Journey to Tarvos: Day 5

Joel and Teegan's journey is coming to an end.  Thank you to everyone for the encouragement and support!

Title: Journey to Tarvos: Day 5

Characters: Joel/Teegan

Series: Another Life

Joel startled awake.  He lay still for a moment wondering what had woken him.  The cold, damp cave floor was hurting his back, but he didn't think that was what had woken him.  He looked over to Teegan who was curled up next to him and saw the fire had all but gone out.  Joel slowly unwrapped his arms from his warrior and then stood up.  The air in the cave was so cold he could see his breath.  But as cold as it was in the cave, he knew outside was much colder.  The snow had fallen steadily all night long and was still falling.

Just as he started to build the fire back up, he heard shouting.  Quietly, he stepped back over to Teegan and gently put his hand across his mouth.  He didn't want his sub to make any noise until they knew who was outside.  Teegan had talked of Gliese as a peaceful planet, but Joel had seen the worse that humans could do to each other on Earth.  He'd seen starving men kill each other for nothing more than a single nut.  He'd seen women beaten and raped for less than that.  Joel was taking no chances with Teegan.  He'd fallen in love for the first time in his life and he'd protect his love with all that he had.

Leaning close to the now awake man, Joel whispered, "Someone is outside.  Stay here and quiet.  I'm going to see who is out there."

Before Teegan could say anything, Joel slipped outside the cave.  He carefully maneuvered himself around a tree.  He heard yelling again but couldn't make out the words being shouted.  He turned to look toward the river where the voice was coming from.  Suddenly a large, muscular man came into view.

Joel gasped at the sight of the tall red haired man.  He had to be several inches over six feet tall.  His arms looked like small tree trunks; his legs like large tree trunks.  But what worried Joel the most was the big sword hanging from the man's belt. Joel knew their only hope of surviving was to stay far away from the man.

"Here!  We are here!"

Joel's heart stopped beating when he saw Teegan at the mouth of the cave.  The young warrior was yelling and waving his hands above his head.  

"No," he tried to yell, but his voice came out in a horrified whisper.  

The giant sized man rushed forward.  Joel knew he was closer, but the man's long legs were covering ground much faster than he could.  Running as fast as he could, Joel reached the cave a few feet before the man.

Pushing Teegan behind him, Joel stood as tall as he could blocking the giant's view of his love.  He felt the tug of the link in his mind.  When the big man in front of him pulled out his sword, Joel pushed at the link.  The sharp snap of the link closing caused Joel to break out in a sweat.  Nausea washed over him.  But if he was to die at the hands of the man holding the sword, Joel didn't want Teegan to feel his death.

Despite the nausea and pain from breaking the link, Joel stood his ground as the large stranger rushed toward them, sword in hand.  The man stopped just a few feet in front of them.  Joel watched as the man tilted his head and stared at them.  There was still rage on the man's face, but now there was puzzlement as well.

"You have linked," the man stated.

Before Joel could get a sound out, Teegan jumped out from behind him.  

"Carrick!"  The young warrior yelled and then before Joel could stop him, launched himself at the man.

Joel watched in stunned silence as the man wrapped his big arms around Teegan.  Then he winced when the man swatted Teegan.  Hard.

"We thought you had perished!  You were to arrive home over a week ago.  The others found their way, but you were no where to be seen. The remnants of your boat washed down river," Carrick growled.  "I came to bring your body home.  Yet instead of a broken body, I find you here?  Alive?  Linked with someone?"

"Would you like me to try and drown myself again?" 

Joel didn't know which man to stare at.  Carrick the large, angry giant or Teegan, his young warrior with an apparent death wish.  Before he could decide, Carrick's eyes met his own.  The look was steady and direct.  Joel's stomach dropped, but he met the man's look.

"I trust you've delivered the discipline needed," Carrick growled.

"I have. I trust you have kept him safe for me until I could arrive.  Since, Teegan has not seen fit to introduce us; I'm Joel," Joel said and held out his hand.   As soon as Carrick let Teegan out of his arms to shake his hand, Joel grabbed Teegan's arm and pulled him close.

As Joel opened the link to Teegan, his stomach calmed and the pain receded.  Everything seemed brighter despite the cloud covered sky.  The scent of the trees filled his nose.  The air felt colder on his skin.  And he could feel the joy that his love was feeling at seeing Carrick.  Joel understood the happiness of his lover, but when Carrick tried to link with Teegan, Joel felt their own link strength.  His protectiveness grew and flowed throughout his body.  Joel couldn't stop the growl deep in his throat.

"We are one now," Teegan said.

Joel wasn't sure if Teegan was calming him, or telling Carrick.

Carrick's face held a mixture of sadness and pride. "Yes. He may not realize it at this moment of time, but he's very strong." 

Joel tilted his head.   He didn't like being talked about as if he wasn't there, but he wasn't quite sure what they were saying.

The larger man looked at Joel. "You're physically weak, but your soul has the strength of a true warrior.  I feel it pulsating.  You and Teegan are a good match.  Our Anax will be pleased."

The link grew even stronger at Carrick's words.   Joel could feel Teegan's happiness at Carrick's approval.  And Joel knew Teegan could feel his own.

"Come, we've sturdier transportation for you than the small wooden canoe that was destroyed," Carrick commanded.  "You will return to Tarvos alive and well.  The village will celebrate."

As the men walked toward Carrrick's vessel, Joel wondered what lay ahead for him.  Calmness flowed into his body and mind.  He looked at Teegan walking in front of him, and knew what ever waited him, he would survive. With Teegan by his side, he wouldn't just survive, but he'd live.

End

Joel and Teegan continue in Celebrate Me Home