?I will not seduce the emotionally vulnerable junior officer. I will not seduce the emotionally vulnerable junior officer. I will not seduce the emotionally vulnerable junior officer.? Chakotay repeated this litany, trying to control his raging libido. The very vulnerableness of the beautiful young pilot was opening him up to Chakotay, revealing the gentle man that lay behind the flyboy persona. And poor Chakotay was finding this version of Tom Paris completely irresistible. Yet his deeply rooted sense of honor wouldn?t let him. It was driving him insane. Chakotay peered down at Tom?s peacefully sleeping face and sighed. It was becoming far too complicated for Chakotay?s peace of mind. Everything had been easier when he had hated the younger man. Shifting Tom?s body he leaned back to contemplate the pilot?s sleeping face. His face was ravaged by grief yet he remained as beautiful as ever. Chakotay?s hackles rose in memory of the pain that had so recently dominated Tom?s countenance. Pain brought on by that Iblith Owen Paris. Chakotay swore to himself that he personally dismember Admiral Paris if he ever got within reach of him. Imagine! Doing that to his own son. Chakotay forced himself to relax, reminding himself that there was no Owen Paris for him to vent his anger on. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice.

?Commander??

?Lieutenant Ayala?? The security chief breathed a sigh of relief.

?Glad to know your okay Commander, you and Paris just hold on a minute, we?ll have you free in no time.?

When the rescue team freed them Chakotay lifted Tom, careful not to wake him, and left the cave. Oblivious to the confused stares of the crewmen he refused to give up the pilot and carried him personally to the younger man?s quarters. Tucking the man into bed he risked a kiss on Tom?s forehead, trying to ignore the delicious taste of his skin Chakotay forced himself to return to his own quarters. He really needed a cold shower.
**
Back in his quarters Tom whimpered in pain, feeling bereft without the feeling of the Commander?s protective arms encircling him.


What? You thought maybe that Chakotay would give into temptation? That would be no fun whatsoever. Plus totally OOC for Chakotay. Ok, I?m milking this story for all it?s worth. I promise I?ll get them together in the next part.