Sorry it's taking me some time to update. I'm actually working on two stories at once (more fool me!) and besides, RL is kicking butt these days. But I will keep updating. I will NOT abandon this story. And the other one will get posted here as well in due time. Thanks for your patience and your lovely reviews!

Chapter 11

They got the furniture put together and then moved on to other things. Wilson and Donna set up the beds in the kids' rooms while Karen and House worked in the dining room.

By seven, everyone was tired. Karen called to order pizza, but Wilson decided to head home since Sam was waiting for him.

The three of them sat at the newly assembled dining room table with pizza and beer and laughed over the activities of the day. Eventually, House wandered off to the family room to watch the Phillies game.

The two women sat in the living room and just chatted about things.

"So," Donna began. "Didn't you say that James was taken?"

"Yes, he's living with someone."

"Hmmm."

"Why?"

"Well, he was flirting with me most of the day."

"You're kidding?"

"I'm old enough to know when a man is flirting."

Karen thought about that and about things House had told her about his friend. "Well, I think that may just be his way. But, on the other hand, there might be trouble in paradise."

"Have you met his girlfriend?"

"Yes. And let's just say we did not become best buds."

"Uh-oh. What happened?"

"Well, she was ragging on Greg all night. And I called her on it. And that's probably why she was 'busy' today."

Donna smiled. "Good for you. But Greg doesn't seem like the type to take that sort of crap."

"He was trying to be nice – for me."

"Oh, how sweet! So what happened when you stood up for him?"

"He was happy. Very happy. And showed me how very grateful he was. If you know what I mean.'

"I do, but feel free to elaborate."

They laughed and moved on to other subjects. But before long, the activities of the day got to them and they headed to bed. Donna was sleeping in Emma's room. Karen went to her bedroom. House heard her and turned off the TV to join her.

"Everything okay?" he asked her.

"Sure. It was just so nice to have time to spend with Donna. I hope you don't mind that we deserted you."

"Nope. Better than having to sit and listen to girl talk."

"Even if we were discussing your sexual prowess?"

His eyebrow raised. "You were?'

She grinned. "We may have touched on it."

"Well, then time to give you more to talk about." And he pulled her into his arms.

The next day the three of them took it easy. They had done so much work the day before that Karen said it was time to relax. So they took Donna out to brunch and walked around Princeton a bit before driving her to the train.

The two women hugged.

"You'll come visit again soon, right?" Karen asked her. "You said it wasn't a long train ride."

"It wasn't. And I'll be back." She turned to House. "That is, if Greg doesn't mind me visiting."

He shrugged. "No problem."

She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "It was very nice to meet you, Greg House. And while I won't tell you to take care of my friend, I will tell you to take care of my niece and nephew."

He winced and watched as she walked to the train. Then she turned to Karen and said conspiratorially, "Remember what I said." Then, with a little wave, she was gone.

House looked at Karen. "What did that mean?"

"Nothing."

"If it was nothing, she wouldn't have said it. What was she talking about? Was she warning you about me? Offering to have me killed if I hurt you? What?"

"Nothing like that. Just forget it."

"Do you know me at all? What was it?"

Karen sighed and knew that if she didn't tell him he wouldn't stop bothering her about it. "It's not really important and I really didn't want to see your reaction."

"She didn't like me, right? She acted all nice, but she thinks I'm not good enough for you."

"No." She blew out a breath. "She told me that if we ever break up, she wants a chance to try you out."

"What?"

"She called you sex on a stick."

He stared at her, then slowly lifted the corner of his mouth. "Wow. So, would she consider a threesome?"

"No. And before you ask, neither would I."

"Damn." But she could see that he was strutting a bit.

"Come on, Greg, I'm sure lots of women have wanted you."

He shrugged. "Yeah, that way." He looked at her. "Not many willing to take me on for the long run."

"Their loss."

Karen dropped him at home while she went to the grocery store and got stocked up with food. There hadn't been much at his place and she had emptied her own cupboards before moving, so she had to buy everything.

She carted all the bags inside and he strolled into the kitchen while she started putting the food away. She handed him a bag with cold things and had him load the fridge and freezer. He nabbed an ice cream sandwich while he worked.

Once all the food was put away, she headed to the family room with him trailing behind.

"What now?" he asked.

"Movies and music." She said as she opened some boxes containing all of their CD's and DVD's. She started to arrange the movies in the case by the TV and he examined the titles from her box.

"Why do you have all of this?"

"Oh, sorry, I know my collection is a little strange. But back in college, I fell in love with British comedy. Do you know Blackadder or Jeeves and Wooster?"

"Yeah, I know them well. The Brits have it going on."

She smiled. "Well, then we can watch them again together."

He smiled back.