To start off, no, I'm not dead. And I have missed you guys! There is no real excuse for my absence, except for the fact that I am lazy :p I only ask that you please accept my apology.

And what about the new season, huh? I know I'm excited that Lucy's back. And everyone knows she was lying when she said that she didn't want Kendall back. Right?

"What is that?"

"A cat, Lucy. I thought it would be obvious."

Lucy gave Kendall her best 'no-effing-kidding' glare. The very small gray-and-white kitten in his arms stared up at her with large, innocent blue eyes. It was the fluffiest kitten she had ever seen.

"I meant, why do you have it?" She had intended for her voice to remain hard, but the ruse cracked as she continued to look at the kitten.

Kendall chuckled as Lucy reached for the tiny creature, but the sound seemed to lack its usual spark. He handed it over willingly. "I got her for you," he said quietly.

When Lucy dragged her gaze from the small cat in her arms to her boyfriend, he was already looking at her. The emotions in his green eyes were unreadable. "Why?" she mused, shocked. "I barely have enough money to take care of myself, let alone a cat. And Bitters doesn't allow pets."

"I've already handled Bitters. And I'll pay for the cat. Food, toys, litter, vet bills, everything." He looked down at his shoes. "I just- Well…"

"Spit it out, Kendall," Lucy demanded, scratching the kitten behind her ears.

"We're going on tour," he blurted after a deep breath, "and I don't want you to have to be all by yourself."

Lucy looked down at the kitten and didn't speak for a few minutes. Tour? She wasn't surprised, really. The guys were famous. Of course there would be tours and interviews and extended time periods of them being gone. She had also seen the posters sporadically around town. She absentmindedly stroked the kitten. It leaned into her touch and began to purr.

"Luce?" Kendall prompted after a minute.

The rocker looked up, meeting Kendall's eyes once again. She held his gaze. "How long are you going to be gone?"

Kendall didn't waver under her piercing stare, wanting to reassure her. And himself, maybe. "A few months."

Lucy sighed, pushing back any emotions that threatened to make her cry. She wasn't going to do that here. Not in the middle of the lobby. So the rockstar settled on her usual fallback of teasing.

"You look scared, Knight. It's cute how you have to hide behind a kitten, though." She flashed him a smile, and Kendall offered her one of his in return.

He wasn't stupid, though. He knew what she was hiding.

"It was actually her idea," he teased, scratching the kitten's head. "I couldn't say no. She has the whole cute-kitten face down pat. It's like my Kryptonite."

Lucy actually laughed. She held the kitten level with her face. She had never thought of getting a cat before, but Kendall was right.

How could she say no to that face?

"That should be her name, then," she smiled warmly. "Kryptonite."

Just then, Bitters walked by, glaring at Krypto the entire way until he disappeared into his office.

Lucy cradled the kitten against her chest, looking up at Kendall curiously. "How did you manage to get him to let me have a pet?"

"With a little help from Katie and a lot of blackmail," Kendall responded with a grin.

Lucy smirked. "You know, I'm not sure I want to know."

Kendall laughed. "No, you probably don't."

Looking down at Krypto, Lucy sighed. "She needs a collar and toys and stuff," she murmured.

"Come on, Luce." Kendall pulled his girlfriend into a hug, careful not to squash the kitten, and pressed his lips to the top of her head. "There's a while between now and when we have to leave. I got Logan to loan me the convertible. Let's head over to Petsmart and pick out what Krypto needs."

He tilted her head up gently with a finger so their eyes met. "It's only going to be for a few months. Nothing will change. I'll still be yours when I get back."

Lucy searched his gaze. They stood there for a few minutes, staring at each other, until they were interrupted by an impatient 'Meow!'

Chuckling, Kendall lifted an arm, offering Lucy a spot tucked against his side. She took it without a moment's hesitation.

"Come on," she smiled. "We have some shopping to do."

Kendall gently pulled her towards the parking lot. "I have the oddest feeling that Krypto is going to be the most spoiled cat in the world."

I don't really know where this idea came from, but I do know it's very short. I will be writing more about it. I just wanted to put this up to let you guys know I haven't abandoned you. You actually have the latest Guest reviewer to thank for lighting a fire under my rump and getting this updated :)