Still don't own House. Never did, never will. :)

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Rob spent the next few hours working on a few small home repairs for an elderly neighbor up the road. He was sure House's night in jail had been a rough one, and Rob wanted to give the man as much peace and quiet as he could.

His neighbor was a kindhearted woman, one who had looked out for him after Chelsea left him years before. Rob hadn't necessarily been willing to accept her help, but she had gently pushed the point just the same, making sure he had everything he needed.

All she would accept in return was the occasional home repair that Rob refused to charge her for, and even that she accepted reluctantly.

Today he was installing a new ceiling fan in her kitchen, and the two of them made idle chat as he finished hooking it up.

"I hear you got some fella stayin' at your place." She casually commented as she added some sugar syrup to a jug of tea she had just brought in from outside.

"Yep." Rob answered shortly as he climbed down from the ladder. "His bike croaked out on the county road a couple nights ago. Tyler's supposed to fix it up as soon as the part gets here."

"Mm-hm." She stirred up the tea and took down a pair of glasses. "Margie says he stirred up a mess of trouble down at Dave's place last night."

Rob snorted. News traveled fast around here, even in the boonies. "Old boy had it comin'. Greg just did what none of us have ever been brave enough to do."

"You did it, too." She poured a glass and held it out. "Sweet tea?"

"That was a long time ago, Miss Molly." Rob gratefully accepted the glass she offered, taking a long drink.

"Still counts, son." Molly sat down at the kitchen table with her own glass. "So his name's Greg. Know anything else about him?"

"He's a doctor in New Jersey."

Molly's eyes went wide with surprise. "What on earth is he doin' way down here?"

"Vacation, I guess." Rob shrugged. "I ain't really asked him a whole lot of questions. He ain't the kind that'll answer 'em anyway."

"Sounds like someone else I know." Molly fixed Rob with a slight smile. Rob merely rolled his eyes as Molly continued. "It was good of you to pick him up. Who knows what could have happened to him out there?"

"He don't seem to know a lot of people." Rob told her. "Not like anyone he knew from home would be able to help him out."

"Or bail him out."

"You heard about that, too?" Rob was a little incredulous.

"Of course." Molly's eyes seemed to fill with mirth. "Margie and I had the nicest chat when she brought me my groceries earlier."

Rob couldn't help but chuckle. "I think that's half the reason you let her help you out."

"She's a valuable resource." Molly agreed. "Better than a newspaper." She nudged Rob. "Heaven knows you don't hang around town long enough to bring me any news."

Rob rose from the table and pulled the chain to turn on the light and pulled the other chain to check the fan speeds. He gestured toward it with a satisfied smile. "But I do keep this house from fallin' down around your ears."

"And I do appreciate that." Molly rose to take her wallet out of her purse.

"Now, Miss Molly." Rob almost scolded her. "I thought we had an understanding. I don't charge you nothin' but a glass or two of that sweet tea."

Molly pursed her lips and slowly placed the wallet back in her purse. "I don't feel right lettin' you do it for free."

"You're my only freebie, if it makes you feel any better." Rob offered.

"Can't say that it does." Molly's voice was tinged with concern.

"I'm fine. Really." Rob drained his glass and set it in the sink. "Let me know if you have any problems with that thing."

"Will do." Molly affirmed.

"And if you have anything else that needs fixin'."

"I will." Molly told him firmly. "Now go on."

Rob made his way back to the truck and returned to the house. The dogs were eagerly awaiting him outside, but he couldn't remember letting them out before he left.

"Y'all been botherin' Greg?" He asked as he reached down to scratch them both. "Is that why he kicked y'all out?"

He let the dogs in and gave them each a treat, striding through the kitchen and into the living room. House was reclined on the couch, half asleep with the remote in his hand.

Rob couldn't help shaking his right foot. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty."

House's eyes flew open, his hand quickly grabbing his right thigh. "Son of a bitch!" He growled.

Rob instantly recognized his mistake. "Shit, man, I'm sorry. You okay?"

"Fine." House shifted so that he was sitting. "You just, you know…surprised me." His eyes went wide. "The dogs…?"

"They're fine." Rob assured him. "I don't think they minded bein' outside for a while."

House nodded and pushed himself off the couch, going for his wallet and pulling out several bills, handing them to Rob.

What was it with people trying to shove money off on him today? Rob was baffled. "What's this?"

"Where I come from they call it money." House huffed and explained. "Usually given in exchange for goods and services. You're providing both, therefore I'm paying you."

"Keep it." Rob held up his hand. "I already told you. You don't owe me nothin'."

"I just talked to Tyler." House answered firmly. "I'm looking at almost two weeks before I'm back on the road. This should cover gas and groceries."

"You're a guest in my house." Rob snapped. "Keep your damn money. I don't need it."

"I didn't say you needed it." House argued. "You're doing me a favor."

"I'm not a goddamn charity case!" Rob snarled.

He ignored House's hurt expression as he half-stomped, half-clunked into the kitchen, slamming cabinets and pans around while he gathered up the makings for dinner.

Soon he had settled down enough to start chopping up some green peppers and onions, tossing them in the pan with some hamburger while Baxter sat hopefully nearby, wagging his tail and whimpering.

"Yeah, I know, boy. Guess I'm a little ornery today, huh?"

"Guess so." House suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Most people like money."

"Money ain't got a damn thing to do with it." Rob felt his earlier ire return. "It's the principle of the thing."

"Right." House rolled his eyes as he eased himself into a kitchen chair. "You're some pitiful cripple, so people feel sorry for you and throw money at you."

"That ain't it." Rob growled as he added ketchup, mustard, and vinegar to the hamburger, stirring with a little more fury than necessary.

"Then what the hell is it?" House snapped, thumping his cane on the floor.

Rob paused over the pan, turning the question over in his mind. Finally he told House, "I don't want charity. I don't want pity. I just want to be left the hell alone."

House let out a small sigh, still thumping his cane on the floor. "You think it'll be easier if you isolate yourself from everyone you know. Saves them the worry, saves you from having to deal with them and their pity." He stopped thumping his cane and leaned forward in the chair. "Let me tell you, it doesn't work. You isolate yourself enough, nobody notices that anything's wrong until it's too late."

Rob felt a slight chill run through him despite the warmth of the room. He couldn't help but get the impression that there was far more to the story than House was telling. Perhaps picking him up hadn't been such a great idea after all.

House shrugged and leaned back in the chair. "Of course, when they do figure out something's wrong, those same people crush you in concern and sympathy, so maybe you've got the right idea after all. I don't know."

Rob returned to the stove and stirred up the contents of the pan. "You got a point buried in there somewhere?"

"Not really." House huffed. "What are you making over there?"

"Sloppy Joes." Rob answered. "Want some?"

"Sure." House pushed himself up from the chair.

"Plates are in that cabinet." Rob pointed. "Silverware's right below."

House grabbed a pair of plates and two forks while Rob crossed over to the refrigerator to grab two beers and the hamburger buns.

After loading their plates, they sat down at the kitchen table, silence falling over them as they ate.

"A couple weeks, huh?" Rob finally broke the silence. "Kind of cuts into your vacation, don't it?"

House let out a short sigh. "It's not so much a vacation. More like…a sabbatical."

"Really." Rob was skeptical.

"Yep." House continued eating.

"So you've still gotta go back at some point, right?" Rob didn't know why he felt the need to press on when it was clear House didn't want to discuss it.

"Eventually." House shrugged casually. "Are you in a hurry for me to get out of here?"

"Not really." Rob replied. "Ain't so bad havin' another person around. It's been a while."

House nodded. "You up for a game of pool after dinner?"

Rob was baffled. "You sure it's a good idea to show your face in town?"

"Why not?" House drained the remains of his beer.

"Well…you know. Don't want no more trouble."

"As long as what's-his-name doesn't show up, I don't think that'll be a problem."

"Kevin. And he might. Depends on if Caroline ended up bailing him out."

"Guess I'll take my chances." House answered. "So do you want to drive or should I just take the truck?"

Rob sighed heavily. If he went with House, chances were good that he could at least make an attempt at keeping him out of trouble. Besides, he hadn't played pool in years. "I'll drive. Let me just clean this up a little bit."

He started clearing the table while House ran dish water. Between the two of them, they quickly got the kitchen cleaned up and were soon on their way to town.

This was nuts, Rob decided. He had already been to town more in the last two days than he had been in the last two weeks. Normally he would go just long enough to hit the grocery store, the hardware store, and a rare stop at the café. Suddenly House had made him the equivalent of a social butterfly.

The place was filling up by the time Rob pulled into the parking lot, and he couldn't help the sense of apprehension that crept over him.

House smacked him on the shoulder just before he climbed down out of the truck. "Shake a leg. The real one or the fake one, doesn't matter."

"Jackass." Rob chuckled a little as he climbed down and met House, following him inside.

"Is that the best you can do?" House mocked him.

"Might be able to take some of that money from you." Rob answered.

House turned around, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You are so on."

Rob scanned the bar for any sign of Kevin or his cronies. Surprisingly enough, he didn't seem to be around. He eased himself into a chair at a table near the pool table while House pushed his way through the crowd at the bar.

Rob admired the way House seemed to fit right in, bellowing his drink order to Dave, who greeted him with a smile and a nod, followed by some sort of teasing comment. House was shaking his head as he returned, lumbering through with two beers in one hand and setting them both on the table.

"Your friend's a fucking riot, you know that?" House's tone was sarcastic.

"Dave's a good guy." Rob told him. "We were best friends in high school."

"Were?" House tilted his head.

"We kind of…drifted apart." Rob didn't feel the need to go into the whole story. "Pool table's open."

House picked up his beer and made his way to the table. "You want to break?"

"Nah, you go first." Rob replied, taking a long drink of his beer. "We puttin' money on this?"

"Nope." House answered calmly. "Figured you could use a practice game or two. Now break them up."

Rob was silently grateful as he chose a cue and chalked it up, taking a couple of deep breaths as he lined up the break.

He was pleasantly surprised when they broke smoothly, sending one of the striped balls into the pocket. House betrayed no emotion, merely nodding as he took a drink of his beer. "Looks like first shot's yours."

"It ain't been that long." Rob cracked. "I remember some of the rules."

They continued playing, falling into easy conversation about nothing. One game became two, one beer became more, and Rob found himself feeling more at ease than he had in years.

Rob sunk the eight ball, shifting the weight off his right leg. "Think I need a sit down, Greg."

House's rough face broke into a slight grin. "Wondered how long it would take before you gave it up."

"Everyone's got their limits, I guess." Rob drained his beer and made his way back to the table.

He had no sooner sat down than he felt the breeze of the door opening. There was some murmuring as people greeted the new patron, and he spotted House's eyes go wide with interest.

"Who's that?" House asked him. "She's hot."

Rob turned, not quite willing to believe his eyes. "That's Celia, Caroline's sister. She ain't been home in about ten years."

"Rob?" A soft twang caught Rob's attention.

"Celia, what the hell are you doin' here?" Rob rose and gave the petite blonde a warm hug.

"Caroline called me last night." Celia explained. "She was a wreck. Guess Kevin got put away again."

"Yep." Rob gestured to House. "Thanks in part to this guy."

Celia glanced at House curiously. "And who is this guy?"

"Greg, Celia. Celia, Greg."

House extended a hand and nodded before gesturing toward the bar. "I'll just be over there. Let me know when…or if…you're ready to go."

Celia giggled while Rob rolled his eyes. "He's funny. Where'd you find him?"

"Found him and his bike dead on the side of the road the other night. The bike was dead, not him." Rob quickly added, cursing himself for his fit of nerves. Even after all these years, he still got rattled in Celia's presence, in a way he never felt with Caroline.

"Oh." Celia nodded. An awkward silence seemed to fall between them, and Rob didn't quite know how to handle things.

"So…what have you been up to?" Rob finally asked her. "It's been a while."

"Yeah…" Celia drummed her fingers on the table. "You know that I got divorced. Still working for St Jude's."

"No, I didn't know. About the divorce, you know." Rob's nerves immediately went into overdrive.

Celia tilted her head at him. "Caroline told me what happened to you."

Rob shrugged with a casual air he didn't feel. "Yeah, well, it's all water under the bridge now. I'm gettin' by." He gestured toward the bar. "Can I get you somethin'?"

"Rum and Coke?"

"Sure." Rob nodded as he rose from the table. "Back in a minute."

Rob made his way to the bar, lost in his thoughts until he heard a low chuckle to his left. House looked amused as he took a long drink of his beer. "Are you getting anywhere with her yet?"

"It ain't like that, Greg." Rob huffed.

"You're buying her a drink, and she just got here." House told him. "It's like that. You just don't know it yet."

"Ain't nothin' gonna happen." Rob answered sharply.

House snorted. "Right."

Rob fixed House with a sharp glare and returned to the table, taking a moment to collect himself before making his way through the crowd.

"Sorry 'bout that." Rob felt the need to explain the delay. "Takes a little longer to get through a crowd than it used to."

"It's fine, Rob." Celia told him. "It's just nice to see you out. Caroline tells me you don't get to town much anymore since…well, you know."

Rob played with his beer bottle to cover his awkwardness. "Since my leg got blown to bits and Chelsea left me. It's cool. You can just come out and say it."

Celia looked pained, and Rob felt the need to keep talking. "I've got a good life. Still got my house, got the dogs, do a little work on the side. Things are…things are okay."

"You ain't never been one to settle for okay." Celia responded. "What happened to you?"

Rob's mind went back to what House had told him earlier. Something about how it only seemed easier to shut everyone out. Finally he shook his head. "I don't know, girl. I don't know."

A familiar song started playing over the speakers, and Celia suddenly reached out for Rob's hand. "You still dance?"

"I ain't danced since…" Rob shoved the memory out of his mind. "Well, in a long damned time."

"Well, come on. Just one dance."

Rob reluctantly followed Celia out onto the small dance floor, and he felt Celia put his arms around her waist before putting her arms around his neck. "Don't tell me you've forgotten how to do this."

"Told you it's been a while." Rob chuckled, pulling her in a little closer.

She set her head on his chest, and Rob had a hard time believing what was happening. It wasn't so much a dance as an awkward shuffle, but Celia didn't seem to mind.

The song ended, and Celia pulled back, placing a hand on Rob's right cheek, her hand soft over his scarred skin. "I've gotta fly. I promised Kieran a bedtime story." She pressed herself up on tiptoe and gave Rob a quick kiss on the lips, tucking a piece of paper in his shirt pocket. "I'll be around for a while. Call me."

With that she was gone, and Rob was stunned. No woman had touched him since Chelsea, and he didn't know how to respond.

He felt a strong hand clamp down on his shoulder. "So, you going to get some or what?"

Rob turned his head to see House standing next to him. "She wants me to call her."

House gave him a baffled look. "So what's the problem?"

"I don't know, man." Rob shook his head.

House nodded. "Think she'll run screaming when she gets a good look at you?"

"Think that's a possibility."

House shrugged. "Maybe. But when was the last time you hooked up with someone? And be honest."

Rob started to walk away from House, uncomfortable with the question. "What's your point?"

"My point…" House followed right behind him. "…is that something like that doesn't fall into your lap every day."

"Nothin's fallen into my lap just yet." Rob told him as they climbed into the truck. "And she ain't stayin' forever. She's just visitin'."

"All the more reason to take advantage of what she's offering." House insisted. "Don't be a goddamn idiot."

Rob snorted. "I'll think about it, okay? Get off my case."

"I'll think about it." House leaned back and closed his eyes. "Wake me up when we get home."

Rob smiled at House's words. He wondered if House had even recognized his own slip. He doubted it, but at the same time…if House was going to be here for the next couple of weeks, then it was just as well that House considered Rob's place home. Oddly enough, Rob had no problem with that. None at all.

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