Chapter 11.

Cuddy picked up the phone to call Wilson as soon as Delia hung up, but then decided this would be better face-to-face. She headed for his office and knocked lightly on the door, then opened it part way. "You busy?" she asked tentatively.

"Just the usual." the Oncologist said, looking questioningly at her worried expression.

"Have you seen or talked to House lately?" she asked.

"Not since before lunch yesterday," he replied, his brown eyes still narrowed. "Is there something wrong?"

"The police identified JD and she's gotten most of her memory back," Cuddy told him. "She's gone back home to her husband and two kids."

Wilson felt himself deflate. Now his expression matched hers. "We knew this had to happen sometime, but House is not going to take this well."

"There was always a chance that even when she remembered, she wouldn't go back to her old life, but under the circumstances, there's no question where she has to be."

Wilson nodded, thinking frantically about what he could do. The train wreck had already occurred. "I'll do what I can."

"I thought you should know so that you don't walk into this blind," she said.

"Thanks, Lisa" he said.

She tried feebly to smile at him, then left.

Not long after, Wilson saw House was in his office. He sighed, then headed into the lion's den.

House sat at his desk, his earphones on, concentrating on a game on his PS2, and looking as he usually did.

"You're here," Wilson said.

House looked up at him. "Where else would I be? It is my office."

"I just thought..." Wilson let the thought die. "Lisa said that JD is gone."

"Who?"

"Medium height female, blond, gray eyes?" Wilson said. "Lived with you for the past month."

"You mean Delia."

"Is that her name? And you're just going to let her go?"

House shrugged. "She knows who she is, her memory's back, the mystery's solved."

"And that's all it was? All along, just another puzzle to solve?"

"Well, the free sex was pretty good too."

"House!" Wilson threw up his arms in exasperation. He knew he'd never get House to admit there was more, that he'd felt anything for the woman. He left in defeat.

Delia had taken Addie to preschool in the family SUV after they'd seen Colin onto the school bus. Jack had suggested that they replace her car, but she pointed out that they really didn't need a third vehicle besides his Lexus and the SUV.

Regina had returned to her own home, telling Dee to call if she needed to talk. Now Dee was at loose ends. The house seemed so empty and quiet. And she missed House, even more than she thought she would.

Jack arrived at his office, eager to tell his secretary, Marcy, that his wife was back. The woman had been reluctant to end their affair, and once Delia was gone, had pushed to continue it, but Jack had decided that it was over, and over it would stay. He could have fired Marcy but he feared that she might file a sexual harassment suit against him. With Dee back, maybe he'd finally get her to give up.

"The police found Dee," he told her.

Her face fell, but she still had hopes. "Is she coming back?"

"She came back last night. She may still be angry at me but she couldn't stay away from the children, and she'll forgive me. Eventually."

Marcy decided to let it drop for now, but she wasn't giving up. Maybe she could call the current Mrs. Worthington and make sure that she never forgave Jack. "You have a ten AM with Shaw and Kerwin from accounting," she reminded her boss.

"Yes. They had some tax law questions. OK. Let me know when they arrive." He headed into his own inner sanctum to prepare for the meeting.

Once he was gone, Marcy picked up the phone and called the Worthington residence. There was no answer. Delia was probably at the spa or shopping, things Marcy didn't have the time or money for. At least not yet.

Delia found herself driving toward Princeton. She drove past House's apartment. She wanted to go in, just to see his things, smell his scent. She still had a key. But she didn't.

Instead, she drove to the mall and bought herself a pair of jeans. It seemed strange to her that there wasn't a single pair in her closet, just dress slacks, skirts, some suits and outfits like the one she was wearing when she was mugged. She finally was able to smile as she drove home.

She changed into the jeans before she went to pick up Addie. They felt...right. She and Addie were back again before Colin arrived home from school. She gave them both an after school snack and then began to prepare supper.

She made baked ziti to the children's amazement. But when Jack came home, he was more annoyed than surprised. "Where's my steak and potatoes?" he asked.

"It wouldn't kill you to try something new," Dee told him.

He took a bite. It was so good that he didn't complain any more. He looked at her with new-found interest, then suddenly noticed what she was wearing.

"Where the hell did you get those jeans?" he asked.

"Jack! Such language in front of the children!" she said. "I bought them today. They're comfortable.

"You've changed," Jack said.

The children were watching their exchange with dismay.

Dee sighed and told them "We're really not fighting. We just have some adjusting to do."

Once the children were asleep, Dee confronted Jack. "What I told the children is true. Things can't go back to the way they were."

"You still haven't forgiven me, have you?" he asked.

At first she still didn't remember what had triggered her trip. She wasn't sure what she had to forgive.

"Did Marcy call you today? I wouldn't put it past her, but I swear to you, it's over. It's been over since before you found out."

And then it came rushing back to her. His infidelity. "No, she didn't call. I was out most of the day. "

"Can you ever forgive me, do you think?"

Dee sighed. "Jack, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't." He looked confused. "When I had amnesia, and didn't remember I was married, didn't remember I had two wonderful kids, I met a man. A doctor, brilliant, funny, fascinating. He helped me try to find out who I am. We became close, and eventually..." she hesitated, but she had to tell him "...we became lovers. So you see, either we forgive each other or we don't."

"How did you meet him?" Jack asked in a choked voice.

"Greg's a doctor at the hospital."

"Greg? That's his name?" Jack was completely floored by her confession.

"Yes. Being with him did change me, and you're just going to have to live with the new Delia," she said.