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Disclaimer time once again!   Seventy-third 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.  :)

Twenty-first 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', and 'Snort'.

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


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Oh, my goodness.  

<slow stretch>

I can't believe how long I've slept.  And look at Tom.  Just as 
out as he was when I woke up an hour or so ago.  

<soft smile>

Sleep is the best thing for him, right now, I imagine.  Next to 
food, of course.

<grin>

I really should get going.  I've got to get the mess hall set up 
for dinner.  I don't want to wake him, though.  And I hate just 
leaving him. 

<sigh>

I know, I'll leave him a note to come join me when he wakes 
up.  That way, he can get all the rest he needs and still know 
someone's waiting for him.

<decisive nod>

<squirm>  <murmur> <clear throat>  <open blue eyes>

<smile> "Well, hello. How are you feeling?"

<deep breath>  "Pretty good, actually.  How 'bout you?"

"Why, I'm fine. Just fine." 

<yawn>  "You heading to the mess?" 

<grin>  "Yes, I was.  You want to come?"

"Yeah.  I'd like that."  <sigh>  <smile>  "Just don't make me 
eat anything for a while, okay?"

<chuckle>  "Okay."  <mock-stern look>  "But, you're eating 
dinner, all right, Tom?  No arguments, now.  I mean it."

<smile>  "No arguments, Neelix.  Promise.  Just give me a 
couple of hours to finish processing what I ate earlier."

<nod>  "You've got them."

<stretch>  "I'm in *desperate* need of a shower.  How about 
I meet you in the galley?"

"That sounds like an excellent idea.  I could use one, too, to 
wake up.  I'll see you there in a few minutes."  <rise to 
leave>

"Neelix?"

<turn>  "What is it, Tom?"

<smile>  "Thanks for the backrub.  It really helped."

<beaming grin>  "You're very welcome.  And I'm glad to 
hear it."

"You're damned good at those."  <chuckle>

<nostalgic sigh>  "It always helped Kes get to sleep when 
the noise got to be too much for her." 

<puzzled frown> "Noise?"

"Sometimes she could hear what the crew was doing all 
over the ship, if she concentrated hard enough.  At times, it 
was difficult for her to block them out."

<wince>  "Ouch."

"It got better, though.  Tuvok helped her a great deal with it 
all.  I certainly didn't know how to.  She soon grew to the 
point that she didn't need what little help I could give her, 
anymore."  <shrug>  "We weren't together for much longer 
after that."  <sigh>

"But, you stayed friends with her, Neelix.  I always thought 
that was really incredible.  In every relationship that's ended 
for me, we couldn't bear the *sight* of each other afterward." 
<snort>

<sit>  <frown> "Tom, Kes and I decided that our friendship 
was too precious to lose, that's all."

<sad smile>  "Neelix, that's *everything*, don't you see?  I've 
never been involved with *anyone* who thought my 
friendship was 'too precious to lose'.  *Never*."

<hesitant smile>  <quietly>  "I don't think you've been with 
the right people."

<sigh>  "Yeah, you can say that, again."  <wry chuckle> 
"You and Kes were the ideal for me, did you know that?"

<shake head slowly>  "No.  No, I didn't."

<nod>  "I figured that if you two could make it work, as 
different as you were, then maybe, just maybe, there was 
hope for me, after all.  And when you broke up, I knew there 
was no way in hell it could *ever* work for me.  If you two 
weren't forever, nothing was."

<softly>  "Oh, Tom."  <sigh>  "I hate to tell you this, but 
you're wrong."

<faint surprise>  "What?"

"It could work out for you.  You just need to find the right 
person, that's all."

<snort>  "Neelix, I've said it before, but I'll say it again. 
That's not *all*.  That's *everything*.  And I've looked.  I 
really have. It's just not in my future."  <sad grin>

<firm shake of head> "I think you're wrong about that, too. 
And maybe you have looked.  But maybe, you need to look 
in some different places."

<smile>  <shake head> "You're so optimistic."

<shared quiet laugh>

"And maybe you're right.  Maybe I will.  But, not real soon. 
I'm too wrung out over the last one."  <smirk>

"Take your time.  Maybe you won't have to go looking. 
Maybe love will find *you*."  <wink  <nudge>

<chuckle>  "Neelix, I don't think I'd recognize it if it whacked 
me up side the head." 

<laugh>  "Well, then, if *I* recognize it, I'll let you know. 
*Before* it whacks you up side the head." 

<laugh>  "Thanks, Neelix.  Knew I could count on you."

"Always, Tom.  Always."


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