AN: Remember how it was mentioned that James was more of a cat person and Alastair was more of a dog person? If not, hopefully this chapter will jog your memory! Enjoy :)

"What is that thing!?"

Every once in a while, James would drop by unannounced, or more often than not, surprise Alastair when he'd just gotten back from a mission by being there (he'd been given a spare key a while ago so he no longer needed to break in). Usually, such visits were welcomed by a roll of the eyes and a kiss. For the moment, Alastair had his back against the door and was figuring out the pros and cons of running off.

Cons: James was here.

Pros: He'd get away from that…thing.

"It's a cat," James said happily as he picked up the glaring object and held it in his arms.

Alastair didn't even know animals could glare.

"I may not like cats but that sure as hell isn't one. That is a demon from Hell. Or worse, France."

"I assure you that it is a cat and it was born and raised in London. Here, hold her," James said happily. He held the thing out, the cat seeming content with being held that way, but glared daggers at Alastair like he'd rip him to threads the moment he came close.

"I'd rather go on a suicide mission."

"That's not funny Alastair," James chided as he pulled the cat back, supporting it on his shoulder like a baby.

Alastair noted the long claws and the image of every soft surface in his home being ripped apart flashed through his mind. "I'm not trying to be funny," he muttered. Finally the number one question on his mind slipped through his lips. "Why is it hairless?"

"Because even though you're not allergic to them, I knew you'd probably try to use that as an excuse to keep her."

"But why is it hairless?" Alastair repeated.

"It's a sphinx."

"It's an abomination."

James made a shocked face as he covered the thing's/her/the cat's ears. "Don't say such things to Hatshepsut!"

"Bless you."

"It's her name you ass."

"I think it's a sneeze really and did you really name her that?" asked Alastair with an incredulous expression.

"The pet shop did if that makes it any better but I think it's fitting. Hatshepsut was a fascinating and powerful pharaoh and I do believe this little princess will grow up just the same," James said with a grin.

"Princess? She looks eighty."

"Stop being so rude. She's beautiful and precious."

"I do believe she's none of those things. Now if you're keeping her with you, feel free to leave any time. Otherwise through her outside and I will actually say hello."

"But why would I throw her outside? She's yours silly."

"James."

"What? I've seen how you look around for Josie when she's not there. You need a pet. Besides, cats are easier to take care of, don't require as much attention, and they live longer."

"I know your last point is meant as a good reason to keep her but it's not supporting your argument."

"Oh come on, just hold Hatshepsut," James replied, holding her out again.

Looking into those evil eyes did not really convince Alastair, it was more the pleading look that James was giving. Letting out a tired sigh, James muttered, "She's going to need a god damn nickname with a name like that." Taking her like she was filled with C4, he held her at arm's length.

In response, she let out what was in between a meow and a growl. It really didn't make him want to bring her closer. Nevertheless he slowly did so and mimicked Alastair's position from before. The cat let out a purr that was defiantly not cute or sweet as she nuzzled against his neck. Even though he wasn't exactly loving the attention, at least she wasn't clawing his face off.

"So will you keep her?"

"I'm not so sure…"

"Great!" James cried out like Alastair had said yes. "I already have a bed for her and food and bowls and a scratching post. She likes scratching posts so your belongings should be fine."

"That doesn't exactly inspire confidence," murmured Alastair. "And I didn't say yes."

"But I know you will."

"Why?"

"Because you can't say no to me! Besides, Roxy loves her," said James.

"Wait, you've shown this thing to Roxy?"

"She, and no. She helped me pick her out."

"Of course she did," sighed Alastair just as the cat began to struggle and he quickly put her down. She pranced off to some unknown area in the house. Turning back to James, the other had his arms open with an apologetic yet opening face.

Alastair gave a rather harsh glare but never the less moved forward and hugged him, giving a quick kiss before adding, "This doesn't mean I hate you any less."

"You just keeping telling yourself that," James snorted as he walked into the kitchen. "I thought about cooking but I wasn't sure if you'd been in the mood to eat."

"I'm starving actually."

"Great because I actually did cook."

Chuckling, Alastair asked, "Then why even say that last part?"

"Because if you'd said you were fine, then you'd at least have a good meal for later. Now tell me, how did the mission go?"

"Good enough. Textbook really. So I know you've been plotting my death with Roxy, done anything else with her while I was away?"

"Plotting your death?"

"With the cat. Obviously 'Sut is going to be the murder weapon."

"I would yell at you for that but I'm stuck on how cute it is that you've already given her a nickname."

Shit, he had. "Well now I'm changing her nickname. It's Satan now."

"'Sut is definitely more endearing. As far as Roxy goes, I basically got to have a day out with her. We hung out, I took her to karate, and she even gave me a little concert with her flute. She's gotten really good at that by the way. So, heard anything from Nnenna or Kenton?" asked James as he started to set out food and set Alastair's plate for him.

"Not in the past week so I'm sure some overexcited and dramatic call will show up sooner rather than later. I swear he starts every conversation off with the most mundane story yet from the way he tells it, it sounds like he's been knighted," muttered Alastair with a shake of his head.

Back and forth they went as the discussed recent events, family, and work. Every now and then Hatshepsut would show up and rub against someone's leg, looking for attention. She seemed to understand that she'd get it more from James as she stuck around him more but made sure to distract Alastair with the occasional head butt.

"Oh! And Susan is coming to town tomorrow," James added.

"Who?"

"You know, the weight lifter from America."

"Ah, Lily's…whatever. Is there another competition?"

"No, just vacation time from what I understand. Seems like I'll finally be able to meet her. Which I look forward to of course. I'm just afraid Lily's built her up so much that I'll be shocked when I actually meet her. I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"For what specifically?"

"Lunch. Around one."

"Should be fine enough," Alastair replied as the cat rubbed against him again.

James smiled when he spotted it. "I'm glad she likes you."

"Well you should be. The only reason I'm tolerating it is because of you. She likes you more though. I can tell. Maybe you should stay over more often," Alastair responded casually.

"If I did so, I'd basically be living here twenty-four/seven," James said with a laugh. However, after he got it out and noticed that Alastair had kept the same look on his face, James suddenly grew very uncertain. "Uh…you're not laughing. Or even looking at me with fond annoyance."

"Why should I?"

"Because it's…well no I suppose it isn't but…you mean…are you asking me to live with you?" James finally got out, flustered which was a rare moment indeed.

"Seems like a good idea to me."

"Well I mean I don't…but Lily's still there…and then there's of course—"

"James, I'm giving you the option to live with me which in no way means abandoning your entire connection with your residence. Besides, just because you wouldn't live there doesn't mean you couldn't go to the neighborhood, doesn't mean you couldn't be friends Lily. All that is absurd. However, what little free time we have, we do spend it with each other almost constantly and if you feel the need to have your own place for your own time, I understand. I'm just putting the offer on the table."

"Alright, to many words used but I think I get what you're saying. And uh…yeah, I suppose I was freaking out over rather material things so uh…yes. I will move in with you. If that's alright of course and you mean it!"

Alastair simply rolled his eyes. "You're so amusing when you're flustered. It's nice to be the one viewing the growing shade of red instead of producing it."

"You ass. It's your fault for just throwing it on me. I bring you cat and you ask me to move in. Which is kind of amusing since you claim to hate cats."

"I still do," Alastair assured him. "But this one seems at least somewhat tolerable and honestly, you should take it as a compliment. Who forces someone's most hated animal on to the other only to have that person ask them to move in?"

"No one so I suppose that is a good point," James said with a grin and a quick kiss.