"I entertain by picking brains. Sell my soul by dropping names." Elton John

House made it to work at the usual time. Hangover or not he was in a much better mood and it showed. Cuddy noticed first. House didn't put up much of a fuss over starting the day with clinic duty and it piqued her curiosity. She tagged along as House and Wilson made their way to the cafeteria later that day and tried to corner him about the sudden change in demeanor.

"Barracuda's bringing up the rear." House said nudging Wilson.

"She's curious. Actually, so am I."

"That's her doing. Did she put you up to interrogating me? Is that why the lunch invitation?"

"No, actually Jacqueline wanted to make sure she was on time to pick up her uncle at the airport." Wilson said in his defense. He watched House bristle at the mention of Joaquin.

"A little early for the family thing, isn't it?"

"Actually, Joaquin's here on business." Cuddy chimed in as she caught up to them at the elevator. Cuddy watched as House rolled his eyes but said nothing. "What, no sarcastic comeback, no witty put downs?"

"I think I'll keep them to myself." House glanced from side to side as if checking to make sure the coast was clear. "Wouldn't want the hospital gossips to overhear."

It was Cuddy's turn to roll her eyes as they rode down in the elevator. "You're too quiet."

House thought for a moment. He smirked but said nothing.

Wilson's curiosity was eating away at him as well. He looked accusingly at House. "Why the sudden change? What reason could there be for this almost social personality today?" He asked as the elevator doors opened.

House waited till his two shadows spilled out of the elevator before he spoke next. "Maybe I said to hell with it and decided to get laid last night." House left them open-mouthed and staring as he cruised past them and headed for the cafeteria.

They were quiet in line and quiet till they found a table, but if looks could kill. As soon as everyone was seated House was hit with a barrage of chastising remarks and questions.

"You didn't!" Wilson said.

"House, how could you?" Cuddy whispered.



House nodded at Wilson as he shoveled in the first bite of his Reuben and grinned at Cuddy as he chewed. "Easy." He managed between bites. "Telephone." He reveled in the mortified looks and gasps as he chewed.

"Dial-a-Paula." Wilson said, shaking his head. "House what were you thinking?"

House let Wilson's imagine race. "I gave my brain the evening off and let my other head lead the way." He said as Wilson glared at him.

Cuddy picked at her salad and shook her head. "Paula!" She huffed as she took a bite.

"Who said it was Paula?"

"It doesn't matter who it was, House. It matters who it wasn't!"

"Jesse's not here." House shrugged. "It was time to pick up the phone."

"You're heartless." Cuddy interrupted.

"You're a fine one to talk. You were boinking her old man." House challenged. Cuddy turned red and occupied herself with her salad. House seized the moment. "And now you're boinking her brother. Who's next? Jack?"

Cuddy set down her fork and started to say something. As she looked up she turned even redder and squirmed in her seat. House looked in the direction she was staring. Jacqueline was breezing into the cafeteria with Joaquin not far behind.

"Jesse will never forgive you." Wilson hissed. "And neither will Jacqueline."

"And you'd love to tell her wouldn't you? Snitch!" House grumbled as he watched Jesse's clone and the devil incarnate pick out something to eat in the line. "Listen to both of you, jumping to conclusions. It was Jesse I called, you idiots!" House snapped as he wolfed down some more of his food. "She's almost as good a lay on the phone as she is in the flesh." House said as he inhaled his drink and rose to leave.

"House!" Wilson blinked and shook his head. "Did the two of you bury the hatchet?"

"I buried something. We talked. I'm reeling her in. You kids have fun gossiping. I hope it's all about me." House said as he cruised toward the door and left an open mouthed Wilson and embarrassed Cuddy to greet Jesse's family.

House almost made his escape. He winced as he heard a melodic greeting cooing from across the cafeteria.

"Good-bye, Papa House!"



There were a few titters and raised eyebrows as House turned and made his way toward Jacqueline. "Thing two! How nice to hear you all the way across the room."

Jacqueline batted her eyes and looked too pleased as House scowled down at her. "I thought perhaps you didn't see us."

House gave her a knowing look as he and Joaquin exchanged an uneasy glance.

"Dr. House, how have you been?"

"Just peachy." House smirked waiting for the inevitable.

"And how is my sister? Or do you even care to know?" Joaquin baited.

They glared at one another as Jacqueline's eyes danced between them.

"Funny you don't seem to know. Bad connection these days?" House said, standing his ground.

"Oh, I know more than you think. Jessica and I are very close." Joaquin hissed.

House leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not as close as we were last night." House wiggled his eyebrows. "And that, my friend, is one aspect of your sister that is mine and mine alone. Have a really special day." House gave Joaquin an evil grin leaving no doubt the conversation was over.

Joaquin gave a small nod as they locked eyes and attitudes. "Dr. House." Joaquin smiled and said in his most gracious tone of voice.

House mimicked Joaquin to a tee and smiled in return. "Lucifer." He turned and walked away before another word was spoken. The hint of amazed admiration on Jacqueline's face was enough to make the rest of House's day. He'd impressed Jesse's daughter and maybe won back a little respect in her eyes after their evening of crossed wires in his office.

House hoped he'd gotten away with it, even if only for a little while. Tweaking Jesse's brother was fun, dangerous but fun, House thought as he made his way to the elevator. It probably wasn't the smartest thing he could've done but he couldn't resist plucking a few peacock feathers for himself in front of such a choice audience. The rush was addictive. He liked it.

Chapter 7