Around lunchtime, House snuck out of the hospital. He considered bringing Wilson with him, but the man couldn't keep a secret for his life. This was defiantly something that needed to be handled with the up-most stealth.

He parked his car in the mall's parking lot and grinned. He was going to have too much fun with this little assignment of his. House exited the car and made his way inside the building. He headed directly to the lingerie shop.

Upon entering the store, House noticed that there were only a handful of customer's aside from himself, all of them women. He sighed knowing that the clerks would completely misunderstand his motives. They would either not believe he was shopping for his girlfriend or think he was an ass for buying her a 'gift' that was really all about him.

House had to hold back from the numerous thoughts he had of stirring up trouble. He had plans for that night and nothing was going to stand in the way. Keeping as low of a profile as he could, House began to browse through the items at the front of the store.

He was amazed at the variety of garments. He'd seen plenty items of lingerie before, but was still in awe at how many different ways the same item could be presented. He had to find just the right thing for Cuddy.

Passing by a rack full of outfits that were made to look like cats, House noticed a rack full of leather. He grinned knowing Cuddy would literally kill him for that. He stood there for a moment picturing his lover wrapped up in the material.

"Can I help you sir?" a young clerk said, glaring at him. She couldn't be much older than twenty, he noted. She was blond and skinny and looked like she'd just walked off the beach. Her fake tan was more than over the top.

"Nope," he said, quickly. Conversation with Blondie was something he was not planning to partake in.

"Are you shopping or just looking?" she asked, annoyed.

House stood there glaring at her for a moment. When she didn't leave, he sighed and said, "Shopping." He could practically see the dollar signs light up in her eyes. Had to work on commission, he rationalized.

"Well why don't you tell me what your girlfriend likes and I'll be happy to help you out," she said, bouncing behind him as he walked. Her over zealousness did nothing, but nauseate him.

Turning on his heels quickly, the girl almost fell into him. "Who said I was shopping for my girlfriend?" he said, deathly serious. Grabbing the nearest garment, which happened to be a light green baby doll, he asked innocently, "Does this come in my size?"

The clerk stared at him for a moment, completely slack-jawed. "I…umm…," she stumbled over her words, before turning around and quickly heading back to the register's.

House smirked slightly and went back to his shopping. Finding a section that had more of what he was looking for, House began to seriously look. Pulling out a black corset type outfit, House looked over the ensemble with great interest.

"Hi there," said yet another clerk. This one was probably in her forties and probably less easy to shock.

House sighed and met her glance questioningly. He fingered the material of the outfit gingerly, as he waited for her to speak.

"I'm sorry about Suzanne, she isn't always the most understanding," the new salesclerk said. "I'm Tory, what can I help you with?" She asked in a sickening sweet tone.

"Well Tory, the best thing you could do would be to leave me alone. I'm looking for something for my girlfriend. Since your job primarily consists of telling women what their partners would find them appealing in, I have little use for you. I AM the partner and I already know what I like," he growled.

The clerk looked shocked, but understanding. "I'll just leave you to it then. If you have any questions-"

"I won't," he said, and turned back towards the rack. Placing the outfit in his hands back on the rack, he looked at a few others before finally finding the perfect negligee. The only thing he needed now where hose to go with it. Finding the rack, he selected just plain black thigh highs with a seam up the back.

"All set," he said, to the clerks placing his selections on the counter. He grinned at them both happily. Finding the perfect outfit had done wonders for his mood. The two women helped check him out and wrap his selections in tissue paper.

"Thanks," House said, as he grabbed his bag and left.

XXXXX

Cuddy stood in the elevator on her way back from House's office. She had looked everywhere for him, but still couldn't find him. Despite the amazing sex, he was still as much of a nuisance as ever.

As Cuddy reached the lobby, House blocked her exit and stepped onto the elevator with her. He was carrying a shopping bag, but she was more curious about where he had been than what he was buying.

"Where the hell have you been?" she asked, crossly. She watched the playful smirk cross his features and felt her blood began to boil in more ways than one.

The doors closed behind House and he reached behind himself to push the stop button. The diagnostician pulled Cuddy into his arms, roughly.

Cuddy mildly protested, as she felt herself being pulled once more into his gravity. She quickly quieted once she was distracted with his lips. She loved the way he kissed her. Cuddy was a very strong woman, but she always enjoyed when House got possessive and dominant over her.

House pulled her even closer, grinning as she whimpered. He had her almost completely off the ground and continued to kiss her hungrily. He nipped at her lips playfully, reminding her that she belonged to him.

Cuddy felt her feet hit the floor. Before she could stop him, House had started the elevator back up and opened the doors. She felt goose bumps spread across her skin, as he growled in her ear, "Wear this when you come over tonight."

House slipped the bag into her hands and shoved her gently off the elevator. He grinned at the look of confusion on his partner's face. Winking at her, he left a breathless and stunned Cuddy in his wake. He nodded to himself approvingly.

He stopped by his office to grab the rest of his things, before leaving for the afternoon. He was too excited about the night before him. He rationalized leaving as needing to clean up a little before she came over. While they were in a committed and serious relationship, he still lived like a bachelor.