The spring sun peeked out underneath the overcast clouds. The budding trees gave way to beautiful rich colorful leaves and the bushes erupted with the scents of flower blossoms. The city of New York was at that moment an artist's dream model. Everyone bustled to and fro going here and there and amidst the honking horns, the police sirens, and overall traffic that was the big apple, its patrons seemed to be a good mood. Everyone that is, except one.

"I hate this." The tall thin grey haired man murmured as he sat on the grassy ground. "What the hell is the point of what I am doing if your not here by my side. I could give it all up in an instant if it would just bring you back Claire."

He fingered the single white rose he held in his hand. She always liked it when he brought her a white rose on one of their fancier dates, even though she pretended that he was just trying to weasel his way back to her or his apartment. He remembered the day she stepped into her office and saw the simple bouquet sitting on her desk. Twelve long stem white roses held together with a small bow. Nestled within the bow was a small card that simply read, "12 beautiful roses for 12 beautiful months you've been in my life."

He had watched from the doorway nervously as she gave a small laugh and put the card back inside the bow.

"I never took you for cheesy Jack McCoy, but I guess I was wrong." She had said as she turned around. She tried to act complacent, but he saw that her pale cheeks were tinged pink.

"Just thought I'd commemorate your 1 year being here Ms. Kincaid." He said professionally. "I do try to be gentlemanly from time to time."

She smiled, approached him, and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks." She murmured as she left her office to go see Adam Schiff leaving a blushing seasoned lawyer in her dust.

Now it was the present, she was gone, taken away by a stupid car accident before he had a chance to really tell her how he felt. All he had left was a dumb rose and a cement block with her name on it. She had been gone for almost a year and it still hurt like a bitch.

"I loved you you know." Jack whispered. "I say it every time I come here. But do you hear me at all? Do you know at all Claire?"

He bowed his head trying to fight the tears that had blurred his vision.

"Mrow?"

He opened his eyes for second at the sound and thought he was just hearing things. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve when he felt a tugging on his other hand.

"Mrew."

He turned and saw a kitten, no bigger than a stone trying to bat at the white rose in his hand.

"Hey hey!" Jack yelled. "Knock it off, that's not for you!"

He pulled the rose away. The caramel and black striped kitten looked up at him curiously and stood on its hind legs to try to bat at the rose once again.

"I said quit it!" Jack yelled again as he stood up on his knees. Again the kitten stared at him blankly and tried to approach him a little closer. But instead of going for the rose it decided to rub up against his leg. Jack stared at it strangely as he felt the vibration of the cat purring.

"Huh, odd thing." He said to himself as he watched the small animal continue to rub up against him. It couldn't have been no more then a few weeks, maybe a month old tops.

"You watching this Claire?" Jack said up to the sky to the angel he hoped was listening. "I told you I was okay with animals, it's kids I never caught on with."

He stared down at the animal once more as his legs began to ache.

"Alright you mangy thing, you had your fun now I am going to go."

He got up.

"I'd give you something to eat but I have nothing on me except some gum, so you better go home, your mother's probably waiting."

He then slapped his forehead.

"Good grief I am talking to a cat, I need a drink."

He gently placed the white rose on the cold grave, gave the tombstone a kiss with his fingertips and got up.

"I'll be back sweetheart." He murmured. "I love you."

He slowly began to walk down the hill of the cemetery heading towards its exit, but he felt like he wasn't alone. He turned his head and saw that same caramel and black kitten trotting right behind him.

"Mew, mrow!" It yelled as it approached him.

"Hey I told you to go home!" Jack said annoyingly. "Or find some garbage can to dig in, I said I have nothing for you!"

The kitten just looked up at him with big bright eyes.

"If you think you're coming with me then you're crazy. I don't have time for animals, so scram!"

The kitten just continued to stare. Jack had hoped his anger tone would have scared it off, but it just stood there look up at him. Jack was too tired for this and just wanted to get home. He left the cemetery and headed out west towards his apartment. He had decided to walk over to the cemetery instead of use his motorcycle because the weather was so nice.

As he walked down the busy New York City streets Jack tried to ignore the stares he got from people. They were smiling as they passed by because the kitten was still following him. It was quite a sight, the grey haired gentleman trying to avoid the near running kitten on his heels. He figured he would lose it once he got to the busy crosswalks, but the kitten found ways to maneuver around them without becoming road pizza.

Finally he reached his apartment building and took a breath. He was winded, but there that stupid cat was coming up right behind him.

"You're a real pest you know that?" Jack said panting. The kitten just licked its paw and once again ran up to rub up against Jack's leg.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Jack said. "It was nice meeting you, but now we must part ways. Goodnight cat."

Jack opened the door to his building and went inside and headed towards the elevator. He hit the up button. The door pinged open and he got on. He took a breath once the elevator jerked up and closed his eyes.

"Mrow?"

Jack's eyes shot open and he looked down, sure enough there was the kitten staring up at him.

"How the, you were just, how did you get in here!? QUIT FOLLOWING ME!" He yelled. If his colleagues had seen the way he had just exploded right now, they would have had a laughing fit. He was ready to tear his hair out, it was pretty comedic and Jack's comic relief was dry at best.

The elevator doors opened and Jack practically ran out trying chase away the cat. Maybe if he was lucky the Fulton kids from 8B would see it and want it. They were known to play out in the hall every once in awhile. Unfortunately for him, no kids in sight and the cat was charging right behind him.

"Got a new friend with you huh Jack?" It was Mrs. Damanski, the eighty five year old Polish lady who lived across the hall from him. "Such a little thing."

"Yeah Helinka." Jack said as he slid down in front of his door. "I just can't seem to get rid of it; it's been on my tail all day."

"Ah poor little baby." Helinka said as she leaned down a little to get a better view of the cat. "It must be no more than six or seven weeks old, the mother probably abandoned it."

Suddenly Jack had an idea.

"Well since it came here, did you want to take it?" Jack said. "I can't put up with a pet! I don't have the time, but I am sure you and your husband would like it."

Helinka smiled.

"I would love to Jack, but unfortunately my husband Yanosh is allergic to their fur."

Just then the kitten jumped into Jack's lap and tried to nuzzle underneath his chin. Helinka laughed.

"Besides, I think it likes you more."

"Feeling's not mutual." Jack mumbled.

"I am sure it will be nice companion for you." Helinka continued. "I must be going now, goodnight Jack."

"'Night.'" Jack mumbled. He looked down at the kitten who was dozing in his lap.

"Alright you win." He sighed. "I might as well take you inside and give you some milk or something. Then I'll call the ASPCA and have them come get you."

With that he took the now sleeping into his hand and unlocked his apartment door and went inside.