Hear No Evil

by Jazelle1996

An adventurous story with lots of suspense, twists, love, cliffhangers and surprises. Lots of medical drama and plenty clinic patients for House to diagnosis. COMPLETE

11. Chapter 11

What is on House's mind about Melissa? Does he love her enough to marry her...to change his life style...to change him self?

We meet Cameron's parents, too. :O)

And there's another addition to the House household.

We meet a friend of Rog's, too.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It was Christmas Eve eve and Melissa was sitting at the dining room table wrapping gifts to the gang at PPTH. House was at the piano playing Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer and Melissa was singing to it.

When he finished playing she asked him, "What happened to the traditional Christmas tunes, dude?"

He turned around to look at her. "Does the mistress have any special requests?"

"Mistress? How many do you have?"

"Well, I've got Carmen Electra and Angelina Jolie, and that woman that plays Julia on Nip/Tuck."

"Oh, so, which number am I?"

"You're number one because you're the only one that's with me now." He said with a grin.

"Well, then, in that case, Mr. Maestro, play Christmas Bells!" She said as she stood up and sat down on the bench with him.

"Et well bee mah pleashur." He said in a fairly good British accent as he placed his hands on the keys to play the high note intro. She watched his fingers gracefully glide over the keys and the expression on his face. He made the last several keys last about five minutes just to be funny.

"Doc, I saw that expression on your face last night. You making love to the keyboard? I'm jealous! But honestly, you look like you're constipated." She teased him.

"Cuz I am, well, I was last night, too." He answered.

"You're so gross! Ok, I'm off limits to you for two weeks."

"What! You can't!"

"Yes, I can. And I just did." She teased as she laid a kiss on his lips. He placed his left hand in the small of her back and she gasped.

"Did I hurt you?" He said as he pulled away.

"No, no, not at all. I'm not used to it, I guess. I mean, my scars, being touched."

"Hey, I've got something for you!" He said with a big smile as he grabbed his cane and headed off to the linen closet.

"I've already taken a shower for tonight, Greg! I don't need another towel, thank you very much." She hollered out for him.

He walked back to the bench with a sly grin on his face. When he reached her he set the cane against the piano and stood looking at her for what seemed like forever.

"Melissa, you have been the most patient, understanding, strongest, wonderfulest, awesomely sexy woman I have ever known." He started to say.

"Wait! What about your other mistresses?" She teased him.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box with a red bow on it as he got down on his left knee and looked up at her.

"I can't imagine my life without you. You have given me so much and I appreciate everything you have done for me. I have become a better man because of you, and I want to become an even better man."

He handed her the box and she looked at it then into his eyes. She saw the love there and again felt she was whole again, but not like when they made love. Like the emptiness in her heart was filled with his soul from the blueness of his eyes, and the kindness of his heart. She looked back at the box and slowly undid the bow, trying to hide her hands shaking. 'Please be a key to a bike...please be a key to a bike.' She thought to herself.

She took a deep breath before she cupped her hand over the top of the box and lifted it. Inside the box was the biggest diamond she had ever seen set in platinum. She looked at him in confusion because she wasn't expecting it.

"Gre..." She started to say.

"Melissa, will you marry me?" He interrupted.

She shook her head and felt tears come to her eyes. "Greg, I don't know what to say...this is just so unexpected."

"Melissa, that was a yes or no question, dear."

"I have to think about it." She said with a serious expression on her face. He frowned briefly and she said, "I've thought about it. YES! Of course!"

He smiled, stood up and kissed her. He slowly lifted the back of her t-shirt as he kissed her neck. She put her arms around his neck and tilted her back as he kissed her throat before he pulled the t-shirt off. He stepped behind her and got back down on his knees. Ever so gently he ran his fingers over the scars on her back.

"nooooo..." She muttered under her breath because it had been the first time she'd let him touch her back. Then she felt the warmth of his hand slowly brush against her back and she melted into him, then she felt his lips on her back. She threw her head back and it rested on his shoulder, throwing her arm up and around his neck.

Sounding winded, House said, "We have an hour before we have to get ready to go to Sarah and Wilson's. Wanna fool around?"

After a moment she said, "Wow, you need to work on your romance-ancy. And besides, it'll only take 15 minutes." She teased.

"15 minutes! Try five!" He joked back.

He stood up and reached his hand out to her. She grabbed it and he led her to the bedroom. They made love for 1-1/2 hours, and needless to say they were 45 minutes late for dinner at Wilson's because she still had presents to wrap. But that was just fine with the both of them, because they had never been so relaxed with each other and so in love with each other than at that moment.

Melissa knocked on their front door, and as Wilson opened the door he said, "Man, what happened to you guys? We're starving!"

"We're soo sorry, James. I ran out of tape and had to run to the store to finish the wrapping." Melissa lied as they walked into the living room.

"Uh-huh." Wilson said as he took their coats.

"HI everybody! Merry Christmas!" Melissa said as she walked in the living, set the bag of gifts on the floor and hugged Foreman and Nancy, Cuddy, Rog and Sarah. "Where are Allie and Robert?" She asked.

"Oh, they're having sex, too!" Foreman blurted out which made Melissa blush 20 shades of red.

"Where's Charlie?" House asked as he walked in and waved.

"He's upstairs taking his nap, Greg." Sarah answered as she brought in a tray of mini éclairs, deviled eggs and a vegetable tray.

"Can I get you two something to drink?" She took their preference and went back into the kitchen while they all sat back down again and stared at each other. There had been quite a bit of tension with them the past few weeks.

"How have you been, Rog?" Melissa asked.

"Great, actually. I got my tree up yesterday and I only broke six ornaments!" He said proudly with a smile.

"Are you still going to Atlanta to visit your folks? Cuz we need to keep our equipment in one piece." House said.

"Actually, I wasn't going to, but now I am after that comment." Rog told House. "Cuddy, can I have off the week between Christmas and New Year's?"

"No." She said with a smile then everyone laughed. Sarah came back with the drinks and handed each one to House and Melissa. Melissa took the glass with her left hand and immediately Sarah noticed it.

"Oh my Lord! What is that?" Sarah asked with a smile, grabbing Melissa's hand so fast she had to switch hands to avoid spilling it.

"Oh, um, Greg proposed to me tonight." She said giddily as Sarah inspected the ring closer.

"Is that where my $5,000 went, House?" Wilson teased.

"Yeah, I needed tires for my bike." He shot back.

There were congratulations all around but House noticed the horrified expressions on Wilson and Sarah's face as they glanced at each other. Just then they all heard soft, tiny feet thumping down the stairs and Charlie burst into the room.

"Unkle Greg! Where are you? Aunt Ma-issa?" Charlie said as he ran to the couch.

"Over here, little man!" Melissa said. He skipped over to them, gave Melissa a huge hug and then stood at House's left leg.

"Hey, buddy! How are you?" House asked as he gave Charlie a high five.

"Fiiine." He said. "I made supper!"

"You did! Wow, that's great." House told him as Charlie looked at House's cane. "Sorry, dude, that's mine."

"I know. Was just wooking at it."

"Actually, he made the five cup salad. Didn't you, little buddy?" Wilson said as he winked at House. Just then the doorbell rang.

"It's about time Chase and Cameron got here!" House said as he stood up to get the door when Sarah tried to cut him off to get it herself.

"No, no, I'll get it. I want to give them a hard time." He protested as he heard Sarah and Wilson's voices but ignored them and opened the front door.

But it wasn't Chase and Cameron standing at the door. Instead, it was A.J. (Cuddy's sister) dressed as Santa. "Charlie, someone's here for you!" House hollered.

"HO! HO! HO!" Santa said.

Little Charlie squealed and ran to the door. "Whatcha bwing me? Whatcha bwing me?" He said as he jumped up and down.

Sarah walked to the door and pulled Charlie back a little so A.J., aka Santa, could walk through the door with the red velvet bag of presents. Charlie followed Santa into the living room and placed the bag in the middle of the room.

"Mr. Claus, you early!" Charlie said as he sat beside the bag and looked up at him with his huge eyes. Santa laughed heartily as he dug into the bag.

"I think I've got something for you, Sir!" Santa said as he pulled out a wrapped gift and handed it to Charlie.

"Dis for me?" He said in amazement.

"Yes, Sir! I have one for everyone!" Santa said as he dug in and handed everyone gifts. "Oh, I see there's an Allison, Robert, Stacy and Charnie missing!"

There was silence in the room as if someone just dropped a bomb and they were all deaf, except for the music playing softly in the background. House shot a look at Wilson, then Sarah. House thought to himself, 'shit.' Then he looked at Melissa, who didn't seem to be angry at all at hearing Stacy and Charnie were supposed to be there. She knew about the baby, but didn't know if he'd

told anyone else.

Santa picked up on the tension and immediately tied back his bag and turned around. "Well, everyone! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!"

"Ah! Do you really have ta go?" Charlie said sadly.

"I'm afraid I do, Charlie. There are lots of good little boys and girls out there that I have to get lots of toys finished!"

"K. Have a safe trip. See ya next year!" Charlie told him as he walked behind Santa to the door. "Hey, cannI see Woodoff?" He asked as Santa walked through the door.

"They're all on the roof! I'll be gone by the time you step outside! It's North Pole magic, Charlie. Be a good boy! HO HO HO!" He said as he turned to go to the side of the house the chimney was on. Sarah picked up Charlie and headed back in the house when they saw Cameron and Chase walk up the driveway.

"You jus' missed Santa!" Charlie said to them as Sarah stood at the door waiting for them.

"We know! We saw him on the roof and they flew away! It was awesome!" Cameron said as they walked through the door and into the living room.

Charlie was so excited about seeing Santa that he forgot to open the gift. His eyes lit up when he saw it. "Mommy, cannI open it?" She nodded with a smile as she set him down and he ran to it. He ripped into it like it was the last gift he'd ever receive and showed everyone his bright red electric fire truck. "KOOOOL!"

Wilson showed him how to use the remote control and that kept him busy for a few minutes. "Mommy, cannI open mine?" House teased and everyone looked at him like he was insane, which was normal, actually, then they laughed and everyone opened their gifts.

The ladies got bath gel and lotion from Bath and Body Works and the men got their favorite cologne (of which Cuddy was spying on the guys weeks before to find out what they were).

Just as they were finished the doorbell rang again. House said seriously, "I am not getting that. He might have come back." And there were a few nervous laughs as Wilson went to the door. A few seconds later A.J. came into the room with two gifts in his hands.

"I found these at the bottom of the stairs! They're for Allison and Robert." A.J. said as he sat down after he handed them the gifts. "I'm sorry I'm late. Traffic." He lied and gave Wilson a wink.

Shortly after that Sarah said, "Well, let's get dinner on the table." then walked into the kitchen. Cameron, Melissa, Nancy and Cuddy followed her and Charlie went into the hallway to race the fire truck to the nearest burning building.

"There's something I need to get upstairs. I'll be right back." Wilson said as he stood up and walked out. The remaining men just stared at each other looking for words. House was waiting for something sarcastic from Rog but he didn't. When Wilson came back down the stairs he went through the kitchen and whispered in Sarah's ear, "I called Stacy. She and Charnie can't make it." Sarah nodded.

"Charlie, we have an empty seat at the table. Would you like to join the 'big' table with us this year?" Sarah asked as she brought in two bowls of food and set them down.

"Oh, but I wan Uncle Greg and Mewissa to sit wif me at my table!" He said disappointed as he looked at each of them.

"Ok. We'll be happy to sit with you." Melissa said as she looked at House with an expression that said, "live with it!" and gave him a wink.

"Come on, buddy. But I sit at the head of your table." He said as he smiled at Charlie.

Everyone had their full of food and went back into the living room for coffee. Slowly, one by one they all bid their thanks and left to visit their own families or go back home to start their own celebrating. Chase and Cameron went to her parents' house to exchange gifts; Foreman and Nancy went back to their place; Rog went over to a friend's house; A.J. and Cuddy went to her house and House and Melissa went home.

House opened the door to the apartment and Melissa stepped in. She noticed the message light was blinking on the machine but she didn't say anything. She walked to the couch and sat down.

"Man, I'm so full I could fall to sleep right here." She said as she yawned. "And we really didn't do anything."

"Uh, yeah we did - before we left." House teased as he walked to the machine and pressed 'play.'

"Greg, it's Stacy. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to James and Sarah's but I had to do something first. Do you have time tomorrow we could get together? I know it's Christmas Eve but we'll be leaving day after next. I'm at 806-561-2346. Call me?"

He didn't glance her way while it was being played or when he deleted it. She wasn't looking at him so she didn't know if he wrote the number down or not.

"Greg, were you expecting her? I noticed how tense you got when A.J. said their names." She asked as he handed her a cup of coffee. He shook his head and sat down across from her.

"Santa was A.J.? What?" He teased trying to avoid the subject but he knew he wouldn't get away with it with her.

"Babe, she's your daughter. I don't mind if you see them. I have no right to keep you from her." She said sincerely.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I am. But I hope you'd include me. Does she know we're together now?"

"I don't know. Wilson invited her, obviously. But he had no clue I was going to propose to you. But I don't know what he told her. Does that bother you?"

"No. We've come so far I feel I can trust you, but I don't really know Stacy and what she's capable of doing." She told him. "What are you going to do?"

---Cameron and Chase were driving to her parent's house after they left Wilson's and it was quiet the first few minutes.

"Allison, can you imagine Melissa having House's baby now that they're engaged? I mean, can you just picture what his kid would be like? Same as that kid, Damien, but worse. I can see the kid riding his tricycle down the hallway at hospital and bowling everyone down."

"Remember, Melissa has a strong will of her own, Robert. She's far more mature at her age than I was at mine. That girl has lived through hell and has tamed 'the Shrew.' Or, would that be Shrewer? I just wonder how Rog took it. He didn't seem to be shook up or anything."

"Oh, were you looking for him to? Like, hit him or something?"

"No, geez!" She said. "Get real. That's not Rog."

"How did YOU take it?" He asked her.

"I can honestly say I think they are good for each other."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, since you're pressuring me, I'm sad. I thought he would be mine, you know? But, I guess I wasn't good enough for him." She said seriously. He stopped at a red light then turned and glared at her. "Oh, relax, Robert! I'm just messing with you." Cameron said as she leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"I think you've been hanging around our boss too long, Allison." He said as he smiled. "That was mean."

"Yeah, well, what can I say?" She said as they pulled out into the intersection.

As they were walking up the stairs to her parents' home a few minutes later, she told Chase, "Remember, do not mention anything about Doug, especially his last visit. Are you nervous about meeting my parents?"

He nodded his head in agreement to not mentioning Doug and he said, "Yeah, a little."

"You'll be fine. My parents love everyone!" Cameron said and gave him a sweet, reassuring kiss. They reached the door and she rang the door bell then immediately walked in.

"Moomm! Dad! We're here!" She screamed as she set the huge gift boxes in the foyer and walked toward the kitchen.

"Hey! Merry Christmas!" Cameron's Mom hollered as she came into the hall and gave Cameron a hug and then hugged Chase like she'd known him for years.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Cameron...Mr. Cameron." Chase said as her father joined them in the hall and gave Cameron a hug. He reached out and shook Chase's hand firmly.

"Emily and Barry, ok? It seems your part of the family now." Emily told Chase as Cameron blushed and they walked into the kitchen and sat around the breakfast table.

"Can I get you a drink, Robert? Al, you want your White Russian, right?" Barry asked as he walked into the family room to the bar.

"Yes, Dad, but a weak one." She told her dad.

"I'll have a gin and scotch, please." Chase said.

"Oh, girl! You can drink more than that! I've seen you." Her dad teased as he poured their drinks and handed them to him as he sat down.

"So, how is work going, you two?" Emily asked.

"Oh, the usual. It's been fairly quiet lately. We've all been bored stiff." Cameron told them.

"OH! That's great! 'Stiff!' You must be treating your patients very well, then." Barry teased his daughter.

"Dad, you always say that. I think you need to come up with new ones."

"Al tells us you're from Australia. How do you like it here?" Emily asked.

"I like it, I really do." He simply said.

"What made you move here, son?" Barry asked.

"Dad, Mom, you don't have to hound him with all the questions." Cameron warned her parents, but said it with a smile

on her face.

"We're just having conversation, dear. HEY! Let's go open presents!" Emily said cheerily as she stood up and started to walk into the living room.

"Mom, we just got here." Cameron protested.

"Get both your little tushies in here and don't argue with me on Christmas!" Emily said with a laugh. Chase went into the foyer to bring in the two big boxes for each of her parents.

"Good Lord, girl! What in the world is this?" Barry asked as he sat down next to Emily.

"They're for your long distance trips so your...oh, just open it." Cameron said excitedly.

"Wait, Bare, give her and Robert their gifts." Barry did so and they proceeded to open them.

"A cushion...a seat cushion...OH! For the van! This is wonderful! You know how your father has leg problems when he drives long distance. Wow, thanks, honey."

"No, no. It's a vibrating seat cover with heat! It feels great. Here, let me plug it in." She said as she stood up, took it out of the box and set it on the couch. She plugged in the adapter and handed her mom the remote.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Emily asked.

"It controls the intensity and speed of the vibrations. Turn in on."

She did and immediately the vibration went from the neck to the small of the back to the butt then the thighs. When it reached the seat area she jumped, screamed then cackled so loud Cameron winced.

"Oh! I like th...SSSSSSSSSSSS!" She screamed as it went from the thighs to the butt area again. Her contagious laugh and cackle at every butt vibration sent everyone in a laughing frenzy. Emily had tears running down her face from laughing and held her sides. It took five minutes of continuous cackling and laughing for her to calm down and had everyone else in tears, too.

"How do I turn it off? Not that I want to!" She said then started laughing again. "Ohhh...oh...that was too much! I better not use that while I drive or I'll hit something!" She said then everyone burst out laughing again.

"MOTHER!" Cameron said louder than she meant to and everyone laughed again.

"Ok, ok. Open your gifts, you two." She said as she wiped away the final tear from her laughter-to-tears cry.

Cameron opened her gift to find a cross necklace with a diamond at the intersection of the cross. "That .75 carat diamond is from the mine we found in New Mexico this summer! Your father found that on his own. It's value is $250!"

"It's beautiful, Dad, Mom. Thank you." Cameron said as she put the necklace around her neck. But Chase noticed Cameron wasn't all that excited; not angry, but not totally thrilled with the gift, either.

Chase opened his gift to find a beautiful crewel knitted sweater. "We got that in Arizona. We had to call Al to find out what size you wore." Emily told him.

"This is beautiful, really. Thank you very much." Chase said sincerely.

The four ate their dessert and got more acquainted. Cameron could tell by the way her father showed Chase his gun collection that he really liked Chase. And she was relieved. He wasn't the overprotective type, but he had his little tests he'd given her boyfriends in high school and college. And it seemed Chase passed with flying colors. The two ladies were sitting in the kitchen, talking quietly so the men couldn't hear them.

"So, Al, tell me...how are things with you and Robert?"

She smiled brightly and said, "Great, mom, really."

"What about that House character? Has he been behaving himself?" Emily said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, he really has. He proposed to his girl, Melissa, tonight before they came over to James and Sarah's." She said rather sadly.

"Oh, honey. I know how you felt about him. I'm sorry."

Cameron nodded her head then said, "But it's ok. I'm very happy for them. Actually, House's attitude has changed. He has his days, but don't we all. Melissa is a great girl...great girl for House, actually."

"But wasn't Melissa the one that dumped that boy at the alter in England? I just can't believe she did that."

"Mom, I think everyone knew they had feelings for the other before even they did! And Rog was o..."

"Are you girls talking about us boys?" Barry teased as he and Chase came back into the room.

"Yes, honey. She was asking for advice and I told her we'd need a week just to talk about it." Emily said with a laugh.

They stayed another 30 minutes before Cameron said how tired she'd gotten and promised her parents she'd be by for New Year's Eve. They always had a big party at her parents' house that was the event of the winter.

"Allison, did you like the necklace?" Chase asked as they headed back to her apartment.

"Yeah. It's pretty." She said with hardly any emotion. Chase decided to change the subject.

"So, what were you and your Mom really talking about, Allison?" Chase asked Cameron as they headed back to her apartment.

"Sex, Chase." Cameron said seriously then laughed.

"Do you think it'd be okay to bring Rog with us for the New Year's party? He's been fairly quiet the past few weeks. I think he needs some cheering up." He asked her.

"Of course, I know he'd have a good time. My parents' friends are a blast. Chase?" She asked as she paused a moment.

"Al?" Chase said with a teasing grin.

"Have I told you lately I love you?"

"Uh, no, you haven't. Not since the last time I made you squeal like a girl." He said playfully.

"Robert, dearest, that's because you were pulling my hair." She shot back and they both laughed.

"I love you too, Allison."

When they got home they went directly to the bedroom, threw off their clothes and jumped into bed. They made love that night with no abandonment or inhibitions until they fell asleep in each other's arms, their bodies entwined, with the blankets half on them and half on the floor.

---Rog drove back to his apartment alone. Well, he was greeted by Chester, his 2 year-old cockatiel he'd bought last month. He'd always wanted one, and since he was paid so well by the hospital he decided to splurge. He closed the door behind him and said hello to Chester. He cawed and squawked a 'welcome home, dad.' He grabbed a handful of bird food and poured some into the bowl in the cage. His hand got twisted in the swinging bar and it scared the bird. He started pitching a fit, Rog got freaked and ended up spilling the bowl of seeds onto the carpet, cursing himself out loud.

After he was done vacuuming the seeds up he turned on the stereo that had played carols 24/7 since Thanksgiving, lit the Christmas tree and sat down in the chair with his vodka and OJ. The song on the radio was White Christmas, and since he'd moved to Jersey from D.C. he'd been real homesick for home, especially this season because it had snowed in D.C. but not in N.J.

Rebecca had crossed his mind more than once that night, especially since the sweater he wore to Wilson's was one she bought for him a few years ago for his birthday. He thought he'd give her a call, even though it was 9:30, but she was always a night owl.

"Hi. Is Becka home?" He asked as her roommate answered.

"Yeah..." She said then he heard laughter and music in the background then a loud "REBECCA!"

A second later came "Hello?" with a sweet, melodic voice that made Rog close his eyes as the memories of her came flooding back to him: her shoulder length, soft, dirty blonde wavy hair, her fair complexion, her rosy cheeks and her red-wine natural colored lips that he'd kissed more than once. They grew up together basically since elementary school and had always been very close. Neither one of them really 'got together' or dated in high school, but drifted apart when they both went to different

colleges. But she'd always been in the back of his mind.

"Becka, it's Rog." He said hesitantly. "Have I caught you at a bad time?"

"No! No! Hold on! Let me run upstairs so I can hear you. Hold on..." The laughter and music slowly faded away until he heard a door close and could hear nothing in the background. "Rog! How are you!"

"I'm doing good. How 'bout yourself?"

"Doing great. I needed a break from these losers." She said then laughed.

"Oh, you're not having a good time?" He asked.

"Heck no! These are Sheryl's friends. I just couldn't come up with an excuse not to be here. We got four inches of snow last night. Did you get any?"

"No, it just started raining and it's not gonna change to snow. I miss snow for Christmas."

"Well, then, get your butt down here! I have off 'til Jan 5th. Why don't you come? I'd love to see you. We have the baby panda they finally let out in the habitat so everyone can see him. They're giving out tickets, though, want me to get two?"

"Actually, Becka, I don't trust my car on a long distance trip, especially not during a holiday with all the traffic. But why don't you and Billy come here? You two can stay with me." Rog said, hoping against hope they'd broken up.

"Huh? Wait, I don't think tha..Billy and I aren't together anymore, not for a year now."

Rog did a silent 'yes' then said, "No, I've got two bedrooms. I've just been thinking about you and I'd love to show you around the area. Well, really, there is nothing to see, but it would just be good to see you." He said as he laughed.

"Let me check a few things. I can call you tomorrow. Can I have your number?" She asked.

He rattled off his number then told him what he'd been up to the past two years since he left D.C. He did leave little details out of being dumped at the alter but did mention he was once engaged. He figured if she really wanted to know he'd tell her, but he wouldn't volunteer the information. They chatted for about 30 minutes and she promised she call the next day, Christmas Eve.

They hung up and Rog finished his drink, then covered Chester and went to bed. His thoughts kept going from counting sheep, to counting Becka's face flying by to memories of their childhood adventures. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but he had always been a fighter, for things that really mattered, anyway.

---Back at House's apartment, Melissa just asked House what he was planning on doing about meeting up with Stacy and Charnie.

"Why don't we go to lunch?" House suggested.

"Sure, that'd be fine. I've got one little errand to run anyway, so I can do that while you two eat."

"No, Melissa, I meant you come with me." He specified.

Melissa looked shocked then relieved. "You're okay with that? I do have one phone call to make to see if I can do it after lunch." She said rather quickly, hoping he didn't notice her anxiousness.

House nodded his head and she jumped up and ran to the bedroom, closing the door. He sat there not really sure why he said she could come. He wanted her to come and meet Stacy, but maybe that was a bad idea. It would be tough enough to see Stacy, much less an ex with his baby with his fiancé. He sat up, grabbed some food for Steve and dropped it into his cage.

"How do I get myself in these messes, Steve?" House said as he shook his head.

Melissa came back into the room and sat next to House on the arm chair. "Ok! It's set. Are you sure?" She asked one more time.

"Yes." He simply said.

"Absolutely sure?"

"Yesss." He answered impatiently.

"Absolut-a-toodly?" She said with a giggle.

"If you ask me one more time I'll say no. Keep it up! Come on! I dare ya." He said seriously, but she knew he was joking.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm just nervous, I guess." She said as she slid down onto his left knee and threw her legs over his thighs to the other arm rest, making sure not to touch his leg.

"Babe, how's your leg been? You haven't said much about it."

"It's been killing me, but I haven't gone back to taking as much as I was."

"And you're not taking the Thorazine anymore?" That was one question she'd been avoiding to ask him, and she didn't want to ask now, it being Christmas, but it had to come out eventually. Things had been so good between them she didn't want the bottom to fall out. And it always did for her.

He shook his head. "Ok, aren't you ready for bed, yet? I'm exhausted." She asked because she had a few things to do around the house and tomorrow was a busy day for them.

"I'll be in bed in a few. Why don't you wear that lavender nightie I bought you for your birthday?" He said with a devious grin on his face.

"With or without the matching panties?" She asked, just as deviously.

"Um, wow, let me think um, wow. Decisions, decisions. You know, I just don't kn..."

"Shut up, Greg. I know the answer to that." She said with a smile and kissed him.

"I love you, baby." She said as she slid off his lap and headed for the bedroom.

House waited a few minutes to make sure she'd have enough time to be in bed then he stood up, went to a kitchen cabinet, pulled out a few pans, reached in the back and pulled out a vial labeled Thorazine and syringe. He injected the needle into the vial, pulled the plunger back then removed the needle. He flicked it a few times to get the air bubbles out then he injected it directly into his right leg. Then a smile slowly spread across his face.

What House didn't know was that for the first time a few days earlier Cuddy had given Melissa a vial with the same color liquid as the Thorazine. It was harmless if administered. It took her just a couple of days to find where he was stashing it. And when she switched vials it broke her heart. She felt like she was betraying him by being sneaky about it, but she did it for his own good; even though she knew about Stacy's decision to remove the dead tissue from his leg. She'd made up her mind that after the holidays she would tell him because she couldn't live with the guilt anymore. She lay in bed more than once justifying it to herself but it never worked. To her, there was no excuse.

---Melissa was the first to wake and she laid in bed thinking about all the stuff she had to do that day to get ready for Christmas Day. To her surprise she wasn't super anxious about meeting Stacy. Stacy lost her husband, yes. Stacy had his baby, yes. But now that Mark was gone, would she want him back? Did that really matter now that House proposed to her? No, it didn't, really. But, did it?

A little bit later, Melissa stepped out of the shower and coughed deeply as House was just finishing shaving his beard to an acceptable stubble level. He turned to look at her and said, "Nice view." with an evil grin.

"Well, I was waitin' for ya to come in but you didn't. Don't you ever shower?" She asked him as she toweled off and put on a slip dress.

"I did, while you were sleeping."

"But you were asleep when I woke up."

"I went back to bed." He told her.

"Man, having a conversation with you is like having a conversation with yourself in a room that echoes. You know something is being said, but you're not quite sure what." She said with a laugh as she walked to him.

"How did you know that's the quote in my high school yearbook?" He teased as Melissa reached out for the washcloth and dabbed the remaining shaving cream off his face. She looked up at him lovingly as she placed the washcloth back in the sink. She slid her arm around his waist and leaned her head against him, looking in the mirror.

"You know what? You make me look good, Missy."

"Nah, you make me look more beautilous than I already am." She said teasingly as they both laughed.

"Is that really a word? Beautilous?"

"No, I made it up. It's a better word for beautiful and fabulous."

"I thought so." He said as he leaned his head down and kissed her.

"You sure you want to do this?" He asked her.

"Yes, I love kissing you; the way you softly squeeze my bottom lip with your lips, it makes me melt."

"No, I mean meeting Stacy and seeing Charnie."

Melissa sighed then said, "I know what you meant. I just didn't want to waste this beautilous moment on that. Hey, can I have a Vicodin before we go?" She teased.

"I don't think so. Don't forget to take your meds this morning." He said as he kissed her forehead and she broke out in a fitful, chesty cough.

"You feeling ok, babe? You feel a little hot."

"That's what you told me the other night." She teased. "I'm fine. It's just the stress from the Holidays."

When they were finished dressing House dialed Stacy's number as Melissa got the living room straightened up a little, even though she was listening intently on the conversation. He never mentioned bringing 'his fiancé,' but she shrugged it off. Her tension eased a bit when he finally hung up the phone.

"Ok, we're meeting them at La Quartro's at 12:30. We still have an hour. Wanna fool around?" He asked.

"You blew your chance, buddy! You could have woken me up after you say you woke up first." She teased back.

House and Melissa were seated in the restaurant at 12:25 waiting for Stacy and the baby. The nervousness set in for her the longer they waited and the longer they waited, the more House grew nervous, too.

"It's not like her to be late, she's always on time." He said as he sipped his scotch as soon as the waiter brought another one.

They sat and munched on appetizers for another 15 minutes when House's cell phone rang. "House...wha? Shit...we'll be right there." He said as he stood up, grabbed his coat, giving Melissa the hint to do it as well, laid money on the table and reached out for her to escort them out.

"What is it, Greg?" She asked urgently.

"They've been in a car accident. They're at the hospital."

Twenty minutes later they arrived in the E.R. and were met by Wilson, who had called House from the hospital.

"Where are they, Wilson?" House asked urgently as Melissa stayed back out of House's way. She saw Sarah down the hall holding a 7-month old and Charlie was sitting by her side, playing with the baby making faces to get her to smile. She decided it'd be best to leave House with Wilson and met up with Sarah.

"Greg, she didn't make it. The trauma was too sev..." Wilson started to say.

"WHERE IS SHE?" He insisted loudly just as Dr. Cypher stepped out of the E.R. room.

"Dr. House, we did everything we could. She had massive injuries from the impact and lost a lot of blood. Luckily, Charnie was untouched. You can go see her now, but I warn..." Dr. Cypher said but House walked straight into the room without letting her finish speaking.

He took only three steps and stopped mid-step at what he saw before him: Stacy was lying on the exam table still hooked up to monitors, her hair tangled and bloodied and her face smeared black with splotches of blood. The sheet that covered her to her neck was covered heavily with blood and on the floor were small puddles of blood. Even in that condition, he half expected her to sit up and say, "April Fools!"

When he got the courage to approach her, he slowly limped forward. Her hand was barely peeking out from under the sheet and it was fairly clean. He reached out and lightly brushed his knuckles against the back of her hand. He was afraid of feeling her cold hand, but it was still slightly warm to the touch. He reached his fingers under her palm and clasped her hand around his. With his right hand he reached for her face and wiped the strands of hair from her face as he fought back tears. With the back of his fingers he brushed them against her cheek, and every muscle, every part of his being cried out to her.

"Sta...ace...oh, goddd." He cried as he laid his head on her chest. And wept, from his gut. He cried harder than he thought he ever could for someone he once loved. He could feel his heart shred into a million pieces. It was the same the day he cried at his sister's funeral, but this was different. The one woman that he'd loved-the first woman he abandoned his soul and heart to-was gone. He stayed by Stacy's side for a few more minutes before he felt a hand on his shoulder. House roughly pulled it away and continued to cry.

"Greg, it's time to go." Wilson said softly behind House.

"Nono. She..g... sigh to be cleannneed uppp."

"Someone else can do that. She'll be fine."

House's head shot around and glared at Wilson. "I WILL NOT LEAVE HER LIKE THIS." He said indigently. Wilson stepped back but stayed in the room.

House slowly pulled back the sheet over her chest and stared up at the ceiling. Wilson could see his shoulders shutter as he fought back more tears. House gently removed the pads of electrodes that were on her chest and stomach. The scene was too much for Wilson to bare so he left the room. He was met in the hall by Sarah, who immediately threw out her arms and Wilson fell into her and hugged her tight, but he didn't cry.

"I'm soo sorry, James. I know you two were close." Sarah said as she hugged him back. Wilson glanced down the hall where he saw Melissa holding little Charnie and Charlie was still playing with her.

"What's going to happen to that little girl? Stacy's parents are gone and there's no one left in her family." Wilson asked.

"James, House'll know what to do." She said reassuringly as she led him down the hall.

"Daddy, Sharnee smile at me! She waffed, too!" Charlie said as he ran toward the two of them before they sat down.

"Hey, Charlie. Want to go get a soda?" Sarah asked as she stood up and reached for little Charnie in Melissa's arms. He flashed a huge smile and followed her around a corner.

"James, how's Greg handling it?" Melissa asked as Charlie's giggled echoes died down.

"He's taking it hard, harder than I thought actually. I've never seen him like that." Wilson said as he stared at the wall opposite them. "He's cleaning her up now."

Melissa nodded her head. She wondered to herself if she should mention House being the father but she decided against it. She knew Wilson was House's only closest friend and knew him better than anyone, but she didn't want to take the chance. Besides, she still didn't know what House was going to do about little Charnie. She looked toward the room Stacy was in and after a few minutes saw House walk out. Even from that distance, she could see his slumped shoulders and his chin lowered to his chest. He slowly limped to the wall and leaned his back against it, then slid down, burying his face in his hands. Melissa's heart broke seeing him in that much pain. She'd seen him in physical pain but not mental pain.

"Go to him, Missy. He'll need you." Wilson said as he stood up and looked down at her. "I'll go find the kids." He softly patted her shoulder and walked around the corner. She sat thinking what she was going to say, and decided she had no idea. She took a deep breath then started to cough. She said a little prayer as she stood up and walked toward House.

As she got closer to him, she could hear soft cries coming from behind his hands. She could see his stomach tense with sobs and knelt down in front of him. She was afraid to touch him in case she startled him, but he must have sensed she was there and uncovered his face. He wiped his palms on his knees but didn't look at her. When he finally did look at her she had to fight back her own tears at seeing his eyes red, swollen, his face splotchy with the sting of tears down his face.

"Oh, baby. I am so sorry." Was all she could say. He leaned forward and collapsed in her arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just held him. That was all she could do. She gently rocked him to calm him down until he was over the emotional shock of what he'd just seen.

THREE DAYS LATER

After the funeral of Mrs. Stacy Warner, everyone went back to Wilson and Sarah's house. It was two days after Christmas and the holiday spirit seemed to escape everyone who had attended the funeral. That day was the first official day that little Charnie would be living with his father and her soon to be stepmother. House and Melissa had spent hours discussing what House wanted and what they had to do to the apartment to get 'baby-proofed', get the spare bedroom ready for her and other things.

For the day-care arrangements, Sarah would watch little Charnie while they both worked, which was perfect because Charlie treated her like his own little sister, and had even asked Santa for a brother or sister for Christmas. They both had picked up all of Stacy's belongings after they left the hospital Christmas Eve, while Wilson and Sarah took little Charnie in until after the funeral. Everything just fell into place.

There were friends of hers from high school, associates she had worked with and a few family friends. Charlie was in the corner playing with little Charnie as she played on a blanket in the corner of the room. House was exceptionally quiet as he sat on the couch trying to look like he wanted to be there. Melissa and Cuddy were helping Sarah with the food as Foreman and Nancy were chatting with a couple in the hallway.

"I called Rog last night. He told me his friend from D.C. had just arrived. He had already made reservations for a play at the pavilion so he couldn't make it today. But he wanted me to give you his best regards." Cameron told him as she sat down next to him and handed him a coffee cup. He nodded his head to acknowledge he'd heard her, but didn't say anything else.

"Apparently they grew up together. I'd love to meet her." She said, trying to get House's attention. "House, are you okay?"

"My ex-wife just died and now I'm an instant father. No, I'm not." He snapped. She was taken aback by his abruptness, and the fact that he said 'ex-wife.'

"Greg, Sheila, Charnie's godmother, has shown an interest in adopting her, if it is such a burden on you. That's what godparents do." She told him, not meaning to sound sarcastic but it came out that way. He gave her a dirty look, shook his head, stood up and walked to the back rec room and stepped outside in the cold, windy, winter day. He stood there a moment with his eyes closed, leaning against the brick siding and breathed in deeply.

"Baby, you ready to go home?" Melissa asked after she'd seen him walk outside from the kitchen window. He didn't move or say anything to her at first then he looked into her eyes.

"Have you eaten?" He asked her. She shook her head. "Eat first then we'll leave."

"We've got food at home, even that left over pasta from last night. Or we can get Chinese."

"I'm not hungry." He snapped, and was instantly sorry it came out the way it did. He softened his voice and said, "Let's go." Melissa ignored his outburst because she was used to them.

Melissa went to gather little Charnie's things and the few clothes from Sarah, handed the bag to House and picked up little Charnie. They said their goodbyes and headed home, as a family, sort of. Little Charnie was sitting in the back seat with Melissa, who kept her eyes on House's at the rear view mirror as he drove. She didn't push him to talk, but she could see his cheeks rise with a smile when he caught her staring at him. Melissa talked with little Charnie occasionally and they'd both giggle. Melissa was surprised at how easy-going the baby was. She was a very happy, sweet little girl, and quite possibly the cutest baby she'd ever seen. Her face was round with light complexion, big, blue eyes, rosy cheeks and her light brown, wavy hair was just short of being able to wear in a ponytail.

After House parked the car in the garage, he got out and went straight into the apartment. Melissa was about to holler for help but little Charnie was getting cranky because it was time for her nap. So she unbuckled her out of the seat restraint, grabbed the bag as she held the baby and walked though the door into the kitchen. She could sense House wanted to be left alone so she went straight into the spare bedroom and closed the door behind her.

She changed Charnie's clothes and set her down on the low-lying inflatable bed they borrowed from Wilson and set along the sides of it long cushions. She grabbed a book she'd also borrowed, sat down beside her and read a few pages, which was all it took for the baby to fall asleep. She covered her up and walked out the door, leaving just a crack open so they could hear her when she woke up.

She walked into the kitchen as she hollered out, "Greg, do you want some coffee?" There was no response from the living room so she poured him a cup anyway and took it to him. She found him sitting in the recliner just staring off into space. She set the cup down on the table next to him and sat down across from him, watching him.

After a few minutes he said, without a smile, "Is there snot running down my nose, or what?"

"No, but I think you are being one." She answered back. His eyes shot at her but he didn't say anything. "Babe, I know you are hurting, but you can't just ignore your daughter like she's not even here."

"And what do you know about children?"

"Whoa, there's no reason why you have to attack me, Greg. Well, I've got to get the rest of the stuff out of the car." She said as she stood up and walked to the kitchen toward the door. She wasn't angry at House; she just didn't know why he was shutting down on her. It was fine when it was just them, but now with Charnie added in the household it was a whole different ballgame.

But she was up for the challenge. All the crap she'd been through probably prepared her for the road ahead. She, at 21, was a confident, strong-willed and stubborn woman with a lot of compassion and strength. But she could only be pushed so far. And as of yet, she and House hadn't really been tested, well, not until now. 'Batters up!' She thought to herself as she walked back through the kitchen.

House was standing in front of the refrigerator looking in to find something to eat; but his appetite was completely gone and he slammed the door hard, which made a loud clash of glass banging around inside. He looked up at Melissa like he'd done nothing wrong. She just smiled at him with a 'ho-hum' expression. He turned around, walked into the living, grabbed his coat and started to walk out.

"Hey, where ya goin'?" Melissa asked, trying not to sound so domineering.

"Out." He simply said. She shook her head and let him go. If there was one thing she'd learned about House, it was when to just let him go or just stay out of his way. And today, sadly, was one of those days, and it was only 3:00 pm.

---Hours later, Melissa had fallen asleep on the couch after she put Charnie to bed for the night. After the baby woke up from her nap, she'd fed her and at first wasn't too worried about where House was. Melissa did several things to entertain the baby in her father's absence: they went on a walk; they danced around the living room; played piano; and played with her toys until Melissa got pooped out and crashed on the couch to watch a kid video before putting the baby to bed. But by 8:00, she was starting to worry. She'd put in a movie to watch to distract herself but she wasn't even paying attention to it. But shortly after that the exhaustion settled in and she'd fallen asleep.

It was close to 9:30 pm when he walked into the living room toward the recliner. Actually, it was more like stumbled to the recliner and almost missed the chair completely as he sat down. He sat with such force the front two legs came up about two inches before it crashed back down onto the hardwood floor. The sudden, loud bang startled Melissa but luckily the noise hadn't woken up Charnie in the other room.

"Wutchaduinnn?" House stuttered then broke out in a loud laugh.

Melissa gave him a dirty, nasty look that shut him up real quick as she stood up, walked into the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee and walked back into the living room and sat down.

"Wheresmyahcoffeeee?" House asked, slurring his words, looking like he was going to pass out at any moment.

"In the kitchen, check the pot."

"Eeew, yore innnn a snippy mood." He said, making the 'snippy' more of a 'snephffeee.'

"Go to bed, Greg."

"oooohhh. Dunt tellll me your mah-had." He said with a hiccup.

"Ok, then I'll go to bed." She said as she stood up and walked toward the bedroom and slammed the door behind her, purposefully, which woke Charnie up. She thought about going to get her, but it took all the willpower she had not to. She'd also spent an hour on the phone with Cuddy, who really knew him, and told her House would come around on his own pace.

She stood at the door with her ear against it listening into the living room. When the baby's cry grew louder, which meant he had opened the door a few minutes later, she quietly cracked open the door to watch him. The baby cried louder and harder when House went in, and a moment later he came out of the bedroom with the baby stretched out in his hands, balling. He was awkward holding her, almost like she was a stinky, old piece of meat he was throwing away.

'No! The diaper! Oh, this outta be good!' She thought to herself as she grinned wickedly.

She watched as he put a blanket on the floor clumsily, trying to get it straight without dropping her. He'd sway every once in a while and a few times her heart stopped because she thought he would drop her, but he never did. He got the clean diaper and powder, expertly changed it and lovingly sprinkled powder on her little bottom. For some reason at that point she seemed to stop crying and giggled. And in two seconds flat he had the clean diaper on, stinky one in the trash, and walked over to the stereo.

Melissa shook her head in amazement at what she was seeing. He turned on the stereo and started to hum with the melody as she lay against his chest, his arms around her lovingly. Then he'd start to gently sway back and forth, as if they were ballroom dancing.

After Charnie fell asleep in his arms, he walked over to the couch and slowly sat down with her over his heart. He softly rubbed and smelled her baby soft hair, and smiled as he put his head against the back cushion. A few minutes later Melissa heard him snore and saw his left arm fall to the middle seat cushion, so she slowly opened the bedroom door, walked into the living room, bent down to pick up the baby without waking House, and carried her into her own bedroom. She gently laid her down on her bed, turned on the sound monitor and closed the door behind her. She walked back to the couch and covered him with a blanket.

"Hmmph." He muttered, but didn't open his eyes.

She stood there and looked at him, not sure whether she should wake him up or not. She decided against it and just let him sleep where he was. She went into their bedroom, leaving the door open, changed into her sweats and t-shirt and crawled into bed.

She thought of the scene she'd just witnessed and it touched her heart. She had wanted to go out while he was with the baby, but she had to teach him a lesson by not letting him know she was watching him and let him handle the baby himself. But, in reality, he had just taught her a lesson. Not really a lesson, but an insight to her future husband: another depth of his character, his heart, his soul. And she knew he would be okay, whether he knew it or not.

Melissa woke up the next morning on her back on her side of the bed and she turned to see if House joined her during the night. Instead she found little Charnie asleep, lying between her and House, who was awake and gave her a groggy, major hangover smile.

"Hey." He said in his deep, sexy, sleepy voice she loved to hear.

"When did you two get here?"

"She woke up me up at 3am 'cuz she was hungry. So I fed her, changed her and brought her in here."

She turned to see what time it was and she had an hour to get ready for work. She sat up quickly while trying not to wake Charnie. She slid out of bed and went to the bathroom, where he joined her as she flushed the toilet and stood up.

"Melissa, sit down." He said as he sat on the side of the tub. She felt her stomach knot but sat back down on the seat cover.

"I want to apologize for last night." He said, waiting for a reply from her but she said nothing. "Okay, I know I was wrong. And I'm paying for it now. Believe me."

"Good." She said.

"We can do this, you know."

"Oh, I know I can. But the question is, can you?" She asked.

"Girl, can't you give a cripple a break?" He said, trying to be charming.

"Sure. Find me one and I will. But I don't see one at the moment." She shot back. "Look, I've got to get ready for work. Are you going to drop Charnie off at Sarah's?" She asked as she stood up.

"Melissa, I'm not done." He said.

"Yes, you are, for now. We can talk tonight, promise." She said as she bent down, put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. "Well? You are going to work, right?" She asked as she turned the water on in the shower and smacked her hip against his shoulder to get him to move.

"Yes, babe. I'll drop her off. I don't have to be in until noon." He said as he stood up and watched her undress. She immediately got into the shower and closed the curtain behind her. She put her head under the streaming water and noticed his face peeking at the end of the curtain.

"GO! You dirty old man!" She said with a giggle.

"Hey! I resent that!"

"Well, you are dirty, right?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"And you are old, right?"

He hesitated a moment. "Yeah."

"So, that would make you a dirty old man! Now get in there with Charnie so she doesn't roll off the bed." She ordered as she stepped toward him and kissed him again. But she also splashed water in his face which made him scream and jump back from the curtain.

"I l-u-u-v you, babe!" She sang as she continued her shower.

"I do too!" He said back as he walked back into their bedroom.

And for the first time in a long time, if ever, he was happy. He felt like the Grinch when Whooville accepted him into their village. And for once, everything fit. Melissa, Charnie, Stacy. Oh, Stacy. Her death would take a while to heal, but he had what he loved the most with him now, and they would help him heal.

House walked into the lobby of PPTH with a smile on his face and a bounce in his walking limp. He looked into Cuddy's office but she wasn't there, thank goodness, but Melissa was. She didn't see him walk in because she was buried under papers on her desk.

'I can get away with a couple of hours of no clinic duty if Cuddy doesn't see me.' He thought to himself as he pressed the button to the elevator. When the door opened, Cuddy stood there with an 'I gotcha' look on her face. House squished his nose and rolled his eyes as she took a few steps out.

"Where do you think you are going, Dr. House?" She said as the door closed behind her.

"I was going to my office but you blocked my way. Actually, blinded me with your view is more like it." He said as he looked at her low-cut blouse. After he hesitated a moment he said, "And you are still blocking my way."

"I know because you have to go the other way. Get a file and do your job." She said as she escorted him to the reception desk. "It's de'ja'vu all over again, isn't it?" She asked as she grabbed a folder, handed it to him with a smirk on her face then walked to her office.

'Okay, I can handle this.' He said to himself as he walked into exam room #2.

A woman in her late 70's was sitting on the table holding her hand over her chest gasping for breath. "I'm Dr. House." He said as he walked reading her chart. He looked at her and hesitated as he saw how large of a woman she was; she weighed about 330 lbs.

"Are you having trouble breathing?" He asked as he put down her file, went to her and helped her lie down. He grabbed an oxygen mask, turned on the cylinder and placed it over her mouth. He checked her heart with the stethoscope and felt her wrist for her pulse and realized it wasn't a heart attack and she was in no immediate danger.

"Mrs. Pitt, just relax. Let me look over your chart thoroughly, ok?" He asked as he picked up her chart and read her symptoms.

'PRIOR HISTORY: 6 days ago – upper right quadrant pain; fever; nausea; confusion

PROCEDURES: standard open cholecystectomy; urinalysis – pyuria

DIAGNOSIS: cholecystitis

PRESCRIP: Oretic 25 mg; vancomycin 15 mg

FOLLOW-UP CARE: Physical therapy – to begin day 5 of recovery'

Mrs. Pitt removed the mask because her breathing had become normal. "I had….physical therapy this morning…..and when I got back….to the nursing home….my chest started…bad." She told House.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, what is the chest pain now?"

"Now, it's a 6, but at the home I'd say an 8; sharp pain that got worse with every breathe I took." She said.

"Ok, the nurse will be in for an EKG, and I want to get some blood work, as well." He told her. "I'll have her come right in." He said as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

He walked to the nurse's station and said to the nurse on duty, "Exam #2 – Get an EKG; blood CBC count, check the troponin T levels, serum electrolyte levels and renal function, stat." He told her as he grabbed another file while nurse Sanchez got the appropriate supplies and equipment then went in to see Mrs. Pitt.

The rest of the patients were typical, no-nonsense cases, just the way he liked them. Nurse Sanchez brought the EKG and blood results to House as he walked out of room of the last patient for the day. He thanked her, took the paper EKG slip and folder back to Mrs. Pitt's room.

"Well, Mrs. Pitt. The blood tests show no pneumothorax, pericarditis or pneumonia. I'm pretty sure you've had a pulmonary

embolism. I want a chest CT scan that Dr. Chase will do for you; he's the best Dr. around. In the meantime, I want the nurse to start you on an I.V. with medication. Don't worry. You didn't have a full blown heart attack. Not yet, anyway." He said rather rudely as he walked out and headed to his office.

He knew where he'd find Chase and he knew the kind of patients he liked, and Mrs. Pitt was just perfect for him. As he walked into the conference room Chase and Cameron had been giggling about something and immediately stopped when House walked in, glancing at Rog sitting at the computer.

"Hey, Brad Pitt's mother is downstairs. Get a CT scan of her chest for me. And get an autograph, too. I wanna see how much I can get from eBay." He said as Rog and Chase stood up and walked out into the hall.

House walked into his office, sat down and dialed home for Melissa. He'd been hungry for Chinese and wanted to know what she wanted. The phone rang 5-6 times and the answering machine picked up. He left a message for her to call him; if she didn't call him, he'd get Sweet & Sour Chicken, because 'you can never go wrong with that.'

He hung up and thought she might still be at Sarah's so he dialed their number. Sarah picked up right away and told him Melissa picked little Charnie up over an hour ago. House's stomach dropped to the floor when he first heard they'd already left, but maybe she went to the grocery store. He figured he would head on home.

As he stepped off the elevator, he ran in to Dr. Chase with the CT scan results. He didn't say a word but gave House a nasty look before he walked away. House looked over the scan and there was no aortic dissection and it was indeed acute PE. He instructed the nurse what to tell Mrs. Pitt as he quickly left the hospital for the night. He drove home a bit faster and careless than he normally did, but he still hadn't heard from Melissa. He pulled into the garage, closed the garage door and ran into the house.

"Melissa! Where are you? I called you earlier and…MELISSA! Answer me!" He screamed as he went from room to room as fast as his crippled leg would let him.

There, in the hallway by the front door, were Melissa and little Charnie sitting against the wall and at their feet was a jet black, wavy haired, four-legged creature with eyes as big as golf balls that made a mad dash yelping toward House's feet. It nipped at his sneakers then yelped when House gently kicked it away.

"Gregory! Don't! You'll hurt Snookums!" Melissa yelled as she stood up to pick up the 9-week old puppy.

"Woman! Have you done lost your mind?"

"Yes, I have! I said I'd marry you!" She said with a grin then kissed him. "I was supposed to get her Christmas Eve and I was going to surprise you but…getting her got pushed back a few days." She finally stuttered because she couldn't find the right words to say, 'Stacy's death.' He was still pretty upset after the funeral; he'd been moping around and had hardly eating anything.

Melissa set Snookums down and turned to pick up little Charnie, brought her to her daddy and handed her to him. She giggled in his arms and leaned over his elbow to talk to Snookums, who was jumping at his feet to get to her big sister.

"Where are you going?" House snapped as he turned around to watch Melissa go down the hall.

"I've got to make dinner. She'll be ready for her bath after we eat. Do you wanna do it?" She said trying not to giggle as she did.

"Uh, now, wait on one second, Missy." House said but she could tell by his tone that he was playing, sort of.

"Darlin', you were the one that asked me what I knew about babies, right? Besides, you were sooo sweet with her last night." She said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Ah, you were the one that got her. I panicked when I didn't find her on the couch when I woke up. Babe, I'm really sorry." He said as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. She smiled at him.

"I know you are hurting. It's ok. Just don't do it again...well, you can, but I wanna get drunk with you and we'll leave her at a babysitter's." She said as she kissed him.

He took little Charnie into the living room and played with her while Melissa made dinner. When she finally put the tray in the

oven she washed her hands and joined them.

"We are not calling this thing Snookums!" He objected.

"Oh, and what do you want to call her? Elvis?"

"HEY! That's not a bad..."

"You most certainly will not call her Elvis!" She said then laughed. The puppy had little Charnie on her back and was jumping on her tummy and nipping at her fingers, but she wasn't hurting her.

"What about John Wayne?" He asked excitedly.

"Greg! Come on!" She said laughing. "What about Mae West?"

"Nah. Ok, if you don't like John Wayne, what about Wayni?"

She thought it over for a minute. "Hmm. I'm not sure. Wayni? Come here Wayni!" Melissa called as she snapped her fingers and tapped her knee. The puppy came straight for her and nipped at her fingers.

"Wayni, it is!" She exclaimed. "I hope you like tater tots. I didn't have any fries to go with the chicken." She said as she stood up to go back in the kitchen.

"HEY! We can call Charnie C.T., for Charnie Tot!" House said as he stood up, picked the baby up and followed Melissa into the kitchen.

"Hmm. I don't know. C.T.! Come here, girl!" Melissa said as she snapped her fingers and tapped her knee. Wayni came running into the kitchen, tried to stop but slid about five feet on the tile floor, which made the baby giggle. "Ok, C.T. it is, little lady!" Melissa said as she walked toward them and pinched the baby's cheek.

"Missy, you are so good with her." He told her as he tried to set C.T. in the high chair, but was having a difficult time.

"No, no. This is how you do it." She said as she unsnapped the tray, he placed the baby in the seat and Melissa snapped the tray back in place. "There. You tie this around her neck, see, like this." She said playfully, exaggerating her movements as she placed the bib around her neck and tied it.

"Oh, you are sooo funny, Missy!" House laughed as he grabbed Melissa and wrapped her in his arms.

"I know. I have to have a sense of humor, buddy." She said as she kissed him.

After they ate, they filled the jacuzzi tub with lukewarm water so the three could bathe together. And they all three had a great time. C.T. was splashing the water with her little hands after her daddy taught her how to do it, and the giggles she let loose made them burst out laughing, too. Little Wayni was barking right by the tub because she seemed to sense she was missing out on some great fun.

When the water got cold and they were done bathing the baby, they dried off and Melissa made House change the baby's diaper and put on her night clothes. He had a terrible time at first because he was afraid to bend her arm the wrong way getting it into the tiny sleeve. But he managed. When he was done, he picked her up and held her to his chest, smelling her clean, soft hair.

"Greg, you'll make a great father, you know that?" Melissa asked as she watched the two before he placed the baby on the bed. "Uh, dear, I don't want her to get in the habit of sleeping in between us. Cuddy has you during the day, C.T. has you before she goes to bed, and I want you after she goes to bed."

House quickly picked up the baby, walked her to her room, laid her on her bed, patted her back for a few minutes until she fell asleep, and walked back into their bedroom.

"Ok, fine. I'm all yours now, babe. Do with me what you will." House said as he stared at her at the end of the bed, for she'd taken off her clothes and was just about to get into bed. She grinned at him wickedly and patted the covers next to her. Wayni

thought this was a clue for her to get into the bed and tried as she might, she was never able to jump up onto the bed.

"No, you hairy beast! She's mine! All mine!" He said as he tore off his clothes and jumped into bed with Melissa, both of them laughing, until he threw himself on top of her and they made love.

---Chase and Cameron were spending a quiet evening at Cameron's, as usual. They were sitting on the couch while she was showing him some old family photos since he'd met her parents, and the brother from hell, Doug.

"Robert, can I ask you something?" He nodded his head. "Why did you leave the seminary? And what made you go there in the first place?" Cameron asked. Chase sat back thoughtfully for a moment as if he wasn't sure he wanted to divulge the information.

"I dunno. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to. At first I really enjoyed it." He sat quiet for a moment.

"What happened to make you dislike it? Or was it specifically the nuns?"

Again, he hesitated. "No, it had nothing to do with them. I guess it was after Mom died I lost the faith. I tried really hard to understand why God took her the way he did. I was 14 when she died, so for a long time I was angry with God. And the nuns were no help; they didn't help make any sense of it. After a few months I just grew tired of the whole façade and left."

"What did she die of?" She asked.

"Heart attack, at 42." He answered solemnly.

"That is young. Was there an underlying cause, or history in your family?"

"No, not that I'm aware of." He shrugged it off. "It doesn't matter. But what really bothered me was as I got older I saw all the hypocrisy of the Church and was very disillusioned. Allison, is that why you don't believe, either?"

"No, but I went through the anger stage myself. I guess that's where I started to lose the faith." She told him.

"Seeing my husband die like that, it was tough."

"Tough for him or tough for you?"

"Wow, that was cold." She snapped.

"I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I assume he was on medication so he wasn't in pain, but I honestly can't imagine what it was like for you. I guess I would have known if Dad had at least tol…I mean, I would have been there for him."

"Would you really have, Robert?"

He hesitated for what seemed like a long time. "Honestly, I don't know. My stepmother would have been there and that's one woman I don't want to mess with…well, are you ready for dinner? How about Mexican?"

"Nah, had a taco salad for lunch. What about Italian?" She answered.

"No, had that last night. Hey, you wanted to go to that Japanese restaurant, didn't you?"

"Yeah, that's right. Let's go there." She said as he helped her to her feet.

"What are we going to have to dessert?" He asked as he reached for their coats.

"Oh, darlin', I'll give you your just desserts later, okay?" She said with a cute, wicked grin as they walked out the door.

---Over at Rog's apartment, he and Becka just came back from a day of shopping after topping it off with dinner. They both walked into the living and collapsed on the couch, laughing at themselves.

"Rog, it's good to see you haven't changed a bit!" Becka said as she started going through the bags of stuff they bought and handed his. "I still can't believe you smacked that guy in the face with the door like that. I swear I had to fight just to keep from laughing while he was on the ground."

"Girl, he wasn't on the ground! And the wind blew the door open and I lost the handle." He said, trying to defend himself. "You want a soda?"

"Sure, that'd be great. So, Rog, who have you been dating lately?" She said loudly so he could hear her from the kitchen.

"No one, really. Haven't had the time." He lied, not wanting to mention Melissa just yet, although he held no hard feelings against her.

"That's ashame, Rog. You are like the sweetest guy I know, and you're not even gay." She said with a laugh as he handed her the glass.

"What do you mean, 'I'm not even gay?'" He asked as he sat down next to her.

"What? You are gay, then?" She asked seriously.

"Hell, no!" He said, almost choking on the last sip he took.

"Then why haven't we ever gone out?"

"What are you talking about? We've gone out before, Becka, lots-a times! Where are you going with this?"

She stared at him a moment, waiting to see if he'd catch on to what she was getting to. "You mean to tell me you never picked up on the fact I had a crush on you?"

"Well, yeah, I heard you did. But it would just be weird, you know?"

"What do you mean weird?" She exclaimed, smacking the side of his arm with the back of her hand playfully.

"I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't curious, but Becka, come on! You went to the prom with Mike, not me. If you had a crush on me, why didn't you ask me?"

"Because you'd already asked Susie. I was so devastated the day I heard you asked her I ate a whole half gallon of ice cream! I was sick for two days and not from the ice cream."

"Oh, you're joking."

"No, I'm not." She said seriously. "The same morning you asked her I'd finally gotten the nerve to ask you, but, I was too late. And then when I saw you two dancing together, man, that hurt."

"Wow, I don't know what to say. I mean, it's been what, 20 years?"

"Yeah, since we were kids. I guess that would make it weird, huh?" She said disappointedly.

"But, I cut in on you two dancing, Becka. Why didn't you say anything then? Couldn't you feel how fast my heart was beating? That wasn't from dancing to Janet Jackson!"

"No, because my own heart was pounding in my chest, Rog. God, this is so funny." She said with a little laugh.

"What is so funny?"

"Don't you feel like that nervous little teenager on your first date, or something?" She said not looking at him.

"Kinda, except the only difference is we're not teenagers anymore." Rog said sweetly.

He leaned toward her, put his fingertips on her neck with her cheek in his palm and kissed her. He was surprised at how sweaty his palm was against her warm cheek and closed his eyes.

In his mind's eye he was kissing the same sweet, fun, adventurous girl that was his first crush, too. His bottom lip rushed against her top lip as he softly kissed her, and felt her arm slid up his forearm to his shoulder. He heard and felt a tiny moan come from her throat and he opened his eyes and broke their kiss. Her eyes were still closed as if she were waiting for his lips again. When she didn't feel them she opened her eyes and looked at him like she'd only looked at him when he was walking away or trying to get his attention.

"Wow." Was all she could say.

"See what you've been missin'?" He asked as he laughed.

"I've had better." She said seriously then laughed so hard it got him laughing, too.

"So, what do we do now?" He asked.

She stood up, grinned down at him then said, "Last one in the bedroom has to sleep in the tub!" Laughing, she tore off into his bedroom with him in fast pursuit.

On New Year's Eve everyone gathered at Sarah and Wilson's along with friends of Sarah's. They'd brought C.T. with them because a teen from next door was going to watch both her and Charlie until after the party.

---When House and Melissa arrived, Charlie ran to the door all excited to see C.T. She was content playing with him and he was so good with her. Melissa told him she thought Charlie was a grown up in a little kid's suit, so Melissa had little to worry about that night.

She'd warned everyone she was going to get drunk and have some fun for a change. She'd actually felt good, better than she'd ever felt, despite all of the medications she was taking. She'd had a little cough but just blamed that on the weather.

---Rog brought Becka to introduce her to everyone, and he'd warned her to keep a weary eye on House. "Oh, is he a flirt?" She'd asked on the drive over.

"No, he can be a bit abrasive."

"Oh, is that all? He doesn't scare me. Whatever he can dish out I can take! Remember, I grew up with four brothers."

"Dear, I don't think that'll make a bit of difference with that man!" He'd said as he pulled into the driveway.

---Foreman came alone because Nancy was spending her new year with her family because they didn't approve of him, even though he was a doctor. They warned her that he came from the streets and he'd never change. She spent hours talking with them explaining that he has been nothing but good to her and he wasn't that same kid he was before. Her parents relented, but still kept a weary eye on their daughter.

---Cameron and Chase came together, of course, because everything had been going so well for them. She had gotten over the shock of seeing House and Melissa together, but every time they'd kiss or hug she'd feel just a 'pang' of jealousy. And it took her a while to learn to keep it to herself, especially from Chase.

--Cuddy came alone, as well, and as usual. Sarah had tried hooking her up with a friend of hers from church but that hadn't worked out. He was six inches too short for her and it made the man feel insincere. Actually, 'tiny' was the word Cuddy chose to tell Sarah about the date.

"Lisa, don't you know it's not the size of the man but th..." The two women laughed long and hard on that comment when they spoke the day after the date.

---The evening went along well, with lots of laughter, drinking and eating. The babysitter from next door came to get Charlie and C.T., and Melissa asked Charlie to keep an eye on her.

"Oh, I will, Aunt Mewissa! You pay me, though?"

"You betcha! We'll go to the park tomorrow, how's that?" She told him.

"HEY! Can you bring Wayni, pwease?" Melissa nodded her head with a smile and he ran off to say goodbye to House.

"Uncle Gweg! Can you come to da pok wif us tomowwow, please!" He begged as he looked up at him with his own puppy dog eyes. "I wanna see 'er!"

"Ok, fine, we'll do that. But I will not follow her around picking up the poop." He told him as he bent down and patted the top of Charlie's head.

"I do dat! Yah! Daddy! We goin' to da pok tomowwow!" Charlie said as he ran to Wilson to say goodnight.

As soon as the door closed behind the babysitter and the two kids, House made an announcement. "Ok, at the stroke of midnight, we are playing nekkid Twister! It was on the invitations, and those that don't want to join us can leave at that time."

Everyone looked at him like he was insane, except Melissa, who'd raised her glass and hollered, "I'm up for that!" then took a long swig of her cranberry juice and vodka. Now it was everyone's turn to look at Melissa like she was insane.

"Oh, come on, you guys! I was joking! Geez, you all need some more liquor! Hey, speaking of which, mine's empty. Show me the way!" She slurred as she walked to the bar.

"Uh, House, I hope you know she's not driving home." Wilson told him as he walked over to him. "And I hope you know we are not playing nekkid twister, you dirty, ole geiser!" He said with a laugh.

"Fine, like I said before, I don't wanna play with you anyway. 'Ho's before bro's, man!'" House said as he gave Wilson a high five but he didn't raise his hand.

"You're sick, you know that?"

"Yep, and there's no other way to be!" House said proudly as he raised his glass and drained it.

"Rog! Get me a drink, will ya?" House hollered as he walked into the living room where he and Becka were sitting laughing with Chase and Cameron.

"Uh, you can't afford him, Dr. House." Becka said with authority. He glared at her and Rog shriveled into the cushion waiting for the words to fly from House's mouth.

"Oh, don't I know that! This boy breaks more equipment than we buy." House shot back.

"Oooh, you were right, Rog." Becka said smartly as she turned to him. Rog's face turned a shade of red as he sunk deeper into the cushion.

"Greg! Leave him alone!" Melissa hollered as she walked toward those sitting on the couch. "I think Rog is adorable!" She slurred as she went to sit on Rog's lap. House lowered his brows at her trying to ascertain whether she was as drunk as she was acting, or was just acting drunk.

"HEY! There's 60 seconds left!" Sarah hollered as she walked around with a tray of champagne-filled flutes.

Everyone gathered around the t.v. as Dick Clark counted down the final seconds watching the lighted ball descend the tower in Times Square. Melissa had managed, with help from House, to stand as she got off Rog's lap. She lost her balance a little and fell toward House but he had a good hold of her.

"Sorry, Becka, this is the first time I've seen her drunk." House apologized, which made Rog relax a little bit.

Everyone started counting down from ten...five...four...three...two...ONE!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone cheered, toasted one another and gave out hugs and pecks on cheeks. Cameron turned to look at House to see if he was going to approach her, but when he didn't, she went to him and wished him a happy new year.

They just stood there and stared at one another.

"Oh, girl, give him a hug. He won't bite!" Melissa said as she bumped into Cameron's hip so she'd fall into him. But she didn't realize how hard she did it because she went flying into House's arms.

"Melissa...that's enough." House said sternly, which ended the hug and kiss Cameron had wanted from House.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Alli..." Melissa started to say and she groaned. Melissa's head started to swirl and she grabbed onto House's waist. Sarah nodded at Cuddy, who stood up and walked toward House and Melissa. Both women playfully but seriously patted her on her shoulders and escorted her to the library on the other side of the house.

"Melissa, I'm going to get you some coffee." Cuddy said as she walked back to the door.

"I'm really sorry, Lisa, Sar...oh, da…gonna be si..." She said as Sarah quickly grabbed the trash can and handed it to her just in time for her to throw up in it. There was a knock on the door and Sarah waved House in.

"Here's your coff...oh, I guess you don't want it now, huh?" House said as he set it on the coaster on Wilson's desk. Melissa took the Kleenex Sarah handed her, wiped her face and looked up at him in shade of green he'd never seen on a human being.

"Oh, babe." He said as he sat down on the other side of Melissa.

"You stay with her, Greg." Sarah said as she stood up. House nodded his head and said thanks as she closed the door behind her.

"OOoooh." Melissa moaned into the trash can. House scooted closer to her and rubbed her back as another spasm overtook her and she threw up again.

"You're a lightweight, too, huh? I should have warned you about the meds and alcohol." She groaned again, wiped her lips and her chin then leaned back against the sofa.

"Oh, now you tell me, you snot." She said, attempting a laugh.

"I guess this means you are not in the mood for nekkid Twister, then? It's ok. You can flick the spinner." House said trying to be funny but it didn't work.

"Shut up, Greg." She snapped. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him. She rested her head on his chest and groaned.

"I really made a fool out of myself, didn't I?" She whispered, taking in air so she wouldn't throw up again.

"Actually no, you didn't. I mean, it could have been worse if you threw up on Rog. Well, really, that would have been funny."

"Greg, would you just shut up." She said with a little laugh. "You're talking too loud."

"You have a hangover already? Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie. Just relax a while, ok? They'll wait for us before they

start the game."

She closed her eyes but her head spun worse and she jerked her head back as it felt like it would fall off her head. "I just need to lay here for a while, is that ok?"

"Sure, honey. That'll be fine. I'll go get little squirt and we'll leave." He said as he slowly stood up holding her head in his hands and laid her head on the pillow. She groaned again and reached for the trash can, but she only dry heaved.

House walked into the kitchen to bring back the coffee Melissa didn't drink and overheard Foreman talking to Cuddy, with Sarah at the sink rinsing the glasses.

"...call Dr. Stafford I wi..." Foreman was saying before Cuddy interrupted him when she saw House walk in.

"How's she's doing, Greg?" Cuddy asked as she took the mug from him. He just stood there and stared at Foreman thinking to himself, 'That s.o.b. He's tattling on me again?'

"She's lying down now, thanks. And Foreman, I would appreciate it if you would mind your own business."

"I'm just thinking of her best int..."

"She's my fiance and none of your concern." He said, starting to raise his voice.

"You almost killed her in Oct and you should have known with those drugs she's taking she shouldn't have been drinking."

House walked right up to Foreman and looked him straight in the eyes. "She is a grown woman, Foreman. I am not her babysitter. She's been through more hell than any of us and she owes no one an explanation." He stormed out of the kitchen and went to find Wilson to get the kids.

House and Wilson put on their coats and walked outside in the cold, wet, new year night.

"What happened in the kitchen, House? I heard you yelling." Wilson asked as they stood at the end of the driveway.

"Nothing." He said curtly. Wilson nodded and knew it was a matter not to be pressed. Then he said, "He told Cuddy if she didn't call Dr. Stafford about 'what I've been doing to Melissa' he would."

"But you haven't done anything." Wilson said.

"I know, tell that to Foreman." House said as he walked to the neighbor's house.

Wilson carried both the kids in his arms as they slept while House carried the bag of diapers and such. Most of the guests were leaving, including Nancy and Foreman, who averted his eyes with House. Of course, House watched him intently as they walked out the door. Sarah took Charlie while Wilson took C.T. and put them in beds upstairs because Wilson insisted they stay with them, and House thought it was a good idea.

House walked into the back room where Melissa was sleeping. He sat on the couch by her waist and watched her sleep. At her age, he was surprised at how much of an 'old soul' she was. He sometimes wished he could be as wise as her, but he thought to himself, 'we've all had our problems.' She stirred in her sleep and started to whine. House put his hand on her face and tried to wake her.

"noo...nooo, please, donnnn.." She whined, tossing her head back and forth in a nightmare. House whispered softly to wake her up, then had to raise his voice when that didn't work. She finally shuttered awake and tried to focus on him.

"Babe, let's go upstairs." He said.

"Whaaa..why? No, we can go home." She said as she sat up but then her head started to pound and she lay back down moaning.

"No, just let me scootch behind you so I can snuggle with you."

"Who won the nekkid Twister?" She teased as she sat up again and he lay down, as she followed and he wrapped his left arm around her.

"Oh, I did. I had Cuddy wrapped around my right leg and Cameron under my left arm and Nancy's shoulder on my chest and Sarah's face at my..." He heard a snore escape her, as she'd fallen asleep from the deep, throaty vibration of his chest as he talked against her back. He just grinned to himself, buried his face in her neck and closed his eyes, feeling very happy.

---Back at Foreman's apartment, Nancy sat on the couch a bit pissed at him after he'd told her what he'd said to Cuddy.

"Eric, you had no right to say that." She scolded him.

"Nancy, you don't know the man like I do."

"The man is almost 50 years old! He certainly doesn't need you to dictate his life. Besides, from what I've heard from Allison, she's been in good hands with Dr. House. You shouldn't have said that."

"I don't think you are in the position to be judging the situation."

"And neither are you, Eric. You know, I've had it. I'm going home." She said as she stood up and went to grab her coat.

"Nancy, you don't understan..."

"Oh, I understand, believe me. They're happy together, and you can't stand that. You like him miserable, that way you can still manipulate him the way you always have. You have one little advantage over him while he's trying to overcome his pain. But you don't have that now that he's with her. Who's the sad one now, Eric?" She said as she reached for the door.

As she opened it she said, "Call me when you've grown up." and slammed the door behind her.

Foreman stood in the foyer in shock at what he'd just heard. No woman had ever put him in his place before, and he wasn't sure if he liked it now. She reminded him too much of his mother, being as outspoken as she was. 'Is that a good thing or a bad thing?' He thought to himself as he turned around and headed off to bed.

---As Rog and Becka lay in bed for the night with their backs against the other, her eyes were open and she stared out the window, thinking Rog had already fallen asleep. But she couldn't sleep because she had too much running through her head, '...we shouldn't have had sex last night...are things gonna get weird from here?... where do we go from here?' She sighed heavily.

"You still awake, Becka?" He asked, turning over to face her back.

"Yeah, just thinking."

"About what? You okay?" He asked as she turned over to look at him.

"Are you okay with last night?" She asked him.

"I'm more than okay with last night. Why would you ask that? I thought that's what you wanted?"

"Excuse me?" She asked as she sat up in bed and glared at him. "I didn't come all the way up here just to have se..."

"Wait, Rebecca, that's not what I meant. I meant you had a crush on me, and I've been thinking about you lately and...oh, hell. I am more than okay with last night."

She seemed to calm down a bit and asked, "Then can I ask you a question?" He nodded his head.

"What's between you and Melissa?"

His eyes flew open at her question and had to think a moment before he answered. He told her how they met at Cuddy's cabin in NY, how they became close, engaged, went to England, House blew the wedding and now House and Melissa were engaged.

"Wh...how did you know?" He asked her.

"I saw the way Dr. House was looking at you, especially after you spilled your drink on Melissa's blouse...like he thought you'd done it on purpose. But I can tell House and Melissa care about each other. I mean, I'm surprised at the age difference, but, hey, good for him!" She said with a laugh.

"Becka, I'm glad you came up, I really am." He said as he leaned in and kissed her.

"So am I." She said after she'd kissed him back. "I can't believe I'm so tired. But I'm glad it was you that tired me out." She said with a grin.

"Oh, thanks for the compliment." Rog said seriously.

"I was referring to shopping!" She laughed then gave him a hug. And they went to sleep holding each other. They didn't make love; they didn't have to. They already loved each other and it might be the start of something good for Rog, who really did need someone in his life.