Hey everyone. I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything. Well, I was working on a NaNoWriMo story (which I totally hate, BTW) and then I got tied up with work/travel. But this story sorta crept up on me so I decided to give it a try and see. I hope you like. Thanks to my beta and partner in crime, Purplemint Patty who's been helping me with consistency. This is totally AU so just go with it and Merry Christmas!
Disclaimer: I don't own House or any other characters from the series therein. This is JUST FICTION. Anyone else is purely a figment of my sick imagination.
Chapter One
"Why do you think Foreman's calling this meeting?" Wilson wondered out loud as he and House got into the elevator.
"Does it matter? It's an excuse not to do any work for an hour."
"Sometimes I forget that you're a department head."
"Because I never attend the meetings?"
"Exactly, so why this time? And unless you have a patient, you do as little work as you possibly can."
"One of the conditions of my parole is that I have to attend all meetings. You know, act like a real doctor does. Not that I care. There's usually coffee and food. I'll suck it up. At least they removed the ankle monitor."
"Yeah, now you really are a free man."
"Amen."
House was right. Foreman had made sure there was plenty of hot coffee and donuts. There was a woman there that House had never seen, but he focused on getting one of the double chocolate donuts and went to sit down. Once everyone was seated, Foreman cleared his throat and called the meeting to order.
"Well, now that you're all here, we can get down to brass tacks," he said. "I'm not going to waste your time. I'm leaving Princeton Plainsboro. Dr. Hamilton, the doctor I mentored with in Los Angeles, offered me a full partnership in his practice. It's a multi-discipline practice and I'm the head of his Neurology team. My last day is Friday."
There was some quiet mumbling among the doctors but it quickly stopped when Foreman cleared his throat.
"I would like to introduce you all to the new Dean and hospital administrator in a less than formal setting because she doesn't like to stand on formalities. Dr. Jennifer Miller left a position at Mass General to come here, even though she was on the fast track to be named the OB/GYN department head. Regardless of the fact that her family is one of Princeton Plainsboro's largest donors, I feel, and the Board concurs, that she is the best choice to run this hospital."
"I like a woman who knows how her own vagina works," House whispered to Wilson, who coughed to cover up a laugh.
Foreman glared at House before continuing. "So please welcome Dr. Jennifer Miller, the new Dean of Medicine."
There was a round of applause as she stood up and House was able to study her. She was short, but not petite. Her body was on the voluptuous side, something that House didn't always go for, but very fit. He wondered what those full breasts that seemed to be straining against her silk blouse, looked like. Her burgundy colored hair was long and straight, past her shoulders and her green eyes were sharp and alert. He pegged her to be in her late forties, possibly early fifties, but it was difficult to tell. Her skin was near perfect but there was nothing fake about her. She clearly took care of herself, even with a demanding career in Obstetrics.
"Thank you, Doctor Foreman. I'm going to keep this short," she began. Her voice was husky, much like Kathleen Turner, yet it had a crisp tone. "I know how Dr. Cuddy ran this hospital and how good she was as an administrator. I hope to run Princeton Plainsboro along those lines, but there are going to be changes in the day to day operations of this hospital. I'm a hands-on person, and I would like to get to know my staff. I will be scheduling meetings with each and every one of you over the next few weeks, and after that, we will meet monthly. Oh, and don't compare me to Edward Vogler because I have money. My only intention is to make Princeton Plainsboro the premier hospital in the area. I will know everything that goes on here, but I will not interfere in how you run your respective departments. Too much kibbutzing interferes with progress."
House glanced at her and saw that she was staring right back at him. Blue eyes met green and she arched an eyebrow."Do you have a question Doctor..."
"House."
She smiled and nodded. "Yes?"
"Are you going to wear low cut tops and tight skirts like Cuddy did? Oww!" He grimaced as Wilson kicked him under the table.
"I intend to dress as an administrator, doctor. You may or may not approve, but I don't need your approval on my wardrobe."
"I think you might've met your match," Wilson whispered.
"Pfft."
"You're going to put her through the paces, aren't you?"
"Damn right. Gotta see what she's made of."
"Are you two finished with your little chat?" she asked them, looking slightly amused, while Wilson looked embarrassed at being called out.
"Not really, but please continue." House said, giving her one of his crooked smiles.
"Well, we can wait until you've finished your little meeting." She glanced at her watch in an effort to control her laughter. "I have time but I don't know about the other doctors."
"Oh, well played, sir," House said. "Carry on."
The rest of the meeting went fairly quickly before they were all excused, all except House.
"Dr. House, may I have a word?"
"Mhm, I always loved detention," he grinned as he leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee.
"I was going to put this off for a few days, but you're here, I'm here, so I thought no time like the present."
"What do you want to know?"
She shook her head. "Why don't we talk in your office where you'll be more comfortable?"
He frowned. "I'm comfortable here. What's wrong with here?"
"More privacy for one. For all we know, people could be listening outside the door."
"And you think my office will be more private?" He didn't tell her about the glass walls but sighed and got up, using his cane to help him."Then let's go. After you, boss." House said as he held the door for her.
When they arrived at his office she was surprised. It was big, certainly, but there was no measure of privacy except for the blinds.
"Are you the only doctor who has glass walls?"
"Yep."
"And why is that?"
"So Cuddy could keep an eye on me."
"Did it work?"
"Not really. I have various hiding spots around the hospital when I don't want to be somewhere. What about you?"
She blinked. "What about me?"
"What made you decide to take this job? Got sick of delivering babies and staring up hoo-hoo's?"
She coughed to cover up a laugh. "You must've gone to Hopkins."
House grinned in return. "I did."
She then cocked her head to one side and he could almost imagine the light bulb going off over her head.
"Wait a minute... you're not... THE Greg House, are you?"
"Do you know another doctor named Greg House? Because I don't."
Her eyes widened. "I heard that you worked at this hospital but... I thought you were in prison."
"I was paroled due to over-crowding. And then Foreman needed me on a case so they let me go a little earlier. I wore an ankle monitor for awhile but then they took that off. I'm still on parole so I can't screw up or it's right back in the clink."
She smiled. "I've heard a lot about you. Though I'm sure most of it is made up."
"It's not."
She sat up and straightened her skirt. "Well, it is an honor to finally meet you, Dr. House. And despite what Dr. Cuddy warned me about you, I'm still willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I look forward to working with you."
"What did the estimable Lisa Cuddy have to say about me?" House wondered out loud. "And when did you talk to her?"
Before he could grill her further, she startled him with her proposal.
"I don't suppose you'd like to just... have dinner or maybe even a coffee, would you?"
He blinked. "Are you asking me out, Dr. Miller?"
"Jenny," she said, "and yes, I guess I am. You were a legend at Hopkins. Hell, you still are. They still talk about you."
"Oh yeah? What do "they" say, and what did Cuddy tell you about me?"
"If you agree to have dinner with me I'll tell you."
"Ooo blackmail. So ethically wrong. I like it."
"I thought you would. So how about it?"
"I don't think that's a very good idea, do you? "
Her face fell. "No, you're probably right. Oh well, can't blame a girl for trying. See you later, Dr. House."
"Just call me House. Everyone else does."
"And you can just call me Dr. Miller. Everyone else does," she said with a smile before she left.
XXX
"So you had your little meet and greet with Miller?" Wilson asked House over lunch. "How did that go?"
"She asked me out."
Wilson started sputtering and coughing on his sandwich as House gave him a couple hard hits on the back to clear his throat.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"What did you say?"
"I said no, of course."
"You said no?"
"Well why the hell would I say yes?"
"Why the hell would you say no? In the board room, she was staring at you like you were the appetizer, main course, and desert!" Wilson hissed.
"Do you really think I'm going to do anything with her? After what I went through with Cuddy? Do you really think I want to make that mistake twice?"
"How do you know it would be the same thing? You don't even know her."
"That's right. I don't. And I'm sure as hell not going to do anything with her, either."
"Then do you mind if I do?"
House looked surprised, then started laughing. "Not at all. Care to make a little wager?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"A hundred bucks says you can't score on the first date."
"I'll take that bet. You're on."