CHAPTER NINE – Heinz 57

An hour later, House and Kathi sat in a booth of a restaurant overlooking the intersection of Bain and Commonwealth. Their dinner hadn't come yet but he was sipping on a Scotch while she drank a Martini. He absentmindedly stared out the window and any conversation between them came from Kathi.

"And so when I was 16 I did the high school team under the bleachers after they creamed the Dodgers at Homecoming," she said off the top of her head, trying to get his attention. It worked.

House turned to look at her quickly; his head did a quick 'about face' and his eyes were the size of ping pong balls.

"Gotcha," she said with a laugh, which he returned. "I took you for the quiet type but I didn't think you'd be this quiet. And you still look pale."

House looked at her trying to determine if she was just making conversation or was trying to get something out of him. He had trust issues, especially when it came to women. And he wasn't about to share his life story with her – not yet.

"It's my leg but I took something for it. I'm fine," which was the truth, since he'd taken his Vicodin he'd left in the glove compartment before meeting Kathi again at the restaurant.

She returned his watchful eye to determine if he was being purposefully evasive or really was in a lot of pain. She never had trust issues, and that's what got her into trouble, specifically when it came to men. But there was something about him that intrigued her so intensely that it became clear that this was going to be a great challenge – to get him to share his life story – but not quite yet.

"So, what do you think of the case?" she asked just as the waiter brought their entrees.

"Not on an empty stomach," he mumbled and dove into his steak without saying another word.

The two sat at the table eating in silence, but for some reason it didn't bother Kathi, and of course silence was just how House wanted to eat. After about ten minutes Kathi was halfway done eating when she placed the fork on the plate and sat back, sipping her third Martini and watched House.

'Oh, God, she's watching me eat. That is so annoying … it's too quiet. Oh, this is perfect. I feel like fighting anyway.'

"Do I have Heinz 58 on my chin or something?" House asked.

"No, and it's Heinz 57," she corrected.

"Then why are you staring at me? 58."

She shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno. I just like watching men eat. It's a real turn on. Oh, and it's still 57."

"You always fight with your dates? And it's 58," he said as he put his own fork down and took a sip of water. He waved to the waiter to bring him another Scotch.

"No, of course not, just the ornery ones that feel the need to keep up stupid arguments. I just know I'm right. 57," she teased.

House couldn't help but smile at her, although he couldn't really place what it was that made him feel like this – like a high school kid (again) out on a dinner date with the head cheerleader. Except he wasn't in high school, he was a grown man. He shouldn't be feeling like this, none whatsoever.

"I don't think the guy ran the red light," House interjected out of the blue.

Like a heartbeat Kathi was right on the quick subject change and said, "Why?"

"I have my ways."

Kathi sighed but smiled. "Ah. Okay."

Again there was silence between them as they both finished their dinners and drinks. Tension was in the air that was only felt by House; Kathi, on the other hand, was more intrigued with the man by the second. After House paid the bill they left the restaurant and he walked Kathi to her car. She took her keys out of her purse and was about to put them into the door when House grabbed them and opened the door for her, handing her the keys back.

"Thanks for tonight. That was a nice way to unwind after today."

House stared at her for a moment before he asked, "Aren't you going to ask me about my leg?"

She looked down at his right leg, then the cane, then back up to his eyes. "No. I figure if you want to tell me you will."

House was awestruck though he didn't know why. Almost everyone seemed to have the need to know his business with his leg, and he assumed she was no different. But she was.

"Well, it's late, and we have to be back in court at 8:30. You gonna be okay driving home?" Kathi asked genuinely concerned after the three Scotch's he'd had.

"Oh, please. I'm fine. Kathi?" She had just sat down in her car without closing the door and looked up at him. "58."

Kathi smiled big at him but didn't argue with him. "See you in the morning."

House closed the car door for her and she headed down the street to make a U-turn toward her apartment. Just as she passed House standing on the street watching her she stuck her head out the window and screamed, "57!" and waved. He watched her drive until she disappeared from view.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number from memory.

"Hey. Meet me on Bain and Commonwealth," House ordered.

"Why?"

"Because Anjelina Jolie is here!" House said.

"You're the one that likes her, not me."

"That guy from Blackadder is in the restaurant here!"

"That British guy? What the hell is he doing in New Jersey? Look, I'm trying to eat dinner, here," the man said impatiently.

"Okay, okay. I need your opinion on something?"

"What is it? Can't I give it over the phone?"

"No, you can't. See you in a few," House said and hung up the phone, knowing for certain that Wilson would indeed meet him at the intersection.

NOTE: Bare with me……..the intersection plays an important part here, which will be better explained in next chapter. And, of course, so does Wilson:o) Thanks for the reviews! Keep 'em coming!!!