**************************************************** Disclaimer time once again!   Eighty-fourth 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 love and sex and affection 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.  :) Thirty-first story in the Stage Direction series.  Sequel to 'Ssst', 'Growl', 'Chuckle', 'Sob', 'Grin', 'Sigh', 'Smile', 'Yawn', 'Whisper', 'Groan', 'Hover', 'Waffle', 'Comfort', 'Fidget', 'Grimace', 'Sizzle', 'Glare', 'Shrug', 'Doze', 'Snort', 'Whack', 'Stretch', 'Snicker', 'Pace', 'Hug', 'Clink', 'Wonder', 'Kiss', 'Doubt', and 'Surprise'. 'Cuddle' by Amirin **************************************************** I honestly didn't plan on spending the night with Neelix. Believe it or not.  But, I wouldn't change this for anything.   I hate making comparisons, here, but I can't seem to help it. B'Elanna would've been up and gone hours ago.  Harry would've waited til I was awake, kissed me hurriedly, whether there was a reason to rush or not, rattled off his plans for the day at warp, then flown out the door.  Neelix is still here. And awake, even.  And reveling in the peace and quiet, just like I am.  Snuggled up next to me, fingertips lightly stroking my arm where it curls across him, letting me listen to his breathing in silence. It feels a little different, with only one side of his chest moving at all, and I find I'm sending a sincere 'thank you' to Kes for her generosity in donating a lung to the man she loved.  He wouldn't be here, he wouldn't be with me, if she hadn't. I wonder if she knows.  I like to think she does.  I mean, I just can't believe she's dead.  I can't *make* myself buy into that.  Think about it for a minute. Where did the Caretakers come from? And why are they so attached to the Ocampa? I think they used to *be* Ocampa, before they developed their powers to the extent that all hell broke loose.  I think Kes simply evolved into one of them.  Like I super-evolved into that whatever-it-was when I broke the warp ten threshold. Anyway, I like to think the other Caretaker is looking out for Kes, mentor to student.  So, yeah, I think Kes is still out there, somewhere, going to Caretaker School.  Or whatever they'd call it. Wherever she is, I hope she knows how happy I am.  How incredibly grateful . . .  Shit, I just thought of something. Dammit all to hell, anyway. I owe Seven just as much as I owe Kes.  Neelix was dead.  I mean, really dead, and she brought him back to life with Borg technology. Part of me is thinking that it's a fair trade, Neelix's life for Harry's love.  I hadn't thought of that, before.  Huh.  Add to that, this wonderful thing we're both falling into, and I can't begin to thank Seven enough for what she did.   I'll *have* to thank her. For saving the life of the man who means so much to me. Hell, she can *keep* Harry. Consider it payment in full.  "You're thinking again.  I can tell."    "Yeah, I am."    "Wha . . ."    "What were you thinking about?"      "Seven."  "May I ask why?"    "I need to thank her. For bringing you back from the dead."  "Really." "Um, hmm. Really." "That should certainly surprise her."  "It's one of my best things."   "I've noticed."  "You did, huh?" "I pride myself on my powers of observation, you know.  It's absolutely necessary for my duties as Morale Officer to keep an eye on things."  "You're a wonderful Morale Officer." "Thank you." "My morale has never been higher."  "I'm very happy to hear that."    "So am I.  That's another one of your many talents. Making me happy.  And making me smile. And making me laugh."    "And making me breakfast . . ."  "It would be a pleasure to make you breakfast, but I'm rather wrapped up at the moment, I'm afraid."   "I hate having to unwrap you."  "I know."    "Me, too.  But, duty calls . . ."     "Now, what?"  "Neelix, things don't usually work out for me this well."  "How so?" "I'll get to spend the whole day with you, working with you, it'll never feel less like work, and I'll love every minute of it. I'm just *not* this lucky."      "Maybe your luck is changing."      "I'd really like to believe that."  "Then do."  "That simple, huh?"  "That simple."      "Okay.  I'll see what I can do." **********************end