Here With Me

I do not, will not and could not own these great characters as much as I would like to. I gain no money from this story, but I would like to gain reviews.

Tom is unhappy and none of the crew seem to notice that he is slowly withdrawing from them. It takes an alien outsider to point out what a treasure they are gradually loosing. Can they bring Tom back or have they lost him forever?

Walking to his quarters, Tom felt the depression take him. He couldn't go back there, Cha's presence was so loud in their rooms and he needed to be alone. He needed time to steady himself, somewhere where people were not. Looking at his surroundings, he found that his feet had taken him to deck two. No one came here, except Tom, it was almost as if this part of the ship belonged solely to him. Walking to the door at the end of the corridor, he watched as it slid slowly back, a gentle swish of air at the parting, revealing a darkened room, lit only by the stars outside.

Settling himself down on one of the seats in the observation lounge, Tom allowed his misery to take him. Tears that he had been repressed, slowly ran down his cheeks, and yet he uttered hardly a sound. The pain was his alone. He had always coped with it alone, and always would. God, but it hurt. It felt as if his heart was being crushed, the weight of his misery, pressing down on him.

So focused on trying to quieten the sobs that broke loose, he didn't hear the doors part, allowing a figure to enter. In fact the first clue that there was someone else in the room, was the hand on his shoulder

Leaping off the seat, Tom whirled around, only to find himself face to face with one of the diplomats that they had been trading with. Taking a steadying breath, he wiped the tears from his face and tried to put on a smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Said the man.

"It's ok, I was in my own world for a moment. Can I help you with anything?" Tom asked, hoping that this individual would just leave him be.

"Why is it such a sad world, that it makes you cry?"

"Er…I'm sorry, but I don't see how that's any of your business." Said Tom trying to remain polite. Exactly who was this man anyway? And what business was it of his?

"No I am sorry, I did not mean to pry into your affairs. I was just concerned, I wanted to know what would make a beautiful man like yourself so upset." He replied, his hands raised in apology.

"Who are you?" Asked Tom, clearly puzzled as to why this man seemed to be hitting on him.

"My name is Kellen Airrider. I felt your sadness at the party and followed you down here. My people do not like to see anyone in pain, I just want to help you, if you would allow me the honour of hearing what has caused you so much anguish."

Shaking his head, Tom ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks for your concern but I'm fine. I just wanted some time to myself. It has been a busy week. I just needed some time to myself."

"But that is not the only reason," stated Kellen, "I know this. My race has the gift of telepathy and empathy, I can feel your pain, and it is like a spectre that hangs over you, dimming your light."

Looking at Kellen in surprise, Tom ran a hand through his hair. " I, I don't, it's just…" he said, his breath shuddering, "I'm fine, really, please, just don't, I'm fine"

Seeing the pain in Tom's blue eyes, Kellen slowly lead Tom over the couches. "You, my friend, are not fine. You suffer in silence, under the mistaken belief that you deserve to, and that you do not deserve to be happy, at least without paying some painful price." Pushing Tom down onto the seat, Kellen sat beside him.

"It is not true you know," Kellen continued, "everyone deserves to have happiness, to be content, to be free from suffering. Please, let me help you."

Nodding, Tom raised his head, jerking slightly when a hand cupped his face. Why could this man see into him, see everything that he was hiding. He knew that it couldn't be just the telepathy, he always had strong barriers in place. And why did he want to talk to this man?

"Let me see your pain." Asked Kellen, his green eyes pleading with Tom's.

Transfixed, Tom nodded again and felt himself slowly pulled into those eyes, his pain reflected back in them. Memories washed over him, the academy, Caldik Prime, the Maquis, meeting his best friend, meeting new friends, new enemies, a million emotions swept over him. Finally it ended and Tom heard himself sobbing.

"Shhh." A voice murmured, a hand brushing his hair back from his face, "let it go, shhhh. Rest.

Surrendering Tom allowed himself to fall into the sleepless void, warn out.

Looking down at the blond man who had given in to his exhaustion, Kellen vowed to help this gentle soul. "You have seen much my friend, now it is time for everyone to see the light the resides in you so brightly."