Disclaimer: DS9, any parts there of, Tom Paris, Harry
Kim, Kathryn Janeway, and Chakotay belong to Paramount. What I chose to do with
them is my own.
Things proceeded amazingly well for Delta shipping.
Tom and Harry had agreed on the name. And they were discovering having a former
Star Fleet half owner did wonders for the number of small contracts that came
their way. That and having a certain current Fleet Captain nudging things in
their direction.
Tom had been right renting the double
apartment was cheaper and more convenient. They each had their own bedrooms,
and bathrooms, and they shared the kitchen, office, and living room.
They were both lazing in the living room
avoiding a mountain of paper work in their office when the door chime rang.
"Come in." They called in unison.
Then they grinned at one another.
"We've really gotta stop doing that."
Tom said as the door opened revealing Kathryn Janeway.
"Captain." Harry smile getting to
his feet.
"Kathryn." Tom drawled barely
bothering to sit up.
"Gentlemen." The smiled. "It's
good to see you both."
"It's good to see you too Captain."
Harry said offering her a seat.
Janeway settled herself and then turned to
look at her former pilot. "Tom, you up to giving a certain Commander a
heart attack?"
"Chakotay's here?" Tom asked
gleefully.
She nodded. "Should I call him?"
"Oh please do."
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A few minutes after Kathryn commed him,
Chakotay arrived. He smiled seeing Harry. Then he saw Tom and his jaw dropped.
"I told you he wouldn't have a heart
attack." Tom grinned at the older mans reaction.
"Damn close though. I think I should
still win the bet."
"Sprits. Paris you even slack off at
death." The Commander said with mock sternness when he recovered.
"He still wants to reprimand me."
Tom said with a long suffering sigh.
"I can't reprimand you Tom."
Chakotay pointed out. "You're dead."
"So how's business gentlemen?"
Janeway asked.
"Amazingly good. Wouldn't you say Har?"
Tom said looking at his partner.
"Disgustingly so." Harry agreed. "Thanks
to a certain Captain who keeps nudging contracts our way." Chakotay shot
Janeway a questioning look. She just shrugged.
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******
That evening Kathryn and Chakotay sat in
Quarks enjoying their drinks.
"You know I think those two are falling
in love." She said thoughtfully.
"What?!?" Chakotay choked having
just taken a mouthful of his drink.
"Chakotay if you ever want to make
Captain you really need to be more observant." She sighed. "They're
closer than ever they spent the whole time we were there watching each other,
and complimenting each other."
"But Kathryn. *We* do that."
"Exactly."
"*What*?!?" Chakotay squeaked. "Did
you just... That is... Do you..."
"There's no crew to worry about now
Chakotay." Kathryn said softly.
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******
"I think she just made her move."
Tom chuckled seeing Chakotay's expression.
"Must've. I've never seen him look so
flustered." Harry agreed.
They were perched on an upper level of the
promenade watching the goings on in the bar. "Well how you feel if your
best friend made a move on you?" Tom asked
Harry looked at him hard for a moment. "Is
this hypothetical best friend you?"
Tom felt his heart jump. "Would it
matter?" He asked cautiously.
"Yes."
Just like that yes. Tom's brain was
screaming, but somehow he managed to speak coherently. "Would you be
upset, or..."
"Definitely or." Harry said with a
smile.
"Harry!!!" Tom yelped.
"Yes?"
"What are you... I mean... *Harry*"
"Well obviously we can see how you react
when your best friend makes a move on you." The younger man said pulling
Tom in to his arms.
"HARRY."
"Shut up Tom." Harry said softly
covering his friend's lips with his own.
When Harry finally let Tom up for air he
seemed to have straightened out his mind. "Harry if you're planning on
kissing me like that again we'd better get back to our quarters. Unless of
course you're also planning to end up in Odo's brig for a very public display
of... well everything.
Harry blushed. Then shocked Tom again. "Then we'd better get home." He said. "Because I'm planning on doing much more than kissing you."