A/N: Sorry about the delay. I got on a bit of a writing binge..and the kid is back to school this week and...well...you know how it is ;) I just want to say thanks to everyone who's added this story to their favorites/alerts. It means a lot and I get excited each time they come to my inbox :) I'm a few chapters ahead now so I'll try and post again soon :) In the meantime, enjoy!
Chapter Seven
"MRI was clean," Sam told House once he'd woken up.
"I had an MRI?"
"Yep. I managed to squeeze you in while you were sleeping it off."
He blinked once. "Oh...is that...ethical? Surely there was someone else who needed one more than I did."
"Probably," she grinned. "But when I told them that the great and powerful Dr. House needed an MRI ASAP, they parted like the red sea."
House looked at her with his eyes narrowed, but she simply smiled at him. "You're being released tomorrow morning. Dr. Wilson brought you some clothes but we can take you shopping and get some more things."
"Okay," he said as he shrugged. Then he shoved the papers towards her. "These are done. You can send them back."
"Did you look at them?"
"Yeah but it doesn't really matter, does it? I can't verify if the info is right."
She looked over his driver's license application. "It says here you're 230 pounds. That can't be right."
"Only one way to find out," House said as he got out of bed and went over to the scale in the next room. He stepped on and adjusted the weights accordingly while Sam looked on in shock and amusement. The scale read 220 and she corrected it on the form.
"How did you know how to work the scale?"
House thought about it for a minute. "I don't know. It just...popped in there."
"Well, that's encouraging. Come on, dinner will be served soon."
He made a face. "I'd rather starve. Isn't there someplace close to the hospital where I can go?"
"It's just one more meal. I'm off tomorrow so I'll come get you first thing in the morning and we can get breakfast."
He figured that was as good as he was going to get and he nodded. "I guess I can choke down some mystery meat and mashed potatoes out of a box for one more night."
"That's the spirit!" Sam said with enthusiasm as she pumped her fist in the air. "Ya know, I think the real Greg House is trying to come out. It'll be interesting when he does."
"Will it? From what I've heard I'm an insufferable ass, hellbent on a life of misery."
"Yes, that's the consensus alright," she nodded. "But if it's any consolation, I like who you are right now. And I don't like people as a rule."
"Is that why you offered to let me stay with you? And what happens if I get my memory back tomorrow? Will you still want me to stay?"
"A promise is a promise. I don't turn people away that need my help. You respect me, I'll respect you. If you're a total prick to me, I'll just bite back twice as hard. I'm not some delicate flower."
"I can see that."
That last comment threw her off guard and she stepped back. "Always gotta have the last word, huh? I like that."
House smiled as he watched her walk down the hall, and wondered if she always had that sexy sway in her hips, or if she was just doing it for his benefit. If she looks back, she's interested, he thought as he stayed put. When she turned the corner, she gave him a glance over her shoulder and he smiled even wider. This could be interesting.
X X X
"Up and at 'em, Dr. House," Robin sang cheerfully as she opened the drapes to let the sunshine in. It was a crisp, cool sunny day and it always put her in a good mood. Of course she'd never admit it, but looking into House's baby blues were the real reason. It saddened her that he was leaving.
"Wha?" He murmured as he opened one blue eye.
"Dr. Jackson will be here in an hour. You need to get showered up and ready to go so she can take you out for breakfast. Wait till you see her house. It's gorgeous."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, nice big deck with a hot tub. You'll love it."
"Sounds nice," he nodded as he made his way into the bathroom to run the shower. When he came out, he saw that his bed was made, and the bag Wilson had brought was sitting on the nearby chair along with at least half a dozen boxes of Fentanyl patches.
He got dressed, and wandered down the hall to the lobby where the coffee machine was while he waited for Sam to come pick him up.
A silver Firebird Trans Am pulled up out front and Sam hopped out, hair messed from the wind and she walked gracefully through the doors. "Ready to go?"
"Isn't a little cold to be driving around with the top open like that?" he asks as he tosses his bag into the small trunk.
"Nah. I don't live that far from here. Come on, I'm hungry. You can buy breakfast and the groceries."
"I thought that was a given," he laughed as she peeled away from the curb with the tires squealing. She glanced over at him with a confused look and he simply shrugged. "I'm staying with you, the least I can do is pay for the food I'll be eating."
"Wow. I think the bump on the head did you a world of good."
They had breakfast at a nearby diner and then headed to the grocery store to get a few days worth of food and toiletries for House. Once they're fully stocked, they head to her place, which is a two storey brick townhouse in a swanky neighbourhood ten minutes from the hospital.
"Nice place," he said as he admired the quiet tree lined street. The majority of the cars parked nearby were the expensive, luxury type.
"Thanks. I like it. The neighbours are all pretty much white-collar, and quiet. Suits me just fine."
"Quiet is good," he nodded as she parked the car in the detached garage at the back, next to a very nice looking motorcycle. House was immediately impressed. "That yours?"
"Yep. I just got it a few days ago for my birthday. It rides awesome."
He chuckled as he ran his hand over the smooth finish. "It's pretty nice."
"If the weather holds up I'll give you a ride on it."
His face lit up. "Yeah?"
"Sure. Do you like bikes?"
He thought about it. "I...don't know."
"I guess you'll find out. You'll either be screaming for me to stop, or to go faster."
"Sounds like something else," he said with a wicked grin which made her stop dead in her tracks.
"Greg," she said with a warning tone, hands on her hips. She didn't look angry, but she wasn't smiling, either. "This is strictly platonic and professional, got it? I didn't bring you here to...to..."
"To what?" he asked, looking incredibly amused at her frazzled state.
"To let you seduce me."
"You can't seduce someone who isn't willing to be seduced," he pointed out. "I might not be my old self but I know when a woman is interested in me."
She looked incredulous. "What?"
"Oh don't worry. We'll keep that between us and I'll keep my hands to myself."
"Please do. Come on, I'll show you to the guest room. It's on the main floor so you don't have to go upstairs for anything."
She led him down the hall to a guest ensuite which was quite large. "Will this do?"
He looked around, then he sat on the queen sized bed and tested out the mattress. "Nice bed."
"It's got a pillow top mattress so it should be fine. Bathroom's through there."
He walked into the tiled bathroom and nodded again. "This will be perfect. Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm going make something for lunch. Are you hungry?"
"Famished."
"Good. Why don't you get settled in then and I'll make us something."
As they ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, Sam didn't speak until she saw House grimace. "What's wrong?"
"My leg is throbbing a little."
"I'll write you a scrip for Gabapentin. You can use it for breakthrough pain. I'll go pick it up later."
"Or we can both go and you can take me for a ride on your bike," he suggested with a grin. "Hell, why don't you let me take you out for dinner too? As a thank-you for letting me stay. I've got five grand burning a hole in my pocket. Surely you must know of a decent place we can go for dinner? It's on me."
She cocked her head to one side and considered it. It was a nice day out, even though it was cold. But that never stopped her before.
But a date, with Greg? Even though he promised to behave himself, she knew very well there was a part of him buried deep that was trying to come out.
Would he keep his promise?
Only one way to find out.
"Okay, you're on. How about Italian? Everyone likes Italian. And I know a good place downtown. It'll be a nice ride over. Might be a bit chilly though."
"Ah yeah. Maybe we should skip the bike and take the convertible," he said with a dry tone.
"That's sass, right? You're sassing me." It was more of a statement than a question.
He grinned again. "Unless you have a warm jacket for me to wear."
She thought about it. "Actually...I just might. Let me go look." She hopped off her stool and went to the hall closet. "Ah-ha!" she said as she took out a black leather jacket and gloves. "This should fit you."
House looked at the jacket with interest. "Whose is that?"
"Try it on."
It fit pretty well and she smiled. "Good. Problem solved. I have some work to do in my office, but we can head downtown around four and then go to dinner. Is that okay?"
"Yeah it's fine. I think I'll take a nap then."
"Good idea. Any headaches?"
"Nope. I'm just tired."
She nodded and watched him go to the guest bedroom and shut the door.
Dinner with the famous Dr. House, she thought to herself as she went to her office. Who woulda thunk it?
X X X
They stopped at a pharmacy on the way into town and House took one Gabapentin tablet so he would be able to have some wine with dinner without feeling high. It was a nice ride downtown, and the leather jacket he wore kept the chill off.
Sam was a very capable and skilled rider, even if she did break the speed limit a few times. But he loved it, and the squeezes she got every so often told her so. She couldn't keep the smile off her face when they arrived at the restaurant in town.
"Riccardo Trattoria...how hopelessly Italian," House grinned as he held open the door for her. Sam took great delight in that, and wondered if he was really that chivalrous.
They were greeted by the maƮtre'D and seated at a table near the back where he was given the wine menu. "Since we're going to eat Italian, it would only make sense to order an Italian wine, don't you agree?" he asked her as he perused the menu.
"That's probably all they have here. You can choose."
He chose a medium-bodied red, but when the waiter came, he spoke to him in fluent Italian as if it were normal. The waiter applauded his use of the language and hurried off to bring their wine while Sam sat there in shock.
"What?" House asked. "Do I have something on my chin?" he asked as he wiped at it.
"You just spoke to that man in Italian."
House cocked his head to one side. "Huh...yeah I guess I did. Cool. Do you know what I said?"
"You gave your choice and then you told the guy that he has a nice restaurant."
"Cool."
"Greg..."
"I can't explain it," he said with a shrug. "It just...popped in there."
They looked over their dinner menus while the wine was poured and a basket of bread was placed on the table. House ordered in Italian again, and Sam, not to be outdone, did the same. "So, where did you learn to speak Italian?" He asked her.
"School. They wanted us to be well-rounded so I took a little of this, a little of that. I'm afraid my accent isn't nearly as good as yours. You speak it like a native. I guess because you were born there."
House's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
"It was on one of the forms you signed."
"Oh," he shrugged as he reached for a piece of bread and then buttered it.
They had a pleasant dinner, and Sam thought it couldn't get any better when he paid the bill without a word, pulled out her chair and helped her with her jacket. She felt like she was on an actual date and it made her feel good. Real good.
All that came crashing down when she turned and was face to face with a man she hoped she'd never see again.
"Hello, Samantha," the man said, quite cordially.
"Hello, David."
He glanced at House, gave him the once over and scowled. "Nice jacket, friend."
"Isn't it, though?" House merely grinned. "Quite warm, in fact."
"Yes, it is." Then he dismissed House and turned to Samantha. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your fella, here?"
Sam felt House take her hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze, not sure what was going on, but he didn't like the way David was looking at her. There was so much tension that one could cut it with a knife.
"David Brinkley, Dr. Gregory House."
"Nice to meet you," House said and, to be polite, offered to shake the man's hand, but David didn't take it.
"Dr. House...where do I know that name?" David wondered aloud as he tapped his chin. "Oh yeah...you're the guy who they were looking for a few days ago. Looks like you've been found."
"I wish you'd get lost," Sam muttered under her breath loud enough to be heard.
"Still so childish," David laughed. "Never grew up, this one," he said. "Always has to have everything her way or the highway. Married to her career."
"That's enough!" she shouted loud enough for other patrons to stop and look at the trio by the door. "We're leaving. Right now."
"Hey, Greg," David called to him. Then lowered his voice. "Don't be surprised if she asks you for a prenup. Ya know. Gotta keep Daddy's money in the family and all that."
House patted him on the shoulder and squeezed. Hard enough to make his point. "Thanks for your concern. Now leave her alone."
"Look, you seem like a nice enough guy. Get out now before you get hurt. She's a pit viper."
House let those words sink in while Sam dragged him out of there. She was quick to climb onto the bike and start it up, and he knew that if he didn't hurry he'd be left behind. He was barely holding on when she peeled out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell.
