He smiled, unmoving. "I ate too much. Yes it's acting up. Taking a break before I go, that's all."

"Coming back?"

"Later." House didn't move as he felt Jesse's hand make a small circle.

"Yes?" She whispered. House only smiled and nodded. His eyes never opened as he felt the strange sensation of numbness creep across his leg.

"Bringing Jimmy?"

"Oh please say yes." Coral begged.

"He's coming over to my place a little later for beer and TV. Monster truck night."

"We have TV here."

"I'm sure you do." House smiled as he listened to the twins chatter back and forth about the possibility of another fun night. "It was listed high on the 'to do' list ladies, so you have little to fear. Let us get a little quality time in before the three of you go for a rematch." House said, the stress level in his voice dissipated with his pain.

"Girls, House's leg." Jesse silenced them. House's smile widened as they tittered about Jesse being able to do 'that' single handedly.

"When she gives you lessons on that, I want to be here." House said.

"She already has." Amber said.

"We're miserable at it." Coral added.

"Your concentration span has to be longer than your eyelashes." Jack snickered. Everyone laughed. It surprised House. Even amidst her laughter, Jesse could still continue to work. House was absolutely fascinated.

"When she gives you more lessons then."

Jesse's hand stopped instinctively. She lightly patted his leg and House nodded. "I can give a quick demonstration before you leave." Jesse said. His eyes opened.

"I could wake up for that." He glanced in her direction; the look on his face was utter peace and contentment.

"You didn't drink much did you?" Jesse asked. They both shook their heads.

"Alcohol plays a factor?" House asked.

"It can. They're scattered enough, don't you think?" Jesse asked. "Clear the table and get the candles." Jesse said.

"Candles?"

"The proper ambience is a plus when you're working with the more scattered. And I like them." Jesse shrugged. "I'm a fire sign, what can I say?"

"And white roses."

"With blush." Jesse laughed as the table cleared in record time.

"Blush?"

"A poem I read a many years ago about roses…'The white rose speaks of friendship and the red rose speaks of love.' etc. It finishes with a comment on a pale white rosebud with the kiss of desire on its lips…I'll have to look that up." Jesse said.

"She can quote poetry too." House mused, his eyes closing again. "Shakespeare?"

"That too." The girls were wiping down the table as Jack dispensed with the leftovers. "Back in a short." Jesse said. He watched her go behind the bar and rinse her hands. She was meticulous when it came to her practice, House thought. Another similarity.

House watched as a small white candle was placed in the white rose centerpiece. Coral lit some incense and placed it on a candleholder on the wall. He didn't see Jesse motion to Jack to bring the pendulums from their resting place on the bar. Amber slid in the booth on House's other side and Coral beside her. Jack pulled up a chair across from Amber.

"Cast and call or informal?" Jesse asked.

"I think the more official the better." Jack said, smiling at the curious expression of their audience. Amber cleared her throat and rolled her eyes at House.

"Ah yes. We have a guest. Pop quiz from Sunday House, this is important. "How do you enter our circle?"

"Stuffed to the gills." House made a face at Jesse and winked as laughter erupted. They stared at one another. He didn't look too serious about standing his ground. Jesse shook her head and tried again.

"Come on House. You already talked to a rock today. How difficult can this be?"

There were more snickers. Jesse leaned over and gave him a kiss. House rolled his eyes. "I'm thinking!" He said in answer to Jesse's exasperated expression. "That was a lot of information. With perfect love and perfect trust?" House asked more than said.

"Excellent. See? He's not dense." Jesse bragged.

"No he isn't. Very good, House." Coral said.

"Ready?" Jesse asked to a round of affirmatives. "Radiating circle from the center of the table once we start. Positions for quarters. Ground and center." Jesse reminded and the girls adjusted accordingly. There were a few moments of silence and 'ready' whispered around the table. Jesse snapped her fingers to either side of her head, then front and center. House said nothing. He knew when to be quiet. It was time to digest…and watch the show.

Palms upturned and gathered at the center of the table as if they were holding something as a group. Jesse's voice broke the silence. "We cast this circle thrice around, those within be honor bound, to the Wiccan Rede, the moon and sun. Do what you will with harm to none." They withdrew their hands simultaneously.

House felt a wave of something indescribable pass through him. The temperature seemed to rise a few degrees. He watched the candlelight flicker for a moment then become perfectly still. For a second he had to remind himself to breathe as he tried to discern what had just happened. The ambience changed; peace, clarity, solitude.

"As above, so below, as within, so without, and as the universe, so our souls." Followed Jesse's verse in unison from all of them.

"The circle is sealed. Mother, embrace your children." Jesse's voice was a heartfelt whisper.

Jack was first. "Element east, the breath of life. We call you here."

"Element south, the fiery spirit that is life eternal. We call you here."

"Element west, the water that is life's blood. We call you here."

"Element north, the earth that is body and home. We call you here."

House listened as they took their turns from Jack to Jesse and the twins. With no hesitation Jesse spoke again. "Goddess of all, we seek your healing touch. We ask for your enlightenment and brief attention. God of all, watch over us that we may find the answers we seek in your shadow." With her words, the ambience House was sensing took on an electric quality. The air seemed to shimmer in some invisible way.

Chapter 53