Rodney opened the door without knocking, then slumped against the frame, blowing out a breath.

"Oh, for crying out loud, Sheppard. You might as well keep the damn thing - he likes you better anyway." He crossed his arms over his chest, looking anywhere other than at the sleek grey kitten curled up on top of Sheppard's foot.

"I..." John said. "I swear, Rodney - I don't do anything. He just keeps coming back.

Rodney turned back toward the hall. "Like I said. I guess I'll see you at breakfast."

Before he could get all the way out the door, he heard the kitten make a disgruntled meeping noise, and felt Sheppard's warm hand squeeze his shoulder. "Why don't you stay a while and play?"