Author: Talani Silverwolf
Codes: CAVe/Endeavors challenge, "Pon Farr"
Disclaimer: I do not own, in whole or in part, Star Trek or any of its affiliates. There use here is strictly for entertainment purposes only, and do not in any way reflect owner / associates ideals.
PART 1
Gasping as she bolted upright, T'Pol sat a moment in the darkness trying to calm the chaos in her mind. Images and sensations that were erotic and terrifying, as well as unfamiliar to her had tormented her dreams and left her sitting in sweat soaked pajamas.
Finally, with her heart rate slowed to a calmer beat, she glanced at the chronometer and noted that it was 2:45am, then she activated the lights to a bare minimum and attempted to identify the cause of the disturbing depiction's that her subconscious mind taunted her with.
Ever since that day when she and Doctor Phlox had returned from that planet where an alien microbe had infected her, the thought of losing control like that again haunted her. The doctor had assured her that nothing had occurred and that Lieutenant Reed and he were the only ones that witnessed her loss of control.
Since then, she had made an extensive search through every possible record that pertained to Pon farr. None of which really disclosed all the facts, but since they were now in the Delphic Expanse, there wasn't a way for her to request more exact information on the subject from her HomeWorld.
It had not helped, when Phlox had done some follow-up tests and discovered that not all the hormones had returned to normal. He had smiled and said that, 'it was probably just an after affect of the infection'.
A sudden thought occurred to her, and she quickly got dressed and headed for sick bay. Fortunately, there were very few crew members about at this time. It made her mission that much easier as she entered the main area of medical and glanced about before finally raising her voce and stating, "Doctor, I must speak with immediately. It is of the utmost importance!"
The Denobulin bustled out from behind a curtain on the far side of the room, he greeted her cheerfully, "Good morning Sub-commander. What can I do for you that requires my services, and at an odd hour indeed for you to be about?" He noted they way her eyes darted quickly around the room, so cleared his throat and added, "We can discuss it in my office Sub-commander, it's a bit more private."
T'Pol nodded and followed him to the back room, she took a seat as he closed the door and settled on the stool nearby. He studied her a moment before calmly asking, "Now then. What seems to be troubling you T'Pol?"
Without hesitating, she quietly said, "I need to know if the pathogen I picked up recently could possibly trigger my Pon farr prematurely Doctor. You are the only one who can answer my questions now, you see since we are no longer able to communicate with any reliability with our superiors."
Startled by her request, he asked in a more concerned tone, "Why? Has something happened that would lead you to believe you're on the verge of this condition?" He watched her closely as she shifted slightly, folded her hands into her lad and averted her eyes from him.
She spoke softly, with a slight tremor in it as she answered him. "Three nights ago, I began experiencing dreams that were disturbing to me, as they contained images of a highly sexual nature. Then yesterday, I found myself responding to Commander Tucker's usual rhetoric in a most unsettling fashion."
"What? His normal tauntings actually got to you? That is remarkable. What did you do T'Pol?"
"It would be fair to say he was unprepared for my, outburst......"
"Go on", the doctor urged calmly.
Looking up at him, he could detect a slight tenseness in her. Dr. Phlox could actually tell that she was distraught by all of this, and that she had a valid cause to worry if indeed the microbe had instigated the early arrival of her mating cycle. He wasn't sure that anything he might try would have a satisfactory effect on the real thing, it being a natural part of her people's biology. He held his hand up, and shaking his head, he spoke in a subdued voice. "Never mind that T'Pol. Let me run a few scans before you jump to any conclusions."
T'Pol was silent the entire time, her thoughts on alternatives and any other options she might have to avoid an incident that would, of a certainty, be considered indecent by most people. She barely noticed when he was through, so wrapped up in contemplating her situation.
"Ah-hem! T'Pol, are you paying even the slightest bit of attention to what I've just said?" He had a quizzical expression on his face as he continued, "You are after all, the one who sought me out. The least you can do is listen to my diagnoses."
She shook her head as she turned to look at the doctor. His somber face and pained voice filled her veins with ice water. She felt a chill run through her as he delivered his results.
"I am sorry, T'Pol. It seems you suppositions were correct, your body is preparing to enter Pon farr. These higher levels of hormones as well as your electrolyte count are indicative of the first stages of it. If the information you've provided me is correct, I calculate you have approximately eight days before you enter the second stage. Enough time, I should think, to make a decision."
Blinking at his choice of words, she inquired, "What do you mean, 'make a decision', doctor?"
"Why, on which route of treatment we're going to pursue. For once we start one, I won't be able to switch. So you are going to have to choose between the 'traditional' method or the less effective 'hormone therapy' one."
She managed to suppress her initial response, and coolly say, "Doctor. There are no other Vulcans onboard Enterprise, as you well know. So how then, can you say the 'traditional' method is one of my options?"
Smiling affably, he explained. "There really aren't too many differences between Vulcans and humans T'Pol. At least anatomically they correlate, making copulation easy enough. The actual physiology of both species differs dramatically of course. But then, conception isn't the goal here. We just want to get you through this alive."
All she could do was stare at him. He was actually suggesting that she mate with a human in order to survive. It was a disturbing notion, to think that one's survival was dependent on weather or not there was a male crew member willing to participate on such a personal level. Even as the thought appalled her, an even more disquieting one began to emerge.
Phlox paused, giving her time to consider the idea. She closed her eyes as she spoke very quietly, "Even if there were one man on board willing to do such a thing, the repercussions far outweigh the moral sacrifice involved doctor."
"It's that or the hormone therapy, which doesn't have a very good success rate. From what I've read, it only has a 48% chance of being beneficial. I would much rather you pass the experience using the more reliable treatment, than risk your life unnecessarily in order to salvage your dignity, T'Pol."
She stood and gave him a meaningful look before she turned and quickly left. He sighed, knowing she was going to be upset with him for what he had to do now. Going over to the comm panel, he keyed in the captain's call code.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
PART 2
Captain Archer glanced up from the PADD and caught the doctor's eyes, his voice rough as he spoke. "So you're saying that if nothing's done, T'Pol will die?"
Phlox absently nodded as he replied, "For some reason, she simply will not discuss it with me. She knows what will happen if nothing is done, the increase in her metabolic rate will eventually lead to organ damage and finally massive brain damage leading to death."
The captain wore a grim expression as he placed the PADD down on his desk, his voice catching in his throat as he asked, "There's no other options besides the ones you've listed? Something that would ease the symptoms?"
"I'm afraid not, captain. And she's running out of time to choose the type of treatment we're to try." There was a sad note in the doctor's voice as he spoke. "If we're going to save T'Pol, we've got to do something soon."
Archer closed his eyes and took a deep breath, after slowly releasing it, he quietly said, "I don't understand. If it's a matter of life over death, I would think she'd prefer to live." He suddenly looked up at Phlox, "What would you suggest, doc?"
After clearing his throat, the doctor stated in his most professional tone, "Well, considering the poor results of the medicinal treatment, I would have to say that her best chance of survival lies in the more time honored way of handling this particular affliction."
The captain rose, saying, "I'll go speak to her. Maybe I can talk some sense into her."
"Captain," the note in Phlox's voice halted him. "You must remember that in her current frame of mind, T'Pol's response will be unpredictable. You may want to consider having a security detachment accompany you."
Shaking his head, Archer replied dolefully, "If I can't convince her, we won't have to worry about security there. I think I'd probably rather die trying then live knowing I've let one of my crew down."
He left without another look. Phlox could only shake his head slowly, admiring the captain's resolve. Sighing, he headed back to sick bay and thought maybe he should run down the progression one more time in order to see if there was anything he might have overlooked earlier.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Captain Archer stood outside T'Pol's door, pressing the entry request yet again. He waited a moment before finally keying the comm. "T'Pol, I know you're in there. Open this door immediately. That's an order Sub-commander!"
Just as he thought she wasn't going to let him in, the door slid open. Her voice was shaky as she said, "Captain. I would prefer that you leave, but I know you will not go until you've satisfied whatever it is you have on your mind."
Archer entered and glanced about, the room was darker than usual. He saw her sitting on the edge of her bunk, knees drawn up under her chin. It was so child-like a pose, that he paused a minute and reconsidered what he had originally intended to say to her.
Taking a seat on the opposite end of the bed, he quietly asked, "So. The doctor tells me you're on the verge of something big. Would you mind telling me about it?"
T'Pol shot him a startled look before turning away. When she finally spoke, it was in a hushed subdued tone. "I had thought Phlox honored patient/doctor confidentiality. If I had known he would take it upon himself to inform you of it, I might have been more cautious in bringing it to his attention."
"That's not really important at the moment now. What is important, is getting you to accept the fact that this is going to happen and that you're going to have to decide on what course of action to take." He had managed to keep his voice level, without showing any of the distress he was feeling internally.
A small sigh came from the other end of the bed. T'Pol still wouldn't look his way, but she sounded more like her usual self. "Did the doctor explain what is going to happen? That at its height, Pon farr releases all the repressed emotions and turns one into a being reminiscent of more primitive times."
"No," he answered in a steady voice. "But he did say that without treatment, you could wind up with brain damage or even die." He didn't notice his hands clenching subconsciously as he continued. "He also told me you hadn't decided on any steps to take that would prevent that from happening."
"Captain, please,..."
Suddenly, Archer stood up. He walked quickly to the door and paused at the threshold, placing a hand on the wall next to it as he spoke. All the frustration he'd been feeling coloring his words. "T'Pol, it doesn't matter which treatment you choose. The only thing that matters is that you make it through this in one piece. If the pharmaceutical one isn't going to be adequate, then let me know who would be."
T'Pol realized what he was saying. Giving her the option of selecting someone from the crew in order to satisfy the fire that was even now building inside her. She turned and stared at him, stunned by the resignation in his voice.
He was willing to stand aside and let another have her if it meant she'd survive. It would hurt, but the thought of losing her was an even greater pain. Besides, he had finally come to grips with the truth; that there wasn't a chance for them to be anything other than friends. Their worlds were too far apart, and the differences too great. It had been a nice fantasy while it had lasted, but all good dreams had to end sometime. Now he had to face reality and live with the fact that she had to pick somebody to provide her with the one thing that would assure her survival.
Before T'Pol could gather her thoughts back into order, he slipped through the door and was gone. Too bewildered by the offer he'd made her. How could he know that she had already decided he was the only one suitable in her eyes. And that to protect him from herself, she would rather die than cause any harm to him, the one man on Enterprise she truly respected and trusted.
No, she was not going to give in to her desires. It was too perilous. During Pon farr, a Vulcan lost all control and was capable of doing severe harm without ever even meaning to. Unable to stop the wash of despair that overcame her, she began to quietly weep in the stillness of her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
PART 3
Everyone on the bridge noticed the captain's disquiet. He would shift from one side of his chair to the other, re-crossing his legs. Whatever was bothering him, it must've been sitting pretty heavy on his mind to distract him so.
No longer willing to bear with any more, Ensign Hoshi Sato finally left her station and approached the captain. Using a quiet tone, she gently asked, "Excuse me captain, is there something bothering you?"
Archer looked at her, his eyes boring into hers. There was hurt and anger there, Hoshi thought and wondered what had upset him so. His response was couched in a low tone, filled with pain. "Ensign, please go back to your station. It's of no concern to you, or anybody else for that matter, what may or may not be on my mind."
She studied his expression briefly before returning to her seat, Hoshi concluding that he was worrying over 'someone' as opposed to 'something'. The only question now was, who it could be. Trip had recently called up from engineering, so he was out, and Porthos was curled up under the captain's chair sound asleep.
Giving her forehead a mental slap, Hoshi realized that Sub-commander T'Pol hadn't reported in yet. She surreptitiously glanced at Jon and saw that he was still swinging one foot irately, his face masked in despair. Looking back at her board, she wondered what had happened to T'Pol. The last time Hoshi had seen her, she'd been dining with Commander Tucker and the captain. That had been less then two days ago, so whatever occurred must have been sudden. Maybe she'd take a walk down to sick bay and see if the doctor knew what was wrong.
Captain Archer jumped as the comm. sounded. He answered, in a grave tone, "Archer here."
"Captain, would you please come down to medical immediately." Phlox's voice sounded slightly agitated.
The doctor's words seemed to weigh heavy on the captain, his reply was barely audible. "I'll be right down Doc."
Climbing out of his chair, Archer took a deep breath and nodded to Lieutenant Reed as he turned to go, "You have the bridge Lieutenant."
"Aye, Sir." Reed watched as the captain walk resolutely to the lift and enter. Once he had gone, Malcolm turned to gaze over at Hoshi. "What the devil's gotten into the captain?"
Rather then voice her suspicions, Hoshi simply shrugged and returned to her work. But inside, she was dying to know what was going on. It was maddening not being in the know, the sub-commander must have come down with a sudden ailment, or maybe her P'Naar syndrome had thrown her a curve. Hoshi sighed as she contemplated what she'd recently observed: 1. T'Pol had not reported for duty, 2. The captain was troubled deeply by the absence of said science officer. 3. Dr. Phlox's request for Archer's presence had been like a death knell for the captain.
All of a sudden, Hoshi sat back as a notion materialized in her mind. What was it Malcolm had mentioned about a recent incident, something about having to shoot T'Pol after she'd escaped from the doctor's care. He'd been talking with some guys from armory, but she's over heard it while going for some target practice. None of them had seen her, and she'd left circumspectly before anyone saw her. But Lt. Reed's words still rang in her ears, "She was all over me, for Crissakes! If the doctor hadn't required quarantine, I might've been tempted to take her up on her offer!"
Hoshi shot a quick glance at Travis, who was busy at the helm. Then she caught a glimpse of something in the corner of her eye. As she turned full in that direction, a blur of brown, white and black fur catapulted into her lap. "Porthos! You silly hound, you!" Petting him as she laughed, Hoshi wondered why he hadn't gone with Jon like he usually did.
Ensign Mayweather turned around and chuckled, "Gee, I wonder if that would work on any girl, or if it only counts if you're a dog?"
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Hoshi shot back, "All guys are dogs in my book, at least until they can prove otherwise."
"Ouch! Touch�!"
Giggling, she added, "Besides, only the furry ones get any of my attention. All others require a thorough, mandatory inspection before I so much as allow even a friendly little peck on the cheek! No approval, no kissy, kissy."
"Man, you're hard!" Travis widened his eyes in mock horror, then gave a hearty laugh before turning back to his navigation board.
Everyone was in a state of high humor as Commander Tucker arrived on the bridge, a plaintive note in his voice as he said, "Wha? What I miss this time?"
Reed chortled, "Blimey, you always arrive a day late and a dollar short, don't you commander?"
"Naw, I just happen ta be one of the few people who do any 'real' work around here is all." Trip added lightly. "Can't afford ta loll about and champ ma chaws like tha rest o ya."
"Excuse me, 'champ ma chaws'? What in the bloody hell is that suppose to mean?" Reed replied incredulously.
There were miscellaneous sounds of mirth at the Lieutenant's query as Trip answered in disbelief, "It means you're all sittin' aroun' flappin' your jaws instead of your work!"
"Well," Reed said, then straightened up and addressed his station, "I do so pay attention to you. Isn't that right?"
He had everyone on the bridge laughing as he finished by running his hand lovingly along the dials and knobs, crooning, "You haven't let me down yet, now, have you. Always ready to have a go at it, and all."
Trip just threw his hands up into the air and rolled his eyes, ending up looking at Hoshi as he grumbled, "Always one in the crowd, eh ensign?" He sat in the captain's chair and inquired, "Hey, where'd Jon go?" All he got for an answer was ambiguous glances, and a small sigh from communications.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
PART 4
Captain Archer drew in a breath to brace himself as he entered sick bay. A pall of gloom making his steps heavy. Giving himself a little shake, he squared his shoulders and approached the doctor.
There was no sign of T'Pol and Archer wondered about that, his eyes met the doc's and he knew she had made a decision. Lifting his chin, he calmly asked, "Well, what course of action has she decided on?"
Giving the captain a measured look, Phlox answered solemnly, "After much deliberation, it has been decided that the greatest benefit yielded would be from dealing with this condition in the traditional manner, captain."
Archer closed his eyes as he dropped his chin to his chest. "And who has she chosen to help her through this?"
"I'm sorry, but she stated she'd only disclose that information to 'the captain'." Phlox said, emphasized the last part.
Nodding, Archer glanced at the doctor and sighed, "I guess that's only reasonable. It is a personal situation after all." He turned and proceeded out as if to attend a funeral.
As the doors slid shut, Phlox muttered, "I wonder if I should've told him to take along a pair of restraints as a precaution?" Shrugging his shoulders as he turned to attend his menagerie, he added, "Oh well, I'm sure the sub-commander has prepared all the necessary equipment that's required."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With a sense of deja vu', the captain once again stood outside his science officer's door, wondering how much longer he would be able to contain the anguish that filled him. He kept reminding himself that it was all for the best, that whoever she had favored was no concern of his.
Lifting his hand, he reluctantly activated the key. The first thing he noticed that was different from his previous visit was the number of candles that were lit. Secondly, the air was draped with ribbons of smoke wafting from several locations around the room. He sought out T'Pol, she was sitting on the floor, at the foot of her bed in a lotus position.
After a brief hesitation, he addressed her. "T'Pol, Dr. Phlox said you had come to a decision. Apparently, I get to inform whomever you've chosen." He managed to say it in an affable tone, without any outward signs of his anguish.
She lifted a hand and motioned for him to join her. Curious, he went over and took a spot opposite her.
Slowly she opened her eyes and met his gaze, studying him a moment before she spoke. There was no hint of the trepidation she'd evinced on his earlier visit, there was now a sultry note to it. "Thank you for coming. I am sorry for any distress I may have caused you previously."
The smoldering fire in her eyes made him slightly nervous, he recognized it for what it was; desire. Continuing in the same manner he'd started, he quietly asked her, "If you're ready, I'll go speak with who you've decided to help you through this. Just tell me his name."
"Jonathan."
"What?"
One delicate brow arched gracefully as she regarded him briefly. As he continued to stare blankly back, she batted her lashes as she averted her gaze. She gave him a coy look as she innocently replied, "Do you not recall what you said only a moment ago?"
Astounded by her uncharacteristic behavior, it took him a minute to puzzle through the challenge she'd set him. All of a sudden it hit him, he returned her gaze in disbelief. Swallowing against the lump in his throat, he softly said, "Me? You want me out of all the men available to you. Why?"
Reaching over to take his hand and place it in her lap, she explained. "You are the only one, out of all the crew, that truly trusts me. You are also the only one who has always treated me with respect, granted it was a grudging one to start out." T'Pol paused to draw a deep breath before finishing, "And finally, there is not another man on board that comes close to attracting me the way you do."
Giddy with relief, Archer leaned over and placed his lips over hers. What was meant as a reassuring gesture, turned out to be a much more.
It was like a current of electricity jolted through him, stealing his breath away. Reluctantly he drew back and search her face for any signs of doubt, and once certain there were none, he pulled her to him and held her close. Archer murmured gently in her ear, "Thank you."
"For what?" she purred back.
"Trusting me."
"Jonathan," she savored the freedom of saying his name aloud a moment before going on, "It has been clear to me, that for some time now you have been drawn to me. I've noticed the way you have observed me when you assume I am too busy to otherwise recognize the fact that your scrutiny is not of the business type.
"It would be foolish then to discard that fact, when truly there is no other I would be comfortable with." She nuzzled his ear, before gently nipping it. He gasped, then looked at her. A slow smile touched his lips as she continued, "Besides, I have known you long enough, that if I continued to resist treatment, you would have ended up disregarded regulations and taken measures into your own hands."
Archer chuckled, knowing deep down she was probably right. Somehow it was much more comforting to hear her say it. To have an admission of her feelings. He could feel the heat radiating out from her body, beads of perspiration began to show on her face and arms.
As he drew back a bit, T'Pol placed her arms around his neck and pulled his face close to hers, a sensuous look in her eyes. She ran her hand down along his shoulder. She began to talk, working the fasteners of his uniform as she did. "Soon, I will no longer be able to control what I do. Before that occurs, I would very much like for you to 'make love' to me. I have read about it, but I'm uncertain as to the exact purpose of 'foreplay'."
Sighing, Jonathan stilled her hand with his and lifted it to his lips and laid a gentle kiss on it. There was a hint of amusement in his voice as he replied. "Guess there's no time like the present to learn. But to be honest, I'm just a little nervous about something the doctor said."
With a slightly perplexed look on her face she responded, "And what would that be?"
Grinning wryly, he said, "That I might need some sort of back-up due to the possibility that you might forget yourself in the heat of the moment."
Her features shifted, a subtle ghost of a smile played on her lips as she murmured, "And did you?"
He answered in mock innocence, "What, and take all the thrill out of it for you?" he went on in a more earnest tone, "Besides, somehow I just know you won't harm me."
T'Pol felt an unfamiliar stirring run through her, the need to get physically closer to this man. It was slightly frightening in its intensity.
"Jonathan," she whispered.
He looked into her eyes and saw the longing there. It was obvious that she was no longer able to control the emotions that the Pon Farr released. He wanted her experience, with him, to be tender and caring, but at the rate her condition was progressing, he wasn't going to have enough time.
With a decisive motion, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the small bed. She made a little sound deep in her throat as he laid her down, an eager expression crossed her face. She took his face in her hands and pulled it down close to hers, pressing her lips against his.
Jonathan allowed her to experiment a few minutes before pulling back with a sigh, a wistful note in his voice as he softly said, "Honey, I have a feeling this is going to be one hell of a night."
T'Pol's low throaty answer was inviting, "Does that mean you are ready to teach me about foreplay now?"
He laughed in response as he caressed her shoulder. "Do I have a choice?"
The response she gave him was definitive.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
PART 5
Uncertain how much time had passed, Jonathan roused from a fitful rest, softly smiling as he turned to gaze at the sleeping woman beside him.
Memories came flooding back; how she'd become totally uninhibited, and of his own desires and how they had seemed to become one and the same. The first time she'd climaxed, he had been aware of how fulfilling a moment it was for her, later he'd definitely felt the shifts in her emotions. It was still puzzling to him, and he was unsure of what it meant.
At least the doctor had had sense enough to contact him in her quarters when he hadn't returned. Phlox had been concerned and then delighted when he'd been told by the captain, what T'Pol's decision had been.
"Not to worry captain, I'll see that the two of you aren't disturbed. I'll also be sure to have meals delivered at appropriate intervals. Do you have any questions before I go?"
"Only one. How much time are we talking here?"
Archer could swear he heard a grin in the doctor's jovial response. "Oh, about three to five days."
It had been quite an experience, one he regretted to end. But the worse was over and T'Pol had begun to regain control over her errant emotions during the past several hours, but she had still accepted his company.
He'd been ready to leave at the first sign of any rejection on her part. Instead, she had quietly asked him to stay, telling him that his presence was comforting.
It had caught him off guard. He was still amazed, and somewhat confused as to how to proceed. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt T'Pol begin to wake.
T'Pol began to stir, a small sigh escaping her lips as she opened her eyes. She returned his gaze and realized she could sense what he was thinking. A pang of guilt stabbed at her. She quickly suppress it, telling herself it was only an after effect of Pon farr. It was after all, highly unlikely that they could have formed a bonding from their short time together.
Archer watched her, again sensing what she was feeling. Although her features didn't give anything away, he knew she felt confused and guilty about something. Finally he ventured to ask rolling on his side, "What's the matter love?"
She hesitated before answering. "Have you noticed anything unusual since we," T'Pol was trying to find the appropriate words to phrase what she had to say next, deciding that ultimately they had to identify if there was a bond. Taking a deep breath, she continued resolutely. "Jonathan, I need to if you have perceived any thoughts not your own."
"What do you mean?" he asked guardedly.
She was aware that humans had a phobia of telepaths, and didn't want to scare him off with the truth. At the same time, she didn't want to deceive him either. All she could do was explain it, and hope it didn't frighten him away.
"The reason why Vulcans do not like to be touched by others is that we are touch telepaths. Only family and bond mates engage in any sort of physical contact." She noted that he was listening closely to her words, a calm and understanding look on his face. T'Pol continued quietly, "While not unknown, it is very rare that a bond occurs between my people and another. But since I have no bond mate, it may be that during the course of our intimacies one was formed."
He continued to gaze at her while he gently ran the back of his hand along her cheek, softly asking, "Would that bother you?"
"Jonathan, you do not understand," there was a faint note of desperation in her voice as she went on, "It is a lifetime commitment. Once bonded, only death can break the connection."
It dawned on him as to what her underlying concern was, he gave her a reassuring smile as he spoke. "I don't think that's a problem. We're both going to be around for a while yet."
She searched his feelings, aware that he could sense her mind in his. But there was no reluctance, he welcomed her freely. It was remarkable how strong the bond was, she was able to fathom how he truly felt about her.
Archer pulled her close to him and snuggled down, with a note of relief as he said, "Right now though, I'm just glad you're all right."
"Jonathan,"
"Yes?"
"I am not certain," she slowly closed her eyes and nestled nearer to him, "but I believe your continued presence will be required for quite some time."
Kissing her lightly on the forehead, he replied, "For as long as you need me."
There was a faint, yet unmistakable smile on her face as she murmured back, "It may be for a very long time."
He thought back, 'I've got a lifetime.'
END