A/N: I'm on a streak now baby! Let's roll!

Chapter 10

"We need to hit up some place and get something to sleep on. Unless you're one of those women who can sleep on a hard surface."

"There's a Wal-Mart on the way."

"Good. You can take the Porche, I'll take the Harley."

"What's going on, Greg?"

"Like you, someone is following me. He now knows roughly where I am and the best thing for me to do is to throw him off the scent."

"The guy who shot and tried to kill you?" she gasped.

"Yeah. He managed to steal my credit card bills by breaking into my friend Wilson's apartment. My guess is he doesn't know where I am exactly, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"But my studio apartment is in your name..." she protested.

"No, the deed is in yours, but the payments are from my brokerage account so only the bank's name is listed. There's no trace of me being connected to it."

Geri was impressed. "Wow. You really covered all your bases."

House stopped packing and glared at her. "This isn't a game, Geri. There's someone who wants to kill me. Why, I still don't know, but I have my suspicions. Now get your shit and let's roll."

They stopped at Wal-Mart and went shopping for sleeping bags, an inflatable air mattress and some groceries for the next few days.

The apartment was freezing when they arrived and Geri shivered. "It'll take awhile for this place to warm up. Get the sleeping bags out and put the gas fireplace on. It'll be just like camping with dear ol' Daddy," he chuckled.

Yeah, except I wanna do more than sit and sing Kumbaya with you, Geri thought to herself. She must have had a wicked grin on her face that matched her thoughts because House was clearly amused.

"Now that is a scary smile," he laughed. "Do I even want to know what crossed your mind?"

"Probably not. Why don't you make yourself useful and pump up the air mattress?"

"Yes ma'am," he snarked back with a salute as he went to find the pump hidden in one of the several bags.

Once he had it set up, he got the sleeping bags and saw that they were the kind that zipped up together as one big one. So that's what he did.

"Are you learning impaired?" Geri snapped when she saw what he'd done with the sleeping bags.

"It'll keep us as snug as a bug in a rug," he grinned, obviously proud of himself.

"I'm not sleeping with you tonight, Greg."

"That's funny," he said as he scratched his chin, "I thought that's why we bought this stuff. To sleep."

"Just because I let you feel me up in the hot tub doesn't mean I'm going to just..just..."

"Geri, relax. I'm tired. All I want to do is sleep. We have work tomorrow."

She sighed and nodded. "Fine. But keep your mitts to yourself."

House shook his head as he walked away muttering under his breath. When he came back, he was in a T-shirt and pajama bottoms.

Geri was already in bed, eyes closed, hoping he'd leave her alone and keep his promise. Of course, the man was irresistible and if he so much as touched her she'd be all over him in a New York minute. Somehow though, she knew Greg House was a man of his word, for the most part, anyway.

He got into the sleeping bag and sighed heavily as he rested his head against the pillow. "G'night," he whispered.

X X X

Geri tossed and turned most of the night, and couldn't imagine how House could sleep so peacefully when there was someone out to get him. Nothing seemed to faze him in the slightest. She supposed it was because he was a doctor, had been for so long than nothing shocked him anymore. And even the mere fact that he was shot didn't seem to bother him. Yes, Greg House was a total phenomenon to her.

House stirred and rolled over so he was facing her. She watched him as he stretched, opened one beautiful blue eye, and then the other. When he saw her, he smiled and her heart melted.

"Morning," she smiled back.

He scowled. "You're way too cheerful. What time is it?"

"Five."

"Ughh!" he groaned, covering his eyes with his hand. "Who the hell gets up that early?"

"I do. Why? What time do you get up?"

"Eight. Filming starts around 9 or so, so I don't need to be there until then."

"Makes sense. Do you want to sleep longer or are you going to get up?"

"I'm going back to sleep for a bit. Are you going to make coffee?"

"Of course."

"Good stuff." Then, without another word, he rolled over and went right back to sleep.

Geri took a shower, smiling to herself. Already they were getting into some kind of domestic routine, and she liked it. He was proving to be fairly easy to be around. And he was a surprisingly sound sleeper, hardly moved in the night, which she was also thankful for, since the sleeping bags didn't leave much room.

After she made the coffee and ate a morning bagel, she grabbed her stuff and headed to work, leaving the remaining coffee in the carafe for House when he got up.

X X X

After a few days, Geri was frustrated with House. Since their heavy make-out session in the hot tub, things turned cold. He was distant but still friendly, and even though they were still sharing the small bed of sleeping bags, he hadn't made any indication that he was interested.

"Are you mad at me about something?" she asked, finally.

House looked at her like she'd grown two heads. "What? No, why?"

She felt her face flush and looked down at the floor. "Well...since the other night at the house we haven't...what I mean is, you've been kind of..."

House was amused by her bashfulness. How could he tell her that not touching her was an exercise in futility? That everything he touched turned to shit? That if he so much as got close to her, he was afraid she'd be taken from him?

"Geri," he began, "it's not that I don't want to. I just don't think it's a good idea."

She nodded, seeming satisfied with his answer, and didn't probe further but she was understandably hurt. House felt bad, but he didn't want to encourage something that would only end up hurting her even more in the long run.

"I understand. What time are you off today?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Usual time."

"Good. We can go hit up the store on the way. I'll cook."

House nodded. "Fine. Good." And then he wandered off, leaving her feeling worse than she did before.

X X X

House managed to get off earlier than Geri and was leaving the lot on his Harley when he spotted an older man across the street leaning against a long black limo. Normally he wouldn't think twice about it, but there was something familiar about him and he couldn't resist finding out who it was.

"Looking for someone?" he asked casually.

The man looked him up and down, and House did the same. "My daughter, actually. And you must be the notorious Dr. House."

House turned off the engine and took off his helmet. "I might be. Who're you?"

The man extended his hand. "Bill Heart."

House shook it. "You're Geri's Daddy."

"That's right. I want to thank you."

"What for?"

"For keeping my little girl safe. I'm afraid her husband is a..."

"An asshole?"

Bill chuckled. "I wouldn't put it that bluntly."

"I would. She ran away and made herself disappear. People don't run from people they love. So why did you call off the search? You obviously didn't give up looking for her. How did you find her, anyway?"

"I have a very good private investigator. Someone who's been with the family for years. He saw her at the beach recently, and then with an older gentleman at an Italian restaurant. I'm assuming that would be you?"

House nodded. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Geri emerging from the studio gates. At first she couldn't see who he was talking to, since Bill's back was to her, but as she got closer, realization hit her and she came running.

"Daddy?"

Bill turned around and held his arms out as Geri fell into them. House looked away, not comfortable with the display of emotion carrying out in front of him. It seemed like a private moment and he wanted her to enjoy it.

She was crying, Bill was ecstatic, and House was uneasy. Finally, when the two of them broke apart, Geri turned to House and smiled. Her eyes were still red.

"So I guess an introduction isn't necessary. You've met the infamous Greg House."

Bill nodded. "I have. Where are you living now? I heard you left that dump in East L.A."

"Greg found me a studio apartment nearby and that's where we're staying."

Bill glanced at House warily, then back at his daughter. "We?"

House stepped forward on Geri's behalf. "For my safety, as well as your daughter's. I assure you, it's only temporary."

Bill considered this. "Well if what I've read about you is true, Greg, perhaps I can convince you to come stay at my place in the hills.. You'll be safe there. Then he looked at Geri. "Both of you."

She wasn't convinced, however.

"Right, with Jack having a key to the front door to come and go as he pleases."

"Jack won't be coming by, let alone getting through the front gates. I'll make sure of that."

Geri shook her head. "I don't know, Daddy. It's not that I don't trust you it's just..."

Bill put both hands on Geri's shoulders. "Give it a chance. If you still don't feel safe after a couple of weeks, you can come back and stay at your apartment here."

She looked at House who merely shrugged and said, "you haven't seen your father in a year. Sounds good to me. Besides, I've always wanted to see how the other half lives. Got a piano, Bill?"

"Of course."

"Sold. Let's roll."

Geri had no choice at that point but to agree and she allowed her father to usher her into the limo while House followed. It was rather amusing that Bill Heart's estate wasn't that far from Dr. Carter's house. When they arrived at the front gates, he couldn't help but notice the security cameras that followed his movement as he went through, or the security guard that watched over the closed community and carried a gun. The guard watched them arrive and once they were through, he picked up the phone and dialed. "They're here."

It was a small community that consisted of several large mansions belonging to the very rich and famous. The only way in or out was through the gates. It took about five minutes to arrive at the Heart Estate and House thought it looked more like a palace than a mansion. It was huge.

Once inside, it was getting near dinner time. "We dress for dinner, Dr. House," Bill told them. "It's become a family tradition." He snapped his fingers and a young man came out of nowhere and stood nearby. "Carl will be your valet and will get you whatever you need. We'll see you in the main dining hall in an hour. Geri, you know where your room is. I expect to see you both at 7 sharp."

Once Bill was gone, Geri turned to him. "Are you sure you seriously want to stay here? You're going to stick out like a sore thumb, Greg."

House took mild offense to that and he scowled at her. "I may not be from big money, but I'm not a rube who doesn't know how to act accordingly. When in Rome, sweetie. I'll see you at dinner."

An hour later, House was waiting at the bottom of the stairs dressed in a black pinstripe Armani suit as he waited with Bill for Geri. When she finally came down, House's jaw dropped.

She looked absolutely gorgeous in a navy blue, off the shoulder satin dress that came down to just above her knees. She looked radiant and beautiful and for once, House was speechless.

She smiled at him when she reached the bottom of the stairs and he offered her his hand, impressing her with his impeccable manners and blowing her away with how his blue eyes matched the blue in his tie.

"You shine up like a new penny," she whispered as they entered the dining room and took their seats across from each other with Bill at the head of the table.

After they were served the soup course, Bill started in with the inquiry.

"So, Greg, how long are you in town for?"

"I'm not sure. Depends if the psycho who blew up the hospital kills me or I kill him. Either way, one of us is going down."

"Greg!" Geri hissed at him.

"Why would a man want to kill you?" Bill inquired.

"I can come up with several reasons. None of them logical. But then, we're not dealing with a logical person. The man came into my office in broad daylight and shot me in front of three witnesses."

"And why did he do that?"

"I don't know. I didn't even recognize him."

"And how did you meet my daughter?"

"I'm a medical consultant for a movie. I check for inconsistencies in the script. I met Geri at the studio."

"How old are you?"

"Forty-seven. Why?"

"You don't think you're a little too old for her?"

"You're only as old as the girls you feel," he grinned, earning a kick under the table from Geri. "Ow!"

"Just what are your intentions?"

House looked confused. "Intentions? There are none."

Geri's stomach dropped and she looked down at her plate.

"None? You buy her an apartment and stay with her and you don't have any intentions? I'm sorry, Greg but I find that a little tough to swallow."

"I'm only in town until it's safe to return to Jersey. I see no point in pursuing something that's going to end before it even begins. Geri deserves better."

"Don't you think it's up to her to make that call?"

"Relax Bill. I'm not a fortune hunter. I make a six figure salary as it is. And even if I was after your daughter, it wouldn't be for her money."

Geri slammed her spoon down on the table and got up. "Damnit, Greg!" she hissed as she ran out of the room, leaving both men both startled and confused.

"What did I say?"

Bill looked hard at House. "So it's true what they say about you. You really are an ass."

House simply shrugged and continued eating like it was a matter of fact.

When it was clear that Geri wasn't returning, Bill ordered dinner to be sent up to her room. Afterward, the two men relaxed in the study with cigars and Brandy.

"It's quite a cigar, Bill," House said as he took a few good puffs.

"I'll send you a box."

"Sweet. So let me ask you something. Are Geri and I truly safe here? Moreover, is Geri safe from her husband?"

"As safe as a virgin at a eunuch convention."

House chuckled and the two men sat in a comfortable silence.

X X X

Geri heard music downstairs and went to investigate. It seemed like everyone had gone to bed but House was still up, playing the piano in the living room. He looked amazing. His tie was gone, the top 3 buttons of his shirt were undone and his sleeves were rolled up, showing off his amazing forearms. His eyes were closed as he played a classical piece and he looked completely in the moment.

"You play really well," she said from the doorway.

House turned around and saw her leaning against the door frame in a long blue nightgown that went to the floor, just barely covering her bare feet. She almost looked like a little girl, had it not been for her curves hidden beneath the silky fabric.

He moved over on the bench and patted the spot next to him before resuming the song he was playing. Geri came over and sat down, listening to the rest of the song.

"I remember this one. Daddy taught me how to play it like a duet."

"Do you prefer the top or the bottom?" he asked her, looking innocent as can be, but the tone of his voice told her otherwise.

"Either way works for me."

"Top it is."

They played the entire song from start to finish and it was as if they'd played together before. It came naturally to both of them, and they found themselves starting over and playing it again even better the second time.

When they finished, Geri looked down at her hands in her lap. "Thanks for that."

"Want to do another?"

"I..should go to bed. We have work in the morning."

"Yeah," House said softly as he looked away.

She took a deep breath and looked at him. "Greg? I have to know. Is it me? Are you just...not attracted to me that way? I mean...after the other night in the hot tub I thought you liked me. But then you suddenly changed and..." she sighed. "Never mind, forget I brought it up."

She got up to leave but House grabbed her wrist. "It's not you. I mean..it's sort of you but not entirely."

"Gee that makes me feel so much better."

"I don't know how to make you understand. It's not safe for you to be around me. My whole life, everything I've touched turns to shit. I don't want to see you get hurt because of me. I'll just end up saying something to make you hate me or I'll push you away for whatever reason. You don't need that. You can do so much better."

House got up and walked past her towards his bedroom and she followed him down the hall until he stopped at his door and turned to face her. "Go to bed, Geri."

"Stop treating me like a child, Greg! I'll decide what I want and what I need. Not you! What gives you the right to make that decision? You're nothing but an ignorant jerk! So you don't want to be with me? Fine! At least tell me to my face. Don't treat me like some naive little girl! I've been through more than you'll ever know. I'd tell you about it, but I don't need your sympathy or your pity. Do you think a night goes by that I'm not terrified of Jack coming to get me? In case you didn't know, these last few nights with you have made me feel safer than I ever felt in a long, long time. I don't know why, but from the moment I first laid eyes on you I felt like I've known you for years. Which is impossible but it felt like being hit by lightning. You are what you are, Greg. I don't expect you to change. I'm not asking you to. I just wish..." she sighed and a tear slipped down her face. "I just wish you'd let me in." And with that, she took off and ran up the stairs to her room, making House wince as she slammed the door.

The song used for the duet was Dolly Suite op. 56 by Faure. You can listen to it on Youtube. It's also the same duet they played in Bicentennial Man :)

Other composers that inspired this chapter were James Horner (Legends of the Fall), James Newton Howard (Alive) and Thomas Newman (Meet Joe Black)