by Aimee
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RATING: PG. No sex, but lots of innuendo.

DISCLAIMER: Tom Paris, Harry Kim, and the entire Star Trek universe belong to Paramount and UPN. I am blatantly infringing on their copyright by writing this story. However, I don't care.

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"I can't believe she dumped me," Tom Paris groused, slumped comfortably on the floor of his best friend's quarters.

Harry was sitting in a chair like a civilized human being, clarinet in his lap; he claimed to be practicing, but was actually listening gleefully to Tom's tale of woe, trying to restrain himself from jumping up and doing a happy dance across the room ­ or from jumping Tom's bones, always an attractive option.

Down, boy, he told himself firmly. He's here for some friendly commiseration, not a roll in the hay. He's depressed. Then, wistfully (or is that "lustfully"?) eyeing Tom's legs, he thought, I know how to cheer him up. . . Stop that!

Tom, unaware of his friend's distraction, chattered on. "One minute we're getting on like a house afire, if you know what I mean, then she's pushing me away, saying how she thinks we shouldn't see each other anymore." Tom shifted restlessly on the floor.

Harry swallowed, and reluctantly dragged his eyes back up to Tom's face. "What'd you do then?" he asked.

"I tried to change her mind, of course. I told her I loved her."

Harry's heart sank. Although they'd been dating for a while, Tom had never said those words to B'Elanna before. Harry had hoped. . . Never mind! It's not going to happen now.

Tom was frowning. "It's funny. . . she didn't react to that like I thought she would. I expected her either to fall into my arms or to bite my head off. But she just looked sad and said it wasn't her I loved." Harry perked up at this little tidbit. Oh, really? That's VERY interesting. He edged his chair closer. Tom had paused in his speech, looking thoughtful. "I wonder what she meant by that," he mused.

Then the moment of introspection passed, and Tom began complaining again. "Well, maybe she was right about that, but, still, couldn't she have waited one more day? I mean, dumped on Valentine's Day. That's just cruel." Tom subsided, contemplating the floor gloomily.

Silence filled the room. Then:

"'Maybe she was right'?"

Tom looked up, confused. "What?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you just said B'Elanna was right, you're in love with someone else. Didn't you?"

"No! I didn't say anything of the kind," Tom huffed.

"Yes, you did. I was there; I heard you."

"I think I know who I'm in love with, Harry."

Harry studied him with hooded eyes. "No, I don't think you do," he murmured.

"What?!" Tom managed to get out before Harry leaned over and kissed him.

Once again, the room was silent, this time for considerably longer.

Eventually, Tom pulled away. He needed to breathe. "Unnh," he said.

Harry, dark hair sexily tousled, grinned at him. Tom felt himself grin back. Then he got a good look at Harry. His grin spread even wider, and he began to laugh helplessly.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Why, Ensign," Tom spluttered. "Is that a clarinet in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

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End