The BLTS Archive - The Food series
#7: The Spice of Life
by Kiff (Kiff47@yahoo.com)

---

Disclaimer: They're Paramount's, not mine, but I know how to show
them a good time.

Archiving: Permission granted to Sileya to archive at TSU. All
others, please ask first.

Feedback: Constructive comments accepted.

Sequel to "Food for Thought," "Ruminations," "Ingredients," "Simmer,"
"The Purge," and "Just Desserts."

Warning: This story includes intimate and sexual scenes between two
adult males of different species. If this disturbs you, stop here.

---

"Good news, Mr. Neelix. The poison is completely gone from your
system, and your electrolyte level is nearly normal. I'm releasing
you from Sick Bay."

Neelix sat up in the biobed, pushing back his sheets. "Thank you,
Doctor. I really need to go to the Mess Hall and see about...."

"However," the hologram continued, "I'm not clearing you for duty
yet. Your body has been through a terrible ordeal, and I'm
prescribing a few days of rest and relaxation."

"But I'm needed in the kitchen!"

"Others have taken over your responsibilities. In fact, I'm told that
Ensign Smith's vegetable soufflé was a huge hit with the crew last
night."

Neelix was silent for a moment, biting his lip. "I see."

"I'm quite serious, Mr. Neelix. And I have enlisted some help to make
sure that you follow doctor's orders."

"What kind of help?"

"Me."

Neelix turned around to see Tom Paris leaning against the door to
Sick Bay with a big grin on his face. A feeling of warmth rushed
through the Talaxian's body as he looked at the pilot. He returned
Tom's smile without meaning to; he just couldn't resist.

Tom chuckled softly and uncoiled himself. "Yes, I'm going to be at
your service for the next couple of days. It's all arranged with
Chakotay and the Captain."

Neelix's smile faded. "I don't need a nurse...."

"Then consider the alternative. You can either spend the next
forty-eight hours with me or with *him.*" Tom jabbed his thumb in the
hologram's direction.

"Humph," grunted the Doctor with a toss of his head. "Rather rudely
put, but accurate."

Neelix flushed. "You don't have to do this, Tom."

"It's not a question of *having* to do *anything.*" Tom came over and
put a gentle hand on the Talaxian's shoulder. "I *want* to do it." He
leaned closer and spoke in a near-whisper. "This was my idea. Please
let me take care of you."

The warmth in Tom's voice, his nearness, and the tenderness of his
touch brought sudden tears to Neelix's eyes. He was not used to this,
not since Kes had left him. And the prospect of spending two full
days with the man he loved was tempting. Overwhelming, even.

He blinked hard, not looking back at Tom in fear that he would start
bawling like a young one. "Yes," he said in a very tight voice. "All
right."

"Good." Tom squeezed his shoulder, then released him. "Can we go now,
Doc?"

"You may. Please make sure that he eats properly, and give him plenty
to drink. And I'll need to see him in two days for a follow-up."

"Will do." Tom extended a hand to help Neelix off the biobed. "Come
on. I'll take you back to your quarters."

---

They walked slowly through the corridors, passing a few of the crew,
who smiled and greeted Neelix with welcome faces. He answered each of
them politely but briefly. Tom looked anxiously at his friend, who
was not acting at all like his usual loquacious self. "Something
wrong?"

Neelix shook his head, but Tom knew better. "Want to talk about it?"

"Wait." They were at the entrance to Neelix's quarters now, and the
Talaxian keyed in his privacy code. The door slid open, and the two
men went through. Tom went to the sofa and sat down, patiently
watching as Neelix looked around his room for a few moments, looked
everywhere but at Tom himself.

"Neelix, talk to me." The Talaxian swallowed. "You're going to think
I'm being silly."

"Tell me anyway. And look at me."

Neelix turned to face Tom. "Was Ensign Smith's vegetable soufflé
really as good as the Doctor says it was?"

Tom snorted. "How would *he* know? He's a hologram. So *that's*
what's bothering you?"

"Was it?"

"Sure. Sure it was good, but you want to know why? She used *your*
recipe."

This got a weak smile from Neelix. "She did?"

"Would I lie to you? Come on, your job isn't going anywhere. Believe
me, Ensign Smith will be just as glad to get back to her security
detail. She burned three loaves of bread yesterday, and we had to
throw out a whole pot of soup because she put the wrong spices in it."

"Oh, my...."

"Anyway, that's not your problem right now. Your orders are to get
rest and relaxation." Tom stood up. "What do you want to do?"

"Honestly?"

"Of course."

"I'd like to take a hot bath."

"Coming right up," and Tom raced quickly to the bathroom before
Neelix could stop him. The Talaxian soon heard the unmistakable sound
of rushing water. He stood in the middle of his living quarters,
feeling foolish, yet with an underlying sense of anticipation. The
more he was around Tom, the more attracted to the human he felt. He
knew that Tom loved him, but he was not quite sure how far that love
went, and he was beginning to fear that very soon his own feelings
would go over that line between friendship and desire. If they
weren't there already.

He groaned quietly to himself. //Neelix, you are a fool.//

He jumped slightly as Tom came back into the room. "All set. I hope
it's a comfortable temperature for you. Let me know if you need
anything. I'm going to see about getting us a decent breakfast."

"All right." He managed a smile for the pilot.

Inside the bathroom, he slowly stripped off his clothes, then got
into the tub, savoring the moist heat as he always did. He sank back,
allowing himself to relax, feeling the water cleanse his skin, loosen
his sore muscles, and quiet his thoughts.

---

Tom frowned at the replicator, trying to remember the name of that
certain tea that Neelix liked. "Hyprox"? "Dilaxian"? "Trilix", yeah,
that was it. He ordered two steaming cups, using his own credits.
Now, what about the food? Something easily digested, not too spicy.
Poached eggs and whole wheat toast to start with. He covered the food
to keep it warm until Neelix was ready.

He heard soft splashes from the other room. "Everything all right?"

"I'm fine, Tom. I'll be out in a moment."

"Take your time." He tried to make his voice sound reassuring, but in
truth he was feeling a little nervous. He cleared off a small table
and set up the breakfast, trying not to think about anything else.
This wasn't like being in the Mess Hall. He didn't want to rush
anything. He didn't want to scare the Talaxian off or come across
like he was taking advantage of him at a weakmoment. But it was *so*
tempting to just meet Neelix at the door, wrap his arms around the
smaller man, lift him into his bed, and make love to him until he
begged for mercy. Tom shuddered at the thought, then slammed his fist
into his palm and told himself firmly to knock it off.

Neelix stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in clean clothes and
looking refreshed. "Thank you, Tom. There's nothing like a bath to
clear the mind."

Tom smiled. "You're welcome. Here's some of that tea you like, and
some eggs and toast."

Neelix lifted the cover. "Smells good." He took a sip of the tea,
then noticed Tom's cup. "You're drinking Trilix, too? I thought I was
the only one. Most humans think that it's too bitter."

"I'm trying to broaden my culinary horizons." Tom took a brave
swallow and managed to keep a straight face. "Definitely an acquired
taste."

"Don't...." Neelix was about to say, "don't drink it just to please
me," but decided that it would sound petty. If Tom wanted to please
him, maybe he should just allow himself to be pleased. Because he
was. Very much. And to blazes with how it looked to anyone else.
"...Don't drink it quite so fast. Give your mouth a chance to adjust
to it."

Tom tried it again, more slowly this time. He held the beverage in
his mouth a little longer before swallowing it, a weak grin on his
face. "It's kind of like learning to appreciate coffee. The first
time you taste it, you think people are crazy for drinking the stuff.
Then you wake up one day and you can't live without it."

Neelix laughed. "I hardly think that *your* affinity for coffee
approaches the Captain's."

"Nah, she was born with caffeine in her veins instead of blood. Try
your food."

Neelix complied. Tom tried not to stare at him and took a bite of his
own toast.

The Talaxian chewed slowly and carefully. It felt good to have real
food in his mouth again. His stomach rumbled in anticipation. He
swallowed. Everything seemed normal. He nodded at Tom and went on
eating.

An awkward silence fell between the two men. Neither wanted to break
it, so they kept their mouths full and their eyes averted. Neelix
felt his heart racing in fear and anticipation. Tom's hands began to
sweat, and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

They finished at the same time, putting their forks down together.
Neelix stared at the table, Tom at the floor.

"Look," Tom finally burst out. "this is ridiculous. We need to talk.
Something's going on here, and we both know it."

Neelix gritted his teeth. "Tom, I don't know if this is right...."

"Dammit, Neelix, I love you. I know *that's* right." Tom sprang out
of his chair. "Can we go sit on the couch? I promise I won't do
anything crazy."

"All right. Let me clean these dishes up first."

Tom was about to protest, then thought better of it, crossed the
room, and sat on the far side of the sofa. Neelix placed the dishes
in the recycler, gave the table a quick wipe with a damp cloth, then
took a seat opposite Tom. "Talk to me."

"I love you, Neelix. Not just as a friend. I'm...physically attracted
to you. I know that sounds crazy. You know my reputation on this
ship. I'm Tom Paris, Galactic Playboy and Scourge of the Delta
Quadrant."

"Stop it, Tom. You're not that way and I know it. Be honest with me.
How many people on this ship have you actually slept with?"

"Slept with or had sex with?"

Neelix flushed. "The latter, I guess."

"Four, not counting the time I was a lizard."

"That's not so many."

Tom considered this. "I suppose it isn't, when you think about how
long we've been out here."

"Were you in love with any of them?"

Tom hesitated. "No, not really. It was completely physical. And you
know about B'Elanna and me. We came close to making it physical a few
times, but something always held us back."

"But you love her."

Tom scratched his head. "Yeah, but in a very platonic kind of way.
I'm not the right kind of guy for her in the long run. I think we're
much better off being friends."

"You can never have enough friends."

"True." Tom shifted a few inches closer to Neelix. "It's common
wisdom on Earth that the best long-term relationships always start
out as friendships first."

"It's that way with my people, too."

Tom grinned. "That's what I love about you, Neelix. You've always
been straight with me, even way back when we had that
misunderstanding about Kes. You don't hide behind any pretext or
protocol. You tell it like it is."

"Trust and honesty are very important to me, Tom."

"Do you trust me?"

Neelix had anticipated this question, yet it was still difficult for
him to get the answer out. He stared into Tom's eyes, feeling lost in
their blue tenderness. "I do. You've earned it."

"I won't hurt you, Neelix. I love you."

"I love you, too, Tom. And I want you, very much."

The pilot held out a shaky but inviting hand. Neelix took it and
raised it to his lips. Tom let out a small shuddering sound.

"It's all right," the Talaxian whispered, drawing Tom into his arms.

Tom held Neelix closely to him, hardly daring to believe that this
was happening. They sat there for several long moments, savoring
their bond, not wanting to let go.

Neelix pulled back slightly and looked into Tom's eyes again. He
traced a finger along Tom's eyebrow, across his temple, down his
cheek, and over to his lips. Such a beautiful and unusual face he
had. He was startled when Tom opened his mouth and sucked his finger
inside. Neelix felt his pulse begin to race once more as he saw the
pilot's eyes begin to dilate with desire. He took his finger gently
out of Tom's mouth and leaned in closer. Oh, he had wanted to do this
for so long. He touched his lips gently to Tom's. Tom's hand went to
his face and stroked his whiskers. Neelix opened his mouth slightly
and allowed the pilot to taste him.

Tom moaned deep inside his throat as Neelix reached under his shirt
to caress his skin. A stray thought occurred to him and he broke the
kiss, very reluctantly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, oh, god, no." Tom breathed, trying to regain some measure of
control. "I just don't know if this is a good idea right now."

"Why not? Because I've been sick?"

"Yeah. I don't want to put you under any more strain...."

Neelix's eyes flashed, and Tom was startled by the vehemence of his
response. "*Strain*? Do you understand how hard it has been to
*re*-strain myself from grabbing you in the Mess Hall after your
little visits and kissing you before you have a chance to walk out
that door?"

Tom stared at the Talaxian, seeing every bit of his desire reflected
back at him, and then some. "Well, then," he whispered, leaning in to
nuzzle the other man's neck, "I believe it is my duty, as your
personal nurse, to make sure to take away....any....strain...you may
be experiencing."

Neelix gasped as Tom pulled his jacket off and bit gently at his
shoulder. "I...will certainly...tell the Doctor...that you carried
out....your duties....admirably."

"So...you anticipate that...I'll be...successful in my task." Tom
kissed a warm trail along Neelix's collarbone.

"Oh, yes...indeed." Neelix lifted the human's chin and leaned in to
taste the sweetness that was Tom Paris. Tom yielded willingly,
allowing Neelix's tongue to explore his mouth. Both men moaned in
pleasure and expectation.

*BREEP!*

Tom jumped away from Neelix. "Wha...?"

"I didn't hear that. And neither did you." The Talaxian seized the
pilot's face and captured his mouth again.

"Mmmph," grunted Tom, responding in spite of himself.

*BREEP!*

"Oh, *hell.*"

"Computer, who is at the door to my quarters?"

"Naomi Wildman."

"Oh, Tom...."

The pilot chuckled weakly and pulled Neelix's shirt back into place.
"It's all right. But, uh, you'd better give me a minute here."

Neelix cast his eyes downward and smiled at what he saw. "Why don't
you go into the bathroom while I get the door?"

"Good idea." Tom hastened to do exactly that, running his fingers
through his hair in an attempt to straighten it out.

The Talaxian gave the command to open his door, and Naomi rushed into
his arms. "Neelix! I'm so glad you're home! Mother and I were worried
about you!"

He returned her embrace. "I'm fine, sweeting, just fine. What's that
you've got there?"

Naomi held up a small canister. "Cookies! I baked them myself. Well,
Mother helped a little, but I rolled the dough and cut them out.
These are a welcome-home present for you." She looked up as Tom,
having calmed down his raging erection, came back into the room.
"Hello, Ensign Paris."

Tom winced. "Naomi, I'm not on duty right now. Call me Tom, please."

Naomi looked questioningly at Neelix, who nodded. "All right -- Tom.
You can have a cookie, too, if you want."

"Sounds good."

The girl popped the canister open, and each man took one of Naomi's
creations. She watched both of them closely as they bit into them.

"Wonderful," said Tom in all honesty. "Kind of a cinnamon apple
flavor."

"Exquisite," added Neelix. "You used just the right amount of spices."

Naomi beamed. "It was *my* recipe. I created it all by myself."

"Well, then," said the Talaxian, "tell your mother that I will
personally enter it into the kitchen's database, and you will get
full credit as the author."

"Thanks, Neelix. When are you going to start tutoring me again?"

The two men looked at each other. Neelix shrugged. "Probably not for
a few days yet. But I hope you're still studying hard. Maybe you
could ask Seven to help you in the meantime."

"All right, I will." Naomi set the canister down. "I'd better get
back to the kitchen now and make some more of these." She kissed
Neelix's cheek. "I'm glad you're all better now. I *hate* it when
people are sick."

"Take care of yourself, Naomi, and be good."

"I will," she said. "Bye, Neelix. Bye, Tom." Both men waved. The door
opened, then slid shut behind their visitor.

"She's quite a kid."

"She is so special to me, Tom. I feel like she could be my own
daughter."

Tom stepped up behind Neelix and put his hands on the Talaxian's
shoulders. "You are a wonderful godfather, you know. She loves you."

"I love her, too."

Tom could not help but hear the wistfulness in Neelix's voice. "I'm
sorry."

Neelix turned. "For what?"

"For what happened to you. To your family. To your world. You could
have had children of your own if it hadn't been for that damned war
with the Haakonians."

"I have Voyager, Tom. I have Naomi. And I have *you.*" Neelix moved
into Tom's arms, and the pilot held him close. "I'm a lucky man. I'm
in love with someone who loves me, who wants me for who I am. After
Kes left, I never thought this would happen to me again. I can hardly
believe it yet."

Tom kissed the top of his head. "Believe it."

Neelix raised his chin. Tom stared into golden depths. He felt the
other man reach up to pull his head down for a passionate kiss.

The Talaxian slipped his hands inside Tom's shirt, causing the pilot
to shiver. "Take me to bed."

"Are you absolutely sure you're up to this?"

"Feel." Neelix grabbed Tom's hand and placed it on his groin.

Tom gave out a wicked chuckle. "I guess you are." He squeezed gently,
bringing a sharp hiss from his partner.

The two men moved swiftly into Neelix's sleeping alcove. Both sat
down on the bed and took off their boots, then turned to face each
other again. Tom unfastened Neelix's shirt and pulled it over his
head. He ran his hands over the Talaxian's chest. Neelix closed his
eyes and made soft sighing sounds. Tom paused only a moment to take
off his T-shirt, then continued to caress the other man's skin, so
different from his own.

Neelix opened his eyes to look at Tom, admiring his muscular torso
and smooth paleness. He ran his fingers through the pilot's fine
chest hair and came across a nipple. He pinched it gently, which
yielded a gasp from Tom. "Love you," whispered the Talaxian.

They fell back upon the bed together. Tom rolled over and pulled
Neelix on top of him. His hands wandered down Neelix's back and
slipped under his waistband. He grasped at the smaller man's buttocks.

Neelix grunted in approval and lifted himself up, allowing Tom to
pull his pants down completely. His erection rubbed against Tom's
thigh, and the Talaxian shuddered in anticipation. Tom raised his
hips, and Neelix reached underneath to peel back his clothing. He did
so slowly, admiring the parts of Tom Paris that were being revealed
to him. Tom's cock saluted him smartly. Neelix smiled and finished
pulling the pilot's pants off.

He looked Tom up and down, finally returning his gaze to those
captivating blue eyes. "You have a beautiful body, Tom."

Tom stretched a hand to Neelix's head, running it along his ridged
temples. In the dim light of the bedroom, the Talaxian looked
delicately exotic, almost fragile. "I love your spots. They give you
character."

Neelix cupped Tom's face in both his hands. "You feel so good to me."

"So do you." Tom rolled again, putting Neelix on his left side. "I
like touching you."

Their lips met while their hands wandered, stroked, caressed. Almost
simultaneously, each found the other's erection. They grasped each
other gently, almost reverently.

"Tom, I...."

"God...."

Their hands moved together in rhythm. Both felt the peak rushing
toward them quickly.

"Love you, Neelix....oh, *god*!"

"Tom, uh, oh, *my*!"

Golden eyes found blue ones as ecstasy struck them both. They cried
out together, Neelix's voice pitched a few notes higher than Tom's.
Each felt the other's hot seed shoot into his hand. Tom clutched
Neelix to him as the Talaxian gasped and shook uncontrollably, his
body awash in an intense pleasure that threatened to take away all of
his conscious thought. He fought to stay awake, not wanting to lose a
single moment. Finally, he stopped shivering and burrowed into Tom's
chest.

Tom ran his hand through Neelix's topknot, which was dampened with
sweat. "You okay now?"

Neelix squeezed his lover as tightly as he could. "Oh, yes. Oh, Tom,
thank you."

"You're welcome. And it was great for me, too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." Tom pulled at the blankets with his free hand and
managed to cover them both.

They lay quietly for a few minutes, satiated by the afterglow. Neelix
stirred. "Tom, sweet?"

"What is it?"

"No offense, but it's a little damp down here."

Tom chuckled. "I'll take care of it." He kissed his lover's forehead
and got out of bed. He washed his hands in the bathroom, then found a
clean towel and came back to his partner. Neelix rolled over and
smiled at him. Tom lifted back the covers and proceeded to clean him
up, then tossed the towel aside and took the Talaxian back into his
arms. Neelix turned into his chest and rested his head against Tom's
soft curls. Tom stroked his hair again. Neelix's breathing became slow
and regular, and it soon became clear that he had fallen asleep.

Tom held his alien lover close, feeling more content and complete than
he had in a long time. Within a few minutes, he, too, fell into a
sound and relaxed slumber.

---

The End

(Continued in part eight, "Smorgasbord")