Disclaimer: I don't own House M.D., nor the characters.

Warning: Takes place in season four.

Author's Note: This subject has been done, but I wanted to do it my way. The fic is divided into three sections with three different subtitles based on the places the fic goes. There will be some harsh material and language to come, but I will provide warnings for specific chapters. For the most part, this first section is mild and not too damaging. Sorry to be a bit vague, but I don't want to ruin where this fic goes, so hopefully you'll enjoy it.

"Her."

House pointed out a red headed woman crossing the lobby. She was standing too straight and her fur coat was fastened tightly around her. Wilson looked between her and a blonde woman.

"Who?"

"Her, right there." House rolled his eyes and pointed with his cane.

Wilson's eyes locked on the red headed woman and he drew back. "Oh... no way."

House looked to his friend. "Why not?"

"She's definitely not my type." Wilson shook his head.

"This little exercise isn't about type," House replied.

"Then, maybe." Wilson gave a shrug. "I guess." A long haired brunette with pea coat entered the hospital. "Oh, her."

"No."

Wilson's eyebrows drew together. "No?"

"No. I mean, no."

House's eyes weren't on the brunette, but on Lisa Cuddy as she headed toward the exit of the hospital with a man on her arm. Wilson brought his attention to Cuddy before looking to House, a smirk on his face.

"Jealous?" Wilson asked.

"Never." House shot him a look. "I can't believe she's going out with a man who looks like that."

"You only saw the back of his head!" Wilson exclaimed.

"It was enough," House told him before taking off for the exit.

"House, stop."

Wilson had forgotten his promise to Cuddy that he would keep House away from the lobby at five because she would be leaving with her date who was meeting her at the hospital. Now, it was up to Wilson to stop House before he could do any damage.

"House!" Wilson called out after him.

House burst through the doors and tried to ignore the winter chill since he was without his coat. Wilson just made it outside to hear House's words.

"Dr. Cuddy, mother of my child!"

Cuddy froze in her spot and turned around, glaring with all her might at House. The man next to her turned also and his eyes fell upon the limping doctor. House made his way through the parking lot to her. Wilson gave her an apologetic shrug as he joined them as well.

"What?" The word was bitter as Cuddy spat it to House.

"Where are your manners?" House attempted shock and extended a hand to the man next to Cuddy. "Greg House, doctor."

The man took House's hand and shook it. "Neil Perkins, private investigator."

House tried to hold back his comment to this dark haired man. "I hope you did your research on this one. She's real feisty and involved in money laundering."

"I'll kill you," Cuddy muttered under her breath to House.

Wilson extended a hand to Neil as well. "I'm James Wilson."

"Doctor?" Neil asked as he shook Wilson's hand.

Wilson nodded. "Yes."

"Okay, we're going-" Cuddy tried to steer Neil away from her colleagues.

"Private investigator," House cut her off. "How exactly did you meet Dr. Cuddy here?"

"None of your business," Cuddy answered him and pulled Neil toward her car.

House frowned, unsure of any other way to stall her that didn't involve climbing into the car with them. As Cuddy and Neil opened their car doors, House raised a hand to the side of his mouth.

"Don't forget to mention the genital warts!" he called out.

Cuddy glared before getting into the driver's side and slamming the door shut. Wilson looked to House and shook his head.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked.

House shrugged and began towards the entrance. "Just protecting my fellow man."

"Since when have you ever cared about the fellow man?" Wilson's eyebrows drew together as he followed House back into the hospital.

"How is it?" Neil asked over the table, nodding towards Cuddy's half eaten dinner.

Cuddy quickly swallowed and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "Delicious."

"I'm glad." Neil smiled. "I knew you'd like it."

"I do." Cuddy returned the smile. "Does this mean I get to choose dessert?"

"Of course." Neil leaned forward. "So, I was wondering. What do you like most about your job?"

Cuddy thought a moment. "I like helping people. I like knowing that what I do makes a difference. Even if it's just a dent." She thought over the answer she gave, before turning her attention back to him. "What about you?"

"I give people peace." Neil gave a small shrug. "On many levels."

"Don't you, like, tail cheating husbands?" Cuddy asked him, wondering how exactly that involved giving people peace. She figured it must have something to do with knowing the truth.

"And wives." Neil nodded in response. "But, I've also worked with the police. I've been called into New York a few times. Sometimes on kidnapping cases or inside jobs at law firms. Drug busts. One time I even tracked a mob."

"That sounds dangerous," Cuddy commented. She couldn't image ever doing anything that risky.

"It can be," Neil agreed. He smiled again in attempt to comfort her a bit since she appeared worried. "I try not to think too much about that part of it. I just do my job and get the work done. I know there's a reason for my work and I believe that some good comes out of it."

"Yeah," Cuddy nodded. "It must be hard, though. To travel all the time."

Neil raised his eyebrows slightly and indicated her. "It must be hard to be so busy all the time."

"Sometimes." Cuddy raised her eyebrows a touch as well.

Neil poured more wine for her. "Same here. I take it in stride, you know? Although, it can get lonely. I've never given myself the chance to settle."

"I've worked hard to get where I am so I know exactly what you mean." Cuddy almost wished she didn't and reached for her wine glass.

"But, it is fulfilling." Neil freshened his wine. "Which I'm sure you understand."

"Yeah." Cuddy sipped her wine. "Though sometimes I find myself wanting that little bit more."

"Yeah, me too," Neil agreed. "I mean, I had a real relationship a long time ago, but I knew I wasn't ready. I was too focused on my career. Lately, I've been dating more. I find myself meeting the most beautiful women."

Neil let his eyes linger on Cuddy. She flushed slightly and set her wine glass down.

"Thank you." Cuddy gave him a smile.

"What about you?" Neil focused the conversation on her. "Any past damaging relationships? I always find the damaging ones have the best stories."

"Ah, one." Cuddy though back to that time. "It wasn't too damaging. Well, it was for him more than it was for me. I was in way over my head and we just, weren't good together. He thought otherwise, but... I think he's married now with kids, so I guess it all worked out."

"The heartbreaker," Neil indicated her with a coaxing smile.

"Well, I try," Cuddy responded right back.

Neil let out a laugh and picked up his wine glass. Cuddy resumed eating, but found herself growing steadily full. Neil was almost finished with his meal. He took a drink of his wine and set the glass back down.

"You know, I know this little café," Neil spoke, a bit shy. "It's about twenty minutes from here. They play this great music and the environment is just so... classic. We can stop by for an hour or something if you'd like. I mean, I'd love to take you there. If you want, of course."

Cuddy gave him a smile. "I would love to, but I have a ton of work at home and an early board meeting tomorrow."

"Oh, right, that's fine." Neil shook his head to help shake off her refusal.

"But, I'm free tomorrow night," Cuddy added in quickly.

Neil smiled. "Okay. Tomorrow, then."

"Yes, tomorrow," Cuddy agreed, returning the smile.