A/N – Reposting the chapters to try and clean it up a bit. I'd love to add another chapter, but I'm still stuck with this story. If anyone has any suggestions, they'd be much appreciated!! In the meantime, I'll keep thinking.

Disclaimer: My negotiating skills don't work on the layers, so the cast of House M.D. belongs to Fox.

Ginger Snap

Prologue

16 years, 9 months ago in California:

House and a woman hugged tightly outside, while a taxi cab was waiting.

"Oh Greg! I'll miss you so much! Can't you stay here?"

"You know I can't stay. I've got a job interview in Princeton, New Jersey," he paused, and sighed, "Wait a minute! Why don't you come with me?"

"I can't. You of all people should know I can't leave. . . ."

The taxi cab interrupted their conversation, "Hey man! Are you comin' or what?"

House snapped at the man, "Yeah, wait a minute," turned to the woman and said, "I guess this is really goodbye."

"I guess so. Goodbye, Greg!" the woman sobbed.

He pulled her closer, and kissed her. As he pulled away, he said, "Goodbye, Ariel."

With that, he climbed into the cab, and left. Leaving Ariel sobbing quietly to herself in the dark.

Today, California:

"Mom, why are we moving?" an almost-16 year old asked.

"I've told you many times, Ginger. There are many more job opportunities in New Jersey for me," her mother replied.

"Yeah, 'cause no one needs a caterer in L.A." her daughter muttered under her breath.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing!" Ginger replied, and then said to no one in particular, "Don't you just love moving?"

Meanwhile, at the PPTH:

"Wilson, where's House?"

"I don't know, Cuddy. Did you try the pediatrics lounge?" he answered without looking up.

Cuddy sighed, "No, I didn't. I'll go check now. Thanks."

"No problem," Wilson replied.

As Cuddy closed the door, House leapt out from behind it and smiled at his best friend James Wilson, saying, "Thanks, buddy."

Wilson rolled his eyes and replied, "Remind me why I hid you? And lied to Cuddy for you?"

House just looked at him and said, in his best Spongebob voice, "Because we're the bestest of buddies!"