TOM GETS TO DO IT WITH KATHRYN BEFORE CHAKOTAY DOES

"Are you sure? I'd really rather do it with you."

"Yes, I'm sure. I want to watch you do it with Paris."

"I don't know…"

Chakotay leaned into her personal space. "I dare you."

That did it. A hard glint came into her eye. "Fine. You're on. Just don't go getting jealous on me afterwards."

He smirked at her. "Oh, I'm sure I'll have my chance with you soon enough."

Kathryn flicked a coy look at him. "How do you know I'll want to do it with you after I've had Tom? I might never want to be with anyone else."

He leaned even closer, his breath on her cheek. His voice stroked her like a hand. "You know that you want me; you just said so."

Damn. He had her there, and his smug grin said he knew it, too. In truth, she very much wanted to do it with Chakotay, more than she'd ever wanted anything. She just knew they'd be great together when it finally happened.

Tom stood close before her, his expression excited and tender at the same time. "Are you sure, Captain? I know it's your first time in a long while. Wouldn't you rather it be with Commander Chakotay?"

Kathryn was a little nervous. It had been a really, really long time since she'd done this. But Tom was so sweet, so boyish in his enthusiasm, she knew he'd give her an experience to remember. She looked up at her tall helmsman. "No, Tom. He wants to watch us. You and me."

The younger man's eyebrows shot up. "He wants to watch us? You and me, together?"

Kathryn nodded. "Are you okay with this?"

Tom shrugged. "If you are."

This was what Chakotay wanted, so she could give this to him. She nodded again and licked her dry lips. "How should we start?"

Tom looked down at his small captain. It was endearing to see this powerful woman a little nervous and uneasy, and tenderness surged within him. In truth, he'd had some pretty strong fantasies and dreams about being with her, but had never imagined anything like this. He tried not to think of Chakotay watching from somewhere, and Tom was determined to make this as pleasurable for his captain as possible. He might never have a chance to be this close to her again. "Put your arms around my neck," he murmured to her. He had to bend a little for her to do so.

Even now he didn't feel right about calling her by her first name, although she'd told him he could for this experience. He knew the next instruction might be difficult for her. "Captain, it would be good if you wrapped your legs around my waist."

He saw the blush bloom across her cheeks. "Really?"

He nodded reassuringly. "Yes. That way we won't come apart. I want this to be good for you."

Kathryn inhaled a little shakily. "Okay."

His hands moved to her narrow waist, and she half jumped, half was lifted by Tom. She hugged his waist with her thighs, crossing her ankles behind him. Their faces were now on the same level. "It's all right, Kathryn," he whispered, "I'll take good care of you."

"I know you will, Tom," she whispered back. "I'm glad that you're as experienced as you are." She glanced over his shoulder to where she knew Chakotay was sitting. She could just see him, just make out the intense expression on his face. As much as she wanted to do this with him, it gave her a thrill to know that he was watching.

Tom wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to his chest. "You ready?"

Her heart was pounding. Now was the moment. She tightened her hold on him and nodded.

Tom looked into her pale face and wide blue eyes, knowing that in spite of her trepidation, she was doing this for the man she wanted to please, the man she wanted to make happy. He smiled gently at her. "Okay, then. Here we go."

He arched his back, pushing his pelvis against hers, and he took her with him to a place of ecstasy unlike anything she'd ever felt with anyone else. It was incredible. She'd forgotten the amazing rush, the sensation of life surging through her blood stream. They clung together, she and Tom, swooping and soaring, both of them crying out at the intensity of the sensations, up and down, twisting, turning, over and under, moving with and against each other.

When it was over, they were both laughing and crying at the same time. Tom gently released her and she grabbed his face with both hands, kissing his cheek. "Oh Tom, that was amazing!" she exclaimed, smiling brilliantly. "It never felt like that before, ever! You're good."

It was wonderful to see her so happy, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling. And he had given that to her. It made Tom feel triumphant, empowered. "It was great for me, too, Cap - uh, Kathryn. Think you'll be okay with Chakotay now?"

She nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, we'll be fine together now. Thank you so much, Tom. It was really wonderful."

She reached her hand out to him and he took it. He'd do just about anything for this woman. "I'm glad to have helped. If you need me again, just call." He gave her his classic Tom Paris grin and winked at her just as he turned to walk away. Her happy laughter followed him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tom saw Chakotay emerge from under a tree. So that was where the big man had been watching. Tom hoped he and Kathryn had given him a good show. Perversely, he also hoped he'd made his senior officer a little jealous. He, Tom Paris, ruffian of the Alpha Quadrant, had been the first to do this in the Delta Quadrant with Captain Kathryn Janeway. He darted out of sight, giving into the urge to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Kathryn stood watching as Chakotay approached her. He was breathing hard and his face was shining, his eyes bright. "So, was it what you expected?" she inquired.

He shook his head. "It was more. Kathryn, it was indescribable. To watch you so free like that with someone else, so much joy on your face. I want that with you."

She smiled at him and took his hand. "And you will. I promise." She picked up the half of the harness discarded by Tom and stepped over to him.

He watched as she fastened it around him. "What do you call this again?" he asked.

Kathryn straightened up and pushed her hair off her face. "It's called bungee jumping."

The End

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