Wow, guys, just wow! I'm so happy there are other House fans out there. I didn't think I'd get this much traffic on this fic, but you sure surprised me!

Sarana-Snape: Thanks for the compliment. House is a tough customer to try to understand. And even I don't know yet how Claire's going to react when she learns who her new companion is, but when I get there I hope it'll be worth it!

Eve of Destruction: Yay :) I was worried that it would come across as just another digital romance story.

SwankDoll: Again, thanks for the comment about House. He was actually really awesome to write. And I hope you enjoy this chapter since its got a bit of the man who inspired your penname in it. -wink-

KatrinaJG: You! I totally read your story the other night and hearted it thoroughly. Its actually part of the reason I went ahead and started posting this. I was a little afraid to throw a House fic out here because I didn't know how many people would really be interested, but once I saw yours and that there are indeed more of us House lovers out there I had to add to the list. And you know, I hadn't thought of the "You've Got Mail" comparison, but you're totally right!

FloatOn: It means a lot to know I'm writing someone's favorite character in an acceptable way. I hope you keep enjoying the story. And House love always. :)

DarknessDiablo: You always crack me up. In a totally awesome way, by the way. And to answer your question it originally started out as a one-shot idea, but when I considered it I realized it had potential to be a good longer story. House is such a closed-up individual sometimes that I wondered of ways it might take to get him to open up and trust someone. The idea of the courier telling him things without knowing it was him was just too perfect.

Free hugs and Sunset Sass for all!

A Terminal Affair

3

Giddy little girl was not a description that most would attribute to the Courier. In fact it was the farthest thing from. Hardened expressions calculated over months of travel and a penchant for getting into trouble at the drop of a shotgun shell implied anything but femininity. It was disorienting at first, being seen as almost a unisex figure of mythos across the Mojave, but as time passed she got used to it. Sometimes she wished she didn't have to. It would be nice to be seen as woman every once in a while, and if not a woman then just herself. So many times she just wanted to pretend she was someone else just so she wouldn't have to face the weight of her celebrity. Lying, however, was never an option for her so she just accepted that as long as she was here she would live the life she was living.

But this note, this message from somewhere out in an undisclosed place there was someone who didn't know who she was or what she had done. It filled her with an incredible sense of newness, a hope.

From: (Blocked Location)

To: Terminal 292-A

Subject: re:Hello?

C,

Hello, stranger. What seems to be the problem that you need to talk to someone about? I couldn't help but notice the long string of recipients that you sent this same message to. I thought I was the only one who played around on these old things. Anyway I'm probably just some unknown to you, but it seems that perhaps that is what you need in whatever situation that you have found yourself in. If you still feel the need to vent I offer my ear, or rather my eyes to read your words. I find myself rather prone to long periods of inactivity in my profession. Finding your message was an interesting turn of events in a long series of mundane activity. Wherever you may be I hope this finds you well.

Whoever had answered her on-a-whim mail message seemed friendly. She immediately wondered what his profession was that it would allow him time with computers as well as free time to be bored. Claire's mind whirled with scenarios of this mysterious stranger. Without a moment of hesitation she found herself immediately typing a reply.

From: Terminal 292-A

To: (Blocked Location)

Subject: re:Hello?

Wow! I actually never expected a reply. I was just sitting there upset over an argument I had with my boss. I'm sure you understand how that is. He's not exactly the easiest person to get along with. He never thinks I'm ever working hard or fast enough and it's frustrating because I spend almost every waking moment trying to make sure I do my job perfect. I want to tear my hair out. Last night I was on the verge of just quitting and walking out. I feel kind of idiotic complaining about it now though. Just a few minutes ago he called me up to his office and apologized to me. I don't know if he meant it or not though, but right now I really don't care. I just don't want to argue anymore. He's not a bad man so I don't want to leave. I just want his respect. I've worked for worse though so I'm sure I'll manage somehow. Thanks for answering me. Its nice to know that there are still people out there willing to reach out to complete strangers. I'd love to talk to you some more if you really don't have anything better to do, but I warn you that I am fairly boring. What's your work?

Although she still felt foolish for having started all this she sent it anyway. In the light of day with some sleep in her system she was beginning to see the fight with House as something that should have brushed off and not some major catastrophe like she had felt it was the night before. With a better mood came the realization of how trivial it would be to outsiders. Yet whoever the person was that wrote back to her was he or she seemed quite happy to entertain her thoughts and she would continue to speak with them if that's what they wanted. It might be nice to converse with someone a little more normal after all she'd been through. Heck, it might give me some perspective. She'd been in the middle of this Mojave crisis long enough to forget what it was like to just be an average Joe, or err, rather Joanna in her case.

When she was finished she switched the monitor off and gathered a few of her things. Since House had told her to take the day off she wanted more than ever to run over to the Tops. Now she wouldn't feel like she was shirking off her duty to him and could really enjoy the day out instead of it being some rebellious act against him. The thought of that was somewhat petty in retrospect. She glanced at her gunbelt that lay across the couch in the corner and decided to leave it there. She trusted Swank and the Chairman as well as House's securitrons to keep the peace. She wouldn't be needing protection on the Strip. Well, she added thoughtfully with a smirk, not that sort of protection anyway.

XXX

House had never seen the Courier smile before, or at least not like she had when she had read his reply to her. He had tried to be as open and welcoming as possible so she would feel invited to continue on with her messages. He hadn't decided fully what his alternate persona was going to be like yet, but he imagined the kind of man she would become comfortable with would be humble and kind. The tactic worked like a charm, especially with the added bit about feeling a little isolated and bored as well. Claire was a bleeding heart and even if she no longer wished to discuss her personal feelings she wouldn't leave another out there needing attention. Not long after she sat down at her computer she had already sent another message back to him and headed out of the Lucky 38 still smiling. She didn't wait for a quick reply, likely believing whoever she was talking to was working or otherwise indisposed.

That was just as well, for now it gave him plenty of time to think about this man he would become while writing to her. She had immediately asked about his profession, something he figured he would have a little leeway with at first to be vague, but Claire was an inquisitive sort. When she had first met him she had asked him so many questions about everything. He had indulged her yearning for that knowledge, blissfully so when she asked about pre-war Vegas, a subject that despite his own secrecy was dear to his heart and therefore a pretty acceptable topic between the two of them. However, as their working relationship grew, becoming more strained and distant, the questions began to slow and then stopped all together. He would have liked to say he didn't care that she no longer asked, but admitted at least to himself that it was quite nice sometimes to talk about before to someone who actually seemed to care.

Moving on from his thoughts about the beginning of their acquaintance he started typing the first draft of the new reply. He'd likely discuss his own "work" this time, perhaps mentioning a difficult superior as well. The rest he'd just see what came out. House had always been more of a scientist than a writer, but he didn't picture the two being that different. Creativity was needed in both areas and was something he was broadly gifted with.

"Boss, Miss Claire is going out. I thought you would like to know." Victor broke through his thoughts.

It was second nature for him to switch to Victor's POV mode when addressed about anything going on in the Strip, and as he watched the courier's back disappear into the crowd he replied, "Yes, of course. I gave her a day off to enjoy herself. As usual though, please keep an eye on her while she's out and do let me know when she comes back."

XXX

"Look who's here! Our favorite gal!" One of the doormen at the Tops greeted as soon as Claire entered. His name was Chance, and he was a hopeless flirt. As usual he placed an arm around her shoulders as he guided her inside. "Long time no see, doll." He smiled at her, all teeth and joviality. That was one thing she could always give the Chairman, their charisma. Every single one of them had it, which sadly was part of the reason that Benny had escaped her when she had finally tracked him down.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Chancy." She told him, a sheepish smile curving her lips as she brushed her hair from her face. "I've been on the road most of the time. The Boss keeps me busy." The Tops was one of the only places that she openly and readily mentioned her work with House. In here she knew most of them supported the Strip overseer, especially Swank. Out in the wastes though so many people had differing opinions and she had to watch who she said she allied herself with. Most of the time she never said a word and let them think whatever they wanted about her.

Chance opened his mouth to speak. No reply ever came and instead he dropped his arm with a flicker of his eyes up toward the staircase leading to the Aces. Claire followed his gaze and found Swank watching them from afar as he approached them. Chance's sudden release amused her. It was no secret that since her first visit here Swank had put in a silent claim on her. It was nothing forceful, and nothing he'd get aggressive about if she ended up liking someone else, but the rest of the Chairman seemed to have an understanding that 'Swank saw her first' and left well enough alone when the two of them were together. It was cute.

Swank opened his arms with a wide grin on his face when he reached her and she melted into his embrace, placing a friendly kiss on his cheek. "Baby, the word gorgeous was invented just for you." He indicated her dress. "What's the special occasion?"

"Oh, nothin' that special, Swank, sweetheart." She told him and linked their arms together when he offered. "Just happy to be back on the Strip again after being gone for way too long. House gave me some free time so I figured I'd come over and invade your space."

"Mhm." Swank nodded. He lowered his head so that his lips brushed her ear, "between me and you though you're welcome to invade this space as much as you want. All day and all night."

"Is that so?" Swank was definitely Mr. Suave when it came to the ladies and she was no exception. She was aware that he was probably like that with every skirt that waltzed in the door, but it wasn't like she wanted anything more than casual fun out of him anyway so it was all innocent between the two of them. Well, innocent in the way that it didn't matter to her that she wasn't the only one he took for a delightful spin now and then up in his room. She was a woman, and he was a man (a fine one at that!) and she was not about to turn that down anytime soon.

"Honey, you know I'm all yours whenever you're in town." His fingers danced across her collarbone like he was a maestro at the keys of a baby grand. With that kind of touch so early in the day she was sure that by the time night fell he'd be playing her in all sorts of ways that were indecent for public. The mere thought of the head Chairman sent a small shiver along her spine and the delicate hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Swank was a master at the human body, particular that of a female and noticed at once. "Cold, babe?" By the slight inflection in his voice she could tell he knew exactly whether she was 'cold' or not.

"Hmm. Try the opposite, honeyface." Claire chuckled and tilted her head up so she could brush her lips along the side of his throat.

"Now, now, darling," Swank told her, cadence playful but not unlike that of someone that was giving a gentle reprimand, "watch yourself. You have a reputation to uphold."

"Well then, I guess I'll have to reach deep into my reserve and keep my hands off you until we can appropriately disappear somewhere." She gave him a wink, which caused the smallest of twitches to the corner of his mouth. He was trying not to smile at her implications; he was failing miserably.

For a moment he became serious again as he regarded her. "Sadly I must inform you that the temptation will be less than usual today. I've got a lot of business to take care of on and off due to the new acts. We've been very busy, lovely. However! We've got quite the line-up, new and old, for you to entertain yourself when I have to be away and since you're around we'll make sure to have a nice lengthy lunch and maybe… dinner?"

"Dinner sounds wonderful."

"Splendid!" He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, hands on her shoulders. "Now, if you will excuse me I have to go check up on a few things. Go talk to Tommy upstairs and he'll have a special seat for you. I'll meet you when the first show starts."

"See you soon. Don't work too hard now."

"I try not to, pussycat!"

XXX

Tommy Torini was ecstatic to see Claire when she came in and immediately separated himself from what he was doing to come say hello. Apparently it had been discussed that since she'd brought in so much new business she was going to be given one of the best seats in the house, no ifs ands or buts about it. He showed her over to her table and proceeded to give her the rundown on all the new gossip in the Tops as well as the acts list of the day. "I'm tellin' ya kid, things have really kicked off."

"Glad to hear that." She sipped at the drink that had been brought to her. It was nice she was making some kind of difference somewhere, even if it wasn't a part of some big good vs. evil battle for liberty and freedom. They continued to chat until Swank returned and dropped into a seat beside her, arm laying across the back of her chair as cross one leg over his knee.

"All right, I'm here now so you can stop talking about how awesome I am."

"Oh yeah, Swank, you know it. Looks like he caught us, Tommy." She grinned.

The three rolled into a rhythm of jokes and banter as things were being set up on the little stage. Claire found herself sitting back during most of it just listening to the menfolk ramble on about Chairman business, but she didn't mind. This normalcy was comforting to her, relaxing. And even when Tommy headed off to take care of the line-up the dynamic didn't change. She looked over at Swank as he watched the performances on stage, a nostalgic smile gracing her lips. Thoughts of her life before the Mojave floated through her mind and for the first time in a while she didn't miss it. The Strip was her sanctuary now, from the crowded streets, to the bustling casinos and on to the quiet solemnity of the Lucky 38. She owed House for the chance to be a part of all this, and finally the animosity, which had spiraled out of control the night before dissolved into nothing. Like House she was willing to do whatever it took to keep this place alive, to protect it.

Seeing the look on her face Swank leaned over, slightly concerned at her somber expression, "you look like you're thinking hard about something?"

"Ah, don't worry about it. Its nothing." Nothing. And everything.

I'll admit this chapter was a little difficult. It took me a while to try to figure out what the heck House would say to her to begin with so I started out simple. Once they get a repartee going their message conversations should be a little more exciting and revealing.

Next chapter House decides to give Claire another day off (being the wonder philanthropist he is, wink) so that she can have some time to get to know her new 'friend' and so he can start digging into her psyche. The game is afoot!