Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 22:07:02 -0500 (EST)
From: Tgrnyc@hotmail.com
Subject: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction.  It may be reproduced, copied,
mailed, e-mailed, longhanded, read out loud, pantomimed, translated into
any known language, converted into sign language, transmitted into space
via satellite, etc., so long as this disclaimer and the author's name
appear at the top of it.  Star Trek Voyager and its characters are
trademarks of and copyright Paramount Pictures Corporation, and this story
is written in the Voyager (pre-Voyager, actually) universe and a few
characters have been borrowed.  No infringement is intended.  I'm grateful
to Gene Roddenberry and the entire staff of all Star Trek shows past,
present, and future for bringing to life a universe that many of us would
like to live in.  Thanks to all!!!!

WARNING: If you are legally underage to view or read sexually explicit
material, STOP NOW!  This story contains consentual, explicit sexual acts
between men.  If such acts offend you, THEN DON'T READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All characters are above the age of 18.

Historical note: This story takes place a few months before the events of
"Caretaker," the first Voyager episode, which is why Tuvok is with the
Maquis and Seska is referred to as being Bajoran (the other characters
hadn't figured out her true ID yet ...).  Just to clear up any grey areas
...

And on a personal note: This story is based upon a _VERY_ erotic dream that
I had.  I really enjoyed writing it, and have come to adore the two new
characters I've created (I do other Trek-related (but non-erotica) stories,
and Captain Davidson is the central focus of my sci-fi writing, and she's a
descendant of a character from a novel I wrote, etc ...).  Like the story?
E-mail me!  Didn't like it?  E-mail me!  Constructive criticism?  E-mail
me!  Flubs or goofs or nits?  PLEASE E-mail me!!!  Any and all feedback
(but keep the flames to a minimum, please) would be appreciated.  Thanks!
And enjoy!!!  E-mail: tgrnyc@hotmail.com (or Tgrnyc@aol.com, if the first
one doesn't work).

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"  by Anthony Samhain

     Lt. Colin Dover was just getting ready for his security shift when his
commbadge chirped.  "Capt. Davidson to Lt. Dover," came the voice of the
_Odyssey's_ female captain.
     Colin tapped his insignia, then subconsciously pulled a wisp of sandy
brown hair away from his forehead.  "Yes, Captain?  What can I do for you?"
     "I need for you to come to my ready room immediately.  I have ... an
assignment for you.  A special one."
     Colin nodded, though no one would see the gesture.  "I'm on my way,
Captain."
     "Good.  See you soon.  Davidson out."
     The channel closed, and Colin took a quick glance around his quarters.
"Well," he said softly, "whatever it is, it'll certainly break the monotony
around here."

     Dover walked into the ready room and was greeted by Davidson's warm
smile.  "Hello, Lieutenant.  I appreciate your promptness.  Please, sit."
Dover did so.  He pulled his chair slightly closer to the desk.  "I hate to
do this at the last minute, but I really needed someone who could carry out
this mission _flawlessly_."
     And she selected _me_? he wondered.
     "Mr. Dover," she went on, "you've not only had advanced tactical
training at the Academy, but you have also taught a few classes here, via
holodeck.  Your pupils have not only expressed their enjoyment of those
classes, but they all say that your methods have been very effective in
real-life situations.  But, I'm rambling.  There is no officer on the ship,
whom I could spare, who could do a better job at this mission than you,
Lieutenant."
     "Thank you for the compliments, Captain."
     "You're quite welcome.  However, I want to let you know that this
mission is more of a _reassignment_."  She paused, steepling her fingers
and letting him take this in.
     "Reassignment?" Colin echoed.  "But ... I love serving on board the
Odyssey.  Under your command.  I enjoy my work here."  The past week may
have been intensely boring, but he still enjoyed his work.  "I don't
understand, Captain."
     "You are going to be ... reassigned ... only temporarily, Mr. Dover,"
Davidson continued.  "But it is for an indefinite length of time.  The ship
will be passing by the planet where you will be in a little over a week.
If you need to contact us, that will be the time to do it.  As soon as the
assignment is _over_, you will come back to the ship."
     "But ... what's the longest the assignment will be?"  He had many
other questions, but this one was the most pertinent at the time.
     The captain leaned forward a little.  "Your assignment is to
infiltrate a Maquis colony on Athenia Prime.  You are to gather information
and bring back what you learn.  We have several others who have infiltrated
the colony, but for their safety as well as your own, their identities will
be unknown to you, and yours to them.  We have an agent who will get you
safely there.  The Maquis will be expecting you in three days.  Your back
story is that you are a cousin to a deceased Maquis named Todd Lucas."
     "But ... Captain ... I don't know if --"
     "You don't know if _what_, Lieutenant?"  The captain was firm, but her
voice was even and calm.
     "I ... don't know if I can carry out the mission, Sir," Colin replied
meekly.
     Davidson leaned in a little bit closer.  "We _need_ you, Mr. Dover.  I
hate to do this, but you are the only one we can _send_.  You are to go to
Athenia Prime and carry out this mission.  That is an order."  Her voice
was still firm, but only slightly above a whisper with the last sentence.
"Is that clear?"
     Dover was speechless for a moment, but then reluctantly nodded his
head.  "Yes, Captain.  Abundantly."

***

     Colin walked away from the drop-off site and slung his small pack over
his shoulder.  He turned to look at the agent who had escorted him this
far, and watched as the man dissolved into a shimmer of electric-blue
light.  Colin shook his head and began to walk into the forest.
     Captain, why _me_?  That thought had played over and over again in his
mind ever since he had first left the _Odyssey_.  He took a very deep
breath and avoided walking face-first into an oak-like tree.  He had to
admit that Athenia Prime had some beautiful landscape.  Above him, he heard
a bird singing.  A happy song, free of worry.  If only he were that bird
...
     He reached the colony's boundary half an hour later.  He watched as
about thirty people, only about ten or eleven of them were women, milling
about, moving items, helping one another with various other things and just
walking around in general.  "I've got to make the best of this," he
muttered aloud.  "Perhaps it won't be so bad.  Yeah, right!"
     Colin walked on until he was just clear of the forest, but was still
at least fifty feet from the nearest person, a man of Native American
descent whose forehead was tattooed with a design which could not be
discerned from this distance.  The man looked up and smiled at Colin.  A
Bajoran woman not far from the man also looked up and smiled as well.  They
both gestured for him to join them.
     Lt. Dover was hesitant at first, but then found the courage to make
his feet move towards the two colonists.  "Hello, there," the man greeted
him, his hand extended.  "You must be Colin.  My name is Chakotay."  Colin
eagerly shook hands.  At least, he tried to _look_ eager.  The man turned
and gestured to the woman, then turned back to Colin.  "This is Seska."
     The woman smiled again and extended her hand.  "Hi there," she said,
warm and friendly. "Welcome to Athenia.  And our little village."
     Colin smiled a little.  "Thanks.  Nice to meet you both."
     Chakotay leaned in a little.  "We ... we're sorry about Todd."
     "It's all right.  I appreciate your condolence, Chakotay."  He paused
for a moment.  "I know that I could never replace Todd, but I want to
continue to fight in his place."
     Chakotay smiled.  "Good.  Say, why don't you rest for a while.  We've
set up a room for you over in the big house by the lake's inlet."  He
pointed to the house.  "It's the third door on the left after you walk in
the main entrance and walk down the hallway."
     "Thank you," Colin said.  "I really appreciate that.  And I think that
I could really use a nap."
     Seska took a step forward.  "Would you like me to escort you, Colin?"
     He smiled, but shook his head.  "Thanks, Seska.  But I'll find the
way."
     She nodded.  "Suit yourself, then.  We'll see you a little later.
Have a good nap."
     "Oh, I think I will," Colin confessed.  He nodded to both of them and
walked towards the house.

     Colin stepped onto a long, wooden deck which ran along part of the
shore to the lake's inlet.  He looked out onto the lake, its surface as
smooth and motionless as a pane of glass.  He was so distracted the he ran
right into a man who was at least a full head taller than he was.
     "Oh, pardon me," the man apologized.  He had sea-green eyes and dark
brown hair with a slight tint of red to it.  He was very well-built, and
was wearing a medieval-style white shirt, with laces instead of buttons.
The laces were only tied up to the bottom of his sternum, and Colin stared
a moment at the dense, but length-perfect, blanket of brownish-red chest
hair which the opening revealed.
     On the _Odyssey_, there were very few men, human or otherwise, who had
much body hair.  At least that he was aware of.  Hairy-chested men had
always been admired by him, ever since he was fifteen, at _least_.
     Colin broke the stare, shaking his head a little.  "I'm sorry, but I
didn't meant to stare at you, it's just --"
     "It's all right," the man said, then gave him a warm, beautiful smile.
The man's scent had to have been augmented by some type of cologne, and
Colin loved the aroma.  It was practically intoxicating.
     "I'm ... still I ... please forgive me ... I'm so clumsy, I --" Colin
went on, but the man placed his hand onto Colin's left shoulder and smiled
again.
     "It's quite all right.  You must be Colin Dover."
     "Yes.  Yes, I am."  He extended his hand, which the man took, and
grasped firmly, but gently.  The grasp made Colin feel nervous and giddy,
and as if he would melt from the result.
     "I am Bret.  Bret Dawsen.  Welcome to Athenia."
     "Thanks," Colin said, wishing that humans could counteract blushing.
"I was just headed to my room for a long nap."
     Bret smiled and gave him a nod.  "All right then.  May you have a good
sleep."
     "Thanks."
     Colin went to go, but he felt Bret's gentle hand on his other
shoulder.  Colin was almost scared to turn around.  He then felt Bret
leaning in closer to him.  The other man's warm breath on his neck made his
entire body tingle.  "I hope that we can ... talk ... later, perhaps?"
     It was then that Lt. Dover found the strength to turn around.  He
looked into Bret's beautiful face and grinned a little.  "That ... would be
nice, Bret."
     Dawsen gave him another smile, then a nod.  Colin watched as the other
wan walked away, staring at the way the clothing on him was just the right
fit, accentuating Bret's musculature.  Colin felt himself shiver, then he
hurried into the house.
     After tossing his pack into a corner and closing the door, he flopped
down onto the bed.  He looked up to the ceiling and whispered, "Thank you
_so_ much, Captain Davidson!!"  This might not be such a bad experience
after all.

***

     Colin walked to the part of the deck nearest to his room and looked
out into the inlet.  It was a little darker outside, and a little more
overcast than before.  His thoughts immediately were of Bret.  That
gorgeous hunk of god-in-flesh!  He had hoped that he would see Bret again
soon, preferably in dreams during his nap, but it was not so.
     His reverie was broken by Chakotay's voice.  "Colin!  Hope you had a
good nap!  We need your help."
     "Sure.  _We_?"  The question was partly answered when a dark-skinned,
dark-haired, and dark-eyed Vulcan man stepped up onto the deck beside the
other two.
     "This is Tuvok," Chakotay said.
     Colin extended his hand, which the Vulcan shook.  "Colin Dover," the
lieutenant offered.  "Pleased to meet you, Tuvok."
     The Vulcan gave a nod, then released Colin's hand.  Suddenly, both men
took their shirts off, which made Colin a little more than curious.  Both
were hairless, but Chakotay's body was still appealing, Colin reasoned.
"We're going to be swimming down the inlet to gather some galoa-melons,"
the Native American explained.  "We can't approach the trees from the
land."  Chakotay and Tuvok continued to undress, taking their pants off,
until each was clothed only in a pair of form-fitting briefs.
     Colin stared at both of the men's underpants for a moment and then
looked up at their faces, asking, "Why can't we approach from the land?"
     "There are sharp thistles and brambles covering the ground where they
grow," Tuvok said.  "They extend from where the trees grow for a mile in
every direction, right up to the bank of the inlet."  The Vulcan raised an
eyebrow.  "Interesting dilemma, since many in the colony consider the
melons to be delicious and satisfying."
     "Like thorns to a rose," Colin theorized.
     The Vulcan nodded a little, looking to Chakotay, then back to him.
"That would be apropos," Tuvok said.
     "Well," Chakotay said, "aren't you going to undress?"
     Colin hesitated.  "Can't I swim in my clothes?"
     "Of course you can," Chakotay replied.  "But the water is very
pleasant during this time of the day.  And swimming in clothes severely
detracts from the experience."
     "Besides that," Tuvok added, "all of the garment reprocessors are
off-line, and will be so until tomorrow morning.  So, you would have to
rely on hanging your clothes out to dry.  And that would take quite a
while."
     Colin nodded, then reluctantly stripped down to his underwear.
Chakotay smiled when Dover had cast the clothing aside.  He placed his hand
onto Colin's shoulder.  "Let's get to it," the Native American said softly.

     Tuvok and Chakotay stepped off of the dock and into the water.  They
both turned to Colin, waiting.  The lieutenant was not used to stripping in
front of others, having always been self-conscious about his body.
Chakotay looked at him, almost expectantly.
     Colin stood, then back up a little.  "Is something the matter?" Tuvok
queried.
     Dover motioned for the two men to move out of the way, and each moved
until they were a few feet apart.  Colin then ran and dove into the water,
which he had judged to be deep enough for diving.  The pleasing temperature
of the water greeted him as he glided through it.  He always loved
swimming, and he had believed for a time that he was at least part
delphine, in spirit at least.
     He came to the surface and smiled at the other two.  "The trees are
this way," Tuvok said, then began to swim in the indicated direction.
Chakotay followed, then Colin followed last.

     They arrived about twenty minutes later.  Tuvok was the first to step
onto the bank.  Colin and Chakotay stood simultaneously.  Chakotay had
taken up the rear as they swam, staying close behind Colin.  As they stood,
Chakotay's front rubbed against Colin's back.  The lieutenant could swear
he felt a firmness as the other man's crotch rubbed, intentionally or not,
against his buttocks.
     Chakotay stepped around Dover and went to help Tuvok.  Colin stared
again at the two men, more at Chakotay, as they worked on picked the
softball-sized melons from the trees.  The men rolled the melons along the
shore, and they floated as soon as they hit the water.  When there were
about a hundred in the water, all of which Colin had been keeping a close
eye on, keeping them all from floating away, the other men joined him in
the water, gathering the melons and pushing them so that they began to move
in the direction of the house.

     "These ought to last us a good week or so," said Seska, as she counted
them.  She looked up at Chakotay, then Tuvok, then Colin, and then gave
them all a smile.  "Good work, you three."
     Chakotay smiled at her and he gave Colin's shoulder a slight squeeze.
"Well, we had some good help with us," the Native American said.  He looked
Dover directly in the eye and smiled at him, winking.  "What do you say to
dinner with the rest of us?"
     Dover nodded.  "With the condition that I can go straight to bed
afterward and sleep until at _least_ midday tomorrow."
     Tuvok gave a nod.  "That is not unreasonable."
     Chakotay chuckled a little and nodded in agreement with the Vulcan.
"Sounds great.  Colin, why don't you get washed up and we'll see you
there."
     Colin nodded.  "Sure.  See you in a short while, then."

***

     Lt. Dover massaged his temples as he walked towards the house.  The
dinner was more like a medieval victory feast than a typical meal.  He had
to admit, this assignment was interesting, to say the least.
     The others had been very friendly to him at dinner.  He didn't feel as
much like an outsider as he had thought he would.  But there was one person
who was not present at dinner whom he had really wanted to see.  Bret.
Beautiful Bret.  Several others had also been absent from the meal, but
Bret was the one he really wanted to see there.  Some excuse had been
given, like having to repair something-or-other in another part of the
colony.
     His fitting in here would become somewhat of a problem.  If he made
friends with these people, it would ruin the mission, akin in Colin's mind
to throwing dirty plates out a window instead of washing them.  Not the
best analogy in the world, but he was too tired at the moment to think of
another one.
     He decided to sit on the porch which faced the inlet and relax for a
moment or two before going in to finally sleep.  He closed his eyes, taking
in the days events, then heard steps nearby.
     "Hello there," came a male voice, which caressed his ears.  "I'm sorry
that I missed dinner earlier."  Colin opened his eyes and smiled.  Bret was
standing over him.  Colin stood up from his chair, and he was only about
two feet away from the other man.  Bret smiled.  "I was hoping that we
could have that talk."

     Bret's scent was just as strong as before.  The aroma pervaded Colin's
nostrils.  He smiled again, and nodded.  "Yes, Bret.  I'd like that."
     The other man took the lieutenant's hand in his.  "Let's go to where
_my_ room is," Dawsen said.  "It's beside the lake, on the other side of
the main building.  I have my own _house_.  It's not very big.  Only one
story and two bedrooms.  But I have a large bathroom and nice skylight in
my bedroom."
     "It sounds nice.  Let's go."
     They walked along the deck until they came to a sidewalk.  "I knew
Todd," Bret confessed.  "He was a good man.  He was only here for two
months with us, but he fought well."  The last ray of sunlight disappeared
over the lake, cloaking the colony and the land surrounding in a soft
blanket of nighttime.  Bret glanced at Colin and then looked forward again.
"He never mentioned his family at all."
     "We were friends, but we never saw each other enough to become close
ones," Colin offered, hating having to lie.  When he had gone over the plan
before arriving on Athenia, he hadn't minded in the least that he would
have to do so.  But it was different, somehow, now.
     Shortly, they arrived at Bret's house.  It _was_ small, but it had a
certain charm to it.  "How many others have their own houses?" Dover asked.
     "Quite a few of us, but they're all about this size.  We're working on
building more of them.  The community house where you've been assigned was
the first place we built here.  We didn't have many people here then.
Heavens, that was two years ago ... hard to believe that so much time has
passed!"
     He placed his palm up to the door panel.  "Identity confirmed," came a
voice not unlike that of the computer on the _Odyssey_.  The door cracked
open a little.
     "As I said, it's not much, but it's my little place," Bret said as
they walked in.  It was sparsely decorated, but looked lived in and
comfortable.  "Would you care for something to drink?"  Bret walked over to
the replicator, then looked back at him.
     "Oh, some volo juice would be nice," the lieutenant requested.
     Bret smiled, then turned back to the replicator.  "One glass of volo
juice and one -- no, forget that.  _Two_ glasses of volo juice, please."
The replicator chirped and hummed.  Bret took the two glasses of juice,
giving one to Colin, then gestured for him to sit down on the couch.
     "Thanks, Bret."  Colin took a sip of the juice.  He loved saying the
other man's name.
     Dawsen took a sip of juice and made a sharp face.  "Hmmm ...," he
said.  "It's a little like grapefruit juice."
     Dover nodded.  "Yes.  I have a friend from Tyrus Seven-A who turned me
on to it.  It's a tad bitter, but the aftertaste has an interesting
effect."
     Bret took another sip and swallowed.  "Yes!  That's remarkable!"  He
took another sip, then set his glass down onto the table.
     "So, what did you want to talk about, Bret?" Colin asked.
     Bret smiled a little, then moved closer to him on the couch.  "Well, I
must confess.  I didn't really want you here to just _talk_."
     "That's what I thought."
     Bret placed the backs of his fingers onto Dover's cheek, gently
brushing up and down.  The touch made his cheek tingle.  A hormonal shiver
went through Colin's body.  "I think you're beautiful."
     Colin placed his hand onto Bret's extended arm and held fast to it.
"I feel the same way about you."
     They moved a little bit closer, until their faces were a mere six
inches away.  Dawsen stared into Dover's eyes.  "I've been wanting to do
this since I first saw you."  Bret gently kissed Colin, whose mouth opened
to welcome Dawsen's tongue.  The taste of volo juice was still in each
one's mouth and, strangely, seemed to enhance the kiss a little.
     They moved even closer.  Bret's warm body was now in direct contact
with Colin's.  The larger man took him in his arms.  They still kissed,
each one feeling a synergy that went beyond the physical.  To Colin, it was
almost cosmic.
     Bret stopped kissing him for a moment, but only to say, softly, "I
haven't even shown you my room yet."
     "By all means," Colin said.
     "I don't want to let go of you.  I love having you here in my arms.
I'd ... I'd like to carry you, if that's all right with you."
     "No complaints from me," Dover said, smiling.
     Bret smiled and gently lifted him off of the couch.  His arms were
like those of a strong tree, cradling him like a hammock.  Dawsen carried
him through the house and into the bedroom, gently setting him down onto
the bed.  Bret then sat down beside him and leaned over.  They kissed
again, and this time, Dawsen raised Dover to a sitting position.
     Bret broke the kiss, but only to unlace his shirt.  Colin followed
suit, removing his own.  Once Bret was done, he cast his shirt aside,
pulling Colin to him so that they were chest-to-chest.  Bret's chest hair
felt soft against Colin's body, a feeling that was truly arousing for both
of them.  Then Colin did something that _he'd_ been wanting to do since he
had first laid eyes upon Bret.  He lowered his head and gently placed it
onto the other man's chest, then slowly rubbed his face back and forth.  He
felt even more invigorating now that he was closest as he could be to
Bret's augmented aroma.
     Bret sighed and breathed deeply as Colin did this.  "That feels _so_
good!" he whispered, feeling his entire body tingle from the simple
interface.  He could feel his crotch swelling with fluid as Colin continued
this exercise which, it seemed to Bret, that Colin didn't want to stop
doing.
     Colin's activity was arousing to himself, as well.  He felt his penis
increase in shape and rigidity as he continued to rub his face in Bret's
chest hair.  He then slowly moved to Bret's right nipple and began to lick
it.  Slowly at first, in circles, then he placed his entire mouth over it,
applying a little suction.  This made Bret gasp a bit.  "Oh, _ yes_!!
Please don't stop, Colin!"
     He didn't think that he _could_ stop.  As much as this activity was
being done, more for Bret's pleasure than his own, he was still feeling an
increased arousal.  Colin decided to try something a little different.  He
slowed his suction, then very gently, almost infinitesimally, he bit onto
the nipple.  It was more of a stroke than a bite.
     Bret placed his arm around Colin's neck, cradling his head as he began
this new activity.  "You seem to know all of my body's target spots!" he
whispered, then gently bent down to touch his tongue slightly to Colin's
ear.  "I want to make love to you so badly!"
     Colin stopped what he was doing and kissed him.  "I want that, too!"
They changed positions, taking off their underwear in the process.  Bret
laid Colin down onto the bed, their penises touching and pressing together.
     They kissed again, then Bret rested his chin in his palm, his arm
bent, elbow resting on the bed, to Colin's right.  He ran his right
forefinger down Colin's forehead, down his nose, then stopped at the dimple
above his lip.  "Seska was right," he muttered.
     Colin wrinkled his nose a little.  "_Seska_?"
     Bret smiled and nodded, running his fingers through Colin's hair.
"Yes.  She told me that ... that the Prophets would send someone to us.  To
_me_.  Someone _wonderful_.  I believe that someone is _you_, Colin Dover."
He kissed Colin again, then repositioned him so that they were now both
mouth-to-crotch.  Colin wrapped his fingers around Bret's penis, squeezing
a little, and felt Bret doing the same to him.
     Colin placed his lips to Bret's penis, then opened his mouth, allowing
the swollen organ entry.  Each move he made was mimicked by Bret.  Bret's
mouth was warm and the wetness aroused him even more.  Each man began to
slowly move their hips back and forth.
     Colin wanted to stay here, with Bret, forever.  He couldn't care less
if he never got back to the _Odyssey_.  This felt too good!  It felt too
_right_!
     The movement of mouth and hips increased.  Colin could feel his penis
tingling, and that prompted him to focus on Bret's penis.  He increased his
speed as he moved his mouth up and down on the organ.  A few moments later,
Colin began to get the feeling that orgasm was not far away.  The movement
of Bret's mouth on his penis had increased even more, giving Colin the
impression that Bret was also not far from the brink.  Another moment
later, Bret tensed up a bit.
     "Mmmm ...," Dawsen uttered, or at least that's what it _sounded_ like.
Colin did the same, since he was right on the edge, as he assumed Bret was
as well.  Both of their bodies tensed as they entered the realm of what to
both was a physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychic experience all in
one.  Colin felt the hot liquid course into his throat and he felt his own
body release its fluid into Bret's throat.
     Colin swallowed, and felt Bret doing the same.  He felt what he would
have described as aftershocks.  Tense, miniature spasms which followed
orgasm.  He kept his mouth in place for a few moments, as did Bret.  Then,
both men each released the other's organ.  Bret pulled Colin around so that
they were now face to face.  Colin could still taste Bret's fluid, and he
liked it.
     Without saying a word, they kissed, mixing what fluid was left in
their mouths together.  Colin ran his hand over Bret's chest, and felt his
own penis becoming rigid again.  After they broke the kiss, he looked into
Bret's eyes.  "I want more," the lieutenant said.
     Bret smiled at him, licking his own lips.  "As do _I_."

     The two men kissed as Bret picked Colin up and moved him into a
sitting position.  Dawsen then left and went into the bathroom.  Colin was
left wondering for a moment, but then Bret returned with a small jar filled
with a clear substance.  He opened the lid, then sat down beside Dover.
Bret placed the jar onto the bed, and the lid down beside it.  The larger
man gently pushed Colin down onto the bed, in a laying position.
     Bret then dipped his finger into the jar, then gently touched it to
the opening between Colin's buttocks.  The substance made them tingle.
"May I?" Bret asked.
     Colin nodded.  "I am yours.  You may do whatever you wish to do."  And
he meant it.  Bret kissed his forehead and then smeared some of the
substance around Dover's anus, gently.  Colin figured that the substance
must have some kind of chemical in it to enhance pleasure.  Bret applied
some more of the gel to his finger, then very slowly and gently placed his
finger deep into the opening.  Instinctively, Colin's muscles in that area
contracted, squeezing Bret's finger.  Bret closed his eyes and took a deep
breath, clearly imagining how that would feel on another part of him in
just a few short minutes.  He kissed Colin again, then reached his free
hand into the jar, taking a good helping of the substance and then smearing
it all over his own penis.
     Bret shivered at the feeling, as the chemicals in the gel penetrated
his skin and went directly into his bloodstream.  He didn't think that he
could be more aroused, but the feeling he was getting made him sure that
the skin around his penis would split from trying to conform to a
constantly growing shape.  His other finger continued to apply the gel to
the inside of the opening in Colin's backside.
     Colin was now feeling the effect of the chemicals in the gel, and his
opening, he would swear to it, was aching for Bret to fill it.  He closed
his eyes, and Bret moved forward, aiming until he found where he wanted to
go.  Colin breathed deeply, as no one had ever done this to him before.
The pain made him wince, but he didn't care.  This was _Bret's_ penis, and
he knew that the pain would subside, yielding to untold pleasure.
     Bret was now fully inside him, and sat there for a few moments,
waiting for any signal from Colin to start moving his hips.  Colin was
enjoying the feeling of being truly physically connected to the man of his
dreams.  He looked up at the furry man and nodded.
     Bret began to slowly move back and forth, an action which Colin
immediately responded to.  The jar was just within his reach, and he
grabbed it.  He took some of the gel out, and spread it over his own organ,
rubbing it all over, then grasping his penis, closing his fingers around it
and matching Bret's rhythm.
     "So _warm_!" Bret commented.  "Feels like you've got a _fever_!"
Colin squeezed his muscles as tightly as he could, which got a quick facial
reaction from Dawsen.
     Bret slowly increased his pace, as did Colin.  Every now and then
Colin would squeeze and Bret would let out a gasp, then he'd grin.  Colin
wondered how far Bret was from a second orgasm.  He himself was not far
away from one.
     As Bret's speed increased, so did Colin's.  Bret began to utter sounds
that meant he was on the verge again.  At the same moment, Colin could feel
his own body tensing up again.  Then, Bret's sound's became more frequent
and louder.  Colin found himself at the point of no return.  He felt his
muscles contracting, squeezing onto Bret's penis, which he could feel
releasing its warm liquid into him.  Colin's abdomen was now covered with
fluid.  Bret relaxed a little and looked at the puddle on Colin's stomach.
He pulled Dover up to him, chest-to-chest, and kissed him.
     Colin didn't want Bret to pull out of him.  Ever.  If he had to stay
like this for the remainder of his life, he would be happy.  Bret broke the
kiss and rested his forehead against Colin's.  He felt Bret beginning to
pull out, and said, "No.  Not yet.  Stay like this.  I like it."
     "So do I.  Do you want to shower?"
     "Yes."  But he was too comfortable with Bret's current position.  "Can
you stay like this and carry me into the bathroom?"
     Bret nodded, picking him up, his penis still firm inside him.  "I
would _love_ to."

     They got into the shower, Bret's penis still in place, holding the two
of them together.  At that point, Colin realized that he had to release
Bret or they would not be able to bathe properly.  He did this slowly,
relaxing as he did so, but squeezing hard as the last inch made its way
out.
     "Ooh," Bret whispered and shuddered.  He turned the water on and
adjusted the temperature to just above lukewarm.  The water actually felt a
bit cold to Colin, but he figured that it was due to his own body
temperature being elevated.  Colin threw his head back and let the water
hit his face, then leaned forward, wetting his hair.  Bret had already
gotten a bottle of shampoo and had poured some of the teal liquid into his
hand.
     Colin was about to take the bottle from him to get his own shampoo,
when Bret moved the bottle to the shelf and said, "Let me."  He placed his
hand onto Colin's head and then massaged the shampoo in with both hands.
Colin let him do it.  Bret gently took his head and rinsed the shampoo from
Dover's hair.
     Colin then took the shampoo and poured some into his hand.  "And allow
_me_," he said, dividing the blob and placing one part into his other hand.
He put his left hand onto Bret's head, and his right onto Bret's chest.
     Bret grinned as Colin lathered up his head and chest.  He kissed the
lieutenant as he did this, then broke to rinse his hair.  Colin still
continued to lather up his chest.  The shampoo had a somewhat floral scent
to it.  He looked up to Bret and was about to ask, when the other man
simply said, "Freesia, grown right here on Athenia."
     This prompted Colin to ask him about the cologne that Bret wore.  "I
was really ... turned on by whatever cologne you were wearing earlier.
What was it?"
     "Halston Z-Fourteen.  A very popular fragrance from late
twentieth-century Earth.  I've actually analyzed the cologne.  It's made
with a natural aphrodisiac.  It actually smells better once it mixes with
body oils and pheromones.  It's especially potent when worn by men with
lots of body hair.  Like me."
     "I adore hairy men," Colin said softly, still lathering Bret's chest.
     "I never would've known ...," Bret said, then grinned.
     They kissed again, and Bret stepped into the water to rinse himself
off.  "I could stay here forever with you," Dover said.
     "Will you stay at least for the evening?"
     "I'd love to."
     "I told Chakotay and the others that I'd be inviting you to spend the
evening in my house, so as not to worry if they didn't find you in your
room the next day."
     "Thanks."
     Bret shut off the water and grabbed their towels.  When they were
sufficiently dry, they went back into the bedroom. Colin sat down on the
bed, and Bret was picking up the jar, looking at it.
     "I really loved being ... connected to you," Colin remarked.  "I'd
... I'd like to ... well, if it'd be comfortable for you to do so, I'd
... I'd like ... to sleep, well ... connected to you."
     Bret smiled.  "I would _love_ that."  He then took a small amount of
the gel from the jar and lathered up his once-again hardening organ.  He
took a smaller amount from the jar and spread it gently into Colin's
opening.  Colin closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of Bret's finger.  But
he would enjoy Bret's penis even more.
     Bret wiped his hand off on a nearby towel, then cast it aside.  He
carefully lifted Colin's legs and then entered into the waiting opening.
Once fully in, he turned Colin onto his side.  Colin's face was directly in
Bret's chest hair, which was fine with both of them.  "Comfortable?" Dawsen
asked.
     "Very," Dover replied.
     Bret kissed him.  "Good night, Colin.  Pleasant dreams."
     Colin closed his eyes.  "Good night, Bret.  You, too."  Dover felt
very comfortable in this position, cradled by Bret's arms.  It did not take
long for sleep to find them both.

***

     Warmth.  All around him.  For the first time in his life, Colin woke
up feeling the right "warm" temperature that he had always wanted to.  The
doctor on the _Odyssey_ had told him that his circulation was slightly
poor, ergo his waking up and not being as warm as he had wanted to be.
     But this was different.  He certainly couldn't attribute this
wonderful warmth to sudden, improved circulation.  The source of his warmth
was wrapped about him almost like a cloak.  Bret's hairy body was
interlocked with Colin's in at least five different spots.
     Colin reached up and ran his fingers through Bret's chest hair.  This
prompted Bret to stir a little.  Dawsen opened his eyes and smiled.  He
drew Colin closer and kissed him.  While they did this, each man shifted
position until they were front-to-front, face-to-face.  Bret carefully sat
up, pulling Colin with him, so that Colin's face was right in his chest.
Dover leaned down to kiss Bret's right nipple, then licked it a little.
     Bret pulled him closer, rubbing Colin's face into his chest hair.  He
then shifted his hips a little.  This action made Colin's penis begin to
swell.  Colin had almost forgotten how they had fallen asleep.  He, in
turn, moved his hips back and forth, causing a deep intake of breath on
Bret's part.  Dawsen stared into Colin's eyes for a moment, then smiled,
shuddering a little at how good the movement felt.
     Colin loved the feeling that he was getting from Bret's shifting his
organ in and out, slowly at first, then a little faster.  Then, a little
faster.  Then faster.  Colin began to shift in time and rhythm to Bret.
Soon, both were not far from orgasm, and they kissed, holding onto one
another for dear life, as if letting go would mean losing this moment
forever.
     Bret broke this kiss to utter a deep sound of pleasure.  Colin
continued to move his own hips, and brushed his face in Bret's chest hair
as he did so.  "Ohh, that feels great," Bret muttered, almost in a whisper.
"You feel so incredible!"  Then, Bret's body surged, as did Colin's.
     Colin held on to Bret even tighter.  Together, their bodies gave up
their reproductive fluid willingly, and both men reveled in the moment.  As
their muscles relaxed, they both took deep, recovering breaths.  Bret
practically collapsed over Colin, holding him, cradling him.
     Dover never wanted to leave this room.  He was quite certain that Bret
felt the same way.  Colin felt Bret's hand on his head, running his fingers
through his hair.  He looked up at the Maquis.  Just twenty-four hours ago,
he hadn't even known this man's name.  And didn't _care_.  But ... he had
bonded with him.  And _now_, Colin couldn't imagine being without Bret.
     "I think a shower is in order," Bret whispered, then gently pulled out
of Colin.  Colin closed his eyes, wanting Bret to stay inside a little
longer, but liking the feeling of departure at the same time.
     "Sounds nice to me," Dover agreed, as they rose from the bed and
sauntered into the washroom.
     As Bret started the water, he turned to Colin.  "I've got quite a bit
of work to do today, Colin.  More than just repairing replicators and
garment processors.  And I imagine that Seska could use a hand at our
security center, watching for Cardassians."  Colin nodded.  Bret smiled at
him.  "Of course, I'd like to spend the rest of the day with _you_, here in
the house."
     "So would I."  They stepped into the stream of water and began
bathing.  When they had soaped up, Bret took him into his arms.  "Bret?"
     "Yes?"
     "I ... I want to ... I want to spend more time with you.  _Much_ more
time."
     Bret nodded.  "I think I could get used to that."  He grinned and
kissed Colin's forehead.
     "When this is all over ... fighting the Cardassians and all, I mean,
I'd ... I'd like to stay with you.  For _good_."  Bret regarded him for a
moment, then looked upwards.  "What is it?  Did I say something to upset
you?"
     "Oh, no.  No.  It's just that ... when you said, 'when this is all
over,' it just ... struck a chord within me."
     "Would you want to share that with me?"
     Bret was silent, washing Colin's hair, thinking.  "About three and a
half years ago, my sister, Corinne, and I were serving aboard the
_Berlioz_.  Also on board was ... my lover, Jason.  We all were sent into
Cardassian space on a reconnaissance mission, to gather information about
biogenic weapons.  Corinne was the second CMO, and Jason was a medical
technician.  I was Chief of Security.  Anyway, when we arrived at our
location, we were immediately ambushed by Cardassians.  I was knocked out.
I didn't know what had happened to Corinne and Jason."  He paused,
swallowing, and then went on.  "When I woke up in Sickbay back on my ship,
I was told that Jason and my sister had been killed."  He paused, and Colin
increased his grip around Bret's waist.
     Colin let out a breath.  "I ... I'm sorry," he said.
     Bret looked down at him, then held him tighter.  "Those damned
Cardassians!  They took away the only two people that I _really_ cared
about."  Bret turned Colin's head so that they were looking eye-to-eye.
"And _that_ is why I joined the Maquis.  And I'll _never_ let those
spoonheads take anyone from me ever again!"
     Colin had never felt this way about anyone before, and he knew that
Bret was referring to him in the last statement.  "I ... I'm glad.  That
you won't ... that you won't let them hurt me."
     "Oh, Colin, I know this may sound nuts, but ... but I really care
about you.  It's so strange, though."
     "Strange, maybe.  But nice.  _And_ mutual."
     Bret smirked a little and kissed him.  "So," Dawsen said after the
kiss, "what about _you_?  What's your story, other than being Todd Lucas'
cousin?"
     Colin took in a deep breath, then let it out, ready to spill his guts
about the mission, ready to completely let down his captain.  But at this
point, the mission no longer mattered to him.  "Well, Bret, it all started
when Captain Da--"
     He was interrupted by a voice over Bret's comm system.  "Seska to
Dawsen!  We've got trouble out here!!  You'd better come quickly!!"
     The comm line closed before Bret even had a chance to respond.
Quickly, the two men exited the shower and hurriedly dressed.  Bret pulled
two phasers out of a nearby endtable drawer and shoved one into Colin's
hand.  "You'll need that," Dawsen said, then tore out of the house with
Dover trailing behind, a little befuddled.
     Outside, two Cardassian scout vessels hovered in the atmosphere just
above the village.  Chakotay came running up behind them.  "Sorry to
disturb your ... _nap_," the Native American said, as tactfully as he could
given the situation.  "They showed up about fifteen minutes ago on our
sensors in the control center.  We don't have sufficient weapons to defend
ourselves against the ships, but if they send people to the ground, we
should be able to take them on!"
     "Why are they here?" Colin asked, knowing that it sounded like a dumb
question, but he needed to know.
     "They've been trying to get at this planet for some time now,"
Chakotay answered.  "It's _right_ on the border of the DMZ, just barely
edged into their space by almost nonexistent numbers."
     "Figures," Colin said, rolling his eyes.  He turned to Bret.  "What if
we could beam aboard their ships and disable their weapons?"
     "We'd thought about that before," Bret responded.  "But their shields
are set just so that when they're finished transporting, the shields come
back on-line right afterwards."
     "I've had some tactical training," Colin confessed.  "I'll bet there's
a way to beam in just when they're beaming down!  I'll go to the control
center and see what I can do."  And he left before giving either man a
chance to respond.
     Bret went running after him.  "Wait up!!"

     In the control center, Tuvok and Seska were scanning the Cardassian
ships' shields for a break.  "Seska," Colin said, out of breath, as he came
running up to her, "I think that I may know of a way to get aboard!"
     The Bajoran woman stepped aside.  "Be my guest," she said.
     Colin looked over the schematics, tapped the panel a few times, and
perused them some more.  "We may be able to set transport to coincide with
one of theirs.  I'll try and set this so that when they begin to beam
people down, we can do a simultaneous transport."
     Tuvok raised an eyebrow.  "An interesting idea," he said.  "I hope it
works."
     "So do I," Colin said.  He tapped away at the panel, setting the
computer to begin transport the very millisecond that the shields fell on
the scout ships.
     "I'll go with you," Bret said.
     Colin nodded, and kept tapping the panel before him.  Two others
volunteered to go aboard the other ship, and Colin nodded to them as well.
     Lt. Dover finished at the panel, then ran to the nearby replicator.
"Computer, plastique, four pieces, one-quarter of a pound each."
     The computer chirped, then gave off its much-dreaded "error" sound.
"Unable to comply," the female voice said.  "User does not have proper
authorization to request that material.  Authorization code required."
     "What's _plastique_?" Seska queried.
     "It's a plastic-based explosive from twentieth-century Earth," Colin
said.  "Very compact and powerful and they wouldn't be expecting us to use
it.  It would take out their weapons and shields systems _very_ easily."
     Seska walked over to the replicator.  "Computer, Authorization Seska
Delta Two Five," she said.
     The computer chirped.  "Code accepted."  The replicator hummed and
produced four objects that looked like gray bricks.  Each one had a
six-inch-long string sticking out of it.  Colin retrieved the items from
the tray, handing one to Bret, and one to each of the two volunteers.
     "How does it work?" Seska asked.
     "You light the string, then run!!  We'll need you to be keeping a
sharp eye on us from down here.  Give us twelve minutes to place the
explosives.  Then, at the next available transport window, _beam us out_!"
     "Sure thing, but why _twelve_ minutes?"
     "Because fifteen is too long, and ten is not long enough," Colin
responded.  He looked up at Bret.  He wanted to just take Bret to a safe
place be held by him right now.  "Ready?"
     Dawsen nodded.
     "I've got one coming up," Seska said over the beeping of the panel in
front of her.  She turned to glance at the four people on the transporter
pad behind her.  "It'll be awfully close!"
     "We're ready," Bret said, setting his phaser, then clasping Colin's
hand.  Colin looked up at his paramour, and Bret looked at him, giving a
wink.
     Another beep from the console signaled Seska to begin.  "Initiating
transport," she said, and soon the four forms dissolved into bluish-silver
light.

     "All ground troops are set to attack," one of the Cardassians on the
bridge of the first ship said.
     The gul's mouth formed a smile.  "Good.  We'll finally be able to take
out those meddlesome Maquis for good and then we can colonize this place!"
He was about to say something else, but the sound of a familiar, but
non-Cardassian transporter whine filled his ears.
     He looked about the bridge, but saw no one out of place.  "What was
that?" the gul asked.  "Did you hear that?"
     "Yes," the tactical officer replied.  "I did."
     "So did I," the first officer said.
     "So did I," the ops officer said.
     "So did _I_," came a voice from behind him.  The gul whirled around
just in time to see Bret Dawsen firing a phaser at him, then he lost
consciousness.  Before any of the others could react, Bret knocked out two
more with phaser fire, and Colin came out of his hiding place and took out
the rest.
     They were now the only two conscious beings on the bridge.  "Nice
work, Lover," Bret said.  He went over to Colin and pulled him into a deep
kiss.  Colin threw an arm around him, not wanting to let go.  Afterward, he
turned to face the helm control panel and fired, shorting it out and
melting it completely.  "Damn, you're good!"
     Colin winked at Bret and started for the lift.  "You don't know that
_half_ of it yet!"

     Dawsen and Dover sneaked into the engine room, which was virtually
empty, and sought out the targeting scanners, shield controls, and weapons
systems.  Colin had studied a little bit of Cardassian technology at the
Academy, and he hoped that he would recognize the symbols for these three
systems.
     Apparently, Bret had found either the weapons or shields controls,
because he was planting his bar of plastique.  "Now," Bret whispered, "we
simply have to find the weapons systems control."  Dawsen turned and joined
Colin in searching.  They crawled into a tunnel similar to a Jeffries tube
and searched.  "Seska told me that sometimes the Cardassians like to hide
their control systems in unconventional places, like possibly in here
somewhere."
     Colin gave him a funny look, but kept crawling through the tube.  "How
does Seska know something like _that_?"
     "She told me that she had been kidnapped by them once and spent
several weeks on board a scout ship, probably just like this one."  They
came to an access junction, and then sat for a moment.  Bret looked into
Colin's face and gave him a smile, but his look changed, his brow
furrowing.
     "What's the matter?"
     Bret then smiled.  "I think that we just hit paydirt!"  He gently
nudged Dover out of the way and indicated that he'd been sitting in front
of the weapons systems main control bank, which was planted into the wall.
Colin handed him the other plastique brick, which Dawsen slapped into
place.  He pulled his phaser and fired at the string to light it.  "Let's
go!"
     They wasted no time shuffling out of the junction and back down the
tunnel.  Bret went over to the other piece of carefully-placed explosive,
then lit its string as well.  He grabbed Colin, firmly but careful not to
harm him, and they ran out of the engine room.
     Just as they exited the doors, an explosion from deep within the ship
reported, shaking the floor beneath their feet.  "Weapons," Bret said,
winking at Colin.
     And then a few seconds later, a more nearby explosion, which rattled
the floor several times more intensely, caused both of them to tumble down,
but neither was injured.
     Colin landed on top of Bret.  He didn't move just yet, taking in the
scent of the Z-14 cologne which Bret wore.  "And shields ...," Dover said
softly, then pressed his lips against Bret's.  He then rested his head
against Dawsen's chest, and was delighted to feel the tingle and hear the
familiar whine of the transporter whisking them away.

     The position that the two men were in garnered some very interesting
looks from the people in the control center.  Especially from Seska.  She
looked at both of them, arms folded, with a half-smile, half-smirk on her
face, and eyebrows raised.
     Colin looked at the Bajoran woman and smiled uneasily.  "Um
... mission accomplished," he managed to say.
     Seska nodded.  "Apparently so."  Her facial expression hadn't changed.
     "We ... we actually wound up like this, I mean, I fell on top of him
and ...," Colin trailed off.
     Seska regarded the two men as one would two mischievous children.  She
then smiled.
     Dawsen and Dover got to their feet just as the other two volunteers
were beaming back.  One of them said, "Mission accomplished."
     The control panel where Tuvok sat beeped.  "The Cardassians ships are
hailing us.  Opening a channel."
     Two angry Cardassians filled the viewscreen.  "That wasn't very
_nice_."
     "As if invading our _home_ was very nice," Dawsen countered.
     Seska took over.  "Your ground troops have all been captured.  We
suggest that you beam them back and then leave this place at _once_!"  She
turned from the viewscreen , then swiftly faced it again.  "And there
_won't_ be a 'next time'."
     The Cardassians vanished as the screen went dead.  Seska forced out a
breath, shaking her head.  Chakotay stepped up to the Bajoran and placed
his hand onto her shoulder.  She turned to him and managed a wan smile.
The Native American turned to face the others.  "Next time we might have to
deal with more than just scout ships.  Any suggestions for preventative
measures?"
    "How about some cloaked buoys?" Bret spoke up.  "Ones that scramble
transporter signals so that they can't beam down."
     Seska and Chakotay gave a simultaneous nod.
     "What about some cloaked mines?" Colin offered.  "We could set them to
creep up to a ship's hull and then _explode_.  That might buy us some time,
at least."
     "Sounds like a good idea," Chakotay said.  "Well, let's work up some
additional ideas, folks."
     The group split up.  Bret smiled at Colin and hugged him.  "Colin,
I've got some work to do, but I'm going to program my door to respond to
your handprint.  That is ... if you'd like to bunk with me?"
     Colin grinned.  "As if you had to _ask_!"
     Bret smiled and kissed his forehead.
     "I'm going to help out here and see if I can make some of these ideas
into workable product."
     "Okay.  I'll see you later.  Dinner at 1900?"
     "Sounds perfect."

***

     After working in and around the complex for many hours, Colin headed
towards the showers at the house by the inlet, since it was closer than
Bret's at the moment, and so that he could pick up his stuff.
     There were no private stalls, only community showers.  He hated them.
He'd only had to used them once, and he didn't like their lack of privacy.
I'll only be a few minutes, he thought, so probably no one will see me.
     Colin undressed and proceeded to shower.  The next thing he knew, two
men were standing near the shower, watching him.  Feeling uneasy, he turned
from them and continued to bathe, as if they weren't there.  Then, Tuvok
and Chakotay walked in, standing across from the first two men, so that
Colin was surrounded.
     After an uncomfortable minute, he glanced at each pair of men.
"Should I do a little striptease dance?"
     Chakotay spoke.  "No, that won't be necessary ... _lieutenant_."
     Colin knew he couldn't get away.  "You know," he said flatly.
     Chakotay nodded.  "I'm afraid we'll have to put you in the brig for
now.  You've got some serious explaining to do, Mr. Dover."
     Colin shut off the water.

***

     Colin sat in the brig, the only sound being the slight hum of the
forcefield which prevented him from leaving his cell.
     He reflected upon how a mere 72 hours previous, he hadn't known any of
these Maquis.  Not Chakotay, not Tuvok, not Seska.  Not even Bret.  He
wondered how Bret would react when he found out.  Of course he wouldn't be
rejoicing, but Colin still pondered the degree of reaction he would
encounter.
     Damn those Cardassians, he thought.  If _only_ they had arrived ten
minutes later, I could have confessed _everything_ to Bret.  Dover just
hadn't had the chance to begin ...
     His thought stream was interrupted by the arrival of Seska, Tuvok,
Chakotay, and Bret.  Seska glared at him, Tuvok retained typical Vulcan
composure, Chakotay peered silently and stolidly at him, and Bret just
stared at him, face unreadable.
     Dawsen took a step forward, then turned slightly towards the trio
behind him, but didn't face them.  "I'd like some time alone with him,"
Bret said.  The other three vacated the premises, leaving only Bret, Colin,
and a security guard sitting at a control panel a few feet from the cell.
     Bret took another step closer to the cell which held Colin.  Then
another.  Bret was silent for a moment, then folded his arms.  "I'm
waiting," he said.
     Colin let out a long sigh.  "I tried to tell you when we were in the
shower this morning, but then the Cardassians came and I didn't get the
chance."
     "You had plenty of time later in the day after the spoonheads left,"
Dawsen said flatly.  "You could have accompanied me when I went to do
repair work and told me then."
     "I was going to tell you later this evening--"
     "When, at dinner?  _That_ would've made the meal complete!"
     "Would your reaction have been any less than it is now?"
     Dawsen shrugged.  "I suppose not."  He took another step closer.
"Spill it. _ All_ of it."
     Colin sighed again.  "Okay.  My full name is Colin Allan Dover.  My
rank is full lieutenant, and I serve on board the USS _Odyssey_, registry
NCC-2001-C, commanded by Capt. Julie Davidson.  I'm a security officer and
was given this assignment four days ago.  My mission was to infiltrate this
Maquis cell and gather as much information as possible, then report back
one week from today."
     Bret was silent, drinking it all in.  "Are you related in any way to
Todd Lucas?"
     "Not to my knowledge.  I was told that his family background is mostly
unknown and that a cousin of his arriving to take his place would be least
suspicious."
     Bret turned to the security guard, who merely looked up at him, then
both focused on Colin again.  "Do you intend any harm to anyone in this
colony?"
     "No."
     "Do you intend to do any damage to any property here?"
     "No."
     "Will you report what you have learned here back to your captain?"
     "I don't know."
     Bret took another step forward.  "Do you love me?"
     "What?"
     "I said, 'do you _love_ me?'"
     Colin paused.  "_Yes_, I _do_ love you."
     "Why?"
     "Well ... I just ..."  He forced out a breath.  "Look, I came here to
spy on you.  _All_ of you.  And to report my findings to Capt. Davidson.  I
didn't _want_ to come here!  My life was just fine on the _Odyssey_.  I
mean, I didn't know you, and I didn't _care_!"
     "But now?"
     "But now ... now ... now it's ... _different_."  Colin shook his head.
He stood and walked towards the forcefield but stopped just and inch away
from the energy barrier.  "And that is the truth."
     Bret glanced at the security guard, who merely gave him a nod.  After
looking back and forth between Colin and the guard several times, he took
another step forward, so that he and Colin were no more than four feet
apart.  Without turning, Bret said, "Lower it."
     The energy barrier collapsed.  Bret stepped up and into the cell.  He
placed his hand onto Colin's face.  Tears streamed down the smaller man's
cheeks.  Bret drew him into a sturdy embrace.  Colin began to cry at full
force.  Bret ran his fingers through his hair while he held him.
     "I'm sorry," Colin whimpered.  "I - I - I'm so _sorry_!!"  He held
fast to Bret, never wanting to let go.
     "I know.  I know."
     "I - I really do love you Bret!  Please, don't ever let go!"
     "I love you, too, Colin.  And I won't unless you want me to."
     His crying continued, and Bret held him tighter.  "I never ... wanted
... t-t--"
     "I know.  It's all right, now."  Bret turned to the security guard.
"Give me a site-to-site, Jaran.  You know where."  The guard nodded and
tapped the panel a few times.
     "Where ... where are we going?"
     "Home," Bret managed to say, just before both were bathed in
electric-blue light.

     They re-materialized in Bret's bedroom.  He gently picked Colin up and
placed him onto the bed.  After removing Colin's clothes as well as his own
so that both were clothed only in underpants, he crawled into the bed next
to him.  Colin put his left arm around Bret, and placed his right hands
onto Bret's chest, running his fingers through the soft forest there.  Bret
smiled and then drew Colin into a deep kiss, relaxing and soothing.
"Lights," Bret said, and the room went dark.  "Let's sleep for now," he
whispered into Colin's ear.

     Colin woke the next morning still wrapped in an embrace with Bret.  So
comfortable, it was.  Bret must have felt him stirring, and opening his
eyes.  He looked deep into Colin's blue eyes and then kissed him.
     Colin kissed back, and the kiss deepened.  He could feel his penis
beginning to fill with fluid, and as quick shift of his hips told him that
the same thing was happening to Bret.  He ran his fingers across Bret's
chest, then rubbed his face in the soft carpet of hair.  Colin gently
licked his lover's right nipple, then nibbled ever so slightly on it.
Bret's sigh of pleasure prompted Colin to do the same to the other nipple.
     Bret ran his fingers through Colin's hair and then pulled him closer.
They kissed again and sat up together.  Colin placed his tongue at the top
of Bret's chest and then ran it slowly downward.  When he reached his
lover's underwear, he ran his tongue along the white cloth, tracing the
erection from root to tip.
     They both discarded their underpants and let their penises touch.
Each held the other's turgid organ, gently squeezing.  They lay back down,
this time head-to-penis, and the two men began to lick each other's organs.
     When each man had a penis in his mouth, they moved in rhythm with one
another, back and forth.  Bret was able to reach into the nightstand drawer
and grab the container of blue gel which he had used before.  He applied a
little to his right middle finger, then passed the gel onto Colin, who then
did the same.
     After massaging Colin's outer sphincter, and seeing the pleasure it
brought by the look on his face, Bret probed a little deeper, until he
found the other man's prostate.  Bret gently massaged it, and Colin's mouth
seemed to tighten a little around the penis inside it.
     Then, Colin began to do the same to Bret, massaging his prostate.
Both men were in perfect, synchronous rhythm now.  The mutual massage
brought both of them closer to orgasm much quicker than they would normally
be.
     Colin slowed his oral motion a bit, a silent signal for Bret to do the
same, which he received loud and clear.  Then, Colin increased his pace, as
did Bret.  Soon, both men found themselves at the edge of the brink.
     "Mmmhh ...," Bret muttered.  Then he made the same sound again,
letting Colin know that he was about to go over the edge.  Colin made
similar noises in acknowledgment.
     Both men went into spasms at the same moment, their mouths filling
with semen, each one swallowing the other's fluid, hungering for more.
Each man's finger was squeezed tightly by contracting sphincters.  A moment
later, all seminal liquid was spent and completely consumed.
     They lingered, penises-in-mouths, for several minutes before pulling
out and switching positions so that they were face-to-face.  They kissed.
Colin loved the taste of Bret's semen, and by the way Bret was kissing him,
he was certain the larger man felt the same way about his own.
     Bret's penis was still firm, as was Colin's.  Dawsen grabbed the gel
and took some into the palm of his hand, then lathered it onto his penis.
Seeing him do that made Colin want to feel it inside of him again.  He took
the container from Bret and put some of the gel onto his finger, then stuck
it into his anus.
     Dawsen's green eyes peered into Dover's, and the larger man smiled.
"Do you want me to?" he asked Colin.
     "_Oh_ yes!"
     Bret smiled and got into position, on his knees and back straightened
up.  Colin lowered himself and impaled himself all the way to the base.
Waves of pain that lasted only seconds shot through him.  His face tensed
and then relaxed, and he looked at Bret, whose own face conveyed only
pleasure.  "You okay?"
     Colin nodded and lay back on the bed as Bret began to move his hips
back and forth.  Colin took a small amount of the gel and applied it to his
penis, grinning at the tingling sensation it caused.  I'll have to
replicate a huge jar of this stuff, he thought.
     The motion of Bret's hips increased, as did that of Colin's hand.
Both men reached orgasm at the same moment.  Colin loved the feel of semen
warming his insides as he coated his abdomen with his own.  Without pulling
out first, Bret lay down on top of his lover, hugging him.

***

     They got into the shower and began to bathe.  Colin let Bret wash his
hair as he had before, and Bret let him lather up his chest hair with
shampoo, as he had done before.  After they rinsed off they kissed and
embraced briefly, letting the hot water wash over them.
     They got out of the shower and got dressed, both in tank tops and
shorts.  Bret went into the kitchen and began to make breakfast.  Even
though he had a replicator, he preferred to prepare some foods the
"old-fashioned" way.  He also had a toaster, as well as other similar
appliances, and a refrigerator, where he kept many non-replicated foods,
such as eggs, butter, bread, milk, and various cheeses.
     Colin walked in and sat down on a stool in front of the bar and
watched Bret.  "Need any help?"
     "Nope.  You just sit there and relax.  I'll do the cooking."
     "Sure?"
     "Absolutely."
     "Bret?"
     "Hm?"
     "How ... how did you know that I was telling the truth when you came
to see me?"
     "Do you remember Jaran, the security guard?"
     "Yes."
     "He's a Betazoid."
     "I see.  Good thing that he was on duty then."
     Bret poured the eggs-and-cheese mixture he'd been working on into the
skillet, then went over to Colin, placing a hand onto his cheek and kissing
him on the forehead.  "Believe you me, that was no _accident_."
     Colin furrowed his brow.  "So you arranged it?"
     "Hey, I wanted to make sure that the wonderful guy I met was for
real."
     "I just wish that we hadn't had to meet under such circumstances."
     "So do I."  Bret mixed the skillet's contents together, then prepared
several slices of toast.
     "I still don't know what's going to happen when the _Odyssey_ passes
by in a week.  I really don't want to leave.  I really wish that I could
bring you back _with_ me ..."
     Bret paused, then went back to stirring the egg mixture, then
buttering the toast.  He turned to Colin.  "Perhaps you _can_."
     "_How_?"
     Bret gave him a sly smile.  "Well, _technically_, I've been on
assignment since I've been gone from Starfleet."
     "I don't follow."
     Dawsen turned back to his cooking and continued.  "Capt. Gray of the
Berlioz gave me extended leave time after the incident which claimed
Corinne's and Jason's lives.  We'd heard rumors about an underground group
forming to fight against the Cardassians, and I told him that I would look
into it and report what I found to him.  So, he granted me the open-ended
leave time, so long as I sent him regular reports.  Every now and then I
send him one, full of vague details, common knowledge that everyone has
already, of Maquis activity.  Anyway, I haven't sent a report for a few
months, since it was getting extremely risky to do so."  He dished the eggs
out onto two plates and did the same with the toast.  He handed one plate
to Colin.  "So, I've neither _officially_ left Starfleet, nor have I
_fully_ joined the Maquis.  I'm more of a maintenance man around here than
anything."
     "What do the others think?  About me staying with you."
     "Which others?"
     "Chakotay.  Seska."
     "I wouldn't know.  Chakotay told me that he, Seska, Tuvok, and about
ten others were leaving the colony last night."  He sat down across from
Colin and handed him a set of silverware and a napkin.  "Ooh!  Forgot our
drinks."  He went over to the replicator and tapped the panel a few times.
Two glasses materialized and he brought than over to the table with him.
     "They _left_?"
     Bret nodded.  "They're a bit nomadic, only staying in one place for a
few weeks at a time."
     "I didn't mean to change the subject like that, Bret.  Please go on
with your story."
     "That's basically it.  If I were to tell Capt. Gray that I wanted to
come back to the Berlioz, I could."
     Colin stared at his glass for a moment, as if listening to it for
advice, then looked up.  "Would you ... would you want to come to _my_
ship?  And serve on the _Odyssey_ with me?"
     Bret tilted his head slightly upwards, considering the idea.  "I think
that would be okay.  What about you with me on the _Berlioz_?"
     "That would be okay, too.  I'm sure that Capt. Davidson would approve
of it.  In _either_ case."
     "I'm glad were thinking alike.  The only thing is, I'd miss this
place."  He looked around the kitchen.  "All of my appliances, books,
personal items ... my _bed_."
     "It is pretty comfortable!"
     Bret grinned.  "I had it specially made for the ultimate in comfort as
well as correct spinal support.  I'm a stickler when it comes to sleeping
comfortably.  But, I'd leave it behind, if I could be with you, Colin."  He
reached across and took Dover's hand, squeezing it.
     "I'd gladly do the same for you, Bret."  Colin leaned over and kissed
him.

***

     A few days later, Colin's tricorder began to beep.  He'd originally
set it to detect and record a coded message from the _Odyssey_, but it had
originally been programmed to be silent when the message arrived.  He and
Bret were packing some things to take with them, and since they'd be moving
about the house in doing so, Colin wanted to know the very minute that the
message was received.
     He tapped his insignia, which he'd placed onto his shirt upon waking
up this morning.  "Dover to _Odyssey_.  I can speak safely."
     "We are ready for your report, Lieutenant," came the voice of
Cdr. S'Ber, the ship's half-Terran, half-Vulcan first officer.
     "There was a Cardassian attack here last week, Commander.  Most of the
Maquis who were here have left for fear of a second attack.  There are no
weapons being stocked here and there's nothing else to report.  I'd like to
request permission to return to the ship."
     "I will speak to the captain and get right back to you, Lieutenant."
     "Another Starfleet officer would like to leave with me.  Lt. Bret
Dawsen of the USS _Berlioz_."
     "My old ship," S'Ber remarked.  "I'll let the captain know.  I will
contact you within the hour.  S'Ber out."
     Bret flopped down onto the couch, two duffel bags in hand.  "This is
all that I could carry.  I suppose I can replicate anything that I've
forgotten."
     Colin placed his own duffel bag beside the other two, and then sat
down beside him, leaning into him.  Bret put an arm around him.  "So, I
guess we wait?"
     The other man nodded.

     Capt. Davidson's ready room was a welcome sight to Colin.  "Welcome
back, Lieutenant," Davidson said to Dover, then looked over at Dawsen.
"And welcome back to Starfleet, Lt. Dawsen.  I take it your extended leave
time was ... _pleasurable_?"
     "Not until recently, Captain."
     "Well then, I hope that being back in the Fleet will help to remedy
that situation.  I'll have security assign you some quarters for now and
--"
     "Oh, Captain?  Sorry to interrupt you, but could he bunk with _me_?  I
have enough space in my quarters."
     Davidson made no mention of the interruption, and considered the offer
for a moment, then looked at Dawsen.  "Is that what _you_ would prefer,
Lieutenant?"
     He glanced at Colin for a second, then looked back at the captain.
"It would be ... _acceptable_."
     "Good," Davidson said.  She turned to Dover.  "Well, Mr. Dover, I need
to speak with Mr. Dawsen for a few minutes, and I'm certain that you have a
few things to do, as we had discussed earlier."
     "Yes, Captain."  He looked at Dawsen.  "Meet me in Clarke's Tavern in
about an hour, okay?"
     "Okay."
     Colin left the room.  "Have a seat, Mr. Dawsen.  I'm afraid that I
have some bad news."
     Bret sat, and the captain did so as well.
     She leaned over her desk towards him.  "I hate to have to be the one
to tell you this, but Capt. Gray died a few months ago.  His shuttle blew
up when one of the warp nacelles hit a pocket of null space."  She shook
her head.  "I'm so sorry."
     Bret was silent.  "That explains why he didn't hound me when I hadn't
sent a message to him in a while."  He looked away from the captain, then
back.  "Where does this leave me?"
     "Well, you're perfectly welcome to join our crew.  I understand that
you were Chief of Security on the _Berlioz_.  It just so happens that our
current one is leaving for a position as Executive Officer on the _Aries_.
You're more than welcome to apply for the position.  I'll take a look at
your service record, then Cdr. S'Ber will make the final decision.  Sound
good?"
     "Yes, Captain.  Thank you."

     "She offered you the security chief position?!!!" Colin exclaimed,
nearly choking on his juice.
     "She didn't _offer_ it to me, exactly.  She told me that it was
opening up and that I could apply."  Bret drained his glass of liquid, then
stood, as did Colin, gulping the remainder of his own drink.
     "Congratulations!"
     "I don't _have_ it yet!"  They walked out of Clarke's and headed
towards the turbolift.
     "You'll probably get it."
     "Are promotions _that_ easy to come by on this ship?"
     "Hey, our ship's counselor was found in stasis in a shuttle that
floated for several years without being detected."
     "Well if _that's_ the case I should be a shoe-in!"
     "You never know!"
     "The captain seems pretty personable."
     They stepped into the turbolift.  "Deck Four," Colin ordered.  The
computer beeped and began to move upward.  "She's very nice.  But very
firm.  And a good judge of character.  We have a fine and diverse crew
here.  Our science officer is bionic."
     "In what way?"
     "When his was thirteen, his right side was paralyzed due to and
accident.  A bioneural metallic exoskeleton allows him to do things as if
he weren't."
     They came to the deck and the doors parted.  "My quarters are right
here."  The doors were just a few feet from the lift.
     "Lucky you."
     "Lucky _us_."
     They walked in and Colin went to sit on the bed.  Bret sat beside him,
looking around.  "Nice place.  Windows and everything."
     "Computer, subdued lighting, setting Alpha two."  The computer chirped
and the lights dimmed so that the colors around them took on a greyish
cast.  "Yeah, I like it."
     "Your bed is soft.  What's say we ... try it out?"
     "Good idea."
     They were undressed and nude in a matter of seconds.  Colin reached
over and pulled the blue gel container out of one of Bret's bags which sat
nearby.  He poured out some gel and applied it to his quickly-hardening
penis.
     Bret was about to take some onto his finger, but Colin held the
container out of his reach.  "Ah-ah-ah ... this time it's _your_ turn!  If
that's okay."
     The other man smirked and nodded.  "_More_ than okay!"  Though Colin
loved how Bret's penis felt inside him, he was curious as to what his own
would feel like inside Bret.  He took some of the lubricant onto his finger
and began to massage Bret's anus.
     When Dawsen was ready, Dover stuck his penis into the other man,
slowly.  He savored the feel of the warm muscles as he went further.  When
he was in all the way to the base, he began to increase his in-and-out
motion.  It only took a minute before both of them were close to orgasm.
Colin couldn't hold it in any longer, and let his lover know this.  They
peaked together, Colin one second ahead of Bret.  He loved the feel of
Bret's sphincters squeezing his penis as he was in orgasm.
     He turned so that he and Bret were facing, and when he saw that his
lover's chest and abdomen were coated with fluid, Colin gently pulled out
and ran his tongue over the wetted hair, loving the taste.

***
     Later that evening, after having showered and gone to dinner, the two
man lay in bed, cuddling just before sleep.  "You know, this bed of yours
is so comfortable!  It makes me miss my own back on Athenia."
     "Bret?"
     "Hm?"
     "I have a surprise for you.  This _is_ your bed from Athenia!"
     "What?!  You're joking!"  Bret lifted up the sheets and recognized the
mattress immediately.  "It is!!  But how?  We weren't in orbit long enough
to ..." he trailed off.
     "I had packed an extra commbadge and placed it onto the underside of
the bed when you weren't in the room, and while you were still out of
earshot, I requested that the bed be simultaneously transported when _we_
were!!"
     "That was so sweet of you!"  Bret kissed him.
     "That's not all.  The moment I left the ready room so that the captain
could talk to you, I contacted the main transporter room and had them beam
up as much of your stuff from the house as they could before we left orbit.
I think we got most of it.  I brought it all here from the cargo bay, and
had the bed beamed in after having mine beamed out first.  I knew that
you'd want all your stuff here.  I got the toaster, the stovetop, the
fridge, your cooking utensils, all in the other room, along with the other
stuff I had beamed up."
     "Colin, that was so thoughtful of you.  I ... I can't thank you
enough."
     "Just being here with me is more than sufficient, I assure you.  I
wanted to make you feel at home."
     "And I _do_.  Do you think that anything got left behind?"
     "Yes.  Just one thing"
     "And that would be?"
     "Your shampoo."

The End