could not believe what was happening to him, still in shock swinging his legs up on to the cot, laying down he tried to fall asleep but sleep wouldn't come to him anytime soon.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tuvok stood at Janeway door leading to the ready room he heard the Captain say, "Enter."

The doors slid open Tuvok entered and saw that Commander Chakotay was there as well, hiding his displeasure from them, he stood at attention before the captain's desk .

Janeway looked up from her coffee and asked, "Did you get to the bottom of this little mystery Tuvok?"

Tuvok replied, "Yes Captain I have."

Chakotay looked over at him, he never liked Tuvok or got over the betrayal that Janeway and Tuvok did to him, he forgave the Captain but ever since, he never trusted Tuvok.

"Well?"

Tuvok looked over at Chakotay before saying, "It was Lt. Paris who stole them."

Kathryn spat out her coffee spraying her desk with coffee, she quickly wiped her chin, with a frown she asked, "Did you say Tom?"

Tuvok looked down at the mess on his captain desk before replying, "Yes Captain I did, Tom took the rations and they were sitting in his account."

Chakotay asked, "Now do you really believe that Tom would do that?"

Tuvok replied, "It doesn't matter what I believe sir, they were found in his account Commander."

Janeway saw that Chakotay was heading for a fight with Tuvok, quickly stepped in, "Gentleman this will not solve the problem. Tuvok where is Tom now?"

"In the Brig Captain." He noticed that both humans had shudder at that; he could see that they were remembering the last time Tom was in the brig.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom was trying to find a comfortable spot on the cot, pausing as he heard footsteps moving closer to his cell, sitting up thinking that maybe the Captain had come to see him. Shocked to see that it was his best friend looking pissed at him.

Harry looked over at Tom through the force field and asked, "If you needed credits Tom, all you had to do was ask."

Tom stared at his best friend and said, "Harry, I didn't do it."

Looking over at him, Harry shook his head and said, "I wish that I could believe you Tom but I can't not this time." Harry then turned and left.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom sat back down on the cot, letting his head drop down and holding it between his hands. He could not believe that of all people, that Harry did not believe him. Out of everyone, he always thought that Harry would be there for him.

Tom did not hear the door open or the footsteps until they stopped at the opening of his cell.

Looking up he saw that the Captain and Tuvok were standing there before him.. Quickly he stood up and snapped to attention. Risking a quick look at the Captain, he saw disappointment in her eyes.

Janeway looked at Tom and asked, "Lt. Paris what do you have to say to these charges?"

Tom looked over at her and said, "I'm innocent, Captain."

Kathryn quickly glanced at Tuvok before saying, "I wish I could believe you, Tom, but the evidence all points to you, Tom."

She watched Tom as he took that news in and she waited for him to break down and admit to her that he had done it.

Tom knew that if he did not ask he would never know, "What evidence is that, Captain?"

Tuvok stepped in and said, "The credits were found in your account Lieutenant."

Looking over at the Vulcan, with hate clearly written on his face, Kathryn thought she saw a hint of fear in his eyes as Tom replied, "If that's all the evidence you have got then, you have diddly squat Tuvok. Anyone could have put them in my account if they knew my codes."

Tuvok's eye brows climbed into his hairline as he replied, "Diddly squat as you say is also that you used your computer console in your quarters to steal them."

Tom replied, "Fuckadoodledo and that means I did it right?"

Janeway stepped in, "That's enough Tom. Admit that you did it and it will go easier on you."

Tom just stared down at her and said, "Sorry Captain I can't, I can't say I did it, if I didn't commit the crime. Tuvok go and bark up another tree, you have the wrong damn person."

Tuvok replied, "The case is closed. You did it and you will do your time."

Tom glared at Tuvok and calmly replied, "Go fuck yourself, Tuvok and ram that so called evidence up your ass."

Kathryn said, "That's enough, Paris."

Tom turned to her and said, "Sorry Captain but no, it's not enough. Tuvok stopped right at me. As soon as he saw all the so-called evidence, he stopped. Did he check for tampering?"

Tuvok just looked at him and said, "You know I did."

"Do I? I do not think so. I knew nothing of this until today. Captain I want this case reopened and someone else in change of it." Tom looked over at her as she paced in front of him thinking then she shook her head, "I'm sorry Tom, Tuvok's right. This case was handled correctly and you were found guilty of stealing."

Tom muttered, "No, this isn't right."

Kathryn looked at her helm officer and said, "Lt. Thomas Paris, I hereby find you guilty of stealing rations for your gain depriving your fellow crewmen of their rations."

Tom just looked at her. Shaking his head, with tears falling, he stopped her, Pleading, "No, not again."

Tuvok stood there and watched. He knew that Tom was going to cause a lot of trouble. That was why he had asked the Captain to put Tom off on the next M class planet they came across.

Tuning out Tom's pleads Kathryn said, "I didn't do this to the others, but Tom, the next M Class planet we come across. . . . . . . . . ."

Tom yelled at her, "NO YOU CAN'T DO THAT. IT'S NOT FUCKING RIGHT."

Kathryn continued as though Tom never said a word, "We are leaving you there."

Kathryn heart broke as the words left her mouth she wished that it hadn't come to that, he was the first one they were leaving behind for his crimes. She didn't want it to come to that but Tuvok was right, they could not afford the man power to keep Tom in line, if they put him to work, it was best all round but why did it break her heart to have to do that to Tom?

Kathryn walked out without another word, blocking her ears to the screaming man that was her best damn pilot.

Tuvok watched as Tom threw himself at the force field, shaking his head as he walked away.

Tom slipped down, howling and swearing in every language he knew and making some up along the way in his grief.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay saw Kathryn as she came back from the brig and he knew from her face that she had seen Tom.

Janeway saw Chakotay and said, "Commander, in my ready room, now. Harry, you have the Bridge till Tuvok comes back."

"Yes ma'am"

Chakotay stood up from his chair and followed his Captain into her ready room.

Kathryn walked over to the replicator and barked, "Coffee."

Chakotay waited until Kathryn had her coffee before asking, "What happened?"

Kathryn frowned at her first officer and replied, "He denies it."

Chakotay smiled at that and said, "And what is being done about it?"

Janeway looked out the star port window and said, "I'm putting him off the ship."

Chakotay blew up, "You can't be serious?"

Turning she replied, "Yes, I am. The next Planet that is suitable for human life. Tom is being left there."

Chakotay looked at her in shock and said, "You know I'm going to fight you over this?"

Smiling her first smile of the day, nodding "Yes, I know, and I was hoping that you would."

Stunned Chakotay asked, "You want me to?"

"Yes, Chakotay, I want you to find the real person who did this, but do it quickly and quietly. I know that Tom didn't do this and for some reason Tuvok won't look into it."

Nodding he asked, "Whose idea was it to put Tom off?"

Kathryn a sip of her coffee before saying, "Tuvok's."

Chakotay told her, "You know that he's on my top ten lists of people?"

"Yes I know." Kathryn replied "And if he's behind this conspiracy, I want to know why."

Chakotay nodded and said, "So do I."

Janeway looked up at that and asked, "Why are you so interested in all this? I didn't think you and Tom were friends."

Chakotay decided he couldn't tell her that he wanted Tom in his bed or in his arms, that it ached to think of Tom being in the Brig, and that Tom didn't belong there but in his arms and in his bed.

Kathryn watched her first Officer think of a reason why this was important to him and smiled as she realized why. She waited for him to get his thoughts together before saying, "You love him, don't you?"

Chakotay head shot up and his mouth dropped open as he stuttered, "Wwwwhhhhhyyyyy ddoo you askkk that?"

Kathryn smiled at him and said, "It's written all over your face."

Deciding that it was not use denying it from her, Chakotay nodded, "Yes I do, but that not the only reason."

Kathryn looked at him and asked, "Isn't it enough of a reason? But pray tell, what's the other reason?"

Chakotay looked her in the eye and said, "Apart from the fact that he's totally innocent of the crime?" At her nod, he explained his reasons to her, "Since we've been out here in the Delta Quadrant, have you noticed that Tom has changed from when we were home?"

Kathryn nodded, Chakotay carried on, "Tom wouldn't do that. Not now, not after everything he has gone through with the Maquis and Fleet. You know what he went through with them. I know there are still a small few that would stoop this low on both sides. There are some still who hate Tom even now."

Kathryn was shocked. She had thought that it was all over and she asked, "You mean to say that Tom still puts up with that shit?"

Chakotay nodded, "Yes he does and he doesn't report it either, they ransack his quarters once a week. Have you ever been to his quarters?"

Shaking her head, "No, I haven't."

Chakotay replied, "I have. He has nothing. I remember he didn't have much to begin with, but what he did have has been totally destroyed."

Kathryn had to ask, "What about the photo of his mother? It was in a beautiful frame, gold I think."

Chakotay said, "It was the first thing to go, they ripped up the photo and smashed the framed to bits. They held him and made him watch as they did it."

Kathryn was shocked then cursed, "There no report on this and how come you knew about this and I don't?"

"Looks like you have been left out of the loop. The only reason I know is, I overheard a crewman talking about the damage done to his quarters and went to check it out, I over rode his codes and saw the damage with my own eyes one day and I did report it."

"Mmm I think it's time to have a look and see what the hell going on here. Chakotay, I want you to go into everything and if Tuvok says anything send him to me."

Glad to get one over the Vulcan for a change, smiled and replied, "With pleasure Captain."

Kathryn asked, "You've never did forgive Tuvok for betraying you have you? Or me for that matter."

Chakotay looked over at her and said, "I forgave you a long time ago and count you as a friend. Tuvok no I don't think I'll ever forgive him for what he did, I know he did it in the line of duty but you're right I've never got over what he did."

Kathryn smiled and said, "I'm glad that I'm not in the dog house with you anymore."

Chakotay smiled and said, "Not anymore captain, now I will get on with this mission on freeing Tom." Chakotay turn to leave and then shot over his shoulder, "There are no M class Planets too close by are there?"

"No." Replied Janeway.

"Phew, that great to know."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom laid on the floor where he fell after thrown his body against the force field, stunned by the going on from the last day, Neelix had come by with his food and it still sat where he has placed it untouched Tom didn't care if he ever ate again.

B'Elanna entered the mess hall scanning the room, she noticed that Harry was sitting by himself, she picked up a tray and looked over the offerings for the day and picked up some green muck and that damn Leola root stew she knew who that was for.

Walking over to Harry, she overheard Sue Nicoletti and the Delaney twins who were sitting with Ayala and Ken Dalby and Geron, Sue was saying, "I don't believe this, how could he after all these years? I thought he had change."

B'Elanna agreed with her and she heard Ken say, "You know what thought thoughts."

"Yeah we were wrong, we shouldn't have eased up on him when we did, and he fooled us into thinking he had changed."

B'Elanna agreed with that as well, what hurt the most was that Tom used her friendship to get the others.

Harry looked up when she sat down and said, "I saw him."

B'Elanna perked up and asked, "What happened?"

"The prick had the guts to say that he didn't do it, that he was framed."

"P'luc the fool, he really thinks that he can get away with it? He better think again cuz if I get my hands on him there will be nothing left of him to find."

"Yeah the fool being put off the ship. I heard that from one of Tuvok men."

The others heard that and Megan called out, "That great but what are they doing with him in the mean time?"

Harry looked over at them and replied coldly, "I don't give a damn what they do to him."

Jenny smiled over at him and asked, "How much did he take from you?"

Harry looked over at them before saying, "Do you think I'd be eating this crap it I had any credits left?"

"Yeah me too, everything wiped clean he took everything."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom woke up screaming the guard just walked passed not checking to see if he was alright.

Tom huddled into a ball as he relived his worst nightmare since being out here DQ being left behind without any way of getting home was one of his biggest fears. They would not waste a shuttle for him; they would leave him some food he hoped.

The worse thing about this was, that he would never see Chakotay again and he'd never hear his voice or see his eyes light up when he was happy, he would miss that more than anything, maybe even more than Harry. God Harry how was he gonna live without his best friend? That hurt as well, he did not give a shit about the others, but Harry had been there from the beginning and now Harry was not there, he did not believe that he did not do it.

Tom had found out that all his close friends had been wiped out; everything had been taken out of their accounts.

Tom didn't have many friends to wipe out, didn't they understand that if he had done it, it wouldn't have been his friends accounts he wiped out? It would have been the others, like Ken and them, not Harry or the Captain or even B'Elanna and most definitively not Chakotay's, he wouldn't have touch their credits for anything in the world.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

B'Elanna finished eating and saw Chakotay enter the mess hall, waving him over she asked, "So is it true?"

Chakotay looked down at her and asked, "Is what true?"

B'Elanna looked over at Harry before saying, "That at the next M class Planet the Captain is putting Paris off?"

Chakotay could feel the anger rising trying to keep calm as he breathed in deeply, before saying, "You call yourself his friends and you want to get rid of him? With friends like you who needs enemies." Chakotay looked over at Harry saying, "Did you even think that he may have been framed? You know Tom better than anyone Harry, do you really think that Tom would rip you off? You of all people. I know who he would have ripped off, that is if he had done this, which I doubt very much and you're not even on that list Harry." Turning he threw his uneaten meal into the replicator to be recycled and left behind a quiet room.

Harry was stunned he stared at the doorway that the Commander had just left through; frowning Harry stood up and headed out to think about what Chakotay told him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom woke up with a stiff neck and his head pounding he didn't get a lot of sleep, he never did whenever he was thrown into the Brig.

Standing in the shadows, a person watched as Paris woke and staying in the shadows, he whispered, "Damn you Paris, you are to say that you took the credits, if you don't, I'll kill Harry. Do you hear me? You gutless wonder, grow a backbone and no one will get hurt."

Tom tried to peer into the dimly lit room trying to see who was talking, he spoke up, "If anyone needs to grow a backbone it’s you. Why are you framing me?"

Tom heard laughter then nothing. Not a footstep not even the door shutting could be heard.

Laying back on the ground, Tom knew that he would say that he did it so that Harry wouldn't get hurt because of him.

Neelix entered the brig with Tom's breakfast, nodding to the guard to let him in.

Neelix shook his head at the sight of his friend, placing the tray next to Tom, he turned to leave without saying a word he had made that mistake the last time and Tuvok had raked him over the coals for it, he knew the rules, no talking to the prisoners.

Tom lifted his head and said, "Neelix? I know you not allow talking to me, but please listening to me, tell the Captain I wish to see her."

Neelix nodded so that Tom knew that he would pass his message on to Janeway, he heard the pain in his tone and hoped that he wasn't doing something that would convict him any further than he already was .

Tom let his head drop, he did not even look at the tray signing deeply, he heard Neelix go and waited for the Captain to come and see him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Computer location of Captain Janeway." Neelix stopped walking long enough for the computer to tell him where she was. "Captain Janeway is in her quarters."

Neelix headed straight for her quarters tapping his chest he said, "Neelix to Captain Janeway."

"Janeway here, what can I do for you Neelix?"

"Captain I need to see you could you wait in your quarter for me?" He could hear her saying something to someone else. "OK, Chakotay."

Neelix quickly said, "I think Commander Chakotay might like to hear what I have to tell you Captain as well."

"OK Neelix how far are you?"

"At the lifts."

"OK we'll wait for you here."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn signed looking over at Chakotay she rolled her eyes and said, "That all we need, Neelix knowing that you were in my quarters, which will add more gossip to grapevine."

Chakotay smiled and replied, "Neelix knows that nothing happening between us."

Janeway frown as she asked, "You sound sure of that Commander."

Chakotay smiled at her and replied, "I am Captain, because he knows that I like men only."

Janeway mouths dropped open and asked, “And pray tell how did he found out about that?"

Chakotay laughed and said, "I told him, he asked me why I never chased the females on broad Voyager and I told him, I think I knocked the socks off him but he never said another word about us two and if he hears anything he tries to put a stop to it."

"Wow, he surprises me all the time that man."

"Yes and he knows how I feel about Tom, he picked that up straight after I told him."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Standing in front of the Captain cabin Neelix pressed the buzzer, he heard her call out enter and when the doors slid open he walked in saying, "I just took Tom his food and I think he going to do something dumb."

Kathryn looked over at him asking, "What do you mean?"

Neelix took in a deep breath before saying, "He had asked me to tell you that he wishes for you to go and see him. I know that in its self means nothing, but the way he said it and the look in his eyes told me that he going to tell you that he did the crime."

Kathryn threw a look over at Chakotay and then asked Neelix, "What do you know about this Neelix?"

Neelix looked over to Chakotay and Janeway and said, "I know that he been accused of stealing and that everything points to him but I also know that Tom didn't do it. I also know that Mister Vulcan is letting it fall into Tom's lap, he's overlooked some real evidence."

Chakotay asked, "And what is that Neelix?"

Neelix looked over at him and said, "That at the time it happened, Tom was with someone."

Chakotay felt his heart drop to his feet, he had to know whom Tom was seeing, "Who was he with Neelix?"

Neelix smiled at his friend and knew what Chakotay was thinking, so he eased the Commander by saying, "He was with me."

Chakotay smiled and asked, "Did you tell Tuvok this?"

Neelix shook his head "Tuvok never came to me. I even tried telling him after Tom was put into the brig but he wouldn't see me."

Kathryn could not believe what she was hearing about her very old friend but she knew that he had change over the last couple of weeks.

Kathryn said, "Okay I'll go and see what Tom has to say, Commander come with me."

Chakotay nodded then followed her out the door; Neelix watched them head towards the turbo lifts, hoping that they could help the young man from making a mistake. Neelix turned and headed back to the mess hall hoping that they get his friend out of that place before he went mad.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay and Kathryn entered the brig, what they saw shocked them to the core, Tom had only been there for a day and a night and he looked like he had been there for years.

Stepping closer Janeway was angry with the people who put Tom into this place. He was getting his life together and they go and do this to him.

Kneeling as close as she dared to the force field, asking, "Tom you asked to see me?"

Dejectedly Tom opened his bleary blue eyes, trying to raise his head but failed, he whispered, "Yeah I did. I have something to tell you."

Kathryn looked over to Chakotay who was crouched down beside her.

That was when Tom noticed that she was not alone, moving his head slightly he met the warm brown eyes of the man he loved.

Signing he said, "Oh Hello Commander, I didn't know that you were here as well. Oh well you were bound to find out anyhow."

Chakotay asked, "Find out what Tom?"

Tom glanced over at him before saying, "That I stole those credits, that I lied to the Captain and Tuvok and that I'm a fuckup."

Chakotay felt as if his heart was breaking, and asked, "So now you saying that you did it after telling everyone you didn't do it. Why now Tom? Who threaten you Paris?"

Tom was shocked not expecting a fight, he replied, "No one, changed my mind Commander, I change my mind on my own. It wouldn't have mattered if I did; I’m still being put off the ship anyhow, no use going into anymore."

Kathryn said, "Tom?" she waited for Tom to look at her, but when he didn't she said, "Tom look at me in the eye and tell that to me again.”

Tom looked over at his savior, looked into her eyes, and said, "I did it."

Kathryn smiled and replied, "I don't believe you Tom."

"What?"

"I don't believe you, you’re covering for someone."

Tom shook his head, "No, I'm not."

Chakotay replied, "You are and we know that you didn't do it."

Tom turned his head but the pain in his head hurt too much with painful eyes he hissed, "And how the fuck do you know Commander?"

Chakotay smiled he knew he was getting through to his beloved, "I know that when it happened, you were with someone."

Tom stared at him with his mouth wide opened

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom looked at him and stuttered, "Wwwwhhoo was I with?"

Chakotay looked over at Kathryn and with a nod he said, "You were with Neelix, he came forward and told us that the night of the thief, you were with him."

Tom groaned, "Shit." Tom muttered, "Double fuck, listen please you know that I was lying but I did have a reason."

Sitting up Tom wrapped his arms around his legs his head sinking to his knees, it shot up straight away when he remembered, "OH GOD."

Chakotay asked, "What?"

Staring at them wide eyed he said, "Harry, they gonna hurt Harry."

Kathryn nodded, she knew that Tom had been threatened and going through Harry would get to Tom.

Kathryn said, "Shhh, it's alright Tom, Harry will be OK."

Rocking back and forth, moaning repeatedly, "They can't hurt Harry, Please help Harry."

Kathryn barked, "Get the damn field down."

Once it was down, Chakotay and Kathryn slid over to him, cradling his head in her lap, she noticed that Harry was standing over by the door listening and watching, she beckoned him over.

Harry walked over like a zombie, in shock as he knelt down beside Tom.

Chakotay glanced over at Harry and said, "They threaten him by using you Harry and even after you ditched him. Tom still tried to tell us that he did it but he didn't."

Harry looked up at them and muttered, "I should have believed him but things have been weird since he told me something that had happened, it put a stain on our friendship, deep down I believed him but I was still stunned."

Kathryn nodded and said, "Everything pointed to him and that should have been the first warning sign, but everyone wanted to think the worse of Tom but you're his friend and he will forgive you."

Harry nodded, as he knew that Tom would.

Chakotay looked down at Tom and said, "Poocuh?"

Tom turned his head to look at him.

Chakotay smiled down at him and said, "We will help to get the real theft but you have to hold on, by keeping people thinking that you did it, the real person will slip-up and make a mistake, and when he does we'll be there."

Tom nodded his head and said, "It's one person with others backing him."

Kathryn nodded and she looked at him with a smile and said, "And Tuvok will get his ass kick."

Tom shook his head fighting the grin he could feel surfacing, "Can I watch?"

They all laughed, they knew that of he was making jokes meant that Tom was bouncing back to them.

Tom said, "Tuvok not in on it, but they are using his anger at me to get him to do what he doing."

Frowning Chakotay asked, "Why is he mad at you?"

Tom smiled at him and replied, "Because I turned him down."

Kathryn laughed and asked, "Tuvok asked you out?"

Shaking his head with a smile, "Yeah, but that not all."

Harry exclaimed, "That fucker."

Everyone turned to him as he explained, "He fucking dead. . . ."

"Harry no."

Harry said, "Yes, I'm sorry Tom but that fucker needs to pay for what he did to you."

Kathryn looked between the two men, she was not sure she wanted to hear this but she knew that she had to know so she asked, "What did he do?"

Before Harry could say anything, Tom cut in, "God Harry it's over and done with, let me forget it."

Harry looked at him shaking his head, "Not this time Tom, and it’s time for Tuvok to pay for his crimes."

Harry took a deep breath and he looked straight at Janeway saying, "Captain I'd like to report a rape."

Shocked Kathryn asked, "When did this rape happen?"

Harry looked at her and asked, "Do you remember when we got supplies from the last planet?"

Kathryn nodded as she remembered that planet for there was no Leola root to be found on it at all, she remembered that everyone but Neelix, was happy at that one.

Harry smiled at that memory as well then he remembered how he found Tom down there.

Harry frown but carried on telling them what he knew, "Remember that Tom disappeared for a while?"

Chakotay nodded remembering the worry that had filled him when they could not find him.

Harry said, "I found him, he had been beaten and raped. I reported it to Tuvok. It was not until later that it clicked that he did not file it; it was as if it did not happen. That night Tom had called me to see if I would play pool with him but I was still on duty at the time but told him that I would meet him later. When I finished my shift, I headed to his quarters, it was late by time I got there but I knew that Tom would still be up. I entered his quarters to find him asleep, it looked like he was in a nightmare, thrashing about and that was when I heard Tom screaming, No more please Tuvok stop. I was, stunned that Tuvok was the rapists."

Chakotay looked over at Tom and noticed that he was crying without make a sound, as the tears slid down his face.

Shaking his head as he muttered, "No I deserve it. I shouldn't have turned him down."

Chakotay explained in a low tone while trying to keep his anger out of his tone. "No you didn't Tom; no one deserves to be raped."

Kathryn was fuming and asked, "Harry why didn't you report this to me? When you find out that there was no report on the matter?"

Closing his eyes, he replied, "This happened yesterday captain. I only figured everything out yesterday and Tom was put into the brig before I could say anything."

Chakotay frowned and said, "Well timed if you ask me."

"Very much so." Kathryn agreed "Let’s keep this to ourselves for the time being and believe me, when it all comes out Tuvok gonna get his ass kick and I think I'll do as he suggested for Tom."

Harry asked, "What did he suggest?"

Kathryn looked over at him and replied, "It was his idea to put Tom off, now I know why. I was wondering why he would say that he never did with the others, now I know."

Harry shook his head, "To cover his tracks. I don't think he’s behind the theft but it's come at the right time for him."

Kathryn agreed with Harry, it was too much of a coincident to be an off chance, this was planned right down to the last letter, and Tuvok was using it to get rid of Tom so that his crime did not come out into the open.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom had cried himself to sleep by the time Harry had finish telling his tale, Kathryn looked down at him stroking his hair, and she looked up at Chakotay with concern look sighing, “How do we handle this without letting Tuvok know that we're on to him?”

Chewing on his lip Chakotay said, “I'm not sure but when I get my hands on him, he's dead.”

Nodding Kathryn knew that her first officer would keep that threat and go through with it, but how was she to deal with Tuvok until then?

Harry grimly said, “You’re have to wait in line, Commander I’m first. Chain of command can go to hell. I’ll kill him first.”

Chakotay and Janeway heads shot up looking at him in shock it was rare for Harry to lose his temper; they figured B'Elanna would make rash statements not Harry.

Looking down at his best friend he quietly said, “I have to make it up to Tom, and if killing Tuvok does then that what I’ll do.”

Tom stirred from his slumber, feeling his head on something soft, he slowly turned to see what it was, opening his eyes, he found his captain leaning against the bed to support her back and his head in her lap, hearing Harry last words he quietly said, “No Harry.”

None of them knew that Tom had woke up until he spoke, struggling to sit up, Tom looked Harry in the eyes saying, “You'll not kill him.”

Chakotay said, “Then that leaves it to me.”

Turning so he was facing his commander he said, “Wrong, you won't either, no one kills him.”

Kathryn nodded and asked, “Can you stay here for a while longer?”

Tom said, “Not really,” Looking at her then over at Chakotay, he said, “But I will.”

Janeway gave him a quick hug and said, “I know that this is hard on you Tom and I know that things will be rough but remember that you have people backing you up.”

From the doorway B'Elanna wiped her face before stepping into the cell saying, “Well if Harry nor Chakotay can't kill him, then I’m doing it.”

Tom head shot up at the sound of her voice since they broke up they had not been talking, B'Elanna found someone new someone who could handle her temper Jackson was a friend of Geron Tem and was a backup pilot.

Tom shook his head saying, “I don't think so B'Ela if it's anyone, I think it should be me but I’m not going to either, I don't want his blood on my hands and I don't want it staining any of yours either.”

After leaving Tom in the brig, Chakotay headed to the bridge the Captain and he decided that till the real culprit was caught that one of them was off duty so that they could keep a close eye on the brig and the coming and going of people, they had also decided not to let anyone else into the plan just the five of them knew what was going on.

During his duty time, Chakotay found it weird staring at Jackson's head instead of Tom's golden hair.

Trying not to glare at Tuvok as he walked over to his duty station, Harry nodded at his relief to take a break.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Helen Falk glanced over at Smity who nodded at her as she left to take her break; she felt the tension in the air and knew that they had to tread carefully.

Harry tapped at his console trying to focus on his console, when he noticed a glitch in his console for the brig, glancing over at Tuvok to see if he noticed it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom paced his cell, he could not relax even for a minute, he knew that something was going to happen and it was going to happen soon..

The last thing Tom heard was force field drop and the whine of Transporters as it locked onto him, feeling the familiar tingle of the transporter as he disappeared into thin air.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On the bridge Tuvok said, “Commander, Tom Paris has disappeared off Voyager.”

Chakotay jumped out of his chair looking at him asking, “How?”

With what could be passed as a Vulcan shrug, “I do not know Commander.”

“Harry?”

Looking at Tuvok before saying, “Commander I think Tuvok knows.”

Chakotay called out, “Captain to the bridge.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Moaning Tom came to in a small room with a moan slowly opening his eye to find that he was tied down on a bed without a stitch of clothing on.

Hearing voices, he slowly turned his head towards them, “It’s too risky to keep him here, you'll have to move him tonight.”

“No he stays here, I have plans for him, and I need to keep him here.”

‘What plans?' Tom asked himself only to hear his question asked out aloud.

“What plans? I hope you’re not planning on double crossing us?”

“No it’s still going down and all of this will point to Tuvok as planned, the stupid Vulcan thought he better than us by having Tom put off Voyager.”

“Pray tell what this new plan is?”

Feeling someone looking over him, Tom stared back at him with a groan, “It had to be you didn’t it?”

With a sheer, "You couldn't keep your trap shut could you?"

"Screw you."

"Oh since you asked so nicely I think I will."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Janeway raced down the halls of Voyager much to the shock of the crew she had passed in her haste, they knew that it wasn't a red alert, that was the only time they would see a senior crew member racing to reach their stations or any crew for that matter, wondering what was up as they headed to one source who would know, Neelix if anyone would know he would, they didn't know how he knew things, he just did.

Entering the bridge, Janeway asked, "What happened?"

Turning so he was facing her, Chakotay told her, "Tom was beamed off the ship with the help of Tuvok it seems, but Harry was able to traced the beam, Tom is still on the ship but where we have no idea he been hidden and it's harder to trace him because he's not wearing a combadge."

Kathryn nodded then said, "Chakotay take Tuvok to the brig and then go to the Mess hall and see what the crew know about this and issue an order to them as well, that I will not put up with this anymore, this is the end of Paris hunting, hunting season is over."

"Aye Captain, I will gladly." Chakotay hid his grin from her, while to most of the bridge crew saw him as calm and collect deep inside he felt like dancing a jig and howling with laugher.

Gripping Tuvok's arm, Chakotay walked over to the lift entering it, he called,

"Brig." Resisting the urge to take a dig at Tuvok, it was either that or punch his lights out but he didn't want to share a cell with him so he just settled for glaring at him.

Kathryn shook her head at Chakotay's glee as he led her, what should she call him now? Friend still? No he ruined that by doing what he did, how did one cope with this? Needing sometime to herself and a nice hot cup of Java she walked over to Harry, "Harry, I'm going into my ready room for a bit, keep an eye out for me."

Looking over at his lover, leaning down closer to her, so he could whisper without being over heard by the rest of the crew, "Are you alright?"

Patting his arm saying, "Fine just need some time to sort this crap out."

Talking louder, "Ensign the bridge is yours."

With a slight nod and in a louder voice, "Aye Captain."

Walking over to her ready room knowing that the bridge was in safe hands she entered.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Entering Neelix's domain the Mess Hall, Samantha Wildman strolled up to where Neelix was surrounded by crewmembers pushing her way through the crowd that surrounded him calling over the rest of the voices in the room, "Neelix what is going on?"

Before he could reply, one of the crew piped up with excitement ringing in his tone, "It seems that Paris had help, he was beamed right out of the Brig right under Greg's nose. When they catch up with that jerk, I hope that Janeway will leave him on the next planet as she promised life will sure calm down once that sucker gone."

Hearing the others agree with Johnson, Sam glared at every crew members gathered around angrily saying, "What does Tom have to do, to prove that he a nice guy? For someone who doesn't what to go home, Tom sure has done his fair share of risking his life, can any of you say the same?" Pausing long enough to take in their looks ranging from shock to stun, "I didn't see any of you go back for the Talaxian convoyed when the Kazon took over the ship and left us on that planet nor did I see any of you going undercover to flush out the real traitor among us, nor did any of you help Naomi when she was lost in the Jefferies tubes. You thought it was funny when Kiri beamed him elsewhere, when he asked to be beam out after having attack claustrophobia, you all know that he hates being in confine places but he put that fear aside to go after my daughter." again to take in their reactions with a slight smile she carried on, "Don't any of you think it's a bit weird that everything points towards him? No you all think that he's the lowest form of life. Do you really think that Tom would leave the evidence for Tuvok to find? However, you are so quick to point the finger as soon as something goes wrong you forget all the things Tom has done for this ship and for every member on Voyager. Do any of you know what waiting for Tom when we get back home?"

At the chorus of 'No's' Sam told them, "Prison is what waiting for him, when we get home, while the Maquis are to go free, Tom has to finish his time in prison."

"What! He's been pardoned along with the Maquis." One of the crew called out from the back of the crowd.

From behind them, Chakotay who had be quietly listening to Sam as she had a go at the crew gathered in the mess hall knowing that this would be spread to the others, told them, "No he hasn't, once we get home Chell, we get to walk free and to be the heroes, while Tom goes back to that hell hole. If I hear of any of you taunting him over it, I'll throw you out the nearest air lock." Chakotay glared at all of them making sure he spent a little time on each face.

Sam piped up, "That goes for me as well, I'm proud to call Tom Paris my friend. If any of you say anything in front of him or Naomi you'll be out the first air lock I can find."

Chakotay told them, "I have a message from the captain as well so listen closely, Captain Janeway has ordered everyone who involved in making Tom's life hell is to stop and if she hears of anything more, you'll be put off the ship no questions asked. We all know of the little pranks you have been pulling on Tom, at first they may have been funny," Stopping as he noticed the grins gracing the faces of the crew standing before him then said, "No I take that back it wasn't funny, they were cruel and petty, they could have hurt him and they are to stop as of now, no more transporting him out of his quarters in the middle of the night to some out of the way place, making him late for shift or another favorite among you is to beam him elsewhere when he asks for a beam-out." Glaring at them turning he walked out of the mess hall leaving behind stunned crewmembers.

As he left, he could hear the whispered conversation he knew that Neelix and Sam would tell him if anything of interest came up.

Tapping his combadge, "Ensign Hava, please see me in my office in five minutes."

"Aye Commander."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Glancing over at her friend with a scowl, Kiri Hava grimly told him, “I think the jigs up, warn the others."

Darting out of the transporter room two, Frank Travis, strolled causally towards his quarters, not noticing that he was being followed.

Kiri Hava nodded to herself as she walked towards the Commander's office she was what you call a wallflower shy but that was just a mask. She had joined Starfleet for the excitement and meeting new races and to hide from her past, like the Captain and Paris she came from a fleet background but unlike them, her family never got any higher than Lieutenant, she had hope to break that cycle with a chuckle she muttered, "Like that gonna happen out here." She laid the blame for that right squarely at the Captain's feet, if she hadn't blown the array to pieces, she could be at home climbing the ranks towards her goal, there were two people on Voyager she hated the most, that was Janeway and Paris since she couldn't touch Janeway, she help the others fleet and Maquis to make Paris's life a living nightmare.

That is till that blasted Vulcan got it in his head that he wanted Paris all to himself then everything changed they had to up the game change the rule and make sure that the Vulcan took the blame for everything.

With a snicker, Kiri thought, 'For a Vulcan he sure is a thunder head, he letting his lust for that jerk over rule his logic or better yet, he letting his dick rule over his head. He must be so desperate for a quick fuck he had to use that whore, oh well better him than Chakotay, under her breath she whispered, “There is no way in hell that whore was getting his hands on my man."

Before she knew it, she was standing in front of Chakotay's office ringing the buzzer.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Reading Kiri file before she arrived for their little chat told him what he already knew about her what he wanted to know wasn't there or so he thought he looked deeper read in between the lines of her file what he read scared the living shit out of him, if they thought Lon Suder was unstable, she was totally off the scale, how she manage to get into let alone through Starfleet like she did was a totally mystery to him. She had laid many reports against Tom and others male members of the crew, more so on Tom than others, it seem to be a misleading clue, one of the members she laid a complaint against was her friend Frank for making a pass at her, everyone else was of a higher rank than her.

Chakotay compared her file against the one the ones the Captain had given him from Tuvok stock pile of reports he had hidden over the years it seemed that Tuvok had a second file on everyone on board he had buried a lot of complains that had come from Tom and Harry about attacks on Tom, Tuvok could have ended all this grief before it started.

Reading Tuvok's private logs shocked him to the core; Tuvok had calmly planned his rape of Tom, recording in the details of how he would do it, when it would happen, right down to the last tiny detail. His use of logic escaped him.

Jumping when his buzzer sounded placing his hand over his heart, taking deep breathes to calm himself and to give him a few nanosecond to think of how to handle his talk to Hava.

Making sure, he was calm before calling out, "Enter."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry frowned at his console hurry over to Tactical to confirm his readings.

Kathryn watched him as he raced between stations cursing Tuvok for letting them get unman, they had to find a replacement for him and fill the gap of Chief Security officer that was the easy one Greg Ayala would fill that spot but Tactical was harder to fill, unable to stand it anymore she asked, "Harry want is it?"

Looking over at her with disbelief written over his face as he said, "We have a Vulcan ship hailing us; it only has two life signs."

Sitting up straighter, she had a look of relief as if she was not surprised at the news, "Open a channel Harry."

Waiting for Harry to open the channel she stood, straightening her uniform jacket at Harry nod she smiled for the first time since Tom's disappearance saying, "T'Pel it took you long enough."

With a smile T'Pel said, "It's good to see you as well Kathy, of cause you know why I'm here."

With a nod, "I wished it didn't have to come to this but I see the Vulcan Council wishes to handle this without Starfleet knowing?"

"Yes as you know that since I'm his mate. . ." Stopping as she looked over her shoulder at the other person before saying, "Correction ex-mate, it's up to me to do this. Tuvok broke rules by taking that young man, it's lucky that Starfleet doesn't know about what he did you know what they would do to him for this act."

Kathryn nodding remembering what happened to a young Vulcan who had entered Pon Farr while on Earth he had taken a human woman, he had be sentenced to life in prison, like any other person that was the sentence for that crime, the young man had taken his life after two weeks in prison.

"I see that you remember Kathy."

"I do," With a slight smile Kathryn said, "T'Pel tell your friend that he can land the ship in the shuttle bay."

T'Pel nodded saying, "Kathy you know that we have come to join you? We're not here to help you get home any quicker, this was a one way trip for Quiv and myself."

Hiding her disappointment, Kathryn nodded while saying, "I had hoped that Vulcan would help us, but I understand though I hate the idea that we're still stuck out here."

"Kathy, I tried to get them to send more but what I have on board is all they would let me bring."

"I know you did and to leave your children was a sacrifice."

T'Pel nodded saying, "My children understand the need to come here. I have to replace their father, take on his honor so it does not shame the rest of the family. It's logical."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

B'Elanna tapped her badge, "Torris to Kim,"

"Go ahead."

"I followed Travis, he making a coded message as we speak, try and intercept it and add that tracer we worked on into it."

"Why Travis?"

"I overheard Hava tell him that the jig was up and to the warn the others."

"OK he just opened transmissions now and he sent it. Okay I'm tracing it now, mmm okay caught it, adding it into the message resending it covering my tracks, done."

"Harry I didn't need a blow by blow."

"Sorry just talking to myself."

"Talk any louder and Earth just may hear you,"

Harry could not resist teasing her saying, "Oh how about Vulcan?"

Rolling her eyes B'Elanna snorted "Bit late Starfleet I know all about the Vulcan ship."

"Damn."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Once their ship was safely down T'Pel and Quiv stepped out into Shuttle Bay to be greeted by Janeway, rushing forth T'Pel unlike most Vulcan loved to hug threw her arms around her long time friend, "Kathy it's be too long." Breaking the hug, she stepped back waving her new mate over, saying, "Kathy I'd like to introduce to you Quiv, Quiv this is Kathryn Janeway."

Quiv nodded saying, "Pleasure to finally meeting you Captain, T'Pel has told me a lot about you."

With a grin she said, "Don't believe her, she most likely lied to you."

"Kathy, Kathy you disappoint me."

With a throaty chuckle Kathryn replied, "Never, now follow me and I'll walk you to your quarters, I presume you would like couples quarters?"

T'Pel nodded asking, "You presume correct Kathy."

"Well follow me and I'll take you to your new quarters."

T'Pel nodded saying, "If you hold on for a minute I have something to give you from Starfleet Headquarters."

Turning T'Pel headed back to the shuttle only to return a few minutes later handing over four padds to her saying, "You have to read the top on first it concerns one of your crew members a Kiri Hava."

Frowning as she read the padd tapping her badge, "Janeway to Commander Chakotay."

'Chakotay here how may I help you Captain?'

"I need you to meet me in my Ready Room right away; if I'm not there, wait for me I won't be long."

'Aye Captain, I'm on my way.'

Chakotay looked over at Kiri saying, "I'll reschedule another meeting at a later date, now if you will excuse me." Standing up he walked over to her waiting for her to stand and head for the door saying, "I'll let you know when I have a free moment to have that chat with you."

With a slight nod Kiri told him, "I look forward to it Chakotay."

Frowning Chakotay wondered if he imaged the caress as she pasted him. Walking out behind her, Chakotay headed towards the tubolifts at the end of the hall, wondering what Janeway wanted to see him for and if it had anything to do with Tom.

Entering the lift saying, "Bridge."

Just as the door slid shut he could make out Kiri watching him with something he couldn't make out from the distance but he knew that it didn't bode well in fact he made him down right scared.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kiri watched as Chakotay walked away without saying anything it made her mad as hell, with a grin that didn't reach her eyes she spun on her heel thinking, 'Well I need to release this anger and who better to release it on than Paris?'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn having showed T'Pel and Quiv to their quarters left them and headed to her Ready Room to find Chakotay waiting for her without saying a word she headed over to the Replicator barking, "Coffee, Hot, and Black." Once she had her order, she remembered Chakotay, "Sorry would you like anything?"

"Tea please."

Once she placed his order, she picked up the mug and walked over to him saying, "I have some disturbing news."

Taking a sip of her coffee, she looked over the rim of her cup before saying, "T'Pel and Quiv bought news from the HQ and one of padds contain news about Kiri Hava and Frank Travis."

Surprised Chakotay looked over at her, "T'Pel? Isn't she Tuvok mate?"

"I'll explain as best as I can, after you escorted Tuvok to the brig we were hailed by a Vulcan ship."

"I see and by the looks of it you knew that she was coming."

"Am I that obvious?"

"Not to everyone but I can read the signs."

"Oh. Well anyway Quiv and T'Pel have come to replace Tuvok to restore the family honor." Taking another sip of her drink she continued, "HQ gave her some padds to hand over to me after the last array they found more information about Kiri Hava and Frank Travis that disturbed them."

"It must be major if HQ is disturbed."

Gulping the rest of her drink, she placed her mug on the table and picked up a padd handing it over to him saying, "I agree with them and we need to stop it from happening."

Kathryn jumped up and begun to pace looking over at her first officer every so often she watched as his face drained of blood looking up at her he stared wide eyed at her then looked back at the padd again not sure if he believed what he was reading.

While looking at the padd he asked, "They're his children?"

Nodding then noticed that he was looking at her she said, "Yes they changed their names Frank took on his grandmother maiden name on his father side while Kiri took their mothers, they slipped through, their father is no longer alive, he was killed in prison."

"I thought I'd never hear his name again, god and they blame the Paris family for their family downfall?"

"Kevin Fobly was discharged from Starfleet by Owen Paris for misconduct unbecoming for an officer of Starfleet; he had the backing of HQ and what I read of his file, I would have done more than that."

In a daze Chakotay told her, "He joined the Maquis lucky not my cell or he would be dead, he was hated for what he did and with HQ for letting him getting away with murdering thousands of innocent people,"

"They wanted to throw the book at him but his lawyers found a loophole that got him off with a slap on the wrist."

"And to think that we have two of his children on board, Kiri and Frank, I've heard stories of both of them before when I was in Starfleet how could they slip pass HQ?"

Kathryn sat down with a heavy sigh, "God knows it may have helped that they were on earth at the time or that they were pretty young at the time."

"But they framed Tom at Caldik Prime, I'm glad that Tom been cleared of that one."

"You and me both.. I'd like to know how they pulled it off for some reason it's not mentioned, unless it on one of the padds I haven't read yet."

Chakotay shook his head sick to the stomach at the details on the padd, "We need to stop them Kathryn." Shaking his head to clear it again saying, "This shows that Sam was right in what she was saying to the other in the Mess Hall."

Jerking her head up Kathryn asked, "What things?"

"When I was in the Mess hall, Sam was having ago at some of the crew and she mentioned something that Kiri was doing to Tom."

Concerned she asked, "What things?"

Closing his eyes to sort through the jumble saying, "It seems that whenever Tom asked for a beam out and if she was on duty she would beam him to other places, you have to ask Sam for details but I remember one time when he was transported into a river, we all laughed, thinking it was just an accident."

Nodding Kathryn remembered that day with a fond smile they had been fording for food, Tom had joined them only to be beamed in the river, they had roared with laughter at the time but now that she thought about it, she realized that it wasn't the only time that had happened to him by themselves they meant nothing but together it made sense to her.

Shocked Kathryn told him, "I remember other times as well but I never gave them any thought just a random slip-up but thinking back I remember the look on his face after every one of them."

"I know and nearly every time we would laugh, and they played on the fact that Tom would never say word about it."

"I've heard that a lesson you learn in prison."

"Yes but it's also a lesson you learn at the knee of Owen Paris."

Mournfully Kathryn nodded, "I hate to say this but I agree, he was a hard man but I didn't know he was this hard and they think by hurting Tom they going to make Owen pay? Not Bloody likely."

"I'm gonna kill him when we get home."

"And I'll drive the getaway shuttle."

Nodding Chakotay stood up picking up his mug and Janeway's he walked over to the Replicator saying, "Two coffee's black and hot with a shot of Rum."

Once the order was in sight he picked them up saying, "I hope you don't mind?"

With a nod, she accepted one of the mugs saying, "I know I need it." Taking a sip signing, "We have to find him and find him fast."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kiri strolled into one of the many empty quarters saying, "Lower the field."

Kiri strolled into the room seeing that Frank and Dalby were waiting for her along with the others who were in little groups talking, jerking her head for Frank to join her moving to the other side of the room waiting for him to join her.

Frank stopped talking to Ken once he spotted Kiri walk into the room like a thundercloud, walking over to her, he asked her in low tones, so the others in the room could not over hear them, "What wrong?"

"Trouble, it's time to put the plan into motion."

"Now?"

"Yes, Now I know it's not on the time schedule we worked on but a Vulcan ship has joined us and you know what that means?" Kiri glanced over at Ken who had wandered over to Paris, who had be strapped down onto a table, with a gleam in her eye, she said, "I see that framing him for all of this is working?"

"Hell yeah, he's so hooked on killing Paris than we are."

"Well Owen gonna die but just not yet."

Glancing at her with a worried look, she had been calling Tom, Owen a lot since they had started this, thinking back to when they worked out the plan to hurt the Paris family, like they hurt their family, sure Frank didn't like his father but that didn't mean he wanted him dead and that blame laid squarely on the great Paris’s shoulders, they may have just shot him with a phaser than letting him free to do what he did.

What they didn't plan on was the fact that Owen Paris didn't give a flying fuck about his only son, Frank never told Kiri what he found out about Tom's life, even if he had she wouldn't believe him so they carried on, first was to frame Tom with an accident but that didn't work quite the way they planned. Tom nearly died with the rest of his friends, so they filed a false report in his name which got him booted out of Starfleet, Tom played into their hands with moping about, drinking doing drugs and whoring himself just to get a drink, then their plans went down the tubes again, when Chakotay came on the scene taking him on as a pilot even though he didn't know which way was up, but with Seska's help he got in the same cell as them and then made sure that on his first mission he would be caught, which worked like a charm what he didn't know was that he was meant to be caught by the Cardassian's not Starfleet but that had been Seska's plan not his, he kept in contact with his sister, learning that she had got a posting on the new Ship and they were going to be hunting them down with the help of Paris, Janeway had got Tom out of prison just so he could help her.

Shaking his head he looked over at his sister saying, "So what the plan?"

Kiri smirked as she told him, "Let Dalby have some more fun with him and make sure that there is enough of his DNA on Paris and enough of Paris’s DNA on Dalby when that done beam everything to his quarters with a weak Field so they can find them but before that I'm gonna have some fun messing with his weak mind."

Shaking his head as he watched her stroll over to the body of Paris he had to admirer Paris no matter what was done to him he made no noise and never came, well he never got an erection which just made Kiri mad he wondered what she planned on doing now, sometime she scared even him.

Kiri straddled Tom's chest whacking Tom's face, "Wake up."

Rolling his head Tom groaned as he tried to move coming to as he felt a hand between his legs and a heavy weight sitting on his chest.

"Welcome back, I have some news to tell you." Leaning down so that she could whisper into his ear saying, "I know you have a thing for Chakotay, so I thought I'd share this with you, I slept with him and he is so hot I could just die."

"Don't let me stop you." Tom moaned, tensing up for the wallop he knew she would give him and she didn't let him down he watched as she pulled back her fist and socked him in the face without a grunt he asked, "Is that the best you can do?"

"Bastard." Taking another swing at him, she hissed at him, "I know your game Paris, and it's not gonna work, I know that you pushing my buttons, thinking if you push me enough I'll kill you but Owen it's not gonna work not now but one day you will die and it will be by my hands but I need you alive for the next phrase of my plan." Hopping off him Kiri told him, "I'm better than you and I won't fail in this."

Tom shuttered he hid his feelings as best as he could but she scared the shit out of him, and telling him about sleeping with Chakotay freaked him out he hoped that she had been lying about it but he couldn't be sure of anything one thing he was sure on was that he was going to die without telling Chakotay how he felt about him.

Kiri stalked over to Frank and Ken saying, "Ken go and keep Paris company."

Rubbing his hand in glee, he said, "With pleasure." Walking away from he missed the look that passed between Kiri and Frank.

"Once he done beam them and rest of the things over to his quarters." Kiri reminded him.

Nodding Frank watched as Dalby unzipped his pants and rammed home he wished that Tom would just scream and maybe Dalby wouldn't damage him more but for some reason he never screamed or made any noise Frank thought that was his way of fighting back he knew that Dalby liked pain and to hear people scream, Frank had witness Ken in motion before and it made him shiver he made the Cardassian's look like lambs compared to Ken.

Grunting as his pumped into Tom's ass saying, "Come on you little prick scream. You know you like this."

Closing his eyes so he could leave his body but when Dalby squeezed his cock he nearly gave Dalby his wish, biting his lips to keep the scream in, his eyes flew open as he felt something else other than Dalby's hand squeezing his cock.

Feeling the darkness pulling him in, as he headed towards gratefully, when a great surge of pain from his groin hit him, bringing him back, he heard Dalby hiss at him, "Oh no you don't I want you to feel every damn minute of this Paris."

Grunting Dalby told Tom as he shot his load into his ass, "That all you're good for prick." Slumping down on top of Tom with a groan.

Kiri nodded at Frank, watching as Frank headed over to Ken and Tom with a hypospray in his hand. Once there he place the hypo at Ken's neck pushing the button, with a hiss the drug flowed into his system, once they were sure that it was working, Kiri spoke up, "Ok beam them over and make sure that field falls after ten minutes."

Nodding Frank walked over to the table, when they had set up a mini transporter that worked on its own power supply and hard to trace since it was not built into the ships systems.

Activating it Frank punched in the code and then beamed Ken and Paris into Dalby's quarters, Frank said, "It's set everyone out of here and make sure your alibi's are strong, they won't look to hard, they'll most likely settle for Ken but just in case make sure your stories are correct and keep to what we worked out keep low for a few weeks and once this has calmed down we'll get together again and put the rest of this plan into action."

"Aye."

"Yup Ok see you in a few then."

Kiri licked her lips saying, "Good work guys and wait till we get in contact with you." Once the room was empty,

Kiri laughed, "What a bunch of fools, do they really think that once this is over they going to be free?"

Frank nodded, not saying a word he checked the room to make sure there was nothing left, they knew that Dalby would rat them out that was part of the plan not that Ken knew that that bit nor did the others, so they had to make sure there was nothing to point to them. Once he was sure that everything was packed away he said, "Ok its clear, time to go before the fireworks happen."

"Right let blow this joint." Kiri quickly scanned the room nodding then walked out with Frank right on her heels, "I better get back to work my break is well over, see ya later."

"Yeah dinner in the mess hall?"

Rolling her eyes, "Are you that brave?"

"Not ready but we can't risk using those rations yet."

"Hmm that sux's we have all those rations and we can't blow them on real food and not that crap Neelix calls food."

"It won't be for long once everything dies down we can slowly use them."

Nodding Kiri walked off calling over her shoulder, "See ya at Nineteen hundred then?"

"Yeah that sounds good catch ya later."

Parting ways Kiri headed to her station, while Frank headed to his quarters to relax and try to get some sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry Kim ran ship wide scans hoping to find his friend, was feeling helpless so far they found nothing it seem to be that Tom had just disappeared into thin air, he was running another scan of crews quarters seeing nothing there to hold his interest just as he was leaving he could a blimp as some sort of shield fell.

Double checking his readings, Harry tapped at his console to Comm the Captain, waiting for the captain to knowledge him, "Janeway here."

Harry excited said, "I found him."

Kathryn glanced over at Chakotay before rushing out of her ready room, rushing over to Harry's station she asked, "Where?"

Reading his console again saying, "In private quarters, Kenneth Dalby's to be exact."

Chakotay asked, "Can you get a lock on him?"

"Sure can."

"Lock onto him and beam him to sickbay."

"Aye, aye what should I do with Dalby?"

"Dalby?"

Harry nodded waiting for her answer, "Beam him into the brig."

"With pleasure." Harry let his fingers fly over his board, he wished that he could go to Sickbay with them but knew that he would be stuck on the Bridge since they there running low on bridge officers, what with Tuvok in the brig but there were replacements from what he could gather from the chat Janeway and T'Pel had before.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Groaning Tom tried to push the body off him, "Ugh move it." Shoving at the shoulders when he felt the familiar tingle of the transport as his body disappeared yelling, "No. . . . . "

As he reappeared in sickbay Tom slumped moaning, "No more please."

From his office, the Holodoc rushed out yelling, "You there help me lift him up onto a bio bed."

The young man who just entered into sickbay for a painkiller for his headache raced over without a word and helped him lift Paris onto a bed, just as the doors flew open admitting the Captain and Commander Chakotay.

Barking orders as he tried to scan Paris, "Get Wildman and Nicoletti in here as fast as you can, I'm going to need them both here, if you're not here to help, clear the area."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ensign Yelmon moved off to one side, his head pounding, ignoring it as best as he could, watching in a daze, as people worked over Paris, he felt arms pulling him out of the way looking over at who was putting him out of the way to find himself staring into the pain filled eyes of his first Officer, "Ensign is there a reason why you're here?"

Closing his eye against the pounding, throbbing beat in his head, he saw in the other man eyes saying, "I have a major headache but it can wait till the Doc finished."

Chakotay listened as he pulled the young man with him as he filled a hypo spray pressing it to his neck saying, "There you go."

Looking at the older man nodding at the pain disappeared, looking into the Commander dull brown eyes asking, "I know that this is none of my business but its true isn't it?"

Confused Chakotay asked, "What's true?"

Yelmon explained, "The rumors sir, that you love Tom Paris."

"What rumors are they Ensign?" Chakotay asked sharply.

Licking his lips as he watched the Doc work on Paris saying, "There a rumor going about that the reason you don't date is because you love Paris, the reason I'm saying anything Commander is because Kiri Hava, claims that you're her lover and she been threaten anyone who thinks otherwise."

Chakotay stared at the younger man, turning walking away without saying another word to him, Chakotay headed over the too Doc's office where Captain Janeway waited for news of Paris, not sure whether to stay or go, Yelmon stood unsure what to do next.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay leant against the Doc's desk, as he told the captain what he had learnt from the young man named Yelmon, Kathryn glance over at the man waving him over she asked, "Yelmon do you think that Kiri involved in this?"

"Up to her eyeballs Captain, she hates Tom with a passion and if she thought that Tom was making a move on who she thinks is her man, she would be in for the kill."

Thoughtful Kathryn asked, "Do you think you could find out for sure?"

Biting his lower lip as he looked between his commanding officers saying, "To be honest, I'm not a fan of Tom's and not for reasons others have for hating him, it's for personal reasons, which we have been trying to work through since he is in charge of all the pilots."

"No need to explain, I know of the problem and I agree with Tom on this one but that another matter totally different to what going on." Janeway told him.

"I understand and even though I have that problem with him, I'll try and find out for sure if she and Frank are involved in this matter."

Patting him on the arm Kathryn said, "Thanks and once this is over, we'll talk over the other matter."

Nodding Yelmon walked out of sickbay.

Janeway watched him leave saying, "It took guts for him to try Tom's training program since he never trained as a pilot, he's from maintenance, and then demand that Tom let him have time at helm only after three sessions, he just doesn't understand that it takes more than three practices sessions to become a pilot, before this Tom was trying to sort out a way to give him time but couldn't work it in, Tom told me that he has got what it takes but he just need to calm it down a bit."

With a tight smile, Chakotay said, "Do you think he can pull it off?"

"I damn well hope he can confirm it all, without get himself hurt or killed."

Nodding Chakotay watched as they worked on saving Tom's life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

T'Pel paced her new quarter wondering what was keeping her escort, she wanted to see Tuvok and figure out how far gone he was, if she needed to do what high Command wanted her to do, Quiv sat quietly watching saying, "T'Pel you're going to wear a hole in the carpet, sit down they'll get here when they get here."

"I know but I wanted to check in and see how far gone he is but they are busy trying to find this Tom Paris."

Quiv calmly said, "They need to find him as fast as they can, his life is in danger, Tuvok can wait awhile till they find the young man."

"Have you ever met Tom Paris?" T'Pel asked him.

"I've heard of him but never met him. I heard of the things he did when he was younger, met his father twice didn't think much of him but my father Spock told me that he was once a great man before he was captured."

"That is common knowledge, young Thomas Paris was a delight to be around, without his father about I mean, he was happy when he flying, he loved to soar among the stars."

Quiv listened as his mate talked, he love it when her eyes filled with passion when she talked about something she loved, she loved to soar as well, not among the stars but among the heavens, he knew that she might not be able to pull it all off with Tuvok, he knew the High Command had ruled Tuvok's death but T'Pel was an unusual Vulcan, she wasn't trained with the masters, so her emotions still came forth, they had agreed that if she was unable to do it, Quiv would step in and finish the job, he dreaded it, he never took part of the ending of a bond, his father had walked him through as best as he could.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry Kim checked his readings again wondering how the hell they managed to shield Tom from them for so long tapping his combadge, "Kim to Torris."

"What up Starfleet?"

"I need you to come to the bridge and check some readings for me."

"On my way, any word on Tom yet?"

"Not yet."

"B'Elanna out."

Shaking his head at the readings, whoever worked on the shields was a master but it was an old trick to make sensors bounce back without reading the data.

B'Elanna exited the lift once it door slid open racing over to Harry side panting, "What got you stumped Starfleet?"

"This Maquis,"

Reading the data before her, "Well I be a monkey's uncle, that's that oldest trick in the book, Ok let check further, can you run a scan for this code over the rest of the ship?"

"Piece of Cake." Letting his fingers fly over the panel then calling over to Tactical, "Run a bio electron scan using this data I'm sending over to you. Send all information to my station."

"Aye sir."

Waiting for the scan to complete, they talked in low tones, until Jackson sent the waiting information to Harry's console.

Harry read the data, "Bingo that where they have been hiding him. I knew Dalby wasn't clever enough to think this far into it by himself, he had help or someone wanted us to think that it's Dalby."

With a frown, Jackson tapped his console again, hoping to warn his fellow cohorts; Harry glanced over at him with a frown, looking back at his board he whispered, "Send the tracer, we have another message being sent."

B'Elanna discreetly tapped some buttons, "Done, I'll have Seven run this one through for us."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ken came to with a groan, "What. . ."

"You've been caught you little fucker."

Jumping up to his feet, he found himself staring into Tuvok's dark brown eyes, "How?"

"You were the scrape goat or should I say the fall guy."

"In other words I was set up." Ken asked in a doubtful tone.

"Rather nicely I'd say, just as I was they used our weakest against us, which we both have and amazingly we have the same weakest."

"Paris."

Nodding Tuvok said with a grin, "Ahh young Thomas Eugene Paris was our weakest but he was a great weakest."

Sinking back to the floor, Dalby watched as his cellmate paced the cell saying, "What happens now?"

Stopping his pacing looking at the human at his feet saying, "To you I have no idea but to me it's death."

Stunned Dalby stuttered, "Dddeathh?"

Nodding at him Tuvok sat on his hunches saying, "My mate has come to ease my suffering by orders of the Vulcan High Command."

Finding his feet again Ken stood ranting, "What I don't understand is why this plan failed?"

"It failed when you threaten Tom in the cell, if you had let it play out the way it was meant to, none of us would be caught, well not yet but the puppet masters were forced into executing the plan a lot earlier than planned."

From outside the field someone said, "I'm glad that you figured it out but you left out something important."

Facing the field, they saw Commander Chakotay standing there with a deadly look in his eyes, "You forgot that I'd take the greatest pleasure of hurting those involve in hurting Tom."

Ken sneered, "Do you honestly think we'd fall for that old trick?"

Turning his glare over to him saying, "I'm not fooling Dalby, once I get what I want, you're dead, both of you are living on borrowed time remember that, think carefully before answering this question."

Staring wide eye at his former captain saying, "The Captain won't let you kill us in cold blood."

"Won't I?" Kathryn stepped from behind the door saying, "I can only do so much to hold him back but I agree with him you both deserve to die, so please tell him what he wishes to know and I can promise that when we get close enough to another M class planet you'll be placed on it instead of out an airlock like I plan to do with you."

"Right, all by myself, even you're not that cruel Captain."

"Did I say by yourself silly me, I meant with the others who are involved, I can't afford to keep you on board nor can I lose anymore crew but I'll risk it."

Tuvok frowned as he said, "I have nothing to lose, neither does Ken, we refuse to be baited."

"Oh but what you don't know Tuvok is that T'Pel is on board Voyager, we were giving you a fair chance in telling us but we will get what we want from you either way."

Licking his lips, Dalby looked over at the Vulcan as he thought, "You say that T'Pel is here, you know she won't do a meld with Dalby or me for that matter."

"True, but her mate Quiv agreed to do it for us." Kathryn hoped that Tuvok could not read her bluff, hoping he would fall for it without calling her bluff.

Tuvok stood as close to the force field as he dared, as he read Janeway's face, frowning as he tried to call up the tiniest of doubt, not finding it he signed, "It is the wisest cause to submit and tell you what you wish to know but I don't know anything."

Glaring at him, Chakotay turned towards Dalby saying, "That leaves you, we already knew that Tuvok knew nothing but you do, so spill it."

Before Dalby could say anything, Tuvok reached a crossed and gave him the Vulcan nerve pinch, letting him hit the floor Tuvok faced them saying, "I'm calling your bluff Captain."

Chakotay tapped his chest saying, "Chakotay to Quiv please report to the Brig."

"Acknowledge."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Quiv looked over at T'Pel saying, "The game is on."

"So it seems."

Standing up and heading out the door, they found two crewmember waiting for him saying, "Please follow us."

Following the two men as they lead the way to the brig Quiv calmed his mind of all thoughts, as he got ready to go into battle with Tuvok.

T'Pel walked beside him blocking her thoughts from him not wanting to ruin this for the crew of Voyager they need to know what was really going on.

Entering the brig T'Pel strolled over to Janeway and someone she guessed to be Chakotay saying, "We are here."

Tuvok moved closer to the field with an unVulcan steer across his face as he cursed, "So they think they can scare us into telling them, well screw them."

Glaring T'Pel moved closer saying, "We will get what we want from you and you know that." T'Pel tried to see into the cell to find the man they called Dalby once she saw him she nodded saying, "He has to be removed from the cell or Tuvok will keep him unconscious using the Pinch which will do long term damage if he keeps using it."

Janeway waved one of the guards over saying, "Chakotay move him to another cell, everyone else keep weapons armed till the force field is back on line."

Ayala lowered the shield long enough for Chakotay to step in and drag Dalby out of the cell before reactivating the force field.

Tuvok glared that the commander hissing, "I'm glad I got to Paris before you did, he's a good fuck and I know Dalby will agree since he had that whore many times, he damaged goods now."

Chakotay tried not to react to the taunts thrown his way failing Chakotay started to move forward when he felt a hand on his arm looking down he saw T'Pel with compassion and understanding in her eyes saying, "He not worth it, he hoping that by getting you riled up you'd kill him instead of who is meant to, as it is stated it Vulcan Lore, he is using your feeling for Tom against you."

Chakotay felt calming of her voice wash over him until he felt calm and refresh nodding his thanks he stepped into the shadows where he felt a bit safer from Tuvok rage.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Quiv during that time had moved into the cell with Dalby without a word he heard a bellow of rage coming from somewhere but chose to get what information he could for the Captain from the barely conscious man at his feet.

Feeling the presences of another in the cell with him Dalby moaned, "Just fuck off Tuvok."

"I'm not Tuvok, I'm Quiv of Vulcan."

"Well whatever you're selling I ain’t buying."

"We shall see shall we?" Kneeling beside him, he placed his fingers into position reciting, "My mind to your mind."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Struggling Ken tried to fight the Vulcan from entering his mine, once he felt the calming present in his mind he fought Quiv every step of the way, throwing images at the Vulcan the horrors of witness his intended death at the hands of the Cardassian's, throwing the attacks while in the Maquis while trying to lock down what Quiv was after, but as he started to lose the battle, Quiv launched his attacked once he felt Dalby had weaken, seeking and finding what he was searching for including some things they didn't know about.

Drawing out slowly so none of Dalby mind remained inside his mind or that none of his remained in Dalby's checking to see if the slight bond that formed during a long session was severe, once he was sure that everything was in order he shut the link down removing his fingers from the exhausted human trying to focus on something other than his disgust at the man at his feet what he learnt from him made his head reel and his stomach heave.

 Racing out of the cell as felt his stomach heave upwards bumping into the wall opposite the cell taking in great big lung filled of air hoping to calm his reeling emotions.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Damnit its all falling apart, Josh just informed me that they went ahead with the meld before Tuvok could implant the information."

"Fuck! You have to tell her."

"Me! Why don't you?" Whined the man.

"Because I don't have a death wish shit head." Delivering a smack about his partner's head.

"Fuck Neal that hurt."

Neal glared as he coolly replied, "It was meant to and it's a taste of what to come if you disobey me again."

"Alright, alright no need to split hairs."

Growling, "I'd do more than split hairs Carl."

Carl shrunk back in fear as he tried to say, "Sorry for. . . . ."

Neal growled between clenched teeth "Just do it," Balling his fists as he watch with a smirk as Carl slunk away thinking, 'Mmm might need to take him into hand if this blows up in our face, just needs a little training and he could replace Paris. I love them with a bit of smart mouth attitude. Have to handle him carefully though he skittish, had no training, unlike Paris but prison had a habit of breaking you if you're on the bottom of the heap, damn but Carl a born bottom.'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay decided that he was of no use in the brig since the Captain and her friends had everything in hand, deciding that he would be of use in sickbay. Entering sickbay moved over to where Sam was reading out the reading to the Doctor, "Heart rate steady, and pulse even out."

"Good, good another two surgery will repair the rest then some physical therapy to regain muscles mass leave the IV in overnight he needs to built up his fluids, Oh hello Commander have they made any head way in who did this?"

Chakotay rubbed his thumb over Tom's limp hand that was lying on two of the blanket before nodded trying to hide his tears at the sight of his beloved lying near death door.

Sam rubbed his back as she walked over to the Doc Chakotay looked up and saw compassion in her eyes and something close to it in the Doctor's.

Looking down at the pale limp body of Tom Paris asking, "Will he make it?"

Gently the Doctor explained, "I've heal all I can more surgery is schedule to fix the rest over the coming weeks but with the brain injuries I'm not sure, I need to see how he is when he wakes up."

Looking up teary-eyed Chakotay shook his head asking, "Why now? If they had just waited I would have approached him that day he was accused,"

Sam hurried back over to him drawing him into her arms and leading him over to the Doctor's office, holding him while he let his grief flow out.

The Doctor ordered a lock down on sickbay offering what privacy he could for the grieving man.

Chakotay slowly pushed Sam away while saying, "Sorry about that I didn't mean to sob all over you."

Sam waved the Doctor in who had armed himself with tissues and water along with a hypospray if it was needed.

"Feeling better Commander?"

Nodded as he wiped his eyes of the remaining tears saying, "Thanks Sam."

With a smile as she wiped her own eyes saying, "You needed to release it or you might have blown while on the bridge with all the bridge crew witnessing your melt down."

Nodding his agreement as he took a sip of water to ease his dry throat, without warning Chakotay stood up and headed back out and pulled up a chair claiming one of Tom's hands he begun talking to him.

Sam watch them worry lines marring her brow, feeling the Doctor patting her shoulder as he explained, "He needs to be there, he loves Tom and feels that if he there Tom will come back to him."

Turning her worried gaze to the Doctor asking, "Will it be enough?"

Staring out at the two men he replied, "I really hope so."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With a moan, Tom stared about him trying to remember where he was, everything was green under his bare feet felt the cool grass as he slowly turned taking in the sights, turning his face towards the heat shielding his eyes as he looked up at the blue sky, wondering just where he was the last thing he remembered was rolling Dalby limp body off his, looking down at himself he noticed that he was wearing clothes, frowning as he knew that they had kept him naked, not sure what to do he sunk down to the ground raising his knees till his chin rested on them, wrapping his arms about his leg staring into space.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay watched the still figure wishing and praying that it would stir and wake up so he could look into the blue orbs of the own, it's been two week since they rescued Tom and he hasn't shown any signs of reviving, the Doctor was worried since there was nothing to explain why Tom didn't wake up everything was as healed as it could be, but still he didn't wake, T'Pel offered to do a meld with him but so far between the Doctor and him they were able to hold her offer off, they had explained that to her what happened the last Tom was at the other end of a meld and they didn't wish to force that upon Tom unless there were no other option for them to use.

She nodding her understanding and left them to join Quiv.

Lightly rubbing his thumb over the top of Tom hand he was holding, talking quietly to him, keeping him up to date with all the gossip and all the dull ship business that was needed to get the grand lady running, "B'Elanna wants you back at the helm, she told me that without you there she had to do more repair than necessary."

Hearing a slight noise Chakotay looked about till he saw Harry and B'Elanna standing by the Doctor's office talking in low tones that he couldn't hear unless he moved which he hadn't done unless forced to rest and then he would move to the bed next to Tom's next to his bed was his bag that had change of gear and his everyday toiletries, much to the Doctors disgust Chakotay had moved into Sickbay to stay till Tom was released he did most of his work in sickbay, alternating with the Doctor for the use of his office and console, he was thankful that everyone was understanding, well apart from Kiri who had been released from the brig but kept under close watch till Tom could press chargers again her, which he thought was weird but during the Meld with Ken Quiv didn't get much on her and Frank it seemed that they made the others do their thing and then when they were alone no witnesses knew what they did during their time alone with the pilot but everyone knew but till Tom was able to confirm and press charges against them, till that day they were both watched carefully by every member of the crew their distrust shown clearly every time they around.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"How much longer?"

"It's worked he still locked up, his memory is gone."

"Frank I have no idea how you did it but good work, now we just wait then I'll make my move on Chakotay."

Glancing over at his sister with a frown, it was start to worry him how she was obsessing over the Commander, just like their father had done over the Paris family, he wondered if he had inherited that gene their father had.

Frank listened as she raged at the injustice of being kept away from her lover. His frown deepened as he knew that she didn't stand a change with the Commander, he knew that the man desired men more than woman, he had learnt that during his time in the Maquis cell Greg Ayala had mentioned that face during one of their bullshit sessions which had got Frank interested since he liked men but had soon learnt during the same session that he had a certain type he liked and Frank wasn't that type not at all, but Paris was, Tall, blond, slender, blue eyed and could top or bottom, which Frank didn't do, he was a topper all the way, no one touched his ass with anything bigger than a tongue or a couple of fingers. He was never going to let that happen to him ever again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn looked over worriedly asking, "Is he eating?"

"Yes Captain he's eating sleeping and working he just refuses to leave sickbay and I'm worried."

"You and me both, but since he taking care of himself he stays."

"Captain I run a sickbay not a hotel."

Kathryn snapped, "I don't care, Doctor. I'll make it an order if you so wish it, as long as Commander Chakotay looks after himself he stays, till Tom wakes up. I don't want to hear any more on this subject, but if Tom doesn't wake within another month I'll make Chakotay go back to his quarters and back on duty but till then, just let him stay, you never know what he doing just might bring Tom back."

"Understood, another month of having a roommate."

"I know that this is hard but remember it's hard on Chakotay as well, he's finally admitted to himself that he cares for him and I know that Tom loves him, and that just might be enough to bring Tom back, his love for Chakotay is strong I've seen it in his eyes."

"You don't have to explain it to me Captain I know what you mean and I will abide by you call for now but once the month is up he must return to his quarters and report for duty, and visit as much as he likes, I'll not stand in the way of true love."

Laying her hand in his holograph shoulder saying, "Thanks this means a lot to me, I need Tom back on his feet, he my little brother I never had and this is killing me having to see him laying there."

If he could have shed tears he would have, "I feel the same, I know I give him a hard time but he was the first to treat me like a person."

"You care about him don't you?"

"Of cause I do, I count him as a friend but our friendship is different from the others, if you watch and listen to him when he gives me a hard time you'd be able to tell his tone is affectionate, unless he is really angry."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sighing B'Elanna felt like throwing Carey out the nearest airlock or punch him in the nose again, if she heard say another word about her temper, didn't he care that one of her friends was lying in sickbay? When she asked him that he threw back at her, 'If he's just a great friend of your why did you along with the others judge him so quickly? Believing that he really did steal from them. The only ones who had believed him were Captain Janeway, Commander, Sam Wildman and Neelix. So tell me why did you and his best friend turn on him so fast?'

Shocked B'Elanna was unable to answer him, she had that question turning over and over in her mind, for two nights Harry and her had sat down trying to sort out why they had judged him so fast. However, the answer eluded them even now.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay waited for Kathryn to finish talking to the Doctor he knew what it was about and he had an idea of how to solve the problem and talked to a few people to help him, Calling out as she stepped out, "Kathryn may I have a word with you?"

"Sure Chakotay." Walking over to him standing beside the bed waiting for him to tell her what he wanted, glancing down at Tom with a slight smile saying, "It looks like he just sleeping. Now what did you want to say."

Licking his lips then said, "I have an idea on how to fix this problem, Sickbay can't remain in lock down as it is, it's been two weeks people need to see the Doc and I can't live here either, I'm sure the Doc has explained." At her nod he carried on, "What I'm suggesting is that we move Tom to a secure location, only known to a few trusted people."

"What about the loop holes I see in this idea?"

Smiling at her saying, "I've thought of everything have a bio bed placed into one of the private rooms and place a guard there making it look like someone is there and have Tom moved to quarters that sees a lot traffic so it won't look weird to others when people are going into them."

"Like your quarters?"

"If need be, or Sam's but it would look weird if I suddenly start showing up at her door but it's not unusual for her to been seen at my door with Naomi. Along with Neelix, yourself and B'Elanna Greg and Tem.

What about Harry?"

"Sorted, B'El will drag Harry along with her."

"So you're willing to have us turn up on your door step?"

"Normally no but the names I've mentioned are the only ones I trust."

"What about the Doctor, he'll need a reason to come to your quarters as do the rest of us if you're not there I mean?"

Nodding as he looked down at Tom saying, "You could either put me off on sick leave or have Sam beamed into my quarters for when I'm on duty, her shifts are the complete opposite to mine and she has already agreed to the plan along with the others, all that was left was to run if by you."

"I think I can get T'Pel to beam Sam into your quarters and have Quiv cover the beam out markers."

With a grin, Chakotay asked, "So I'm guessing that you are in agreement?"

With a throaty chuckle, Janeway nodded as she smoothed Tom's sleeve of his sleeping grown saying, "Anything to get you back on the bridge and Sickbay open and hopefully Tom back with us. The Doctor will have to have a bio bed beamed into your room."

"You mean my spare rooms don’t you?"

"What spare room?"

With a grin he explained, "The new one I'm getting just in case one of the crew decide visit and since I normally leave the door open and it would seem weird if Chell or one of the others pop in and find it shut."

"Oh that room, Have B'Elanna and Quiv start on a doorway between your quarters and Tom's, no not Tom's Tuvok's it's standing empty now everything has be clear out of there and easier to hid a door as well."

"Yes it would since I have a large wall hanging that would hide the entrance from sight."

"Well what are you waiting for mister?"

"Mm maybe for Q to click his fingers." Chakotay replied.

"Shh he might hear you." Kathryn looked about as she joked back.

"Well I see I'm the butt of the jokes again." A voice sounded in the room sound a tad off what he would sound like.

"Chakotay cut it out." Kathryn warned as she spun back towards him, she had heard his impersonation of Q and others before.

Holding his hands out saying, "Sorry I couldn't resist."

Nodding as she smiled she had seen the softer side of her XO on a rare occasion and she was glad to see it again.

"Go and get everything ready. I'll talk to the Doctor for you."

"No need to talk to me, I heard it all and as long as everything is ready and up to my standards I'll agree to this plan of yours. So Commander I suggest that you get everything ready so I can be rid of my roommate I have seemed to have acquired."

With a smile Chakotay gathered up his stuff saying, "I can have B'Elanna on the entrance right now and I'll call when I'm ready have a bed beamed into the room and I've have the others help in setting it up."

"Have Ensign Wildman and I won't need to check it out."

"It's a done deal Doc. Keep an eye on him for me will you?"

"Of cause, now get going."

Watching in amusement as their usual stoic Commander raced out of sickbay like the devil was on his heels.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom faintly heard someone calling his, looking about with listless dazed eyes landing on a tall male who looked vaguely familiar to him, sitting on its haunches was a proud bearing wolf, hearing a cry from over head looking up he saw an eagle circling overhead, "Thomas?"

Nodding as he struggled to his feet asking, "Who are you?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Waiting for them to answer his question, Tom looked between the wolf and man, as they talked in a tongue he didn't understand, the only word he could understand was his own name, so he knew they were talking about him, while he waited, he stared at the eagle as it swept thought the air currents with complete ease, as the eagle pulled tricks after tricks as Tom watched in awe, wishing that he could fly like that without anything to help him but he knew that was wishful thinking, humans couldn't fly without the help of shuttles and space ships, the closest he had ever got to that freedom was hand-gliding, he had done back in his teens, he loved the feeling of the breeze as it caressed his skin, it reminded him of a lovers touch, with a snort Tom told himself, 'When did you ever feel that sort of touch Tommy boy?'

Feeling eyes on him he looked over seeing that the other two were still talking together other, looking around again, he saw that while he was lost in his musings the eagle had landed and was perched on a rock staring at him, looking back at it, Tom felt uneasy, he felt that it was probing into the deepest and darkest parts of his soul.

"I've been waiting to met you Thomas, I'm glad that you've finally arrived but I wished that it was sooner and not like this."

Confused Tom just stared at her; he knew that it was a female as still as it spoke to him, he asked, "Who are you?"

"Who do you think I am?" she shot back at him.

Tom shook his head as something clicked in his mind, he remembered a conversion with B'Elanna, about when she found her spirit guide, how it made her mad that her guide always answered her questions with another question, she had asked Chakotay why it did that, he had told her that it was highly frustrating and it was their way of saying you were asking the wrong question or you already knew the answer to it and had to look deeper for it.

Uncertain if he was right, he asked hesitantly, "You're my spirit guide?"

"Yes I am and now you have to make some decisions, my child some hard choices but I'll let them explain them to you.

Tom eyes narrowed as he asked, "What sort of choices?"

"You have to listen to the others before you make the right choice for you, now calm down Thomas, you're safe here, we're not going to hurt you, we are here to guide you and support you as you make the right choice for you. Please have a seat Thomas all will be revealed soon."

Sinking down to the ground, for some reason he couldn't fathom or even begin to but he trusted her when she told him that he was safe, it was one thing he never knew in his life, he had never felt safe not even as a child, even when that time was meant to be the safes time in a child life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chakotay made one final check making sure that there was nothing left to do.

Sam had contacted the Doctor to let him know that everything was ready for them to transport Tom into Tuvok's old quarters; Chakotay had been pleased to find that all traces of the man had been erased from the room.

"Doctor to Commander Chakotay."

"Chakotay here."

"Ready when you are."

"Beam Tom to the coordinates that Sam gave you."

With just a tinged of worry creeping into his voice as he asked. "They are correct aren't they? So that he beams into the room and onto the bed and not elsewhere?"

Chakotay reassured him as he told him, "Yes the coordinates have been checked and double checked by you and T'Pel, Tom will beam into the diagnostic bed set up for him, just as well planned, no unnecessary moving of Tom's body."

"Good the less movement the better."

Chakotay smiled at the worry in the Doc's tone, he had noticed that it only seem to come noticeable when Tom was involved, but he knew that they were friends, under all their animosity towards each other there was a deep affection, both had taken each other as they were and accepted each other for who they were.

Chakotay smiled as he listened to the Doctor talking to T'Pel, "T'Pel you can beam Lieutenant Paris now. Chakotay transport in process now."

Looking over towards the bed Chakotay nodded to himself as the body of Paris emerged on the bed, rushing forward Chakotay and Sam made sure everything was working correctly.

Sam comm. the Doc, "Wildman to Sickbay."

"Sickbay here everything alright?"

With a smile Sam smoothed down the blankets, "It went perfectly Doctor, according to the plans."

"Good. I'll leave it in your capable hands then Ensign, call me if you need any help at all."

"Will do, Wildman out."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"God Damnit where the hell is he?"

Cringing at the shrieking coming from the other room, Frank warily poked his head around the door, watching his sister stomp from one end of the room to the other, he had witness her attempts of trying to find the Commander fail over and over again.

"Frank where the hell is he is? This is a small ship where the hell is he hiding and why?"

Staring at Kiri, Frank dreaded answering her question he had a fair idea where he was and why he was there but he needed those confirmed before saying anything to her.

Kiri turned and watched as her brother tried to think of suitable answer for her, when it hit her, "Shit he's with that prat Paris isn't he?"

"I'm not sure, Paris is meant to be in Sickbay but people who have gone in there to confirm it for me never laid eyes on him, Josh and Neal are going to try to get into the back rooms but I have my doubts that he there, Wildman hasn't reported for duty in the last couple of days."

"That's because she off for a week Crewman Tarikin is the backup medic for the week."

Frank frowned he should have been told that by his people as his frowned deepened looking over at his sister asking, "And how did you know that?"

With a smug smile, she replied, "Neelix told me; well sort of I overheard him tell Carey where she was yesterday."

Disappointed Frank nodded, "Okay now that cleared up we need to track Paris's friends checking their movements that includes the two Vulcan T'Pel and Quiv, as soon as we find that out we can narrow the list down to where they keeping that prick, I need to check him out to make sure the block is holding."

"It better be Frank, you know what will happen if Owen remembers anything that is till we kill him that is."

Frank frowned as his sister yet again called Tom, Owen, he was worried that she was losing the game plan; he may have to do something about that before too long.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tom stared at his guide taking her proud stance as she perched on the rock in front of him he could see faint wounds across her back and her stomach, idly wondering how she got injured, breaking his gaze away and looking over at the other two, the man was human, who bore a tattoo on his forehead just like Chakotay did, with a smile he wondered if they were related, he had the same build as the Commander the resemblance was startling similar.

"Yes that Contrary man is my son Thomas."

With a yelp, Tom glanced into the laughing eyes of whom he guessed to be Kolopak of Dorvan V, murdered at the hands of the Cardies while Chakotay was still in Starfleet, his death brought the rage of his son making him quit Starfleet and joining the Maquis in their battle for freedom.

"I see you know a lot about my life and its endings."

Nodding, Tom gulped about the large lump in his throat, not sure, how to answer, he thought it was wise to remain quite, until he could work out just want was going on.

Looking back at the smirking older man whose dimples were old in full force his eyes twinkling with amusement as he said, "I see I have thrown Thomas for a loop Sarea."

"Savor it Kolopak, for it won't last long." Replied the wolf at his side, "He had kept your son on his toes for years."

With a chuckle, he replied, "My boy needs to be kept on his toes and I think our friend here is more than up to the task of doing the job, are you not Thomas?"

Licking lips Tom looked between the man and the wolf who he swore was laughing at him, "I don't mean to rile him up."

"But of cause, two stubborn men who hide behind masks afraid to be hurt, you my boy hide behind so many masks, no one knows who you are, not even yourself, but you have your excuses which are valid, don't get me wrong. I know of your past and your pain of being hurt, but you have to admit you're tired and lonely, are you not?"

Nodding Tom looked down at the ground not wanting them to see how close they were to his pain.

"You wish to lean on someone to help you but when you have done just that, they have hurt and abused your trust, so it is easier not to trust anyone and to do that you keep everyone at arms lengths, and letting everyone think they are right about you."

Refusing to listen Tom curled up into a ball as the words flowed over him, "We're not doing this to be cruel, you need help and my son can give you what you're looking for, you need to make a choice Thomas go back and receive all my son has to offer you or remain here till your body dies, if you choose to go back there will be hardships, it won't be a bed of roses, if you choose to stay here there is no promise of going into the after world, your soul may roam forever lost, just like you have been all your life. We'll leave now and let you think about it."

Lifting his head Tom looked about and wailed to find himself alone again, sinking back down he cried himself to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Do you think I was too hard on the boy?"

"He stronger than everyone gives him credits for, he'll pull through."

"Keep watch over him it's not safe here for him, I can feel the evil coming."

"Prepare the others for battle; we may need them sooner than we thought."

"Will do, the battle will be decided when he chooses what he wants to do. I hope for everyone he makes the right choice."

"Have faint in my pupil, he has never disappointed me yet."

"There is always a first time."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gazing at the prefect view, Tom sat with his chin resting on his knees going over what his guide had told him. He had a choice to make, go and face his demons or stay here and hide, living in limbo for the rest of his afterlife never crossing over, to roam forever lost, was he strong enough to face his life and his problems? Would he be forever holding on by his fingertips? Would it be easier to remain here and be a lost soul? Too many questions and not enough answers, not sure what to do Tom curled up into a ball and stared into space.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Feeling his Spirit guide calling him, Chakotay looked at the still form of his future mate sorrow filled his heart as he stared at the blond, he knew what sort of life Tom had his hardships just to survive, leaning down he kissed his forehead saying, "I'll be back I promise."

Walking out of the room leaving Tom in Sam's care while he went on a spiritual quest.

Gather everything together Chakotay sat naked in the middle of the floor and begun reciting the words to guide him to the spirit plain, looking about as he heard, "What you're seeking is over in the next clearing child."

Not all that surprised that his guide didn't greet him, Chakotay headed toward the clearing, pausing at the top of the hill he could make out a faint shape near the water edge, he knew that his guide sent him to guide someone, it wasn't the first time he was sent to guide another, as he moved closer he could see that the person was blond and a male, whatever troubled him was noticeable by his tensed back he knew if he could see the face it would be drawn maybe a frown would mar his face, his eyes would be trouble, as he got closer he gasped as he saw who it was, "Tom?"

Jumping Tom turned his head at his name, "Commander what are you doing here?"

Moving to Tom's side Chakotay sat down in front of him saying, "My guide called me to come."

"The wolf?"

Nodding as he watched the young man in front of him, Tom smiled shyly at him as he asked, "Why would she call you to help me?"

"Not sure, but she knows of my feelings for you."

"So what you told me before is true?"

Smiling at him as he said, "Yes it is."

Licking his lips Tom stared at him, nodding as he found what he was looking for, "Your father right about me. I am lonely and tired of having to hide and not having anyone to lean on when I struggle to cope."

Not sure, what to say Chakotay nodded, "I have a choice to make Tay, stay here and be a lost soul or return and just maybe have someone to lean on."

Staring at Tom, he heard the plea and said, "You can lean on me, I'm strong enough to hold you till you're strong enough to stand on your own."

Peering into Chakotay's eyes as he asked, "Would you try to control me and change me into something you want me to be like others have?"

Shaking his head Chakotay knew that his answer was important, "I wouldn't change you. I fell in love with you the way you are, all I ask is that you are honest with me and do not use your masks with me. I'd never control you. I'd guide you if you asked me but I'd never tell you want you can and cannot do, I know you've been through that with your father and in prison, I have no wish to do that to you."

Grinning Tom knew that Chakotay would not lie to him; he knew had his answer, "I promise, never to lie to you or hide behind my masks with you, I love you Chakotay of Dorvan V."

Grinning madly Chakotay dragged Tom into his arms as he said, “I love you Thomas Eugene Paris."

Hearing howling and screeches filling the air Tom and Chakotay smiled as they saw their guides on the other side of the water, the wolf prancing as she howled, while the eagle soars the skies, landing beside them she stared into Tom's eyes saying, "You have come far my child. Chakotay will never hurt you, as you will never hurt him you are meant to be, now go my child, come back and visit."

"I will, may I be so bold to ask you your name?"

"You may, I'm Maya."

"Thank you Maya for being there for me."

"You're welcome my child, remember I'm always here for you, now go, your mate is waiting for you in the real realm for you."

Tom felt the air stir about him he thought he heard his guide say, "I told you, he wouldn't let us down."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Coming out of his vision Chakotay jumped to his feet, taking time to throw on some track pants and a shirt, racing into the next room saying, "It's over, Tom coming back to me."

Sam frowned in bewilderment at him saying, "How do you know?"

"No time to explain Sam but trust me Tom coming back real soon."

Before she could say anything, she heard a groan shocked as she watched Chakotay take one of Tom's hands into his, "Poocuh?"

Groaning, "Tay?"

"I'm here, lay still love, and let Sam check you over."

Staring up into the most beautiful sight before his eyes weakly squeezing Chakotay's hand asking, "It's true?"

Smiling down at Tom with tears flowing down his face as he reassured Tom, "Yes it all true Poocuh."

"Good, I'm tired Tay."

"Rest baby."

Fighting to stay awake Tom asked, "Will you stay with me?"

Nodding Chakotay replied, "I'll be here when you wake up, now close you pretty blue eyes and sleep."

With his hand, still encase in Chakotay's Tom fell asleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When he woke up next Tom felt a thousand times better, turning his head slightly smiling as he caught Chakotay eye, "Hey there."

Leaning forward resting his elbows on the edge of the bed, "How are you feeling love?"

"Better."

"Good, there some people who need to talk to you love; do you feel up to it?"

Smiling at the concern, he says within the depths of the brown orbs staring down at him, "Yeah, it's time to put a stop to this hell I've been living in."

"I'm glad to hear that Angel."

Smiling up at Chakotay Tom felt the first ever peace he ever had felt settle and surround him he knew beyond a doubt that he made the right choice, "You know that this is just the start don't you?"

"I sure do and I'll be with you every step of the way, together we'll sort through and overcome everything that stands in our way."

Reaching up Tom stroked Chakotay cheek as he said, "I like the sound of that, thanks for coming and getting me Tay."

"Always Tommy, I'll always find you, you're my soul mate love."

Nodding Tom sighed as he remembered what happened to him, he knew it was time to deal with them for the last time.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"It's over; somehow he woke up and broke through the block."

Frank shivered at the murderous look on his sister's face, "How the fuck did Owen break free Frank?"

"Kiri he not Owen, his name is Thomas."

"Do you think I give a flying fuck Frank? They are dead Owen, Thomas, they deserve to pay for what they did to father, and they ruined a great man."

Frank stared at his sister with wide eyes, wasn’t sure they were thinking of the same man, their father was the world biggest prick, he abused the both of them since they were children, he had done too much to back out now Tom won and now it was time to leave before the net closed about them

"Kiri it's time to leave."

Wild-eyed Kiri yelled, "Not without Chakotay, I have to go and get him Frank."

Moving swiftly Frank grabbed his sister's shoulders shaking her as he said, "He'll never come to you Kiri."

"Fuck you Frank you just want him for yourself admit it."

"I'd have a hell of a better chance than you would Kiri, not much but a better one than you."

"He's queer?"

"As much as you can get sis."

"Fuck you know I hate queers, they make me sick, what wrong with men who wanna fuck other men? God what is the fucking world coming to Frank when a man won't fuck a woman?"

Shuddering at the thought Frank said, "I don't know and this isn't the time to be talking about the Commander's sex life."

"You think he'd fuck Paris?"

"Kiri move it."

"No answer me; do you think he'd fuck Paris?"

Staring at his sister in wonder, "What do you care if they fuck each other?"

Shocked Kiri frowned as she said, "Chakotay would never let that fuck wit touch him with his dirty cock, he's a slut maybe I should have cut his cock off if he thinks he can put that thing into Chakotay."

Debating if it wise to say anything as his sister ranted and raved, with dread he knew that his sister had gone the same way as their father, deciding to leave without her. Frank grabbed his bag heading to the door as it slid open it was instantly surrounded by Security, dropping his bag in defeat. Frank stared into space it was over and he was relieved that it was finally over; he could get some much-needed rest.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn nodded as she smiled at the newest couple saying, "It's over Frank has admitted to everything, Kiri has as well, she struck me as a bit crazy, saying something about cutting something off, her brother stopped her before she finished."

Chakotay shook his head as he glanced over at Tom who was lying on his couch asleep, with a blanket tucked about him.

Kathryn smiled as she looked over at her favorite pilot asking, "How is he coping?"

"Rather well, he's been talking to T'Pel, she been a big help for him."

Laying a hand on his knee as she told him, "So are you, without you he's nothing, I think we would have lost him if he didn't have you Chakotay."

Nodding soberly Chakotay torn his gaze away from the sleeping man as he said, "I know, he told me that if I hadn't gone to the spirit plain when I did, he would have stayed there forever to be a lost soul."

Kathryn smiled as she said, "Thanks for going after him Chakotay, Voyager would be a lonely place without him, many people would miss him."

"Myself included." Laying his hand on top of Kathryn's small one he asked, "What going to happen to them?"

"Quiv and T'Pel have placed a block in everyone who was involved, they'll never forget but they won't be able to act on any thoughts of hate, both will be fitted with a device that will warn all involved if they are within a hundred meters of Tom. I wish I could put them off the ship but we cannot really afford to lose any more people. It's the best I can do."

Nodding his understanding Chakotay asked, "What about Tuvok?"

Licking her lips as she stared over his shoulder, "He is dead; T'Pel ended his life with a fatal poison."

"Got off rather easy didn't he?"

"No this poison ravages the body before they die it rips through the system tearing into every cell in the body, it wasn't an easy death and not an honored one."

"To be honest with you, I'm glad he dead and I won't mourn him."

Nodding Kathryn chewed on her lower lip before saying, "I'll mourn the man he was but not the man he became while out here."

Chakotay turned his head as Kathryn wiped her tears away, standing up when he heard Tom groan, moving over to the couch, Chakotay sat on the edge smiling down at the man saying, "Hey baby."

"Hey sweetness, it's over?"

Nodding as he rubbed his thumbs over Tom's cheeks, "Yeah it's over."

Pressing into Chakotay hands as he replied, "Good, now we can start our life together."

Chakotay nodded as he leaned down when he was a hair breath of touching Tom's lips, he said, "Together." Then with a smile, he claimed Tom mouth in their first kiss of many.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The End