As the day went on, Joan did her best to avoid House at all costs and it was working fine up until lunch. For some reason, the cafeteria had been so crowded that the only un-occupied seat
was that at House's table.
Sighing to herself, the dedicated professional swallowed her pride while making way over to the table. Eyeing the unwanted guest through the corner of his eye, House tried to ignore Joan
as she stood there.
"Do you mind if I sit down?"
He was about to make some sarcastic remark about how the floor would make just as comfortable a spot then any but his heart just wasn't into it. Say something. You know you want to.
Say something to make her go away.
Despite the prodding being sent by his subconscious there was only one thing that came to House's mind.
"Sure."
"Really?"
"Why not? Your hungry, I'm hungry there's no reason we can't eat together. Besides, I'm nearly done here anyway."
Peering over at his plate, Joan noted the hardly touched Reuben sandwich sitting upon the diagnostician's plate.
"Not hungry?"
This feeble attempt at small talk didn't last long as House arched an eye brow and frowned.
"Look, just because we're sitting together doesn't mean we're friends."
"Yes, I got that from your rather pleasant demeanor. (Pause) Seriously though, I want to ask you something and I need you to be completely honest. (Pause) Why don't you like me? Now,
you don't have to answer if you don't want to but, I'd really like to know."
House thought about this question for a moment. What was the main reason he didn't like the woman sitting before him? After all, it wasn't like they knew each other that well. There had to
be something deeper going on here something that was throwing things off. Usually, House would have shrugged the question off but it seemed as though Joan had just sparked
something in him and House just couldn't let it go.
Damn it. "Alright fine doctor, since we're all being honest here I'll tell you the truth. It's not you I hate it's your profession."
"Why?"
"Because you people are all alike. What makes a shrink think he or she is so powerful that they can cure someone from a lifetime of misery in just one day?"
"That's not how it works. Sometimes it takes weeks, months or even years for therapy to work."
That's when Joan noticed a change in her lunch time companion. House's expression had gone from angry to unreadable in a matter of minutes as he continued to stare blankly in her
direction. Joan had no idea what she had done to provoke this reaction but she knew she couldn't leave while those crystal blue eyes were starring back at her with such overwhelming
intensity unparalleled by the anger in his voice.
"So, lets say that one of your patient's was being abused by a family member, a father perhaps. What advice would you give to the kid on how to deal with it?"
This question surprised Joan greatly but, rather then add any more fuel to the fire, she decided she would answer the question honestly as if the scenario were real.
"I would say that he or she shouldn't have to deal with it. Something like that is hard for anyone to deal with and the best thing for the child to do is to get away as fast as possible."
"Your telling me, that you would tell a child with no license, no street smarts, with no where else to go, whose absolutely terrified for their life to run away from home?"
"Well, when push comes to shove what choice does the kid have?"
When push comes to shove. Interesting terminology. At this point, House had had enough as he stood up from the table while continuing to glare at Joan for a moment before leaving her
with these few parting words.
"Look, I don't care if your nine, nineteen or ninety sometimes bad things happen and they don't just go away if you hope real hard. But, when they do happen you should never be alone.
never. You always have choice."
As he turned to leave, House could feel the remorse welling up inside of him fighting for an exit. Not here, not now. Unfortunately, it appeared as though Joan was both a shrink and a mind
reader as she made her curiosity be known.
"Doctor House, you talk as if you've experienced similar circumstances. Is that true?"
Aren't you the crafty one. "No, and just a word of warning for the next time you decide to enter my orbit, your not going to get anywhere if you keep trying to get into my head."
This being said, House saw his chance for escape and took it without any regard for the woman watching his every move. As he limped away House felt an overwhelming sense of self
satisfaction while passing through the wooden doors.
Meanwhile, Foreman was having troubles of his own. After House had left him in charge the team would hear none of it, thinking it was only another rouse to give the neurologist a false
sense of security.
"Come on Foreman be reasonable. Why would House leave you in charge while he's away if he's still in the building?"
"What?"
"I saw him down stairs in the cafeteria having lunch with some woman."
That's when a spark of realization dawned on everyone. Of course, House didn't want to be interrupted, especially if he was on a date.
"You don't really think…?"
"Why not? He may be an ass but, he's still a man with needs and desires just like the rest of us."
In the middle of this debate, a chuckle could be heard from the connecting office. As always, Kutner was chosen to investigate the sound but truly wished he hadn't. Making his way inside
the small but spacious room, the Indian doctor was in for a shock as he laid eyes upon an attractive young woman sitting behind the desk playing with House's pocket pc.
"Can I help you?"
"Nope, I'm fine thanks. Just thought I'd play some games while waiting for Greg. Is he around?"
"And you would be?"
A mysterious smile spread out across Gloria's face as she feigned embarrassment while extending out a hand in a mock friendly gesture.
"Oh, how foolish of me. Your right we haven't been properly introduced have we? Hi I'm Gloria Swan House, Greg's kid sister and you are?"
"Doctor Kutner, one of House's new fellows. Um, he should be up any minute if you'd like to continue to wait."
"Thanks. I'd like that. Besides, Mario and Luigi aren't going to save the princess by themselves."
Gesturing towards the pocket PC still clutched firmly in hand Gloria nodded her thanks towards Kutner before he left the room.
As he walked back into the conference room, the look on the young Indian man's face was enough to grab everyone's attention.
"Did you know that House has a sister?"
"A sister? I always got the impression he was an only child. Especially after that time his parents came to visit."
"Well then, why didn't they mention anything about her?"
In the middle of this conversation, a low familiar baritone voice echoed from the doorway leading out into the hall.
"Because, they kept her locked in a closet for seventeen years. don't you remember Foreman?"
A hint of remorse washed over the neurologist's features as he began to flash back to a conversation had with Chase and Cameron a few years before.
"Chase told you what I said?"
"Of course he did. That wombat was the biggest blabber mouth I ever had the pleasure to work with. Oh but, lets not play this game of who said what to who. What's the point? When your
all so curious about my personnel life in the present."
Kutner was about to ask something but he was cut off by the sight of House limping hastily into the office. Laying a critical eye upon Gloria who still remained seated behind the desk one
thought came to mind, what was she thinking? Reaching down to pull her up by the strength of both arms the diagnostician ignored the woman's protests while dragging her over to the
center of the room.
"You've got a lot of nerve coming back here sis. Especially after that stunt you tried to pull. Introducing me to your friend the shrink when you knew what I've gone through with them. And
why did you tell Kutner you're my sister? we're not even related."
Deciding to answer the easier question first, Gloria shrugged while laughter danced behind her eyes.
"I thought it would be funny. Besides, you should have seen the look on his face when the shock wore off. The guy was speechless."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah okay. Messing with one of my team is one thing but seriously Gloria…why did you want me to meet Joan? Did you want to set us up? If so, I'm not interested."
Shaking her head at this comment a sigh escaped her lips as Gloria tried to find the words. If she had any chance of making this work honesty was the best way to go.
"I thought she could help you."
"Do what? In case you haven't noticed I'm in no mood for hearing a bunch of annoying analytical dribble from someone whose supposed to be my friend. So, if you have a point to make I
suggest you make it before our time is up."
An ultimatum? Alright fine, if that's the way he wants it then I guess I have no choice but to say" You've been pushing people out of your life for as long as I have known you. I don't know if
its because of the crappy relationship you had with your dad or something else but, its effecting us."
"Oh come on Glory, we both no that the only reason we haven't talked is because you pushed me out. I don't know maybe it's a good thing we never…"
"I'm pregnant."