Insert my usual disclaimers here. I own neither House, Alison Krauss, or Clint Black, just everyone else.
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House awoke with a start when he felt someone shaking his shoulder. He was disoriented for a moment until he realized he was still in Rob's truck. It had been a short ride, and House was baffled at why he had fallen asleep in so short a time.
It didn't matter, he decided as he started to ease himself out of the truck, willing the growing cramp in his leg to hold off at least until he got inside. He could manage it well enough if he could get as far as the kitchen table.
His leg had other ideas, as usual, and House stopped just as he slid out of the truck seat, biting back a growl as the cramp took hold.
Rob poked his head inside the cab just before closing the door. "You alright?"
"Fine." House snapped.
Rob let out a snort and slammed the door shut, and House could hear the other man's boots crunch on the gravel of the driveway. His shadow crossed just in front of the open truck door, and House glanced up to see Rob standing in front of him, arms folded over his chest.
"Looks like I ain't the only one who stood too long tonight." He commented. "I'll give you a hand inside if you want."
"I don't need it." House answered sharply. "Give me a minute. I'll be fine."
"So that big speech you gave earlier was nothin' but a pile of bullshit?" House could feel Rob glare at him in the darkness. "That's good to know."
House didn't answer, trying to block out the pain that threatened to eat him alive.
Rob let out a soft sigh, seeming to relax his stance. "Look, man, I know it's all different when it's happenin' to you. Forget all that right now. You're hurtin'. Don't make sense to suffer alone."
"Speak for yourself."
Rob simply shrugged and leaned on the door of the truck, looking away from House as if attempting to give him a modicum of privacy. House never would have admitted it, but he found Rob's presence oddly comforting. His quiet presence spoke louder than any words of concern could have.
After what seemed like hours, the cramp finally let go, and House blew out a long sigh as he rubbed his aching, stinging thigh. "Good to go now."
Rob nodded firmly, and House pushed himself off the seat of the truck, holding himself up with his cane. His leg shook under him, as it always seemed to after one of these episodes, but otherwise seemed none the worse for wear.
He slammed the truck door shut and started toward the house, Rob close behind him. House let out a small huff of irritation. "No need to hover. Not like you'd be able to catch me if I went down anyway."
Rob chuckled. "Is that a cripple joke?"
"Yep." House thumped his cane on the porch as he waited for Rob to catch up.
"Door's open, you know." Rob turned the knob and went inside. "I ain't got nothin' anyone wants, and the dogs'll scare off anyone dumb enough to come in."
House followed behind, easing into a chair at the kitchen table while Baxter immediately plopped down at his feet.
"Told you you'd make a friend for life." Rob chuckled as he set the box of Milk Bones on the table. "I'll be on the computer. You need anythin', don't hesitate to holler."
"Right." House rolled his eyes, even as he was grateful for the offer. He tilted the box and dumped out a couple of the dog treats, offering one to Baxter.
The dog took it eagerly, gobbling it and looking back up at House with as near a hopeful expression as a dog could manage. "No way, buddy. Got to save one for the other furball."
Baxter huffed and plopped down to his previous spot at House's feet, and all was quiet for a few minutes until Baxter suddenly pricked up his ears and lifted his head.
Soon there was a knock on the door, followed by a female voice. "Hello?"
House pushed himself from the chair to investigate. Two women stood on the small porch, and House recognized the blonde from the bar earlier. Behind her stood the brunette from the cafe…what the hell were their names again?
Caroline, that was the brunette's name. The blonde was the sister, although House couldn't remember her name right off. She fixed House with a bright smile. "Hey, is Rob around?"
"Yeah, hold on." House limped quickly into the living room, where Rob was typing furiously on the computer. "Uh, you've got company. Hot company."
Rob looked baffled, but quickly rebuckled his prosthesis and pushed past House. His expression changed to one of recognition when he saw who was at the door. "Hey, Celia. What brings you out here?"
"Oh, you know, I thought I'd drag this girl down to Dave's place for a little fun." Celia gestured to Caroline, who was standing right behind her. "Turns out y'all had already left, so…here we are. Mind if we come in?"
"Guess not." Rob sounded cautious, even as he stepped aside to let both women in.
The wheels were already turning in House's head. He had to admire Celia's boldness, since it was obvious Rob was never going to make a move on her. "Caroline," House suddenly announced, "I think we should leave these two crazy kids alone for a while."
A warm smile crossed the other woman's features as Rob looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Y'all don't have to do that." He muttered, glancing at Celia.
"Oh yes, we do." House took Caroline by the arm and led her outside, leaving Rob and Celia to their own devices.
"Do you suppose they'll be alright?" Caroline looked concerned as she glanced back toward the small house.
"They'll be fine." House assured her. "Rob just needs a little…encouragement."
"He needs a little more than that." Caroline sighed.
House shrugged. "Baby steps." He thumped his cane on the porch, suddenly feeling a lot awkward himself. Now that he had done his part to hook Rob up, he didn't quite know what to do with himself. He would be happy to spend some time with Caroline, but she was married, and that was a problem. Sort of.
He was only going to be here for a couple of weeks, tops. Why not enjoy a little female company while he was here?
"You want to ride down to my mom's place?" Caroline was speaking to him. "We can just hang out and, you know, just shoot the breeze for a while."
"What about…" House gestured toward the house.
"Oh, Rob'll make sure she gets home." Caroline assured him. "He's always been a real gentleman."
Hopefully not too much of a gentleman, House thought as he considered Caroline's offer. Finally he shrugged. "And your husband?"
Caroline's expression hardened. "Not my problem right now."
That settled it for House. "Lead the way."
They climbed into the waiting SUV and started down the road, a country song softly playing on the radio. It was a female voice, and Caroline suddenly started singing along. "The smile on my face lets me know that I need you…there's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me…the touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall…you say it best…when you say nothing at all…"
"You've got a nice voice." House told her. "Who is that?"
"Alison Krauss." Caroline informed him. "She's one of my favorites."
House wasn't much for country, but the song was oddly soothing, the voice sweet and gentle. He found himself humming along to the chorus, filling in the low harmony.
Caroline caught him, and she threw him a slight smile. "Sounds like you're no slouch yourself."
House shrugged. "It's a catchy song."
Caroline laughed gently and the two rode in silence for the rest of the short ride. Soon they pulled into the driveway of a ranch-style house with a wide porch and a porch swing.
"Go on and have a seat." Caroline told him. "I'll bring us somethin' to drink."
House nodded, easing himself onto the swing and pushing it back and forth with his foot. He heard two voices inside, one belonging to Caroline and the other belonging to Marge. Soon Caroline returned with two Coke cans.
"Sorry 'bout that." Caroline handed House a Coke and sat down next to him on the porch swing. "Mom always has to know what's goin' on."
They sat in silence for a short time, House absentmindedly pushing the swing with his left foot. The silence seemed almost comfortable, and House didn't feel the awkwardness that he usually felt with a woman. The fact that she was still technically taken probably had a good deal to do with that.
"It's kind of nice to just, you know, sit out here." Caroline commented, playing with the tab on her Coke can. "I never got to do this with Kevin. He was too busy gettin' on me for everythin' I was doin' wrong."
House didn't know how to respond to that. He didn't know the guy well enough to comment one way or the other.
Caroline continued talking before House could answer. "It's funny. Kevin always tells me I'll never find a better man than him." She glanced over at House. "I'm startin' to think he's wrong."
House snorted derisively. If Caroline somehow harbored the illusion that he was a better man than Kevin, she was seriously mistaken.
"What was that for?" Caroline asked him.
House shook his head. "I'm not…the kind of man you seem to think I am. You're just projecting."
"Is that right?"
"Yep."
"Hmm." Caroline shifted so that she faced House. "You know, it's been said that there was only one perfect man in this world."
House groaned internally. "Your point?"
Caroline moved closer. "My point...is that you're probably a better man than you think you are." She reached behind her to set her Coke can on the end table before returning to touch House lightly on the arm.
"Caroline, honey." Marge poked her head out the screen door. "Kieran's cryin'."
Caroline sighed. "I'll be right back."
She didn't return for a few minutes, and House could hear the young child crying inconsolably while Caroline tried to soothe him. He pushed himself from the swing and limped over to the door.
Caroline looked worried as she paced around the living room, holding Kieran in her arms. "He seems a little warm."
That seemed as good as an invitation to go inside, and he entered the house, crossing the living room and pressing his hand against the boy's forehead. "He's running a fever. Got a thermometer?"
Caroline nodded, jerking her head down the hallway. "In the bathroom."
The bathroom barely had enough room for one person, let alone two adults and a squirming three-year-old. Caroline opened the cabinet above the sink and pulled out an ear thermometer, fitting a cover over the earpiece and sticking it in Kieran's ear.
The little boy let out a wail that nearly pierced House's ears. House winced and took the thermometer from Caroline. "Let's try the other one."
House expertly stuck the thermometer in the child's ear and waited for the telltale beep. He pulled it out and peered at the readout. "One-hundred-and-one. You have an ER out here in the sticks?"
"Nearest one is two towns over…about twenty miles." Caroline's brow wrinkled in worry. "What do you think is wrong with him?"
"Probably just an ear infection." House explained. "Gauging from the way he howled when you stuck that thermometer in his ear, it's just in one ear. Has he had a cold recently?"
"'Bout two weeks ago." Caroline's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
House huffed and rolled his eyes. "I am a doctor."
"That's right." Caroline nodded as she put away the thermometer. "Mom did say that."
House was baffled. "And how did your mom know?"
Caroline shrugged. "She knows everyone's business. It's kind of her thing." She gestured toward the bathroom door. "Guess we should get goin', right?"
"Right." House backed out of the bathroom and stepped aside to let Caroline and Kieran out.
They made their way to the living room, where Marge was settled in the recliner, watching some crime drama. She shifted when the three of them entered the room.
"How is he?" She asked, a concerned expression similar to Caroline's crossing her face.
"Greg says he's probably got an ear infection." Caroline told her. "I'm takin' him in."
"You want me to go with?" Marge asked.
Caroline glanced up at House. "Actually…I think I'll be okay. I'll call when I'm on my way back."
Marge nodded, still wearing that concerned expression. "Y'all be safe now, you hear?"
"You bet, Mom."
With that they left, and Caroline buckled a barely whimpering Kieran into his car seat for the drive to the hospital. She and House climbed into the front seat of the SUV, and Caroline started it with a sigh. "This ain't exactly what I had in mind tonight."
"You can drop me off at Rob's." House told her. "I think we've probably left them alone long enough."
Caroline twisted her mouth. "I know this is gonna sound silly, but…would you go with me?"
House was surprised. "You actually want me to go with you?"
"I don't like bein' alone at the hospital." Caroline shrugged. "Besides, you're a doctor. They'll listen to you. They won't listen to me."
House debated the notion of arguing with her, but the pleading expression in Caroline's eyes did something to him, and he couldn't say no. "Fine. Let's get this show on the road."
It was a quiet ride to the hospital, and Caroline pulled into the small parking lot just outside a lighted sign pointing to the ER. She shut off the SUV and hopped down to unbuckle a now sleeping Kieran.
She picked him up with a grunt, shifting the little boy to her shoulder as she met House at the front of the SUV. House gestured to her with one hand. "Hand the little squirt over."
Caroline glanced down at House's cane, a brief flicker of concern crossing her face. "Are you sure? I mean…I can handle him."
"He's nothing but dead weight right now." House told her. "Besides, you'll be busy filling out paperwork. I'll take him."
"Well…alright." Caroline handed Kieran to House, who leaned down to take the young child into his arms. Kieran whimpered and shifted, but didn't wake up.
House grunted slightly as he rearranged himself to carry the child. "Jesus, what do you feed this kid, rocks?"
Caroline laughed lightly. "Tried to warn you."
"Yeah, thanks." House grumbled as he followed Caroline into the hospital, finding the nearest seat while Caroline got him checked in.
She sank into the chair next to House with a sigh, working her way through a pile of forms, occasionally glancing over at House and Kieran. "Y'all okay?"
"We're fine." House answered. "I get along with kids just fine…when they're sleeping."
Caroline laughed again. "They told me it's gonna be about an hour's wait. You want somethin' to drink?"
House shifted to remove his wallet, plucking out several dollar bills. "Coke for me, and something for the short man."
Caroline nodded and left to find a vending machine, leaving House alone with Kieran. He couldn't help but feel a little unnerved at Caroline's trust in him. She didn't know him. He could have been a kidnapper, or worse.
Kieran shifted in House's arms, curling into House's chest. House absentmindedly rubbed the little boy's warm arm in an almost instinctive comforting move.
The boy stirred and opened his eyes, looking around the room. "Mama?"
"She'll be right back." House told him. "She went to get us something to drink."
Kieran looked up at House with a puzzled look, reaching up to pat House's face. "You're not Daddy."
House couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Nope. Do you know who I am?"
Kieran shook his head, that puzzled expression never leaving his face. "I'm Greg. I guess you could say I'm your mom's friend."
Kieran set his head on House's chest, clutching at House's shirt. "I want Mama."
"Yeah, I know, buddy." House sighed and wrapped his arm around the boy.
Kieran was wiggling again, reaching up to tug at his ear. "It hurts."
"That's why we're here." House explained. "They're going to give you medicine to make it stop hurting."
Caroline soon returned, her face lighting up. "Hey, little man. Did you and Greg have a nice chat?"
"Mama." Kieran reached out for Caroline, even as he leaned into House.
Caroline reached for him, and Kieran immediately climbed over House to get to her. House winced when Kieran's knee went directly into his scar, grabbing it after the boy was safely in his mother's arms.
"Did he hurt you?" Caroline's voice took on a worried tone. "He didn't mean to, you know."
"I know." House answered sharply. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine."
Soon Caroline and Kieran were called in to the exam room, and House waved Caroline away. "You don't need me for this part."
They returned a few minutes later, the ear infection confirmed. "I'll just go get this prescription filled. I won't be but a minute."
"You can leave him here." House told her. "Probably be easier that way."
Caroline quickly got the prescription filled, and the three of them were soon on their way back to Caroline's. Between the two of them, they managed to get Kieran into the house and settled into his bed after giving him a dose of antibiotic.
She closed the door on the child's bedroom, meeting House back out in the living room. "I suppose I should get you back to Rob's." She ventured. "Thanks for everythin' tonight. You were a big help."
House gave Caroline a mock bow. "I live to serve."
Caroline laughed softly. "I'm serious. Kevin ain't never been that helpful, and Kieran's his own son." Her face fell. "Suppose it's just as well he wasn't around for this."
"Yeah, well…" House didn't have a good response for that.
Caroline shook her head. "It don't matter. I'll run you back to Rob's."
They climbed back into the truck for the short drive, the radio playing softly in the background. As they pulled into the driveway, House was intrigued by the sounds of a piano.
"That can't be a country song." House joked.
"It is." Caroline laughed. "Clint Black, Like The Rain."
The opening lyrics started, and House found himself even more intrigued. It wasn't like any country song he had ever heard, of that he was certain. "This is really good. I can't believe it…it's a country song that doesn't suck."
"Greg!" Caroline laughed and lightly tapped him on the arm. Her eyes suddenly went wide. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
"Stop." House turned toward her. "I'm not going to hurt you." He studied her before shaking his head. "Jesus, what kind of bullshit did that man put in your head?"
Caroline looked away, looking almost ashamed, and House could see the tears start to form. He sighed and reached out to put an arm around her.
It was late, and they were both tired from a long night waiting at the hospital. That was the only explanation House could come up with for why he had an overwhelming desire to pull her close to him and comfort her. He sure as hell never felt that desire for anyone else.
"I'm sorry." Caroline's voice was muffled against House's chest. "You must think I'm a real dummy."
"Not a dummy, just…misguided." House told her, stroking her soft brown hair.
Caroline pulled back slightly, her soft eyes meeting House's. "Thank you…you know, for everythin'. It was real nice to just sit with you and talk." She lightly kissed House on the cheek. "You're a real sweet guy."
House snorted. "You obviously don't know me."
"I know enough." Caroline answered confidently.
House impulsively reached out and cupped Caroline's face in his hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb and half-listening to the song on the radio.
He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Caroline's lips, his impulses overriding his logic. She was a married woman, and she had a sick son at home. He shouldn't be doing this, and yet, he couldn't find a good reason to stop.
The kiss deepened, still slow, sweet, and gentle, and House's hand was tangling in the back of Caroline's hair while her hand was caressing the back of his neck. House knew it shouldn't go any further, that he was already playing with fire, but he wasn't ready to pull away just yet.
Caroline broke the kiss first, pulling back with a surprised expression, covering her mouth with her hand. "I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I don't just go around doin' stuff like that."
House brushed two fingers to Caroline's lips to silence her. "Don't apologize." He gestured to the truck door. "I'm just going to…go."
"And I should get back to my mom's." Caroline nodded. A shy smile lit her face. "You're a pretty good kisser. I'm surprised you ain't got a woman in your life."
House shrugged and climbed down from the SUV. "See you around. Take care of that little man of yours." He paused before closing the door. "Let the big man rot."
Caroline smiled sadly as House closed the door, waving as she pulled out of the driveway. House thumped his cane on the ground in frustration. Wrong place, wrong time. His sense of timing was doomed to be fucked up, it seemed.
At least he would have the memory of that unbelievable kiss to take with him when he left this place. Somehow the thought was less comforting than it should have been.
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