Part 6


JC doesn’t realize it right away that Dr. North leads him immediately to the section of the facilities that houses the cats and kittens. He’s busy watching her walk in front of him down the hallway, busy wondering if she waxes those toned bare legs that extend down from beneath the short skirt into sensible heels, busy speculating that her ass is as finely feminine and roundly generous as he tits under that lab coat and layers of clothing.

Her entire body, he guesses, is as perky and nice as her personality. She’s smart, pretty, and sexy all at once, and she knows it — but in a confident, comfortable way with herself, not a snobbish, flaunty one. And while he can’t precisely explain it, he admires her open freedom to embrace that attitude.

She’s still flirting with him too, he realizes, as she unlatches each large, airy case and lets him peek inside at the available feline or felines. But it’s subtle, flattering, amusing flirtage. Nothing he can’t handle. Nothing he doesn’t get a lot. It’s all part of the game, he knows. So he smiles and chats and plays along politely. No harm done.

One good thing is that she doesn’t seem nearly as nervous and awed to be so close to him as most chicks do when they first meet him. Because that always freaks him out, and he really doesn’t fucking get it at all. She comments on his mass collection of silver bracelets and snickers only a little when he begins a sentence, “Well, at the end of the day…..” More admirable things about her, in his opinion.

Justin, meanwhile, has found a new playmate just his speed in Lola the male iguana on the other side of the room and now croons to it softly: “Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls. It’s a mixed up, shook up, fucked up world except for Lola. La-la-la-la Lola.” Lola himself isn’t the least bit impressed by the double-Grammy-winning voice and turns his head and grunts.

“Man, we are SO not taking that creepy thing home with us,” JC whispers to Doc Marie and giggles as she hands him a small orange tabby. “Absolutely not. He’d better not even start with me on it. He will NOT win.”

The doctor glances over at Justin and laughs too. “That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! No one has ever serenaded him before. He’s major spoiled now.”

“Yeah. And so is the serenader,” JC adds wryly. “Major spoiled.”

Moments later, he’s holding and petting a wriggly white-with-black-spots “cow” kitty while Doc Marie is displaying a half-grown wiry Siamese. They’re all tame and gentle and seem to be well cared for. The doctor recites all of their ages and histories and never fails to succinctly answer any questions JC comes up with.

All of the cats/kittens are waiting to find parents and homes too, and he can’t decide which one to take and which ones to leave behind. Other clinicians are assisting other customers, and Dr. North is exclusively JC’s. Justin has moved on over to inspect the turtles, picking each one up and scaring it back into its hard shell. JC vows mentally that Justin will definitely be washing his hands before he touches him again.

That’s when he hears it. The tiny weak sound from somewhere near. The barely audible little noise that bounces up to JC’s eardrums and captures his attention.

“What was that?” he asks, glancing around at all of the cats he’s been viewing, making sure they weren’t responsible for what he’d heard.

Then, as if in response to his voice, the quiet, petite sound echoes out again. It’s a baby-like mewl, a pleading little cry to be noticed. Doc Marie perks up, a knowing grin taking over her smooth face.

“Well, hello. What a sweet little wake-up call. That’s one I forgot about. Silly me. And I think I’ve just been reminded.”

She secures the few freed cats back into their holding areas and then moves around the stainless-steel table between them to walk behind where JC stands. She’s not that tall, so she doesn’t have to stoop much to open the fenced door on the bottom level.

“Here you go, JC, hon. This one’s our newest baby. She’s only been here with us for three days, and she’s really shy and standoffish. I’m surprised she even made a peep. She rarely opens her little mouth at all. But she’s a real sweetheart. C’mon. Have a look.”

JC can’t see a damn thing inside the cage from this angle. So he steps forward and bends over to peer in. He can feel the cool air in the sterile room hit the skin of his lower back as his 1964 T-shirt slips upward and his low-rise jeans ride down.

She is SO checking out my ass back there right now. Crackage and all. I fucking know it’s showing, and I know she’s looking. But hey. What the hell. I eyeballed HER cleavage. She can eyeball MINE, I guess.

What he sees eventually in the semi-darkness of the receptacle captures not only his attention but his heart as well. Strutting cautiously toward him now is the fattest, furriest jet-black kitten he’s ever seen in his life. Her swirling-blue eyes are dead-focused on him and seem to change shades each time she slowly blinks them. “Meee-owww,” she utters softly when she stops at the edge of the door.

“Wow! What a bold, sweet little greeting!” the doctor says behind him. “She must fancy you, JC.”

“You think?”

“Oh, yes. I’m positive. She hasn’t been this openly friendly with any of us. Look at her flirting with you. Awww.”

Um huh. And you’d know about flirting with me, wouldn’t you, Doc?

“She’s stunning,” JC whispers, mesmerized by her perfectly-shaped little face, her crystalline bright eyes, her pert ebony nose, and her long, luxurious tale that curls gracefully around her two front paws now as she sits back and gazes at him intently, content and relaxed.

“She really is quite eye-catching,” the doctor agrees. “Not a spot of color on her except those blue, blue eyes.”

“And she already knows how to cast a spell. That’s for damn sure,” JC laughs, staring at her still.

“Indeed, she does. Feel free to pick her up if you want.”

JC reaches in and gently takes the kitten, cupping her from underneath in his right palm. He stands up straight again, pulling the kitten to his chest and depriving the good doctor of her lewd view of his ass. The kitten snuggles against him as if that’s exactly where she’s supposed to be, lets out another tiny mewl, and begins to purr quietly as he strokes her shiny fur.

“Jesus. She’s so soft,” he murmurs downward, more to the animal than to Doc Marie.

“She was abandoned in an upper-class neighborhood in Beverly Hills. Definitely someone’s pampered indoor pet,” she explains. “We estimate her to be about three months old, and she’s current on all of her vaccinations. We’ve been calling her ‘Shadow’ because she’s so dark and mysterious.”

“But you can call her whatever you want, Jace,” Justin says breathily as he suddenly swoops into the warm scene.

“What?” JC flinches, unceasingly surprised by the electricity of Justin.

“When you get her home, babe. You can rename her to anything your heart desires, can’t he, Doc? I mean……….you do want her, don’t you? You two are like two peas in a pod, Jace. Look how peaceful and sweet. She’s not even trying to crawl around all over you. She’s satisfied just being next to you. You want her, right?”

Damn him. How does he always do that? Reads me like damn paperback every time.

“Well, I don’t know,” JC says dreamily as he holds her chubby belly in his hand and caresses long strokes over her black head and short body. She whimpers a little but hardly moves at all except to settle herself more comfortably against him, absorbing his heat and affection. “Seems like we do have a kind of chemistry thing happening here.”

“It’s a beautiful chemistry thing. It’s like she was meant for you. You need her, Jace. She’s got the perfect — how do you say? — disposition for you. And she’s gorgeous too.”

JC smiles down at the complacent kitten in his grasp, at the sensation of her warmth combined with the warmth of Justin hovering so near him now. And he knows without a doubt that if he and Justin were alone at that moment, Justin would have added on there: “And she’s gorgeous too. Just like you, baby.”

Ah, see there? I can read you too, Mr. Timberlake. And every time, it’s still so amazing.

JC looks up at the smiling vet he knows is patiently waiting. “Um, what if I take her and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason? Like if she hates it or something? I mean there’s a lot to consider here.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem. Just bring her back. We totally understand things like that sometimes happen. And she’d always be welcome here,” she says, nodding.

Justin steps closer and presses his hot palm to the curve of JC’s lower back. “So whatcha say, babe? Want to think it over? Or does the little midnight angel get to hop a ride with us?”

“Hmm,” JC sighs and brushes the silky fur with his fingertips.

“No pressure, Jace. Take your time. I’m sure the good doc here would hold her for us if you want to do some thinking on it.”

“Certainly! Just say the word, you guys.”

“I want her,” JC blurts out. “She the right one. Too damn precious.”

And, at the end of the day, see, I’m not sure I can do without her now, after feeling so close to her like this. I’m such a fucking sap. As bad as Justin. Man. Just fucking shoot me now.

“Yay!” Doc Marie exclaims. “What a lovely match!”

“Cool! I knew we’d find something to make you smile, Jace. Very cool.”

JC turns to him, remembering something important. “You’re okay with it? With a kitten?”

“Sure! Man, you know I dig cats. And this one, I think, has gone and adopted you, babe. She’s as smitten with you as you are with her. Check it out. We’ve got to take her home now.” A glittery bursting star in the colors of Justin’s right eye is a silent but brilliant sign of affectionate support, of loving approval.

“She’s a real charmer,” JC whispers absently, lost in his new pet already, glad for Justin’s undying acceptance.

“So, Doc. What is it I need to do to make this business official? Sign some papers or what?” Justin bustles beside JC, full of restless energy now.

“Yes. But they’re minor and easy. It’ll only take a couple of minutes. And I can set you up with all the initial supplies you’ll need, such as some food and food bowls, a small bed for her to sleep in, and, of course, a litter box.”

“Awesome. One-stop shopping. Hey, Jace. Maybe we should’ve tried a litter box with the Scottsmeister. That might’ve helped.”

JC wrinkles his nose and sneers. “Right. And he SO would’ve learned to use it. NOT. Too late now anyway.”

“I’m just kidding, man. Carry your new baby on out to the lobby area. I’ll take care of the rest. ‘Kay?”

“Thanks, J. Thanks, Marie. I appreciate your patience and help. Sorry if I was a pain in the ass. This was a real blast.”

“Oh, it was my pleasure to meet you both. I’ve been a fan of your music for years.”

Justin laughs again. “Yeah, Jace said you nailed us right away. I guess we’re not very incognito today, are we?”

“It’s okay. You’re safe with me.”

He pats JC on the shoulder and smiles at her again. “Yo, did you pick up a copy of his new CD yet? It’s out as of last week. It rocks to the moon and back.”

Doc Marie grins, big and beautiful. “I have four copies. One for every CD player I own. And he’s right, JC. It’s awesome. You outdid yourself. I love the whole thing. Every track. Thank you for finally giving us your music.”

Justin beams, and JC blushes. “Ah, thank you. That’s really nice of you. You guys are embarrassing my ass. Jesus.”

“You deserve it, babe. You are awesome. Like the lady said. Now you and your bitty kitty go and meet me out in there where we came in. I’ll settle up with her and then drive us all home.”

JC’s so enamored with the sweet, pretty kitten cuddled in his arms that he doesn’t even fret about how odd it might look to Dr. North that he and Justin have “adopted” this pet “together” and are taking it “home” with them. But if he had considered it, he wouldn’t have cared much.

Fuck it.

He’s satisfied, and all is good. So what if they let their intensive guard down a little and did in public what comes natural to them in private? And as soon as they’re alone again and can enjoy the new kitten “together,” when they can exchange lingering touches and spoken aloud I-love-you’s as much as they want, all will be better than good. Better than wonderful.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

“So. What are you going to name it, C?” Justin asks, just above a throaty whisper, glancing over quickly toward the car’s passenger seat next to him at the cozy scene of JC and the furry black kitten. It’s a quick look, but it’s enough to show Justin the pleased, amused smile painting JC’s face as he cradles and caresses the curious little feline affectionately. “You thought of something to call it yet?”

JC’s too delightfully occupied with his new toy to recognize the noticeable shift in his partner’s tone — from typically happy-go-luck, prone-to-public-displays-of-lust Justin back at the pet shelter to sullenly quiet and closed-up, not-just-sober-now-but-somber-too Justin since they’d left the place. He also doesn’t catch the slick use of “C” rather than the more loving “Jace” nickname when Justin addresses him.

If he’d picked up on any of it, JC may have attributed it all to pouty jealousy over the sweet baby kitten. Because, hello, hadn’t he — the reigning Snarky Princess of West Hollywood — been there and done that over Lucifer’s Demon Child, Scottie, already? Um, yes. He most certainly had. And Lord knows Justin can be pouty and jealous when he wants to be. Um, yes again.

“She’s a she, Justin. Not an it,” JC corrects him with a sharp but subtle eye roll and a vague sense of déjà vu resounding in his head. “Didn’t you hear that chick doctor confirm that she’s a female?”

Justin displays the most bare minimum of “oh fucking brother” smirks, but JC sees it from the corner of his eye. He chooses to ignore it, though, and continues cuddling the kitty — when she’ll let him, that is, since she’s quite eager and aggressive now to explore her new surroundings as well as this new person holding her.

“That chick doctor? Hold up. There was a chick doctor back there? For real?” Justin mocks sarcastically. “Oh, wait. It’s coming to me now. There was one. That’s right. The sweet, young thang chick doctor you couldn’t keep your eyes off, right, Jace? The one you kept playing with and hitting on? That one? Hell, baby, for a while there, I thought we might be adopting HER and bringing HER home to be your new pet.”

Um, no. He did NOT just go there. No fucking way. I am SO not in the mood for that shit this afternoon. Just no.

JC pauses, wonders for a sec if he should even bother answering this crap, decides that he can’t possibly pass it up, collects a deep breath, and then slowly turns his head to face Justin. “You’re fucking kidding me, right? You’re surely not seriously thinking I’d want to get with her, are you? Are you that clueless?”

He waits and hopes, but he doesn’t get a return glance from sulky Justin. Just a weak little whine. “You were gawking, C. I was there.”

Jesus Christ. The kid needs a spanking. Bad.

“Gawking? I was just looking, for chrissakes! Admiring, maybe, ‘cause she was attractive. She had attractive parts. Did I need to get your fucking permission to look at and appreciate attractive things now?” JC huffs, and the kitten meows softly to echo him. “Seriously. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. It’s just stupid as hell.”

“She’s attractive. Fucking great. You weren’t attracted to her?” Justin mumbles, glare still glued to the road in front of them.

“I’m attracted to YOU, dumbass. Remember? That chick in the clinic? I envy her and how she looks. That’s all.” JC takes one hand off the lively, soft kitten climbing up his bicep and squeezes Justin’s hard thigh. “Since you’re now from planet HeadUpYourAss, here’s a hint: It’s you I want. Maybe I should take you home and remind you how fucking much, grumpy little brat.”

And then, there it is — that slow-breaking stellar grin that lights up Justin’s entire face along with everything else around him. He moves his head and flashes brilliance all over JC, giggling. “Ah, I’m just messing with ya, baby. I know who you want. And you know what? I know how you are too……….You’re pretty yourself, and you like admiring other pretty things. Other pretty peoples. Makes sense. And that’s cool.”

“Hmm. Thanks for your approval, ass,” JC hisses, gently pulling the tiny claws he can hardly feel off his collarbone and then staring at Justin again. “Jesus, Justin. You and your little jokey jokes are gonna give me fucking gray hairs before I’m 30. I swear.”

Justin raises two saucy eyebrows. “Well. You were checking her out awfully hard, babes.”

“Oh, fuck off. I was not. Dr. Mae West may have pretty parts, but she’s doesn’t have the right parts. Know what I’m saying?”

Justin throws his head back as he drives and cackles wildly. “Mae West, Jace? You’re hilarious! Her name was Marie North! Not Mae West!”

“Hey. It was a direction anyway. Sue me.” JC’s still petting his kitten and smiled now at the low hum of her purring motor running as she roams all over him.

Justin’s still laughing. “Man, even I wasn’t too distracted by Hello Kitty there to butcher up Miss Thang’s name like that. You memorized everything ELSE about the girl and then go and hack her name all to hell. Nice, Jace. Real nice.”

“Whatever. You can still fuck off, you know. Jealous bitch.”

“What did you just say? ‘Cause you know you didn’t just call me a jealous bitch.”

JC smirks again. “Look, Justin. Just because you’re not, like, HER fave member of the infamous NSYNC pop group doesn’t mean you’re not MY fave……….And by the way, that would be DR. Thang to you, punk.”

Justin grips the steering wheel and holds his stomach because it’s hurting again from the extreme laughter workout. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. WhatEVer……….So what shall we call your new little buddy, Jace? Did ya come up with something?”

“Indeed, I have,” JC simpers, giving the kitten on his left upper thigh his full attention. “Because I knew that if I left it up to you, her name would end up being something totally gooberheaded like ‘Jaycie’ or ‘Minnie.’ Or something dumbass ghetto like ‘Soulchild’ or whatever. And we certainly can’t have that shit, especially when felines are pampered and revered and considered sacred in some cultures, such as ancient Egypt, you know.”

Justin’s eyebrows do the coy, playful arch again as he glances at the “pampered and revered feline” that’s begun to curl elegantly in JC’s lap now, making herself at home. Twenty minutes past the adoption shelter, and it’s already becoming obvious to Justin what a perfect match-made-in-kitty-heaven this is.

“Oh, are they now? Interesting. Hmm. How do you know so much shit, baby?”

“Because, see, here’s the thing. I sometimes read magazines instead of always pimping my ass on the covers of EVERY one of them.”

“Ouch. Low blow, Jace. Low blow. And for that, you can eat me. Again.”

“Watch your mouth around the little one, man. If you don’t mind.”

Justin guffaws again. “Whatever, Jace. You so crazy……….So what’s our new cat’s name then? Or do I have to start calling her ‘Felix’ or ‘Sylvester’? Or how ‘bout ‘Simba’?”

JC whips his head around again and shoots a dagger of a glare at Justin. “Simba was a fucking lion, MO-ron.”

“Cat family. Hello?”

“She’s a kitten, Justin. Don’t insult her by making her older than she is. Christ. She’s just a fucking kitten.” JC huffs impatiently, protectively.

Justin rolls his eyes. “Damn, baby. I’m playing. Chill out.” Then he snickers and reaches over to tenderly touch the kitten’s fur. “Sorry, bitty kitty. I didn’t mean to diss you calling you a cat and all. My apologies……….Tell her, Jace. You speak her language, right? Translate for me, babes. ‘Kay?”

JC doesn’t dignify that last part with even an evil glare this time. He simply smiles down at the purring strum the animal makes when he massages behind her ears.

“I was thinking of ‘Calli.’ How’s that?” he whispers. And Justin hopes he’s addressing him and not the kitten.

“As in California?”

“Yeah. Sort of. Because we got her — together — out here and not in F.L.A……….But for another reason too, sweets,” JC says, softer and more mellow now.

“And that would be?”

“That would be for Calliope. One of the Muses in Greek Mythology. Her specialty inspiration was epic poetry, but she liked to sing and dance too,” JC recites quietly, stroking the kitty’s head and back. “She eventually had a son named Orpheus. You may have heard of him……….The greatest poet and musician of his time.”

Justin’s silent for a moment or two. In a kind of awe as the info sinks in. “Wow, Jace. Did you read that in a mag too?”

“No, Justin. Jesus.”

“I’m kidding! I mean it’s perfect, baby. It’s all perfect. Just a perfect name for it. For her. It’s like a big ol’ reference or tie-in back to you. What with the muse chick and the fine-ass singer and dancer dude. It’s all so you, baby.”

JC turns the smile he’s giving Calli upward to Justin, and it grows, glows, and warms. “No. To you. I was thinking in terms of you, J. You’re my muse. And you’re so Orpheus too.”

Justin blushes under the hot, affectionate gaze. “Aww, man. That’s the sweetest thing ever, Jace. I’m so touched,” he whispers. And, because of her name now — the one JC has given her — an unseen bond is established and forged between Justin and the kitten, one that doesn’t need to be acknowledged, only felt. “Thank you, baby. That’s damn special.”

JC, of course, does feel it. And is glad. He’s made a good, solid choice all around. “You’re welcome, J. And check it out. She has our eyes too. Lots of different blues in there. She’s got us both covered, sweets.”

“Score, baby. She’s a stunner, a real beauty, I’m saying. How cool that we got her. She’s what you needed all along, Jace. Sugar and spice and everything nice. Way to go.”

JC grins, first at Justin and then back down at her in his lap, the edges of his eyes crinkling just under his shades. “I’m feeling her, man. I’m glad you are too.”

Justin’s pleased. No. He’s happy. “I can see you love her already, baby. Let’s take her home and get her used to her new house. Damn, she’ll be investigating and sniffing out and marking territory for days and days.”

“Dude, bet you 50 big ones she tackles that fucking staircase sooner than wimpy Scottsmeister did.”

Justin laughs and then winks slyly. “Man, don’t be slamming on the boy when he’s not around.”

“Yeah, yeah. Talk to the hand.”

“And check this out. While Miss Calli is busying herself with the adjusting process, you, Mr. Chasez, can be busying yourself with reminding me how it’s MY dumbass you want to get with and not your sexay veterinarian pal Doc North.”

JC giggles easily. “Oh. I think I’m up to that challenge, hot shot.”

“Yeah. Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“You’re always talking about something, J. Fucking always.” And JC’s simmering laugh is small and contented.

“Watch your mouth around the little one, Jace,” Justin finishes with a snicker of his own.

JC continues to brush long strokes of his fingers over Calli’s sleek fur as Justin reaches up to flip on the Porsche’s CD stereo system. “Lose Myself” is the track that plays and resonates beautifully around the interior of the car, and JC hardly even notices. Justin throws JC and Calli one more soft, lingering look and smiles as he stretches his arm over to casually rub the back of JC’s neck under his thick locks of hair, much the same way JC’s caressing Calli. It’s like a piece of a very good dream, and peacefully and cozily, they head home.

“If I could hold you tonight
I might never, no, never let go”



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