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Disclaimer time once again!   One-hundred-and-fifth 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.  :)

Fifty-second (and last) 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', 'Advise', 'Fly', 'Reconcile', 
'Mend', 'Miss', 'Chat', 'Forgive', and 'Give'.

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


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"You've certainly got me curious," Neelix murmured as he 
began to unwrap his gift, until he saw the uncertain look on 
the pilot's face. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if you should open it here," Tom said quietly, 
seeing the interest in the eyes of his crewmates.

"Something private?" Neelix waggled his eyebrows, which 
earned him a grin, but the look in Tom's blue eyes was a 
little off.

"I don't know, really," Tom admitted, running a hand through 
his hair.  "I mean, maybe it is, but I couldn't find that much 
information about it, so . . ."

"Well, then, why don't I open it and let you know?" Neelix 
suggested, noticing the seriousness of Tom's mood, not to 
mention the nervousness.

"Okay, just . . . keep an open heart," Tom said, eyes 
focused on the floor.

Neelix started tearing the paper apart at the long of the long, 
narrow present and his eyes widened when he saw the silver 
flash of the halixa. He drew the musical instrument out of the 
paper, his wide eyes watching Tom's pale skin flush. Okay, 
maybe it wasn't what he thought it was.  Maybe . . .

"Tom?" the Talaxian began, trying to make sense of it all. 

Tom sighed and reached into his boot to pull out the mate to 
the pipe his lover held. His head came up just until he saw 
Neelix's eyes, deft fingers caressing the shiny keys, the tiny 
wires, the slim length of what looked like an extremely 
complicated miniature flute, except that it was played like a 
penny whistle.  He licked lips suddenly dry with an attack of 
nerves and placed his tongue at the back of the mouthpiece. 
Eyes closed, he began to play.

Neelix stood as though frozen and the Captain's hand on his 
shoulder barely registered as he listened to Tom play the 
halixa like he'd done it all his life.  The music was sweet and 
clear, strong and flowing, and his eyes filled as he heard the 
question within it that he truly never believed would be his to 
answer.

Tom poured his heart into the ritual music he'd spent the 
past few days practicing.  Everything he felt was nestled 
snugly in each and every note.  Love and warmth, caring 
and compassion, adoration and desire.  He told Neelix what 
he was feeling and what he wanted, more than anything, 
and hoped that the Talaxian would hear the sincerity in the 
pure beauty of the tune he played.  He followed the ancient 
tradition exactly, putting his love into musical theme, which 
flew as he did, soaring on the notes that carried that feeling 
to his lover.

Harry stood in silence and watched his friend.  The music 
was lovely, the tone warm and tender, and the long fingers 
played true, if Neelix's reaction was anything to go by.  But, 
what arrested Harry's attention more than anything else, was 
the completely beatific expression on Tom's face as he 
played.  Something more than a pretty melody was coming 
through in this particular piece, that much was certain.

The music ended on a querying note and more than one 
person looked to Neelix for the answer.  The Talaxian was 
beyond stunned, but raised his own halixa in shaky hands to 
reply.  He hoped the effort to play the necessary affirmation 
wasn't beyond him. Drawing a deep breath into a tight lung, 
he repeated the melodious question back to Tom, and freed 
his heart to respond, which it did, and joyfully.  He sent 
Tom's love back to him, wrapped up in his own theme, 
which joined with Tom's and began a new duet, theirs alone, 
the perfect, harmonious blending of the both of them 
creating something wondrous and unique.

Tom picked up his halixa again, to carefully repeat what 
Neelix had given him and echoed the passion of his lover's 
response with a fire of his own.  They ended together, joined 
in sustaining a note that resonated through the both of them, 
then finished as one and lowered the instruments.

"Oh, my goodness.  Tom, are you certain?" Neelix asked in 
a whisper, basking in the glow pouring from his lover's eyes.

"Hell, yes," Tom instantly, his hand snaking out grab onto 
Neelix's.  "Are you, I mean, really?  Because I don't think I 
could stand it if . . ." and then Tom couldn't say another 
word, not with gentle lips covering his own.  Strong arms 
drew him into a warm embrace and he sighed, content and 
relieved.

"Of course, I'll be yours," Neelix whispered.  "Why, I'd be a 
fool to say 'no' to such an exquisitely rendered request."

A faint buzz of conversation drifted their way, as realization 
swept through the crew in attendance, and several pairs of 
startled eyes looked to Janeway to ask what all of them 
were wondering.

"Request?" she asked quietly, hating to disturb the sweet 
silence surrounding the two men before her. 

"Tom has asked me to be his and I have, of course, 
accepted with an enthusiastic 'yes', Captain," Neelix 
informed her, sharp, golden eyes daring her to make 
anything but a suitably congratulatory comment.

"I'm very happy for you both," the Captain told them 
sincerely, incredulity mingling with amusement and delight. 
"What will you require for the, um, ceremony?" she asked, 
having no idea what a Talaxian joining would be like. 

She frowned as Tom blushed slightly, grinning sheepishly at 
Neelix with love in his eyes.

"Actually, Captain, we've already had it," Tom said, smile 
turning into happy laughter.  "I didn't want to rush you into 
anything, 'Lix.  I know it may be a little soon . . ."

"Not at all.  The timing is perfect," Neelix answered softly, 
meeting the Captain's eyes again.  "Tom asked me, I 
accepted, and we are now committed to one another for the 
rest of our days.  Talaxian ceremonies are known for their 
brevity."

"Everything's been done?" B'Elanna asked with obvious 
skepticism and some disappointment.

"Wellll," Neelix frowned in thought for a moment. "Yes, 
actually.  Usually, there's some discussion beforehand, 
some preparation, a few parties thrown, advice sought from 
family and friends," he said with a wry grin at Tom.  "But 
we've been getting that for some time, anyway, from all of 
you.  The public declaration was taken care of a few weeks 
ago," he reminded his lover with a gentle smile.  "All that 
needs to be done, is whatever *you* need, Captain, to make 
it official.  We've got everything we need," he concluded with 
a warm look at Tom, who returned it tenfold.

"Yes, we do," Tom murmured, placing a kiss on Neelix's 
lips.  "We're, um, 'united by Talaxian tenet and law, in full 
accordance with practices set forth many hundreds of years 
ago and passed down from generation to generation'.  I've 
been studying," he whispered against a sweet mouth 
trembling with suppressed laughter.

"I can see that," Neelix agreed with a chuckle, as he 
returned Tom's kiss.  "It's all done, Captain.  Quite legally, I 
assure you."

"Congratulations," Janeway said firmly, affixing the crew with 
a glare that dared anyone to say something inappropriate. 
"We'll get the records updated . . ."

Tom put his arms around Neelix and kissed him softly, as 
they effectively tuned the Captain out regarding the 
paperwork they had to complete, how she hoped they'd let 
the crew throw another party for them, soon, and how many
days off did they want to, uh, celebrate privately.  All they 
really cared about were the smiles on one another's faces 
and the song in both their hearts. 

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