A/N: This is a story which I hope will get finished. I posted this chapter to see if anyone is interested and would like to keep reading. I realize I haven't posted anything in awhile so I thought I'd give you guys a treat. This takes place pre-infarction and is AU for the most part. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own House or Wlson, they belong to FOX. Everyone else is my creation.

Chapter One

"Loser, loser, major loser…"

Gin rolled her eyes and took another sip of her Bellini while her colleague, Lise, continued to rate the other guys in the bar.

"Too angry, too bored. Good God, too happy. Oh, look at that one. Last time I saw a mouth like that it had a hook in it."

Gin laughed and choked when the liquid went down her throat the wrong way, earning a strong pat on the back from her friend, Lise. When she finished her drink, she started to gather her things. "I gotta go."

"Oh come on, have another Bellini."

Gin stared at the empty cocktail glass and made a face. "Ughh, I can't."

"Come on, it's early."

"I'm tired, Lise. Tired of everything."

Lise frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm sick of this place. I gotta get out of here."

"Go where? It's all the same. The men are all the same."

"I don't need a man."

"Says you. I'm sick of seeing you staying home all the time."

"If there is someone out there for me, I haven't found him yet. But I know that once I do, I'll know it. That said, I guess I should tell you now, since you'll probably hear about it through the grapevine."

Lise's eyes narrowed. "Tell me what?"

"I put in for a transfer a couple months ago and it got approved."

"And when were you planning on telling me this?"

"When I found out where it is I'm going. I just found out today they're sending me to PHX."

Lise thought about it for a second. "They're sending you to Phoenix? As in Arizona? Are you insane?"

"Probably, but I need a change. Vancouver is nice and all but I've lived here for most of my life and nothing exciting ever happens."

"Why not go back to Missing Persons? You were good at that."

"Too depressing."

"What about the DEA? You liked that."

"Too dangerous. Besides, I like Border Patrol. It keeps me on my toes and it's fun to see people's faces when they've been found out."

"You get that here."

"Not as much as I would in the states. It's pretty calm here by comparison. When was the last time you took down a drug kingpin or a mule from Thailand?"

Lise thought and then shrugged. "I can't remember."

"Exactly my point. I came out here to help my dad, but now that he's gone, I've got no reason to stay. And I always felt at home in Phoenix. We used to go there in the summer when I was a kid. You should come with me," Gin suggested. "Besides, I can't go and leave you alone with guys like that. Look," she pointed to a couple of men who walked into the bar. One was tall, lean, and scruffy but had very striking blue eyes. "You'd hurt yourself."

Lise looked in the direction Gin was pointing and saw the younger man with the brown eyes and boy-next-door looks standing next to him. "Which one?"

"The good looking one."

"They both are."

"Okay then the scruffy, taller one."

"He's alright, if you like that type."

Gin continued to watch the tall, blue eyed man in the grey newsboy cap. He was the complete opposite of his friend who was wearing a suit, since he was in jeans, a wrinkled shirt and a leather jacket.

Just then, the scruffy one looked over at her and their eyes locked.

"I see what you mean," Lise muttered. "Hot damn! Now that's a tall glass of water. Let's go talk to him."

"No!" Gin laughed as she grabbed onto Lise's arm. "We're going. I have to be at work tomorrow."

"Since when has that stopped you? And your shift doesn't start till almost noon, so your argument is invalid. Besides, karaoke is going to start in a bit."

"Oh no, I'm not singing tonight. My throat hurts."

"Bullshit. Have another bellini and you'll be singing a different tune. Ha! See what I did there?"

Gin rolled her eyes but sat back down while Lise ordered them another round.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Wilson asked House as they sat at the other end of the bar and sipped their beer.

"How could I not? She's been staring at me since we walked in."

House observed the taller woman with interest. She was younger than he, but not by much. He guessed probably in her mid to late thirties. She had very short dark hair with some blonde streaks and a very athletic figure. Or at least her upper body was. He could see the muscle definition in her arms and shoulders with the tank top she wore. When she caught him looking, she immediately turned away and he snorted a laugh.

"What?" Wilson asked.

"Nothing. You should go talk to them. See what they want."

Wilson laughed. "Why me?"

"Because you want to."

"I'll start off subtle and work my way up from there. Bartender, another round for the ladies at the end."

Gin was finishing off her Bellini when the bartender slid two more drinks in front of them.

"Hey, um, we didn't order these," she scowled.

"They're from the gentleman," the bartender said and pointed at Wilson.

Lise glanced over and giggled.

"Nice! Chivalry isn't dead after all. Now we have to go talk to them."

"Go ahead. I'm staying right here.

"Chicken."

"Trollop."

Lise walked over to the two men while Gin watched, nursing her new drink. Five minutes later, Lise returned with the two men.

"Gin, this is James and his friend, Greg. They're doctors from out of town."

"Hi."

"Guys, this is my good friend, Virginia Wolfe, although everyone just calls her Gin."

"Your parents book lovers?" House asked her as he stood next to her.

"Yes, as a matter of fact."

"And what about the Gin? Is that due to a love of Gin and Tonic or…."

"No, it's just Gin."

"Hey, why don't we grab a booth?" Wilson asked them as he pointed to an empty one in the corner of the bar. "It's a little quieter over there."

The only thing Gin wanted to grab was a taxi so she could go home and get away from was getting some very strong male dominating vibes coming from Greg, which didn't surprise her. She could definitely feel that he was the alpha male in his friendship with James Wilson. Although James was giving off his own vibes of being somewhat of a womanizer, he seemed very reserved. Still, Gin sensed he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"So what brings you fine gentlemen to Beautiful B.C.?" Lise inquired once they were settled with a fresh round of drinks.

"This guy thought it would be cooler than L.A.," House griped as he glared at Wilson.

"It is that," Lise said with a smile at Wilson, who grinned back at her. "Excellent choice."

"Don't encourage him. He's on the hunt for the next ex Mrs. Wilson."

"Oh you poor thing," Lise purred as she moved a little closer to the younger man. House merely rolled his eyes.

Gin watched Lise with awe. She was definitely on the prowl and had Wilson in the cross-hairs.

"So how long are you in town?" Gin inquired, trying to draw House into the conversation.

"We're just passing through," House said in between sips.

"Where were you before this?"

"Hawaii."

"That would explain the wicked tans," Lise smiled. "Do any surfing?"

"Some, but it was mostly pretty laid back."

"Emphasis on the laid part," House leered at Gin, who rolled her eyes. If he was trying to get her attention, he had it.

"Well, why not? You're on vacation, after all. If that's what it takes to recharge the batteries, so be it."

"The vacation isn't over yet," House said with another leer in Gin's direction.

"So what do you do?" Wilson asked Lise.

"I work Border Security at YVR, so does Gin."

"Ooo frisk anyone lately?"

"Mmm, no, but I'm sure that could be arranged," Lise purred at Wilson. She was already practically in his lap and Gin had had enough. She emptied her glass and picked up her purse.

"Well, as entertaining as this is, I need to get some sleep, so I'll be going. G'night everyone."

As she stood outside on the curb to wait for a cab, House came out. "Leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, I have an early shift."

"Just when we were getting to know each other."

"We weren't actually."

A taxi pulled up and House opened the door. "We'll share it. I'm heading back to our hotel anyway. Wilson and your hell cat girlfriend can find their own way home. I'd just as soon not catch a live show."

Gin shrugged and moved across the seat so he could get in.

"Aquarius Mews, Yaletown," she told the driver, and sat back, closing her eyes. It really wasn't that late, but she had put in a full day and it was catching up to her. However, she also knew that she wouldn't be able to get rid of Greg House easily.

The relief was that he wasn't giving off any creepy or dangerous vibes so sharing a cab with him wasn't a big deal.

It wasn't a long drive to her condo downtown and the sun hadn't quite set yet. "Not going to invite me up to see your swanky apartment?" he inquired with a grin.

"It does have quite a view. Want to see it?"

"Lead the way," he said as she paid the driver and got out.

Gin had no idea what possessed her to invite him up to her condo but the one part of her that was attracted to him seemed to be making all the decisions. She unlocked her door and stepped aside to let him in. "Coffee?"

"Sure."

While she set about doing that, House wandered through the living room, taking in the floor to ceiling windows and the setting sun over False Creek.

"Nice place."

"Thanks. I almost hated to sell it."

He turned around. "You're moving?"

"Yep. I've been transferred to the southwest. I leave in a couple of weeks."

"Oh. Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Good. I think. I just need a change."

"I dunno. This place is pretty nice," House said as he continued to wander around and look at things.

"It was my Dad's. He passed away a few months ago so I've updated it a bit with the intent to sell."

"Sorry to hear that."

Gin shrugged. "Everybody dies."

"What was the cause?"

"Complications of Parkinson's. He was pretty strong, and he lasted a lot longer than they said he would. Anyway, how do you take your coffee?"

"Just sugar," he said and then took the mug from her. "How many square feet is this?"

"Just over a thousand. Two bedrooms, two baths. I've gotten a couple of offers so now I'm just waiting to see which one goes through."

"Do I get a tour?"

She shrugged, too tired to care at that point. "Sure, it'll be a quick tour, though."

After showing him the den, her bedroom and then the second bedroom, House took a seat on the bed and bounced a little. "Bed's comfy."

"I wouldn't know."

He held his hand out to her, but she folded her arms across her chest. "What? I'm not doing this."

"What?"

"I'm not coming over there."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't do one night stands."

"Who said it had to be one night?"

"You did. You said you were just passing through. You're probably leaving tomorrow, the old cliche of being gone when I wake up. Thanks but no thanks."

"Actually no. Wilson might be leaving, but I'm in no hurry to get back. In fact, you've given me a valid reason to stay."

"Don't you have a practice or...something?"

"Not at the moment. I'm a free agent. Now c'mere."

Gin weighed the options quickly. He was good looking, sexy, no doubt smart. She hadn't had sex in so long she couldn't remember and he was willing. What was the harm?

She went over and sat down but the feelings and thoughts that rushed over her as soon as she sat hit her like a tidal wave and she stood up like she'd sat on a tack. The tears immediately started and she walked away, covering her face with her hands and sobbed quietly, leaving House completely confused and concerned.

"Hey, what...what's wrong?" he demanded as he stood up and followed her.

Images of her father, in pain, unable to catch his last breath as he lay dying in his bed were too much and she ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Gin?" House called to her as he knocked on the door and tried the knob. When he turned it, the door opened and he found her leaning against the sink as she splashed her face with cold water.

"Sorry…" she muttered. "Just...sometimes I have a hard time."

"It's okay." He grabbed a hand towel off the rack and handed it to her. "I guess it's hard for you to stay here."

"Yeah. That's why I have to leave. Too many memories."

He nodded. "Want me to go?"

"No, it's fine. Go back to the living room, finish your coffee. I'll be there in a minute."

House quietly left and went back to the kitchen where he left his coffee cup and heated it in the microwave for thirty seconds. He did the same for hers and sat down on the couch. He wanted to leave right then, but something about her made him feel like he should stay.

When she entered the room, she was still pale but she smiled at him and sat down. "So where are you staying?"

"The Sutton Place hotel." He reached for her wrist and began taking her pulse, which made her snicker. His hands were warm and soft, though and he seemed very focused on the task at hand.

"Am I going to live, Dr. House?"

"Your pulse is a little too fast. Maybe you should get a stiff drink instead."

"If I had anything. I don't drink."

"You were drinking tonight," he pointed out.

"Yeah and I only had two."

Unsure what to do or say next, he simply took another sip of the coffee and sighed. "So what else is there to do here?"

"Depends on what you like to do."

"Do you run?"

"Yes."

"Where do you run?"

"Along the seawall."

"Where's that?"

"Look outside, you'll see a stretch of road that curves around the marina."

House got up and stood by the window looking out. "I could be down for that. What time do you go?"

"Seven."

"I'll be here tomorrow at seven then," he said as he grabbed his jacket.

"Leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, gotta make sure Wilson gets in okay. His flight leaves tomorrow at noon."

"And you're staying?"

"If you want me to," he said as he put his jacket on. "Do you?"

"I'd like that. I don't get out much."

"Yeah I gathered."

Gin walked him to the door and unlocked it. "Tomorrow morning then?"

"Yeah. I'll be here."

"Great. See you then."

House managed to hail a cab down the street and when he got back to the hotel room, Wilson was already there.

"Strike out?" House chuckled as he started to get ready for bed himself.

"Not at all. Did you?"

"Yes and no. Turns out Virginia Wolfe doesn't do one night stands."

"Lame. Lise was very willing. We never even made it out of the bar before she cornered me as I was leaving the men's room and shoved me into a storage closet."

"I knew she was a hell cat. So how was it?"

"Hot."

House climbed into his bed as Wilson began tossing clothes into his suitcase. "Aren't you going to pack? We leave tomorrow."

"No, you leave tomorrow. I'm staying right here."

Wilson stopped. "What? Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"I thought you were going to start sending out resumes to local hospitals."

"I will. When I get back."

"And when's that?"

House shrugged. "Whenever I get tired of Vancouver." He pulled the covers up to his neck and rolled onto his side, signaling that he was done talking.