Chapter 13

The last Saturday before Christmas was a cold, but clear day, with the sun shining. House didn't know if this was a good or bad omen. Secretly, he would have preferred a snowstorm that would have kept everyone home, but that was not to be.

The cleaners that Wilson had hired arrived at 8 am (to House's annoyance) and began working immediately. Before long, the apartment was gleaming. Before they were done, the decorators arrived and started hanging evergreen boughs and erecting the tree that Wilson had delivered. This was too much for House. He left Kate to deal with them, taking off on his motorcycle. She yelled after him to be back by five.

Kate wanted to run away as well, but, being a cop, she was at least able to manage the workers. She gave them orders to do what they do and leave her alone, unless the house was on fire or something. Then she went into the bedroom, where the TV had been moved and curled up on the bed to watch 'Demolition Man'. Yes, watching Stallone and Snipes blow things up was much better than watching people throw doodads all over her home.

When House returned, he was greeted by a large wreath on his door and tiny, twinkling lights everywhere. There were evergreen boughs with tiny dark red velvet bows placed elegantly around the room. There was even mistletoe above the doorway. But the most amazing thing was the Christmas tree. It was a beautiful blue spruce, tall and well-formed. Wilson had decided that since Kate missed celebrating Christmas, they should go with an old-fashioned, childhood theme. As a result, the tree was filled with colorful glass balls and whimsical little ornaments and finished with shiny tinsel.

House was about to make a snide remark about it, but then he saw Kate. She was sitting in a chair near the tree, and looking up at it in wonder. Her eyes were shining. She saw House and turned to him with a smile.

"Isn't it wonderful?" she asked.

He smiled back. "Yes, it is wonderful."

The one thing that both Joanne and Wilson had insisted on before agreeing on the party was that both House and Kate follow their advice in dressing for the event. They both grumbled about it, but finally agreed.

Kate dressed first and came out of the bedroom with a scowl on her face. "Do you believe this?" she asked House angrily. "Joanne made me get this stupid outfit."

House couldn't commiserate with her, because to him she looked absolutely beautiful. She was wearing a dark green velvet dress. It was cut low enough to be interesting, but not trashy. It was a-lined and ended mid-thigh. Her legs were encased in light black hose and she had simple black pumps with 2 inch heels on her feet.

"Look," she complained. " I have to wear high heels. My feet are going to be killing me. Joanne wouldn't let me wear the flats I use for work. And she wanted me to get the higher ones than this, but I said no way. And I'm wearing panty hose! Goddamn panty hose! The most useless piece of crap women can wear. They're itchy, they either ride up or down, depending on your figure and they make you hot in the summer, but don't keep you warm in the winter. What's the point?"

"Well," House said, "They do make your legs look really sexy. In fact, I wouldn't mind if you wanted to slip them off right now."

"Oh, no. Once these babies come off my legs, they're off forever. Sexy legs. Men have no idea. Why do you think I don't wear them for work? Could you see me running down a perp in this getup?" She gave a large sigh and sat on the sofa next to him.

"Actually, I think I'd like to see that. The image in my mind is pretty hot." House said, putting his hand on her thigh.

"Forget it, buster. Anyway, you have to go and get dressed yourself."

"I am dressed."

Kate looked at his t-shirt and jeans. "Uh-uh. There's no way Wilson approved that outfit."

"Oh, he made me go shopping with him and he picked out some sissy clothes, but I'm not wearing them."

She rose and grabbed his arm. "No. You are not getting away with that. If I have to look ridiculous and be uncomfortable all night, then so do you."

"But, Mom, my leg hurts."

"You either wear the outfit he picked out or you wear my high heels with the one you have on."

"Make me."

"I have a gun and I will use it."

The look in her eye told him she wasn't joking. House blew out a breath. "Better not mess with a woman in uncomfortable shoes."

He rose and went to the bedroom. While he was getting ready Wilson and Joanne arrived. They fussed around the apartment, making sure everything was ready. The caterer had arrived and was busily heating up food and setting out platters. Kate sat on the sofa, reading a book. She had slipped off the shoes.

It was almost time for the guests to arrive when House finally came out. All three of them had pounded on the bedroom door and yelled at him to hurry up numerous times. At last, he opened the door.

He was wearing charcoal grey slacks, neatly pressed and a navy blue wool sport coat. He also had a crisp white shirt with a dark red tie. The handkerchief in his coat pocket was the same color. Kate would have almost said she didn't recognize him, except that the familiar stubble was on his face and his feet were still clad in sneakers. That was one thing Wilson couldn't get him to move on. But still, he looked very handsome.

The guests arrived. Wilson had invited Cuddy, Cameron, Foreman and Chase. There really wasn't anyone else at Princeton-Plainsboro that House would put up with at his home. Kate's group was also small. Joanne had invited an older cop who had been Kate's mentor when she'd started out. Also another cop who now worked vice, but had been Kate's first partner. They had stayed friends through the years. And to House's annoyance, she had also invited Paul Rogers, Kate's lieutenant and former flame.

In the beginning, the room was divided. The cops were in one circle, talking shop and the doctors were in another circle, doing the same. Joanne knew that if this continued, there would be crimes and diagnosis all evening. She started separating people and introducing them to people on the other side. The older cop started talking to Cuddy about people he'd known that had been at PPTH. The younger cop and Foreman and Chase started talking crime and punishment in Princeton. But Paul stayed near Kate, discussing aspects of her last case.

House watched them from his seat at the piano. Finally, he rose and approached them.

Kate tried to stop House from making any comments. "Greg, you remember my lieutenant, Paul? You met him when I was in the hospital."

"Right." House said. "So what are you two plotting over here?"

Paul spoke up. "We were just discussing Kate's latest case…"

"Ah, no shop talk." House interrupted. "Or I may need to biopsy something on you."

"Yes, I remember how amusing you are." Paul replied.

Almost as much as he hated idiots, House hated pompous asses who tried to patronize him. This guy was hitting high marks on all those scales.

"Right, and you…" House began.

"…have to excuse us, Paul," Kate interrupted. "I see the caterer calling us from the kitchen. There's a situation we need to handle. Come on, Greg."

She pulled an angry House from the room and into the kitchen.

"The caterer doesn't need us. Joanne is handling them. Why did you…"

"Because he's my boss!"

"He's an ass."

"He's an ass who can put me on graveyard shift indefinitely. You may be able to control your boss, but it doesn't work that way in the police world. If you have a problem with him, get over it."

"My problem with him is ..."

"I don't care what your problem with him is. Get over it!" With that, she left the kitchen and returned to the party. Wilson had picked up on the tension between House and Paul and was engaging the latter in conversation. Kate went over to the bar for another glass of wine. Cuddy was standing there. She saw the tension in Kate's hands.

"Let me guess." Cuddy said. "House?"

Kate nodded and rolled her eyes. "How do you deal with him? I know he challenges your authority all the time. How can you let him?"

"He challenges, but he doesn't always win. When he does, it's usually because he's right." Cuddy shrugged. "If he wasn't as good at his job as he is, it would be a different story. But I only have to deal with him at work and unless I have to, I avoid him. But you're living with him. That's a challenge I don't think I could handle."

Kate smiled. "Actually, we probably challenge each other. I'm not an easy person to live with either."

It wasn't too much later that Paul left the party. After that, Kate breathed a sigh of relief. She saw House still sitting at the piano and walked over to sit with him. Wilson noticed too.

"Hey, everyone, I have an idea," Wilson said. "House, why don't you play some Christmas carols?"

House look horrified, but all their friends started to gather around the piano. Kate smiled and said, "Great idea."

"Okay," he said, "But only if my protégé plays first." He slid over so that Kate could sit in the middle of the bench.

"Oh, no," Kate said, quickly. "I'm not ready."

"Sure you are. We were working on that Christmas song just last night."

She looked at him, wanting to say more, but instead of a smug look, she saw confidence in his eyes. He really believed she could play it. She pulled out the sheet music, took a deep breath and played a simple but competent rendition of Jingle Bells.

Everyone applauded loudly when she was finished. She looked at House, smiling and said, "Okay, now it's your turn."

He moved to the middle. Kate started to rise, but he pulled her back. "Stay here." He said. She stayed.

House avoided looking at the people surrounding him. He kept his eyes on the keys. He loved playing music, but was not comfortable playing for an audience. Kate sensed his trepidation and caressed his leg as he played. Somehow it helped and he was able to play several familiar Christmas songs and some of the guests began to sing. After a while, House lost himself in the music and actually enjoyed himself.

The party went on until well after midnight. When the last guests took their leave. Wilson and Joanne made sure the caterers finished their work, before leaving as well. House was still sitting at the piano. Kate came over and sat beside him.

"That was a good party. Everyone had fun."

"Imagine that," House said, as he played softly. "People enjoyed being with me."

"Not just you, buster."

He kept playing. "I don't like Paul. Not just because he's a pompous ass, but also because he wants to get into your pants."

Kate looked at him in amazement. "That's what's this is about? You're jealous?"

"I'm not jealous, I'm just stating a fact."

"God, you're jealous." She said as he glared at her. "Greg, he may or may not want to get into my pants, but it doesn't matter if I don't want him in my pants."

"You have a lot more in common with him, than with me. I can't even fight him for your honor. He could probably take me in a minute. He's younger, stronger."

Kate just sighed. "Even if he beat you in a fight, I'd still go with you. This is where I want to be."

House kept playing, but she could see a little release of stress in his shoulders.

"You know, the guests have gone, but the celebration isn't over. What do think about us having our own?

House looked at her. "I've been thinking about peeling that dress and stockings off you all evening."

"Well, buddy, let's get a move on."

Their celebration wasn't over for a long, long time.