So this is my third fanfiction. In the first one I explored the reasons that could have pushed House in the mental institution and how him and Cuddy could have gotten closer, although I'm aware I never was able to write that final part. I will do one day, I promise. In my second fanfiction , Tokens, I was concerned with knowing more about House's past. Here I explore another important step in the life of how favourite characters. I'm always very careful about not writing anything out of character, I love House as he is and I try to be as faithful to his persona as I can. So tell me what you think of that.

Also in this story which would take place in season 6 I have somehow kept the old team as I like them better.

Enjoy, and, as always, review!

1

She was late. They hadn't been very careful lately. They knew it but didn't acknowledge it. But now she was two weeks late. She decided not to tell him anything until she did a test. So today she would do a blood test at the hospital and find out.

***

She stepped out of the lift feeling both weak and elated. He was going up after his clinic duty and upon seeing her he caught her by the elbow and directed her smoothly back into the lift, with a loud "How about you buy me lunch, Dr Cuddy? You owe from last night!" and a lurid wink. In the lobby, a few heads turned, but most were used to this kind of remark from Dr House and didn't pay any attention to it. They believed House to be a sociopath and didn't see in those remarks any hint as to what was really going on between the diagnostician and the dean of medicine. Which suited Drs Cuddy and House just fine.

"So..." House started.

Cuddy gave him a questioning look "So what?"

"Well obviously there's something going on, you hardly opposed any resistance to me opening up that patient this morning and now you have this weird thing on your face"

Instinctively, Cuddy raised her hand to her face, with a questioning look at House. Did she have something smudged on her face?

"It's trying to be a smile but it's not quite there." He said.

Cuddy laughed. He was just so funny to be with. She did want to tell him. She was so excited. She was a bit worried how he would react but she had grown to trust him and the love he professed for her. If he really cared as much as he said he did, this should be no biggie. Well Ok, having a baby is in itself a biggie, but she wasn't scared to tell him. She just didn't know how to say it. Was she expected to just blurt it out: "I'll have a club sandwich and a diet coke oh and by the way House, I'm pregnant"? That didn't sound right. It had been less than an hour since she had find out and somehow right now she was content being the only one who knew. She still had to process it. She had wanted a child of her own for so long! Of course Rachel was her own now, but she longed to be pregnant, to feel tiny feet kicking in her uterus, to have morning sickness, to give birth to a little human being. And a human being with half his genes! Quickly, before the door opened, she kissed him on the lips. Later, she told herself. A lift definitely wasn't the best place to make such an intimate revelation. Nor was a busy cafeteria. But she couldn't wait too long, otherwise he would find out. He would just know. So she forced herself out of her mother-to-be dreaminess and answered with a convincing "Stop scrutinizing me, House, there's nothing wrong, isn't a girl allowed to be happy?" To this, House just shrugged. He would find out.

They sat in an empty booth. House popped open his bag of nachos and offered it to Cuddy. Usually they avoided meeting in the hospital when it wasn't for medical reasons. It was weird being together and yet not being able to have an intimate conversation lest someone should overhear them. And frankly, it was also very hard to keep their hands off each other.

"This is weird" Cuddy said.

"I know, right? It says 'cheddar' but I swear they smell like Chase's feet" House retorted with a dead serious face.

She laughed shaking her head and he smiled at how much he loved to see her laugh.

"I know what you mean." House acknowledged what she was really getting at. "I wish they would all go away. But you know you can tell me anything, right?" Under the table, he stroked her shin with his foot.

Lisa smiled "I know honey." It had slipped her lips. She should really be more careful. But she couldn't help it. Working with the man you love and trying to keep it a secret could really be torture sometimes.

He grinned as she grazed his own leg with her bare foot. "It's ok. Honestly. We're fine. Just eat your burger! " she whispered.

"Don't boss me around, boss, I'll eat it if I want to!" House was in a bantering mood again.

"Well, don't you?"

"I'm starving!"

"There you go then!" she smiled winningly.

"Don't give me that look you filthy little..."

At that precise moment they were interrupted by the chief paediatrician: "Dr Cuddy, I will need you upstairs when you're done."

"Oh Dr Carrew, I'm sorry I completely forgot, I was meant to come this morning but... " I did a pregnancy test instead, she thought. "I'm so sorry. I'll be right up."

Dr Carrew nodded, and, shooting a puzzled look at House and then at Cuddy, went to sit down at a nearby table.

"You think he heard us?" Cuddy was now blushing.

"Don't know, don't care" answered House. "Although I'm interested. What exactly did you forget?"

"Dr Carrew asked me last night to come and visit him first thing today. They have a complex case with Siamese twins."

"So, a matter of crucial importance. For you anyway. And yet you forgot?"He looked at her suspiciously.

"Yeah, well, I had other things on my mind. Listen, I've got to go. How about I come see you in your office this afternoon? I'll bring coffee?" She meant it as an apology. She was sorry she couldn't tell him the big news right now. She finished her food and dabbed her mouth with her paper napkin. The shape of her lips was now printed in 'rose glacé' –her favourite lipstick shade– on the white napkin. A perfect kiss shape. She smiled at it and handed it to him with a cheeky smile as she got up to leave their table.

Her back turned, she heard his sarcastic "Thanks!", as if he hadn't understood the gesture. She knew better and he knew she knew. This was torture, but it could also be very fun.