Disclaimer: As usual I don't own any of the Characters etc nor do I own the Star Trek Franchise or Star Trek: Voyager (I only wish I did)

A/N: I've been away for a while, what with exams etc. RL is nasty! Anyway, I'm back and so here is a new fic!

The stinging pain brought a smile to his face. He opened his eyes and watched as the blood appeared against his skin in shiny red dots that slowly grew bigger. He toyed with the idea of using a regenerator, but decided against it, like he always did.

He knew it would be easier to hide this from the world if he hid the fresh injuries, but he needed to see them, needed to know he had done this, he needed the reassurance of seeing the wounds heal themselves, it proved to him that he was alive.

Getting up from the bed he sat on, he placed his blades in the bedside cabinet. And stood and went to the cupboard to put on his uniform. Heading into the bathroom he glanced at his reflection, he slowly ran his fingers over his cheekbone wincing at the pain it produced; he had had a run in with some of his 'fans' on the ship ranging from members of the Marquis to Starfleet who had formed a sort of 'Anti-Tom Paris Club'. He had used make up to cover up the bruise, he didn't want to use a regenerator, he deserved this pain, and he had brought it on himself.

Occasionally he had to use a regenerator as the injuries he sustained were too bad to just cover up with makeup, but he only regenerated those injuries to the extent that they then could be covered up with make-up, they were of course his own doing.

XXXXXXXXXX

He arrived promptly to the bridge and took his place at the helm. Sitting down he quickly closed his eyes for a split second, to block out the stares from everyone he knew that he was receiving. Janeway was as always oblivious to how her crew reacted to his presence, she knew there was a slight dislike there, but was hoping that it could be overcome.

As he checked that the course he had set in was correct his mind wandered to previous events;

'Hey Paris'

Tom turned to see who had called him; inwardly he winced when he saw his 'fan club'

'What the hell are you? You ain't Fleet or Marquis...' cried one of them.

He turned and decided to keep walking; he wouldn't allow them to see that they were getting to him.

'I know, he's some Fleet Admirals son, didn't you lot know that? That's why he gets away with everything...'

He could feel the muscles in his shoulders tighten at that remark, biologically he may some Fleet Admirals son, but that was where the link ended, his father had turned his back on him officially when he ended up in jail, unofficially his back had always been turned.

'Why else would Janeway allow a convicted criminal to walk freely about the ship?'

He could feel his hand curl into a fist.

Suddenly a hand gripped his shoulder, he tried to shrug it off but found himself spun round to face his 'fan club'

'Chakotay sends his regards' said the man in front of him before a fist connected with his jaw.

He always wondered why Security was never called, but he guessed that his 'fans' made sure that they weren't disturbed. It pained him to think Chakotay was responsible for the attacks, although he didn't always see eye to eye with Chakotay, he did feel a certain amount of respect for the man, especially considering his strong resilience and principles, but nowadays he wasn't so sure the man he saw on the bridge was all he appeared to be.

Chakotay never treated him any differently; however deep down he thought perhaps it was just a cover. That despite all of Chakotays talk of peace and spirits the man actually was manipulative and not above questionable tactics.

He was abruptly brought out of his reverie when a sharp pain shot through his side. Hunching forward over the helm he gritted his teeth and tried to ride out the pain, he was in no doubt that during his next shift in sick bay he would have to treat himself for possible internal bleeding. Glancing at the time on the helm in front of him he silently cursed when he realised he had 3 hours to go before he could sneak into sick bay on the pretence of gaining more experience. Not that he needed any more experience, being the son of a Star Fleet Admiral had given him the experience he needed once he had arrived in prison.

Leaning back in his chair he tried to appear relaxed, but knew he was failing miserably.

'Lieutenant?' he heard Janeway ask.

He tried to respond, however the words seemed to catch in his throat, and the view screen in front of him swam out of focus as the world went black.

XXXXXXXXXX

He could hear voices talking nearby. Trying to gain his bearings he attempted to open his eyes, but found that he couldn't, the lids seemed too heavy so instead he choose to lie where he was and listen.

'...extensive bruising, he appears to have been treating himself, and I found evidence that this isn't the first time he has experienced this. I checked the Sick Bay Logs and he has been treating himself for similar injuries for a while.'

'What caused his injuries Doctor?' Tom inwardly blanched, that sounded like the Captain.

'Young Mister Paris has either been in a number of bar brawls or someone out there really doesn't like him'

The Captain sighed.

'I also found something which concerns me, I found evidence of Self-Injury, may I recommend that Mister Paris partake of counselling'

Running her hands through her hair Kathryn sighed once again. How could this have been going on under her nose and she had never noticed?

'I'll talk to Chakotay about setting something up, thank you doctor'

Tom could feel his chest constrict, 'no, not Chakotay' he thought, he had to waken up, he had to say something.

XXXXXXXXXXX

'No, no...' cried Tom as he tossed about on the Bio Bed.

Kathryn who had been about to leave, turned round and strode over to his bio bed, gripping one of his hands she tried to sooth him as she placed her hand on his forehead.

'It's okay Tom, you're safe' she said.

Tom slowly stopped tossing and soon found his eyes being blinded by what was undoubtedly the lights of Sick Bay.

'Cap'n?' he croaked.

'Yes, Tom It's me, you're in Sick Bay'

'Please, not Chakotay...' Tom managed to say before he lost consciousness.

Kathryn was speechless she simply looked up at the Doctor before tapping her Comm. Badge and contacting Tuvok.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Kathryn sat in her ready room; she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do next. It felt like events were spiralling out of control, how could this have happened?

'I sense your uncertainty Captain, but there was nothing you could have done to prevent this. Hindsight is a gift that arrives too late'

'I know Tuvok' she sighed, 'any update in your investigation as to what has been happening to Tom?'

'I have ascertained that Tom did not receive his injuries due to so called bar brawls, it appears as if there are a group of people who have been attacking Lieutenant Paris frequently'

Kathryn shook her head; she couldn't understand why, 'how come security wasn't alerted?'

'I believe that there are those within Security who have been failing in their job and may be collaborating with Lieutenant Paris's attackers

'What about Chakotay? I know Tom and Chakotay don't always get on, but I thought they were getting past their past difficulties, why was Tom so worried about Chakotay? Do you have any reason to believe that Chakotay has some part to play in this?'

'At present I don't believe he has any role in the attacks. He does seem genuinely worried about Lieutenant Paris and confused as to why you have prevented him access to Sick Bay to see him.'

'I was hoping as much, please send him to my ready room'

A/N: Please review, as reviews are love!