By the time they landed and checked into their hotel, Jackie and Catherine were both exhausted from the late night and long day of travelling. Not even having enough energy to get dinner, they collapsed on the bed and ordered in room service.
"I feel awful. I'm so tired!" Jackie whimpered, as she fell backwards on the bed.
"So am I, and sore. That bathroom floor did a number on me," Catherine said while rubbing her aching neck.
"I'm sorry," Jackie apologised guiltily. "I can give you a massage?"
"Actually, I think I'm going to go and take a long hot bath," Catherine replied, before kissing Jackie on the cheek and rolling out of bed.
Before she closed the bathroom door, she turned back to Jackie.
"You can join. If you want," she said with a wink.
She was in the bath for almost ten minutes before she came to the realisation that Jackie wasn't coming. Knowing her, she had probably fallen asleep. When Catherine's muscles finally felt relaxed and her body was at ease, she came back into the bedroom. The sight of Jackie made her laugh, confirming her assumption. She was curled up in a ball and was fast asleep.
****
The next morning, Catherine rolled over and smiled at the sight of Jackie in bed next to her. This was all becoming to normal. It was going to break her heart having to go back home in a couple of days. Jackie was leaving for Europe next week for the final leg of her Neptune 26 tour, so it would be a good three weeks before they were able to see each other again. They haven't had to deal with that much time apart since they reunited. Figuring Jackie would sleep a little longer, Catherine decided to get a work out in. After all of the food and alcohol they had consumed this weekend, she definitely needed it.
She rolled over and whispered in Jackie's ear, "I'm going to go for a run. I'll be back soon."
Then she kissed her on the cheek.
Jackie grabbed her wrist as she tried rolling back.
"Nooo, don't go yet," she said half consciously, as she turned over to face her. "Stay with me for a little while."
Catherine smiled and rolled back over as Jackie nestled in next to her.
"No wake up call is the best way to start a day," Jackie murmured, as she slowly opened her eyes and stretched.
"Is it?" Catherine smirked, insinuating there was something better.
"Okay, waking up next to you is the best way to start a day," Jackie said, fixing her statement.
"Better," Catherine smiled.
"Crap," Jackie blurted out, as the expression on her face revealed she was starting to remember something. "I fell asleep on you last night, didn't I? The bath."
"You did. I almost got hypothermia waiting for you in there so long," Catherine responded stone faced.
"Shut up," Jackie said and slapped her arm. "I owe you though."
"Yes you do. Come on, let's go for a run."
"Nooooo," Jackie groaned.
"You don't want to spend time with me?"
Jackie flashed her an annoyed look, so Catherine climbed on top of her and straddled her.
"You're not going to see me for three...long...weeks," Catherine said while kissing her neck with each word.
Jackie placed her hands on her but Catherine grabbed them and pinned her down.
"Nuh uh, not until after we run," Catherine teased.
"Do you always get what you want?"
"Always," Catherine grinned.
****
Fifteen minutes later, they were outside the hotel lobby stretching. Despite Jackie's displeasure.
"So where to?" Jackie asked.
"We're near campus so I'm eager to take a look since we won't have much time before our flight tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
As they were running through campus, Catherine was busy absorbing it all in as Jackie struggled to keep up. She hadn't ran in almost two weeks and the after party really had done a number on her. She was relieved when Catherine stopped to ask for directions to the Psychology building.
"Need a breather?" Catherine asked.
Jackie was slumped over and was trying to catch her breath.
"Yes please," Jackie replied.
After walking for a few minutes, Catherine stopped and looked up.
"Here it is."
"Professor Stark?" A voice said coming from behind them.
"Yes?" Catherine turned around.
"I thought that was you. Hi, I'm Professor Richardson. We spoke on the phone. I will be interviewing you tomorrow."
"Oh hello! It's a pleasure meeting you. Please ignore my appearance, we were just out for a run and decided to take a look around campus," Catherine said, obviously mortified.
"Don't be silly, I'm glad to see you taking an interest in the University. How are you liking it so far?"
"We actually just arrived last night, so this is our first time getting out. Pardon my manners, this is my friend Jackie," Catherine said, pointing to Jackie.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Jackie offered her hand.
"You as well. I won't keep you two any longer. I'm looking forward to our interview tomorrow, Professor Stark."
"As am I, it was a pleasure meeting you Professor Richardson," Catherine replied as she shook his hand.
Once he was out of sight, Catherine let out a groan.
"Oh my god, how embarrassing."
"What? You were fine," Jackie responded.
"Seeing me in spandex and dripping sweat isn't exactly the first impression I wanted to make."
Jackie looked around, "Speaking of being on a college campus with you. Why don't we go and find an empty classroom for old times sake?" She teased.
"Don't you dare," Catherine warned, pointing a finger at her.
"I love a good dare," Jackie responded playfully.
"I'm serious Jackie," Catherine said sternly.
"I know, calm down. I'm just kidding."
"Isn't it gorgeous here?" Catherine said to change the subject. "Bloomington isn't even a blimp on the radar compared to this."
Catherine was in awe as her eyes skimmed at the beautiful landscape.
Jackie followed her eyes. The campus was gorgeous. It was a lot prettier to look at than Bloomington and a lot larger. Jackie couldn't help but think of how many different people Catherine would meet if she worked here. Suddenly, her stomach began to tie in knots; thinking about her being so far away and making a new life here without her.
What if she found another student that struck her eye?
What if she lost interest in Jackie now that she was a big time Professor at a top ten university?
When she looked back at Catherine, she saw the excitement on her face and felt guilty for being so paranoid.
"It is gorgeous. I'm sure you would love it here."
****
Back at the hotel, Jackie sat on the bed as Catherine showered. She couldn't shake the doubts she had been feeling since back on campus. Their life this past week had been so perfect because they were able to see each other every single day. She couldn't image in a six hour drive being between them.
When Catherine got out of the shower, she opened the door and saw Jackie sitting on the edge of the bed with a gloomy look on her face.
"You okay Porcupine?"
Jackie jerked her head up.
"Yeah," she smiled.
Catherine could tell it wasn't genuine.
"No, you're not. What's up?" Catherine asked as she sat down next to her.
"Nothing, I swear," Jackie smiled.
There it was again.
"Jackie, I know you well enough to know something's wrong and to know that's not your real smile."
"You know, it's really unfair dating a Psychology professor," Jackie said, giving her a side smile.
"It's not so much Psychology as it is how well I know you," Catherine laughed. "So tell me."
"It's nothing. I'm just having a jealous girlfriend moment and I have no right to be, considering my own career."
"I'm not following," Catherine asked with confusion. Who was Jackie jealous about?
"I'm just feeling self-conscious about this all. I'm scared you're going to get tired of me once you start your new exciting life. Also the distance, what if you meet someone else who can give you something I can't?"
Catherine chest tightened as she listened to Jackie.
"That's never going to happen," Catherine said as she placed her hand on Jackie's knee. "You don't think I have these exact same insecurities?"
Jackie laughed, "No. Look at you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're gorgeous, Catherine. When you walk into a room, you make both men and women turn their heads," Jackie said as she stood up.
"And you're a young, gorgeous Hollywood actress!" Catherine fired back.
"I'm sorry, I really am. Your interview is tomorrow and I'm being unfair talking about this," Jackie said, growing quiet.
After spending all weekend in Jackie's world, Catherine was a little irritated that she was acting like this after one quick stroll around campus. However annoyed she was, she couldn't be upset though. She knew exactly what Jackie was feeling because she felt it every time Jackie stepped into her movie star role.
"Come here. Sit down," Catherine said, taking her hands.
"No, just forget I said anything. I'm just tired and being moody. Can we rewind the last 60 seconds?"
"Please sit," Catherine asked again.
Jackie just stood there.
"No, I'm being stupid and I'm embarrassing myself. Really, I am okay. We're out of ice though so I'm going to go and get some."
Jackie let go of her hands and began to walk away before Catherine grabbed her arms and pulled her in front of her again.
"You're not stupid. No one is ever going to be able to offer me something you can't. You're not replaceable."
Jackie looked down and offered a small smile. Catherine hadn't seen her look so insecure since they had first met.
"You're my little Porcupine," Catherine said as she moved her hands towards Jackie's hips, playfully rocking them before drawing her closer. "Come here.."
Jackie leaned down and Catherine brought her face closer, kissing her and pulling her down onto the bed.
"I'm sorry, I really am. You don't need this on your mind before your interview. I'm just scared that-"
Before Jackie could finish, Catherine kissed her again. She could tell Jackie was feeling extremely vulnerable. To be honest, she was too. She really liked what she saw so far down here and knew the distance would be brutal on their relationship. Especially if Jackie wanted to go to school on top of continuing to act.
Wanting to make them escape these feelings of insecurity, she did what she always did and buried her emotional pain with physical pleasure.
Bringing Jackie along for the ride.
A/n Thanks for reading my story. Please vote and drop a comment. Comments will help me a lot more than you might think. â¤ï¸