Archivist's note: This is a sequel to Something Fishy.

Duo eyed it and then the very large cat in his arms. The black and white tom stared up at him adoringly, purring contentedly.

"Don't let him make eyes at you," Heero growled as he opened the pet carrier door. "He's just 'playing' you."

"But.... Heero... it's..." Duo winced uncomfortably. "The vet explained what they do. I... I don't think I can do that to Patches."

"He sprayed our bed!" Heero retorted, fists clenched. "The little mons-- the cat jumped on our bed and sprayed my pillow and the mattress on my side of the bed."

"A little cleaner..." Duo replied weakly, but Heero shook his head sharply.

"That smell doesn't come out, and you know it! We'll have to replace the entire set." Heero tapped the top of the carrier. "Put him in and get going, or you'll be late for your appointment."

Duo nuzzled the cat and it bumped it's head against Duo's cheek. It looked like it was smiling, eyes half closed, as if it were in heaven.

"I could --" Duo began in desperation.

Heero cut him off. "No, we already talked about this. The vet says it will make him more mellow and keep him from spraying. It also keeps him from making more monst-- more kittens like himself."

"You hate him that much?" Duo asked in a suddenly sad voice as he hid his expression in Patches' fur.

"Don't start with that," Heero warned. "I'm not going to let you try to make me the bad person. I'm the one who has the stinking clothes and stinking bed."

Duo was silent and then he asked, "Could you... Could you take him? I just don't think I can."

Heero growled irritably, but then he threw up his hands. "All right, I'll take him. Just get him in the carrier."

Patches didn't go quietly. He fought, scratching them both, Heero the worst, as he was shoved into the carrier. After closing the little door tight, Heero picked up the carrier then and gave Duo a kiss.

"I'm sorry, love," Heero said, "but you know it has to be done."

Duo nodded, crossing his arms over his chest tightly. "I know. Just... Just be there for him, okay? He's gonna be scared."

"I will," Heero promised, more to reassure Duo than out of any real sympathy for the cat.

A half hour later, Heero returned and put the carrier on the kitchen table. Duo opened the carrier door and dragged an indignant Patches out. As he cradled the cat, he gave Heero a surprised look.

"That was quick," Duo said. "He doesn't even look like anything was done to him."

"I couldn't do it," Heero replied uncomfortably, hands at his crotch as if he needed protection there. "They... the vet... I just couldn't... not even to him."

Duo grinned. "I knew you couldn't do it! I just --"

Heero scowled. "That doesn't mean it's not getting done.... I... well, I need to call Sally. She can take him in."

"Oh," Duo nuzzled Patches. "I guess you're right."

"I am," Heero insisted.

Duo put Patches down and then slid an arm around Heero. "Sorry," he said.

Heero grunted and then pulled Duo in close. "I'm not."

Duo was puzzled by that. "I don't understand."

Heero sighed and managed a smile. "It's what everyone goes through; arguments, keeping house, paying bills, fighting over blankets, getting cats fixed... I never thought that I would get to experience those things." He kissed Duo and then chuckled. "I can't think of anything better than to go through those things with you."

Duo grinned and gave Heero's cheek a hard pinch. "You are so weird, sometimes. I dreamed of having lots of sex with you, in a real bed, without Oz knocking down the doors. You dreamed about car payments and fixing cats."

"It's a part of life, with you, and it's everything that I've ever wanted," Heero told him passionately. He embraced Duo tightly as Duo seized a deep kiss from him.

A sharp, musky scent suddenly filled the air. Heero broke the kiss and looked down. Patches looked up at him smugly and then sauntered away, tail up like an insolent banner.

"Duo! Your damned monster cat just sprayed my pants leg!" Heero snarled.

Duo backed up and reached for the phone. "Uhm, I'll call Sally..."