The second day of the conference passed much more slowly than the first. The lectures and workshops were as interesting and engaging as the day before, but whenever there was a slight lull, Kathryn's thoughts drifted to Chakotay, wondering how his interview was going and reflecting on the events of the previous evening. Goose bumps rose on her arms every time she recalled the kisses they'd shared, and she found herself hoping for a repeat performance later that night.
During the lunch break, she went back to her room to collect a PADD and found a message waiting for her. It was from Chakotay, telling her to dress casually and that he'd meet her in the lobby at 1830 hours. Immediately, Kathryn's pulse sped up. Since she'd brought only uniforms to the conference, she'd have to find something else to wear. There would be time to worry about that later, though; first, she had a couple more seminars to sit through.
She was already at the door when she turned back and quickly accessed the Starfleet database through her terminal, pulled up a file and downloaded it to one of her PADDs. Then she went back downstairs, found a seat near the back of the auditorium, and started reading Chakotay's service record and Starfleet profile.
Lieutenant Commander Chakotay, USS Libra, appeared at the top of the page. She scrolled down quickly and found his current position listed as Mission Specialist, which could mean one of two things. Either the Libra had been in need of someone with special knowledge or talents for her current mission, and Chakotay had fit the bill, or he was currently between assignments and filling in in some capacity or other until a new permanent post could be found. Kathryn rather doubted the latter. The fleet was ever-expanding, and experienced officers who wanted a change of scenery and applied for reassignment often had their pick of several positions.
She scrolled down further and found more evidence for her theory. It wasn't what the document contained, but rather what it did not. As the daughter of an admiral, Kathryn had often heard about how certain gaps in a service record were indicative of classified missions or undercover assignments. But if Chakotay had applied for a post at Starfleet Academy, it meant that he was tired of restless wanderings, at least for the moment. He'd said himself that he'd recently found himself longing for an extended stay planetside. She could sympathize with that, even though she could not imagine voluntarily giving up living in space. She had worked too hard to get where she was to give that up anytime soon.
After one last look at his picture, she put the PADD away. She could have delved more deeply into Chakotay's profile, but she now found that she didn't want to. She'd rather get to know him without any preconceived notions or expectations, and just trust her instincts.
-==/\==-
At exactly 1830 hours, Kathryn exited the elevator into the hotel lobby. She'd spent the better part of the previous hour getting ready by first taking a bath and then poring over the choices of casual clothing offered by the replicator. In the end, she'd chosen a dark blue button-down dress and matching sandals. Her hair was falling down her back in soft waves, with a silver comb holding the tresses back from her face.
Chakotay was waiting by the front desk, dressed in a simple white shirt and dark pants.
Kathryn resolutely reigned in her desire to greet him with a kiss and stopped two steps away, smiling widely and asking, "Casual enough?"
He took his time looking her up and down, his gaze lingering on the top buttons of her dress before meeting her eyes again. "You look beautiful," he replied quietly.
She felt a blush rise to her cheeks and hoped he wouldn't notice how nervous she was. "Where are we going?"
He offered her his arm and she took it, at once feeling the heat through the thin fabric of his shirt. "I thought we'd go down to the village and then see what we like. A friend of mine recommended a couple of restaurants, but we can always try a different place if something looks good to you," he answered her question.
"Sounds like a plan," Kathryn agreed, and they left the hotel through a side door that exited into the public park they already knew.
By Kelvari standards it was still early, so the park was filled with playing children and people walking their pets or relaxing in the sun. Once they were out of sight of the hotel, Kathryn slid her hand down Chakotay's arm and they continued walking hand in hand, stealing occasional glances at the other's profile.
They followed the same path they had taken the previous night, and soon reached the small rise from where they could look down toward the ocean and the seaside village that was their destination.
Chakotay stopped and turned to Kathryn, eyes twinkling. "Here we are again."
She laughed. "Yes, here we are. Let's hope no one needs rescuing tonight." Then she remembered something. "By the way, the local police contacted me to say that Malderk is doing well and will be released from the hospital tomorrow."
"See, I told you he'd be fine, all thanks to you," Chakotay smiled.
What happened next felt like the most natural thing in the world − he took her in his arms and kissed her. And Kathryn kissed him back with all the longing she'd held at bay throughout the day, surprising herself with her eagerness.
Just like the night before, they were interrupted all too soon. A six-legged ivory-colored furball came sprinting up the incline and launched itself at Kathryn. The impact sent her stumbling away from Chakotay while the creature yapped and danced around her, obviously eager to play.
Kathryn laughed, got down on one knee and extended her hands. The furball sniffed and then licked her fingers, its short tail wagging excitedly. Kathryn petted its head, and the animal promptly threw itself to the ground and rolled around, presenting its belly for her to scratch.
"I think you made a new friend," Chakotay observed, grinning.
She looked past him and pointed. "Two, from the looks of it."
Chakotay turned. Sure enough, another furball was racing in their direction, this one chocolate-brown and slightly larger than the first. It was followed by a small Kelvari boy who kept shouting after the animal to stop.
The first creature suddenly jumped up, and then both were dancing around Kathryn, vying for her attention. Chakotay was laughing so hard he nearly collapsed.
With difficulty, Kathryn managed to get close enough to elbow him in the ribs. "Stop it," she hissed, barely containing her own laughter. "I think that boy is really upset."
By the time the Kelvari reached them, both Starfleet officers had calmed down enough to assure him that his 'Yssanthi', as he called them, were okay and had done no harm. They helped him attach the two leashes he was holding, and then Kathryn petted both animals goodbye. They licked her hands enthusiastically and kept turning their heads as the boy led them away.
Chakotay was still chuckling. "I never would have taken you for a dog person."
Kathryn brushed her hands off on her dress and then turned to him, eyes sparkling. "Why not?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. It just seems too... domestic."
"You're right, I'm not very domestic," she admitted. "But I've always loved dogs, and one day I intend to have my own."
"That'll be one lucky creature," Chakotay whispered, bending down to brush a quick kiss across her lips. Then he straightened and grasped her hand. "Time for dinner," he stated firmly. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
They made their way down the hill to the village and walked along the wide seaside promenade which was lined with shops and restaurants. After some comparing of menus, they ended up at a very small place set right on the beach, where they could bury their feet in the warm sand and watch the waves approach and retreat along the shore.
Once they'd settled down and ordered their food, Chakotay reached across the table and placed his hand over Kathryn's. She turned hers over and he stroked her palm, causing goose bumps to rise on her skin. Looking into his chocolate-brown eyes, she wondered how he could have such an effect on her after such a short time of knowing each other.
Trying to break the spell, she asked, "How was your interview?"
"It was good, I think. I have all the requisite qualifications, so it's more a question of whether they can see me as part of their team." Chakotay shrugged. "I spoke with three different people, and all of them were very accommodating. Of course there are other candidates as well, so I don't want to get my hopes up too much, but I do have a positive feeling so far."
"That's good," she said, envying his easy optimism. She'd always been rather nervous and tense in similar situations. "And the simulations?"
"I didn't crash anything, if that's what you mean," Chakotay smirked.
Kathryn laughed. "Oh, good. I was afraid I might have cursed you."
"It takes a bit more than that to throw me off-balance," he replied, eyes flashing, and Kathryn felt the heat from his gaze sear straight into her belly.
She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a seductive whisper. "How much more?"
He leaned in as well, sliding his fingers up to the crook of her arm and matching his tone to hers. "Where you're concerned, probably not all that much more."
They gazed at each other, barely breathing, letting the tension mount until the waiter arrived with their plates of food only moments later. Then Chakotay smiled and withdrew his hand, and Kathryn took a deep breath to steady her nerves.
Dinner proceeded smoothly, with a surprisingly easy return to casual conversation and light banter. Afterwards, they walked hand in hand back to the hotel, this time taking the long route along the shore and through a small stretch of quiet neighborhood at the edge of the park.
By the time they arrived back at the hotel it was dark, but the lobby was once again brightly illuminated, and light spilled from the large windows over the surrounding area.
Chakotay led Kathryn into the shade of a tree and leaned his back against the trunk, pulling her close. They kissed for several minutes, softly at first but growing more and more passionate and feeling the heat rising between them, until Chakotay gently pushed her away. His chest was heaving, and although he didn't speak, she could plainly read a silent question in his eyes.
Kathryn licked her lips. When it came to men, it wasn't in her nature to be this impulsive, but being with Chakotay just felt... right. She silenced the rational part of her mind that advised caution and asked, "Would you like to... come up to my room?"
He didn't answer right away and just looked at her, breathing deeply. When she smiled, he lovingly stroked the backs of his knuckles along her cheek. "I would like that very much, Kathryn."
Ignoring the swarm of butterflies in her stomach, she grasped his hand and led him through the hotel entrance and the deserted lobby, toward the elevators. By the time they arrived on the 12th floor, his hair was in disarray, the top two buttons of her dress had come undone, and they were both breathless from kissing ardently all through the ride.
He kissed the back of her neck while she fumbled with the door, and then they tumbled into her room, barely taking care to shut and lock the door behind them. His mouth was on hers again before she had fully turned around, and Kathryn moaned as her back hit the wall and Chakotay's solid male body pressed into her. Somehow she managed to get his shirt open and off of his shoulders, and he gasped when she slid her hands down the bare skin of his torso.
The rest of their clothes disappeared more quickly than either would have thought possible, and they laughed at their own haste.
"You'd think we were teenagers," Chakotay growled hotly into Kathryn's ear.
"Oh no," she replied, playfully biting his shoulder until he groaned. "If we were teenagers, we'd have done this last night!"
Sometime later, Kathryn lay panting in the middle of her bed, with Chakotay collapsed beside her. "I... that... you...," she forced out between breaths but couldn't seem to form a coherent thought.
Still slightly breathless himself, Chakotay leaned over and kissed her. "Yes, it was," he agreed, chuckling. He stroked one hand along her flank, sending new shivers down her spine. "Will you let me stay?"
"Oh, yes!" she replied enthusiastically.
Chuckling again, he pulled her into his arms and pillowed her head on his shoulder. Holding each other close, they talked in hushed voices about favorite places and times spent on many different planets.
They made love once more during the night, much more slowly but no less passionate than the first time. In the early morning hours, Kathryn awoke with her cheek pressed against Chakotay's broad back and his scent filling her senses, and she couldn't recall a time when she'd felt more content. She let her hands roam over his nude body until he woke up and rolled her under him, and they barely made it down to the hotel restaurant in time for breakfast.
Then they parted to attend different lectures and seminars, but lunchtime found them under a tree in a secluded area of the public park, where their improvised picnic was soon forgotten in favor of devouring each other. They returned to the conference with their uniforms slightly rumpled and wisely chose to join different discussion groups for the event that followed; otherwise they might not have made it through the program with their dignity intact. For the remaining days and nights of their stay, they were inseparable, parting only when their individual conference schedules wouldn't allow otherwise.
Kathryn had never felt this carefree. Her whirlwind romance with Chakotay left her in a state of almost permanent bliss, where a mere look or the slightest touch from him would cause her whole body to hum pleasantly. To her amazement, she seemed to have the same effect on him. But despite their insatiable hunger for each other, they still managed to be reasonably discreet, and neither missed any part of the conference that they had signed up for.
-==/\==-