Tom looked curiously around the resplendent entrance hall to the Yagsagian�s diplomatic Embassy. �Hmm, I wonder what this is?� He picked up an ornate vase. Peering at the figures he turned it around, �What do you think Commander?�

�What do I think? I think you are like a child, you have to touch everything you see.�He snatched the vase from Tom and replaced it on the pedestal. The aliens stared at them in absolute shock.

�Blasphemy.�One of them whispered.

�I can�t believe it, how could this get left out of our information? All we did was touch one damn vase and for that? We get driven through a crowd, where they through rotten fruit at us, and locked in a cave, to die. With Tom Paris!� Furiously pacing Chakotay suddenly realized that his annoying companion hadn�t said a word since the aliens had started throwing fruit at them. �Paris.� He turned around, searching the cave for the blond pilot. There he was. Sitting with his knees against his chest and his head down. �This is all your fault you know Paris. You just had to pick up that vase.� Before he could launch into a further tirade he heard Tom muttering, to low for him to hear. �What are you saying? Speak up Lieutenant.�Tom ignored him, beginning to rock back and forth. Chakotay came up close to him, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Had he been his in the head with a hard fruit? When he got close enough he was able discern Tom�s babble.

�I�m sorry I�ll be good don�t lock me up please Daddy I�ll do better next time no more B�s I promise let me out I�ll be better I won�t embarrass you please don�t lock me in the chest please Daddy please I promise to do whatever you tell me.�Shocked by what he was hearing Chakotay automatically grabbed the pilot�s shoulders.

�Paris?!Paris?!Tom?�At last Tom looked up and Chakotay was shocked by the pure, naked pain and fear in those beautiful blue eyes. Tom stared silently at him for a few seconds before resuming his babbling.

�I�m sorry I don�t mean to be a screw up I want you to be proud of me I want to stop being worthless I�m sorry I�m not the son you deserve please Daddy forgive me.� It was too much, Chakotay�s protective instincts kicked in. Just then Tom repeated, �Whatever you want.� and slipped his hand down the waistband of Chakotay�s pants. Chakotay grabbed the hand.

�Whoa there Lieutenant� This seemed to snap Tom out of it. His brow crinkled in confusion.

�C-Commander?� He was no longer rocking, but shaking uncontrollably. And obviously fighting tears.