"A man who's a doctor and a good cook," Stacy said, putting down her fork. "What lottery did I win?"
"That wasn't a lottery. That was punishment," House said.
"You as punishment," Stacy said. "I find that hard to believe."
"Oh, wait. I'm scheduled to reveal my diabolical side any day now," House said, checking the date on his watch.
Stacy laughed. "Right." Her expression sobered. "Seriously, thank you for dinner. It was great."
House shrugged; he didn't like compliments particularly. He found it difficult to judge their sincerity. So many people thanked you for things that were stupid.
Stacy stared at her wine glass thoughtfully. "Where do you think we'll be in ten years?"
House reached out his hand. "Give me your palm."
Stacy did. "I didn't know you read palms."
"Oh yeah," House said. "They teach you that the second year of med school."
"I should've been a doctor," Stacy said. "What do you see?"
House pretended to concentrate on Stacy's hand. "Well…you're going to make partner in…two or three years. Congratulations."
"Thank you. I like this future so far," Stacy said. "Go on."
"You're going to argue a case before the Supreme Court," House said. "Or maybe two."
"What about you?" Stacy asked.
"This is your hand," House said, "not mine."
"You must be in there somewhere," Stacy said.
House looked at her palm for a minute, then pointed to the middle segment of Stacy's pinkie finger. "Oh yeah. That's me."
Stacy smiled. "What are you doing all the way over there?"
"Apparently I've started a family practice so I have flexible hours and can take care of the kids," House said.
"Kids?" Stacy said.
"Well, that's what we call Miss Kentucky and Miss Idaho," House said.
Stacy pulled her hand away from House and swatted him on the shoulder. "Seriously, Greg. What do you think you'll be doing in ten years?"
"Honestly?" House said. "I can't picture my life in the future being too different from what it is now."
"That sounds good to me," Stacy said. She raised her wine glass. "To the future."
House nodded, raising his glass and clinking it against Stacy's. "The future."
THE END