Disclaimer: I do not own Paramount. Consequently I have only borrowed the characters and the setting. No copyright intended. Only the storyline is mine. No profit is being made on this story.

Chakotay's POV

Commander Chakotay stood grim-faced as he watched the love of his life pledge her hand and heart to another man. Once more he cursed the day that fate had decreed that the two ships cross paths. Even more he cursed the aliens that had caused both crews to be stranded together on Voyager together. How, he wondered, was he going to get through the next fifty years on the bridge, watching the two of them make goo-goo eyes at each other?

Ten minutes later, Chakotay was even more miserable. Only an utter …. like Paris would have the nerve to twist the knife in deeper. Competition over. As their glances met across the room, Chakotay had to force himself to stand still, and not to rush over there to wipe the victorious grin from Paris' mouth with his fist.

Tom's POV

Tom stood with his back leaning against the door, memorised by the sight of her. His eyes wondered slowly over her. She was utterly beautiful. And she was all his.

His conscience momentarily smote him as he remembered the devastated look in Chakotay's eyes as he finally conceded defeat at the reception.

But then, like a moth to a flame, his attention was drawn back to her. And he was caught in her snare again. He could hear her siren voice calling to him in his mind. The need to touch her, turn her on, devour the delights that only she could give him. The need washed over him in waves. It had been so long. He was a slave to the hunger and craving that was building within him.

He could wait no longer. Like a man possessed, he rushed over to claim her.

Now within touching distance, he stopped and ran his gaze slowly over her again. It had been so long since he had done this. He was determined to do it right. He pondered for a moment as to the best way to begin their synchronized dance.

Then, the decision made, he smiled slowly and sensuously as he reached out confidently to uncover her hidden delights.

A week later, a satiated Tom Paris gave a final sigh of contentment. It had been everything that he had been dreaming of for six years. Slowly, languidly, he touched his combadge. "Paris to Chakotay" he said into the silence.

A momentary pause, and then "Chakotay here," came the hard, bitter voice of the Commander.

Tom's lips curved upward in amusement. The commander had obviously missed her more than he had realised he would. Hmmm. He could work this.

"Commander," Tom said, "I am a generous man. I am prepared to share her with you. What do you say?"

Chakotay's POV

Chakotay sat frozen in his chair in disbelief. Share her? Of all the nerve!

A soft giggle drew his attention back to the science station where the Captain was engaged in some very unprofessional fraternization practices with her new husband Rudy Ransom – former captain of the Equinox, currently serving as Senior Science Officer of Voyager. Chakotay grimaced. "Fine, Paris. Meet me in the messhall in ten minutes. We'll discuss terms then." No matter how galling, he really had no choice. It was too late to change things with Kathryn. He couldn't lose her too.

If he had to suffer one more inedible meal of Delta Quadrant Glop after being forced to endure these sickening displays of PDAs, he would not be responsible for his actions. No matter the price, he needed his kitchen back.