A/N:The reference to really big books is a nod to a brilliant fic by Len called Ordinary Days.

Also apologies for continuing to spell the British way. Can't bring myself to skip letters, sorry. Maybe she's British…

This chapter is less impartial, but I hope you enjoy it.

She will determinedly remain nameless, Vilya, as to give her a name would push her a bit far into bring-your-own-Mary-Sue territory :D

I made up the name myself, Duchess67, I am fairly certain there is no canon name for the cat, but I could be wrong.

Chapter 3

I knocked the alarm off and got out of bed. I tamed my hair to wake up, recalling the unbelievable appearance of my long-lost neighbour in the night. Well, I had a full list this morning, and the senior physiotherapists meeting after lunch, so I couldn't hang around to do any catching up.

I opened my bedroom door quietly, and peered across at the couch. He was still asleep, lying on his back, with the blanket draped over him and Fermat curled up on his chest. His left leg was dangling down over the edge of the couch. I could see his tibialis anterior practically shouting at me. Rodney had been working hard, not working out though. Looked like someone was keeping him on his toes, not behind a lab bench. It looked great, to be honest, so I shut my eyes. I wished I hadn't let him stay.

I made it to the bathroom, and the horrific words of my friend from a couple of months back were haunting me as I washed and dressed.

How was the date with Rob?

Oh, you know, fair.

Are you going to see him again?

I don't think so.

Why not?

He just… the conversation was so…boring. He should have just stamped stupid on his forehead and be done.

Not everyone can have multiple PhD's like your old neighbour. Get over it.

That had left me speechless all right. I left a set of spare keys on the kitchen table, and a note. "Make yourself at home. I'll be back at about 4pm."

I sneaked towards the door, trying not to stare at his flexor carpi ulnaris. He always did look like he carried really big books on a regular basis. I let myself out quietly, trying not to think about fine motor control.

A couple of times during the day I did wonder what Fermat and Rodney were up to. Rodney used to watch a lot of television, and maybe they went and sat on the bench. Maybe he had better stuff to do than hang around my apartment with his cat.

I let myself in, wondering if he would be there. I was annoyed with myself for hoping he was.

"Rodney?" I heard some noise in the kitchen, and headed through.

"In here! How was work?" He sounded happy.

"Fine…" I could see Rodney had indeed made himself at home. Granted, he did appear to be tidying up and starting to wash the dishes. Fermat was licking his paws, sitting right at Rodney's feet.

"I'm still here, I hope that's OK. I don't think Fermat would have let me go even if I'd wanted."

"That's OK. Like I said, he really missed you." I sat down at the table, and propped up my head with my arm.

I told him about Fermat's strange behaviour, but tried to reassure him that Fermat was OK really, as it obviously was hard for Rodney to take. He scrubbed at a plate, bubbles all over his hands.

"Funny, I thought I wouldn't be missed at all."

I paused for thought. Should I say anything? He was leaving again. Was it fair to tell him? No, but it wasn't fair on me either.

"I think I missed you Rodney."

He turned his head, blinked at me, eyebrows raised. He dropped his mouth and did a great impression of a fish.

I helped him out, nothing new there. "I know, crazy, isn't it? But I did. So there you go."

"Missed me? 'Think about you all the time' missed me, or 'no-one to fix my laptop' missed me?"

I laughed. He was drying his hands and sitting opposite me now. I shook my head. "Damn it, Rodney, I don't know. I just…missed you." Fermat jumped into Rodney's lap, and he stroked the cat thoughtfully.

Then Rodney looked up at me with his damn blue eyes. "I'm learning not to wish that no-one cared about me, so that they wouldn't get hurt when I'm gone. I'm glad you missed me, not just for my ego, but, well, OK, it's good for my ego." I could tell he had more, he had other things he was learning, other things he needed to tell me, it was just that he didn't know how to do it. It was weird enough hearing all that stuff from Rodney, but I was grateful for the little speech.

I stood up, "Well, that's that. Can't be helped. Coffee?"

He nodded, and I got on it. It was an awkward silence, and it seemed to last an eternity, as I made the drinks. As I slipped back into my chair, Fermat leapt down and came under the table, forcing his way onto my lap. I smiled.

"See? We might have missed you, but Fermat knows who's going to feed him next week!"

He chuckled, and relaxed a little. It was so hard to watch, knowing he had to go. I think he sensed the mood.

"I don't think I'll be away quite so long this time. I might get home every few months, if things aren't too crazy. But…are you still OK to keep Fermat for me? I think it might be a permanent arrangement, if you can…"

My head hurt. I wanted to shout at him. Did he think that was going to make things better that he would still be around every few months? Would I never be free of him? Stay if he was going to stay, or just disappear so I could get on with my life.

"Sure, sure, Rodney. You know I'll just carry on as if Fermat was my own." Damn. Damn. Damn.

Rodney told me about his friends over dinner. We deliberately avoided any talk of him leaving, or about how I'd missed him. He sounded very content with his current work colleagues, although whatever they were working on, it sounded like they had a tough time. No wonder he had learned a lot.

It was a pleasant evening, but it got late, and I was getting tired. Rodney had mentioned he was going to be interviewing tomorrow, and the next day, and then he would be leaving after the weekend. I asked him if he wanted to stay again, that Fermat would want him to.

He looked at me anxiously. "I'd like to stay. I know you don't want me to take Fermat. But…are you sure it's OK? I don't want to make it awkward for you…"

"I did that, Rodney. It's too late now. Really, it's fine. You're welcome to stay, every night, all weekend, until you disappear again." I couldn't hide the bitterness that laced the last few words, or the tears in my eyes. I got up from the couch and went to get ready for bed. If he'd had any sense he would have left, but he didn't. He just kept out of my way, and he and Fermat slept soundly as they had the night before.

A/N: Thanks to all my amazing reviewers! I swear I don't know where this is going.