A/N: I LOVE THE END OF SEASON 5 AND IT IS BRILLIANT, BUT THIS HAS TO BE DONE. I have to explore the what if…What if Cuddy had actually helped House detox and they had actually slept together? Hehe...my mind is a playground for the wonderfully twisted and the sinfully delicious possibilities!

Attraction and the Things that Come After

She had helped him detox and they had slept together; this was the realization that struck Greg House when he woke up. He smiled remembering the way she had felt surrounding him. For twenty years it had been building up and now they were getting the chance to make something happen. He couldn't get her out of his head. Cuddy was already gone by the time he had awakened, but he could still smell the scent of her perfume on his pillows. He cleaned himself up and even considered shaving before going in to work.

At last he decided that she liked him the way he was and simply put on clean clothes before heading into work…a full hour earlier than he would have normally done. "What happened to you?" Foreman asked him when he entered the office. "You look…good."

"That's what love does for you," House replied before disappearing into his office. Foreman didn't realize his boss was serious. He simply rolled his eyes and made a comment about a wild night with a few hookers before going back to his newspaper. House cheerfully treated the patient that was brought to him and made a trip to Wilson's office to gloat about his wonderful experience the night before.

"You two actually slept together?" Wilson asked upon hearing House's revelation. He was clearly shocked. "House, this is huge."

"I know." House's day was looking up, he didn't even mind the two hours he spent in the clinic so entranced was he by the prospect of starting a relationship with Cuddy. He entered her office and found her working. She blushed when their eyes met. "Well hello there," he said as seductively as he could manage. "Care for a quick romp on the desk?"

"House. Please don't do that. We're at work…I don't even know how I feel about what happened last night."

"I know how you should feel," he told her, trying to block out the thoughts that said she might not be as happy about the previous evening as she was during the sex. "Not many women get the full experience of Greg House!"

She sighed and met his eyes, choosing her words carefully. "I care about you House, but I need to think about some things right now…"

He took a deep breath. "Fine," he replied optimistically after a few moments. "Think about the ecstasy you experienced last night all you want. I expect you to show up at my place tonight, though at 7 sharp." Before she had a chance to protest he walked out of the office.

Cuddy sighed, staring after him. She wanted things to work out, but it was House after all…she needed to talk to Wilson. As much as she was afraid of what he would tell her, he had to know what had gone on.

"He's really happy," Wilson said when Cuddy came to him that evening. "And I think you should be too. It's great. You've wanted it for a while. Go for it."

"This is House we're talking about. He's eventually going to realize what he's done…fraternizing with the enemy or whatever and it'll all blow up in my face."

"I don't think so," Wilson told her. "Not this time."

"He's used you to get to me before," Cuddy pointed out. "It could be just another trick to get me to express my feelings so he can make me look like an idiot."

"True. You really should give this a shot though. I think it's the real thing."

Cuddy took the advice to heart, but had to wonder if she was getting in over her head when she arrived at House's apartment that evening. Wilson had agreed to babysit Rachel and Cuddy had dressed up quite nicely. House greeted her at the door with a grin and wearing a tie. "You look hot," he told her. She blushed faintly but thanked him, expressing her feelings about the tie being a nice touch. "The Chinese should be here in half an hour or so…do you want a drink?"

"Sure." The silence was uncomfortable until House put on the television. The food arrived and they ate while watching 'Cops.' Cuddy's heart started to fall until House brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. Her eyes met his and they shared an intimate kiss. "If we do this," she told him, "you have to promise you won't hurt me."

"Pinky promise," he replied with a smirk before kissing her again. She had no idea that she was the one with the power over his heart. They stood awkwardly, still attached at the lips, and made their way toward House's bedroom, scenes of the previous night flashing in their minds. Cuddy couldn't believe her luck…it seemed that her helping him detox had paid off for both of them…