DISCLAIMER: The characters of Paris, Torres, and Chakotay belong to Paramount. All others belong to me.

SUMMARY: Paris and Torres encounter a priestess, who puts Paris through a series of tests to prove his worth to Torres. The priestess, though has much more darker reasons. This is a sequel to Another Time, Another Place. It could be rated R for violence, sexual situations, and mature themes.

Part One-Future Plans

K'Lera stared at the small black icon on her alter. The figure was of the goddess Harpra. A feared goddess, Harpra brought death and disease to many. Most of her worshippers were assassins, but K'Lera believed that she and her goddess were above such thugs.
K'Lera smiled at the thought. The two had formed a bond with the deal they had made twenty years earlier. She granted Harpra lives while the goddess gave K'Lera land, and helped her defeat her enemies.
Now, there was hardly a person who dared appose her, and because of this, she was running out of sacrifices to give to Harpra.
"Harpra," K'Lera began, kneeling in front of the alter, "I know it has been two months since I have given you a proper sacrifice, but no one has set foot on my lands. I will have to hunt for decent lives to give you if this keeps up."
A voice sounded in her head as the little statue's eyes glowed red, "That will not be necessary, K'Lera. Decent sacrifices will come to you."
"When?" The priestess asked, smiling.
"Soon," was her only answer.
~~
Tom Paris woke to find the sun's rays assaulting his eyes. He blinked them as they adjusted. He yawned once, and looked at the woman, who lied beside him. He smiled and kissed her on the head.
B'Elanna Torres opened her eyes and looked into a pair of blue eyes. She smiled as she stretched.
"Morning, B'Elanna," Paris said as he watched her stretch. His smiled grew wider as he became aroused.
"Morning yourself, Tom," Torres returned, smiling at his arousal. She loved being able to excite him just by doing little things like stretching. She was also amazed by it, though she knew that he was amazed by just what his smile could do to her.
Tom leaned over and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, and brought him closer to her as she deepened the kiss. Paris nibbled her ear as he spoke, "You have any plans for later?"
Torres growled softly as she ran her hands through his hair, "How much later?"
Paris snickered, "I was thinking about lunch."
"Oh," she said as she ran her hands down his back, "I know of this beautiful lake a few miles from here. If we start now, we'll arrive at it by lunch."
Paris snickered again as he kissed her neck, "I'm in no hurry."
Before Torres could say anything, he kissed her on the lips and the two were lost.

Paris and Torres made their way to the dining area several minutes later. They spotted Chakotay sitting at a table. He appeared to be finishing his meal. The two made their way to the table and sat down.
"I see you two are finally up," the ranger said, finishing off his juice.
"Well, since we're not trying to free castles, I thought Torres and I could sleep in."
Chakotay shook his head. It had been three weeks since they liberated Lady Janeway's castle. Since that time, the three had stayed in Darkiston. Now, Chakotay could sense Paris' restlessness. Thieves never stayed in one place for long. The unwritten rule of thieves entered the ranger's mind. He knew Paris was ready to leave.
"There's a lake a couple miles from here," Paris said, "B'Elanna and I are going there for lunch."
Chakotay nodded. He had his own plans as well, "I'm going to stay here. Maybe offer my services to Janeway."
Paris smiled, "So, you're finally going to set me free? Are you sure you can handle having only yourself to look after?"
Chakotay chuckled, "I'm sure I can handle it. Besides, I think you've toned down your reckless behavior since you've met B'Elanna. I'm sure she can keep you in line."
Torres smiled and took Paris' hand in her own, "I know I have my work cut out for me, but I think I can handle him."
"She's proved that already," Paris laughed.
Chakotay smiled then became somber, "I hope you find your way back here and visit me. At least show me your kids."
The two laughed, but they agreed.
"Sure, Chakotay," Paris said, "anytime."

Paris and Torres left Darkiston late that morning and headed for Sapphire Lake. The two rode quietly side by side. They were thinking about what Chakotay has said. Did he see children in their future?
Paris looked over at Torres, who was staring straight ahead. She was deep in thought. He believe that she was thinking about the same as he. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but would she want to have his children? He looked ahead of him and smiled. He imagined dark haired children with blue eyes running toward him.
Torres looked over at Paris, and saw his smiled. She knew he was thinking about what Chakotay had said.
Well, that answers that question, she thought, turning back to stare at the horizon, He does like the idea of children. Maybe we should talk about it.
An hour after the sun's peak the two arrived at Sapphire Lake. Paris' jaw dropped at the sight before them. The lake was a deep blue color. The reflection of the sun bouncing off the water's surface made the lake sparkle like the gem it was named after. The trees that surrounded the lake seemed to be protecting it as if it was a secret treasure. The trees themselves reminded him of emeralds.
Torres smiled at Paris' reaction. She slid off her horse, and led it to the lake. Paris followed a moment later, still in awe.
The two sat down on the grass a few feet from the lake's shore. They listened to the water lapping at the shore as they admired the lake's beauty.
"It's beautiful," Paris whispered in awe.
Torres smiled, "A few years ago, I used to call it home."
Paris looked at her, "You used to live here?"
She nodded, "The lake is pretty much hidden and there's plenty to live on. No one bothered me."
"Why'd you leave?"
Torres smiled, "I don't stay in one place for long. I'm a restless spirit."
Paris' eyes sparkled, "I'm a reckless one. We sure make an interesting pair."
Torres laughed and pulled him into her arms. She kissed him, and she remembered what she wanted to ask him. She pulled away and stared into his eyes.
"Tom, I've been thinking about what Chakotay said."
"So have I," Paris interrupted, "You'd think he could see the future."
Torres shook her head, "Maybe. Do you?"
Paris shrugged, "I would like to have children someday."
"You'd have to stop being a thief, Tom. It wouldn't be good for me or the children if you get caught."
Paris nodded then added, "You'd also have to give up your warrior ways for awhile. With that in mind, would you want children?"
Torres shrugged, "It has crossed my mind, but even more so since I met you."
Paris felt his spirits soar, "So you want children with me?"
Torres looked at him. She could see the pleading in his eyes. She knew then that he wanted to start a family with her. She smiled and touched his face. He closed his eyes at her touch.
"You don't have to beg me, Tom," Torres said softly, "I'd love to have your children."
She could almost hear him say 'yes' as he sighed. She smiled and continued, "But of course, it's too soon now. We're both young and too full of the need for adventure to start now."
Paris nodded and opened his eyes, "I didn't mean let's start right this minute. I understand what you're saying."
"Good. Now, let's just enjoy the view."
~~
K'Lera came out of her meditative trance. She was trying to gain more information about these sacrifices Harpra spoke about. She contacted one of the creatures that she allowed to roam her lands. She smiled as the last of the images faded from her mind. They were not far from her lands. They would cross into them sooner or later as they wandered the country side.
"Soon, Harpra," K'Lera whispered, a grim smile on her lips, "soon we will restrengthen our bond. Then nothing will stop me from taking more lands."
K'Lera felt a chill of excitement run up her spine. The thought od more land and how she would gain it filled her very being. She loved the idea of more land, but she loved war even more. She knew that the goddess of death loved war as well. She could incress her collection of souls much faster that way.
K'Lera smiled, Soon, Harpra would be adding two souls to her collection. She will be so estatic! K'Lera laughed.
~~
Tom and B'Elanna held each other in the middle of the lake. Their little swim had turned into something more.
Torres' arms and legs were wrapped around Paris. Her check was placed again his chest as she replayed the past minutes in her head. She smiled contendly as she ran her hands up his back.
Paris had his face buried in Torres' dark hair and breathed in her scent. He felt her hands run up his back and bury themselves in his hair. He felt her head move, and he looked down into her dark eyes. He kissed her passionatly as he ran his hands down her back.
Torres broke the kiss and looked at him, "We better get out of the water before we become even more wrinkled."
Paris laughed and kissed her on the forehead, "You're right. And I'm starving!"
Torres laughed then. She untangled herself from Paris and headed for the shore. Paris following after her. The two stepped out of the water and went to their packs. They rummaged through them searching for food.
A few minutes later, the two were sitting side by side, eating dried fruit. They watched the water lap against the shore. The sound of it soothed them to the point that they almost fell asleep.
"Could you live here, Tom?" Torres asked him of a sudden.
"I could live anywhere with you, B'Elanna."
Torres looked at him. His blue gaze was intense and she knew he was serious. She smiled at him and he returned it. They then turned their attention back to the lake, each one deep in their own thoughts.

On to Under the Stars of Love

back to Paris, Voyager