GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT

Title: Gentlemen's Agreement, 4/16 
Author: Jaye (Copyright May 2002) 
Codes: C/P NC-17

Disclaimer: Star Trek, Voyager and all related characters and
concepts  are the property of Paramount. No infringement is
intended or profit  made. This is NC-17 for m/m sex. If you
aren't interested (or aren't old  enough), don't read it.

Archive: Drop me a note first so I know where it's going. Please
keep  the text (especially the disclaimer) intact.

Feedback: Sure but be kind, or at least constructive. E-mail is 
reader8901@fastmail.fm

Summary: An alien royal makes Chakotay an offer he can't refuse.

Note: Slightly AU, P/T never happened and I don't know how canon 
Chakotay dresses off duty. Also, Tom's 30, Chakotay 39.

***************

PART FOUR

/This is hopeless. Absolutely hopeless./ Chakotay held back a
let-down,  put-upon sigh. He'd been so sure he would enjoy sex
with Tom. When he'd  finished his flamenco with the customary
flourish, he'd looked over to  check the reaction of his very
select audience.

It was...incendiary. The sapphire eyes were incandescent, the
pure  heart of a flame. Chakotay could feel them searing a path
along his flesh  from head to toe. Then Tom rose from the bed,
all lean hungry predator.  The younger man's body, sun-gilded
snow clad in cool blue, belied the  heat of his gaze. Chakotay's
rapid pulse wasn't entirely due to the  exertions of the dance.

Chakotay had been frozen in place, chest heaving slightly as he
caught  his breath. Then Tom lifted a hand and held it out,
beckoning. Chakotay  obeyed the summons, moving near and
clasping Tom's left hand in his  own.

The next few moments were a blur. Tom yanked him forward, spun
behind  him and pushed. Chakotay suddenly found himself face
down on the bed  with another body on top of him, pressing
against his back and spreading  his legs. Before Chakotay could
even ask what was happening, Tom called  out, "Computer, delete
all holographic garments" and they were naked.  Then an
oil-covered hand was parting his buttocks and breaching his 
virgin ass. Far too fast for Chakotay's peace of mind.

Which brought them to this point. Chakotay tried to relax his
internal  muscles to make things easier for Tom, and wondered
how long it would  take. The desire he'd felt earlier had been
thoroughly dampened by the  hasty nature of their mating. No
kiss, no caress, just get it in and get  it done, apparently.
Now all Chakotay wanted was to get it over with.  The
disappointment and, he admitted, slight fear were tempered by 
gladness that he *hadn't* gone to bed with Tom the night they'd
met. It  definitely wouldn't have been worth the compromise of
his principles.

Chakotay's mind wandered to ways of "faking it" with Nedal. If
he  wasn't having a good time with Tom, a man he'd known for
years, he doubted  he'd have any better luck with a heavy-handed
alien who didn't even like  him. Chakotay was suppressing
another sigh when something much more  substantial than fingers
invaded him. He involuntarily tensed and the  exhale turned into
a half-smothered grunt of discomfort.

The small sound snapped Tom out of his rutting haze like a slap.
He was  somewhat shocked to find himself lying on top of, and
half buried in, a  gorgeous sleek body that was definitely not
welcoming him.

It shouldn't have happened this way. By the end of the dance Tom
had  wanted Chakotay with a fierceness that shocked him. When he
felt the  strength of that bronzed hand in his own, he'd been
swamped with a feeling  of insecurity. He *knew* the older man
was not a threat, but he had  reacted instinctively. He took
control of the situation, tackling the  solid figure, then
dissolved their clothes. A few moments of quick, slick  prep and
Tom was demonstrating that he was the man on top.

Except there was nothing to prove. Chakotay certainly wasn't
trying to  fight Tom, despite the fact that he obviously wasn't
enjoying the  experience. Tom was filled with remorse. He had
treated his virgin lover  like someone he'd pick up in a bar for
a quick fuck. A one-night stand,  something Chakotay had striven
all his life not to be. Tom moved his  hands to the mattress,
taking some of his own weight. "Shit, Chak, I'm  sorry."

Chakotay felt Tom's body still, then a lessening of the pressure 
against his spine. He propped himself up on his elbows and
turned to look  over his shoulder. "That's okay, Tom. I expected
it to hurt."

Tom blinked a few times, clearing his misty vision, then rested
his  chin on one smooth shoulder. "You shouldn't have," he said
quietly. "It  didn't have to." He closed his eyes and admitted,
"I've never actually  slept with a virgin before."

"Really?" Tom felt the shoulder under him shift in surprise. "I
would  have thought that Harry---"

"Harry and I never...well, after Akriteria, it was more about
mutual  comfort. We weren't truly attracted to each other, so it
didn't get too  physical between us. It was too much like
kissing my brother." Tom's  nose-wrinkling expression of
remembered disgust faded. "I didn't mean for  things to get out
of hand, Chakotay. Maybe it would be better if---"

"Hey," Chakotay said softly, reacting to the younger man's
sudden  somber mood. Guilty blue eyes met his own. "I'm still
asking for your help,  Tom. Can we start again?"

Tom raised himself up to search doe eyes soft with trust. He
silently  vowed to rekindle a flame of desire in them once more.
He lifted one  hand to cradle a high-boned cheek. "No," Tom
said, "But we can go on from  here as we should have begun."

"Okay," Chakotay nuzzled into the palm on his face, then
half-closed  his eyes and sent the pilot a sly grin. "So impress
me, Casanova. Show me  what all the fuss is about." He subtly
shifted his hips, reminding Tom  they were still joined.

Tom's answering grin mixed relief and gratitude for his
partner's  levity. "Aye, aye, Sir." He leaned forward to seal
the deal with a kiss,  happy to see Chakotay move to meet him.

The angle was awkward, but that lush mouth was just as talented
as Tom  recalled. He greeted the questing tongue like an old
friend, twining  and traveling back and forth to explore their
combined playgrounds. His  hand moved from Chakotay's cheek to
sink into the raven hair, the short  strands silky, not bristly
as he'd expected.

Tom's other palm and fingers were covered with oil, so he turned
his  hand and sent his knuckles exploring the back he
half-rested against. The  fire-tinged skin was appropriately
warm, and so soft that shock opened  his eyes.

Chakotay noticed his playmate's distraction and broke the kiss.
"Is  something wrong?"

"No, it's just..." Tom brought his other hand down as well, to
touch  the satiny surface and trace the muscles flowing
underneath. "...I've  never felt skin so soft on a man." He
stroked Chakotay's sides and  shoulders, feeling the older man
shiver in reaction. "Or a woman, either."

Tom moved to fully lie on the bronzed form once more, languidly
rubbing  his front against Chakotay's back. He felt the body
beneath him shudder  as he watched the brown eyes close and the
kiss-swollen lips emit a  soft moan. Tom smiled. "You like to be
touched, don't you?" he purred.

The brush of Tom's hands was enjoyable, but the feel of two hard 
nipples and the many tiny strands of hair adorning the blond's
chest and  abdomen were arousing beyond belief. Chakotay had
never considered his back  an erogenous zone before, but he was
rapidly realizing his mistake as  the fire started again.

Tom wiped off some of the oil by swiping his hand against his
own side;  he definitely wanted all ten fingers involved in
this. He tucked his  chin into the crook of Chakotay's neck and
asked, "Am I too heavy for  you?"

At the shake of the dark head Tom lifted his own. He put his
hands on  either side of the strong jaw and gently turned
Chakotay to face  forward. He ran his fingers under the dimpled
chin and along the strong column  of throat to the necklace,
then around to trace the curves of  Chakotay's ears and follow
the hairline around to the nape. He paused a moment  to plant a
kiss on that tempting bit of skin, glad to hear another soft 
moan. Tom's erection was returning as he once more became aware
of his  awkward position, half in and half out of the blood-hot
passage that  beckoned below.

Tom massaged the tops of the strong shoulders. "I have to start
moving  again, Chak. I'll try to be slow and gentle this time.
Will you be all  right?"

Chakotay nudged his hips back again, experimenting. Tom's touch
was  both reassuring and exciting him, and the twinge he'd felt
earlier seemed  to have subsided. "Yes, I think so. Just keep
doing what you're doing."  The last word dissolved into a groan
as those clever fingers danced  their way to his chest to make
sure his nipples were paying attention. The  dusky nubs perked
up immediately in response, and were rewarded by  subtle tugs
and rolls.

Tom couldn't get enough of the exquisite skin beneath him, so
vibrant  in contrast to his own pale coloring. He ranged over as
much of  Chakotay's smooth torso as he could reach. He also
began undulating his hips,  pushing his cock further into
Chakotay's body on each downward stroke  until he was fully
sheathed. Then he paused, waiting, letting his lover  get used
to the sensation.

Chakotay wondered if this was how women felt: claimed, filled,
but also  embracing, possessing. It was strange, but not
unpleasant. He felt Tom  begin to nibble on the back of his neck
and moaned again, feeling the  vibration communicate itself to
the man resting within and above him.

The salt of dried sweat tingled on Tom's tongue as he licked and
sucked  his way across Chakotay's shoulders and neck, his chin
bumping the  body-warmed gold circlet as he worked. Under the
tang he could scent and  taste his lover's essence, spice and
sweetness somehow reminding him of  citrus and sandalwood.

Chakotay shifted slightly, trying to give his growing erection
more  room. "Move, Tom, *do* something," he commanded a little
desperately.

"Whatever you say," Tom replied, retreating halfway and pressing
in  again with one smooth, powerful stroke. He could feel the
difference now;  Chakotay's body was yielding to him, clasping
his sex in a heated  caress. He pulled out almost entirely,
feeling the ring of muscle clamping  around the head of his
cock, then surged forward.

Chakotay felt a bolt of lightning zip along his nerves. "What
was  *that*?" he gasped, the flames rising higher.

"Your sweet spot, my sweet," Tom grinned and repeated his
action,  pleased to have such a responsive partner as Chakotay
panted and shuddered  beneath him. He changed his angle slightly
and felt the soft bronzed  skin slide along his own as the older
man began to writhe. The untutored  movements as Chakotay sought
to meet his thrusts filled Tom with a  greater satisfaction than
he had ever known.

Chakotay was lost in an inferno of feeling. Tom's cock slid in
and out,  sparking the indescribable sensations again and again.
He tried to  help, moving back to match his lover's forward
motion, but didn't have much  leverage with his legs stretched
out on the ruby coverlet. Then he felt  Tom's hands slide around
his hips, helping to lift his lower half from  the bed so he
could settle on knees and elbows.

Now he could move, pushing back in rhythm with that plunging
cock,  feeling the brush of Tom's body hair against his buttocks
and thighs as  they came together in sharp slaps of flesh. Then
those wonderful fingers  started playing again, tweaking and
pinching Chakotay's nipples and  wandering down to enclose his
penis. He almost lost the rhythm when a thumb  began circling
the tip as the fist squeezed, matching their beat. He  felt the
heat from his core rising, building, to suddenly burst from him 
in a surge of liquid fire, pulsing from him as he roared. His
body  clamped down on the flesh filling him and he sensed the
rush of Tom's  release gushing forth.

Tom drove himself forward, slamming into hot welcoming flesh.
Then  Chakotay yelled and the younger man felt the grip of the
climaxing form  beneath him, the tightness of the satin walls
closing around his cock. In  a heartbeat Tom was lost in his own
orgasm. He screamed and pumped,  spending his seed in a series
of deep thrusts. They collapsed, Tom feeling  his sweat drip to
mix with Chakotay's as both men breathed deep.

After long minutes, Tom pulled out to lie beside the older man
on the  coverlet. He reached over and parted the enticing
coppery globes once  more, checking if his hasty preparation and
uncontrolled ending had  caused any damage. He answered
Chakotay's inquiring grunt. "You might be a  little sore
tonight, but I don't think you need a regenerator. How do  you
feel?"

Chakotay turned his head to face the blond, who had slumped
again  beside him. His dark eyes still glowed with the echo of
their passion as he  grinned. "Impressed."

Tom threw his head back and laughed. "I aim to please," he said,
blue  eyes twinkling.

"You did," Chakotay said, then leaned over, reassuring. "You
did. Thank  you, Tom."

"I'm glad it worked out," Tom replied softly, dropping his gaze.

Chakotay nodded, letting the moment go. He shifted a little,
feeling  unfamiliarly wet. "Could you toss me a towel or
something? I'm too wasted  to make it to the shower just yet."

"Nope, cleanup is all part of the service," Tom said briskly,
swiping  up a towel and gently rubbing the older man's thighs
and backside,  taking extra care in the cleft. He pushed at a
sleek hip and Chakotay rolled  to his side. The pilot paused a
moment, looking, feeling a twinge of  renewed regret that he
hadn't taken the time to appreciate the fine  musculature and
impressive rosy cock that now lay spent on its bed of dark 
hair. Tom shifted to an unused section of towel and began to
wipe down  the cum-spattered skin.

Chakotay used Tom's distraction to take a good look at his
temporary  bedmate. The pale skin glowed against the dark red of
the satin bedspread  as Chakotay reviewed the surprisingly
well-defined shoulders and chest.  The long limbs matched, lean
but muscled, with an elegance that was  enhanced by the hairs
gilding them. He moved his gaze to Tom's abdomen and  the arrow
of gold that yesterday led to forbidden territory. Now his  view
was unobstructed as he took in the long, purple-crested member
that  had brought him such pleasure. It lay flaccid and
glistening now on a  background of crisp curls. The older man
snagged another towel and used  it to gently enclose Tom's
length. "May I?" he asked, eyes flicking up  to meet Tom's.
Chakotay blushed and gave a shy smile. "I've never  handled
equipment that's not my own."

"Sure," Tom breathed. He could feel the warmth of those capable
hands  even through the towel as Chakotay carefully cleaned the
younger man's  cock. The soft touches of the cloth against his
skin were strangely  comforting. He had closed his eyes,
drifting in sensation, when Chakotay's  hesitant voice caught
his attention.

"Tom," Chakotay said, feeling his face heat again. /Spirits! I
haven't  blushed this much since I was twelve./ "This is awkward
to ask, but I  need to know. Uh...how was I?"

The blond looked into the anxious brown eyes and remembered that
they  weren't here together because of mutual lust. At least,
that wasn't the  only reason. Tom stayed quiet a moment, framing
his response. /Well the  truth is, my Titan, you are probably
the best damn fuck I've ever  had---Nah, too crude...and
honest./ Tom cleared his throat and sat up,  crossing his arms
and staring at Chakotay the way his Academy professors  always
did after Tom would finish a presentation in class. He let the 
older man sweat a moment, probably recognizing the stance he
himself had  taken time and again while teaching cadets.

Then Tom flopped down again, grinning and briefly touching noses
with  Chakotay. "To quote you, Chak, I'm impressed." He glowed
when he saw the  bronzed body relax; apparently Tom's opinion
meant a lot to the older  man. His expression softened. "Despite
my initial clumsiness, *you* came  through with flying colors
for the horizontal portion of our program."

The older man again noticed the contrast of Tom's skin and his
fiery  setting as the blond flung himself onto his back, his
arms waving  expansively. "And that *dance*. Damn, Chak, you'd
better have an escape route  planned," Tom turned semi-serious
eyes on his companion, "or you could  find yourself the star of
one hell of an orgy." Tom shifted to his side  again, curiosity
in every line. "Where the hell *did* you learn to  dance the
flamenco?"

Chakotay made himself comfortable, smiling fondly as he looked
back  into his past. "At the Academy---or more accurately, while
I was at the  Academy." He quirked an eyebrow. "Were you
familiar with the Costa del  Sol Café down the coast a ways?"

Tom moved a little closer as he answered. "I heard of it, but
never got  a chance to visit." His eyes widened. "You
moonlighted at the  restaurant's cabaret? I didn't think a cadet
would need the money."

"That came later," Chakotay said, chuckling. "I was in my second
year  of training---had just turned 16, in fact. Some buddies
took me to the  Café to celebrate, and I fell in love."

He looked at Tom, eyes twinkling. "My very first crush was on
the  owner's daughter. Her name was Maya, and she was an older
woman." He waggled  his brows. "A very worldly 18...at least, I
thought so."

Tom guessed, "And you decided to impress the lady with your
knowledge  of her culture, right?"

"Yes. I got a few vids and some music, and hung around the place
every  weekend, asking questions. After a few months of
practice, I was all  set to make my move."

"And?" Tom prompted, caught up in the story.

"And I found out she was leaving to go to school on Mars. To be
near  her new boyfriend," Chakotay said, shaking his head with a
rueful  expression. After a moment he continued. "It worked out
all right, though.  Maya's family still wanted me around. They
kind of adopted me, kept me  from feeling so homesick. When
Maya's dad found out I had learned how to  dance, he arranged an
impromptu audition."

Chakotay laughed in reminiscence. "He offered me a job on the
spot. I  couldn't take it, of course, but I did fill in when one
of the regulars  needed time off." He shrugged, "I'm just glad I
could still remember the steps after all  these years."

"Yeah, it's not quite like riding a bike," Tom agreed.

Chakotay propped his head on a hand. "So what about you, Tom?
Did you  ever do anything crazy in the pursuit of amour?" The
dark eyes were  curious, and Chakotay's expression invited
confidences, showing the same  openness that had been there
since their arrangement began.

Tom thought back, trying to remember. He felt a little sad when
he  finally looked up to say, "No, Chakotay, I've never been a
fool for love."  He sighed. "It's never been important enough to
make the effort. I  mean, there was always somebody easier
hanging around who was interested in  the Paris name and an
attractive package."

Chakotay laid a hand on a slim wrist, trying to offer
reassurance. "But  nobody cares about your name here, Tom, and
you've certainly proven  yourself enough times for people to
look beyond the wrapping to the prize  within."

Tom gave a small smile; he was grateful, but unconvinced.
"Thanks,  Chak." He slid his hand out and stretched, eager to
change the subject.  "I'm going to hit the shower."

Chakotay lightly caught Tom's arm before he could bound off the
bed.  "Tom, I know it's a lot to ask, but...would you mind
staying the night?"  He could feel himself blushing again. "It's
been a while, and I need to  see if, you know, I snore or talk
in my sleep or anything."

Tom held very still; this was serious for him. He had never
spent the  night with anyone except Harry, and that was for
mutual protection  against the nightmares of the prison. After
the images had faded, Tom went  back to sleeping alone until
eventually the men agreed to split. His  eyes narrowed
speculatively, "Okay, on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You solve a Voyager mystery for me. Tell me why you don't dress
the  way you did when you danced. I mean, ever since we've known
each other  you've been flapping around in loose clothes." He
rested on an elbow,  peering into Chakotay's eyes. "You have one
of the most beautiful bodies  I've ever seen. Why hide it?"

Chakotay blushed---*again*, much to his chagrin---and dropped
his eyes  in embarrassment. "I've dressed that way all my life.
Because...it's  silly, really." He glanced wryly at the blond.
"I don't think we know  each other well enough to reveal my big
secret."

Tom rolled his eyes. "I just had my cock up your ass, Chak.
Doesn't  that count for something?"

"Of course not." Chakotay looked at him strangely, as if the
very idea  was too absurd to even consider.

Tom was nonplussed by the older man's response. "Oh." His brows
drew  together. "What would do it then?"

"You stay with me every night, until we reach Ruta." At Tom's
dubious  expression he spread his hands. "Hey, it's for a good
cause, and the  information you want is something I've kept to
myself a long time." He  leaned forward confidingly. "I haven't
told B'Elanna or Greg, or even  Kathryn. They've been bugging me
about it for years, *and* they're my best  friends."

The idea of getting one over on the rest of the crew---and, Tom 
admitted, the lure of the delectable man resting on the
bed---convinced him  that it wouldn't be so bad. /After all,
it's only a week./ Tom stuck out  his hand. "Deal."

Chakotay engulfed the slender palm in his own broader one and
pumped.  He pulled Tom back over so their faces were close
together. He batted  his eyelashes. "Shouldn't we seal it with a
kiss?" he cooed.

Tom decided the joking offer was just a bit too tempting;
Chakotay was  probably too sore for another round this evening.
But he was charmed by  the idea of a coquettish Commander. He
kissed the tip of the aquiline  nose, then escaped down the hall
to the bathroom followed by the sound  of a rich chuckle.
"Change the cover, will you?" he called over his  shoulder. "I'm
*not* sleeping under a wet spot."

Chakotay quickly got off the bed, still chortling at Tom's high 
spirits. He moved the towels and oil to a nightstand and ordered
the computer  to freshen the bedspread, then sauntered over to
the replicator. He  considered for a few minutes, but finally
put in his costume request. He  then hastily pulled the black
clothes and boots out of the machine and  laid them over a
chair. He bet Tom would gloat at seeing them. /Funny  thing is,
I don't mind at all./ Chakotay pondered his recent teasing 
behavior and wondered if Tom was becoming a good influence, or
bad. Time  would tell.

He was still standing in the middle of the room, musing, when
Tom  bounded out of the doorway, clean and clad in his
holographic robe. He  stopped in shock when he saw a still naked
Chakotay staring into space. He  cocked his head. "You really
don't have a problem with nudity, do you?"

"What?---No, nor other people's scrutiny, mostly." Chakotay
said,  strolling toward the bathroom to begin his own ablutions.
He paused at the  touch of a hand on his shoulder as he passed
Tom.

"You might want to consider a warm bath," Tom said, flushing
faintly.  "I've, um, heard it's, um, soothing." He couldn't
believe he felt so  awkward passing on the unsolicited advice
he'd once gotten from some  ambassador trying to convince Tom to
try something new in an unused room at  an official function.
The guy had failed, of course, and Tom had left  the party with
a tasty waiter.

"Oh, thanks. I'll try it," Chakotay said, and went off to take
his  first bath in quite a while.

Tom wandered into the bedroom, noting the pristine bedspread and
the  black clothes resting on a chair. He wandered over and ran
his finger  along the T-shirt, and felt renewed arousal at the
memory of its  holographic twin. /Cool it!/ Tom thought sternly
to his nether regions. /Give  the guy a break./ He grinned and
added, /At least for tonight./

Restless, Tom grabbed the towels and returned to the hall. He
tossed  them into the refresher after he retrieved their
uniforms, laying them  out on separate chairs. Then it was his
turn to pause, simply standing,  debating sleepwear. Usually he
didn't bother with it, but he also didn't  typically have
another body in his bed. He and Harry had both worn  pajamas,
making their time together seem more like a kids' sleepover than
a  real relationship.

Tom looked at the huge mattress, pictured Chakotay lying on it,
and  remembered the incredible texture of that warm skin. That
decided him. He  quickly shucked his robe, pulled back the
bright cover and dove between  the white sheets underneath. He
sighed and settled on his chosen  pillow, awaiting another
glimpse of his Titan.

Chakotay didn't keep him waiting too long. He'd had a warm soak
and  found the water was comforting to his faintly throbbing
ass, then a quick  shower. He was kind of shocked to find
himself so unconflicted about  the whole situation. Three days
ago his only thoughts about Tom Paris had  been work-related
ones, and the very occasional speculation. Now he had  not only
asked Tom to fuck him, but he also had thoroughly enjoyed the 
experience once they got past the awkward beginning.

He paused by the replicator, debating whether to dial up some
sleep  pants. He preferred to go au naturel, but his current
bedmate wasn't  *exactly* his lover. At least, not a typical
one. But the opportunity to  feel those tiny tickling hairs
against his skin again was just too  tempting.

The older man adjusted the holographic flooring back to the
original  plush red carpet and enjoyed the brush of the fibers
against the soles of  his feet as he crossed the room. The
lights were off except for the  soft glow from the sconces on
either side of the bed.

Tom's appreciative gaze followed the bunch and release of muscle
as  Chakotay made his way to the other side of their
satin-draped island and  slid in. The two men faced each other a
moment. Tom felt a small swirl  of panic again as he looked into
those glimmering liquid eyes. "I'm, uh,  kind of a restless
sleeper, yeah, so I'll try to keep to my side of the  bed. Good
night, Chak." Tom hastily turned his back on the confused 
expression on the handsome face and snuggled down to sleep.

"Good night, Tom," Chakotay said and lowered the lights. He
wasn't  quite sure what had set his companion off, but if the
younger man wanted  his space, then so be it. Tom was already
being a good sport by staying  here at all. Chakotay rolled to
face the outer edge of the mattress and  settled in for some
rest.

***************

Nedal stalked the holographic garden, searching for a sign of
his  escaped prey. The Regent had sought some privacy after
leaving Milady's  presence, pacing off his rage at the old
woman's presumption.

That meddler had already spoiled his plans to make human pilot
Tom  Paris his Larat. Now she had the audacity to suggest Nedal
*not* pursue the  tasty morsel before her own pet, Chakotay (his
lip curled at the name),  took his place in the royal bed.

Nedal had taken the time to calm down before returning to the
hunt, not  wanting to scare off the skittish goband before he
was firmly in the  Regent's claws. He had used the interval to
plot ways of getting Paris  off Voyager and into his cabin
aboard the flagship. It would be easier to  control the golden
one on Rutali turf---and to prevent his escape.  Nedal wondered
briefly if his precautions were an unconscious response to 
Milady's skeptical opinion of Paris's docility, then dismissed
the  matter as unimportant. If the human acted up, Nedal would
soon teach him it  was unwise to cross the Rutali Regent.

Plans in place, Nedal had mingled among the throng gathered in
the  holodeck, greeting his hosts and his own people with
deceptive good cheer.  It was only after he realized that Paris
had left the party that his  temper had sparked again.

His golden eyes roamed the Starfleet uniforms, suddenly lighting
on the  young dark-haired human Paris had fled to for safety
during the  reception on the colony world. His eyes narrowed as
he focused on his new  target.

***************

Harry was being stared at; he knew it. He could feel someone's
gaze  tracing his form, marking his vulnerable points. It was
creepy, and  reminded him of a similar experience Tom had
mentioned a few nights ago. He'd  have to apologize to his
friend for scoffing at his story at the time.  He put down his
drink, wondering if it would be better to seek out  B'Elanna or
Tom or just slip out of the room and head for the safety of his 
cabin.

The Ensign moved out of the occupied paths to take a half-hidden 
shortcut to the exit. The hair prickling on the back of his neck
warned him  of his tactical error when he suddenly recalled that
every teen in every  slasher flick Tom had ever shown was doomed
the moment they left the  safety of the crowd to wander off on
their own. /I'm *never* watching  those stupid horror films
again,/ he swore, walking swiftly down the  narrow path.

He squeaked and jumped when a hand landed heavily on his
shoulder and  spun him around. He blinked, then looked up at a
fiercely scowling  Rutali Regent. "Ca---Can I help you?" he
said, stiffening his spine and  dragging his composure back with
both hands.

"Yes," Nedal growled, a grating, drawn-out syllable like the low
rasp  of a blade against the whetstone. Harry swallowed and
waited for a  conversation he just *knew* he wasn't going to
like.

"The pilot, Tom Paris. You are his companion, his friend?"

"Yes," Harry answered, but offered nothing more.

Nedal's eyes slitted as he moved into the Ensign's space,
emphasizing  the differences in height and build between them.
"Where is he?"

/I *seriously* need to apologize to Tom. This guy could
definitely  weird you out, even at twenty paces./ "I don't know.
I haven't seen him  lately. Would you like me to help you search
the garden?" He tried to ease  his way around the Rutali and
return to the safety of the party. His  chest bounced off a
thick forearm as Nedal blocked the shorter man's  path.

"I've already checked. He is no longer in this...setting," the
Regent  gestured in frustration with the hand that wasn't
barring Harry's escape  route.

"Oh." Harry gave in with a mental sigh. This man, no matter how 
disturbing, was Voyager's future host and current guest. "Well,
I guess we  could check his location with the computer."

"Do it." It wasn't a request.

"Computer, location of Lieutenant Paris."

"Lieutenant Paris is in Holodeck One," came the immediate reply.

Nedal retrieved his arm and used it to wave Harry back in his
original  direction, to the exit. "Lead on."

The unusual duo were soon standing in front of the door to the 
appropriate holodeck. The locked door. Harry edged away
(hopefully  nonchalantly) from the brooding royal as he
re-checked the computer panel. "I can't  tell what program is
running; it has a numerical code rather than a  description. I
do know there's a privacy lock engaged."

"Open it. Or break it---now."

"I can't." Harry turned and drew himself up to his full height,
tired  of being bullied. "The authorization is Commander
Chakotay's, and it's  seconded by Captain Janeway. Nobody's
using, or even entering, this  holodeck without one of *them*
giving the okay."

He pointed to an indicator for a communications lockout. "And
this  means nothing short of a Red Alert or the Captain's
personal hail is  getting through." He crossed his arms. "If you
want to contact Tom, you'll  have to talk to her. There's
nothing I can do." He hid his own confusion  at the situation.
/What in the world is Tom doing in a locked holodeck  with
*Chakotay*?/ That was a question to be chewed over in the 
privacy---and security---of his cabin.

"Thank you, Ensign. I will handle the matter myself from here."
Nedal's  voice was calm, his face very still and composed; it
made Harry's whole  body tighten with alarm. Then the Regent
coolly turned and walked back  into the garden simulation,
leaving Harry to slump against the wall,  enervated and
unnerved.

TBC