Chapter 7 – The Plan Takes Off

The four made for an interesting dinner party. Wilson and Rachel were the primary entertainment. House made the occasionally snarky comment and Cuddy couldn't resist engaging him in playful banter. Wilson acted as if Rachel was the most interesting 1 year old in the world, but mostly he did that to avoid having to have adult conversations with House and Cuddy.

After dinner Wilson got up to bring the dishes to the sink. Cuddy got up to help, but House grabbed her arm to get her attention. He started to whisper so Cuddy leaned down to hear him better. "The revenge plan is in action. Just play along" he whispered.

House got up from the table and said loudly "Wilson, I just had a fabulous idea. Since you and Rachel have been hitting it off, why don't you watch her for an hour while I take Cuddy for a spin on my bike?"

Wilson and Cuddy's eyes both got huge as the plan sounded awful to them. Cuddy was about to protest that there was no way in hell she was getting in House motorcycle. Then she assumed House was just trying to scare Wilson and that no such ride was in his plans.

Wilson looked like he swallowed an egg…shell and all. He wanted to protest adamantly but his matchmaker skills thought an evening ride on House bike would do both of them a lot of good. Plus, he didn't want to break Cuddy's heart by telling her that he was afraid to be alone with Rachel for a whole hour! So instead, he mumbled "Ahh, I guess, if it's okay with Cuddy".

House made eye contact with Cuddy and she wasn't sure what his expression was conveying. Maybe they were just going to go outside for a few minutes to freak out Wilson. She decided to play along. She wasn't afraid of leaving Rachel with Wilson but she was terrified of the thought of a motorcycle ride from House.

Cuddy nodded her affirmative while saying "As long as Wilson's okay with it" and made a move to stand up. House grinned from ear-to-ear which immediately left some serious doubt sin Cuddy's mind. He must know that there was no way she was getting in his bike.

House grabbed his coat and handed it to Cuddy. 'Here, you better put this on, it will keep you warmer" he said as he grabbed one of Wilson's jackets for himself. Cuddy figured she would play along this far. Once outside, that was a different story. House left his cane behind and started limping towards the door. He paused and held out his arm "After you, my lady" he said mockingly.

Cuddy looked back at Wilson as he moved towards Rachel and her toys on the floor. Rachel was really in a happy mood, the long afternoon nap was paying off. Wilson gave Cuddy a reassuring nod and then she walked out the door with House in tow.

Cuddy walked down Wilson's front steps and then sat on the bottom step which was out of view from the apartment windows. House followed her down the steps and stood directly in front of her. "My lady!" House repeated again, holding out his hand for her to stand.

Cuddy locked up at House from her seated position. It was one of those gorgeous fall nights where the air was crisp and you could smell the wood fires in the air from neighboring homes. Under the glow of the street lamps, Houses visage almost took Cuddy's breath away. She paused before answering "House, I have no intentions of getting on that bike" in a much calmer, gentle voice than she was aiming for.

This, of course, was when House realized that he would be able to get her on his bike. He wasn't really sure until that moment. He leaned down and got as close to eye level as his leg and tall stature allowed. He locked eyes with her while saying "Are you afraid of me Cuddy? Am I too dangerous for you that you can't trust yourself to go for a little bike ride with me"

When House said it, he was referring to the time when Cuddy went with Wilson to an art gallery. When House called her out on it (since she never asked House to an art gallery) Cuddy had responded that Wilson was 'safe'. Thus, implying that House was too dangerous for a platonic relationship. House doubted that Cuddy even remembered the conversation and probably didn't make the connection but she took the bait anyway.

Cuddy sat up straighter to make her face move closer to House's as she responded "Well, someone's ego is a little inflated. One leg massage and you think you're the stud of Princeton!" Without losing eye contact, she stood up causing House to back-up slightly. They were still only inches apart. Cuddy jutted her chin out saying "But I set the ground rules. You get 10 minutes, no highways, and no 60mph. I don't want to make my daughter an orphan". She then headed towards the bike.

When House finally limped his way over to the bike, she was standing next to it, looking at it, and was confused about how to get on. House grabbed the helmet, then grabbed Cuddy by the shoulders, turned her quickly around to face him, used both hands to put the helmet on her head, buckled the strap, and got on his bike. He would have taken more time to enjoy dressing her for the ride but he was afraid she would change her mind.

Cuddy followed his lead and swung her left leg over the bike. She really had no idea what she was getting herself into. When House started the bike she felt her fear come over her and she wrapped both arms around House's waist in a tight grip. House smiled to himself as he slowly pulled away from the curb. If she held him that tight now, wait until he hit 80mph on the turnpike. Man, he loved when a good plan got better.