I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter done and posted. Hope you think it was worth the wait.

In case I hadn't mentioned it here before, I wanted to let you know I'll be having outpatient surgery on Thursday, so no promises on when the next chapter will appear. I've left you with a minor cliffy, I'm afraid. But speculation about what might happen next is fun, right?

Chapter 84.

As soon as we got home that evening, even before we reached the bedroom, Jess began to unbutton my shirt. "So, what did you think of my uncle?"

I tilted my head. "He's definitely not your father." My fingers ran through her dark hair. "I think you and Nina are making the right move working with him."

She nodded. "You know you really shouldn't have been there tonight." Her lips compressed into a line, then relaxed into a smile. "But some good did come out of it, so I guess it was OK."

"I guess I shouldn't have questioned your ability to judge your uncle without me, huh?I" My lips caressed her collarbone.

I could feel her stiffen a little. "So, you're admitting you doubted me and Nina?" Her eyebrows were raised in a challenging way.

"Maybe doubted is an exaggeration." My fingers massaged her breasts. "Let's just say I thought you might need a little backup."

"Right now what I need is something completely different." She made a good attempt at wiggling her eyebrows.

"So, shut up and focus on that." I planted my mouth on hers. The time for words was over.

She pulled me toward the bedroom, a gleam in her eyes. By the time we made it to the bed, we were both devoid of any clothing. Making love with Jess is different every time. That keeps it exciting. This time we took it slow. I felt some urgency, but there was really no need to rush. We could savor every moment, every touch, every kiss. I've always enjoyed sex. What man doesn't? But this was somehow different. There was a connection between us, and every day it became deeper.

There was something joyful when we climaxed, a feeling that it just didn't get any better than this. I was sure she felt the same way, because the smile of satisfaction on her face was so blissful.

"Nothing else matters, does it?" she purred in my ear.

"I wouldn't go that far, but nothing else means as much."

She nodded. "Greg, even when you do things that irk me, I can never stay angry with you. You know that, don't you?"

I had begun to believe it, even though it was so foreign an idea. I'd spent my life irking people, and worse. By her words and actions, Jess was proving to be the exception.

"Greg?" She lifted up on one elbow and stared into my eyes.

I nodded. "Just don't expect me to change, OK?"

She smirked and rested her head and hand on my chest. "I won't. You are who you are and I wouldn't have you any other way."

"That sounds like a song lyric."

"So I can be as trite as anyone, but it's true."

I snickered. "As long as you aren't trite all the time." I cupped her chin and brought her lips to mine for a brief kiss. "It's been a long day, but as you say, we've accomplished a lot."

"And tomorrow will be even better." She smiled at me and kissed me again. "Night, Greg."

"Night."

We fell asleep quickly. For once I didn't wake up during the night. The next I knew, light was peaking through the drapes and I caught a whiff of freshly brewed coffee. The spot next to me in the bed was still slightly warm, but empty. Sighing, I rose slowly. After a stop at the bathroom, including a quick shower, I dressed and joined Jess in the kitchen.

She was humming to herself as she scrambled eggs. I put my hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck.

"That will get you a double portion of bacon," she said, turning to smile at me.

"You sound like you're in a good mood this morning."

"Is that an accusation?" she smirked. "I am. Things are going well, and I don't see any problems on the horizon."

"Cockeyed optimist." I took a cup of coffee and sat at the table, waiting for my breakfast.

"That's just to balance out your perpetual pessimism." She placed a plate in front of me.

Before I took my first bite I said, "Experience tells me that pessimism keeps me prepared for any eventuality."

"It also keeps you from enjoying the moment."

"Only some of the time." I waved a bacon rasher at her, then took a bite. "I have no problem enjoying this." I chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "And I certainly enjoyed our workout last night."

Jess nodded. "Nobody ever accused you of disdaining your sensual pleasures." She took a plate of food and joined me at the table. "So, what's on your agenda for today?"

"Some followup on the info Uncle Johnny gave me about Uncle Marco. It could make an interesting addition to our results, but I'm not hoping for too much."

"No? I thought you were excited about the possibility that his case would confirm what the team concluded."

I tilted my head back and forth, knowing I couldn't count on that being the case. "We'll see. So, what are you and Nina up to today?"

"We have an appointment with another restaurant owner. I don't suppose I can get you to promise not to show up."

I hid my smile. "If you don't tell me which restaurant, it might be a bit more difficult. Besides, I was much more interested in Uncle Johnny than any of the others."

"Good."

I finished my breakfast and stood. "Let me know how it goes."

"You too. After all, Marco is my uncle, even though I never met him."

I nodded my assent, gave her a peck on the cheek, and headed for the door.

–

Two hours later, my frustration had hit a peak. The phone numbers Johnny gave me weren't answering, and searches on Marco and his doctors came up empty. I'd have to ask Johnny whether he had any other contact information, but he wasn't in his office, either.

It didn't help when Thirteen invaded my office, demanding to know why Nina wasn't returning her calls.

"Could it be she's just not that into you?"

She scowled. "We had plans to see a movie tonight. The least she could do was let me know she couldn't make it."

My eyebrows went up. Nina hadn't said anything to me about that, but then I wasn't exactly her first-choice confident. "She's been busy lining up restaurants to use for her new catering service. Kinda busy, you know."

Thirteen scowled again, turned and left. I went back to trying to get through to Italy. Even with the time difference, there should have been someone who wasn't off doing whatever Italians did in the early evening. Did they all turn off their phones while they ate their pasta? Then again, they ate late in the Mediterranean countries of Europe. My best chance was Marco himself, but his phone went to voicemail every time I tried it. Frowning at my phone, I called Johnny.

"Dr. House? Has something happened?"

"No, no. I'm just having no luck getting through to your brother in Italy."

"How odd. He's never without his cellular phone. Let me try another number and I'll call you back." Johnny continued to be a pleasant surprise.

"Thank you." I sat back and waited. Patience is not something I do well, but I had few other options.

Ten minutes later my phone rang. I answered before my ringtone had finished its first play.

"Dr. House?" It was one of the Giordanos, but not my new pal Johnny. "I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time."

It was always a bad time when I got a call from Peter senior. "What is it this time?"

"I'm in the lobby of your hospital and hoped I might come up and see you."

This was worse than I thought. I could come up with an excuse, but I do curiosity much better than I do patience. "Come on up. I'm in my office."