Chapter 13

House could sense something was "off" with Angela from the moment she came to the door to greet him to when they arrived at the arena. The place was still fairly quiet, being early, but House didn't miss the way Angela periodically looked over her shoulder.

"You okay?" He finally got around to asking once they got their food and were waiting in line to get down to their seats.

Angela snapped her head around to look at him accusingly. "Yeah I'm fine. Why?"

"You seem distracted."

"I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night."

House smirked. "Excited about our big date?"

"Sorry, no," she snapped.

The surprised look on House's face suddenly made her feel a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry, House. I'm just...a little on edge lately."

"You didn't have to come out tonight."

"No, it's not that. I wanted to. I love hockey. I was hoping it would serve as a distraction." She lowered her head and sighed. "But it's not working."

"We don't have to stay."

"No, it's fine. I just have a lot on my mind."

They found their seats and House immediately dug into his hot dog, while out of the corner of his eye he noticed that she'd picked the onions off of hers.

"Don't like onions?"

"No, I do. It's just my stomach is upset a bit. I don't want to make it worse."

"Do you want something else? I could..."

"House," she chuckled, "it's fine. I'm fine."

She took a healthy bite of her hot dog to prove that fact and House, though still wary of her behaviour, let it go for the time being.

The Vancouver Canucks won the game and as they filed out, House spotted a stand selling jerseys. "Selling Canucks jerseys at a Devils game? Sacrilege!"

Angela's eyes widened. "Oh my God, they have the old school sweaters!"

"The blue and green ones with the hockey stick logo?"

"Yeah."

House looked her up and down with scrutiny. "I'm guessing you wear a medium?"

"Probably, but..."

Before she could protest, he had the guy get him a royal blue sweater with the letter A on it, "for Angela," he teased, and had her try it on.

"It's authenic...nearly $200," she whispered.

"Just try it on."

She slipped the jersey over her head and it fit perfectly. "Sold," House said and handed the guy his credit card. "What?" he asked her, when he saw her staring up at him. "It looks good on you. I'm surprised you don't have one."

"I used to have one. The old black, orange and yellow logo. But I grew out of it."

"This looks better."

She smiled. "Thanks, House."

He smiled down at her, a genuine House smile, and she felt warm all over. "You're welcome. Now let's get out of here."

It was a long ride back to her father's house and she spent that time contemplating as to whether or not she should invite him in. It wasn't that late, and her dad was out of town on business for a few days. The thought of being alone with House both excited and terrified her. Why, she didn't know. He hadn't made any comments or moves to make her think he was expecting anything. He once said in an email that he didn't do romantic, and that he was fine with being just friends. At the time, she was a little let down by that. But now, she realized he had a point.

With the recent developments of Albert O'Reilly and his persistence on terrorizing her, she didn't want House to get caught in any of it. It was bad enough that O'Reilly constantly referred to her as a dyke. That part didn't faze her in the slightest. But she didn't want to give him any indication that his speculations weren't true. If he knew about House, or the way she felt about him, he could possibly come after him as well. She didn't want that on her conscience. Not that House couldn't take care of himself. She had no doubt that he could manage quite well, but she still didn't want to have to give it another thought.

House parked his bike in the driveway and she climbed off. "Did you want to come in for a bit?"

He took off his helmet and cocked his head to one side as if he was contemplating her question.

"And..."

"I could make us some coffee..or have a drink..whatever. It's still early."

He nodded and climbed off, grabbed his cane and followed her inside. "Dave's not home?"

"No, he's in Connecticut this weekend."

"Interesting. A drink would be good."

Angela flicked on the lights in the kitchen and opened the liquor cabinet. He didn't miss how she glanced out the window before closing the curtains or how she double checked the front door was locked.

"We have Scotch, Gin, Vodka, Bourbon..."

"Scotch is fine. So, are you going to tell me?" he asked.

"Tell you what?"

"What's gotten into you today?"

"What do you mean?"

He gave her a frustrated look and she stared at the floor. "What's going on?"

"It's nothing."

"Right. Then maybe you can tell me why you were all tough and strong months ago, and why you're so quiet and constantly looking over your shoulder now."

"It doesn't matter, House. Just drop it."

"It does matter. It's an anomaly. Anomalies bug me. Another anomaly is why didn't you call me when you first arrived in town?"

"Why can't you just let it go? Why do you have to brow beat people to death?"

He gave her a sarcastic grin. "I wouldn't be me if I didn't. So what's the deal? Someone you put in jail is now out, pissed off, and looking to get even?"

Angela froze and stopped pouring the Scotch. Her face had gone deathly pale and House was suddenly worried. "Angela," he called to her, "Angela...hey...breathe."

"How...how..."

House actually seemed startled. "I was right? I was making a bad joke."

"It's no joke."

"Here," he said as he led her into the living room and made her sit down. "Tell me."

"You don't need to know, House. In fact, the less you know, the better."

"Too late." He placed his fingers on her neck to check her pulse. When it slowed after a few minutes, he was satisfied that she was okay. "Start talking."

Angela sighed in resignation and told House everything. She didn't want to, but he had a way of dragging the truth out of her. When she was done, she felt even worse than she did before.

"Who else knows about this?" he asked her.

"My Dad, and my friend Jenn. She's the psychologist who evaluated him. But that's it."

"When was the last time you heard from him?"

"Before I left to come out here. The only person who knows where I am is Jenn."

"Well, I think you're safe for now. I wouldn't get too worried until he tries to contact you again."

"I need to find a place to live. I can't live with my father forever."

"Finding a decent apartment in New York will cost you an arm and a leg. Why not stay in Princeton? Stay close to friends and family."

"And you?" she smirked.

"Especially me," he grinned.

"House...I thought you wanted to just be friends."

"We will be. And that said, I should go." He got up and put his jacket on.

"Already?"

House sighed and leaned against the door. "You need to make a choice. Friends or lovers. You can't have both."

"I don't want both. I don't want to get hurt, either."

"There's no guarantee of that. I'm simply saying that there's no reason we can't hang out and enjoy each other without worrying that one of us is going to get hurt. We've known each other a long time, right?"

Angela nodded. "Right. And I do like hanging out with you, House. Tonight was fun. Sorry I was kind of a downer."

He shrugged. "You have a lot on your mind."

"Yeah."

She stepped forward, and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist tightly. Her cheek rested against his chest and she inhaled his scent.

House looked down at her and slid his hands down her back, simply returning the gesture. He really did like her. More than he had a right to. Having her that close to him, the way she was, brought on a strange familiar feeling of protectiveness that he hadn't felt in years. Not since the day she was brought into the ER after being assaulted in high school and hit by a car.

He took her face in his hands and found her skin to be soft as satin against his fingertips. It was an overwhelming urge to kiss her that he couldn't control and he did just that. Softly, tentatively, he lightly brushed his lips against hers in what he hoped wouldn't be intrusive or alarming. He could be gentle when he wanted to be.

Angela didn't know what to say or what to think. She could only feel. House's lips were softer than they looked, but his scruff scratched her skin that left her lips tingling. It was just a simple kiss. No tongue involved, and when he stepped back, all she could do was stare at him.

"Goodnight," he said, his voice suddenly husky. He unlocked the front door and let himself out, closing the door behind him.

"G'night," she said into the quiet darkness of the foyer as she heard his motorcycle start up and then speed off down the road.

X X X

"What's with the stupid grin?" Wilson inquired of Angela over lunch. He noticed that his niece had been unusually jovial all morning and he couldn't help ask why.

"I wasn't aware that I was grinning, but if it bothers you I can stop."

"No bother. Just wondering why the change."

"Well, until recently I haven't had much to smile about, Uncle Jim."

"Does this have anything to do with House?"

"It might. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Has he said anything?"

"No. And I wouldn't expect him to. He doesn't discuss his personal life with me. And if that personal life involves you, he definitely won't discuss it."

"Good. That could be weird."

"Why? You two aren't..."

"No. And I don't plan on that happening, either."

Wilson looked surprised. "No? Why not?"

"Because I've got too much on my plate as it is. Neither of us wants to get hurt so we're just going to be friends. At least, I think so. After the other night, I'm not so sure anymore."

"What about the other night?"

Angela felt her face flush as she thought back to the gentle kiss that House bestowed upon her. "Nothing. We had fun at the game. He bought me a Canucks jersey."

Wilson was even more shocked. "He actually opened his wallet and took out his credit card? Did you see the moths fly out?"

She giggled. "No."

"House never pays for anything."

"Well he did that night. It was actually nice."

"Amazing phenomenon."

Angela playfully slapped her uncle's hand. "Honestly! You make House out to be the cheapest man alive."

"He is!"

"Then maybe he's trying to impress me or something. Either way, I don't care. It's not like I can't treat him to stuff once in awhile. I was actually thinking of inviting him to the fair that's coming in a week."

"House doesn't do fairs."

"We'll see about that. Oh! Are you coming to Dad's 4th of July BBQ on the weekend?"

"Yep. I'll be there. I'm bringing House with me."

"Good."

"Angela, I need to ask you something. How much do you like House?"

"He's been nice to me. I'm not looking for a relationship and neither is he. Can't you just let it be what it is? Accept that he's friends with me and nothing else?"

"House doesn't do friendships very well. It's all or nothing."

"Then I guess we're going to have a few bumps in the road. But I'm ready."

"God help you," Wilson muttered under his breath.