The moons were beginning their decent when the group found their horses. They climbed onto them, and headed back toward Darkiston. Lady Janeway rode with Tuvok on his horse. She looked at the group that rode ahead of her. She knew Chaktoay from several years back. She barely knew Tom Paris, though she did know that Chakotay had adopted him and that he, Tom, had spent two years in Nshadowen. She then looked at B'Elanna Torres. She did not know this young woman, but she did know of her race. The word "Agressive" instantly entered her mind, and she was glad the warrior was on her side.
The group rode through the night; not stopping to rest. They knew that someone would have found Janeway missing, and would begin a search. Tuvok hoped they would be in town before the enemy started to look beyond the castle walls.
They entered Darkiston when the blue moon disappeared behind the horizon, leaving the red and silver moons alone in the sky. The group headed for the White Horse Inn and their warm beds. The streets were deserted making the cold breeze seem that much colder.
Torres coughed, causing Paris to turn around in his saddle. She looked at him, and saw concern in his blue eyes. She smiled at him as if to say that she was fine. He smiled back and reluctantly turned back around.
Janeway noticed this, "So the rogue finally found someone to care about. What's her name?"
Tuvok looked at the two before him and answered, "I believe it is B'Elanna. Paris does have an interest in her. I have been noticing some hints of attraction between them."
Janeway smiled, "Interesting."
The group entered the inn. They went to their respective rooms, unlocked the doors, and went in.
Janeway knocked on Tuvok's door several minutes later. He opened the door and stared at her.
"Lady," he said.
"Get Chakotay and meet me in the dining area" she whispered, "We have to form a plan to get my castle back and stop Danion."
Tuvok's expression did not change, "I thought so. Danion always had an air..."
Janeway cut him off, "Get Chakotay, Tuvok. You have three minutes."
Tuvok nodded and Janeway headed for the dining area.
Three minutes later, Tuvok and a groggy Chakotay arrived at Lady Janeway's table. She nodded at them, and they took their seats. She then spoke, "I want to get back my castle and stop Danion."
"Danion is Janeway's Captain of the Guard," Tuvok informed Chakotay, "He was the one that I suspected."
The ranger nodded, "So he hires a small clan of Randerians to help him take over the castle."
"They're easy to control and are great fighters," Janeway added.
"I suppose this Danion sits in the throne room as the guards and Randerians do all the work," Chakotay said.
"I wouldn't put it past him," Janeway agreed.
"There might be some of Danion's guards that might be persuaded to change their loyaties," Tuvok mentioned.
"Good idea, Tuvok," Chakotay said, "Now we just have to find them."
"Shouldn't be too hard," Janeway spoke up, her expression thoughtful, "I have heard some of them whispering about how ridiculous this all was. We can start there."
The two nodded, then the ranger said, "Now to get back into the castle."
~~
Torres had enough of staring at the ceiling. She grumbled, tossed the covers off her, and got out of bed. She padded across the room and went out the door. She headed toward the stairs only to stop at Paris' door. She remembered the other night when they talked till they fell asleep. She smiled at the memory and knocked on his door.
Paris slowly got out of bed, mumbling to himself about vistors and odd hours. He went to his door and opened it. He saw Torres standing on the other side of the door. He stared at her, surprised.
"B'Elanna?"
"I can't sleep. May I come in?"
Paris stepped aside and Torres entered the room. Paris shut the door, went to the dresser and lit a candle. Torres sat down on the bed as he set the candle back on the dresser. He then sat down beside her.
"How's your forehead?" Torres asked.
Paris placed his hand on the bandage and smiled, "Fine, B'Elanna."
Torres looked at him. His blue eyes sparkled just like the stars, and she could feel herself getting lost in them. She forced herself to look away and stared out the window; at the stars.
"If it wasn't so cold, we might have camped out under the stars," Paris said, following her gaze.
She looked at him, "I suspect you had slept under them numerous times."
Paris smiled, "If I couldn't sneak into someone's stables, I would. Pretty soon, I ended up sleeping outside a lot more anyway. It smelled less."
Torres laughed and he caught his breath. Her laughter sounded like birds singing on a spring day. He smiled and brushed back her hair. She looked at him, and saw the stars sparkle in his eyes. She knew what those stars meant, and she believed that her own eyes sparkled as well.
"I don't understand what I'm feeling," Torres whispered, "I've never had this feeling before."
Paris smiled and touched her face, "Another thing we have in common."
Torres returned the smile and touched his face. He leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back as she ran her fingers through his hair.
They broke apart a moment later, and stared at each other.
"This is crazy," Torres gasped, "We've only known each other for four days."
"I know, but I've had this feeling about you ever since I laid eyes on you."
Torres smiled mischiviously, "Are you sure, Tom? My kind are known for being agressive, even in love."
In answer to her question, Paris took her face in her hands and kissed her again. Torres gently pushed him back onto the bed as she returned the kiss. She then kissed his cheek then his neck. Paris gasped for breath as she made her way down to his chest.
"Agressive me eye," Paris teased, "I've seen birds more agressive at..OW!"
Torres stared at Paris as she licked blood off her lips. She smiled a feral smile at him. Paris touched his cheek to find it bleeding. He stared at her, shocked.
"You were saying?" She asked. She then growled at him, "You're mine now, Paris."
In repsonse, Paris flipped Torres onto her back and began kissing her the same way she had kissed him. He heard her sigh with pleasure. She screamed in delight when he bit her. He looked at her as he licked the blood off his lips.
"You're mine as well, B'Elanna," he whispered, his own feral smile crosssing his face.
Torres smiled and brought him closer to her. She kissed him as she slowly brought his tunic up his body then over his head. She then rolled him over onto his back and began to kiss his chest. She then sat up, pulled her shirt over her head, and tossed it across the room. He gasped in surprise when he saw her in the candle light. Her tan skin seemed to shine a golden glow in the dim light. Her dark eyes sparkled wildly as she ran her hands over Tom's chest. She looked into his eyes and smiled, "Don't start getting bashful on me now, Paris."
Paris laughed and brought her closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her. His heart began to pound against his ribs as Torres slid his pants off him. He watched as they flew through the air, and landed by the wall under the window.
"So, when are you going to get agressive?" Paris asked, suddenly.
Torres looked at him, annoyed becasue he broke the mood, "Some other time when there's not the threat of waking everyone up. Now, shut up."
To make sure of this, she placed her mouth over his to kiss him. She ran her hands through his hair as he stroked her back. His hands found the top of her bucksins, and he slowly slid them off, tossed them across the room, then flipped her over onto her back. She growled into his ear, then moaned in pleasure.
