It was winter and Cuddy was making the final arrangements for a charity Christmas dance. She had been stressing over the details for months: making sure all the right donors were invited, primping the hospital to look its best, finding caterers, booking a band, the list was never ending.
Finally, she had one last task in front of her. She had decided to ask House to come. She knew he never behaved. He hated formal functions; hell, he hated social functions. Unless, of course, he was given free rein to mock the guests. She knew that his name was a big plus for the hospital, though. She hoped if he showed up, his presence would sway people to be a bit more generous.
He would be hard to persuade, although, she had plenty of options to bargain with. Bracing herself, she headed to his office. She hoped that the migraine that always followed bribing House would stay away this time.
"No woman, I will not have sex with you," House yelled, as he saw Cuddy heading in his direction. A few people looked up from their work, but most just ignored House and his typical antics. House kept walking, hoping she wouldn't follow.
Cuddy simply rolled her eyes, looking more annoyed than she actually felt. "Hey I have a favor to ask," Cuddy grinned at him, following him into his office. "House," she said, seriously when he kept walking.
House stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face her wide eyed, "You really do want to have sex?" He grinned at her playfully, knowing she couldn't resist their usual banter.
"No that would be me doing you a favor. Want out of clinic duty for the rest of the month?" She couldn't help smirking, as his own joke turned against him. Arching an eyebrow confidently, she waited for his answer.
"Cuddy I'm surprised at you. If we doctors don't take time out of our schedules to volunteer in the clinic, who will help all those dying poor people?" he said, with mock sincerity.
"Well if you've had a change of heart," she teased and began to walk away. There was no way his curiosity would let her escape. She knew it was only a matter of seconds, before he caved.
House snaked his hand out and grabbed her bicep, successfully stopping her movements. . "Not so fast minx, what's the catch?"
Cuddy just smiled at him knowingly. "Come to the Christmas benefit, and if you behave I'll throw in January as well." Cuddy held her breath, hoping he wouldn't laugh at the proposition.
He paused, pretending to consider the idea. He would never admit it, but all she had to do was ask. He had been looking for an excuse to show her he could change. "Throw in February and I'll dazzle them with my charm and wit."
"Done," she said, without hesitation. "Although, I hold the right to take those two months back if you misbehave." She smiled cockily at him. She had always been able to figuratively tie his hands behind his back with stipulations.
House pretended to think it over. It really wasn't a worry since he planned to behave anyways. Nodding his agreement, he began to walk away. He wasn't exactly nervous about going, but he could feel his apprehension growing.
She was still watching him, shocked at how easy that had been. Briefly, she wondered if she should be worried. House was House, though. She never assumed anything when it came to him. Just when you thought you had him figured out, he would pull the rug out from under you.
"Hey Cuddy," he said, yelling over his shoulder. Here it comes, she thought. "Make sure you get the piano again."
