Dear Readers - Well, we've come to the last chapter of another story. I hope you have enjoyed it. Please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks again for reading, I appreciate your patronage!!! Gorblimey2 aka Kim Brogan.

(There is now and Epilogue to read too)

Snowmelt, Chapter 15 Part 3

Maia was staring out to the lawn in the back where she could see her group playing volleyball. Twisting back in her seat, she smiled at Martha Brooks, her Reston counselor. "I wish I were out there, although I hate volleyball."

"Why Maia? What's so important out there?"

"I have friends. Friends who don't judge me for what I am, what I did."

"Is that important?"

Maia chuckled, observing that Martha's eyes looked more green than hazel today. "I haven't had a lot of friends to just play with over the last few years."

"Why do you think that was?"

"I'd like to say that the human race is fickle and, in the face of your humiliation doesn't remember all the good you once did. But, the reality is that I isolated myself. I only have myself to blame. I wanted to punish myself. I didn't think I deserved to be happy again."

"What changed?"

Maia looked back out at the window, but not at her friends playing volleyball. She was searching, wondering what had changed.

"I think it changed because I had this very difficult and brilliant man who cared about me even though I wasn't perfect. In fact, he liked me because I was flawed. I felt happy around him because, he was comfortable with me at my worst. That doesn't make sense. But it was a catalyst. When I lost that, when he didn't call for months, I felt as if it was a reflection on me. That I did need to be punished. What better way to punish myself for pushing him away than to drag myself down further?"

"What about him? Don't you think he has some responsibility in this?"

Maia snickered, "Oh, yes, but he won't take it. I think he was just as afraid that I was rejecting him."

"So you two have trouble communicating your desires to each other?"

Maia laughed out loud, "No, we have no trouble communicating our desires, just our feelings."

Martha laughed with her. "Yes, you seem to have a healthy sex life. We heard about the linen closet. How does that work with getting an annulment?"

Maia shrugged, "What closet? Who told?"

"I think the orderlie finally broke down and confessed at a bar to his co-workers that your libidos were in overdrive."

"Greg was just irresistible. Too good in that arena."

"What's going on with you and Bradley?"

Maia squirmed in her seat, "I like him. We have fun. He's so energetic and bright. He's nice to look at too."

"Do you have romantic feelings? If Dr. House files the papers, will you be turning to Bradley?"

"I've thought about it. I think about Bradley more and more as we get closer to me leaving."

"Why?"

"Because Greg hasn't tried to contact me. He doesn't seem to have any interest in what I am doing. It can only mean one thing, he wants the annulment."

"And you haven't tried to contact him to ask him?"

"I called and left a message telling him that I was going to be leaving here in a week, but he didn't call back."

"Maybe you should try again?"

"I don't want to put any pressure on him. I have to accept that he's busy living his life without me and he wants in that way."

Martha pretended to smack her forehead with her hand, "I thought if you learned anything here, it was that you need to communicate your feelings to your husband."

Maia sat up straight and leaned forward, her voice raised, "I would if my husband would call me. I can't make the damn horse drink."

Martha shook her head, "You have a point. Have you made your arrangements for when you leave?"

"Yes, Brad gave me a plane ticket for my birthday so that I don't have to take the bus."

"Back to Brad. He's an addict too, are you sure you want to go down that road?"

"Come on. He could say the same thing about me. We're good for each other. If Greg files the papers, I think I could do worse. Brad's a good guy and he's very protective."

Martha nodded, wondering whether she should tell Maia that House had been fishing for information through Amanda Payson. She'd have to call Amanda and ask.

The gruff voice announced curtly over the phone, "Coffee Mate."

"Bear? This is Greg House."

Bear wiped his hand on his apron and stepped in the back so he could hear better. "Hi Greg, how are you doing?"

"Fine."

"I suppose you're calling about Maia? Are you going to be able to get off work?"

"Work?"

Bear didn't like it, House sounded baffled, "Yeah, Maia called and said you couldn't pick her up because of work."

"When is she getting in?"

"Haven't you talked to her?"

House didn't want to explain himself. The last few months had been extremely difficult, between detoxing, working out, trying new drugs and working too, he hadn't called Maia. He didn't want to talk to her until he knew that he could say that he was in a better place too.

"No, I've had back to back patients."

"She flies in Friday at 1:40 pm, American airlines."

"I can pick her up." House announced.

"Okay, I think she'd like that. I don't think I'll tell her; let it be a surprise."

"Did she say anything else?"

Bear realized that House hadn't talked to Maia, "She just asked how I was and if I had filled her studio with boxes."

"Okay, well I just wanted to know if you had heard from her. I'll pick her up. Bye." House hung up without waiting for Bear's goodbye.

House took Friday off and spent most of it cleaning the apartment, making room in his closet and getting ready. He pulled out the hanger and removed the dry cleaning plastic from the freshly pressed Levis on the hanger. Doing the same with his freshly pressed shirt, House placed them on his bed. After shaving and clipping, House ran a shower and washed his hair. Once dressed, House looked into the mirror. The blue t-shirt was a good match for his crisp shirt. He tucked the shirts into the Levis and put on a nice belt. House put in a little hair product, fluffed his hair like the stylist had shown him and stood back, hoping it didn't look like he was trying too hard.

The parking at the airport took longer than he thought it would, causing him to have to hurry. Once in the terminal, he discovered that the plane was ten minutes late. House had brought a bouquet from his local florist. The woman who put the flowers together had asked him what he wanted the flowers to say. At first he was cynical, but then he decided he could use all the help he could get. Now he stood holding a gorgeous arrangement of red tulips (believe me), jonquils (love me) and camellias (longing for you.) He doubted Maia would know the significance of each flower, but the bouquet itself was beautiful. Women walking by smiled at him standing nervously waiting for Maia.

He looked at the board which had just flipped to "Landed", swallowed and walked over to join the crowd waiting for people to exit the plane. House felt extremely conspicuous standing with the large bouquet announcing his feelings.

Several couples, families and numerous businessmen poured through the door and out past the security gate, but no Maia. House could feel himself start to sweat from his nervousness and was glad that he had on a t-shirt to keep his shirt dry. He looked around and smiled when he spotted her. She was wearing a sundress, sandals and -- his smile dropped -- adorned by a man's arm. They were laughing, sharing a joke, until Maia spotted House and the flowers. Her laughter disappeared, replaced by utter shock. She took her arm from the man's elbow and started to walk towards House. The man appeared to be as confused as Maia was shocked.

"Greg?" She stood in front of House, looking at the flowers, "Where's Bear?"

"I'm your ride." House barked, noticing how fresh and lovely Maia looked.

The man with Maia stuck out his arm to shake House's hand, "I'm Brad Wolfensen."

House looked behind and then at Brad, "Where is she?"

The thirty-something man cocked his head, "She? Who?"

Without any inflection, "Your wife…I thought this was a try-out for "Wife Swap"."

Maia closed her eyes and hung her head while Brad stared at her with questioning eyes, trying to get her attention. She opened them and directed her gaze at House, "You didn't return my calls or my emails. What was I supposed to think?"

House held onto the flowers, but said nothing.

Maia motioned to the flowers, "Are these for me?"

He looked at them, remembering how he agonized over the right message he wanted to send. He smirked and pushed them into her chest. She took them and sighed, smelling them and then, still looking at them, giving a sad little smile.

Brad put his arm around her, "Maia? What's wrong?" He looked up at House as if to ask him what was wrong.

"Let's get your luggage." House growled.

They went to the luggage carousel. House stood back by the door and watched as Brad and Maia talked animatedly about something. They found their luggage and crossed to House. He led them to his car, threw the luggage in the trunk, closing it with a thud and getting into the driver's seat. Brad got in back and Maia went to sit up front with House.

He took one look at her, "Get in the back."

She looked at him, bleary eyed, but didn't budge.

He clenched his teeth, "Get in back with Brad."

She looked as if she was going to cry, "He's my friend, Greg."

"Sure, now get in back."

"Greg…" she pleaded.

Brad spoke up, "Greg, Maia and I care about each other, but she always made it clear to me that she was married and needed to sort things out with you. She hasn't done anything wrong, we haven't slept together."

With a cold tone that sent chills through Maia House looked in the rear view mirror, "Well, then you have something to look forward to."

Maia clenched her fist and jumped out, "I want my luggage!"

House looked at her with contempt.

She yelled, "Brad, get out. Greg, pop the trunk, we want our luggage."

House could feel everything he had worked so hard for slipping away.

Brad looked at the two of them staring icily at each other and shook his head, "Look Maia, this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have suggested I come with you. You and Greg need to figure out what you're going to do. Greg, if you'll pop the trunk, I'll take the train to New York. That way you two can make some decisions."

House thought for a second, "You can take her with you."

Maia looked stunned.

Brad chuckled, "A man doesn't bring down a bouquet of flowers to meet his wife if he doesn't have feelings for her. You two really need to talk." He turned to Maia and spoke firmly, "For once Maia, you need to tell him how you feel. Stop playing these games. Now Doc, if you'll pop the trunk, I'll let you two work this out."

House reached under the dashboard, popped the trunk, sat up and watched Brad and Maia in the rear view mirror. Brad got out his luggage, quickly closing the trunk so that Maia couldn't retrieve hers. House watched as Brad said something to Maia, hugged and kissed her on the cheek, then left.

Maia stood, hands on hips, staring down at her feet and frowning. She exhaled and looked into the car, catching House's eyes in the rear view mirror. She scowled, walked around and jumped into the back seat.

He rolled his eyes when he realized she was going to pout. "I'm not your chauffeur, get up front."

She growled, "You told me to get in the back. Make up your friggin' mind."

House almost laughed, but realized that would just inflame things. He calmed down and said gently, "Just get up front."

She got out, slammed the back door and got into the front, slamming the door and staring straight ahead. House grinned to himself as he started the engine and began the drive home.

They were silent most of the way. But as Maia calmed down she realized that he had brought her the lovely bouquet of flowers sitting on the seat between them. She picked them up and looked closely at them. She laughed.

House said solemnly, "What, not your kind of flowers?"

"No, I was just thinking. You know how red roses mean love? Well, jonquils mean please return my love. I think camellias mean missing you or something like that. I don't know what red tulips mean."

House said without inflection, "Red tulips mean, please believe me."

She looked over at him, "Really? Huh." Looking down at the flowers she smelled them, wondering how he knew that. As if she was putting together a crossword puzzle she said, "Then the bouquet says, believe me I miss you and please return my…" A chill ran over her spine, "Oh God!" She burst into tears so suddenly and with such force that House put his foot on the brake, anticipating some errant car careening at them.

Thrown off, House pulled over and took a deep breath. "Jesus Christ Maia." But Maia didn't hear him, she was sobbing so deeply. He turned in his seat to look at her. The flowers were being crushed as she bent over crying, tears falling into the tulips.

She started to control her tears, "Of course you, Gregory Friggin' Brilliant House, would know what flowers mean. Why couldn't you just say it? You wanted me to solve your riddle. I don't understand. You didn't call or write. I was sure you would sign and file the papers in court."

He grabbed an envelope he had stuck in the pocket on door, handing it to her. She took it, eyebrow knitted, brow furred. Opening up the envelope, she pulled out the folded papers. They were the annulment papers. Maia searched through to the last page where she saw her signature first. Next to it was Gregory J. House, MD, signed yesterday.

She felt queasy, overwhelming panic soaring through her. He was playing her. He had signed them and had all the intention in the world to file them. He just wanted to watch her squirm. Her panic turned to embarrassment. Embarrassed that she had thought he was making overtures of love.

What an idiot I am.

He saw her hand started to shake, her lip started to quiver again. Pulling back into the traffic, House began the trip home again.

Maia turned and looked out the side window as the New Jersey landscape flew by. I don't need this. I don't need this pain. I'm out of rehab four hours and I'm already so stress all I want is a hit.

House watched her out of the corner of his eye, not sure why she was reacting the way she was. She was shaking, but quiet.

They had made it to the Princeton city limits, "Do you want me to drive you to the Bakery or the apartment?"

"You're joking?" She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, "Why would I want to go to your apartment?"

"I guess that's my answer."

"To what? Where I want to go?"

"No, where this is going."

"This? Would you speak English?"

He rolled his eyes, "I gave you those documents to let you know it's in your hands. You make the decision. If you want the annulment file them. If you don't, well…" His voice trailed off.

Her mouth dropped open, "You mean you aren't showing me these because you're going to file them?"

He pulled his head back, shaking it violently, "No, I want you to make the decision. You have the power…it's in your hands."

She leaned her head back on the seat, frustrated. After a pause she asked, "Greg, do you love me?"

He was very quiet until it became too awkward, "Do you love me?"

"I love you so much that right now all I want is to get high because I'm afraid you're going to dump me."

He was quiet for a minute.

"I'm clean."

She was confused, unsure what that had to do with her confession, "What does that mean?"

"You're not supposed to be with an addict. I got clean."

Her eyes flew open and her mouth dropped before turning into a big grin. "You got clean for me?"

He wouldn't say it out loud, but he smiled at her.

"I thought you looked exceptionally good at the airport. You look rested. Your skin looks better. You seem healthier." Her voice became excited, almost happy.

"So, is Brad coming back?" he asked casually.

"Not in any capacity that you have to worry about." She continued to grin, "I think you can take us back to your apartment."

He reached his hand out to her. She looked at it, chuckled, and it in hers. He squeezed her little fingers, put her hand up to his lips and whispered onto the back of it, "I love you, Maia."

The End