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-KM-

Chapter 25

Allison was up before him the next morning, and House awoke to the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen. As he dragged himself to his feet, he noted that the bed had been just as comfortable as it had looked. He'd have to ask Allison about the mattress. His back felt better than it had in years.

He ducked back into the second bedroom and dressed quickly, wandering downstairs in search of the source of the wonderful aroma.

Allison turned at his arrival. "Good, you're up. Breakfast." She placed a steaming hot omelet in front of him.

He dug in, watching her do the same. "This is good!"

She smiled. "Bacon, cheese, mushroom, onion and bell pepper. You know, the bunny food you claimed to dislike when we were grocery shopping."

"Bacon counteracts rabbit. No self-respecting rabbit would eat a pig." He said around a mouthful. She watched him, laughing. It was good to see her laugh. She'd been doing far too little of it lately. While House himself didn't laugh often, and when he did it was a snicker at someone who'd made a fool of himself, laughter was a part of Allison, one of the best parts.

"House?"

"Mmm?" He asked, mouth full of omelet.

"Why are you staring at me? Do I have cheese on my face or something?" She asked nervously.

He shook his head. "No, sorry. Was just thinking. Staring into space. You and the wall happened to be between me and space."

Allison rolled her eyes. "Hurry up and finish. We need to get to work."

House scarfed down the rest of his omelet, rinsed his plate and put it in the dishwasher and followed Allison out the door.

She settled into the passenger seat of the 'vette and he backed the car down the drive. He glanced over at her, watching her stare out the window at the passing highway.

They pulled into work and rode the elevator up silently, Allison developing a sudden interest in her fingernails, and House, as usual, observing Allison.

When they reached the office, Foreman and Chase were both stumbling over themselves to fuss. "How are you feeling?" "Are you okay?"

She held up her hand to forestall any further questioning. "It was low blood sugar. Orange juice and a steak, and I'm fine."

They both looked relieved. "We have a case. Five year old with a brain mass, but these scans aren't like any I've seen before." Foreman stated.

"Foreman, go get a history. Cameron, you go too. Small humans seem to like you." He realized he'd again spoken before thinking, and was relieved when the two of them filed out to see the patient.

"House, I need to talk to you." Chase stated.

House waived him off. "Whatever it is can wait until after my soap."

"No. It really can't." Chase followed him into his office. "It's about Cameron."

Interest peaked, House settled into his desk chair with his yoyo. "Talk."

Chase reached into the pocket of his labcoat and pulled out a copy of the front page of the day's newspaper. "I don't know if she's seen this. They charged him."

The yoyo hit the ceiling.

Chase ducked the flying yoyo and handed the paper to House, who skimmed it quickly. "James Cattivo, allegedly the 'Shoe Rapist' was captured several days ago and formally charged yesterday. Cattivo, a shoe salesman from Hoboken, entered a plea of not-guilty."

Chase handed him back the yoyo. "Does she know?"

"Not yet. I'll tell her." He headed off to wait for Allison to finish with the patient, leaving Chase standing in his office.