Ensign Harry Kim smiled as he dove into the crystal clear waters of the program that he was running in the holodeck. He had been given this program by Tom on his last birthday. Of course he had had to delete quite a few bits from the program first. Harry didn't want to spend time with the mermaids and numerous other water nymphs that Tom had programmed. He preferred to spend his time here alone, swimming and enjoying the sunlight. The cool water felt delightful on his skin and he felt as if it was caressing him. He felt himself harden at that thought and immediately started swimming to get his mind off of it.

After swimming for a while, Harry walked out of the water. He walked with grace and dignity back to where his clothes were piled up. The sun felt warm upon his back and he paused for a moment to take in huge breaths. The air smelt fragrant and he could almost forget that he was still on Voyager and not on a planet somewhere. _Tom is definitely a great holoprogrammer_ thought Harry. _Even the smallest detail has not been overlooked!_ Harry lifted his hands up above his head and stretched gently. He then spread out his towel and stretched out face down on it. His movements were totally unselfconscious. He was alone and so did not have to be anyone but himself! He started to feel drowsy and so he set the computer to wake him up 10 minutes before his booked time ended. As soon as he had done that, he drifted off into a contented sleep.

Lieutenant Tom Paris was currently hiding in some bushes near the beach he had programmed for Harry. He had come into the program to talk to Harry, but when he had reached the beach, he had stopped in amazement. He had arrived just as Harry was getting out of the water. As soon as he had seen him, he couldn't help but stare. Harry's body was lean and muscular. _Perfect!_ thought Tom. Harry Stopped to take in some deep breaths and Tom couldn't help but notice how Harry's chest expanded and contracted with each breath. He watched how the muscles moved with each movement he made. He almost groaned aloud when Harry lifted his hands up and stretched. Tom found himself longing to touch the beautiful golden skin and had to force himself to stay still. _He looks just like one of the statues that the ancient Greeks used to sculpt. The only difference is that he seemed to be carved from gold and not marble!_ thought Tom. It took a moment before Tom worked out why he was feeling so uncomfortable. He looked down at himself and found that he was as hard as a rock. When Harry lay down on his towel, Tom couldn't help but stare at his behind. He kept wanting to caress the soft skin. He was growing even harder now... so hard that it was painful. He wanted Harry! He wanted him so badly that he had to restrain himself from running over to Harry and sinking himself into that sweet arse. Instead he undid his trousers so that he could free himself. He stroked himself while imagining that he was stroking Harry. He was so close to the edge. Finally he reached the edge and came powerfully. He had to bite his lip to stop himself from screaming. His orgasm was so powerful that he had almost passed out.

After a short while, Tom decided that he should leave before Harry could wake up and find him here. Harry would probably be embarrassed if he did catch Tom. Tom tucked himself back away quickly and almost ran out of the holodeck. When he reached the safety of the safety of his quarters, the enormity of his actions hit him. _What was I doing? Harry is my best friend! I was just drooling over him like some lovesick teenager! He would be horrified if he knew! How could I have done that?_ Tom lay on his bed and tried to work out why he reacted as he had to Harry. _I am obviously very horny if I am having fantasies about Harry!! I either have to find myself a willing body or set up one of my holoprograms! Hopefully that will cure this obsession of mine!_ Tom thought back to what he had seen in the holodeck. He could see Harry's golden skin and imagined how it would react to his caresses. As he thought of this he could feel his body reacting and hurried off to have a cold shower, disgusted that he couldn't stop thinking about his best friend like that. _I have to get over this!!_ Tom knew that it would be very hard to work with Harry if he didn't get over this as there was no way that Harry would ever feel this way about him. Tom valued his friendship with Harry far too much to stuff it up with casual sex!!

The next day after their shift, Tom and Harry were in Harry's quarters. Harry was playing his clarinet and Tom was lying down on the couch trying to read the novel in his hand. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate on the novel, he kept staring at Harry's hands. _Harry has beautiful hands. I wonder what they would feel like on my skin?... Stop that now! Harry is my best friend! I have to stop thinking about him this way!!_ Tom tried in vain to concentrate on the novel again, but his mind kept drifting back to Harry's hands. These thoughts were beginning to have an effect on him and he was glad that he was curled up on the couch and the effect that Harry was having on him couldn't be seen. He really had to get a grip on things before he lost his best friend. Also if he didn't get over this soon, his best friend may not be the only thing he lost. He reckoned his sanity would be next. Today while on the bridge he had been distracted several times by thoughts of Harry, but no matter how many times he mentally scolded himself, his mind kept picturing the same thing. That of course, was Harry's naked body. _I can't afford to lose concentration while flying the ship. If I did I could jeopardise the lives of the entire ships crew. If I ever did that I would never get over the guilt. Harry would never want me! He deserves so much better than a screw-up, and besides that, he is still in love with Libby. He would never love me!... wait a minute... what did I just say? Love?!! I want Harry to love me?!!... But that would mean... oh hell... That would mean that I... I am in love with Harry!_

Tom was totally rocked by this revelation. He tried to work out when he had fallen in love with Harry, but couldn't find an exact time. He came to the conclusion that he had always loved him, from the first moment that he had set eyes on that beautiful, angelic face. This had been reinforced when Harry hadn't turned away from him even after the other Starfleet guys had told Harry about his past and had warned him to stay clear of Tom. He had been so relieved when Harry hadn't stayed away and at the time he hadn't realised why he felt this way. Tom was so deep into his thoughts that he hadn't realised that Harry had stopped playing and was staring at him with a mixture of concern and something else in his eyes.

Harry had finished playing the piece he had been practicing and looked over at Tom. He was obviously light years away thinking about something. He watched as various emotions passed across Tom's face. When his face settled into a worried frown, Harry fought the urge to run over and hold Tom and tell him that everything would be all right. He didn't do it because he did not want Tom to reject him and he knew that he would. He didn't know why he felt this way, but he did. Tom was his best friend! Back on Earth his best friend was Libby, but he felt as if Tom knew him better than she did. They had been through so much together. Some of their experiences could have torn them apart, but instead they had made their friendship stronger. Sometimes Harry joked that Captain Janeway should have a 24 hour guard placed on both of them so that they wouldn't get taken by so many aliens or get into so many dangerous situations!! For some reason, he and Tom had been captured by aliens more times than anyone else in the ship. That had also meant that they had been injured more times than most. But despite all of this, they still remained the best of friends. _Why then do I fell as if something is missing? Why do I find myself wishing that we don't get back to the Alpha Quadrant?_

Tom suddenly became aware of someone staring at him and realised that the music had stopped. He looked up to find Harry watching him. Something passed through Harry's eyes, but for a brief moment Tom thought he saw love there. _Stop being so ridiculous Tom... Harry doesn't love you... That is just wishful thinking on your part!_ Aloud Tom asked
"Why have you stopped playing?"
"Oh its just that you were light years away just then and you looked worried about something. I was just about to try and get your attention when you came back here!!"
"I'm sorry Harry... I was just thinking about something."
"Anything I can help you with?"
_Yes... you could hold me and tell me that you love me!!_
"No Harry... This is something I have to handle on my own."
"Well Ok, but I'll always be here for you if you need to talk." Harry felt disappointed that Tom hadn't confided in him. He knew that something was upsetting Tom but had no idea what it was. He only hoped that he would tell him soon. _Why am I feeling this way? Why can't I remember what Libby looks like any more? Why do I keep dreaming of waking up with Tom in my arms?_ This last thought was something that he was never going to be able to tell Tom. He didn't believe that Tom would ever think of him like that... He didn't even know why *he* thought of Tom like that!! All he knew was that he was starting to fell a bit uncomfortable around Tom. One day he was going to give himself away and then he would lose Tom forever. He couldn't let that happen!

Later that evening they were in the mess hall with B'Elanna. Neelix had served his usual colourful but revolting dishes, and both Tom and Harry were playing with their food rather than eating it. They were both a bit preoccupied and didn't notice the looks that B'Elanna was giving them. She had been observing them both throughout dinner, but still couldn't work out what was wrong. There was something though, and she was determined to find out what it was, even if she had to lock them in a room and bang their heads together! Tom and Harry weren't behaving like themselves today and she was getting worried. _I am going to keep my eyes on both of them. I just hope they get over this soon!_ thought B'Elanna.

After dinner, neither Tom nor Harry were in the mood to go to Sandrine's but they went along with B'Elanna anyway. The holodeck wasn't very crowded tonight and the pool table was free when they arrived. B'Elanna immediately claimed it thinking it might help to take their minds off whatever was bothering them. Throughout the game, B'Elanna was watching them both with growing shock. Whenever they thought that the other wasn't looking they stole long lingering glances at the other. When Harry bent over the table with his back to Tom to play his shot, she heard Tom gasp slightly and stared at him. His eyes were wide open and the pupils were dilated. He was biting his bottom lip and was gripping the pool cue so hard that she thought it would break. The look in his eyes was pure desire and some of the pieces in the puzzle clicked into place in B'Elanna's mind. She had also noted that Harry seemed to be having similar thoughts about Tom. _So that is the problem! They are both attracted to each other! I won't interfere just yet, but if they don't do something about it soon, I may have to give them some help!_ B'Elanna had now realised why they had both been acting out of character lately. They were both attracted to each other, but they couldn't see it. _Knowing Harry he is probably embarrassed about his feelings and doesn't believe Tom could feel this way about him, and then Tom probably believes that he isn't good enough for Harry and that Harry would be turned off by his feelings! I may have to help them, but I will give them some time first. If their work suffers because of this, I will definitely intervene!_ With that thought B'Elanna decided to call it a night and said goodbye to Tom and Harry. "Well you guys, it's about time I turned in. I want to get up early in the morning to run some diagnostics. See you at breakfast!"

B'Elanna left the holodeck and made her way back to her quarters. Tom and Harry both tried to play some more pool, but without B'Elanna to act as a buffer, they were both too aware of the other. Harry soon made the excuse that he was tired and left in a hurry. Sandrine's was empty now and Tom slumped at the bar. He was in full self-pity mode again. _Harry couldn't leave the holodeck fast enough! Maybe he knows something about how I feel. I hope he doesn't as I don't want to lose my best friend!_
"Here you go... This should help to ease that broken heart of yours." Sandrine shoved a synthale in front of Tom and stood there looking at him with concern. Tom jumped slightly as he hadn't heard her come over. He took a sip of the synthale but then said to Sandrine
"It won't help."
"Did you and your boyfriend have a fight?"
"No... He's not my boyfriend!"
"And why not?"
"He doesn't feel that way about me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"Well I'm not so sure."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you obviously didn't see the way he was looking at you tonight. He was looking at you like a starving man and you were the dinner!"
"I doubt that very much. Harry is in love with Libby!"
"Who is this Libby? I don't remember seeing a Libby on this ship."
"Libby is his fiance back on Earth."
"On Earth!!! That is 70 years away! I don't think you will be in any danger from this Libby! Why would he want someone who is 70 years away when he could have someone who loves him like you do?!"
"Because I am a screw-up! Harry deserves a lot better than me!"
"*Thomas Paris* ... do not speak that way! You have made some mistakes in the past, but you are definitely not a screw-up!"
"Whatever you reckon Sandrine... I think I'll go to bed now."
Sandrine watched Tom walk out of the holodeck and thought _You mean you are going to go and pine away for your Harry! Maybe I should have a talk with this young Harry!_

As Tom walked back to his quarters he felt a small flash of pride at the fact that he had programmed Sandrine so well. If he didn't know better, he could swear that she was the real thing! Sometimes though she made him feel a little too uncomfortable. It was as if she could read his thoughts. He knew B'Elanna felt the same way about her. In his case he could put it down to the fact that he programmed her, but that couldn't work in B'Elanna's case. Sometimes he wondered if she was actually sentient. _Well if the doctor can develop a personality and feel things, then why can't Sandrine?_

Tom had reached his quarters and lay down on his bed. He didn't want to sleep because then the images of Harry ran freely through his mind, torturing him with impossible dreams. He would probably look like hell in the morning.

Harry was tossing and turning in his bed. He was dreaming about Tom again! He woke up suddenly and felt a huge stab of disappointment that it had only been a dream. _I have to find some way to control this before I go insane! I think I am in love with Tom, but he would never feel this way. Now when I look at Libby's photo I don't feel anything for her. Instead I keep picturing Tom. I can see us growing old together, but that is just a dream._ Harry got up and got himself a drink of water. He knew that if he went back to sleep he would just dream of Tom again, so he got himself out a book to read.

Tom had finally fallen into a fitful sleep and slept through his wake-up call. He woke with only enough time to throw on his uniform and run for the bridge. He didn't even have time to shave. He felt awful and knew he probably looked just as bad. He exited the turbolift dead on time and automatically glanced across at ops and saw that the normally immaculate Harry looked as bad as he did. Harry glanced up and Tom averted his eyes guiltily. He hurried to his seat and sat down. He started to run some routine diagnostics just so that he had something to do. Captain Janeway took one look at Tom and asked to see him in her ready room. He rose quickly and walked across in front of Harry. He glanced up as he passed and saw the look of support in Harry's eyes. There was also something else there, but he didn't have the time to work out what it was. He hurried into the ready room and stood stiffly in front of the desk. Captain Janeway turned to face him and looked him over. He tried to keep the patented Tom Paris 'I don't give a shit' look on his face, but he didn't think he was succeeding. Finally she spoke.
"Lieutenant Paris, please explain to me why you have turned up for duty today having not shaved and looking like you have not slept for a week?"
"I am sorry captain, but I had a nightmare last night and had trouble sleeping after that. I finally fell asleep again, but I overslept and only had 5 minutes to get dressed and get to the bridge. I knew I needed to shave, but if I had I would have been late for duty."
"Does that mean you have not had breakfast either?"
"No, I have not had breakfast."
"Well Lieutenant, you are not the only one. You have 45 minutes to go back to your quarters to shave and shower and to go to the mess hall to get some breakfast. I expect to see you back here looking like a Star Fleet officer. Is that understood?"
"Yes Captain." Tom turned to leave but Captain Janeway hadn't quite finished.
"Take Ensign Kim along with you and make sure he eats something. I will be checking with Neelix to see if you reported to the mess hall. Dismissed."
Tom left the ready room and marched toward the turbolift. As he passed Harry he relayed the captain's orders and Harry turned and followed him. They were both silent in the turbolift and stood as far away from each other as possible. When the lift stopped, Tom practically bolted from it.
"See you in the mess hall Harry!"

Captain Janeway watched the two officers leave the bridge with a look of concern on her face. She always worried about these two. In fact in some ways she felt as if she was their mother. Harry was so young and innocent, that she wanted to protect him from all of the evils out there so that he could keep that innocence. With Tom, she wanted to show him the unconditional love that she knew he had not gotten from his parents. She knew Admiral Paris and therefore knew how hard he had been on his son. She also realised that he had been through some very rough times in his life, especially while he was in New Zealand! She hoped that they would both get over what was bothering them as she hated to see her 'children' hurt. _Maybe I should speak to B'Elanna. She might have some idea as to what is happening, and have some idea how to help._ With that she made a mental note to speak to B'Elanna later.

Harry was in his shower thinking about Tom. _He obviously didn't get any more sleep than I did last night! Maybe he knows how I fell about him and is trying to find a way not to hurt my feelings. He is definitely avoiding me. In the turbolift I thought he was going to go through the wall trying to get away from me. I wish everything was back to normal! I want my best friend back!_

Tom was having similar thoughts while in his quarters. _Damn... I must have let something slip about how I feel about Harry. He is obviously really uncomfortable with that idea. That was probably what kept him up last night. He doesn't want to hurt my feelings, but he doesn't like me like that. In the turbolift he moved as far away from me as possible as if he believed I was going to bite him. Sandrine was definitely wrong about what Harry feels for me! I wish things would go back to normal. I couldn't bear to lose my best friend!_

Both Tom and Harry arrived at the mess hall at the same time. Neelix had obviously been told to make them eat and greeted them with huge plates of something that was supposed to be eggs. Neither of them were sure exactly what they were as they had never seen eggs that were purple and red before! Even before they had eaten a mouthful they could smell the dreaded Leola root in the food.!! They sat together in a very awkward silence, glancing at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. Once they managed to glance up at the same time and their eyes met. They could both see the pain in the others eyes and both thought the same thing. _I can't bear to think that that pain is my fault, but it is. I wish there was some way that I could erase it!_

They finished breakfast without uttering more than a few words to each other and headed back to the bridge. Again in the turbolift they stood apart, thinking that it was what the other wanted. When they exited on the bridge, Captain Janeway noted that even though they now looked more presentable, neither of them looked any happier. Her maternal feelings towards them kicked into hyperdrive and she decided to go and see B'Elanna right now.
"Chakotay, you have the bridge." With that she got up and stalked down to engineering.

The captain strode through the doors of engineering and saw B'Elanna talking to Lieutenant Carey. She moved towards them just as they were parting.
"Lieutenant Torres, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Certainly Captain." They moved into B'Elanna's office and closed the door before speaking.
"I have come to talk about Tom and Harry. This morning they both turned up looking as if they hadn't slept for a week. Do you have any idea what is wrong with them both?"
"Yes... I know exactly what is wrong. I was hoping they would work it out themselves, but it is obvious that I will have to talk to them."
"What is the matter between them?"
"I would rather not say captain."
"Ok B'Elanna I will trust you to try and solve this. If it doesn't get any better then I will expect you to tell me everything."
"Yes captain! I will speak to them both after shift today."
"Thank you B'Elanna... It's just that I worry about those two sometimes..." Captain Janeway left engineering and B'Elanna looked after her in astonishment. _If I read her correctly, then she feels responsible for them as more than just a captain. I could have sworn I saw maternal feelings in her eyes just then!_ B'Elanna spent the rest of the shift planning exactly how to get those two to see sense.

Tom had just arrived back in his quarters after shift and felt as if he was a hundred years old! For the entire shift he had been aware of Harry over at ops. He wanted so badly to go over there and hold him, but he knew he couldn't. He was just collapsing on his couch when his communicator chirped.
"Torres to Paris"
"Paris here... go ahead B'Elanna."
"Would you meet me in the holodeck at 18:00 hours please Tom?"
"I'm really tired tonight B'Elanna... maybe some other night."
"No Tom, this is important... I *will* see you there... Torres out!"
Tom just sat there looking stunned. He had tried to get out of it, but B'Elanna had steamrolled him. _Oh well... it looks like I am going to the holodeck tonight. I wonder what B'Elanna is up to?_

Harry was about to try and do some Clarinet practice when the call came from B'Elanna.
"Torres to Kim"
"Kim here."
"Hey starfleet... meet me in the holodeck at 18:00 hours."
"I can't B'Elanna... I need to do a few things tonight."
"No you don't Harry... see you at 18:00... Torres out!"
As the communicator chirped off, Harry realised that if he didn't go B'Elanna would be very angry, and an angry B'Elanna was not something he felt up to facing at the moment.

Tom was waiting in front of the holodeck for B'Elanna when Harry turned up. They greeted each other awkwardly and then stood without talking. Tom's communicator chirped at exactly 18:00 hours.
"Torres to Paris"
"Paris here."
"Is Harry there with you?"
"Yes"
"Oh good. I am running a couple of minutes late. Could you please go in and start the program for me? I'll be there in about 5 minutes."
"Ok... what program should I run?"
"Torres Tango Alpha Hotel Lima Three."
"Ok... see you when you get here." _Please make it quick... I don't know how long I can be with Harry without doing something stupid._
"Torres out." Little did Tom know that Harry was thinking the same thing.
"Well we had better humour B'Elanna and do what she says. I don't think I can cope with an angry half-Klingon today." suggested Tom.
"I fully agree with you there!"
Tom and Harry ventured into the holodeck and Tom stopped to run the program.
"Computer... run Torres Tango Alpha Hotel Lima Three." The black and yellow grid of the holodeck disappeared and was replaced by a green field. Suddenly a holographic image of B'Elanna appeared in front of them and as soon as she spoke they knew they had been tricked!

"Hello Tom and Harry. The doors have been programmed to not open again for three hours. The captain gave me permission to book it for so long. I am also here to deliver a message to you both about your behaviour in the last few days. The other night at dinner I knew something was wrong, but I didn't work out what it was until later that night at Sandrine's. While watching you two play pool, I was able to observe you carefully."
"Computer stop program!"
"Unable to comply."
"Naughty, naughty Tom... This program will not turn off until the three hours are up. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable." Both Tom and Harry sat down for want of something to do.
"Now I will continue. I was watching you two very closely and discovered the reason why you had been acting strangely. First I will tackle you Tom. To put it bluntly, you are in love with Harry! Before you protest your 'innocence', the reason you haven't told Harry is that you were afraid of losing your best friend. You also think that Harry will be disgusted and turn away. You also believe that you don't deserve someone like him. You don't believe that anyone as great as Harry could love you. You can deny it Tom, but it is true!"
Tom was sitting there totally shocked by how close to the truth B'Elanna had gotten. He couldn't look at Harry because he knew he would not be able to handle the rejection he knew he was going to get. If he had have looked up, he would have noticed the pure joy breaking out on Harry's face.
"And now to you Harry. You too are in love with Tom. You don't believe he could ever love you, but he does. You believe that you are too unsophisticated for him and that he would reject you. My message to both of you is this... You are both in love with each other so stop torturing yourselves unnecessarily. Oh and by the way, the captain has given me permission to do this. She wants her two wayward 'children' back to normal. And before you ask... yes she does think of you two as her children, not just crew members. That is all I have to say. Just remember that the doors will reopen in 2 hours 45 minutes from now. Enjoy your stay!"

The holographic image of B'Elanna winked out and they were alone again in the field.Tom sat huddled on the ground refusing to look at Harry. He did not believe what B'Elanna had just said and thought that he had lost his best friend. It was all he could do to not let the tears that were forming run free. Harry was looking at Tom with hope in his eyes. He started to move closer to Tom just as the sobs broke free. Tom was sobbing so loud that Harry forgot his caution and ran to him. He gathered tom in his arms and rocked him gently.
"Was it true what she said Tom?" Tom still wouldn't look at Harry.
"Please Tom I need to know!"
"Yes." At first Tom said it so softly that Harry almost didn't hear it.
"Tom... look at me." Tom's eyes still refused to meet his.
"Please Tom look at me." Slowly Tom lifted his eyes up to Harry's. When their eyes met, he almost gasped in surprise. Harry was staring at him with the most beautiful smile on his face. The thing that caught his attention though was the love that filled Harry's eyes. He felt the flame of hope igniting in his soul and for the first time he started to believe that maybe B'Elanna had been right.
"Tom... I just want you to know that I love you too!"

The look of pure happiness that took over Tom's face made Harry feel fantastic. He watched lovingly as he saw the doubt being replaced by hope. He loved this man so much that it hurt. He was so glad that Tom loved him too! He continued to look into Tom's eyes until he felt himself moving forward. Almost without conscious decision, he leaned in to kiss Tom. He kissed him with all the love he felt for him. For a moment there was no reaction, but then Tom was kissing him back. Their mouths fit together perfectly as if they were made for each other. Both of them had lost the capacity for rational thought and were running totally on emotion. Their hands were exploring the other. Harry gasped as Tom pulled him close and he could feel just how much Tom wanted him. Suddenly he needed to be able to feel Tom. He needed skin to skin contact. He found the opening of Tom's jumpsuit and undid it quickly. Tom helped him to get it off his shoulders then started on Harry's jumpsuit. Harry ran his hands up under Tom's shirt and felt Tom's muscles contracting under his hands. He ran his hands further up under the shirt over the crisp chest hair until his fingers grazed over one of Tom's nipples. He was rewarded with a gasp from Tom. Tom stood back suddenly and stripped of his shirt and the rest of his jumpsuit and Harry did the same. After they were both naked, they took the time to study the other. Harry gasped at the perfection of Tom's body. He was slim, but well muscled. He reminded him of the big cats back on Earth. A light sprinkling of Blonde hair covered his chest and went down in a V to his navel. When he looked further down he saw just how aroused Tom was. His manhood stood at attention nestled among a thick patch of Blonde hair.

Tom was also studying Harry. He had seen Harry earlier in the holodeck, but this time he could look without feeling guilty. He was amazed again at how beautiful he was. The golden skin stretched over lean flesh. Again Tom was captivated by the movement of the muscles as Harry breathed in and out. His body was practically hairless except for the thick patch between his legs. Tom tried not to look there yet as he knew he would lose control if he saw the evidence of just how much Harry wanted him.

Harry put out his hand and placed it flat on Tom's chest. They both marvelled at the contrast of the two skin colours. Then Tom pulled Harry to him and they were kissing again. The feel of skin to skin contact almost sent them both over the edge. Tom broke the kiss just long enough to ask the computer for a rug before pulling Harry down to the ground. He positioned them so that were touching everywhere at once. The effect was electric. Neither of them could think straight anymore. Hands and mouths were going everywhere until finally they both screamed as they came together.

After a while Tom became aware of his surroundings again and realised that he was being watched. He opened his eyes to find Harry sitting up on one elbow, staring down at him with that beautiful smile on his face. Tom felt his heart swell with the thought that Harry loved him. He had no idea why, but he was grateful that he did. "Tom... I would love to sit here and watch you naked, but the doors are going to open again in 10 minutes and I think we had better get dressed. I am sure that B'Elanna will be there to see if it worked or not."
"Have I been asleep that long?"
"I think the correct phrase is 'passed out'... and yes, you have been out that long."
"Harry... you talk too much!" with that he pulled Harry down again and kissed him thoroughly. Harry broke away.
"Tom... we have to get dressed!"
"I know, but I don't want this to end."
"It doesn't have to... Your quarters or mine?"
"Which one is closer?"
"Yours."
"Well mine it is then!!" Tom kissed Harry again before reluctantly getting up to dress. They had only just managed to get dressed when the doors opened and B'Elanna strode in. She took one look at their faces and knew that it had worked. She also deduced that they had been enjoying themselves. The mussed hair and lovebites were a dead giveaway!
"I'm glad to see that you two have sorted things out."
"Hey B'Elanna that was not a very nice thing to do, but thank you all the same!" Both Tom and Harry gave B'Elanna a big hug and she ended up sandwiched between the two of them.
"Ok, Ok... I can see you're grateful, but could you let me breathe please?" They both laughingly let go.
"I hate to seem rude B'Elanna, but we have plans... haven't we Harry?!"
"Oh definitely!!!" Harry grabbed Tom's hand and almost ran out of the holodeck. B'Elanna looked after them with a smile on her face. _I am so glad that this worked! Now I have to inform the captain!_ "Torres to Janeway"
"Janeway here... go ahead B'Elanna."
"I am just informing you that my plan worked. You should have two very happy officers in the morning!"
"Thank you B'Elanna... Can you tell me now what the problem was?"
"No... I think they would prefer to tell you themselves."
"I understand. Thank you again B'Elanna. Janeway out."

The second the door of the turbolift shut, Tom and Harry were kissing again. They were so intent on each other that they didn't notice the lift had stopped. The only reason they noticed was that someone cleared their throat very loudly behind them. They jumped apart a bit guiltily and walked out of the lift.
"Sorry Tuvok... We got a bit distracted." said Tom.
"I had noticed. Next time could you please refrain until you are back in your own quarters."
"Ummm... yes... of course." stammered Harry. He had gone quite red when they had been caught. Tom thought it was so cute how Harry blushed. They rushed off to Tom's quarters before they could get 'distracted' again.

As soon as the door closed on Tom's quarters, they were back in each others arms. Tom couldn't believe how much he wanted Harry again. If anything, he wanted him even more now! They made their way to the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind them. Once there they explored each other until they finally fell asleep.

Tom awoke before Harry and was watching him sleep. _He looks so perfect, so young and innocent. How on earth could he love someone like me? Someone so screwed up and hopeless!_ He was sure that when Harry woke up that he would be ashamed of what they had done. He also knew that it would break his heart. He was almost dreading when Harry awoke. "Morning Tom my love." murmured Harry. Tom looked at him and saw the love shining in Harry's eyes. Suddenly all of his doubts disappeared for a while, secure in the knowledge that Harry loved him.

They didn't linger long in bed as they both had to be on duty. They replicated some breakfast and then took turns washing each other in the shower. After they were dressed they made their way to the bridge. In the turbolift they gave each other a quick kiss and were perfectly composed when the doors opened onto the bridge. The only sign of anything unusual was the quick pat on the rear that Tom gave Harry as they exited.

Captain Janeway watched as Tom and Harry entered the bridge. They were literally glowing with happiness and she felt pleased. These two were very special to her. She thought of them as her children, and to see them so happy meant that she also felt happy. She witnessed the pat that Tom gave Harry and immediately realised what the problem had been. _So that's the way the cookie crumbles!_ she thought to herself. She turned to give her first officer a long loving look. She knew that her 'children' had found a love as great as the one that she herself had found with Chakotay. The type of love that could overcome all obstacles and only grow stronger over time.

Tom was getting dressed in the outfit that Harry had given him to wear today. Today they were making the ultimate commitment to each other, they were getting married! They had chosen to not have a traditional wedding, but rather, a commitment ceremony. The captain had agreed delightedly to hold the ceremony and had been helping them to arrange everything. They had decided to hold the ceremony in the holodeck, in the same field where they had first gotten together. The reception would then be held in Sandrine's. B'Elanna had even gotten hold of a holocam so that they could have pictures of this day. They had also decided to adopt each others names. Tom would become Thomas Kim-Paris, and Harry would become Harry Paris-Kim. He knew that his father would never approve of this, but for the first time in his life, he honestly didn't care. He had always said that before, but the truth was that he had cared. Now that he had Harry, he didn't need his father's approval of his life, especially as he knew that he definitely wouldn't approve of this. His father was very old-fashioned and was horrified at the thought of same-sex relationships. He would probably suffer a heart attack at the thought of his own son marrying a man! The only thing that Tom looked forward to in the Alpha Quadrant was being able to introduce his father to his husband and watch him go purple with rage, especially about the fact that Harry would also be a Paris!!

The time for the ceremony arrived and Tom walked into the holodeck. Harry was already there waiting for him. Tom took a quick breath in at the sight of Harry. He was so beautiful! He gave a silent prayer to any gods that may exist, to thank them for Harry! he also sent a mental thankyou to the Caretaker for bringing them to the Delta Quadrant. If it hadn't been for that, Tom would probably still be the loser he was before he was rescued by Voyager and the people on her.

Captain Janeway looked at the two men in front of her. Both of them had changed so much since the start of their mission four years ago. Tom had become the fine upstanding young man that he never had the chance to become back in the Alpha Quadrant. His recent promotion to Lieutenant Commander was well overdue. Harry had also turned out to be a fine officer. He had also been promoted and was now a Lieutenant, though it wouldn't be too long before he would be equal in rank to Tom!

Captain Janeway turned her mind away from her musings to start the ceremony. It was fairly brief but beautiful. As Tom and Harry exchanged their vows of commitment, the tears had run down their cheeks. Neelix was blubbering loudly and even the Holodoc's eyes were misty. As the ceremony ended, everyone stood up and cheered as Tom and Harry kissed to seal their union.

During the reception everyone came up to congratulate them. Quite a few of the males commented that it was easier to get a date now that they were off the market! Tom laughed at this and pulled Harry onto the dance floor. They were dancing really close to a slow tune and didn't see the envious looks that they were getting from nearly everyone.
"I love you Harry... More than anything else!"
"Yeah I know... I love you too Tom."
"What do you think about the idea of getting out of here now and going back to our quarters?"
"I think it is the best suggestion you've made all night!"
Tom and Harry both moved towards the exit and managed to escape without much difficulty.

Captain Janeway watched them leave from the comfort of her position in Chakotay's arms. _They are so much in love. I am so happy for them. Now all I need to do is find someone for my wayward 'daughter' B'Elanna!_ As if he could read her thoughts, Chakotay gave her a gentle squeeze and whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry... She'll find someone."

Back in their Quarters, Tom and Harry set about proving to the other just how much they loved each other. As they finally fell asleep, they knew that this was the first night of many in their lives together. They both knew that they would grow old together and that time would only strengthen their bond.
"I love you Tom."
"I know, and I love you too Harry."

Like it? Tell the author what you think!