Disclaimers: I don't own House or any of its characters. It belongs to Fox and David Shore, etc.

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House sighed frustrated. He couldn't believe what had just happened.

"This has never happened to me before." Cuddy placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It's alright House. It does happen. You'll be alright." He groaned.

"That's easy for you to say."

"It's not like it's the end of the world for you."

"No? Well, then how come my pride just took a major blow?"

"That's because you have a huge ego. You'll get it right the next time."

"There won't be a next time. I might as well just close my eyes and lie down and die." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh now you're just being overdramatic." He protested.

"I'm not being overdramatic. I have a reputation to uphold. What won't people think of me when word gets out?" She rolled her eyes again.

"There's that huge ego again." He glared at her.

"You don't know how this feels, because it didn't happen to you." She smirked.

"No, you're right, it didn't." Now he rolled his eyes.

"Gloating is really an unattractive quality on you. It gives you wrinkles." She just kept smirking.

"Insult me all you want, House, but this time it won't bother me." She started to laugh at his sulking expression and he rolled his eyes again.

"Stop it." She eventually stopped laughing and stroked his arm.

"Is there anything I can do for you to help you get over this?" He sighed heavily.

"No, nothing can help me get over this." Then he thought for a moment and looked at her. "Although, you could give me your winnings." She shook her head.

"No way. I won the bet fair and square and you lost."

"You're gloating again. That means more wrinkles." She just shrugged and didn't care what he said. He sighed knowing that this time he wasn't getting to her. He sighed again and hung his head.

After a few seconds of silence she smiled at him and spoke softly.

"I can get you a red lollipop from the nurses' station. Will that help cheer you up?" He shook his head. "Okay, I'll leave you alone then." She gave his shoulder another gentle squeeze and started to walk towards the door.

"Make it two." She turned back towards him and he looked at her. She couldn't help but smile at the puppy dog look on his face.

"Okay. I'll be back in a few minutes."

She left his office and House picked up the test results from his latest patient and read them again. When he was done he sighed and shook his head.

"It really is Lupus."

The End.