Part Five-Surpries

K'Lera and B'Elanna stood in the Hall waiting for Tom Paris to return. K'Lera continued to cast glances at Torres. The young warrior didn't appear to be far into the pregnancy. She was probably only a few weeks along.
The sound of the door opening brought their attentions to the present. The door flew open revealing Paris standing in the doorway.
"Tom!" Torres exclaimed, running toward him, "You did it!"
Paris wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her. The two then went to the priestess, who was staring at them. The rogue handed the creature's foot to K'Lera.
"I believe this is yours," Paris said, mockingly.
K'Lera took it, trying to keep her fury in check. There were still two more test for him to go through.
"So you have proven your bravery," K'Lera said, "Now to test your honor."
The priestess stared at the youth, trying to decided the most difficult test for him. She smiled inwardly as she came to one.
"There is a waterfall not far from here," she said, "Behind the fall is a cave. Inside the cave is a large red ruby."
"How does stealing a ruby prove my honor?" Paris asked, not trusting K'Lera.
The priestess shook her head, "Silly, child, the ruby is magic. It forces one to relive the past. If you can face your past then you have passed the test. If you can not the ruby will kill you."
Torres stared at Paris then at K'Lera. Torres knew of Paris' past, and knew how difficult it was for just him to tell her. Now, he had to relive it. She suddnely felt her fear returning. She looked back at Paris to find him looking at her.
"How will this prove my worth to B'Elanna?" Paris asked, still looking at Torres.
K'Lera ignored the stares the two were giving each other and answered, "By facing your past you admit that you are willing to move forward. You will be telling B'Elanna that nothing will stand in your way to win here."
"I have already done that, K'Lera," Paris said, annoyed, "I told her about my past."
K'Lera smiled, "That doesn't mean you've faced it. Tomorrow you will have until sunset to complete the test."
The priestess then left the two alone in the Hall. Torres wrapped her arms around Paris, and held him tightly to her. She didn't want to let him go.
"I'm afraid, Tom," she admitted, "I know how hard it was to tell me about your past. To have to relive it with the possibilty of death hanging over you..."
Paris silenced her by putting a finger to her lips, "Don't think about it, B'Elanna. You're facing your past by going back home. I'm going to be doing the same. I'll make it."
He kissed her before she could comment further. The two stood there in each other's arms for several moments. They came up for air, and stared into the other's eyes. Paris then led Torres to their bedroom for much needed sleep.

Early the next morning, B'Elanna woke to find Tom gone. Keeping her panic under control, she got up and got dressed. She then rushed down the stairs to find K'Lera waiting for her.
"K'Lera," Torres said while searching the room for Paris, "Where's Tom?"
The priestess smiled and handed her a glass of juice. When the warrior took it, K'Lera answered, "Your mate wanted to get a head start on the test. He went to find the ruby."
Torres took a drink if the juice to hide the fear in her eyes. She tried to keep her hands from shaking, but failed. K'Lera saw this and tried to comfort her.
"Don't worry, B'Elanna. I'm sure he'll pass."
Torres nodded, hoping-no praying that Paris would br able to face his past. She took another drink, wishing that it was something stronger.
K'Lera took Torres' free hand, and led her to a chair. She set the frightened woman in the chair then knelt in front of her. The priestess looking into Torres' brown eyes as she spoke.
"B'Elanna, I have noticed your behavior recently. I wanted to know what was causing it. I used my powers to do so."
Torres glared at K'Lera angrily, "You invaded my privacy!?"
K'Lera shook her head, "I thought it might be something serious. I wanted to help."
Torres' anger subsided a little, "What did you learn?"
The priestess made sure Torres was calm again before she continued, "B'Elanna, I learned that you are pregnant."
"What?!" Torres' eyes widened. She was about to stand up, K'Lera stopped her.
"You need to be calm, B'Elanna. Getting upset is not good for you or your child."
Torres saw the logic in the priestess' words. She nodded and took a deep breath. She and Paris did talk about having children, but not this soon. She took another deep breath as she realized that she was going to have a baby. Tom's baby.
Oh no, Torres thought, Tom just went out on a dangerous test that could kill him. He might never get to see his child!
K'Lera noticed Torres' aggitation, and she tried again to calm her. She placed a hand on Torres' shoulder as she spoke.
"Don't worry, B'Elanna, I'm very positive that he will return."
Torres shook her head, "You have no idea what his past was like. I'm afraid for him."
K'Lera watched as Torres broke down before her. She suddenly felt for the young warrior. For a brief moment, she hoped Paris would returned and calm his pregnant mate. She then shoved that thought aside. She didn't need to get attatched to this pair. She wouldn't be able to offer Paris and their child to Harpra otherwide.

Paris heard the waterfall ahead, and he quickened his horse's pace. He wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.
The waterfall grew louder as he drew cloder. He looked up, and saw the water falling over a cliff. He stopped his horse and slid off. He walked the rest of the way to the waterfall, all the while a knot in his stomach began to grow. He began to feel nervous as he drew near the cliff wall.
The sound of the waterfall echoed in his ears as he began to climb up the cliff. The knot tightened more as he climbed higher.
A couple more feet and I'll be in the cave, Paris thought to himself.
The last several feet seemed like an eternity to him, but he finally climbed up into the cave. Paris stood at the entrance and looked around. The ruby was on an alter in the middle of the cave. It was as large as half a crystal ball.
Taking a deep breath, Paris walked toward the alter, the knot in his stomach almost unbearable. He stopped before the ruby and stared at it. After a moment to calm himself, he picked up the ruby.
Almost at once the gem glowed a deep red. Paris winced as he felt a sharp jolt flow over him. He closed his eyes, and the memories took over.
Paris felt another jolt of pain race through him as he witnessed his mother's death. He tried now as he did then not to cry, but to no avail. A single tear flowed down his cheek as he watched the funeral of his mother replay before him. He supressed a cry of anguish when he watched his father toss a torch onto the pier.
Another jolt, this one more painful when through him. He groaned in pain and fear as the memories continued.

K'Lera watched in both interest and shock as Torres doubled over in pain. The priestess didn't know if it was pregnancy pain or soemthing else. Torres let out a small moan as she looked up at the priestess.
"He found the ruby," Torres gasped, "It's hurting him."
K'Lera stared at the suffering woman in surprise.Torrres can fell her mate's pain. Their bond is that strong. A wonderful rarity to have a bond that strong. Torres fell out of her chair to land on her hands and knees. She stared at the priestess and snarled. Her dark eyes filled with pain and rage.
"You sent him out there to die, didn't you?!" Torres accused, "And you knew I was pregnant! My baby isn't going to have a father! It's going to grow up like I did!"
Torres screamed then and fell unconscious. K'Lera saw that the pain still flowed through Torres as the warrior jerked. The priestess began to wonder what kind of pain Paris was going through.

Paris felt and saw the thugs hit him. He fell to the tavern's floor, but he wasn't about to give up. He ignored the pain and fought on. He was fighting both the ruby's power and thugs. He was not about to let either win.
He fought back with a fiercness that startled his foes. They soon backed away, leaving him the victor.
Paris cried out as another jolt went through him. He found himself standing before his father, the mayor of Xelna. He tried again to hide his emotions as his father banished him from Xelna. That time, he succeed. In the present, Paris barely acknowledged the tears that flowed down his face. Another sharp stab nearly knocked him on his knees as he realized another memory surfaced.
He found himself in an alley being attacked by a group of bandits. He knew then that he was in Dhale.
The memories continued. With each new memory he was hit with a painful jolt. The memories of his time in Nshadowen knocked him to his knees as the torture of that time came back. He nearly lost consciousness, but he forced himself to continue.
Finally, the last jolt shot through him, and he slipped into danrkness. The ruby's glow faded away as it tumbled out of his hands.

B'Elanna slowly opened her eyes. They soon focused and she realized that she was lying on a bed. She tried to sit up, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She looked up and saw that the hand belonged to K'Lera. Angered, she jerked away.
"Don't touch me, you p'taQ!" She shouted, "Tom's dead and you killed him! You killed my baby's father only because he's human!"
Torres cried into her hands, not caring who saw her, "My mate's dead! TOOM!"
K'Lera couldn't take it anymore. Torres' cried of anguish and loss finally got to her. She took the warrior's hands in hers and confessed.
"B'Elanna, your mate is not dead. He came back late last night. He collasped in the Hall. Taren and I put him in a room downstairs. He's asleep if you want to see him."
The words sank into Torres' head, and she slowly nodded. K'Lera then led her to Paris' room. The young warrior feared what she would see. She tried to prepare herself, tried to make herself brave, but she knew she was failing. She was a wreck and she knew it.
Please be all right, she prayed silently as they stopped at the door.
K'Lera unlocked the door and pushed it open. She saw the worry on Torres' face, and felt a twinged of regret. She shoved it aside and spoke, "I will give you some privacy. I will allow him to recover before I give the final test."
Torres was about to say something, but realized Paris needed her more. She nodded and entered the room. The door closed quietly behind her, leaving her alone to face her worst fear.
She walked toward the blue bed, gathering all her strength and courage to look in the bed. She sat down beside Paris' side of the bed. She looked at the sleeping form, and reached out to brush his hair off his forehead.
Paris slowly opened his eyes, and focused on Torres. He tried to smile, but he hurt too much.
"I made it," he whispered, "It hurt like hell, but I made it."
Torres smiled and stroked his hair, "I know. I felt every bit of your pain. I was so scared. When I woke up and saw that you weren't there..."
Paris reached out and grabbed her hand in his. They stared into each other's eyes, both seeing the others fears present. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He looked into her eyes and saw apprehension in them.
"What is it?" He asked, trying to sit up to no avail. He settled on lying on his back as he waited for her to answer.
"Tom," Torres began slowly, "K'Lera used her powers to find out why I was acting strange."
"Acting strange?"
Torres stared at him, and he remained silent. She continued, "She learned that I am pregnant."
Paris' eyes opened wide. He tried again to sit up, but a stab of pain stopped him. He looked at her, and saw all kinds of emotions playing across her face. She seemed both afraid and excited about the news.
"Did she say how long?" He asked, stunned.
Torres shook her head, "I'd guess a few weeks. I don't know what to do, Tom! I'm both frightened and thrilled. I know we've talked about children, and we both agreed we'd wait."
Paris noticed her trailing off and he took it as an oppertunity to speak, "I don't know either, B'Elanna, but I know I want to be with you. I know this isn't what we had in mind, but what's done is done. Who knows, this parenting might be our biggest adventure, yet."
Torres smiled shyly. She began to feel better as she listened to Paris' words. He was right, their adventure was just beginning. She bent down toward him and kissed him deeply. She then remembered what K'Lera had said to her. She pulled away from him.
"K'Lera said she would wait until you have recovered before she gave her final test."
Torres watched as Paris' blue eyes darkened, "I'm sick of her damn tests! She's trying to kill me, you know. She doesn't care if I pass them or not. She doesn't want me to be your mate, B'Elanna!"
Torres was shocked by his outburst, but she understood. She stroked his hair to calm him. She relaxed when she saw him close his eyes.
"You need to rest, Tom," she said quietly, "At least something good came out of this."
Paris smiled and opened his eyes. He saw Torres smile in return, and he finally relaxed. He closed his eyes again and drifted off into a deep sleep. He was barely away of soft lips pressing against his forehead.
Torres watched him sleep for a few moments. When she was convinced that he was alright, she left the room to find K'Lera. She was going to try to convince the priestess to stop testing Paris. She was greatly afraid that the last test would kill him.
She found K'Lera in the dining room. The priestess was quietly eating at the large table in the center of the room. Torres walked up beside her and cleared her throat.
K'Lera looked at her. She saw an expression on the warrior's face that told her Torres wanted her undivided attention. K'Lera inwardly sighed and said, "What is wrong, B'Elanna?"
Torres glared at the priestess, "I want you to put a stop to testing Tom. They're killing him."
K'Lera shook her head, "You know I can't do that, B'Elanna. He has to finish the test before..."
"I don't care!" Torres shouted, "We are already mates! We are going to have a baby! He doesn't need to complete these tests!"
The priestess calmly stood and stared at Torres, "Once the tests have begun they can not be stopped until they are completed. Your mate will finish them. Be grateful I'm letting him recover from the last test. No other priestess would. Remember that."
Torres reinged in her anger and nodded. paris was lucky to be allowed to recover. Any other priestess would have him doing another test the next day. She inwardly growled and left the dining room. She hoped the last test wouldn't take too long. She now wanted this to be over even more than Paris did.
We should have just continued through the night, she thought angrily, We would be in Krynus by now.

Paris woke late tha tnight to find Torres sleeping in a chair beside his bed. He smiled weakly at her concern. It touched him to know that she cared deeply for him. He slowly sat up on the bed and reached over to stroke her hair. She stirred under his touch and opened her eyes.
"Tom," she whispered fully relieved to see him awake, "How are you?"
Paris smiled, "I'm find, Lanna. Are you all right?"
Torres leaned over and kissed him, "I'm fine now. I just wish you didn't have to complete this testing. I'm afraid for you, Tom."
Paris touched her face, "I made it through the last two test, B'Elanna. I'll finish this one as well."
"Tom, you almost didn't make it through the ruby's test. There's no telling what K'Lera is going to put you through in this one. It could kill you."
Paris stroked her hair. He could feel her concern flowing from her. She was trully terrified and it conerned him.
"B'Elanna, I promise you I will make it through this test. I mean it, Lanna," he added when she shook her head. She looked at him and he continued, "I will prove to K'Lera that she can not and will not seperate us. I will be around to see you face your mother, and be there to see our child born."
Torres stared into his eyes and saw the determaination burning in them. She smiled, and touched his face. She felt a little better now.
"Just make sure you keep that promise, Paris," Torres growled softly.
Paris snickered and nodded.
Paris and Torres were in the dining hall eating when K'Lera entered the room. The two stared at her, the previous day not forgotten.
"I see you have recovered," the priestess said to Paris, "Good. We can start the final test."
Paris' eyes darkened and Torres tensed reflexivly.
"So what are you going to have me do now, K'Lera?" Paris growled, "Steal a dragon's egg?"
K'Lera smiled at the thief's anger. She shook her head and answered, "No, darling, I will ask my goddess what to have you do. I will return in the hour with the test."
K'Lera left the room as the two stared at each other in surprise.
"She's up to something," Paris said, "She's been up to something since we've been here. I don't like it. I suggest we leave before she gets back."
Torres shook her head, "Tom, we can't. I talked to K'Lera about stopping the tests. She reminded me that once they start they can not be stopped. If we leave we will be offending her. She will hunt us down for dishonoring her."
Paris sighed, "All right. I'll complete the test. When I do we are leaving."
Torres nodded, staring at her meal.

K'Lera stared at the icon on her alter. She went into a trance and called upon the goddess Harpra. The statue's eyes glowed as the goddess made herself known.
"Harpra," K'Lera began, "Your offerings are her, but there is a problem. The female is pregnant by the male, her mate. I am testing her mate now. The last test is about to begin."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"I was going to give you the woman's child, but she isn't far into the pregnancy."
"I will not take the child while it is still in the mother's womb. You will have to wait. I am a patient goddess. The last test can put the male against death itself. I want to see what I am being offered."
K'Lera smiled, "Yes, Harpra, that is a wonderful idea."
The eyes ceased to glow and K'Lera opened her eyes, breaking the trance. The priestess then headed toward the dining room to give the last test to Paris.

On to The Last Test
back to Paris, Voyager