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Disclaimer time once again!   Seventy-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 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.  :)

Twenty-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', and 'Pace'.

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


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Okay.  I'm . . . beyond surprised, here. I think what I'm 
feeling is closer to shock.  A lot closer, actually.

I watch him try the jacket on and, of course, it fits perfectly 
and I'm still standing here with my mouth hanging open.

Why the hell did Kes . . .?

"It's absolutely perfect, Tom.  Thank you."

<warm hug> <sigh>

Say something, idiot.

"You-you're welcome, Neelix.  It looks . . . wonderful.  It 
really does.  I love that color.  I, uh, didn't realize how 
amazing it was until I saw it on you."  Okay, that's the truth.

<pull away>  <soft snort>  "You'd never wear anything like 
this, though, would you?"  <sigh>

"Wellll, I'm not much of a jacket kind of guy, Neelix.  That 
pattern, and fabric, in a . . . vest, though.  Over a white shirt. 
Jeans.  Hell, yeah.  I can see myself in that."

<smile>  "So can I, actually."  <frown> "This is so 
extravagant."

"Now, I don't want you worrying about that.  I'm just . . . 
delighted that you like it.  Really."

<softly>  "I do.  Very much." <beaming grin>  "I don't wear a 
lot of blue.  I'll have to change that, I think.  In future."

"It's definitely your color.  Or, another one of your colors." 
<grin>

<stroke fabric> "It even feels wonderful."

<stroke shoulder>  "Yeah, it does.  Hope it wears well."

<quick shake of head> "Oh, I'll be saving this for special 
occasions, not that there are many of those, these days." 
<sad smile>

Quick, Tom, think of something.

"Ya know, we haven't eaten dinner, yet, tonight."

<stammer>  "Why, so we haven't.  I'd be more than happy to 
make us something."

<hurriedly>  "No, no.  I don't want you to have to cook.  And 
I'm really sick of the inside of my quarters, lemme tell ya. 
How 'bout we go out to dinner on the holodeck?  My treat."

"Oh, no.  I couldn't possibly let you do that.  Not after this . . ."

"Neelix, you've been doing for me for the last few days.  It's 
*your* turn.  I want to do for you.  I'm insisting, here, and you 
know how stubborn I can be."

<chuckle>  "All right, then.  I'd like that."  <critical look> 
"You'll need to change clothes, though."  <subtle gleam in 
eye>

<blink>  "Ooookay.  Sure.  Want me to meet you there?"

"No, no, I'll just . . . I'll come with you."

The walk back to my quarters again doesn't take long and 
he's still smiling.  It looks just as good on him as the jacket 
does.

<sigh>  <whoosh>

"All right.  Let's see what I've got, here. Um, excuse the 
mess . . ."

<startled look>  "How did your quarters get so . . . 
disorganized?"

<snort>  "Neelix, *I'm* disorganized."

<chuckle>

"Well, what would you suggest?"

<mischievous grin>  "How about what you mentioned 
earlier?"

<think>  "White shirt and jeans?  Easy enough.  And we 
won't clash, either."  <grin>  <rummage>  <toss>  "Aha, got 
it.  Be right back.  Don't go anywhere."

<rock on heels> "Oh, I won't.  I won't."

<strip>  <toss>  If I didn't know better, I'd think he was up to 
something.  <sigh>  Shoes, shoes, where the hell'd I leave 
my . . . under the bed.  Shit, I wasn't kidding when I said I 
was disorganized.  It's worse than I thought.  <grin>

"Neelix?  I'm all set."

<critical frown> "You're missing something."

Quick look down, but I can't see anything then, suddenly, a 
wash of glimmering blue and white and silver is placed over 
my arm.

<stunned>  <breathless>  "Oh, god, *Neelix*." 

A vest.  Which matches his jacket exactly.  Not possible. 
Not that damned fast. How did he . . .?

<soft smile>  "I wanted to surprise you with it, but I found it 
in the database, already.  Size, color, pattern, everything.  I 
figured you were just waiting until you had enough credits, 
so I went ahead and got it for you."

<deep breath>  It was already in there?  Waiting for me? 
How . . .?  

I slide the vest on and it settles over me like water.  Perfect 
fit. Ain't that a shock.  Oh, Kes, when next we meet, you are 
getting *such* a hug . . .

<choked>  "Thank you."  <shaky smile>  "You really didn't 
have to . . ."

<quietly>  "I wanted to.  And you were right.  It suits you." 
<satisfied nod>

"Neelix, you are just . . . remarkable."  <stroke fabric> 

"No.  Not really."  <sigh>  "I just wanted to thank you for 
trying to make me feel better."

<startled look>  "Feel better?"

<softly>  "I asked the computer for your location just before I 
heard them.  It said you were right down the corridor."

<wince>  <close eyes>  "Oh, gods, Neelix.  I'm so sorry. 
Those *idiots* . . ."

<sad look>  "It's all right, Tom.  Really.  They're right, 
actually . . ."

<angry interruption>  "No, they *aren't*.  They just don't see
 . . . they don't *get* it, that's all.  And it's their loss, ya 
know?"

<shaky smile>  "You're still trying to make me feel better . . ."

<deep breath>  <grasp broad shoulders>  "No, I'm not." 
<pause>  "Okay, yes, I am, but it's the truth, Neelix.  It *is*.  I 
swear."

<chuckle>  "It's sweet of you to say so, Tom."

<sigh>  "You know, I've been called a lot of things in my life, 
but 'sweet' was *never* one of them."

<warm grin>  "I think you're one of the nicest people I know."

<think>  "Other people would disagree."

<huff> "Well, they don't *know* you like I do.  They haven't 
taken the time to *get* to know you."

<subtly triumphant grin>  "My point, exactly."

<surprised silence>  <narrow golden eyes>  "You're also 
one of the sneakiest people I know."

<laugh>  "Now *that*, other people would agree with . . ."


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