Disclaimer: I do not own House (David Shore and FOX do own him lucky bastards), but I own the characters I created.

Chapter III-Reunited

"Lisa!" Mike places Jamie on a nearby chair and steps forward and wraps his strong arms around you in an affectionate hug. "It's been ages since I last saw you." You recall Jamie's first anniversary as the last time you've seen him. Then, he returned to London, were an international firm had given him and position as an attorney a few years ago. You were invited to a dinner party when he paid your brother a visit a few months ago, but you weren't able to attend. Probably a stupid meeting held you up in the hospital. "How are you?"

You smile through your tears. He has always been such a nice guy. It's almost shocking how some people never change and follow the same pattern of behaviour throughout their entire lives.

"Fine" Then you ask yourself if you are really fine, and you conclude you're not 'fine' at all. "I think…" He notices the slight tremor in your voice, and rubs your back sympathetically. He's been friends with your brother since the two of them were about four years old, so, basically, he knows you as well as your mother.

"He's gonna be OK. They're going to be OK." You look straight into his green eyes and try to believe every word he is saying. You almost succeed. "I spoke to the doctors, and they say there's a great chance they'll make it. They'll have to go through a lot of physical therapy, but that's better than…' His voice fades away. Jack is his brother as well, and he can't pretend everything's going to be alright, because he's not sure of it.

"How's he doing?" You point at the little child asleep in the chair, his soft fair hair almost covering half of his freckled face.

"Quite well. I don't think he really understands what's going on. Or maybe he does, and he's just being patient and wiser than everyone else. He's been staying with me and Jane for the last two days, but we have to travel back to London tomorrow. We'll be back in a week."

"Would you mind taking care of him for two hours while I arrange my house? I want to receive him properly." You don't even have a suitable bed, not to mention food, for a 2 year old, and you don't know how long he's going to be staying with you. "Jane and you can come over for lunch."

"Sounds perfect. " He hands you a little piece of paper were he has written down his phone number. "Call me when you are ready"

You say your goodbyes, and you begin to make your way through the hall. You are about to exit the building when, suddenly, you and an incredibly tall man, whose scent reminds you of someone, collide. You would have fallen to the ground, had he not grabbed your hand tightly.

"Thank y…" You raise your eyes, but stop talking when you realise who's your mystery saviour. Damn, you shouldn't have trusted Wilson.

"HOUSE! What the hell are you doing here?"

HOUSEMDHOUSEMDHOUSEMD

"I was just passing by and decide I should inspect the hospital. I think one of my minions is cheating on Princeton Plainsboro and giving away my theories to these idiots." He stared at her with an innocent face. You notice his hand is still holding yours, and you pull away quickly, blushing furiously.

"And you expect me to believe that?" You chuckle, forgetting for an instant your currently altered mental state.

It had taken you years to admit it, but House is actually one of the few people you know that can make you laugh genuinely. Of course, he also makes your life miserable every day, but you can't help being kindred spirits.

"No. I know you are not a complete idiot." He pauses for a moment, and then gazes at you. "How's Jack?"

"Do you care?" You inquire, almost in disbelief. Jack and House met almost twenty years ago, and they hated each other with a passion.

"No, I just wanted to know. A comatose brother equals a distressed Dean, which equals… mistakes that could cost the lives of my patients" He is lying, and you know it. He came all the way here because, deep inside, he actually cares for you, or because he wants to spread his bitterness around and make you even more miserable.

You decide you don't want to find out which of the options is the correct one, and, pushing past him, you walk towards your car. The air is cold and little snowflakes are falling from the gray sky.

The familiar sound of his cane hitting the floor follows you, and you turn around abruptly.

"What do you want?" You ask almost rudely. "I have to buy stuff for a 2-year-old kid and cook lunch for three. Would you mind leaving me alone?"

"In case you haven't noticed, I can't ride my bike with the snow and my leg, unless I want to commit suicide." He spoke slowly, as though addressing to a little child.

"Get in the damn car." is your elegant reply to his condescending words.

Luckily, he did as he was told, and after adjusting your seatbelt, you begin to drive on the road to his apartment.

HOUSEMDHOUSEMDHOUSEMD

So, what do you think?