Silk woke slowly to the sound of a light rain of the window. The first thing that caught her eye was Spot shaving in the bathroom. She lay there watching, unable to tear her eyes away from his reflection in the small mirror.

A few minutes later he walked out of the bathroom. "Good morning."

She blushed and looked away. "Mornin'," she mumbled.

"I'm about to leave for work. Do you want to stay in here today?" he asked, grabbing a clean shirt.

"I don't know."

"Want me to move you to the couch?"

"I don't know," she repeated.

"What do you want?"

She sighed. "I want to be able to stand on my own two feet…to walk…run from the cops even."

"Would you like me to help you stand for a minute?" he offered.

Her eyes brightened. "Would you?"

He gently lifted her into his arms. "Ready?" She took a deep breath and nodded. With one arm supporting her back, he lowered her legs until her feet rested on the floor. He held her tight against him, not allowing any of her slight weight to rest on her feet.

She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You aren't trying to pick my pocket, are you?"

She laughed softly. "I'll let you go this time."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome," she whispered, raising her chin so that she was looking into his face.

He was suddenly aware of how very close he was holding her. He met her eyes, an intense look passing between them, and leaned his head down so his lips were nearly touching hers. When he didn't sense any resistance from her, he kissed her gently. She reciprocated the soft kiss.

Spot had kissed many more experienced girls, but something about her chaste kiss affected him more deeply than any of them ever could have. He pulled back a bit shakily and settled her gently back in the bed, studiously not looking at her as he did so.

She grabbed his hand as he tried to back away from the bed. "Spot?"

He turned around reluctantly. "Yeah?"

"Why did you kiss me?" she asked, a confused look on her face.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

She nodded and looked down at her hands.

He shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I'll be back later," he said and beat a hasty retreat.

She sighed and leaned her head back against the pillows, and within moments was asleep again.

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Silk woke when he entered the bedroom late that night. She looked up at him as he walked over to check on her. "Hey," he whispered softly when he saw her awake.

Before she could reply she heard a soft mewing sound. She pushed herself into a sitting position. "What's that?" she asked.

He looked at her like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Well…I was on my way home in the rain and this little thing crawled out of the alley…and it looked so pitiful…like a wet rat…I just couldn't leave him out there…" he said, pulling a small kitten out of his coat pocket.

"Poor little thing," she cooed softly, taking the kitten. "Go get me a towel so I can dry him off."

Smiling slightly, he left the room and returned a moment later with a towel, which he handed to her.

She took the towel and began to gently dry the kitten's fur. After a moment she looked up. "Get out of those wet clothes. You don't want to catch cold."

Shaking his head, he grabbed his spare change of clothes and walked into the washroom. When he returned, he leaned against the doorframe to watch her. She was talking to the small kitten, cuddling it close. He smiled, glad to see her so happy. "What are you gonna name him?" he asked.

"I was thinking about Kick."

"That's no name for a kitten."

She stuck her nose in the air. "It's pickpocket slang."

He walked over and sat next to her. "I was thinking Pape, since that's what he was trying to hide under."

She wrinkled her nose.

"You are not naming our kids, sweetheart."

Her eyes widened. "Who said anything about kids?"

He took the kitten from her. "We're married…it's only natural." He bent down and kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep. I'm gonna feed this little guy and get him settled before I turn in." She continued to stare up at him. He placed the kitten on the bed and lay Silk down, tucking the quilts around her shoulders. He picked up the kitten and left the room.

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Silk watched from her place on the couch as the kitten Spot had brought her the week before jumped from the couch and began exploring the room. She smiled at his antics. "Come back here, Kick," she said as he headed toward the door, which she noticed had been left cracked just enough for the tiny kitten to slip out. Mrs. B had been in to check on her earlier and must not have closed the door all the way. "Kick…" she called again, as the kitten slipped through the door. "Dumb cat."

A few minutes later the kitten darted back through the door and jumped up onto the couch with her. "What scared you kitty?" she asked, stroking his ruffled fur. She looked up when she saw the door creak open. A little girl, not more than a year and a half, stood peeking through the door. She was a cute child with dark brown eyes and deep red curls. A light dusting of freckles covered her nose.

"Hey there," Silk said.

The girl stepped back behind the door out of site.

"It's alright...you can come in..."

The shock of red curls poked back around the door and she entered slowly, pointing at the kitten. "Wussat?"

"Kitty..." Silk said, gently stroking the kitten's fur.

"Kikky?" she pulled her thumb out of her mouth long enough to say it and then stuck it back in.

Silk smiled slightly. "Come see," she said, patting a spot on the couch next to her.

She toddled over to the couch and looked curiously at the kitten, smiling as she studied the purring bundle of fir Silk settled the kitten in the girl's lap. Soggy little fingers smoothed through the feathery soft fur of the kitten. "Kikky!" she grinned.

"Close enough," Silk said with a laugh.

"Katie?" A woman's panicked voice came down the hall.

"Momma!" the little girl squealed excitedly.

"In here," Silk called.

A tall young woman entered the apartment. Other than having green eyes, mother and child looked identical. "Katie...ye canny go runnin' off like that," she waddled closer. "I'm sorry," she nodded to Silk.

"She returned my kitten and was just keeping me company..."

Katie, who had now managed to soak the kitten's fur with her soggy fingers, grinned up at her mother.

Silk smiled slightly.

Sage smiled at her, "Yer certain she's no been a prollem?" her accent was thick and singsongy.

Silk nodded and sighed. "I can't walk...and don't often get company."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she straightened a bit and massaged her back with her fingers. The action made her very pregnant belly quite noticeable. "I'm Chloe McBride...but they call me Sage."

"Lessa Graves..." she shook her head, "I mean...Conlon. But I go by Silk."

Sage nodded. "Pleased ta meet ye. I dinna ken anyone here either...I could come by from time to time if you like."

Silk smiled. "I'd like that. I do get tired of just sitting here."

"Katie's taken with yer wee kitten there," she ruffled the little girl's hair.

"She helped me decide on his name."

"Oh, really? An' what'd ye choose?"

Silk smirked. "Kick."

"Kick."

"Kikky?" Katie grinned up at her mother.

Sage giggled and rubbed her belly again. "Ye say that and the babe decides it's an order..."

"It's pickpocket slang," Silk explained, flushing slightly.

"Oh," her smile didn't falter, other than a pained look from the kick. "I met yer friend, Skittery."

Silk nodded. "He's a nice guy...but he needs to learn to watch his pockets..."

Sage smiled, a question dancing in her green eyes.

"Let's just say that I've emptied his pockets once or twice," Silk admitted quietly.

"Oh, anythin' interestin' in them?"

"Other than money? Nah."

"'e looks like me 'usband."

Silk took in the young woman's dark dress and nodded.

Sage's bright eyes clouded a bit at the memory of Andrew. "Katie thought he was."

"I'm sorry," Silk said softly, wondering what it must be like to love someone as much as this young woman had obviously loved her husband.

Sage shook her head, "We'll manage...somehow." Katie let out a huge yawn that ended with a squeak.

"I'm sure you will," Silk replied.

"I'd best get her back for a wee nap."

Silk nodded. "Please feel free to bring her back anytime."

Sage smiled again and bent over to get the kitten from Katie, "Time for yer nap, Katie love."

Katie whined a little, but she reluctantly handed the soggy fur ball back to Silk and took her mother's hand.