A/N: Hello all! Thank you again for all the reviews on the last chapter. I am so glad you're looking forward to this one! This one was really fun to write, so I hope you all enjoy reading it! It's a little different than some of the other chapters, seeing as how it all takes place in one setting. This would have been up sooner, but every time I open up my computer I get distracted by Katy Perry and Demi Lovato...
Also, just a heads up: This story is now being written on a chapter to chapter basis. All that really means is that the updates may be a tad slower than they have been in the past. I expect there to be about a 4-5 day wait period between each installment. As for the amount of chapters there will be total, I'm still not quite sure. I'd envisioned there would be about ten, but I quickly realized that was not ample time to tell the story that I wanted to. I'm going to guess anywhere between 15 and 20! And I'm hoping to have this done before I leave for college in the next few weeks, but we'll see.
Disclaimer: This is getting rather redundant, but I don't own them. I simply rely on them for entertainment.
Cuddy was seated at one of the few tables in the center of the bar. Amelia was to her direct left, while her two friends, Lauren and Kelly, were sitting across from them. Kelly was babbling on about some guy she was having casual sex with, while Cuddy was unconcernedly sipping on her drink.
She had stopped paying attention about five minutes ago.
Amelia was smiling over at her friend, throwing in a laugh every once in a while for good measure.
The truth was, she wasn't paying attention either.
Cuddy's eyes wandered over to the bar. House was standing behind the wooden surface, playfully pouring drinks and engaging in witty repartee with a few of the guests.
She hadn't spoken to him when she walked in, deciding that it was better to simply saunter past him without saying a word. She'd shot him a wicked smile as she sat down, and he'd smirked back at her in response.
A boyish grin had appeared on his face, and he'd felt Joey jokingly slap him on the back, which he quickly shrugged off.
Cuddy lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip. Amelia did the same and turned to face Cuddy, a look of slight annoyance plastered across her face.
"So Lisa, " interrupted Amelia loudly. She desperately wanted to move on to a different topic. "Explain to me how you manage to get hotter with every passing day?"
Cuddy glared at Amelia, who was laughing quietly to herself.
"I need another drink," she muttered. "I'm going to the bar," she added with a smile.
Amelia dug her fingernails into Cuddy's thigh, begging her not to leave her alone. Cuddy flinched and then turned to face Amelia.
"Do you want to come?" she asked as she strained the muscles in her face, trying her best not to yelp out in pain.
Amelia let out a sigh before answering. "No, you go ahead. You should talk to House anyway, you haven't spoken to him all night."
"House?" asked Lauren
"As in the totally hot new bartender guy?" Kelly added.
Cuddy picked up her drink and took one last sip, draining it of it's content. "He's an old friend," she answered.
The two girls nodded skeptically, and Amelia quickly tried to change the subject once again, inquiring about the necklace Kelly was wearing. Kelly's eyes lit up and immediately indulged Amelia's question as she began to explain every detail of the purchase.
Cuddy took a deep breath and walked away from the table, making her way over to the bar. House was wiping down the surface with what appeared to be a very dingy looking dishrag.
He looked up and their eyes locked. His eyes didn't wander up and down her body like they normally did. Instead, he was staring straight at her.
A sharp pang occurred in her chest; she could actually feel him piercing her soul with his eyes.
She blushed as she got closer to him. She smiled sheepishly as she gracefully slid into one of the bar stools, setting her empty glass in front of her.
He nodded at her and she nodded back, a playful grin on her face. He took the glass from her and wordlessly refilled it.
He handed it back to her and she took a small sip, the liquid burning down her throat.
She was the first to break the silence. "How'd you know that's what I wanted?" she asked.
He leaned over closer to her. "I always know what you want."
Cuddy scoffed and took another sip. "That," she began, "is not true."
"Okay," he said, playing along. "Right now you'd do just about anything to get the hell out of this place."
"If I wanted to leave, I would just leave," answered Cuddy.
"No actually, you wouldn't," he continued, a smile forming on his face. "Because you know Amelia is almost as miserable as you are, and you wouldn't leave her alone, because you love her more than you hate those vapid girls across from you."
Cuddy bowed her head and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, shaking her head as he recited her thoughts word for word.
"So, " he continued, "you thought you would find the next best thing."
"Which is?" she asked
"Me," he responded triumphantly.
She leaned across the bar and set her elbow on the surface, pointing playfully at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Cuddy asked, her tone a bit harsher than she had intended.
"I'm enjoying watching you readjust yourself while you desperately try to find something to entertain you besides the conversation you're having. You move one inch in a dress that tight and your boobs practically fall out."
Cuddy rolled her eyes and tilted her head, flipping her hair back casually. House's eyes widened a bit, and Cuddy smiled, impressed with what the subtle movement did to him.
"Well, " she began, her voice charged with sexual tension, "I didn't want to be upstaged by a couple twenty-five year olds."
House smirked at her, wanting to reassure her that she always looked better than most twenty year olds, but deciding against it.
They were interrupted by the sound of Joey's voice as he gravitated towards them.
"Lisa," he greeted her sweetly. "It's been a while."
She smiled up at Joey, comforted by the fact that he had noticed her absence.
House interrupted, muttering quietly, "Dude, will you go away. I'm trying to hit that, if you know what I mean," he said quietly.
"Many have tried, many have failed," responded Joey.
Cuddy sighed, "It's good to see you, Joey," she answered ignoring House's remarks.
"It's funny that you say that, because for a while there I actually was…"
He was cut off by Cuddy slamming her drink on the surface of the bar, a threatening smile on her face.
"Sorry," House directed at Joey. "I don't know if you know this about her, but she has anger issues."
"Don't you have other customers to tend to?" asked Cuddy
House opened his mouth, about to respond with an obnoxious comment, when Amelia slid into the seat next to her
Amelia huffed and ran a hand through her hair. Joey smiled down at her and reached behind him, grabbing a bottle of tequila from the shelf. He poured her a shot and quietly slid it over to her.
Amelia downed the shot rather quickly, throwing her head back as the liquid trickled down her throat. Joey was holding out a slice of lime for her to bite into, which she graciously took.
"Bless you," she said, once her throat had recovered from the stinging substance.
"You okay over there?" Cuddy asked, amused at what had just occurred.
"Yes. I just think that maybe if I get really drunk, I will be able to tolerate my friends."
Cuddy turned her head to look at the table where they had been sitting. The two girls were suddenly surrounded by several college-aged boys, and were engaging in some type of sloppy drinking competition.
She looked up at House, whose eyes immediately moved from her chest up to her deep blue orbs.
Amelia let out a sigh, a pitiful look on her face. "Can I just hang out here with you guys?"
Joey nodded and poured her a real drink. She smiled in appreciation at him as she spun her finger around the rim of the glass that he had handed to her.
Amelia squinted her eyes at House, surveying him up and down. She tilted her head and furrowed her brow, the lines in her forehead wrinkling.
"Can I call you Gregory?" she asked, drawing out the syllables of his name.
Cuddy choked back a laugh and practically spit out her drink as she saw the mortified look on House's face.
"Just how drunk are you?" he asked, staring her down.
"Oh, I'm not drunk at all. Slightly tipsy, maybe, but not drunk. That was a legitimate question. I am however, going to take your biting tone as a no."
House took continued to stare down Amelia as he tried his best to piece together the young girl's mind. He'd known for a little bit over a month, and even then, she was a bit of a mystery to him.
He folded his arms across his chest as she stared back, before he finally dared to open his mouth.
"You do know that it's not normal for someone your age to prefer the company of a middle-aged single mother as opposed to sorority girls and drunk college boys who will do anything to get in your pants, don't you?"
Amelia rested her elbows on the edge of the bar, leaning closer to answer his question. "And what may I ask, do you consider to be normal, Gregory?" she fired back.
House narrowed his eyes at her as he unfolded his arms. He glanced over at Cuddy, who was sitting there with a playful grin on her face, amused with the exchange that was occurring between them.
Cuddy took a sip of her drink, waiting for House's response.
Joey stood there nervously, afraid of what House might say to Amelia. He knew she could hold her own if need be, but he'd seen the way House had treated customers before; some encouraged it, some get offended within seconds.
House smirked down at her. "Oh, you're gonna be fun."
He tapped his hand on the bar in front of where Cuddy was sitting as he walked away wordlessly. Cuddy shook her head at him as he passed her and walked to the other end of the bar.
"Lisa, where exactly did you find him?" asked Joey, a hint of laughter present in his voice.
Cuddy scoffed, "That," she began after taking another sip of her drink, "is an excellent question."
"I still don't understand why you're not sleeping with him," said Amelia as she threw her arms on the bar. Cuddy shot her a glare while Joey stifled a laugh. "I'm sorry okay, I know you don't want to talk about it but Lisa, I swear to god If I weren't dating Charlie…"
"Where is Charlie, by the way?" interrupted Joey. Cuddy smiled softly at him, grateful for the change in subject.
"I made him babysit Rachel so I could drag this one out with me." Amelia nodded her head over towards Cuddy, who took another sip of her drink.
"Well, I for one am glad you guys are here. I've got some stuff to do in the back, but find me or House if you need anything."
Joey nodded at the pair before walking away. When he was gone, Cuddy turned her to face Amelia.
"Will you please stop talking about how House and I need to have sex?" she pleaded
"Why?" asked Amelia. "Is my talking about it making you want to do it even more? Because if that's the case, then I'm not stopping. Sorry."
Cuddy rolled her eyes as Amelia continued. "I'm hungry, are you hungry? Do you think Joey would let me order a pizza?"
Cuddy let out a slight laugh at Amelia's ignorance. " Amelia, Joey would hand over the deed to this bar if you asked him to."
Amelia scoffed. "That's ridiculous, he doesn't even like me that much. Honestly I wouldn't go as far to call us friends, more like acquaintances. Yes, acquaintances. Joey and I are acquaintances, nothing more."
"Amelia, I know for a fact you are smarter than that," responded Cuddy
"Fine, I'll prove it to you. There is no way he is going to let me do this." Amelia cleared her throat before calling out his name. "JOEY!" she yelled.
Cuddy winced as Amelia's high-pitched shout pierced through her eardrums. She saw House turn his head from the other end of the bar, and she held her hand up to him as she shook her head, silently telling him to stay where he was.
A few moments later, Joey appeared from the back room and began to walk towards them. Amelia's face reddened and Cuddy smiled triumphantly at her, glad to have been proven right.
"You need something?" he asked. Amelia could practically taste the concern in his voice.
"Yes," she said, recovering quickly. She smiled sweetly at him as she tossed her hair back behind her. "Would you mind if Lisa and I ordered some pizza?"
"You want to order a pizza?" he asked skeptically. "And have it delivered here?"
"Yes," said Amelia definitively.
"And you're not going to share with anyone else?"
"Not a chance," she said. Joey raised his eyebrows slightly, causing Amelia to quickly add, "Except for you and House, of course. You guys can have some."
Joey sighed as he turned around and grabbed the cordless phone from its holder.
"Here," he said as he handed her the phone. "Knock yourselves out."
Joey headed back to the back room after handing Amelia the phone. Cuddy looked over at her and laughed as she took another sip of her drink.
"Oh, shut up," said Amelia as she began to dial the number on the phone. "Do you mind just camping out here for the rest of the night? I'd rather hang out with you alone, anyway."
Cuddy looked across the bar before answering. Her eyes caught his and he stopped whatever it was that he was doing as he stole a glance from her. She lifted her glass to her lips and took one last sip, downing the remaining content.
A genuine smile began to form on House's lips, and he ran a hand through his hair as he tried to mask it. She smiled slyly and winked at him before turning her head back towards Amelia.
"Sure," she said. "Let's just hang out here."
The crowd had started to die down within the hour. Most of the college students had moved on to another bar or party, and a majority of the middle-aged patrons had turned in for the night.
Kelly and Lauren had run off with some of their other friends, and had popped by the bar to say their slurred goodbyes about half an hour ago. They had insisted Amelia and Lisa tag along, but the pair politely declined; Lisa covered for Amelia, insisting that she needed her to take Rachel in the morning.
There were only about twenty people or so left in the bar, and people were trickling out with every passing moment.
Cuddy and Amelia hadn't moved since they had sat down over two hours ago. A half eaten pizza box was lying open in front of them, and Cuddy was picking apart a piece of crust when House wandered over.
"Enjoying your snack?" he asked
"I didn't eat dinner," she answered slyly. Cuddy plopped a piece of the hardened bread into her mouth, letting her finger linger inside of her mouth for just a moment.
House reached inside the box and stole a slice, sloppily biting into it.
"So, " began Amelia as she took a bite from her own piece, "when are you going to show off your musical talents? Isn't that why Joey hired you in the first place?"
"No actually, " said House mockingly. "He hired me for my charm. Apparently people don't mind being treated like an idiot if you're shoving alcohol down their throat."
"I was just curious as to why we were listening to Joey's ipod instead of you serenading one of us."
"I don't do serenades. And you guys missed your chance. I finished a set about five minutes before you walked in." he replied. "Why does your little nanny friend ask so many questions?" he directed at Cuddy
Cuddy shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him as she took another bite from the crust.
"Why are you so put off by them?" asked Amelia
House sighed and rolled his eyes, "Again, with the questions."
Amelia sighed and proceeded to push her chair out. "I'm going to the bathroom. Don't have too much fun without me." She shot Cuddy a knowing glance as she walked away.
Cuddy shook her head and then looked up at House, a playful glint in her eyes.
House looked around the bar and then back at her. "We're alone," he said
Cuddy turned her head from left to right as she surveyed the space. It was completely deserted. "That we are," she answered.
"Wanna make out?"
Cuddy scoffed and narrowed her eyes at him. She got up from her seat and began to walk around to the other side of the bar.
"Okay, see I was joking but if you're being serious…"
Cuddy glared at him before cutting him off. "Teach me how to do whatever it is that you do back here."
House eyed her skeptically. "You want me to teach you how to be a bartender?" he asked
"Yes," she said, her face free from expression. She was completely serious.
He shrugged and nodded his head. "Okay," he said. "Now I don't know if you know this, but some girls like to dance on top of the bar while they mix drinks. So for your first lesson, I'd like you to take off all your clothes and show me what you got. That way I know exactly what I'm dealing with here."
"I'm not stripping for you, House," she said as she pointed her eyes at him.
"Fair enough," he replied. "We'll start with the basics and get to the stripping later."
She scoffed as she went and stood next to him. Her arm lightly brushed up against his, and she turned her head towards him, looking up at him with a small smile on her face.
He looked down at her, grateful for the chance to be alone with her.
They both quickly looked away and cleared their throats, embarrassed by the longing stares that they had been sharing.
"So what are we making?" she asked, a playful grin replacing the loving smile that was on her face moments ago.
House reached underneath the bar and pulled out a bottle of vodka, tossing it to her. Cuddy's eyes widened as she quickly reached her hand out to catch the glass bottle that was flying towards her.
"First rule," he began, "Never drop the alcohol." House turned around and reached into the wooden icebox. He scooped up a handful and placed it into one of the shakers that were lying next to the container.
He poured a splash of vermouth to the shaker, and Cuddy smiled as she realized what they were making. "Vodka Martini?" she asked
"Had to start some where," he replied. "Here, shake this." Cuddy took the silver vase from him, encircling her delicate hands around it as she shook it up and down.
"Next comes the bitters," he said. Cuddy unscrewed the lid and he limped over closer to her, dropping the liquid in as she held it steady.
House took the shaker from her and held it out straight ahead. Cuddy sighed and glanced warily at him. "What?" he asked. "This is the best part. Grab two glasses, will you?"
Cuddy walked over to the fridge and took out two martini glasses. House tilted his head a bit, admiring her backside as she walked away from him.
He quickly straightened up as she began to walk back towards him. She placed the two glasses in front of him, and raised her eyebrows at him, letting him know that he'd been caught.
He ignored her glaring look and ushered her out of the way. She moved behind him a bit and placed her hand on the back of his shoulder, peering her head around the corner to get a better look.
House flipped the container into the air and then swiftly caught it as it came flying down. He poured it into one of the glasses and topped it off with an olive.
"Your turn," he said as he handed her the shaker.
Cuddy shook her head and held up her hand. "I don't think so," she said.
House rolled his eyes and shoved the container into her hands. "All you have to do is toss it in the air and catch it."
Cuddy sighed as she grasped onto the shaker. She smiled hesitantly at House, who nodded his head in encouragement.
She tossed it into the air and then jumped away when it came crashing down in front of her. She let out a small laugh as she watched House close his eyes slowly.
Her hand was bunched into the material of his t-shirt, and she had an amused look on her face.
"What was the first thing I said?" he asked as he turned his head towards her, a smile dancing across his lips.
"Not to drop the alcohol," she said, laughing through her words.
She was still standing behind him and she curled her hand around his bicep, resting her head against the back of his shoulder as she continued to laugh.
After a few moments, Cuddy gathered herself together. She bent down and picked up the silver vial, reaching up to hand it to House. He exchanged it for a dishtowel, which she promptly used to wipe up the spilled contents on the floor.
House held out his hand and she grabbed onto it, letting him pull her up from the floor.
Once she was up and situated, House handed her the drink that was meant for himself. "I'm not supposed to drink on the clock. Besides, I bet Joey twenty bucks that I could get you to have a third drink."
Cuddy scoffed. She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking the drink from him. "He told you about that, huh?" she asked after taking a sip.
House nodded and Cuddy blushed as she took another sip of her drink.
Cuddy's ears perked up when "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones began to play. House looked around the bar, checking to make sure everyone was gone before extending his hand out to her.
"What are you doing?" she asked
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he asked as he extended his hand further. She smiled and laced her hand through his.
She led him out from behind the bar so they were standing in the open space between the tables and bar stools.
She wrapped one hand around his neck and let the other fall to his shoulder. His hands gravitated towards her hips as he pulled her closer to him.
Cuddy smiled into his shoulder as they swayed to the slow rhythm of the music; it had always been one of her favorite songs.
His hand began to run up and down her back, the other situated at the small of her back. His touch was electrifying, sending shivers up and down her spine with every lingering connection.
She tightened her grip on him as she pulled her face out of the material of his shirt, opting to look him in the eyes instead.
"We should have done this more often," she murmured.
"Danced alone in empty bars?" he asked. His hand continued to run up and down her back as their bodies moved in perfect harmony with each other.
Her heels clicked on the hardwood surface as her feet moved in tandem with his. Her hand moved up from his shoulder, wrapping around his neck as her eyes met his.
"No," she said, playfully hitting his arm. "I mean we should have just…been together. I like being with you, you're fun. You make me want to have fun. I'm not sure you ever understood that."
House's hand paused on her hip as he sighed. "I knew," he said. "I just never understood why."
Cuddy closed her eyes briefly and tightened her grip around him. "That's part of our problem, House. You're constantly questioning everything I do because you just can't wrap your head around the idea of someone loving you."
"Someone like you," he corrected. "I can't wrap my head around the idea of someone like you being in love with someone like me."
The song ended and the music stopped, but neither let go. Cuddy's arms were still wrapped around his neck, and his hands were still encircling her tiny waist. Their feet had stopped moving, but their eyes were still glued on one another.
"Why?" she asked. "You think I'm not screwed up? House, I am standing alone in a bar with the man who drove his car through my home. If that's not screwed up then I don't know what is."
He looked down at the floor, prompting Cuddy to lift her hand to the side of his face. She stroked the stubble on his side as she lifted his head up, forcing him to look her in the eyes.
"You're not the only screwed up person in this relationship," she continued reassuringly. Her voice softened as she gently stroked his cheek, a pattern he was all too familiar with.
Her hand fell away from his face, and she settled her palm in the middle of his chest. He gripped the edge of her elbow, desperate to feel her warm skin beneath his.
"Interesting," he said as she lightly caressed the skin beneath his hands.
"What?" she asked. "That I admitted that I'm screwed up? That's not interesting, that's…"
"No," he interrupted. His hand wandered up from her elbow to the hand that was lying on his chest. He covered hers with his and dropped it to the ground, his eyes peering into her soul with every tantalizing touch.
He shrugged his shoulders before continuing. "You used present tense. Means you really haven't given up on us."
Amelia and Joey were standing at the edge of the doorway to the back room, inches apart as their heads peered around the corner.
"We shouldn't be spying on them," said Joey.
Amelia shook her head at him, "Will you be quiet? If you keep talking, they're going to hear us."
"You've been gone for over half an hour. Lisa's going to notice you went missing eventually."
"No she won't," said Amelia pointedly. "She's too wrapped up in House to notice anyone else. Literally, I mean look at them."
Joey peered his head of the doorway a bit more, his arm grazing Amelia's as he leaned over her.
He furrowed his brow as he tried to get a better look. "I can't tell if she wants to jump his bones or run away from him," said Joey in a hushed tone.
Amelia let out a small laugh. Joey shushed her, and she quickly covered her mouth to stifle the noise. Joey smiled at her inability to contain her laughter.
Once she had gathered herself, Amelia dropped her hand from her mouth. "She's so conflicted," said Amelia sadly. "I'd give anything to feel that way."
Joey shot her a confused look.
"Imagine what it must feel like to want someone so much, but know you can't be with them. It's heartbreaking and it consumes your entire soul, but you know-you know that you love that person."
Joey looked down at the floor, her words meaning more to him than she could have ever imagined.
"And I know it sounds sappy and not at all what you would expect to come out of my mouth, but there is just something so…heartbreakingly beautiful about that. You know what I mean?"
Joey's eyes met hers, and for a split second he swore he saw a tear forming in glistening green eyes. She smiled softly at him, and he reached up towards her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah," he began. His eyes were still locked on hers and a defeated look had swept across her face. "I know what you mean."
A/N: For those of you who actually know how to make vodka martinis, I apologize for any mistakes I may have made. Again, I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know it was mainly fluff, but you should prepare yourselves for a little bit of drama in the coming chapters- Turkey Day is coming up.
Also, Rachel will be back next chapter. I missed her in this one, but there was no proper place to put her!
Leave a review on your way out and let me know what you think!
-Alison
