Chapter 1
She came through the entrance hallway, being just after midnight the lighting was dim but she could hear music coming from behind her neighbors' door. She stood close and listened – as she had a few times since moving into the building – she could hear Bessie Smith "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out". She closed her eyes to let the sounds through to her soul, then she jumped as she heard the thump-step come closer to the door, she opened her eyes with a start and smiled to herself, she liked his taste in music she thought as she moved away and opened her own door.
She let herself in the lights were still on so she called out "Hi sweetie I'm home!" getting no response she moved through to the living room to find her daughter fast asleep on the couch. She crouched down beside her and ran her fingers through her wild curly hair "Hey sleepy head, I told you not to wait up for me" She said quietly.
Her eyes flicked open and she smiled "Hi Mom, I didn't wait up as you can see I fell asleep" she said sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"I'm going to have a hot chocolate and something to eat, you want anything?" She said standing up
"Hot Chocolate would be nice. How was work?"
"Busy as usual. What about you, how was your day?" She questioned walking towards the kitchen.
"It was ok. Jan put me through my paces again and I got a job interview tomorrow" She said smiling
"Wow! When did that happen! She said coming back with the hot chocolate
"I got confirmation this afternoon. It's for an Internship at Roberts & Carlisle" She said getting a little excited. It was the 1st response she had had to applying for a job.
"Even more Wow! Go You! I'm so proud of you" She said putting her arm around her and pulling her tight "We Got This!" She said laughing and releasing her from the bear hug "What did Jan have you doing?"
"The usual, but with heavier weights and a nice surprise" She said lifting up her right trouser leg "I only have to wear this now instead of the full leg brace!"
"Even better! Maybe we could go out tomorrow night for dinner to celebrate" She beamed from ear to ear.
"Yeah maybe, let's see how the interview goes" She answered casting her eyes downwards. Doubting that once they knew about her medical problems they would even take her on.
"Come on Ells it'll be fine, how can they not want that terrific brain of yours" She said nudging her shoulder.
"Right!" She got off the couch "I'm going to bed. Good night" kissed her Mom on the forehead and went towards her bedroom
"Hey, did Jonah get here ok" She called after her "Yep" was the muted response.
She watched her 24yr old daughter walk off towards her room. She could see by her gait that she was tired and by the way her right arm seemed to hang. On a good day it didn't really notice. The last 2 years had been difficult for them. Having been in a car accident just after she left college her ambitions had been put on hold and opportunities had been missed, which was why when she herself had been offered a promotion in Princeton she had jumped at it. A bigger town, more opportunities and a new start for them.
The timer on the oven beeped, her dinner was finally ready. She poured herself a glass of wine, turned off the lights and turned on some music. The 1st song that came on the blues channel was Bessie Smith "Nobody Knows You When You are Down and Out" she smiled to herself as she ate her Lasagne…..that song was everywhere tonight.
House had been in the Clinic for a couple of hours, at last he called his last patient "Jonah Schwartz" he called. To his surprise a blonde haired blue eyed boy came walking towards him followed by someone he thought he recognised.
"What's up Doc! Didn't realise you were actually a Doctor" She said laughing. No way she would have pinned him as being a doctor. Saying nothing House followed them into Exam Room 2.
"So, what's the problem?" House asked impatiently
"Headaches and joint pain" Came the response
"That's it!" House exclaimed he hated time wasters
"Yeah, but it's getting worse" Countered the boy
"Go. To. Your. GP!" House answered in his acerbic tone
"I would but I don't live here" He said looking at Ella
"He flew in a couple of days ago. I made him come because he said he didn't feel well as soon as he got here" She said seriously, realising House wasn't joking around.
What was he supposed to do with that. Not much to go on. So he took his temperature, checked his body for a rash and put the penlight in his eyes to see how sensitive they were. All tests were negative so no Meningitis. "Ok, so take 2 of these 4 times a day for 7 days" he said passing Jonah a prescription.
"What are they?" Questioned Jonah
"Anti-Inflammatory's" Stated House as he walked out of the door.
They looked at each other as they were left in the room. "He has a great bedside manner" Ella said to Jonah
"You know him?" Questioned Jonah in disbelief
"He's a neighbor – I've bumped into him a couple of times" she responded vaguely. "Come on lets go we have a gig to get to!" She said playfully pulling him off of the exam table.
Ella said goodnight to Jonah, she got out of the cab with guitar in one hand and keys in the other. It was a little after 1.30am, they had had a great night at The Yard. She had even got to play. But now she was tired and a little tipsy which made her coordination a little off. As she went through the entrance hallway she turned to wave good bye and carried on walking only to have her guitar fall out of her grip and then for her to fall over it. "Sha-it" she cursed more or less at House's front door.
He stood at the turntable debating what to put on next when he heard a thud and a curse just outside his door, and not for the 1st time. He opened the door to find his neighbor sprawled in a heap with the guitar case. She looked up at him as she heard the door open "What's up doc?"
"Is the guitar ok" He asked
"She's a tough case to crack" came the witty response as she sat herself up and made ready to get up.
He noticed how she swiftly manoeuvred her right leg into place using only her left hand, but with such practised motion that nobody else would probably notice. He knew those moves.
"You don't have to keep throwing yourself at my door you know it's annoying" He grumbled
"I'll remember that, next time I fall I'll fall the other way" She said finally getting up
"Need a hand" He said gesturing to the guitar case
"Nope, I got it" She retorted reaching for the case.
"You play that" he asked
"Nope, just carry it around for fun!" She said limping off to her apartment
"You might want to tune it before you don't use it next time!" He called after her. To which he received the middle finger. He chuckled to himself, stepped back inside his apartment and closed the door. Put some Muddy Waters on the turntable, poured himself a scotch, sat on the couch and listened to the tunes for a while atleast.
After a restless night and seemingly endless pacing of his apartment, he decided to go for a ride on his bike. The skys were clear and the morning was still very young so traffic would be light. It took him a while to get ready, he collected his helmet put on his jacket found his keys and headed for the door. As he came out the girl was standing at the mail boxes.
"What's up Doc" She said quietly
Ignoring her remark he continued to lock his door. "You do know there is no mail on Sundays right?" he quipped
"Yep, but I forgot to check it yesterday" She said continuing her chore.
House turned to leave and noticed she had a splint on her right hand. "You hurt yourself when you fell last night?" He questioned as always concerned
"Nope, just having one of those days" She answered turning towards him. He knew all about those. She noticed the helmet in his hand and smiled "That your bike outside. The orange one with the graze down the side" She questioned
"Yep" was the short response
"Is that how you hurt your leg?" She asked bravely
"Nope" he answered moving towards the street door.
"Take me for a ride" She appealed
"Yeah right! Your Mom would love that!" He chided
"Considering she rides one herself I doubt she would care" She said with a playful smile.
"Maybe some other time" He said exiting the lobby into the street and onto his bike he wasn't in the mood for company.