Another quiet night in House's life. He was amusing himself at his piano as the hours drained from the last of the day. His vicodin bottle, his audience of one sat atop the piano waiting for lights out. House paused to consider the last few days. It had been too quiet.

Wilson was still away at an Oncology convention. Cuddy was on vacation. Only the ducklings remained for him to torture, but it had been a slow week. Chase was helping out in the ER with Cameron not far behind her boy toy. Foreman was the only victim he had full time access to for the better part of five days. Truth be told, Foreman wasn't much fun anymore. He'd been the surprise of the lot of them, first duckling to get his flight feathers. Soon. All of them would be official. And official meant gone. House reached for his cane and his pills. It was time for bed.

Sleep didn't come easy that night. House watched the minutes change to hours on the LED and pondered his existence. No. He didn't like people that much, but they were a necessary evil sometimes. House was lonely for his playmates. Well, they'd be back soon enough. He'd have to make up for lost time. He hadn't been happy without them all week. House thought to himself, define happy…not now. Sleep.

The annual charity event was tomorrow night. Wilson and Cuddy would be back by then. House closed his eyes and tried again. Things would get back to normal…he just had to make sure he didn't look too happy to see them. A smile came to his lips as he plotted their welcome home. Sleep finally found him with the comforting thought of having all his playthings back in the toy box that was PPTH. Playthings and a party to work were almost too much to ask for. It was something to do on a weekend besides stare at the four walls that seemed to have been closing in on him all week. Lonely…yes, it had been that. House hated himself and his life even more than usual at times like this.

And across town under the starry blanket of night, pink candles burned on a rooftop as two young women lit incense and placed it alongside. A few small additions and preparations foreign to most and they were ready. They gave thanks and said prayers for some wonderful additions to their lives. A smile played at one's lips as she put the finishing touches on their evening….

She touched a match to the edge of a brass bowl and lit the alcohol within. The flames reflected in their happy eyes. Only happy thoughts, for the good of all and harm to none. "…We thank you again for the positive influences in our lives, for the blessings bestowed upon us. When the students were ready the teacher appeared. We were lucky to have her. Goddess Bless, and keep Teach close to your heart. And I know we're not supposed to help unless asked, but it's not really help we're asking for. We only wish Teach could be happy again. She's so all alone." She took a piece of parchment paper from the table and wrote a few words as she put all the positive energy she could in to her writing the simple words, "friend and/or soul mate. Then she carefully folded the paper and tossed it into the flame. "May a kindred spirit and Teach find one another soon. For the good of all and harm to none. And as my will so mote it be."

They watched the paper rendered to ash and the smoke curl upward to the sky. They knew this one would be answered. It would have to be since they was not the only one who asked this night. There was safety and power in numbers, and surely since all three of them had done the same? No, there was no question. Only positive thoughts and pleasant dreams would do tonight.

Everything was put away carefully and it was off to bed. Tomorrow was the beginning of a long, fun day at the big teaching hospital. There was work to do with sound equipment and speakers and all the fun stuff that she and her sister had trained for. And Teach would be by later to check on them and take care of any finishing touches.

She double-checked her notes and other paperwork before bed. Everything was ready. It had been a busy and excellent day for the lot of them. And the benefit would be a big success. After all, they'd been fine tuned by the very best.

Friday morning found House sleeping well past nine. It was almost worth staying home. There wouldn't' be anyone there to disapprove or yell at him. He could stay in bed and rest; avoid the clinic. But it wasn't any fun playing hooky when you weren't going to get in trouble. Might as well get up. His leg wouldn't let him sleep anymore anyhow.

He could go to work and wind up all of the toys in preparation for the big charity ball. And he could do this unimpeded! The cat was away. Her plane would be landing some time today, but she'd be tired and want to get ready for the big event. If Cuddy showed at all it would be much later in the day. Yes, House thought while the hot water poured over him in the shower. He could make a good day out of it, even with such meager pickings to work with.

House decided to start with the nurses on his floor. Branch out as the day took him elsewhere. He winced at the thought of the clinic. But there were some interesting faces in that hole…and there was always the ER. The lovebirds would be hiding there, no doubt. House smiled that self-satisfied smile at the thought of getting a few good zings in there on his way through.

If he tired of the usual he could always make his way to the hall where they'd be starting the preparations for the big event. New faces. New victims. House glanced in the mirror on the way to the coffee pot. No need to shave…serious need of coffee.

End chapter 1