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Disclaimer time once again!   Ninety-eighth 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 involves 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.  :)

Forty-fifth 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', 'Surprise', 'Cuddle', 'Ahem', 'Confer', 'Recover', 
'Rant', 'Soothe', 'Hold', 'Whistle', 'Feel', 'Squeak', 'Move', 
'Splash', 'Shiver', and 'Advise'.

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


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<groan>  <crash onto bed>  "Shit, I can't believe how tired I 
am."

<snort>  <shake head> <wry grin>  "I can't imagine why. 
We were only there for two hours of nonstop, combat heavy, 
flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants piloting."

<tired chuckle>  <ingenuous look>  "I'm definitely warmer, 
now."

<quiet laugh>  "I'm very happy to hear that.  And the Doctor 
will be, too."

<sigh>  <murmur> "Damn, that was fun." 

<blink>  <chuckle>  "I certainly enjoyed watching you.  I 
must admit, I almost forgot the safeties were on, a couple of 
times back there."  <wink>  <nudge>  "Quite exciting, yes, 
indeed."

<sleepy smile>  "A well-written sim is *supposed* to make 
you forget it's just a sim."

<fond smile>  "And who wrote that one, as if I didn't know? 
Hmm?"

<roll over>  <grin>  "You got me." 

<soft smile>  "Yes, I do."  <caress cheek>  <gentle kiss>

<return with passion>

<ease away reluctantly>  <clear throat>  "Well, now.  It's 
late.  And we have an early day ahead of us tomorrow, yes, 
we do."

<slow, sweet kiss>  <whisper>  "You wouldn't believe how 
much I'm looking forward to spending the whole night with 
you, in *our* bed, Neelix."

<warm, sexy grin>  "Actually, yes, I would, Tom.  Oh, my, 
yes."

<unmistakable leer>  <wriggle out of clothes>  <crawl under 
covers>  "Come on, Lix.  Get in here." 

<quickly lose own clothing>  <join toasty lover>  "Umm, you 
feel much better, now."

<thoughtful nod>  "Yeah, I do."

"Maybe you should get the Doctor to clear you for a couple 
of hours each day on the holodeck.  It can only be good for 
you."

<wry grin>  "Gods know I need the practice."

<protest>  "Well, now, that's just not true.  You're as good as 
ever, Tom."

<sigh>  "I don't *feel* as good as ever.  I feel like I've lost the 
edge."

<puzzled look>  "According to the computer, your reaction 
time overall is only *slightly* slower than before your 
accident."

<shrug>  "I can't help it, Lix.  Something just doesn't feel 
right."

<pause for thought>  "What purpose did your flying on the 
holodeck serve before the accident?"

<somewhat confused look>  "I'm not sure I understand what 
you're asking me."  

"Did you fly for pleasure?  For recreation?"

<slowly>  "No.  I practiced sims until I was ready to fall 
asleep on the conn."

<concerned>  "Why did you push yourself so hard?" 

<shake head> "I wasn't exactly pushing myself, Neelix.  It 
was just the best way to . . ."

<prod>  "The best way to what?"

<slowly>  "Work off a lot of anger."

<hold tighter>  <stroke hair> 

"Shit, that's what's missing, isn't it?"

<nod>  "It certainly makes sense.  Your edge isn't gone, 
Sweet One.  Your anger is."

<snort>  <wry grin>  "It's not like I need it, anyway.  Not 
anymore."  <kiss>  "Thanks to you."

<tender kiss>  "I'm glad.  Very glad.  Anger only hurts *you* 
in the long run.  No one else."

<hold closer>  "You sound like you know what you're talking 
about, Lix."

<return warm hug> <quietly>  "I held onto my anger at those 
who hurt my family, my people, for such a long time.  Until I 
realized it wasn't hurting my enemies at all.  Only myself. 
Kes helped me realize that, actually."  <musing> "Yet 
another thing I have to be grateful to her for."

<whisper>  "I wish I could thank her. For so much." 

<kiss cheek>  "So do I.  Goodness, yes.  I'd love to be able 
to thank her. For *you*, among other things."

<startled smile>  "Me?"

"She opened my eyes, where you're concerned.  So many 
things I had wrong.  Oh, so wrong, Tom."

<warm smile>  <murmur> "Thank you."  <kiss>  "She did the 
same for me, you know."

<surprised grin>  "What did you have wrong?"

<embarrassed look>  "Not wrong, so much as, um, 
unappreciated.  I guess.  I take things for granted, Neelix. 
It's one of my worst faults. Kes made me look at you 
differently.  How you went out of your way to help. I had a
major shift in attitude around the warp ten experiment."

<swallow>  "We almost lost you, then."

<wrap in loving embrace> "Kes told me you held yourself 
responsible for that.  I must have looked amazed, because 
she reminded me that our 'breakthrough' came about after 
Harry and I talked with *you*.  That *you* had given us the 
missing piece of the puzzle.  And I finally, *finally* pulled 
back enough to figure out that I had you to thank for making 
that particular dream come true, for me.  Yet another thing 
you did that I never would have seen, if Kes hadn't pointed it 
out to me, Neelix.  Gods, I felt like such a jerk.  And that was 
when I started seeing how much you do for all of us.  And 
how most people never seem to see it.  And that really 
bothers me, now, Lix.  How blind they all are.  And that I 
used to be just like them."

<fierce, tender hug> <sigh>  "I don't care how blind they 
are."

<interrupt>  "But, *I* do."

<quick kiss>  "Shhh.  It doesn't matter. Not a bit.  I know that 
*you* see it.  And that's enough for me.  Truly."

<long, gentle kiss>  "You're extraordinary.  And I love you."

<contented smile>  "I love you, too, Tom.  More than you'll 
ever know."


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