A/N: This is it, folks. It's kind of long, but I didn't think any of you would mind too much :P Stay tuned for more

Chapter Fourteen

Rhiannon awoke to the sound of the beeping heart monitor and the familiar sounds of a hospital. At first she didn't know why she was there and absent-mindedly reached down to feel the tender spot where Greg had injected her with the Epi pen.

The sliding glass door opened and a young, handsome blonde doctor entered the room. "Hi, Dr. O'Hara. I'm Dr. Chase. House couldn't be here so he sent me to check on you and release you."

"You know Greg?"

Chase smiled and nodded. "I'm one of his fellows."

"Oh, I see. Pleased to meet you."

"House tells me you two are old friends from Johns Hopkins."

"That's right. Is that all he told you?"

"That, and he feels bad for giving you the ginger ale. He didn't know about your allergy."

"No, he wouldn't. We haven't seen each other in a long time."

"How long?"

"Sixteen years give or take."

"Wow." He looked her up and down with approval. "Forgive me for saying so but you don't look old enough to have known him for that long."

Rhiannon blushed and shook her head. "Thanks Dr. Chase. You just made my day."

He smiled back at her and looked down at her chart. "Well, everything seems fine. You can get dressed and go home. Your clothes are on the chair."

"Where is Dr. House?"

"Fourth floor, Diagnostics, however he's not in yet."

Rhiannon glanced at her watch. "It's almost ten."

"House runs on his own schedule. It was nice meeting you, Dr. O'Hara."

"You too."

When he was gone, she got dressed, then she took the elevator up to the fourth floor and found Greg's office. The lights were off in there, but there were two other doctors in the conference room, sipping coffee and laughing.

As she stood in the hall, Wilson came out of his office and smiled at her. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, no, I was just waiting for Greg...Dr. House."

"Everyone around here just calls him House. You must be Dr. O'Hara, from Quantico? I'm James Wilson, head of Oncology."

She shook the man's hand. "Rhiannon, please."

"Oh, like the song."

She smiled and it was infectious. "Yes, like the song."

"I heard about your little stint in the ER. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thankfully I don't teach today."

"Well that's a relief then. You'll be good to go tomorrow." Wilson's pager went off and he checked it. "Excuse me, I have to go. I'll see you around."

"I'm sure you will."

The elevator doors opened at the end of the hall and House stepped out. "Oh good, you're alive," he smirked. "The way this place talks it sounded like you were at death's door." They walked into his office and he tossed his bag on the couch. "Have a seat. Coffee?"

"Umm...sure."

He opened the door to the conference room. "Cameron, get the lady some coffee. Double double."

Rhiannon smiled. "You remembered. I'm impressed, but then I know how good your memory is. You're a fount of useful and useless information."

Cameron brought the coffee in for her and House. "Here you go." Then she looked at him expectantly.

"Oh, you want an introduction? Dr. Cameron, Dr. O'Hara. Now go check on the patient."

"Chase is with her now."

"Then go to the clinic until I call you back."

Rhiannon was both shocked and amused at his treatment toward the young brunette and glanced over at House. "She likes you."

"Unfortunately. But lucky for me she's banging Chase."

"That good looking Australian doctor?"

House chuckled. "Yeah him. He's got a hard on for her."

"She's pretty."

"And you're beautiful."

Rhiannon's mouth opened for a second but she recovered. "So this is where you do your doctor thing?"

"Yep. Where I save lives. So, are you really okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for saving my life, Greg."

"I'm responsible for you now, you know," he said.

"That's just a cliché."

"Doesn't make it less true."

"You're also responsible for putting me in the ER," she pointed out.

House grinned. "Oh, well played, sir." Then he checked his watch and got up. "Don't you have a class to teach?"

She stood as well, taking it as her cue to leave. After all, he probably was busy and she had things to get done herself. "Trying to get rid of me, Greg?"

He shook his head. "I was hoping we'd continue where we left off."

Her heart began to race again, but for a completely different reason. He was standing very close to her. "Last night? Or sixteen years ago?"

"I was thinking both. But if you'd rather not, I'd understand. I mean, neither of us are the same people we were back then."

"No, we're not," she agreed with a nod of her head.

"But we could...wipe the slate clean. Start over."

"You want to start over?"

He shrugged. "Sure. Sounds good. I'll pick you up at six on Friday night. You don't work weekends, do you?"

"No," she smiled. "I'm available. After all, I just moved here so I don't know anyone."

"I'd give you a tour but there isn't much to see. Seen one hospital, seen 'em all."

"Oh I'm sure you have a few places in mind that are worth seeing."

"A few. But not the hospital."

"Well I'm game."

"Good. I'll see you Friday then."

She started to walk away but he called out to her, "Hey Scarlet, ever ridden on a motorcycle?"

XXX

It was a warm night, perfect for a ride. When they came outside and she saw the motorcycle, she gasped. "Oh God, you weren't kidding. You really expect me to ride on that?"

"It's the safest thing you'll ever have between your legs," House leered at her and handed her a helmet.

"Is this mine?" she asked as she took the helmet and examined it. It was similar to his, but it was a candy apple red color.

"Yeah. It's mandatory. Try it on."

It was a perfect fit and once she was briefed on rider safety, he took off slowly down the street. She was clinging so tightly to him that he had to laugh. "Relax," he shouted over the rumble of the engine. "Or you'll be sore tomorrow."

When her grip loosened a little, he chuckled again and once the light turned green, revved it up for her benefit and sped off onto the exit for the highway. It was at least fifteen minutes before they arrived at the blues club off the interstate. She climbed off, her legs somewhat shaky. "So how was it?"

"Amazing. What a rush! I can see why you like it."

"We'll have to take more rides," he suggested as he opened the door for her to go in.

It was very smoky and dimly lit. A live band was set up in the back playing softly and House found them a table where they could still talk without having to shout at each other.

House reached over and gently touched the pendant she wore and straightened it. "You're still wearing it. After all this time."

She nodded and touched it. "I couldn't take it off. I did once, but it felt wrong somehow, so I put it back on. Mike hated it. Hated the fact that I insisted on wearing another man's gift. It was probably one of the issues that ended our marriage."
"What were the other issues?"

"The fact that I made more money than he did and that I was self sufficient. We'd fight, he'd threaten to throw me out, and I'd just throw back in his face that it wouldn't be a huge loss since I could easily support myself. He didn't like that, but then, what guy does?"

House shrugged. "Some guys are weird about that. I think it's ingrained in us from the caveman days of being the provider."

She snickered. "He was certainly a bohemian in those respects."

"What did he do?"

"He was a cop."

"Was?"

"Turns out he was on the take. Very dirty. When I found out I filed for divorce, took what was mine and split. I did leave him the house, though."

"Generous of you," House chuckled.

She laughed. "He's lucky he got that much. Daddy was smart enough to remind me to get a pre-nup. It was ironclad."

"It would have to be."

They talked until the place closed down and then he took her back to her hotel walking with her through the lobby. "As you saw, I have a very well stocked mini-bar. Can I interest you in a nightcap? I know it's late but I doubt I'd be able to sleep now if I tried."

"A little keyed up, are you?" he chuckled as he stepped closer. Somehow her hands found his and their fingers interlaced as if it were the most natural thing.

"That and I thought we could talk more," she said, her lips turning up into an impish smile.

House smiled back at her. "If by talk you mean..."

She chuckled. "I think you know exactly what I mean."

There was a loud beeping and he rolled his eyes. "Damnit." He fished around in his pockets for his phone and flipped it open. "Someone better be dying..."

Rhiannon watched several emotions cross his face within a thirty second period as he listened to whoever was on the other end. "Okay." He snapped the phone shut and looked at her, regrettably. "I gotta go."

"Go. Do your doctor thing," she said with a smile as she squeezed his hand and let go. "It's fine, Greg."

He nodded, shoved the phone back in his pocket and left.

XXX

Rhiannon tossed and turned and tried to sleep but it was not to be. Had Greg not gotten the call from work, she had no doubt he'd be sharing her bed. God she'd missed him! Sixteen years hadn't seemed to change anything. The chemistry between them was still there and seemed even stronger than ever.

She wasn't prepared for the bitterness or the sadness that he'd been trying to hide when he talked about his ex-girlfriend, Stacy, but he'd opened himself up enough to talk about it with her and she knew it wasn't easy for him.

It was almost seven a.m. the next time she opened her eyes and she found a text he'd sent her a few hours ago while she'd apparently been asleep to let her know he lost the patient and wasn't sure when he'd make it home. He had to be exhausted.

That in mind, she got up, showered, dressed and headed over to his apartment. She knew he wouldn't be there, but she was going to be waiting.

An hour later, he pulled up on his motorcycle and grabbed his cane. He paused when he saw her sitting on the steps. "Not exactly in the mood for company right now," he said as he limped past her and unlocked the door.

"You look exhausted, Greg. Let me help."

"I don't need anyone's help!" he snapped at her.

"You need to eat. And sleep."

"I don't need you for those things, either." He dropped onto the couch and scrubbed his face with his hands.

"Look, why don't you go change clothes and I'll make us breakfast?"

"I don't think there's much to pick from but knock yourself out," he sighed and got up after a few minutes. She obviously wasn't going away so if she wanted to play Mother Hen, he'd let her. He was too tired to argue anyway.

While he was getting changed, she found some bagels, and made some coffee. House returned wearing a Tshirt and sweatpants, and stood in the doorway silently watching her.

"Are you going to show up every time I lose a patient?"

"Not unless you want me to. I couldn't sleep much either so I figured I'd make myself useful and lend an ear if you wanted to talk about it."

"Nothing to talk about. Patient died despite our best efforts. It happens. Sometimes when patients come to us it's already too late. This was one of those times. I try not to dwell on it but losing a patient is never easy."

"I understand. I've stood over many dead bodies in the morgue and felt bad for how they died. And I didn't even know them. It can be tough. Especially when it's kids."

He nodded and came into the kitchen to pour himself coffee. He took a long sip and sighed. "That's good stuff."

"I figured you'd have decent coffee if nothing else. Have a seat, bagels are done. Do you have anything to put on them?"

"There's jam and peanut butter."

She brought their bagels to the coffee table and they ate in silence. Once he was done, he got up and headed down the hall. "I'm going to bed. You can let yourself out."

"I'd like to stay if that's alright with you," she said.

"I'm fine," he snapped. "You don't have to babysit me."

"I'm not. I just don't think anyone should be alone after they've lost someone, whether they knew them or not."

"What, you think I'm going to do myself in because I can't deal?"

"No, I don't. Look Greg, I just want to be with you. It's been a long time. Not a day went by that I didn't think about you. Hell, on my wedding day, part of me hoped that you'd come barging through the doors of the church and declare your love for me and we'd run off in some crazy The Graduate scenario."

House chuckled at that. "If I'd known what an insecure jerk you were about to marry, I might've."

She gave him a playful shove. "Go have your nap. When you wake up I'll take you out to eat."

He merely nodded and continued to his bedroom, shutting the door.

A few hours later he woke up and took a shower. When he came out of his room he discovered that Rhiannon was nowhere to be seen. Figuring she got tired of waiting, he poured himself a drink and contemplated going back to bed.

Moments later, the door opened and Rhiannon entered carrying a dozen shopping bags and what looked like an overnight bag over her shoulder. "Oh good, you're awake. Can you help me with these?"

He took most of the bags into the kitchen and started peering through them. "What's all this?"

"I figured you probably wouldn't be up to going out..."

"You figured right."

"Yeah, so I took a look around and you had no real food in this place. Why does all your food look like it was purchased from a mini mart?"

"Because it was. I'm not here that much so I don't shop, and when I do eat, it's usually take-out. I don't need your charity."

She closed her eyes and seemed to be trying to calm herself. "Greg, I know full well that you have money. This isn't charity."

"Pity then. Oh boo hoo, House lost another one. Let's kill him with kindness."

"That's not it either."

"Then why are you here? Why do you care? Once this semester is over you'll just go back to Quantico or wherever the hell it is you came from and it'll just be sixteen years ago all over again!"

She slammed her hand on the counter loud enough to make him jump. "Enough! I'm not here out of pity, you asshole! I'm here because I want to be. Hell, I even brought an overnight bag. Is that proof enough for you?"

"I told you I don't need a babysitter!" he shouted.

"I'm not babysitting you! Although I have to say you're certainly acting childish!"

"Oh shut up!"

"Make me!"

House grabbed her and pulled her up against his body as his lips crashed against hers. It was just as she remembered, if not a whole lot better. Sixteen years had faded some of her memories but he clearly hadn't forgotten how to kiss. In fact his skills in that department had greatly improved.

Her whole body relaxed against his and she slid her hands up around his neck as he backed her up against the island.

"God...Greg..."

His lips kissed and nibbled her neck while his hands found their way underneath her shirt, sliding up and down her back.

"Dinner can wait," he murmured as he gave her one last nibble before taking her hand.

"I'm not hungry yet anyway," she mused as she let him lead her down the hall toward his bedroom.

"You will be," he grinned over his shoulder at her.

"I have no doubt of that, Dr. House."

He shoved the bedroom door closed with his cane and then tugged her close to him again. "Rhiannon..." he whispered as he nudged her onto the bed. Part of him was slightly nervous. It had been a long time and he wasn't the able bodied young man he was when she knew him. He didn't want to be a disappointment. However when she started to pull off his shirt and kiss his chest, he somehow knew that she didn't care about any limitations he had and he began to relax.

"Mhm?" she murmured against his lips as she pulled him on top of her and wrapped one of her long legs around his.

"So sexy...your skin is still like satin," he said as he kissed across the top of her breasts while his hands caressed them.

"You still smell good," she giggled.

He was so hard it hurt. He reached into the side table for a condom but there were none. "Oh crap."

"What's wrong?"

"No condoms. I don't suppose you have any."

She smiled and gently shoved him off her. "As a matter of fact I do. Wait here," she said and padded down the hall. In a minute she was back and tossed him the box. "Not that we really need them. I got labs done a couple months ago and I haven't been with anyone in over six. And I can't get pregnant."

"The pill?"

"No, something a lot more permanent. Long story. I don't wanna kill the sexy mood we've got going here," she said with that impish grin he never tired of seeing.

He quickly rolled the condom on and resumed his former place in between her legs, kissing and touching her everywhere he could as he slid into her warmth. "Oh God, I am home," he groaned, making her giggle. But her giggles soon turned into moans as they moved together in a very familiar rhythm. It was like no time had passed between them. He already knew where she liked to be touched and kissed and she knew what he liked in return.

It didn't take long for them both to fall over the edge, clutching each other as they did so.

But eventually House needed to move and once he cleaned up, he joined her back in bed. "We'll just order pizza once we recover," he yawned.

"Works for me. I don't think I could stand now even if I wanted to."

"Then my work here is done," he grinned, looking proud of himself as she snuggled up against him.

"God I missed you," she sighed as her fingers traced invisible patterns on his chest. "I honestly never thought I'd see you again. And here you are. So soon."

He chuckled and wrapped both his arms around her.

She gently stroked his cheek. "You did ruin me for any other man, you know. And it's not like I had many over the years, but I couldn't help comparing them to you. I never stopped loving you, Greg. And I knew that if I never saw you again, my last thought this side of the grave would be of you."

"Wow, that's deep."

"It's the truth."

He looked intensely at her. "I don't know what I could say to top that."

"You don't have to say anything. I know you loved me back then, despite what you said to make me believe otherwise."

"No more talking about that. It's done," he whispered as he placed kisses on her temple while his stomach growled.

Rhiannon giggled. "I guess we should feed you now, huh?"

House handed her the cordless phone. "Speed dial 4. Order whatever you want. They have my credit card on file."

"Great. I'm starving."

He watched her make the call and folded his hands behind his head. Part of him couldn't believe she was there, but she was, and he knew he wasn't going to let her go again.

When she hung up, he cocked his head to one side. Here goes nothing.

"So...have you found a place yet?" he asked.

She looked at him like he was crazy. "I've only been in town for a week, Greg. I haven't had time to do much of anything, let alone house hunt. Ha, see what I did there?" she giggled.

He smirked. "Clever. That said, I'll save you the trouble. Just move in here."

She blinked. "Here? With you? Seriously?"

House shrugged. "Why not?"

"I...don't know. I hadn't thought about it. But...I think I'd like that. Yeah, I know I would."

"Good. Problem solved." He glanced at his watch and then leered at her. "We've probably got about thirty minutes. Care to seal the deal?"

Rhiannon smiled widely and was straddling him in seconds, pressing her lips and her body against his. "Absolutely."

The End