I was really embarrassed when I first started writing House stories because I didn't know what the response would be! I am so happy that there are people who really like these stories!

This chapter/story might seem a little bland, at least I thought so, but I think it really shows that House has feelings and acts on them, even though everyone else thinks he is like a stone.

Reputation

He hadn't told her. His little vow to make an end of the rumors failed. He just never thought very deeply about what he was going to do. House wasn't a fool and he wasn't def; his leg didn't affect his hearing. People were whispering about the fact she was waring his clothes and his lab jacket that day of the rainstorm He could always tell they were talking about it when he walked into a room and they stopped, avoiding his grey eyes.

And he was far from the ability to burn the memories of the music and the words from his mind...

She must have entered his office sometime during the day, for his clothes were back and his lab coat was draped over his chair. He never wore his coat, anyway, and promptly shoved it into the bag under his desk. She could have just kept it. The borrowed clothes were stashed in his backpack to be taken home and washed. House wished he would have been there to corner her, hiding in the shadows of his office until she was far enough from the door where he could block her only escape. The terrified look on her face, mingled with doubt and hope would almost be too much for him to bear.

There was no thank you note, no sign at all that she was appreciative of his generosity. She had worn them and returned them.

House looked unhappy. He always looked unhappy, it seemed to the hospital staff who worked with him most often. He never smiled unless it was in mockery and never spoke a kind word unless it would get him out of an issue he found himself in. He had several patients that day and went dutifully to each one, listening to their petty problems, fixing their small complaints. He didn't run into her all day.

The intern who had just laughed at her was the most unfortunate intern who ever walked the hospital hallway. All House heard were bits of a conversation that abruptly stopped as he acted on instinct. The group of interns were talking too loud, obnoxious laugher echoing in the corridor. The other doctors and nurses at least had the sense of mind to whisper when they were gossiping. Before they noticed him, he saw them, and all he heard was his name, her name, and several words House never wanted to hear again. He limped to the group and swung his can behind the young man's knees, knocking him to the ground. With a sharp smack, the cane hit it's second target and the man slumped over, limp.

House glanced at the other young men and women, that one look telling them that this was the same thing that was going to happen to them if they ever insulter her again in his presence. House walked away, a crowd gathering behind him, a doctor attending to the intern, who was already stirring.

He had not hurt the intern nearly as much as he should have for what House had heard him say, but, even though he hated clinic duty, he didn't want to lose his job. He wasn't the least bit surprised when he was called to the main office, the hospital director undoubtedly waiting for him.

She listened carefully behind the door as House was reprimanded and given a warning. Other doctors would have been fired on the spot, but House was special, brilliant at what he did, so he could stay. He would lose his job if he ever did anything again that would involve rendering someone unconscious. The young intern actually apologized, admitting his mistake, humbled by his unexpected encounter with a cane.

She closed her eyes and felt a tear slide down her cheek. He had risked his job to protect her reputation, paying no heed to his own. They were saying awful things about her and he had come to her rescue, never wanting her to know.

As she heard the meeting end and the scuffle of chairs, she whispered a quick thank you to House, although she knew he couldn't hear it, and hurried off before he opened the door.

Thank you for reading! More will be coming soon! I already have an ending and can't wait to post that in a while... I don't know when I will end this little series; I really like working on it! Please review! I post to hear what everyone thinks and to share this with other House-fans... Thanks again!