-April 9th, the Next Year-

"We're here!" Lacey announced from the passenger seat excitedly.

"That we are," Dare agreed. "Come on!"

The three – Lacey, Dare, and Heath – had all decided to take part in the annual Renaissance festival in London. Taking part meaning that they were dressed for the part, too.

And just as well, it was Dare's birthday.

As they walked down the slope towards the ticket area, Lacey grabbed Heath's hand and the two smiled at each other brilliantly. Dare had to look away; it felt too personal. Moments like that happened often enough with the two lately that Dare knew better than to interrupt. They'd been dating for four months and Dare hadn't seen Lacey happier since, well, ever.

Needless to say, neither Dare nor Heath ever heard from House, though Dare planned to return some day to fully apologize.

Or something.

Dare also had a new job as a Veterinary technician at a local Vet's office. The practice itself was owned by a man in his fifties, Dr. Oldman. Dare, having started this Vet tech job in December, became a favorite. And soon after, with a great fortunate turn of events, she was offered his spot as head veterinarian. Of course, she would have to wait to graduate in May before he could retire and she could take his place.

The other vet techs – mostly girls who were Dare's age – were more than happy with his choice, so she felt no animosity. Plus, he wanted to retire as soon as possible and Dare was the first to graduate of the girls.

The next month Dare would be graduating. And within the next month after that, she'd be in charge of an entire Veterinary clinic. Although, Dr. Oldman was replacing himself with another vet tech.

* * * * * *

The group spent the day there until six o'clock when the place closed. Dare drove home, dropping Lacey and Heath off at Lacey's house on the way. Then, Dare sped to work so she could speak with Dr. Oldman. Apparently, he'd interviewed a couple people in the past week that Dare hadn't been working and Dare was curious as to who the choices might be.

Dare arrived still fully dressed in her * renaissance outfit. It was a light blue dress with a white trim. She wasn't too concerned of running into a wary patient; it was a Sunday and normally they closed at around eight. Chances were that no patient would even be there unless there was an emergency.

She stepped through the door and greeted the secretary, Ms. Parker, with a wave. Ms. Parker simply eyed Dare's outfit and continued her work with a grin; she was used to this kind of ridiculousness from the leading vet tech.

"Is Dr. Oldman still in?" Dare asked politely.

Ms. Parker stuck her thumb towards the door behind the main counter and said, "He's back there, hun."

Dare smiled and made her way back. It didn't take her long to find Dr. Oldman. He was sitting in the employee lounge, sipping a coffee cup, and sifting through a mass of papers.

She sat on the couch across from Dr. Oldman and he looked up.

"That's quite the unusual style than normal," Dr. Oldman noted. "Is this going to be the new dress code when you become the head?"

Dare laughed. "Sure. If it was legal. Well, surprising or not, I'm not here to show you my new fashion sense. I'm here to ask about the new employee."

"Mm," Dr. Oldman mumbled. He picked up a sheet of paper and began reading from it. "Top of the class in veterinary school. No experience." He flipped to another page. "No experience." And another. "No experience." He removed his glasses and rubbed his permanently creased forehead irritably. "Then, there's this." He picked up a paper he'd kept to the side and handed it to Dare.

Dare took it quickly and scanned it in a flourish.

Top of the class. Plenty of experience. It was probably a good enough résumé to beat Dare's. Almost.

"Well, this sounds great!" Dare said happily. "Is there a catch? Are they an illegal citizen or something?"

Dr. Oldman smiled halfheartedly and put his glasses back on. "Absolutely not. He's perfect. He's exactly what we're looking for. I just wanted your opinion first, of course. Just putting out any options."

"He? Have you already met him?"

Dr. Oldman smiled. "He's in the other room. I told him I had a feeling you'd stop by tonight if he wanted to wait."

"No way!" Dare exclaimed. "I have to meet him!"

"I was hoping you'd say that."

The two got up and Dare followed Dr. Oldman through the exam room and into the more comfortable owner-of-the-patient lobby. It was more cushiony than the one out front with better magazines.

As soon as Dare and Dr. Oldman walked in, the new vet-tech-to-be stood up.

And Dare froze.

Uncontrollable anger began pulsing through her and she felt the heat rise to her face. But why? She took a deep breath. This was ridiculous. She didn't know this man. She tried to match his perfect, angular face with someone else, but nothing clicked. Completely unfamiliar. He was tall; 6'2" by the look of it. Well-dressed.

And yet something was not right. Obviously. If it was okay, Dare wouldn't have been plotting to strike out and hit him.

And these thoughts went on in a matter of moments. But already she'd missed his name.

"-And this is Dr. Belacqua," Dr. Oldman was saying.

Dare nodded a greeting, folding her hands behind her back to show her lack of enthusiasm to shaking his hand. She was afraid she might try to rip it off or some other weird schizophrenic thing.

And he smiled. That just about pushed it. Dare clenched her hands into fists until her nails dug into her hand. It hurt, but it was better than lashing out at someone who'd never done her any harm.

Who. Was. He?

She studied his face and the feeling, if possible, got worse. His eyes held a look of eternal laughter. Like life was telling a perpetual joke that only he heard. And even though his lips were in a firm and business-like line, his eyes shown with humor. Dare felt like he was laughing at her. It made her feel small and insignificant. She wanted to wipe that disgusting laugh out of his eyes.

And only another moment had passed.

"Chris is fine," the vet-tech-to-be said in a smooth, melodic voice.

Chris? Chris?! How could someone so horrid be named Chris? Dare grimaced. Her whitelighter would never hear the end of this. He would have to change his name, that's all. Not that this was going to be a problem. Dr. Oldman would never hire someone so incompetent.

Oh, wait.

Dr. Oldman was saying something to Chris, but Dare stopped him, saying, "I'm sorry, Doctor, but could we talk? Please?"

"Er. Of course," the doctor said.

Dare wheeled around and stormed into the exam room. Dr. Oldman followed and closed the door behind him.

"Are you crazy?!" Dare hissed at Dr. Oldman, aware that Chris could hear if he listened hard enough through the door.

"Doctor, I think you're being irrational."

"Don't be professional with me," Dare snapped. "I want you to seriously tell me what the hell was going through your mind when you hired this kid!"

"What are you talking about, Dare?" Dr. Oldman. "First of all, I haven't hired him! Second of all, what did he do to you that you don't even want to shake the poor guy's hand?!"

"I-! He-! You're kidding, right? I can't be the only one who feels like killing him."

"Dare, you're being psychotic. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine! Just… confused." She shook her head slowly. "I just have to calm down." Being out of the same room as him seemed to help her concentrate.

"Dare?" Dr. Oldman said. "It's your call. You're going to be working with whoever I hire. And I'm perfectly okay with that. But he's the best you're going to find. Not to mention, you're going to be able to boss him around once you're the head of this place. You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was better than you." Dare gave him a reproachful look and he smiled. "I said if I didn't know any better," he repeated. "And I do. You'll make the right choice, I'm sure of it. But he's too good to pass up. Just think of that, doctor."

"Would you quit calling me that? I'm not a doctor yet," Dare said quietly.

"But you will be. In one month, actually. And so you're pretty much already there. Anyway, I want you to go in there and first of all, apologize. Then, I want you to hire him. But, like I said, you're the one calling the shots."

Dare took a deep breath. "Sure. I'll talk to him."

"Good for you," Dr. Oldman said supportively. "He really is a good kid. Be nice."

"I'll try," Dare mumbled as she opened the door again and stepped back into the lobby. She gave a fake smile as she stuck out her hand towards the new vet tech.

"Congrats," Dare said with pseudo-happiness. "You're hired!"

"Really?" he asked, almost sounding unsurprised. "That's fantastic! Really."

Oh, I'm sure, Dare thought to herself as they shook hands.

"I'm sorry," Dare said slowly as they let go. "But what was your name again?" Somehow – perhaps it was the rush of anger from before – but she'd forgotten his name.

"Er. Christian. Christian Bale. Or Chris. Either one."

"Mr. Bale. Sure," Dare said halfheartedly. "Welcome to West London Veterinary Clinic."

And he smiled widely, making Dare's skin crawl. This was going to be an interesting summer. Dare turned around quickly and went back into the exam room where Dr. Oldman still stood, looking bored.

"I hired him," Dare said monotonously.

"Happy birthday," Dr. Oldman said happily. "You got yourself a new employee!"

"Yippee. It is the best birthday ever."