The kiss, although fairly chaste, held promise, as did the hand that ran down over his chest and stomach to his hip. Chakotay shifted as Kathryn caressed the skin above the waistband of his boxers, but he didn't pull away or grow tense and begin to tremble as he had before. He pressed into her lips and then leaned back, almost breathless – not so much from the kiss but from the remnants of his hangover that still hovered at the edges despite the hypospray she'd injected into his neck.
She smiled and moved her hand up to his cheek, fingers rubbing softly over early morning stubble – he hadn't shaved in a few days. "It's still early," she whispered. "Why don't you sleep for a while longer? We're having a guest for breakfast at 0800."
He raised his eyebrows slightly.
"The Doctor," Kathryn clarified. "He wants to talk to us."
Chakotay ran a hand over his face and rubbed at his eyes. "I guess… it would be a good idea." He sighed. "A better idea than getting drunk."
"Or running away," she agreed, her hand falling to rest on his neck and shoulder.
Chakotay chuckled softly. "It's a wonder that either of us managed to get Voyager home in one piece."
"Oh, I don't know. I still think we make a pretty good team." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, felt his fingers run through her hair.
"You're right," he breathed, then moved to sit up.
"I thought you were going to sleep for a while longer."
He shook his head and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was 0720. "I think I need a shower before our breakfast guest arrives." He pulled at the front of his stained t-shirt.
Kathryn got up from the side of the bed, helped him push back the covers. "Could you use some help?" She knew he could shower on his own, but he didn't look too steady at the moment.
He nodded. "Unless you want to call Taryn," he teased.
She shook her head. "Oh, no, I was jealous enough yesterday. You're mine today."
And he grinned, liking the possessive tone of her words.
She helped him out of bed, and together they made their way into the bathroom, where Kathryn leaned against the counter as Chakotay stripped off his clothes – he tossed the t-shirt in the hamper, but, with his back to her, he let his boxers just drop to the floor.
And Kathryn sighed, enjoying the view. Over the past few weeks, she'd seen glimpses of him naked – chest, stomach, hip – but the long uninterrupted line of exposed skin from his neck, down his back, over shapely buttocks and strong thighs was… beautiful – she couldn't think of any other word to describe him, and she drew in a small gasp as he flexed the muscles of his back and looked over his shoulder at her. He was aware of her reaction, and he grinned again. "I thought you were going to help."
A small smile lifted the corners of her lips. "What can I do?"
"Lose the nightgown," he answered softly. "It'll get wet."
She drew in another quick breath. "Chakotay…are you sure?"
He nodded and carefully turned around; and she took in the sight of him – broad chest, slightly rounded stomach, slim hips… She sighed. He was beautiful – all of him. But she could see that his left leg wasn't as toned, the muscles not as delineated as they were in his right leg, and he held his left arm down in front of his thigh, as if to hide that side. And she stepped over to him and took hold of his left hand, pulled it away, let her hand settle on his left hip. She leaned into him, pressed her cheek to his, whispered in his ear. "I like what I see."
She felt his hands on her shoulders, pushing the straps of her nightgown down over her upper arms, and then they moved to her sides as they pulled at the silk material; it slid off her body, pooled at their feet, joining his shorts on the floor.
He drank her in, the creamy softness of her breasts, the gentle curve of her hips… She was beautiful, and she was his.
She pressed into him, her breasts against his chest. And she felt him shudder. "A shower, Chakotay. That's all."
He nodded; he could handle a shower.
"Tonight we'll take a bath," she breathed, stepping back and taking his hand, leading him into the shower stall beside her.
He looked down, and, although there was no evidence of his desire, her words pulled at him and he felt a stirring within.
~vVv~
It was just a quick morning shower, not a long evening bath, but the intimacy was palpable. They bathed each other's bodies, hands and washcloths sliding over wet soapy skin with a touch of a lover, not a caregiver, learning the topography and committing it to memory – the hollow of his throat, the cleft between her breasts, the juncture of his thighs and torso, the slope of her buttocks, the backs of his knees, the soles of her feet – broad shoulders and rounded hips, solid calves and delicate ankles. Their hands explored every rise and plane, and Kathryn let Chakotay set the pace - pulling back when his breathing became heavy, slowing down with the quickening of his heart – every low moan and intake of breath filed away for further exploration.
Twenty minutes later, they were drying each other with warm towels, hands still roaming and touching lightly, laughing at the lingering awkwardness of hips and elbows and lovers who were not yet lovers but knew that they would be soon – given the time, and the trust, and the reassurance. Chakotay knotted his towel around his waist, and, while Kathryn dried her hair, he went over to the sink and brushed his teeth, something he'd wanted to do for the past half hour.
Then, wrapped safely in his terrycloth robe, he turned toward Kathryn, leaned forward, and kissed her – something they hadn't actually done while they were in the shower – but now, on dry land, his confidence secure, he held her close as his tongue explored the warm recess of her mouth, felt her tongue slip alongside his, slow and gentle and probing.
Long minutes passed and he pulled back, drew in a deep breath. "That was the best shower I've ever taken," he whispered, brushing a strand of damp hair behind her ear.
She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, pressed her lips to warm skin, kissed him softly, and sighed. "I can't wait for the bath."
~vVv~
But they would have to. Ten minutes later, they were dressed and in the kitchen when the Doctor materialized in the doorway.
"Good morning," he greeted, looking extremely bright-eyed for 0800. Of course, he was a hologram, so one time was as good as another for him.
Kathryn, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, smiled at him over the rim of the coffee cup that she held beneath her chin, cradled in both hands as she inhaled the strong familiar aroma. She took a sip before returning his greeting. "Good morning," she replied, taking another sip and then setting the cup on the counter.
Chakotay was seated at the table, drinking a tall glass of cold water. Coffee hadn't been his first choice.
"A bit dehydrated, I see," the Doctor observed, setting his kit on the table and taking out a medical tricorder and scanner. He ran the scanner around Chakotay's head and over his shoulders and chest, taking in the readings as they flashed across the display. "Fortunately, you'll live," he stated. "How's the headache?"
Chakotay winced at his words, but admitted the truth. "Still hurts a little." He saw a look of concern flash across Kathryn's face.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she chided gently.
And the Doctor sighed as he removed a hypospray and pressed it to Chakotay's neck. "Self-punishment isn't necessary, Commander. After last night, I think you've punished yourself enough."
Chakotay glanced down at the top of the table, not meeting the Doctor's eyes. "About last night… Thanks. I… appreciate your help."
"I'm surprised you remember it," the Doctor said as he placed his medical instruments into the kit. He glanced over at Kathryn then back to Chakotay. "Do you remember, or did Kathryn tell you?"
Chakotay gave a half laugh and looked back up. "I remember… most of if." He touched his fingers to the skin above his left eyebrow. "It's not the first time you've closed a cut on my forehead."
"You're still hoping for that manly scar above your eye," the Doctor accused, then pursed his lips. "Only this time, you weren't sparring with a Terrellian." He sat down across from him and slid a padd over the table. "I brought you some reading material." He glanced at Kathryn as she joined them, sitting in the chair next to Chakotay. "You might want to read it as well," he added.
Chakotay picked up the padd, activating it with a press of his thumb. He skimmed over the initial information, and Kathryn saw a faint blush cross his cheeks. She leaned closer and read the padd over his shoulder: Recovery after Stroke – Redefining Sexuality. She felt her own cheeks grow suddenly warm.
"I think you'll find that article will have a lot of useful information," the Doctor offered, oblivious to their reactions. "There are sections on the importance of communication, alternate forms of pleasuring, helpful hints in the bedroom, and even an entire section devoted to alternative positions. Why, I found that part extremely informative myself." He glanced over at them. "Not that I need any help in that particular area," he assured, "but one never knows when that sort of information may be needed."
Kathryn coughed nervously, and Chakotay cleared his throat. "Yes, well, thank you… I'll read it…carefully."
The Doctor nodded. "And if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. There's no need to be ashamed. It's perfectly normal to be fearful of sex after a stroke. And I just want to assure you again that you will not have another stroke when you make love. Your blood pressure will increase, but not any more than it does when you climb a flight of stairs. Of course, climbing a flight of stairs isn't quite as pleasurable."
He smiled over at Kathryn, and she wasn't sure whether to feel embarrassed or simply laugh, so she attempted to remain neutral. He was only trying to be helpful, and his concern for them was genuine, even if his approach was somewhat indelicate.
"Thank you, Doctor," she managed with a straight face, not daring to look at Chakotay, afraid that she would start laughing uncontrollably if she did. "We appreciate… the reading material."
His smiled widened. "You're quite welcome. May I suggest you start with the section entitled Getting to Know Each Other?"
~vVv~