"We always try to do this when no one has a headache." Jack said. "You girls need to time those better." There was minor laughter from the girls. House watched silently.

"The easiest way to pinpoint the subtle difference between healing energy and raising familiar energy is to classify it as directing with intent from the get go. When we raise familiar energy we 'feed the form from within' as it were. When we do spell work we raise energy and send it out to do our intent. When I heal…" Jesse stopped to think for a moment. "I want the right words here, bear with…it's as if I'm using the ground and center energy. I'm bringing up the primal fire when I connect with it and direct it to the target. It's absolute channeling with a specific target and that's where I think you've missed the translation in the past. When I worked on Amber's migraines you heard me say a short prayer and from there I would meditate as I worked. You let the ground and center energy do the work through you. You're the syringe that administers the shot. You're not the shot."

"So you don't break from it once you cast and call?" Amber asked.

"I don't cast and call. Think about what you're asking. Never once did we cast and call when you had headaches. I'd snap my fingers, rub my palms and we'd begin."

"So we're trying from solely within and this should be a combination of the two?" Coral asked. "What's the ratio?"

"One part you…about four parts Goddess or more?" Jesse shrugged smiling. "I wanted to cast and call for this because if any of you start experimenting we have directionless excess floating around." There were giggles from the girls and a curious look from House.

"And I'm tired of changing light bulbs." Jack mused.

"That's why we got rid of as many of them as possible and went with fiber optic and candles." Jesse apologized.

House couldn't contain himself. "You can blow light bulbs?"

Jack laughed. "On a regular basis. Even the rope lights aren't immune. Anything electrical is at the mercy of her anger or a high-powered practice session. You should have seen what she did to an innocent microwave…"

"Jack." Jesse laughed, her embarrassment obvious. House's eyebrows rose.

"Remember that first morning when we discussed this?" Jesse smiled at House. "I'd said x-rays were always around but we didn't know it till we discovered them. It's the same situation. We can't measure what we raise, but we'd better direct it before we open circle or electrical malfunctions can plague us."

"We don't have anything to practice on. It's a shame you fixed House's leg." Amber said glancing coyly in House's direction.

"And it's a good thing I did. House is not a guinea pig for novice experimentation." Jesse snapped. "You can fuss with Dr. Wilson's beauty marks later if you're so inclined. I'm sure he'd appreciate that." There were giggles while Jesse thought for a moment. "I know. Watches. Middle of the table." Jesse motioned to the girls. Jack removed his as well. House decided to join in. "No." Jesse stopped him. "You are not a guinea pig. Neither is your watch." House looked on as Jesse scooped all three into her hand and closed her other hand over the top of them. She didn't move for about a minute. No one moved. Jesse tossed them on the table without looking. "Ladies and gentleman, start your engines." She laughed.

"You don't have to look?" House stared at her in amazement.

"I'm that good." Jesse winked at him as everyone picked up a watch. "Just sit back and be quiet. They're going to need to concentrate on this project for a while. We'll see how long it takes." Jesse grinned. House checked his watch.

"For us to start them or give up?" Coral asked.

"Shut up and concentrate." Jesse snapped. "Do exactly as I told you. There is no such word as can't."

Jack was first. With a surprised look on his face he showed it to Jesse. "It's alive."

"Two minutes fourteen seconds." House said quietly.

Amber was next gleefully bouncing up and down in the booth.

"You're distracting Etta." Jesse cautioned.

"Four ten." House whispered as Coral concentrated till it looked like it hurt.

"I did it! I got it! It works!" Coral squealed with delight, holding her watch up.

"Five and fifteen." Jesse started clapping slowly as the commotion ensued. "I'm curious." House said, slipping his watch off and handing it to Jesse. "How long does it take an expert?" He place the watch in her hand and watched as Jesse slipped it over her fingers face up in the palm of her hand. Jesse stared at the face gently rubbing her thumb in tiny circles. House watched the second hand. ""Twelve seconds to stop it." Jack looked at his watch as Jesse reversed the direction of the circles. "It's ticking." House announced a short time later.

"Seventeen seconds." Jack grinned.

"Teach rules!" Amber slapped her hand down on the table. Coral nodded in agreement and clapped her hands.

"Okay. House has better things to do than watch you play with inanimate objects. Lets dispense with formalities…after you get hold of yourselves." Jesse handed the watch back to House. Everyone grab a bauble and get rid of the excess." House watched as Jesse reached for the one she'd let him use earlier. "We ask that the energy raised within only be used for the good of all and harm to none." Jesse looked at her students.

They repeated what she'd said and all four finished with, "And as our will so mote it be." The powers that be and elements were thanked for their presence and bid farewell. "May the circle be open but never broken." Was also said in unison and they were done.

"Everybody grab a snack and a drink. Bring me something too." She motioned to the girls. Jesse leaned back, glancing up at House. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being so patient…and good."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." House laughed, shaking his head.

Jesse sensed his confusion from the look on his face. "You see what I mean now? The difference between novice and advanced screams at you when you see people that have practiced for years." House had to nod in agreement on that one. Jesse waited. The twins delivered a small plate and two glasses for Jesse and House. He started to protest. "Hungry has nothing to do with it." She touched House's hand with her fingertip and he felt a spark of static electricity. Jesse took a nibble and a sip. "Just a bite, my warm lover. Grounding the excess." House did as instructed. There was little point in arguing. This was Jesse's arena of expertise, House decided as he took a drink of water. He watched Jesse lay the pendulum on the table with the others.

"And what did you do to those?" House asked.

"Charged them with positive energy. It strengthens their ability to work for the user, akin to a good luck charm." Jesse explained, leaning against House.

"It must work very well for you."

"Oh it's not mine, technically. I have several I use. Big brother sends us baubles all the time." Jesse picked it up again and put it in House's hand. "It's yours." House shook his head. "Don't be silly. You like that one. Take it. I insist." Jesse closed his hand over the pendulum. "Something to talk to when Wilson's not around." She laughed.

Chapter 54