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Disclaimer time once again!   Fifty-third verse same as the 
first . .everybody *sing*:

I don't own these characters, (chorus) Paramount does!
I don't own this venue, (chorus) Paramount does!
I am making no money off of this, (chorus) Paramount does 
not either!

This story will eventually involve sex between two men, aka: 
slash.  If that is *not* your cup of tea, sweet as it is, then 
don't read it!  (simple, ain't it??) Feedback is *very* much 
appreciated, and always answered.  Flames will be passed 
around to friends and chuckled over.  :)

Yes, another series.  <sigh>  Sequel to 'Ssst' and 'Growl'.

'Chuckle' by Amirin <groh@iquest.net>


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"Good afternoon, Lieutenant!  I hear you're doing a little 
better, today.  Doesn't surprise me in the least, I know it's 
almost impossible to keep you down for long."

<chuckle>

"Let's see . . . what's been happening since you've been, 
well, out of action?  Not that I'm pushing or criticizing, mind 
you.  It's just that . . . you've been missed. *I've* missed you. 
Quite a lot.  Bet you didn't know that, did you?  No, I 
suppose not.  You've become one of my closest friends, 
especially since Kes . . . well, we don't need to get into that,
do we?  I'm here to cheer you up . . ."

<sigh>  <smile>

"The Doctor assures me that you can probably hear every 
word I'm saying.  So, I'll fill you in and hopefully you'll 
remember all the gossip, then I won't have to repeat it later. 
Of course, I wouldn't mind, if necessary.  Not at all, Tom.  I 
hope you know that.  Keeping up with ship's gossip *is* one 
of my more *unofficial* functions as Morale Officer, shall we 
say?  Hmmm?"

<wink>  <nudge>  <chuckle>

"Hmmm . . . actually, things have been rather quiet of late, 
now that I think about it."

<pause>  <warm laugh>

"Well, we'll just have to talk about other things, then, won't 
we?  Dinner last night went rather well, if I do say so myself. 
You might say I was inspired."

<chuckle>

"I served a light roast malnosett with a savory herb stuffing, 
easy on the leola root."

<wink>  <nudge>

"You would have *loved* it!  I'm sure of it.  The garrela soup 
was a particular hit, especially with the Vulcans on board
 . . ."

<sigh>

"Of course, we don't need to talk about the *Vulcans*, now, 
do we?  Not that I have anything against them, of course, 
but I know you don't want to hear about them.  Well, maybe 
you wouldn't mind hearing about *most* of them, as long as 
I didn't mention Vorik . . ."

<wince>  <sigh>  

"I'm sorry, Tom.  I really am.  I know it was a while ago and 
you've got probably gotten over it . . . Of *course* you have, 
what am I saying?  Of *course* you have. Silly me. I know 
you bounced right back from that one.  If you ask me, 
Lieutenant Torres really didn't suit you.  Too . . . umm . . . 
volatile, I guess?  Maybe that's the word.  Ensign Kim was a 
much better choice.  Yes, indeed, much better.  Although, 
that didn't work out quite as I expected, did it?  I thought the 
two of you made a *striking* couple, truly I did.  Shame 
about that.  A real shame . . ."

<forced chuckle>

"Not that it was *your* fault, certainly not.  Oh, no, not a bit. 
Still, it was sad not seeing you around the mess hall as often 
after that.  Well, I *understand*, naturally, Tom.  Really.  I 
can't blame you, not wanting to see them together.  I worried 
about you, though.  I'll bet you didn't know that, did you? 
You just didn't seem to smile anymore afterwards.  I had a 
feeling you weren't eating much, either.  I tried to do what I 
could about that, I really did.  Not even my spiced rotari with 
kubaso sauce seemed to tempt your appetite and I know it's 
one of your favorites."

<sigh>

"I'd make you anything you wanted, if you'd just wake up. 
Anything at all.  Pizza for one?"

<slight grin>

"I miss you, I truly do."

<sigh> <self-deprecating snort>

"Well, I think I've gotten maudlin enough for today, don't 
you?  Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking, coming 
here. I've probably depressed you all over again.  I'm sorry, 
Tom.  I'm very sorry.  That's enough of this, I think.  Just . . . 
get well.  All right?  Come back to us.  You've been missed. 
Yes, you certainly have." 
<sigh>

"I'll talk to you later, Tom.  I might stop back in tomorrow 
morning after breakfast.  I'm thinking about trying out the 
leola omelets, again.  I believe I know what I need to do 
differently . . ."


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