A/N: So you guys liked chapter 1? Cool :) Thanks to those who read/commented, and to those who just read. Here's chapter two.

Disclaimer: I don't own House or any of its characters. The rest of them belong to ME.

Chapter Two

"I'll take my winnings in one new crispy bill," House told Wilson as they sat at the bar watching the football game.

"You know where you can stick your hundred," Wilson muttered under his breath.

"Hey, nobody likes a sore loser. What's wrong? Is she frigid or something?"

"Or something. I don't know. Maybe she's not into guys. I pulled out all the stops and she didn't bite. She seemed more interested in you than anything else."

"Really?"

"Yeah really. So maybe you should just go out with her so she can find out what she wants to know and you can find out what Cuddy said about you. I know it's driving you crazy."

"If I went out with her it would be all over the hospital like wildfire. I don't need that shit."

His phone dinged, indicating a new email, and House grumpily checked it, but what he saw was a surprise.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"Check your email."

Wilson took out his phone and checked.

"Cool, she's having a New Year's Eve party for the department heads. This is your chance to find out what her agenda is in a more casual setting."

House perused the address at the bottom of the email.

"Nice part of town," Wilson said. "If memory serves, it's that huge brick townhouse complex that I drive by on the way to and from work. She's gotta have some serious money to live there."

"Of course she has money. She's one of the biggest donors to this hospital. Without her, we wouldn't have all that nice equipment."

"She did mention one thing to me," Wilson said as he sipped his beer. "She said she has plans for you."

"In those exact words?"

"Yeah. But she didn't elaborate. She knows we're friends so she probably dropped that hint knowing I'd tell you. So I guess we're going to this party, huh?"

"I love a good party. And it's good she lives in Jersey. I'd need to clear it with my probation officer if she lived in New York or Philly."

"She mentioned she has a home in Massachusetts too, so the townhouse must be home base. She's old money, House. Real old money. Don't screw this up so she leaves and takes it with her."

"She wouldn't do that. She likes the hospital too much to just leave. And I'm pretty sure Cuddy did her best to try and talk her out of running PPTH, and failed miserably. I wouldn't be surprised if Cuddy or the Board tried to tell her ways to control the uncontrollable but gifted Gregory House, the best asset Princeton Plainsboro has ever had."

"You seem to be behaving yourself for the most part."

"That's because she hasn't been bugging me to do clinic duty."

"Yeah, I wonder what's up with that? She hasn't been bothering me either. Guess it's something else for you to get to the bottom of."

House grinned wickedly. "Oh I will."

XXX

House and Wilson pulled up to Jenny's townhouse and parked. They could hear the music from the sidewalk as they made their way to the front door.

"Sounds like it's already rockin'," House said as he rang the doorbell.

The door opened to reveal an older lady dressed like a housekeeper.

"Welcome to Dr. Miller's residence. Your names, please? All visitors are announced."

"Fancy shmancy," House said as he removed his jacket and handed it to her.

"Just tell her the party can officially start now that House and Wilson are here."

A man came by with a tray carrying champagne flutes. "Champagne?"

"Absolutely."

They were escorted into the main living room which was very lavishly decorated for the holidays but Jenny was nowhere to be seen. At least, not at first. House spotted her in the corner of the room talking to someone, champagne in hand. When she saw House, she smiled and quickly excused herself from that conversation.

"Well, you made it. Did you bring your team?"

"I told them about it, but they already had plans. So I guess you get me all to yourself."

The smile she gave him was nothing less than feral. "That's just the way I wanted it. What are you drinking?"

"Champagne for now," he grinned at her as he leaned back against the wall.

She sipped from her own flute and then seemed to be thinking about what to say next. "You know, Dr. Cuddy and I had a very interesting meeting and I have to say I'm rather surprised that most of what she told me about you hasn't come to pass."

"How did you meet Cuddy?"

"That's an interesting story."

"One that I'd like to hear."

"Well then, follow me. I have something to show you in my study."

"I'll bet," he leered as he followed her through the main living area into the study. On her desk were some blueprints.

"Take a look," she said as she pointed to them.

"What is it?"

"Plans for your office. I gather Wilson told you that I had them."

"He wasn't very specific." He wandered over to the prints and stared at them. It looked the same except the glass walls were gone.

"No more glass walls?"

"Nope. I found it appalling that you were the only doctor who had glass walls, and even more appalling that department heads were required to do clinic duty, yet you were the only one who actually got harassed about doing them."

When he looked at her in question, she shrugged. "I talked to quite a few people. None of the other department heads were doing hours in the clinic. Just you. It wasn't fair. As far as I'm concerned the interns and fellows can work clinic, and if push comes to shove, there is enough money in the budget to hire a staff specifically for the clinic. The only time other doctors would be in the clinic is for a consult or to fill in. It's beneath you and a waste of your talents. Cuddy was a controlling bitch, wasn't she?"

House wanted to kiss her for that comment, but instead sipped his champagne. He'd barely finished it when a server appeared to offer him another one, which he took.

"I'm surprised you didn't leave years ago. I would have, given those conditions." she added.

He shrugged. "Nobody else would hire me because of my attitude."

"Not true," she said as she sipped her own drink. "I've been to several hospitals and not one of them has said they wouldn't hire you. You're world famous, Dr. House. While your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, your brilliant mind trumps attitude. I guess it comes down to whether someone is going to want the doctor who holds their hand and cries with them in their last hours, or the prick with the knowledge that will save a life. Because when that day comes, I'll want the prick and so will you. Cuddy poisoned your mind, making you believe you had no other choice but to stay. It's quite sad. You were her slave in shackles and she held the key. Was it like that in your personal relationship too?"

House was flabbergasted.

"It is what it is. So you haven't answered my question about how you met her."

"Cuddy was placed on administrative leave after your little run in with her house. When she heard you were being released early, she frantically began putting out job feelers. Gossip being what it is, Mass General was her only option. I was under contract at Mass General for another six months at the time and couldn't take the job right away, so Dr. Foreman was named interim Dean until my contract was up. Once she knew where I was headed, she pulled out all the stops trying to convince me to stay where I was. It was a very vicious conversation."

"I'll bet it was."

"I was surprised, and believe me, it takes a lot to surprise me anymore. Most of her rant revolved around you. She tried to make it clear that unless I could "control" you, the hospital would go to hell in a hand basket, but my track record convinced the board I was the right person for the job. That my family is one of the hospital's largest benefactors didn't hurt either, nor did the fact that I have run a hospital before, albeit on an even smaller scale than Princeton Plainsboro. I'm no rookie. The comments I got from the departments heads I've already spoken with were mixed but all in all, you're respected at that hospital. In short, I believe we can work together just fine."

"So far so good."

"I've written up a new contract for the department heads. Here's yours," she said as she slid it towards him across the desk. "Look it over, have your lawyer check it, if you like. I need it back by next week. Changes can be made if necessary but I think you'll find it fair. When was the last time you got a raise, Dr. House?"

He thought. "It's been...awhile."

She handed him an envelope. "Your Christmas bonus. Things are going to change at PPTH but for the better, I promise."

"I believe you," he said as he took the envelope and shoved it in the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Not going to look at it?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Why not?"

He shrugged and took the envelope back out and ripped it open. Inside was a check for five thousand dollars.

"Wow."

Jenny smiled and he looked at her, somehow really seeing her for the first time. She really was strikingly beautiful for someone that he still guessed to be in his age bracket. Most women were showing signs of wear and tear by now, but she wasn't, and House's experienced eye told him she had not paid any plastic surgeon a visit for anything.

"I really would like to get to know you better, Dr. House."

"Why?"

She seemed thrown by that question but she recovered quickly.

"Because you intrigue me. I like smart men and handsome ones at that."

"Workplace romances are never a good idea, especially if I'm one half of the relationship."

"You could be right, but let's agree to disagree on that point, at least for the time being, okay? In the mean time, what harm is there in being good friends? None that I can see. I want to get to know you. Find out if all those stories and rumors about you at Hopkins and Michigan state are true."

"That was a long time ago."

"Yeah, but some people don't change," she smiled.

"What about Wilson?"

"Dr. Wilson is very nice, but I'm not interested in him."

"Every woman is interested in Wilson. He's the Panty-Peeler of PPTH."

"Doesn't mean that I am. I'm just not attracted to him that way. He's a little too young for me anyway. Too... what do you call it? Boy-next-door."

She was standing very close to him and he could smell her perfume. A very subtle rose scent. "Think about my invitation, Greg," She said softly as she ran her hand down his arm. "It's just dinner. That's all it has to be."

There was a knock on the door and the housekeeper entered. "Madame, you have some more guests."

"Thank-you, Pat. I'll be right out."

Jenny smiled at House as she put down her empty glass. "Enjoy yourself tonight, Greg. But I am hoping for a kiss at midnight. You will stick around, won't you?"

House returned to the party and picked up another flute of champagne and a canapé.

"Well? What happened?" Wilson asked.

"After she showed me my new office plans and gave me my Christmas bonus, she asked me out again and told me to stick around for the festivities at midnight."

"Which you're not going to, are you?"

"Not a chance."

"Well then, find your own way home. I didn't come here to just leave before the party really gets going, which is, as you know, after midnight. Besides, what's so bad about a kiss at midnight?"

"Nothing, unless it's with your boss."

"It's New Year's, House. Everyone kisses everyone. It's just the way it is. What's the matter, scared you might enjoy it too much?"

"I'm not scared."

"Good. Then we're staying. Now drink up and maybe you'll loosen up."

The TV was on, live from Time's Square and it was ten minutes to midnight. House was very mellow, having switched from champagne to Scotch and he lounged on the couch watching everyone else. He didn't often go to parties with his colleagues because he liked to keep his work life separate from his private life. So why was he even there?

Because Jenny Miller is a puzzle and you never could walk away from a puzzle, his inner voice all but spat back at him. He sighed. At least it wasn't Amber or Kutner's voice but his own. It still didn't make him feel any better.

He finished his Scotch and got up to hit the bar for another one just as people started to count down to midnight. New drink in hand, he was accosted by several females on the way back to his seat, ducking and dodging them as much as possible until he was face to face with Jenny. Her eyes were bright with amusement and something else. Malice, perhaps? She was smiling at him as her hands slid up his chest to cup his face.

"A promise is a promise."

"I haven't forgotten. Prepare to have your world rocked." He leaned over and kissed her, his mouth crashing onto hers in a feverish urgency that surprised even him. But her hands slid down his back and wrapped around his waist as she pressed her body against his.

He was jostled as someone walked past and the kiss ended all too quickly. When he glanced up, he noticed Wilson smirking and making a "shame, shame" gesture with his hands. He smirked back as Jenny released him.

"Well my, my, my," Jenny said with a smile, her lips were a little pink from whisker burn. "I could get used to that."

House didn't say anything as he sipped his Scotch and headed back to his comfy recliner where he remained until he finished his drink. He looked for Wilson and pointed to his watch, signifying that it was time to go and his friend nodded. Once they had their coats,

Jenny met them at the door. "I hope you enjoyed yourselves. Thanks for coming."

"It was a great party," Wilson said. "Thanks for inviting us. You have a very nice place."

"Thank you. I'll see you two on Monday."

"Yep, gotta go," House said and started walking out to the car.

Wilson smiled apologetically at Jenny. "I think you managed to overwhelm him."

"Not an easy task, I take it? Interesting."

"Jenny... there's something you need to know about House..."

"Hey, are we going or what?" House shouted to him as he leaned against the car.

"We'll talk on Monday," Jenny nodded and smiled back at Wilson. "Drive safe."

"Thanks."

She stood in the doorway and waved once they were in the car and watched them drive off. Sighing, she turned and went back to her party.

A/N: If you want to know what Jenny's townhouse looks like, google this address:

18 Paul Robeson Place Princeton, New Jersey 08540 United States

It's on the market right now and there are pictures of the interior. And if you think that's nice, wait until you see the place I have in mind for her home in Mass. ;) Thanks for reading :)