Thanks for the good words. Hope everyone likes this chapter. I'll do my best to keep it up on a regular basis, but sometimes that tricky thing called life gets in the way...

House was sitting in Wilson's office and eating the oncologist's sandwich, when he looked up and said, "You know a lot about women. Or, you know a lot of women, I can never keep that straight."

"Is this a general insult or does it have a point?"

"Take a man and a woman…a hypothetical man and woman. They're interested, attracted to each other. But even after some hot and heavy make-out sessions and admitting that she wants to sleep with him, she's holding back."

"Who is she? Someone actually is interested in you?"

"I told you, it's hypothetical. I'm doing research for a romance novel that I'm writing."

"Yea, okay. Well, is she normally sexually active?"

"The man would assume so, nothing said to the contrary."

"What kind of personality? Is she shy, outgoing, sweet, what?"

"Not shy. She's …strong, self-assured. Seems to know what she wants in life and goes for it."

"Maybe she just doesn't want him."

House shakes his head, not willing to accept that answer. "He thinks she is, she's almost said as much."

Wilson considered for a moment. "If she's a strong, self-assured woman, she may need to feel in control of the situation. She wants to decide when it's right, needs to know it's her choice, her doing. You should give her time, let her set the pace. Let her tell you when she's ready."

"Not me!" House shouted. "I told you, hypothetical!"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot."

House stood up and limped to the door. He opened it and went out. Just as he was moving away from it, he heard Wilson say quietly in a sing-song voice: "House has got a girlfriend."

His response was to look back at the other man with an angry glare and then yell out,

"HYPOTHETICAL!"

House called Kate to make a date for Saturday. She said, "Sure, should I come to your house or meet you somewhere?"

"How about if I pick you up?" he asked.

She hesitated. "That's not really a great idea. My place is a dump in a bad neighborhood and it's three flights up with no elevator. It's better if I meet you."

He filed the information away, then told her where and when to meet him.

She was waiting for him outside of the convention center when he arrived.

"An auto show?" She asked with a laugh.

"Sure, don't you like cars?" he said, holding out his arm for her to take.

"Why not?" She said as she took it and they walked in.

They had a better time than either of them would have supposed. Of course, they disagreed on which cars were best. He liked the flashy sports cars. She called them death traps, preferring the autos equipped with safety features.

"Vehicular accidents are on the rise. You're a doctor, you should realize that."

"I don't work in the ER and I don't care about anyone too stupid to know how to drive a sports car."

He really loved the motorcycles, of course. She was adamant that they were completely unsafe.

"Then I guess you won't be wanting a ride on my bike." He said smugly.

She looked at him, considering. "I'm not making any promises, but are you a good driver?"

"Of course. I follow all the traffic rules. I wouldn't want any of your colleagues to give me a ticket. Although, now that I know you, maybe I can get them fixed."

"No way, bud. You do the crime, you do the time."

They ate overcooked hot dogs, too salty popcorn, and greasy funnel cake and they had a wonderful time. The show was just about to close for the evening and they sat on a bench, after polishing off some sodas, talking about the people that walked by. She predicted what crimes they might be committing or about to commit. He diagnosed health problems that the people were probably not even aware.

Finally, he turned to look at her. "How about following me back to my place?"

She took a deep breath. "I don't know if I…"

He broke in, "We don't have to do anything. We can talk, play cribbage, paint the walls, anything you like." She didn't say anything. He added, "Look, I'm going home. You know where I live. You want to follow me, great. You don't, that's okay too. I'll see you next week." He got up and leaning on his cane, walked away from her. When he had gone a few feet, he turned back, gave her a small smile and a wave, then continued.

She wasn't coming. He had been home for almost forty minutes and she wasn't there. Wilson had probably been right, she wasn't that into him. He had the TV on just to fill the silence while he waited and started to reach for the remote to turn it off, when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find her standing there.

"So should I get the cribbage board or cover the furniture?"

"Where's your bedroom?"

He motioned with his cane. Without another word, she took his hand and led him to the room he'd indicated.

Sometime later, House was awakened by movement beside him. Kate had gotten dressed and was pulling on her socks and shoes.

"Don't leave." He said.

"I have to go."

"Tomorrow – today – is Sunday. You don't have to work, do you?"

"No, but I have to go."

"Is something wrong?" He asked, afraid of the answer.

"No!" she said, almost too fast, then slower, "No, everything's great. This was… really great."

"Good. Then stay. I can be great again, I promise. I may need a little time to recover, I'm not as young as I used to be."

"I know, I can't explain. I just can't stay. Please understand."

"I don't." He paused. "But I won't stop you if you really want to leave."

She looked for a moment as though she really didn't, but she swallowed hard and rose, grabbing her jacket as she did. She leaned over and kissed him.

"I really want to do this again, okay?"

"Anytime. Always happy to assist a lady."

She smiled and left the room. A few seconds later, he heard the front door open and close. He laid back. He had a feeling he wasn't going to sleep much tonight.