House pulled into visitor parking near the medical school, hanging his handicapped placard on the rear-view mirror before preparing to make his way to the entrance. Storms had come through overnight, and while the rain had stopped now, he knew that his cane and wet pavement were always a dangerous combination.

His own jangling nerves weren't helping. He hadn't taught in any capacity since that one seminar years ago and hadn't considered it a possibility in the years since.

Still, this had possibilities. Vanderbilt University's medical school was on par with some of the top medical schools in the country, and teaching would keep him sufficiently occupied until he was able to get his license transferred.

He carefully made his way to the entrance, punching a button on the elevator with the tip of his cane. It was quiet now that the medical school was between sessions, and House rode the elevator alone until he reached his destination.

It didn't take him long to find the Dean's office, the reception desk just outside. He nodded as he approached, and the receptionist met him with a friendly smile. "Can I help you?"

House cleared his throat. "House. Gregory House. I'm here to meet with Doctor Foster."

"Of course. One moment."

House wandered around the reception area, occupied in his own thoughts until he heard a voice behind him. "Doctor House?"

House turned to see a slightly shorter man, balding, glasses perched on the end of his nose. He reminded House of a darker version of Taub, but friendlier, somehow.

Doctor Foster met House halfway, extending a hand. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Come on in and have a seat."

House followed the other man into his office and took a seat at the desk across from Doctor Foster. "Can we get you anything? Coffee, water?" Doctor Foster offered.

"No, no need." House answered. In reality, he just wanted to get this over with.

Doctor Foster nodded and glanced at his computer monitor over his glasses, scrolling with his mouse. "Your CV is quite extensive. I had the opportunity to read through a few of your papers. Impressive."

House shifted a little in his chair. "They were mostly my team's doing. You know, they just slapped my name on them."

Doctor Foster fixed House with a somewhat amused look. "Yes, I'm familiar with how the publication process works. Still, the cases are…fascinating. It certainly would provide some unique learning opportunities for our students."

"I haven't taught in a long time, and it was just the one seminar." House told him.

"Of course, of course." Doctor Foster nodded. "We would take you on as a contracted instructor for these seminars. It wouldn't put you on the tenure track, but something tells me you're not interested in that path anyway."

House couldn't help the short chuckle that escaped him. "True."

Doctor Foster smiled in response. "I spoke to Doctor Cuddy at great length. She spoke quite highly of you, despite your…somewhat unorthodox approach to medicine. But since you'll be teaching and not practicing, I don't believe we'll have to worry about that."

The wheels started turning in House's head. "So, you understand the work we did at Princeton-Plainsboro. If, let's say, your hospital ran across some…interesting cases…"

Doctor Foster raised a hand to stop House. "I'd like to start with the seminar. Perhaps one starting in the fall. If that goes well, we can talk about expanding your role."

House was slightly disappointed but not terribly surprised. He knew full well what a liability he was to Princeton-Plainsboro, despite the work his team did. He could hardly blame Vanderbilt University for not being willing to take on that kind of liability. "Of course. In theory, I'm working toward opening a general practice in the town I'm living in now."

Doctor Foster looked baffled. "That's quite a switch from what you were doing. Care to explain further?"

House took a deep breath, explaining everything that had brought him here, and was keeping him here. "I didn't see myself having a general practice, either. But the place needs a doctor. Closest one isn't for thirty miles."

Doctor Foster nodded at that. "It's a common problem. Rural areas are losing practitioners, and sure aren't gaining any. Good for you for stepping in."

"I haven't stepped in yet." House reminded him. "Just gotten as far as renting the place for a few months."

They spent more time discussing his CV and House's ideas for what a seminar would look like. Doctor Foster seemed pleased and intrigued with House's plan. "I must say, Doctor House, it would be a pleasure to have someone of your caliber on staff. If you're fully on board, I can have our legal department start working on a contract, and once we get that taken care of, we can put together the seminar."

House could feel that old excitement creeping in, the feeling that always cropped up the moment he found an intriguing case. He was looking forward to picking these students' brains. It was the part he always liked best about working with his team, the exchange of ideas that always served to sharpen his own thinking.

He nodded in response. "I'm as on board as I'm going to be."

"Excellent." Doctor Foster rose from his chair and extended a hand, and House did the same. "Watch your email over the next few days. Legal will be sending you a contract. Sign that and return it, and we'll start designing the seminar."

"Looking forward to it." House replied. "Appreciate you taking the time."

"Oh no, thank you." Doctor Foster responded, beaming. "It's not every day someone of your caliber lands in our lap. I think we'll have no problem filling that seminar."

With that Doctor Foster escorted House out of his office, leaving House to find his way out of the medical school.

Once he got back to his car, he paused as he took in the building, finally shaking his head and pulling his phone out of his pocket and hitting the speed dial.

"Wilson speaking." The voice on the other end picked up.

"Wilson." House all but crowed. "You'll never guess where I am."

Wilson sighed. "Probably not."

"Vanderbilt University med school." House told him. "They've seen fit to let me teach these rugrats some real medicine."

"House, that's…" Wilson paused. "That's great. Really. Guess that's better than being a simple country doctor."

House thumped his cane on the pavement. "No, think I'm still going to do that, too. Just have to wait for my license to transfer. You know, paperwork. And it's not a full-time position. Just teaching a fall seminar."

"Still, that's a pretty big deal." Wilson responded. "Congratulations. Bet you'll have a waiting list for that thing."

"We'll see, Wilson." Doubt was suddenly creeping into House's mind again.

"I remember that one you taught years ago." Wilson pointed out. "I was always surprised you didn't do more of them. This…actually sounds like the perfect thing for you. Not so sure about the small-town doctor thing."

"Who knows, Wilson? Maybe I'll like it." House answered with a casual tone he didn't feel.

There was a long silence until Wilson broke it. "You know, I hear Tennessee's pretty nice in the fall. Maybe I can come down and visit. I mean, if you want me to visit."

"Yeah, maybe." House replied. "Who knows, you might like it, too. The place has a way of growing on you."

Wilson let out a short laugh. "We'll see about that. Anyway, I have to go. Got a consult waiting. But I'm happy for you, House. I really am."

That was the last reaction House had expected. "Thanks. Talk to you soon."

With that House closed his phone, shoving it back in his pocket. He considered calling Cuddy as well but decided that could wait until everything was finalized.

He was oddly grateful. Not just for the opportunity Vanderbilt was affording him, but for everything that had made it possible.

His bike crapping out on the side of that country road could very well have been the best thing that could have happened to him.

# # #

House spent the next couple of days going back and forth over email with the legal department at Vanderbilt to get his contract signed, and he had arranged with Foster to meet again to start planning the seminar for the fall. He was already going through some of his old cases, picking a few fairly simple ones that he would use to start the seminar. If there was time, he could certainly find more challenging ones to fill out the semester.

He was relieved to have something to do to fill his time. He'd also started to check out equipment for the office downstairs. The equipment in the office was in good condition, but in serious need of an upgrade.

Without the backing of a hospital, though, it was going to be a major financial investment. House wasn't sure he was ready to make that kind of commitment. No, he'd hold off and see how the business of the practice unfolded before he made those kinds of decisions.

He would essentially be going into business for himself. It was a daunting proposition, to say the least. Maybe he would be better off just sticking to teaching.

In the meantime, there was his date with Caroline looming large, and he still hadn't come up with an idea. He wasn't thrilled to be seen out and around with her, seeing as Kevin was still lurking in the background. There was no telling when he was going to pop up and cause trouble.

But he didn't like the idea of sneaking around, either. That came with its own problems. House knew that all too well.

He huffed irritably and opened up a map site on his laptop, searching for possibilities outside of this town. There was a Chinese place not far from here, in the next town. House had to admit he was missing the variety of cuisines he'd had to choose from back in Princeton.

The barbeque joint that had opened up down the street from his current place did a lot to ease that pain, though.

He continued his search, finding a movie theater in that same town, not far from the Chinese place. Dinner and a movie was as basic as dates got, but maybe basic wasn't such a bad thing.

And if it got them out from under the prying eyes of damn near everyone in this town, all the better.

# # #

House pulled into Marge's driveway, shutting off the car and pausing for a moment before climbing out and making his way to the front porch.

This wasn't just a casual visit. No, this was much more. No wonder he was so on edge. He couldn't recall the last real date he'd gone on.

He just hoped he wouldn't screw this up.

House took a deep breath and exhaled before he knocked on the door. He heard Kieran shouting on the other side, Marge's voice responding.

The door flew open, revealing the young child, with Marge right behind him. "Come on in, Greg. Caroline's just about ready."

House stepped inside, looking down at Kieran. "Hello."

"Hi."

With that the child raced off, shouting, "Mama, Greg here!"

"Alright, baby." Caroline's voice responded.

She soon emerged, carrying Kieran on one hip while tucking her hair behind one ear. The slightest smile graced her face when she saw House. "Well now, don't you look handsome."

House had no idea why he suddenly felt the heat rush to his face. As far as he knew he hadn't done anything different than he would have on any other day.

He suddenly found a very interesting spot on the floor, poking at it with his cane. "Um, thanks, I think." He managed to mutter.

He glanced up to see Caroline setting Kieran down, kneeling so that she was at his level to give him a hug and a kiss. "Now then, you be good for Grandma, okay?"

"'Kay, Mama." Kieran answered, throwing tiny arms around Caroline in response.

Caroline rose, resting her hand on Kieran's head for a brief moment before turning to Marge. "You call me if somethin' happens."

"Nothin's gonna happen." Marge assured her. "Y'all have a nice time."

House managed to recover. "I'll have her home by curfew."

Marge just laughed. "Go on now, get outta here."

They both made their way to the car, and House reached over to unlock the passenger side before starting it up.

"Don't know why I expected you to show up with the motorcycle." Caroline commented. "Kinda made me a little nervous."

The idea of Caroline holding on to him on the back of his bike was more than he wanted to think about at the moment. Instead, he shook his head. "I don't have spare equipment, and you should have your own if you're going to ride with someone else anyway. I'll keep it in mind if you're that interested."

Caroline smiled again as she buckled her seat belt. "Never ridden a motorcycle before. Can't say if I want to or not. Might be fun, though."

House backed out of the driveway and started down the street, finding his way through and out of town. He glanced over at Caroline, whose expression had changed to a worried frown.

Of course, he should have known better than to just start driving without saying anything. "Found a Chinese place and a movie theater the next town over. Figured it might be…safer that way."

Caroline's expression changed to that of relief. "And we won't have to worry about folks bein' nosy."

House couldn't help laughing a little at that. "Yeah, that too. This town already knows all of my business and yours."

"Might as well get used to it." Caroline told him.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." House responded as he continued on.

They soon arrived at the Chinese place, and Caroline's face immediately lit up. "I remember this place. Used to stop in from time to time when I was goin' to school."

House was somewhat surprised. "Really?"

"Sure." Caroline responded as they climbed out of the car. "The community college ain't that far. This place is right in between there and home. That was before…well, you know. Everythin'."

They went inside and were soon seated at a table, and Caroline started looking over the menu. House soon heard a buzzing sound, checking his own pocket for his phone.

"Sorry, that's mine." Caroline told him as she pulled the phone out of her purse, glancing at it with a frown. "Kept it on in case anythin' happened at home."

"Is there something wrong?"

Caroline shook her head as she put the phone back in her purse. "Nothin' for you to worry about."

House didn't like the sound of that but set his concerns aside in favor of perusing the menu.

"Hmm…been so long since I've been here that I barely remember what I like anymore." Caroline continued. "They had these noodles with all kinds of things in 'em that I used to love."

The server showed up to take their order, and between them they ordered a variety of items. "And chopsticks." House told her.

"Some for me, too." Caroline chimed in.

This woman was full of surprises. House's curiosity was definitely piqued now.

House could hear the buzzing start again and didn't miss Caroline's exasperated expression as she pulled out her phone. She opened it but didn't answer it. Instead, she pushed a button to quiet the buzzing and stuck it back in her purse.

"There, that oughta do it." Caroline said quietly, almost as if she were talking to herself. She looked up at House. "Talked to my lawyer yesterday. Said she was gonna have the divorce papers served. Guess Kevin got 'em. He's been callin' me non-stop."

This was exactly what House had been afraid of, and why he'd been so reluctant to move forward with whatever was developing between him and Caroline. "Maybe we should just call this off."

Caroline's expression was resolute, with that stubborn tilt to her chin. "He ain't gonna stop me from livin' my life no more. I'm gonna do what I want, when I want. And that includes bein' here with you."

The food showed up before House could formulate a response, and both of them picked up chopsticks to start eating.

House could see that Caroline was fumbling with hers, and he hung back, waiting to see if she would figure them out. She gave him a quick smile. "Been a while."

"Kind of impressed you know how to use them." House told her.

Caroline finally got them arranged in her fingers, testing them out briefly before reaching across to grab a snow pea. "You must think I'm nothin' but a country bumpkin."

House was a bit chastened at that. "Maybe at first. Thought everyone was, to be honest."

Caroline smiled a little. "See? Can't go judgin' a book by its cover."

House reached across with his own chopsticks to pick up some noodles and a bit of shrimp. "Think there's something in the water here. The place is growing on me."

They continued talking and eating, and House could finally feel himself relax, so much so that he nearly forgot about his plans for the movie. "We might want to get going if we're going to make the movie. Unless you'd rather skip it."

Caroline tilted her head at him. "Kinda enjoyin' this. I don't mind missin' the movie. Unless it was somethin' you really wanted to see."

House shrugged. "It'll be out on DVD before long, I'm sure."

Caroline stole a bit of beef from his plate. "Then we might as well stick around."

"Until they kick us out."

"You gonna do somethin' to get us kicked out?"

"Hope not."

"I hope not either."

Time seemed to slip away as they talked and ate, and they both started to reveal just a little more about themselves as the evening went on. House could sense his guard slipping further and further, and he didn't have it in himself to try and put it back up.

Something more was starting to happen between them, House knew that. Even with all the problems in Caroline's life, House couldn't see how he could stay away now.

Finally, the server brought containers for the leftovers along with the check, a not-so-subtle sign that it was time for them to go. They started packing up the leftovers, discussing and debating who should take what as House put down his debit card to pay for the meal.

It was a quiet drive back, save for the radio. It seemed they had talked themselves out, and the silence seemed companiable, not awkward.

House pulled into the driveway and shut the car off. He wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to do from here.

Scratch that. He knew what he wanted to do. It was just at odds with what was appropriate given the circumstances. The darkness and the silence weren't doing much to help him do what he knew would be the right thing.

He felt a hand on his, startling him out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Caroline looking at him uncertainly, her fingers curling around his.

House came to his decision in an instant, leaning over to press his lips to Caroline's, teasing them apart with his tongue as he leaned in further.

It took him a moment to realize that she was kissing him back, and it was almost as if something unlocked in House. Their kiss deepened, and House's hand found its way under Caroline's shirt, caressing the soft skin underneath.

He heard Caroline's breath catch, felt her stiffen under his hand, and he pulled back. "Something's wrong."

Caroline closed her eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling softly. "It ain't you. Just reminds me of…somethin' else."

House cursed to himself. How could he have forgotten? It hadn't been that long since Kevin had attacked Caroline. "I'm sorry. I forgot."

Caroline reached up and stroked House's rough cheek. "It ain't your fault. You didn't do it. I'll…I'll deal with it."

House took Caroline's hand in his, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Think we should call it a night. I'll walk you to the door."

Caroline nodded, and House released her hand. They climbed out of the car and made their way up the steps to the front door.

Caroline took House's hand in hers. "This was real nice. Wouldn't mind doin' it again. Maybe even go to that movie."

House could only nod in response, having trouble finding his words. "Good night, Caroline."

"G'night, Greg."

With that House leaned down, tentatively kissing her once more, and it slowly deepened, lingered until House found himself getting completely lost in the feeling that took him over.

After what felt like forever, they finally broke off the kiss, and Caroline let out a soft sigh, placing her hand on House's chest. "You're still comin' for supper tomorrow, right?"

"If you want me to."

"I do." Caroline briefly kissed him again. "'Sides, Rob'll be here. Would look bad if you weren't here."

"Well, I can't have Rob show me up, can I?" House answered lightly. "Yes, I'll be here."

Caroline smiled, a real smile that lit up her whole face. "Then I'll see you then. G'night."

"Good night."

With that, Caroline went inside, and House returned to his car, climbing in and starting it up, sitting for a moment.

Things with Caroline were starting to go in a whole new direction. It could go very well, or it could all blow up in his face. Normally, he would have bet on it all blowing up.

But maybe, just maybe, this time he could get it right.