Chapter 25

Romoly stopped. Not sure she heard him right, she slowly turned around, only to find him facing away and watching the rain as it fell in sheets outside his living room window.

"What did you say?"

House sighed and turned around. Ok, this has got to be one of the best performances of your life, House, he coached himself as he studied his feet. You've got to be an even better liar than that one and only time you slept with Cuddy and told her she was good. Talk about that one being the performance of your life. Now you've got to make Romoly believe you're serious…no matter how much you're fighting it. With his head hanging down, House rubbed the tip of his thumb against his forehead and quietly said, "I love you."

Romoly studied him. She knew enough about him to know when he was using pretty words for his own gain. And this was definitely one of those times. Now she was getting upset again. "Don't you dare say that to me; don't flippantly throw about words you don't understand." He threw her a confused look. Not sure if he was really confused or just being difficult, she sighed and asked, "Do you know what 'flippantly' means?"

He gave her a blank stare then looked at his shoes pitifully.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "It means lightly, carelessly, without regard for. I know why you're doing this; I'm not an idiot you know. I know you just want to know who he is. It's eating you up so you've started spouting words, not caring if they should actually mean something. You hope they'll get me to tell you what you're so dying to know." She stopped and stepped closer, watching him. She was suddenly amazed to discover he wasn't putting up a fight. Ok, that's too easy, she thought. Looking closer, she saw his tiny smirk he seemed so hard to hide. He's manipulating me! She narrowed her eyes. I'm not a manipulator…I can't come back. Fine…he'll just never know.

"Fine Dr. House," Romoly said and stepped away. "You'll just never know who that is." And, with that, she turned and stomped out of the apartment.

That was the LAST thing he wanted. Damn it; his plan had backfired. Rolling his eyes and cursing under his breath, he took off after her, catching up with her just as she opened her door. "Go away," she commanded as he stood behind her in her open door.

"No, not until you tell me what's going on."

"Why do I need to tell you?"

He couldn't answer for a moment…then realized for the first time her door was open. Looking up, he saw the other man, sitting in the living room with a woman who looked very much like Romoly, a reality television show blaring from in front of them. The couple watched the scene unfold before their very wide eyes, each wearing a tiny smirk on their faces as they looked from Romoly to House and back. The couple wordlessly begged SOMEONE to please tell them what was going on. But from Romoly's stiff stance and the sudden crossing of her arms, she let them know it wasn't going to be her.

The woman on the couch rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ok, fine. I'll introduce us…" She got up from the couch and moved toward them all the while taking in House's appearance like a cattle rancher evaluates a prize bull at a bovine auction. "I'm Angel Monroe and this is my husband, Bobby. I'm Rom's cousin. We're staying here for a few days. And you are…?"

Romoly watched the emotions play out on his face and almost laughed aloud. It was clear he didn't totally believe her but he had been SOOO sure it was her lover…

House didn't speak so Romoly made the introductions. Both Angel and Bobby's eyes widened from realization…this was the annoying neighbor that had Romoly's panties in a twist! Angel watched him further, her little smirk becoming positively huge. I see why…he's not only annoying and rude he's gorgeous to boot.

Despite all that, House was still confused… "If that's true, then why did it look like the both of you" House pointed from Romoly to Bobby "just took a shower at 8:00 at night? And why are you wearing what looks to be his shirt?"

Romoly looked at her family then back at House but refused to speak at first. House challenged her with his eyes then grinned when she didn't answer right away. "You CAN'T tell me, can you?"

She was starting to get mad again. "Of course I can tell you…I just don't know if I want to tell you."

House looked at Bobby. "Would YOU care to explain?" But Bobby shook his head. "And why not?" Bobby shrugged. "Are you some kind of an idiot or something? Do you even know how to talk?" House held up his cane. "Am I gonna have to beat it out of you?"

Romoly gasped. Maybe I really should say something now… "No, Dr. House. You don't want to be arrested for assaulting a police officer." House threw her a confused look but she smiled. "Bobby is a detective with the Philadelphia Police department. They came here to spend a few days with me. Two hours ago, they called and said they had a flat tire driving in and needed my help. It was raining and Bobby and I got dirty. See?" Romoly pointed to the messy shoes and dirty coat that hung above a bed of newspapers to keep the carpet clean. "Bobby took a shower first but left all his clothes on the floor, like the lazy bum he is." Bobby rolled his eyes and Angel nudged him. "When I went to take a shower, I didn't realize, until afterwards, that Bobby had also taken my robe. Before I could say or do anything, you almost knocked down my door. I couldn't very well answer the door naked…"

"I'd have settled for the towel. That's my favorite."

Romoly ignored him. "…so I grabbed his shirt, which isn't that dirty," they both looked down at it… "and I answered the door. There: you happy?"

House was dumbfounded…and humiliated. What was he to do then?

He did one thing he was very good at: running away.

Turning on his heel, he walked out of the door, slamming it shut behind him. This left a bewildered Angel and Bobby just watching Romoly, who watched the closed door. Still thinking of what she read, Romoly sighed and walked to her La-Z-boy, plopping down.

"That's the same Dr. House, your obnoxious neighbor you've been telling us about?" Angel asked, wide-eyed and curious. Romoly nodded her head. "You're right…he is sexy in a very unkempt way. Oh honey, I hate to break it to you but he's really got it BAD."

Romoly refused to believe that…it was safer not to. "You can't be serious."

"Even I can see it and you know how dense I am," Bobby smirked.

Romoly playfully nodded. "And it's that denseness that makes me wonder how you became a detective with the Philadelphia Police in the first place." Bobby rolled his eyes but let it drop with a tiny smile.

Angel smiled. She loved and appreciated how her best friend and cousin always got along with her husband. "Honey, you've got to do something."

"Like what?"

"Kiss him…show him your ass…flash him your breasts…" Bobby said, smirking. Angel just rolled her eyes.

"Thanks buddy…you're a tremendous help."

"Rom, hon, I don't care what you do…just get over there and talk to him. Now." Angel urged.

Romoly nodded and sighed. "Fine." She got up and left the apartment.

*****