Greg House was woken from his slumber when he felt the person he was currently snuggling against try and slip out of his grasp. He opened one eye to see Cuddy hurredly collectiong her things from the floor of his bedroom. He then turned his eyes to the clock; it was only six.
"Leaving so soon Cuddle-Muffin?" House asked groggily.
"Firstly don't ever call me Cuddle-Muffin again or I'll give you so many clinic hours that you'll be dead and still won't be finished them, and secondly yes I am leaving," she gave an exasperated sigh. "Have you seen my bra?"
"How will I be rewarded if I tell you,"
"You'll get the gift of living another day"
"In that case I'm not telling you," House closed his eyes and rolled over dramatically. Of course he had no idea where her bra was but that didin't mean he wouldn't have a bit of fun with her.
"Fine,' Cuddy said with a self-satisfied smirk. "Have it your way". She crawled back into the bed put her hands on his stomach and, just as he was getting comfy, started tickling him. House gave a surprised grunt and attempted to escape from her but she straddled him so he couldn't escape.
"Ok...okay...stop...," House laughed out.
"What's the magic word?" House didn't bother with the magic word but quickly grabbed her wrists and rolled on top of her.
"I don't know where your damn bra is Cuddle-Muffin," he said panting.
"Well you could have said that," she replied also panting. They stayed like for what seemed to be forever untill Cuddy broke the silence. "I really should get going"
House sighed, "I know," he said rolling off of her.
Cuddy got out of the bed and continued to collect her stuff. She pulled her clothes back on but paused when it came to putting on her shirt. She hadn't even realised that she was still wearing his t-shirt. She began to take it off when she heard House's voice.
"Keep it"
"Huh?"
"I said keep it. You can bring it back next time you come over"
"House.."her voice trailed off. She had been hoping to postpone this discussion for as long as possible.
House help up his hand, "I don't want to hear it"
"Well you're going to have to, because I'm not saying this twice"
"Why do you have to say it once?"
Cuddy looked over at House, who was avoiding her gaze. He looked truly uncomfortable, fidgeting with his fingers and pretending to look for his clothes. Finally she spoke, "Last night was...fun, but-"
"It can't happen again," House finished her sentence sadly.
"Right"
"And we have to pretend like it never happened"
Cuddy nodded slightly, "Right"
"Why?"
Cuddy's head snapped up and she looked at him, "You know I can't sleep with an employee"
"It's not a real rule it's just...frowned upon"
"And the people doing the frowning would be my bosses. It's just easier this way"
House looked straight at her, "Easier for who?" With that he got up, put on his clothes and walked out of the room leaving her confused and sitting on his bed.
tbc.