We've been in a state of completely satisfied bliss for two months. Things are back to the way they were, but better. He wants me around constantly and we're in bed constantly. I bring him his lunch every day and make him dinner every night. We alternate between our two apartments, although we're in his more often. He's much more affectionate without being overbearing.

Tonight is the annual benefit gala poker tournament and House is actually excited. He and I have been playing online poker together for weeks, prepping. I'm quite excited myself; it's an opportunity for me to quell all the rumors I'm sure are floating around about me being some young, uneducated little hussy just trying to get House's money. I've got an incredible dress and can't wait for him to see me.

I'm getting ready now, excited at how my makeup is turning out. I've managed to make myself look a touch older without caking too much of the stuff on. I've done my own hair, curling it and giving myself a side-part like a 1950s movie star. My dress is long and black with thin straps, a plunging v-neckline and a back that exposes me all the way down to the small of my back. I've got strappy black stilettos, something I know House will love and I wear no jewelry except for a pair of diamond studs my parents got me for my college graduation.

I want to surprise him and so I put on a long trench coat that covers everything. I go to pick him up, butterflies in my stomach. I've never seen House in anything other than his wrinkled t-shirts and jeans.

I pick him up in my car and am immediately turned on when he steps out onto the sidewalk. He looks dashing, better than any 007 I've ever seen. He's pressed and polished and perfect. He gets in the car and I can't help but smile from ear to ear. He tries to suppress a grin and asks me what the hell I'm looking at.

We arrive and he's wondering why I'm wearing such a long coat in May. We get inside and I take off my coat to check it and turn to him. He's staring at me, speechless. It's exactly the effect I was looking for.

When we enter the main room, I feel like all eyes are on us. I think everyone is amazed that House managed to find a date, especially one that isn't a hooker. I smile and take his arm and we slowly make our way to the bar. House has a scotch, I have champagne. We spot Wilson talking to Foreman and several others. He doesn't want to talk to them, but I make him walk over with me.

Wilson kisses me on the cheek and I smile briefly at Foreman, the blond man and a brunette woman. The blond is introduced to me as Dr. Chase, a man who worked with House for a number of years. He's very handsome and I can feel his eyes on me and see that he's surprised that I would be with House. The other man, who I assume is Indian, is Dr. Kutner and the woman is introduced only as Thirteen. We exchange pleasantries and introductions and House is sarcastic as always.

Cuddy, looking amazing, along with another brunette woman, approach us. The woman is introduced as Dr. Cameron, another colleague. Cuddy starts trash talking to House, trying to get him over to the poker tables. She's smiling and I think she's had a few glasses of champagne already. I'm not feeling lucky tonight, so I let him be carted off by the two women. I know he'll be attached to the table all night and I promise him I'll see him soon, giving him a kiss goodbye.

The gaggle of doctors before me look surprised but are trying to hide it. Wilson is smiling, glad to see the two of us so happy. Foreman shakes his head and walks away, obviously disapproving of my relationship with House. Thirteen and Kutner turn to conversation with themselves.

Wilson, Chase and I sit down at a table and I remark how great everyone looks. Wilson sees someone he has to speak with and leaves me with Chase. We're both awkward for a moment before he starts telling me a story about the gala from a few years ago, when they had a six year old boy with strange symptoms and had to work on him in their formal wear. I laugh and turn to the tables where House sits with Cuddy and Cameron, one on either side, playing poker. Cameron gives me a strange look and then turns to House. I press my lips together, a sudden pang of jealousy surprising me. I excuse myself from Chase and start toward the table.

xXxXx

We've been happy for two months. Things are back to the way they were, but better. She wants me around constantly and we're in bed constantly. She brings me lunch every day and cooks me dinner every night. We alternate between our two apartments, although we're in mine most often. She's very affectionate without being overbearing.

Tonight is the annual benefit gala poker tournament and I'm actually excited. Henri and I have been playing online poker together for weeks, prepping. I'm determined to beat Cuddy so badly she's embarrassed. I don't dress up often, but I like the way I look in my tuxedo and I'm sure Henri will like it, too. I can't wait to see her; I'm going to keep her up all night in bed tonight.

I'm also eager for everyone to see me walk in with Henri, a beautiful, young, educated woman who is in no way a hooker. I'm proud to be with Henri anywhere we go, whether it's on the motorcycle, in a bar, in bed, or at a black tie benefit.

She picks me up in her old Jeep and I find the contrast funny; an older man, younger woman, in an old crappy Jeep, well dressed and heading to a black tie event. She smiles when she sees me and it gives me an ego boost. I know I look good. Her face is angelic, but I can't see what she's wearing and that means she wants to make a grand entrance. She's smiling at me and I try my best to suppress a smile.

We arrive and at the coat check, she reveals exactly what she's been hiding. I can't speak, all I can do is stare. The dress hugs every delicious curve and I can tell she isn't wearing a bra. The back of the dress plunges down to the small of her back and her ass looks amazing. I can imagine how she'll look with those stilettos on and nothing else later tonight, her legs in the air. It's all I can do to not turn around and make her take us back to my apartment.

When we enter the main room, I feel like all eyes are on us. Or, actually, Henri. They're all looking at her and I know it's because she's stunning and she's with me, of all people. She takes my arm and she slows her gait to accommodate me as we walk to the bar. I have a scotch, she has champagne. We spot Wilson, Foreman and Chase and Henri waves and makes me go talk to them with her.

Wilson kisses her on the cheek and she smiles as she's introduced to Chase, who looks surprised. I know he was expecting some little high school looking thing, chewing gum with long fake fingernails and teased hair. He's looking at what's mine and wishes he could have it and I wish I could laugh in his face.

Cuddy and Cameron approach, they both look beautiful but not quite at the same level as Henri. There are more introductions and I can tell Cuddy's been drinking. She starts telling me that she's going to take me to the cleaners in poker tonight, completely annihilate me. She and Cameron whisk me away to a table and I kiss Henri and she promises to make her way to me soon.

I'm up with a lot of chips and pocket aces in my hands, three of a kind on the river, when I look up and see Henri laughing at something Chase has said. They're alone together and Chase has that damned magnetic smile of his on his face. Henri is glowing and looks amazing and I feel a cold stab of jealousy. Should I be surprised that they find each other attractive? They're both good looking enough to be models. I look to my left and Cameron is looking at something in that direction, but then she looks back at me and smiles. I'm angry and take a gulp of my scotch.

xXxXx

Author's Note: I didn't add Dr. Taub because I didn't feel like it. Deal with it. On another note, I know I jump around with time a lot, but that's how this story is going to go. I'm not trying to stay on one set timeline, but I jump weeks and sometimes months into the future. I don't really care, it just helps me write without getting bored.