Disclaimer: Characters wihtin this stories belongs to Paramount Pictures and CO. But the story and the plot belongs to me.

Feedback is welcomed at succubus@get2net.dk

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Chakotay's Gift

Beautiful I tell you. And all mine.

He sat there in the middle of a field of roses, watching me as I stepped in. I knew that he was offering himself but it didn't matter to me--I know him. I know that he thinks this is the only thing he can offer. The program I knew was also a gift for me and for him. It was a perfect replica of the planet where we had taken our last shore leave with Harry. That day we had talked about things, secret things and private moments, and deep in my heart, I knew that Tom wasn't just offering his body but also his soul.

I went over to him and he stood up; he was naked. His pale body a strong contrast to the blood red roses. He was shivering a bit, and I knew that it was because he was scared. Not of me, but of what was to come.

Opening up wasn't something he did easily. He had never done it. Even Harry, who had been his trusted friend, never saw inside Tom Paris. I felt and I still feel honored that he chose me. With his youth and intelligence, wit and charm, he could have had anyone, but he chose me.

Well, it was actually me who went after him, but he did follow.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had been a coward and never went after him. Would he slowly have faded away without Harry there to guide him or would someone else have taken him? I don't really want to think about it, but as I stand here marveling at his beauty both inside and out, I'm happy that I did. Grateful for my father teaching me never to be scared of things I love.

I suddenly feel a warm hand touching my cheek and I look into his eyes, with that simple look I thank him for this gift. Then I slowly pull him down on the field, right where he should be, in my arms and in my life.

For an hour, we just lay there; he talked and I listened. Tom stammered a lot in the beginning, afraid that I would be disgusted at him or think of him as a coward. After a while though, it all came out. He told me about his mother. She sounds wonderful, and I wish I could meet her. He also told me about his sister, but that was all. He only told me about his mother and his sister, about what they did, who they were, but nothing about how his relationship was with them and the things he had done with them.

I decided that for now I would just let him talk and then one day when I feel that he is ready, I'll try to get him to talk. I waited for him to talk about his father, but that never happened. He only mentioned him once and that was only by the reference of 'Admiral Paris'. He stopped talking after an hour, exhausted and terrified. He feared something that I know his heart knew was not true. And I believe what he feared was that I would leave him.

I rolled over, so that I was on top of Tom. I looked down at him, smiling suggestively, and then bent to kiss him. Sex is sometimes the only thing that will calm his fears and stop those stupid thoughts.

We still had four hours left here, and I intended to make the best of them. The kiss was as passionate as the first one we shared, and soon I found his hands working hard at getting my clothes off. To help him, I stood up, slowly undressing in front of him, watching his eyes turn darker and darker. My last piece of clothing fell onto the soft grass, and I was soon down on him, covering him and kissing him into the next quadrant. Those lovely hands that move over the Conn everyday now moved over my body, caressing it, leaving a trail of burning skin behind. I craved the taste of him, craved to take him, feel him from the inside as well as on the outside.

Tom's body was flushed, heated and ready. I took him carefully but still with passion. I could slowly feel the orgasm nearing. It built up from my toes and as it reached my stomach, I was blinded by the power of it.

So strong and liberating. Tom had come right along with me and now lay panting beneath me. I moved to lie beside him, so that I wouldn't end up crushing him.

For an hour we must have laid like this, and then I suddenly remembered my gift. The one thing that would make things better than what we had now. I stood up, walked over to my clothes and picked up the wooden box that Harry had given me. The rings really were beautiful, just like Tom.

As I was about to walk back to him, I felt his presence right behind me.

Thousands of doubts swam through my mind. Would he accept it? Would he say no? What would the crew say? But really, I didn't care. I just wanted to make him happy, and if the others couldn't accept that, just too bad.

I turned around, spoke something to him, which I can't remember at all, dropped to my knees and asked him. Asked him to marry me. I just sat there, wishing, hoping that he would say yes. He was so quiet as I looked up at him. The look in his eyes shocked me. Love, pure love. All his emotions were raw and lay just beneath the surface, and then he answered.

I didn't hear it at first, but then my fog-filled mind cleared and I heard him.

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll marry you."

And that was when I knew everything was going to be okay. I hadn't scared him away, and if anyone tried to take him away, they would pay.

Anyone messing with Tom would have to answer to me. There were reasons I had been made a Captain in the Maquis.

Go on to the next part