New story, same disclaimers and stuff apply. I don't own House, blah, blah blah. The title literally translates as "Piece Of My Heart". Enjoy.

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"House!" The sharp voice rang in House's ears just as he was about to exit the hospital. He turned with an exasperated sigh.

"For the last time, Doctor Cuddy..." House bellowed in response. "I will not have your baby!"

Cuddy pressed her lips together in a fine line as she crossed the lobby to meet House. "Did you forget about something today?"

House tilted his head thoughtfully as he leaned heavily on his cane. "Finished my case...avoided clinic duty...nope, can't say that I forgot anything."

Cuddy's lips quirked in a slight smile. "Your memory must be failing you. One of your former patients, his lawyer, and our lawyer are all eagerly awaiting your presence in my office."

House rolled his eyes and started to turn away. "And they can just keep on waiting."

House felt a tug on one of his backpack straps, and turned to see Cuddy still smirking at him. "I don't think so."

House huffed in mild irritation. If he went now, he could get this farce over with quickly and be happily parked in front of his TV with the remote in his hand within half an hour. He glared at Cuddy's hand, and the petite woman let go of the backpack.

"So, what heinous crime am I accused of this time? Curing the patient of some horrible disease that no other doctor could diagnose?" House intoned mockingly.

Cuddy said nothing as House followed her into her office and closed the door behind him. The hospital lawyer was making notes while two women chatted intently on the couch.

"Let's get this show on the road." House announced as he plopped down in the empty chair. "Got a monster truck rally waiting for me at home on the TiVo."

Cuddy shot House a withering look as she sat down behind her desk. She turned to the two women on the couch. "Please, go ahead."

The older and better dressed of the two women straightened up, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "My client does not speak English. I will gladly translate for her."

"Oh, this should be fun." House muttered, slumping down in the chair and thumping his cane between his legs.

"I suggest you keep your mouth shut for a change." The hospital's lawyer hissed at House. He gestured to the other lawyer to continue.

The other lawyer nodded, seeming to ignore House's comment. "Doctor Cuddy, my client is suing this hospital and Doctor House for wrongful death." She explained. "She asserts that had Doctor House and his team discovered his condition earlier, he would still be alive."

House groaned internally. If he had a nickel for every time a patient's family member said that, he'd be so rich he could retire from medicine.

"Did Doctor House ever speak to you or your husband?" The hospital's lawyer asked the woman.

The other lawyer quickly translated, and the woman responded in rapid fire Spanish. "She says no, only at the end, when her husband was dying. She only had contact with the other members of House's team.." She waited for her client to explain further. "A young woman and a blond man."

House snorted. That wasn't exactly what the woman said, if his understanding of Spanish was correct. "Now, now...Thirteen in no way resembles a female dog, and Chase...well, you might be right. He may very well be gay. Guess we'll have to drag in his ex-wife as a witness."

The other lawyer's eyes went wide at House's statement. "This is no joking matter, Doctor House. My client's life has been ruined due to your negligence."

"Negligence is kind of a strong word, don't you think?" House answered casually. "Perhaps if his wife had been more forthcoming about her husband's chronic condition, my team wouldn't have wasted precious hours on a wild goose chase."

The other lawyer frowned thoughtfully and turned to her client, conversing quietly. House caught a few key phrases, suppressing a smile. The lawyer delicately cleared her throat and addressed the hospital lawyer and Cuddy.

"My client would very much like to avoid the stress of a trial." She explained. "I'm sure that we can come to an acceptable out of court settlement."

House snorted derisively. The woman didn't have a leg to stand on and she knew it. No wonder she had told her lawyer to drop the whole thing.

He pushed himself to his feet, observing as the lawyers shook hands with each other and with Cuddy, then followed the small crowd out of the office and into the lobby.

The lawyer and her client were nearly to the exit when House caught up to them. "Maria Velasquez." He intoned, causing both women to jump. "You've been chasing that ambulance long enough. Don't you think it's time you caught the damn thing?"

The lawyer spoke quickly to the woman, sending her on her way before turning to face House. Even in heels, she barely reached his chest. That didn't stop her from narrowing her eyes and staring intently at him.

"Gregory House." Her voice carried the barest hint of an accent as she addressed House. "It has been a very long time." She tilted her head ever so slightly at him. "How long would you say, twenty-five years?"

"Something like that." House nodded, alternately amused and unnerved at the unexpected meeting.

Maria nodded in response, seeming to ponder the exchange. "Yes, twenty-five years have passed, and you still make me want to do this..."

She reached up and slapped House hard across the face, catching him completely off guard. "Hijo de puta." She hissed angrily before turning quickly on one heel and striding out of the building.

House ignored the titters and murmurs around him as he rubbed at his stinging cheek. The woman was as full of fire as she had been all those years ago. Even as he wondered what the hell Maria was doing here, in Princeton, a part of him wondered if that fiery personality still carried over into other areas of her life.

Suddenly, House hoped like hell that it did.

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