A/N: Since you're all enjoying this, here's another chapter
Chapter Seven
House opened his eyes. The room was dark, and very quiet. At first he forgot where he was, but the huge bed he was in quickly reminded him. Glancing at the clock radio, he saw that it was only one in the morning but he was thirsty, so he got up and found his way to the kitchen.
As he got himself a glass of ice water, he heard footsteps behind him and whirled around to face the man who could only be Nicola's father.
He was clearly in his seventies with silvery wavy hair and a very pale complexion, but when he smiled, it reached his eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the man said with a weak smile. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"You didn't. I just didn't expect anyone else to be up at this hour. I'm Greg House."
"I know who you are," the man said as he shook the hand House offered him. "I'm David Brown. I've heard a lot about you. How are you liking Colorado Springs and my ranch?"
"It's nice, and the weather is nicer than I thought it would be."
"Yeah, you lucked out. Sorry I've been MIA since you arrived. When I'm not working, trying to tie up loose ends, I'm in bed."
"How much time did they give you?"
"A couple of months but I think that's highly optimistic. I feel like I'm on the other side of death's door. Look, Greg...I know this seems like a silly request, having just met you, but I need a favor."
"You need a favor from me?"
"Yeah. Why don't we go to my study?"
House nodded and followed the man through the house to the large study where there was a fire going in the hearth.
"So, as I'm sure Nicola told you, she was cut from the will. That was her mother's insistence and sadly, I was never able to say no to my wife. However, I agreed because I knew about her dabblings in the porn industry."
"Which she had to do because you cut her off," House pointed out.
David waved his hand. "I'm getting to that. She wouldn't have been in that predicament if she'd stayed away from Buck like I warned her to."
"Who is Buck?"
"He used to work here on the ranch. He's responsible for getting Nicola into making those movies. I didn't want her to see him at all but she did anyway. So I cut her off to show her that I meant business. Of course, I never planned to leave her destitute. When I go, she'll be well taken care of. Which is where you come in."
"What do you want me to do?" House asked as he sipped his water.
"Make sure my wife doesn't contest the will so Nicola gets what's rightfully hers. It will be a healthy sum, and she could quite literally be set for life if she plays her cards right."
"Your wife would need a valid reason to contest. Greed isn't one of them."
"I know, but she could argue that in my condition I might not be of sound mind, and that Nicola tricked me into adding her back into the will," David said softly.
"That's bullshit."
"I know, but that's the way it is. So will you do that for me? Look out for her?"
House nodded. "Of course. But what about your son? Isn't he a high priced lawyer?"
"He is, but he's a D.A. and he doesn't specialize in family law."
"Are you aware that your daughter is practically living in squalor? She has a tiny mobile home you can't fling a cat in."
David lowered his head. "I know. I will rectify that, too. She'll no longer need or want for anything after I'm gone. I will see to it that she has a lawyer to go to bat for her if necessary."
"It might also help your case if I wrote a statement stating that you are of sound mind."
David's head came up. "You can do that?"
"I have the authority to put people on seventy-two hour Psych holds. I can certainly tell when someone is mentally incompetent, and you're not. That will hold up in court."
"That would be great if you could. But why would you? You don't even know me."
"I know your daughter, and just based on our conversation here tonight I can tell you love your daughter a lot. And your wife is a real piece of work. No offense."
David smirked. "None taken. She's also not Nicola's birth mother."
House cocked his head to one side. "Really?"
"Yep. Her mother died in childbirth. I met Barb a few years later. She was the kids' nanny but, as the cliche goes, I fell in love with her. Little did I know how much she resented Nicola. I admit, I showered affection on her like a typical father would. Mike, too. All the money went right to Barb's head and it became all about appearances. If Nicola had become a doctor or a lawyer, something of that stature, Barb probably would have accepted her more. But to her, being a cop didn't look good in her clicky social circle." Then he yawned. "Well, this was a good chat, wouldn't you say, Dr. House?"
"I would."
"And I hate to cut it short but I need to hit the sack. I have some meetings tomorrow and we start early."
"No problem."
House excused himself and returned to the kitchen to get his water before going back to his room. When he flipped on the light, he was surprised to see Nicola lying on his bed looking sexy as hell in a red satin sleep shirt.
"Where did you disappear to? Did you get lost?" she giggled.
"Your father and I were having a fireside chat."
Nicola sat up. "You talked to my dad? What did he say?"
"Sorry, doctor-patient privilege."
"You're not his doctor. Look, if he told you something I have the right to know. He's my father."
"Nicola," House sighed as he sat down on the side of the bed and put his water on the night table. "He's fine. Don't worry about it. I ran into him while I was getting a drink and we started chatting. That's it. Nothing to worry about. Now, why are you here?"
She looked doubtful at first, but she let it go. "I couldn't sleep. And I guess you couldn't either."
"I was asleep, but I woke up and I was thirsty."
"Well if you want me to go, I'll go," she said.
He gave her a sexy grin. "You can stay, but I'm going to sleep."
"I've always wanted to sleep with the great Dr. Gregory House," she said with an equally sexy grin.
He smirked back at her as he climbed into bed. She climbed into the other side and stretched luxuriously. Her top rose above her belly button, revealing a very flat and toned stomach.
He so wanted to touch her skin, but he knew what that would lead to. Not that it was a bad thing, but he was truly exhausted and he didn't think he'd be much good to her anyway.
However once the light was turned off, the room was silent and before long, they both drifted off to sleep.
XXX
When House woke up, Nicola was gone from his bed but when he touched her pillow, it was still warm, so she hadn't been gone long. Then he heard the ensuite toilet flush and she came out of the bathroom.
"Morning," she said as she climbed back into bed.
"When's breakfast?" he asked as she snuggled up to him.
"Soon. I'm not ready to get up yet."
"Something's up," he leered at her and wiggled his eyebrows. He felt her hand slide over the obvious tent under the sheets and groaned.
"Hmm...what to do…" she murmured.
"I can think of one thing."
She smiled and continued stroking him through the sheet. Leaning over, he kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm as she opened her mouth under his and they shared a very hot kiss.
"Mmm...Greg…" she murmured as he rolled her over onto her back.
"Mhm?"
They kissed again, hands roaming, until a knock on the door caused them to freeze.
"Dr. House?"
It was Barbara.
"Yeah?" he called out, still placing hot kisses across Nicola's bare stomach.
"It's breakfast time."
"I'll be out in a few minutes."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
House rolled his eyes and groaned. "I think she likes me."
"Yes she does," Nicola sighed as she got up. "I'll see you in the kitchen. She'll lose her mind if she knew I was in here."
"Sounds fun. I'd pay good money to see that."
"So would I. But I don't feel like being banished." She leaned over and gave him a quick peck. "We'll continue this later. I've got plans for us today."
"I can't wait."
XXX
After an amazing breakfast, House and Nicola got changed and she insisted on showing him something in the garage.
"Dad is letting us take his car into town today," she said.
"Nice. What is it? A Porsche or something?"
"It's better."
"Better than a Porsche, huh?"
"I think so."
"A Rolls?"
"Better," she said as she paused at the garage door.
"What could be better than a Rolls?"
The door opened to reveal a car under a canvas cover. "The closest thing to a jet you could ever imagine."
She tugged the cover off to reveal a black and red car, shining under the fluorescent lights.
House's eyes widened. "Is that...is that a Bugatti Veyron?"
Nicola grinned. "Yep."
"A thousand horsepower with a special key that nobody can get to make it go up to its top speed?" House practically drooled as he looked at the car.
"Oh, we have the key. Wanna go for a ride?"
"Seriously?"
"Yep. Come on. Get in. I'll show you what this thing can do."
"Oh hell yes," House said as he got in.
She drove them out of town to an abandoned airfield. "Are you ready for this?" she asked as she dangled the extra key that unlocked the extra horsepower.
"Does speed turn you on, Lieutenant?"
"Of course. Does it turn you on?" she asked with a sly smile.
"Why do you think I ride a motorcycle?"
Nicola nodded. "Good point. Okay buckle up, buttercup. Let's go for a ride."
House watched the speedometer reach 220 mph, and once it hit over 250, he closed his eyes.
When she reached the end of the runway, she slammed on the brakes and it was a very smooth stop.
"Wow."
Nicola reached over and kissed him hard on the mouth. "Your turn."
House's jaw dropped in surprise. "What? Seriously?"
"Sure. I trust you."
They switched places and House got in behind the wheel. "Is there some kind of knack to this?"
"Nope. It's in automatic mode. Just step on it. It'll do the rest."
"I'm just going to take it for a spin first, get a feel for it."
"Good idea. I wouldn't want you to get overwhelmed right out of the gate."
House adjusted the seat and let out a deep breath as he stepped on the gas, gently at first, but he was surprised at how quick off the mark it was.
"Wow," he said as they cruised along to the other end of the runway. "This is awesome! Whoo!" he shouted, making Nicola laugh. When they reached the end of the runway, he turned around and revved the engine a bit. "Ready?"
"Bring it on. Let's see whatcha got."
House gave her a sexy grin and they were off. "Holllllyyyyy crap!" he shouted over the engine noise. He'd never physically driven that fast before, and it was such a rush. When he applied the brakes, the back spoiler flipped up and the slow down was so smooth, he couldn't believe it.
"Damn! I gotta get me one of these!"
Nicola laughed again. "I'm sure Daddy will let you drive it as long as you're here. At least it's getting driven. I'm the only one he'll let drive it."
"Probably due to your Police Academy driver training."
"Yeah, that's a big part of it. Although it's been quite awhile since I've been in hot pursuit. Come on, let's go into town and get lunch. I'm getting hungry."