Breakfast in the kitchen gave way to mid-morning tea in the sun room and ended with a trip to a local restaurant for lunch; there was, after all, a lot to catch up on.

House had it easy while Kelly recounted the events of her trip before she'd arrived in Jersey. He could have tuned out but he found himself gratified by the details she chose not to include; he had read her journal and knew the story behind the story. Where knowledge could have been power, it had instead become intimacy, and he was glad that her deepest thoughts and feelings had apparently been reserved for him alone.

Then it came time to describe their meeting and her stay in the hospital, and much to his chagrin she deferred largely to him. And yet when he failed to catch himself and answered one of her asides with his usual fare, her parents responded with laughter instead of shock or disdain.

As their conversation became less one-sided, Phil and Colleen finding much to interject and ask about, House found that Kelly's father was a man of great wit himself, a man who loved to bait others. The difference between them was that Kelly's father was kind above all else and sought to evoke laughter for the sake of laughter, not for the sake of tearing down another.

"So how long will you be with us, Dr. House?" Colleen asked over dessert as things were winding down.

"I'm expected back at work on Wednesday. I should probably go online today and try to find a flight for Tuesday."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Philip chimed in. "Just let my assistant know an approximate time when you'd like to head back and he'll take care of the arrangements."

House thanked him, feeling slightly defensiveness as though the offer had somehow been an affront. House was a doctor, world renowned, but completely out of his league in comparison to this man.

Kelly yawned widely as they stepped out of the car, home again. "Well, all, it's nap time for me. I'm hoping to take a drive down to Sacramento later today and check in on the shelter."

"Okay, honey," her mom responded. "Should I plan on you for supper?"

"No thanks; we'll grab something on the road." She winked at House, and he smiled a relieved smile.

The basement apartment had its own entrance from the outside, and that was what they used. As she fumbled with the keys his hands went to her waist.

"Am I invited to nap time?" he asked. "Because after that fiasco I wouldn't be opposed to it."

"'Fiasco'?" she repeated, opening the door and waving him inside. "I'm sorry that went on for so long, but I think my parents had a lot riding on this trip."

"What do you mean?"

"I left miserable, I came back happy," she stated simply. "It was more than they could have hoped for. Which is why you could have made a complete ass of yourself today or used only inappropriate four letter words when talking to my mother and you STILL would have been lauded as a hero."

He had followed her into her room and watched as she took off her shoes. "I didn't use any, you know."

"Any what?"

"Inappropriate four letter words."

One look at his proud expression and she dissolved into giggles. "Such a gentleman." After her shoes came her socks, and then her capris, leaving her in a tank top and panties. "You know what I think, Greg House? I think you don't give a damn what may father says or doesn't say. I don't think you ever did."

"Really." His eyes didn't leave her as she climbed into bed. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, so he stayed where he was, still fully clothed but itching to join her.

"Really. I think this whole thing has been about you not wanting to disappoint me."

He paused thoughtfully. "If I agree to that, will it lead to us making out again?"

"That's a distinct possibility. It would make you seem all vulnerable and self-conscious and adorable." She gave him a 'come hither' look and suddenly he sprung into action.

"Then I agree. Wholeheartedly. One hundred and ten percent." He locked her door and dropped his cane, moving faster than she'd ever seen him move as he ignored or perhaps didn't notice the pain in his leg. He kicked off his shoes and tumbled into bed.