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Disclaimer time once again!   Eighty-seventh 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-fourth 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', and 'Confer'.

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


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We just about had to throw people out of the mess hall.  
Seems they didn't think the show was over and, therefore, 
didn't want to leave.  I had to get a little insistent, but 
Neelix's hand on my back kept me from losing my temper.

<tired sigh>

Damn, what a morning.  I honestly don't know if I can go 
through two more meals filled with this kind of intense 
observation, speculation, and outright thoughtlessness.  It's 
really beginning to piss me off, I gotta tell ya . . .

<sigh>  <shift on couch>  <quietly>  "Tom?"

<kiss top of head> <just as quietly>  "Yeah, Neelix?"

<hesitantly>  "Are you angry?  With me, I mean?" 

<careful hug> <soft smile>  "No."

"I just thought you might . . ."

"Neelix."  <gentle kiss>  "No.  I am not angry with you.  Not 
even remotely.  I'm just amazed at the amount of sheer 
stupidity to be found in this crew, that's all."

<snort>  "Yes, but that's everything."

<chuckle>  "I guess it is."  <sigh>  "Can I ask you 
something?"

<frown> "You know you can ask me anything, Tom.  At 
least, I certainly hope you know that."

<kiss>  "Did you have to put up with this much rudeness 
when you were with Kes?"

<thoughtful frown> <slowly>  "Noooo.  No, I don't think so.  
But, it was different for me and Kes.  We were strangers to 
the crew, and they got used to both of us together at the 
same time.  Our relationship was established right off and 
seemed more of a curiosity than an object of . . . well, um . . ."

<sadly and softly>  "Ridicule."

<sigh>  "Well, yes.  I suppose so."

<close hug> "I'm sorry."

"Now, Tom, you have nothing to be sorry for. None of this is 
your fault . . ."

"Oh, hell, yes, it is, Neelix.  If I didn't have the reputation I do 
for being the most shallow creature in existence, you 
wouldn't have to put up with this."

<firmly> "That isn't true."  <scornful snort>  "They'd think this 
way, no matter who I was with, simply because I look the 
way I do.  It's not you, Tom.  It's me." 

"To be honest, I think it's *us*."  <sigh>  "And I don't 
particularly want to care what they think.  I just hate the 
thought of them hurting you."

<slight smile>  "I must admit, I feel the same way.  You've 
been hurt enough.  The last thing I want is to cause you 
more." 

<shake head> "It's not you, Neelix.  It's them."

<nod>  "Fortunately, it's not *all* of them.  Sam told me she 
thought we looked perfect together.  And perfectly happy. 
And she wished us nothing but the best."

<fond smile>  "Wildman's a rare one."

"She had to deal with the same thing with her husband.  A 
lot of 'what on earth is she doing with *him*' kinds of 
comments.  But, no one else she'd known had ever made 
her happier . . ."

<softly>  "You make me happy, Neelix.  You have no idea 
how incredible that feels." 

<shake head> <caress cheek>  "I know exactly how that 
feels, Tom.  I do.  I haven't laughed so much in such a long 
time as I have since I've been with you these past few days.  
You brought joy and sweetness and warmth back into my 
life, when I thought they were gone forever."

"Neelix?"  <pause>  <look away>  "Is it worth it?"

<silence>  <grasp chin firmly> <sigh>  "*You're* worth it.  
And don't you ever dare believe otherwise."

<melt into hug> "Okay.  We're worth it.  Our happiness is 
worth it."

<emphatic nod>  "You're quite right.  It is."

<wryly>  "But the temptation to haul off and deck the next 
person who says something is gonna be overwhelming."

<snort>  "Be strong.  I'm sure you can handle it.  Without 
violence."

"I'll try . . ."

"Chakotay to Paris."

<sigh x two>

"Paris, here." 

"If you're free, I'd . . . like a moment of your time, 
Lieutenant."

<shake head> "On my way, Commander.  Paris out."  
<growl>

<soothing back rub>  "Now, you don't know what he wants 
to see you about."

<wryly>  "No, but I can guess."

<grin>  "Decking the Commander would not be a good thing, 
Tom."

<chuckle>  "I'll try to control myself."

<gently passionate kiss>  "Be strong."

<sigh>  <smile>  "For you . . ."  <kiss>  ". . . anything."


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