Tom had never been more surprised in his life. First Chakotay, who he had yearned for for years but never thought could care for him told him he loved him. Then the same man who'd been the cause of all his wet dreams kissed him and Tom lost any interest in analyzing, he didn't care if it was a trick.

Those were Chakotay's lips caressing his, Chakotay's tongue teasing him, tasting him. Those were Chakotay's arms wrapped around him, pulling him close in a protective embrace. Tom felt- cherished, loved, safe. Slowly, reluctantly, they broke the kiss. Tom laid his head on Chakotay's chest. "I don't know how to get back, I'm scared."

"Don't be, I'm here, I'll guide you back. You're only here because you want to be. You just have to want to be back on Voyager."

"Voyager- the Captain, is she-?"

"She's worried about you, we all are, or at least everyone who knows is."

Tom nodded, "Do I still have to live with Tuvok?"

Chakotay chuckled, "Maybe you should ask the Captain that, once we get back. I-I was kind of hoping you?d be willing to live with me."

"Really? You-you want me to live with you?"

"Yes I do."

"Why?"

Chakotay looked in Tom's eyes, a lifetime of pain lurked in the depths of those so blue eyes. A hurt child, begging to be loved, but never trusting that it's real. "Of course I do. I love you."

"Why? I'm not exactly a good catch, I'll push you away when I'm hurting, I'll drive you crazy when I'm not, I'll need constant reassurance that you love me."

"I know, I won't let you push me away, I'll love you no matter what, I could use some craziness in my life, keep me on my toes. And as for reassurance," he pulled Tom to him. Tom gasped as he found himself pressed against a very hard part of Chakotay's body. Chakotay smiled at him, desire plain in his eyes, "I'm sure I can manage that." Then he kissed Tom again, not gently as before but wildly, passionately.

He took Tom's mouth with a wild abandon, pulling the taller man to him. Tom moaned and melted into the kiss, his hands moving desperately tugging on Chakotay's shirt, longing to touch skin, He stuck his hands beneath the shirt, running his hands along the muscles of Chakotay's back, then sliding around to the front. Chakotay gasped as Tom's hands brushed his nipples. He broke the kiss with great reluctance, "We have to get back to Voyager"

Tom nodded and started to pull away, before he could Chakotay whispered in his ear, "And then we can go back to my cabin and I can fuck you until they hear your screams in the Alpha Quadrant."

Tom's heart raced and all his blood rushed from one head to another. He gulped.
Chapter 10