A/N: So I'm here again, with a new House/OC fic. I started this awhile ago and then dropped it to work on INS is Watching and it's been nagging at me so I went back to it. I'm not sure how long this will be or even what will happen. But that's nothing new for me. I do my best writing by the seat of my pants. So just kick back and enjoy. And if you like it, let me know. If I know people are reading it, I'm more likely to be motivated to keep it going before I lose interest :) Thanks!


Disclaimer: I do not own House or any of its characters belonging to the show. Fox owns those. My OC on the other hand, belongs to ME.

Chapter One

"You're really good with kids," Wilson commented as the lady sent a little girl to scamper off and draw her a picture. Her name was Kathryn Walsh, and she was one of the newest big donors of PPTH.

"I like kids," she said with a shrug, as if that explained everything.

"Do you have any?"

"Sadly, no. I just…never found the right man, I guess."

"So you've never been married?"

"Nope. There wasn't a lot of time for that, what with my career and other responsibilities. I didn't feel I needed a man to be happy. That's not to say I wasn't looking. I just…I don't know," she smiled and shrugged. Her smile was infectious and Wilson returned it.

Wilson pegged her for being in her early sixties, but it was hard to tell. She was taller than the average woman, standing at around 5'10" in flat shoes, and her figure was amazing. Everything looked very well put together. Even her complexion was excellent. It complimented her long, blonde hair and blue eyes. It was clear she had taken very good care of herself and had the money to do so.

When news got out that she was donating a very healthy sum of 3 Million dollars to the Oncology department, Wilson was the first to meet her, and he liked what he saw. Then when she offered to volunteer with the children in the Oncology ward, he couldn't say no. Especially since they all seemed to love her on sight. She had a quiet, gentle way about her, but she was fun and the kids flocked to her. Wilson was definitely smitten.

Now he just needed to keep House away from her. Not that she was House's type. He liked them much younger so Wilson wasn't too worried about the competition. He'd just have to play it on the down low. If House got wind of Wilson's interest in her, he'd be all over her in a heartbeat. It would be Nora all over again and he did not want that.

He'd never been with an older woman before and it would be an experience. He wanted to get to know her.

X X X

House heard about the bigwig donor but he had no interest in meeting her. Older women didn't appeal to him so much anyway. He preferred them young, pretty and agile; not old and menopausal.

But when he saw Wilson talking to her in the cafeteria the next day, something about her was very familiar. He never forgot a face, and he'd be damned if he'd forgotten hers. All he knew was that he knew her from somewhere and it would pick at him until he figured it out. Much like the soldier he'd treated some years back.

She was still quite attractive for her age. He figured she was probably in her sixties but she didn't look a day over 50. Her hair still looked naturally blonde, but then she clearly had it done professionally since there weren't any roots showing that he could see.

He entered the cafeteria, picked up a banana and sauntered over to Wilson's table.

"Aren't ya gonna introduce me to your lady friend, Jimmy?" House inquired as he began peeling the banana.

"Hey," she said, causing House to look at her. "Who're you calling a lady?"

He smiled at her and she gave him a dazzling smile right back. "I guess I must have you confused with someone else. You're way too old for my buddy here. You look like you shop at Bed, Bath and the Great Beyond. Ha! See what I did there?"

"House!"
"It's alright, James," she said, placing her hand lightly on his arm. "I've dealt with the likes of him before."

"Oh sweetie, you aint seen nothing yet," House grinned and then walked away, but not before dropping the banana peel on Wilson's tray. Wilson, however, was incredibly embarrassed.

"Sorry about that, Kathryn. He's the PPTH resident asshole."

"Interesting. Is that the infamous Dr. House I keep hearing so much about?"

Wilson was surprised. "You've heard of him?"

"Of course. I don't live under a rock. I might even consider donating some money to his department. If I can get him at a time when he's not being a total prick."

"You're better off talking to Foreman about that. He knows House, worked with him for several years."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. So, if you don't mind my asking, why did you donate to Oncology?"

She hesitated for a minute and then sighed. "I lost my father to bladder cancer years ago. It was too late by the time they discovered it. He went in for prostate surgery and they saw it on an x-ray. He didn't last long. And my Mother died just last year. I promised her I'd do whatever I could to find a cure for cancer. If it meant donating to research, so be it."

"Why this hospital?"

"It's a teaching hospital so I figured my money would do better here."

"You're right. And we're very happy to have it, Miss Walsh."

She smiled. "Please, drop the formality. Call me Kat. Everyone does."

"Okay then. Kat it is."

X X X

House left Wilson alone for the next week since he had a case, but that didn't stop him from spying on the new woman.

He knew she had money, and did some online digging of his own but came up with nothing. Which meant Kathryn Walsh wasn't her real name. She would become his new puzzle. He knew he'd seen her face. If she was big money, and local, she'd be in the news, but again there was nothing.

So he put it aside for awhile and concentrated on his patient. He noticed that Wilson had taken a shine to her and it amused him. Let Wilson have some fun. God knows he needed to get laid. As far as he knew, Wilson was still talking to his dead girlfriend before bed every night the way a child might say his prayers. Ridiculous, House thought, but whatever. Who was he to judge?

On Friday after work, he found his motorcycle low on gas and unable to start. "Son of a bitch…"

"Dr. House!" A female voice called out to him, and he turned to see the mystery woman coming his way. "What's wrong?" she asked when she saw his frustrated and tired expression from fighting with his bike for the last half hour.

"Bike won't turn over. I don't suppose you have AAA?"

She smiled. "I can do one better," she said just as a black limo pulled up alongside them. "Let me take you to dinner, Dr. House. I have something I'd like to discuss that just might interest you."

He looked her up and down, taking in her expensive casual attire and her subtle but intoxicating perfume.

"I never turn down a free dinner, Ms. Walsh." Then he gave her a menacing grin. "If that's your real name."

Kathryn returned his grin with one of her own. "It's not, actually. But we'll discuss that later." The driver had already gotten out and was holding the door open for them to get in.

"My bike…"

"Don't worry. I'll have Chet call the auto club and they'll take care of it. It'll be waiting outside your apartment by the time you come home. Please…" she gestured to the back seat and without a word, he climbed in after her. The door closed and they were on their way. Where, he wasn't sure, but he was curious to find out.


So whaddya think? Are you intrigued enough to read on?

Oh, and FYI, I happen to have an extra ticket to Hugh Laurie's concert in Seattle on June 4th. FRONT ROW CENTER. If you or anyone you know would kill to go to it, send me a PM and I'll give you the details. I'm having a hell of a time selling it for some reason. I bought it for a friend who can no longer go. I thought I might have some luck on here. It's in NINETEEN DAYS so get it while it's hot! Spread the word!

Okay, I'm going to bed now :)