TITLE: Chapter 8 Don't Stop Believin

AUTHOR: new_raven

PAIRING: none yet

RATING: R-ish

WARNINGS: None

SUMMARY:

DISCLAIMER: House and his pretty friends don't belong to me.

SOUNDTRACK:

"Wow" Was all Chris could say as walked into the apartment. It was a giant loft on the top floor of the apartment building. The somehow bright gray walls made the space seem even bigger and the wall of windows facing the sunset usually offered a view of down town. At the moment it was skewed by a huge Christmas tree that was covered in white and silver trinkets and tinsel.

Thirteen's neighbor Charles Evans had checked her reference and returned her call on the same day. Now he was giving her the tour and explaining what he expected of her. Basically sleep there, no parties, no pets, guests where fine as long as she cleaned up after them.

He showed her the guest bedroom where she would stay. He explained how to work the timer on the lights. She was welcome to use the whirlpool and the kitchen as long as she cleaned up after herself. Use the gym or the tanning bed but please, clean up after herself. He gave her the key and wished her a happy holiday.

As the holidays drew nearer the hospital was less and less busy. Finally the volunteer coordinator suggested Chris just go home. No one expected her to be there at this time of year. The buses didn't run on Christmas Eve anyways, so she holed up in the fabulous apartment with a lot of ice cream and a bottle of sweet red wine that the man in the store suggested. She was on her second glass and not feeling lonely at all when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi. It's Rachel"

"I know. How are you?"

"I'm ok. Where are you? I'm at your house."

"I'm house-sitting."

"Oh. Can I come over?"

"Um sure?" She gave her the address.

Twenty minute later Rachel was at the door in a fluffy white jacket and matching Ugg boots. When Chris opened the door Rachel hugged her and began to cry.

"I'm so sorry."

"For what?" Chris hugged her back.

"I didn't call and the thing with your mom. Oh Chris it's all my fault."

"It's not your fault. There's a lot of blame to throw around but none of it's yours."

"But Tommy…"

"Tommy was an idiot."

"Chris don't say that."

"I don't mean he deserved it, but he broke into our house. When you break into a home you have to accept the risk that whoever lives there might go off the deep end and hit you with a frying pan."

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'll be all right. I'm sorry I didn't know you were depressed. I'm glad you're ok. "

"Are we ok?" Rachel asked.

"Of course." Chris smiled at her.

"My dad's waiting in the car. Do you want to come over? You shouldn't be alone on Christmas."

"I've got to stay here. It's part of the whole house sitting thing."

"Oh right."

"Don't worry. I've got Ryan Reynolds to keep me company." She motioned at the TV.

Rachel laughed a little. "Ok. Well at least come down and say hi to my dad. He was really worried when you weren't home."

Chris walked Rachel out and assured Mr. McKenna that she was alive and well. She explained why she couldn't come over a few times before he accepted on the condition that she join them for Christmas dinner the next day. She agreed and they drove away.

As she was walking back into the building Thirteen was coming off the elevator. She smiled at Chris.

"Hey. I was just looking for you. Are you doing anything tonight?" Thirteen smiled at her

"Not really." Chris once again worried where this might lead.

"I'm going to a party at Wilson's. You should come."

"I don't want to crash his party."

"He specifically said to invite you if I saw you. He was looking for you yesterday."

Chris wasn't sure if it was the Christmas spirit or just the wine but she agreed. "Oh. Ok, sure. Can we run upstairs for a minute? I left the lights and stuff on."

"Of course."

Chris left Thirteen standing in the living room while scrambled to change clothes. First she put on the short dress she'd been wearing the night Tommy drugged her. With jeans it didn't look nearly as skanky, but she made the mistake of looking in the mirror while she brushed her teeth, and couldn't go through with it. She pulled on a faded red t-shirt with the image of Santa Clause on a chimney top and the words "Don't Stop Beleivin".

When they walked into the small party there was a short pause in the conversation and bustle. Foreman and Chase were there, Chase with a long legged redhead on his arm, as well as a few of Wilson's colleagues from oncology. Wilson greeted them warmly and took their coats.

Thirteen wore a silver tunic with a delicate black lace insert on the back and black leggings. Chris thought she looked like she belonged on the Christmas tree in her temporary living room, and wished she'd had the nerve to wear the dress.

"House is around here somewhere. He's searching for the bourbon I hid from him." Wilson told Chris as he led them towards the kitchen where there was an array of snacks and drinks. "Do you like mushrooms?"

"Sure."

"Try these." He pointed to a plate of dainty taquitos type wraps that were arranged in a sunburst around a cup salsa.

She tried one. "That's delicious."

"They're vegan." House grumbled. He was rummaging through the refrigerator.

"The two aren't mutually exclusive." Chris told him.

"I thought you liked meat." House smirked.

Wilson saved her from having to respond. "Don't mind him. I had to get him drunk to keep him here. What can I get you to drink? Wine?"

"She doesn't drink." House told him. He was staring at her. Chris would have been thrilled if she didn't feel an obligation to join the rest of the party. She could only hope that House's attentions would be spread more evenly among the larger group.

"I'm not morally opposed. I just don't have the opportunity very often. Wine would be lovely." She told Wilson.

"Red or White?"

"White, thank you."

"Cheap date." House observed.

"Cheap shot." She grinned. "You're wittier when you're sober."

"You've never seen me sober."

"To House a cheap date is anyone that doesn't charge by the hour." Wilson handed Chris a glass of wine and gave House a look that she couldn't read.

"Only if you need more than an hour."

Wilson suggested they join the others in the living room and Chris followed him. When she looked to see if House was coming she saw him moving down the hall away from the party. Wilson introduced her to the guests she hadn't met offering a charming anecdote about each one. Chris didn't realize being a temp was charming, but it certainly was when he described it.

She began to get a picture of what drew House and Wilson together. They were both master manipulators, the only difference was that Wilson chose to use his powers for good. He artfully twisted the conversation away from touchy subjects and gave each guest moments to shine with open ended questions crafted just for them.

It didn't take long to realize that everyone there had nowhere else to be during the holidays. They were all single, not counting Chase and his swimsuit model, and for one reason or another unable or unwilling to be with their families. She was surprised that House left Wilson with enough energy to take in other strays.

After they'd all eaten Wilson mentioned to Chris that there was an ashtray on the terrace if she wanted to smoke. She wondered if there were any addictions he wouldn't cater to, but appreciated it none the less. She pulled her coat on as she stepped out the door. House sat in a low patio chair with a decanter of bourbon in his lap and a glass in his hand.

"Aren't you going to offer me one?" He asked as she lit her cigarette.

"I didn't know you smoked."

"I'm not morally opposed to it." He smiled.

She tossed him the pack with the lighter inside it and turned to look out at the wintery street below. He stood and arranged the bourbon on the table next his chair before lighting a cigarette. He came to lean against the railing and handed the box to her.

"I didn't know this was a set up when I agreed to come." She told him.

"I bet you didn't even know I'd be here." He said sarcastically.

"I didn't know. It doesn't seem like your scene, but it is Wilson's party."

"Then why'd you come?"

She shrugged. "It sucks being alone at Christmas."

"It's the same as being alone the rest of the year."

"Then maybe it just sucks to be alone." They looked out at the skyline. "I had some wine before Remy found me. That probably has more to do with it than anything."

"How much wine?" He smiled and shifted towards her.

"Just a couple glasses and a third here."

His smiled broadened. "You're as drunk as I am."

She laughed and shook her head. "Not even close."

"Too bad." He was looking down at her, but his eyes went right through her.

Chris could feel her chance slipping away. She sensed something in his mind pulling him back as quickly as the alcohol had pushed him towards her. Could he really think she'd need to be drunk to welcome his advances? How much more obvious could she be? Afraid he would turn away, she places her hand on his shoulder to hold him there.

"At least one of us will remember this."

She pressed her lips to his, and then opened her eyes to see his reaction, but she didn't need to. Almost instantly his body engulfed hers with so much force that if not for the railing he would have been holding her upright. He arched over her until she had to tilt her head to keep his mouth on hers. He tasted like bourbon and their forgotten cigarettes.

His fingers were numb from the drink and the cold and it took longer than it should have to open her coat and slide his hand under her shirt. She jumped when they found her skin. "How long have you been out here? Your hands are freezing."

"They'll warm up." He cupped her breast and kissed her again. She gasped when his other hand slipped between her thighs. "See, it's very warm here."

"You're not getting laid out here."

"We could do it on Wilson's bed."

She laughed. "I don't think so."

"Don't be a tease." He felt her body stiffen.

"Don't be a dick." She hissed. He pulled away. Her body felt heavy and cold as she readjusted to standing on her own. She hugged herself trying to recapture the warmth.

"Sorry. I thought that's what you were looking for." He turned and went into the apartment. Chris was left wondering how on earth that had gone so terribly wrong.

"I didn't mean to do it, but there's no escaping your looove. Nooo. These lines of lightning mean we're never alone, never alone." Chris turned off the water and lowered her voice a bit. "Come on, come on. Mooove a little closer. Come on, come on. I wanna hear you whisper." She wrapped the towel around herself and grabbed the empty shampoo sample she'd used. "Come on, Come on. Settle down inside myyyyAHHHHH!" She yelped the last syllable.

House was perched on the counter where she'd left her back pack. "Inside your what?"

She clutched the towel round her chest. "How long have you been sitting there?" She was turning bright red.

"Oh long enough." He smirked at her.

"Sorry. I've been listening to my 'House is dreamy' mix too much lately." She really hoped he was bluffing and that he had missed her Love in an Elevator – Toxic medley.

"Are you a clepto?" He asked.

"What? No. What do you think I stole?"

"Food. Water. Shampoo."

"I work here for free. They can afford to let me use the shower and I brought my own." She tossed the shampoo bottle at him. He dodged it and it clanged against the mirror behind him.

"What are you doing here so late?"

"The same thing I'm always doing when you ask some variation of that question."

"How are you getting home? The buses stopped hours ago."

"Why you want to give me a ride?" She made it sound as dirty as possible.

"I could."

"Are you going to let me get dressed first?" She laughed and reached for her bag.

"No." House raised his cane keeping her from moving past him.

"No?"

He angled his cane against her back pulling her towards him and let the index finger of his free hand ghost along her exposed hip. Her stomach fluttered and she stepped closer until she was pressed against his open thighs. He kissed her. She let the hand that wasn't holding her towel curl into his hair and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She moaned as their bodies collided.

"You have the worst timing." She breathed not letting him go. "Rachel's on her way."

He ran his lips in a slow line down her neck and shoulder. "She can play too."

"She's seventeen and fuck you." She bit her lip as he kissed her collarbone.

"Blow her off." His stubble scraped the top of her breast.

"She's taking me to work." She kissed his ear, his cheek, his chin.

"Call in." He kissed her lips harder and slipped his tongue across hers.

She broke the kiss but didn't pull away. "They just hired me back."

"Where are you going to work at ten o'clock?" He leaned back to watch her face.

"I'm just a hostess. It's a hundred dollars a night under the table."

He just watched her and waited for a real answer.

"Diamond Nights." She admitted and hid her face in his shoulder.

He just laughed. "Naughty naughty."

"Shut up." She groaned as he began kissing her shoulder again. "I have to get dressed. Rachel will be here in like five minutes."

"I can get you off in three." He slipped a hand under the towel and grabbed her ass.

She bit her lip again and considered this option before shaking her head. "No. I'll want to take my time."

House groaned but she couldn't tell if it was from pleasure or frustration.

She finally pulled away from him and grabbed her bag. "Rain check? Please?"

He grunted.

She moved towards the first stall.

"I can't even watch?" He pouted.

"I'd hate to make things any harder." She winked and shut the stall door.

House sat on the low wall that separated his balcony from Wilson's. He'd been sitting there for close to an hour deep in thought. Wilson had seen him, but opted to leave him be. When Chris found him he didn't even look up at her.

"I've got half an hour to kill." She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Can you make me cum ten times?"

"I'm busy. I have a patient."

"Are you mad because I left the other night? I really had to …"

"I'm not being coy! Go away." House barked.

Her mouth fell open and she huffed. "Fine. Hit me up when you're off your rag."

She stormed back through his office and out the door. Wilson, who had seen this exchange, came out of his office as she walked past.

"Chris." He called after her looking over his shoulder.

"Yes?" She turned to him.

"Do you have a minute… to talk?" He looked towards House's office.

"Sure." She came back towards him.

"Um not here. Let's take a walk." Wilson shut the door behind him.

"Ok?" She gave him an odd look but walked with him anyways. "Is there something wrong with the files I did?"

"No. No. You did a great job. That's why I recommended to Dr. Mathews."

He led her down stairs, to a lawn that wasn't visible from his office. Through the halls and down the elevator he made friendly small talk the way he so often did. Chris was starting to think he was going to hit on her when they were finally alone enough not to be overheard.

"What's going on between you and House?"

"Uh…" She gaped. "What did he say was going on?"

"He doesn't say much, but I've noticed things."

"I have no idea. He's like a damn Katy Perry song."

"Suuure?" Wilson didn't see the similarities.

"Hot, cold, up, down, in, out," She shook her head. "At least he's always right though."

Wilson laughed. "You should be honored. To most people he's just cold, down, and out… and yes always right."

"So what? I should just roll with the punches and not even call him on his shit?"

"By all means call him on it, but don't expect him to change. If you can roll with the punches that's great. It doesn't work for most people though."

"It works for you?"

"Yes usually, and my wives got all the normal friends when we divorced anyway."

"Do you give all his romantic interests this little pep talk?"

"It's more of a warning." Wilson shook his head. "You're under a lot of stress. A relationship with House is not going to simplify things."

"I don't need someone to simplify things for me."

"House isn't a neutral force. He will add stress."

"I like it." She spoke as if confessing a crime. "I know that's not healthy, but bickering with him is better than sex with most people."

"I… don't know how to respond to that." Wilson laughed.

"I like him. He makes me laugh. He doesn't talk to me like I'm stupid. No, he talks to everyone like they're stupid, but he doesn't talk to me like I'm stupider than anyone else who isn't him."

"And that's appealing to you?"

"I guess so. That and he's just so cute." She was grinning.

"That is what I tell people." They both laughed

Chris was sitting on a bench in the parking lot smoking a cigarette and reading a Sherlock Holmes mystery. House walked up and sat next to her without a word. She turned to him just long enough to glare at him and then turned back to her book.

"Silent treatment?" He asked. She ignored him. "I'm a doctor. Sometimes I'm going to be too busy to play with you."

"You could have just said that."

"I did say that."

"You yelled at me."

"You weren't taking a hint."

She stood up and walked a few steps with her nose still in the book. House grabbed her wrist.

"Help I need an adult!" She shouted attracting glances from the few people within ear shot.

House let go of her hand and scowled. "How long is this going to last?"

She smiled behind her book. "I don't know. I'm sure you'll find some way to make it up to me. I like chocolate, and flowers, and oral sex." She winked down at him and walked away without another word.