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Disclaimer time once again!   Eighty-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.  :)

Thirty-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', and 'Recover'.

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


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I didn't know how long Paris would take, but he arrived pretty 
quickly.  Apparently, I hadn't . . . interrupted anything. 
<sigh>

"You wanted to see me, Commander?"

"Yes, Tom.  Please, come in."

<hesitate>  <enter>  "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to talk with you.  About Neelix."

<blue eyes narrow slightly>  <slowly>  "What about Neelix?"

<cautiously>  "You two have been spending a lot of time 
together."

<irreverent grin>  "He's a friend. That's what friends *do*, 
Commander."

<sigh>  "True enough."  <pause>  "He seems very . . . fond 
of you."

<raised eyebrow mixed with smirk>  "I'm very . . . fond of 
him, too."

I'm getting the distinct impression that I'm not making any 
progress, here. Why does he have to be so difficult?

"I've noticed that he's been adopting a lot of your 
suggestions recently, as far as the menu goes."

<puzzled look>  "If *you* have any, tell him. He'd love to 
hear about them."

"He seems to value your opinion."

<fold arms over chest>  "And this is a problem because . . ."

<sigh>  "It's not a problem, Tom, just an observation."

<run hand through hair> "And the point of your 'observation' 
is what, Commander?"

"Just that you two appear to be a lot closer than you were 
before."

<nod slowly>  "Before the accident."

"Yes."

"We are."  <shrug>

<nod>  <pause>  <sigh>  "People have been talking . . ."

<exasperated sigh>  "About me and Neelix."

"Yes.  It looks as though you've begun a . . . relationship. 
With him."

<frustrated>  "And this would be a problem because . . ."

Well, he didn't deny it.  <deep breath>  "There's some 
concern, Tom.  That's all."

<steely glare>  "Concern about what, exactly?"

"About the . . . increasing closeness of your relationship."

"Why would that be a cause for concern?"

"People are worried."

<sigh>  "Yeah?  Well, they can stop worrying.  Everything's 
fine. Better than fine, actually."

"I'm glad to hear it."

<mutter> "Yeah, I bet you are."

<frown> "Meaning what?"

<shake head> "Nothing."  <fed-up sigh>  "Nothing.  Never 
mind."

If I traveled at warp ten, I don't think I could keep up with 
him. <sigh> "I don't understand."

<snort>  "That doesn't surprise me at all, Commander."

"Would you care to explain?"

<frustrated>  "What you don't understand is that Neelix 
makes me happy. He makes me feel *wonderful*.  And it 
doesn't surprise me in the *least* that you can't understand 
that.  Neither does the *rest* of the ship."  <pace agitatedly>

Okay, he's defensive, but he's not defending himself.  In a 
way, he's defending Neelix.  Well, now . . .  <slowly> 
"You're involved.  With him." 

<angry>  "Yes, I *am*.  Is *that* what you've been groping 
for, Commander?  *Is* it?"

<carefully>  "I didn't think Neelix was your type, Tom."

<quiet and deadly>  "Which type would that be, huh? The 
type that throws me over for someone else, or the type that 
screws around on me behind my back?"

Spirits, I wish he didn't have a point.  But, he does.  <sigh> 
<pause>  "Tom . . ."

<snort>  "Shit, you really *hate* this, don't you?"

<puzzled>  "What?"

<smirk>  "My being happy. You can't *stand* the thought of 
me being happy, can you?"  <snarl>  "As long as I'm getting 
fucked around and fucked over, you're just *fine* with it, 
aren't you?  I'm just getting what I deserve, isn't that right? 
But let me have the *gall* to actually *enjoy* being with 
someone who *adores* me, who doesn't have to *fake* it, 
who isn't using me as a replacement for someone *else*, 
and it makes you *nuts*, doesn't it?"

Is *that* what he thinks of me? Dammit.  Do not get angry, 
Chakotay.  He'll use your anger to feed his own.  Be calm. 
<breathe>  <sigh>  <carefully>  "Tom, listen to me, please. 
That isn't what's happening, here . . ."

<growl>  "Save it for someone who might actually believe it, 
Commander."  <grit teeth>  "Look, do me a favor, huh? 
Stay the *fuck* out of my personal life.  You're not welcome. 
Got it?"

<turn>  <stalk>  <leave>

I suppose I should be grateful he left *before* hitting me.

<eyes close>  <sigh>  <murmur> "Chakotay to Janeway."

"Janeway here, Commander.  How did your talk go with 
Tom?"

<quiet snort>  "It could've been worse.  But, I don't see 
how." 

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