Chapter 5

After making his announcement to his team, House gathered Wilson and took both he and Karen to the cafeteria for lunch. That meant that others in the hospital saw them as well. House just sucked it up and figured it was inevitable.

Cuddy saw House and Wilson walking by with the woman she'd seen in his office a few months ago. She felt a little embarrassed that she'd called her a hooker, when she was so obviously not one. But she'd been angry and upset that day. She should really apologize. But as she watched, she saw that House was holding her hand. Somehow, she couldn't bring herself to approach them at that moment.

They had an enjoyable lunch, with Karen filling Wilson in on their house and their plans. Wilson listened in amazement, hardly able to believe that his friend was accepting this domesticity with this woman and her children.

When lunch was over, Karen kissed House goodbye and left the hospital. House returned to his office. His team started to tease him about Karen, until he threatened them all with bodily harm and sent them off to do clinic.

Then he sat at his desk and considered the situation. He had now effectively told the world that he and Karen were together. No turning back now. Well, he could, but he'd look like a fool.

And he'd be a fool. She was the best thing that had happened to him in a long, long time. Maybe ever.

As he tried to examine his feelings for her, he realized that those feelings were running much deeper than he had ever thought.

Karen returned to the apartment and changed out of her interview clothes, then sat and considered the day. She'd been a little uneasy when Greg had seemed reluctant to tell his best friend about their arrangement.

But then, when he'd announced it to his team and sat with her in the cafeteria, she knew that he'd accepted it.

This was good, since she was not willing to turn back from this course now. She tried to analyze what she was feeling. She hadn't wanted to use the "L" word. She hadn't wanted to be caught like that again.

They had fun together. They enjoyed each other. The sex was great. No mention of love.

Love had caused her to stay and put up with Frank for far longer than she should have. Love had only brought unhappiness. Love made you a moron. She did not want to be part of that stupidity again.

But as she sat there in his apartment, his world, with his things all around her, she realized that, once again in her life, she was that stupid.

She was in love with him.

Of course admitting it to him would be the height of her stupidity. For one thing, she had no idea how he felt about her. For another, telling him would make her vulnerable.

Yet, the thought of loving him and being loved in return was intoxicating.

When he came home, she went to him immediately, put her arms around his neck and kissed him with a large amount of passion. And tongue

"Not that I'm complaining, but what's up?" he asked her.

"Nothing. I'm just…happy about today and I wanted to tell you…that."

"Okay." He kissed her back.

She'd cooked dinner and while they ate, he asked her, "So tell me about your friends. You've never mentioned them."

"Of course, I have. You just haven't paid attention. There's Jill. She was my college roommate. We were each other's maids of honor. She's married and living in California. I don't get to see her as much as I'd like. But we communicate as much as we can."

"Ah," he said, wondering how you could have a friend that you seldom saw.

"Then there's Donna. She's Frank's sister. She lives in New York and—"

"Wait, did you say she's your ex's sister?"

"Yes."

"But you're divorced from her brother?"

Karen shrugged. "So? I divorced him, not her. When I started dating Frank, she and I became friends. We never stopped. And she's still the kids' aunt. And I love her."

"That's just weird."

"No, it isn't. Do you know, I would never have come to see you last January if it wasn't for her."

He gave her an odd look. "What do you mean?"

"She'd come to see me just before the divorce was final. She thought Frank was an idiot for cheating on me."

"He was." House said.

"Thanks. Anyway, we talked and I told her about you. About Philadelphia."

"Everything about Philadelphia?"

"Yes. And she told me I should go see you. I said no at first, but she talked me into it. She said I needed to take a chance. So I did."

"I need to meet this woman."

"You will. She promised to come down and help us move in."

He nodded. Well, she'd met his friends…and others. Guess it was time to meet hers.

On Sunday, she headed back to Lancaster.

"I'll see you in two weeks." She told him.

"Too long." He said.

"I know. But that will be our last 'weekend'. After that, I move down and that's it."

He nodded.

"You could come to Lancaster next week."

He considered it. "I suppose you'll be packing?"

She nodded.

"And expect me to help?"

"Of course. Also, I'm getting ready for the yard sale to get rid of everything that either Frank or I don't want."

"Oh, God. No, I think I'll stay here."

"Okay, that will give you time to get all your packing done."

"Yeah, right. That's what I'll be doing."

She laughed. "It has to be done."

"Yeah, yeah."

She put her arms around him and kissed him soundly. "See you in two weeks."

She got into her car. He stood on the sidewalk and watched her drive away. It was nice having her there the whole week. It would be even nicer when he didn't have to watch her drive away again. He smiled and went back inside. Life was good.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has left comments - sorry if I'm slow to respond.

And Alex, I couldn't respond to you since you weren't registered, but I wanted to thank you for your detailed review. You made some very good points. Forgive me if I take some dramatic license and move away from logic. Hopefully, you'll like where I go with it.