Author's Note: I have not delved into the world of House fanfiction before, but I'm obsessed with the direction of this new season. It is so bloody awesome! Love to hear what you, readers, think. This will be a one-shot for now. Contains spoilers for episodes, 6 and 7!

Disclaimer: Yes, I do not own anything of House. I tried to ask David Shore to cut me in, but he just said, sorry, no. Oh well, I still love him.

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"You do make me feel funny."

She held her breath and let it out slowly, her hands on her steering wheel. She was still in the parking lot of her hospital. Her briefcase was thrown haphazardly on the passenger seat next to her. Two empty Starbuck coffee cups were in her cup holders, one with her lipstick on it. The man she was currently thinking of limped out of the building. He never glanced around the parking lot. She heard the roar of his motorcycle before she saw him speeding off in the opposite direction. She didn't realize how hard she was gripping the wheel until she removed her right hand to turn on the ignition. It was another minute until she pulled out in reverse.

She slowly made her way onto the highway before thoughts of House flooded her mind. She had to tell him. It wasn't right. She was leading him on. But hadn't she tried to tell him? If he had been so interested in her, he surely would have noticed something was different; how she was different. Her smiles were slower to come. She kept her dealings with him more professional than before. She thought she was distant with him, but tonight's little display of teasing and hidden affection had taken her by surprise.

"What about us?"

She almost could not believe he said "us." What "us?" House had caused her more trouble this past year than any other since he knew she was interested him. She really was. He had finally gotten over Stacy and had shown he could still form semi-functional relationships with new fellows, even if those relationships were based on fear and threats. It proved he was still human. But… there was always a "but." She had Rachel to think of now. Rachel was her first and most important priority. She was barely going to be a year old and she didn't need "drama" in her very, young life. As her mother, she knew she needed to be stay away from "bad influences" and negativity. House was a bad influence. His photo was next to negativity in the dictionary (refer to pessimism, misanthropy, and sarcasm also, she thought). He was never going to change. It was his philosophy after all.

"It's inappropriate!"

She smiled as she recalled the whine that left her lips without thinking. She sounded like a petulant child. Her students were watching with careful eyes to see how she would treat the world famous diagnostician. She loved every moment of their banter. She had sighed exasperatedly when she was done chastising him and watched him limp away, whistling. House 1, Cuddy 0.

The car behind her honked his horn. She was jolted out of her reverie and put her foot on the gas. She was almost home and didn't remember half the drive there. She didn't see any more cars or traffic when she turned onto her street. The lights in her home were on. Wearily, she parked in her drive way and walked to her front door. The porch light came to life and the door opened before she had time to find her key.

"I was getting worried you were going to have a very long night at work," said a voice.

Lucas was leaning against the door frame, Rachel sleeping soundly on his shoulder. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek before moving out of her way. She hung up her jacket and placed her briefcase on the entry way table.

"I had to clear a few things up before I left," she answered him.

"Oh, like some 'House' work?" he grinned. She smiled at him. It was good that he understood her work relationship with House. He had worked with House first and knew how difficult he could be. She took Rachel from him and cradled the baby in her arms. If only she could sleep as peacefully… After settling down Rachel for the night, she ate a quick dinner, took a shower, and climbed into her own comfortable bed. Lucas turned toward her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I'll be gone for a couple of days next week," she told him.

"That medical conference?"

"Yeah, the one that's been stressing me out for weeks. Wilson is going to drive me and Rachel up to the lodge. We'll only be gone three days."

"If I finish up with the Cramer case, could I… um… meet you up there?"

"Sure, that'd be nice."

"Is House going to be there? Do I have to watch for a cane heading towards my head?"

She smiled. "No. He doesn't know about it and I made Wilson swear not to tell him."

She was already going to be uncomfortable enough with Wilson finding out she was in a relationship. Like the gossip mongrel he was, he would be on his phone calling House the moment he saw her with another man. It made her feel like she was cheating. However much she wanted to deny it, she still had feelings for that ass.

"Lisa?"

"Hm."

"Don't worry. He won't try to get between us."

She never answered. House wouldn't get between them. He was too proud. He would be embarrassed and ashamed he didn't notice anything beforehand. He would be hurt. That thought alone made her miserable. House would never break them up. She was sure that her and her guilt might though. Lisa closed her eyes. She had a week to prepare for the trip, ample enough time to not worry about what might be.