Chapter 25

Beginnings

"I'm going to stay a few more days so let's get my stuff from Wawona tomorrow and I'll check out. I'll buy an extra ticket for you and Gregory to come back to Princeton."

"Why the rush?"

"I just don't want you to change your mind." He was holding the baby on his shoulder, smiling.

Teagan was folding clothes and looking at the two of them. They looked content together and Teagan could feel that her son was bonding with his father. He quieted down quickly whenever House picked him up. On the other hand, House was sending out warm signals of love and curiosity whenever he held the baby. There would be no way that she could keep House from his son now.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to change my mind."

They spent the next few days putting the cabin in order. She enlited the girls to watch the cabin and Molly while she was gone. When all the preparations had been made, they packed up his rental car and drove to Fresno. Seven hours later they were standing in his kitchen having tea and coffee, Gregory asleep in the middle of House's unmade bed.

"This is weird. I feel strange being so far from the mountains again." Teagan looked around and then turned with the steaming cup of tea in her hand, "I need to let Quantico know where I am."

House grimaced, putting the coffee cup down, "Why? They don't need to know our business."

"Yes, they do. They consider me to be a walking weapon. The agreement is that I get to live my life if I just let them know where I'm living it."

"Weapon? I can see it when you get mad..but come on, weapon?"

"Depending on the circumstances, wouldn't you like to know where your enemy's nuclear weapons are? Troops? Leaders? I told them that Sadam didn't have any WMDs; that he gave them to Syria, but no one believed me."

A chill ran down his spine. He realized exactly what she was saying and how dangerous her talent could be—for her. It alarmed him, because if anyone knew of her talent, they might want her all to themselves.

"Aren't they concerned someone will kidnap you and use your talents?" he asked.

"Of course they are. But they know I'm a loyal citizen. While I'm in the mountains they don't get too concerned, but when I'm not in the mountains, I usually see some guys in unmarked cars show up on occasion. They showed up after Gregory was born in the mountains."

"What?"

"They figured that having a child would make me more vulnerable. You know, threaten the mother with the life of her child and she'll do anything."

"I hadn't considered that." House was getting an uneasy feeling.

"It's ok. Most foreign governments don't believe I'm for real. The ones who know my gift is real are our allies. M6, the Mossad, the Swiss and the Spanish believe in me, but none of them would harm me."

House slowly let out a deep breath, "I feel like I'm in a very bad James Bond movie."

"Well, you're no Sean Connery and I'm no Ursula Andrews."

"Ah, but you could be Pussy Galore." he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah and you could be nice, but you aren't." She grinned.

House opened a checking account for her and put $10,000 in it to start. The night he handed her the check book, she flew into a tirade. The idea that she would take money from anyone was foreign to her. She had her pride and worked hard for what she had. She didn't want handouts. But he pointed out that if she found an apartment she would need the deposit and first month's rent. She'd also needed gas money and money for groceries.

House grabbed her and hugged her, "Plus, that's my kid. I want him out of thrift store outfits. Buy him some nice clothes and get him some toys."

Angry at his insinuation that she wasn't a good provider she pulled away, "I'll have you know that we were happy just as we were."

"Yeah, I know the cliché. 'We was po' but we was happy.' You're not poor anymore and you can be just as happy with money, so get over it and stop adding the money up in your head. This isn't bear country and you need a wardrobe. We'll go shopping later when I get home, but first I have to go earn this money. Now, get off your butt and go find us a new place to live."

It took her three weeks before she found something, but it had been worth the wait and the work. It was a three bedroom townhouse nearer to the hospital and within walking distance to a grocery store. Both were in walking distance of the townhouse. There were plenty of restaurants and bars in the area, but none that were too close to cause problems with traffic. It had a long narrow back yard, but large enough for a barbeque and dining set. The rent was $2100 per month plus utilities with an option to buy; it was a great place for them to start their new life together.

When they went shopping, House wouldn't let her buy any levis or t-shirts. She found a dress and blouse in the Ralph Lauren Black Label section, but when she saw the price tags she gasped and refused to try them on. House bought them for her and told her that if she didn't get her act together and start taking care of herself, he would do it for her and she might not like his taste in fishnet stockings and hooker heels. She finally agreed, but only if they stuck to the sale racks.

He was extremely frustrated with her attitude. When they got up he slammed his hand down on the table in the kitchen, "For God's Sakes, stop being so cheap. You don't understand. For the last six years I've had nothing to spend my money on except hookers, booze and horses, so give it a rest. I really am growing tired of this "Tammy meets the Doctor" act. Start enjoying it."

Her eyes were downcast and her shoulders began to droop. She just didn't want to seem like a gold digger or that she wanted anything from him except his affection.

When he saw her hurt expression, he was even more frustrated, "If I thought you were after my money I wouldn't have gone back for you. Do you understand? I actually trust you, now trust me. Trust me when I say we can afford this."

"You mean you can afford this. I'm just the parasite living off your talent."

"Gee, if I had a violin I'd play it. Since you're my favorite parasite, get me a beer out of the frig."

She stuck her tongue out at him.