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Disclaimer time once again!   Seventy-first 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.  :)

Nineteenth story in the Stage Direction series.  Sequel to 
'Ssst', 'Growl', 'Chuckle', 'Sob', 'Grin', 'Sigh', 'Smile', 'Yawn', 
'Whisper', 'Groan', 'Hover', 'Waffle', 'Comfort', 'Fidget', 
'Grimace', 'Glare', and 'Shrug'.

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


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He's moving restlessly, but he hasn't woken up, yet.  I bet 
he's still exhausted from not eating.  He's got to learn to take 
better care of himself.  And if he won't . . . well, I *will*.

<grin>

I could sit here for hours, just rubbing his back.  Enjoying the 
faint smile on his face.  It's rather difficult for me to believe 
that I ever looked at him with anything less than friendship in 
my eyes.  Well, silly me, I *know* I did, but it seems so long 
ago.  So very long ago.

<sigh>  <play with hair> 

It took me a while to see him as my Sweeting did.  She 
could see the good in anyone, my Kes.  I saw it, too, but it 
was hidden behind all sorts of defenses.  Of course, I 
understand why he needed them, now.  Yes, indeed I do. 
Sometimes, I wonder . . .

<squirm>  <murmur> 

"Shhhh . . ."  <rub back>

Where was I?  Oh, yes.  About Kes . . .  The time she took 
to make me see Tom through her eyes.  All those cryptic 
comments about how she wouldn't be around long and I 
would need a friend, afterward.  Someone whose 
companionship I would cherish in the years to come.  I 
wonder . . .  Why Tom?  Why not Samantha?  Or Harry?  Or 
one of the other kind and decent people on this ship?  Why 
did she make a point of pushing me toward Tom?

<stroke hair> 

Did she know how much I need to be needed?  And did she 
know what Tom needs?

<snort>

Of course, she did.  Empathic, my Kes.  Although, she didn't 
stay 'my Kes', now, did she?  I often find myself wondering if 
that was part of the reason she broke up with me. She 
wanted me to find someone who needed me. Since she'd 
grown up and didn't, really, any more. 

<sigh>

And all that time, I thought her remarks and observations 
about Tom were simply to get me used to the idea of the two 
of *them* together.  What a fool I was.  For goodness sake
. . .

<rub back>  <yawn>  <brisk shake of head> 

Gracious, I'm starting to doze off.  Mustn't do that.

<smile>

A friend. And a good one.  A good man. Such a strong 
person.  Yet, so . . . *careful* with people.  He would never 
hurt anyone as he was hurt. Never.  He deserved so much 
better than he got.

<yawn>

Goodness, me. Maybe I should go take a nap.  But, I don't 
want to leave him. He might wake up unable to move, again. 
Or worse.

<shudder>

I won't think about that.  I just . . .

<yawn>

. . . won't.  For heavens' sake, this is ridiculous.  I wonder if 
he'd mind . . .  Well, I won't be asleep that long.  He won't 
even know, most likely.

<stretch out>  <squirm>  <settle>  <sigh>

Ahhh, that's much better.

<sleepy smile>

Oh, my. I'm beginning to think his tiredness is contagious. 

<stroke hair> 

I wonder what Tom needs . . .  I wonder if he told Kes, or if 
she just knew, the way she knew so many things.  I wish I 
could thank her, for showing me what he was really like. 
She found him beautiful, Kes did.

<sigh>  

She loved beauty.  And saw it everywhere, in so many 
things.  Flowers.  Music.  Poetry.  Rain.  Laughter.

<yawn>

Tom.  Yes, indeed, she found him beautiful . . .

<sigh>

. . . beautiful . . .


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