Chapter 5

Friday's Nights

My first day at the hospital was uneventful as first days go. I spent it filling out paperwork, meeting several board members, being assigned a locker and taking tours of the facilities. After lunch, I met the surgical staff, observed an operation and called it a day. When I arrived home I made a quick dinner for Susan and waited for her to come home. She didn't. Around nine that night, the door opened and she waltzed in giving me that smile that said she had just been with a man.

"There's chili in the refrigerator and homemade rolls on the counter," I said without getting up.

"Sorry, but I was asked out for dinner to discuss a patient."

"I presume you have a cell phone."

She cringed. "I know, I know. But, we were talking and I just lost track of time."

A chill ran down my spine. "It was House. You went to dinner with House and didn't want to call because you knew I'd disapprove."

Susan blushed and tried to look away, but I managed to hold her gaze. She finally nodded. "He showed up this afternoon and asked me to help on a case involving a twelve year old. We went out to dinner, I looked at the file, ruled out cancer and then we just talked."

"How long did it take to rule out cancer?" I asked knowing that it couldn't have been long and if she could do it without running additional tests, then House already knew it wasn't cancer—he was no dummy.

"Ten minutes, maybe more."

"You do know that it was a ruse. House didn't need you to tell him it wasn't cancer. First, he already knows how to diagnose cancer and second, his roommate is an oncologist. He's either interested in you or in screwing with me or possibly both."

"He told me that he doesn't hold it against you that you got him fired."

"Bull. Gregory House is notorious for being a manipulator. He'll extract his long simmering revenge now that I'm back on his radar. I have a feeling his payback is getting to me through you. For him it's a win-win situation. I get upset and he gets a hot girlfriend."

"You know, guys do fall for me without wanting a pound of flesh from you."

"Not in this case. You've just tangled with the original flesh eater."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head with obvious disbelief. "He's funny, sexy and brilliant. Stop trying to make him into a monster. Maybe he's changed since you knew him."

"You must be joking. A man like House doesn't change."

She held up her hands. "I can see we're going to have to agree to disagree on this." She marched to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer.

One weekend and we were already fighting. I needed my own place.

She looked at me. "You're thinking about moving out! Aren't you?"

Damn I hate her sometimes; she knows me too well. "Look, if you're going to be bringing Greg House home, then I need to find new digs."

Her mouth fell open. "My God, you're really serious. You really don't like him that much?"

"No, I really, really don't like him that much."

I guess she finally realized that, for once, I wasn't going to give in on this subject. She threw her hands into the air and shrugged. "Okay, if I go out with him, I won't bring him back here."

"Yeah, that will last a few days."

"No, really. I won't bring him back here. Now, do you want to go to a movie tomorrow night?"

"You don't have a date?"

"No date."

We went out Friday night to the movies and then to dinner, ending up having drinks and dancing at a local club. It was fun. We laughed all night long at both our past and the strange men around us. I hadn't felt so relaxed in years. Susan and I always seemed to play well off of each other. In fact, we often finished each other's sentences. I wasn't even as close to my own siblings as I was to her.

The following week was exciting. I was assigned my own cases and had to attend several faculty workshops for the classes I'd be teaching at PPTH medical school. I spent a few days reviewing texts to see which one I wanted to use in my class. On Friday, I received a visitor, Marilyn Swift, the previous instructor of my course who had retired after being diagnosed with brain cancer. She was a class act and even gave me her syllabus and class notes. I wanted to hug her…I did.

I fixed up my office by purchasing a kidney shaped desk with a matching credenza and a short bookcase. The desk was a gorgeous burl with a matching set of chairs for visitors. I picked out a Herman Miller Aeron chair for me. On the walls I put up my Ansel Adams photos of Yosemite, my favorite place on earth. I have to admit, it made me miss California.

Susan practically ran into my office, perky and excited, her eyes lit up and a glow to her skin. She had on a pair of black slacks and short sleeved blouse. Plopping down into one of the chairs she grinned at me.

"Want to go to dinner tonight?" She asked.

"Sure. What's up with you?"

"Nothing?"

"You're like a puppy with a new toy. What's going on?"

"Nothing!"

The sigh that escaped from my mouth was long and deep. "You have a date, don't you? You get like this when you meet someone new."

She slumped down in her chair, her eyes looking down at her hands. "I'm going out with House tomorrow night."

I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. "Ahhhhhg." I took a deep breath. I knew if I insisted that she not seem him, she'd just do it behind my back. Susan listened to no one but herself. "Fine. It's your funeral."

"I had James Wilson ask me today if you were seeing anyone."

"Me?"

Nodding she leaned forward. "He thinks you're brilliant."

"I am brilliant."

"Want to double date?"

"No way. I like James, but no way do I want to be around House."

The next night there was a knock at the door. I could hear the water running and knew that Susan was still in the shower. Looking at the clock it was seven, probably the time that House said he would pick her up. My stomach started to turn when I realized that I was going to have to answer the door.

I peeked through the little peephole and saw him standing in the hall. Opening the doo,r I motioned for him to come inside. He had on a designer t-shirt with a sports jacket perfectly cut for his tall body and a pair of dark jeans that made his legs look even longer than they were.

"No date tonight?"

I shook my head. "No date."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Look, House, just come in, sit down and wait. Susan's still getting ready."

"We have reservations at 7:30pm." He moaned looking down at his watch.

"Sorry, but I'm not her keeper."

He said nothing, sitting down on the couch he looked around. "This is all her taste right?"

I nodded.

"Makes sense. It's very sophisticated, like she is."

"Yeah, well you're right. Would you like something to drink while you wait?"

"What have you got?"

I walked over to where the alcohol was kept. "Looks like we have a full bar."

"I'll take a Scotch."

I poured him a Scotch and handed it to him. He didn't bother to thank me. When I sat down he leaned forward and asked, "Are you looking for a place of your own?"

"Why?" I asked defensively.

"Nothing. I just didn't think you wanted to be around me." His blue eyes were playing with me.

"Oh, and so you think you're going to be around for awhile?"

"I think I have a good chance. You better start your search."

"Susan's smarter than that. You're just the flavor of the month."

"Want to make a bet?"

"No."

We both settled back into silence. Finally, I just had to ask, "How old are you?"

He looked surprised at the question. "Fiftyish. Why?"

"Why is a fifty year old man living with his friend? Why don't you have your own place?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I just moved here. I plan on buying something as soon as escrow closes on my house in Los Angeles."

"I was having hallucinations from my addiction to Vicodin, ended up in the nut house for six weeks. My shrink wouldn't let me out unless I could prove that I wouldn't be left alone to my own self-destructive devices. I relapsed and he still thinks I shouldn't be left alone—not yet."

I was shocked, alarmed at the thought of Susan going out with a nutcase. She walked out to the living room in her sexy dress, sling back heels and dangling earrings, looking fresh and beautiful. House smiled at her.

"Did you know he was institutionalized for hallucinations and Vicodin abuse?" I yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at House.

The look I got back said it all. She looked at me as if I was the crazy one. "Of course. Everyone at the hospital knows. Besides Greg and I discussed it in detail at dinner the other night."

The wind whooshed out of my sails. "I can't believe you're going to date this loser." I looked over at him and he had a roguish grin. I ran out of the room, once again slamming my bedroom door like a teenager.

I didn't want to stay home so I checked on my laptop and discovered that there was a movie I wanted to see at the local mall. I decided to go early to grab something to eat before the movie. I ended up at the food court and got in line at Panda Stix, the fast food Chinese. As I stood in the line staring off into space I heard a voice coming towards me.

"Finley? What are you doing here?"

I looked up to find James Wilson walking towards me with a coke in one hand and a plate of tacos in the other. He was dressed in a polo shirt and jeans, looking very handsome and relaxed.

"I was just going to get a bite before the movie."

"Movie? Which one?" He said as he waited with me in line.

"Uh, the George Clooney one."

"Oh, that's supposed to be good. Mind if I eat with you?"

I nodded and asked, "Are you here by yourself?"

He nodded. "Yes, with House out of the way, I thought I'd do a little shopping and then I got hungry."

"Did you buy anything?"

"I bought some clothes and dropped them off in the car. I was thinking of hitting a few more stores before going home."

It was my turn and so I ordered the Kung Po Chicken and a diet coke. We found a table near one of the windows overlooking the east parking lot.

"This looks romantic." I said motioning to the view.

He chuckled as we sat across from each other playing with our food. "So, I never thought someone like Susan would go out with House."

I stopped chewing. This guy obviously knew House, knew what he was, and yet he chose to be his friend, his roommate. "Why do you say that?"

"She seems bright, normal, not damaged."

"And House likes damaged women?"

"No, damaged women like House. House likes women, especially if he doesn't have to pay for their company."

"You mean he pays…he hires hookers?"

Wilson shrugged. "He's careful! He always uses protection."

"It makes sense. He's not exactly warm and fuzzy."

Wilson scrunched his face. "That's not necessarily true. House has his vulnerable side. He just encases it with this armor of sarcasm and vulgarity."

"Why are we talking about House?"

Wilson smiled. "I agree. It seems I spend a lot of my time defending or babysitting him."

"Well, you could just say, 'no.'"

"I know it's hard to believe, but I like the guy. He's my best friend."

I shook my head. "Friend? He's vulgar, anti-social, manipulative and cruel!"

"He can also be funny, generous, wise and vulnerable."

"I'm sorry, but that's very hard for me to believe."

He grinned as if he understood my skepticism. "I know. It takes some time to get to really know him."

"But, from what Susan tells me, he's almost human around her."

"Because he wants her to like him. He must be very attracted to her."

"I think he wants to get back at me for getting him fired. I think Greg House has a long memory."

James leaned forward. "He has a very long memory and I'm sure that he loves tormenting you, but let's face it, Susan is beautiful, smart and wealthy. She's the trifecta."

I laughed. "I'm reminded of it every day. Why didn't you ask her out or did House beat you to it?"

"Oh, I thought about it when she first arrived, but I am her superior and it's just not a good idea to date people you have to review."

"I agree."

He took a drink and looked at me, taking a deep breath for courage. "But, I don't review you."

I blushed from the inference.

"I'm sorry. That was a little brash." He apologized.

"Oh, no. I blush easily when I like someone." I said looking down at my plate. "Would you like to go to the movies—dutch."

"I think I'd like that."

We finished our meal and while waiting for the movie to start talked about the things everyone talks about when they first sniff each other out. Still, James had a way of making me feel that my history was interesting. I found myself relaxed around him. I just wasn't sure that I was that sexually attracted to him. He was handsome and I had no doubt that he was generous in bed, I just wasn't feeling that spark. Still, I was old enough to know that you didn't always need that spark to have a good relationship or even to have good sex. So, I didn't think twice when he asked me out for the following weekend. I said, "Yes."