A/N: Let the games begin!

Also, because some of you mentioned it, having a reading of the will so soon after death is actually quite common practice (At least in Canada). Especially if the soon-to-be deceased feels there might be issues, they have some specific funeral arrangements laid out in the will, or quite simply, they wanted it that way. I asked my parents' lawyer, he asked some of his colleagues, and that was the consensus. #themoreyouknow

Chapter Ten

House took a quick shower and got dressed. He heard voices in the kitchen so he went in. Nicola was sitting at the table talking to a handsome man. When they both looked up, he was startled by their resemblance. If he didn't know any better he would have thought they were twins.

"Mike, this is Dr. Greg House. Greg, my brother, Mike Brown."

Mike got up and extended his hand to House, which House took. It was a firm handshake.

"Not the Dr. House...out of Princeton?"

House smirked. "None other."

"I've heard of you. You treated one of my partners at the firm a few years back."

"Small world."

"Sit down, Greg. I'll get you some coffee. Want a bagel?" Nicola asked.

"Sure, thanks."

"So how long are you in town, Dr. House?" Mike asked as he sat down again.

"You can just call me House. Or Greg. Whichever."

"Okay then…House."

"I'm here until your sister gets sick of me and kicks me out."

Mike chuckled. "Nice. I don't see that happening. Since she met you it's been Greg this and Greg that…"

"Liar!" Nicola laughed as she blushed and smacked her brother in the chest. "I did not!"

"Did so!"

"Now, now, children," House said as he poured some sugar into his coffee and stirred it.

"I heard what you did for our dad. He really appreciated it."

"Do you anticipate much of a fight?"

Mike shrugged. "It doesn't matter what Mom wants. It's not her money. It never was. All I know is, if at all possible, out she goes."

"Wow. Just like that, huh?"

Mike shrugged. "She banished my sister just because she didn't want the gossip. I moved out soon after. It was safer. I wanted to kill Buck."

"Mike," Nicola said, a warning tone to her voice.

"What? It's his fault."

"It's old news."

"He's still in town, isn't he?"

Nicola sighed as she got her own coffee. "Yeah. I ran into him the other day. He hasn't changed."

"You didn't tell me that," House said.

"There was nothing to tell. I didn't sleep with him if that's what you're implying," she snapped as she got up and left the room.

"You better go after her before she tosses all your stuff out the window," Mike said, but he was smiling as he sipped his coffee.

House went looking for her but he couldn't find her anywhere. Glancing at his watch he saw it was almost ten. That meant she'd be in the study with everyone else so he changed into his swim shorts and went outside for a swim.

An hour later, Nicola came outside but she seemed distracted. House was floating in the pool on an air mattress and he waved at her. She didn't seem to see him or anything else for that matter.

"Hey. What's going on?" he called out.

He paddled his way over to the edge and climbed out. She just sat there, staring into space.

"Hey...Earth to Nicola…" he said as he waved his hand in front of her face as Mike came out.

"Is she okay?" Mike asked, looking concerned.

"She's...catatonic. What the hell happened?"

"Well, it wasn't pretty. Dad split the estate between Nicola and I, Barb got a very sizable amount but she's raising all kinds of hell. She smacked Nicola across the face. Blames her for not getting what she believes is her share. However, thanks to your letter, she can't contest. The will is iron-clad and no lawyer will touch it. Nicola kicked her out and threatened to call the police if she's not out by the end of the day."

House looked closer at Nicola and saw what looked to be an angry welt on her cheek.

"She's going to need some ice for that shiner."

"I'll go get it," Mike said and went inside.

"Hey," House whispered as he gently nudged her until she looked over at him. She looked at him and began to sob.

Mike came out with an ice pack and took over, much to House's relief. He really wasn't good when it came to women who were upset. It bothered him even more when he really cared about them.

Mike held her for a few minutes until she settled down. "I need to go lie down," she said, softly. Then she glanced over at House. "Will you come with me?"

House nodded and they went to her room where he stretched out next to her on her bed while she held the ice pack against her face. "She better fucking be gone by the time I wake up," Nicola muttered as she closed her eyes.

"Joseph and Mike will take care of it, I'm sure," House assured her. "Sleep now."

"You'll stay here?"

"Yep. I'm not going anywhere. I could use a nap myself."

An hour later, House woke up to find Nicola kissing and nibbling his neck and across his throat. He moaned softly and kissed the top of her head.

"Mmm Greg," she whispered between kisses. "You smell good."

He chuckled as he inhaled the sweet citrus scent of her hair.

"So do you."

Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open and Barbara stood there looking outraged.

"What the hell is this?"

Nicola sat up and glared at her. "What the hell are you still doing here? I threw your ass out!"

"It's my house!"

"Oh no, not anymore. Weren't you listening? You have no claim to any of Daddy's stuff anymore. You're lucky he didn't throw you out ages ago. As soon as you found out he was terminal, you started seeing other men!"

Barbara placed her hand against her throat in a pearl clutching gesture that made House snicker.

"How dare you speak to me that way! I've been a mother to you…."

"Yeah, some mother. You threw me out of the house and tried to have me cut from the will! And for what?"

"Disgracing this family!" Barbara shrieked.

"The only person disgracing this family is you! And now you're done. I hope your bags are packed," Nicola said as she got up. "Because they're going out the fucking window!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Barbara shouted after her and then looked at House. "She wouldn't...would she?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," he grinned as he got up and followed her when she quickly left the room.

When they got to Barbara's room, Nicola was indeed tossing Barbara's belongings out the window, shouting "heads up!" as she tossed each thing out.

"What's going on here?" Mike asked when he entered the room.

"You might want to call the police," House told him. "I think this is going to get ugly."

Mike nodded. "Good plan. I'll be right back. Make sure they don't kill each other."

"Are you kidding? If they get into a cat fight, I'm gonna throw some Jell-o on 'em."

Once everything was gone, Nicola washed her hands of it and smiled. "Better go get your stuff before I call the garbage men to come take it."

"You...you…" Barbara couldn't think of what else to say and lunged at Nicola for the second time that day, but House managed to get in between them.

"Ladies, both of you need to calm down. Barbara, Mike's calling the police so it's best if you make yourself scarce. Take whatever scrap of dignity you have left and just go."

"You can't talk to me like that, Gregory House! I'll have your job!"

House laughed. "I'm from out of state. You've got nothing on me, Karen."

"This is all your fault! Convincing that little slut to come out here and kiss up to Daddy. If she'd just known her place and stayed in Jersey, none of this would have happened."

"I've got news for you, Barb," Nicola said, "Daddy never changed his will or cut me out of it. He fully intended for me to be taken care of. He just told you that so you'd shut up about it. The only reason I moved to Jersey was because I had a chance to transfer, so I took it. He didn't want me to move but I didn't want to stay and have you constantly treat me like the red-headed stepchild. Now, for the last time, get out of my sight before the next thing that gets tossed out the window is you!"

Barbara looked to House for help but he merely shrugged. "My money's on her. When was the last time you went to the gym, Barb? You best cut your losses and high tail it outta here."

The cops pulled up out front and Nicola waved at them. "Cops are here. Leave peacefully and I won't press charges for trespassing."

"Trespassing?" Barbara shouted. "This is MY house!"

"Not anymore it isn't. Your name isn't on the deed," Mike said as he stood in the doorway. "You've got no claim to this house anymore. Take the money Dad gave you, which is a hell of a lot more than you deserve, and get off our property. NOW."

Mike's voice was so stern even House was uncomfortable as he led Nicola out of the room. "You need to calm down. Do you have any Ativan?"

"Yeah, I think there's some in my bag."

"I want you to take one and just take it easy for the rest of the day."

"But…"

"Doctor's orders," he said, and gave her a sexy grin.

"Hey, Lt. Brown!"

Both House and Nicola turned to see who called out to her. Nicola smiled at the officer.

"Stephens! Long time no see!" she said and embraced him.

"I heard you were in town but I haven't had the chance to call or anything."

"It's okay. I've been busy."

"I know. I'm sorry to hear about your father. He was a good man, and he was very proud of you."

Nicola's eyes stung with tears and she nodded. "Thank you. I hope I'll see you at the funeral this weekend."

"I'll be there, as will the rest of the department. What do you want us to do about your mother?"

"Step-mother," Nicola corrected him.

"You knew?" Barbara asked her, having been listening to their conversation.

"Of course I knew. Daddy told me years ago. And why are you still here? Get out! Stephens, would you please see to it that she gathers all her crap off my freshly manicured lawn and gets off my property?"

"With pleasure, Lieutenant!" Then he took Barbara by the arm and started to lead her out.

"Let go of me! I'll have your job, too!"

Stephens merely laughed. "Lt. Brown outranks me, and I'm going to do what she says. Now let's go, lady."

"How dare you speak to me this way! I'm a pillar of this community!"

"Whatever you say. Come on, let's go."

Nicola, Mike and House watched out the window as they helped Barbara gather her things and load them in her car, a black Range Rover, and leave the property with the gates closing behind her.