A/N – Now we're getting some House and his team. I wanna thank momsboys for coming up with the idea(s) for the second half of this chapter, and for reviewing in general.

Chapter 5

First Client

Two and a half weeks later:

Well, Ginger did it. Kind of. She did go two weeks without getting in too much trouble, but she still talked back to the teachers (making smart remarks, of course), not doing her homework, and tormenting some of her poor classmates.

In two and a half weeks, Shop was ready to open. Ariel was good at moving things along at a fast pace. The main area was an off-beat café area. There were small, round wrought-iron tables with two to four matching chairs each.

The walls were white, with all different shades of all kinds of colors swirled in no particular pattern. The floor was made up of classic black and white tiles. The counter matched the walls, and a display case for baked goods sat next to it.

The lighting in the main area came from several sets of fixtures where the wires ran inside metal bars, forming squares, with a small light in each corner.

The kitchen held brand-new state of the art appliances, and was fully stocked. A huge coffee machine sat on a second counter behind the first. And finally, the staff was all hired.

In two and a half weeks Ginger became friends with Marcia. The first time she brought her over to help, Ariel decided that she was a wonderful young girl. She had shoulder-length blonde hair that had a slight curl, and big hazel eyes, and she dressed a bit conservatively, which was fine with her.

Yes, Ariel thought that Marcia would do her daughter a world of good.

Of course, after a few days, the girls seemed to be inseparable. Ariel had met with the Owens, and the three adults too had become fast friends. Marcia's parents saw no problem with their daughter spending the afternoons at the café, seeing as they both worked late anyway.

Everything was perfect, and Shop would be opening its doors for the first time tomorrow.

The phone rang, which wasn't surprising, as they had been getting calls all week asking when they'll be opening.

The girls were occupied with their homework, so Ariel answered. "Hello? This is Ariel Price."

"Yes, hello? Is this Shop?" a woman's voice asked.

"Why, yes it is. We will be opening tomorrow at 7 am sharp." Ariel told the lady.

However, instead of thanking her and hanging up, she continued, "Yes, my name is Lisa Cuddy, I'm the Dean of Medicine at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. I'm calling because in one week, we will be hosting a major medical conference, and we'd like you to cater."

She was startled at the request, but delighted by it all the same. "Mrs. Cuddy-"

"Dr. Cuddy," she interrupted.

"Dr. Cuddy, I'm delighted at your request, and accept. Shop would love to cater your conference. When can we set up a meeting?"

She could hear some ruffling of papers on the other end, and waited patiently for her to speak again.

"I know that it is terribly inconvenient, what with opening your café, but I only seem to be free tomorrow afternoon. Is there any way you could make it?"

Ariel bit her lip for a moment, thinking. "What time, Dr. Cuddy?"

"4 o'clock," was the reply.

With an inward sigh, she spoke, "I suppose I can do that. I don't see why not."

"Good. I'll see you at 4 sharp then, Ms. Price," Cuddy said, sounding relieved.

"4 sharp," she repeated before they hung up.

Ginger glanced up, saying, "So you're going to open this place tomorrow, and take on your first client here who needs everything done in a week?"

With a deep breath, Ariel replied, "I guess so."

The next day had been going smoothly. They have been getting a great turn out all day, and not one call from Ginger's principal.

After school let out, Ginger and Marcia walked into the café, a bit surprised at how many people were there.

Ariel had been getting ready to go to her meeting with Dr. Cuddy when she spotted the girls. She cursed in her head, realizing that it might not be the best idea to leave them (Ginger) alone here with all the new customers and staff not yet used to her antics.

With a sigh, she went up to the girls, and told them they were going with her.

She piled the girls in the car, and left for the hospital. When they reached their destination, they went inside.

Ariel was wondering what she would do with her daughter and friend, when she saw a sign for the cafeteria. She gave them some money to get a snack or drink.

After watching her mom go into the office, Ginger saw Marcia start to head over to the cafeteria. "Where do you think you're going?" she asked her friend.

Marcia looked over at her, and said (a bit confused), "Um that way?"

"Uh-uh," Ginger shook her head, "We're going exploring." With that, she grabbed Marcia's hand and led her to the elevators. When one arrived, they got in with the only other person, a new-looking nurse.

Grinning an evil smile, Ginger started making animal sounds, stopping and looking innocent when the young women turned to look at her. Marcia just ignored her.

The lady got off at the first stop, the third floor. Deciding that this was as good of floor as any, Ginger pulled her friend with her.

Ginger was talking animatedly to her about her latest plan to prank Mrs. Barnes (while walking backwards) when she bumped into someone.

Whirling around, she saw it was some old guy, who used a cane and needed a shave. He glared at her, telling her to watch where she's going.

With a short fuse herself, Ginger was about to snap back when she felt Marcia put a hand on her shoulder. She remembered that she really didn't need to get into trouble with whoever's her mom's client.

The elevator dinged, doors opening, and three people, two men and a woman walked out and over to the cane-man.

"House, the patient is…who is that?" the cute man with an Australian accent asked.

She couldn't help but snort. The man, House, glared at her, and demanded to know what's so funny.

"Well, who's ever heard of a name as dumb as House," she said with a smile. Marcia was behind her, trying hard not to smile.

House glared even more menacingly, asking, "Oh yeah? Well, what's your name then?"

He was completely aware that his team was watching, and that Wilson had just appeared around the corner, most likely to talk to him.

Ginger smiled even wider, saying, "Ginger Price. And, before you say anything, I'd rather be named that then House, I mean, seriously, that sounds more like a password to a three year-old's secret fort."

His team and Wilson stared at him, waiting to see what his reaction would be. To everyone's surprise, he burst out laughing.

"That's a good one kid. How old are you?"

Ginger was miffed that he was laughing, and answered grumpily, "I'll be 16 in a week and a half, what's it to you, old man?"

That earned her a nudge from Marcia. Still chuckling, House looked her over. Pretty tall, dark hair, long face, blue eyes.

He said, "That was a good one, kid."

Still frowning, she muttered, "I'm not a kid."

Smiling, House said, "Sorry? Couldn't hear ya."

Ginger was pretty mad, and she said (practically yelling), "Damn it, I said I'm NOT a kid!"

Wilson and the others were still watching House, thinking he'd gone crazy when everyone heard someone shout, "Ginger Anna Price!"