A day late, and my apologies for that. It has been a rough, tension filled weekend and as a result, my muse flew the coup. I'm just grateful she's back tonite.

As always, I don't own anything but Sin!

Enjoy!

Setting Up Sin

It had been a long day, and I was really looking forward to a relaxing night of solitude. A quiet dinner, maybe watch some television, or just read a book. I was currently reading a great one by Dostoevky. It definitely depicted human nature.

I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and my muscles automatically relaxed as I unlocked the door to my apartment. The relief and relaxation turned to a dull, hollow ache however, when the emptiness of the apartment hit me.

I'd forgotten. Babe have moved out the day before - back to her apartment. The repairs were finished, and though she'd hung around for an extra couple of days, she moved back in a hurry, telling me that she didn't want to be in my way. I didn't want her to go, but I couldn't bring myself to ask her to stay. So I just agreed with her, and let her go. For now.

As quickly as it came, the hollow ache turned to a frustrated groan as I took in the war zone that was my living space. Babe's little Sin cat did NOT move out with her. She couldn't have a cat in her apartment, and she had asked if Sin could stay. I couldn't say no to either set of pleading eyes. I didn't let her know that, though, just told her that I didn't care what she did with the menace, so long as I didn't have to clean her litter box.

Ella was quick to claim that duty. Apparently Ella had no issues with cleaning up after Sin. Afterall, she loves the creature. It hadn't escaped my notice, though, that no matter how much Ella loved the beast, she still didn't want her in HER apartment.

As usual, her ball of string was strewn everywhere, and I don't know how she gets it up to places she's gotten it to. On top of the bookshelf? Up on my desk? What, does she pack it in her mouth like a dog? I'd already learned, the hard way, not to leave paperwork on the desk. Not since the time she shredded an important document.

The creature in question had just realized I was home, apparently, because she came thundering in out of nowhere and launched herself at me. I caught her easily by the neck and hung her in front of my face so I could stare into her eyes. I was trying to intimidate her, but as usually it didn't work. I think she likes danging in front of my face. That way she can swipe at my nose - like she just did - and in general carry on.

Babe likes to tell me that I'm the devil-cat's favorite human. If that's the case, she's got pretty poor taste in people. Personally, though, I think I'm just her favorite toy. One of these days, I'll accidentally punt her across the room, or step on her, or something, and then she'll change her mind and leave me alone. Or not. I had, afterall, accidentally stepped on her tail once before, and it sure didn't change anything.

Danging from my fingers, she pawed my cheek and licked her lips as she started to purr. Ok, so maybe she just thinks I'd be good to eat. Non-fat and all. I cupped my other hand around her and cuddled her to my chest. The little black ghoul tucked her head under my chin and purred louder. Yeah, well, it's nice to be adored, whether I reciprocate or not. Still, I was going to have to tell Babe her cat is a disaster, when she gets home...

Oh Yeah. Babe's not coming back. She's back in her apartment. That bothered me more than I wanted it to. Not because she was stepping away from me, but because...

"I kind of liked having her here." I admitted to the cat. It was nice to come home to Stephanie at the end of the day. To go to sleep with a warm Babe tucked up against my body, her scent surrounding me. It was comfortable to relax on the couch and read while she watched tv, or to even watch the television with her. And I missed, after barely twenty-four hours, the way she filled the silent void with her chatter... I would never admit it, but I loved listening to her talk about her day, the amusing little things that happened to her, the crazier events, or the funny pieces of information she learned from the strangest people. My Babe had a tendancy to attract the strangest people, and often she befriended them. She is the most open and accepting person I have ever met.

"And that would be why I'm stuck with you." I told the cat, even as I let her snuggle closer into my neck.

My eyes surveyed the room again, taking in the broken glass, wet carpeting, dvd cases spread out across the entirety of all three rooms - I could see the corner of one peeking out from the bedroom. Yep. The usual.

It wasn't a big deal, not really. At least she was company. But she wasn't the company I wanted.

"It's empty in here without your human." I told the cat. Great. Now I'm talking to a four legged creature. I'm a sad excuse for a man.

Sin's paws snaked out and cupped my chin, then her little tongue darted out of her mouth and she licked the point of my chin, before biting it. "Hungry?" I asked her. I set her down and she twisted around my ankles while I dumped food in her bowl. She attacked her food, and I pulled a Corona out of the fridge before collapsing on the couch. I could hear Sin purring from across the room, as she happily devoured her meal. Little vulture.

I looked at the room again. I saw the mess, but more than that, I felt the emptiness of the apartment with Steph gone. I leaned my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. I wished, not for the first time, that I had had the ability to bear my heart and ask her to stay. And then the seeds of an idea began to form.

Without opening my eyes, I unclipped my cell, flipped it open, and dialed one.

"Yo. You ok?" Babe's voice resonated in my ear, clear and crisp and...

"Your cat is a menace." I told her.

"Uh oh. What'd she do?"

"Other than destroy the entire place?"

There was silence at the other end. I could hear the gears in Babe's head squealing.

"I'm sorry." She finally said, her voice somewhat quiet.

"Need you to come over. We have to negotiate her rent."

"Rent?!" I grinned as her voice rose an octave. "What rent?"

"Babe. She's a problem tenant. I can't house her for free." I told her, then disconnected. I downed the last of the beer and relaxed, waiting. Soon Babe would be back and the apartment would feel right again.