****************************************************

Disclaimer time once again!   Fifty-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 sex 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.  :)

Yes, another series.  <sigh>  Sequel to 'Ssst', 'Growl', 
'Chuckle', 'Sob' and 'Grin'.

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


****************************************************


"Lieutenant.  Hello."

<sigh>

"This isn't as easy as I've heard. Especially since you're not 
saying anything.  You usually find *some* way of getting 
your point across, though."

<slight grin>

"You convey annoyance better than anyone I've ever known. 
Amusement.  Martyrdom."

<snort>

"That's one of your best, by the way.  No one else can play 
the martyr quite like you can.  That's part of the reason I'm 
here. Other than pulling rank and ordering you to snap out of 
this, of course."

<grin>

"Your continued . . . absence is putting a heavy strain on a 
large number of the crew.  In particular, the senior staff.  I'm 
sure that on some level you're more than aware of this, but 
I'd thought I'd take a few moments and bring you up to date 
on the impact your action, or, rather, *in*action is having on 
all of us."

<sigh>

"No one sees Harry off-duty anymore.  For the last five days, 
he's been in seclusion.  Alone.  And, knowing how much 
Harry likes to be alone, maybe you have some idea of how 
bad things have gotten for him.  No one blames Harry for 
what happened to you.  Except Harry.  Seven can't get 
through to him, I can't, even the *Captain* can't.  He actually 
requested to be relieved, for dereliction of duty.  I refused, 
naming myself as co-actor if official measures needed to be 
taken and he backed down.  Fortunately.  I'd just as soon 
not have to remove myself from command."

<grin>

"B'Elanna is working eighteen hour days and making 
everyone's lives miserable.  She's going to end up at the 
bottom of the warp core if she doesn't let up on her staff.  I 
think she knows it, too, she just doesn't care.  She's gone 
through every part of your accident in simulation.  About fifty 
times over.  She gave me a report stating how *she* was 
unfit for duty since her reaction time was slower than usual, 
slower than acceptable, and led to . . . this.  I've even had 
numerous apologies from the Engineering staff for 
everything from hesitation to human error.  If I removed 
everyone from duty who thought they deserved it, we'd have 
a crew of about forty active members, right now."

<sigh>

"Tom, this can't go on.  And the longer you stay down, the 
worse it's going to get.  So, please, for once, obey one of my 
orders without thinking about it and wake up.  It's tearing the 
crew apart.  Everyone is looking for someone to blame and 
the last thing this ship needs is a scapegoat.  You, of all 
people, should be intimately aware of how destructive that 
can be.  All the problems of a hundred and thirty people 
dumped on the shoulders of one individual?  Sound familiar? 
I'm well aware that things are not as bad as they used to be, 
for you.  And I'm happier about that than you can imagine. 
But, perhaps you've forgotten just how bad it was.  I wouldn't 
think you'd wish that on anyone else.  Particularly Harry. 
But, he's setting himself up for it.  And I can't let it continue."

<sigh>

"Please, Tom.  Wherever you are.  Hear me. And come 
back.  Or it's going to get ugly.  Very ugly.  And I don't think 
you want that to happen. Not to Harry."

<thoughtful rub of back of neck>

"It seems that Neelix has taken a page from your book. 
He's setting the resort up for a party this evening.  The word 
'wake' has been flying through the ship at warp ten, but he 
insists it's just for stress relief.  He isn't ready to give up on 
you.  So, you might want to think about waking up and 
coming to show your appreciation."

<grin fading into sigh>

"You know, if it interests you at all, I'd be willing to bet that 
you could have Harry back, if you wanted him. His guilt has 
all but destroyed whatever he had with Seven.  Just a 
thought, Tom.  Keep it in mind."  <sigh>

"Something else to keep in mind: Your place is here; we 
need you with us. And in more than just body.  Don't forget 
that, Lieutenant."


************************end