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Disclaimer time once again!   Eighty-ninth 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-sixth 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', and 
'Rant'.

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


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<breathe>  <huff> <rage>

Well, Neelix should be happy. At least I didn't hit him.

<growl>

Damn Chakotay, anyway.  Shit, where does he get off?

<snort>

Maybe that's part of the problem.  He *doesn't*.  Not with 
any regularity, I mean. 

<sigh>

Giving me advice on my lovelife.  Where the hell was he 
when B'Elanna was throwing me aside, huh? Answer me 
that.  Or Harry.  Yeah, what about then?  Where were the 
Commander's precious words of wisdom when Harry was
screwing around on me? 

<grumble>

I'm really beginning to wonder if I hit it on the head, back 
there.  If he just can't stand to see me happy.  If he knows I 
could have something glorious and wonderful with Neelix 
and he can't handle the universe deciding to finally let me 
enjoy my life for a change.

<sigh>  <whoosh>

<measured look>  <concerned frown> "Oh, dear.  I was 
hoping it would go better than that."

<reluctant grin>  "Am I that easy to read?"

<raise eyebrow>  "Easy?  Your color's up, your breathing's 
rapid."  <critical glare>  "Your hands are in fists and you're 
stalking around like you're trying to injure the carpet."

<snort>  "Okay, Neelix, maybe it is easy."

<quietly>  "I'm not done."

<silence>  <carefully>  "Oookay.  Go on."

<softly>  "Your eyes are snapping and not in a good way. 
They're angry and hard. You're clenching your jaw so tightly 
your temples are throbbing.  And the smile I've so enjoyed 
seeing on your face for these last few days has disappeared 
entirely."

<whisper>  "Neelix?"  <pause>  "I don't like the way your 
voice sounds, right now."

<look away>  "And how does it sound?"

<cross room>  <sit>  <take hand gently>  <kiss spotted 
wrist>  "Defeated."

<sigh>  <rest hand on stiff back>  "I don't want you to be 
unhappy.  I hate the thought of people being unkind to you 
because of me . . ."

<interrupt>  "That's *them*, Neelix.  Not you."  <sigh> 
<release warm hand> <rub own hands over face> <softly> 
"Listen to me. Please.  Yes, the crap makes me angry.  It 
does.  I can't deny it.  But . . . how you make me feel is 
*worth* all the crap.  Neelix, I've had to deal with stuff like 
this before and I didn't have you in my life, then.  I didn't 
have *anyone* to make it bearable.  Now, I do.  The 
trade-off is worth it.  I swear it is."  <hesitant pause>  "At 
least, it is for me . . ."

<quick kiss>  "And for me.  You're worth fighting for. And if I 
have to fight their lack of tolerance and sensitivity tooth and 
nail, I will.  I will, Tom.  I promise you."

<ease back into warm embrace>  <sigh>  "I wish it wasn't 
necessary.  But if it is, I'll deal with it."

<gentle kiss>  "Without decking anyone."

<snort>  "Without decking anyone.  No matter how tempting . . ."

<chuckle>  <tender kiss>  "Thank you."

<kiss returned with enthusiasm>  <nuzzle neck>  <murmur> 
"Neelix?  How long til we have to leave to set up for lunch?"

<contented sigh>  <kiss>  <whisper>  "We have a couple of 
hours, yet."

<long kiss>  <stroke whiskers>  <kiss>  <soft smile> 
"Spend them with me." 

<caress cheek>  <nuzzle nose>  "I'd love to."

<lean forward>  <tug boots off>  <gentle leer>  <whisper> 
"Be with me?" 

<blink>  <eyes dilate>  <breathing quickens>  <uncertain> 
"Tom?"

<undo top fastening on jacket>  <passionate kiss>  <groan> 
<softly>  "Please?"

<carefully tug shirt up>  <run hands over warm skin>  <long 
kiss>  <murmur> "Yes.  Ohh, yes . . ."


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