**************************************************** Disclaimer time once again!   Fifty-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 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.    Sequel to 'Ssst', 'Growl', 'Chuckle', 'Sob', 'Grin' and 'Sigh'. 'Smile' by Amirin **************************************************** "Well, now.  What has happened to you, Tom?  If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were *frowning*." "The party will be starting soon, but I wanted to come by and issue you a personal invitation to attend.  I can certainly appreciate the fact that you may be feeling a little too tired to stay for long, but a brief appearance would do wonders for crew morale." "I have a feeling that I'm going to be forced to drag Harry out of his quarters, to get him to come.  You could save me a lot of trouble if you'd just wake up.  He'd come for you, I'm sure of it." "Glad to see the Doctor followed my advice about keeping you warm.  Don't know why he didn't think of it himself.  But, anyway, you seem nice and toasty today.  It's quite an improvement." "Goodness, your hair is getting long.  You stay asleep much longer and you're going to need a trim, you certainly will.  Of course, I wouldn't mind taking care of that for you.  Not a bit. My pleasure, Tom.  Hmm, maybe just a bit off the back, shorten the front a little.  Wouldn't take any time at all." "I wish I knew what was keeping you.  The good Doctor is at a loss.  Well, of course, he didn't *say* that, but he is.  I can tell, yes, I can. Everything is back up to normal levels, yet you're still unresponsive. Something of a mystery."   "You always had to be the mysterious one, though, didn't you?  Kes commented on it from time to time.  She found you intriguing, very different from the rest of the crew.  You were one of the very few who was still totally comfortable with her, when her empathic abilities began to surface.  And she could tell, naturally, being empathic." "You don't know how much it meant to her, your friendship. She told me that you were also a victim of people's misperceptions, not being what they thought you were." "Of course, I had to be silly about things and nearly lose your friendship, myself, until she had a long talk with me. About how you considered me a real friend, one of the few you had. Just like my Sweeting, in that respect.  And how you'd never do anything to jeopardize our relationship, mine and Kes's.  I was surprised she didn't go to you, when we broke up. Yes, that was quite the surprise.  But, she told me that the two of you were friends, first, and that you were afraid of losing my friendship, if you and she came together as one." "You needn't have worried about that, Tom.  You would never have lost my friendship if you'd found yourself loving Kes." "Oh, goodness." "Well, now.  I'm just being overly dramatic, here, I certainly am.  How am I supposed to be a cheerful host with tears in my eyes?" "You know, you're still one of my few friends on this ship.  I know how people see me, yes, I do." "An oddity, at best.  Something to be tolerated, at worst. But, you . . ."   "You never see things as others do, do you?" "You've been on the bad side of short-sighted people, as well, haven't you? Yes, I know you have."   "I miss you.  I miss our talks.  I miss your laughter.  I want to see you smile again." "Okay, I admit it.  Now, I'm rushing you.  I want you to hurry up and get well.  There's no reason in the world for you to still be unconscious and it's beginning to bother me. Quite a lot, actually." "I know you can hear me.  I know you're in there, somewhere.  I'm not going to be patient any more." "There's so much I want to tell you.  And you won't hear it if you don't come back."  "I know people have been asking you to come back so you can forgive them, because it's good for the rest of the crew, so that you can assuage their guilt, and so on.  I just want you to come back for me.  As a favor for a friend. How 'bout it, hmm? I don't want anything from you.  I just want you *back*.  A small favor, Tom.  That's all I ask. It's all I want.  Just do me the favor of opening your eyes. Right now."  "It's been so long since I've seen them, I've almost forgotten what color they are. How about opening them so I can remember? Come on, Tom.  Come on. Waking up should be an easy thing for the man who broke the warp ten barrier.  Come on.  You escaped from Seska and uncovered the spy, opening your eyes is such a simple thing, compared to that.  You evaded the Kazon who stole the ship, got help, and brought Voyager back to us, rescued us all from that miserable planet.  I know you can do this. Come on, Tom.  I know you can hear me.  Open your eyes, Lieutenant.  Come *on*!"  "Tom?  Oh, my. Tom, can you hear me?"  "Goodness, you're doing it.  You're actually doing it."   "That's it.  Come on.  Wake up.  Tom?  Who am I?  Hmm? Do you know who I am?"      "Nee-neelix?"  "Got it in one, Tom.  Oh, my goodness.  *DOCTOR*!!" **********************end