Title: Remember
Author: Kymira
Rating: NC17
Archive: Go for it! :-D
Notes: This is an HSU story for my wonderful roomie, JenJen for being so patient with her Sithly roomie!
Summary: Memories of meeting the General on campus for the first time...

At HSU, autumn is the finest time of year. No more milky veil of fog obstructing, the strong winds have already blown it away. Even from where I sit on the grounds, amid tall trees, the aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine permeates the air, making it sweet. When the environment is so rich, it's easy to forget one's surroundings have little to so with one's ultimate happiness. Most men would have had trouble getting through to me, but for him, it took no effort...

He was the president at HSU. It was an odd thing to hear so much about this man before actually meeting him. One day, the opportunity presented itself. Kymira, my suitemate had been doing some errand running for the General's secretary, Diebin, and she happened to be in the library struggling with a stack of books destined for his office. I helped her carry the heavy volumes across campus and up the stairs to his office. When Kymira kicked open the door, all I could see of him was his sculpted back. He was writing something on a pad of paper, facing the window. Kymira cleared her throat and he turned around. "Sir, this is JenJen, my suitemate." He turned around in his swivel chair and riveted his icy blue eyes on mine. As cynical as I'd become in my time as an adult, and as much as I hated the idea of lust or love at first sight, when this man turned around, smiling, with the end of a pencil in his mouth, I knew then and there I wanted him.

His hair was thick and wavy, a warm coppery blonde, with lighter streaks in it at his temples. The rich color of his hair brought out flecks of grey in his cool eyes. His lips were full and sensuous and his perfect white teeth were strong and straight. He kissed my hand as I gave him my name. His hand was large and his grip was warm and firm. He spoke to Kymira about some of the books she was unable to get and then took a call. He gestured for me to stay, and smiled at Kymira. She nodded and left quietly, with a quiet smile on her lips. While he was talking, I tried to figure out what had just happened to me. He was older than I was, but that wasn't the problem. He had done nothing more than look into my eyes and press his soft lips to my hand. "Excuse me... Do you have plans for this afternoon?" Looking up, I felt a bit embarrassed about the fact that I was daydreaming. "No, sir. I'm free ... why?" His full lips curled into a hearty smile. "I was wondering if you would like a tour of the campus." Would I? Like he had to ask...

As we strolled across campus to the student center, we talked about school, the wonderful weather, and a bit about the architecture of the campus. By the time we had reached the dorms, we were talking about our personal lives ... well, I was, anyway. He was more than content to listen. Feeling brash, I asked him if he ever dated his students. His only response was a smile, and a slow nod. "I have to take care of my faculty and students." Neither of us wanted to end the conversation, so we found ourselves walking to the outskirts of the campus. I was grateful to get away from the clatter of campus life, and the steady buzz of chatter. The pathway led up around the crest of a hill where grass and wildflowers grew. I felt like I was walking through a Monet canvas. Suddenly, a gusty wind whipped through the grasses with a singing sound. He put his arm around my shoulder and asked me if I was cold. I was shivering, but it wasn't from the cold. The General rubbed the goosebumps on my arms. "You ARE cold." He wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me to the edge of the path. His heat seemed to burn through my shirt and the warmth of his body next to mine was enough to send me into trembling.

When I started back to the path, he stopped me by putting his hands on my shoulders. He looked down into my face. I was afraid to raise my eyes, afraid he would see my desire and fine me a lustful, wanton woman instead of the restrained woman I had I had trained myself to be. But he ducked a little and caught my downward gaze, teasing me. I couldn't help but smile. And then he kissed me, at first ever so slightly on my lips. And then again. I fell into this second kiss like one would slide down into a warm bubble bath.