Chapter 14: No More Doubts

_{© Lady Owl}





The following morning, Neelix wasted no time getting back to the workshop.

His haste helped him to keep his mind off of what had happened the night before.. which only brought up more questions than answers. Unsettling feelings that left him feeling confused. After what had happened, he assumed he was not alone in his feelings anymore, and had a strong intuition that something, anything, was there inside Heather, as well. A tiny spark of hope. The thought warmed him inside...

But, like Heather, he needed to be sure... which, unfortunately, only time would allow. When Heather was ready.. if she really was feeling something for him, she needed time to slowly open up to him. At least, he hoped...


As Neelix and Heather entered the workshop, they were both startled by a loud commotion. They turned their attention in the direction of the chaos and Heather was both stunned and intrigued by what she saw: All the workers were huddled in the far corner of the shop, cheering and shouting as their attention was directed upwards at a large view screen.

Heather squinted her eyes to get a better look, and saw that it appeared to be some kind of game... which reminded her of home... Of her father who would invite a couple of his friends over for the evening to watch the game on tv. She let out a deep sigh as she felt an uncomfortable tightness in her throat.. She had tried hard all this time to block out memories of home. They hurt way too much for her to think about...

As the heavy large door they had entered from automatically closed behind them, Heather saw Gale, among the group of workers, turn his head towards the sound and do a double take before looking panicked and quickly pushed away from his co-workers and squeezed himself between the tables to get over to them. Neelix just let out a soft sigh and continued to walk towards the back office.

"I.. uh.. didn't expect you to be in so early, Neelix.." Gale said in a nervous stutter.
"It's alright, Gale.. you can leave it on, just please make sure everyone is doing their work. We're behind enough as it is without having some game interrupt things..." Neelix replied. Gale nodded slowly as he nervously rubbed his hands together and quickly followed them into the back. As they entered, Heather was surprised to see Neelix move over to the chair she usually sat in, and sit himself down in it. She entirely expected him to be going to the back office only to 'drop her off' so he could go out and work... but instead, he turned the console on and began messing with it. She moved to one of the tables and hopped up onto it in a sitting position as she pulled her ipod out of a pocket on her new outfit and set it down on the table beside herself as she curiously looked over at Neelix to see what he was doing.

"Have you kept track of everything we need?" Neelix asked Gale and he came over and leaned down against the table beside Neelix to stare at the console.
"Yeah, everything except the food." Gale replied.

Neelix pressed one of his fingers against the screen as he ran it down a list of alien text, scanning through the list mentally to double check over Gale's work. Gale seemed anxious, glancing at Neelix from time to time in between staring at the screen, himself. Perhaps hopeful that he had done good and would impress Neelix with his responsibility... yet seemed disappointed after awhile when the praise did not come.

"Did I do good..?" Gale asked. He wanted something from Neelix in the form of approval.
"You did your job, Gale." Neelix replied, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Well... yes but.."
"Gale... you know I don't give praise for doing what is expected." Neelix told him. Gale let out a soft sigh, almost seeming to be disappointed he didn't get to show off, as he stood up straight and turned around, crossing his arms and leaned back against the table. He looked over at Heather and smiled at her. She tried to smile back.

Heather wasn't quite sure what to think of Gale, and Neelix's impatience with him seemed to sway her opinion slightly, causing her to be a little weary of him. He seemed like a nice enough person, though... but she figured that, when it came to aliens, perhaps it wasn't a good idea to assume anything.

"You can go ahead out now, Gale. I'll make the orders and join you shortly." Neelix said and Gale nodded slowly as he pushed away from the table and unfolded his arms. He looked over at Heather one last time before exiting the office.

And that was another reason Heather wasn't too sure about Gale. Every time he was around her, she had caught him staring which made her feel uncomfortable...

Heather slipped off the table and moved to Neelix to look over his shoulder at the screen. He titled his head a little and smiled at her, moving his hand up to his shoulder for her. She smiled back and carefully took his hand, feeling his large fingers softly move around hers as he held onto her hand and used his free one to continue messing with the console. She stepped closer to him and moved her arm down the front of him so his hand wouldn't be awkwardly up to hold onto hers, and she carefully rested her chin on Neelix's shoulder as she continued to watch him.

The truth was, like Neelix, thoughts of the night before were bothering her, too. A lot was bothering her lately regarding these feelings... and she tried her best to push them back so she wouldn't be walking around with her stomach in a knot all day.

"Why do you seem so tough on Gale?" Heather asked suddenly which caught Neelix off guard.
"Huh...? Oh.. he's... just young, and he feels like he has a lot to prove sometimes." Neelix replied.
"So you have something against young people, hmm? I'm still kinda young.. younger than Gale anyway, since you said he started working as a mechanic at sixteen? And had six years of experience, right? But you don't treat me like that." She said slyly.

He just smiled and shook his head... but suddenly glanced at her as a thought came to mind. It was true.. she was still rather young, especially in comparison to himself, which he didn't give much thought to despite her young appearance... which he felt probably should be a constant reminder to him of their large gap in age. It just didn't bother him so he never had a reason to think about it. He hoped Heather felt the same way... He knew sometimes certain species did feel odd about large differences in age between one another and he knew the younger the individual was, the more of a deal it could be to them...

"You're an exception." He finally replied with a playful smirk.
"Uh huh... So I guess he annoys you then?" She asked with a smile.
"Only sometimes. He's a good guy, though. Maybe I should try and let up off him a little. I don't always realize how I might be treating others at times. I'm not the most social of people.." He replied but Heather just shrugged her shoulders softly.. "Well, if he is always trying to show off, I don't blame you." She said.
"I know.. It's just hard to deal with someone so much younger and less experienced with an attitude like that since my other workers like Harold or Sniffs know what I expect of them and they just do it. They don't expect anything in return from me in the form of praise. They know I respect them and trust their ability.. or they would not even be here in the first place. I suppose Gale just hasn't realized that yet. He probably got a lot of praise in the other division before he came over here so he was use to it, I guess. Probably made him slightly arrogant being the best among his peers.. then he comes over here and his skills are matched and even surpassed." Neelix explained but Heather seemed to go quiet and he wondered if he had bored her.

"Are you ok, though Heather..?" Neelix asked her and she gently nodded against him.
"Yeah.. just worried about trying to find something to do to keep myself occupied.. " She replied and Neelix let out a soft sigh.
"I'm sorry, Heather.." He said to her but his eyes widened slightly as he felt her left arm move up to his left shoulder and around it as she hugged him from behind.
"It's ok, Neelix.. I just don't want you to be stressed out over things." She said as she closed her eyes.

Neelix closed his eyes as well. Her gentle embrace felt so nice... He wanted so much more with her... But this warming thought reminded him of a much less pleasant one. She was so precious to him... It scared him to think that if something were to ever happen to her, how devastated he'd be.. being reminded of the other night he had come home only to find Veeno asleep in his chair and Heather missing... which suddenly reminded him of something else he had almost forgotten about...

Neelix suddenly jerked forward which shocked Heather. "Neelix..?" Heather said with concern as he ran his finger along the screen quickly. A moment later, to Heather's surprise, Ala's face unexpectedly appeared on the monitor.

"Good morning, Neelix..." Ala said with a warm smile. "And you, too, Heather." She continued after seeing Heather just behind Neelix's shoulder. "What can I do for you?"
"Ala... we never got a chance to speak the other night." Neelix said to her.
"Ah, yes. Well a lot happened that night." She said with a quick glance at Heather. "I felt it best to leave it be. I knew you'd contact me again when you had the chance."
"I just need to speak with Muora about our agreement, as soon as possible... perhaps later tonight?" Neelix asked her in an anxious, hopeful tone.
"Well... I can try, Neelix but I can't make any promises that Muora can see you today." She replied, sadly.
"I just want to make sure everything is alright..."
"I can assure you that your protection has taken affect, Neelix. I promise you that you have nothing to worry about."
"I don't doubt that... it's just.."
"You're concerned, I understand."
"Yeah..."
"Well I'll see what I can do.. But please don't make a special trip down. I'd hate to disappoint you."
"No.. if it's later, we'll need to eat anyway and I don't want to keep Heather stuck here all day, again... but thank you, Ala. You know I greatly appreciate it..."
"Of course, Neelix. I'll see you later tonight then." She said and they both exchanged nods before her image faded from the screen.

"Are.. you really that worried, Neelix?" Heather asked him and he slowly turned the chair so that he could face her.
"Yes." He said as he gently moved his hands up and slid them against her cheeks, gently cupping her with them. She closed her eyes feeling his warm hands.. and feeling that nervous flutter in her tummy. She moved her arms up and slipped her hands against his wrists but he moved his hands from her face and softly took her hands in his, holding them firmly.

"I want you to be safe... and I want to have no doubts that you are... When I see nothing appears different, it doesn't sit well with me. I trust Ala, and Muora doesn't seem like an individual who would go against his word.. but I want to know for sure that you are safe." Neelix said to her. Heather nodded her head slowly, looking into his eyes and lightly nipped at her lower lip in thought.

"How long.. before the shipments come in?" Heather asked him, not knowing what else to say.
"I expect the first shipment to be within the hour while the rest should come in throughout the day. I don't expect to be able to get all the parts today, though.. especially the more expensive ones."
"What will you do in the meantime?" She asked but he just smiled at her. To her surprise, he leaned forward and carefully slipped his arms around her and stood. She felt her feet lift off the floor and gasped out as she grasped his shoulders. He smiled as he carried her out of the office and into the main workshop. She felt a bit awkward, for Neelix had not held her like this for quite awhile... and wondered what he was up to. He walked towards the opposite side of the workshop where most of the other workers were still occupied by the game and he carefully set her down on one of the tables. Gale noticed them immediately and quickly came over.

"I tried to tell them to get back to work.. but.." Gale tried to explain but Neelix cut him off.
"It's alright, Gale." Neelix replied as he turned himself and sat up on the table beside Heather and she smiled up at him as he adjusted himself until he was comfortable. Gale seemed slightly stunned by this but smiled and sat back on the table, too, right beside Neelix.

"Neelix!" A familiar voice shouted as Sniffs came lunging down and landed on the table between Heather and Neelix. "Something wrong? Why not work? Why girl out in shop?" Sniffs said in his quick, hyper voice.
"I have a name..." Heather said with an annoyed sigh.
"We're just waiting on the shipments to come in." Neelix explained.
"This not like Neelix. Neelix not interested in game." Sniffs replied.
"Just because I know where my priorities lie, does not mean I am not interested." Neelix replied smartly to him.

Sniffs didn't reply, instead he leapt up on Harold's shoulder, who was standing off to the side. Sniffs tucked his legs under himself as he laid down on Harold's shoulder, which reminded Heather of something a cat would do... But his behavior confused her since just the day before, both of them had seemed extremely annoyed at each other with Sniffs going so far as to call Harold a rude name... But she felt it best not to try and figure Sniffs out... It was obvious everyone was use to him being a certain way and had a very high tolerance for his behavior.

"So.. an hour, huh?" Heather asked Neelix as she moved her thighs up and down on the hard surface of the table, expressing her discomfort.
"Maybe longer." Neelix said playfully to her. She made a face at him and turned herself so her back was facing him as she lifted her legs up onto the table. Neelix turned his head to look at her, curious as to what she was doing.
"Well... then I might as well make myself comfortable.." She said and leaned back, all the way down until her head rested against Neelix's thigh and she looked up at him with a smile.

Neelix was alarmed by this... and felt a sudden, unexpected... but familiar warm sensation. He shifted nervously, feeling a slight panic rise within him as he attempted to readjust himself to avoid embarrassment from this awkward situation she had unintentionally put him in... He swallowed hard and tried to smile down at her to help make what had happened, less obvious and avoid any suspicion he was uncomfortable.. He lifted his hand up to softly run it over her forehead, gently brushing aside her bangs. She closed her eyes, seeming to enjoy his caress, oblivious to Neelix's heart racing in his chest... but she was startled by a loud beeping sound, which Neelix was thankful for the sudden distraction... hoping it would help his little issue go away...

"Aww, come on!" Gale said aloud with annoyance in his voice. Both Neelix and Heather turned their heads to look up at the screen with interest but Neelix turned his head back, hearing a soft snickering sound come from Sniffs.
"You made a bet?" Neelix asked Gale.
"Yeah... with Harold.. dammit why is he always right?! Fucking lucky bastard.."
"Sniffs tell you, you make bad choice." Sniffs said to him.
"Oh stuff it, you... they have a great record!" Gale huffed back at him.
"Not as good as my team." Harold replied in his monotone voice. "Besides, you only picked them because they're your species."
"What?! Are you calling me a racist?!"
"How is the game played?" Heather asked, interrupting their bickering.
"Oh..." Gale said suddenly, turning his attention to Heather. "It's simple," He said quickly, seeming eager to explain it to her before anyone else had the chance to. "Six teams of two battle it out over two different balls... the catch is, they can't hold onto the ball for more than thirty seconds at a time. They score by taking it back to their home plots. If each teammate has both balls, they score twice as much, plus a bonus. You can see the field is littered with obstacles, though so the fastest team can't simply just run back to their plots and score without any confrontation." He finished.

"Sounds kinda like a mix between capture the flag and hot potato." Heather replied as she titled her head back against Neelix's thigh to look over at Gale.
"Games your people play?" Gale asked her with even more interest.
"Yeah.. sorta.. in video games, mostly." She said.
"Video games...What are those?"
"Oh umm.. virtual games we play on screens. We usually interact with them using a controller. That's the best I can think to describe them."
"We have things like that. Some don't use controllers or screens though, depends on the type you wanna play." Gale said with a smile.
"Shhh... they're tailing up the scores.. " Harold said.
"Maybe we could play together some time.." Gale quickly whispered to her before he looked back up at the screen. Heather scrunched her nose in slight discomfort and looked up at Neelix.. but he seemed to be too preoccupied with the scores, as well, not seeming to pay attention to the conversation between herself and Gale. She swallowed hard, feeling uncomfortable and nuzzled her cheek against Neelix's lap... and smiled when she felt his hand softly touch her cheek. She moved her hand up and gently slipped her fingers between his own.



A little over an hour had passed when Heather heard another loud beeping sound, but this one was different from the game's. Heather felt Neelix shift beneath her and she sat up as he and Gale perked up suddenly. Neelix slipped off the table and extended his hand out to Heather and she carefully took it as she, too, slid off the table to stand next to him.

"I'm going back to the office.. aren't I.." Heather asked with a disappointed expression on her face. Neelix just smiled and shook his head lightly.
"No, it will be ok for you to come along, I'll just need you to be mindful as we unload everything." He said to her and she smiled excitedly as he turned with her and began to walk.

"Harold, Sniffs... pay attention." Neelix snapped back at them and they were both startled from staring at the screen. Sniffs immediately leapt from Harold's shoulder and began to hop along the tables as he caught up with Neelix, Heather, and Gale, while Harold turned and kept at his normal pace as he followed after them.

Neelix led Heather past the offices and towards a large, mostly horizontal metal door along the far back wall of the shop. He pressed his hand against a panel on the side of it that caused the door to begin a slow lift up from the floor. It was very thick and appeared to be extremely heavy as it opened like a giant garage door.

As the door finally came up enough for Heather to see inside, she was amazed to find that it was a giant room, much larger than the workshop itself. All along the left side of the room, several large crates were being unpacked from, what appeared to Heather, to be some kind of small transport vehicle.

When the door lifted enough to accommodate Neelix's height, he stepped forward into the room while Gale and Sniffs rushed forward towards the crates and began to help the deliverymen sort and remove them from the carts. One of the deliverymen walked right up to Neelix and handed him a data pad which he took and pressed his thumb against the screen.

Heather moved from Neelix and pressed herself up against the wall to keep out of their way. She watched them curiously as they pushed some of the heavier crates up onto what appeared to be anti gravity carts and began to push them back into the main workshop where the other workers in the main shop area began to help set them back along the far walls near the large machinery.
"Heather, when we're all done here, I wanna show you something." Neelix called to her over the loud noises, with a soft smile. She looked back at him and nodded, smiling too, now anxious to know what it was Neelix would show her.

After several minutes had passed and the first shipment was being organized in the main workshop, Neelix shouted over to Gale. "You can have them bring them in now!"

Gale raised his arm up, gesturing to Neelix he acknowledged him and slipped a pair of large headphones up from his neck and over his small protruding ears that sat up on the top of his head. He pulled a device out of his pocket and pressed his finger against the glowing screen and Heather heard... and felt.. a loud rumble that came from the far back end of the room.

"Heather...!" Neelix called to her and she looked immediately to him. He just smiled at her and quickly motioned her over to him. She anxiously pushed from the wall and went to him and softly took his hand as she continued to watch. She knew it was pointless to ask him what was going to happen.. she already knew he didn't like to spoil surprises.

Just like the large door that had slowly opened to reveal this large room, the back wall had revealed itself to be an entire door...

As it slowly rose up from the floor, she could see that the bottom of it had ridge like teeth that pulled up and away from small holes in the floor to reveal that this door, too, was thick, heavy and almost seemed to be air tight. Heather's assumptions were confirmed.. and her mouth parted in shock.. as she saw a transparent force field just behind the door... and, through it, she could see out into space...

Heather covered her mouth as she gasped and gripped Neelix's hand tightly. He smiled down at her and moved his arm carefully around her, keeping her close. She didn't say a word as she continued to watch the door slowly rise and reveal more of the gorgeous view. She was both terrified and fascinated by it.. the small window inside Neelix's quarters.. or the curved dome high above in the marketplace, could not compare to the fear and excitement of a large opening being exposed right in front of her with only a force field separating her from space...

As the large door finally reached the top and disappeared above a grove in the ceiling of the room, Heather saw movement just outside the force field. The filed then flickered as a layer of it seemed to vanish and Heather could see the shape more clearly as it slowly moved closer to the entrance way that the door had lifted to provide for it.

"Oh... wow... " Heather said in awe..Neelix just continued to smile as he watched the ship move forward and slowly pass through the force field, hearing it crackle slightly and hum as the field scanned over the ship: It would give Neelix and his team a detailed readout of the ship to help them with their repairs.

Gale backed up slowly as he continued to direct the ship into the hanger but Neelix lowered his head down, feeling Heather step back into him as she looked up at the overwhelming figure of the ship as it came closer towards them and stopped just before them. Neelix looked up seeing the silhouette of the second ship just behind the force field as it, too slowly came in and hovered in place right beside the first.

A loud screeching sound rumbled through the hanger which caused Heather to jump and cover her ears as two large claw like contraptions detached themselves from the ceiling and moved down to position themselves so they could clamp down against the tops of the two ships to hold them in place. Once both ships were both safely inside and latched in, Neelix singled to Gale to close off the force field so that nothing could pass through it. It soon crackled as the second layer reappeared once more. It was obvious now to Heather why Neelix had declined her request to help. She really had no idea at the dangers his job entailed...

Neelix stepped forward, holding onto Heather's hand tightly as he walked over to Gale and looked down over his shoulder. Gale slid his headphones back down around his neck before he spoke. "The second one didn't scan properly.. or the issue is too small and deep to be easily detected." Gale explained to Neelix as he continued to mess with the data pad.
"Probably the latter... Sniffs! We need you!" Neelix called out and Sniffs leapt out of one of the large containers and quickly hopped over to them. He jumped up onto Neelix's shoulder so he could perch and look down at the data pad in Gale's hand.

"Issue not detected. Simple find!" Sniffs said and leapt straight up off of Neelix's shoulder and landed on the first ship. Heather watched him scurry across the hull and leap to the second ship. He searched over the ship's hull until he came across a small panel and stopped just before it. He twisted his body slightly and messed with a tiny pouch that was attached to a harness he had around himself and removed a small tool. Heather smiled with amazement as he began to remove this protruding panel and he quickly slipped himself inside.

Neelix gently tugged Heather from Gale and began to walk with her around the hanger, circling the two ships as Sniffs was busy for several minutes searching for the error.

"I'm sorry, Neelix.. if, what I said yesterday made you think I thought your job was.. simple.. or something. I never meant that.. and, seeing all this, I mean, I had no idea..." Heather said to him as she stared at the floor feeling slightly ashamed. Neelix just smiled and rubbed her shoulder as he brought her close to his side.
"I never thought that, Heather." He said to her.
"I have a lot of respect for what you do..." She replied.
"I know you do.. why else would you be interested in helping?" He said to her and she looked up at him, trying to smile.

"Here.. I wanted you to get a better view." Neelix said suddenly and led Heather closer to the force field.. but he felt her tug against him. He stopped and turned to look at her, not understanding why she had stopped. "What's... wrong Heather? I thought you really liked space..?" He asked her.
"I... I do.. it's just.. it's a bit overwhelming.." She said, carefully peering around him to look out at the field.
"Oh... well, we're safe, Heather, I assure you." He said as he moved back to her, placing his arm back around her shoulder. She nodded slowly and leaned her head against his chest as he began to slowly lead her over to it.

"It's... beautiful, Neelix..." She said as she peered out and below. She could see many objects outside the barrier that looked like nothing more than large pieces of scrap metal. "What are all those things?" She asked..
"Small docking posts. Most of the ships we'll be working on are anchored to them to keep them in place until we can work on them." Neelix explained to her.
"There are a lot..." She pointed out, seeing that each post had two to three ships on it."
"Hence.. my concern." Gale said, startling Heather as he came up behind them.
"Only by a couple of days.." Neelix said, looking out at the posts himself, showing no signs of concern at Gale's words.
"Yeah well.. you've not had to deal with complaining customers all week like I have." Gale replied and sighed but Neelix shot him a dirty look as he noticed Heather lower her head.
"Do you want to make her feel worse? It's bad enough she already feels guilty without you adding to it." Neelix snapped at him.
"What...? I... no no.. of course not.." He said, looking down at her with a concerned expression. "I.. I'm sorry Heather."

Heather didn't say a word as she continued to just stare out into space.

"Well.. Neelix.. I came over because a second delivery came in." Gale said as he kept his ears lowered feeling bad he had upset Heather.
"Alright.. Do you wanna stay here, Heather...?" Neelix asked her but she shook her head slowly and turned around, gently taking his hand. Neelix nodded softly and he began to walk with her and Gale back to the other side of the hanger towards the individuals unpacking the new shipment.

Neelix let go of Heather's hand as she pulled away from him and went to sit down on one of the larger crates while Neelix searched for the deliveryman in charge to pay for the shipment.

"Hey, Neelix." A female voice said which caught him off guard. "Just need your signature on these." She said with a smile as she handed out a data pad to him and placed her free hand up on her hip.

"Hey Tes, how are you?" Neelix asked her as he pressed his thumb down against her data pad.
"Oh, fine. Still working my ass off to try and get into your division. One day, Neelix.. one day." She said with a sly smile. He just smirked back at her as he shook his head. "The guys weren't too keen on giving up some of our supplies... but for you, I told them they had better make an exception."
"Hey Tes..." Gale said as he passed by. Heather noticed he didn't seem pleased to see her there... and, looking back at Tes, Heather could see the feeling seemed mutual.

Tes pursed her lips as she looked down at the floor and away from Gale but then back up at Neelix with a renewed smile on her face. "Hey, look.. if you're not doing anything tonight... maybe we could hook up at a club or something..." She said to him. Heather felt an uncomfortable kick in the gut at Tes' words. She immediately looked at Neelix.

"Oh.. no I'm extremely backed up on things... and have plans for the night, actually..." Neelix said to Tes. Heather couldn't tell if Neelix was shooting her down... or if he was completely oblivious to her pass on him. Regardless, he seemed uneasy.
"Uh huh.. Same old Neelix. Always busy with your work..." Tes said with a grin. "But hey, I heard this crazy bullshit rumor about you going around lately.. but I don't believe it." She said, changing the subject.
"Oh...?" Neelix said, perking up with interest.. and concern. Heather could see it on his face.
"Yeah, can you believe there is talk that you sold your ship? The shit people pick up and spread around, huh?" She finished with a chuckle.
"Heh... yeah.." Neelix chuckled back nervously, "Crazy rumors..." He swallowed hard and moved his hand up to rub the back of his neck as he looked around himself, hopeful the others hadn't heard her. Tes immediately picked up on Neelix's reaction and could see he was extremely uncomfortable...
"No way... you did, didn't you...?" Tes replied in shock.
"Say what...?" Harold said aloud as he looked up at them, obviously listening in.
"Are you kidding me...?" Gale joined in.
"Neelix not make jokes..." Sniffs said. He seemed to come out of no where.
"Uh... umm.. " Neelix replied.. and face palmed.
"So it is true then. Shit, Neelix... " Tes said as she crossed her arms and looked at him for an answer.
"Neelix... why would you sell your ship...?" Gale asked. He seemed extremely puzzled and shocked but Neelix couldn't blame him... "Wait... wait wait.." Gale continued as he looked over at Heather, "I get it now..."
"Yes!" Sniffs shouted out excitedly as he noticed Gale staring at her. "Make sense now! Girl come from no where... now find out Neelix sold ship!"
"Girl?" Tes asked as she looked about and finally noticed Heather.
"Is... that like a custom with her people?" Gale asked.
"Uh..?" Neelix said in complete confusion. His heart was beating fast in his chest.
"Yes, yes! Possible bond mate gift!" Sniffs explained excitedly.
"What...? No... no I.." Neelix tried to get a word in but he, himself didn't even know how to explain and with them fighting one another to figure it all out...
"So you sold your ship to her family for her hand?" Gale asked curiously.

Heather swallowed hard feeling her face warm up at their assumptions and she quickly looked to the floor.

"No... no... it isn't anything like that... it's.. complicated.." Neelix tried to explain. Heather looked back up and noticed a sort of relief escape Gale's expression that Neelix had dismissed that assumption, while Tes just looked even more suspicious of Neelix.

"We all have too much work to do to be getting into this stuff..." Neelix said sternly, nipping this in the bud right then and there. "Sniffs, report your findings to Gale and get a team set up on the first ship. We need to start on this immediately." Neelix said in a nervous tone.
"Aw come on Neelix..." Gale whined, wanting answers.
"I .. really don't want to get into it... So please... don't push me, guys.. We have too much work..." He said and began to walk away from them.

Heather bit at her lower lip, seeing how tense Neelix was. She slid off the crate and moved to him and gently touched his hand which startled him, but he let out a deep sigh at the sight of her face and closed his eyes. "Heather..." He said warmly to her as he lifted his other hand up and gently caressed her cheek. She smiled up at him and slipped her hand over his as she nuzzled her cheek against it.

"How many more shipments are there..?" She asked him, trying to take his mind off of what had just happened.
"A few more still.. but with the first shipment and the one from Tes.. we have a good amount of supplies to get things started now." He replied to her. She nodded her head slowly and looked back out at the ships in the hanger. Gale and the others were already moving over to the ship, pushing carts filled with their equipment to get started. She noticed they were talking among themselves and assumed it was about what had just happened. She wondered what was being said...
"I... guess I should go back to the offices then.." Heather finally said.
"No no, Heather. You can stay here in the hanger. Where you were sitting before was a safe spot." He said to her.
"I'd really like that.. it's a lot more entertaining to be out here, than cooped up in that little office.."
"I understand.. but I'll be busy myself.. so.. I wont be able to keep you company... " He told her, seeming sad. "But.. maybe, if you'd like, when the food shipment comes in, you can help me unpack it and store it up?" He asked her. She nodded with a smile. "I'd like that." She told him and he smiled back at her and softly rubbed her shoulder before she slowly backed up from him and turned around to walk back to the crate she had been sitting on before and watched as the others began their work on the ship.




A couple of hours later, Heather was distracted as she attempted to create a sandwich out of the many different types of alien food items that had arrived in the food shipment.

Both she and Neelix had organized and put away the shipment in the food storage container within the office, without letting any of the others know it had arrived. Neelix knew, especially with the way Sniffs consumed food, that as soon as it arrived, everyone would be anxious to quickly grab something to eat... and he didn't want to be delayed even longer from getting back to work; Waiting for them to finish before he could put it all away. He hadn't even had a chance to join the others in their normal work for he had been extremely busy organizing the arriving shipments all morning...  But even though Heather suspected Neelix was equally hungry.. he declined eating for now so he could eagerly finish up... and left her alone in the office.

Heather sighed as she shoved yet another failed sandwich attempt into a pile with several others... She had been trying, for what felt like forever, to assemble different combinations of flavors that were familiar to her from home... with little success. At least it had given her something to do...

To her disappointment, there was nothing she could even find that resembled a slice of bread or a bun... She sighed again as she reached out across the counter for a larger item in the back but was startled as someone entered.

Gale stepped in and seemed surprised to see her there as he paused briefly to look at her. They both exchanged glances before Heather, feeling awkward, bit her lower lip and went back to what she was doing... though she felt uncomfortable having someone in the room hovering.. It distracted her as she reached back across the counter for the item she wanted, only to bump another which caused it to roll off the counter and onto the floor. It continued to roll until it bumped right into Gale's boot.

Heather clenched her teeth together as she stared down at the round item on the floor and swallowed hard, feeling her face warm up with frustration... but Gale just smiled and quickly leaned down to pick it up. He used his shirt to carefully wipe it clean before he handed it back to her.

"Umm.. thank you, Gale..." She said, trying to be polite as she took it from him... Even though she felt shy and would prefer that he go away. He simply smiled at her and slipped his arms behind himself as he stood up straight and nodded.

"I didn't think you had paid enough attention to me to remember my name." He said, still smiling at her.
"I can be pretty observant when I want to be.. " She replied as she turned back to the counter and set down the item before she reached out for a small leafy piece of food and began to pull it apart. She hoped it would taste like lettuce since it reminded her of it.. but, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gale come up beside her and lean against the counter. She continued to ignore him as he looked at all the stuff she had laid out across the counter. He reached out and took one of the rounded fruits and began to toss it up and down in the air. "Whatcha doin' with all this stuff..?" He asked her as he leaned down even further to rest his elbow against the counter to be more eye level with her.

She tried to make her eye roll subtle... She really just didn't want to be bothered and the situation felt extremely uncomfortable. She already hated when Sniffs bothered her all the time and with so much on her mind lately, she had little patience for interruptions in the first place, especially awkward ones. At least, she guessed, she didn't have to feel completely alone when Neelix was busy working all day... She sort of appreciated the company..  Even if it was annoying.

"I'm attempting to replicate food from back home.." She replied as she struggled to rip open the core of the leafy plant and tried to keep her tone neutral so he wouldn't suspect her annoyance with his presence..
"Here, let me help you with that." Gale replied and he moved from the counter and stepped up behind her. Heather gasped lightly, feeling him press himself up against her from behind and move his arms around her and down to the item, using his rough worked hands to pry it open for her. She gulped, feeling incredibly uncomfortable with him against her and around her like this...

"You just have to... work it like this.." Gale said as he struggled to forced it open. When he finished, he stepped to her left and leaned on the opposite side of the counter to continue watching her.

"I could have just handed it to you.." She said, annoyed, but he simply shrugged as he reached into the pile of food on the counter, picked one out, and then took a bite out of it. She sighed.. not appreciating him eating the items she had picked out for herself and wished he'd go away already, but she flinched suddenly as Sniffs landed on the counter in front of her.

"Oh no..not you!" She said as she lifted the core of the leafy plant up over her head and away from Sniffs, but she gasped out as she felt someone pluck it from her hand. She turned quickly around just in time to see Neelix drop it into his open mouth. He smiled down at her as he chewed and then, like Gale, he reached down around her to take another item off the counter.

"Oh I see.. everyone stealing all my stuff here..." She said but Neelix just chuckled lightly, and leaned down to softly kiss the top of her head.

"Gale, I need your help out there so when you finish here..." Neelix said to him and Gale nodded his head and stood up straight from his leaned over position. Neelix began to walk out, taking a handful of small berries with him as Gale followed, but as Gale walked past Heather, he gently ran his finger tips over her shoulders. She shivered and looked to Gale who just smiled back at her. "See ya later, Heather." He said as he followed Neelix out.

She watched them both leave, feeling a sickening uncomfortable panic swell inside her at Gale's actions... Was he... flirting with her...? Her mind raced...  But she was startled as she heard rustling on the counter and looked down to see Sniffs digging through her fruits and vegetables.

"Hmm... this is pretty good." A familiar voice said and Heather instantly turned around to see Veeno eating one of her failed sandwiches...
"What the... oh my God.. what is this?! That is it...!" She said and tossed down her cutting utensil. "I don't even want to do this anymore, you guys have put your dirty hands all over my food!" She yelled out and stomped out of the office.

"Huh...?" Veeno said through a mouth full of food. Sniffs' eyes widened in surprise and he scrambled the rest of the berries into his mouth, as much as he could possibly hold, and leapt out the door after Neelix and Gale.



A little while later...

Heather's eyes lit up with excitement as she, Neelix, and Veeno entered Muora's club. Heather enjoyed being back here, for it felt like a breath of fresh air after being at the workshop all day.

Veeno carefully led them through the crowd and toward the bar where Ala was stationed behind and sat himself down on one of the stools.

"Hey, beautiful. I'll have my usual but hold the zest, please." Veeno said with a sly grin to Ala. She glared at him smugly as she set down a glass she was cleaning.
"You really like playing with fire..." Neelix said to Veeno.
"I'm only joking!... You know I was just joking, right Ala?" Veeno said with a pouty look on his face.
"Uh huh... go sit your ass in one of the booths before Muora comes out here..." She said to him.
"Aww... come on, Ala.." Veeno pleaded but she just shot him a death stare and he slumped off the stool and followed Neelix and Heather towards one of the large horseshoe shaped booths off on the far end of the club.

"Pft... She's just sour she can't have me. She totally wants me." Veeno said, trying to recover from being shot down.
"I'm sure she is... Cause no girl could resist you." Neelix replied, teasing him as he let Heather enter the booth first and slid in beside her.
"Damn right." Veeno replied with a sarcastic smile.
"So what have you been up to? I didn't hear a word from you at all yesterday." Neelix asked him.
"Catching up... ya know, it's hard to have a social life when I'm always at your place." Veeno replied as he slid his finger along the table to pick out his order.
"You mean getting laid.." Neelix replied with a coy smile.
"Well when you put it that bluntly, yes, getting laid." Veeno replied, only glancing up at Neelix before looking back down at the menu.

Heather just looked off, finding the convo to be rather awkward... She certainly wasn't use to being around people who were so open about their sexual lives... and Veeno certainly seemed to have a huge one with no shame about it.

"I really hope Muora can see me tonight... at least coming here isn't a waste, but still, just thinking about it again makes me feel sick.." Neelix said as he helped Heather pick out her meal.
"So just don't think about it... worrying isn't going to help you anyway, you know that." Veeno said as he finished his order and leaned back in the booth. He brought his arms up to rest the back of his head against his hand as he looked out into the club.
"This is important, Veeno.. of course I am going to worry, even if it gets me no where..." Neelix replied as he, too finished up with his and Heather's order and sat back in the booth to try and relax himself.
"I'm not trying to dismiss your concerns, Neelix. I know how important it is to you, how important she is to you." He said as he winked at Heather. She smiled a little and lowered her gaze at the table. She didn't like seeing Neelix all worked up any more than Veeno did.

Neelix just sighed, feeling impatient as he, too, looked out at the rest of the people in the club. He looked over at the bar and saw that Ala was no longer there... and tapped his finger against the table feeling anxious.. until he felt Heather's warm hand softly move over his. He looked down at her to see her smiling up at him.. which brought him comfort. Her soft smile and warm eyes always made him feel happy... but Heather turned her head suddenly as something caught her attention.. and then she quickly looked back to him.

"Here they come.." She said and Neelix and Veeno both looked out to see Muora and Ala approach their booth. Ala's arms were locked around Muora's large left arm as she walked with him against his side. Both Neelix and Veeno tensed up; Neelix sat up more straight while Veeno nervously lowered himself a little in the booth as Muora and Ala came up and stopped infront of their table. Heather noticed that Muroa's presence in the club had caught a lot of attention as several of the other occupants were looking over to see.

"Neelix..." Muora said as he nodded his head at him and Neelix instantly began to slip out towards the end of the booth so he could stand, finding it poilite to not sit while Muora spoke with him.. but Muora held out his hand to stop him. "That wont be necessary, Neelix. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to speak with you in the depth I'd like to about your concerns, tonight. However, I still wanted to make an appearance for you. Not just for your courtesy, but to help show off a little demonstration of our acquaintance with one another. As you can see, we've gathered quite a lot of attention."

Neelix looked around and saw that what Muora had said was true. He bit his lip as he looked back to Muora.
"And how are you this evening, little one." Muroa said as he extended his free arm out towards Heather and turned his hand out to offer it to her. She gulped, tensing up in her shoulders, but slowly lifted her hand up and placed it in his large open palm. Muora carefully wrapped his clawed fingers around her hand and wrist, gently caressing his thumb over her skin.
"I.. I'm good..." She said with a gulp. Muora only smiled, baring those pointy teeth of his as he did, before pulling his arm back and letting her hand slip out from between his fingers.

Heather saw Ala smile down at her and she nuzzled her cheek against Muora's large bicep as she tightened her grip around his forearm.

"Neelix, I should be able to see you within the next three days. I'll call for you, and when I do I'll need you to come in immediately. I do things as they come to me and if I get a moment of free time, I want to give it to you as soon as possible." Muora said to him. Neelix nodded slowly.
"Thank you, Muora... I appreciate it.. Though, you've not yet asked me for my end of the deal?" Neelix asked him.
"The time will come for that as well, Neelix. Try not to worry too much about it, though I am sure you will all the same." Muora said with a grin. Neelix felt his stomach twist and he knew it was not from the hunger...
"I'll see you soon, Neelix. Ala will return shortly with your evening meals, please do enjoy yourselves." He said and bowed his head down slightly at them before he turned and walked off.

"Fuck..." Veeno let out a deep sigh of relief. "He really knows how to mess people up without even trying..."
Neelix just leaned forward against the table as he placed his hand over his face and rubbed his brows in frustration.
"So... Ala and Muora are really a couple...? They're together?" Heather asked, breaking the tension.
"Yeah..." Veeno replied with a soft sigh.
"Oh would you stop it.. it wasn't like you ever had a chance with her and you know it." Neelix said as he slipped his hand off his face and looked across the table at Veeno.
"You do not know that. I was getting close.. I could smell it." Veeno retaliated sarcastically.
"Yeah.. you mean the smell of Muora's foot on your face as he grinds it into the floor..."

Veeno made a disgusted face at the mental image he had gotten from that. "Not my beautiful face! How would I ever charm the ladies again...?!" He said with a sarcastic pout.
"It's not your face they're interested in." Neelix said.
"Heh heh... yeah.. hey wait, I have a nice face!"
"I just can't believe.. the differences between them.. ya know..?" Heather continued from before, interrupting their hits on one another... which caught Neelix's attention instantly. He was extremely curious about what she thought regarding differences between couples... Veeno smirked as he caught on to Neelix's interest, having an idea of why it had caught his attention.

"What exactly do you mean, Heather?" Veeno asked her innocently and inquisitively.
"Well.. I just mean because he is like.. umm... really big compared to her..." She said.
"Hmm..." Veeno replied as he glanced over at Neelix.. who caught onto what Veeno was attempting to do for him. Neelix just slanted his mouth at Veeno to try and tell him not to push her too hard, but Veeno only smiled at him as he looked back down at Heather.

"Well, yeah... that one is pretty obvious but you say differences like it's a bad thing..?" Veeno asked her coyly.
"Oh no.. no.. it isn't a bad thing I mean. Well.. I dunno.." She said and Veeno bit his lip as he noticed Neelix turn his head away. "I just... can't imagine how they can... umm... you know. Be compatible with each other..." Heather said nervously and felt her face become warm as she realized exactly what she was implying...
"Heh heh..." Veeno chuckled, "That's really not that big of an issue between most interspeices couples. Most find ways to work out their differences, but I can see why you'd assume that with those two. But well, ya see, Ala's species has the ability to uh... accommodate most types of males..." Veeno said with a swallow. "It's one of the reasons, besides her gem like beauty and rairty, that makes her people so valuable." He finished, now feeling as uncomfortable about the conversation as Heather did.
"I.. see.." Heather said as she shifted awkwardly in her seat. "It's... really nice though that, they could overcome their differences to be together..." She said and Neelix turned his head back to look at her as he felt a hopeful feeling swell up inside himself. Heather lowered her head down and ran her finger tip along the table top. "It really kinda.. makes things not seem so awkward or odd.. like, gives you a new perspective on things I guess.." She finished.

"That's understandable. I mean you never encountered aliens before all of this so any concept involving them might seem awkward at first." Veeno said to her. Heather took a deep breath and looked up at him as she tried to smile and nodded, but just then Ala arrived balancing three plates of food and one tray of drinks in her arms.

Heather noticed the table light up as each section they were sitting at glowed a different color. Each plate Ala held also lit up in the distinctive colors and Heather smiled.
"That's really neat.." She said as Ala set her plate down in front of her. "Thank you, Ala."
"Aww, you don't have to thank me, sweetie. It's my pleasure." Ala replied back to her as she set Neelix's and Veeno's plates down in front of them and then the tray of drinks in the center. "I hope you guys enjoy." She said with a warm smile and walked off.

The three of them were quiet for awhile as they ate, especially Heather. She had been thinking deeply about Veeno's words.. And about seeing Ala with Muora together like that. It was almost like a veil was lifted off and uncovered her eyes.. She pushed hear meal about her plate; The food became blurred as her eyes lost focus on it as memories of last night came flooding back to her.

Could I... should I... She thought to herself. It was so obvious, especially after last night that Neelix wanted more with her.. but was she really ready... for something like that? She had only known him a little over a week. It just felt like so much pressure and she knew she couldn't keep avoiding it, she'd only hurt him. But maybe if she explained to him she just needed time... but how could she even tell him she might be willing to give it a try, in the first place...

She felt this nervous warmth rush through her veins as the feeling spread throughout her body. Anxious.. yet excited. Though she knew she didn't need to be feeling this way right now. No decision had been made... Calm yourself... She thought. No need to rush this... it's ok...

She took a deep breath and breathed out.. which caught Neelix's attention. "Are you ok Heather..?" He asked her. "Is your meal ok?" She looked up at him, trying to smile and nodded in response. "Yeah, it's really good." She said and he smiled back, even though his brows were slanted up with concern. He could tell something seemed to be on her mind...



Heather finished her meal around the same time as Neelix and Veeno, and slouched back in the booth as she sipped at her drink.

"I like your new outfit, Heather. It's very flattering on you." Veeno said, breaking the silence as he looked down at her.
"Thank you. Neelix didn't seem impressed." She said with a little grin, which caused Neelix to perk up.
"I.. like it." Neelix said with a gulp.
"You gotta understand, Neelix just isn't use to that sorta thing like I am." Veeno told her.
"What sorta thing?" Heather asked.
"He means paying overly close attention to females.." Neelix said.
"I like certain things on girls... Certain clothing can add to things..." Veeno replied with a smile.
"I can certainly vouch for that... " A female voice said seeming to come out of no where. Heather and Neelix both looked up as Veeno twisted slightly in his seat to look up at a girl who was hovering over his side of the booth from the one behind their own.

She smiled down at Veeno as she leaned over the back of the booth and slid her arms around his neck from behind. Veeno just grinned up at her. "Hey there, gorgeous."
"I've missed you, Veeno. Where have you been...?" She said to him in a flirty tone and with a pouty look on her face.
"You know I'm usually here, sweetie.. when you want me.." He told her.
"Not recently... I've hardly seen you at all." She said as she pulled up from him and stood up on the seat behind him. She swung her leg around the back of Veeno's section of the booth and crawled over it. She then let herself slide down into Veeno's lap to straddled him and began to neck at him. Veeno moaned softly as he slipped his hands on her sides.

Heather's eyes went wide as she watched the girl slide her hand from Veeno's shoulder, down between them... and Veeno suddenly moaned out deeper and longer; The girl grinned and quickly kissed him hard to muffle his moans.

Heather gulped as she pushed herself away from them and closer to Neelix until she was pressed against him as the girl started grinding down against Veeno.

"Hey, hey...!" Neelix said as he slapped his palm repeatably down on the center of the table to get their attention. "Take that shit else where.. huh?!" He shouted at Veeno.
"Ok... Ok..." Veeno struggled to say through his moans as he gripped the girl's hips firmly and began to slide himself out from the booth. He pushed out and quickly moved his hand under her to hold her up as she swung her legs around his waist tightly and giggled against his neck. "Aww... your friends a poor sport, maybe he needs company, too...?"
"No no.. he has company, baby, don't worry." He assured her as he stumbled trying to carry her off to a more private location in the club.

"Uh... yeah..." Heather said feeling overly warm. "That was... bad.."
"I'm sorry, Heather..." Neelix replied with a deep sigh as he shook his head.
"You don't need to apologize for his behavior." Ala said as she slid into the booth Veeno had been sitting in. "But try not to think too badly of him, Heather. He is a nice guy despite his animalistic behavior... " Ala said with an eye roll.
"No.. I know he is. I mean, I've gotten to know him. I just can't believe he did that...Or.. well, let her do that..." She said but Ala and Neelix just laughed.
"That's Veeno for ya... but he has a good heart. A little misguided in his ways but I can sense it from his aura that he is a sweet guy.. or else I wouldn't put up with him.. He just needs to find himself the right girl to snap him out of his current ways. He'll settle down eventually."
"He always does this, though...?" Heather asked.
"It certainly wouldn't be the first time." Neelix told her.
"That would be an understatement. It happens quite often.." Ala said with a smile at Heather. "But I'll let you guys be. Take care, Neelix, Heather." She said with a soft bow as she slid herself out from the booth and took their empty plates.

"Well... what do we do now..?" Heather asked him.
"Well, it's a bit too late to go work on the ship tonight." Neelix said.
"Maybe tomorrow?" Heather said in a hopeful tone.
"I think we could set aside some special time tomorrow for that." Neelix said and smiled warmly at her. "But lets get out of here, huh?" He said as he extended his hand to her, and when she took it, he carefully led her out of the booth and put his arm around her as they left the club together.

---