Jack hates conferences. Too many people, too much standing, and everyone just wants to talk to him about Pittfest. Still, someone has to go; there's a free bar, and it's not too far away from some army buddies he hasn't seen in a while, so he volunteers.

He messages Robby regularly during the week he's gone. Not just because Robby has a tendency to overwork himself when he's not around, but also because they're in some kind of undefined relationship now, and he doesn't want to just drop off the map. It's been a while since he's been in a relationship, but he does remember you're supposed to check in with your partner and ask about their day.

Robby's replies don't particularly worry him. He responds quickly, reassures Jack he's okay, offers up some humorous stories from work and messages Jack when he arrives home, but there's something missing in the messages; Jack just can't figure out what it is.

He has no idea that two days after he got on a plane to San Francisco, Whitaker found a kitten, wet and shivering behind some trash bags not far from the hospital, and tried to hide her in a cupboard in the staff lounge.

He also has no idea that Robby, unable to say no to the young doctor's wide, puppy-like eyes, takes the kitten home, the tiny furball tucked into his coat to keep her warm on the walk home.

The first time he's even aware of the kitten is a few hours after he arrives home and sends Robby a "You up?" message.

As soon as Robby opens his front door and Jack crosses the threshold, he does a quick survey, checking that everything looks in order. When he's satisfied that Robby is in one piece and not showing any signs of stress, he leans in.

Robby hums into the kiss.

"Missed you," Jack reveals.

A week is the longest they've gone without seeing each other in a while, and now that they're sort of together, Jack wants Robby to know as much. It feels vulnerable, only because he has no idea how Robby will accept it.

He says sort of together because they haven't actually defined what they are. They haven't gone out on a date, they don't do any kind of PDA, and they certainly don't act like anything more than colleagues at work. But they kiss until Jack gets beard burn, there's a lot of sex, Robby has started stocking his favourite beer, they watch TV curled up together, and they've started to consider each other in their plans.

He hasn't dared to ask Robby outright what it is he wants exactly. Robby has a habit of running when things get too real. He's seen it happen time and time again with his previous partners. He has to treat Robby like a baby dear. He's happy to take whatever Robby gives him, and, at the right moment, he'll finally ask for more.

"It was only a week," Robby replies, but his cheeks flush, and he doesn't meet Jack's eyes, so Jack knows he said the right thing.

"How was it?" Robby asks as he steps away, already making his way down the hallway to the living room, where Jack can hear the TV blaring.

"Boring," Jack answers as he starts to follow, "Though I did bump into Dr Wolf, who told me to say-"

Jack isn't expecting the flash of tabby fur as the creature pounces. It lands on his shoe and immediately starts playing with a lace, tugging at it with its fangs.

"Robby?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is there a cat eating my shoe?"

"Oh," Robby reappears and looks down at the cat. "That's Lexi."