Reconnaissance By Morticia (Sequel to " Ripples ") (R Series part 32) C/P Rating: R for language Disclaimer: Tom, Chak et al belong to Paramount. I am only playing with them and promise to put them back relatively unscathed   "So the new medicine is helping?" Chakotay nodded gratefully at the Doctor as he gave a considered reply: "Yes, we seem to have achieved the right balance at last. Tom's more able to cope with things, less likely to have the panic attacks and at the same time, he's no longer too sleepy to function properly. He's still getting below-average results on the flight Sims he's been running but he is coping well in Astrometrics." "I concur" Seven agreed firmly. "In the last week I have noticed a considerable increase in his work efficiency. I am finding his contributions to be surprisingly astute and most informative." "Surprising because he's pulling himself together, or because he's `Tom Paris'?" Chakotay snapped Seven's impassive face crumbled a little at his accusation. "Don't you think Tom has enough enemies without you looking for more?" B'Elanna snarled, giving Seven's hand a comforting squeeze. Chakotay sighed "I'm sorry, Seven. B'Elanna is right. I've become so used to having to defend Tom that it is an automatic reaction now to look for implied slurs." Sam Wildman gave him an understanding smile. "I feel the same defensive way about Naomi!" She confessed and then blushed furiously. "Not that I'm suggesting that Tom is a child or anything - I just meant - " "I know what you meant," Chakotay cut in to reassure her "and in a lot of ways Tom IS like a child at the moment. His defences are down and he hasn't yet learnt a new way to handle tricky situations. He needs time to adjust to facing reality instead of avoiding it." The other four present members of the "Save Tom Paris Society" all exchanged sad glances and sank into thoughtful silence. It was 2230 and they were all in the abandoned Mess Hall, sharing coffee and ideas. "Here you are!" A cheerful voice interrupted them as Neelix waddled out of the galley, the steam from a tray of fresh coffee and bubbling hot pies almost totally obscuring his jovial face. "Thanks, Neelix" Sam sighed gratefully, helping herself to a fresh cup and a pie.  She juggled the hot pastry between her fingers, blowing on it in an effort to cool it down. "These are wonderful!" She enthused, smelling the tangy fruit filling. "I made a few extra, for you to take back for Tom." Neelix whispered nervously to Chakotay.  He was still unsure of his welcome into the group of conspirators and was trying desperately to assure Chakotay that he really DID have Tom's welfare at heart after all. Since Kes had `left', the little Talaxian had found himself unbearably lonely on Voyager. Although he loved travelling on the ship and getting the opportunity to see all the wonderful new places and people that they had discovered on the journey, he had found that the further they travelled from his home, the less likely it was that he would find someone who found him to be sexually desirable. Tom's offer to sleep with him in exchange for preferential treatment in the Mess Hall had been the answer to his prayers. The blond pilot had been an enthusiastic lover, skilled and shameless in his response to Neelix's passions.  It had never occurred to the Talaxian that Tom was anything other than what he appeared to be. His discovery that the confident brash exterior had just been a protective armour Tom wore because of years of abuse had rocked Neelix to his soul. It had been Sam who had taken him aside and explained the situation. Her experiences of his kindness with Naomi convincing her that he would not have knowingly used Tom. Now Neelix was eager to make up for his mistake, providing the Mess Hall as a meeting place and catering for everyone because he couldn't think of anything more constructive to offer in his efforts for absolution. "The problem is, we don't know who we can trust." Chakotay announced, nodding at Neelix as an example. He had been amazed when Sam had introduced the Talaxian into their group and it had proved to him once again that appearances were not always what they seemed. "The Maquis will stand by you, Chakotay." B'Elanna said fiercely. "Your old crew still remember who is REALLY in charge." Chakotay smiled ruefully. "It's been a long time, B'Elanna and people have changed. To be honest, people are rarely what they seem to be, perhaps no one has really changed at all, but the length of time we have been out here has been sufficient to unmask their true characters. Take Ayala, for example. I always thought that he was a good man, yet he turned out to be a rapist. Seska turned out to be a bloody Cardassian." "The Captain has certainly turned out to be surprisingly unstable." The Doctor agreed. "I have checked her confidential files and there is no indication of her aberrant behaviour before this mission." "Perhaps it is simply a case of absolute power corrupting absolutely? With no one to answer to, she has begun to get a God complex and now feels able to do things that she used to only fantasize about before. I mean, she managed to get a Captaincy at a relatively young age, so she must have had a ruthless streak all along. For all its enlightened morality, Starfleet still favours the ambitious." Sam said thoughtfully. "Ambition is a favourable trait." Seven said in confusion "Not if you are a mad bitch with a God complex!" B'Elanna hissed, "How the hell did she get a Captaincy?" "Actually, It makes an odd kind of sense, if you think about it. We now know that Admiral Paris is a sick bastard, and Kathryn was his protégée. It was Owen Paris who pushed her up the ladder of promotion. Maybe because they shared more than a professional relationship." Chakotay suggested "Yuck. THAT'S an image I'd rather not picture." B'Elanna replied, her face twisting with revulsion. Then her eyes widened as a more unpleasant thought struck her. "Janeway used to be a frequent visitor to the Paris residence when Tom was growing up, didn't she?  You don't think - I mean - she DID admit to getting Tom out of Auckland specially because of her attraction to him - but she must have known that BEFORE she went to get him - do you think - no, actually, I don't want to know the answer to this." B'Elanna snarled, jumping to her feet and pacing furiously up and down the room in an attempt to contain her rage. Chakotay had paled at her words. Having seen the sick games Kathryn played with Harry, he could imagine her capable of anything. It was unfortunately too easy to imagine what might have happened to a young Tom, alone in a house with his incestuous father and the dominatrix from hell. He clenched his fists until his blunt nails bit into his palms and closed his eyes in pain. "Whatever MAY have happened, Tom doesn't remember and probably never will." The Doctor said comfortingly. "He remembers in his dreams." Chakotay replied bluntly "Yes, but the memories are buried in his subconscious and as much as facing them might be cathartic, none of us have the skill to help him. Unlocking his memories would be like Pandora's box. Once opened Tom would never be able to close it again. Without skilled counselling, he would never be able to come to terms with his experiences. If they were something he could face alone, he wouldn't have erected such a delusional world to handle them." "So pushing him to remember would hurt him?" Chakotay asked "One day, in the right environment, with the right support, Tom is going to have to deal with his past. Here and now, on Voyager, I think that the priority is to help him deal with the present and stop the cycle of abuse." The Doctor advised. "If anyone touches him again, I'll kill them." Chakotay promised quietly. "Very constructive." B'Elanna drawled sarcastically. "How many bodies do you think we can dispose of before someone gets suspicious? Besides, what if something happens to you? How long do you think it would be before Tom reverted to his old way of dealing with things? Within 24 hours of your death, Janeway would have him back in her bed. In fact, knowing that, I'm surprised you aren't walking around with an X in the middle of your back." "An X?" Seven asked in confusion. "A target. A sign saying `shoot me here'." B'Elanna explained to her with unusual patience. Seven's brow cleared at the explanation "It would be logical. Your death would be an efficient method by which to return Tom to his former occupation." She stated "The Captain has Harry. She would hardly murder me just to replace him with Tom." Chakotay said dismissively "But what if we come to another planet where all other negotiations fail? Is she going to let a deal fall through? Tom has been too successful in building his reputation. Everyone knows that he has proven to be irresistible to the majority of officials we have negotiated with. Janeway isn't going to let him say "No"." B'Elanna argued "I know." Chakotay said angrily "So we are back to the original plan. We take over the ship." "Mutiny?" Neelix squeaked "It is within Starfleet Regulations to relieve a Captain of duty if he or she is mentally unbalanced." Chakotay told him firmly "The problem is that I am a hologram and Chakotay is `officially' a wanted terrorist. Our opinion on the Captain's ability to perform her duties won't hold much weight back home." The Doctor said sadly "But you aren't home, and to be honest you might never get there." Neelix replied in confusion "The immediate problem is that the original Starfleet crew might see this as a `Maquis' action and even a number of my own crew might support her. Even if we are successful and put her in the brig or confine her to quarters, it is inevitable that some people will plot to release her again. We have to establish who her supporters are." Chakotay explained "And then?" Neelix asked nervously "Then we find a suitable planet and leave them behind." Chakotay said firmly. "Anyone who refuses to join us can stay with her. We just have to hope that not too many people stand against us. The ship is undermanned as it is." "So let's get back to the list." B'Elanna said and Chakotay nodded tiredly. "Has anyone come up with names yet?" "Definite to leave behind:  Janeway, Ayala, Dalby,   Possibles: Harry, Megan Delaney,  Unknown : Everyone Else." Sam said, reading from her Data Padd. "Harry only a possible?" B'Elanna asked in surprise "He hasn't got the balls to cause real trouble, I think he'll take whichever side seems to have the most chance of winning. Megan is an airhead and a selfish bitch but I think she will stick to the winning team too, and Jenny is pretty okay so Megan will probably join us as long as Jenny does." Sam explained "Okay, lets deal with the unknowns." Chakotay said, "Let's leave general crewmen out of this unless they are in positions where they could affect our immediate plans. Once we are back on course for the Alpha Quadrant, no one will want to turn around again." B'Elanna started the discussion "Ashmore, he's fleet but okay. Joe Carey is okay really, I've broken his nose twice now so he's pretty sure who's boss. Vorik is a complete p'tak but will see the logic of our argument I expect." "Thanks, B'El. Anyone in your division, Sam?" "Baxter is a bit of an asshole but not a threat, Fitzpatrick and Foster are straight enough, Jarvis I'm not sure about, she thinks Janeway IS god. McKenzie thought TUVOK was god, so I don't trust HIM either." Chakotay mulled over her words. "It's going to be a problem if armed Security Officers stick by the Captain. You'll have to make sure that Jarvis and McKenzie are off duty when it starts. I don't want them running around with phasers. Personally, I believe Baytart is okay, Tom likes him, which says a lot. Geron, Ryson and Tabor can be trusted 100%. Hamilton is enjoying his temporary position as Head of the Conn Division too much. I think he'll fight us just to keep Tom from getting back on the bridge. Jackson was too close to Seska for me to feel comfortable with. What about your people, Seven?" "Dell is extremely pliable. Lt. Hargrove is so heterosexual he has never been near Tom. Freddie Bristow has had a long term emotional fixation on B'Elanna so has never touched Tom. Ensign Murphy is now sleeping with B'Elanna so most probably will join us." B'Elanna went scarlet "You promised not to tell anyone," she hissed furiously. "This is not gossip, this is important information. It would be illogical to fail to count personal loyalties into the equation." Seven replied impassively "Then perhaps I should tell everyone how you know for certain that "Lieutenant" Hargrove is so heterosexual since Murph and I introduced you to him!" Seven blushed prettily. Chakotay smiled gently at the embarrassed woman. "John's a good man, Seven. I hope you find happiness with him." He said softly and was gratified by a sparkle in her blue eyes. Which reminded him of Tom so he returned to the business at hand: "Chell will support us but can't be trusted with any details, he's a good man but he talks too damn much. Golwat is the same. Bolians just can't keep their lips sealed. Sue Nicolletti is okay; Ensign Nozawa is a bit of a rebel anyway, loves a fight and always supports the `right' side. Parsons thinks the sun shines out of Janeway's ass, so does Culhane. Rogers always looks at Tom as though he is the choice roast at a barbeque, so does Swinn, she practically drools over him." The Doctor coughed loudly for attention. "Ahem! I am a little confused about the criteria. Are we deciding who is loyal to the Captain or who is attracted to Tom?" he snapped waspishly "I think that we have to consider both points. Some people will support the Captain because she IS the Captain, but others will support her just because they want Tom back in circulation." Sam answered him sadly. "Have we really all sunk this low?" Chakotay asked tiredly. "Some people have, definitely." Sam replied quietly, "Several of the disputes I have broken up recently in Sandrines have started because of sexual tension. When Tom was still `available' the tension was under control. It's been a long trip and there are a lot of frustrated, lonely people on board. To be honest, though, very few people are resenting Tom or even you, they are just griping about the situation in general." "Shame we can't all pop to Risa for the weekend then." B'Elanna laughed sarcastically. "Ummm - are you really planning on abandoning the Captain?" Neelix asked worriedly. "On the next suitable planet." Chakotay confirmed, narrowing his eyes dangerously. "Do you have a problem with the idea?" Neelix swallowed nervously "Oh no, if we're all agreed, then that's fine." "Well, we haven't agreed on the definition of a `suitable' planet yet. Personally I think `Demon' class would fit the bill nicely but Chakotay is being surprisingly squeamish about the idea." B'Elanna laughed Chakotay looked at B'Elanna and gave a wolfish grin: "Don't imagine I've gone soft on the bitch, B'El. I just believe we have more chance of keeping the majority of the crew together if they see that we have dealt with Janeway in a humane manner. The fact that I would personally prefer to throw her out of an airlock is unfortunately a luxury I can't afford to indulge." B'Elanna nodded reluctantly "Damned shame. Maybe we should just go with MY original plan and poison her. The Doc can cover up the evidence and there'd be no need for a mutiny at all." "Unless we do it my way, we will never know who else can't be trusted. This way we shake the tree and sort the good apples from the bad." "Apples?" Seven asked "Ask `John'" B'Elanna sniped nastily, then relented and squeezed Seven's arm gently. The last couple of weeks had not only found them new partners but also more importantly had been the start of a friendship that they both treasured, despite their constant spats. "It's late," Chakotay said firmly, "let's all get some sleep. Spend tomorrow gently checking people out, getting a feel of where their loyalties lie. We'll meet up again tomorrow and start finalising things. I need you to imagine every possible scenario, see what could go wrong, work on finding flaws in our plan. That way we won't be caught by surprise." Solemnly they all began to leave until only Chakotay and Sam remained. "Tom will be exhausted. I bet Naomi refused to go to bed and has been playing him up all evening." Sam laughed as they walked to the door. "Thank you for trusting him to baby-sit Naomi again, Sam. I know it took courage on your part but it means the world to him." Chakotay said sincerely. "Like you said, Chakotay, the new medication has done wonders for him. Besides, Tom is Naomi's best friend. He would never hurt her.  I made the mistake of misjudging him at the beginning. I was bigoted and ignorant.  My only concern about Tom is that he is no more likely to stop playing on time than Naomi. They are probably both collapsed in a heap on the sofa." She smiled. They walked companionably to Sam's quarters. The door whispered open to let them enter. "See," Sam whispered gleefully "What did I tell you?" Tom and Naomi were both curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. All around the floor lay the scattered debris of drinks, snacks, toys and an unfinished board game. Chakotay winced at the mess. Sam just sniggered quietly. "You seem remarkably good tempered about it." Chakotay whispered "That's because I only have to carry Naomi to bed." Sam laughed quietly "You, on the other hand, are going to get a hernia." "Don't be ridiculous. I'll just wake him up and make him walk home." Chakotay chuffed in embarrassment. Sam gently picked up Naomi and carried her to the bedroom and tucked her into bed then tiptoed back to the doorway and peeked out. Chakotay was gently shaking Tom by the shoulder but the younger man just sighed and curled up tighter, his breathing soft and steady as he slept peacefully. Sam watched the hard planes of Chakotay's face soften and a wry grin crept over his usually stoic features before he bent down and picked Tom up with a grunt of effort. He paused for a moment with his heavy burden and then leant down and kissed Tom's forehead gently before carrying him out of the door. Like a knife, a stab of loneliness pierced Sam's chest as she witnessed Chakotay's tenderness towards Tom. She was suddenly so homesick that she wanted to cry and her pain solidified into a feeling of determination. Perhaps she would never get home, perhaps she would never see her husband again, but she was damned sure that whatever happened she was never going to let anything happen to separate Tom and Chakotay. For Sam, love was a once in a lifetime thing. She could no more imagine replacing her husband in her heart than growing wings and flying. She understood that love like theirs was special. That few people ever found it. But she was convinced that Tom and Chakotay had found it and she was prepared to do whatever it took to help them stay together. Captain Kathryn Janeway was about to get one hell of a surprise. TBC