Cuddy left the cafeteria, in search of House. She wanted to ask him a few questions about Sam, but she also just wanted to see him. His very presence seemed reassuring at times. Tracking him down, she was amazed to find him in the clinic. More surprising, however, was that he was with a patient.
She stood leaned the door, waiting impatiently for House to finish. He simply smirked at her, as he took his sweet time in helping his patient. Not only was he being nice, but also he was going by the books on this one. She glared at him, hoping he would hurry up.
House only smirked to himself. He knew she wanted to talk, but he felt no need to make it easy on her. He could tell she was a little frazzled, but she seemed okay. As a result, he was going teasingly slow with the idiot in front of him.
Cuddy had finally had enough and snapped, "You don't have pneumonia. You have allergies. Just go," she gestured towards the door behind her. Any emotional weakness she had previously felt was quickly overshadowed by anger and frustration.
House watched her diagnose the patient, just as crudely as he normally would have. The only difference was she didn't call the man an idiot. When the man had confusedly shut the door behind him, he spoke, "Dr. Cuddy was that really necessary? Do you realize the amount of emotional trauma that poor man might suffer?" He made disapproving clicking noises with his tongue.
"Oh shut up," she glared at him. She knew she probably looked like the bratty child he treated her like, but she didn't care. "Why didn't you tell me you knew Sam? More importantly, if you two are friends, why do you want me to fire her?"
"If you don't fire her, she's going to be roaming around her ruining my reputation, by hugging me and being nice to me all the time," he said, as if it were obvious. "What would people think? Me having a fully developed relationship, with someone I'm not having sex with? My reputation is going to suffer Cuddy."
She eyed him suspiciously, then her features softened, "Like this?" She moved towards him and saw the playful panic in his eyes. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she buried her face in his shoulder.
House could sense her stress and wrapped his arms around her briefly. He knew teasing her would only make it worse. He would have his revenge later. Hugging her against him, he asked, "Rough morning?" He felt her nod against his shoulder and he pulled her a little closer. He continued to hold her like that, until she looked up at him gratefully before loosening his arms.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled back, looking embarrassed. "Thanks." She smiled at him shyly, and then added, "She seems really nice House." The sincerity in her eyes was exactly what he had been hoping for. She was already starting to be won over by Sam's casual charm.
"That's because she is really nice Cuddy, he said seriously. Toughening back up he added, "And she's really nice looking too." He wiggled his eyes playfully at her. He wasn't sure if the jealousy that flashed across her eyes was for him or for Sam. Either way, he hoped it would work in his favor.
Ignoring his last comment she asked, "Then why does she like you?" She hoped that Sam had meant it when she said House was like an older brother, not anything more. House had made more than one sexual comment about Sam that day, but she wasn't sure how serious he was.
He shrugged, almost looking embarrassed, "We understand each other." He didn't want Cuddy to know everything just yet. If she found out too early, she would run. He wasn't sure if even he could get to her then.
Cuddy lost in thought said, "That's what she said." No matter how she looked at things, she couldn't figure these two out. They seemed to be merely friends, but their connection had felt so much deeper. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation.
"So why are you asking me if you already know the answer. We could be out there saving lives and being useful," he mocked, gesturing towards the door.
Ignoring his final comment, Cuddy just stood there thinking. She looked dazed and rather puzzled, as her brain tried to fit all the pieces together. The enigma that was House, always seemed to be growing. Deciding to leave it alone, she looked up only to be met with Houses' blazing eyes.
Step-by-step-by-wooden step he moved, until she began to back up. His hands quickly moved to her waist, holding her in place. As his fingers gently tightened against her flesh, he said, "One more thing before you go." Leaning down towards her neck, he smiled as she reflexively gulped.
Cuddy stood there breathlessly. She remembered what it was like to be close to House and couldn't say she had exactly hated it. There was something about his gruff manner that had always been sinfully sexy. Part of her wanted to run, while the rest of her was slowly pulled towards his gravity.
"You and I both know that I can last far past second base." Nuzzling against her neck for a moment, he breathed in her scent. He was glad to see she was still as responsive to him as ever. He would never take advantage of that, but it was a nice boost to his ego. She trusted him. Inhaling the wickedly erotic scent that was her, he added, "I know you haven't forgotten. It hasn't been that long since I've had you."
She shivered at his words. Seeing the smirk on his face as he pulled back, she glared daggers at him. She hated when he played with her attraction like that. As his smirk turned into a more playful grin, her mood lightened. This was revenge for earlier and nothing more. Nodding her minor defeat, she returned his grin and headed back to work.