Occam's Razor - House M.D.

13| Warm {NEW}

A/N: Second half of this chapter is brand new

That evening, Madelyn sat in one of the local cafes with a cappuccino and biscotti. 

The day had been long and the drama ludicrous, so she was in need of some down time. After a work day like today, Madelyn had trouble fully putting her mind at rest. So, she pulled out her laptop from a pocket in her tote bag. She decided there was no harm in looking at other jobs around the area, but she knew that walking away from Princeton-Plainsboro wouldn't be easy–– she had already gotten attached. 

She was able to locate a couple jobs that were similar, but there wasn't really any point in considering them; if today had taught her anything, it was that she couldn't run away from her issues. Therefore, it was clear that leaving Princeton-Plainsboro wasn't the answer. 

A moment later, with her hands masking her face, she felt her phone buzz on the table. Reaching for it absent-mindedly, she answered:

"Hello?" 

"Hi" said House monotonically on the other end. 

Madelyn's body tensed and she exhaled deeply, "Uh, Dr. House? What do you need?" 

"Nothing. I just-" House stuttered, "I wanted to say that I'm sorry for what happened earlier... for what I did or-or for what I didn't that made you so upset. I guess I could've handled it better." 

Madelyn couldn't believe he was apologizing, especially because she didn't get the impression that he apologized often,

"I wasn't lying about it or trying to use it to my advantage. I told you something I don't tell anyone." Madelyn responded calmly. 

There was a moment of silence as House realized that she must've heard his and Wilson's private conversation about her outside his office. 

"I know..." House sighed, "thanks for trusting me even though it didn't help you." 

"No, it did in a strange way." Madelyn confessed. "I did-I mean, I do trust you. It was my decision and even though it backfired, I don't regret it." 

"Oh yeah? 

"I respect you, and I think in your own twisted way, you were testing me. Beyond whether or not I was lying, but what in my life has molded me. You like to figure out people." Madelyn told him.  

"Figure people out?" House scoffed exaggeratedly, repeating her, "I don't even like people."

"You're a doctor." Madelyn laughed, "You must kind of like people, right?"

"Not even a little bit." And this was truthful. He didn't like people, but he liked Madelyn–– she was elusive like him. "I'm a doctor because medicine is fascinating, the patients aren't."

"Thank you for calling and apologizing. It wasn't necessary, but I appreciate it." 

"Well, everybody lies. But not everybody admits it. Don't get cocky, though." House remarked his humor sharp as ever. 

Madelyn smiled to herself, "I'll see you tomorrow." 

"Or maybe sooner." 

"Is that a question or..." Madelyn asked confused. 

"See for yourself, turn around." House responded, his tone lighter. 

Madelyn looked around, twisting her body towards the door and saw House standing in a motorcycle jacket. He looked as handsome as ever. She found herself blushing, and asked him to join her. For the next hour, the two of them got to know each other as blooming friends or something equivalent to that:

"Is this a regular hang out for you, or did you follow me here?" Madelyn asked him. 

"I could ask you the same question, Vada." House replied, picking up her coffee cup that had the name Vada written on it. 

"I like using different names at coffee shops. It keeps things interesting."

"How boring do things have to be to find fun in that?" 

Madelyn laughed, "It's fun to be somebody else sometimes. Today doesn't really count, though. Vada is my middle name." 

"Oh my god, really?! My middle name is John!" House batted his eyes like a little girl, "Look at us, becoming such best friends!" 

"Damn, John is such a basic name. And you think I'm boring?!" Madelyn teased him, taking her coffee cup back. 

"John was my father's name. He's dead." 

Madelyn's chocolate eyes bulged. She was so embarrassed, 

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I had no idea."

"Don't be, it's quite alright. In fact, it helps me get out of bed in the morning!" House smiled. 

Madelyn was perplexed, but figured to just roll with it, 

"Well, as long as it motivates you." she replied, shaking her head in disbelief of his humor. 

"And what motivates you? Besides kissing Cuddy's ass, of course." 

"Many things motivate me, including your unorthodox approach to medical practice." Madelyn admitted, drumming her fingers against the cafe table. 

"Dr. Gilmore, are you flirting with me?" House smirked, cheekily. 

Madelyn rolled her eyes, "If I was flirting with you, you wouldn't have to ask." 

"Don't be so sure. I've seen you flirt with Wilson before and he still looked confused. To be fair, though, Wilson may be a little shellshocked when it comes to flirting. I guess that's due to all the divorces."

"You're paying attention to my interactions with James that closely?" Madelyn wondered aloud, with an expression of satisfaction. Her lips were puckered to one side, feeling good about this moment because she couldn't deny that House's attention made her feel good. 

"A lot of attention isn't required to notice. You make it so obvious."

"Aw somebody sounds jealous." 

"Somebody sounds autistic." 

"Dr. House, are you diagnosing me? After hours?" Madelyn played. 

"Just calling a spade a spade." House replied with his palms up and spread, "Would explain why your flirting is so atrocious." 

"And would explain why your sense of humor is so atrocious."

"Gilmore!" House feigned hurt, "I like my sense of humor." 

"Well, I didn't say I didn't like it." Madelyn admitted trying not to blush.

House's interest piqued, "See, now that's more subtle!" 

"I'm not flirting with you!" Madelyn raised her voice slightly, still smiling. 

House swallowed a small handful of Vicodin, "Your face says otherwise."