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From: "Keith & Jessica Bratcher" <campbratcher@psci.net>
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Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 14:18:13 -0500
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW 'Being the Reason' (VOY 1/1 C/P, G)
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Series: Voyager
Title: Being the Reason
Author: Polly Bywater
Feedback: pollyabywater@yahoo.com
Pairing: C/P
Rating: G 
Warning: none
Author's Notes: Set following 'Caretaker' shortly after the two crews 
are united. 

"Shocked you, huh. Just chalk it up to enlightened self interest, 
Chakotay. Nobody's ever going to accuse me of being unselfish," Tom 
says tersely. "I needed you to keep the rest of the Maquis off my 
back. Don't read anything else into it."

Chakotay fights back a sharp reply and makes himself think for a 
minute. Tom Paris is very obviously on the defensive; plainly certain 
he's putting the words in Chakotay's mouth that Chakotay is thinking.

Only thing is, Tom is wrong. Chakotay isn't thinking anything like 
that at all. Far from it, in fact. Chakotay had called Tom into his 
new office to thank the younger man for saving his life on Ocampa. A 
few days after he'd been released from Sickbay, it had occurred to 
him that he'd been less than appreciative at the time... and he *is* 
grateful to be alive.

So from where is Tom's prickly reaction coming?

Chakotay quickly rewinds his own words, reviewing what he'd said when 
he'd tried to express his gratitude.

//'I wanted to thank you for saving my life, Paris. I know it 
couldn't have been easy for you'.// He'd meant physically - he wasn't 
a small man and Tom had virtually carried him up those stairs - but 
judging from Tom's reaction-

"If that's all, Commander," Tom begins, already turning to leave. 
Star Fleet discipline is something Tom Paris ignores at will, and 
Chakotay is often secretly amused by that, to tell the truth.

"No, it's not all. Wait a minute, would you?" He points, pointedly, 
at the chair in front of his desk. Tom rolls his eyes and sits.

They avoid looking at each other for a minute before Chakotay sighs.

"I wasn't making a comment on your ethics or your feelings for me, 
Tom. I really just wanted to thank you. That's all. No hidden 
messages, no insult, no personal agenda. Just thanks."

Tom runs one hand over his head, and finally meets Chakotay's gaze, 
his expression self-aware and rueful.

"You're welcome."

Chakotay feels his mouth twitch.

"Did that hurt?"

Tom blinks at him then they both start chuckling.

"No, it didn't hurt a bit," Tom eventually says, favoring him with a 
genuine smile.

In a stunning coup de foudre, a shocked Chakotay discovers three 
things that he had not known.

He really, really likes seeing a happy expression on Tom's face. He 
wants to see it there again and often... and he desperately wants to 
be the reason why Tom Paris smiles.

End
14 June 04



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