Tom was tired No, that was an understatement. Tom was exhausted. It took all his energy to strip off his clothes and literally fall into bed. "Now you see, if you'd take me up on my offer you wouldn't be so tired."

Tom groaned, picked up a pillow, and put it over his head, muttering a fuzzy, "Go away Dad."

The God of War ignored him. "Gods and Demi-gods don't tire as easily as weak mortals."

Tom's answer was indecipherable. However, being a god, Ares still knew what he said. "You watch your tongue boy." he said sharply.

"Look I don't want to follow in Your fucking footsteps and become a god. I'm mortal. I was raised by mortals, my friends are mortals. You have no right to interfere in my life. Now go away, I'm trying to sleep."

Ares sighed, "Stubborn".

"Mmmhmm."

Ares sighed again and disappeared.

Tom took his tray and sat next to Harry, trying to ignore his father, since he knew no one else could see him.

"You're actually going to eat that? You know if you took me up on my offer you could dine on ambrosia, not, what the hell is that?"

"Good question" Tom thought to himself.

"Why hello," Ares was looking at Captain Janeway.

Tom clenched his hands and recited Starfleet regulations to keep from reacting to Ares's improper attitude towards the captain, who he respected greatly.

"Aha! 'Tis the strong and mysterious commander! I?m sure everyone feels safer with this one on watch." B'Elanna walked by. "Ah, the lovely B'Elanna, bet she's hell in the sack." Ares could tell his son was ignoring him, so he struck closer to home. "And let's not forget young Harry here. Like a little puppy dog. And about as smart as a block of wood. Hey Tommy- maybe you should-"

It was too much, Tom lost it. He turned to the God of War. "Would you shut the fuck up? I'm tired of you. Always making those damn commented. Can't you just leave me alone?" Silence reigned in the mess hall.

"Tom who are you talking to?" Harry whispered.

"Shit." Tom banged his head on the table.

Tom was curled up in sickbay. His father sat on the end of the biobed. "Tommy I'm sorry." In response Tom pulled the blanket over his head. "Are you not talking to me now? You can answer, no one else is here."

"Go away." Tom moaned. Thanks to Ares the entire ship thought he was a nutcase. And what could he say. "You see, I'm not really crazy, my father is Ares, Greek god of war, and he was sitting next to me making rude comments. Yes, I know you didn't see anyone there, he was invisible to mortal eyes." Oh yeah that'd go over great. He moaned and threw his arm over his eyes.

"So?" Tom moved his arm. His father had been replaced by Commander Chakotay. Sitting exactly as Ares had. Tom was amused by how similar the two were. His father would hate to be compared to a mortal. "How are you feeling Paris?" The poor commander, Tom thought, he's busy trying to stay the concerned councilor when all he really wants is to shove me out an airlock.

"Like I really want to get out of the sickbay."

"You know we can't allow that. You were yelling at an invisible person."

"I know it seems bad. And I can?t explain my behavior. But I'm really not crazy. I?m perfectly fit for duty. Really!"

"I know that's what you think, but you can't explain your behavior can you?"

"Well no." He couldn't meet those eyes. Those warm brown eyes, shining with concern and compassion. He couldn?t stand it. Knew the handsome Commander actually hated him, knew he was just doing his duty as the ship's unofficial councilor. But it hurt. Damn did it hurt. He studied his hands, refusing to look at the older man. Chakotay sighed, "Alright, you can go back to your quarters." Tom looked up hopefully. "But you are confined to those quarters, are not to be left alone for more than five minutes at a time, and you will not return to duty until we figure out your problem."

"Who'll be my keeper when Harry's on duty?"

"Ensign Kim will not be your 'keeper' I will. When I am on duty Lieutenant Commander Tuvok will take over."

Tom was struck speechless. Oh gods, how was he going to withstand spending all that time with Chakotay without really going insane? He was in enough trouble already without ending up in the brig for sexually molesting a commanding officer. Oh Shit. Oh Shit.


Chapter 2