Mysterious Stranger

Disclaimer: Just for good measure, no I don't own these character. Except perhaps Jane, though she really has a mind of her own. Big thanks to Fox and David Shore for loaning me these folks, don't worry I'll return them when I'm done ;) ;)

A/N: Well now my muse has returned so hopefully I'll be making a few postings a week until I run out of material, but I now have a long term plan on how and where I want this to go. Casper1311: So glad you're enjoying the ride! Tarica: How's this for quick? As usual, reviews are always appreciated!

..the power went out completely and the couple on the floor plunged into darkness.

"Oops," House said. Jane was already scrambling to her feet. The moment was lost and her mind, unfortunately, had returned to 100 percent power.

"Ow!" She yelped when she bonked her temple on the corner of the piano in her haste to distance herself from a man she found much too attractive for her own good.

"Hey, slow down there."

"I…"

"You, okay?"

"Yeah. Sure. Here, let me help you." She bent down to give him a hand. Soon they were standing arm in arm and face to face in the middle of his empty and pitch black apartment. The cool air swirled around them. House began to realize that not only had they lost power, but heat as well.

Time elapsed, but soon their silence and close proximity grew awkward. Jane stepped back and House dropped his arms so her shoulders were free. It was then, the sudden loss of his warm touch that Jane too noticed how cool the room had become. She turned and walked to the window. House moved and tuned the radio till the weather cut in.

"Warning: All those in the area, please remain calm. We recommend that you stay at home unless there is an emergency. The total amount of snow fall expected ranges up to two feet. Right now our main concern is your safety; the department of transportation is working to clear the roads. They have dispatched snow ploughs to the major highways first. We have a department spokesperson here now."

"The snow is falling faster than we can clear it. Again, do not venture out in this weather. If you do have an emergency call for help. Most of the phone lines are still up. An emergency snow-mobile vehicle will pick you up. Once again, please for your safety do not leave your homes."

With a flick of the wrist House switched the radio off. Jane sighed and clasped her hands in front of her bowing her head in silent prayer. House limped toward her. "Well, I guess we're stuck."

"Yeah" she paused. "Got any candles or flashlights?" Jane reached down to the coffee table where her purse lay and pulled out her keys.

"Dude, there's a blizzard not exactly the best time to go cruising," House didn't really believe she would leave, but still. He heard a jingle of the keys and then saw a beam of light. Her keychain was a mini flashlight, how practical. "Check the hall closet." House limped over and sank into his comfy leather couch.

After a few moments of fumbling in the hall, she found them under a shoe box of, well, doesn't matter what, she found them. Thank goodness she had a lighter; two okay three things she always tried to carry: flashlight, pocket knife and a lighter. The last two items had become a tad bit more difficult since the crack down on airport security. Soon there was enough light for her to stop bumping into things. Most of her extremities would be covered in a lovely black and blue pattern at the rate she was going. Satisfied with her 'enlightenment,' Jane flopped down on the couch next to her host. It was at that very moment that House's landline decided to go off. "Well, at least it works" she sighed rising to grab the phone after realizing she was closer. Jane pondered whether to answer or just toss it to House. Giving him a questioning glance, she decided on just answering it. "Hello?"

Cuddy checked her phone's display. Well either she'd misdialed or House had changed numbers without telling her. Oh, he would do something that sneaky! Either way Cuddy was utterly perplexed that a woman's voice had answered and that said voice seemed so pleasant, friendly and strangely familiar. In fact if she had to bet on it, she could have sworn that the person who answered the phone was smiling?! "Um, Hello? House?"

Guess I should have tossed it. She didn't know anything about him. This could be his girl friend, fiancée, or lover, whatever! Jane realized that she could have just screwed him over big time, and not exactly the way she would have liked to either… Well, better late than never, right? She handed him the phone.

"House?" Cuddy continued her bewilderment clear in her wavering voice.

"You rang," House responded dryly.

"Oh, who was--?"

"What's up Cuddy?" House cut her off.

"There's a blizzard." She dropped her line of questioning; she knew when to pick her battles.

"You have a big ass."

"HOUSE!"

"WHAT?! I thought we were going for a round of state the obvious."

"Are you at home?"

"Duh? Yeah. Cuddy you called my landline."

"Okay, right. That's all I needed to know. Have to account for all the doctors." Silence. "House?"

"Cuddy?"

"What?" she questioned.

"Nothing."

"Oh, okay. Bye." And then she hung up. Lame Lisa, real lame, you could have at least pretended to have a good excuse for calling to check on him. But who was that girl… may be Wilson knew. Lisa Cuddy was intrigued. Perhaps this girl was the reason House had acted so peculiar today; postponing clinic so he could return home early to her. Whoa there Lisa, that makes House sounds almost caring. Couldn't apply to the House she knew, Greg may be, House… never.

House passed the phone back to Jane. It was at exactly that moment when the cool plastic touched her skin; she decided she didn't care who had call, she wasn't even curious who had a big derrière. Silence, the candles on the table burned, melted wax slid down the length of the candle, shadows danced around the room and the flames flickered. Jane was cold and tired and wanted to sleep, now. Exhausted she let out a small sigh. "I'm sleepy." House turned his head to face her. She didn't want to be the one to recommend it, (1) because she liked sleeping on the floor, (2) the awkwardness with the tennis balls left her feeling that saying something would only lead to more awkwardness; however, there wasn't any heat in the apartment. And two bodies together did give off more heat than one…

"Come on," House said jerking his head towards the bedroom. Relief swept over her; she wouldn't have to say a thing.

A/N: Well now, wouldn't you like to know where this is going? I'm just plain mean, aren't I?