HOLO-SWEET

Title: Holo-sweet, 1/1
Author: Jaye (May/June 2002)
Codes: C/P PG

Disclaimer: Star Trek, Voyager, and all related characters and concepts are the 
property of Paramount. No infringement is intended or profit made. This is PG 
for suggestions of 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: Tom goes hunting for Chakotay's holographic honey.

Note: Slightly AU (no P/T). The story starts in the middle of "Fair Haven," and 
paraphrases a bit of dialogue from that episode.

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

PART ONE

All was right in Tom Paris's world. He cruised along at the helm of Voyager with 
clear sailing as far as the eye and sensor could see. He was still basking in 
the praise for his new holoprogram, the quaint Irish village of Fair Haven. Tom 
settled back in his seat and decided to reward himself by letting his mind 
wander to a daydream about the hunky (and unfortunately, heterosexual) First 
Officer.

This latest setup was a little more involved than most of the pilot's waking 
imaginings. Tom had indulged in quite a few sexy scenarios about Chakotay in the 
four months since he'd finally acknowledged his attraction to the stoic XO. The 
Ensign's usual fantasy fare depicted the two men naked (or quickly undressed) 
and soon in the sack together. This new flight of fancy was more elaborate.

In Tom's fantasy, Voyager's senior staff was gathered in the conference room for 
the morning briefing. Tom held the floor to announce his brilliant new plan for 
raising people's spirits. He stood next to the computer wall panel and presented 
his sure-fire formula with a flourish. Across the screen, the glowing letters 
formed:

CHAKOTAY - UNIFORM + THONG = CREW MORALE X 100

Janeway immediately typed into her padd, pushing Tom's line of text down with 
her countering concern:

(CHAKOTAY - UNIFORM + THONG) - BED = FRUSTRATION > = AROUSAL

She lifted her brows and awaited his rebuttal. Neither of them bothered to pay 
any attention to the Commander, doe eyes wide and turning all shades of red in 
his seat next to the Captain.

Tom pondered a diversionary tactic. He figured by suggesting an absolutely 
outrageous experiment he would be able to achieve his primary (and in comparison 
completely reasonable) goal of giving Chakotay a unique type of dressing-down on 
the bridge. To that end, he offered an alternative hypothesis worthy of 
scientific inquiry:

CHAKOTAY + TOM + FLAT SURFACE + PRIVACY LOCK + LUBE = UNTOLD BLISS

Thus the negotiations began.

Tom had just reached the point in the story where he whipped out a barely-there 
black swimsuit for Chakotay and demanded field tests of his original theory when 
he was knocked back to reality. A most incredible conversation was taking place 
behind him between Captain and Commander and the Ensign was reeling in shock.

"That's the point. I have a boyfriend who 'glitches'," Kathryn said with a 
slightly embarrassed smile. "How am I supposed to get emotionally involved with 
Michael---he's made of photons and forcefields."

Chakotay leaned between the chairs. His eyes twinkled as he said confidingly, 
"I've never let that stop me." He was pleased to see his friend was reassured as 
she gave him a grateful glance and shifted her focus to the job at hand.

Tom couldn't believe it. The Commander had tried holosex? *Chakotay* had slept 
with a photonic person? Wait until he told Harry about this.

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

Happy hour at Sullivan's was in full swing as Tom placed a foam-topped tankard 
in front of Harry, then settled into a chair with a brew of his own. He noticed 
his companion's disbelieving expression. "It's true, Harry, I swear. That's what 
they said. Word for word."

Mr. Kim's black eyes narrowed. "You're not just pulling my leg?"

"Not this time, Har. Chakotay must have a holographic lover. Or he did, at some 
point."

"Bullshit." The deep voice above them startled both men. They looked over at 
Gregor Ayala as he put his own drink down on their table and pulled out the seat 
next to Harry. "Chakotay isn't into holosex. He never has been."

"Are you calling Tom a liar?" Harry automatically jumped in to defend his 
friend.

"Of course not," Greg was quick to reassure the steaming Ensign. "I'm just 
saying Tom is reading too much into what the Chief said." He sat back and folded 
his arms. "The same way the Captain was supposed to."

Tom leaned forward on his elbows, intrigued. "What exactly do you mean?"

Ayala shrugged. "It's a classic Chakotay MO, making sure people get what they 
need."

"You're saying *Chakotay* lied?" Tom's brows reached Tuvokian heights.

"No." Greg rolled his eyes. "You really don't understand the Big Man at all, do 
you Paris? Chakotay always does what the occasion demands. He has a real insight 
into who people are and what will make them happy."

He motioned the men to put their heads together and dropped his voice. "The 
Captain isn't willing to get involved with a member of her crew, but she needs 
TLC just like everybody else. Sullivan could provide it, but she's got some 
issues. Chakotay said what he did to give her that extra boost so she'll get 
over her objections. If Janeway thinks Chakotay's done it with a hologram, she 
won't feel so awkward taking things further with the Irishman."

"So the Commander *hasn't* had holosex?" Harry was still stuck on that point.

"Not unless he's got a lover stashed in Voyager's databanks. We were on DS9 once 
when that Ferengi bar owner---Quirk or something?---offered us a special deal 
for his holosuites. Chakotay didn't take him up on it. Said he wouldn't feel 
right about taking advantage of someone who was only bedding him because they'd 
been programmed to. It was just as bad as buying a real prostitute."

"I suppose that would make what he said to the Captain the truth, then. The 
problem isn't that they're holographic, it's that they have no choice in the 
matter." Harry blushed a little and directed a shy glance toward the big 
security officer.

"Exactly." Greg's smile was much warmer than a simple confirmation of the 
younger man's statement warranted.

"Wait a minute! Wait just one damn minute." Tom's voice broke the stare between 
two pairs of dark eyes. His mouth twisted into a rather unattractive line of 
derision. "I'm not saying Chakotay isn't a swell guy, and a good officer and 
all, but *insightful*? This is the man who let both Seska and Tuvok into his 
Maquis cell."

Now the pilot folded *his* arms. "I think he was just stating a fact, and 
probably has his very own holo-partner. Maybe more than one. After all, he 
hasn't really been with anybody since those rumors about Riley Frasier."

Harry nodded and lifted his hands. "Sorry, Greg, but he does have you there."

"I disagree." Ayala looked at Harry. "You don't know what it was like in the 
Maquis," he shifted his gaze to the blond, "but you should know better. We 
didn't have the time or resources to screen people like they were candidates for 
Starfleet Academy. Yes, Chakotay let Tuvok and Seska join his crew, but you 
didn't hear what he said about them when he took them on."

"Oh please." Tom wondered if he was overdoing his disbelief. He was definitely 
hoping to hide his feelings for the sexy XO. He gave a mental shrug and figured 
sarcasm was always in style. "What pearls of wisdom did our Mystic Warrior gift 
you with?"

Greg paused a moment before unleashing his own sharp words on the obnoxious 
blond. Then his eyes narrowed in speculation. /Perhaps the gentleman doth 
protest too much for a reason./ He relaxed and answered, "When Tuvok joined us 
Chakotay told me that he thought the Vulcan was the type of man who would be 
extremely loyal to a cause. That was true enough; there's no way we could have 
known that his cause was Starfleet, not Maquis. All his credentials checked 
out."

"Okay," Tom conceded reluctantly, "but what about Seska?"

"You tell me, Paris. You knew Seska back then. Did *you* think she was a spy, 
much less a Cardassian?"

"No...but I wasn't sleeping with her, either."

"Neither was Chakotay, except for a few weeks. They'd just been through a pretty 
rough experience together. The affair was kind of their way of blowing off 
steam, getting the bad stuff out of their systems. The two of them *were* hot 
enough to melt tritanium."

He continued, "Chakotay broke it off because he felt like Seska wasn't *with* 
him. They didn't connect the way that lovers were supposed to." Ayala sighed. 
"The Chief always knew that she was pursuing her own agenda. He originally 
thought it was to get revenge on the Cardassians who hurt her, she was so gung-
ho during our missions. And after the two of them fell into bed, he figured she 
wanted power. Chakotay ended the relationship so he wouldn't be used. But there 
was no reason to suspect she was feeding information to our enemies because we 
were never ambushed. The only mission that ever failed was yours."

"And you all just figured I was the traitor, flying right into Starfleet hands." 
Tom's eyes and tone reflected old bitterness.

"Look, I'm sorry, but you cost us a load of weapons and money that we needed to 
arrange a raid on a prison. Hard feelings were bound to come from it." Ayala 
shrugged. "Besides, you *did* betray us less than a year later by agreeing to 
lead Janeway right to Chakotay."

His raised hand forestalled Tom's protest. "I know, I know, you weren't *really* 
going to tell them anything. It's all water under the bridge now anyway." He 
gave a small smile. "But I'll never forget what Chakotay said after he brought 
you aboard his ship that first time."

Harry leaned forward eagerly. "What?"

Greg's eyes twinkled. "Chakotay said to me, and I quote, 'Paris is one hell of a 
pilot. Pity about the attitude. If that jerk ever gets his shit together, he'll 
be a fine man'."

"Chakotay doesn't curse," Tom said, trying to dispel the faint spark of hope 
buried in the unflattering assessment.

"Oh yes he does. Under very special circumstances that often involve you."

Blue eyes narrowed. "Like when else?"

"Well, take that Maquis meeting after he accepted the position of First Officer. 
He talked about following regs versus being in the brig, why we had to work 
together, stuff like that." Ayala grinned again. "And then he ended with, 'It's 
pretty obvious that Paris is still full of shit. So if I catch *anyone* on this 
ship trying to give him any more, you'll be the ones in deep shit and I'm not 
just talking metaphorically." The big man shrugged. "*Nobody* wanted to get on 
the bad side of the Chief, so we left you alone."

"Huh. I wondered why no one ever jumped me. I was kinda shocked Chakotay would 
take that 'your life is mine' stuff seriously," Tom said, remembering.

"Yeah, well, it certainly saved your perky little ass. So, Harry," Ayala sipped 
his brew and shot a hot look the Ops Officer's way, "now that my work here is 
done, how about taking a walk with a real, live guy instead of a holographic 
gal." He leaned into the younger man's space and murmured, "You don't even have 
to bring me flowers."

Harry flushed, then fidgeted with his tie, his drink, his chair, then looked at 
Greg and gulped. "Uh, okay."

"Whoa, before you lovebirds fly off," Tom was torn between jealousy that Harry 
had the interest of someone tall, dark and handsome and humor at his friend's 
discomfiture. "Let's settle this business about Chakotay's photonic pursuits."

"What, you don't believe me, Paris?" Greg's expression turned sly. "Willing to 
put your rations where your mouth is?"

"A bet, on whether Chakotay has a holographic lover? You're on."

"Wait a minute, Tom. How are you going to get a hold of that kind of 
information?" Harry asked, concern creasing his brow.

"I'll just let my fingers do the walking." Tom waggled the pale digits. "A 
little typing and I'll have access to Chakotay's holoprograms. Then I'll just 
run each one and see what I get."

"A week in the brig if you're lucky. I can't believe you'd invade the 
Commander's privacy like that." Harry's black eyes were open wide at his 
friend's impudence.

"Harry, if Paris wants to court danger, who are we to stop him? So, how much is 
at stake, a week's worth of rations?" Ebony eyes challenged blue.

"Nah, it's got to be worth my while. A month's rations, or no deal."

Ayala stuck out his hand. "Done. But you've got to be able to *prove* Chakotay 
had sex with the holocharacter."

Tom pumped two times, then settled back and meshed his fingers together. "Of 
course, but it may take a while to find the right program."

"I'm in no hurry." Ayala smiled and rose, then touched Harry's shoulder. "Ready 
to go?"

"Yeah, I guess." Harry adjusted his tie one more time, then gamely stood and 
preceded the Security Officer out the door.

Tom watched them go, smiling and shaking his head. Then he lifted his beer to 
his lips, plotting his strategy.

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

PART TWO

Tom was dancing in place he was so excited as he ran through the list of 
Chakotay's holoprograms. He had barely been able to keep from bouncing in his 
seat at the Conn all day, congratulating himself on his stroke of genius.

It had taken longer than expected to break the Commander's security encryptions. 
Tom usually could hack his way into things in a matter of days. *These* codes 
had taken almost three weeks. In the interim, though, Tom had been struck with 
inspiration on how to get the proof he needed to win the bet. He crafted a small 
subroutine that would make the holocharacters believe *he* was Chakotay. That 
way, there would be no hiding in dark corners or awkward interrogations. The Big 
Man's light-based lover would greet Tom with open arms. And if he finagled it 
just right, a big juicy kiss for the camera as well.

Tom eliminated from his list all the programs without characters, then called up 
the first scenario. He rubbed his hands gleefully, already anticipating the ways 
he would spend his winnings. His mental accounting ended abruptly when he 
noticed he was in a hangar bay. This did not seem a likely setting for 
seduction. Then he caught sight of the holocharacter and pursed his lips in a 
soundless whistle of appreciation.

/Who would have guessed the Commander was into older women?/ That was Tom's 
first thought, but his rising excitement quickly followed it with /Who would 
have thought *I* was?/ A tall, slim figure was approaching with an air of grace 
and confidence that only experience brings. Short brown hair curled casually 
about a face that was all sharp angles: piquant pointed chin, slanted dark eyes 
and a smile that had a definite knowing air. The jumpsuit-clad body was nothing 
to sneeze at either, a trim, athletic build with just enough curves to keep 
things interesting. Tom could barely wait until the lady was in range.

"Long time, no see," said a whisky voice that went with the whole Pussy Galore-
Emma Peel persona. Madame X sauntered up to Tom, still smiling. "So what's your 
pleasure today?"

Tom coughed, hiding his confusion and, he hoped, his shock. "Um, the usual?" he 
hedged, not knowing how to respond.

The lady's lips made a moue of disappointment. "How uninspired of you. But once 
in a while everybody needs a refresher in their technique."

Tom's eyes were bugging out in amazement. He couldn't believe his ears, either. 
Then his breath caught as the hologram leaned in to grip his zipper.

Tom's fantasy world came crashing down when the woman didn't yank it down. 
Instead, she pulled him after her with a determined stride. "I've already done 
the pre-flight, so you should be ready to go." She pushed Tom into the pilot's 
seat, all business now as she began checking the displays. "We'll start with the 
Spiri VI scenario." She settled back into her seat and folded her hands. "Lift 
off when ready."

The pilot automatically slipped into the flight simulation, checking his 
instruments and getting a feel for the shuttle---one of Voyager's, in fact. As 
soon as he left the hangar floor he was surrounded by stars. Seconds after that 
he was fighting for his life in a battle with two larger ships.

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

All in all, Tom couldn't count the experience a total loss. True, there was no 
hanky-panky in the cockpit, not even a victory kiss after he actually survived 
one of the drills. But he'd had a fantastic evening, pitting his skills against 
some of the most innovative flight sims he'd ever seen. He was kind of glad 
Madame X (he'd never figured out a way to casually get her real name) *wasn't* a 
sex toy. She had an acerbic wit that flayed his ego, but her insights into his 
flying were pure gold. He stepped out of the holodeck a better pilot.

Tom even decided to ease up on teasing the Commander about his crashed shuttles. 
Apparently Chakotay had re-created his accidents on the holodeck, trying to 
discover if things would turn out differently with practice. After Tom crashed 
and burned too many times to keep track of, he concluded that under the 
circumstances the Big Man had done the best he could. Frankly, he was lucky to 
have walked away each time. Tom certainly hadn't, and was grateful the holodeck 
safeties were on as his ship exploded around him.

As Tom headed to his cabin for some much-needed rest, he made a mental note to 
try to get legitimate access to that holoprogram. Chakotay had once offered to 
swap flight sims for variety, but Tom had waved the Commander off with a joke. 
Now he needed to figure out a way to bring the subject up again. This time he 
wouldn't be so foolish as to turn down an invitation from his increasingly 
intriguing colleague.

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

PART THREE

Mr. Paris was getting a little worried as he considered the dwindling number of 
Chakotay's holoprograms he had left to check. Among other activities Tom had 
studied carving, practiced his guitar, toured tucked-away museums in tiny 
picturesque European towns, learned to cook risotto, wrenched his shoulder 
attempting to box, and crewed on a huge, three-masted sailing ship. While he'd 
very much enjoyed the experiences, and been beguiled by the many hitherto 
unknown facets of Chakotay's character, not one hologram had made a pass or 
expected one from him. The pilot was beginning to wonder if Greg was right.

More than two months had passed since the night of the bet. Part of the delay 
was spent fixing Fair Haven, but much of it was due to Tom's own growing need to 
be with Chakotay. He found himself striking up conversations with the Commander 
whenever he could, and inviting him to join in whatever social activity Tom had 
planned for the evening. Many times the men ended up in a foursome with the 
increasingly hot and heavy Greg and Harry. Tom also noted that every time they 
were in Sullivan's, Chakotay made a point to stop for a pleasant chat with 
Michael and the Captain. /Reinforcing moral support, I suppose. I know the 
Captain has become more relaxed with the idea of a holo-partner./

The more time Tom spent learning about Chakotay, through conversation as well as 
his covert operations, the more he yearned for a deeper connection between them. 
His lust had matured into love. His fantasies had changed, too. From wild, hot 
sex to wild, hot sex while on vacation together, in their joint quarters---or 
even on their honeymoon. The aftermath had changed as well, to sweet embraces, 
tender kisses and exchanges from the heart. Tom was beginning to think he would 
be the big loser after all, especially if he *did* find Chakotay's holo-lover.

He called up one of the last two scenarios on his list. He was shocked to find 
himself in a pool room, one that was so far up the scale from Sandrine's that he 
was dizzy from the altitude. Oak paneling accented with brass sconces lined the 
walls, leading the eye to a fireplace at one end of the room and a well-stocked 
bar at the other. There were three top-of-the-line pool tables, their green 
baize surfaces brightened by low-hanging Tiffany-style lamps. A mix of wing 
chairs and ottomans invited him to get off his feet, which were currently 
sinking into the lush burgundy carpet.

Tom shifted his focus from his surroundings to the three figures perched on bar 
stools. One he dismissed immediately, a rather corpulent middle-aged fellow 
sipping whisky. The younger man made the pilot's own cock take interest, even if 
he was unlikely to stir Chakotay's libido. Silver-blue eyes were piercing in a 
sharply planed tanned face topped with close-cropped slate-dark hair. The guy 
was clearly a player, his muscles on display under a tight T-shirt and faded 
blue jeans.

Tom looked at the woman and figured she was his real quarry. Long honey-blonde 
locks rippled down a slender back, and grass-green eyes accenting a drop-dead 
gorgeous face and silk-clad body took a sizzling survey of Tom's terrain. He was 
all set to crow his victory when the blonde wrapped her hand around the other 
man's nape and yanked his face over to hers. She leaned over saying, "Now that 
he's back, I'm remembering what I'm missing. You'd better damn well thank your 
lucky stars, Eddie Felson, that I'm a one-man woman." Then she and the hunk 
shared a kiss that showed they'd been around the block together. More than once. 
Probably more than once a day. Tom shook himself back to his senses and 
approached the trio.

"Hey, Big C, long time since you pulled up a cue in our neck of the woods." The 
older man indicated the avidly necking pair. "Do me a favor and break a rack 
with one of them. Otherwise they'll be at it all night."

"Sure, no problem." Well, he did know the guy's name. "Eddie, how about we take 
a turn at the table?"

The man reluctantly broke the kiss and stood. "Sure, and the winner can play 
Sheena." He shook a finger at the pouting gal. "I'm still looking to get you 
back for that last tourney."

The woman relaxed against the bar, sipping a soft drink. "Sweetie, they may call 
you Fast Eddie, but I am Sheena, Queen of the Pool Hall."

The older man laughed from his seat. "Maybe, my dear, but Big C has come the 
closest to knocking this king from his throne." He toasted himself and 
acknowledged the lady's bow of acquiescence.

The lean man grabbed two cues from the wall and tossed one to Tom, who 
automatically caught it. The striking eyes twinkled at him from across the table 
as the tanned hands began to gather the balls into a triangle. "So are we 
playing standard or house rules?"

"House rules? Um, you'd better refresh my memory." Tom shifted his hands 
nervously along his cue as the other man sauntered around him.

"Oh, you remember, Big C." Eddie leaned half against the pool table and half 
against Tom. "After the break, your opponent chooses which ball you try to sink. 
Tests your strategy and your ability to make tricky shots."

Tom was impressed. The challenge of that variation of the game suggested a high 
level of skill. In fact, such a player would be tough competition for himself. 
The blue eyes narrowed slightly, trying to remember the last time the Commander 
had taken a turn at the pool table in Sandrine's. He'd always been fairly good, 
but never quite good enough to beat Tom. He'd often ribbed Chakotay about it, 
much to the amusement of the crowd. /Who came to see me as more than a traitor. 
I was the witty, near-unbeatable, undisputed pro at the pool table. The Maquis 
couldn't hate someone they came to for lessons on improving their own games./ 
Something that would never have happened if Chakotay had been a serious rival. 
Tom recalled Greg's words. /Damn, the Chief really does know what people need./ 
Tom made another mental note, this time to get the Commander to stop holding 
back in pool, and really, in anything else they were doing together.

His musings were interrupted by an unexpected hearty pinch on his ass. Tom spun, 
shocked by the pass and by the implications.

"Easy, Big C," Eddie laughed. "As Fats said, it's been a while. I was just 
making sure the buns of steel were still fresh." The man's smile was dazzling. 
"You know I'd never really try anything. Sheena would have my balls---all of 
them."

He picked up his own cue. "You break, we'll play traditional style since you 
seem a little out of it."

"Yeah, I'm a kinda rusty, too." Tom made his break in a daze. Was the Commander 
okay with a quick grope from Eddie? Could Chakotay be bisexual? Was it 
conceivable his dream lover could actually become part of his waking world?

Tom spent the rest of his evening shooting pool with some of the most savvy 
sharks he'd ever met. He was pleased to beat Eddie and Sheena. Then Minnesota 
Fats wiped the table with him and he called it a night. To dream of new 
possibilities.

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

CONCLUSION

Tom was extremely nervous as he prepared to call up the last of Chakotay's 
private, populated holoprograms. He would be relieved to hand over the rations 
to Greg, and focus his energies on a full-blown pursuit of Chakotay. He'd tired 
of the game, and his nerves were stretched taut in fear of his actions being 
exposed. Most importantly, the encounter with the Eddie hologram had given him 
hope. Tom wouldn't stop until the delicious First Officer was as firmly 
ensconced in his bed as he was in the pilot's heart.

Tom had spent the day scrutinizing the older man, admiring anew his smoldering 
good looks and wondering what other secret aspects of his personality lay 
waiting to be discovered beneath the serene exterior. He'd been thrilled when 
Chakotay had asked about his plans for the night, but disappointed to have to 
admit he was spending some private time on the holodeck.

/Jackpot/ was the first thing that popped into the blond head when the 
simulation appeared. It was a luxury hotel suite, complete with an ocean-view 
balcony and king-size bed. The many other soft furnishings and flat surfaces 
inspired Tom's imagination to envision many creative couplings, but nervousness 
about *who* shared the room with Chakotay was making his palms sweat with fear.

"Hello?" he called out, praying that nobody would answer. The gods ignored him.

"Just a sec," came a muffled voice from what was probably the bathroom. A tall 
figure in a dark green robe appeared, his head buried in a towel as he rubbed 
his hair. Tom gasped as the man finished his task and draped the cloth around 
his neck. His long pale neck, which exactly matched Tom's. As did the face that 
topped it.

"What the hell---?"

"Hey, Baby, did you forget something?" The blue eyes turned smoky. "Or do we 
have time for another round?"

"How long have you been in the system?" Tom's voice was strangled. He was 
shocked by the notion of Chakotay using a hologram of *him* as a sex toy.

"Not long...*Tom*." The pseudo-pilot folded his arms and leaned against a chair 
back. "The Commander just thought you'd like a taste of your own medicine. How 
do you feel right now? Upset? Violated? Betrayed?" The hologram surged forward, 
standing nose to nose with his counterpart. "A lot like how you'd feel if you 
found out somebody was breaking into your private holoprograms, right?"

"Oh shit." Tom's shoulders slumped as he realized he'd been busted.

"My thoughts exactly," Chakotay said as he strolled out of the bathroom to stand 
beside the hologram.

"How did you find out?" Tom's voice was resigned.

"When you started tinkering with my security codes a notice was sent to my 
terminal. I decided to see what you were up to. I also whipped up this little 
scenario to switch with the kayaking program that was really on your checklist." 
Chakotay's expression turned grim. "I thought you were past shit like this a 
long time ago, Tom."

"I am, Chakotay, I swear. It's just...I heard you and the Captain talking about 
Michael, that day he malfunctioned. It sounded like you had tried holosex. Then 
later in Sullivan's Greg swore that you'd never indulged."

He cringed as he continued, "So we made a bet. I would check your programs and 
try to find your holo-playmate." He avoided looking at his double, turning 
anxious eyes on the man he loved. "After I started I just wanted to forget the 
whole thing, but...I was getting to know you, your hobbies and interests. And I 
liked it." He looked down. "I liked the idea of being close to you."

Tom stepped up to Chakotay, his hands open and his eyes begging. "Please forgive 
me. I couldn't help myself. You've been haunting my dreams day and night for 
months. First I just wanted to fuck you, but now..."

He took a deep breath. "I love the man I've discovered. I can't live without you 
any longer. I want you to share your programs with me and show all of mine to 
you. I want to learn about you and have you learn about me. I want to be with 
you."

Chakotay grabbed Tom by the scruff of the neck and brought their faces close 
together. "Any more shit like this and I will pound it out of you. All of it. Do 
I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir." The blue eyes were hopeful. "Am I forgiven?"

Instead of answering the bronze man used his hold to keep Tom still while his 
lips brushed against their penitent counterparts. "Yes," Chakotay whispered, 
then claimed the younger man's mouth in a sizzling kiss that curled Tom's toes 
and sent all of his blood to his cock.

"Get a room. Oops, wait a minute, you've already got one." The hologram grinned 
at his own joke, even in the face of two flesh-and-blood glares. "I guess it's 
time for me to exit, stage right?"

"Yes, but thanks for the assist." Chakotay gave the hologram a warm smile.

"No problem." He turned stern blue eyes on the real-life pilot. "Just don't 
screw it up."

"Not a chance," Tom said as the photonic being dissolved. He grinned at 
Chakotay. "I'll be too busy just screwing."

"Oh? You sound overconfident to me. What if I want to be wooed?" Chakotay's 
dilated pupils and flushed cheeks were at odds with his affronted expression.

Tom began backing his man toward the bed, kissing the handsome face as he 
answered. "I'll court you with flowers and bubblebaths, dinners by candlelight 
and breakfasts in bed, stories of my misspent youth, sonnets to your deep dark 
eyes."

They reached the mattress and Tom was blindsided again as Chakotay spun and 
pushed the younger man down, landing on top but keeping his weight off the more 
slender body.

"Tomorrow," Chakotay said, kissing the pert nose. "Tomorrow you'll turn over the 
rations to Greg. And begin a proper courtship." His expression softened and his 
eyes began to glow as he ran a hand over the fair hair. "Tomorrow I'll tell you 
I love you."

"And tonight?" Tom asked, letting his fingers roam.

"Tonight you show me why I should never even *think* about sex with a hologram." 
Dimples flashed as Chakotay rolled them over and put his hands behind his head, 
waiting to be convinced. "Especially *your* hologram."

"You got it." Tom grinned and set to his task, but paused to ask, "Chakotay, did 
I mention a picnic in my beach program? I have the perfect swimsuit for you in 
mind...."

THE END