A/N: In responce to the feedback I got from the previous chapter I wrote this next one last night in order to try and slow things down a little, break it up more and show Houses' thoughts in more detail. It's a slot-in chapter between the last and the next...whoch by the way will be the last of this story.

Don't worry...there will be more to come...


When the two finally came up for air, House looked deep into Sam's eyes. He saw clearly the desire, the want, and his heart pounded as he knew it was for him. But there was something else; a darkness, a sadness. That is what held Greg House back from saying all the things he wanted to say to the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew she was hurting; after all her Mom had just died. The last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of her while she was most vunerable and needy.

"Sam…" He began quietly.

"Shh." She said, knowing in her heart what he was about to say." I want you, I honestly do. I know the timing is bad, and I know you're probably worried about taking advantage but the truth is, I've never been so sure of anything in my life."

She searched his face for a reaction, but only saw herself reflected in his piercing blue eyes.

"I've spent half my life living in the past." She continued. "And my Mom…well, it's almost like I've been freed from dwelling. Dwelling on what might have been, where I might have gone with my life. But all I want now is to move on, move forward."

He stared at her. He heard her words, took them in; he knew she was dashing his suspicions, trying quite successfully to convince him that this was right. He only hoped it was for all the right reasons, and that she didn't just see him as a way out of her grief, of her horrific childhood.

"You have to know it won't be easy." He said, not quite meeting her eye. "Being with me. It won't always be sunshine and rainbows. There'll be rain too and sometimes even storms. I hate being miserable, but miserable is who I am, who I have been for the past six or seven years. I'm not going to change, I'll still be damaged and bitter and sarcastic and whiney and a pain in the ass, but I'll be just that bit happier and less miserable if I'm with you." He finally looked properly into her dark brown eyes. "I care about you. Which means I'll probably stop you from doing certain things at work, as well as make you do others," He winked at her. "But that doesn't mean I won't yell at you when we have a difficult case and you get it wrong, or that I'll take your side on something just because we're an item." He paused, trying to find the words to continue with his next point. "My leg-"

"Has nothing to do with that fact that I like you." Sam said softly but firmly. "Don't think like that. Cameron-"

"I wondered when her name might come into this." House cut across Sam who smiled.

"Cameron said you told her she liked you because you're damaged. I like you for a million different reasons, and one day I'll list them all but right now can you settle for your sense of humour, the way you fight to solve a case unconditionally without even meeting the patients, and the way in which you care so much about those few people precious to you."

"Yeah, I'm always getting caught giving Wilson a hug."

"And the fact that you always have an answer to everything." Sam finished, smiling at the man before her.

House sighed. He could do this. Couldn't he? He liked her a hell of a lot. She seemed to know what she was letting herself in for. Well, almost. They both knew it wouldn't be easy. There'd be ups and downs like every relationship but perhaps more so with them, with him, being who he is.

But he wanted to. She wanted to. And surely that was the most important thing of all; that is what mattered. They wanted this to work so much. As Doctors they both knew how unfair, how despairing life could be. With just a little more faith in the world, in humanity, they were helping the world to be a better place.

It had been a long time since House had felt this way about someone apart from Stacey. A long time since he had said some of the things he had said, thought about some of the things he was thinking about. But in the end he knew that it would happen, that it was time once again. He was ready and willing to fight, to make it work, because he was sure now, exactly how he felt about her.


More soon...please review!