Chapter 21

Incest-a Family Affair

They walked back to the car, his arm firmly around her shoulders. House noted she was quiet, not saying anything after Belinda handed them the documentation and the marriage certificate.

House noticed she wasn't saying anything. "Flynn? Are you wishing you could have 'do-overs'?"

Flynn said nothing.

House nudged her shoulders. "Flynn? Do you want to get something to eat?"

She finally realized he was talking to her. "Huh? Oh! Eat? Uh, sure, whatever you want."

He looked down the street and shook his head, "We have dinner plans for tonight. Why don't we go through a drive thru and get us some sodas and a snack, then we can drive back to Yosemite. We have the reservations for dinner at the Ahwahnee. Maybe we could go back, have a drink and take in the view from the patio."

She thought a second and nodded, "Should I get undressed?"

"No, you look beautiful. We can change at the Ahwahnee."

They drove through the local Burger King, amusing the teen at the window when she saw Flynn in a wedding dress. They purchased cokes and fries before making the hour and half trip back to Yosemite Valley. Flynn kept staring ahead, vacillating between wondering if they had made the right decision and being ecstatic.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

Realizing that he had said something she looked over at him. "Huh?"

"You look like you've been hit in the head by a 2x4. Are you okay?"

"I'm in shock. I mean, can you believe it? Last week I was mad at you and thought you were a damn nuisance. Now, I've gone and made a deal with the devil."

"Just give it a few days. I'll grow on you."

She started laughing when she saw how serious he looked. Her hand reached out and he took it, kissing it as he drove back through the gate to Yosemite. When they turned into the parking lot of the Ahwahnee and parked; House took Flynn and locked his arm in hers as they walked into the lobby of the hotel. Much to her surprise, rather than turn towards the bar he pulled her over to the check-in counter.

"Greg? What are you doing?"

He didn't respond, instead taking out something from his wallet. It was a confirmation for the Ahwahnee. "I thought it would be nice if we spend our wedding night here."

The clerk checked the computer, "Yes, Dr. House and Mrs. House, we have you down for…oh, it looks as if you were supposed to check in yesterday. I'm sorry Dr. House, but we had to charge you for the room last night. However, your stay is confirmed for two more nights. Congratulations on your nuptials. I'm sure you're going to enjoy the room. I'll need a credit card for any room charges."

They finished the transaction and went up to their room. It was the Queen's Room where Queen Elizabeth II had stayed in 1983. It had a beautiful view of Yosemite Falls and the surrounding granite mountains. The room was furnished in deep woods and earthy tones. Spacious, it had its own private bathroom that had been remodeled recently to include a Jacuzzi bath and a rain shower. House sat down on the bed and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"We have five hours and we have a nice, soft bed. I'm thinking we could take advantage of the nice, comfortable bed—"

"Are we staying here for the next two nights? Or are we staying in the tent cabin tomorrow night?"

He frowned, wishing she'd take off her clothes and get jiggy with him. "We can do whatever you want. We have reservations at both."

"But, we need to cancel them either here or up there…and we need to get our things if we're staying here."

"We can get our things in the morning."

"I love the Ahwahnee, but I really love the tent cabin." Her eyebrows went up and her lips pursed together, pleading with him.

"Fine, I'll cancel the Ahwahnee for tomorrow and we'll go back up to White Wolf. Will that make you happy?"

She grinned and nodded as she pushed him back onto the bed. Immediately she noticed how soft the pillowtop bed was as she slid her hand over it admiring the luxurious feel under her palm.

House watched her contemplate the idea of sleeping two nights on the comfortable bed or going back to the tent cabin. "Come on Mrs. House, just think, two nights in this very cushy bed, me on top, you on top, you on all fours, me on my side…all with extra padding underneath to keep us comfy?"

"First, I am not Mrs. House. Second, that's all nice, but I'm in Yosemite. I want to be next to nature, not a Jacuzzi."

"You're no fun."

She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. "Oh, I can be fun."

House combed her hair away from her face with his hand before his lips connected with her shoulder, nibbling on the fleshy part and then up the side of her neck. Flynn slipped away, kneeling in front of him, running her hands up his thighs careful not to touch his swollen erection which was pushing against the fabric of his crotch. Pulling down his zipper, Flynn took her open mouth and flicked her tongue over his engorged head. With a deep intake of breath, she placed her open mouth over the head of his shaft. He sat back onto the bed as she gently began to suck, licking the little rivulet of semen that oozed out. Her tongue swirled and flicked over the head and down the shaft over and over while his breath came in short gasps. He started moaning. She gave him one last lick and with a slight popping sound freed him from her mouth.

Quickly standing up, Flynn moved in between his legs and began to remove her clothes as he stared up in appreciation. She carefully threw her dress onto the chair in the corner and then undid her bra, revealing one of his favorite parts of her anatomy. Removing her pink lace panties, she stood in front of him running her hands down over her breasts to her clit. Sitting up, House took her breast into his mouth, sucking and nipping her nipple, sending tiny shocks straight to her groin. His hands encircled both breasts and squeezed and kneaded them as his mouth played with her nipples. Her hands roamed down his shirt until she came to his belt. She undid his trousers and House pulled them off in one long sweep. Her hands roamed across his shoulders and down his back as he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. Flynn ran her hands through his hair, grasping it and tilting his head back so that she could kiss him. Their tongues met as his hands left her breasts and found her clit.

Flynn flinched as a jolt of electricity went through her. He stood, took off the remaining garments he still had on and slipped his hands and fingers between her legs. House turned and pulled her down on the bed. She lay back on the bed as he lifted her legs and hips up off the bed and draped them over his shoulders. In an instant his mouth was surrounding her sex and his tongue was teasing and playing with the path between her clit and her opening. Flynn clutched the bedspread, holding her breath as she concentrated on the pressure and tingling in her groin. His sucking increased faster and faster until the dam broke. She moaned and thrashed as the wave of her orgasm enveloped her.

The pleasure turned to discomfort. "No more!" She begged.

He leaned in to kiss her and as their tongues engaged, he plunged deep into her causing her to gasp at the sheer force with which he had taken her. He continued driving in and out of her until his body started to convulse. Looking into her eyes, House's face contorted with pleasure. She pushed her body to meet his thrusts, begging him to go deeper and harder. He slammed his shaft in hard as his fingers alternated between pinching her nipples and squeezing her breasts. They both exploded, screaming out in pleasure as the waves came and then finally subsided.

He gently let her legs fall down as he collapsed onto the bed, panting and laughing. "Oh, now that was a consummation."

She giggled. "It definitely wasn't a stealth fuck. For an old man, you're damn good. I haven't had a double orgasm in years."

"I aim to please madam."

They didn't move for several minutes and then House grabbed the remote, turning on the television. "…and now we turn to Yolanda, our Gossip Gal. Yolanda what do you have for us now?"

Flynn sighed, "Oh, turn that damn thing off, we're in Yosemite for Chris'—"

A photo of Flynn flashed on the screen, "This is just in from the wire service, Flynn O'Flannery, the best selling author of Dancing in Dante's Inferno and Going Home, was married this afternoon. But, that's not the kicker—she married her cousin!"

House and Flynn both bolted straight up. House screamed out, "What the fuck?"

A photo taken on the gazebo just after they were married flashed on the screen, "Flynn O'Flannery married her cousin, Dr. Gregory House of Princeton, today in Mariposa, California just outside of Yosemite Park. Word is that they're staying in Yosemite at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The award winning, bestselling author, wrote a fictional memoir based on her life. In the novels, Gary Holmes is her cousin and it's believed that Gary Holmes is based on the groom, Dr. Gregory House. Back to you, Larry."

The newscaster came back on, "Ewww, that's a little too red neck for me. I didn't even know it was legal to marry your cousin in California."

The Gossip Girl came back on, "I looked it up and it is legal! But, I wonder what their kids will look like." (Laughter from her and Larry.)

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Flynn jumped up and was running around the room screaming, her hand on her forehead. She looked at House, her eyebrows and eyes wide open in horror.

"Calm down—"

Both of their cell phones rang. Flynn grabbed her phone and saw the caller I.D.; she winced and told House, "Mom."

He nodded, looking at his own cell phone and held it up while it rang. "My Mom."

Flynn flipped the phone open and said meekly, "Hi, Mom." She heard House do the same on the other side of the room.

"Flynn? Is it true? Did you and Greg get married?"

She sat down on the bed, her shoulders hunched over, "Yes, Mom, we were married this afternoon." Flynn heard Sarah break down sobbing.

"Why? How could you? He's…he's your cousin. He let you get raped."

Flynn swallowed hard, hearing House calming his mother in the background. He was taking a harsher tone with her, telling her it was no one's business but theirs and that he loved Flynn.

"Mom, he didn't let me get raped. He did something stupid when he was young and the result was that someone took advantage of that and raped me. But, Mom, he's always been there for me. I can talk to Greg, he's frank and kind and funny. Mom, I love him. I always have. I just didn't know how much until recently."

"But baby, he's your cousin."

"Mom, you know that's not true. We're not even half-cousins. Greg is joining me when I come down to see you. We'll talk about all of this then. But, please try and find it in your heart to be happy for me. We're both very happy, very much in love. Okay? Please?"

There was a deep exhale on the other end, "Fine, I'll wait until you two get here before I have my nervous breakdown. I talked briefly to Blythe and she's going to drive up when you come down."

"Fine." Flynn thought it was a great idea to kill two birds with one stone, "I love you Mom. Please tell Aunt Blythe that her son is very happy, happier than I've ever seen him. Maybe that will make her feel better, okay? I'll see you—"

"Before you go…Are you pregnant, Flynn?" Sarah asked.

Flynn gasped. "No! This wasn't a shotgun wedding." House was now standing by her holding out his hand angrily to take the phone from her. Flynn shook her head at him, not letting him have the phone. "Mom, I'll see you in two days and we'll talk. I love you, kisses." She made kissing noises and then hung up. Shaking her finger at House she warned, "No way are you doing the talking when we get down there. You'll have them in a puddle of tears."

House threw his cell on the bed and grabbed some boxers, making his way into the bathroom. Flynn did some channel surfing and practically fainted when she saw their wedding photo on CNN. At least she looked pretty, House was handsome and the both were happy. She wasn't surprised when she received the next phone call; it was her publicist.

"What the fuck did you do? Didn't you think to check in with me?" He barked.

"I'm sorry Howard, it wasn't really planned. Could you please get out an announcement letting everyone know that Greg is my step-cousin, we share no bloodline. My step-mother is his aunt."

"Well, you'll be paying extra for putting this fire out, you know that, right?"

"Sure, fine."

There was a pause, "However, I bet ten bucks your books have a spike in interest. The entertainment shows are all calling me for details. You better give me a few."

"He proposed last night and apparently had it all planned. There was a wedding dress waiting for me in Mariposa at the Registrar's office. He had made an appointment with the registrar to get married for everyday this week, since he didn't know when he'd be able to ask and when he could get me to Mariposa. It was very romantic considering all the effort that went into it."

"How old is he? Where does he work, who designed your dress…you know, give me the goods."

"The dress is a Valentino. He's a world famous diagnostician at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in Princeton, plays the piano and other musical instruments. He's…" Flynn snorted with laughter, "He's unique and I love him dearly and yes, he is the Gary Holmes in my novels. So, that should keep them all nattering."

"Fine, I'll call if I need more. Go enjoy your honeymoon."

"Honeymoon?"

"You are at the Ahwahnee aren't you?" Howard asked.

"Yes…well, I guess it is my honeymoon! It just seems surreal."

They hung up and Flynn waited for House to get out of the shower and then she stepped in as he brushed his teeth.

"My publicist says marrying you might boost the sales of my books."

"Did they need it?" He asked.

"No, they both made the top ten on the New York Times list, but the publicity doesn't hurt." She put the mango shampoo in the palm of her hand.

"Great, glad I could help." He sounded sarcastic. "Your phone is ringing."

She was shampooing her hair, "It's going to keep ringing. I'm going to turn mine off. If Mom needs to get me, she can call yours. I'm entitled to a little privacy on my honeymoon."

Her phone stopped ringing and House's phone started. He flipped the cell open, "Yeah?" There was silence as House listened, "Flynn, it's your publicist." He was trying to hand her the phone.

She turned off the water, "Howard?"

"Flynn, the Today Show wants to do a live feed from the Ahwahnee in the morning at five am your time."

"Five am? I'm on my honeymoon!"

"Look, you can have all the sex you want after the interviews."

"Interviews, plural?"

"Good Morning America wants the next crack at you at 5:30 am. And both of them want the groom."

"No, no, no! That would be a mistake. Greg's not exactly housebroken. He'll…" She turned to look back at the room only to find him standing right behind her.

"I'll what?" House towered over her, eyes narrow, lips tightly pursed.

"He'll be censored ten seconds into the interview."

Howard started to talk at the same time as House, "Well, think about it. It would be great publicity."

"I know how to behave!" House yelled.

"The answer is no, I'm not going to parade him out like some curio piece."

House frowned, "You're just ashamed of me."

"Is that him I hear? Is he right? Are you afraid he'll embarrass you? I thought you said he was a doctor. They usually do well on TV." Howard said.

"No, Howard, and that's my final answer, Reg." Flynn glared at House.

"Oh, by the way, I'm taking the redeye out to…Fresno? My God! They have me flying into Fresno. I get in after the interviews, but I'll hook up with you at lunch at the Ahwahnee at noon to go over our plans. See ya."

"No! I don't want—" But he had hung up. She turned shaking her wet head at House, "Great, Belinda, Terry and that photographer have let loose a hornet's nest. Those bitches."

House chuckled. "Without those bitches we wouldn't have a CD with wedding photos. Cut them some slack, that's probably the most exciting thing that's ever happened to them in their pathetic County Clerk lives."

Flynn took the towel from around her body and started to dry her hair. Within seconds House was behind her, playing with her breasts and rubbing her clit. Flynn shivered.

"Greg, as good as that feels, I need to get out of here and walk around. Plus I have to see if the gift shop has any clothes, I need something I can wear on television."

He kissed her ear, "Maybe I could feel you up during the interview; show them why cousins should marry. Give Matt Lauer some lessons."

"Precisely why you're staying in this room tomorrow morning."

After fielding calls from Wilson and Cuddy, they dressed in the clothes they had been wearing earlier that morning and took the elevator to the ground floor. The doors opened and six people who were waiting for the elevator looked as if they had just seen Mick Jagger. Two of them pulled out their cell phones and surreptitiously took photos of House and Flynn.

"Oh, crap." Flynn muttered under her breath when she saw the cell phones come out.

House strutted through the lobby, his arm around Flynn's shoulder. As more people started snapping photos, he slipped his hand down and lightly touched Flynn's breast for a few of the shots. Flynn pulled away from his arm and slapped him in his chest.

"Stop it!"

"Let's give them something to talk about."

She pushed him away and ducked into the store. Four tourists followed them in and pretended to be shopping as they whipped out their phones. Unbuttoning his top button and exposing his chest like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, House turned to each of them and grinned.

Flynn looked over at him and then at all the cell phones aimed their way, "Oh, for God's sakes, button up Greg. You're making a fool of yourself."

He turned her around and then started dry humping her for the cameras. Flynn whipped around and swatted him.

"Damn it Greg! Stop it!" She grabbed several things off the rack and disappeared into the changing room.

When she came out dressed in a pair of designer jeans, a crisp blue shirt and a linen blazer, she found several reporters interviewing House. The blood drained from her face and she felt light headed as she raced towards them. Jerking him back, away from everyone, the cameras followed her as she pulled him into the dressing room.

"Greg, please, please don't say anything, please! I'm already nervous about marrying you. Don't make me regret it on our wedding day."

He snickered. "Flynn, all I told them was that we weren't blood cousins, that we loved each other very much and that you gave great blow jobs."

She gasped.

"I'm joking! I told them that your books were inspiring."

I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror, "How does this look?"

"Like a college professor's wife."

"I am a college professor. I like it." Flynn took the new clothes off as House sat on the little bench in the changing room watching. He grabbed her and kissed her just above the navel before she pulled away and dressed. They walked out and she paid for the outfit.

The reporters and cameras had been cleared out of the Ahwahnee by Yosemite Police. House and Flynn snuck out to the car, grabbing their ballcaps and sunglasses, before disappearing into a forest ranger tour group about to do a walk to Yosemite Falls. The tallest falls in the United States weren't very full since it was well into a dry summer, but what water there was roared down the side of the mountain and splashed into the pool at the bottom of the falls below before emptying by the gallons into the stream that led to the Merced River.

House and Flynn took off their tennis shoes, frolicked in the water, splashing each other and giggling. Flynn tried to ignore the occasional camera aimed in their direction, knowing that, although they had dodged the media loitering in the parking lot of the Ahwahnee, people were still going to recognize her now that the information was out on the television and radio. Having discussed her book about her life as a teen on the road on MTV, VH1, and Ellen, she had become a cult figure to the disenfranchised teens of the world. Babyboomers related to her too because of her struggle to make something of herself after such an auspicious start. Appearances on The View, Oprah and the Tonight Show had cemented that demographic group. She was one of those authors that had been lifted into the realm of recognizable celebrity, like John Grisham, Stephen King and Truman Capote. Normally no one bothered her unless there had been a lot of publicity about her in the media, like the last year after the Oprah show and today in the news.

Walking back to the Ahwahnee arm in arm, they had almost made it back when they heard footsteps running behind them. Flynn turned and saw a pack of reporters with cameramen running after them. She knew that with House's leg, they would never make it back to the Ahwahnee before they caught up so she didn't even try.

"Flynn! Flynn!" They all started yelling.

Flynn leaned into House. "Honey, just keep walking."

A mike was thrust into her face, "Flynn, how does it feel to be married?"

She smiled profusely. "Fantastic. We're very happy."

"You married your cousin, some people find that somewhat perverse. What do you say to them?"

"First, Dr. House is my step-cousin; we're not related by blood. However, putting that aside, you forget that Darwin married his first cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt was Franklin's first cousin, Einstein married his and so did H.G. Wells. There's a lot of married cousins out there. So, do I think it's perverse? No, not really."

"Dr. House, what do you think about your wife's books?"

"They're a good read."

"Are you Gary Holmes?"

"I don't remember. Is he handsome, Flynn?" House smiled as he opened the door to the Ahwahnee.

She cracked up. "I think we're done here."

The reporters desperately wanted to enter the hotel, but four security guards came pouring out of different doors, pushing the reporters back.

As they traveled through the lobby, House motioned over to the bar. "Drink?"

"Sure."

They went into the bar and ordered drinks. House leaned in and narrowed his eyes. "Is it always like this?"

"You mean, am I the center of attention everywhere I go?"

He said nothing, but kept staring at her with his piercing eyes.

"Not usually. Oh, I have my share of stares and requests for autographs, but normally I don't generate this kind of frenzy. Well, not unless I've done something to get arrested."

House chuckled. He felt this overwhelming feeling of love for her and her self-effacing wit. She could be acerbic and fun, but rarely at someone else's cost. Unlike him, Flynn tended to accept and tolerate people that House found moronic or ridiculous, unworthy of his attention. He figured it had to do with her background and all the good, bad and ugly she had seen and experienced.

He reached out and touched the top of her small hand, looking at it, trying to find the right thing to say. He wanted it to be romantic without being sappy.

She was holding her breath, waiting for whatever he was going to say.

He inhaled and then shook his head, "I wanted to tell you something, but I want to say it just right. I don't know how."

"Say what, honey?" She smiled encouragingly.

"I know I'm not a man most women would want to marry. They find me interesting for about two minutes and then I do or say something that send them running into the night or out for a gun. That is, everyone but you. I know how lucky I am, Flynn. I want you to know that I'll try not to take that fact for granted, the fact that you can tolerate me when most women—hell, most men—can't. I don't know why you married me, but I know I'm a lucky son of a bitch."

"Thank you honey. You are one lucky son of a bitch and I married you for your Flying V. So, I take it your good behavior in front of the media has something to do with this?"

Nodding, he leaned all the way over and kissed her softly then touched his forehead against hers. There was a flash of light and then a flurry of hotel security dragging someone out of the hotel. House looked at his watch.

"It's 7:15. Shall we change for dinner?" House suggested.

Flynn changed into her sundress and House into his blue shirt and trousers with the sports jacket he had brought. They were seated next to the massive fireplace and given a complimentary bottle of champagne. By the time they went to bed, both were tired from a long, exciting day.

The alarm went off at three forty-five am. Flynn raised her head and then let it fall on the pillow again, groaning. Turning on a light she finally dragged herself out of bed, took a shower, dressed, put on makeup and was downstairs in the lobby by 4:30 am. The crew from NBC hustled her into the Grand Room with the fireplace in back of her for a Yosemite-like atmosphere. She was hooked up to the feed and interviewed by Anne Curry, not Matt Lauer. The interview went well, Anne was gentle and let Flynn explain that House was not her real cousin. At 5:20, when Flynn was being hooked up for Good Morning America, House showed up in the Grand room with a cup of coffee.

One of the crew from Good Morning America ran over to him, putting a mike on his lapel and smiling, "Dr. House, we're so glad that you decided to join us for the interview!"

Flynn was mouthing 'no' to him and shaking her head, but House walked over and sat down just as they cued up the feed. She looked over and saw that he was in his blue shirt and dirty jeans. He hadn't shaved that morning so his beard was heavier than usual. To top it off, his hair was all over the place. Despite the fact that he was disheveled, he looked handsome. Still, Flynn was nervous.

"One, two three…" The producer's arm came down and the red light on the camera came on letting them know that they were on the air. House kissed her neck in front of all of America. Flynn froze stiff as a board.

They looked into the monitor sitting next to the camera. In it, Diane Sawyer sat in New York asking them questions.

After first telling the audience about the marriage, she smiled in the direction of the camera, "It's so good for you to join us on your honeymoon. Flynn, when did your cousin propose?"

"Thank you Diane for letting me set the record straight. Greg and I are step-cousins; we're not related by blood. Like many couples, we've known each other since we were children. And to answer your question, he proposed the night before the wedding."

She looked surprised. "Well, that was quick. Why so fast Dr. House?"

House chuckled at the insinuation that Flynn might be pregnant. "Well, after holding a gun to my head and telling me she was pregnant with triplets, I felt somewhat obligated. But, she had a backup proposal from someone else so I had to make a bold move to make sure she didn't marry someone else."

Laughing, Diane asked. "Is it true, Dr. House? Did you have a rival?"

"Yes, but lucky for me, Flynn flipped a coin and accepted my proposal and promises that she'll name the triplets after me."

Sawyer and the crew in the studio were heard laughing. "I'm sorry, but I have to set the record straight. Are you pregnant Flynn?"

"No! Absolutely not. Greg's humor is an acquired taste. I married Greg because I love him."

Flynn was wary; House was being funny, but charming. She cringed as she waited for the other shoe to fall.

"So, it looks like you were married in a wedding dress. If he had just proposed, how did you manage to buy a wedding dress while in Yosemite?"

Flynn squeezed House's hand. "Greg had purchased it and had it shipped to the registrar's office in Mariposa along with shoes."

"According to the registrar, Dr. House had made all the arrangements weeks ago and had even booked a ceremony for every day this week for the right time to ask you. Is that true?"

Flynn smiled at House. "It appears to be true. He's really a romantic at heart."

"Is that true Dr. House?"

"I hedged my bets. But, I was finally able to get her into handcuffs and kidnap her yesterday."

Sawyer kept smiling; obviously enamored with House, "Flynn, is your husband—"

Flynn took a deep breath when she heard House referred to her as her husband. It made it feel real.

"—your character Gary Holmes? The teenager who saves the main character when she is abused?"

Flynn nodded, "Yes, the character is based on Greg."

"Considering your past, do you think that influenced you to marry?"

"Of course it did. I feel safe with Greg. I feel loved."

"Dr. House, we understand you're famous in your own right. According to sources, you're the go-to doctor when all else fails and no one know what's wrong with you."

"Yes, I'd say that was true."

"How do you feel marrying your step-cousin?"

"Great, it means my in-laws all stay the same."

More laughter.

Flynn elbowed him, "I don't know why I married him; I'm way out of his league."

House leaned towards the camera. "That means we bowl on different nights."

Diane Sawyer shifted positions, "You two are funny together! Dr. House, we also hear that you have a reputation for being rather acerbic and insensitive to patient's feelings."

"Yes, Diane, I'm the doctor you'd least like to see at your bedside. Mainly because it means everyone else has given up on you. My bedside manner makes Adolph Hitler look like a stand-up comedian. I'm not exactly user friendly, but I get the job done."

Even Flynn smiled. "It's true Diane, Greg's bedside manner isn't the best, but his brain is. I wouldn't want any other doctor working on me if the disease was serious."

"Well, thanks to both of you and congratulations on your nuptials."

House and Flynn both said thank you together, then the red light went out.

House growled, "You can stop squeezing my hand. I think you've broken every bone in it."

She let go, realizing he was right, she had been holding onto it for dear life.

Turning to him, she pulled off the microphone, "Come on, get your stuff, we're checking out."

"What?" House asked.

Flynn stormed out to the lobby, taking the elevator up to their room. House unhooked himself from the mike, dropping it on the chair and tried to catch up with her, but didn't until she was already in the room.

"What got into you?" He asked, slamming the door behind him, stunned at her behavior.

"I just want to get out of here. I want to get away from all the prying eyes." She collapsed onto the queen sized bed crying.

He nudged her with his cane. "Flynn? What the hell is wrong with you? I thought you were used to publicity."

She turned over, her eyes soaked with tears, eye makeup smeared. "Yes, but I only had to worry about my own behavior, as bad as it was; now I have to worry about yours."

"What does that mean?" He barked, sitting down on the bed next to her.

"Well, everyone's going to be interested in you now that they know you're Gary Holmes and if you do anything out of the ordinary, it's possible that it will be blown up out of proportion because you're married to me. Your board of directors has been turning a blind eye and you've gotten away with it. But that may not be true anymore."

"I can take care of myself."

"Greg, please, can we leave? If we go back to White Wolf Lodge, get our things, we can be home by eight tonight. I mean we could be to my Mom's home by eight."

He looked at her and saw how miserable she was, "Sweetheart, we can go anywhere you want. We're on this trip together." Standing up, House started throwing his possessions into his bag, smiling at her whenever their eyes met.

She stifled her sobs and smiled back, thinking that a smiley House using words like 'Sweetheart' was just a little bit creepy. But, she didn't detect any insincerity in his voice or his demeanor, which, when she thought about it, made it even more peculiar. She got up and packed too.