Conclusion A week later

Floral Emporium—New Talon Complex, Tucson

Dave walked into the floral shop and over to the front counter. As it was Angie's first day as chairperson, he wanted to see if the surprise he and April had worked on was ready. Seeing his former classmate working on another arrangement, he quipped, "Nice to see married life isn't changing you too much."

She grinned at him. "Good morning to you too, Dave. Angie can't take the poet out of you. Garth can't get the artist out of me. Your arrangement will be heading over to the UMC in a couple of hours. Seeing the door open, she advised, "Be right back. There's another customer."

From the pain signature and the tapping of the cane on the hard floor, the professor guessed who the other was. "How was the trip, Dr. House?"

Even though the other's gifts still weirded him out, House wasn't going to show any weakness. "Cuddy and I made good time across the country. First day."

The medievalist walked over and extended his hand. "Then welcome."

House stared at him in disbelief. "After the crap in Jersey, you're welcoming me?"

She looked anxiously at him, knowing that Dave was right on edge for some reason.

Dave shrugged. "Why shouldn't I welcome you? If anyone knows about living with pain, it's me. No lectures. Just a welcome."

"He means that," she agreed while shaking his hand. "And that goes for me too. I'm April Singleton."

"The agent's wife, right? Greg House," he assumed.

"That's right. What can I get for you, Dr. House?" she queried.

He winced, feeling out of place with what he was doing. "I want something simple but…that would have a punch for a colleague on her first day."

Dave smiled but turned before the others could see.

"I saw that, Dubois," House growled.

"Sorry. I don't want to peer too far into your business," he apologized.

House nodded, accepting tacitly the other's consideration. Then he saw the arrangement behind the counter. The basket contained opposing rings of white and pink carnations with three red roses in the top. "Who the Hell designed that thing?"

"He did," she indicated. "It's Angie's first day in her new position as well."

"Spoil her, why don't you?" House shuddered. "With that thing, I shouldn't bother."

"House, it isn't a contest. The thought counts," Dave assured him. "If you want simple, fine. I like to express myself."

"You can say that again," the doctor jabbed. "Fine. Think you can get me six roses and put them in a vase? I can take them over."

"I have some deliveries to make right after your get together this morning. It's no trouble," she declared. "How's thirty dollars?"

"I can live with that," House agreed while handing her the money. Then he took a little card out and scribbled something on it before putting it in an envelope. Then he handed it to her. "Gotta get to work. April, Dubois, see you later."

"Don't burn the place down in one day," Dave teased, smirking at the other.

House returned the facial expression with one of his own. "Just wait. Stay out of trouble." With that, he limped off toward the Speedway tunnel's elevator.

She watched him for a minute, recalling what Garth had said to her. "So that's House?"

"That's him all right," Dave concurred. "Speaking of work, I've got to get to Social Sciences. Thanks for getting those to the UMC, April. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Dave. Have a good day," she concluded as he left. Then she mused over the scene which had just played out in front of her. Amazing!

Conference Room, UMC—a couple of hours later

As with everything else, Fishburne pulled all out of the stops when it came to welcoming the new people and celebrating promotions. The catering brought pastries, juice and several types of coffee. Their new co-workers came to wish Frank, Cuddy and House well in addition to congratulating Belinda McDermott and Angie.

Cuddy assessed the celebration, admiring the spirit and splendor of the event. She had tried to put together such galas but finances had thwarted those efforts. "I can't believe this! They would never do this at Princeton."

"Welcome to Tucson," Angie advised her. "Once again, it's great to have you here."

"Believe me, Angie. I appreciate this and so does House," the Radiology chair expressed.

"Speaking of House, where is he?" Angie wondered.

"He's not into the touchy-feely stuff," Cuddy responded, wishing that for once he would have dealt with such a situation.

"Hopefully he'll loosen up at some point," Frank interjected.

Not likely. Cuddy sighed.

At that moment, April wheeled a cart into the room with the two arrangements on it. She waved to Angie.

"Hi, April. After you deliver those, you want to do lunch?" Angie offered.

"Sounds great especially since this big guy's for you," the florist accepted warmly. "Guess who from?"

"Your husband?" Cuddy asked incredulously.

"Oh brother," Frank sighed. "Dave's looking for more brownie points."

"Leave him alone, Frank. He's doing his part besides we had fun designing it together," April defended her friend. "Actually, it was just like being back at APRHS again."

"He's still too much," Angie replied, smiling broadly. "What a morning."

"Glad to be of service," April noted. "By the way, these are for Lisa Cuddy. Do you know where I can find her?"

"I'm Lisa Cuddy. Who?" she asked, staring at the vase as she held it and smelled the roses. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." April noticed a certain person watching them through the open door. "Take a glance toward the door."

As Cuddy did so, she saw House watching them intently. "Thanks. Can you excuse me?" She left the room and headed out into the hall where House had started to walk away. "Hey! Get back here!"

"Yeah?" he asked. "I have a case."

She checked her watch and snorted with amusement. "You mean your soap is almost on. It can wait for a minute."

"Nice flowers. Secret admirer?" he queried.

"Yeah and I'm looking right at him. April implicated you, Greg."

"Crap! I hate being nice out in the open. Damn!" he groused.

"Well they're beautiful. You didn't have to do it…" She looked him in the eye and smiled. "But I'm glad you did."

He looked toward the floor, feeling really embarrassed by the attention. "Yeah I know I didn't have to but…I wanted to."

"Hey." She put her hand under his chin and raised his eyes to meet hers. "And I appreciate it."

"You haven't opened the note yet," he mentioned.

"Oh. That," she realized. She opened the envelope and pulled out the card. It read:

"Cuddy:

You're the best radiologist there is. Too bad I'm the better doctor.

Remember I'll be here to keep you straight. 

House"

She chuckled warmly, trying not to cry from everything. "Who's going to keep who straight?" Seeing their colleagues watching, she looked back at Fishburne.

Their boss nodded, knowing where this scene was headed.

"Now you're really about to be busted, House," she cracked before kissing him. Then she whispered in his ear, "Remember, it's a two way street." She gave his hand a quick squeeze and smiled briefly before rejoining the party.

He allowed a smirk on his face. While he had felt uneasy about this transition, the people seemed warm and welcoming. Best of all, they had promised to accept him and Cuddy on their own terms…caring enough to be involved but not meddling in their affairs. Granted, Dubois' situation was a puzzle he wanted to know more about but that wasn't too important to him. Wilson, you hit the nail on the head. With that, he labored toward the elevator and his new office.

A doctor's work was never done….

THE END (for now)