Journey of Love
Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.

Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.

…… denotes thoughts
I caught site of Neroon leaning against the wall where the staffs and knives hung. He did not seem concerned in the slightest that I started a fight on his ship, in fact he was smirking as if he was privy to some joke the rest of us weren't aware of.

"Remind me not to get you angry when you have a pike within reach."

I snorted disbelievingly. "Like you have anything to worry about."

"True." Neroon capitulated, trying his best to sound humble and failing miserably.

"You're arrogant for a Minbari."

"And you're stubborn for a human. Besides, it's not arrogance if it is the truth." Neroon bantered back.

"Are you so straight-forward about your weaknesses as well?" I asked trying to change the subject, while thoroughly curious about the answer.

"Are you?" He asked instead of answering the question.

"Perhaps we should continue this discourse at a later time, you did want to spar after all." I reminded him. "Besides the gym is not the place for such a personal discussion."

"Very well. But we will finish this later." he said as he led the way to the nearest mat which was now vacant, with his denn'bok in his hand.

All the other warriors stopped practicing to watch us spar. At first I was a nervous wreck and could barely defend myself with everyone else looking on. Eventually however, when it became readily apparent to me that Neroon wasn't planning on attacking me during the spar, and once I got used to the staring, I relaxed my tight stance somewhat. Neroon seemed to notice immediately the release of tension in my stance because he gestured to me as if to say 'can we begin now?'

Rather than just defending myself I began to attack as well, no longer worried about our audience and my own insecurities. This kept up for a good twenty minutes without either one of us gaining an advantage. It got to the point where the spar became more of a seemingly well-choreographed dance than a fight. For once the tension between Neroon and I wasn't stifling, and I could even being in his company without having to sensor my reactions. Without either of us realizing it, we were encompassed in our own little world, only aware of each other….strike…counterstrike…thrust….block….parry….and on, and on. One move after another in a seemingly endless pattern.

I was so caught up in Neroon's movements I did not realize his crew were watching us with such great interest. I had assumed they were waiting for me to make a fool of myself. It is confusing how Neroon has a tendency to aggravate me at the least opportune times, seemingly with very little effort, yet at other times, such as this one, I am more comfortable with him than I can remember being in the distant past. Although we were both concentrating on finding an opening in the others defense, we still found time to tease each other as well.

I knew, whatever I said to the contrary, that Neroon would win eventually. It wasn't because he was any more skilled than I was, although that is up for debate, but simply a matter of endurance and strength. If he had been a less accomplished warrior the strength discrepancy wouldn't have made much of a difference. Since we are both well-trained with the denn'bok however, Neroon's minbari physiology came into play and helped to tip the battle in his favor the longer it went on. This is why I wasn't terribly surprised when after thirty-seven minutes I found myself lying on my back with Neroon kneeling over me with his pike across my throat in emphasis. He would have been intimidating if he hadn't been smiling down at me.

"Do you yield?"

"I don't have much choice do I?" I grumbled good-naturedly.

"At least you realized it this time, and you don't even have any cracked ribs to show for it." Neroon acknowledged as he gave me a hand up to my feet. I may have been offended if he didn't seem so relaxed and jovial.

Once we were both standing we were surrounded by cheering Minbari, seemingly in awe of our demonstration. Quite surprisingly I was getting complimented almost as much as Neroon, even by some of those I had heard earlier gossiping. Once the throng of warriors abated somewhat Neroon and I headed back to his quarters for a shower and dinner.