Title: Lions and Tigers and Kittens, oh my!

Author: wolfmusic218

Summary: Reese brings home a new friend

Author's notes: This was for a drabble exchange. My prompt, from carolinagirl919, was: Imagine your OTP gets a pet. This one got away from me a bit and ended up being more than a drabble...oh well.

"It's a cat."

"SHE is actually a kitten, but good eye, Detective."

Joss rolled her eyes at him, doing her best to ignore the fact that he was barefoot, his shirt was completely unbuttoned, and he was holding quite possibly the world's cutest kitten in his arms.

She brushed past him into their apartment and dropped her purse onto the table near the door.

"You want to tell me why you have a kitten?" She tried not to laugh at the picture they made. Like something out of one of those "sexy men with cute pets" calendars. "Did her number come up?"

"Well, no, not technically. The shelter owner's number did. Saved her. Earned a kitten. I couldn't resist; I honestly tried."

"Oh, I'm sure you did." Pulling her coat off, she deposited it over the back of the couch and turned to him, again fighting her grin. She knew he saw it; he knew her so well. Knew just what buttons to push.

"But then I figured, why not? Thought it might be nice for you to have someone to keep you company while I'm working and with Taylor leaving for school in a few months..."

She sighed. "Don't remind me. But, John, a kitten? Are you going to take care of her?" She shook her head, feeling like she was talking to a child about the responsibilities of a pet.

He snuggled the kitten to his chest and moved closer to her, his hooded eyes focusing on her lips. "I will. You know I will."

She giggled and backed up until her back hit the door, her hand shooting out to press against his chest. "John..."

He took her hand in his and brushed it over the kitten's soft fur. "Joss..."

"You're not playing fair, mister."

He pressed against her, their knees and thighs brushing, the kitten wedged gently between them. "You know I never play fair when it comes to something I want. It worked out pretty well for me just over a year ago, if I recall. For you, too."

"Aren't you full of yourself." Her voice dropped considerably and she wanted to kick herself. From the very beginning he'd had this effect on her.

Brushing his lips over her ear, he kissed the soft spot just below it, the one he knew made her weak in the knees. "Argue with me, Joss. I love it when you argue with me. You know I'm right."

"I hate you, you know."

He pulled back, his eyes landing on the rings on her left hand that was clenched in his shirt. "Yeah, I know how much you hate me." He winked and leaned in for a kiss.

At that moment, the kitten let out a loud meow interrupting them.

And Joss sneezed, startling all three of them.

"Did I happen to mention..."

"You're..."

Speaking at the same time, Joss could only laugh and nod and wipe her nose.

Reese closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "How did I not know this?"

Joss rested her hand on his cheek. "It never came up, John. You've never tried to bring home a kitten before. It's really only bad if I touch them. Something about the oil on their fur or something."

He stepped back, not wanting her to have any more contact and make matters worse. Holding the kitten up and looking at her, his heart broke a little. "I'm sorry...looks like we're going to have to bring you back."

"John..."

He shook his head. "No, it's OK...can't have you living on Benadryl for her entire life. It was just a thought. She looked so lonely."

Joss nodded, feeling bad for the look she'd put on his face. "I'm sorry, I really am. She's so cute."

Just then a knock sounded on the door. Opening it, Harold and Bear stood on the other side. Bear's ears twitched at the new smell...

"What have you got there, John? Oh dear..." Finch held a little tighter on Bear's leash, but the dog never moved, just watched the kitten with interest.

John knelt down and held tightly to the kitten, just in case. He looked the dog in the eyes and said softly, "Lief zijn."

Bear sniffed her thoroughly and then unceremoniously gave her a long lick in greeting. The kitten launched herself from John's arms and grabbed Bear's face in her paws, rubbing her head against his.

John looked up at Joss with a huge grin. "Looks like your kitten has a new friend."

Joss turned to Finch and she had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh. He'd gone pale.

"Mr. Reese, I don't think..."

Bear glanced up as Finch spoke. The kitten, sitting up between his paws, looked at him too.

John stood and brushed his hands down his pants. "It doesn't look like you have much of a choice, Finch. I'll get her things."

"Oh, dear."

Joss walked over and patted Finch's arm. "Look at it this way, Harold, maybe she'll keep Bear away from your first editions. And cats are mostly self-sufficient."

Finch only nodded.

John came back with a carrier and a bag filled with food and toys. "I would keep the catnip away from Bear..." He looked over and winked at Joss.

Bear nudged the kitten into the carrier and John closed the latch. "I appreciate this, Finch. I would feel really bad if I had to bring her back to the shelter."

"Well, yes...um...I suppose we should go get her settled. Somewhere."

As the door closed, John wrapped an arm around Joss. "We're going to pay for that in some way in the future, you do know that, right? He never did say why he came by to begin with."

She turned and slipped her arms around his waist under his open shirt. "Mmm hmm, I know. But right now, I think someone needs a proper thank you for being so sweet." She leaned up and kissed him softly just below his Adam's apple. The spot she knew brought her man to his knees.

He angled her towards their bedroom and scooped her up in his arms. "I'm going to need a very enthusiastic thank you, Joss. I'm a little upset that I didn't know you were allergic...and I'd grown pretty attached..."

Her laugh echoed down the hall as he kicked the door shut behind them.

End