He looks so peaceful. Like an angel. Asleep, he’s like a cat. Takes up more room than humanly possible. A slight smile curves his lips. He looks so innocent. You’d never know what a spoiled brat he is when awake. Chakotay mused, looking down at his charge, he didn’t know why the captain had asked him to take care of Tom. She thought he would have better luck than anyone else. So far he had found Tom to be a pain in the ass, sullen and resentful, prone to sulking like a child. He didn’t stop to realize that had it been anyone else he would have been very worried about them. It wasn’t anyone else. It was Tom Paris. Who remained a mystery to Chakotay. He had outbursts at unpredictable times. Perhaps it was time to ask his spirit guide for help.
He was in a forest, his spirit get was sprawled out on a boulder.
:You are troubled. You are confused by the blond beauty.:
“Yes, Tom. I don’t know what to do with him, and he wont talk to me.”
:He does not trust easily. He has been betrayed too often:
“By his father?”
:Both:
“Both? What do you mean?”
: the father he grew up with, Admiral Owen Paris, who is the source of all the trouble he got in before Voyager; and his birth father, who he wishes to keep hidden:
“Why? Is he afraid to admit he’s not actually an admirals son?”
His guide sighed in exasperation. :Why do you insist on not seeing what is right before your eyes? Tom has kept the truth of his real father because he fears it will spark even more resentment than an Admiral. Plus he himself is not comfortable with his father.: She got up. :Tell him that we support his decision about his father’s offer.: turning from him she raced away. Leaving him alone and even more confused.
Tom sat in a chair, reading. Chakotay nodded to Tuvok, signaling that he would take over. “Tom”. Tom looked up from his book, face blank. “What are you reading?”
“King Lear.”
“Is it good?”
“For Shakespeare.”
“Don’t you like Shakespeare?”
“He’s ok. I prefer Greek dramas.”
“Why?”
“Less long winded.”
Chakotay was uncomfortable. He didn’t know ho to get Tom talking. “I spoke to my spirit guide.”
“Did you?”
“Yes. She had a message for you.”
“What was it?” Tom asked, surprised.
“She said to tell you that they support your decision regarding your father’s offer.”
Tom’s eyes widened and he looked afraid. “She told you.”
“She told me that Admiral Paris isn’t your father, and that-“
Tom lost control, “I don’t care!” He shouted, leaping to his feet, “He has no right to come in and muck up my life. He ignored me as a child. I don’t care if he’s my father. I hate him! He can’t just burst into my life and expect me to-“
He was shaking horribly.
“Tom.” Chakotay said softly, gently. Stepping towards the other man. Putting a hand on his shoulder he tried to ignore the intoxicating scent of him and focus on calming him.
Visibly gathering himself together Tom spoke. “Did she tell you who he was?”
“No. I have the feeling she wanted you to tell me yourself.”
Tom nodded. “She’s right, I have to stop hiding it.” He focused on something over Chakotay’s shoulder. “Father show yourself to Chakotay.” Chakotay turned and found himself looking at a man in old warrior’s garb, brown hair and eyes, with a neatly trimmed beard. “Chakotay, may I introduce you to my father, Ares, Greek god of war.”
just a note: I didn't realize the signifiacance of Tom liking 'greek' dramas until I edited this.
Chapter 4