"What else do you want to check out?"
Who: Jim and Hermione What: Stargazing and things almost happening When: Tuesday or Wednesday I think! She has class the next morning Where: Out of the city Status: Complete! Rating: PG-13 for hickeys and second base.
Hermione knew that Jim was coming to pick her up from her place at 6pm. She rushed home from class, showered, dressed, ate a snack, then sat on the sofa and read while she waited for him. Her homework situation was growing more and more serious, as she wasn’t as far ahead as she’d like to be. Being a pre-law student (at Hermione’s standard, anyway) and having a social life was exhausting. She knew that things were going to give.
Anyway, she was still on the sofa, immersed in her book when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs outside of her apartment. She jumped up and was able to answer the door before he had a chance to knock, the open textbook still dangling from her hand. A bright smile crossed her features when she saw him.
Social life was necessary to mental well being. If she talked to Kitty, Kitty would have told her she regretted not doing the more social aspect when she'd gone through college. But Kitty wasn't here!
Jim had told her it was a more casual affair, but he'd been secretive otherwise. He was wearing jeans and a button up shirt, his hair had been combed and he smelled of pine. His hand was hanging in the air just about to knock. He flashed her a grin, "Hey."
“Hi.” Hermione was dressed casually, as well. Khaki pedal pushers and a pink blouse, with her hair tied down in a long braid. She was in her socks, but no shoes yet. “Hi.” She grinned, then leaned forward and tapped a quick kiss against his cheek before taking his hand and pulling him inside.
“I just have to get my trainers on. Have a seat.” She tossed the textbook onto the end of the sofa and rushed to her room to grab her shoes.
The fat, ginger cat jumped up onto the coffee table and stared up at Jim as if he was sizing him up.
"Trainers are good," He replied, eyes roaming over her. "Where I'm taking you is a bit of a walk, but I think you'll enjoy both the walk and the destination."
He turned, eyeing Crookshanks, and holding his fingers out to be sniffed, "I think he's upset I keep taking you away from him. He seems like the jealous type."
“I’ve found him to be an excellent judge of character,” Hermione called out from the bedroom. She was back in the living room only a moment later, carrying her sneakers. She sat on the edge of the sofa and slipped them onto her feet one at a time.
Crookshanks still hadn’t made up his mind about this Jim Kirk fellow. He leaned forward and sniffed at the man’s fingertips, but showed no other signs of an opinion.
"Well, he doesn't outright hate me yet." Jim tried for an earscratch, watching Hermione pull on her sneakers. Pink looked good on her.
“That’s a good sign. I think he usually knows straight away how he feels about people.” Hermione finished lacing up her shoes, then stood to grab her purse.
Crookshanks tipped his head to the side a little, then started rattling and vibrating as a gentle purr escaped him at the scratch to his ears.
“See?” Hermione said, grinning a little. She picked up her purse and moved to meet up with Kirk by the table. “I think he likes you.”
"Make sure he has some food and water or he'll hate me if I keep you out late," Jim joked, running his hand down the cat's back, and then back up. The fur was incredibly soft.
Crookshanks straightened his hind legs when Jim’s hand traveled down his back. The purring intensified.
Hermione watched Jim petting Crookshanks, and realized that any man she ended up dating would have to be good with her cat. Jim was obviously good with him. She remembered seeing Crookshanks curl up next to Ron while he slept, but never came near him when he was awake.
“He’s got plenty. Don’t you, boy.” Hermione reached over to scratch the cat, too, behind his ears.
"Great!" Jim held out his hand for Hermione, "You ready to go? It's a bit of a long trip, we can eat a bit on the way, but it'll be a picnic."
Hermione grinned as she took his hand. “All right. You never told me where we were going.” She added, walking with him to the door.
"It's a surprise!" Still holding her hand, Jim headed out the door. He waited for her to lock up, then impatiently picked her up and carried her down to his car, before setting her down.
Hermione gave a little yelp, then laughed and wrapped her arms around him as he carried her to his car. “What are you doing?” She laughed, but didn’t try to stop him.
"I'm impatient," Jim replied, kissing her against the car, then opening the door for her. He let her in, and then closed it all gentlemanly, before sliding across the hood and getting into the driver's seat. Generally, he let people do whatever they wanted with the radio, "Sandwhich in the back."
Hermione returned his kiss, then broke into a grin. She climbed in and was pulling on her seatbelt when he slid across the hood. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you drink a Red Bull before you picked me up?” She asked, turning to look at him as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “What kind of sandwiches?” She asked, turning to look into the backseat.
"Maybe two," He replied, flashing her a grin as he pulled out of her apartment complex. On the backseat was a cooler and a bag of sub sandwiches, mostly italian of one variety or another. He'd come prepared - it was still a question of just where he was kidnapping her to.
Hermione gave a little laugh as she dug through and pulled out a couple of sandwiches. “You’re not kidnapping me, are you?” She asked, holding one out so he could take it if he wanted to. “You’ve got provisions for a long journey here. Should I be nervous?” She asked, kidding playfully.
"Well I'm not taking you across state borders," He pointed out, giving her a wink as he took the proffered sammich. "And I intend to get you back home in time for class."
He pulled onto the freeway, and started heading east, out of the city.
Hermione grinned. “Okay.” She took a big bite from the sandwich and leaned back in her chair, chewing. “It’s a good thing I trust you,” she said, after swallowing. “You could be taking me anywhere.”
“A nice lake, we just need to fit you for cement shoes, that’s all,” He replied. “Want the top down?”
"Ooh, I wear a size eight," Hermione kidded, grinning. "Sure! So long as you don't mind my hair going everywhere." At least it was less likely to fly free in the braid.
"Why would I mind that," He replied, reaching over and trailing a finger around the outside of her ear. Then he put the top down, and floored it for effect. With the sun behind them and the mountains rising in the distance!
He seemed to have a particular destination in mind, and after awhile, he pulled off the freeway and headed off into the pine forest.
Hermione was glad that the sun was behind them, as she didn’t have a pair of sunglasses. She tucked fly-aways behind her ears, grinning as the hood came down, and continued eating her sandwich in the breeze. It made her laugh a little, leaning back in her chair. She gave a little sigh. It wasn’t often that she ‘let her hair down’ like this, and though she knew it was good for her, she did spend a little time thinking about how much homework she had to do back at home.
She sat up a little when they turned into the forest. “You weren’t serious when you were talking about cement shoes, were you?”
Jim would offer to help. He wouldn't do her homework for her, but he'd help. Like a foot rub. He'd totally do that for her.
He started to laugh at her comment, then calmed himself down, "There's a place with a waterfall but there's probably a couple there right now, so we're going where there's no water." He parked, and turned to grin at her.
Hermione couldn’t say no to a foot rub. It might not help her do her homework, but she couldn’t say no.
“A couple at the waterfall?” Hermione asked, innocently. She was a bit daft when it came to certain things. Put two and two together, Hermione, come on. She didn’t realize for the moment what he meant by that. “Why would that stop us from going to see it?” She asked, pulling off her safety belt.
Well, it might relax her while she does her homework? Jim was already considering that. He opened the door then glanced at her, raising his eyebrow, "It's a nice secluded place for lovers to go. You can even skinny dip there."
Then he got out of the car, popped the trunk, and pulled out two back packs and a large case.
Oh. OH. Hermione flushed deeply. “Oh, I see. Yes, we won’t be going there.” She said, then climbed out of the car. She glanced around the woods. “Are we going hiking?” She asked, turning to him. She reached out for one of the backpacks. “We’re not camping, are we? I have class in the morning.”
"Not tonight, anyway," He replied, hefting everything onto his back. "Nope! Not camping, though if we get in late I'll help you with class work. I don't expect to get you back too late though."
He patted his hand on the case and said, "This is a telescope."
Hermione’s cheeks went scarlet. Not tonight. Promises of another night? Maybe. She took hold of one of the backpacks and slipped it on. “It’s all right. I’m ahead on my homework, anyway.” For now, she thought. Too many late nights and spending too much time with Jim might make her less ahead of the rest of the class than she’d like to be.
She’d never let herself get behind, though. “Ooh, wonderful! What are we going to be looking at?” She asked, her face brightening.
They might have to spend less time together, ohnoes! Jim grinned at her, and started to hike, "We can check out the mountains, and if we're lucky look down towards the ocean. When it's darker we can stargaze. We're far enough out that the lights from the city shouldn't be too bad. Not ideally far enough out, but that would be an overnight trip, really."
Hermione would hate it, but school was a top priority in Hermione’s life. She hoped he’d understand. Anyway, they hadn’t reached that point yet. “Sounds wonderful.” She said, following along after him. She should have worn her hiking boots! But her trainers were good enough.
“Overnight?” She asked, going pink. “Just make sure to give me warning so I can prepare.” Take time off of work. She couldn’t go Monday through Thursday at all, considering how important school was to her.
"If you want to get far enough away from civilization to really get away from the light pollution, that's a couple hundred miles, if not more. So an overnight trip, complete with tent."
Jim winked at her, "It wouldn't like we'd be sharing a sleeping bag." Unless she wanted.
The clearing he wanted to get to was about a twenty minute walk. It was at the top of a hill and gave them a fairly unobstructed view all around.
Did he have to wink at her like that?? Hermione blushed deeply, imagining just what he suggested. Sharing a sleeping bag. And in her miniature fantasy, he was shirtless and she was in her underwear... She stumbled over a root sticking up in the dirt and that brought her back to reality. She cleared her throat.
“Sounds like a fun trip.” She said, now feeling rather foolish. “I’d love to see the stars without the, uh... interference of the... city lights.”
Jim moved to steady her, but she caught herself. He still put his hand on her arm until he was sure she was steady.
"We should do it before it gets too cold. A Friday and Saturday maybe. You should be taking Astronomy for extra credits, I'd help you ace it." He grinned at her.
Hermione felt even more sheepish when he came over to hold her arm. Not that she minded the contact, she just didn’t really need it. So long as he stopped talking about sharing sleeping bags, that is. ...oh, and there it was again. Shirtless Jim, cuddled up against her in a large sleeping bag. With probable kissing. And likely groping.
Hermione stopped that train of thought before she tripped again.
“I’m sure you would,” she said, grinning back at him. She’d only half-heard what he said. “It’s rather warm out here today, isn’t it?”
Jim. Capable of breaking Hermione's brain without actually doing anything. He shrugged a shoulder, "Maybe a little bit. We're also exercising and that raises our temperature. We're almost there, and there's water in your back pack."
They couldn't really take anything off. Well they could, there was no one watching.
Hermione didn’t have a whole lot to take off. She would have worn an undershirt if she’d known they were going on a hike and she’d want to take things off. As it was, if she shed her blouse or her pants, she’d simply be in her underwear. It was cute underwear, but it was still under wear. The kind that was supposed to stay under things.
“I’ll have a sip when we get there.” She said, giving him a smile. “Though, now I’m thinking a dip in the waterfall would have been nice!”
"Maybe there'll be a stream nearby," He suggested, as they crested a hill, the clearing now in sight. It was an idealistic sight, surrounded by pine and brush, and the clear blue sky overhead.
The sky was taking on a deeper hue as it grew later.
Hermione was thankfully not thinking about half-naked Jim anymore. Her feet were more sure in their steps, and her face losing its hue. She followed him up the hill, then gave a little gasp at the sight.
“It’s beautiful here, Jim,” she said softly.
But half-naked Jim was a bastion of all things fun and sexy! Why, half-naked Jim can make even the most boring of activities fun. Get one at your local super store now!
"Yeah, isn't it? I know a lot of little places like these." He set down the telescope and pack, and then opened the case. He figured to get the telescope set up first thing, though he did take a moment to admire the view. A view which included Hermione.
If only half-naked Jim was something one could find at the local super store, the world would be a better place.
Hermione gave a nod, taking off her own pack. She set it down next to him, then turned to look out at the view herself. It was really spectacular. She was completely unaware that he was watching her. "It sure is something, isn't it?"
"Yeah." He got the telescope set up, then walked over and slipped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck from behind, before he whispered in her ear, "Want to help me get the telescope calibrated?"
Hermione gave a little sigh and leaned back against him. The sigh quickly turned into a giggle at the nuzzle. “All right,” She didn’t move to leave his arms, though.
He didn't move to let go of her, either. It was comfortable, and a breeze had picked up a little, cooling them from the long walk. He nuzzled her ear with his lips, "I suppose it can wait a little."
Her eyes fell closed at the nuzzle. “Only a little.” It was almost a question.
Jim nipped at Hermione’s earlobe, his voice thick, “Okay, it can wait a while, Hermione.”
Hermione grinned, eyes still closed. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world. In a gentle but swift motion, she turned around in his arms to face him, hoping to find his lips with hers.
Jim's hands ran down Hermione's back, pulling her against him and finding her lips with his. He kissed her with barely restrained passion - Hermione had gotten under his skin with a surprisingly great ease.
It was possible that Hermione had never met anyone who treated her the way he did, and that’s why she was so bad at this. Or, it was also possible that something that Hermione knew subconsciously about Ron made her less likely to end up dating someone else. Whatever it was, it made her a bit shy, inexperienced, and absolutely willing to follow his lead. She bent to his will, kissing him with almost as much passion as he was kissing her--even though she really didn’t know what she was doing.
He seemed to think that she was doing just fine. Fantastic in fact. One hand slid down, brushing across the back of Hermione's jeans. The other slid up to tangle through her hair.
A grin spread across Hermione’s features into the kiss at the feel of his hand brushing over her backside. She couldn’t remember ever having been groped before. At least, not like this. And not by someone she actually wanted groping her. Her own hands tangled in his hair as she kissed him hungrily, one moving down and splaying gently across the side of his neck.
Taking that as a good sign, Jim squeezed his hand, letting the kiss deepen, feeding off her hunger and returning it passionately. She was a good kisser. She probably didn't believe it, but she was.
Hermione actually chuckled a little into the kiss. She couldn’t help it. Her mouth broke away from his for just a moment, and she mumbled, “oh my God, Jim Kirk is grabbing my butt.” Then she leaned in to kiss him again.
That made him start laughing into the kiss, himself. He contained himself, grabbing her butt a little harder. The urge to run his other hand all over her was nigh overwhelming.
Hermione didn’t want to be too much of a tease. She knew that this couldn’t go all that far, as they were pretty much out in the open. They were much more likely to get carried away with things if they were in the privacy of one of their own homes. But here it was really tempting to let him put his hands wherever he wanted, to run her own hands all over his form.
The passionate kisses weren’t helping that urge in the slightest.
There was no one around, and Jim wasn't adverse to rolling about on the ground. The hand in her hair slid down her neck, then down her chest. At the end of the journey, he let his fingers tease the skin of her stomach where her shirt had ridden up a little bit.
That other hand? Still doing things to her rear end that were illegal in 4 states.
Illegal or no, Hermione was absolutely enjoying those things. Her mouth broke away from his to breathe deeply, somewhere between a gasp and a sigh, as she felt his hand on the skin of her stomach.
After a moment of heavy breathing, she swallowed and spoke. Her voice was low, thick, and her words were labored. “I thought we were going to calibrate the telescope,” she said.
"I thought that was what we were doing," Jim joked in reply, his own breath ragged and his voice deep and gravelly. He didn't move his hands, though he did hold her a bit as if worried that they might fall over.
Hermione was weak in the knees and was clinging to him rather tightly. She might have fallen over if he tipped too far to one side or the other. A little chuckle escaped her, soft and breathy. “Is that what you kids are calling it these days?”
“Oh yeah. Calibrations, it’s the new in thing.” Somewhere, Garrus was probably feeling like someone was talking about him. Jim chuckled, moving his head and kissing at her jaw, and then trailing his lips along Hermione’s throat. He was still very dizzy, and he wanted more.
Hermione’s head tipped back and her eyes fell closed. Her arms tightened around him. “You could get me into a lot of trouble, Mister Kirk.” She almost called him Captain. Almost.
He nipped lightly, then kissed where her pulse was quickest, "I like trouble. Do you like trouble Miss Granger?"
“I’m starting to,” she breathed.
Kirk's chuckled reverberated against Hermione's throat, before he started to kiss her collar bone. One finger caressed around her belly button.
“It’s going to be dark by the time we’re ready to use your telescope.” Hermione said, completely unaware that that could be taken two ways.
Jim bit back a groan, her words making him extremely amused and a little uncomfortable in a few ways. He couldn’t help but reply, “Are you sure you know how to handle it?”
“Not entirely,” Hermione answered. She was talking about the telescope, not... something else. “But you can show me how.”
"You're talking about the telescope, right?" Jim asked, sounding strained. Because he really, really wanted to make sure. His still had his face pressed against Hermione's neck.
“What else would I be talking about?” Hermione asked. About mid-way through the question, though, she realized what he may have meant. Her face flushed and her voice squeaked a little.
“Yes. I was being literal.” She whispered.
Jim laughed, a little breathlessly, "Just checking." He lifted his head from her neck and lifted his hand to stroke her cheek, "It's starting to get dark."
Dark enough to see the stars, perhaps. Or dark enough that they'd have cover to keep making out.
Hermione nodded a little. She was still slightly breathless, still worked up a bit. Maybe if they focused on the telescope for a while, she wouldn’t be so... what was the word for it? ...horny. She hated the word, though there wasn’t anything else that so accurately fit how she was feeling.
“Show me the stars,” she said, giving him a smile.
Exhaling, Jim nodded and stepped away from her. It was a bit like a piece of metal trying to back away from a magnet. Then he turned and walked back to where the telescope was and leaned over it. He turned it towards a bright star to the east.
Hermione let out a deep gush of air when he stepped away. She suddenly felt cold. It was just his body heat moving away, but she felt it being leeched out of her. She stepped over toward the telescope, then perched on a rock nearby to wait for him to have it all set up.
It took several minutes, but he finally straightened, and turned, glancing over at her, "Okay. What do you want to look at first?" He seemed unphased on the surface.
“Whatever you want to show me.” Hermione said. While he was working with the telescope, she leaned back on her hands and looked up into the sky. It made her stomach twist in guilty ways when her first thoughts were of Ron, and how much he would like to be out here with her under the stars.
Jim was in a good mood. A frustrated one, but a good one. He was out under the stars with an attractive woman, and one who had the wonder to look at them to begin with.
Hermione climbed up off of her rock, dusted her hands off on her pants and moved over to the telescope. “Line something up for me.” She said, giving him a grin. Of course, she probably could have done it on her own, but it was nice for the expert to do it for her.
She gave a little shudder. As the sun dropped below the horizon, so the temperature dropped down. It was at least 10 degrees colder now than it was before the sun disappeared.
He did, lining it up and then sliding his arms around from behind her, rubbing at her sides and arms, "Just enough time to catch Mars."
Hermione leaned over to take a look through the telescope, thankful for his warm body against hers again. “Mars. Have you ever been to Mars?” She asked, her eye lined up with the eyepiece so she could see the red planet.
"Not in this life," He replied, his hands lazily stroking warmth into her. "I want to go. I have the funds I just need to get the tech going."
“What I wouldn’t give.” Hermione whispered. She took her time looking up at the planet, then finally closed her eyes and leaned back against him. Her arms wrapped over his around her waist and she hugged them to her as her back pressed against his chest. He was so very warm. “What else do you want to show me?”
"Only the things you're ready for," he replied, a little suggestively. He reached around and started to move the telescope to some coordinates.
Hermione would have moved out of the way so he could do that more easily, but it looked as if he knew what he was doing, even with her body between him and the telescope. Her cheeks were burning now against the cold night air as she blushed. “What am I ready for?” She asked, smirking a little.
Jim smirked a little himself, and didn't reply until the telescope was pointed at a star, "I don't know yet, but I'm looking forward to when you are."
Hermione nodded. She could tell there was a double meaning there, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She leaned forward to put her eye to the telescope, and studied the star as best she could while so distracted. What was she ready for? And when would she be ready for it?
Something clicked in her brain as she looked at the star. “Is that Antares?” She asked, turning to look at him over her shoulder.
“Yep,” He replied, grinning. There was another star he wanted to look at but he wanted to work their way up to that one. That star required a bit of explanation, “Good catch!”
Hermione blushed a bit. “I haven’t done as much Astronomy study as I’d like, but I know a few.” She admitted. “I’m sure I could learn a lot about the stars from you.”
“I wish I could take you to them,” He replied, moving the telescope and pointing it at 40 Eridani. He wondered if she’d figure out that was the star, or what it’s significance was, “This one I’ve been looking at my whole life.”
“I wish you could, too,” she said with a blush. When he had it set to the new star, Hermione leaned back over and looked through the telescope. She didn’t put anything together. She didn’t even know what star it was. “Really?” She asked, giving it a good, long hard look. “It’s beautiful. Which one is it?”
Through the telescope you could almost make out that it was a double star. There was even a third star but it was too dim, and was outshone, "40 Eridani."
He waited, to see if she knew.
She paused for a moment, staring into the telescope. The name was so very familiar. She turned to glance at him, concentrating and slightly confused, before turning back to look. She could see the second star if she squinted, looking rather hard into the telescope.
“...That’s so familiar.” She said. “How do I know 40 Eridani?”
"I'd say it's more important to a good friend of mine, than me," Jim replied, grinning slightly. "And when I started dreaming I realized why I kept looking at it."
Hermione was racking her brain, trying to figure out how she’d heard that name. She thought back to the countless hours she spent in the living room at her parents’ house while her father watched the show, the movies, read the books, even. She’d never been as die hard a fan as her father was, but still she enjoyed it.
After a long moment of frustration, she gave a sigh. “I give up. Tell me.”
He laughed, and pulled her back against him, "Vulcan orbits 40 Eridani A."
Hermione gave a gasp of comprehension and then half scowled, half grinned. “I knew it. I really did know, it was on the tip of my tongue.” She said, leaning back against him. “Drat it all. I should have put two and two together. I really did know,” she added again. sounding frustrated.
"They never said it on the show, but Roddenberry did and it was confirmed in other sources," Jim replied, stroking her arm. "I guess that makes me a geek."
Hermione laughed. She never, ever would have pegged Jim for being a geek. He wasn’t like all the geeks she knew. Ron was fairly geeky. Her father was probably the biggest geek in the universe. Well, maybe not that bad, but he was pretty far along. She turned to look at him, grinning a little at him in the dark.
“I would have pegged you as an athlete. Or a bad boy. Definitely not a geek.”
Jim had a different sort of geekiness. Star geeky, outdoor geeky. But it was still geeky. He flashed her a grin, "Can't I be all three?"
Hermione gave a little laugh. “I didn’t think that was possible. Not until I met you, anyway.”
He tapped his head, "Genius level repeat offender wasn't just a joke."
“Well, I think you’re brilliant. Even if you are a genius level repeat offender.” Hermione leaned in and tapped a kiss against his cheek.
Jim turned his head and kissed her on the lips, "Thanks, you're no slouch yourself."
A little giggle escaped her, her cheeks pink from the kiss to her lips. “Well, I’d have to be. To get your attention.”
"My attention? I should be counting myself so lucky," He replied, grinning at her impishly. "Not many women would be into something like this."
“You’re kidding.” Hermione said, raising both eyebrows. “I find it hard to believe that you’re not fighting them off with a stick.”
"Oh, I am," He replied, nodding his head. He thought of Sarah, and Cameron, and a few others. Not that they threw themselves at him, or anything, "That's not a problem, really. I just tend to avoid doing more than light flirting with other women when I'm interested in someone specifically." He raised his eyebrows at her, and then winked.
Hermione was thankful it was dark. Her face was burning now with the blush that crept over her nose and cheekbones. She smiled at him, then leaned in and pressed her lips against his, tenderly.
Jim figured if he managed to screw this one up he should just go back to clubs and one nighters again. He stroked Hermione's cheek, "What else do you want to check out?"
Poor Jim and Hermione. They would have made a fantastic couple were Hermione not head over heels in love with someone else. It was a shame she didn’t know it. Hopefully she’d get it all sorted out before things grew too serious.
“Whatever you want to show me. I’m open to suggestion.”
Jim swallowed, then grinned deviously, "Anything?"
Hermione’s heart started thundering in her chest. “Try me.”
She wasn’t sorted into Gryffindor house for nothing.
Deciding to see if she really was a brave as she was letting on, Jim swept Hermione into his arms, and kissed her as if the end of the world was upon them!
A lot of Hermione’s attraction to Jim was physical. She wouldn’t try to deny it. He was handsome, fit, and had an incredibly dashing smile. So when he swept her into his arms, Hermione melted against him, returning his kiss with just as much passion. Her arms snaked up and around his neck and she pressed her body against his.
They risked knocking the telescope over, so he moved them a bit farther away from it, without letting any space get between them. She was incredibly attractive, and he could pick away at her brain all day, although right now, it was the physical need that was overriding everything else.
She was like putty in his hands. His arms. His whatever. It was chilly, Hermione was shivering now from cold and some other emotion she couldn’t quite place. Was it excitement? Anxiety? Nerves? She was thrilled and terrified at the same time. Things seemed like they were moving forward... was she ready for it? Whatever it was? Why couldn’t she stop thinking about Ron every so often?
They might be moving forward. Jim probably wouldn't say no if they moved forward. He tripped over something, twisting so he landed on his back with Hermione on him. It knocked the wind out of him, but his hands slid up under the back of her shirt as he laughed. Without missing more than a beat he buried his face into her neck and nipped gently.
Hermione stumbled, flopped on top of him with an ‘oof!’ and then gave a laugh when he did. Of course, she noticed his hands came up under her shirt, and that sent shivers down her spine. She giggled again when he nipped at her neck, and tipped her head to the side to give him better access. “Smooth,” she whispered, her breathing starting to quicken.
"I try," He replied, nuzzling aside her collar so he could kiss at the spot where shoulder and neck met. He added teeth, fingers digging into her back. Jim's hands desperately wanted to explore elsewhere, but he was the captain and they WOULD obey.
Hermione gave another little giggle, but shivered at the teeth against her skin. Her hands on either side of his shoulders holding her up gave a gentle dip, as she found it hard to make any part of her body respond to her commands when he was doing that to her neck.
Since he was there, Jim started to give her a hickey. It seemed like a good idea at the time. One of his hands was sent to inspect Hermione's aft deck.
It was all he could do to keep from breaking into hysterical fits of laughter at that mental command.
Hermione’s eyes were closed, her breathing labored. She rested a little more of her weight on his chest so she could free up one of her hands. It came to rest on his side, down near his hip, and she tugged his shirt up just a little so she could feel his skin against her hand.
It was growing colder and colder. She started to shiver.
His skin was hot, and her touch made his stomach twitch. Lifting his lips from her neck, Jim kissed her. It was a hard, demanding kiss.
Hermione returned his kiss, giving a little whimper at how powerful it felt. She was bending to his will, melting against his body. Her whole body gave a shudder, and she broke her lips away from his to breathe. “Jesus, Jim,” she mumbled. “We should... it’s getting late...” It wasn’t really. Hermione was just a little nervous that she was going to let this go too far.
She wanted to let this go too far. She kissed him again.
Was that a stop? That sounded like a stop. Jim broke the kiss and looked at her, his eyes the kind of depth that made falling into them entirely too easily, "Yeah?" Then she was kissing him again and he tangled fingers in her hair.
It was almost a stop. It was a ‘we should stop’ without any real conviction behind it. Though, Hermione knew better. She really did know that this was going to get out of hand. It probably already was out of hand. She had no idea about the little, purple bruise on her neck that was going to make Ron’s head explode. All Hermione could think about in the moment was how badly she wanted his hands all over her body.
He’d successfully pushed Ron completely out of her mind.
Jim rolled them around, ending up on top of Hermione. He slipped a hand under her shirt, deepening the kiss while tracing fire in her skin.
Hermione gave a gentle ‘ooft’ when he rolled her over and slid on top of her. She grinned into the kiss for a moment as her arms were now free to wrap up and around him. Her hand slipped further under his shirt, up his side a little. Another shiver escaped her as the cool air slipped up under her shirt in a gentle wind that brushed by them.
Groaning, Jim finally made it to second base. She was soft and just the right kind of curvey that he liked, and to express his approval he nipped her lower lip.
JimKirkistouchingmyboobs,JimKirkistouchingmyboobs... Hermione grinned at the nip. Parts of her body were responding to his attentions that had never responded to another human being before. She have a little whimper, then shivered.
Her teeth began to chatter.
They could keep warm. There was a really nice way they could keep warm, and Jim's body was really rather vested in keeping warm that way. His hand rubbed at her side, his other continuing it's gentle exploration of her breast, as though he were worried about frightening her off.
It was a generally valid fear. She could bolt, or freak out, and that was the last thing he wanted. He certainly didn’t want to force anything.
The shivering and teeth chattering were not entirely caused by the cold. There were odd sensations running through her that made her quake and quiver. Her body was aching in ways she’d never known and didn’t really understand. She shifted, biting her lip to fight off a moan.
Moving his lips across Hermione's jaw and then down her neck, Jim squeezed his hand a little playfully. Her quivering and quaking was beyond awesome encouraging, and he wanted to encourage more of that. He grinned against her skin.
Hermione’s breath came out in a gush, a heavy, quick sigh of pleasure at the feel of his hand squeezing her breast. She had no idea that it was going to feel this good. Her eyes rolled back a little in her head, and her back arched up against his hand. “Jim...” she half-whispered, half-moaned. Though, she didn’t know what she wanted him to do or to say, she was just mumbling out his name.
"Mm?" He murmed, his voice low and heavy as his hand continued to do Wonderful Things(tm). The sound of her breathing, and the warmth of her body gave him a heady feeling. Nothing in this world beat the feeling of rendering a woman speechless, except possibly the feel of weightlessness in space. Maybe. Almost.
Hermione was breathing hard now. She shook her head a little, the words were completely gone. She knew they were going to have to stop soon. She was freezing, and they were awfully exposed. It was near pitch black, now, too, and she didn’t want to be gone so late... But all of those thoughts were suppressed by how amazing it felt to have his hot hands on her body, doing said Wonderful Things(tm).
It didn't take long, or much effort, for the man to nudge Hermione's shirt up, and shift down to trail electric kisses along her stomach. In fact, it probably seemed to be instantaneous!
One of Hermione’s hands found the back of his head, fingers tangling in his hair. Goosebumps rose along her stomach at the feel of the cold air against it, and she shivered again.
He nipped. Once, then twice, then a third time, squeezing his hand, even massaging a little bit in time to his actions. Jim's other hand slid up Hermione's back, on a mission to unhook her bra.
Hermione shifted and lifted her head a little. She was breathing hard and her face fell. “Jim,” she said, breathlessly, and hating herself for it. She knew they had to stop before things got out of control.
He got her bra unclasped, and pushed himself up on an elbow to look down at her. He sighed, and slipped his hand away from her chest, then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, "It's okay."
Hermione shook her head a little. “It’s not, really,” she said, softly. He deserved someone who would follow his lead without flinching, who wouldn’t get twisty in her stomach and nervous about letting things go too far. She felt horribly guilty.
Jim shifted into a sitting position, crossing his legs and rubbing her hip. He tried to smile reassuringly, "You're nervous, I get that. It just means a lot of cold showers for me."
“I just feel really guilty. You’ve been so wonderful to me, and...” She sat up, too, and straightened her shirt. “I want to be ready for all of this, I do. I’m probably just thinking too much. Like I always do.”
"Maybe," He replied, and dropped her bra into her lap with a smirk. "I'd rather you be ready. Don't feel guilty that you aren't yet."
Jim gave her a wink, "Contrary to popular belief I'm not ruled by the head between my legs."
Hermione chuckled softly. “No, I know.” She blushed a bit, wrapping her arms around herself in the cold. She was freezing, and rather dusty from laying on the ground. “I’m being a bit silly. Forget I said anything.” Now she felt awkward.
Jim pulled her into his lap, and rubbed at her arms and back to warm her up. He said nothing, simply let his actions speak for themselves and try to comfort her. And relax her from the awkward.
“We should probably look at some more stars before it’s time to go,” Hermione said, softly, though she made no move to climb out of his lap. Cuddling was amazing, especially with someone who was so strong and smelled so good.
Jim flopped onto his back, pulling her down with him. He could keep her warm this way, cuddling. He started to point out stars, and constellations, even going into the origins of their names.
You didn't always need a telescope to stargaze.
Hermione curled against him, pressing her body up close against his. She leaned her head against his chest, and listened to his heart beating between his words about the stars and the constellations. She had to be honest, she knew about half of the things that he told her. But the rest of it was new and exciting.
After a long time, Hermione yawned. It was so dark and so cold now. She glanced at her watch and gave a little gasp.
Jim had quieted down after awhile, almost ready to nap, himself. He heard the glass, and lifted his own hand, hitting the dial on his watch, "Shit. Tell you what, we'll get you curled up in the back seat and I'll try to drive quiet."
“I’ll b-be all right,” Hermione said, yawning again. She sat up and stretched. “Time flies when you’re having fun, right?” She said, then climbed up to her feet. She was a bit too sleepy for her own good and had to take a moment to steady herself.
He chuckled, then got up and quickly put away the telescope. He picked up the case and both packs, and then led the way back to the car. It was slow going, but he'd had the foresight to bring a flashlight.
Jim stuffed everything in the trunk.
Hermione was pooped. She followed along with Jim, half-way back taking one of the packs from him so she could hold onto his arm at times and keep herself upright. The flashlight was a good idea. Had she known where they were going and what they were going to do, she would have been better prepared.
She tossed the pack into the trunk, then climbed into the passenger door and leaned her head back against the seat. She was exhausted, happy, and getting over the guilt and awkwardness that she’d felt earlier.
Jim leaned over her, stealing a sweet kiss before pushing the seat back and down, "Take a nap, I'll let you know when we're back at your apartment. I really didn't mean to keep you this late."
Hermione returned the kiss, smiled at him, then curled up in the seat. “It’s really all--all-- right.” Hermione said, yawning once more. She closed her eyes, and in a moment she was fast asleep.
Jim drove her home, driving carefully so as not to wake her. When he got to her apartment, he was again careful to not wake her, as he lifted her into his arms and carried her up to her apartment.
He tucked Hermione into bed, fed Crookshanks, and then let himself out.