Chapter 1
"So I have to go out of town for the rest of the week," Cuddy told House as he walked into her office. She was shuffling files and clicking on her mouse simultaneously, preparing things for her impending absence.
"When?" he asked.
"Tomorrow," she replied. "It's part of the hospital peer review process. I have to serve on the review panel for a hospital in Phoenix. Normally, they only make us do it every few years, but they asked me because one of the reviewers is suddenly ill. "
"Well, that sucks," House replied. "But you know what they say… 'Absence makes the heart grow hornier.'" Cuddy smirked at him briefly before digging back into her file drawer.
"I'm so relieved you'll be able to cope so well with this lack of daily support and companionship," she replied sarcastically. House flopped into an armchair and put his feet on the coffee table.
"I'm a big boy, Cuddy," he replied smirking at her. "I don't think I'll fall apart."
"I'd also request that you not destroy this hospital while I'm away," she warned.
"That I cannot promise," he retorted.
Cuddy rolled her eyes and started sticking post-it notes on various files. "Thanks for your reassurance," she said.
"Anything for you," he replied, watching her organize her organization.
She looked up at him. "What are you doing in here anyway?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I just like looking at you," he explained, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head.
She smiled. "Oh yeah, you're not going to miss me at all," she observed.
He shook his head saying "Nope," but grinned at her.