-1CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"Good morning, Dr. Cuddy," Debra said excitedly as she put her purse on the chair across from her desk and sat down in the chair beside it.

"Hello, Debra. How are you feeling? Oh, and call me Lisa," she answered as she put her pen down.

"I'm great. I am really looking forward to working with you. Being couped up in the hotel room has been driving me insane. But Jim found a great two bedroom apartment just a few blocks from here; we'll be moving in this weekend. It'll work out great - he'll drive me to work in the mornings and then drive me home at lunch."

"Glad it's working out for you. Now, I know it's only temporary and part-time, but the things I need done around here I am confident you can handle with your admin experience…" Cuddy drolled on about her expectations, which weren't much and easy for Debra to handle. "Fill out the application and W-2 forms and the others and take them to HR. They're on the 3rd floor, east wing."

Debra thanked Cuddy and walked to her new desk, took something out of her duffle bag and put it on her desk.

Two weeks had passed since the three doctors and Debra had their double date. She'd seen House only a few times, but he and Cameron had been seeing more of each other. She was curious how their relationship would be in the office, and was glad she'd be there to see House crumble under Cameron's fingers.

She and Wilson had gotten closer, but not physically. They had grown accustomed to snuggling at night but nothing ever grew out of it. They were content having things the way they were because they both knew she'd be heading for home in a few months.

She finished filling out the forms then headed off for HR.

HOUSE MD HOUSE MD HOUSE MD

"Seventeen year old with heart murmur admitted this morning…" Chase said as he entered the diagnostics room.

"Boring," House said as he turned around with his coffee mug and took a sip.

"Yeah, I knew you'd say that. But she's catatonic and has a rash," he continued.

Foreman looked up mildly interested.

"Okay, still boring," he said as he walked toward his office.

"I'd say it's a case of lupus to me," came a female voice from the doorway as she walked in. "I watch Medical Stories."

"Hey, Debra! Glad to see…"

"Hey! She's my cousin so hands off, Chase!" House warned with a serious tone.

"Hey guys. I just came by to see your office, Greg" she said as she followed him into his room.

"This is it. Jacuzzi is coming next week but it's just for me and Cameron," he teased as he sat down behind his desk and she in the chair in front of it.

"Greg, Cameron asked me about Oma when we went clothes shopping yesterday," she said, her voice soft and delicate, considering the subject matter.

He frowned and asked, "You didn't tell her, did you?"

She shook her head adamantly. "No, no, of course not. But…it's bothering her."

"Well, then she can talk to me, can't she?" he snapped as he opened a piece of mail and threw it in the trash.

"Sure, but knowing how much it bothers you…"

"It doesn't bother me."

"Yes, it does. You know I don't blame you, Greg. And you shouldn't either. Actually, your father is to blame, and you two should…"

"Drop it, Debra."

"Okay, sorry. Hey, do you know a good moving company?" she asked. She knew they didn't need one, considering all of Wilson's personal belongings were in storage and the place was already furnished, but she needed something to break the ice.

"No," he said flatly. "Why?"

Debra explained to House that she and Wilson found a two bedroom apartment for them while she was staying there under the doctor's care until she was stable enough for the trip home. She and Wilson thought it best to be honest with him.

"Oh, okay," he simply said.

Debra grew suspicious because Wilson warned her he'd be mad, but he didn't seem to be.

"Well, I'd better get down to my office," she said with a smile as she stood and turned to the door.

"Debra?"

She turned back to him. "Yeah?"

"He's got three ex's, you know?"

Now it was Debra's turn to frown. "I know, he told me."

"You'll grow emotionally dependant on him."

"I know, he told me," she repeated seriously but then smiled. "Greg, don't worry. He's been a good friend. Besides even if we have had sex you'd be to blame."

"Oh, really? How do you figure that?"

"Because, you brought us together and now I'm pregnant," she said as she walked out the door.

House thought she was serious, but knew she couldn't be. But, what if she was? I'll kill him!