TITLE: Smart Mode
AUTHOR: Darksusie (April 2004)
PAIRING: C/P
RATING:	PG-13
DISCLAIMER: Voyager and her crew are the property of Paramount.  
SUMMARY: No sex, no angst piece of fluff
FEEDBACK: Darksusie@yahoo.co.uk



"Tom, why did you do that?" Chakotay asked.

"I wasn't in my smart mode at the time," Tom replied.

"You weren't in smart mode?" Chakotay repeated, fighting the
urge to chuckle.

"Yeah. I was really excited and lost control. My smart mode
left me the minute the temptation hit." Tom answered with
great conviction.

"Explain to me Tom, why you told Harry Kim that we were an
item?"

"Are you mad at me?"  Tom turned his back on the commander,
unsure now that his smart mode was firmly back in place.

"I'm puzzled, confused, even amused but no I'm not angry." 
Chakotay sat down at his desk and waited patiently while Tom
thought through his explanation.

The pilot turned back round, gave one of his endearing
smiles and sat at the other side of the desk.

"Well you know how things have been really quiet of late and
everyone is either restless or bored?" Tom looked at the
commander with all the innocence of a five year old who had
just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Go on."  Chakotay leant back on his chair, watching Tom has
he became increasingly more uncomfortable.

"Harry was saying how nowadays there's just no good gossip,
nothing to wager on.  I was agreeing.  Then Harry said the
only two wagers still going after all this time, were that
you and the captain would get it together and the other one,
well, it was, and…"  The sentence and Tom's voice had become
quieter till it had trailed off to nothing.

"I didn't quite hear that Tom, what was the other wager?" 
Chakotay hid a smile at the pilot's embarrassment.

"Well, you won’t believe this, but the other wager was…"
Again Tom mumbled and went quiet.

"Oh for goodness sake Tom, just say it."  Chakotay couldn't
stand all this excitement in one day, not this and Leola
Root Pasta bake for lunch.  How many thrills could one First
Officer take?

"The wager is that the chief pilot and the first officer
would get it together."

"Me and you, you've got to be kidding.  Who in their right
minds would wager on that?"

"Someone who doesn’t mind throwing their credits away."  Tom
laughed.

"Anyway like I said I'd misplaced my smart mode and just
said well whoever bet on the captain and the commander
becoming a couple had better pay up because you and I were
together.  It was worth it just to see Harry's face and then
when I went into the mess hall everyone was talking about
it.  It's given them something to focus on for a couple of
days.  I didn’t have the heart to tell them it was a joke."

"I wondered why everyone was giving me sly glances when I
went to lunch.  I even checked to see if I had put my
trousers on back to front."

"So now I don’t know what to do.  Do you want me to do a
ship wide announcement that it was a joke or shall I just
tell Harry and let it filter through the ship?"

Chakotay, doing a good impression of Tuvok, steepled his
fingers, and gave the matter plenty of thought.  Tom glanced
around the room, reminding himself that next time he came up
with an idea, to shoot himself in the foot first.  That way
he would have time to think before putting the idea into
action.

"Let's leave it.  Like you said it's pulled the crew out of
the doldrums, giving them an interest that they haven't had
in weeks.  Though I cannot imagine what Kathryn will have to
say about all this."  Chakotay glanced up and smiled at Tom.

"You know Chakotay I really thought you'd come to terms with
the captain's lack of interest.  She's made it plain she
doesn’t want a relationship with you."  Tom got up to leave,
angry that the oh so smart First Officer couldn’t see what
was plain to the rest of the crew.

"Just a minute Mr Paris, at no point in this journey have I
been interested in a romantic relationship with the captain
so what did you mean by that comment?"  Chakotay was
perplexed by Tom's statement, it had been obvious from day
one that there was no sexual spark between him and the
captain and never would be.

"Oh come on Chakotay, everyone knows the only person you're
interested in is Janeway.  You've never had eyes for anyone
else.  That's why no-one approaches you, because they know
it's a no-win situation."

Chakotay began to laugh and once he started he couldn't
stop.

"You're saying my lack of a sex life is because everyone
thinks I've got the hots for the captain?"

Tom nodded, confused by Chakotay's sudden lack of
seriousness.

"I've only ever had the greatest of respect for Kathryn,
she's a very good friend and an excellent captain but that's
as far as it goes, as far as I want it to go.  Now you see
Tom, if you could put that rumour around maybe I'd start
seeing a little action."  Tom looked amazed as Chakotay's
eyebrows lifted suggestively.

"So if you're not attracted in the captain, have you ever
had a fancy for anyone?"  

A dreamy look came to the commander's face.  "Yeah, I've
been attracted to one or two people since the crews got
together."

"You don’t want to tell me who?"  Tom was intrigued and
nervous.  Nervous because at the beginning Tom had suspected
that Chakotay had been attracted to him.  If Chakotay put it
into words, Tom was sure that he would admit that he had
been equally attracted to the First Officer.

"Well at the beginning I had a thing for Neelix, but of
course I didn’t want to hurt Kes."  Tom's head shot up
expecting Chakotay to be laughing but his face was serious,
serious and wistful.

"Neelix."  Tom was stunned and disappointed.

Chakotay started chuckling.  "I'm joking Tom, that's about
as likely as me and the chief pilot."  Tom watched as the
suggestive eyebrow waggled at him again.

"For a minute there Commander, I thought I was going to have
to call the doc and get him to declare you insane."  Tom was
enjoying this bantering, it felt good to be so relaxed in
the big man's company.

"So Tom, 2100 in Sandrine's alright with you.  It'll be our
first official date."

Tom nodded and set off for the door.  Just as he was about
to leave, he turned, looking at the commander suggestively. 
"I think you should know, I don’t get intimate on the first
date.  A kiss on the lips is the most you can expect."

Tom was expecting some sarcastic retort and wasn't expecting
Chakotay's reply.

"I'll be looking forward to it."


=================================


Part 2

Tom paced his bedroom, Chakotay's last words going round and
round in his head.  It was his own fault.  No it was Harry's
fault for bringing up the subject of the wager.  But then it
was his own fault for thinking up this hare-brained scheme
to get to know Chakotay better.  He'd got sick of watching
the commander mope after the captain and when this plan had
popped into his head, it had seemed a good idea.  Tom
laughed.  Every idea he had come up with, had turned around
and bit him on the ass.  Why would this one be any
different? At least the commander was taking it in good
spirits.  Tom took off the jeans and shirt he had just taken
30 minutes deciding over.  They had seduce me written all
over them.  He didn’t want to give out the wrong message to
Chakotay.  Tom sighed, it was the right message, he just
didn’t want to scare the commander off.  He settled on some
plain navy trousers and a shapeless blue T-shirt and set off
for his date.

As he sat at the bar, he noticed the furtive glances cast
his way.  Despite this being a set-up he was just as nervous
as on a real first date.  In fact he was more nervous,
because if Tom was truthful with himself, he had wanted
Chakotay from the first time he had laid eyes on him.  Now
he had what he wanted but it was just a sham, a façade for
the crew, and a joke to the Commander.

Tom had to grip the side of the bar to steady himself as
Chakotay walked into the room.  He was dressed all in cream
linen, the buttons of the shirt undone to show off his
muscular chest.  Tom felt his body respond to the
magnificent sight in front of him.  It was plain that
Chakotay had dressed to look as seductively as possible and
all eyes turned to look at the commander with appreciation. 
For one unguarded moment Tom felt proud he was Chakotay's
boyfriend.  Then the reality crashed in on him and he
remembered there really was no date, wasn't going to be a
goodnight kiss.  Tom shrugged the depressing thoughts away
and smiled towards his date for the night.

"Hi."  Chakotay said rather self-consciously.

"I wasn't sure if you would come."  Tom said equally
self-consciously, aware that every eye in the place was on
them.

"Shall we get a drink?  We best stay at the bar, that way
everyone can keep an eye on us."  As Chakotay sat on the
stool next to Tom, their knees touched and Tom gave an
involuntary shiver.

They chatted aimlessly, well Tom chatted.  In fact he
couldn’t shut up, cracking jokes, talking about shuttles,
passing on gossip.  As he paused for breath, Chakotay
reached out and placed his hand on Tom's arm.

"Tom, there's no need to be nervous.  It's not like it's a
real date, OK."

Tom nodded and then fell silent as he realized the feel of
Chakotay's hand was burning into his arm.

"Well, well, well.  I wouldn't believe it, not till I saw it
with my own eyes.  Chief you sly dog, I never knew you had a
hankering for Paris."  Ayala clasped Chakotay around the
shoulder. 

"Come over to a table, some of us would like to have a drink
with the most unlikeliest couple on Voyager." Ayala shook
his head in disbelief.

Everyone said how completely shocked they were but wished
them both well.  Ayala threatened to black Tom's eyes if he
messed the Commander about.  Tom thought Greg was joking but
he couldn’t be sure.  Then Tabor brought up the subject of
who had put on the wager in the first place.

"I think it was you Paris.  That wager has been on since the
first month we joined Voyager.  Whoever it is will win a
tidy sum now you two have got together.  That kind of scam
is just up your street."  The ensign didn’t say this with
any kind of rancour, more with a hint of admiration.

"Sorry to disappoint you Tabor, our relationship's the real
thing." As soon as the words had left his mouth, Tom
realised, and not for the first time that day, that smart
mode and Chakotay just did not go together.

Tom's arm, which had taken on a life of it's own, stretched
out and snaked around Chakotay's waist.

"Come on honey, let's call it a night."

Chakotay nodded to the others and let Tom lead the way.

"Tom move your hand from around my waist and if you ever
call me honey again, you will end up flat on your back."

Tom who was becoming increasingly more agitated and nervous,
waggled his eyebrows and smirked back.

"Is that a promise, Chakotay?"

"You'll be flat on your back, from a fist in your face, not
from my unbridled passion."  But the sting was taken out by
the smile on the commander's face.

Just as they got to the doors, the captain entered.

"So it's true.  I knew I should have joined in the wager.  I
said to B'Elanna that you two would get together, once you
saw sense."

Tom couldn’t even manage to speak, he just nodded in
confusion.

"If you don’t mind Kathryn I've an early shift in the
morning."  Tom felt the commander's strong, supportive hand
on his back guiding him through the door.

Tom felt dazed, confused, lightheaded and then puzzled as he
heard Chakotay laughing.

"They've all fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. 
Obviously us getting together isn't quite as unlikely as we
thought.  It seems even the captain approves."  Chakotay was
still chuckling to himself.

"It's wasn't me."  Tom said louder than he intended.

Chakotay stopped laughing.  "What wasn't you?"

"I didn’t put the wager on.  I'm not doing this so I win the
credits.  It wasn't me."  Tom didn't want Chakotay thinking
bad of him.

By now they had reached Tom's quarters.

"Why are you doing it Tom?" 

The pilot's nerves were getting the better of him, as
Chakotay leant casually against the door.

"I told you, to liven things up."  Tom was aware of
Chakotay's body getting nearer.  Just then they heard voices
coming around the corner.  As Tom turned to look who it was,
Chakotay took hold of his chin.

"We best make this look good."

Before Tom could react, Chakotay had brushed his lips
against his.

"Goodnight."

====================================


Part 3

It was their fifth date and Tom was looking forward to it. 
There had been no more kissing.  They just got together, had
a few drinks, chatted.  But Tom was enjoying every minute of
it, the envious looks, Chakotay's intelligent but humorous
conversation, and the accidental touches.

Tom was always at the bar first.  He liked to watch Chakotay
arrive, watch how people responded to him.  Tom wiped his
sweaty palms on his trousers.  The commander looked so good
tonight, all in black.  Black always made him look slightly
menacing, gave him a dangerous edge.  Tom liked this look
very much.  They sat together catching up with each other's
business and then Chakotay cleared his throat.

"I think we've proved a point don’t you.  Maybe it's time
for you to try pastures new.  I'm sure you're dying to get
back into the dating game again Tom.  All this subterfuge is
holding you back."

Tom could feel the panic rising within him.  He hadn’t
expected this.  He had to stall, had to think quick.

"We can't."  Tom's hand shook as he reached for his drink.

"Can't what, Tom?"  Chakotay gaze never left Tom's stricken
face.

"We can't finish it yet.  There's a wager on that we won't
last a month."  Tom knew this was a lie but by the end of
the night he'd make sure it was the truth.

"Oh, I hadn't heard that one, are you sure?"

Tom nodded in reply.

"You don’t mind going on with this?" Chakotay asked.

"Not if you don’t?" Tom replied hopefully.

Chakotay smiled, "looks like were stuck with each other for
two more weeks then."

Tom let out a sigh of relief.

Just as he was relaxing with another drink, Sue Nicoletti
approached them, standing extremely close to the commander.

"You boys still going strong I see.  Pity Commander, I was
hoping you were going to be free again, in time for the St
Valentine's day dance next week.  But there's still time."

Tom gave her the death stare.

"Don’t hold you're breath Nicoletti.  Chakotay will be there
but he'll be spoken for."  Tom angrily took a long gulp of
his drink while trying to ignore Chakotay's amazed stare.

Chakotay shrugged at Nicoletti.

"You heard the man.  I may be able to fit a dance in with
you, that's if Mr Paris hasn't already got my dance card
fully stamped."

Nicoletti leant over and purred into the commander's ear. 
"I'll put on my dancing shoes, just in case."  With a last
seductive smile and a gloating look at Tom she made her way
to the pool table.

Tom tried to turn off the unsettled feeling within.

"You seem to have a newfound popularity now that word's got
around you're not lusting after the captain."  Tom tried to
bring some humour into the conversation even if his mood was
far from happy.

"You can say that again, I've had more invitations to the
dance this year than in all the other years put together."

"And were you tempted to accept any?"  Tom felt the queasy
feeling getting worse.

"Like you said Tom, I'm spoken for."  Tom relaxed, just a
little.

"Chakotay, if there's someone else you'd rather go with, we
can forget the wager."

"Well, now you mention it."  Chakotay turned away to hide
the smile that had crept on his face.  When he turned back
it was to see Tom heading towards the door.

He reached out and forcefully pulled Tom back.

"What I was going to say was that Neelix made me an offer I
couldn't refuse."

"Is that true?"  Tom was unsure if Chakotay was joking or
trying to let him down gently.

"Tom there is no-one I would rather go with than you. Now
let's have another drink and enjoy our time till the month
is up."

Tom didn’t move.

"I'm on early shift tomorrow, I have to be going."  Tom
turned to go.

"OK, I'll see you on the bridge." Chakotay turned and headed
for the bar.

As the pilot got to the door, he turned to see if Chakotay
was still watching him but was dismayed to see the commander
being chatted to by the twins.

The next two dates the commander cancelled, pleading
workload.  Tom knew, what he had known deep down all along,
that Chakotay wasn't really interested.

Tom sighed deeply as he made his way to the holodeck for the
St Valentine Day dance.  He wasn't even sure that Chakotay
would turn up.  If he didn't, it wouldn’t take long for the
rumour mill to get the word round that they had split up.

Entering the bar, Tom saw that the pool table had been
replaced by a dance floor and was now full of couples
dancing.  Pink hearts and red balloons decorated the place. 
He noticed some of the crew glancing his way, noting his
solitary arrival. Tom took his usually seat at the bar and
ordered a scotch.  He needed a drink, even if it wasn't the
real thing, his nerves were stretched to the limit.

"Would you like to join me on the dance floor, Mr Paris?" 
Tom jumped as Chakotay's breath brushed by his ear.

"I'd love to." Tom smiled.  He would make the best of the
night, it was probably the last.

As they got to the edge of the dance floor, Chakotay again
leant forward and whispered.  "I'll lead."

Tom felt himself wrapped in strong, capable arms.

"I didn’t think you were coming." Tom sighed as Chakotay
pulled him closer.

"Why?" Tom sighed again as Chakotay's hot breath caressed
his cheek.

"Well I know us being together is just because of the
wager."

Chakotay pulled away slightly and held Tom's gaze.

"And who do you think put the wager on in the first place?"

Tom's eyes closed as Chakotay began stroking his back and
then they sprung open wide as comprehension dawned.

"You put the wager on, why?"

"Oh I think the answer to that is, at the time I just wasn't
thinking in smart mode."

"And what about now?"

"Now Mr Paris, I'm well and truly spoken for."


===============================
THE END