REDEMPTION
Part 2
Disclaimer: see part one. :-)
Tom woke on his last day of solitary to someone clearing their throat trying to get his attention. Cracking open one eye Tom glanced at Tuvok standing patiently outside his cell waiting to get his attention.
Tom wearily stood up and faced Tuvok.
"Ensign Paris, your thirty days of solitary confinement are over." Tuvok began raising an eyebrow at Tom's appearance. "May I suggest a shower and a shave before you meet the captain."
Tom nodded his acknowledgement to Tuvok while mentally cringing at the words �Ensign Paris'.
Tuvok lowered the force field on Tom's cell and motioned him to follow.
"That's ok Tuvok you don't have to escort me, I know the way" Tom said echoing his statement on the day of his confinement.
Tuvok nodded. "Very well. The Captain is expecting you at 0900. You have precisely 1.5 hours till then."
"Thanks" Tom muttered as he left the brig.
Tom walked down the hall praying he would not run into anyone. He did not feel like exchanging pleasantries with anyone at the moment. All he wanted to do was to go back to bed and try to get more sleep. Or possibly have a drink.
Tom made a mental note to search his quarters for that bottle of liquor he brought back to the ship during his last shore leave.
Rounding the corner to enter his section of living quarters Tom noticed Chakotay walking towards him. *Great* Tom thought to himself, *he's supposed to be on the bridge.*
Chakotay noticed Tom about the same time. "Good morning Tom" Chakotay said trying to gauge how Tom was feeling.
"Morning Commander." Tom replied refusing to meet Chakotay's eyes.
"Commander? Since when have you started calling me Commander again?" Chakotay asked while lightly stroking Tom's arm.
Tom stepped back from the caress and shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry just an old habit I guess. I haven't seen you in a month."
"Tom, you know I couldn't......." started Chakotay.
Tom cut him off before Chakotay could finish his sentence. "I know, I know, you couldn't go against the precious Captain's orders. Even for me."
"Tom that's not what I meant. Look can we just go to your quarters and talk for a minute?"
"No! I mean...I'm sorry I have a meeting with the captain soon and I really have to start getting ready." Tom spluttered. *Gods why can't he just leave me alone.*
Chakotay nodded, stunned that Tom was giving him the brush off. "Ok Tom, but promise me that we will get together later to talk."
Tom made a non-committal noise and walked away from Chakotay.
Chakotay reached out and grabbed Tom by the upper arm. "Promise me." he repeated.
Tom stiffened in Chakotay's grasp. *Ok Tom it's just Chak, he's not going to hurt you.*
Chakotay let go of the younger man when he felt him stiffen up. "Sorry" , he stammered, "I shouldn't have grabbed you."
It tore at Tom's heart that Chakotay thought he had hurt him. Reaching out tentatively to touch Chakotay's hand Tom sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I'm just really tired. I promise that we will get together later and talk. Ok?"
Chakotay took Tom's hand. "Ok. It's just that I'm worried about you."
Tom forced a laugh. "Worried? I'm ok Big Man, just tired like I said.
Chakotay pulled Tom into a quick embrace. "You'll call me if you want to talk right?"
Tom laid his head on the commander's chest for a moment revelling in the strength he felt. "If I need someone to talk to you will be the first person I call Cha."
Chakotay quickly kissed the top of Tom's rumpled head. "Ok. I guess that will do for now. You should get going to prepare for your meeting."
Chakotay squeezed Tom tightly before letting him go.
"Talk to you later." Tom said as he moved down the hall away from Chakotay.
Chakotay stood watching Tom leave, promising himself that he was going to nag Tom until he talked to him. *He must have some unresolved feeling towards the Captain, especially after the �precious Captain' comment.*
*Well there is nothing I can do for him now.* Chakotay thought as he made his way back toward the bridge.
******************************************
Tom keyed the panel to his quarters thanking the powers that be that no one else stopped him on his way.
As Tom made his way to the shower he thought how good it felt to be in Chakotay's embrace even for that short time.
Sighing he started the shower. Enjoying the luxury of real water, after having to put up with sonic showers for the last month.
The conversation with Chakotay kept playing over in Tom's mind as he washed. *I promised Chakotay that we would talk later. Shit. What was I thinking. I don't want him finding out how messed up I really am.*
As Tom plotted ways out of talking to Chakotay the water started to become cold. *Jeez, how long have I been in here.*
"Computer time?" Tom asked.
"The time is 0825." the computer replied.
He had been under the water for a good twenty minutes, trying to figure out ways to avoid Chakotay.
*Gods, I better get my butt in gear. I don't want to make the captain more mad at me then she already is.*
Tom step out of the shower and grabbed a big towel and started to dry off. Going over to the sink he started to shave. Still distracted over Chakotay Tom cut himself on the lower chin.
"Fuck, that hurt." Tom yelped.
*Well I guess that proves I'm still alive.* Tom thought as he grabbed a cloth to stop the little trickle of blood.
Tom finished shaving without further incident and went into the bedroom to grab a fresh uniform after throwing his old uniform in the fresher.
Sitting on the bed pulling his boots on Tom's thoughts started to wander to that little bottle of liquor stashed somewhere in his quarters.
*Where did I put it.* Tom thought.
Tom did a quick survey of his dresser drawers and with a triumphant shout of "Ah Hah!" pulled the bottle from under some shirts.
As he was unscrewing the lid Tom's comm badge chirped.
"Janeway to Paris"
"Paris here." Tom replied frowning as he sniffed the contents of the bottle.
"Are you going to show up for our meeting Ensign?" Janeway enquired.
*Shit* "Sorry Captain, I lost track of time. I will be right there." Tom replied.
Janeway answered with a sniff. "I'm glad I could accommodate you."
Tom cringed. "Sorry Captain. Paris out."
Tom looked at the bottle he was holding and with a mental grin said. "What the hell." And took a swig of the liquor.
The golden liquor burned all the way down creating a warm feeling in his stomach.
*This should get me through the meeting.* Tom thought.
Tom sighed as he screwed the lid back on tightly and hid the bottle back under his shirts in the drawer. *Later, I promise.*
******************************************
Tom braced himself to walk on the bridge. He never liked being the centre of attention. Well negative attention anyway.
Stepping off the turbolift, Tom tensed momentarily before remembering to shoot Harry his fly-boy smile.
Harry smiled tentatively back at him, searching his face to see if he could see Tom's true feelings.
Tom turned away from the inquisitive eyes only to see himself the object of another pair.
Chakotay looked to see if Tom was as tense as he was in the hallway earlier.
Tom looked away from the Commander as well and entered the Captain's office.
Janeway looked up from the padd she was holding. "I'm glad you could make it Mr. Paris." Janeway said as she placed the padd carefully on her desk.
"I'm sorry Captain. It won't happen again." Tom replied refusing to look Janeway in the eyes.
Janeway sighed. "I asked you here so we could go over how you would ease back into your duties. I am granting you a few days off, so you can get some rest. I know that you did not sleep well when you were in the brig."
Tom started. *How the hell did she know that.* he wondered.
Janeway must have read his mind. "The brig officer listed it in his reports. Tom if your having problems sleeping I want you to go see the doctor."
That was the last thing Tom wanted to do. "I'm sure I'll be fine now that I am out of the brig, the bed was just uncomfortable."
Janeway nodded. "In three days I want you to report to sickbay. You will be working with the doctor for the next two weeks. After that you will start working half shifts on the bridge, until I feel you are ready for full shifts again."
Tom was shocked. "Yes ma'am. Tom replied. *She must really be pulling me as Chief Pilot.*
Janeway got up from her chair and walked around her desk to stand in front of Tom. "I'm sorry Tom, I need to know that I can trust you again before I put you back on full shifts at the conn."
"Yes ma'am." was all Tom said.
Janeway sniffed the air suspiciously. "Tom, have you been drinking?"
*Oh Shit!* Tom thought. "No, it is my new aftershave, it's alcohol based."
"Oh. That must have stung your cut on your chin?"
"What? Oh yeah, it really stung." Tom lied.
Tom prayed that the Captain would drop the subject. He had to hold back a sigh of relief when she dismissed him.
"Well that will be all for now Mr. Paris. The doctor is expecting you at 0800 in three day's time. Dismissed."
Tom turned and walked out the room without another word to Janeway. As he left the office he glance longingly at the conn and all but raced to the turbolift.
Tom could feel the eyes on his back, and sighed with relief when the turbolift doors opened. Stepping on the lift he did not turn around until the doors were closed.
"Shit." Tom muttered to himself as the lift started to move. Two weeks working in sickbay with the doctor. *Great*
Tom barely remembered getting to his quarters and pulling out the bottle of liquor in his drawer.
Returning to the living area and flopping down on the couch Tom looked at the bottle and thought to himself. *Just you and me old friend.* And took a swig.
The liquor joined the warm spot already in his stomach and he sighed as the soothing warmth spread throughout his body.
"I can't believe she took me off the conn." Tom said to himself in amazement, while he took another drink.
Tom felt the anger starting to rise in him. "Well fuck her." he screamed to no one.
Tom sat and steadily drank more and more of the liquor. The more he drank the more he didn't care.
*Gods, this reminds me of old times.* Tom chuckle to himself as he tried to stand but fell back into the seat.
*Me and the bottle and loads of misery, always a great combination.*
"Hmm, I wonder what time Cha will stop by? He is so gorgeous." Tom giggled. "I could sure use some of those kisses right now.
Tom held up the bottle to the light to inspect how much he had drank. *Shit, only half the bottle is gone. This is some powerful stuff.*
*I wonder what time it is.* "Computer time?" Tom asked lazily.
"The time is 1205." the computer replied.
"Perfect." Tom said out loud "The Big Man is on lunch."
"Paris to Chakotay"
"Chakotay here."
"Can you come by my quarters for a moment, I need to talk to you." Tom said with a smile.
"I'll be right there."
*All Right!* Tom thought to himself as he hid the bottle again.
Tom's door chimed as he walked out of the bedroom. "Come" he replied.
Chakotay walked into the room and spotted Tom weaving happily towards him. "Tom.." Chakotay started to say.
But Tom pressed the Commander against the door and plastered his lips over Chakotay's mouth while rubbing his body up the Commander's.
Chakotay smelled the alcohol before he tasted it. In response to Tom's kiss Chakotay opened his mouth and let Tom's tongue slip inside the warm depths.
Chakotay reluctantly pushed Tom away. "Have you been drinking?" he asked.
"I just had a few sips." Tom purred as he started to stroke the Commander's chest with his hands.
Tom's hands started to dip lower and lower as Chakotay let out an involuntary groan. *Spirits, he had to stop this.* Catching both of Tom's hands in one strong grip Chakotay said. "Not like this Tom."
Tom pouted and Chakotay fought the urge to kiss that pout away.
"But I need you to comfort me Big Man." Tom said as he tried to start rubbing his body up against the Commander's again.
Chakotay released Tom's hands and cupped Tom's face. Looking deep into his eyes he repeated. "Not like this."
Once Tom's hands were free they continued their roaming that was interrupted earlier. Reaching down to the Commander's groin he felt the start of a bulge in the big man's uniform.
Tom looked back into Chakotay's eyes with a smile. "Looks like you need me to comfort you too."
"Dammit Tom!" Chakotay exploded as he stepped away from Tom. "Stop it!"
Tom turned away from Chakotay and could feel the tears building up behind his eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was to piss off Chakotay. Looking down at the floor Tom whispered. "I'm sorry."
Tom felt a strong pair of arms come around him from behind to embrace him. "No, I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"No don't apologize, you have every right to be pissed off. I lure you here under false pretences and try to seduce you." A single tear slipped down Tom's cheek, but he wiped it away before Chakotay could see it. "It's just that I want you so bad, and I don't think you want me anymore."
"Oh Tommy, you couldn't be further from the truth." Chakotay whispered.
Chakotay turned Tom around in his embrace and glanced deeply into his sapphire eyes. "It's just that I think it is too early to go that far."
"I suppose." Tom mumbled.
Chakotay placed two fingers under Tom's chin and raised his head. "Believe me I still want you, more than ever."
Before Tom could reply again. Chakotay brought Tom's head down to his, and started to kiss him. Chakotay licked Tom's lips to encourage him to open them, then slipped his tongue deep inside Tom's mouth to explore the heated warmth. Chakotay groaned as Tom started sucking lightly on his tongue.
Tom brought his hands up to the back of Chakotay's head and started to thread his fingers through his hair.
Chakotay let one of his hands drop to the Pilot's side as he started to caress a lean hip.
Gasping for air they parted.
Tom felt a slow blush starting to rise on his face. "I guess you do want me." he murmured.
"Yes, I do, very much. But I still think we need to wait a little longer. Are you free for dinner tonight?" Chakotay asked.
"Umm....Yep." was all Tom could muster for a reply.
"Good then I think I will treat you to dinner in my quarters. Say around 1800?" Chakotay asked.
"That's fine." Tom replied.
"Well I should get back to the bridge." Chakotay started. He leaned into Tom for one more quick kiss. "Till later."
"Bye" Tom said as Chakotay left his quarters.
Once alone Tom walked into the bedroom and flopped himself down on the bed. *You came awfully close to screwing that up Tommy boy.*
Kicking off his boots, Tom laid down trying to get some more rest, but with all the drunken emotions running around in his head he found it hard to settle down.
Getting off the bed he walked over to the replicator and ordered a sleep aid. This probably is not the best thing to have after all that I drank this morning. *Ah well*
"Computer set alarm for 1600."
Tom laid back down on the bed after dispensing the sleep aid into his neck. Tom's turbulent thoughts quickly faded as he fell asleep.
End Part 2
to be continue........
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