After she showered and changed, she headed straight for the captain's quarters. Kathryn knew it was a bad idea, but he'd had an anxiety attack not two days prior, and now he was hurt. No one else knew what he was going through. She just had to make sure he was okay. Anyone would have done the same.

As she pressed the chime, she worried that he might not be out of Sickbay yet, but after a few moments, he answered the door. He looked at her in only mild surprise and gave her a small, resigned smile. She returned the smile hesitantly and looked him up and down. He had his ankle tightly wrapped and didn't seem to be putting his full weight on it, but he did seem to be walking unassisted. He gestured inside with his head and Kathryn followed him in.

She could see that he was favoring his injured foot, but he made it to the sofa on his own, then sat down and put his feet up on the coffee table. Kathryn sat next to him.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'll be fine," he responded gruffly. Then he shook his head and his voice softened. "I… it was a result of lingering nerve damage."

Kathryn's mouth fell open in surprise. "I had no idea it was affecting you that way. I'm so sorry."

Owen shrugged. "It's usually not a big problem." He flexed his fingers thoughtfully. "It's usually just a little twitch or a spasm. I just wasn't fast enough to catch myself when my knee gave out."

She wanted to reach for him, but she resisted. "How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get for you?"

"I'm okay. Doctor Castillo mended the bone. It will be tender for a few days, so it's best if I try not to use it more than necessary. But other than that, I'm good as new."

Kathryn sighed and gave him an encouraging smile. "Well, that's good. I'm glad your recovery should be fast."

"If only they all were." He was staring off into space as he spoke, his blue eyes clouded and unfocused. Kathryn reached out for him, resting a hand gently on his upper arm.

"It will all be okay. I don't know when. But it will. Eventually."

To her surprise, Owen was smiling at her when he turned back towards her. "You know," he began, "when you say that, I actually believe you."

"Why?" Her hand was still on his arm, but she slid it down, resting on his forearm. She wanted to take his hand, but she hesitated.

"Everyone has been telling me that since we were rescued. My counselor. Starfleet Command. My… " he trailed off, but he didn't have to finish for Kathryn to know who he was referring to. He shook his head. "But they have no idea. They mean well. But they don't understand. You understand."

Kathryn laced her fingers through Owen's and squeezed his hand. He squeezed back and it sent butterflies through her insides. "It might take a while," she continued. "And you might need help. But you will absolutely be okay, Owen. You are the strongest, most capable person I've ever met. If anyone can get through this, it's you. But it's okay to need help. You don't have to do this alone."

Owen hand tightened on hers again and he smiled at her. "Thank you." His voice was soft and he pulled her into his arms for a hug. She returned the embrace, then pulled back slowly when it was over, not wanting to let go. Their eyes met, and Kathryn felt the universe stop. She was acutely aware of Owen's body, warm and firm, muscles slightly tensed under her hands, of his hands around her waist, of his eyes, boring into hers. She knew that this was the moment. She could pull away and leave now. Wish Owen the best and not return. Go back to being just another lieutenant.

Or she could stay.

One of his hands brushed her hip, and the moment was broken, the universe was moving again. And she didn't leave. She leaned in towards him, and when their lips met, it was a mutual embrace, both of them moving in together, wanting the same thing, and ready to act on it.

He kissed her tenderly, one hand entwined in her hair, holding her close. The other hand began to slowly roam her body, drawing pleased sighs from her as it went. She kissed him back and slid her arms around his neck, but soon it wasn't enough, she was desperate to get closer to him. Climbing into his lap, she settled herself across his thighs, then returned her attention to his mouth.

He gasped into her mouth before recapturing her lips with his, nipping at her lips and making her groan. His hands slid around her and eventually settled on her ass, squeezing gently, and she rocked against him. Kathryn's pleased moan jumped an octave when she felt Owen's hardening cock trapped between them. He rocked her against him again and she whimpered, sucking hungrily on his bottom lip.

"Please…" she moaned.

"What do you need?" He sounded as desperate and as hungry as she felt.

"You."

Owen groaned and Kathryn began to pull at his shirt, the same one he'd been working out in. He gasped out syllables in between kisses.

"Ka… thryn… I… um… We should-"

She was too busy exploring his mouth to let him get very far, but when his hands closed over hers, unballing her fists from his shirt, she paused, suddenly afraid he was going to push her away again.

"Are you sure- I'm um… " Owen licked his lips. "I actually haven't showered since my run-"

Kathryn could have laughed out loud. She grinned at him and pulled the shirt over his head. "What's the point if I'm just going to get you sweaty again?" He let out an amused huff then pulled her back in. She ran her hands over his abdomen and up his chest then pressed herself fully against him and kissed him hungrily.

Owen tugged at her shirt, and Kathryn pulled back enough for Owen to have the space to get it off. Once it was off, he went straight for her bra, removing that as well before pulling her close again. His hands ran over her ribs, and she shivered at his touch, pink nipples tightening in response. He looked at her like he wanted to devour her. She felt his hands under her ass again, pulling her up onto her knees so that her breasts were level with his face. His mouth was on them immediately, sucking first on one, then the other. She whimpered as he continued, and soon she was trembling in his arms.

"Owen…"

He let go of the nipple he'd had caught between his teeth, replacing it with his fingers. He tugged on the taut nipple and looked up at Kathryn. "Getting impatient, are we?" he teased, voice rough with desire.

Kathryn groaned and settled back down on his lap, grinding her crotch against his firm length. "It's not impatience," she teased breathlessly, "I just know what I want." And with that, she began to fumble with Owen's pants. Her fingers grazed his cock, and Owen groaned. Moving to kneel in front of him, she tugged his shorts down his legs and his cock sprang free. Licking her lips, she leaned forward, hands sliding up muscular thighs, pressing them apart. His hard, thick erection jutted up proudly in front of her and she closed the distance between them, swiping her tongue up the underside of his cock and making Owen groan raggedly.

His hand went into her hair and he pushed her forward and down. She opened her mouth wide, taking the proffered organ between her lips. She bobbed up and down on his cock, sucking him into her mouth over and over again until his breathing began to change and she became worried he was going to come too soon. He whimpered when she began to pull away, but he released her hair and let her go. She quickly took her pants and panties off then climbed back into his lap. He reached for her, taking her by the hips and leading her towards him.

She held herself up on her knees, raised above him. Reaching behind her, she grasped his dick and sank carefully onto it. She shuddered and groaned as her body adjusted to his length and Owen's hands tightened on her hips. Their eyes met briefly but it was too much, and she had to close her eyes. Once he was fully inside her, she paused and Owen captured her lips under his. She returned the kiss breathlessly, never wanting to forget the feeling of him deep inside her, of the taste of his sweet kisses, and the feel of his hands on her body.

But eventually she had to move and she rolled her hips against him, sliding up and down his cock. Owen groaned and Kathryn whimpered and she did it again, faster this time. Then his hands tightened on her hips again, lifting her up and down. She struggled for a moment to move with him, then she found his rhythm and their bodies came together again and again.

"Oh, god…" She felt hot, and she moved faster, desperate to find her peak. Owen moved with her, pushing up into her. Then he slid one hand between her legs, near where their bodies were joined, searching for her clit with his thumb. He found it quickly, and he rubbed his thumb over her, sliding easily over her slick, swollen flesh. Kathryn shuddered and struggled to keep moving.

"Don't stop, Kathryn," he commanded.

She whimpered and started up again, finding a rhythm quickly. She moaned and gasped as she moved, caught between his cock inside her and his gentle insistent touch on her clit and it wasn't long before she was coming. She cried out, rocking against him as hard as she could, and then he was biting his lip and he was coming too, clutching her hips tightly enough to bruise and burying himself deep inside of her.

She collapsed against him when they were finished, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and burying her face in his neck as she tried to catch her breath. When she finally pulled back, she smiled down at him and licked her lips.

Owen smiled back, looking up at her and kissing her gently. "Join me for that shower?"

After a quick shower, both of them feeling much fresher, they climbed into bed together. Owen pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly and she melted against him.

Kathryn rested her head on his broad chest, fingers idly running through his hair. She smiled drowsily as she traced circles over his ribs. Owen's sharp intake of breath made her tense for a moment, then he giggled.

She looked up at him in surprise. "Are you … ticklish?"

Owen scowled half-heartedly. "And what if I am?"

Kathryn giggled. "I just don't think I've ever heard you giggle before."

Owen tipped her chin up so that he could look her in the eye and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. "You better not tell anyone."

Kathryn felt a rush of warmth in her chest and she grinned at him. "Will it ruin your formidable reputation?" she teased.

Owen huffed. "Something like that."

Kathryn tensed for a moment, then she sprang into action, fingers flying to Owen's sides.

He was faster.

Owen caught her hands, flipping her onto her back and pinning her under his weight. Kathryn gasped and felt the warmth in her chest move lower. She licked her lips. "Owen…"

Then his lips were on hers and she was arching up against him. He didn't let go of her wrists, keeping them pinned above her head as he moved down to her neck. His breath was hot on her skin and his kisses blazed a trail of fire down her throat. When Owen pulled back, he tucked her hands under her head, and smiled down at her. She idly considered moving them, but she was too curious about what he was going to do. He began to move down the bed, and she watched him go, obediently staying where she was; on her back with her hands laced behind her head. He gazed at her ravenously, fingers grazing soft, pale flesh as he went. His touch made the hairs on her arms stand up, and when he pushed her legs apart, Kathryn bit her lip in anticipation.

She felt his fingers first, spreading her open. Then his tongue, gently probing her most intimate places. Her hands clenched in her hair and her back arched, head thrown back. She bit down harder on her lip, but it didn't keep the low moan from escaping her lips.

His motions got bolder, long strokes of his tongue followed by gentle but insistent suction. Kathryn whimpered and bucked underneath him. Part of her wanted to reach for him, to clench in his hair and guide him just where she wanted him. But the other part was intoxicated by handing him control.

Her hands stayed locked behind her head.

She whimpered again as he sucked on her clit. "Owen…"

He pulled back, and she almost moved her hands. Then she felt his knees against the inside of her thighs and she knew what was coming.

She closed her eyes and tried to breathe. She could feel him shifting over her, and when she felt the mattress press down under her shoulders, she thought she might die of anticipation.

Then he was pressing into her again and she cried out. She knew she would be sore in the morning, but all she wanted in that moment was for Owen to fuck her as hard as he could.

"Owen, please… "

"What do you want?"

"Fuck me," she ground out.

Owen groaned and it was like she could hear his resolve crumbling.

He thrust hard into her, one hand behind her head, and the other clutching her hip. Kathryn finally gave up keeping her hands in place, one twisting in the sheets, and the other pushing back against the headboard.

"Harder," she grunted.

Owen groaned and leaned back onto his knees. He gripped her thighs, pushing them further apart, then he resumed him motions, thrusting forcefully into her.

"Harder!" she demanded.

Owen groaned raggedly and did his best to comply. Then she was screaming and he was biting his lip and then he let out a long moan as he thrust deep into her.

When they were finished, he collapsed against her and Kathryn wrapped her arms around him, holding him to her, fingers digging into his broad shoulders. Eventually, he pushed up on his hands and pulled out of her, dropping heavily next to her with a groan. Rolling onto her side, she watched him as he stared up at the ceiling, still catching his breath.

"Owen," she whispered.

His eyes fluttered sleepily and he turned to look at her. His mouth curled into a smile. "Kathryn."

She smiled, feeling warm and fuzzy in the afterglow of their lovemaking. "You aren't going to kick me out of bed, are you?" she teased.

"No," he assured her, still smiling. "I don't know what I'd do without you."