Alright, alright... ten reasons seems enough for me. Plus, I really don't feel like addressing the homework issue either (and I have to go to work in like, an hour (BOO!)). Next chapter. Part two of Nice House :)

Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing (just O/C's). FOX owns everything else.
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Chapter 8: Mr. Nice Guy? (Day Two)

House had a good night. The events of the day that had passed were the cause. He had played his piano that night, but not the doleful melodies he so frequently turned to, rather more exuberant and jovial notes that reflected his mood. He was on a cloud… though he'd never admit that to anyone (not even himself). Being nice to Cuddy certainly had its benefits and he couldn't wait to see what day two of his assignment brought him.

He rose early again the next morning, deciding that arriving on time to work was something that he could definitely manage again. He had thought all through the night about how he was going to improvise a few more niceties into his performance. He wanted to kiss her again… hell, he wanted her to actually kiss him back. That was the ultimate goal, but he knew that he'd need a little more than today to achieve it. No matter, he was resolved to win his own little battle. He had two things left on Kelsey's list that he needed to do, (1) wear his lab coat for at least an hour, and (2) open the door for her. He wasn't exactly sure if he was going to stick to the list completely… opening a door seemed fairly pointless to him, but he could think of a few more ways to help his situation.

After arriving at the hospital on time once again, House spent a few hours down in the clinic before putting his plan into action. He knew that Cuddy had a meeting with a potential donor at 11:30 and knew that it would be imperative for Cuddy that the meeting went well. The man she was meeting would open huge doors for the hospital if he chose to donate. Little did Cuddy know, the man she was meeting had actually contacted House a few times previously via e-mail, wanting to know more about him, his department and the general way the hospital seemed to function around him (which House of course ignored). No time like the present to redeem himself… He made his way to Cuddy's office around 11:25, hoping to get there just in time to shock the hell out of his favorite boss. If his presence wouldn't be enough to do that, the fact that he was actually wearing his lab coat (for once) would.

House glanced towards Cuddy's office, slightly disappointed that the meeting had already started. He didn't want to interrupt the two, but he knew he'd have to if he wanted his plan to work. He politely knocked on the door to her office before sticking his head through the door.

"Sorry to interrupt… do you mind if I join you?"

Cuddy's eyes widened in both shock and fear. She didn't want House messing this up. The hospital needed this guy's money.

"Actually…" She began, but she cut herself off mid-sentence when she realized that House was wearing his lab coat. Why the hell… Damn, I wish he wore that thing more often. Ugh! Reel it in, Lisa; you've got work to do. The tall, good-looking older man, sitting in front of her desk jumped in and responded to House instead.

--"No, not at all. I'm always happy to meet members of the staff. Please, join us."

The guy seemed friendly enough… House was hoping this guy wasn't going to make it hard for him to be nice. The wealthy donor-types that Cuddy so frequently entertained in her office usually tended to be self-centered and entirely too arrogant for House's liking.

"Thank you. I'm Doctor Gregory House, by the way. You must be Charles Braxton. I'm sorry I haven't returned any of your e-mails. I'm sure you understand how demanding work can be sometimes."

--"Oh, Doctor House! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Not to worry on the correspondence issue. I'm just glad to finally meet a world renowned diagnostician and this hospital's biggest asset. Dr. Cuddy and I were just talking about how the hospital functions on a daily basis and what her aspirations were as the dean and woman-in-charge. Tell me, Dr. House, would you say that she's an effective boss?"

Cuddy was a little taken aback by Mr. Braxton's frankness and his cordial conversation with House. However, she was more concerned with (A) what exactly House thought he was doing, (B) how he was going to answer Mr. Braxton's question, (C) how he was going to screw everything up, and (D) how she didn't sleep a wink the night previous because of that idiot and his kissing crusade.

She returned her focus to the situation at hand and looked up at House from her desk, letting him know with her eyes that she needed him to behave. House began his response to Mr. Braxton's question, but his eyes never left Cuddy's (and vice versa).

"Lisa Cuddy is an excellent administrator. Not only can she manage to keep this hospital from running itself into the ground, single-handedly I might add, but she's also a very caring individual and a kick-a$$ doctor. She is well-liked and respected by the whole staff, and she always has the hospital's best interests in mind with her every endeavor. We're lucky to have her."

House and Cuddy's eyes were still locked. House gave her a wink and she smirked a little in response to both his words and his actions. The two broke their focus on one another when Mr. Braxton stood up, getting ready to make his departure.

--"Well, I know this meeting was short, but really it was just a formality, especially after that little speech Dr. House gave on your behalf. I'm still very interested in making a sizable donation to your hospital Doctor Cuddy. I just need to make a few phone calls and get everything nailed down – then I'll get back to you. It was a pleasure finally meeting you both. Have a good afternoon." With that, Mr. Braxton shook hands with the doctors and let himself out of Cuddy's office… leaving them alone together in the wake of things.

"That… was definitely one of the top five nicest things that you've ever done. What you said… it was… Thank you, House."

"Anytime, Cuddles."

Cuddy rolled her eyes at the disgusting "cutening" of her name, but she did so with a smile on her face, letting House know that she didn't care for the time being. She was still wrapped up in what House had said about her… in front of a potential donor, no less. House made his way over towards where she was standing on the other side of her desk.

"You know what this means, don't you?"

"What do you want? And know that just because I'm asking doesn't mean you're going to get it."

"I think that is what that means…" He then, once again, seized her by the hips and pulled her close to kiss her… this time, not so chastely. She still didn't kiss him back, but it just meant that he had to try harder. He meant every word that he'd said about her to Mr. Braxton. He knew she was an amazing woman… it was part of the reason he liked her so much and wanted her so badly. The game was still afoot.

House broke away from the kiss, then smirked and almost laughed at the sight of Cuddy. She was standing there in front of him… slightly frozen and it seemed as if she had lost the ability to speak. He liked catching her off guard like this; it was too fun. Cuddy on the other hand, finally snapped out of it enough to know that she needed to say something… anything, but her mind wasn't working that well at the moment.

"House… Y-Y-You…"

House finally let out a chuckle after watching her attempt to speak.

"I've rendered you speechless… cool. I'll be in the clinic when you come to, just in case you wanna talk or feel like doing the no-pants dance. Deuces."

House smiled again at the sight of Cuddy, who was looking confused and a little flushed. He then exited her office and made his way back to the clinic.

A/N: I don't know why, but I just really like this chapter. Too sweet. Let me know what you all think... COMMENTS!!!