Back with the usual disclaimers: Avery and the rest of the Matthews clan is mine, House is not.

The two of them lay together, tangled up in the covers after their intense lovemaking. House was still in a haze, born of exhaustion both physical and mental. The whole day had just been so damned overwhelming, and he was just now starting to process the events.

He had never exposed himself so completely to Avery as he had when he collapsed next to the bed. She had finally seen him at one of his weakest moments, and not only did she not run, she was once again right there by his side. Avery had been irritated with him, actually showing a bit of temper, but she hadn't left. That's what had finally given him the courage to expose himself emotionally, at least a little.

He heard Avery sigh and move closer to him, squeezing him around his chest. Dammit, she felt so good next to him. House wondered, just for a moment, what it would be like to wake up every day like this, in a space all their own instead of going back and forth between their places. Over the last several months, so much of each other's stuff had migrated to their respective places that it seemed a little crazy to maintain separate apartments.

Oh yes, House had fallen for Avery, big time. Things were changing, slowly but surely. It was scary, but…it was a fear House could live with. He looked down at the beautiful woman laying in his arms, holding her tightly to him. It dawned on him how goddamned lonely he had really been all these years. So much time wasted pushing people away. If he had known…well, he probably wouldn't be here now. Now he knew, and he was determined never to let her go.

Avery's phone went off on the nightstand next to him, breaking into his reverie, and she barely stirred in response. House reached over and picked it up, checking the Caller ID. Deciding not to disturb her, House answered.

"Hello?"

"Who the hell's this?!" An unfamiliar male voice barked in House's ear.

House scowled. "Never mind that. Who the hell are you?!"

"If you must know…This is Bryan. You could say I'm…an old friend of Avery's. Put her on."

"She's sleeping. I'll take a message for her."

"Never mind. I'll just call back. Who are you again?"

"I never said. Let's just say…" House chose his next words carefully, looking down at the sleeping beauty in his arms. "…she occupies an important place in my life, if you know what I mean."

On the other end of the phone, Bryan narrowed his eyes in anger. This wasn't happening. Some other man was answering Avery's phone. This was wrong, so wrong. Didn't she know he had been waiting for her? Selfish bitch.

Bryan took a deep breath before answering. "I'm sure you think she does. She has that way of making everyone feel…special. Anyway...just tell her I called."

Oh really. This dumbass has no idea who he's dealing with. "Will do." House closed the phone with a quick snap. If this was the guy that Devin was talking about…there was about to be trouble.

Avery blinked and stirred next to House. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Was that my phone?"

"Yeah." House growled. "Some guy named Bryan. Claimed he was an old friend of yours. He didn't seem to thrilled that some strange guy was answering your phone."

Fear clutched at Avery's heart. She really hadn't expected to hear from Bryan ever again, not after everything. The cheating, the broken engagement, and the harassment that followed after the other woman broke up with him was what had driven her to Princeton. Avery considered not telling House, but she already knew that would be pointless. Sooner or later he would find out, and she had no desire to break the fragile trust House had in her.

She twisted the covers in her fingers and breathed deeply. "He's not an old friend. He's my…ex-fiance."

House nodded. "I see."

Avery shared the story of her tumultuous relationship with Bryan, filling in the blank spots left by Devin's telling of the tale. By the time she finished, she once again had her arms wrapped around her knees, almost as if she was still trying to protect herself from Bryan.

House put his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. "That sorry son of a bitch had better not show up at the hospital. I can guarantee that he'll be sorry."

Avery rolled her eyes a bit. "Oh, don't even be like that. Even Bryan's not that dumb. Besides, I'm pretty sure Devin will want a piece of him first."

"Fine." House huffed. "But if there's anything left of him when Devin's done…let's just say I don't just carry that cane to attract the chicks."

She laughed nervously, allowing House to hold her close. "I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing. No sense worrying before you have to." At least, Avery hoped that would be the case. Bryan had a bad habit of showing up where she least expected him to, always trying to 'catch' her at something. She was sure time hadn't changed that little habit of his.

Avery had to admit, she wouldn't mind seeing a showdown between that arrogant bastard and House. Her money was on the guy with the cane.

They returned to the hospital that afternoon, feeling somewhat more human after a nap. Stephen was being transferred to a standard room, and Avery wanted a little time with him and the rest of her family before he was moved.

She was apprehensive after the phone call from Bryan. If he showed up here…Avery wouldn't put it past him. Now that she was back in Chicago, she knew Bryan would make an attempt to contact her. How he knew she was here, she didn't know. That man had connections she would rather not think about.

The elevator door opened, and House and Avery strode purposefully down to the ICU waiting area. Like this morning, Catherine, Devin, and Alice were gathered together, chatting easily. Catherine saw the pair approaching and smiled widely.

"Hello again." She stood up and gave them each a warm hug. House was still uncomfortable with the open show of affection, but this time he returned the hug with a light one of his own. "Go on in. They'll be transferring him before too long."

House gestured to Avery to go ahead without him. She seemed to need the time alone with her father, and he wanted to respect her space. He decided to walk around. His leg was still bothering him after the cramp earlier, and while the pain had abated somewhat, he still felt the need to pace.

Who was he kidding? The idea that Bryan might try to show up here worked his mind. He didn't even know what the guy looked like, so why was he trying to be on the lookout for him? House shook his head at his foolishness. This notion that he would somehow defend his lady's honor was somewhat unusual to him. It was a romantic idea, not his usual thing, definitely. He supposed it was some instinctual thing, this need to protect what belonged to him. It had just taken nearly fifty years for it to kick in, that was all. Better late than never, I suppose. He turned and limped his way back down to the waiting area.

He saw an unfamiliar face as he approached. Avery had just emerged from her father's room, and apparently had walked right into this man. She looked…scared, intimidated, almost child-like.

That's got to be him. What the hell does he think he's doing?! House strode purposefully, moving with surprising quickness. Soon he was standing directly behind Bryan. He was nearly House's height, and had more than a few pounds on him. House wasn't bothered by the size difference. As far as he was concerned, Bryan was a threat to his lady, and this threat had to be dealt with, quickly.

"So." House boomed out. "This must be the infamous Bryan that you told me so much about." He moved past Bryan, bumping him in the shoulder as he passed by and stood next to Avery.

A look of relief crossed Avery's delicate features. "Yes…this is Bryan. Bryan, this is Greg...Doctor Greg House."

Bryan's green eyes narrowed as he sized up the man that stood before him. An old cripple. He thought to himself. Figured she'd never do better than me. Who does she think she's kidding, anyway? He extended a hand to House, a twisted smile on his face. "Good to meet you. I've heard…nothing about you."

"I'd say the same…but I'd be lying." House moved until he was between Bryan and Avery, fixing him with a steely glare. He motioned to Avery and whispered to her, "Go on and hang out with the family. I'll handle this."

Avery nodded and silently walked away. She looked back, concerned about the possible confrontation. While she was sure Greg could hold his own, she didn't want him to have to, and Bryan could be brutal when confronted.

The two men faced each other, green meeting blue, neither blinking. Finally, House broke the silent stand down.

"Let's walk and talk, shall we?" House turned on his heel and started down the hallway, away from the waiting area. The last thing he needed was to start trouble in front of Avery's family.

"Fine." Bryan curtly nodded and followed suit.

The two were near the elevators when House suddenly stopped, his face thoughtful. "Why are you here?"

Bryan stopped, baffled. "Isn't it obvious? I was worried about Avery. I didn't want her to be alone in her time of need."

"That's funny…because she's clearly not alone. She's got her mom, her brother…and me." House moved until he was practically nose-to-nose with the man, pressing the tip of his cane into Bryan's big toe. Bryan blanched but otherwise didn't move.

"Let me tell you something." House hissed. "Your claim on Avery expired two years ago. You didn't have any trouble moving on then. I don't see what the fuck the problem is now." He lifted his chin slightly, narrowing his eyes, as though he was figuring out another one of his puzzles.

Bryan was nervous. Obviously he'd misjudged this guy. But Avery was his, always was and always would be. He was damned if he was just going to let her run back to New Jersey with this old bastard. He would not allow himself to be intimidated by House. Bryan glared back, fixing House with a steady glare.

"The problem is…" Bryan attempted to wiggle his toe out from under the cane. Damn, the gimp was surprisingly strong. "The problem is…you seem to think she loves you. She doesn't. She's just using you to get to me. That's how Avery is. She'll break your heart, old man, and when she does…" Bryan smirked. "You'll see. Just you wait."

"You son of a bitch." In one quick move, Bryan found himself slammed up against the wall of the hallway, a cane at his throat and a pair of ice blue eyes flashing with anger. "What the fuck do you know about love?!" House pressed the cane further against Bryan's throat, nearly cutting off his oxygen supply. "You cheated on her, broke her heart, and when she wouldn't come crawling back to you, you intimidated her, threatened her, hounded her. That's not love. That's just…fucking stupid."

"Let him go, Greg. He's not worth it." House heard footsteps behind him, and turned to see Devin running up to where he had Bryan pinned up against the wall. He released the cane and backed away slightly, surprised at his own behavior.

"We were done…talking, anyway." He glared at the man who was now slumped on the floor, eyes wide and clutching at his throat. House nudged him with his cane. "Weren't we?"

Bryan nodded and rose to his feet, fixing both men with that pointed glare, only now there was a bit of fear mixed in with it. "We're done…for now. Don't think this is over, Greg." He staggered toward the elevator, shaking as he pushed the down button. No, this wasn't over. Far from it. If Greg House thought he could run him off that easily, he was mistaken. Seriously mistaken.

You know what to do. Push the button, tell me what you think.