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Disclaimer time once again!   One-hundredth 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-seventh 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', and 'Reconcile'.

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


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<bree-oop>

"Come."

<enter>  "Lieutenant."

<carefully>  "Commander."

<hesitantly>  "I heard about Rollins."

<almost nonchalant shrug>  "I think I'll let him live."

<snort>  <slight grin>  <wryly>  "Thank you."  <sit down> 
<seriously> "You all right?"

<dismissively>  "Yeah, sure."  <sigh>  <quietly>  "Actually, 
no."  <lean forward>  "I really wanted to rearrange his face 
with my fist, to be honest. If it hadn't have been for B'Elanna 
and the others, I probably would have." <rub face with 
hands> "I just don't want people thinking they can get away 
with shit like that."

"He's been officially reprimanded, if it makes you feel any 
better.  He didn't 'get away' with anything."

<softly>  "Damn, I'm glad Neelix wasn't there.  It would have 
hurt him so much." 

"I'm sure he's heard about it by now."

<nod>  "Probably.  But hearing about it secondhand doesn't 
hurt anywhere near as much as hearing it from the source. 
He doesn't deserve that, just for loving me." 

"No one does."  <small smile>  "I'm relieved that you and 
B'Elanna managed to come to an understanding."

<grin>  "Heard about that, too, huh?" 

<shrug>  "There were a few people who wondered if they'd 
have to pull you two apart, as well.  They stayed close 
enough to act, and overheard most of it.  I was glad to hear 
it."

<smile>  "I was glad it happened.  When she was talking to 
me, I started looking for the anger out of habit. It just wasn't 
there any longer."  <snort>  "There's a lot to be said for 
closure, Commander."

"It's highly underrated, I'm sure."

<pause>  "I'm not mad at you, either, anymore.  Just so you 
know."

<deep breath>  "I wondered."

<swallow>  "I know you didn't put Harry and Seven together 
to break us up.  I *know* that.  You were just a convenient 
target.  And I'm sorry.  I had no damned right to take it out 
on you."

<somewhat surprised look>  <slowly>  "I couldn't help 
wondering if maybe you were right, at the time, though."

<frown> "How so?"

"I should've realized that Seven would be learning about 
things, hearing about others, that she'd become curious . . ."

<interrupt>  <firmly> "It's not your fault that Harry took her up 
on it.   It isn't.  The blame is his own.  Shit, I can't even hold 
Seven responsible, not really.  She didn't understand the 
consequences of her actions.  Harry did.  He could've said 
'no'.  He just didn't want to.  End of story."

<measuring look>  "Is it?"

<sigh>  "Well, it would be, if he'd get it through his head that 
I'm no longer available.  And even if I were, I wouldn't want 
to be with *him*."

"I don't blame you."  <slight grin>  "You and Neelix came as 
quite a surprise, though, I've got to admit.  I never saw it 
coming."

<dreamy smile>  "Me, neither.  Kes did."

<startled look>  "Kes?"

<grin>  <nod>  "She started all of this, a long time ago."

"Sounds like a hell of a story."

<smile>  "It is."  <warningly>  "It's also a long one."

<settling back>  "I've got time . . ."


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