Only You
By Athena
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise is the property of Paramount
Summary: As Pon Farr approaches for T'Pol she has to make some choices regarding her relationship with Trip. Of course nothing goes as expected and Trip and T'Pol must decide how to proceed with their relationship.
Spoilers: all the way through the end of Daedalus and AU after that.
Authors Note: First off, a great big thanks to Boushh and Jenna for all their help with this story. Also be warned, although the beginning of the story contains some angst, the majority of the story is pure sap and fluff. If you do not like sappiness you may not want to read the entire story. :)
Authors Note #2: A bit of action here as we lay the groundwork for the next several chapters.
Chapter 4
Archer walked onto the bridge as they approached the planetary system the Vulcan ship's warp trail had led them to. It was too early for the day shift bridge crew to be on duty but T'Pol was at the science station.
"I thought you were supposed to be meditating?"
T'Pol looked up and answered dryly, "I find that my condition is best served by distracting myself with my routine duties."
Archer had no idea what to make of that comment but she seemed perfectly calm and collected so he let it go. The Kovar was only a day and a half away now and T'Pol appeared to be doing fine so he decided to scratch that worry off his list.
"Any sign of the Vulcan ship?" Archer asked.
"I'm not certain Sir," replied the night shift tactical officer.
Archer walked over to the woman. "What do you mean by 'not certain'?"
The tactical offer scowled at her terminal and replied, "Just that, Sir. There are indications that a ship is present but I'm not finding the corresponding power readings. It's confusing, Sir. We'll have to get closer."
Archer walked over to T'Pol's station. "Can you shed any light on the situation?"
T'Pol gave him a sideways glance and raised an arched eyebrow. "Corporal Hanes is correct. Sensors detect large amounts of material consistent with one or more vessels but no power signatures."
Archer frowned and moved towards the Captain's chair. "Could it be debris?" He hated the idea that this mission would end as badly and the last rescue mission involving a Vulcan crew.
T'Pol showed no sign of distress as she continued to collect data. After a moment longer she looked up at Archer. "It is not possible to be certain at this range; however, the data are consistent with the remains of at least one large space-faring vessel."
Archer moved behind the helmsman. "Take us in and head for the closest of those two M-class planets."
Archer then turned to the communications officer. "Signal our Vulcan friends on the Kovar and inform them of our situation. It'll be up to them how to proceed." He glanced over at T'Pol who met his eyes and nodded slightly before turning back to her scans. As far as the rest of the crew knew the Kovar on its way to deliver medication for a Vulcan virus T'Pol had picked up. It wasn't too far from the truth.
"Should we go to tactical alert?" Corporal Hanes asked.
Archer considered this but he hated to wake the crew if they were jumping to conclusions about the readings. "Not just yet Hanes."
"Captain, the material in question is in the vicinity of the Minshara class planet on the far side of the system," T'Pol reported.
Well, that would explain why the readings were so uncertain. "Okay, that's our new destination," he said to the helmsman.
Once they had cleared the central star of the system both T'Pol and Hanes spoke.
"It's definitely debris!" Hanes asserted.
"Captain…," T'Pol started, then waited for Hanes to finish her statement before continuing, "that is correct. However, there is debris from more than one vessel.
"Tactical Alert!" Archer declared. "Senior officers report to the Bridge."
He moved over to T'Pol. "What have we got?"
She didn't answer him and he noticed she looked very tense.
"T'Pol?" Now was not the time for this. She had been fine just a few minutes ago. Could she be reacting to the potential fate of the Vulcan ship?
The thought of Vulcan ships prompted Archer to turn to the communications officer. "Relay our new situation to the Kovar and tell them to stay clear until they hear from us again."
Archer looked back at T'Pol. She clearly wasn't doing as well as she had been just minutes ago.
"Captain, I believe I am detecting debris from at least three vessels surrounding the planet and also on the planet's surface." T'Pol's voice held a slight tremble but otherwise she sounded her normal, confident self.
"Any sign of what caused this? Is there any indication if the missing Vulcan ship is in that debris?" Please say No.
Just then Reed walked onto the Bridge so T'Pol nodded to him as she replied. "I am detecting no other vessels in the vicinity and no power sources on the planet's surface. There is an energy shield approximately 247.8 kilometers in diameter on the surface that sensors cannot penetrate. At present it is not certain that the ship we are pursuing is among the debris but the probability is high."
Damn! "Keep analyzing that energy shield and the debris. Try to determine if whatever happened to those ships could have come from the location of that shield. Is there any sign of life down there? Any chance someone survived whatever happened?" Archer wasn't ready to give up hope just yet.
"We will need to enter orbit in order to determine whether or not the planet supports life," T'Pol informed them evenly.
Archer nodded to the helmsman who made the course adjustments.
A few moments later Dr. Phlox and Trip stepped onto the Bridge. Phlox went directly over to T'Pol while Trip gave the science station a wide birth and took up his position at the engineering consol. Archer noticed that Trip kept glancing nervously at T'Pol who seemed to become very unsettled at his presence.
Phlox approached him and said in a very hushed voice, "Captain, it is imperative that T'Pol return to her quarters to meditate."
Archer rubbed his head, frustrated. He needed T'Pol on the Bridge. "It's going to have to wait Doctor unless you can convince me she's in immediate danger."
Whatever Phlox might have replied was lost as the ship lurched and power momentarily failed. T'Pol and Reed managed to remain standing but Archer tumbled into the Captain's chair and Trip was thrown to the floor.
Archer was surveying the Bridge to make sure everything and everyone was okay when T'Pol informed them that the ship had been captured by a tractor beam.
"The source of the beam appears to be somewhere within the shielded area on the planet's surface," she concluded.
Trip moved over to the helm and then back to his station. He ran his hand through his hair absently as he worked at his consol. Then he looked up frowning. "We're bein' pulled down to the planet. At this rate and trajectory we'll break apart in the atmosphere once we hit the stratosphere."
Not good. "What can we do to break free?"
"I've already tried engaging the warp drive but there's something affecting the antimatter in the warp nacelles."
Archer frowned. "We're losing antimatter?"
"Not exactly Cap'n. It's more like the antimatter is simply draining from the nacelles. I need ta get down ta Engineering to figure this out."
Archer nodded his consent and Trip left the Bridge. "Keep the impulse engines on maximum and slow our descent as much as possible."
Turning back to T'Pol he asked, "Can we break free on impulse?"
"The maximum force the impulse engines are capable of emitting will be insufficient for such a task."
"You could have just said 'no'," Reed hissed sarcastically.
"Now isn't the time for petty bickering on the Bridge," Archer snapped.
Yes Sir. Sorry Commander," Reed nodded to T'Pol apologetically.
"How long have we got with impulse at maximum?" Archer hoped Trip would be able to find a way to break free long before he had to worry about the ship breaking apart but based on the debris field surrounding the planet, others hadn't been that successful.
"Approximately 12.4 hours."
Why did she always say 'approximately' when her estimates were pretty damn precise? That wasn't very long if a major overhaul of the systems was required to break free.
Hoshi and Travis arrived on the Bridge. Archer gave them a brief update on the situation and asked Hoshi to send out a warning to the Kovar and a request for assistance.
"Our signal is being reflected back Sir. I'm not able to get through the energy field."
Maybe they'll come looking for us anyway. Then again, knowing Vulcan logic, probably not. Why is everything so complicated when Vulcans are involved? He looked back over at T'Pol again. She seemed to have recovered again. What was going on with her?
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An hour later Archer was in the situation room along with T'Pol, Trip, Malcolm, Phlox, Travis, and Hoshi. Trip hadn't been able to figure out what was wrong with the warp nacelles and he had engineering working overtime tying everything the ship could spare into the impulse engines to buy them some more time.
"We can use the phasers to punch a hole in the energy field surrounding the ship," Trip was saying.
"That won't create a big enough opening for Enterprise to escape," T'Pol said. Her voice was shaky again. Whatever was wrong with her was back.
"Not even close," Malcolm added.
"I'm not talkin' about a hole big enough for Enterprise, just one big enough to fly a shuttle through."
"Wouldn't the shuttle just get caught in the tractor beam too?" Archer inquired.
"Not with some fancy flying," Trip said enthusiastically and grinned over at Travis.
Archer turned to Travis. "I can do it, Sir," he said with confidence.
"So we take a shuttle to the surface and take out the tractor beam. Do we have any idea what we'll find on the other side of that shield, assuming we can get through it." Malcolm's tone was dry but the look in his eye indicated he was ready for a fight.
T'Pol replied, "Sensors have not been able to penetrate the shield but there is no indication of life on the planet other than vegetation. It is possible an advanced civilization lies within the shield but there is no indication of such a culture elsewhere on the planet."
Archer turned back to T'Pol. "Can you get us through the shield on the surface?"
"I believe it to be possible, based on the data available, but it is impossible to be certain," she answered without looking up. She had been standing close to Phlox and avoiding making eye contact with anyone since the meeting began.
"Okay, Malcolm select a team of three to accompany the away team. Travis, you'll pilot the shuttle. T'Pol, get together whatever you think you'll need to break through that shield. Trip, keep working on those nacelles in case we don't succeed."
"You're goin' with the away team?" Trip didn't sound thrilled with the idea.
"I think I'll be more use down there. No one knows this ship better than you Trip. I trust you to keep her flying." Archer gave his friend a compassionate smile. "Let's get to work people."
T'Pol, Hoshi, Travis, and Malcolm filed out if the room but both Trip and Phlox stood where they were.
"Something we forgot to cover?" He was sure Phlox wanted to discuss T'Pol.
Apparently, so did Trip, "Cap'n you can't take T'Pol off the ship. She's sick." Trip had his arms crossed in a determined stance.
Archer shook his head. "Trip, time is a factor here. I need her down there. I can't risk the ship because T'Pol might get sick."
Trip became even more determined. "She is sick. If you take her off the ship and you get trapped down there she could die." He was glaring at Archer now.
Archer turned to Phlox. "Doctor?"
Phlox looked at Trip before turning to Archer. "Captain, T'Pol's condition is serious but she won't be endangered further by accompanying the away team." He glanced at Trip again. "In point of fact, leaving the ship could alleviate some of her symptoms."
Trip stepped toward Phlox. "If things get worse while she's down there…"
"Commander, I do understand your feelings," Phlox spoke with sympathy. "But if things do get worse down there, T'Pol won't be alone. I plan to accompany the away team," Archer was starting to wonder if everyone had forgotten he was in charge on this ship "and keep an eye on T'Pol. If things become critical there will be someone to … help her." He wondered what exactly Phlox was trying to convey to Trip. It was obvious they understood each other even if he didn't.
Trip frowned but didn't say anything.
"If I understand the situation correctly Commander, you will be extremely busy keeping the ship from crashing into the planet. You wouldn't be able help T'Pol until the ship is freed in any event.
Trip bowed his head in what Archer assumed was resignation. Archer wasn't quite sure what that entire exchange had been about. Was Trip afraid that T'Pol would die and he wouldn't be there?
Phlox moved over to Trip and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Commander, please recall how Vulcans view this… ailment. No meaning is attached to the… treatment."
Trip nodded and gave Phlox a weak smile. "I guess I better get back to figurin' out how to keep the ship in one piece." He turned to Archer. "Sorry Cap'n."
"Trip, I understand you're worried about T'Pol but trust Phlox to take care of her. You've got the entire crew to take care of."
Trip cast him a sad smile. "No pressure." Then he left as well.
Archer turned back to Phlox. "Want to fill me in on what that was all about? Right now I'm thinking it has something to do with Vulcan death rituals."
"Nothing so dramatic Captain, but it I can't elaborate further and keep T'Pol's privacy in tact. I'm sorry Captain."
Archer wasn't going to settle for that this time. "I think, under the circumstances, you have an obligation to tell me anything about T'Pol's condition that could affect the away mission. Just how bad is she and how bad could she get? Trip seems to know the full story." He added that last bit out of annoyance that Trip and Phlox had conducted that entire exchange right in front of him with no intention of explaining any of it to their captain.
Phlox considered for a moment before answering slowly, "What I can tell you without violating T'Pol's confidence is that her condition is life threatening but I believe she will be able accompany the away team without further endangering her health. Commander Tucker is concerned that T'Pol will require treatment if her condition progresses. The treatment would be considered unorthodox by human standards." Phlox paused and regarded him somberly. "Captain before I can allow T'Pol to join the away team I need your assurance that you will do whatever is required to treat T'Pol if it becomes necessary."
"But you can't tell me what that might be?" Archer was becoming very irritated with the secrecy surrounding T'Pol's illness.
"Captain I won't hesitate to tell you if it becomes necessary but, for now, I'd prefer to respect T'Pol's privacy." Phlox was sympathetic but firm.
"As long as it doesn't involve putting other lives at risk I can't think why you would feel it necessary to even ask." Why wouldn't he do everything possible to save T'Pol? He was the Captain after all; it was in the job description. Archer felt a tension headache coming on.
Phlox smiled and said, "Yes, well I'm quite certain T'Pol will be fine for the next few hours at any rate."
With that settled they each left to prepare for the away mission.
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"Nice piloting Mr. Mayweather," T'Pol heard Archer say from the co-pilot's seat.
"Sorry the ride was a bit bumpier than I anticipated," Ensign Mayweather said glancing back at Lt. Reed.
"I've survived worse," Reed said dryly.
T'Pol remained silent as she attempted to ascertain the nature of her growing distress. She felt a sense of panic that she was now separated from her mate. She had not expected this reaction to leaving Enterprise, to leaving Trip. She tried to concentrate on calming her growing anxiety. Trip is not my mate, her rational mind asserted. You can deny the truth no longer, another part of her answered back. She was amazed to realize that she could sense the distance between them growing. Recently, she had believed that Pon farr was causing her to imagine Trip's presence in her mind. Now she realized that this wasn't an artifact her mind had created because of the Pon farr. She closed here eyes and gripped her seat tightly as she accepted the truth of her situation. She was already bonded to Trip! It had been a mistake to request the Vulcan ship. Once the blood fever took hold of her she would not allow anyone but Trip to touch her; and now he was unavailable.
Panic shot through her and she gripped the seat even tighter.
"T'Pol?" she heard Phlox inquire quietly.
She looked up to see him regarding her with concern. "I must concentrate," she stated simply and closed her eyes again.
She had a mission to accomplish. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, she repeated to herself over and over, becoming a mantra. It was to no avail however. She could not keep her thoughts from her desire to get back to Trip. But Trip is back on Enterprise, some remnant of her rational self declared. You must free the ship in order to get back to him. Some of her turmoil abated from her mind now that her mission and her personal desires were aligned.
T'Pol was vaguely aware that the shuttle had landed when she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see the away team exiting the shuttle. Lieutenant Reed and his people were heavily armed. Ensign Mayweather was right behind them, also armed with a phase pistol. The Captain glanced over at her, his express conveyed worry. She turned her head slightly to see Phlox give the Captain a dismissive wave and then Archer exited the shuttle as well.
"Are you all right T'Pol?" Phlox asked now that they were alone. He took out his tricorder and began taking scans to see for himself.
"I will be fine," T'Pol asserted with a great deal more confidence than she actually felt.
"Your blood pressure and adrenalin levels are extremely elevated."
"I experienced some… discomfort at the realization of being separated from Commander Tucker. That moment has passed however." She wasn't sure her voice would be convincing.
Phlox was shaking his head. "I thought that removing you from the Commander's presence would be beneficial." The doctor took a moment to consider the situation before asking, "Are you capable of continuing the mission?"
T'Pol stood and began to collect her gear. "There is no alternative Doctor."
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Trip was back in Engineering running patches and bypasses from every major system. They had already managed to buy themselves a few more hours but he was now quite certain there was no way to use the warp drive to break free. Anything he could think of attempting would take far too long to implement. Their only hope now was to rig enough additional thrust into the impulse engines to make an attempt to break free. Still, the necessary modification would take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours and that was cutting things pretty close. He silently prayed that the away team would be successful.
Thoughts of the away team prompted thoughts of T'Pol. He hadn't let himself think about her until now because he'd needed to focus his mind on freeing the ship. Now he was performing routine tasks that allowed him some time for personal reflection without sacrificing efficiency. He had wanted to wish her luck and see her off before the away team left but he'd stayed away, knowing it would be a bad idea. He'd tracked down Malcolm instead. He smiled faintly as he recalled the encounter.
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"Look's like yer taking enough explosives to level a large city. Don'cha think that's overkill?"
"Isn't there something you should be doing right now?" Malcolm's voice was terse but his face held the barest trace of a smile.
"Yeah, um, I just wanted to wish ya luck and all. And to tell you to watch out for the Cap'n and…everyone." He looked down and shuffled his feet.
"Especially your nueropressure partner?" Malcolm teased.
Trip crossed his arms and then uncrossed them in consternation as he tried to think of something to say.
Fortunately Malcolm saved him the trouble. "All kidding aside, I'll look after her for you. You don't need to worry about that." Malcolm gripped Trip's shoulder a bit harder than was really necessary in Trip's opinion.
Seeing an opportunity to lighten the mood Trip responded, "Well, I recall one time when you shot her."
"At least I've never shot the Captain!" Malcolm countered.
Both men grinned at each other for a moment before becoming self-conscious.
"Well, be careful down there," Trip said, breaking the moment.
"You make sure we have a ship to come home to," Malcolm replied as he lifted his gear, nodded to Trip, and left for the launch bay.
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Trip was glad that Malcolm was with the away team. He was still worried but he felt better knowing that both Malcom and Phlox would be looking after T'Pol.
Another thought entered his mind as he moved to start rerouting the next section of relays. If T'Pol was overtaken by the blood fever while down on the planet who would be the one to help her? Ever since that discussion in his quarters, Trip had been plagued with images of T'Pol with Koss. T'Pol had said she didn't know the guy on the Vulcan ship but since he didn't have a Vulcan face to put to the guy, he'd been picturing her with Koss. It was worse now than it had been after her wedding because then he'd been able to tell himself it really wasn't any of his business what a husband and wife did together. But now he knew that there was still a chance for a future with T'Pol, so his jealousy was in full force. But the thought of T'Pol with one of his friends was worse yet. At least the Vulcan guy wouldn't attach any sentiment to the act, at least that's what everyone kept telling him. He couldn't see how that could be the case for Malcolm or Jon.
Thinking about it Trip realized that it would, more than likely, be Jon that would be helping T'Pol. It made sense really, the Captain would need to be informed in any event and that would minimize the number of people who knew. Plus, Malcolm would probably die of embarrassment. Trip knew it wouldn't be Phlox because the doctor would need to monitor T'Pol and treat them for any injuries.
Just great! Trip thought as his mind filled with images of T'Pol and Jon… together. Trip realized it was now official. The Universe hated him.
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T'Pol was starting to realize that she wasn't going to be able to hide her condition from the rest of the team much longer. Her nerves were frayed and she was fairly certain that she would not be able to completely control her emotions when she spoke or acted.
They were approaching the edge of the energy shield.
"Still no sign that we've been detected?" Archer asked for the third time since they landed. This annoyed T'Pol. Did he think she would withhold information if she found out their presence had been detected?
"That is correct," she said coolly. She noticed that Archer glanced over at Phlox but didn't rebuke her for her tone. She began setting up the generator that, hopefully, would cancel a portion of the shield, allowing them entrance. "Once the shield is penetrated, the situation may change."
Archer nodded to Malcolm and his team, who responded by getting weapons ready.
Ensign Mayweather had wandered up to the shield and was attempting to see through it. "I can't be certain, but those dark shapes could be buildings."
"Hopefully, we'll know soon," Archer responded. "Be ready for anything," he said to everyone.
Mayweather nodded and drew his pistol. "I guess we can't expect them to be friendly if they go about destroying every ship that enters orbit without even bothering to say 'Hi'." He shook his head grimly.
T'Pol began running through the first set of frequencies but after 10 minutes had passed she realized the task wasn't going to be quite that simple. Then her body reacted to the realization that it would take longer to get back to her mate. She moaned and wrapped her arms around her waist. She tried hard to control the rising fever and calm her thoughts. Then she felt a sting on her neck and heard the familiar hiss of a hypo-spray. Gradually, the madness receded and she turned back to her work.
"Is she going to be all right?" she heard Archer ask Phlox.
"I hope so, Captain. The quicker we get back to Enterprise the better." She was relieved that the doctor would try to ensure she was with Trip when the blood fever finally consumed her, although he could not know that being with him was now not merely desirable. It was necessary.
T'Pol forced all thoughts from her mind except the need to get through the shield as quickly as possible.
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Trip was beginning to sweat from the exertion and fast pace of the work he was doing. He estimated they had about 8 more hours before the ship ran into serious trouble and about 6½ hours before they were ready to try to break free, plus or minus an hour or so. It was the plus that had him worried. It was possible this thing would take them right down to the wire. Not necessarily a bad thing he supposed. It meant they wouldn't have to wait too long for the end.
He was now working in a secluded space in the depths on Engineering. He had always liked it back here because the acoustics made the hum of the warp engines deeper, kind of like a heart beat. He couldn't help but think of the dream he'd had about this place just last night. He'd been working with T'Pol and then suddenly realized they were completely alone. He had reach out and touched her hand and she had looked up at him with desire, just as she had the other day before heading off to Sickbay. Only in the dream, she had stayed right where she was and he had stepped closer to kiss her. She had returned the kiss passionately, the drumming of the warp engines had become louder as their passion increased. She had unzipped his jumpsuit and then torn his shirt open to get at his chest. He had responded by pulling her own uniform down to her waist. She had backed him up against the railing and ground herself against him. He recalled gasping with pleasure right before the tactical alert had sounded.
Shaking his head he realized it was a good thing his dream had been interrupted because his body was reacting to the memory and if he had allowed himself to speculate where that dream might have gone then his work would suffer from lack of blood to his brain. He thought of T'Pol down on the planet and the possibility of her acting out his dream with the Captain was more than enough to quell his arousal. This whole situation was maddening. At least it would be over in about 8 hours, one way or another. He hoped that if he wasn't able to free Enterprise that at least T'Pol and the away team stood a chance of survival on the planet below.
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Back on the planet Archer was beginning to wish he'd listened to Trip's advice to leave T'Pol on the ship. She was clearly having difficulty maintaining her composure. Phlox had said she wouldn't be any worse off accompanying the away team than she would be on the ship, but that didn't seem to be the case. He hoped he hadn't made a decision that ended up costing T'Pol her life. He was pretty sure that if T'Pol didn't make it back then he'd lose Trip too, maybe not in body, but certainly in spirit.
He was about to have Malcolm or Phlox take over for T'Pol when a gentle hum caught his attention and then watched as a hole in the shield opened up before them. They had to move quickly now. Nodding to his team he watched as first Malcolm, then the other security officers moved through the opening. Travis followed them and Archer turned to Phlox and T'Pol.
"Go ahead Captain, we'll join you in a moment," Phlox said.
Archer was just stepping through the opening when he heard various cries of exclamation from the team, including "Bloody Hell," which Archer knew was from Malcolm.
Then he felt a tingling sensation as his phase pistol, communicator, and tricorder all vanished.
He turned back to the opening to warn Phlox and T'Pol but it was too late. They had stepped through the opening and he watched as their devices vanished as well.
T'Pol fell to the ground, hugging herself.
Archer started forward to help her but Phlox interjected. "There's no time, Captain. Enterprise only has a few hours left. I'll look after her."
Archer nodded and turned back to the rest of the team.
"Captain, it looks more like ruins than structures that could currently house a civilization," Malcolm remarked.
Taking in the distant city Archer found he had to agree. There was no sign of intelligent life anywhere. Just what looked like the ruins of a once great city before them.
"Well, someone trapped Enterprise and took our weapons," Malcolm said harshly. "We should proceed cautiously."
"But quickly," Archer added. He looked back at T'Pol, who was struggling to stand.
"Try to keep up with us Doctor. Unless you think you should wait here."
"No!" T'Pol answered, "we will come with you."
Archer looked at Phlox who merely nodded and hovered close to T'Pol but did move to touch her.
Tbc
A/N: So far I've rated this story T (or PG-13) but by Chapter 6 the rating will change to M (or R). I can edit the story down to PG-13 if requested. I've noticed that M rated stories don't appear here unless you ask for them. ;)