It hadn't taken long for House to get unpacked and settled into the new apartment above the old doctor's office. He was having a harder time explaining to damn near everyone he ran into that he wasn't yet qualified to treat or diagnose anyone, and therefore, the office would remain closed for the foreseeable future.
He was working through the licensing process, but it would take a few months. In the meantime, he still hadn't heard anything from Vanderbilt, though he hadn't really expected to.
The VA was still an option, as Rob constantly reminded him. It wasn't an option House was thrilled with, and he kept hoping that he wouldn't have to make use of it.
No, he should be fine for a while. He had plenty of resources to draw on. That wasn't the problem.
The boredom was honestly starting to get to him. At least at PPTH he had his cases to keep him occupied, along with Wilson and Cuddy to pester. Here, he had none of that, and he didn't quite know what to do with himself.
Every so often he made his way down to the small office below, imagining what it might be like to open the place up. It would be the equivalent of non-stop clinic duty, and yet something about it appealed to him.
His therapist at Mayfield probably would have said something about him needing to be needed, and there was probably an element of truth to that. No man was an island, even House.
He huffed at that as he tuned up one of his guitars. This wasn't like him. This place had done something to him in the short time he'd been here. It had softened him, made him drop his guard a little.
Maybe it was just the slower pace of life here, maybe it was just the kindness of the people he had met here. Whatever it was, House was still trying to understand it, a part of him still looking for some hidden agenda even as he was starting to shed just a little of his own cynicism.
The ringing of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts, and he picked it up, flipping it open to answer. "House."
"Doctor Gregory House?" The voice on the other end asked.
"The one and the same." House replied. "Who is this?"
There was a brief chuckle from the other end. "Doctor Philip Foster, dean of the medical school at Vanderbilt University. I've received your CV. I must say, I don't often open such unsolicited items."
House waited as the other man continued. "Your reputation does precede you. I'm quite familiar with your work. It says here you left your previous position recently?"
"That's correct." House tried to sound as professional as he could.
"I trust you left on good terms."
House wasn't sure he could say that. "Mostly."
The other man was silent for a moment. "I'm sure they were sorry to lose someone of your considerable talent. But your body of work does lead me to believe this could be an interesting learning opportunity for our students. I would like to speak to you further, if you're still interested."
House took a deep breath and exhaled before answering. "Of course. Whenever you're available. Turns out I have a lot of extra time on my hands."
The two men arranged a time to meet, and House scribbled it down before closing his phone. Now he had a clearer vision of how he could make this all work. Teaching at Vanderbilt a couple days a week, running a small-town general practice the rest of the time.
House let out a derisive snort at the idea. If anyone had suggested that this was where he would end up, he would have told them they were crazy. And if they had told him he was actually looking forward to it, he would have said they were lying.
He picked up his guitar again and played around with a few notes. Maybe this hadn't been an entirely stupid move after all.
# # #
House pushed open the door of the auto shop, where Mike greeted him with a nod. "Doctor House, heard you were back in town."
"Can't get enough of the place." House answered. "Need my car looked at. It's been sitting idle for a couple of months."
"We'll give her a good once over." Mike told him. "You gonna stick around a bit?"
"Sure." House nodded. He glanced inside the shop, where Tyler and Zach were working on a motorcycle. "How's Zach doing?"
Mike sighed. "All things considered, he's doin' all right. Tyler sticks to him like glue. Tryin' to fix it so I can foster the kid, but it's takin' some doin'. Still, he's got a roof over his head and food in his belly. Doin' my best for him."
House couldn't help but admire the man for taking on such a task. He took his keys off the ring and handed them to Mike. "The blue Plymouth."
"Yes, sir."
House eased himself into a chair in the waiting area, watching as the two boys talked and worked. Soon Mike pulled the car into the bay, climbing out and talking to the two boys. Zach still seemed to hang back, not sure how to act around Mike, but Tyler slung an arm around the other boy's shoulders, and he seemed to relax a little.
Zach had a long road ahead of him, but it seemed to House that with Mike and Tyler on his side, he'd make it.
House drummed his cane between his legs as he observed the interaction through the window. He hadn't intended to get so involved in this situation, but he was deep in it now, having done his part to report and document the abuse that the boy had obviously suffered.
There was a good deal he hadn't intended to get involved in when he'd landed here. And yet, here he was, weaving himself into the fabric of this town, becoming as much a part of it as anyone else here.
It still surprised him how quickly the people here had embraced him, despite knowing so little about him. Would their opinions of him change once they really got to know him? He had no idea.
A few people went in and out while House waited, dropping off and picking up vehicles, making conversation with Mike. House fielded a few curious looks, a couple of nods in greeting.
"Doctor House?" Mike finally called out. "Got an estimate ready for ya."
House took a deep breath and pushed himself out of the chair. "Not too bad, I hope."
Mike chuckled a little at that. "Not so bad at all. You've kept that ol' thing up pretty good."
House scanned down the estimate. Basic maintenance tasks, nothing out of the ordinary for an older car. He signed the estimate and pushed it back across the counter. "How long?"
Mike shrugged. "Could probably have it done in a couple days. You got anywhere to be?"
"Got a meeting over at Vanderbilt later this week." House told him. "But if the weather's good I can take the bike."
"I'll get one of my guys on it this afternoon." Mike replied. "If we run into any problems, I'll call ya."
"Thanks, Mike." House took one last look inside the shop area, where the boys were once again hard at work on the bike.
He couldn't help but wonder what a difference a friend like Tyler could have made for himself. But that would have meant staying in one place long enough to make those kinds of friends, and House hadn't until he'd settled in Princeton.
Even then, the skepticism and mistrust that had become the core of his nature had kept House from making those kinds of friendships. There was so much he had never shared with Wilson, even, and likely never would.
Maybe Zach could avoid the same fate. House hoped so.
He left the repair shop and made his way back towards the center of town. It wasn't far, and it was a pleasant enough day that he didn't mind the walk down to the café for a cup of coffee and some food.
And maybe, if he was lucky, Caroline would be working.
He'd been keeping his distance from Caroline since he'd returned. She had enough to deal with at the moment without House making things more difficult. Besides, he still hadn't figured out if there was anything there. Feelings were fleeting things, after all.
"Mornin', Greg." Marge's cheerful voice rang out the minute House walked in.
"Marge." House nodded and eased himself onto a stool at the counter, and Marge immediately set a cup in front of him, filling it with fresh coffee.
"Ain't seen ya since you got back." Marge started. "You all settled in?"
House nodded as he took a sip of coffee. "Been busy explaining to people that the office isn't open yet."
"Well, soon enough, I'm sure." Marge replied. "Can I get ya anythin' else?"
"Not yet." House answered, glancing around.
Marge caught him, a wide smile lighting her face. "Caroline ain't here yet. Took herself over to that community college for some testin'. Got herself dead set on goin' back to school this fall."
"That's good."
"She's a smart girl. Always has been." Marge told him.
The bell over the door dinged, and House turned to see Caroline come in with Kieran holding her hand. She was on the phone, listening to whoever was talking, her lips pressed together. "And I already done told ya, talk to my lawyer. Quit callin' me."
She pushed a button on the phone and shoved it in her pocket before spotting Marge's worried expression and shaking her head. "That damn man. He's throwin' a hissy fit about the divorce."
Marge sighed heavily as Caroline and Kieran sat down at the counter. "He'd best not cause no trouble."
Caroline seemed resigned. "He's gonna cause trouble, I already know that. Just a matter of how much."
She seemed to notice House for the first time, and expression immediately softened into a slight smile. "Hello, Greg. You get your place all put together?"
House could feel his heart start to beat a little more quickly. "Mostly."
"Well, if you need any help, you just let me know."
"Suppose you could come see it." House found himself saying. "Maybe you could tell me if it needs anything."
He could have sworn he spotted that blush rising in her cheeks again. Clearly, he'd said too much. "Not right this minute, I mean. We can find another time."
What the hell was happening? He sounded like a lovesick teenager.
Caroline looked a little confused but nodded. "I'd like that."
House fell silent, listening as Caroline and Marge talked a little more before Caroline moved behind the counter as Marge took off her apron and rounded the end of the counter. "I'll take the little man home. Say bye to your mama, baby."
Kieran dutifully shifted to lean over the counter to give Caroline a quick kiss. "I'll see you later, baby." Caroline told him.
They soon left, and Caroline returned to busying herself with tasks behind the counter, humming absently. House found himself at a loss. Surely he could find something better to do than sitting at this counter watching her work.
"You need a refill?" Caroline's voice startled him out of his thoughts.
"Sure." House nodded, waiting until she filled his cup before saying anything more. "Your mom says you're going back to school."
"That's right." Caroline smiled broadly. "Gonna finish that accountin' degree I started before Kieran came along. Maybe even go for a bachelors once I finish up at the community college."
House played with his coffee cup. "I might need a good bookkeeper if I ever get that office up and running."
Caroline laughed softly as she wiped down the counter. "Well, you just let me know. We might make a pretty good team, you and me."
House didn't dare think that far ahead. It could all blow up in his face, for all he knew. "Maybe. But that's a ways off."
Caroline shrugged a little. "Kinda fun to think about, though. First time I've thought about havin' a future beyond…well, you know."
"And you should focus on that." House asserted. "Focus on you and Kieran. Anything else is secondary."
Caroline leaned on the counter. "Suppose you're right. There'll be plenty of time for…anything else."
"Right, exactly." House answered quietly. "There's no rush."
Caroline paused. "It'd be like jumpin' outta the fryin' pan and into the fire, wouldn't it?"
"And we'd both end up burned."
They both fell silent, and House could sense that he had once again said too much.
Before he could say anything more, people started entering the café for lunch, and soon Caroline was busy taking care of other customers. Just as well, House figured. He'd been here long enough, and he should just leave Caroline to her own work and leave her alone.
He finished his coffee and left some cash on the counter, signaling to Caroline with a nod. She returned to where he sat and picked up the cash. "You need change back?"
"No." House answered.
Caroline gave him a sideways glance before tucking the cash in her apron pocket. "You're too kind."
If only she really knew. Instead, he merely slid down from the stool and picked up his cane, pausing briefly. "You know, if you have some time after you close up, you can come down and see my place if you want."
Caroline smiled at that. "I just might do that. Maybe even fix up a little somethin' for supper if you want."
House froze for a moment. "You don't have to."
"I know." Caroline answered. "I'll call you when I'm done, okay?"
"Okay."
With that, House finally left, making his way back to his building and heading up to the apartment. He still wasn't sure he was doing the right thing, inviting Caroline here. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause more trouble.
On the other hand, if they both wanted to pick things up where they'd left them, there was nothing wrong with that, was there? House didn't know the answer to that either, but found himself a little more willing to find out.
# # #
Caroline pulled into the small parking area behind the old doctor's office building and shut off her SUV. She still wasn't sure she was doing the right thing, coming here.
She had promised herself after Greg left that she wouldn't do this, that she wouldn't throw herself at him again. Just because he was the first man to show her a bit of kindness didn't mean she should just take up with him, especially with all the trouble Kevin was causing these days. Besides, she had other plans for her life that had nothing to do with some man.
And yet, here she was, looking up at the light in the apartment over the doctor's office, a small bag of groceries in the passenger seat beside her.
She'd sure done it this time. But she was here now. No sense backing out now.
Caroline grabbed the bag of groceries and tried the back door. Of course, it was locked. She set down the bag and found her phone, finding the saved number and waiting as it rang.
"Hello." The gravelly voice answered.
"Greg?" Caroline replied, hating how nervous she sounded. "It's Caroline. Can you let me in?"
She heard him curse softly before answering her. "Sorry. Locked it behind me. I'll be right there."
He hung up before she could reply, and she soon heard the sound of footsteps and the lock unlatching before the door swung open. "Come on up."
Caroline followed Greg up the narrow set of stairs that led to the apartment, and he opened the door. There was music playing, though Caroline didn't immediately recognize it, and he had a laptop computer open, a pair of glasses next to it. "Didn't know you were workin'." Caroline spoke carefully. "I could have come another time."
"I invited you, remember?" Greg answered with a hint of a smile. It changed his whole face, softening it somehow. "I have a meeting over at Vanderbilt University this week. They want to talk to me about teaching some seminars for the medical school."
"Sounds like a big deal."
Greg shrugged as he led Caroline to the kitchen. "It's just going over some of my old cases. They seem to think it would be a good learning opportunity. You need help finding anything?"
"No, I'll figure it out." Caroline answered. "If you don't mind me diggin' through your stuff."
"I don't mind." Greg replied. "Not like it gets a lot of use."
"You don't cook?"
Greg leaned on his cane, and Caroline could almost feel those eyes boring into her. "Not much. A little more now, but only because take out options are limited around here."
"You're right about that." Caroline couldn't help laughing a little. "I'll get started. Won't be long."
The sound of Greg's footsteps were the only reply, and Caroline soon got to work finding everything she needed.
There was always something soothing about the work of cooking for Caroline, the chopping, the stirring, making sure everything was timed just right. It reminded her of happier times with Kevin, early in their marriage, before it all went to hell.
"Smells good." Greg's voice made her jump a mile, and it took her a moment to collect herself.
"Oh, it's nothin'." Caroline tried to cover up her surprise, concentrating on stirring what was on the stove. "Used to make it all the time back when…well, you know."
Greg didn't reply, and at first Caroline thought he had already left the kitchen. Suddenly he was beside her, cracking open a can of something and setting it on the counter near the stove.
She was surprised at the small kindness, though she supposed she shouldn't have been. "Thank you."
"Sure." Greg responded, leaning against the sink and cracking open his own can. There was a long silence before he spoke again. "Why would you make something that reminds you of…that?"
"It was just the first thing I thought of makin'." Caroline replied. "Nothin' fancy, you know. Anyway, it's just about ready."
Between the two of them, they got dished up and made their way to the living room. No sooner had they sat down than the music ended, and Greg was up again to turn the record over.
Whatever it was, Caroline liked it. It was very different from the country music she typically listened to. "What is this?" She asked.
Greg looked incredulous, as if he was about to say something, but seemed to catch himself. "Just an old blues record."
"I like it." Caroline answered, feeling a little embarrassed. "Kinda sad, though."
"It suits my mood more often than not."
Caroline didn't know how to respond to that. "Suppose there's somethin' to that, you know, listenin' to sad music to make you feel better. I'd rather listen to somethin' a little happier when I'm feelin' down, I guess."
"I can find something else." Greg offered.
"You don't have to." Caroline assured him. "Already told you I liked it, remember?"
Greg glanced over at her. "I thought you were just being polite."
Caroline couldn't help giggling a little at that, and she immediately covered her mouth to stop herself. The last thing she needed was for Greg to get upset at her for making fun of him. "Sorry."
Greg looked puzzled. "For what?"
"For laughin' at you." Caroline told him. "I didn't mean it."
Greg still seemed confused for a moment before his expression changed, and Caroline braced herself for whatever might be coming.
"You've got to quit apologizing for everything." He told her quietly.
Caroline took a deep breath. "Old habits die hard."
"I know." Greg answered. "Believe me, I know."
They finished the meal in silence, and before Caroline could take their plates, Greg stopped her. "I'll clean up. Seems only fair."
Caroline didn't know how to react to that. The simplest acts of kindness from this man seemed to undo her. She swallowed hard, trying to fight back the emotion that threatened to rise up. "You don't…"
"…have to?" Greg interrupted. "You're right. I don't."
With that he rose from the couch, stacking the plates together and taking them into the kitchen. Caroline felt compelled to follow.
Greg was at the sink running water when Caroline came in, and he looked over his shoulder at her. "I told you I'd clean up."
"I know."
"Then why are you still in here?"
Caroline couldn't tell if Greg was getting angry with her or not, but decided it was probably better not to push the issue. "If you're sure…"
Greg shut off the water, wiping his hands on a towel before turning and limping toward her. Caroline couldn't help tensing up as he approached, closing her eyes.
Suddenly there were arms wrapped around her, and a soft kiss landing on top of her head. Caroline immediately relaxed, feeling silly for her overreaction.
She opened her eyes and looked up at Greg, who was staring down at her, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm sure." He told her quietly.
Caroline was getting that feeling again, that same feeling she'd had almost any time she and Greg had been alone together, that sense that she was somehow safe with this man.
She had very little to base that feeling on outside of a couple of evenings spent together and a few kisses, she knew that. And surely rushing into things with Greg would lead to nothing but trouble, just as it had with Kevin.
Caroline placed a hand on Greg's chest, unsure what to do. She shouldn't be here, but she was reluctant to leave. Something about being here with Greg felt right, though Caroline knew it shouldn't.
Before she could make a decision, Greg was leaning down toward her again, this time his lips landing on hers, slowly deepening, his hands moving to her back as he pulled her in closer.
A brief flash of panic went through Caroline before she let herself relax in his arms, allowing herself to be swept away by the sensation as she slid her hands under his t-shirt.
She could feel Greg do the same, his hands rough against her back. Things were getting out of hand in a hurry, and yet, Caroline didn't want Greg to stop. She couldn't remember the last time something like this had felt so good, and she didn't want it to end.
It was Greg that broke away first, pulling his hands out from under her shirt and resting them at her waist, a slight frown on his face.
"This isn't why I invited you here." He told her.
"I don't mind." Caroline replied.
Greg shook his head as he released her and stepped back, returning to the sink. He drained the water and started it again, leaning on the sink as he watched it fill.
"I'm only going to cause you more trouble." Greg told her. "You have other things you need to do, and I'm only going to distract you."
Caroline wasn't entirely sure what was happening. "If you don't want me around, say so."
"That's not it." Greg replied fiercely as he shut off the water and started washing what was in the sink. "I do want you around, and that's a problem."
"Ain't a problem for me." Caroline responded, joining him at the sink.
"It will be." Greg answered. "You think Kevin's going to stand for this?"
"I already told you, I don't give a damn what he thinks." Caroline asserted. "He don't own me."
Greg went quiet for a long moment, and Caroline could see how conflicted Greg seemed to be over the whole situation.
She took a deep breath before sliding an arm around Greg's waist, resting her head against his shoulder. "I like you, Greg. I really do. And I know things are…complicated right now. If that's too much for you, I understand."
Greg wiped his hands and wrapped an arm around her, planting a kiss on top of her head. "I like complicated. I thrive on complicated. But this…this could be more than that. This could endanger you, and Kieran, for that matter. I don't want that."
Caroline let out a heavy sigh. "I don't have no control over Kevin. But he's gonna have no choice but to accept…everythin'. I'm leavin' him all the way behind me."
Greg seemed to contemplate her words. She hoped that he knew that she meant every word. Finally, he nodded. "Guess this means I should take you out on a real date or something."
"I'd like that."
Greg let out a sigh of his own. "I haven't done this in a long time. I'm very rusty. Wasn't all that good at it before."
"I find that hard to believe."
Greg shook his head. "There's a lot you wouldn't believe about me."
"I'll bet you're wrong about a lot of things you've been tellin' yourself." Caroline replied.
"Maybe." Greg acknowledged. "You should probably get going before your mom comes after me with a shotgun."
"She won't do that." Caroline countered. "She likes you."
"Your family is very strange."
Caroline couldn't help laughing a little at that. Greg was probably right.
Greg walked her down the stairs to the back entrance of the building. It was dark and quiet now, and Caroline couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive.
"Be careful." Greg told her quietly.
"I will."
Greg leaned down one more time to kiss her, his tongue sweeping in and tangling up with her own, his hand resting on the back of her neck before pulling back. He stroked her cheek with a rough thumb before kissing her briefly one more time. "Good night, Caroline."
"Good night, Greg."
She finally left him and crossed over to her SUV, climbing in and starting it up. She could just make out his figure in the doorway, and she waved before pulling away.
One way or another, Caroline decided, things were going to be okay. It might not be easy, but in the end, it would be worth it. At least, she hoped so.
