Hope you all had a lovely holiday break! We've got a new perspective for this one...Sergio, everyone's favourite little kitty. This one jumps around a few episodes in season 6 (as you'll no doubt notice): "Sense Memory", the events following "Lauren" and is linked with Chapter 21 in this story that falls in and around season 7's "It Takes a Village".

Happy reading =)

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind." – Cleveland Amory, The Cat Who Came for Christmas

I watch as she makes her way around my home, gripping some metal object tightly in her right hand and pointing it somewhat violently as she rounds corners. I idly flick my tail as I follow her steps, carefully watching as she moves methodically from room to room, all the while talking to no one as she holds something up to her ear.

I can sense the apprehension in her – she's certainly agitated about something. Which no doubt means I'm not getting any scratches or rubs tonight. Damn. She's been like this for weeks…the most attention I've gotten is from the strange lady who comes and feeds me while my human is away doing God knows what. And she's a little over-zealous with the petting, so I tend to avoid her.

I stand up and stretch a little before jumping down off the chair I'd been perched atop. I slink into the room behind her as she bends over and takes something out of the metal box that I've stared at more than a few times. Can't for the life of me figure out what's so important about it…it doesn't have food, toys, or anything of any significant interest in it.

I follow her silently as she makes her way back toward the door. My eyes spy something new – a package of sorts. Maybe that's what that smell is. It's been driving me nuts all afternoon. I sneak a little closer, making sure she doesn't notice me, and give the air a quick sniff, confirming whatever's in that box was what I smelled earlier.

She takes a flower out of the box and gives it a sniff before closing her eyes and standing alarmingly still. Is this a game of sorts? Is she trying to…play with me? If she is this is a strange game that I certainly don't understand. I sneak back into the other room, content to stalk her from afar. But the next thing I know she's opened her eyes and has dropped the flower in the trash can. I tilt my head at her actions…she's never done that before in the short time I've been with her. The other times she's had flowers in the home, they've been put on display on the table. But this one she throws away. Interesting. But not really…because let's be honest, it doesn't impact me at all.

She picks up her bag that she'd dropped on the floor not so long ago and shoves a few things inside.

"Serg. Sergio, buddy," she calls out.

I slowly move toward her, and give a soft meow to let her know I've acquiesced to her request for my presence. She picks me up a little more roughly than I would've liked and I flail my legs out to remain balanced. I can feel the tension in her… She should really learn to relax, it would do her a world of good. And while I don't appreciate the roughness of her handling, I am happy she's taking me with her.

"Let's go," she murmurs as she grabs the small metal objects she enjoys teasing me with on occasion. And with that she walks quickly out of my home, without bothering to bring with her any of my toys, or my food…which is a little concerning.

We reach her car and she drops me on the passenger seat. I sit down slowly and let out a soft meow as I regard her slightly panicked state. There's something not right…I don't know what it is, but something has her even more spooked than she's been these last few days. She turns to face me once more and gives me a gentle scratch on top of my head.

"I know, buddy. I'm sorry. You probably haven't eaten yet. I'll get you something, I promise, mi hombre hermoso," she says, using that affectionate nickname she always does.

I meow again, this time jumping over the small barrier in the middle of the car and into her lap. I push my head into her hand and urge her to pet me. While I'm not happy with how much she's been away lately – it's been more than usual this past week – she's still my human.

"Not now, Serg. We gotta get out of here."

I turn around in her lap and cuddle up close to her, making sure to put my head in her hand once more.

"Serg…" she says quietly, a strain of sorts in her voice. There's all sorts of stress laced in her tone, and I don't like it.

I meow softly, nudging her hand again, encouraging her to give me some attention and to relax a little. She finally relents and scratches my head gently before moving her hands slowly down to my back and then back up. I begin to purr and tilt my head up, hoping she'll move her hands to my chin and neck because this is a little slice of heaven, and I'd really like for it to continue. I purr a little louder when she does just as I'd hoped. I close my eyes and push against her hand, reveling in the feel of her fingers as they scratch behind my ear and under my chin.

"You are such a little charmer, Serg," she says with a light laugh that sounds entirely too sad. "My little lucero," she coos. I turn and nuzzle her neck, offering her a touch of comfort and hoping it will soothe her anxiety. "I bet Penelope will take you in if it comes to that," she muses aloud. My purring reaches a new volume as she finds my sweet spot.

"Okay, buddy. We really gotta go now," she says softly as she lifts me and drops me on the passenger seat again. I tilt my head and watch as she turns on the car and we begin to drive.

She stays silent for a while, electing instead to focus on driving, but eventually she glances at me and meets my gaze. "I don't know what's going to happen, Serg. That flower…it has to mean it's him."

I keep my gaze on her, wondering what she's talking about. Whatever it is, my guess is that it's got everything to do with what's bothering her. I meow loudly when I feel my stomach churn slightly. It had been awhile since I last ate.

"Right. Food. I haven't forgotten, buddy. I'll swing by a pet store and get you something. I suppose I have to find somewhere to stay that'll let me keep you. I certainly can't stay there…"

I meow again, lacking any other course of action. "I know, Serg. I know. Don't worry, I'm working on it."

We'd made an ever so brief stop at a store, and when she'd returned I could smell the familiar, albeit faint, scent of my dinner. We'd begun driving again and hadn't stopped for a fair amount of time. Long enough that I hadn't bothered to try and stay awake. With the heat on in the car, I just curled up and fell asleep. But when the car finally pulled to a stop I'd opened my eyes and peered up at my human to find her staring at her bag.

"Should I even bother trying to pay in cash? I guess not…PG's not going to have a reason to trace my credit card, unless I have to disappear… Although that would take care of the little issue of you being taken care of, should it come to that."

I'm fairly certain she isn't speaking to me, so I just shoot her a wide-eyed, slightly confused and slightly worried expression while letting out an uncertain meow.

"Even if I don't use the card, he'll no doubt find me… Short of picking up and leaving behind everything, he's always going to know…"

She's still not talking to me, but I can tell her anxiety just jumped up.

"I guess it doesn't really matter then. Credit card it is."

She takes a deep breath, grabs her bag and scoops me up, holding me close to her body as she walks toward the building.

"Which room was it again?" I hear an unfamiliar voice say on the other side of the door. I jump up from the bed where I'd been curled up and jump up onto the desk, ready to attack if need be.

"Five," yet another unfamiliar another voice answers.

I hear a beep and then the latch on the door clicking over as the door opens slowly. I poise myself, tensing my muscles and readying myself to pounce.

"That's her bag, I'm pretty sure," a blonde woman says as she comes into the room and closes the door behind her and another blonde woman. "And that's definitely her coat. It's Emster's style," the voice says, tinges of sadness evident in her tone.

"Yeah," the other blonde says, squeezing her friend's arm.

I move my head slowly as I keep my gaze locked on them, watching their every move. I'm still ready to take off if need be…and I may have to do that, because neither of these females are my human. It's been days since I last saw her… I wonder where she's gone off to. I haven't seen anyone for days.

"Oh!" the first blonde says as she spots me. "That's Sergio."

I blink at her use of my name. Why does she know my name? I've never met her, or this other blonde before. I've never seen either of them, though they don't seem too bad on the surface… Maybe they know my human.

"Poor little kitten is probably missing his mama. Come here, kitten. Come to your Auntie Penelope," she continues as she squats down and holds out her arms.

I eye her carefully, but don't sense any ill intent on her part, so I jump down off the desk and walk toward her. I get just close enough for her to be able to scratch me behind the ear, while staying far enough away that I can dart away if need be.

"It's okay, Sergio," she says softly. "I'll take care of you. I think…I think Em would have wanted that," she says, her voice cracking and tears appearing.

I step forward and nuzzle her hand gently, feeling more and more at peace with her presence. She's not my human, but maybe she can take me to her. Besides, she seems genuinely upset by the situation…and while I generally don't fraternize with humans outside of my human, and those who feed me, I just feel like I'm supposed to trust this one.

"I know she would have," the other blonde says quietly, placing a hand on her friend's back.

The one who's been coaxing me out of my predatory stance scoops me up when I finally get close enough and holds me tightly, burying her face in my fur. She continues to cuddle me and I let out quiet, throaty purr. But as good as this feels…she isn't my human.

"C'mon sweet cheeks, in you come. Don't mind the mess, Sergio and I were just having a discussion," my temporary human says as she shoots me a look that I've learned to mean she's not happy with what I've done. Tough luck, I'll do what I want. Besides, that thing had it coming. All fluffy, and staring at me like I'm on its turf? There's absolutely no way I was going to stand for that, no sir.

I feel the faintest flicker of guilt at my actions that my temporary human does not approve of – she is after all the one who feeds me and cuddles me, even if it's a little too intense for my liking. But as quickly as the guilt appears, it fades. She's not my human, and I don't need to submit to her. I've no idea how much longer I have to stay here, but I'm hopeful my human will return and take me to our home.

"Discussion?" I hear another voice say. I tilt my head as I try to place where I've heard the new voice before. It's not…could it be? It certainly sounds like my human…but there's no way to know for sure until I can investigate more closely. Besides, there's no use in getting my hopes up - she's been gone forever.

"Yes. He has apparently decided to wage war on my vast collection of stuffed animals. The carnage this week has been particular distressing – fluff and fur everywhere. My bedroom looked like a crime scene when I got home last night. As if I don't see enough of this kind of stuff at work."

The other human turns and I meet her gaze. I perk up as I smell that familiar scent… I admit it bears a striking resemblance to my human…

"Don't let his relaxed nature fool you. Beneath that black, furry, and innocent-seeming exterior is a predator with über stealthy ninja tendencies. He's already taken out a significant chunk of my bear collection and is starting in on the mice now," the blonde human says.

The other one laughs lightly and turns to face me fully. "Mi hombre hermoso," she whispers, and immediately it's certain. My human is back. I jump up and dash across the room and jump up and into her arms, reveling in the feel of her fingers as they move up and down my back and behind my ears. I let out a loud, throaty purr and nuzzle into her arms. My human is back.

So...did you feel bad for poor Sergio left all alone? Chuckle at his slightly haughty attitude? Let me know!

I'll admit I'm generally not a cat person, so this is uncharted territory for me...hopefully Sergio came off okay!

A small translation note: mi hombre hermoso, to my understanding is an endearment that means: my handsome man. And lucero is another endearment that means: bright star. (Though I don't speak fluent Spanish so...)