[ Emotional over an animal, huh...? He gets it. Gray is such a sweet girl; despite everything, he can't help smiling back at her, though it's small and quiet as ever. ]

Yeah? Well... thanks. I'm glad someone cared about her.

[ especially as genuinely as Gray seems to. Johnny keeps a hand on Slow Dancer while he speaks, absently stroking her long nose. ]

As long as she didn't hurt you or anything. [ a beat. Then, awkwardly: ] ... Sorry for vanishing and makin' you take care of her.