Tuvok put up a hand to stop the three behind him. Chakotay rode up beside him and asked what was wrong.
"We are being watched," Tuvok answered, "They are in the bushes."
Chakotay stared into the forest, and he felt his hair stand on end. He caught a quick glance of a sword then a leather clase arm.
"What's going on?" Paris asked.
He was answered by Chakotay turning toward him with a finger to his lips. Chakotay then pointed into the forest. Paris nodded and placed his hand over the hilt of his sword.
"Good. This journey was starting to get dull," Paris whispered.
Torres looked at him strangely, "You enjoy fighting?"
Paris looked at her, "Only when I have to. Otherwise, I stay out of it."
Torres glared at him, "So, you thought you had to fight that giant?"
Paris didn't answer, for the watchers crashed through the bushes, their weapons drawn.
The group drew their weapons, slid quickly off their horses, and met the bandits. They were outnumbered, but the four held their own.
Paris wasted no time trying to block. He ducked the on-coming sword then delievered a blow of his own. The warrior fell on his back, a gash in his mid-section. Paris then turned to duck another attempt to take his head off. He tripped the attacker, then brought his weapon down on the bandit's head.
Torres took on two bandits with the same ease. She thrust her sword into on attacker, yanked it out then sliced it into the second bandit's side. Both fell to the ground, dead.
The bandit Chakotay was fighting saw his companions fall to the ground. He stared at the sword that had blocked his attack then at the owner. He let go of his weapon, and took off into the forest. Chakotay stared at Tuvok, "Seems he wasn't as willing to fight as he first thought."
"Indeed," Tuvok said. He then returned to his horse.
"Where'd you learn to fight, Paris?" Torres asked, walking with him to his horse.
Paris smiled, glad that she was interested in something that concerned him, "I learned from watching others. Then I tried on my own."
"You basically learned on your own. I'm impressed."
His eyes brightened. He wanted to continue the conversation, but Chakotay called for them to get to their horses. Torres went to hers as Paris got on his. He was thinking that he was making progress as he followed the others down the road. He looked at Torres, and smiled. It was slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
The quartet traveled on without incident. Darkness fell upon them before they knew it. They stopped beside the road for the night.
Chakotay decided to catch something rather than dig around in their packs. He took Paris along with him, not just because more eyes meant better chances, but to talk to him about B'Elanna.
When he believed they were far enough from the camp site, he spoke, "You still think you can get her to like you?"
Paris smiled, "She asked me where I learned to fight. I consider that progress."
Chakotay stopped and stared at him, "How do you know she's not trying to size you up? To see if she could take you in a fight?"
Paris turned around, stunned, "You don't like the idea that she might be warming up to me, do you?"
Chakotay sighed, "I'm just trying to keep you from getting hurt. Physically and emotionally."
Paris' eyes darkened, "I'm going to keep at it whether you like it or not, Chakotay."
Paris then turned and stalked off into the forest. Chakotay followed, knowing now that what ever he said would not change Tom's mind. He's going to have to learn on his own, Chakotay thought sadly, I just hope it doesn't come with her dagger in his heart.
Torres stared into the fire for several minutes, gathering up the corage to ask Tuvok a question. The wizard intimedated her, but she didn't want him to know. Then again, he probably knew already.
She shook her head to erase the thought then looked at Tuvok. She took a deep breath and spoke, "How well do you know them?"
Tuvok slowly came out of his meditation and opened his eyes. He looked at her and answered, "I've known Chakotay for six years. I've known Paris for only three."
"Only three?"
Tuvok had not wanted to indulge the woman in any conversation, least of all about Paris. He looked at her and saw that she wanted to know. He decided to at least grant her the answer.
"Chakotay introduced me to him after I caught him trying to steal a dagger from a vendor. Chakotay stopped me from arresting Paris. Since Chakotay was a friend, I let Paris go, but not without knowing why I should.
"A few years ago, Chakotay saved Paris from a brutal fight in Dhale. He took the youth to his home and healed him then allowed him to stay. Chakotay soon learned that he housed a wanted thief. He was torn between turning him in or hiding him. A week later, that decision was made for him. Paris was caught fighting in a tavern. They took him away before Chakotay could get there."
Tuvok took a sip of water from his flask before continuing, "Paris was sent to Nshadowen."
Torres stared at Tuvok strangely, "I thought Dhale exicuted thieves?"
The wizard nodded, "Chakotay's parents had an influence in Paris' sentencing. They were members of the council, and they have always wanted to do good by Chakotay. They convinced the judge to send Paris to Nshadowen instead of executing him. The judge, of course, complied and sent him there for two years."
"Two years?"
Tuvok nodded again, "Nshadowen is not a pleasent place to be imprisoned at. I'm surprised Paris even survived the first week. After that, Chakotay took it upon himself to watch over Paris. He went as far as to ask his parents to adopt Paris as his younger brother."
At that point, Chakotay and Paris returned with food. They carried rabbits in their hands and Torres' mouth began to water.
"I'm sorry we took so long," Chakotay said, "The prey proved to be quite tricky."
"He fell into the snow twice," Paris mentioned, sitting across from Torres.
Chakotay smiled, "Thanks, Tom."
At that, he sat down and prepared the rabbits to eat.
Torres looked at Paris curiously. She now knew why he had learned to fight on his own. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have survived long on the streets of Dhale, not to mention Nshadowen. Just hearing the word brought haunting images to her mind.
Paris felt eyes on him, and he looked up to see Torres' dark eyes staring back at him. He smiled softly at her, and to his surprise, she smiled back. His heart stopped when he saw how warm her smile was and it reflected in her eyes. Chakotay, get ready to eat your words, Paris thought, smiling.
