Through a series of x-rays and a CT we did confirmed that our patient did have an enlarged spleen. That, however, opened up too many possibilities to ponder on a Friday date night. We told Palmer what she needed to do to get the patient set for the night then Foreman and I walked out. I avoided House because his all-seeing eyes would ferret out my date with Stephen.

I picked out a royal blue dress that complimented my dark brown hair and fair skin. He was right on time wearing khakis and a polo shirt.

He handed me into his nice sized car. I smiled when he got in himself. "Where are we going?"

"This little place I know. You like Italian?"

"Of course!"

It was a cozy little place that had candles in the middle of the table but Americanized style menus. I opted for tea instead of wine. "I have to go to work tomorrow," I explained.

He looked appalled. "Work? On a Saturday?"

I shrugged. "Patients are so unthoughtful to get sick on the weekends," I teased.

He rolled his eyes. "I, thankfully, am on the road to recovery."

"Yes," I agreed, "all thanks to the wonderful doctor who treated you."

"Yes, thank Dr. House for me when you get there tomorrow."

Although I barely made a dent in my pasta and filled the take home carrier, Stephen insisted on dessert.

"What kind do you want?" he asked me, looking at the menu.

We were in the middle of pitching out favorite dessert dish to each other when someone came to our table. "Allison?"

I quickly looked up and tried not to groan. "Robert, hey." I decided not to be rude. "Stephen Black, this is a colleague of mine, Dr. Robert Chase."

They shook hands. "Do you also work under Dr. House?" Stephen asked.

Chase made a face. "No, mate," he said, his Australian accent shining through. "Not anymore. Got the pleasure of meeting him then?"

"Yep," Stephen grinned. "Pleasant fellow."

Chase snorted and I noticed him wobble a little. "Always best to know your competition I say."

My date looked confused. "Excuse me?"

Chase grinned at me. "Oh, she didn't tell you that she'd just as soon jump in his bed as take a breath?"

I jumped to my feet quickly and grabbed his arm to pull him away from the table. "Robert Chase," I hissed, "that is most inappropriate and uncalled for. Please tell me you aren't here alone."

He looked insulted. "Of course not."

I had managed to get him away from the table and close to the front door. "Wait for her here. Stay away from me." Then I marched back to the table and smiled at Stephen. "I'm sorry," I told him.

"No problems. He was drunk, right?"

"Most definitely. Now, how about dessert?"