DISCLAIMER: I don t own anything related to Fox or the TV show House. I'm only borrowing some characters. The characters belong to David Shore and company.

A/N: I'm so happy everyone loved the first chapter.

Please feel free to give ideas. Although I'm not sure if I can follow them. But if I will if I could, though.

I know House is House but we saw that he had a romantic side in him too. (e.g. With Stacy and that date with Cameron.) So it's not OOC.

Thank you for all the reviews! Told you guys I'd post right away once I read the reviews. Please continue reading and commenting.

ANOTHER SHOT AT HAPPINESS

CHAPTER 2: THAT FATEFUL NIGHT

House spent the days after the night he asked Cuddy out looking for the perfect place to have dinner. He finally found one at Wednesday but found out they were fully booked. Venetto's, Italy is a four-star restaurant which takes a ridiculously advanced booking date to get a table reserved. Luckily, House cured the owner of the place, Jonathan Venetto, about 3 years ago and offered him the best seats in the house which actually was booked for a celebrity. Jonathan didn't care a bit about the star. He wanted to show his gratitude for being cured. He told House that when they get their on Friday night, he will be there personally to meet them and that he just call for Marcel, the head chef, and order anything and don't bother picking up the tab. 'The perks of being world-renown and damn good at what you do is just peachy!' He thought with a smug grin on his face.

After settling the place, he rented his suit. A lot more formal than the ones he wear at work and not to mention, ironed. And a tie. 'A tie! Won't she think I'm trying too hard?''No, you idiot! You were the one who told her to wear something formal!''Yeah. Forgot about that.' He suddenly then remembered the last date he had with Cameron. 'Don't even go there, House. That was different and you know it.' A voice exactly like Wilson's spoke to him. Well, it was right though. He definitely likes Cuddy more than Cameron. "I'm gonna go insane!" He said aloud in his empty office while scrubbing a hand to his face. he then popped a Vicodin into his mouth and started to burn the midnight oil trying to solve his current case since he knows he won't be able to focus on a date when he has a puzzle to solve. He can't resist puzzles just as much as he can't resist obsessing about Cuddy's ass. 'Ok, 'nuf 'bout that. Work.' he thought.

Fortunately, by Thursday morning, he solved his case for the week. 'It's as if the forces of nature want me to do clinic duty for two days and then have a date with Cuddy! It's just ironic. Well the date with Cuddy was the good part.'"Fate really takes the 'Work hard for what you want' quote seriously." he mumbled while going to an exam room and miraculously started seeing patients.

It's Friday night yet Lisa Cuddy still haven't found a dress to wear on her date with House. A date with House. She still can't believe it. It still didn't sink in. Is House actually finally trying to seek some level of happiness? Well, for him of course happiness is overrated. He'd probably cast off the feeling as 'less miserable'.

After rummaging through her closet filled with her power suits and dresses, she finally settled for a sexy blood red dress with a plunging neckline that hugged her in all the right places. She opted for matching stilettos that she got when she bought the dress about a week ago. She decided to wear her hair up in a bun and let a few loose curls cascade to her shoulders and cheeks.

She suddenly remembered that House finally solved his case yesterday morning. That man and puzzles just fit together. While waiting, her mind was going on overdrive about the possible scenarios that could happen tonight. Things could go terribly wrong but it could go just absolutely nice. 'Where could he be taking me?' She decided to just look once more at her outfit and headed to her living room and sat down, took the daily crossword and started answering instead of worrying herself silly about tonight. "What will be, will be." She said on a sigh.

House was getting a bit antsy while getting ready. He was wondering what could happen tonight. He then decided that he'll be less of an ass and keep the conversation flowing but less small talk. He hated that small talk crap when he went out with Cameron. For him it made things more awkward than having a proper conversation. On the way to Cuddy's he bought a beautiful bouquet of red roses wrapped with an assortment of wrappers that made it a sight to behold and made his wallet swear at the price. He didn't care though.

He ringed her doorbell when he reached her doorstep. His heart stopped and his mouth hung when he saw her in her ensemble.

"Cuddy.." He said. He wanted to say something but nothing seemed to come out from his usually sarcastic mouth.

"My God, House! I can't believe that I actually rendered you speechless!" Cuddy said, laughing at him but she was also blushing a little at the thought of his jaw dropping from the sight of her.

His gaze lowered to her plunging neckline but when he started to lower his gaze further, she suddenly caught his attention, "Hey, heads up, Shut your jaw, don't want anything choking you."

When he finally got to his senses, he revealed the bouquet of roses from behind him and handed it to Cuddy. He heard her gasp then he looked up at her. Her eyes were twinkling and he loved the sight. It was warm and accepting. The complete opposite of his which he thought was drowning with its depths.

"For you. You look great." He said. Offering her a grin.

" yeah, I guessed that when you dropped your jaw on my doorstep." She replied with a huge smile.

When she accepted the bouquet she took in the heavenly scent of the roses and thankfully told House, "These are beautiful! Thank you! Wait there, I'll just set these in a vase the we can go." She reached for the nearest applicable vase and place the flowers and took a last smell then headed for the door.

"Where are you taking me? Oh, and you look good too by the way." She said. But she thought he looked very hot. 'Wait, did he actually trim his scruff?' she thought to herself then looked at him then she felt her heart skip a beat when she saw that he actually did! She wanted to run her hands over it and just jump him but the control freak administrator in her thought it wasn't right.

He thought about telling her but he knew it will spoil the surprise. So instead he replied, "I'm going to take you somewhere dark then we're gonna do the nasty while you're in a cat-suit with a whip and me tied to--" but when he was going to continue she stopped him in his tracks with that infamous death glare.

"House."

"Relax. You'll know when we get there. It's nowhere special by the way. Don't wanna get your hopes up." He answered.

Cuddy's brows furrowed in confusion and asked, "Nowhere special? Then why the hell did you make me wear something formal?"

He smirked at her, "Wanted to see those kick-ass curves and the twins."

"You're an ass."

He countered, "When was I never? Let's go. Don't wanna be late." Then grabbed her hand gently and lead her to his hot looking '65 Corvette.

When they both got in she smirked at him and sarcastically replied, " Don't wanna be late. Yeah right! Says the man who ALWAYS goes to work EXACTLY on time.

"Ouch. Word's can hurt you know." This is what attracted him to her. She knew how to throw back every jab she receives without missing a beat.

She smiled. Then frowned.

"I thought I told you to get rid of this?" She asked.

"Why? It's a pretty hot ride."

"House. It's graft!"

"But Mooooom! I wanted to keep it. So I did! It's mine!" He said with that pout she thought was cute.

"As if there's anything I can do about it." She sighed.

After about 15 minutes, he parked in front of a very fancy Italian restaurant. When Cuddy saw the sign, she instantly gasped then stared at him for a few seconds then spoke while crossing her arms across her chest.

"I thought you said nowhere special?"

"yeah. Absolutely nothing special," he said playfully, pointing at a diner, "we're going there. Let's go."

He grabbed her hand which she barely noticed because she was trying to hide the disappointment to show in her face as she was looking down while he led them to the restaurant.

House tilted her chin up with his hand and she glared at him when she saw that they were standing on the entrance of Venetto's. "C'mon, I was just messing with you."

Cuddy then smiled at him when she finally took notice of their intertwined hands. She didn't mind pulling it away because it somehow felt right. They're hands fit together, she thought.

They were greeted by a tall man with green eyes and a strong built. He had jet black hair and he looked quite attractive. He spoke, "Ah, Doctor House! Buona Sera! It is good to see you again!" The man said with a good American accent. Only hinting his Italian one just a bit.

"Buona sera, Jon," he gestured towards Jon and looked at Cuddy, "this is Jonathan Venetto, he owns the place," he then gestured towards Cuddy looking at Jon,"Questa e Lisa Cuddy." He finished earning a stare at Cuddy then she diverted her gaze to Jon.

"Nice to meet you." Smiling, she shook his hand.

"Ah, the dean! Pleasure to meet you!" he returned the smile.

"Now, let's get you seated. Follow me." he said. Leading them to the seats at the second floor. They were seated at the best table in the house which overlooked the 1st floor and the lights from the city over the clear glass window. Only those situated in the second floor can see the night lights from around them.

Cuddy broke the silence, "I can't believe you were able to get a reservation here. It takes months to get a table here! Not to mention in the second floor!"

"I treated Venetto 3 years ago--"

"Diagnosis?"

"An evil, cunning tumor. We weren't able to see it at once, the drunk thing was brawling the bar, making the owner think of shutting down completely. As you know, I made you sign the crazy stuff and then we saved him."

"Oh, that's great!"

"I just dialled his number from the chart and asked if there were openings then he just offered to set everything up. Told me not to even bother asking for the tab."

"Told me to just ask for Marcel, the head chef and order anything on the menu, ask for any wine, anything." He added.

"Oh really?" Arching her brow in question.

"I am actually, unknown to popular belief, perfectly capable of acting like a human being when necessary." He answered seriously tapping his fingers gracefully but subconsciously on the table.

Cuddy quickly placed her hand on top of his and replied, "House, I didn't mean it that way. I was just shocked. You do know you're not the epitome of humanity at the hospital. And I'm just surprised since I don't know how you act when you're not at work. You do get what I'm saying, right?" She pursed her lips hoping he did. She sighed inwardly in relief when he nodded. After a few minutes, he reluctantly pulled his hand from hers and placed it on his lap.

Marcel then made his appearance and introduced himself. He took their orders and left. House order Rag alla bolognese which was a meat-based sauce served with tagliatelle or other pasta while Cuddy ordered a Fettuccine Alfredo.

Once again Cuddy broke the silence and started the conversation. She knew that House one of those people who hated small talks because they made no sense.

"So... What do you think Wilson is going to say about all this?"

"I didn't even tell him I actually asked you already. Although I'm entirely positive that rationalization man will have a field day just from the fact that I asked you out," he started,"he practically threw me out of his apartment when I went to him--" he added but Cuddy cut him off.

"Wait, two questions, one, why were you there? Second, why'd he "practically" throw you out? House, what did you do?" She asked, adding air quotes to practically.

"Hey! No fair! That was three questions. Don't you know--" Again, she cut him off.

"Just answer the damn question!" She hissed.

"Fine." He sighed.

"I was rationalizing, hence, rational man. Wait, you should apply for a new job, I heard rationalization man is looking for a trusty sidekick." He was supposed to answer properly but he wanted to add a few punches to buy time for a proper explanation.

Cuddy allowed it so she chuckled a bit then she turned serious again.

"House, just please be serious for a minute and answer." She knew there was something to this that he wasn't used to so she didn't back off.

He sighed and opened his mouth to talk but the waiter appeared and served them dinner. House approved the merlot offered and poured them a glass.

"Can't believe I'm saying this, but, saved by a waiter!Who would've known they were useful?" He muttered then smirked at her.

Cuddy grinned at his child-like manner then said, "You're not off the hook yet, House."

They ate their dinner while jabbing verbally with each other like they usually do, as much as possible avoiding small talk. Cuddy noticed that he was less of an ass tonight and that was what she was thankful for, he didn't say sexual innuendos in front of other people out loud. She could do this more often, she thought.

After dinner, Marcel returned, asking for their preferred desserts House was the first to order. He ordered a baba au rhum, a small yeast cake saturated in liquor, usually rum, and sometimes filled with whipped cream or pastry cream. She ordered a Semifreddo, a semi-frozen dessert, typically ice-cream cake, with certain fruit tarts.

In a few minutes their desserts were served and Cuddy complimented Marcel about her Semifreddo which she said was absolutely divine. And he garnered a pleased nod at House then he left.

House stared a while at her without her noticing because she was drawn to her dessert too much. When her tongue licked the spoon a bit slowly, House wished he was that spoon at the moment. 'Calm down House, think naked Wilson.''You're a gentleman for tonight. You'll jump her when the time is right. relax.''Naked Wilson. Naked Foreman. Naked night Janitor who wears his pants backwards.' He finally calmed down albeit with yucky images of men slowly disappearing from his imagination.

"House? You Okay?" Cuddy asked, concerned when he flinched a bit when she touched his arm.

"Huh? Yeah. Just thinking." He offered her a grin which she gladly returned.

"Wait, you've got something-- I'll get it." he said when he saw a small chocolate smudge on her bottom lip and dabbed at it with his napkin.

She stared at him for a while, she knew she shivered internally when he ran his napkin on her lip. She smiled at him.

"Thanks." That was sweet, she thought. 'Wait, House? Sweet? That's a huge paradox!''Hey, don't start with that again! Give him a chance! He's showing you, for the second time, his human side! He's showing you a side to him he barely shows anyone! Not even Wilson. He's giving you this privilege and yet you're trying to shut it out!' A voice like Wilson's was booming into her ear as soon as she thought a bout the paradox thing.

After a few minutes of silently eating their desserts Cuddy opened the topic they left before dinner.

"O-kay. Back to the previous discussion you were so willingly leaving behind. Why were you at Wilson's and why'd he practically throw you out?" She said, tapping her nails impatiently at the wine glass. She already finished her Semifreddo.

He answered her in a low voice while running a hand through his scruff which made Cuddy unconsciously run her tongue on her lower lip. She sat up when she realized what she did. She took a deep breath then quietly released it when she saw he wasn't looking.

"You know curiosity killed the cat."

She countered, "Too bad I'm not one. Now answer the damned question!" Her tone rose a bit in annoyance.

House knew there was no way out so he tried to calm her down slowly, "Okay! Okay! Don't get your sexy thongs in a knot!"

He sighed, " I went to Wilson's last Sunday around 3--"

"Afternoon?"

"No. Morning."

"House!"

"Cuddy!"

"Can't he have the privilege to sleep being your best friend and all?"

"Will you let me finish or are going to talk about your concern for me being concerned for our wonder boy of Oncology?" He asked annoyed.

She sighs, "Fine. Just please, no more games."

'How long have you known me?"

She smiles, "Ok. Just... never mind.. go on."

"Thank you mistress..."

He continued, "As I was saying, I went to his apartment because I needed to be anywhere but my place, as you obviously know, I don't have a lot of options, heck, I only have one option," she frowned at that, "I haven't slept through the night since..." he couldn't finish the statement instead, he gestured between them with his hands nervously which Cuddy found adorable since House hated awkwardness.

She helped him, "The Kiss..." she paused and then continued, "yeah, Haven't slept well since, too." She chuckled.

"Yeah, that. Wait, you too?" He thought it was one sided only. He was relieved when she nodded and got the confirmation. They smiled at each other. It was a definite Kodak moment.

After seeing House had finished his dessert too, they waited a few minutes before they walked towards the stairs. Cuddy suddenly remembered his leg and she looked down at his leg. She was glad it was the usual one. 'Wait, I didn't see him take one Vicodin the entire duration of dinner.' Usually he just flaunted his drug use in her face.

While slowly going down the flight of stairs Cuddy asked House concerned, "Are you alright? I didn't see you take any Vicodin tonight. Did you leave it at home?"

House shook his head, "Nope. Didn't want to flaunt tonight so I took one at home."

"House... Thank you for that. It was thoughtful." She gave him a quick hug when they reached the first floor. A hug for his hard effort at not taking any pills for her.

He blushed a bit then muttered a "no problem" which Cuddy heard.

She held on to his arm as they went to the front desk where Jon was.

"Jon, thanks for everything." House said genuinely, shaking Jon's hand.

"yes Jon, thank you so much! Everything was exquisite!" Cuddy smiled at him and shook his hand too.

"Prego! A no, the pleasure is entirely mine. Grazie for curing me Dr. House. I would not have even been here if it weren't for that brain of yours." Jon answered quickly, smiling at the couple.

"All in a day's work. You saved me from days' worth of clinic duty!" House replied then turned his head to meet Cuddy's eyes and wriggled his eyebrows playfully earning a smirk and a soft hit on his arm from Cuddy.

Venetto saw the chemistry of the couple working its magic and he found the couple attractive."You two look good together. You should go here more often. All on me." He smiled at them. Cuddy blushed while House swallowed hard then glared at him.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Sherlock." House said.

Cuddy then gathered herself and smiled sweetly at Jon then said, "Well, anyway, thank you for everything. Send my thanks to Marcel. Everything was great. Buona serata Jon!" With out she gently dragged House to his Corvette and were on their way back to Cuddy's.

When they made it back to Cuddy's house, House opened the door for her and walked her to the front door.

"I had fun tonight." House said shyly.

Cuddy smiled and answered, "House, thank you so much for tonight. I had a lot of fun," She started, "I actually didn't think I'd have that much fun I thought it was going to be..." she was trying to feel for the right words and not sound ungrateful at the same time.

He helped her, "You thought it could end really, really bad? That and either way both positive or negative? yeah me too."

She smiled.

"Well, see you at work. Goodnight Cuddy." He said then kissed her gently on the cheek and lingering for a while before pulling away.

"See you. Goodnight House." She replied. She was shocked when he only kissed her cheek. She remember when she told him she liked sex. She still likes it. But this was House. Anything hard to take can shatter the man into pieces and make him retreat into his shell. Well, she should at least try for one on the lips. At least they could have that.

House wanted more than just a kiss on the cheek. He at least wanted to kiss those soft and full lips again like the night when Cuddy lost Joy. But he knew that it was her call now. The ball is in her court. He wanted sex, yes, he won't deny that. But he wanted things to be right since he was going to take this relationship seriously. He want it not to be on the first, the second, or the third date. If this will continue, then he'll at least wait for a month before they did the nasty.

When he was halfway through her lawn, House suddenly remembered an extra thing he bought on his way to Cuddy's. He can't belive he forgot it! That damned thing was expensive! He turned to look at her standing on her porch.

"Cuddy!"

"Yes?"

"Wait there. I forgot something."

Curious, Cuddy just nodded. "Okay."

House limped to his car and hid something behind his back. He was glad everything was still intact. He moved towards Cuddy and stood in front of her.

When she noticed he stood there like a statue staring at her like she was a diamond, she woke him from his trance.

"House?"

House handed her the thing behind his back.

"My God House!" She gasped as she reached for the stunning single stemmed salmon rose which was her favorite flower. Her eyes glazed over and she looked up at him. He was amazed by her eyes. As of that moment, her eyes were running with different emotions the first few he noticed. Shock, appreciation, happiness, and the last one he noticed he didn't know how to describe.

She smelled the flower and found the scent heavenly.

She looked at him again, "It's beautiful."

House couldn't help himself, he was too caught up in the moment to even think of what he said next.

"Just like you."

Cuddy let the tears fall and she smiled at him she saw that his bright baby blues suddenly lost their cold shell and she smiled wider when she saw the warmth of his eyes looking at her reveal itself for her. Just for her.

House cupped her cheeks and ran his thumbs over them to brush away the tears. He was about to say something when Cuddy closed the distance between them and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. House welcomed her kiss and quickly hung his cane on her doorknob which was right beside him. He wrapped an arm on the small of her back and one at the back of her neck. He deepened the kiss.

Her lips were soft against his. They were full and luscious. She ran her tongue across his lower lip and he parted his lips, allowing her entry. Their lips and tongues battled for superiority but both of them noticed the gentleness underneath their movements. Cuddy moved one hand to his chest and the other one to caress his scruff the way she wanted to earlier that evening.

After a few minutes they broke apart. Their foreheads touching. They can feel each other's breath in their positions. They stayed in each others arms for a while. House with one arm on the small of Cuddy's back and his hand gently combing through her hair which now had more curls tumbling down from that toe curling, breathtaking and soul searing kiss they had.

House tried to lighten the seriousness of the situation by slowly sliding the hand he had on the small of her back and slipped it low enough to grip one ass cheek.

Cuddy chuckled loudly in that sexy voice he loved then shook her head at his chest and said, "Trying to cop a feel?"

House chuckled. "Remember what I said before?"

"Hmm? No. Remind me."

"One small feel for a man, One giant ass for mankind." He chuckled.

She hit him playfully on the arm. "You're an ass!"

He chuckled again then plastered that mischievous smile of his.

"How long have you known me?"

"20 years, House."

"So me being an ass is not new anymore."

"Hmm.. I know."

"I just like calling you an ass." she added then pulled away from him laughing.

"Aww, Cuddy, I like your ass too!" House replied in a sweet, touched tone.

Cuddy laughed again.

"I'll be going now. Goodnight Cuddy." He said, kissing the top of her head.

"Bye House. Thanks for tonight. Drive carefully."

He nodded then started to limp towards his Corvette but then turned his head towards her direction and called out, " Have good, sexy, and hot dreams about me." He flashed her that eyebrow waggling and mischievous grin tandem again.

She laughed at him. "In. Your. Dreams. Goodnight House."

He chuckled, "Always." He then made his way to the car and headed home with a final wave her way.

She just shook her head and smiled. She waited until his taillights were no longer seen before she made her way inside her house.

When she was laying on her bed that night, she was reminiscing on the events of the evening and somehow realized that all her feelings for House have been reignited. She smiled at the prospect of having more dates. And she somehow knew it was weird but she couldn't help but think what if. What if House was the last man she dated? Her heart fluttered at the possibility. After staying silent, she finally succumbed to sleep but something was new. She slept through the night with an added bonus: she had a smile on her angelic face.

When House got home, he took two pills and popped them into his mouth. He was amazed at his new record. He was able to not pop pills for a few hours and not feel in much pain. He thought maybe Wilson and Cuddy were right all along. Maybe it was just psychological. The addict in him was fighting with him about taking more but he thought about trying to time his doses. He knew it was hard. But if like tonight, he tried, he knew he'll get what he needs.

It was the first night in a long time that he was able to sleep throuh the night without drinking any Scotch or Bourbon. He was positive and no longer rationalizing about the fact that he'll ask Lisa Cuddy out again when he gets the chance. Though how he'll ask, he's not sure. But he will. He'll make certain of that fact. He told himself.

He remembered that kiss. She initiated it. It wasn't one sided anymore, or, at all.

Even though he had no smile on his face, he knew that he felt something different. The good type of different.

He felt...

Less Miserable.