They wandered back to the house by late afternoon and decided it was time for a nap before dinner. House awoke to find Jesse gone from his side again. He rose from a sound nap on the sofa, first glancing toward the kitchen. He was thankful to see the coffee pot was untouched. And where was she now. House scanned the lower floor. He started to get up and flinched. The pain was back, though it didn't seem as severe as usual. House wasn't taking any chances and popped several Vicodin. He wasn't about to spoil what had been one of the best days in memory. He leaned back on to the couch recalling the high points of their wonderful day together as the Vicodin kicked in.

House started to hear a faint sound or two from upstairs. He opened an eye and surveyed the stairs. They really weren't that bad. They certainly weren't steep. House eased himself off the couch and decided to try it without an audience. He found if he took his time and up one step at a time they were doable. As he neared the top he heard the sound of Jesse's voice, the musical quality even more apparent when she was speaking Spanish. She came into view as House had cleared all but the last few steps.

He hadn't noticed a computer in the far corner of the bedroom that morning. Jesse was online and chattering away as she typed into a messenger window. Then House heard another voice. This one was also speaking Spanish. And then the messenger window was filling up. She would stop and type for a while and then speak in to the microphone. House stood transfixed on the steps watching her fuss with the mike and a web cam as well. One or the other would cut out and she'd excuse herself for a moment from the oral conversation and wiggle the wires in their ports and fuss some more. There was laughter from both parties and something caught House's finely tuned musical ear. Their laughs were nearly identical. There was an eerie sameness in quality to their voices as well…Jesse and her brother.

House quietly wandered up a few more steps, leaning on the banister and watching as Jesse chattered and typed away. House couldn't understand a word. He found it odd that he didn't feel excluded though. There was happiness in her voice that was familiar to House. Her conversation with her brother could have easily been a conversation with House, other than the different language. He caught no hint of strain in their relationship. Things sounded social, friendly, they were having fun. House had no intention of interrupting and stood leaning on the banister for some time enjoying this foreign "music" to his ears.

There were a few words that were familiar to House that made him cringe though. At one point she was obviously telling them she had met someone. He heard the words doctor and Princeton Plainsboro, followed by his name. Something about music and school…she was telling them how they'd met. House felt a tinge of embarrassment hearing himself described. He understood a handful of words and could make out some that were similar in English. She found him very handsome, intelligent and funny. House suddenly felt like he was eavesdropping. He couldn't bring himself to interrupt and announce himself at this important part of the conversation or any other for that fact. Watching her in this private moment gave him such insight in to this woman that had stolen his heart. There was no doubt she would fight for them. She loved them.

And House listened to the tone of the conversation carefully. There was no anger at the mention of a new man in her life. If anything the conversation had become more animated and lighthearted. They were happy for her. The one on the web cam was teasing her about it. Jesse was laughing and giggling like a little girl.

House understood the word sex in most languages. Sex, yes. Excellent. Happy. She'd been happy for three days with Dr. House. House had to smile at the thought of that. There weren't too many people who could say they'd been happy with him for three whole days in his entire life. House already decided he liked the one on the web cam and then…difficult as it was to catch, House heard it…"Dr. House is a very good man for being so good to their baby sister. Good for Jesse."

House caught himself looking away from the conversation. They didn't know him, except through Jesse's eyes. House thought for a moment as he stared at the floor, then remembered Jesse had admonished him for that earlier. Through Jesse's eyes he was everything she could want. House looked back at his beautiful companion and the face on the monitor smiling at her. He would have to step lightly in the presence of her family. They already thought highly of him because of her words. But Jesse wouldn't have said that of him if House hadn't given her that part of himself. House looked away again, fixing on some point at the bottom of the landing. He had given her his best, at least the best he could give her so far. He'd almost ruined things earlier that afternoon. He made a promise to himself that wouldn't happen again unless it was absolutely necessary.

While House was lost in thought, Jesse had excused herself from the conversation for a drink. House realized it was silent and looked up to find Jesse staring at him from the chair. She had an odd smile on her face. "Awake so soon?" She whispered, once she was up and away from the monitor.

Jesse leaned on the banister from the other side. House nodded. "About half. It was too far to go back down and I didn't want to interrupt." House tried to explain. Jesse leaned over the banister and kissed him and House knew everything was right in her world. It's not like he was eavesdropping, not really.

"I'm going downstairs for some water. Want me to bring you anything?" House shook his head. "Make yourself comfy. I'll beg off when I get back." Jesse told him and she was down the stairs before he could answer.

House made his way to the bed and sat down. He stared at the monitor watching Jesse's brother light a cigarette and lean back in his chair. House could only wonder at the resemblance, their eyes had the same hypnotic effect; her brother's hair was quite long as well. House wondered for a moment about their parents. One or both must have been quite good looking. Jesse was back too soon. She padded up the steps in her bare feet. House never heard her coming and she stopped short of the last few steps, watching House stare at this stranger from so far away. What must he be thinking?

Jesse gave House a peck on the cheek and eased herself back into her chair. Her brother was sorry to hear of her going so soon but good byes were said, some typed, and she managed to sign off in short order. House heard his name mentioned a time or two more before she turned off the messenger windows.

"One of your brothers?" House asked, pointing at the blank screen. Jesse nodded. "I heard my name mentioned."

"Yes you did." Jesse sounded embarrassed. "What else did you hear?"

"Not much that I understood. I should be brushing up on my Spanish?"

"They speak English."

"But not when you're together."

"My mother was very strict. We could plot and plan behind her back when we stuck to our mother tongue. She traveled the world. Our father and governesses raised us. What you call Spanish would only give you the basics. We are Mexican. That is what we speak. There is a difference. And we enjoy speaking it together. Memories."

"How did you get separated? You say you're an American girl. You were raised here?"

Jesse shook her head. "We were raised everywhere. We were here a lot when our mother was stationed in Fort Dix and for a time we were herded between here and Washington as she climbed up the government ladder. My father was content with the traveling for a time but he grew homesick for Mexico. Mother didn't want us raised there but at one point he insisted as she became more involved with her work and less so with family. We were sent for. My brothers were happy to stay there. I was not. Mexico has many beautiful things to offer. I enjoy visiting. It is not home for me."

"You talk to them. You said…"House stopped for a second, trying to recall her words.

"I don't keep up on their business adventures. We do keep up with one another. Most Sunday evenings we get online and talk. You were sleeping so soundly. I thought I could look them up early and squeeze our quality time in before you woke up. House, don't try to keep me from them."

"I wouldn't. I'm not. I'm curious. They must be curious too. I heard my name." House tried again.

"They wondered what I was doing here…the last time there were much different circumstances. They were worried. So I laid their fears to rest once and for all."

"You were bragging?" House asked, somewhat embarrassed.

"I was telling." Jesse was quick to correct. "I told them I wasn't here all by myself. That's what they were worrying about. I told them I met someone, we wanted to get away from all the outside interferences and I suggested we spend the day here. And here we were and you were napping and they had all manner of questions. We covered most of them, I think."

"They'll be wanting a shotgun wedding?" House laughed.

"No. They know better. They've no room to talk on that subject and encouraged me for many years to be done with William. They would be happiest with me free to be myself these days. That's all any of us want for each other. We've each tallied our lists of personal tragedies and managed to stick together through all of them. The miles may separate, but the family ties remain intact. You're an only child aren't you?" Jesse asked. House nodded. "You wouldn't understand then. I'm sorry." House said nothing.

"Nothing to be sorry for." House dismissed it. Jesse sat down on the bed beside him.

"No one to share things with all these years? It must get terribly lonely."

"Wilson's a good friend. We have fun torturing each other when things don't go well."

"Sounds grand." Jesse laughed. "You do seem to get on well from what I saw at the party that night." House nodded.

"We do. I like being alone for the most part anyhow." House added, trying to sound like he meant it. Jesse gave him a look.

"I can tell."

"I do. People annoy me for the most part. I know you feel the same way." He argued.

"A lot of the time about a lot of the people. But it's always nice to have your personal peeps around when you need to regroup or compare notes." House laughed at the Internet term. "Everyone needs their own little tribe to call their own."

"I'm a tribe of one." House announced, seemingly proud of his independent status, but he could feel Jesse's eyes on him. He glanced in her direction. Jesse smiled at him and nodded. "Maybe one and a half as of Friday night." He kissed Jesse's hand after thinking about it for a bit. Jesse stifled a laugh. "What's so funny?"

"You." House raised an eyebrow. "What's the secret password for full access, O great tribal leader?" Jesse giggled. House pushed Jesse down on the bed, kissing her amid her squeals of delight.

Chapter 26