A/N: Hmm..not too many readers yet. Maybe some of you are too young to remember the Back to the Future trilogy, or simply don't care. It was my first fandom I ever got into before House. Anyway, you guys are in for a bumpy, and somewhat weird ride with this story haha. So buckle up, buttercup! Reviews and comments are most welcome and appreciated :) I love hearing from all of you :)

Chapter Two

House couldn't sleep. He spent half the night tossing and turning until he eventually gave up trying and went into the living room, being careful not to wake Stacy as he disentangled himself from her.

He went looking for the book. He couldn't explain why, but whatever it was, it was calling to him, much like how Kryptonite called Clark Kent, and he was going to answer. He took the book into the kitchen with him and poured himself a glass of Scotch before returning to the living room. He sat down on the couch and began to read. It was certainly a relic. There were dozens of spelling errors and typos but he didn't care. He was fascinated by everything and couldn't stop reading.

It was four in the morning when his eyes finally closed and he fell asleep with the book across his chest. He felt like he was dreaming, and yet he was lucid at the same time. He felt like he was drifting off and he wasn't sure what to make of it, until he felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him.

"Greg? What are you doing in here?" Stacy inquired, standing over him.

"Huh? Wha?"

"Why are you sleeping on the couch?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Looks like you were doing just that a minute ago."

"I was tossing and turning so I came in here to get a drink and hopefully come back to bed. So I started to read and I fell asleep."

Stacy looked down at the book which had fallen on the floor. "Must've been an interesting book."

House smirked. "It's awesome. It's all about various plants and herbs that you can use to heal people. And these are things that you don't see much of anymore. And certainly not here in Jersey. Most of them are found in Europe. Makes me want to go there and see if that stuff is still growing. It could be a very interesting sideline."

Stacy sat down and handed him the book, not feeling the pull that House did when she touched it. "My client said this book was kept in the safe for a reason."

"Oh yeah? Such as? It could be pretty valuable to someone who had knowledge on how to use some of this stuff."

"She kind of gave me a warning."

House arched his eyebrow. "What? Is it cursed or something?" he chuckled.

"Or something. I didn't say anything because you know I don't believe in all that crap, and neither do you."

"Okay now you're scaring me. Do I have to get you a psych eval?"

She playfully slapped his arm. "No, silly. If anyone does, it's the client who gave me the book."

"She gave it to you? You didn't buy it from her?"

"Nope. I said I was trying to find a book that you didn't have and she said she had just the thing and the next day she brought it to me and said it had been in the safe at her Grandmother's house for ages. She apparently guarded it with her life and wouldn't let anyone look at it. Said it was better left alone for reasons she wouldn't get into. And seeing you with it now, you can't keep your hands off it, can you? It's why you couldn't sleep."

House chuckled. "I lost a patient yesterday. That usually causes me to lose sleep. I hardly think this book is the reason. But now that you've told me, I'll keep it mind."

"And come back to bed?"

"Yeah. Come on," he said as he followed her into the bedroom, but not before he grabbed the book and took it with him.

He placed it on the nightstand and climbed into bed. What Stacy told him sounded ridiculous at best. Of course, living in Egypt, he'd heard all sorts of garbage about curses and various superstitious claptrap. He didn't believe any of it.

X X X

"Dude, you have to see what Stacy got me for my birthday," House said as he reached into his bag and produced the book. Wilson went to take it but House held it away. "Hey, look with your eyes and not with your hands. MINE."

"House, if you don't want me to see it, then why bother showing me? Give it here. I'm not going to hurt it."

With some hesitation, House handed over the book but watched warily as his friend took in the book and his eyes widened. "Wow. Is this the real thing?"

"Yep," House said with a proud grin.

"Where did she get it? I heard this book was like taboo or something."

House rolled his eyes. "Oh God, not you too."

"Well that's what I heard. There haven't been any copies of it seen in years."

"This one's been in a safe for years. Why, I still don't know. But I don't really care. Mine now." He snatched the book back. "There are some cool things in here, if you can get past all the typos and spelling mistakes. I guess that's the price you pay for authenticity."

"Be careful, House. Stuff like this, it's kept in museums and safes for a reason."

"Oh please! You don't really believe old wives tales and superstitious claptrap either, do you? I mean, come on. It's JUST a book."

"A weird book, and an old one," Wilson pointed out. "Who knows where it's been."

"Well from the looks of its condition, I'd say to hell and back."

"You probably have the first part right," Wilson muttered. "What are you going to do with it?"

"Read it, duhh. Stacy bought it for bathroom reading. Guess she was trying to be funny, but I could probably use this in some of my cases. I've given it a casual read so far and a lot of the plants and herbs are mainly found in Europe. I was considering taking a trip out there."

Wilson's eyes widened. "Seriously? All because of an old book? Wow. You're seriously losing it."

"It would be cool to bring some of this stuff back and see if it still works for healing purposes. I'm all over it."

"Uh-huh. What does Stacy say about it?"

"I haven't brought it up yet. I want to finish reading it first. What's weird is that it's been calling to me. I have it sitting on the table next to my bed and it's like I can't sleep for wanting to read it. Weird, huh?"

"Yeah, see, that's the kind of thing I think you should be worried about. That's just weird. Can you even stand to put it away for five minutes?"

"Sure." House opened the coffee table drawer and slammed it closed. "Done. Now, what should we order for dinner?"

"Pizza's good. I'll ask Stacy. Hey, Stacy?"

"Yeah?"

"Pizza for dinner?"

"Sure!" she called back from her den where she worked on a case."

"Go get the menu from the kitchen and we'll decide on what kind."

As soon as Wilson was out of the room, House opened the drawer and took the book out again.

But Wilson didn't go to the kitchen, he jumped "Ha! Caught red-handed!"

"What the?" House cursed as he jumped ten feet after Wilson jumped out at him.

"I knew you couldn't leave that book alone for longer than five minutes. You're totally addicted to it. What's so special about it anyway?"

House shrugs. "It's awesome. I like it and every page has something new and cool to learn. I'll probably never be able to use any of it in a case, but then, you never know. Someone from England might come over from there and have some weird ass illness and I'll be able to diagnose and treat it because I know of the plant or herb or whatever that will cure him."

"Whatever, House," Wilson sighed as he returned to the kitchen to get the menu, leaving House with his herbs.

XXX

London, England

1666

"I won't do it and you can't make me!" the princess shouted at her father. Her mother, the Queen, gasped at her daughter's behavior.

"Althea, control yourself! You will not speak to your father in such a way!"

"I will if he makes me go through with this marriage. I don't want to marry Anthony. I never liked him and I don't care what you say. I'm not going through with it."

"Althea," King Richard all but shouted. He was a very easy going man, who rarely lost his temper or raised his voice, but his daughter's antics were causing his patience to wear thin. "You've been betrothed to the Duke of Cambridge since you were a child of two. Surely he's not a bad young man. Your mother and I wouldn't have chosen him for you if he wasn't reputable."

"He's an old man! I'm too young for him. Why didn't you set him up with my elder sister. She's closer to his age."

"Your sister is not the concern here, daughter. You will do what I tell you to do, when I tell you do it. This marriage will form a great alliance."

"I don't care about your alliance, father! And I won't do it. You can't make me. I don't love him, and I never will."

"You're but a child. What do you know about love? When I was your age I didn't have a choice!" Then he coughed and grinned sheepishly at his wife. "Not that I would've chosen any different, of course," he said as he reached for her hand and kissed it.

The Queen merely rolled her eyes at him but smiled sweetly. "I was petrified at meeting your father. But over the years I've grown to love him very much. As you will learn to love Anthony."

"Listen," King Richard sighed, "the wedding is in two weeks. Take that time and decide what it is you want. You will be the future Queen of England one day. You need to marry someone with stature and prestige. The Duke will provide that."

Althea sighed. She didn't like it at all but she knew she really had no choice. Her father's word was law, and she had to abide by it. Therefore, she would, but it didn't mean she had to like it, or that she had to sit around and do nothing. Oh no, she was going to live life to the full and do all the things she wanted before she got married to that pompous, blustering windbag Anthony, Duke of Cambridge.

XXX

"Are you going for a ride in the woods, my Lady?" Liz, her lady in waiting, inquired as she brought over Althea's riding gear.

"Yes. It's a nice day out. I want to enjoy it. Clear my head."

"Might you visit the Duke in your travels?"

Althea glared at her. "No."

"He's quite handsome, M'lady."

"He has the brains of a shrimp."

"He's got a good body-" Liz sang before she was cut off.

"Will you be quiet! I have no intention of visiting the old man anytime soon. I said I'd marry him. That doesn't mean I have to like it. It's bad enough I have to share his bed and lose my maidenhead." Althea shivered at the very idea of losing her innocence to that man. It was bad enough that he was much older than she. Twenty years give or take. She only met him a few times growing up and what she knew of him, she didn't like. He was spoiled, complacent and rude. Not at all attractive to her. She liked intelligence in a man, and a good sense of humor. Those things intrigued her. If she were honest, the royal blacksmith caught her attention on occasion, and he was much older than the Duke. But she liked him for his sharp mind and his long, silvery flowing hair. However, she knew he was far out of her reach. He was a nobleman. And noblemen didn't mix with royalty.

Still, she adored the man, and she knew he considered her a friend. He came to their kingdom some months before, claiming to be lost on his way home. Since then, her father gave him living quarters at court and put him to work fixing anything and everything that needed it. The man proved to be quite adept at shoeing horses and fixing wagons, and became an excellent asset to the Kingdom.

As she dressed, she thought of the man who called himself Emmett. Well, she was the only one who called him that. Everyone else called him Dr. Von Braun, because he claimed to be a doctor of Science, and clearly had the knowledge to back up his claims. Her father was fascinated with the man and let him stay in the castle.

"I think I might go for a ride and a swim in the pond. It's too hot out. I don't want to get the sweating sickness like they had last summer. Although, between you and I, Liz, I'd rather be dead than marry the Duke of Cambridge."

Liz's eyes widened. "You mustn't speak that way, M'lady."

"Why not? It's the truth. He's an old man. I'll be a widow in five years at most. And then I can marry whomever I choose."

"Like the blacksmith?"

Althea laughed. Liz was very bright. Almost too bright for her own good. "Oh, good heavens no! He's old enough to be my grandfather."

"Yes, that's true. But he's nicer than the Duke."

Althea sighed. "Yes he is. But he's out of the question. My father would have to make him a Duke for that to happen and there's no chance of that. No, Emmett is just a good friend. Nothing more. And besides, I don't think he'll be with us much longer. He seems to think he'll be leaving soon."

"Leaving to where, M'Lady?"

Althea shrugged. "I really don't know. He's very private about himself. He doesn't talk much about where he came from and I haven't asked too many questions because each one has been met with a dead end. So that's fine. If he wanted to tell me, he would. I understand. "

Althea pulled on her riding boots and headed outside to the stables where Emmett was shoeing a horse. "Morning, your Highness," he smiled at her, a smile that reached his eyes. "Going riding, I see."

"Yes. It's too nice to stay indoors. Would you care to accompany me, Doctor?"

"I'd love nothing more, but I have a lot of horses to see to. And then I have to fix a wagon. Raincheck?"

Althea cocked her head to one side. "Rain...check? What, pray tell, is a raincheck?"

Emmett chuckled and stood up. At 6'2 he was quite a bit taller than she was and he towered over her. She caught a whiff of his scent and it was very pleasant and welcoming. Whatever soap he used and the fresh morning air was intoxicating.

"It means that I'd like to take you up on your offer at another time."

"Oh, of course. That would be lovely," she smiled and then went to the pen where her Stallion, Vixen was waiting for her. "Good morning, Vixen," she smiled as she petted the horse and grabbed a comb to brush the horse's main. "Ready to go for a ride?"

The horse all but nodded and made soft sounds to let her know she was happy to see her Mistress.

"Here, let me help you," Emmett said as he reached for the saddle and bridle and helped Althea get Vixen ready to go for a ride. Once the horse was ready, Emmett hoisted her up onto its back and handed her the reins. "Have a nice ride, your highness. And be careful. There are ruffians about."

Althea giggled as she smiled down at the man. His dark brown eyes were almost hypnotic and she couldn't stop staring into them.

He cleared his throat and watched her ride off with the expertise of a seasoned equestrian, sighed wistfully and went back to his duties. God, if only he were thirty years younger. He normally didn't go for young girls but there was something about that girl that interested him. "Get a grip, Emmett," he muttered to himself as he hammered away at the shoe. "No way in hell would she ever be interested in you. You're old enough to be her great grandfather. Especially in these times. What could you possibly have in common with the likes of her?" He sighed and continued to think more about it. "Hmm..well there's science. Horses, music. They discussed many things since he'd been employed at the castle. She was a very remarkable young lady and she fascinated him to no end. And deep down, he hoped, or rather, he knew, the feeling was mutual. He could tell when he looked at her.

But nothing could ever come of it. She was betrothed to some arrogant idiot in the kingdom nearby. He knew she wasn't happy about that. They discussed it as well, but her hands were tied. Still, it didn't stop him from thinking about her on a regular basis and hoping that if their paths were to cross sometime late at night, that they might be able to-

"Hey, are you sure you have enough nails in that shoe, Doc?" one of the stable hands laughed at him.

"Huh? Oh," Emmett said, and chuckled at his mistake. "I suppose I do now." He let the horse back in his pen and shut the gate. "My mind was elsewhere."

"Yeah, I know where it was. You were thinkin about her royal highness. There's no point in denying it, man. It's as plain as the nose on yer ol' mug," the man laughed.

Emmett scowled. "It doesn't matter though, does it? Nothing can come of it. She's betrothed to the Duke of Cambridge."

"Maybe, but she does not love the Duke. I think you might have a fightin' chance."

"I wish I could be as optimistic. But it's a lost cause. She deserves someone much younger. And besides, I don't plan on staying very long. It wouldn't be fair to her to start something now, only to leave her behind."

"Why can't ye take 'er with ye?"

"I just can't. I don't belong here, and she wouldn't belong where I come from."

"And where might that be?"

"Somewhere far away from here. Let's just leave it at that."