Kathryn was still sleeping when Chakotay had to leave for work the next morning. She had hardly stirred when he smoothed her hair back to press a kiss to her forehead, so he didn't have the heart to wake her. Instead, he left a note containing the security codes for his apartment, told her to help herself to whatever she might need, and that he'd call her after his first class. Then he quietly let himself out, hoping she'd benefit from another couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep.
The Academy campus was within walking distance of his apartment, and Chakotay deeply breathed in the fresh morning air as he made his way down the hill. His heart felt so light, he wouldn't have been surprised to see it soar into the air and ride the currents of his bliss. Kathryn was finally here. He couldn't get enough of her, and if he wasn't completely misreading her, the feeling was intensely mutual. For however long she was staying, he would be the happiest man on Earth.
He was eager to find out more about what she'd experienced during their separation, having had only the briefest of glimpses into her life from her letters. She'd been on an extended survey and at least one away mission and had been promoted, so surely she would have a number of stories to tell.
Chakotay's brisk step faltered slightly as a quick succession of images from the previous day flashed through his mind, dampening his exuberant mood. The way she had looked upon first arriving, tired and drawn and barely acknowledging his words, the threat of tears in her eyes during their walk home, her too-thin body and uneasy nap during the afternoon... Separately, none of these observations would be cause for much worry, but together they hinted at some less than pleasant experiences in her recent past.
He was also surprised that she didn't seem more pleased about her promotion, which now put them at equal rank. Back on Kelvaris, she had repeatedly teased him about the fact that he could give her orders, until one night he'd turned that to his advantage. He'd pinned her down and in a low, growling voice told her what he expected her to do. She had obeyed, giggling all the while and insisting on calling him 'Sir' even though there hadn't been a shred of clothing between them, much less any rank insignias. It had been a deeply satisfying night for both of them.
Chakotay paused at a street corner and briefly closed his eyes, trying to breathe slowly to tamp down the stirrings of arousal he felt at the memory of that night. For a moment, he was sorely tempted to call in sick and ask one of the other instructors to cover his classes just so he could hurry back home, slip into bed beside Kathryn and while away the day in lazy pursuit of mutual satisfaction. However, even on Kelvaris, where no one would have missed them at the conference, both he and Kathryn had felt strongly about not letting their private relationship interfere with any professional duties and appointments. He therefore knew without a doubt that if he turned up at home now, she would send him right back to campus without so much as a kiss.
Chakotay allowed himself one last thought of her smooth skin under his hands and the feel of her warm lips traveling down his torso. Then he forcefully yanked his attention back to the present and took another deep breath to will his body into submission.
Twelve minutes later and now entirely focused on the tactical scenarios he was going to present today, he entered his classroom and began the first lesson of the day.
-==/\==-
By the time Chakotay got to his office, it was almost 1030 hours. Several students had stopped him after class to ask additional questions, and even though he always made a point of answering as succinctly as possible, they'd held him up for longer than he'd planned.
He quickly shut the door behind him and dropped into his desk chair, already keying in his own comm address before he'd fully sat down. It only took a few seconds for Kathryn's face to appear on his screen, and he felt a new jolt of arousal at the sight of her. The belt of her robe had been only carelessly fastened, and the garment was in tantalizing danger of slipping down one shoulder, exposing a hint of cleavage that instantly left him yearning for more.
Kathryn smirked, obviously having noticed his wandering eyes and hungry gaze. She propped her elbows on the table and lifted a mug to her lips, issuing an amused "Good morning," before taking a long draught of whatever she was drinking.
"Kathryn..." He felt like a fool, staring at her with his mouth hanging open. After blinking twice, he was finally able to gather his wits about him. "Did you sleep well?"
She nodded, smiling. "I did; in fact, I just got up a few minutes ago. I can't remember the last time I slept this late!"
"Must be the time difference catching up with you." He eyed the mug in her hands. "Coffee?"
"Of course. Don't tell me you've forgotten?"
"How could I?" His chuckle echoed the laughter in her voice, reminding them both of one morning on Kelvaris when they'd been late for breakfast and she had been forced to endure the first lecture of the day without her usual wake-up dose of caffeine. Only his whispered reminders of what pleasures she would have missed out on if they'd risen at the call of her alarm had been able to conjure the smile back on her face. "Got any plans for the day yet?"
She rolled her head from side to side, working out the kinks in her neck before taking another sip of coffee. "Apart from a shower and breakfast, not really. What time do you get off?"
He checked the chronometer on his desk. "I have office hours in about 30 seconds, then another class at 1300 and a meeting afterwards. I should be home by about 1630, 1700 at the latest."
"Maybe I'll just wait here until you get back."
"No, you go ahead and enjoy yourself." There was a chime from his office door. Chakotay looked up quickly and then back down at Kathryn. "I have to go. Tell you what – just take your combadge so I can call you, and then we can meet up somewhere."
"Go easy on those poor students, and remember what it was like to be in their shoes." She smiled and touched her hand to the screen. "I'll see you later."
Chakotay mirrored her gesture. "Later." The screen went blank.
The door chimed again. "Come in!" he called out and was soon firmly engrossed in discussing several assignments he'd set for next week's classes.
-==/\==-