I've been back for a couple of days, but had very little time to write while I was away. Finally finished this chapter today.

Chapter 69.

Waking up the next morning in the new place was a little disconcerting, but only a little. I was in my own bed, and the body wrapped in the comforter next to me seemed to be Jess. At least Jess' dark hair poked out of the cocoon she'd formed for herself. I nuzzled that hair, smelling the now-familiar scent of her coconut shampoo, and she purred, just like a cat, and moved a little closer.

Some things were easier to get used to than others, it seemed, because it was now natural to me to have her beside me in the morning. I felt myself relax, savoring the moment.

But the quiet was shattered by the tinny strains of 'She's Got It' coming from Jess' phone.

"Ohhh!" she groaned, pulling her pillow over her face.

"Don't answer. If it's important she'll leave a message," I told her, but I knew there was no way Jess would ignore her sister.

She reached out a hand for her phone, and removed the pillow. "Hi, Nina."

I didn't have to hear Nina to know that Jess wasn't happy with what she had to say. She didn't just frown; her eyes clouded over and her nose flared. "It's my life, and I'll live it the way I want. Neither you nor Father can tell me to come back to Dorsey."

She didn't hang up, but she was silent for a minute or two, and then her voice rose an octave as she said, "Coming here isn't going to change my mind. So don't bother!" She banged the phone down on the night table and rolled over, staring up at the ceiling. "Petey called her to tell her about this place."

"And about me?"

"Well, yeah, that too, but..." she shook her head vigorously. "...that's not the part she called about. 'Why do you need a condo in Princeton?'." Jess' imitation of Nina's voice was dead on. I'd never really thought about how sing-song it sounded, or how nasal.

"Why would Petey call her? I thought he was on the outs with your family."

"He couldn't very well call our father but he knew that if he talked to Nina, she'd tell him, and maybe he could get back into Dad's good graces."

"Especially if he made you look bad."

"Yeah."

I reached out a hand and began to stroke her shoulder. I've never been the comforting type, but somehow with Jess it came naturally to me. She slowly regained control of her anger. "Nina has decided to come here and talk me into returning to Dorsey with her. I told her not to bother, but I know that won't stop her."

I didn't think it was likely, and yet there was always a chance that her sister could change Jess' mind about staying. I felt my throat constrict just contemplating it.

Jess looked at me and said, "There's not a snowball's chance in hell that I will, you know." Now she was reassuring me.

"I knew that." I tried to sound blasé, and she smiled. "How long is she planning on staying?" There was a time not too long ago that I would have looked forward to seeing Jess' sister. Now, I was more intent on preventing her from interfering with us.

"She didn't say. One thing's certain, though. I'm not inviting her to stay with us."

I smiled my approval, but my mind was already devising ways to send Nina on her way as soon as possible.

"I guess we'll have to have dinner with her or something." Jess must have also been planning a strategy.

"If we have to."

"You know, I thought you liked my sister at first. More than you liked me. Most men do."

"She's pretty, at least on the outside."

"You're saying she's superficial."

"I guess I am."

"She does come across that way, but there's really more to her. I don't think she realizes people might like her better if she let them see the real Nina." Jess' eyes narrowed. "Maybe we can divert her attention somehow."

"Uh, oh. Should I be worried about what you have in mind?"

"We can introduce her to the team, and to Wilson, and see what happens." A twinkle lit her eyes, one that hadn't been there a minute before.

"I like the way your mind works."

"Oh, I'm sure you were thinking along the same lines."

"It was one of the options."

We both laughed.

"I can imagine what the others were. I guess she'll be here later today," Jess said. "If she calls when she arrives, we should suggest we meet her for dinner, and when we see her, ask her to drop by the hospital tomorrow."

"Ensuring that she meets everyone there."

"Exactly."

I kissed her forehead. The brain behind it could be just as devious as mine. I'd hate to have Jess as an enemy.

"But what should we do until then?"

"I can think of a few things." I pulled her close and ran my fingers down her side, giving her an idea of what I had in mind.

She smiled and began her own fondling. "So, which room should we christen next?"

We picked the living room. There were five rooms plus the kitchen and two bathrooms in the condo but we had all the time in the world to make love in each one.

–

At four that afternoon we were sitting on the couch, fully dressed, when Jess' phone played it's tune again. She looked at me, then answered. "Hi Nina. Are you in town?"

The answer brought a frown to her face. "I guess Petey gave you the address." She put her hand over the phone and mouthed to me, "She's coming here."

I rolled my eyes but I wasn't that surprised.

"We'll see you then." She closed the connection and put the phone down. "She didn't say where she's staying, but we can make it clear that she can't stay here."

"We could suggest the motel where Petey's staying."

Jess nodded. "Good idea. If she's suddenly chummy with him, it would serve her right."

It wasn't long before the doorbell rang. Jess went to answer it, but I stayed put.

"Well, I can see why you like this place," Nina was saying when Jess led her into the living room.

"It's perfect for us." Jess emphasized the word 'us'.

"Dr. House, how nice to see you again."

"I'm going to give my sister a tour of the place." Jess led Nina away before I could reply, probably a good thing. I wasn't annoyed to see her, but I wasn't going to feign delight or anything.

"I told Nina we wanted to take her to dinner," Jess said when they returned fifteen minutes later.

"Where are you staying?" I asked.

"Well, you do have a lovely guest room," Nina said.

Jess and I exchanged frowns. "But there's no bed in it yet," Jess pointed out. "I think you'd be much more comfortable at a hotel or motel. The place Petey's staying is nice."

"Well, if you're going to be like that..."

"Nina, we just moved in and we'd like a little privacy for a while. Is that too much to ask?"

"Jess, you've changed since you came here, and I'm not sure I like it much." Nina glared at her sister.

"You mean she's no longer jumping when Daddy says jump?" I butted in. "I got news for you, Nina. Jess is finally letting herself do what she wants to do."

Her glare had shifted to me, but then she looked back at Jess. "This man is why you've changed. He's not a good influence on you."

"I'll have to disagree." Jess folded her arms in front of her and stuck out her chin. "Greg's right. I finally feel like I'm in control of my own life. Maybe you should take a lesson from me, break away from Daddy's clutches."

The two women glared at each other for a few minutes until I said, "So, who's ready for dinner? I'm getting a little rumbly in the tummy." I patted my stomach for effect, making Jess laugh.

Nina seemed to be struggling with her thoughts but finally said, "I am hungry."

"There's a great Greek place not far from here," Jess told her before turning to me. "Nina loves Greek food."

"Greek it is then. Ladies?" I held out my elbows for each of them to grab and we headed out the door.