a/n: I apologize, I'm a few days late for my self imposed deadline of Monday. I wrote this chapter in between soccer, taekwondo, work and other spring activity schedules for the family (not to mention loads of yard work), then when I finished it, I hated it. I finished the rewrite today and I'm pleased with the results. I hope you are as well.

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Pamela Foreman thrived on crazy situations. She never pegged herself to be crazy, but she suspected she was a magnet for all the warped people in the world. She had to go with the flow otherwise she would become insane herself. Part of it had to do with being raised with a certifiable brother who was only 16 months younger. Catering to Jamal's whims made him feel less crazy and that made life easier for both of them. It did at least until he made it to the real world.

Still, despite all the strange situations she's been caught in the middle of in her lifetime, what she had to do tonight was up there. Her nerves were already shot. If she knew when she started the whole mess that the result would be this, she'd have graciously backed away and kept going through wall colors.

She sifted through the racks in her closet, trying to figure out what would be the most appropriate attire for this evening. "There you are!" she said to the dress hanging in front of her. It was tasteful, classy, but didn't make her look like her grandmother either. She slid it on and admired the reflection in her full-length mirror. "Hot damn." This was the winner. She sifted through the jewelry box next to find the right item to compliment her dynamic look.

"Hot damn baby." Eric's voice said from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big squeeze.

"That's what I said. I'm still mad at you for getting us into this though."

"Come on. We have to play along."

Pamela chuckled. "I suppose if Robert had to endure golfing, we can handle looking like this in front of pompous strangers for a few hours at some stuffy formal dinner. At least I can feel pretty."

"Pretty? Flowers, ponies, and pink princesses are pretty. You are smokin'."

She laughed and turned around to face Eric, who was dressed in a boring crisp white shirt, black tie, and black suit. "Oh, this won't do. We are going to be the only black people there right?"

"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't count on too many others."

"Then stop looking like all of them uppity socialites. We should make more of a statement. A nice dark purple suit with pale pink shirt would compliment this burgundy dress nicely." She pulled him into the closet. "We've got to get to work."

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Wilson was there to great them in a well, a boring crisp white shirt, black tie, and black suit. "See, I told you." Pamela said smacking Foreman's arm.

Foreman nodded, knowing never to doubt his woman's insight.

"You two look rather colorful." Wilson tactfully observed.

"I fully intend to be the life of the party." Pamela paused, noticing Wilson was alone. "Where's Lisa?"

"She will be along later. She wasn't feeling well. She'll be here though since it doesn't look good for the Dean of Medicine to miss a party thanking the hospital donors."

Pamela moved her eyes swiftly through the crowd. "I swear I'm at an AARP convention. So, these are the people that have the ear of the board members?"

"Yes, and a few board members are here this evening as well. I'll have to point them out. This is your chance to make a lasting impression."

"A lasting positive impression. We don't want to have to move our practice to Spokane." Foreman warned.

"Spokane?" Pamela was appalled. "That's the place you pull out of your butt at the last second? I would have said Fresno myself."

"Fresno?" Foreman couldn't believe the nerve of his wife. "That place is a cesspool."

"How would you know? Ever been there?"

"Yes I have."

"Have you ever been to Spokane?"

"No, but -"

"Don't pick a city unless you've been there."

"Is Spokane beautiful?"

"Yes it is actually."

"Then that's where I'm moving the practice."

"Wait a minute," Wilson interrupted not sure if he really wanted to know what this insanity was all about. "You two are fighting over where to put your fictional private practice?"

Both Foreman and Pamela glared at him, not at all pleased that he was interrupting their standard disagreement.

Wilson shook his head. "Sorry I asked. Anyway, are you both ready to meet some VIPs?"

Pamela flipped her head backward. "I'm fully prepared to shine. Lead the way Cochise."

Foreman spoke softly to her as Wilson led the way. "Cochise?"

"I needed a sidekick nickname, and I'm sure he's sick of being called Boy Wonder."

"Good point."

Wilson lowered his head, suspecting that it was going to be hard to keep Pamela on a leash tonight. He found the first couple to make an introduction.

"Pamela and Eric Foreman, meet Michael and Priscilla Barton." They shook hands cordially, while Priscilla grinned wide-eyed at the sight in front of her.

Pamela looked down at her dress, wondering if she had a boob hanging out or something. She whispered to Foreman. "Is there a mark on my face?"

Foreman shook his head.

"Sorry for staring dear. We just don't see too many people that come in here that are so young and colorfully dressed." Mrs. Barton said with diplomatic tone.

Or colorfully skinned either. Pamela bit her tongue to avoid verbalizing that thought.

"Oh, I see a dear friend. Would you all excuse me?" Mrs. Barton left, leaving them to wonder how pleased she was to get out of that awkward situation.

"So Dr. Foreman, I understand you want to start a private diagnostic practice. What type of business plan do you have for the next five years?" Mr. Barton asked.

Pamela jumped in, not letting Foreman speak a word. "Eric can answer all your doctor questions. For the business stuff, I'll be more than happy to share with you the plans." She lightly grabbed his arm. "How about I talk while we work our way over to that bar? I'm a trite thirsty."

Foreman and Wilson laughed as a stunned Mr. Barton headed over to the bar with Pamela. "Oh yeah, she's got this under control." Foreman said.

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Cameron and Chase arrived, both with pretty big frowns on their faces. "What's up with you two?" Foreman asked noticing the sour mood.

"You wouldn't be happy over going to one of these things wearing a maternity evening gown that looks like something an old woman would wear." Cameron did a quick examination of the room. "Although, it looks like I'm fitting in nicely."

"So you two are upset over a maternity gown?"

"No, we were having an argument." Cameron clarified.

"Dare I ask over what?" Foreman really didn't want to know, but if he didn't ask Cameron would bitch about it to him later.

"She says her dress is light mauve while I think it's more periwinkle." Chase volunteered the info hoping for support.

Foreman shook that one off. "Sorry, you are going to have to ask our color coordination expert over there what it is." He pointed over to Pamela.

Cameron looked in that direction, noticing Pamela with three older couples. "She does make friends quickly. She's got them eating out of her hands."

Wilson was still stuck on the argument. "That's why my marriages failed. We never fought over stupid stuff." He stopped when he saw a familiar sight across the room. "There's Cuddy. I'll catch you later."

Cameron was ready to socialize. "I'm going hear what Pamela is telling those people. It ought to be good. Plus, someone needs to keep her on a leash."

Chase and Foreman were left behind, standing side by side in silence, watching all the activity in the large ballroom.

"Spokane or Fresno?" Foreman asked.

Chase scrunched his face in disapproval of his choices. "Neither."

"Fine, then you aren't part of the practice."

Chase stopped himself from asking. He shrugged it off and they went back to crowd watching.

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"Glad to see you could make it." Wilson gave Cuddy a concerned look, which she returned with her own 'I'm fine' glance. The heavy makeup indicated that she was trying to hide something, possibly a pale complexion.

Cuddy's eyes grew wide as she looked across the room. "How did Pamela…?"

"Who knows? Anyway, she's been making an impression."

"That's it, I'm hiring her as my chief fundraiser." Pamela had a group of people laughing to the point where a few of the older men were turning red.

"She might end up killing the benefactors. I need to warn her about weak hearts." Wilson joked.

"Lucky for them there are doctors in the room." Cuddy deadpanned.

Wilson leaned in toward her and spoke under his breath. "I'm not sure the tight evening gown was the way to go."

Cuddy placed her hand on her midsection. "You have to look really hard to see something, and only you and House would do that."

"I'm not talking about your gut." Wilson pointed his eyes tactfully toward her breasts.

Cuddy gasped a little and pulled the material on her dress to cover them a bit better.

"You feeling any better?"

"Yes actually. I just forgot to eat something this afternoon. I don't have issues if I eat properly. Maybe I forgot because I'm still busy getting ready for the merger next week."

"I thought Trinity promised it would be seamless."

"Seamless to all you doctors. To me, it's a nightmare." Cuddy took in a deep breath, preparing herself to face the crowd. "Just follow me around tonight. I need you to hit me if I get too spacey."

"Consider it done." Wilson replied smiling at the thought of his assignment.

Cuddy pasted on a smile as she saw a familiar face. She grabbed Wilson's compliant hand and dragged him along. "Oh, hello Mrs. Johnson."

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"So, the three nurses were asked by St. Peter, 'What did you do back on earth that should get you into Heaven?' The first nurse replied, 'I was a nurse at an intercity hospital, so I brought healing and peace to many sufferers, especially poor and helpless children.' St. Peter said, 'Very noble, you may enter.' The second nurse said, 'I was a nurse in the Amazon. For many years I worked with a skeleton crew of doctors and nurses all while healing people of numerous tribes in the name of God's love.' St. Peter said, 'You too may enter.' The third nurse came up and said, 'I was a nurse at an HMO.'" Pamela paused to snicker, hoping to hype up the punch line that she was ready to deliver.

"Oh, come on, don't leave us hanging." A very interested woman insisted.

"Okay, St. Peter said, 'OK, you may enter too.' The third nurse was surprised. 'Whew,' she said, 'For a moment there I thought you weren't going to let me in.' St. Peter replied, 'Oh, you can come in, but you can only stay for three days.'"

The entire crowd erupted in laughter. Pamela laughed along with them, floored that she could win over this crowd so easy. "Oh, I see my husband over there, will you excuse me?"

Foreman leaned into his wife once she joined him and spoke softly into her ear, "That wasn't a great joke."

Pamela responded through her fake smile, "I know, it sucked. All I need to do is tell bad hospital jokes with a big smile and we're in baby."

"Mrs. Foreman!" A woman shouted heading toward them.

"How did you get popular so quickly?" Foreman asked in a slight whisper.

Pamela put her hands on her hips. "Uh, do you not know me?"

The woman caught up to them. "There is something you have to meet. I think you will find his work fascinating." She dragged Pamela off, leaving Foreman to wonder why he even had to be there at all.

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"I'm surprised to see you here Jerry." Cuddy said greeting the man that was both similar to her in profession and age. "Doesn't Princeton General throw its own parties?"

"Is that anyway to greet the head of the transition team? After all, we're in the same family now. Or at least will be by next week."

"Right, somehow I keep forgetting that the way I have to keep fighting for PG for rights to various services. They don't play nice with the other kids."

"Don't worry, that will all work itself out. They have worry about their bottom line you know."

"Just because we are a teaching hospital doesn't mean that we don't have the right to survive."

"I know, I know. I'm on your side too. Trust me, Trinity isn't about to leave you hanging. In fairness though, Princeton General doesn't have all these generous benefactors. You aren't out of business tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, why are you here? You better not be talking to our donors."

Jerry faked offense. "Well, talk about not wanting to share. Anyway, I'm here to meet this woman that keeps pestering our head admin about giving up the rights to one of our best doctors. It seems she has backed off in the last few weeks and it's making him nervous. He thinks she's up to something. Considering she is here making friends with all the VIPs in this room, I'm thinking he's right."

"I wouldn't know anything about that."

"You've always been a bad liar Lisa. No big deal, I just wanted to introduce myself."

Cuddy saw what he was up to. "You're going to offer her something."

"Maybe. I have to see first. She has these people eating out of her hands."

"Oh, and I'm sure you are keeping both hospitals evenly in mind with your proposal." Cuddy had to stop when she was suddenly hit with a wave of sickness. "As much as I would like to chat Jerry, I need to excuse myself. Nice seeing you." She walked away quickly, heading straight for the ladies room.

Jerry shook his head, deciding he didn't want to know what was up with her, and headed toward Pamela's direction.

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"Please Bob, tell them about your work helping underdeveloped nations in Africa."

The older gentleman nodded, always pleased at a chance to talk about his charitable deeds. "The biggest problem in many of those nations is that people are dying in droves of curable diseases…"

Pamela stood listening to the windbag with her 'intently listening' face on. She wondered if someone would ask her if she had ever been to Africa. It wouldn't surprise her since many of these people were that clueless. The small crowd listened with fascination while he talked about how he got some funds to various relief organizations. All I'd have to do is send a hundred bucks to the Red Cross and I'd save a village. Pamela thought.

"…So that's how my contributions saved thousands of lives in Somalia."

"That's so inspirational Bob." One of the suck ups standing around said.

"How about you Mrs. Foreman?" Bob asked.

"How about what?"

"Have you done any work with African relief efforts?"

"No, not unless you count the time I sent Sally Struthers twenty bucks."

The others laughed, but Bob looked a little surprised. "I figured fighting poverty in Africa would be important to your people."

Pamela pushed her fake smile a little wider, fighting back every urge to smack the clueless idiot. "Sorry, my people just don't have your vision."

Cameron knew that wild look in Pamela's eye. One more comment from this guy and she would go off. "Please excuse us, we need to catch up with our husbands."

"Please Bob, continue to inspire me with your generosity. I love hearing preposterous stories while I stare at you with a mixture of hostility and curiosity." Pamela snarked softly as Cameron pulled her away.

"You weren't actually going to say that, were you?

"Maybe, okay no, but my tongue would be bleeding from biting it so hard."

Cameron decided to change the focus. "I wish House was here."

"You're wishing for disaster?"

"Look at Cuddy and Wilson. They are acting like a comfortable old married couple. I'd give anything to watch House brooding in the corner, drinking heavily, overanalyzing their every move. If this wasn't such a formal occasion, I'd be sending him pictures."

"There's no occasion that will prevent me from taking advantage of a golden opportunity." Pamela got out her camera phone and snapped a few pictures of Wilson and Cuddy together. "What's House's number?"

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"So you're expecting twins?"

"Yes, and one of them is a girl." Cameron proudly proclaimed to the older woman.

"Oh, how delightful, congratulations to you both. I remember being that young and just starting a family. It's such an exciting time."

I'm surprised you remember being young at all, Pamela thought.

"For you maybe." Her husband said. "For me, I never had more stress in all my life. How do you plan on juggling a family and starting a practice?"

"I plan on working part time once the babies are born. I'll primarily consult from home. My husband and Dr. Foreman will be the primary physicians."

"I still don't see what value Dr. Chase is bringing to your organization." An unfamiliar voice chose to join the conversation after eavesdropping.

"Excuse me?" Pamela asked with confusion in her voice.

"He's the son of Rowan Chase."

Pamela didn't know this middle aged man, but she had noticed him listening in on many of her conversations this evening. She looked over at Chase, who had his head lowered and chose to be silent. That was the only sign she needed to go on. "Yes, who I recall was a brilliant doctor."

"I met him a few times. He was an ass."

"An assessment that his son over there would fully agree with you on."

The man stepped forward, moving closer to Pamela in the process. "Robert Chase had his path easily paved for him because of his father. He didn't have to work hard to get anywhere. I even heard that his inheritance is funding your little venture."

Pamela flicked her tongue as a way to get hold of her temper. "Since this is a private practice, funding is none of your concern. I'm willing to bet you don't know Robert Chase at all. Let me guess, you're holding some type of grudge against Dr. House."

"Dr. House might be brilliant, but he's a disgrace to this profession."

Pamela lowered her head and put her hands on her hips. She stepped forward, almost pushing her nose into his face. "Okay, there is no way you will ever get me to defend House. Your opinions are likely justified there. However, where do you get off judging a young man who just happens to have a brilliance of his own by how much of a jerk his father and boss were?"

"He's an average doctor that got his opportunities from his family name. Considering the small number of cases House takes a year, he likely spent his entire time reading his mail. Oh wait, that's his wife's job, right? She'll be a real asset to the practice as well."

Cameron stepped forward with mouth open ready to rip into this guy. Chase pulled her backward and shook his head letting her know to back off. He saw the fiery look in Pamela's eye. He knew what was coming.

"If you're so damn smart at reading people sir, tell me, why would a man who has had his path laid for him leave the security of the medical community of his home country and try to make a name for himself 10,000 miles away? Why don't you ask all the people whose lives Dr. Chase has saved what they think about his cushy and privileged upbringing with a jerk father that never gave a damn? As for the entire team, what in the world makes you think that working for Dr. House for almost four years was a cakewalk? Oh yeah, because House is such a nice guy that doesn't cause any trouble at all or abuse his staff in any way. Their three plus years of training is ten under any other doctor. Finally, why is your tie so damn ugly!" Pamela stepped backward while keeping the scowl on her face.

The jerk chuckled and held out his hand. "Jerry Anderson."

"Charmed I'm sure." Pamela offered her hand in return, still seething over his intentional attack.

The man turned to the gathering crowd, which included Chase and Cameron stunned in the background. "Would you excuse us please?" He pulled Pamela over to the bar. "Would you like a drink?"

Pamela stared at him skeptically without accepting his gesture. "Jerry Anderson. You're on the Princeton General board, aren't you?"

"Guilty, but I work for Trinity now." He turned to the bartender and ordered them two glasses of scotch. "I'm the head of the transition team for the hospital merger. You have captured our interest Mrs. Foreman. I heard Princeton General was giving you the run around."

"Run around? No, that 's too simple. They want to run over us with a freaking bulldozer, back up, and do it all over again, and then afterward laugh all over our mangled remains and start again."

The gentleman laughed at the bizarre assessment. "They don't like giving up control."

"I do have a flair for the dramatic, but trust me when I say I was holding back. So why exactly are we talking?"

"I like your private practice proposal. The hospital and I don't always see eye to eye about various ideas. They think there is prestige in diagnostics. I think it is a financial burden in which the hospital will get little payoff."

"So what was that little show about?"

"I had to make sure you wouldn't back down from a fight. You'll have plenty of battles ahead getting your practice started. For the record, I think Robert Chase is one of the brightest doctors I've seen in a long time. I've also heard nothing but good things about Dr. Cameron and Foreman as well."

Pamela wasn't sure exactly what was happening here. "I'm not a slow person, but you have succeeded in losing me. What are you saying?"

"I came here tonight to tell you that you win."

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Pamela looked everywhere for Cuddy. Chase stopped her just as she was ready to move her search to areas outside the ballroom.

"You didn't have to do that you know. I've met Jerry before and heard stories about him. He was picking a fight."

"No jerk insults my friends like that, no matter what his motives. I can't talk about this now, but Jerry wants to deal. I have to ask Cuddy a few things first before we jump in feet first."

Chase smiled. "Really? Allison saw her in the ladies room earlier, so she could still be there." Pamela nodded and turned to move in that direction.

"Oh, and Pamela, thanks."

Pamela gave him a big smile in return and headed for the restrooms. She found Cuddy in the ladies room lounge. "We need to talk, now."

Cuddy was slumped in a chair, looking a little less green than she did a half hour earlier, but she was still pretty listless. "Now?"

"Damn you look like hell. Anyway, tell me about Jerry Anderson."

"He's a straight shooter with an agenda. He's a brilliant administrator though. I assume he tracked you down."

"He says he's ready to deal. Should I trust him?"

"I don't know. If he's being on the level, that would be one very powerful ally to have."

"If he's not on the level?"

"Then you're his bitch. It would be a good idea to see what he wants to offer."

Pamela got over her excitement to take another look at Cuddy. "You really ought to get home. You shouldn't be spreading flu around like this."

"It's not the flu. I just need a few more minutes."

"If it's not the flu then," Pamela's eyes jumped way out of her head. "Holy shit, not you too! Is there something in the water at your hospital?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why do people waste their time denying stuff when they know the accuser is not going away? I'm not House, so don't worry, you won't get playful banter from me because I want to sleep with you. I've just been through this with Allison. I know the look."

Cuddy sighed in resignation. She was too tired to fight this. "You better not say anything. Only Wilson knows."

Pamela drew a devious smile. "So, is he the daddy?"

"I'm not going reveal that information. Not a word. Not even gossip between Cameron, Chase, or your husband."

Pamela folded her arms. "I can hold out for a few weeks. It will be pretty obvious by then."

"I'm not ready to say anything yet. I especially don't want House knowing."

Pamela laughed hysterically. "Oh, I've heard that one before. You so know that keeping secrets in your hospital is impossible. Man, this sucks. I can't even place a bet over how soon it will take House to figure it out. Oh wait, I can with James! Take care of yourself Lisa." Pamela ran swiftly toward to the exit, but stopped herself and turned back around. "Oh yeah, congratulations." She turned around again and left.

Cuddy held her head. She thought about going out there and stopping Pamela. She wanted to place her bet for early Monday.

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a/n: Finale next week. Everyone holding their breaths like I am? Anyway, if the next update doesn't get out before then, happy finale everyone! Once that's done, let the summer fanfic season begin!