Author Note:

hey guys! so i re-did the chapters i posted so far. i didn't like the other story i had going. this is basically the same thing, only i fixed it up.

i have one favor to ask those reading this for the first time. In this story, I explain my OC over time, not all at once. so please wait to pass judgement until you read the six chapters i have here. if you don't like it, that's cool, you're entitled to your own opinion. it just bugs me when people don't get the whole story. also, my OC comes off a bit "bitchy barbie-ish." well that's how i wrote her for this portion of the fanfic. it all ties together, trust me.

i hope you like!

Ruby...

Chapter One – The Select Few

"So, . . . tell me why you need an assistant again? You practically ignore your clinic duty and your so far behind on your paperwork, . . ." Dr. Cuddy was getting frustrated. She was starring House down, but he seemed to just brush off her hard looks. "Why should I spend more hospital money on you?"

"Because without my own personal flunky, you know, beside the three I have now, I would get so far behind in my paperwork I might forget about clinic duty all together. Most likely that's when someone in desperate need of my expertise will come in, and with me stuck pushing pencils, will die. Then you'll probably have a lawsuit on your hands and it would cost more than hiring someone to do things for me." House was twisting his cane between his fingers. He looked up at the scowl on Cuddy's face. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have hopeful spirits to crush."

Cuddy scrunched her face in confusion and anger. "What!"

"Oh, I didn't mention? Funny, thought I told Wilson to..."

"House!"

House had a triumphant look on his face. He was getting satisfaction from this. "I have interviewees here already, that way you couldn't possibly say 'no'. Well you could... but where would the fun be in that?" House pulled himself out of the chair and made a quick get-a-way so she couldn't contradict him.

Down the hall, he stopped mid-step, looking at a whole waiting room full of nerdy-looking, middle-aged, men. Even worse, there were some forty-something womanin suits and carrying briefcases. Not exactly what House had in mind, but then he saw her. A woman with sandy-brown hair and glowing green eyes. Her black off-the-shoulder shirt and electric pink skirt attracted his eye as he watched her yell continuously at the receptionist.

He had seen enough. "Excuse me," he walked up to her. She stopped her rampage and glared at him. "Civilians aren't aloud back here without supervision. The boss thinks that a scalpel might accidentally fly up two floors and across the hospital and stab someone to death on it's own free will."

"You're good." She laughed.

"Who are you and why are you ruining the mediocre job maintenance did before they stole supplies?" House cocked his head and waited for an answer.

"Nicole Caulfield. I'm here for an interview with a Dr. Gregory House. But why I'm here, here is because that blonde bitch over there can't get off her ass to help some guy that fell out of his wheel-chair."

House's eyes grew wide. "You couldn't help a guy who fell out of a wheelchair?" He took a pain reliever out of the bottle and popped it in his mouth.

"It's not in my job description." she squeaked. Apparently Nicole's scolding had hurt her feelings.

"So you want a job with me?" House turned back to his applicant. "You're hired."

"That's it?"

"Yep." House talked as he walked down the hall and began for his office. He noticed she wasn't following him and he was talking to himself. He turned to face her again. "Fine, have it your way," he scoffed as he opened the doors to the waiting room. "Only a select few of you fit my unusually high standards. Unfortunately, you all irritate me." And he started down the hall once again. This time with Nicole walking along side.

"I would've been happy with a 'when can you start?' but your approach was much more entertaining."