Author’s note : When Shayna speaks in these** the boys can’t hear her. She’s talking to herself.

Tom whimpered, borrowing further into the covers. He couldn’t sleep, he kept on dreaming of those times, those many times in his youth when he’d inadvertently angered his father. Sighing he rose to his feet and put on plain black sweat pants and his favorite black T-shirt. It had a penguin on it, wings outstretched, and said, 'I want to fly’ on it. Deciding to forego footwear he padded silently out into the hall.

Chakotay was feeling unusually restless that night. He decided to go for a walk. He entered observation lounge and found, to his surprise, that it wasn’t empty. Tom Paris paced the room angrily. Occasionally stopping to stare forlornly out the viewpoint.

“They’re beautiful aren’t they?” The question startled Chakotay.

“What?”

“The stars.”

“Oh-yes, they’re very beautiful.”

“I always loved them. I used to talk with them when I was little. I’d hold whole conversations with them.” Chakotay walked over to the blond pilot, and stood behind him, gingerly put a hand on his shoulder, not knowing for the life of him what to say. To his surprise Tom leaned closer to him, urging Chakotay to put his arms around him. Chakotay complied. He pulled the slighter man to him, hugging him tightly. Tom once again buried his face in his neck, and took a deep breath, reveling in the smell of him.

* “C’mon!” urged Shayna, “Just go head and kiss him! The suspense is killing me.”*

Tom pulled away slightly to look deeply in Chakotay’s eyes. “Chakotay, I’m sorry.”

The sadness in his eyes made Chakotay want to hold him close and never let him go, but he settled for, “About what?”

“I-I’m being weak, burdening you needlessly with things I should be able to deal with.”

“Shh Shh.” Chakotay pulled him close again. “It’s not your fault, you can’t help it, besides which, I don’t mind taking care of you. I love you.” ‘Oh shit did I actually say that?” Chakotay thought to himself.

“You-you do?”

Well he couldn’t just take it back now that he’d said it. That’s definitely be lying. “More than I can say.” The effect was astounding. Tom’s whole face lit up in pure joy and he leaned slowly forward to kiss Chakotay.

* “Well it’s about time.”*

Chakotay moaned and opened his mouth under the other man’s assault. Reveling in the soft feel of Tom’s lips on his, Tom’s tongue darted inside his mouth, tasting him, teasing him, taunting him.

Suddenly the ship rocked, spilling them gracelessly to the floor. “Red alert, Red alert, Voyager is under attack.”

*”Damn!” talk about bad timing”*

Tom and Chakotay raced to the bridge.

“Are you alright Mr. Paris?”

“Ma’am?”

“You look a little flushed.”

“I’m fine ma’am.” They entered the bridge and Tom heaved a sigh of relief at being spared her questioning. Then had to keep himself from bursting into laughter. Apparently Captain Janeway was the only one who had had time to change out of her pajama’s (he and Chakotay had already been dressed) The sight of Harry Kim in blue pj’s with rubber ducky’s on it was worth any havoc these new aliens were prepared to cause. “Nice pj’s Har.”

“They’re a gift from my Fiancé. Unlike you I didn’t waste time putting on my uniform.”

“I didn’t have a choice. The Captain was willing to look over your wearing pj’s on Bridge but I doubt she would be as repentant to the idea of my coming to the bridge naked.

“Would’ve been interesting though.” One of the Ensigns murmured, exchanging suggestive glances with her friend.

-Alright, I’ll write more as soon as I decide who is attacking them and plan my strategy for getting Tom and Chakotay into bed together ;) suggestions are welcome (and will help me write faster)-