A FRIEND IN NEED

Title: A Friend in Need, 2/2 
Author: Jaye (Copyright May 2002)
Codes: C/Riker NC-17

Disclaimer: Star Trek, The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and
all  related characters and concepts are the property of Paramount.
No  infringement is intended or profit made. This is NC-17 for m/m
sex. If you  aren't interested (or aren't old enough), don't read
it.

Archive: OK, just drop me a note so I know where it's going. Please 
keep the text (especially the disclaimer) intact.

Feedback: Sure but be kind, or at least constructive. E-mail is 
wordsmith872@fastmail.fm

Summary: Chakotay helps an old friend when he's down.

Note: For this story, I'm using the dates listed on a Star Trek 
website. Riker and Chakotay are the same age (both born 2335), and
Chakotay  attended the Academy from 2350-54, while Riker was there
2353-57. It  makes sense, since the actors are the same age as well.
Originally written  for ChakotayFest.

***************

CONCLUSION

=San Francisco, 2367=

Chakotay was awakened by groaning. He quickly called on a low light
and  retrieved the glass of water, bowl and damp washcloth he'd set
by the  bed earlier. He knelt beside Riker, who was leaning over the
edge of the  mattress making retching noises.

"Easy, Wil. I don't think you have anything to bring up." Chakotay
held  the bowl under the bearded face just in case as he rubbed his
friend's  back comfortingly.

"Do me a favor. Just shoot me and put me out of my misery." Wil's
voice  was still hoarse as he gingerly lay back down.

Chakotay quickly ran the cool damp cloth over the wan face and
throat,  then activated the tricorder. He read the results and
dialed up another  hypospray, shooting it into the pale neck. "This
should take the edge  off." Wil's body relaxed immediately. He
picked up the glass and sat on  the bed to put an arm behind the
broad shoulders, helping Wil drink.

Riker swished some water, trying to get rid of the cottony feeling
in  his mouth. He ran through his memories of the last three days.
He gave  his host a sidelong glance. "You hit me?"

"Yes, I thought you were going to get violent, so I made a tactical 
strike. I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Wil sighed. "I was ready to punch your lights
out."

Chakotay nodded in relief. "Do you want to clean up?"

"Yeah. Replicate me a toothbrush, will you?"

"It's all set. Your clothes are clean; I laid them on a chair with
some  pajamas. And you can grab my robe---it's on the hook. Are you
going to  be all right by yourself?"

Wil gingerly swung his legs to the floor. Both men stood; for him
the  room swayed a little and then settled. He nodded. "I'll be
fine."

"Okay. I'll go heat some soup for you. I think you've been on a 
beverage-only diet for a while." He slipped from the room before Wil
could get  defensive.

Riker sighed and made his way to the bathroom. After he was clean he 
just stood under the spray for a while, trying to keep his mind
blank.  Eventually he dried off, dressed in the borrowed
nightclothes and wrapped  himself in the robe. He padded into the
kitchen.

"I was beginning to get worried that you'd decided to drown your 
sorrows the old-fashioned way." Chakotay quickly dished up the soup
and set  it on the table with a few pieces of bread. "Would you
prefer tea or  coffee?"

"Tea." Riker sat and lifted his spoon, moving the chunks of
vegetables  and pasta around. He took a spoonful, realized it was
going to stay  down, and began to devour the meal with relish.

Chakotay carried two cups of herbal tea to the table and took a
seat,  just watching Wil eat. He noted the dark circles under the
guarded eyes,  but kept his questions to himself. He simply sipped
his drink and  waited.

Wil absorbed the last of the broth with a bite of bread. He chewed 
slowly, then immediately grabbed his mug. He felt Chakotay's
concerned gaze  but wasn't ready to talk yet.

The black-haired man sighed as Wil continued to avoid his eyes. He
set  down his empty mug and laid one hand on a pale wrist. "Wil, I'm
not  going to pry. I don't know why you didn't call me when you hit
town, or  what would drive you to drink like that. But until you're
ready to talk  it's your own business."

He stood and gathered their plates, moving to the sink to rinse and 
stack them to be washed tomorrow. "If you'd like to stay, you're
welcome.  If you'd rather go back to what you were doing, well..."
he regarded  the silent figure, "I'd appreciate it if you went
somewhere else. Off  planet. I'd still worry about you, but I
wouldn't have to *know* you were  in trouble."

Chakotay quickly dried his hands and walked back to the table,
laying a  warm hand on a robe-clad shoulder. "Let's just go back to
bed. I have  classes tomorrow, but I'll turn off the alarm so you
can sleep in. Maybe  things will be better in the morning."

Wil stood to follow, but spoke just before he got back into bed. "I 
don't think they will be, but thanks anyway."

Chakotay simply nodded, and walked to the other side of the
mattress.  Both men slid under the covers and Chakotay called out
the lights.

************************************************************
************************************************************

Wil roused to faint morning sunlight filling a comfortable,
masculine  room. He was grateful that Chakotay's timely intervention
had prevented  him from waking with a raging hangover. He turned
over to regard his  still-sleeping companion.

A fond grin softened the bearded face. Chakotay looked almost
exactly  the way he did on that first camping trip their shared year
at the  Academy. His features had softened in sleep, radiating
innocence the way the  bronze skin reflected the sun's caress. Wil
sighed and lifted one hand  to cup a high-boned cheek, warmth
filling him as his companion nestled  into the touch with the hint
of a smile. Then he sobered, remembering  his sorrows, and sat up to
slide out of the bed and away from the beauty  dreaming there.

"Wil," Chakotay said and blinked his eyes sleepily, watching the
strong  back stiffen. He pushed himself up, leaning against the
headboard as he  wrapped his arms around his blanketed knees. "What
are you planning to  do?"

Wil sighed and made his decision. "I'm going to the hotel." He
looked  over his shoulder. "To get my stuff and check out. That is,
if your  offer still stands."

"Of course. You can stay as long as you like." Chakotay tossed the 
covers aside and stood. "Do you want something to eat before you
go?"

"No, I'll grab a bite on the way." Wil watched his friend circle
him,  trying to appear unconcerned. "I'll probably just drop
everything off  and go for a walk or something."

"Listen, I'm in classes and meetings all day, but if you need
anything,  just comm me. There's nothing I can't reschedule. I'll be
back around  1700 this evening, so let me know if you're still out
and about by  then." Chakotay offered a small smile, "And if you
happen to wander by a  Chinese restaurant, take-out would be great."

Riker nodded his head wryly. "Message received. Dinner on me at
1700."

"Good. I'll let you get ready then." Chakotay paused at the door.
"I'm  glad you've decided to stay."

Wil gave a ghost of his usual grin. "I figure I don't really have a 
choice. You'll just track me by remote if I try to skedaddle."

"Damn right. I've already sewn a homing beacon to your shorts." The 
bronze man winked and left the room.

************************************************************

Wil sprawled in a lounge in Chakotay's thriving backyard garden, 
staring up at the clouds traveling across the evening sky. He'd
ignored the  interested gleam in the eyes of the concierge this
morning as he showed  up at the hotel for the first time in days,
only to check out  immediately.

He had dumped his bags at his friend's cottage and begun walking, 
traveling to familiar haunts from his Academy days. He'd even spent
an hour  on the campus grounds. He'd debated calling Chakotay to
meet at their  old spot for a chat. Wil had slipped around the
hedge, settling down on  a still sturdy bench to think about what he
wanted to say to Chakotay.  He'd already decided to confide in his
old friend, but the exact words  of explanation still eluded him.
They just couldn't be extracted from  the muddle of his feelings. So
he'd left and continued his meandering  through the City by the Bay.

Wil blinked when a sturdy silhouette blocked his view of the sky. 
"Still prompt as ever, I see," he drawled.

Chakotay lifted a shoulder. "For meals, anyway." He offered his
friend  a hand up. "How are your legs?"

Wil grimaced. "Sore. Walking the decks of a starship---even one as
big  as Enterprise---isn't anything like strolling the
nearly-vertical  streets of San Francisco. Mountain-climbing would
have been a better  preparation."

The two reached the kitchen. Chakotay headed for the bag on the
table,  peering in and sniffing. "You walked all the way to King's
Garden?"

Riker had moved to a cabinet to pull out bowls and plates. "Yeah, I 
ended up in the neighborhood. Took a transport back, though."

"You'd have to. Otherwise we'd be eating breakfast, not dinner." 
Chakotay dug out spoons and chopsticks, watching the taller man out
of the  corner of his eye. "Are you doing any better?"

"I thought you weren't going to pry." Brown brows rose inquiringly.

"I'm not." Chakotay smiled. "I'm just asking how my friend is
feeling."

"Your friend," Wil began to open cartons, putting some food from
each  one into his bowl and passing it to his companion, "is feeling
rather  embarrassed, now that he's sober. I don't know what I was
thinking."

"After the first few bars, I doubt you were thinking about much of 
anything."

"That reminds me," Wil sat and dug in. "How *did* you find out I was
in  town?"

Chakotay took his own seat and fiddled with his chopsticks. "A 
colleague of mine mentioned that he saw you in the hotel lobby a few
days ago.  I left a message asking you to call. When I still hadn't
gotten an  answer yesterday, I went there myself and managed to pick
up your trail."  Brown eyes dubiously regarded light blue. "I don't
remember hitting that  many dens of iniquity in my whole time as a
cadet."

"Of course not. They wouldn't have let you in the door until your 
senior year." Wil chewed a bit of bok choy, then admitted, "I don't
really  know why I ended up in 'Frisco. I mean, I could have gotten
a room  anywhere on Earth. I *should* have gone home to Alaska.
Instead, I pick a  hotel in the middle of your turf." He tilted his
head and peered at his  friend. "Maybe I was hoping you *would* show
up."

"I'm glad I did." They shared a glance and continued eating.

Their conversation shifted to neutral topics for the rest of the
meal,  until they carried glasses of wine out to the garden.

Wil roamed around a few moments, getting comfortable with the
twilight.  Chakotay just sat, absorbing the peace of nature and
hoping it would  provide a bit of comfort for his friend's troubled
soul.

Riker finally returned to Chakotay, who rested on an intricately
carved  wooden glider-style loveseat beside the back door. "Your
work?" he said  as he set his goblet down on a side table and took a
seat.

Chakotay smiled and pushed off the ground with his foot to start
them  rocking. "Yes. I try to keep my hand in."

Wil took a deep breath and faced his companion. "Do you remember
Deanna  Troi?"

"Of course. She's the counselor on Enterprise. The lovely Betazoid, 
your...Imzadi, right?" Chakotay leaned over and laid a hand on Wil's
arm  in concern. "Has something horrible happened to her?"

The answering laugh was brittle. "Well, not from her point of view,
no,  but mine...." He sighed and looked at the ground. "She's fallen
in  love."

Chakotay's brow creased in confusion. "I don't understand, Wil. Why 
would that be so devastating? I know *I* was sure you two would
marry  years ago, but I thought you both agreed to just be friends."
He tried to  catch the light blue gaze in the twilight. "Did your
feelings change?"

Wil stood abruptly. "Yes---no, I don't know." He paced the small
patch  of grass closest to the building. "Deanna has dated other
people  before. So have I. But this time it's different. I honestly
think that it's  for real, maybe forever, and her lover is a good
friend of mine."

"Who?"

"Lieutenant Worf. He's the Klingon Security Chief on Enterprise."

"Yes, you've mentioned him before. Are you maybe feeling protective?
Is  he not good enough for her?"

"No, that's not it. He's an honorable man, and he hasn't been
involved  with anyone since his mate died."

"Are you jealous, that she's with someone and you aren't? Or is it
that  she's not with you?"

"It's a lot of things. My thoughts, my emotions are all in a jumble. 
That's why I took a few days off." Wil touched a tall blossom-topped 
stalk. "When I found out about it, I knew they both wanted...my
blessing, I  suppose. I was sure Deanna wouldn't go ahead with the
relationship  unless she had it. So I told them I was happy for them
and wished them all  the best."

He returned to his seat. "It was a lie, but I faked it well enough
to  persuade them I was sincere. Even Deanna bought it, but I think
that was  more because it's what she needed to hear. I knew I
couldn't keep up  the façade for long though, so I bolted. When I
stepped off the shuttle I  thought about comming you, but I didn't
really want to talk to anyone.  So I checked into a hotel. Then I
headed to the bar for a drink, to  unwind. But that wasn't enough to
stop the buzz in my head from too much  thinking. So I ordered
another. And another. And then I began to  consider that venue much
too nice to get really roaring drunk in. So I moved  to one a few
blocks away."

Wil shrugged. "The next thing I knew it was days later and you were 
standing next to me." He ran a hand through his hair. "I still can't
wrap  my head around why I feel so...lost. It's like I always had
this  picture in the back of my mind that Deanna and I would end up
together. Now  that's not going to happen and I don't know what to
do about it."

Chakotay put an arm around Wil's shoulders, relieved when the other
man  leaned into the touch. "There's not much you can do. Either you
try to  get her back, or you let her go. And you need to decide, to
be able to  live with the consequences, before you return to the
Enterprise."

"I know that. What I *don't* know is how I feel, or what my next
step  should be." Wil moved a little closer and sighed.

Chakotay kept up his slow rocking of the bench as the men sat and
night  fell over the garden.

************************************************************
************************************************************

Chakotay rinsed his hair under the spray. He was glad it was
Saturday;  he really didn't want Wil to be alone until he found his
feet again. He  ached for his friend, who was feeling so adrift and
out of sorts.  They'd sat for hours last night, silent, until he'd
finally pulled Wil up  and the two had gotten ready for bed. Riker
was still sleeping, so  Chakotay decided to get cleaned up and do
some computer browsing. He wanted  to check the local events
information sites for some  distractions---concerts or sporting
events---in case Wil was restless.

He felt a cool breeze as the shower door opened, then turned to see
a  naked Wil coming toward him. A second later his back was pressed
against  the tile and a talented, demanding tongue was in his mouth.
He stood,  arms at his sides for a moment in shock. Then he felt
fingers skimming  down toward his ass and brought his own arms up to
push the taller  figure away.

Wil staggered back a step and paused, hot-eyed and panting. He let
his  eyes drift down Chakotay's golden-brown skin, noting the added
muscle  that had further defined his friend's enticing form. With a
low sound he  moved forward again, only to be stopped short by broad
hands on his  shoulders.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Chakotay said, trying not
to  shout.

"I've decided what to do---move on. And I figured you'd like to help
me  celebrate." Wil gave a friendly leer, but his eyes told a
different  story. He moved in again, only to be pushed back by a
furious Chakotay.

The dark eyes were blazing with a mix of hurt and anger. "Since when 
did 'celebrating' include jumping me in my own bathroom?" he
growled.

"Oh come on, Chakotay. Don't be such a prude. Maybe it wasn't in a 
shower, but it's not like we haven't messed around before." Wil
leaned  against the wall, "As I recall we were pretty damn hot."

"That was a long time ago." Chakotay turned off the water and
stepped  from the cubicle, keeping a careful eye out for another
attack. He  wrapped a towel around his waist and draped another
around his neck, rubbing  his hair.

Wil followed, still naked. He made a small moue of disappointment at 
the concealing towel. He approached more slowly this time, leaning
in to  whisper seductively, "Why *shouldn't* we celebrate? We're
both single,  and available." He ran one pale finger along a damp
shoulder, drawing  random patterns. "We were so *good* together,
Chakotay. I can still  remember every minute of that week in Alaska.
Don't you want to find out if  we've improved with age?"

"Why are you doing this?" Chakotay moved away from the touch and the 
voice, both too tempting.

"Why not?" Wil followed, this time bracing his arms on the sink on 
either side of the shorter man. He looked in the mirror, meeting the 
bewildered brown eyes. "I've wanted you since we were eighteen years
old. I  think this is long overdue."

Chakotay's jaw firmed and his eyes narrowed as they locked on Wil's. 
"Fucking me won't help you forget Deanna."

Wil jerked in shock. "I don't want to fuck you." He pushed away from 
the sink and moved restlessly, oblivious to his nudity. His face 
contorted as emotions rose to the surface. "Gods, I'm praying that I
*won't*  fuck you, Chakotay."

Chakotay had turned when Wil released him. His own eyes grew wide at 
the fear in Wil's as the taller man stopped and faced him.

Riker clenched his hands. "I figured it out. I'm not jealous or sad
or  angry, Chakotay. I'm scared. Hell, I'm terrified. Because I
don't think  I will ever be happy. That I will ever again be touched
with love.  *That's* why I was trying to drink myself into oblivion.
Why I was  seriously considering getting away from Enterprise, from
Starfleet. From *her*.  I realized that everybody else I've slept
with hasn't meant a damn  thing to me. I've fucked men, women,
aliens in between. But she's the only  one I ever made love with."

He stepped up to his shocked friend, lifting and opening his hands. 
"Except you, Chakotay." His eyes pleaded, matching the anguish in
his  voice. "You are the only other person that ever felt...real.
And right now,  I need some reassurance, some certainty that I'm not
going to just  screw around for the rest of my life. I need to prove
to myself I can still  feel...love...with somebody else. With you."

Chakotay closed his eyes a moment, then lifted a hand to touch the 
bearded face. "I *do* love you, Wil. But I won't lie. I'm not *in
love*  with you."

Wil smiled wistfully. "I know. I'm not in love with you either, and 
we've had this conversation before. I know I'm asking a lot, but
please,  Chakotay, make love with me. Touch me." He laid his palm
against the  bronze hand. "Show me that I can still have hope."

"There's always hope." Chakotay shifted his hand to grip Wil's. "But 
you have to promise me, whatever happens, I won't lose you as a
friend."  The dark gaze was somber. "I couldn't bear that," he
whispered.

Riker tightened his fingers. "Same here." He closed his eyes and
rested  his forehead against his partner's neck as he was gathered
into a warm  embrace.

Chakotay tenderly stroked the brown hair, feeling Wil's face
pressing  against his towel. "It'll be all right. Everything will be
all right."  After a few minutes he lifted the other man's chin and
held it a moment,  staring into Wil's eyes. They both smiled, a
little bashfully, then  Chakotay leaned up to brush their lips
together.

It was the first time they'd touched this way in almost fifteen
years.  They were no longer hormone-crazed boys looking for a new
thrill. It  was a lovers' kiss, tender, gently exploring each
other's mouths. Their  hands drifted in slow careful circles, Wil's
on Chakotay's shoulders and  the tawny hands spanning a pale waist.

Chakotay drew back and felt a sense of relief and a rush of
tenderness  at the peace in the light eyes. He pressed one last kiss
to the bearded  mouth, then lifted his hands to get rid of the towel
around his neck.  Then he unwrapped his other covering, leaving both
men bare. He took  Wil's hand. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Want, and need, Chakotay." He kissed the broad palm. "Please."

The black head nodded and Chakotay stepped around his friend to lead 
them into the bedroom. He gently pushed the taller man onto the bed
and  leaned over the solid body to rummage in a drawer. "It's been a
while  for me," he said as he pulled out a tube of lubricant.

"Me too," Wil whispered and lifted his hands to run down the
hairless  golden-brown chest. "You've gained a little weight in all
the right  places. Looks good."

Chakotay reciprocated, fanning his fingers open and closed in dark 
curls. "And you're still a bear," he teased.

Wil reached up to grip his bedmate's nape, pulling the smiling eyes 
close to his. "I just decided not to feel guilty about the beard
burn."

Chakotay moved his head to the side, rubbing his cheek over the dark 
strands along Wil's jaw. "I'm looking forward to it." Then he turned
back  and pressed his mouth against the warm lips below him, seeking 
admittance.

Wil complied and soon they were leisurely kissing, letting passion 
build slowly from affection as their tongues ranged from one
satin-walled  cavern to the other. He lifted his hands and ran them
down the warm,  soft skin of Chakotay's back, letting them drift
over the golden expanse.

Chakotay cradled Wil's face, rubbing his thumbs along the bearded
jaw,  then ran his palms slowly down the pale throat and over the
broad  shoulders. He felt strong thighs part for him, so he slid
down and curled  his fingers slightly, running the pads over the
wide chest below him.

He lifted his head, staring into his lover's eyes a moment, then
moved  down to press a kiss on the spot he had punched days earlier.
He  continued running his lips along the bearded jaw, then moved up
a little to  nibble on one ear. He was pleased to hear a rumble of
approval from Wil.  He slid down the strong neck, kissing and
licking until he reached the  point where the shoulder began. Then
he gripped with his teeth, sucking  hard enough to earn a thrust of
hips against his own and an aroused  growl.

Wil gripped a little harder as the rose-petal lips moved to his
chest  to sweep open-mouthed across his skin, blowing hot breath
against his  tingling flesh. He moaned as one nipple was tenderly
laved, then suckled.  His breath quickened and he thrust once more,
as teeth combed a random  pattern through the hair on his torso,
eventually reaching the matching  nub.

Chakotay rubbed his legs against his partner's, creating a sensual 
friction as his smooth skin met Wil's more textured flesh. He let
his hands  stroke the sleek sides to encase pale hips, holding Wil
in place as he  nipped his way down the long torso. He paused a
moment to swipe his  cheek across the dark hair covering it, hearing
Wil's low growl of  response.

Riker's hands had moved up to the damp black hair, spiking the short 
strands as he gripped in reaction to moist heat circling the base of
his  cock. He watched a teasing tongue lick up the vein slowly,
*finally*  reaching the flared head. Then the faintest graze of
teeth against his  shaft made him shiver and push against the
restraining hands. He met the  half-closed dark eyes with his own as
Chakotay opened his mouth sank  down on Wil's engorged penis.

The scent and taste were familiar to Chakotay from their brief fling
as  teens. He grinned a little at the memory of those thrilling,
awkward  encounters. He relaxed his throat, inhaled carefully and
kept moving  forward until his nose was buried in the brown pelt
decorating his lover's  groin. He hummed.

Wil gasped in surprise at the vibrations along his entire length. He 
closed his eyes, his entire being focused on the exquisite
sensations  surrounding his cock. He felt Chakotay back off
slightly, then descend  again. The hands eased their hold on Wil's
hips, and he gratefully bucked  up, thrusting in time with his
lover's sucks. They both sped up until  Wil threw his head back with
a roar of completion.

Chakotay felt the burst of fluid against the back of his throat and 
lifted his head. He gripped Wil's spasming sex and pumped, milking
the  white fluid onto his waiting tongue.

Wil was still shaking, moaning at the sight of his semen spurting 
through the air into that sex-swollen mouth. He collapsed onto the
pillow.

Chakotay was intensely aroused, but he moved back up to meet his 
companion's sated gaze. "No second thoughts, Wil?" he asked soberly.
"This is  a line we've never crossed."

Wil kissed his friend, tasting his own salt as he demonstrated what
he  wanted Chakotay to do. When he was done he looked into eyes
hooded with  desire. He lifted and parted his legs, silently
offering.

Chakotay nodded and reached over to grab the lube. He arranged Wil's 
long limbs over his own thighs, then coated a finger. He lowered his
hand  to stroke up and down the cleft of the pale ass, in no hurry
despite  the rush of blood through his engorged cock.

Wil wriggled a little, tickled by the leisurely touch. He sighed as
he  felt the teasing digit ease into his anus. He relaxed into the
gentle  strokes as two slick fingers soon entered him, slowly
stretching and  coating the rings of muscle. Three gave him a jolt
as his prostate was  sought, then firmly stimulated. He groaned and
sought hot cocoa eyes. "Do  it now."

Chakotay nodded and pulled out, thoroughly covering his cock with
the  lube. He leaned forward to share another kiss with Wil, then
settled on  his heels and lifted the long legs, parting them further
to rest on the  edges of his shoulders. He squeezed both thighs
encouragingly, then  carefully thrust into the waiting portal.

Wil gave a low growl of satisfaction as the dark penis filled him, 
nudging his gland. He felt the golden hands descend once more to his
hips,  holding his body still as Chakotay began moving in a smooth,
powerful  glide. His own hands pressed flat to the bed as his chest
began to  heave, exhaling in low sounds as each forward beat sent
sharp sparks of  sensation up and down his spine. He looked at
Chakotay's face, features  tense in concentration but eyes soft with
love. Wil felt himself drawn  into that warmth and wealth of tender
feelings. He could sense the cold  weight of his fears melt away.
This was loving, not fucking. Hope filled  him, and with it, joy. He
laughed.

Chakotay sensed a change in his partner and smiled. He released
Wil's  hips, letting his lover meet his rapid thrusts. He teased the
again  aroused and weeping cock with light tickling touches. When
Wil groaned in  frustration he gripped it firmly, moving in time
with his own plunges in  and out of his lover's depths.

Wil's vision flashed white as he roared again in orgasm, cum
spraying  his sweaty body, then grayed out a little as he sank onto
the bed. He  was only vaguely aware of Chakotay's own shout of
completion and deep  thrusts as he released his seed.

Chakotay's bronze skin was glistening as he tenderly lowered Wil's
legs  and slipped out of the limp body. He looked at his blissed-out
partner  and grinned, pressing a firm kiss to the barely responsive
lips. He  hopped out of bed and padded to the bathroom to wipe down
with one of his  earlier towels, then carried the other back to the
bedroom. He lifted  Wil's lower half to wipe the spilled lube and
cum, then settled beside  the pale form to carefully clean the
matted body hair. He finished,  picked up one pale hand and kissed
it.

Wil felt more himself by the time Chakotay finished his
ministrations,  but needed time to gather his thoughts. When the
soft lips withdrew he  turned the clasp to bestow his own salutation
on the his partner's  smooth skin. He tilted his head to meet the
glowing dark eyes and smiled,  then snuggled down into the warm
embrace, just enjoying the closeness  and quiet.

Chakotay relaxed, feeling the light press of their bodies. He mused
at  how different they were now. Their "experiment" as cadets had
been  rough and raw, reflecting the wild rush of teenage hormones.
Now they were  men, content enough with who they were to express
tenderness as well as  passion. He smiled as he recalled Wil's
words. They had *definitely*  improved with age.

Wil's voice broke the quiet. "I finally understand something Deanna 
tried to tell me years ago."

"What's that?" Chakotay kissed one temple.

Wil stared at their clasped hands. "Deanna's parents had arranged a 
marriage, and her fiancé came aboard to finalize the arrangements.
When I  asked her how she could marry a near-stranger she told me
that it was  possible to have a deep, true bond with more than one
person, and that  the addition of another love didn't diminish her
feelings for the first  one." He shifted to look into Chakotay's
face. "I finally realize what  she meant. I love her, I love you.
Maybe someday I'll love someone  else." He smiled. "That's the
truth, and it feels...right."

Chakotay kissed the softly curving lips. "I love you too, Wil." His 
brows rose. "You seem content. Does this mean you've decided what
you're  going to do?"

"Well, my immediate future includes spending another day or two with
my  very good friend, and arranging the perfect opportunity to nail
his  absolutely gorgeous ass." Wil's familiar merry grin gladdened
Chakotay's  heart, even as he blushed in embarrassment and shivered
in anticipation.

"And Deanna?"

Wil's grin softened to a gentle smile; his eyes still reflected his 
newfound peace. "I'm going to let her go. If I tried to get her back
it  would be out of fear, not love." He stroked a sleek golden-brown
hip. "I  don't know what's in the cards for any of us, but I know
everything  will be all right in the end."

Chakotay yelped when that teasing hand suddenly moved farther back
to  deliver a firm pinch. "What was that for?"

"For spoiling my brilliant back-up plan." Wil laughed and rolled on
top  of his startled companion. "I came up with it this morning on
the way  to your shower, before you convinced me that I can be happy
without  Deanna." His light eyes twinkled. "You see, now that I know
Worf goes for  soulful brunettes, I figured all I had to do was just
introduce him to  you."

Wil sat up and spread his arms. "You would be such a distraction for
my  fiery Klingon friend that I could steal Deanna back before he
even knew  what was happening. Or he really *would* fall for you.
Either way my  problem was solved." He winked.

Chakotay rolled his eyes at the outrageous scenario. "Now I know
what  was really wrong with you. Temporary insanity." He regarded
his grinning  friend. "I'm glad you thought better of that lunatic
plot. What did you  think would happen? We'd fall madly in love at
first sight and run off  together to get married?"

Wil settled back down on his lover. "Why not? Stranger things have 
happened."

"Not in my universe."

"Then you, my friend, need to get out more." Wil kissed the doubtful 
mouth, then bounded off the bed, pulling Chakotay with him. "Come
on,  let's hit the shower."

Brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you going to jump me again?"

"Oh no," Wil leered, "I have something very specific in mind for
you."  He laughed at the worried expression on his lover's face and
yanked him  into the bathroom.

************************************************************
************************************************************

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon as Wil placed a picnic basket on a 
bench in Chakotay's corner of the Academy grounds.

They'd spent a playful Saturday visiting San Francisco tourist
traps,  enjoying the city and their sense of loving camaraderie.
They'd found a  few quiet corners to steal kisses in, and had dinner
at a bayside  restaurant with a perfect view of the water.

Wil had continued to tease his lover, dropping hints as to where and 
when he'd take his pleasure in that luscious golden body. Chakotay
had  offered last night, but Wil had shaken his head and pushed the
tube of  lube into his friend's palm. And this morning they had only
necked and  stroked each other off in the shower, then had a
leisurely roundabout  stroll to the Academy grounds.

He turned to see Chakotay beginning to shake out the blankets he'd 
carried, ready to spread them on the ground. "Don't do that, we
don't need  them yet."

Confused brown eyes sought his. "Then why did we bring them?"

Wil grinned wickedly. "For dessert." He almost laughed at Chakotay's 
horrified visage.

"No way." Chakotay said, backing away and shaking his head
decisively.  "Not a chance."

Wil just laughed and began to stalk his skittish quarry. "Why not? I 
have fantasized about tossing you over that table and having my way
with  you since that first time you brought me here."

"*Why not*? Because somebody seeing me necking with the First
Officer  of the Federation flagship would just make me the coolest
professor on  campus." Chakotay looked at the table, at the tall
figure looming, and  held the blankets out like a shield. "But
getting caught being royally  fucked by him on Academy grounds could
cost me my job. Maybe even my  career."

Wil was grateful Chakotay had only moved around the green, not fled
to  the other side of the hedge. He lightly gripped Chakotay's arms.
"I'd  never put you at risk like that." He drew the reluctant man
forward,  taking the blankets from his anxious grip and putting them
on a bench.  "I've taken care of everything. Why do you think I
wouldn't let you peek  in the basket?"

"Well I *hoped* it was because you'd prepared something special for 
me." Chakotay shook his head. "Not that you were preparing to do
something  *to* me."

"Ah, but this will be both. Trust me." He pushed his friend into one
of  the low-set lounges. "Just sit a minute."

Chakotay debated making a run for it, but sighed and tried to relax.
He  mentally calculated their odds of being spotted, and hoped
people had  decided to enjoy the good weather by going somewhere
else. Anywhere  else.

He watched Riker reach into the wicker container and pull out a
handful  of small devices. "What are those?"

"My way of ensuring our privacy." Wil started placing them along the 
perimeter. "I stopped by the Security Office the other day, while
you  were in class. I mentioned that I might want to have a secure
discussion  on campus, and they lent me these little babies."

He set the last one and returned to the table to pick up a remote.
He  pushed a button, and a sparkling curved dome of a forcefield
rose up  above their heads, then disappeared.

"There. Soundproof and sensorproof, and we can't be seen from the 
outside." He walked back to the basket and started lifting out
containers.  "So do you come here or are we dining on the lower
level?"

Chakotay shrugged. "I think I'd better stay put. If I get up I'm
still  likely to bolt."

Wil laughed. "Honest as always." He carried the food and utensils to 
the flat-topped disk that served as the loungers' table. He sat down
and  the men began to eat.

***************

Wil handed his friend a slice of apple. Their hands brushed and he
felt  the electricity jump between them. He reached out to catch
Chakotay's  wrist. "If you're really not comfortable, we can go back
and play in  your garden." He grinned but his offer was sincere.

"No, I'm okay now." Chakotay brought their joined hands to his lips, 
brushed a quick kiss over Wil's wrist and took a bite of apple. He 
blushed. "I used to think about this place, and you, as well."

Wil leaned forward and moved his hand to trace the warm spots on the 
bronze cheeks. "You blushed that first day in Admiral Wallace's
office."  He laughed and nodded toward the other set of furniture.
"I almost  kissed you right there when you asked me if I wanted
you."

"As a *tutor*." Chakotay sighed. "I felt so damn *young*." He
finished  his apple, wiped his hands and stood. "Shall we?"

Wil sprang up and clasped his partner's waist. He kissed the small
bump  on Chakotay's nose. "Your table awaits." He led them forward,
then  spread one of the soft blankets over the wooden surface. "No
splinters."

"You really did think of everything." Chakotay chuckled, then
quieted  as he looked into the crystal blue eyes. "I think I've
always been a  *little* in love with you, Wil."

"Same here, Chakotay." Then Wil kissed the man who would forever be
his  dearest friend. The carved mouth opened immediately to accept
him as  the two embraced, seeking warm skin beneath their layers of
clothing.

Wil drew back and began to undress his partner, who stood quietly
under  his hands, rapid breaths the only sign of excitement. He
began kissing  the golden-brown skin as it was revealed, causing
Chakotay to moan and  sway on his feet.

Chakotay closed his eyes and felt the sun on his face and bare
chest,  leaning back against the cloth-covered table as Wil knelt to
pull off  his shoes. He felt warm fingers in the waistband of his
trousers, the  zipper parting, then the sun and air on his
half-erect cock. He shifted  his hips forward, making it easier for
his lover to finish removing his  clothes.

Wil stepped back a moment, tossing Chakotay's garments onto the far 
lounge. He looked at the sleek muscled form gleaming like a statue
brought  to life. He quickly pulled off his own clothes and
approached his  raven-haired beauty. "On the table," he growled, his
voice deep and thick  with desire.

Chakotay lifted his derriere onto the sturdy surface, lying down
with  his palms up and his calves and feet dangling toward the
grass. He  parted his legs, welcoming. He was trembling in
anticipation as a cool  shadow fell across his skin. Wil appeared
above him, leaning down to claim  his lips again. He moaned and ran
his hands along the braced forearms  sprinkled with dark hair. He
felt the brush of Wil's beard along his  cheek and neck, a slight
rasp that made his skin tingle. He lifted his  chin, baring his
throat for his lover's mouth.

Wil used his teeth along the strong column, marking a trail down and 
across the curved muscles of the broad shoulders. He moved to the
small  dark nipples, taking the pebbled flesh of one into his mouth
while his  fingers teased the other. He felt Chakotay's erection
pressing into his  stomach as the supine man groaned and shifted his
hips. Wil obliged his  partner, rubbing his torso against the turgid
length.

Chakotay started laughing breathlessly as the bearded chin next
tickled  his stomach. He felt the powerful hands cradle his hips and
lift his  pelvis. He propped himself up on his elbows, moaning and
quivering at the  rough stroke of beard against his thighs and
ballsac. Then he groaned  as Wil's mouth engulfed his cock.

Wil sucked at Chakotay's throbbing sex, feeling the pulsebeat
against  his lips. He kept his head in one place, lowering and
lifting Chakotay's  hips as the tawny man gasped and groaned. He
felt the powerful muscles  beneath his hands bunching in tension as
his captive tried to move, to  thrust, anything to send himself over
the edge. Wil grinned around the  flesh filling his mouth and throat
and bit down, very gently.

The unexpected small pain pushed Chakotay over the edge of pleasure.
He  called Wil's name as the vise-like grip of those hands was
matched by a  strong suction on his cock, pulling forth the liquid
proof of his  orgasm to disappear down his lover's throat. He
struggled to catch his  breath as his body was returned to the
blanket and Wil stood, stretched,  then leisurely reached over to
pull the lube from the picnic basket on the  bench.

Wil took another long moment to look at the smooth skin shining with
a  touch of perspiration and his own saliva. He licked his lips and
kissed  Chakotay, feeling his lover's hand sink into his hair as he
was pulled  closer. Chakotay's other hand wandered through the hair
on his chest,  tweaking his nipples and moving down to stroke his
erection, a thumbnail  teasing the slit.

Wil pulled free and opened the lube, then slid Chakotay forward
until  his feet rested on the ground. He pulled his partner up,
turned him and  settled his lover's upper half back on the blanket.
"You have such a  fantastic ass, Chakotay, I want to see myself
sliding into you."

Chakotay trembled again as he felt the brush of Wil's thighs against 
his own, parting them further. He lifted up and rested on his
elbows,  surprised to suddenly feel Wil's beard against his crack.
"Spirits!" he  gasped as he felt the short stiff hairs scraping his
skin.

Wil stood and soothed gel along the delicate tissues, feeling the
firm  golden-brown globes relax under his touch. He breached his
lover's  portal, sliding in to explore the inner walls of his
destination. He added  more lube and fingers, stretching and
scissoring and thoroughly  enjoying the moans and gasps from his
partner. He looked over the bronze skin  laid out for his enjoyment,
reflecting the sun. This was better than  any teenage fantasy he'd
ever had, and he treasured the moment. "Thank  you," he whispered
and placed a kiss on a satiny shoulder. He withdrew  his fingers and
lined up for entry.

Chakotay groaned when he sensed the flared head of Wil's cock
sliding  through his anus to sheathe itself in his body. He gulped
when his gland  was hit, then felt hands pulling on his hips,
impaling him to the hilt  on Wil's heated length. They waited for a
moment, breathing together  and feeling the connection. Then Wil
began to move.

Riker used his thumbs to caress Chakotay's buttocks as he continued
to  move both bodies to his rhythm. He felt the rounded muscles
begin to  flex as Chakotay pushed back on his own to meet Wil's
thrusts. He felt  his penis gripped at the base as the head scraped
along the hot silky  channel. He leaned forward and fumbled for his
partner's cock, teasing the  balls then fisting the leaking member.

Chakotay felt the roughness of the wood beneath the blanket against
his  forearms as he moved, caught up in their primal dance. The
relentless  press of Wil's cock against his gland was driving him
back, the slick  grip around his cock forward into the grasping
hand. He gave a  rough-voiced bellow when his climax finally hit,
semen shooting out of him to  coat the strong palm.

Wil felt the tawny body beneath him stiffen as he shouted, lifting
his  heels to drive his cum even deeper into his lover's passage.
After a  handful of fierce lunges he relaxed, laying his torso along
Chakotay's  back, feeling the warmth of the body below and the sun
above.

"Thank goodness," Chakotay panted, "you never *did* toss me on this 
table when we were cadets. We'd have never gotten past Sun Tzu."

"We'd never have gotten away with it. As loud as we just were, we'd 
have been caught on our very first try." Wil gently separated their
bodies  and reached into the basket once more, this time to bring
out some  pre-moistened cloths. He cleaned his hands and cock, then
his lover's sleek  bronze ass, bestowing a tender pat. Then he
rolled his dreamy-eyed  friend to remove the cum that had spattered
the smooth stomach and  black-haired groin. He pulled Chakotay up
onto his feet and led him over to the  empty lounge. Wil quickly
spread the other two blankets over it and  sat, putting his feet on
the grass so he straddled the lower half of the  structure. He
guided Chakotay to sit between his legs and carried them  both
downward, so the shorter man's back pressed against his chest as 
they lay together.

Chakotay clasped Wil's hands and laid them against his own stomach, 
resting golden fingers over pale ones. His head naturally moved to
the  curve of his lover's shoulder. "It's time for you to go," he
said.

"Yes," Will said, then brushed a kiss along the smooth brow. "My 
transport's due in a few hours. I think I'm ready, thanks to you."

Chakotay shrugged and gave a small smile. "I was just helping a
friend  find his way."

"You did more than that, Chakotay. You gave me back hope for the 
future."

"With love, there's always hope, Wil. No matter what the days ahead 
bring you, remember there's always someone who loves you." Chakotay 
brushed a cheek against the pale skin. "Even if he's only a little
*in love*  with you."

Wil chuckled. "May it always be so, just like I love you." He
stroked  the soft skin under his hands. "I'll remember. I promise."

They rested for a while, basking in the sun, marking the end of
their  second stint as lovers. This span of time together was
shorter, but so  much sweeter, that neither man would change a
thing. Eventually they got  up and dressed, and cleared the evidence
of their indiscretions. When  the blankets were carefully folded to
conceal the one with the wet spot,  Wil flipped the remote again and
dissipated the force field. He  gathered the small devices and
slipped them back into the basket.

Wil walked back to Chakotay and caught his hands. "Let's say
good-bye  here, okay? I'll go back to the cottage, grab my stuff and
beam to the  shuttle while you return those items to Security." His
eyes were  peaceful but a little sad. "I'm going to miss you,
Chakotay."

"Hey, it's not like you'll never see me again," Chakotay said,
smiling  to reassure his friend. He lightly poked the solid chest
with a finger.  "Don't be a stranger. *Comm* me the next time you're
in town." His  expression softened. "You'll always be welcome, my
friend. Keep in touch,  let me know how you're doing." Then he
lightly kissed Wil and stepped  back.

Wil grabbed a hand and pressed a last kiss on the palm, holding it
for  a moment to his face. "All right." Then he grinned, "But you
have to  promise you won't be sneaking anyone else to our little
outdoor Academy  makeout spot."

Chakotay chuckled and shook his head. "Are you kidding? I'm going to
be  lucky I can keep a straight face in the Security office. I just
hope  they don't ask me what we discussed."

"Friendship." Wil said, kissed Chakotay's hand once more and
released  it. He stood a long moment, just looking, then turned and
disappeared  around the hedge, ready to go back to his ship and his
life, once more  full of hope and able to face the challenges to
come.

Chakotay turned to pick up the blankets and basket, gazing at the 
wooden table, remembering the boys who became friends there, so many
years  ago. He smiled, and left the green.

************************************************************
************************************************************

=Federation Starship Enterprise, 2371=

Deanna Troi rushed to her lover's quarters, frantic with concern.
She  could feel the grief pouring from his soul. It had driven her
from a  lunch with Beverly and now sent her hurtling through the
barely opened  cabin door.

She carefully approached the viewport, seeing the tension in the
tall  silhouette. She reached out to gently brush her hand along a
rigid  shoulder, and sent her mind to touch his. "Imzadi?" she said
softly.

Wil whirled and pulled the slim figure into his arms, burying his
face  in her neck and shuddering. His voice was a harsh sob. "He's
gone."

"Who, Wil? What's happened?" Deanna asked, stroking the bowed back
and  sending comfort through their link. They'd come together again
after  years as friends, rediscovering the bond that had lain
between them since  the day they met. "Just talk to me," she
whispered.

Blue eyes glittered with tears in the low light of the room as Wil 
straightened. He kept Deanna in a loose embrace, needing the
support.  "Chakotay. He's disappeared."

"Oh no," Deanna breathed, remembering the laughing dark-eyed man
who'd  always been so caring and friendly to her. She pictured him
the first  time they'd met in person, when she and Wil had visited
the Academy  professor's cottage. There had been a true aura of
peace about Wil's  longtime friend. And a quiet joy when Wil had
mentioned he and Deanna were  back together. She'd sensed a strong,
vital connection between the two  men that had caused a moment of
real fear that this was a dangerous rival  for Wil's heart. Then
Chakotay had smiled at her and radiated such a  sense of welcome
that she'd embraced him on the spot. She recognized in  that instant
that while Chakotay and Wil loved each other, it was the  deep and
abiding bond of lifelong friends.

Chakotay had sent them a hasty message last year, letting them know
he  was going to Deep Space Nine to seek news of his missing father.
The  next thing they heard was that he had resigned to join the
Maquis.  Occasionally Wil would get brief bits of news about his
friend, just enough  to know that Chakotay was all right.

But no longer. She felt tears well up in her own eyes. "How did you 
find out? Was he captured by the Cardassians?"

"No, at least I don't think so. The report just came through the 
official channels. Apparently that new Intrepid class ship, Voyager,
was sent  to hunt him in the Badlands after a Starfleet officer in
Chakotay's  cell had been out of contact for almost a week. There
was no sign of a  trail or wreckage from his vessel, and now Voyager
has disappeared as  well." He swallowed. "Nobody knows what
happened. Just that they're gone.  He's gone."

"It's all right, Wil. Everything will be all right," she soothed.
She  cradled the bearded face in her palms. "Remember what you told
me  Chakotay said to you? That with love, there's always hope." She
smiled  softly. "So we'll just keep loving, and hope he'll find his
way back home."

"Yes," Wil said, and the two embraced once more, comforting each
other  as they remembered a very special man. One they hoped,
someday, to see  again.

THE END