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Disclaimer time once again!   One-hundred-and-second 
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 involves 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.  :)

Forty-ninth 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', 
'Rant', 'Soothe', 'Hold', 'Whistle', 'Feel', 'Squeak', 'Move', 
'Splash', 'Shiver', 'Advise', 'Fly', 'Reconcile', 'Mend', and 
'Miss'.

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


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<bree-oop>

<sigh>  "Come."  <startled look>  "Neelix?"

<quick nod>  <hesitant smile>  "Harry.  Hello."

<wide-eyed stare>  "Umm, hello." <puzzled frown> "How are 
you?"

<deep breath>  "Quite well, actually.  I just stopped by to 
chat with you for a moment. I hope I haven't come at a bad 
time."

<quickly>  "No, of course not.  It's . . . it's fine, really.  Have 
a seat.  Please."

<quick smile>  "Thank you."  <sit down>  <sigh>  "I wanted 
to talk to you about Tom."

<grimace>  <protest>  "Neelix . . . I don't think . . ."

<firmly> "Hush!"

<stare>  <astonished>  "Neelix?"

<more firmly>  "Shhh!  I want to say what I've come to say 
and I don't want any interruptions."

<sit back weakly>  <gesture to continue>  <slowly>  "Go 
right ahead."

<nod>  "Don't mind if I do.  I've been wracking my brain 
trying to come up with something to give Tom for Prixia. 
And I think you're the answer."

<stunned look>  <open mouth> 

<glare>

<close mouth> <sigh>

<pleased grin>  "I'd like to give him the gift of your 
understanding.  Not your permission, or approval, mind you, 
but your understanding.  I want you to realize how much he 
means to me. How very much I love him." <quietly>  "How I 
hate to see him hurt."  

<clear throat>  

"You used to be his best friend, Harry.  It was quite an 
extraordinary relationship, if I remember correctly and I 
believe I do.  He misses that.  He misses *you*."  

<measuring look>

"Tom and I are together.  And we're going to *stay* together. 
I adore the man. And I know he feels the same way about 
me." 

<sigh>  

"Harry, I can be his friend.  And I can be his lover.  But, I 
don't want him totally dependent on me for everything.  It 
isn't healthy and it isn't the best thing for Tom.  And I *want* 
what's best for him.  I really do."  

<sad smile>  

"You know, for the longest time, it was just you, me, and 
Kes who thought that that wonderful man was worth the 
trouble of knowing.  Kes is gone, Harry.  And, in a way, 
you're gone, too.  I'm the only one left and as much as he 
loves me, it hurts him.  And I cannot bear to see it.  So, I'm 
asking you, in the spirit of the season, to find a way to put 
your past behind you and see if you can rediscover your 
friendship again.  He needs you.  And I need him to need 
you.  I can't carry that man's love all by myself. There's just 
too much of it."

<clear throat>  <take in tear-filled eyes>  <swallow heavily>  

"Please, Harry.  Think about it.  See if there's something you 
can salvage, with him." <long look>  <fiercely>  "But make 
no mistake, Ensign.  Tom is mine. And I will *not* give him 
up without a fight." 

<blink back tears>  <cautiously>  "Neelix?"

<deep breath>  "Yes?"

<shaky smile>  "He wouldn't want you to.  He loves you."

<pat knee>  "Talk to him. Please."

<wipe eyes>  <nod>  <tremulous grin>  "I will.  I promise."

<warm smile>  "That's always been good enough for me."


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