Chapter 3

The team were sitting, waiting for House "he'll be in, in another hour" they all thought to themselves. But they were wrong. However, they still wouldn't start on time, due to the woman walking down the hallway, just in time to catch up with House.

"Greg!"

House spun round, trying to remember how long ago he had heard that voice, when a woman collided in to him, pulling him into a hug. He wouldn't return the favour until he saw who it was.

Katrina looked at him carefully, studying all his features. He wasn't looking too good. This saddened her, but she brightened up hoping he'd remember her face - how could he not?

House stood back and took a long look at her, black hair shining under the constant beam from the light, she hadn't changed one bit, she still looked like she should be in her early twenties, but they both knew that was an innocent lie.

"What are you doing here Kat?" he tried his best to look away, but after all these years he still marvelled at her - secretly he had always had strong feelings towards her, but Stacy was around then.

She wasn't anymore.

"I got bored of London, and I did promise to come visit you all those summer's ago" she said with a smile knowing that he was happy she was here.

House nodded remembering.

"So, do you want to sit in my office while I set the ducklings to work?" It was a command, not a question. He turned back round, not waiting for an answer, and started walking. She walked beside him, wondering when he had gotten a cane, but reassured herself that he would tell her in his own time.

House entered the office and Chase, Foreman and Cameron turned to look at him. They saw a female figure slip past him and enter the office, placing herself in House's chair.

He looked at them as if nothing had just happened and walked over to get his second cup of coffee for the morning, along with his second dose of Vicodin.

Cameron was the first to ask him about the woman.

"Who's that?"

"Huh" he replied after swallowing a mouthful of coffee and pills, "Oh, her. None of your business"

Cameron's cheeks flushed a subtle pink and she looked back towards the computer screen, embarrassed that she had even asked, embarrassed from him telling her this woman was none of her business.

"So, have we got any cases?" House asked.

They all looked at him and shook their heads.

"Good" he replied. "I'm going next door. Cameron, maybe you should do some more prying into Chase and Foreman's lives."

Cameron stayed silent as he opened the glass door and stepped inside, closing the blinds and showing the ducklings not to disturb him under pain of death.

"I heard you in there" Katrina said quietly. "How comes you were so mean to her?"

"They don't have a right to know my business," House replied casually, shrugging his shoulders in indifference

"Everyone's favourite as usual Greg!"

He paused and looked to the floor. She could always make him feel guilty about being uncivil to people, but the problem was she did it without it looking like she was making him feel guilty.

"Come on, when did you start going all quiet on me?" That knowing look was in her eyes. He looked down towards her hands and realised no ring rested on the third finger of her left hand. His heart leaped and his stomach growled, signalling for more food.

"Do you wanna get some breakfast?" he mumbled, now looking at her legs.

She hadn't notice yet.

"I wanted to see James as well, you can't keep me to yourself!" Willing to keep her happy, he speed dialled Wilson.

It only took two rings before Wilson picked up.

"Wilson here"

"It's me, someone here to see you"

"House, this better not be a joke, I am doing some actual work here"

"No, I'm being serious"

Katrina mouthed to House she want to take the receiver, he gave it to her.

"James?"

Dr. Wilson stopped what he was doing that moment and took a slight inhale of breath.

"Its me, if you can guess who me is"

"Kat, you're the only person with an English accent I know!" he laughed, before continuing; "I'll be down there in a second."

Kat put down the receiver and vacated House's chair.

"You need it more than I do" she gestured.

"Why's that?" he retaliated defensively.

"Because of your cane, and I know what Vicodin is used for." A knowing look glinted in her eye. "Besides, that other chair looks much comfier than this one," she lied.

Knowing that she was as stubborn as he was, House sat down in his chair and they locked gazes for a second.

This is why he had feelings for her; they were a like in some ways. Yet in all her English ways, she was always nice towards everyone she met, unless she hated their company.

House remembered the look that would cross her face; he had always noticed it and came to her rescue, just so he could look like the mean asshole and her niceness would still be retained.

Wilson knocked on the glass, his hands shaking mildly at the thought of Katrina. "Was it really all those summers ago?" He wondered to himself.

House opened the door and Wilson walked past him. House glared at the ducklings before closing the door behind him.

Wilson and Katrina were already in an embrace, much tighter than his own was towards her, he walked over to the desk and sat back down.

Katrina wanted to kiss every inch of Wilson's face but remained just in the hug, all she could do was breathe in the scent of his aftershave and hope that this embrace would never end.

Wilson saw House staring at them and let go of Katrina, with all the memories flooding back. It was good to have her here; it was good for both himself and House.

Even if House never admitted to it.