Can I keep it 2

Can I Keep It?

(Original)

"He followed me home Sir," Joe said in response to his commanders questioning look. David had stopped Joe as he tried to walk quietly through the dining room and to his own room. He was holding a small ball of fluff and petting it gently with one finger.

Joe had tried to sneak it past his commander and into his room, hoping to keep the little creature a secret for a while. He held the kitten close to his chest, cupping it in both hands as if to protect it.

"Can I keep it Sir?" Joe asked in a small voice, his eyes large and pleading.

David stopped and carefully considered his answer before he gave it. He knew how hard their job was, how much it was important to having something to care about, something that cared about you. Cared unconditionally.

"Alright Joe," David said, "You can keep it."

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The Mission: Get to my room.
Objective: Don't get caught.

I eased open the front door of our safe house with one hand and with the other carefully cradled my cargo. I knew the door would be noiseless but I wanted to make absolutely sure that no one knew I was there. The others were home, I could tell by the smell of Steve's cooking and the sound of Bryan and Mark watching the news in the front room.

I paused just after nudging the door closed behind me to listen. I couldn't quite tell if anyone was in the dining room, but I thought not. I paced closer towards the entrance to the dining room and the hall just beyond it. My room was the second on the left, the first belonged to Mark and Bryan, and the third was David and Joe. I shared my room with Steven, but I didn't think he would rat me out to David, even if he did find out.

I was just letting out the breath that I had been holding, thinking that I was home free when I heard someone clearing a throat behind me. I winced internally and turned to face the music.

David was sitting at the dining room table with schematics spread around him, working on the next mission. I looked at my commander and held the little kitten close to my body. I saw David raise an eyebrow at me in a silent request for an explanation for the little bit of fluff in my hands.

"He followed me home Sir," I muttered, dropping my gaze to the little creature as it sat purring in content. I petted it with one finger and the vibrations increased in volume and intensity as its little eyes closed. I looked up at my commander and I couldn't help the next words that came out of my mouth, "can I keep it Sir?

I held my breath as I watched him weighing his options and decision. I could almost see his choice in his eyes before he spoke, and I had to stop myself from hugging him.

"Alright Joe," David said to me with a small nod, "you can keep it."