A/N: Sorry about the delay. Here's another chapter :) I'm glad you're enjoying it so far :D
Chapter Three
An hour later, House was hired on as the Physics and AP Bio teacher and given a tour of the school, along with an ID badge. On his way out, he heard music coming from the band room and decided to investigate.
It sounded like jazz band practice and he stood in the hallway to listen. When they finished, he went inside and Jaime was sitting behind the piano giving instructions, but stopped when she saw him.
"Dr. House, are you lost? This isn't the Science Department."
There were a few titters from the students but they stayed quiet.
"I was just on my way out and heard the music. You guys are good."
"Thank you. Care to sit in for a song?"
House shrugged. "Sure."
"Everyone, this is Dr. House. Did you see Ms. McKenzie?"
"I did."
"And?"
"You're looking at the new Physics and AP Bio teacher. For the rest of this year anyway."
"Nice. Congratulations. How about some Caravan? Do you know it?"
"Absolutely," he said as he cracked his knuckles and took her place at the piano.
"This is the shorter version, as we don't have time to play the whole thing," she reminded him as she put the music in front of him.
He looked at the music sheets and then brushed them aside. "I don't need no stinking music."
The students all laughed at that, and Jaime just shook her head and chuckled to herself. "Okay, Brad," she said, pointing to the drummer, "Start us off."
XXX
"So when do you start?" Jaime asked House when she saw him sitting outside.
"Next week. They have a sub for now but they're giving me time to create my own lesson plans. There's only a few months left of school anyway so I should be able to wing it until then and then I'll have all summer to come up with the new school year."
"Sounds good. Laura is relieved to say the least."
"Yeah. Is she married?"
Jaime smirked. "Why? Do you like her?"
"I wouldn't have asked otherwise."
"No, she's not married. She's a widow. Lost her husband three years ago in a bad car accident. But you didn't hear that from me."
"Then why are you telling me at all?"
Jaime shrugged. "Because she's one of my best friends and I want her to be happy."
"I just met her. I never said I was going to date her."
"Yeah, well if you do, great. You seem like a nice guy, but I don't know you well enough. I've heard things. Or rather, read things."
"I can well imagine. But don't believe everything you read."
"Oh my God. I don't believe it," Laura said as she seemed to be staring at someone or something, out in the hall.
House glanced over at her from his desk.
"What?"
"See that guy?" she said, pointing to the older man out in the hallway talking to Jaime. They seemed to know each other very well, if the way Jaime smiled at him was any
indication. "He used to work here years ago and Jaimie had a huge crush on him."
"Is that so? But who is he?"
"He taught Math, was the guidance counselor and coached girls basketball."
"Girls basketball huh? Got a penchant for young girls, does he?"
"Just a little."
"So isn't she a little old for him, then?"
Laura shook her head. "He always liked her but he's married."
"Maybe he's single again. Oh behave!" House said, in the voice of Austin Powers, making Laura giggle.
"I didn't know the word "behave" was in your vocabulary, Dr. House."
He grinned back at her. "It's not. Why? Do you like that?"
Laura gave him a shy smile. "I've always been drawn to the bad boy types."
He gave a sexy growl as they continued to watch the couple in the hall.
"So what brings you to this neck of the woods, Mr. Harding?" Jaimie inquired as she looked up at the man in front of her.
He gave her a sexy grin. "What's with this Mr. Harding business? You can call me CJ, you know. Anyway, I'm filling in for coach Grey. She had to take some time off. I'm glad to see you're still here, though. What's it been? Ten years?"
Jaime nodded, unable to take her eyes off him. He had aged very well. Other than his hair having turned a silver snow white, he still looked damn good, and was even a little bit tanned.
"About that. I thought you moved. I haven't seen you in town."
"I did, but I came back as a favor to Grey."
"That was nice of you."
"So how about you?" CJ asked as he glanced down to see she wasn't wearing a wedding ring. "Hasn't some lucky guy snapped you up yet?"
Damn, his smile always made her weak, and any thoughts of being attracted to Greg House were completely forgotten. But then, CJ Harding had always had that effect on her. He was her kryptonite. A single glance could make her panties wet and if he wasn't married, she would have easily stripped naked and jumped him, given the chance.
"No, sadly. But I'm not looking for Mr. Right, I'm looking for Mr. Right now."
CJ merely grinned at her, understanding her meaning perfectly. And it was then he thought he might have to see if she really meant it.
"Oh, I have something of yours you left behind," she said, remembering.
"What would that be?"
"Oh, just some items from your office. I have them at my place if you want to come pick them up. Or you could come for lunch this weekend and get them then."
I can't believe I'm doing this! She thought to herself. She knew she was talking fast, but she was excited and nervous, and CJ also always brought that out in her. She was like a schoolgirl with a crush.
CJ nodded. "Sure," he said and took out a pen and paper from his inside jacket pocket. "It's been a long time since anyone's cooked for me," he said as he scrawled down his number and handed it to her.
Jaime giggled. "I won't be cooking much but yeah, come over at noon."
"I'll be there. How's your Grandma, by the way?"
Jaime sighed. "She died."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hadn't heard. She was a great lady, raised an amazing granddaughter," he said with a smile as he placed his hand on her shoulder for support.
Keep your hands off her, you old letch, House thought to himself as he continued to watch the exchange. He'd never seen Jaime behave that way before and it was intriguing. He also knew that it would not be the last time he saw the man. He was now the competition.
"Dr. House?" Laura called to him, waving a hand in front of his face until he looked at her.
"Huh?"
"Wanna grab a drink after work?"
He smiled at her. Laura could be just the distraction he needed.
"Sure, sounds good."
"Great," Laura smiled and they went back to work, but House kept his eye on Jaime until she ended her conversation and walked away.
XXX
House was sitting outside with a beer when a sky blue Porche pulled onto the property and stopped in a cloud of dust. The door opened and as expected, CJ Harding climbed out.
"You must be Dr. House," he said with a smile as he approached, dressed casually in a button up shirt and casual pants. In one hand he carried a nice bouquet of purple and blue carnations.
"Must be," he muttered as he accepted the man's hand and shook it once. "Jaime's inside, second floor."
"You live here?"
"Yeah, on the main floor. So keep the noise down," House snapped and then promptly went inside, leaving CJ shaking his head as he went to the side door that led upstairs.
"Is your tenant always like that?" He asked Jaimie as she closed the door behind him after letting him inside.
"Yeah, pretty much. Pay no attention."
"Who is he?"
"He teaches Physics and AP Bio."
"I see. But enough about him. How are you?" CJ asked with a smile, making her blush. "You always blush easily. Why is that? Do I make you nervous, Jaime?"
She backed up a little until she was up against the counter. "What? No! It's just…"
"It's just what?" he said, moving closer to her and placing both hands on either side of the countertop, trapping her. It was then she realized just how blue his eyes were, but they were still nothing compared to Greg House.
"I haven't seen you for a long time, and…"
"Did you miss me?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact. I wondered if you'd ever come back, and here you are. So soon."
CJ chuckled and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "You haven't changed a bit. I've been thinking about you a lot, actually."
Jaime looked surprised. "Really?"
"Of course. So when Coach Grey called to ask if I'd step in, I did it, hoping you'd be there."
"Wow. I don't…know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he said as he stepped even closer so their bodies were almost touching. And then he bent his head and kissed her cheek, very tentatively. "I've wanted to do that since I saw you the other day," he whispered.
Jaime was speechless, recovering from the heat that radiated through her whole body.
Sweet Jesus, am I in trouble, she thought to herself as his lips found the way to her mouth. She literally melted when his lips met hers and his arms wrapped around her waist as if he somehow knew that. When the kiss finally ended, she was out of breath and blushing, but she collected herself and smiled. "So, are you hungry?"
A/N: CJ Harding is based on a real person. And that's all I'm saying :D
