Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!atl-c03.usenetserver.com!news.usenetserver.com!newsprint.newsread.com!newsread.com!newsstand.newsread.com!POSTED.monger.newsread.com!not-for-mail Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated Approved: ascem@earthlink.net Organization: Better Living Thru TrekSmut Sender: ascem@earthlink.net Message-ID: From: "temara.rm" MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list ASCEML@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEML-owner@yahoogroups.com Subject: NEW: The Healer Triad VOY C/f, C/P/f NC-17 8/14 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Lines: 719 Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 01:55:20 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: monger.newsread.com 1103594120 209.198.142.218 (Mon, 20 Dec 2004 20:55:20 EST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 20:55:20 EST Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:86089 X-Received-Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:55:42 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) ************ Part Eight ************ "Chakotay, do you have any plans for tonight?" Tom Paris asked as=20 their shift ended on the bridge.=20 "I was going to stay with Tamara." Chakotay said, as he grew=20 suspicious. "Why?" =09 "A few of us were arranging a baby shower for the father. All you=20 have to do is show up at Sandrine's at 2000 hours." Tom explained as=20 they entered the turbo lift. "And whose idea was this?" He asked. "It was Tam's idea. With the twins due in a few days, she felt you=20 needed one last night out with the boys." Tom grinned and Chakotay=20 felt himself warming up to the idea. "Deck Five. She's taking the=20 Doctor's shift in Sickbay so he can come." "What's this about a baby shower for the father?" Chakotay asked as=20 he entered the quarters they shared trying to sound mad, but smiling=20 when he found her lying on the couch waking up from a nap. She had=20 absolutely bloomed with the pregnancy and was due any day or time now. "I see Tom told you already. I think I'll rearrange the betting pool=20 again." She replied as he came over and kissed her while rubbing her=20 stomach. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" "Yes, you've been hovering and I just want a little quiet time and=20 give you some fun before the twins get here and we'll have no time=20 for quite awhile." She answered rubbing her eyes and saw the concern=20 in his dark eyes. "I'm fine, Chakotay. I still have a few things to=20 think over and I can get some work done in Sickbay." "Things you can't talk over with me?" He sounded hurt when he was so=20 open with her. "That's not fair. You know I take my time thinking about different=20 things. In a day or so I'll share. So please go and have some fun.=20 I'll be in Sickbay if anything like labor starts." She smiled at=20 him. "It will be good for morale." "Witch," he growled and kissed her. "I better go change before I get=20 distracted." "Oh, like you can find anything sexy with me looking like a whale.=20 Help me up since this was your entire fault." Laughing, she held out=20 her hand and chuckling in return as he helped her off the cough. "If I recall correctly, you were also present when this happened." Sickbay was absolutely quiet and Tamara loved it as she got some of=20 her work caught up. One person came in with a busted finger and left=20 again. Checking the betting pool, she noticed bets were being placed=20 on who was going to get the most bombed since real liquor was being=20 served at Sandrine's. She started betting odds that one or more would=20 end up in the brig before the twins came. "What's so amusing, Tamara?" Janeway asked when she saw the smile on=20 the pregnant woman. "The betting pool, Captain. They are laying odds on who will get the=20 most drunk tonight. They are serving real alcohol and I'm hoping for=20 a few major hangovers in the morning in revenge for the gag gifts at=20 the shower last week." Tamara had a wicked smile on her face. Kathryn chuckled. "Is there something I can do for you, Captain? Can't sleep again?"=20 Picking up a medical tricorder, she took some readings on the=20 Captain. "When was the last time you ate, Kathryn?" "You are starting to sound like the Doctor. I've got a knot in my=20 shoulder and I was hoping you could do something for it, Tamara." She=20 rubbed the shoulder in question. "And please call me Kathryn more=20 often." "Pull up the other chair, Kathryn and let me rub that knot for you."=20 She replaced the tricorder on the counter and rubbed her hands=20 together to warm them swinging her chair around so she could get at=20 Kathryn's back. "I hear the party was your idea," Kathryn commented as she sat on the=20 stool in front of the healer. "Well, I wanted some down time to think and if I stayed in quarters=20 Chakotay would hover over me so I came up with the party and gave it=20 to Tom and Neelix. First, to distract Chakotay and let him relax and=20 it's good for morale. Second, I can get some thinking done and some=20 work caught up." Her hands were working on the knots in Kathryn's=20 shoulder and she extended her healing sense for relaxation into the=20 knot. "And third." Kathryn quipped. "Getting even time with major hangovers in the morning if we were in=20 the 20th century, but here we have cure-alls." She could feel the=20 captain relaxing under the massage as muscles loosened. "What is=20 keeping you awake, Kathryn?" The twins kicked and Tamara drew in a sharp breath. Kathryn spun=20 around in alarm. "What is it?" "They're kicking." Tamara had her hand on her bulging middle feeling=20 the flutters. She took Kathryn's hand and placed it where she could=20 feel the twins kicking also. A look of sheer delight spread over her=20 face.=20 "They are very active today, aren't they?" Her blue-grey eyes met=20 Tamara's green ones and saw the love and compassion in them. "Yes and I hope they will be bothering their god-mother soon if=20 she'll say yes. Please, Kathryn. Chakotay is your best friend and I=20 would like us to be friends also." There were tears in her=20 eyes. "Damn hormones." A look of surprise joined the delight on her face; "I would be=20 honored. Thank-you." "Now that that is settled, let's get back to your massage." Tamara=20 started in on Kathryn's back once again. She could feel the captain=20 sigh and relax under her skillful hands. "Oh, that feels good. Too much longer and I may go to sleep under=20 your hands, Tamara." She purred. "Well, its not like there is a shortage of beds around here or do a=20 site to site transport." Tamara laughed. "Maybe I should program a=20 massage parlor in the holodeck with some sexy attendants." "I don't think so, Tamara." "It was just a thought." She reached over and turned on the viewer.=20 It showed the inside of Sandrine's on the holodeck. The party was in=20 full swing. "Are you keeping tabs on the party goers?" Kathryn asked looking over=20 her shoulder at the scene. "Yeah, I want to make sure no one gets alcohol poisoning even if the=20 doctor is present." She giggled as Chakotay wobbled slightly on his=20 way up to the bar. He had baby shoes pinned to his shirt. "Actually,=20 I'm in the mood for a little revenge." "Against whom?" Kathryn grinned as she could see the beginnings of a=20 plan forming in Tamara's eye. "The big guy and flyboy for the gags at the baby shower, but we need=20 B'Elanna for the timing." She checked the betting pool and found=20 takers on her brig bet. "Sickbay to Lt. Torres." "Torres here. What can I do for you, Tamara?" The half-Klingon=20 engineer answered. "Can you come down to Sickbay for a few minutes; I have something to=20 ask you?" Tamara replied. "It involves a big guy, a flyboy and gags=20 at a baby shower." "Now I'm intrigued. Be right there. Torres out." "What are you up too?" Kathryn's curiosity was up. "What is in the=20 betting pool right now?" "I'm taking odds that Chakotay and Paris end up in the brig before=20 the twins come. And tonight seems like the perfect time to do it,"=20 Tamara crooned as she entered the names onto the bet and changed the=20 odds. "On what charge?" "Who said anything about charges? I simply said land in the brig."=20 She said as she changed her bet on the day and time of the twin's=20 arrival using Chakotay's name. "What about the brig?" B'Elanna questioned as she entered Sickbay. "I say if they are drunk enough we transport them to the brig when=20 they are asleep or passed out minus their clothes." Tamara=20 explained. "Let them sleep it off till they wake up and see what=20 happens." "I like it. Let's go for it." Both agreed. Kathryn cleared it with=20 Tuvok. All three were giggling when the EMH returned to Sickbay. ************ With the hallway swaying in his vision, it took Chakotay three tries=20 to open the door to his quarters and stagger in. Tamara was asleep in=20 the bed or appeared to be asleep to Chakotay. She was watching him=20 through slitted eyes as he got undressed down to his black silk=20 boxers and neatly fell into bed. He attempted to hug her and she=20 brushed him off snarling at him. Rolling over, he went to sleep. Tamara waited until she was absolutely sure he was asleep and got up=20 from the bed slowly with her awkward girth. Softly, she slipped his=20 boxers off and wrapped a light sheet around his waist while=20 activating the pre-programmed site to site transportation. After=20 Chakotay dissolved in a shower of blue shimmers, Tamara waddled to=20 the couch and fell back asleep with a smile.=20 A few doors down, B'Elanna also fell back asleep with a smile. ************ Captain Janeway, Lt. Torres and Healer Tamara stood outside the=20 containment field in the brig watching Chakotay and Paris slowly stir=20 awake. Chakotay didn't stir fast enough for Tamara. "Plug your ears, ladies." Tamara said as she placed two fingers=20 between her lips and the old "Hey taxi" piercing whistle shattered=20 the stillness of the room and somewhat down the hallway and a floor=20 up or down. The ladies barely had time to cover their ears, while both men sat=20 straight up and grabbed their heads as lances of pain shot through=20 them and moaned in misery. "Where did you learn to do that, Tamara?" B'Elanna asked with a smile=20 at Tom's suffering. "Twentieth century New York City. The only way to hail a cab." Tamara=20 was clearly enjoying Chakotay's discomfort. "I'm enjoying this." Janeway smirked. They watched as both men slowly began to realize where they were. In=20 the brig, behind a containment field with only a light sheet covering=20 them. Tom squinted at the sight of three angry women in front of him. "Ah, Chakotay. I think we are in big trouble." Tom said grabbing the=20 sheet to cover himself blushing from head to foot. "What do you mean?" Chakotay lifted his arm to block the bright light=20 of the brig. Than he saw what Tom meant when he saw the Captain,=20 B'Elanna and Tamara glaring at him with angry looks and arms crossed.=20 Definitely in trouble, he thought time for a smile and turn on the=20 famous Chakotay charm with his dimples. What exactly had he done last=20 night that made him land in trouble? He couldn't remember.=20 He tried to smile, but felt the pain instead. "What did we do last=20 night?" The sheet slipped and Chakotay made a quick grab for it. "That's a good one, Commander. You're in the brig and now you claim=20 not to remember what happened that brought you here." Captain Janeway=20 rolled her eyes. "I don't believe this." "B'Elanna, what did I do?" Tom questioned but B'Elanna ignored him. "Conference, ladies." Tamara gestured for them to come over to one=20 side of the room. When they were together, "I hate to break this up,=20 but I'm having a contraction. I suggest we send them back to quarters=20 so they can get dressed and join us in Sickbay." "How do you want to do this?" Kathryn asked. "This is your plan." "Just follow my lead, ladies and we'll sail out of this for the time=20 being." Tamara winked at them as her backache increased.=20 "Why are we here?" Chakotay repeated his questions through his=20 muddled headache. "Yeah and how long do we have to stay here," Tom complained grabbing=20 the sheet as it slipped off once again. "You came home drunk last night." Tamara snapped and slowly left the=20 room as she felt some pain in her lower abdomen. "Tamara," he called after her, but she ignored him as another pain=20 rippled across her belly. It was a second contraction. "Oh, ahhhh!" She gripped her stomach and bent over. "Chakotay!" "Captain, her labor's starting." B'Elanna stated when she heard the=20 cry of pain. Kathryn nodded as she and B'Elanna raced over to the healer. "Ensign,=20 do a site to site for Paris and Chakotay back to their quarters." "Come on, Tamara. Let's get you to sickbay." They each put an arm=20 around Tamara and helped her down the corridor while the men were=20 transported back to their quarters. By the time, the women arrived at sickbay; Chakotay came around the=20 corner, out of breath, but had some clothes on. Without a word, he=20 scooped Tamara up in his arms and carried her into Sickbay. She put=20 her arms around his neck. "Chakotay." She buried her head in his chest while he laid her on the=20 bio bed in the corner of Sickbay that had been set up as a birthing=20 area complete with privacy screen. "Shhhh, Tam. You'll be fine." He held her close. "Chakotay, I'm sorry." She whispered in his neck. He could feel hot=20 tears slipping from her eyes onto his neck. "Tam, what is it? What's wrong?" He grew concerned. She didn't get a=20 chance to answer as another contraction hit and she groaned. "I see you are ready for delivery, Tamara." The Doctor said as he ran=20 the tricorder over her. "Everything is proceeding nicely although=20 your blood pressure is up a little high for my liking. I'll prepare a=20 hypo for that." "How are the twins, Doctor?" Chakotay ask as he rubbed Tam's lower=20 back. "They are doing nicely. Most of the work is now up to Tamara," The=20 EMH stated as he prepared the end of the bed for the anticipated=20 arrival. "Sickbay to Lt. Paris." "Paris here, Doctor." The helmsman answered. "I need some assistance, Mr. Paris." Doc said as he injected Tamara=20 with the hypo. She was groaning loudly with the contraction. "Kathryn," Tamara groaned. She and B'Elanna peeked around the screen. "Is there anything we can do?" Kathryn asked watching the couple. A=20 thought hit her; this should've been Chakotay and I. She was a little=20 jealous. "Cat will need someone to tell her, please." Tam gave a loud=20 groan. "Sorry about spoiling the brig joke. Maybe next time." She=20 managed a weak smile. "We'll take care of Cat and see you both later." Kathryn=20 smiled. "We'll finish that on another day." "What brig joke?" Chakotay asked astonished. "You mean the whole=20 thing was a joke? I really thought I was in trouble." The contraction eased and Tam lay back down while he wiped her=20 forehead. "Yes, it was a joke or getting even after the gag gifts=20 during the baby shower." "I did come home a little tipsy," he grinned at her flashing his=20 dimples. For once, they didn't faze the healer. "You were so asleep you didn't even feel me taking off your black=20 silk boxers," she snorted. "I won the bet, didn't I, Doctor?" "As a matter of fact, you did. People want to know on what charge?"=20 He quipped as he finished checking the readouts of the two=20 incubators.=20 "I never said there would be any charges, I just said I could get=20 Paris and Chakotay thrown in the brig before the twins came." The=20 monitor let them know that another contraction was starting. "So I hear." Paris interjected as he came around the privacy=20 screen. "Nice bet, Tamara. You really cleaned up on that one." "Aye, Mr. Paris, please keep an eye on Tamara's readings. They are=20 still higher than I would like to see." Doc thrust a tricorder into=20 the blond helmsman hands.=20 "Ahhhh, bushwa! Make it stop." She squeezed Chakotay's hands as hard=20 as she could. Her water broke and the Doctor cleaned her up without a=20 fuss. Chakotay was patient and calm in Tamara's storm of fury by=20 rubbing her back, letting her squeeze his hands during the height of=20 her pain, wiping her face and giving her words of comfort. Sickbay=20 was treated to some rather interesting expletives despite the fact=20 some of it hadn't been heard in nearly four centuries. Several hours went by and tension grew on the ship as everyone=20 awaited the arrival of the newest additions to the ship's population.=20 Tamara had become quite popular with the crew during the few short=20 months she had been on board. Evening came and went with little=20 change and by morning the following day; the Doctor and Tom were=20 having their worries as Tamara's energy flagged from pushing. "Chakotay." Tamara, clearly exhausted, looked up into his dark eyes=20 full of love and concern. "I can't do this anymore. I wanted too." "That's okay, dear heart. It's okay. You tried," he brushed her limp=20 hair back from her eyes and kissed her forehead. "Chakotay," Tamara whispered as she felt another contraction coming=20 on plus a different kind of pain and knew what it entailed. "I'm=20 sorry that I'm not worthy enough to be your mate. Goodbye, my love." A sharp pain lanced through her head killing her instantly. Every=20 alarm in the place went off as she relaxed dead weight in Chakotay's=20 arms. "Doc, she's crashing." Paris yelled. "Cortical stimulators, Mr. Paris." Tom grabbed the stimulators and placed them on Tamara's forehead and=20 than lowered the bed down straight. He had to literally push a=20 stunned Chakotay out of the way while getting Tamara on full life=20 support. "Computer, initiate fetal transport on male child into incubator=20 one." The Doctor said calmly. Chakotay's son appeared in the=20 incubator next to him, but his eyes were on Tamara's still=20 form. "Initiate fetal transport on female child into incubator=20 two." A moment later, Tamara's daughter was in the second incubator. "What happened to Tamara, Doctor?" Chakotay nearly roared and both=20 babies began to cry. Running the tricorder over her still form, he detected the=20 cause. "Aneurysm. A blood vessel burst in her brain. If I can repair=20 it quickly, we have a good chance of getting her back. I've put her=20 on total life support, now go tend to your children while I try and=20 save their mother." Tom pushed the incubators out of the corner and Chakotay with them=20 into the other side of Sickbay. Another medic came forward and began=20 to clean the little ones up and make them comfortable. The medic was=20 finished in just a few minutes. The only sounds were coming from=20 behind the screen and that wasn't giving Chakotay any clues on=20 Tamara's condition.=20 The babies soft crying caught his attention and it dawned on him that=20 he was a father now. He picked up his son up and was amazed by the=20 tiny form and the amount of love in his heart. His son burbled=20 happily in his arms while his daughter fussed in her incubator. He=20 pictured his Tam standing over them with a baby in her arms and a=20 look of contentment on her lovely face. To his surprise, he felt=20 tears sliding down his face as he realized how empty his life would=20 be without her. She was the peace in his soul and he needed to tell=20 her. Her last words tore at his heart, "I'm sorry that I'm not worthy=20 enough to be your mate." He picked up his daughter and fell in love all over again, looking=20 like her mother. Holding both babies, he let his tears fall while=20 waiting. "Chakotay." "Chakotay." The voice was insistent. "What?" He raised his tear stained eyes up to see Kathryn standing=20 before him. "Captain." "Chakotay, what's wrong? Did something happen to Tamara?" Janeway=20 noted the twins asleep in his arms. "The babies are fine. Tamara had an aneurysm. Doc and Paris are=20 working on her now." With Kathryn's help, they placed the babies back=20 into their incubators. "Kathryn, I need to tell her to come back. I can't do this without=20 her. I may have waited too late. She never said anything till right=20 before about you and me. She always knew one day I would have to make=20 a choice. Despite her self-doubts, Tamara would have lived with=20 either decision, her or you=85" He broke off. "But now, Chakotay?" Kathryn prompted. "At one time, I dreamed of you and I down the long road despite the=20 barrier you put between us. Than things changed, I was enslaved and=20 she was there and she never asked much from me. Tamara was there=20 doing everything she could to help those children and anyone else who=20 needed help. She went out of her way to help me when she didn't have=20 too like healing me and trying to make sure I was treated fairly.=20 Spirits, she stood up to the Royal Family for me in defense and=20 didn't ask for hardly anything in return. There were a few times, I=20 had to physically take her home and force her to get some rest." He=20 smiled at the memory. "She was so mad that last time, I had to sleep=20 outside for a few days until she cooled off. When I looked to the=20 future, Kathryn, I see Tam by my side. The peace that is in my soul.=20 I'm sorry, Kathryn. But I will still be your friend and be by your=20 side as I promised to help you get this crew home."=20 "Go to her, Chakotay. Tell her what you told me," Kathryn said as=20 sadness and joy filled her. She would be alone as the Captain, but=20 her best friend could be happy with the healer and children. The Doctor and Paris came out from behind the privacy screen.=20 Chakotay looked up with hope in his eyes and heart full of hope.=20 Paris looked defeated. "Captain, Commander, she's alive and off of life support, but she's=20 in a coma." The Doctor reported. "Tamara could wake up tomorrow, next=20 week or not at all." "What do you mean, Doctor?" Chakotay choked on his words. "If and when she wakes up, there may be brain damage. As to the=20 extent, we won't know until she wakes up." The Doctor said as started=20 to check on the twins. "Can I see her?" Chakotay's voice cracked with grief. "Of course, Commander." "Tamara," he managed to get out as a lump formed in his throat almost=20 choking him. He staggered over to the stool beside the bio bed and=20 sat down hard. She looked so peaceful, just like she was taking a nap=20 and would look at him anytime now with those green eyes full of=20 mischief and love. "Please, come back to me." ************ Tamara found herself in a forest on a bright sunny day under a blue=20 sky. Walking along, she came to a beautiful meadow filled with=20 different flowers and sweet grasses. At the far end of the meadow, a=20 red sorrel stallion grazed. "You are so gorgeous. A fine example of excellent horseflesh." She=20 said admiring the play of muscles that rippled under the stallion's=20 hide. "He is your guide, if you will allow it," an unexpected voice said to=20 the left of her position. Turning, she saw a silver and black furred=20 she-wolf sitting with her tongue hanging out and glowing yellow eyes. "My guide to what? Why am I here? Where is Chakotay and the=20 children?" Tamara asked. "Your guide who will listen and offer advice from time to time. You=20 are here to make a decision. And Chakotay will be here soon." The=20 wolf replied and than got up and left. "Well, that was cryptic if not a little bit puzzling." Tamara=20 remarked as she started walking towards the stallion. He raised his=20 head and flared nostrils at her approach, but did not flee. "Hi,=20 handsome." A hand on his shoulder woke him from a sound sleep and he=20 jumped. "Tam?" "No, Chakotay. It's me." Kathryn replied. "Has there been any change?" "It's been three days and no sign of Tam coming around." He answered=20 tired as hell and looked worn out. "Take as much time as you need, Chakotay," Kathryn said. "I brought=20 you this. I have a feeling you need it right now to hopefully find=20 some answers. I have to go. It's my turn to watch the twins." Chakotay looked to find his medicine bundle in his lap. Smiling, he=20 opened the bag and barely touched his akoona when his spirit guide=20 appeared to him. "You certainly took your time getting here. She's been waiting for=20 quite some time now, but getting to know her spirit guide a little=20 too well." The wolf nuzzled his hand. "Such behavior is not=20 dignified." Chakotay laughed. His Tam would find a way to irritate the=20 spirits. `His Tam', he called her in his thoughts and his heart=20 pounded so hard his chest hurt with the tightness. She's definitely=20 affecting me, too. The sound of hoof beats reached his ears from=20 across the meadow. Looking in the general direction of the sounds, he=20 saw a red stallion racing through the sweet grass with mane and tail=20 flying in the breeze. And clinging to his back moving as one with him=20 was Tamara laughing in pure joy and exhilaration. Coming to a stop, Tamara jumped off his back and leaped into=20 Chakotay's arms. "Chakotay." She squealed in delight. "What took you so long?" "I've been a little thick-headed lately. It took a good friend to=20 point out where I could find you." Chakotay answered by kissing her=20 tenderly and hungrily. "I've missed you." "Well, now we're together. What do we get to do first?" Tamara asked=20 as she slipped her arms around his neck. "This is not the afterlife, Tam. It's a place of meditation and=20 spiritual guidance. You are here to make a decision. Life or death."=20 He said releasing her. "What do you mean, Chakotay?" She looked confused. "What is the last thing you remember before you came here, Tam?" he=20 asked. "I was, I was giving birth to the twins and there was a flash of pain=20 in my head. The next thing I knew I was here talking to a wolf and=20 than meeting this beautiful red stallion." She related still slightly=20 confused. "Because you had an aneurysm and died. The doctor had to do the fetal=20 transport for the twins and than operate to get you back. You have=20 been in a coma for three days now." Chakotay kissed her on the=20 forehead. "You need to decide whether to live and come back to me or=20 go on to the afterlife." "You want me to come back to you, Chakotay? Not just because of the=20 twins or what we went through together, just me?" Her green eyes=20 searched his dark eyes intently. "Yes, Tam. You have always been more than worthy to be my mate. I was=20 too blind to see it until now and it may be too late if you don't=20 come back." He confessed and watched her eyes fill with tears. "What about Kathryn Janeway?" She asked. "I waited for Kathryn for over six years, Tam. On New Earth, I hoped=20 she would respond, but she sat parameters there, too. We did form a=20 bond there of very strong friendship. When Voyager came back for us,=20 it was Captain and First Officer once again. I have vowed to stay by=20 her side until we get the crew home and I won't go back on that.=20 Sometimes I could feel her considering the prospect and I would renew=20 my hope and than she would push me away again. Protocol, I really=20 grew to hate that word. As time went on, I realized that I also=20 wanted a mate and children." "Have you stopped waiting for her, Chakotay? Choose carefully whose=20 path you would take as mate. I can live with you and her being good=20 friends, but if you think for one moment that you would run back to=20 her because she changed her mind again, do not chose my path,=20 Chakotay." She challenged his heart. "I chose your path, dear heart." He gathered her in his arms. "If=20 friendship is all that she can give, than I can accept that. I would=20 rather have the friendship than not know her at all" "I would like a good friendship with her as well since she is to be=20 the godmother to the twins. I admire her and would like to get to=20 know her better." "Are you coming back right away, Tam?" "As soon as I can, dear heart." Her eyelids felt heavy, but she managed to crack them a little and=20 not flinch at the dim lighting. She blinked a few times and opened=20 them fully waiting for her surroundings to come into focus. Nighttime=20 in Sickbay and someone was snoring in her right ear. Turning her=20 head, all she could see was a forehead on a stocky arm and black=20 glossy hair. His cologne told her nose immediately who it was.=20 Chakotay. "I see you came back for the next round." Tom Paris whispered in her=20 left ear. "Hi Tom. How long was I out?" Tamara whispered turning to look at him. "Six days. We nearly lost you, Tam." Tom ran the scanner over her. "Wow. Long nap. How long has Sleeping Beauty been awake?" She smiled. "Five days. Between staying by your side and caring for the twins,=20 he's a wreck." Tom replied brushing the hair on her head back. "You=20 really scared us. I don't know what the big guy would've done if you=20 hadn't come back." "Where are the twins now, Tom?" Tamara grew anxious. "B'Elanna's watching them tonight." Tom answered. "Everyone has been=20 pitching in and helping with the little tykes." "And I'll bet that Uncle Tom has been enjoying them too." Her eyelids=20 were getting heavy and Tom could see her drifting off into a natural=20 sleep.=20 "Get some sleep, Healer." He kissed her on the forehead enjoying her=20 smooth skin and scent for a brief moment. "I like that, Tom," she whispered as she drifted off. His neck hurt and there was numbness in his arm from his forehead=20 lying there all night. Rubbing his neck, Chakotay stood up and=20 looked down at the sleeping woman on the bio bed in front of him. She=20 seemed more relaxed than the day before. "Good morning, Commander," Tom Paris said coming out of the=20 office. "Did you sleep well?" "Hi Tom. A few hours anyway. How is Tam doing?" He ran a hand down=20 her cheek. "She woke up for a few seconds last night and than drifted off into a=20 natural sleep." Tom said as he picked up a hypo spray, adjusted the=20 medicine in it and gave Chakotay an injection in his arm. "Relax.=20 It's just a muscle relaxer." "Why didn't you wake me when she came too?" He could feel the tense=20 muscles loosening up and he felt better. "Like I said she was only awake for a few seconds. We spoke for a=20 moment and she drifted off. Tamara should wake up some time today."=20 Tom smiled. "You still should've waked me up." Chakotay protested in irritation.=20 "You needed to sleep." Tom shot back. "Shut up, both of you. How's a body supposed to get any sleep round=20 here," Tamara drawled from the bed. "Tam!" Chakotay exclaimed and instantly enveloped her in his board=20 arms for a hug of relief. "Spirits, I've missed you." "Shut up and kiss me, handsome," Tamara growled as she reached her=20 arms around his neck pulling him into a kiss. They melted together=20 with his tears falling onto her face for several long moments. "Don't ever leave me, Tam, I couldn't bear it." Chakotay whispered in=20 her hair as they came up for air. "I love you and I chose your path=20 to follow as mate." Her face lit up as joy filled her at his words. "Oh, baby. I love you=20 so much." Tom watched their happiness with each other and with a slight sigh of=20 his own went back into the office ignoring the twinge of jealousy in=20 his gut. `Interesting,' Tamara thought as she picked up on it. ************ End of Part Eight ************ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ASCEM messages are copied to a mailing list. Most recent messages can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML. NewMessage: