A HALLOWEEN TREAT

Title: A Halloween Treat, 1/1
Author: Jaye (Copyright October 2003)
Codes: VOY C/P PG-13

Disclaimer: Star Trek and all related characters and concepts 
are the property of Paramount. No infringement is intended or 
profit made. This is PG-13 for language and intimations of 
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 if it's not kind let it at least be 
constructive. E-mail is wordsmith872@fastmail.fm

Summary: Tom hopes to arrange a Halloween treat when he picks 
his and Chakotay's costumes.

Note: Set some time after "Night". A/U because of a P/T 
break-up. Originally written for ChakotayFest.

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

Tom checked his costume one last time. The old-fashioned 
baseball uniform was surprisingly comfortable, almost like 
the pajamas he wore as a kid. The snaps on the shirt were 
easier than buttons, making the top half easy to put on (and 
hopefully take off), and the pants nicely showed off his 
assets.

He just hoped Chakotay would be an appreciative audience. Tom 
was taking a chance, making a move on the handsome commander.

If someone had told Tom six months ago he'd be contemplating 
a relationship with another man he'd have laughed his ass 
off. He hadn't been with a guy since the Academy. *And* he'd 
been hot and heavy with B'Elanna at the time.

But then they'd hit the Void. The monotony, the boredom, the 
sheer sameness of it all had gotten to both of them. They'd 
started snapping and sniping, the little quirks of their 
personalities driving each other crazy. By the time Voyager 
reached normal space their affair had reached its conclusion.

That had been a blow to Tom's ego more than his heart. He 
knew he and B'Elanna would find a way to stay friends. They 
started to fall back into comfortable patterns.

Until Harry finally worked up the nerve to ask B'Elanna out. 
Suddenly Tom knew what it was like to be the odd man out in 
their little triangle. He was happy for them, but the new 
pairing left him feeling acutely alone and at loose ends. 
Depression set in unexpectedly. All of his failures in life 
started to fill his waking hours in an endless parade of 
regret.

Enter Chakotay.

Tom was sure the offer of distraction had just been 
compassion at the start. He knew it wasn't pity---when 
Chakotay had first invited him to go rock-climbing Tom 
accused Chakotay of feeling sorry for him. The flash of hurt 
that dimmed the famous dimpled smile had been enough to 
convince Tom of Chakotay's sincerity. He'd accepted with a 
mental shrug; if nothing else, it would kill a few hours.

The outing had been more fun than he'd expected. Chakotay on 
duty was serene and low-key, keeping his own personality 
under wraps to let Captain Janeway take center stage.

Chakotay off-duty was a revelation. Sure, they'd played pool 
together every once in a while, and B'Elanna had always 
invited Chakotay to any group function she and Tom were 
planning to be part of. Chakotay certainly had shown himself 
to be an regular Joe out of uniform.

But one on one, Chakotay was surprisingly good company. He 
had a bone-dry sense of humor and a healthy appreciation for 
the ironies of life. His energy and enthusiasm soon 
brightened Tom's gloomy outlook.

Chakotay was also a rock-solid sounding board. Tom didn't 
even realize it when he started talking about his ambivalence 
over the failed relationship with B'Elanna. What surprised 
him more was when Chakotay opened up in return, sharing his 
own disappointments in the search for love in the DQ.

Eventually Tom got back on an even keel emotionally. He was 
anxious that Chakotay might move on to helping another lost 
soul now that Tom was all right. But he didn't. The men 
continued to socialize, alone and in groups. Their friendship 
deepened.

And Tom began to notice things. The way Chakotay listened 
with absolute attention, like there was no one else in the 
universe but Tom. How he could ease the tension in a room 
with just the twinkle of those earth-dark eyes. The way 
Chakotay's whole face lit up when he smiled---and the ladies 
were right, the dimples *were* to die for. How good he 
smelled.

Last but not least, how damn sexy Chakotay was. Sleek and 
tawny, grace hinting at coiled power, the guy had a body that 
wouldn't quit. And Tom had had plenty of opportunities to see 
Chakotay up close and personal. Those skin-tight rock-
climbing outfits were unforgiving as hell. But they made 
Chakotay look like the front-page teaser to an old-fashioned 
Playgirl centerfold. Tom became anxious to see under the 
cover---and get under the covers with the guy.

Tom had caught himself a couple times just drooling, watching 
the Big Man in action, stretching to grasp a handhold that 
was just out of reach, the muscles bunching and smoothing in 
those legs and that oh-so-clutchable ass as his foot spanned 
a gap.

When Tom realized he was in lust as well as love, he knew he 
couldn't wait any longer.

But how to approach Chakotay? Tom had felt the weight and 
heat of those deep brown eyes---just often enough to make him 
think maybe Chakotay might just be interested in more than 
friendship. Once, he'd glanced down from where *he'd* been 
leading the climb and surprised such an intense look of 
desire on the older man's face Tom had nearly melted on the 
spot.

And then Neelix announced the Halloween party. Tom had 
laughed at Chakotay's long-suffering groan at the news, then 
offered to find them both costumes. At Chakotay's surprised 
glance, Tom admitted he wanted to coordinate the outfits---he 
had something special in mind.

Tom knew the sound of opportunity knocking, and he wasn't 
about to blow his chance. He took Chakotay's puzzled 
agreement to attend the party together as a sign of 
encouragement.

Now he just needed to see if Chakotay wore what Tom picked 
out for him.

Tom wiped a sweaty palm on his thigh before pressing the 
chime.

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

Oh, yeah. It was *perfect*. The cape, the cowl, the 
codpiece...the black faux-leather hugging and caressing every 
sinew.

And the look of utter confusion on Chakotay's face as brown 
eyes assessed *Tom's* costume. The speculative expression was 
very promising, even with the perplexity.

"Uh...Tom?" Chakotay's full lips pursed in query and Tom 
licked his own in automatic response. "I thought you said you 
were coordinating the costumes."

"That's right, and I did." Tom spun slowly, making sure he 
*didn't* wiggle his ass at the other man at the half-way 
point. But it was tempting. As he completed his circle he 
tossed the baseball in one hand into the mitt that covered 
the other. "I'm Cy Young, an old-time baseball player. He 
held the record for being the pitcher who won the most games-
--511."

"Okaaay..." Chakotay replied, then looked down at his own 
ensemble. "But if you're an athlete, why am I dressed as a 
20th-century comic-book superhero? Batman, right? I've seen 
the drawings."

Tom grinned, enjoying another thorough look at the costume. 
"Actually, that outfit's from the movies."

Chakotay shook his head---as much as the restrictive headgear 
would allow. "I don't get it."

Tom cleared his throat. He dared scoot a little closer. 
"Well, it's very simple. I'm a ballplayer, and it was *very* 
important to have just the right bat man." He swallowed his 
nervousness. "One who was a solid switch hitter, with just 
the right equipment, who was willing to go the distance with 
the home team." He held Chakotay's gaze, baring his own 
emotions as his voice softened. "You see, I'm pitching woo."

The surprised delight that glowed in Chakotay's eyes seemed 
to light Tom's soul. He basked in the warmth as Chakotay 
closed the gap between them and gathered Tom close.

Tom's eyes shut of their own volition as soft lips pressed 
the most delicate of kisses across his forehead, down one 
temple and cheek. A quick peck on the nose did *not* lead to 
the knock-down, drag-out, tonsil-washing kiss Tom was 
expecting, so he opened his eyes again.

And *did* melt this time. Chakotay had tossed back the cowl, 
and the expression of love and lust on his face made Tom's 
thighs loosen. Chakotay wrapped his arms around Tom's waist 
again, rubbing their bodies together, twin arousals finding 
delicious friction. Chakotay grinned at him. "I'd be happy to 
sign an exclusive long-term contract with you anytime, Tom, 
but if you want to start playing now I have to warn you we 
won't be making it to Neelix's party."

A laugh of pure happiness bubbled up in Tom's throat as he 
dropped the mitt and ball and let his hands find their way 
under the cape to check out his new teammate. Oh yes, those 
black pants *were* snug. He squeezed his agreement. "We'll 
send our regrets...later."

Chakotay chuckled and pulled off his gloves. He ripped Tom's 
shirt apart in one motion, growling approvingly as the snaps 
parted.

Tom raised his eyebrows suggestively and started backing them 
into the bedroom. His hands shifted around Chakotay's costume 
to the codpiece. "I think you should step up to the plate 
first, *Batman*."

Chakotay chuckled and slid the fingers of one hand along 
Tom's body to fondle his balls. "With pleasure. Then later, 
slugger, we'll see if you can hit one out of the park."

Tom knew both men would enjoy their Halloween treat---and be 
winning at the game of love for the rest of their lives.

THE END