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Chapter 35: Getting Monica

Getting Monica into their home wasn't as easy as Kate had thought. Due to their experiences, some of the social workers assigned to their case thought that the girl would be better off in a home that didn't remind her of what had happened. But all of the available foster homes had heard the story on the news and were uneasy about taking a girl who had a murderer for a father and had been responsible for killing him. So she stayed in juvenile hall until a decision could be made.

Kate was livid.

"Not that I want her to go anywhere else, but those stupid foster homes don't know what a terrific kid she is and they will never give her enough of a chance to find out. So why don't they just give her to us and be done with it? But no, she has to stay in juvie like a criminal while bureaucrats keep tying bows in their red tape!"

House wasn't anxious for Monica Pearson to come to live with them, although he refrained from telling his wife that, but he wasn't unhappy to see Kate get worked up about something. He hated knowing that since her return from "the dead," she'd been a shadow of herself.

Kate called Social Services almost daily and was usually given the runaround. Finally, she was connected to Mildred Frisk, who was in charge of Monica's case. When Kate could get nothing out of the woman on the phone, she went to her office to talk to her.

She managed, somehow, to get to the woman's office and as she sat in the chair across from her, asked Mrs. Frisk why she couldn't get Monica into her care.

"Frankly, Mrs. House, I don't think it is in the child's best interest to be living with you."

"Why not?"

"Because you would remind her of her incarceration and her father's death. She needs to be able to put those things behind her to move on with her life."

"I do understand what you're saying. But you've already said that no one else wants her. I do. And I can help her get over it. I know what she's been through, better than anyone."

"Yes, you shared her imprisonment. But you don't know her pain of having killed her own father."

Kate couldn't bring herself to tell this woman that she had killed her almost father as well, not even for Monica. She would save that as a last resort.

"Well, no. But if you have looked at my history, you will see that I also witnessed my mother's violent death at the hands of a man who supposedly cared for her. So we have a lot in common."

"There is also your husband to consider."

"What about my husband?" Now Kate was getting angry. No one insulted her Greg. "He's a well-respected, world famous doctor."

"Yes, but he also has a criminal record for drug addiction."

"Those charges were dropped. My husband has a physical malady that necessitates his need for pain medication. I'm a police officer with a spotless record. Do you really think I would marry someone with a criminal past?"

"No, no, of course not. It's not just that." She hesitated. "I've inquired about him. He has a reputation as, well, not a very nice person. I'm concerned that he won't have the patience to deal with a child like Monica. She doesn't need any more mistreatment."

Kate was horrified. She knew she had to hold down her temper or all would be lost. "He would never, ever hurt her in any way. Yes, he can be short with his patients, because usually they've lied to him and made it harder for him to help them. But he is extremely patient and loving with our daughter."

"That's his own child and she's just a baby. I can't be assured he would be the same way with a troubled teenager. I'm sorry, Mrs. House, I just can't recommend this. I will continue to review the case, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope."

Kate was dejected by Mrs. Frisk's words. She was also angry that the woman would question House's ability to deal with Monica. She told him about their conversation and expected him to have the same reaction. When he remained silent, she questioned him on it.

He took a moment, then said, "I'm not sure she's wrong."

"You don't think I would be good for Monica?"

"I think you'd be great. I think she's right about me."

"No, she's not."

"Kate, I have a temper, I'm not patient, I'm not kind and understanding. I really don't know how I'll react to a teenager with her own problems. I could very well make it worse for her."

"I don't believe that." Kate said emphatically. "You would never deliberately hurt a young, troubled girl. And you were unbelievably understanding when I told you about my past."

"I was sleeping with you, there's a difference."

"No, there isn't. You can be compassionate with people who are in need of it. I've seen you do it. You try to hide it and you won't admit it to anyone, but you do it. You'll do it for Monica as well. But we need to get her first!"

House could see how important this was to Kate. And he began to think about what he could do to make it happen.

Kate began calling everyone she knew in the police department, the mayor's office, the D.A. to see if there was anything she could do to get Monica. No one offered her a shred of hope. Social Services was out of their jurisdiction and no one had the connections.

Then, a few days later, out of the blue, Mrs. Frisk called her.

"Will you be able to accept Monica into your home tomorrow?"

"What? What are you talking about? I thought you said…"

"Well, when you have friends in high places, they overrule the judgment of a civil servant like me."

"What friends?"

"Please don't play games, Mrs. House. When you have a U.S. Senator and possible presidential contender to speak in your behalf, there is no need to feign ignorance. This agency would never refuse Senator Wright. He has done a lot to help us, from getting us additional funding to personally taking an interest in the children."

"Senator Wright? Senator Gary Wright?"

"Yes, Senator Gary Wright. Enough of this. Can you take her tomorrow?"

"Of course!"

They spoke a few more minutes arranging times, then hung up. Kate did a little dance around the room. She tried to call House, but he was involved with his patient. When he arrived home a few hours later, she ran to him and jumped into his arms.

"You'll never guess what happened!"

"Well, I've gotten good at mind reading, so let me see, old lady Frisk called and said you've got Monica."

She stopped and looked at him. "How did you know?"

"I told you, mind reading."

"You already knew. You did this, didn't you?"

He walked to the cabinet and pulled out the scotch bottle, not answering her.

"She said Senator Gary Wright arranged this. I thought someone from the mayor's office called him, but it was you, wasn't it? How do you know him?"

House sighed, then took a sip of his drink before saying, "He was a patient."

"You cured him?"

"No, I killed him. This is a favor from the great beyond. What do you think? I also found he didn't have AIDS, which is important for a presidential hopeful."

"So what did you do? You called him…"

"Yep. Told him your problem, asked if he could help. I got a call from his secretary today. She told me battle-axe Frisk would be calling you."

Kate was unbelievably moved. "Greg, this is the nicest thing you've ever done for me."

"Not that big a deal."

"Yes, it is. You never communicate with patients after you're done with them. You don't want their gratitude. You don't want them to owe you. You forget about them when it's over. The fact that you would contact a U.S. Senator and call in a favor is huge. You've never done anything as wonderful for me as this."

"Well, as you said, I don't want gratitude, so forget it."

"I'm sure I can find a way to thank you that you would accept."

"Oh, what did you have in mind?"

She put her arms around his neck and began to kiss him, rubbing her body along his.

"Hmm," he said, "I guess I can accept your act of gratitude, if you're so determined."