Summary: While Kathryn sleeps in his arms, Tom thinks about how lucky he is to have her as his wife. Inspired by the Areosmith song with the same title.

Author's note: I first heard the song last year when I saw the cable premiere of "Armageddon." I feel like crying whenever I hear the song. So, when I saw it used in another fanfic - completely different kind of fic - I was inspired to write this.

Disclaimers: Paramount owns the whole Trek universe. I think the song belongs to Areosmith. I own the ideas behind this sweet story. (grins)

Set late in the third season.

I open my eyes and look around. The room is dark except for the dim light from the bathroom and from the stars we pass at warp. The only noises are the hum of the ship, and the sound of me and my wife breathing. She's been asleep for some time, but I can't sleep, even though it's too early to be up.

I still can't believe this is real. Kathryn's my wife at long last. I pull her into my arms. She stirs, but remains asleep. Yesterday had been a long day and she was having trouble sleeping because of her excitement. Now, after the wonderful wedding and the even more wonderful events of just a few hours ago, she's finally catching up on her sleep.

I'm not tired. I just want to look at her sweet face, feel her warmth. She's lying on her back, arms over the sheets, a soft, content smile on her face. The sheets cover her perfect body up to just a little below her armpits. For the millionth time, I feel my heart swelling at the thought of how lucky I am.

I could stay awake just hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment with you is a moment I treasure.
Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.

This is heaven, holding her like this. I would gladly spend the rest of my life like this if I could. I'm not sure when it was that I started treasuring every moment I was near her, but when I started realizing that I could get lost in those gray-blue eyes I knew I was a goner. I didn't dare dream that she could feel the same way.

I then spent my days worshiping her from afar, doing everything I could to keep my love for her a secret. I was scared that she'd avoid me if I told her, that I'd lose the friendship I valued highly. For once, I was too scared to act. So I kept quiet.

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we're together
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever.

I gently run my fingers over her face, tracing the features I know so well. My fingers reach a pulse point on her neck and I stop to feel her heart beat. It's another assurance that this is real, that she'll really be next to me for the rest of my life. I look at her smiling face and wonder if she's dreaming of me. I softly kiss her eyes, thanking God for everything. I didn't really believe in God before, but after she came into my life I knew that if there are angels like her, then there is a God.

Those days when I thought I'd never be hers became torture after a while. Whenever I saw that she was unhappy, I wanted to go to her and hold her until she felt better. But I didn't. Usually I was able to hide my feelings behind the "Paris mask," as others have called it.

Not after New Earth. I was heart-broken at the thought of never seeing Kathryn again, but once we got the medicine and headed back, I was nervous about what might have happened between her and Chakotay. I couldn't tell what was going on because both were - and still are, in ways - withdrawn individuals. It made me all the more certain that something was going on between them.

I found the only way I could hide it was to act irritable. Maybe people would avoid me then. Not my best friends. They all prodded for information. I had no choice but to tell them. I started depending on them to help me. Harry would tell me how I'd done after our duty shifts were over, B'Elanna would give me little warnings, Neelix helped look out for me when I was in the Mess Hall, and Kes helped too.

All my suffering ended when Kathryn visited me in Sickbay after the Akritarian prison stint.

Doc had healed my injuries, and I lay on the bed, thinking of her. I couldn't stop thinking of her no matter what. In the prison, my thoughts and dreams about her were the only things that kept me going at times.

Late one night during my stay there - Harry had already been released - she came. I thought it was just to check on me, but I saw a look in her eyes that puzzled me, mostly because of the circumstances of the past several days: fear. She never showed fear or any weakness, so I asked her what was wrong.

What she said next stunned me. She said that she had been afraid that I wouldn't come back. There was this really soft, bright look in her eyes and my heart skipped a beat. I wondered if that look really meant what it looked like it meant. Then, the unthinkable happened. She leaned over me and whispered those three little words I thought I'd never hear her say to me. She saw my shock and further said that nothing had happened - or ever would - between her and Chakotay. I couldn't find my voice, but my face, eyes, and tears spoke for me. She saw it all and kissed me. I knew, then and there, that I was complete.

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.
I don't want to miss one smile
I don't want to miss one kiss
I just want to be with you
Right here with you, just like this.
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time.

I can't say that it was easy, or that the crew accepted us right away. We had problems to work out, and it took some time for everyone else to get over their shock. But this is worth anything the universe might throw against us. This is priceless.

She told me after one of our dates that I made her feel like a queen. I told her that I hoped I could always make her feel like that, but that I felt she was an angel. She blushed fiercely, but she smiled. I know that she would disagree with such comments if they came from anyone else, but when they come from me she just accepts the compliments with a shy smile.

Yesterday was the start of the rest of my dreams coming true. The wedding. She looked so radiant and beautiful in her blue gown. She didn't want to wear white and I was in no mood to be in dress uniform, so we agreed on a simple wedding. Though there were still some of the old customs. Still, everyone agreed that it was a wonderful wedding. The strength of our love and the happiness of the day made for a *very* passionate and tender wedding night.

I just don't feel like sleeping. I need to see her. A dream won't do, no matter how sweet.

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing.

I pull her closer to me, if that's even possible. This time, she sleepily opens her eyes. Our eyes lock as she gives me the most tender, heartbreaking smile she has, and I feel like I'm falling in love with her all over again. She reaches for the side of my face and strokes my cheek. Despite her drowsiness, she notices my lack of it.

"Haven't you slept?"

"I just don't feel like sleeping."

"Why?"

I pause, trying to think of an answer that explains how I'm feeling. Finally, I say, "I don't want to miss a thing."

She smiles as she shakes her head in amusement at my quirks. Her hands cup my face and she pulls me down for a kiss. My arms tighten around her and hers go around me. I don't want to close my eyes, but as the heat starts to slowly build I let my eyes close, even though I don't want to miss a thing.

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't' want to fall asleep
I don't want to miss a thing.

THE END

This story has been submitted to the Twelve Moons of JuPiter 2001 contest, and is up for Best Sap, and Best Overall. Voting ends December 15!