Love the reviews so far! Thanks, everyone. I'm having such a good time with this fic. I hope you all enjoy the next chapter. And happy belated birthday to Casper131!! Hope it was an awesome day.

After House's mishap at Cuddy's home, he decided to arrive well after noon just to make her angry. He was positive he was right, which meant Cuddy had some ulterior motive for her denial. However, before House pressed any further, he wanted to check his source.

House burst into Wilson's office and ignored the fact that his friend was on the phone. He slammed the door and moved into the middle of the room.

"Today's Cuddy's birthday, right?" House asked, loudly.

Wilson muttered into the phone and hung up, knowing there was no way he could put House on hold. Wilson enclasped his hands on his desk and gave a small nod.

"I believe so," he answered House's question.

"But, you're not sure?" House raised his eyebrows.

Wilson let out a small sigh. "Of course, I'm sure. Today is her birthday."

House took a step closer to Wilson's desk. "You'd bet on it?"

"What is this about, House?" Wilson asked and drew his eyebrows together in confusion.

"Nothing." House quickly turned from the desk and moved over to the doorway leading out to the balcony.

"Yeah right," Wilson wasn't so quick to believe and dismiss. "What'd she do? Snub your birthday gift?"

House turned back to Wilson. "Like I would buy Cuddy a gift."

Wilson gave a shrug. "She seemed pleased with mine."

House jammed his cane into the ground and walked over to the door. He was about to open it when he stopped. He looked over to Wilson.

"You gave her something?" House asked.

"Well, it is her birthday," Wilson replied.

House thought about this. "And she didn't protest?"

Wilson put the pieces together and finally understood why House was asking all these questions. "You tried to give her a gift and she refused it?"

"I didn't get her anything," House enforced his previous statement. "And I was just wondering if you succumbed to irritating birthday traditions. If I was Cuddy, I would be weary of any gifts from you. One free oil massage comes to mind."

"I bought her stationary," Wilson gave, hoping House would stop his rant.

"Stationary?" House repeated. "For the record, I want cash on my birthday."

Wilson leaned back in his chair, a smug smile on his face. "Who says I'm getting you anything?"

"You'll buy Cuddy a gift, but not your best friend in the whole wide world?" House's false tone would have been irritating had Wilson not been used to it. "Oh, wait, that's right. You don't want to get into my pants."

"Really, House-" Wilson started in order to defend himself.

"With your lack of sexual encounters as of late-" House continued on.

"How do you know about my sexual encounters?" Wilson cut him off, leaning forward in his chair.

"My people have called your people." House reached for the doorknob.

Wilson threw a confused hand up in the air. "That doesn't even make sense!"

"Gotta go," House replied and was out the door.

House hurriedly approached Cuddy in the front lobby of the hospital. She hadn't spotted him, so she wasn't walking fast enough to avoid him. House fell in step alongside of her.

"Today is your birthday," he said, leaning in close. "I was right."

"You had to check with Wilson to be sure." Cuddy stopped and gave House a look. "And today's not my birthday."

"So, you took Wilson's birthday present because you were worried about his feelings?" House rolled his eyes and threw out his sarcasm. "Now that sounds like the Cuddy I know."

"Go away."

Cuddy passed through the doors of the clinic, heading for exam room three. She was putting in hours after one of her doctors on duty called off and another had to perform emergency surgery. House followed after her. He grabbed her arm, stopping her, and raised his voice.

"Excuse me!" House addressed the clinic. "Hello, everyone! Just a little poll. How many know it's Dr. Cuddy's birthday today?" Roughly eleven hands raised. "And how many think it's a different day?" One timid hand. "And how many haven't a clue?" Blank stares. House smiled. "Okay, thank you." House turned to Cuddy. "The majority voted-"

"And proved you're wrong," Cuddy cut him off and continued walking.

House went after her. "Cuddy, do I need to show you again?"

Cuddy suddenly stopped and faced him. "And how do you know that I didn't set you up for all of this, House? How do you know this isn't payback for that little 'move Cuddy's entire office to the hospital chapel' stunt?"

House's eyebrows drew together and he turned back to the clinic. "How many of you were paid to lie to me?"

There was no reaction and House turned quickly back to Cuddy to rub it in her face, but she was already gone.