PART TWO-Under the Stars of Love

Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres were back on the road an hour later. Paris had finally convinced her to show him where she grew up as a child.
Torres was more than a little apprehensive about going home. She knew her mother would not approve of Paris. Not only was he a thief, someone that her people despised, but he was also human. She looked over at him, and found herself hoping that her mother would find something to admire about him.
Maybe she will like how honorable he is, she thought to herself, Or maybe that he is a great fighter. Something.
She then smiled as another thought occured to her, Maybe she'll remember that she once loved a human.
Paris looked over at her at that time, and saw her smile.
"Care to share the thought?" He asked, smiling.
Torres jumped at the sound of his voice. She looked over at him, and saw the curiousity in his eyes. She decided to answer him.
"I was thinking about my mother. I was-am afraid that she won't approve of you."
"So that's why you're worried about going home?"
Torres nodded, "Most of it, but she was once in love with a human, my father. Maybe she'll remember and go easy on you. She might be angry with me at first."
"If you're that anxious...."
Torres shook her head, "No. I've been gone for several years. It's time to go home."
"You won't be alone," Paris said, noticing the somber tone in her voice, "I'll be there with you."
Torres looked at him and smiled, "I know you will, Tom."
Paris returned the smiled, and Torres felt her worry away. She felt she could face anything as long as he was with her.
The two continued down the road in silence. Paris was wondering himself if Torres' mother would approve of him. Hw knew that her people believed in honor in just about everything, even battle. They even worshipped Ontamus, the god of war. He found it strange that that they would worship a god of humans. Ontamus, though was an honorable warrior, and that was more than enough reason for them to worship Ontamus.
Maybe B'Elanna's people would accept me, Paris thought,Any why should it matter anyway?
Paris knew the answer to that question. He looked at Torres, and realized that it mattered to her.
Maybe it should matter to me as well, Paris thought as he stared at the horizon.
The sun was decending when the two stopped to rest. Paris gathered some sticks to start a fire to cook their food. He dropped them in a pile, causing Torres to stare at him.
"Tired of dried fruit already?" She asked mischieviously.
Paris smiled at her, "You could say that."
"Want me to come along?" She asked, smiling.
Paris tried not to roll his eyes, "I believe I can handle a rabbit, B'Elanna."
Torres laughed and started the fire as Paris headed off into the woods.
Paris drew his dagger, and stalked through the forest. He kept himself alert for any sound or sight of movement. He walked for several minutes before he heard the sound of rustling coming from his right. He turned toward the sound and saw movement of the leaves.
Tightening the grip on his dagger, he cautiously stepped toward the bushes. He was almost upon them when he heard a low growl. He froze. The movement became louder as did the growl. Paris took a step back, keeping his gaze on the bushes.
That's not a rabbit, Paris was finally able to think the words.
He back further away. He looked in the direction of the campfire then back at the sound. He slowly stepped in the direction of the camp when the growl suddenly became a roar. He froze again and stared at the bushes.
Suddenly, Paris saw something black flying toward him. He swung his dagger at it, but the creature slammed into his, knocking him to the ground.
He stared into glowing red eyes. He felt his strength drain from him. He could do nothing, except stare into the burning eyes. He heard the creature growl and he braced himself for the attack he knew would come. The creature stared at him a moment longer before it snarled then bounded away.
Paris relaxed and sighed in relief. He then realized that he couldn't move. Fear had frozen him in place.
Come on, Tom, he coaxed himself, it's gone. You can get up now.
After a moment, Paris slowly sat up. He could feel small tremors moving through his body. He took a deep breath to steady himself. He used the tree behind him to help himself stand up. He took another deep breath to calm himself then he headed back toward the camp. He hoped Torres wouldn't be too disappointed in not getting a decent meal. He also hoped she wouldn't think he was a coward for being scared from hunting.
I'm already thinking that of myself, he thought bitterly, I surely don't need her thinking the same.
He angrily shook the thought away, She would never think that of me. I shouldn't think it either. That thing could have scared anyone.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of movement to his right. He turned in that direction and prepared for another attack. Several slow minutes later, a large rabbit came out of the bushes.
Must be my lucky day, Paris thought, smiling.

K'Lera sat on her large black throne. She was slowly coming out of a deep meditation. She had sent another creature out into the forest to determain where her sacrifices were.
They're much closer now, the priestess thought.
She had almost laughed when she saw the surprise and fear in the blue eyes of the male. She also had sneered when she saw the youth. Her people, the females anyway, had been tormented by human males. Most of the females had taken to hurting or killing any male that even attempted contact. K'Lera herself had killed several.
The priestess smiled at the idea of killing this male.
Of course, she thought grimly,I'll make him suffer first. He'll be begging me to kill him.
Her smile resembled a sneer as she planned how to torture the male. Her laughter echoed through the room as an idea came to her.

B'Elanna Torres stared into the forest for the fifth time. She had the fire going five minutes ago. Now, she was trying her best to keep it going. The remaining sunlight was fading and se was becoming worried.
Where the hell is he? She thought, both angry and frightened, What is taking so damn long?
There was a sound of rustling behind her. She spun around, dagger in hand. She stared into the dimmness, searching for movement.
After two tense minutes, the maker of the noise stepped into the fading light. Torres lowered her weapon and turned back to the fire.
"What took so long?" She asked, "Was the rabbit tricky again?"
Paris ignored her remark and went to sit down beside her. He began skinning the animal before he put it on the fire.
"Are you going to answer me, Tom?" Torres asked after he was silent for a minute.
Paris sighed, "I don't want to scare you, but something attacked me."
Torres looked at him. She began searching for scratches and/or bite marks. She didn't find any.
"It just stared at me after it knocked me down," he explained, "It then bounded away."
Paris placed the rabbit over the fire to cook. He then looked at Torres and saw the worry in her eyes. He touched her cheek and smiled.
"I'm alright, B'Elanna," he soothed, "I was just scared for a few moments. I'm fine now."
Torres smiled weakly, "I guess bandits aren't the only things we should be worried about."
"I believe the animals will want to stay in the forest. I think I just startled the creature anyway. Don't worry about it, B'Elanna. Let's just forget it and eat."
Torres agreed, but she didn't forget it. There was no telling what the creature could have done to him if it wanted to. She angrily pushed the thought away and ate her food.

The first of the night's stars shown brightly in the sky. B'Elanna could see most of them through the branches of the trees. She smiled as brightly as the stars that she admired so much.
"Looks like we get to sleep under the stars," Tom mentioned, seeing her lovely smile. He then added mischieviously, "I just wish you would smile at me like that. What do the stars have that I don't?"
Torres looked at him. She was about to answer when she saw his impish smile. She then decided that two could play that game.
"You must be half-imp. Or are you somekind of creature in disguise bent on having its way with me then torturing me with jokes?"
Paris laughed and shook his head, "You caught me. I guess I'll turn back to my original self then."
Torres couldn't help, but laugh. He could always find a way to make her laugh. She felt safe with him, even in the beginning. Her mind wandered to when she first felt that way.
All he did was give me his blanket, she thought,And later we shared it for warmth. I have never let any man to that before. He's definitely special.
She looked at Paris and caught him staring at her. They held each other's gaze for several minutes before Torres spoke.
"You want to know waht you have that the stars don't?"
Paris smiled, "I believe the question was..."
"I know what the question was, Tom," she interrupted, "Do you want to know or not?"
He was about to say that he was just joking, but he thought better of it, and nodded.
"I enjoy the stars, because of the stories they tell. I look up at them, and I remember the stories my mother told me of how they came to be. I can see those stories in the stars."
"What do you see in me?" He asked.
Torres looked at him, and saw the longing in his eyes. It had been there ever since she first saw him. Every now and them, she saw something else. She saw his love for her growing stronger with each passing day. She smiled and answered him.
"I see the stars in your eyes," she said softly, "I see a brave and stubborn person, who cares deeply for me. I love you, Tom Paris."
Paris smiled, "Just cause I have stars in my eyes?"
Torres growled, "Imp."
Paris snickered and leaned over to kiss her. She moved back until he fell forward into the dirt. She laughed until she fell backward. Paris lifted himself up and smiled wickedly at her.
"Funny, Torres, but you're also in the dirt."
Torres still laughed. The laugh that sounded like birds singing to him. His smile became brighter as he crawled over to her. He looked down at her as her laughter became giggles.
"I love to hear you laugh," he said softly, the stars sparkling in his eyes.
B'Elanna stared into his blue eyes. She reached up and touched his face. His eyes closed as he reveled in her touch. Her hand moved up into his hair. She pulled him down toward her and kissed him.
Not taking his lips from hers, Paris lied down beside her. He ran a hand up and down her body, finally running his hand through her hair. He then moved his lips to her cheek. He kissed it then moved down to her neck.
Torres growled as she untied his cloak. Shr tossed it off him then moved her hands under his tunic. She ran them over his back as he returned to her lips.
Paris then rose to his knees, bringing Torres up with him. He untied her cloak then pulled off her tunic. The light from the fitre lit up her body just as the candle light did the first time they made love. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in awe.
Torres snickered. She still couldn't believe she could do this to him. She drew him closer for a kiss that deepened as they explored each other. She then broke the kiss as she tilted her head back. She ran her hands through his blonde hair as he moved down her body, kissing her as he went.
"Tom," she moaned as she slowly fell back toward the ground, taking Paris with her.
She pulled him up to kiss him again. She then broke the kiss long enough to take off his tunic. She looked at him and smiled. She ran her hands over his chest then over his shoulders. She stopped him when he bent down to kiss her. He looked down at her then followed her hands to the top of his pants.
"Oh, so that's what you want to play," Paris said, smiling.
Torres rolled her eyes then unbuckled his sword belt. It fell off with a thump as Paris did the same with Torres' belt. She then slowly pulled Paris' pants down and off. Paris did the same to her buckskins and tossed them to one side.
"Now, where were we?" Paris asked as he stroked her body lovenly.
"About here," Torres answered, flipping him over onto his back.
She planted kisses over his body, causing him to moan her name. She smiled as she moved down his body, nipping or kissing as she went. She then sat up and looked at him. She almost laughed.
Paris' eyes were closed and a small trickle of sweat rolled off his forehead. She growled and he opened his eyes. He looked at her as he drew in a shuddering breath.
"You going to sit there all night?" He asked after a moment.
In answer, Torres attacked his lips with hers. They kissed each other with a rough passion. They growled as they edged the other on.
Paris then suddenly flipped them over to where Torres was on her back, still kissing her. Torres' growl turned into a gasp of surprise. After the times they've done this, she was still surprised when he entered her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he began to move inside her.
"Tom," she moaned as she felt herself move closer to the edge.
Paris could feel her getting closer, and he picked up speed. He felt himself move closer as her muscles tightened around him.
"Lanna," Paris whispered in her ear.
She moaned in response as she ran her hands into his hair. Her moans became louder and her grip on his hair tightened as Paris' thrusts came faster.
Suddenly, Torres' moans became a one word scream as she tumbled over the edge. Paris thrust once more before releasing into her, crying out her name.
Their cries caused an owl to fly from its perch and into the darkness of the night. Its startled screech went unheard.
Several minutes later, Paris rolled off Torres and lied next to her. She turned on her side and rested her head on his shoulder. She casually ran her right hand over his chest. She kissed him on the cheek, getting his attention. He looked at her and she smiled.
"I still can't believe you have never been with anyone before me," Torres whispered, "You're too good."
Paris felt himself blush as he snickered, "Thanks."
He then became serious as he spoke, "I've always considered it a kind of animal instinct. Used for one purpose. I was too busy being a thief to really bother with it."
Torres sat up and looked at him, the fading light of the fire showed her the somber expression in his eyes.
"There was someone else, wasn't there?" She asked.
Seeing the 'answer me' expression on her face, he nodded. He looked away, not wanting to see the anger in her dark eyes. He then felt her hand on his chin, and he looked at her. He was both relieved and confused to see that she wasn't angry. What confused him was that she wanted to know.
"Who was she?" Torres asked.
Paris sighed and answered her, "A few months before I was tossed out of Xelna, I fell in love with a girl named Sydrana. She was learning how to be a druid. The druidess who was teaching her lived right next to my father's house. I would see her everytime I went home. She was leaving the druidess' house as I passed it. She was lovely with brown hair and eyes as green as a pine forest."
He stopped, realizing that Torres was probably growing more angry with every word. He looked at her, and saw that she wanted him to continue. He drew a breath and continued.
"I would try to talk to her, but she would say that she needed tos tudy her spells. It happened everytime we met. I finally gave up about the time I started going to the taverns. I gave up on ever finding someone to love me as much as I loved them. Until I found you."
Torres stroked his hair and smiled softly, "I'm glad you didn't give up on me, Tom. That must have been more difficult than arguing with your father."
Paris took her hand in his, "About the same actually. At one point, I thought she might show an interest in me if I was a knight like my father wanted me to be," he shrugged and sat up. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and continued, "But I rather have someone like me for who I am."
Torres smiled and stared into his eyes. She could see the mixed emotions running through his blue eyes. She leaned forward to kiss him, but stopped when she felt a sickening sensation in her stomach. Her eyes widened and she lept to her feet, and ran to the nearest tree.
"B'Elanna?!" Paris called, concerned.
He could hear the sounds of vomitting coming from her direction. He started to walk toward her, but she finally turned around, and headed back toward the campfire.
"Are you all right?" He asked, wrapping a blanket around her.
Torres nodded as he helped her sit down beside the fire. She watched as he fed the fire to get it going again. Soon, the fire was buring brightly again, banishing the darkness from them.
"I'm sorry, Tom," Torres whispered.
Paris shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I'll just make sure the food is cooked thoroughly next time."
Torres smiled weakly and nodded, "That would be wise."
Paris moved to sit next to her. He tok her in his arms and kissed her on the forehead.
"Get some sleep, B'Elanna. We have a long day ahead."
Torres' eyes were already closed as he said this. Paris kissed her forehead again then gently lied her down on the ground. He grabbed his own blanket and lied down beside her. He covered himself with it then moved closer to Torres. He wrapped his right arm around her as he drifted off to sleep.

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