Race to the Finish: Part 4
Small Talk 101

20 minutes later, House and Cameron arrived at the Foundation's Central New
Jersey offices. After 10 minutes of bickering with the valet about where to park
the corvette, House guided her into the reception area.

"House! Over here."

Being tall had advantages, Greg House saw Wilson over the crowd of people.
They walked over to the bar.

"I'm two drinks up on you, what took so long?" Wilson asked handing him a
scotch. House sipped - damn "girly" scotch. Quickly he downed that drink and
motioned to the bar tender.

"I'm here to make sure the two of you don't hide in the corner." A voice said

from behind House. Being tall also meant he could hide things too. Cameron stepped

around House.

"Whoa, Dr Cameron you look amazing." Wilson was able to get out despite
nearly choking on his drink.

House looked at Wilson with both pride and protection.

Cameron motioned for them to mingle.

House shook a few hands and smiled a lot. People seemed to ask him the same
question – "What happened to you?" So he decided to have some fun.

"It's an old football injury."

"I took a bullet in the jungle. I was there treating the poor."

"I jumped in the way of a car, saved a young girl from getting crushed."

"I was a circus performer, fell off the Trapeze."

The last one was Cameron's favorite - "New York City Ballet, I tried to
lift an over weight dancer. I didn't make it."

Dr. Cuddy walked up with an elderly gentleman. "Mr. Miller, this is Dr.
Gregory House. He heads up our diagnostics department. This is Dr. Allison
Cameron, one of his associates."

House shook the man's hand. "Sorry we're late. Dr Cameron and I were
working on an interesting case. One side of a man's face swelled up. At least
I think it was a man."

Mr. Miller chuckled as Cuddy cringed. She held up four fingers - hoping to
remind him of their deal. It worked.

"You had some interesting cases; Mrs. Warner was telling us about how you
saved her husband. By the way, I noticed your cane - what happened?"

House was ready to launch into a long story, him being a CIA agent, but he
caught sight of Cuddy again. "I had a blockage in blood vessles of my thigh muscle.

They didn't find it in time and there was some muscle death."

Mr. Miller nodded solemnly. He took House's hand and turned to Cameron.
"How do you like working for such a man?" He asked Cameron. They chatted
back and forth. She looked like she'd been doing that for years.

"Looks like you finally lost your poodle."

House turned to see a woman looking at him. "Did you say something?"

"She's been like a lost puppy all night. Following you everywhere you go,
it's kind of sad to tell the truth." She said with a smirk.

He took in the woman before him. She was attractive, but nothing compared to Stacy
or Cameron - especially Cameron.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked sarcastically.

"We've not been introduced, I'm Paula Miller you been talking to my
father."

House listened to her talk for awhile. All too soon it became clear that he
didn't like this person. He scanned the room looking for help. Wilson was
chatting with some 20 something blond. Cuddy and Stacy were in a deep
discussion with another Foundation member. He then saw Cameron. Thank God for Cameron.

Cameron caught his pleading and walked over. "Dr House, Dr Cuddy wanted you
to meet someone. They went out on the veranda. Excuse us Miss Miller."

House nodded and shook Paula Miller's hand. "Thank you for the lovely
conversation." He quickly took Cameron by the arm.

"Thank you for the help." He said when they were out of ear shot.

"I had to make it up to you for 'Elephant boy'. So are we even?" She
asked looking into his eyes.

"My dear Dr. Cameron, It will take a lot more to be even with me for
'Elephant boy' - besides I'm having too much fun thinking up your punishment."