He didn't want to go to work, but he really had no choice. The beauty lying in his arms would easily turn feral if she found out he was skipping. Begrudgingly he climbed out of bed and got ready for work.

House stepped back into her bedroom quietly, making sure she was still asleep. It was by no means the first time he had watched her sleep. He could remember, before they dated, dropping by late at night hoping to talk. Some nights she was up, but other times she was already asleep. On those nights, he would watch her for a few moments through her bedroom window and just let her sleep.

Every time he managed to catch her sleeping relaxed and exposed, he fell for her all over again. She was beautiful during the day, but at night without the make-up and the stress, she was breathtaking. He wished he could keep her that innocent always. As much as he loved her fiery confidence, he preferred her carefree and playful side more.

House shook his head and laughed at himself. These were all things he would never be caught dead admitting. She would never know what he really thought of her. Just like, she would never know that he crashed her dates because he worried or that he always used the window because if she was asleep he didn't want to wake her.

Taking one last longing glance towards the bed, he tried to engrain her picture in his mind. She lay hugging his pillow close to her, with her chocolate curls wildly spread across the white sheets. One leg lay over the covers, exposing the creamy flesh of her thigh. She was wearing his t-shirt from the day before and he could just make out her black lacy panties. Letting his gaze linger higher he noticed the way his shirt cupped her chest in all the right ways.

A strange grin washed over his face as an idea struck him. Hurrying to the other room, he found a post it and left her a message. Sticking it eye level on the bathroom mirror, he left for work grinning.

XXXXXX

Cuddy woke up to an empty bed. She whined softly to herself as she grabbed House's pillow and hugged her body against it. The one thing she hated about being in a relationship with him was when she woke up alone. She had never realized how often he was called into work at odd hours, until she started sharing a bed with him.

In the first weeks of their relationship, she had woken up each time he left. Nevertheless, by now, they had become comfortable enough with each other that she slept through his quiet departures. Inhaling his scent on her pillow, she started to relax once more. She may have slept through his leaving, but every time her body eventually alerted her of the missing warmth beside her.

She would never tell him how much safer she felt, just having him in her bed. With his strong arms around her, she knew nothing could hurt her. He would always keep her safe. He may still hurt her now and again, but she understood that too. She wouldn't be with House if he changed too much.

The nagging urge to use the bathroom, kept her from drifting back to sleep. Glancing at the clock, Cuddy realized she still had a good three hours left before she needed to get ready. She got up to go to the bathroom, not even bothering to turn the light on. Slipping back into bed, she pulled the covers around herself more securely and drifted back to sleep.

XXXXX

House made his way to his office with his plan already formed. Some time that morning, his thoughts went from innocent to sexual. Ignoring his team, and the case file that Foreman was holding, House went in search of his phonebook.

Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was only 5:30. He knew it was too early to be making phone calls, but he had never been a patient person or one that played by society's rules. He picked up his phone and dialed the mostly likely candidate.

Watching Cuddy sleep that morning had inspired him. The only way he would get a photo of her like that, would be to take it himself. That wasn't to say that he couldn't get other pictures of her. He knew he would never talk her into sitting for some photos. Although, Lisa had done some pretty bold things over the years. Maybe there was a chance, but this way was defiantly more fun.

Dialing the number that he had pulled out of the phonebook, House arranged for the man to meet at his apartment that evening. It was a college kid, desperate for money. That made it even easier to accomplish what he needed. Cuddy would definitely kill him for this. Grinning to himself, House went to talk to his team in the conference room. He had a patient to cure!

XXXXX

Cuddy rolled over, smacking her alarm clock. She had no desire to get out of bed, but she had always been a responsible girl. She grumbled to herself, as her feet hit the cold floor. Hopefully, House had behaved himself. She was in no mood to show up and have to deal with him first thing.

Since they had begun dating, he had stayed fairly rational. He didn't intentionally make her job harder, but he didn't exactly do his either. He still hated clinic duty, but his crazy moments were far and few between. She wouldn't love him if he didn't, she realized. Smiling to herself, she flipped on the bathroom lights.

The first thing she noticed was the green post-it stuck to her mirror. She felt a brief flutter in her stomach at the thought of him leaving her something romantic. She chuckled to herself, as she snatched the paper off the glass. Dream on, she thought. House could be romantic, but his gestures were usually anonymous. He was not the type to leave her cute little messages. Rolling her eyes at herself, she read the note quickly.

My place tonight woman…be there! 7 pm

Cuddy chuckled at his cave man approach. God forbid he just ask her at work. She set the note down on the counter and got herself ready for work.