**************************************************** Disclaimer time once again!   Fifty-second 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.    Sequel to 'Ssst'. 'Growl' by Amirin **************************************************** "Emergency Medical Holographic Doctor's log, supplemental.  Lieutenant Paris's condition remains unchanged: stable, yet still comatose.  The injuries he sustained have been healed but his neurological pathways are functioning at less than thirty percent of optimum for the Lieutenant; note to refer to baseline readings for accurate comparison.   Nevertheless, I have high hopes that his condition will improve, given time.  I will take further readings after Lieutenant Torres has finished with her visit.  My presence seems to make her uncomfortable, although I have no idea why . . ."                      <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>> "Tom, it's B'Elanna.  I wish you'd wake up, already.  This is really beginning to get on my nerves.  If I didn't know better, I'd think you were doing this to punish me. It's beneath you, it really is." "I know the Doctor has told you what happened.  He's of the opinion that you can hear everything, on some level, even if you refuse to respond to any of it.  Fine, be that way." "I'm *sorry*, all right?  Is that what you want to hear? Is it? How sorry I am?  For everything?  Not just this . . . this *stupid* accident, but all of it.  Does that help? Huh? Answer me, dammit!  I know you can hear me, Tom.  I *know* it." "This is *so* like you, you know that?  Always needing to be the center of attention, always having to have the spotlight on you at full power . . ." "I'm sorry.  I am.  Kahles, I hate it when the Doctor glares at me. I *know* it's all my fault, he doesn't have to rub it in with that smug look on his face." "He's so . . . *annoying*, so damned *superior*.  How the hell did you stand it, working with him day after day?  That damned condescending attitude of his, it drives me *nuts*!" "Although, I remember you saying much the same thing a time or two, didn't you?  Now, no point in denying it, I remember.  Huh.  Who'd have thought we'd agree on something so minor? Especially when we disagreed constantly on the important things?"  "I really am sorry, you know?  I didn't *decide* to hurt you, I didn't just get up one morning and think 'Gee, I have nothing better to do, think I'll stomp Paris's heart into blood pudding'.  I hope you know that. Damn, I hope you know that."   "Oh, would you look at this?" "You were always the one who used to complain about my never showing any emotions other than anger or frustration, look at me now, you'd *love* it."       "You had better get well and fast, you hear me, Mister? Damn you, Tom, this is *ridiculous*!  The Doctor says you're *fine*; you shouldn't still be in a *coma*.  Okay, so you got a little fried internally.  So, what?" "If you were one of the engines, I'd scrap you and start over, I swear I would!  I've never *met* anyone more high-maintenance than you are!  You need more coddling than the warp core, you know that?!"  "Please?  Get well?  If not for me, then do it for Harry, huh? You don't know what this is doing to him. He was talking to Chakotay when that plasma density hit; he missed it completely, until it was too late. Apparently, it was being drawn toward some distant planet and Voyager got caught in the middle. Along with you." "Come out of this, dammit, Tom!  Please?  I am *sorry*, I really, truly *am*.  And if . . . *when* you wake up, I'll tell you to your face, okay? How about it, Flyboy?  We got a deal? Huh?" "I've got to go." "Get better, dammit.  That's an order." "You should be complaining that I can't give you orders, since you outrank me."     "Wake up.  We miss you.  I'll see you later, okay?  Bye, Tom." ***************************end