Thanks for the review – 1! I'm continuing because I want to. If anyone out there is reading, I'd love your input. Note: there won't be too much medicine in this. I'm not anywhere involved in the medical field and would be completely at a loss. This is a relationship story only.

House was hiding out in his office with his Gameboy, when there was a knock on his door.

"No one is here. Go away." He was perturbed when the door started opening, assuming it was Cuddy trying to get him to do his clinic hours. But he was pleasantly surprised when the person who entered was Det. Martin.

"I don't want to disturb you, doc. Obviously you're involved in serious medical matters." She said, motioning to the Gameboy.

"You have no idea how serious. Lives hang in the balance." But as he spoke, he put the game down and sat up a little straighter.

She bent her head, hiding a swift smile. "I was just visiting my witness and I wanted to tell you what I told her. We got the guy. Got a confession out of him too. He'll be going away for a long time. I want to thank you for helping me."

House had called her a few hours after the doctors were finished with the woman and had told her to come right away to see the patient. She had, he met her in the hall and told her she had 20 minutes. He would keep everyone away from the room for that long only. She had slipped in and he had limped down to the nurse's station, while still keeping the room in view. He had railed at the nurses for some non existant complaint, effectively occupying their tine and thoughts until he saw Det. Martin slip out of the room. She had given him a little wave as she turned and headed for the elevator.

Obviously, it had been worth it.

"You probably would have caught him anyway."

"Oh, I know I would have. But how many other women would he have killed before I had enough evidence to bring him in? Timing's everything. So thanks." She started to turn back to the door.

It had been a long time since House had been with a woman he liked and he liked this one. He was unsure what to say, but he knew he had to say something.

Just as she was starting out the door, he said, "I think you should buy me a drink to celebrate."

She turned back. "Why should I do that? I solved the case, you didn't."

"Okay, then I think I should buy you a drink to celebrate."

"That makes more sense. I'm finished at six."

"Me too. Want to meet me?"

"Sure. Where?"

He named a bar a few blocks from the hospital. She nodded and turned back to the door. "See you then, doc."

"The name's House – or Greg. Not doc. That clear, cop?"

She looked over her shoulder at him. "The name's Martin –or Kate. Not cop. You got that?" She left the office.

House leaned back in his chair. Oh, yes, he liked this woman.

The bar was just a small neighborhood place that House often stopped in after work. The owner knew him and let him park behind the bar, next to his own car so that House didn't have to walk far to get in. Since it was close to the hospital and he always tried to sneak out early to annoy Cuddy, House got there first. He was sitting at a table with a drink in front of him when Kate walked in. He wasn't exactly watching the door, but he knew when she entered the crowded bar. He saw her scan the room looking for him. He was about to pull himself to his feet to signal her, when her eyes met his and she headed straight for his table.

She sat down and soon had a drink in front of her. He looked at her quickly. She was wearing black slacks and a tan shirt. It fit her well, but not too tight. She also had a tan blazer over the shirt. It was little too baggy on her. She was obviously not interested in being stylish, but he realized the jacket wasn't a fashion faux pas. She was a cop and needed to be able to hide her gun. As slim as she was, that would be hard to do if the jacket fit well.

The conversation got started slowly, beginning with jobs.

He asked, "How can you deal with all those criminals? Don't you want to just shoot them right away and clean up society?"

"Do you want to just kill all your patients as soon as they come in and end all their suffering?"

"Sometimes. It depends on how annoyed I am that day."

She laughed. "Okay, there are some days…but mostly I believe in the law. I believe in protecting the good guys and putting the bad guys away."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh no, you're one of those!"

"One of those what?"

"A do-gooder. Someone who believes she can change the world and save mankind."

"Nope. I know I can't change the world and there's very little hope for mankind. People are generally jerks. But I can get rid of the worst of them and make this little part of the planet almost bearable for me to live in,"

"Yea, I get that. That why you became a cop?"

"Partly. Why'd you become a doctor?"

"Power. Pure and simple. It's a trip holding life or death over someone's head." He said it with no emotion on his face. But she sensed that he wasn't ready to tell her the truth. That was okay, she had her secrets too.

That was almost the last time they agreed on anything. When they started to talk about their hobbies and pastimes, there was nothing they had in common.

Kate: "Why in the world would you watch those TV shows? They're asinine and boring."

House: "Sports? What is so appealing about watching rich men chase a ball around a field or a court or whatever?"

Kate: "Video games? How can you possibly waste your time with that garbage? I'd rather go to the gym and work out my hostilities on a human being."

"That's a little hard for me. People tend to shrink from beating up on a cripple. Unless I've been particularly charming that day."

She stopped and looked at her drink for a minute. Then she looked at him and asked "So what did happen to your leg?"

He told her briefly about the infarction, the misdiagnosis and the results.

"God, it must suck to have that pain all the time."

"Yea, well, it was my decision not to have it amputated. I just couldn't cut off my leg."

"Oh, I get that. No way anybody would cut anything off of me. I don't even like to shave my legs."

He smiled then. Not many people understood, not many really got it. This woman did.

"Well, Greg, this has been …interesting. But I have to work in the morning. More bad guys to put away."

He signaled for the check. When it came, they both looked at it, but no one reached for it.

She said, "You asked me out. It's your treat."

"Well, technically, we're celebrating your victory, you should do it."

"Yes, but you invited me. You made the date."

"Is this a date?"

"Isn't it?"

"Not unless I hit on you."

"Are you going to hit on me?"

"Do you want me too?"

"If it gets me out of paying the check, maybe."

He smiled. "Okay, I've got it this time. You take it next time."

"Is there going to be a next time?" She asked.

"That depends on how successful I am when hitting on you."

He paid and they stood up, heading for the door.

"Where are you parked?" He asked.

"A couple of blocks down. You?"

"In the back. The owner likes me. Do you want me to walk you to your car?"

"That would be pretty stupid. You can barely walk, you're parked right here and I'm blocks away."

"Yea, but I guess, as a gentleman, I should walk you to your car."

She laughed. "You're the farthest thing from a gentleman I've ever seen. Besides, I'm a cop. I have a gun. I should probably walk you to your car to make sure you're safe."

He couldn't help himself. He had to smile, his bright blue eyes looking into her cool hazel ones. She suddenly leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. She broke it almost immediately, but he reached out and pulled her back. This time, the kiss was longer, harder. He dropped his cane on the floor to put his arms around her back. She twined hers around his neck. They were almost the same height, so there was no strain for either of them. It lasted longer than either intended and if they hadn't been in a crowded bar, neither knew how long it would have gone on.

Finally, they broke apart. She reached down and picked up his cane, handing it to him. He took it while he continued to look into her eyes.

She broke the silence first. "I have to go. Next time's on me. I'll give you a call."

House didn't think about her all the time. Just when there was nothing to do or there wasn't a patient to think about. He saw her face in his head, her smile, her clear eyes. And he smiled and couldn't wait for the next time they got together. Even though it scared him to death.

Kate thought about him just as much. And was even more scared. But somehow she managed to call him a few days later.

"Where do you live?" She asked with no preamble when he answered the phone.

"Is this a stalker out to kill me or just a burglar after all the possessions that I don't have?" He said, even though he recognized her voice.

She did not address his comments. "If you're not working Friday night, I'll bring dinner and a video. That is, if you're interested."

His answer was to give her his address and tell her that seven would be good. "See you then," she said and hung up.

He was more excited than he thought he'd be. He left work early – well, earlier than he usually left. He even took a look around his place to see if it looked okay. Not that he wanted to actually clean, but he did pick up some trash and dust crumbs off the sofa. He thought about doing some more cleaning, but then thought, screw it. If he was going to have a relationship with this woman, she might as well get used to him the way he was.

That thought stopped him. Did he want a relationship with this woman? He wasn't sure, but he was intrigued enough to let things progress and see where it led.