The clock on the wall was ticking loudly. Liz was sitting at the bar chatting with Amber. Coral was off somewhere... she didn't know where. The time was about five thirty. Liz swallowed what was left in her glass and said "I'd better get home and changed. I'll see you back here in a couple of hours."
Amber waved happily. As Liz rose to leave she asked "So how was your date last night?"
A bright fuchsia filled in Lizzie's cheeks. "All I'll say is you were right about one thing."
"That is?" The blond leaned over onto the bar.
"He's a great kisser!" Her face could hardly contain her smile.
"You're smitten." Amber stated.
Liz nodded. "I believe I am."
Amber shook her head. "You got it bad, girl. Real bad." Liz's face got even brighter.
A voice from behind asked "You been tanning?" Liz turned to see Danny, Amy's life partner standing behind her. His scraggly, unbrushed hair stood straight up on top and he had a pathetic excuse for a goatee.
Liz looked him up and down. She pointed to his face. "Only if you've been gluing your pubes to your chin again."
Amber burst out into a fit of laughter. Danny gave the two girls a reproachful look before deciding that he would be better off if he just walked away. As he left Amber yelled to him "Amy's in the back room with Joey!" A small look of fear flashed on his face as he raced off to find his woman.
"Amb, that was so mean." Liz said. She was sliding into her jacket. "You could have given our lead singer a heart attack." She grinned. "At least wait to do it until after House is here to save his life." The girls laughed again and Liz said "I really gotta get. I need to shower and take a few dozen more Tylenol." She took a few steps and added "And call James." Amber pointed to her as if to mock her. She was laughing. Liz waved her off and headed out to the street. Luckily she had gotten a nice spot near the door for a change. She even made the doorman save it for her. As she opened her door, said doorman stepped out from the shadows and removed the shimmering velvet blue rope that quartered off her spot. "I'll be back later." she told him. "No one gets this spot unless it's Jess, ok." He nodded and Elizabeth got into her small Chevy and fired up the engine. As she drove the ten minutes to her apartment, Liz thought about the previous night. It had been magickal. It had been romantic. It totally didn't last long enough. She flipped on the radio and said to herself "Second date, dearie. Second date."
&&&&&&
Greg House stood in front of his bathroom mirror. He was trying, quite unsuccessfully, to get the hair in the back to lay down. "Damn!" he swore as he gave it up as a lost cause and he walked out into the hall. He rummaged through his closet to find the leather jacket he usually wore when he rode the bike. Eying it for a minute he nodded and pulled it on. He went next to the living room. He paced the room like an expectant father.
"You're making me dizzy." came a voice. "Why don't you sit down."
"Tell me again why you're here." House asked. Wilson turned around to face his friend.
"Because when you come in, I'm going out." He paused the added (just in case) "With Lizzie."
House skirted a table and faced Wilson. "So. You mean to tell me that you're going to sit here all night and wait til I get home so you know when your girlfriend is going to be home?" Wilson nodded. "What if she decides to stay. You gonna go to the club and get her?" He asked.
Wilson stared at the older man. "If I have to."
"What about the busty blond twins that gave you such a good time last time you were there?" House was grinning.
"It's all cool. Liz says they're cool with everything."
House glared at him. "Everybody lies." he simply stated.
"As you like to point out."
"You're really going to just sit here and watch tv all night while I enjoy rock music with your special lady?"
"Yep."
"You sure are trusting." House leaned over onto the back of the sofa.
"It would seem that way wouldn't it." Wilson turned back to look at the television. The Knicks were up six points. "Lizzie can take care of herself. I think if you tried something, she'd be able to outrun you."
"Touche." replied House with a grimace. "Besides, you know I'd never do anything like that. Not to her anyway." House straightened himself and eyed himself in the tv screen as if faded to black. "You think Jess will be there?"
Wilson watched the commercial about breakfast cereal and shrugged. "Dunno." he said. "She might be. It is her club after all."
House took in a deep breath. "It's about time to go. Don't wait up, dear I may be a bit late."
Wilson only waved to him from the sofa, without turning around. "Have fun." he said.
&&&&&&&
Elizabeth Sullivan stood in front of her bathroom mirror. She tried desperately to get her makeup just right. deciding it was of no use she washed it all off and went Au natural. She walked into her bedroom and flipped on her radio. As she rummaged through her closet she found an old pair of converse sneakers. "Sweet!" she exclaimed as she slipped out of her nikes and into the worn red and blue shoes. Each shoe was a work of art unto itself. Sharpie and ink pen drawings decorated each of the canvas shoes, a myriad of quotes and lewd sketches. These were her clubbing shoes from back in high school. As she eyed herself once again she reiterated "Sweet!" and she walked down the short hallway to the kitchen to have a snack before heading out the door.
She was halfway through a peanut butter sandwich when her phone rang. She picked up the receiver and said "Huwwo?" Her mouth filled with food.
"Liz?" asked Wilson's voice from the other end.
Liz finished her bite and laughed. "Sorry about that sweety, you caught me eating. What's up?"
James laughed and sighed. "I wanted you to know that House just left. He'll be at the club in a few minutes."
Liz smiled. "And you knew I'd be here because?"
"I called the club to see if you were there already."
"So you talked to Amber?" Liz was impressed that he'd had the nerve to call there.
"If thats which one it was." Wilson said with a laugh.
"Nothing was... awkward?"
Wilson paused. "No. She said you weren't there and that you'd be back. I said "bye" she said "bye" and I hung up. Nothing awkward there."
"You're too much sometimes." Liz said with a suppressed giggle. "You never answered my question though."
"Yes I did." He sighed heavily. "I said I called the club to see if you were there."
"So how did you know I'd be here?"
"Hit or miss. I knew you'd be either there, the club or somewhere in between. If you hadn't answered I would have suspected you were driving to the club. Happy with my answer?"
"It'll have to do, I guess."
Wilson was sitting on House's couch, talking on House's phone to the girl House was taking out. Somehow, though, it wasn't as weird as it sounded. "You can make it up to me later. I'd still like to see you after the show. I'll be here until House comes in."
"What if he doesn't come home just to make you sit there waiting for hours?"
"I hadn't thought of that. Damn! It's a good thing you two think alike, or I probably would have sat here half the night. Why don't you call me when you get in and I'll stop by."
"What about Amy?" Liz was twirling her hair again. A nervous habit that she did when she talked on the phone to a guy she liked. If Amy could see her she would be teasing her to no end.
"What about her?" he asked back. "I don't care. Or do you not want me to meet your best friend for some reason?"
Liz laughed. "Yeah, your personal safety. Amy is rabid."
"Your best friend... has rabies?"
Still laughing, though harder now, Liz said "No. I said she was rabid. She's like a Tasmanian devil. If I leave her with you, she'll attack. Possible loss of limb may occur."
"She seemed fine last night when I picked you up." Wilson was unsure why Liz didn't want him to meet Amy.
Liz rolled her eyes. "That's because we weren't there for more than a few minutes and she didn't speak to you." Liz sighed. "Alright." she started. "Amy is psychologist by trade. She likes to pick people apart, especially the people I happen to like. Remember when I was in the hospital and you asked me about the boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that's because of Amy. She means well but when she gets a hold of the guy I happen to like he usually runs away screaming, cops are called, there's still a restraining order on her from my college boyfriend. He thinks shes out to get him."
"She can't be that bad, can she?" Liz scoffed. "Uh oh, she really is that bad. You don't think I can handle it? I'm friends with House."
"You have a small point. But the question is this... How much like House can you be? If you can channel his..." she trailed off.
Wilson laughed. "His what? His ability to not give a damn?"
"That wasn't what I was going to say. I was going to say his ability to let things bounce off him." She sat in silence at her kitchen table waiting for him to answer.
"I'll be fine. Besides, if you and I are going to be seeing each other more, I should at least know your friends."
Liz sighed. "You're probably right. What do I know? I'm just the hematopathologist."
Wilson's jaw dropped. "You're a what? Why didn't you mention this before?"
Liz smiled. "It's getting late, I'd better be meeting House or he'll think I abandoned him. We'll talk about it later." She made a kiss noise into the phone and said "Bye baby." She hung up the phone and grabbed her keys off the table and headed out the door.
&&&&&&&
Greg House stood outside Velvet Moon and stared at the sign. It had been years since he was in there. He still remembered the smell though. Her smell. Jessica's. He sighed heavily.
&&&&&&&
As Liz drove to the club she thought about how he had reacted. Was it shock because of her selected profession or the fact that she hadn't mentioned it before? She really would talk to him about it later.
She turned the corner and saw the long line of hopefuls waiting to see if they'd get in or not. Then she saw him. House was standing out front staring up the the neon sign for the club. She coasted up to her parking spot and the doorman removed the rope for her and she parked. After getting out she leaned over onto the roof of her car. "You gonna go in or stand there and get mesmerized by the sign? I know it's pretty but come on."
House turned around to see Liz. "It all depends. Are you going to hide behind your car all night or come in with me?"
Liz walked around her car and stood in front of House. "Okay, I'm here. Let's go."
The two of them walked right by the doorman to the dismay of many people who had been waiting in line since it was daylight still. Liz went first and House followed behind her, moving slowly as if he were hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive woman.
"She's not here, House. She's with Joaquin and Lucy across the world doing what it is that she does best." She turned around to see him staring at a picture of her on the wall. She walked over to him and took hold of his arm. "Don't dwell. She's happy, you should be too. Come on." She pulled him into the main part of the club.
There was a d.j. playing classic rock tunes from his booth. The band, or at least that's who House thought they were, were sitting in a booth knocking back a few brews. "At least they look the part. What do they call themselves again?" he asked Liz.
Liz was motioning to Amber to bring drinks when House addressed her. "Sandanista" she said without turning to look at him. "Let's sit over there, closer to the bar. More room." They walked over to the table and sat down.
"No mosh pit?" House asked with a small grin.
Liz tilted her head to one side. "Would Strummer have approved of a mosh pit?" she asked. House shrugged. "Uh huh." Liz said with an equal grin. Amber set two drinks down on the table.
"Hello Dr. House." she said as she laid a few paper napkins on the table between him and Liz.
Looking up at the twin he went to speak then turned to Liz. She mouthed 'amber' for him. "Hi, Amber." he said, trying to smile.
"How are you?" she was happy to see him. What was it with these people? They were all so happy all the time.
"Good." he said curtly. Liz poked him. He jumped. "How are you?"
"Really good." replied Amber. "Well, nice talking to you. See you around, I gotta do my job now." She waved to a group of young guys at a table not too far from them and said "I see you, don't get all uppity." She smiled at Liz and headed off to take more drink orders.
House sighed, as if he had been holding his breath. Liz leaned forward and said "You need to relax. Get a grip. These people don't hold you responsible for anything. You and Jess just weren't meant to be forever. That's all. Don't read into it." His look told her more than he had wanted her to know. She took hold of his hand. "Stop. Now. I forbid you to self-loathe tonight."
House gave her an odd look. He opened his mouth but closed it again, realizing that arguing with this girl would be of no use. "Fine." he conceded. "I'll need another drink." He had yet to touch the first. Liz knew this was going to be a fun night. She sighed and flagged down Amber.
&&&&&&
James Wilson was rummaging through the fridge. It had been little more than an hour and he was hungry. He frowned at the contents. Old milk, a plate of leftover meatloaf, and something else, he wasn't sure what. He decided it would be safer to order in. He ordered Chinese.
He sat and ate while he flipped through channels. Nothing was interesting him. He finally decided to watch a movie against all judgment. The choices were slim. A chick flick, a sci-fi film that he'd seen recently and then, when all hope seemed lost, he saw it. Die Hard. "Yes." he said with a bit more excitement than he should have. So he watched Bruce Willis blow things up while he scarfed down oriental cuisine. Not a bad night so far. Despite the fact that his best friend was at a concert with his girlfriend.
&&&&&&&
The bad had started early and was off to a good start. They led out with London Calling and followed it with I fought the law. House was really enjoying himself though he would never have admitted it. He hadn't touched his third drink and Liz had edged it away from him slowly so it was harder to get to when he did eventually reach for a drink.
"I'm sorry about not getting out there." He motioned to his leg. "Not much of a dancer."
Liz fanned his comment away. "I'm not a big dancer these days either. Those days were high school for me. Though back then, I could tear up a dance floor. Don't get me wrong. I was good."
House smiled. "I bet. How long is the show?"
Liz thought a second. "Three sets... so an hour and a half of actual music."
"Not bad. These kids are actually pretty good." he complimented the band.
First break was slow moving. People were still coming in and the bar wasn't as busy. But as the second set was warming up, the crowd seemed to get a bit heavier. People crowded up to the stage and the band had to move back deeper on the stage.
The beginning songs of set two were Tommy Gun and Rock the Casbah, while they played, House and Liz talked.
"So what exactly do you do for a living?" he asked her.
Liz smiled and leaned close to him. "I work in a hospital." she said coyly. "Not yours."
House grinned. "I didn't ask you where you worked I asked you what you do. What's your job?"
Liz smirked. "I'm a hematopathologist." she stared into his icy blue eyes as he digested this fact.
"Interesting. And why wasn't this in your file... doctor?"
"Because... Doctor. It wasn't relevant." She saw the look on his face and asked "You're genuinely upset that I didn't tell you aren't you?"
"If I had known I wouldn't have talked to you the way I did." He stammered and was starting to sweat. The band was in the middle of playing Junkie Slip. Liz thought 'how appropriate'.
"You mean you would have talked to me like you talk to all the other doctors you know, assuming that I'd want to know everything." House nodded. "I was sick. You were my doctor. I didn't want to be a doctor, I didn't need to be a doctor. I needed to be a patient."
House nodded again and rubbed his stubble. "Fair enough. Does Wilson know?"
"Told him tonight. He called my place just after you left. To let me know you had left."
"And?"
"It shocked him. To say the least."
House laughed. "To say the least?! He just found out that you're in the same medical field he is. You could work together."
"Maybe we'll start a private practice." Liz said acidly. She downed the remaining ring of liquid at the bottom of her glass. "Amber, another." A pale hand took her glass and brought another back to replace it. Liz handed her the $3.35 for it and Amber was off again, doing her job.
House sighed. "I'm just saying..." he started to say but Liz cut him off.
"I know it was wrong and I understand where you're coming from but it was mine to tell. If you had been me what would you have done. No, never mind. Don't answer that. It'll be something lewd and sarcastic and more than likely sexist as well."
His jaw dropped. "My god. They are right..." He laughed. "You are me! Damn." Liz rolled her eyes and pushed his drink back over to him.
&&&&&&
The movie was getting boring so Wilson decided to play a few games on House's computer to kill time. He played solitaire fro a good twenty minutes. Deciding that Jews weren't meant to play cards, he got online. Out of curiosity, he googled Liz's name. His jaw dropped when he saw what popped up.
Child prodigy hired to work at prestigious hospital read the first headline, dated August 1997. That would have made Liz roughly seventeen. Subtract the five or six years that med school took and he was looking at a girl that graduated high school at eleven or twelve. He scratched his head. "Wow." He scrolled down to see a picture of Elizabeth during her college years. She looked the same aside from the hairdo which was a long, braided ponytail. Lizzie's hair was much shorter these days. She wore her lab coat and she was standing at an electron microscope. She was at work. "No wonder she likes to keep to herself." Wilson muttered to himself. "She's been in the spotlight for almost a decade. " He scrolled further. Numerous clippings and articles about her genius. "No wonder House likes her. She really is him. She's even a genius." He sighed and closed the browser window and went back to solitaire. His thoughts on what he would say to Liz when he saw her later that night.
&&&&&&
The second set was finishing. Sandanista were playing Train in Vain. After that they were taking a break to rest. The d.j. was firing up his equipment, ready to spin the music as soon as the band was off the stage.
House was alone at his table. Liz was off somewhere, the bathroom, he thought. The alcohol was starting to make his memory a bit sloshy.
"How about a cup of coffee?" asked Amber as she sat down at the table next to him. "It'll do you good." she coerced. House nodded and rubbed his temples. "Ok." said Amber. "I'll be right back with a cup." She rose and headed toward the bar to brew a pot.
Liz returned to the table and saw House's state. "You aren't driving are you?" she asked. "Because I'd feel really bad if something happened to you on the way home."
House waved her off. "Amber is getting me some coffee. I'll be fine."
Liz sat down and leaned in. "It's because she isn't here isn't it?" House nodded, unable or willing to deny it. Liz sighed. "You need to move on. Get on with it or you'll only slip into a deeper depression that you're already in." She was scolding him, though her voice was soft and calming.
House straightened himself. "I wouldn't have even thought of her if you hadn't..." he pointed at her accusingly.
"If I hadn't what? Been poisoned? Given you the pick? Been nice to you and invited you to this concert?" She was getting upset. Tear welled in her eyes. It happened every time she got thoroughly pi$$ed. "Hmm?" she asked him rather curtly. "Well, which is it?"
House's jaw dropped slightly. "Are you Jesse's kid too?" he asked her suddenly.
Liz was stunned. "I.. uh.. umm. No, Unless Jess happened to be there when my mom got knocked up in the eleventh grade."
House sneered at her from across the table. The liquor was having a bad effect on him. His brain told him to shut up before he wedged his foot any deeper into his throat but his mouth kept moving. "It's just you're just as... irritating as she was. Is."
Liz laughed. "Oh, so I'm irritating now? I thought you were all paternal. Protective of me and everything. You want me to go away now?" She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms out of defiant smugness. "What is it?"
Stunned, House quieted. "No." he said. His voice almost a whisper. She had him backed into the proverbial corner and he was trapped. Nothing he could say would get him out unscathed. "I'm drunk." was all he could manage to say.
Liz shook her head. "No $hit!" she snapped. About that time Amber showed up with the coffee.
"Here we are. Black, no sugar. The best kind to get rid of the ickies caused by drinking." Amber chimed in happily. She set down a tall coffee cup and filled it. "The pot is at the bar, when you're ready for another." She walked away just as cheerful.
House drank his coffee in silence. Elizabeth was right. He was brooding over the fact that Jesse wasn't there. The band had just taken the stage for the third set. They led off with Lightning Strikes. House sat and listened to them intently, barely speaking to Liz for the next ten minutes or so. After the time passed he leaned over and touched her hand.
Liz hadn't been paying attention. She was busy watching Danny and Joey flirt with a couple of young groupies. Amy was in a fury. It was amusing to watch. When House touched her hand she jumped. "What?" she asked, the adrenaline still bubbling up in her.
"I'm sorry." he muttered. His eyes cast to the table and the cup of coffee to his lips. Liz smiled. "What?" he asked.
"You are human after all. Just like I'd heard." Liz reached over and patted the older man's hand. "I'm sorry too. You pi$$ed me off and I acted in defense."
House nodded and looked into his cup. "I need another." he said quietly. Liz turned in her chair and let out a shrill whistle. Amber looked up and nodded. A minute later she was there to refill House's cup. "Thankyou." he said.
The band was in the middle of the third set. It was nearly one thirty. Bankrobber was just getting over and Liz knew that The Call up would be next. Liz told House this, as they were using the same set as the night before. "When Should I stay or should I go comes on, that's the last song and I usually go start my car then." She said informatively. House nodded.
"You don't stay for the last song?" he asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Not when I hear the same songs all weekend, no. I'm here for sound checks and rehearsals and everything else that a decent band does." Liz shrugged. "I've heard them too much to care if I hear it again, you know?" House nodded.
"You know, Wilson is at my place waiting for me to come home. What if I don't go home?" his blue eyes flashed with that childish scheming that he was known for.
Liz grinned. "Got that covered. I told him , when he called, that I'd call him to let him know I was home. You're S.O.L. my friend."
House snapped his fingers and smiled. "Damn! And I thought it was a pretty good trick."
"You're forgetting something though." Liz informed him.
"What's that?"
"You and I are a lot alike. If you think of it chances are I'll think of it too." she crossed her arms and smiled at House, who could only laugh.
The final song started. Liz stood up and reached for her coat. "You wanna get something to eat?" House asked her. "Or are you that anxious to get to Wilson?"
Liz laughed aloud. "Yeah, thats it. I'm going now."
"Can I at least walk you out? This is a date after all. It would be ungentlemanly of me if I didn't."
Liz laughed harder as House took her by the arm and led her outside. "Why, thank you." she said once they were outside in the cool New Jersey air. "I don't think I would have made it without you."
House stared at her. A bemused smile creasing through his stubble. "You are a sarcastic little girl, you know that?"
"It's been brought to my attention a time or two." she said as she walked around and opened the driver door of her Chevy. "See you around, Dr. House." she said with a final smile.
"Yeah." House replied. "Maybe at the hospital? Will you and Wilson be having lunches together?"
"We might. Are you going to party crash?"
House grinned. "More than likely."
Liz rolled her eyes. "Knock first." she said with a wide, all to knowing grin.
"Eww." House said, sounding more like an eight year old boy. Liz laughed.
House walked the few blocks where he had parked his car. He got in and turned the key. As the engine turned over, he sighed. He really hadn't expected her to be there but there was still a small hope. Hope. She had made him hope. House sighed again and pulled out of his spot and drove back to his place.
&&&&&&
As Liz drove she thought back on the night. It had been a nice time aside form House's drunken rampage about Jesse. She sighed. She turned on her radio and the cd player started, picking up where it had left off earlier. Nine Inch Nails blared through the speakers. She nodded her head to the beat as she drove home to call James. Sighing again she wished there was a way she could get House to snap out of his depression. The twins and Jack had told her all about the time while he and Jess were together. She needed to know how to help him. Help him without interfering. She sighed a third time and decided to give it up for the night and go have fun with James. Amy was going to be later than usual. With Danny in town she would more than likely be staying in his room tonight so she'd stop by for clothes and then be gone. The night now had unlimited possibilities for Elizabeth. She smiled as she pulled into the parking lot and took a space.
end chapter six.