He watched as her hands danced expertly across the consul, the beautiful hands that flew through the air when she issued orders left and right. He admired her and he knew he owed her everything, from his job to probably his life. He knew that he'd be in prison if it were not for her… But now, now he was a pilot on a galaxy class starship, serving under the most beautiful Captain this side of Starfleet. He adored everything about her. Her smile, her laugh and the way she touched his shoulder while she looked at the conn, or gave him instructions. But he saw the way she looked at Chakotay, the way she saved a special smile just for him…and God he hated him. Chakotay was just a stupid Indian, but he had a grin to make any woman swoon, especially the Captain. Tom could see her flush a light shade of pink when Chakotay would flash her one of his grins. He grumbled under his breath, wishing that he had not gone back to save Chakotay, that way the Captain would spend her time with him, not that big oaf.
She was no better than Chakotay; after all he had been there in sickbay when Chakotay was "returned" to his body, her hands resting on his chest in a more than friendly way. Her thumb gently stroked Chakotay's chest, he'd seen that. He'd also seen the way her eyes sparkled when she looked down at him, breaking into a brilliant smile. He could have killed Chakotay for stealing the woman he loved. But he knew that wouldn't solve anything…the Captain and Commander were so enraptured by each other; she would kill him if he even laid a hand on Chakotay.
As he walked into the mess hall for dinner that evening, he observed the two, sitting in a corner laughing and smiling. Tom swore he saw the Captain throw a piece of Neelix's something or other at Chakotay in a flirtatious way. He sat down disgruntled, watching and listening to the disgusting exchange between his two CO's. He could distinctly see the Captain reaching across the table and placing her hand on Chakotay's arm. Tom swore he could feel his blood boil at the sight, especially when Chakotay put his hand on top of the Captain's. He could barely make out the conversation, but it was clear by their expressions, it had become serious. He watched as she stood up and moved toward him, he too rose from his chair and she placed her hand on his arm. They stood there bodies pressed together, whispering quietly as the Captain stroked Chakotay's arm. And as they walked away Tom saw Chakotay place his hand on the small of the Captain's back, guiding her out of the mess hall. He decided to follow them… just out of curiosity and a hell of a lot of jealousy. Leaving the mess hall, he ran smack into Torres, greeted by an onslaught of Klingon curses.