Into the Nightby Cheile        B'Elanna entered her quarters, wearily rubbing her temples.        *Sleep.  A lot of it.  That's what I need.*        The door chime sounded.  She knew who it was.  "Come in."        Even before the door closed behind him, Tom had her wrapped in his arms.        "You're all right," he whispered.  "Thank God."        "I never thought I would see you again."  She raised her head to meet his eyes.        "Neither did I."  His embrace tightened and she felt him shudder.        "It's over," she said softly.  "I'm all right now."  Then she spotted a medium-sized box on her bed.  "Where did that come from?" she wondered aloud.        Tom's face turned pink.  "It was something I picked up for you down on Mari.  But I'll understand if you don't want it.  I wouldn't want it reminding you of what they did to you."        "Let me see what it is first."        "You don't have to---"        "I want to."        Seeing no point in arguing with her, he allowed her to open the box.  A soft gasp came from her as she lifted out a long white satin-like gown.  "Tom, it's beautiful.  I want to keep it."        "I just don't want it reminding you---"        "It's all right."  She kissed him lightly.  "Should I try it on?"        "If you'd like."  His eyes twinkled.        "I'll be right back."        As she ran for the bathroom to change, a grin crossed his face.  She obviously hadn't taken a close look at it.  She would be in for a surprise.        Unsure at first of how the top was fastened, it took B'Elanna a good five minutes to get the gown on.  Finally, she figured out that the top parts crossed over each other, covering her chest and were fastened at the back of her neck, leaving her back exposed to her waist.  Having noted that fact, she clasped the small hooks together and turned to look in the mirror.        And immediately began to blush furiously.  The fabric was practically sheer!  She couldn't believe it.  Then her blush deepened as she realized that that had been Tom's intent---and where the night would lead.        After regaining her composure, she turned out the lights and returned to her bedroom.        Tom looked up when she came in, and his eyes lit up.  For some reason, B'Elanna began to feel shy, and she blushed again, crossing her arms over her chest.        His grin widened as he approached her.  "Are you getting shy on me, Torres?" he teased gently.        Her deepening blush only seemed to confirm his suspicion.  "Well then, we'll have to do something about that."  Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her tenderly.  She wrapped her arms around his neck.  He reached up a hand to the back of her neck and released the hooks.  The top fell down, leaving her bared to the waist.  Lifting her, he carried her to her bed.        As he lay her down, she realized that the top of the gown had fallen and moved to cover her chest.  But he caught her wrists and held them over her head, his gaze drifting over her breasts, then back up to her face.        "Why are you ashamed, B'Elanna?" he asked softly.  "You're beautiful."  Bending his head, he began to suckle.  A chill went down her back and she gasped.  For several minutes, he moved his head back and forth, teasing first one, then the other.  Then he rose up to look into her eyes, now filled with passion.        Still holding her wrists captive with one hand, he pushed the gown up to her waist with the other.  Slowly his hand drifted across her thighs, then through the tangle of soft raven curls between them.  He parted her thighs, then slid his hand between them.  Finding her ready to the touch, he slipped two fingers inside her.        "Tom---ohh," she gasped.  He kissed her deeply and she managed to break her hands free of his grip, tearing at his uniform.  "Let me touch you---feel you---"        Breaking away, he stripped in a matter of seconds.  Her hands drifted over his broad shoulders, down his back, along his hips.  She looked up at him, her eyes full of wanting.  That one look undid him completely.  He entered her slowly, and she cried out, tensing around him.  Moving his hips in a slow, deliberate thrust, he pressed her closer.  As the sensation began to build, his thrusts became quicker.  "God, ‘Lanna, you feel so good," he groaned.        "Tom," she moaned.  "Oh, Tom!"        As he felt her reach her peak, he leaned down and bit her shoulder, ripping a scream from her throat.  In return, she turned his face to the side and bit his cheek.  The sensation drove him over the edge and with a cry of  "'Lanna---‘Lanna!", he exploded inside her.        Some time later, B'Elanna slowly awoke.  It was dark and she knew that it was night, according to ship's time.  She went to move, but then realized that she was trapped beneath Tom.  He lay atop her, sound asleep, his head on her shoulder, one hand on her breast.  Smiling softly, she traced a fingertip over his lips.        He stirred, his eyelids fluttering open.  "Well, aren't you a beautiful sight to wake up to," he murmured.        "It's still the middle of the night, Tom."        He nodded, then his eyes drifted from her face to the reddish-purple bruise on her shoulder.  He frowned.  "I didn't realize you could bruise so easily."  Gently, he touched his lips to the spot.  "I'll be more careful next time."        "Don't worry about it."  Then she saw the bite she'd left on his cheek.  Though there was no bruise, the mark of her teeth was quite evident on his fair skin.  Worriedly, she touched it.  She hadn't meant to bite him that hard.        He caught her hand in his.  "You told me not to worry about yours, so don't worry about mine."  He pulled her close to him for a kiss.  "You don't have to hide from me, ‘Lanna.  I love you, both sides of you."        She kissed him fervently, then nipped gently at his cheek.  He laughed softly as he scattered love bites along her neck.        And they made love again and again, long into the night.Legal B.S.  Paramount's characters and episode, my story.  I only put this here so they can't sue me.  Copyright 1997, by Cheile.  Comments, questions?  Email me:  cheile@hotmail.com