((A/N: Last chapter, finally. I need sleep…))

Chapter 3:

Cuddy was in tight, laced knee high red boots, a red, blue, white and gold leotard, a tiara, and an American flag, used as a cape. House's eyes widened as he gazed appreciatively at her. Cuddy could feel House's eyes on her from across the room. When Cuddy turned around Wilson averted his gaze but House kept staring. She made her way to House and the rest of the doctors.

House started to whistle, "God bless the USA."

"House, quit staring," she warned. He was practically leering at her. But he quickly glanced away however took a peek with the corner of his eye. "I mean it House."

Wilson raised an eyebrow at Cuddy's general direction. She just shrugged. "I always thought of myself as a Wonder Woman," she joked.

Chase glanced at Cuddy then at Wilson, with a puzzled expression. "Are you guys together?"

"No." Both Cuddy and Wilson said in unison.

"When did Superman and Wonder Woman ever get together? Superman has Lois," Wilson said.

"Lois… is that a pet name for that nurse in peds?" Wilson glared at House, daring him to continue. House didn't, he smirked but didn't go any further.

"Well their costumes look similar. I'm kind of rusty on my superhero knowledge" he said somewhat defensively. Seeing Foreman, Chase and Cameron left the group of older doctors.

Cuddy shrugged, "Superman and Wonder Woman do seem like they would make a good couple." House scoffed and was about to object to her statement when suddenly, Cuddy noticed that House was in his normal apparel. "Where's your costume?"

"I'm in it… I'm a doctor," he repeated for the second time that night.

"Doctors usually wear lab coats."

"I have another costume. It's under the one I have on right now. I can show you, in private," House winked.

Cuddy rolled her eyes, "I think I'll pass." Cuddy spotted her date at the door. She left House and Wilson and greeted him with a semi-awkward kiss. Watching her, House clenched his hand tight around his cane, until his knuckles became white.

Wilson cleared his throat. "Feeling a little green?"

"No," House snapped. He wasn't jealous. Why would he be jealous? It's not like he wanted to be with Cuddy… did he? No of course not.

Cuddy smiled up at her date. He had deep blue eyes, like House's, a nicely built body and dirty blonde hair, which was covered by a firefighter's helmet.

"Sorry I didn't have a costume," he apologized, still in his work uniform.

Cuddy shrugged. "What you have on is fine," she replied referring to his firefighter's uniform.

He looked around and saw a familiar face, it was House. "What's he doing here?" Before Cuddy could respond he started walking towards House and Wilson. Cuddy groaned this was not going to end up well.

And Cuddy was right. It could not have gone worse. The two men might as well just whip it out to see who's bigger. Men are a lot like children, Cuddy had to separate them and for the rest of the night she had to stay away from House.

- - -

It was getting late and the benefit was near its end. Cuddy's date had offered to take her home and Cuddy had accepted. She walked to her office, to get her things, while he went to get the car warmed up.

Seeing Cuddy go into her office alone, House saw the perfect opportunity to talk to her and followed her into the room.

It was dim. The only light came from outside her office, from the clinic, filtering through the glass panes on her door. Cuddy walked towards her desk reaching for her desk lamp. Just then Cuddy jumped back in surprise. The room had suddenly illuminated but Cuddy hadn't even touched the switch. She turned around and saw that it was House who had turned on the lights.

Cuddy took a deep breath, "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Good thing I'm a doctor. I could save you. A firefighter couldn't."

Cuddy sighed, not this again. "What do you want House?"

"What you said earlier, about Wonder Woman and Superman."

"Yeah, so what?"

"Superman's not Wonder Woman's type. They're too much alike." Cuddy had a feeling that they weren't really talking about the actual superheroes anymore. She wasn't too sure where this conversation was going so she stayed quiet and let House continue. "She'd be better off with Batman."

Now getting what House was trying to say, Cuddy responded, "Batman pushes everyone, who tries to get close, away. It would never work between them."

"You never know," he said sort of nonchalantly.

"House, stop the games please. What are you telling me?"

"I think you know," he said with a straight face. He was completely serious. Cuddy didn't know what to say, she was speechless for a few moments.

"I'm with…" and for a second Cuddy couldn't remember his name. Just then House's lips pressed against hers, surprisingly very gentle, as if he were asking if it was okay he was doing this. House got his answer when she started to kiss back. Their slow and steady kiss became rough and filled with desire.

The rational part of her mind was screaming for her to stop. Cuddy was afraid that if this kept going that something more might happen so she pulled away.

"I think," Cuddy paused. "You should go."

House turned for the door but didn't move, unsure if he wanted to go. He turned back around. "Go out with me."

Cuddy was not sure she heard him correctly, "But I'm with..."

"Yeah, ol' what'shisname," House said. Both of them knew that it wasn't going to last with what'shisname.

Grasping for more excuses Cuddy added, "And it's completely unethical. The board…"

"Screw the board. It's just a date. I'm not asking for your hand in marriage or anything. Dinner, I'll pay."

"This isn't part of some crazy bet you have with Wilson is it? Trying to get me on a date?"

"No." Cuddy sighed and House had his answer. "Wear something nice." He winked and left.

When House was out of sight Cuddy smiled to herself.

Fin.

A/N: Yes I'm ending it there. It was not how I hoped it would end but I wasn't too into this in the first place.
Look for another themed fic from me during the holidays.