Prologue –
Naomi was in the dark, trembling. Samantha was always on an away mission.
Then, her door chimed.
It was Neelix.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She idolized him.
What did she know about this feeling?
"Naomi, are you sleeping? I thought you might be feeling lonely—"
"I am!", tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
Neelix sat on her mattress.
Oh, his proximity, his smell, his temperature.
It was so strange.
She touched his yellow whiskers and he smiled.
She found him so funny. Like a holodeck character.
"Look what I replicated for you."
It was Flotter. Her favorite toy in the world.
"Now you'll never feel alone again, in case I can't be here for some reason."
She held the toy tight.
"Don't say strange things Neelix! We'll be together forever!"
He laughed.
"You know? I'll marry you.", she blurted.
Neelix was in shock.
"Oh, you say such things because you are sleepy. Come on, sleepy head, hug Flotter and close your eyes."
"And dream only of you."
Neelix was at a loss.
"Naomi, I'm too old for you."
"I don't care! Please, wait for me... I grow faster than the average."
And she slept. And had sweet dreams...