"I'm sorry, did I call at a bad time?" House heard Ali's soft voice ask. He felt stress, pain and annoyance melt from his body as she spoke, "I just wanted to know if it was okay if I took a cab into school. It's only a week left, and I don't want any more absence marks than I already have and my bio teacher said something about an open med school lecture I could go to..." He heard her breathe slowly as she paused "Are you listening to me, or are you really very busy?"

"I'm not busy," he replied softly, "I just like to listen to you talk" he said and leaned the cane to the table, distracted from his actions by her voice.

All three duckling frowned and transferred their attention from their files to their boss as they heard his uncharacteristically soft voice and relaxed posture. Foreman gaped and pointed at the cane House had left at the table as he walked with an obvious limp, but relatively steady through the office as he talked softly, with an equally soft expression on his face. House, who was walking with his back to them, didn't notice their shocked expressions.

"Oh, so the case you got called in for -?"

"Hm, took us fifteen minutes to diagnose, had to keep him under watch for the next few hours."

"So you crashed in your office?"

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't come home -"

"Don't be. I'd rather sleep a few hours without you than have you returned to me in a matchbox."

House smirked, "You know it's not actually possible to reduce the human mass to fit in a matchbox, right?"

"Oh shut up." Ali giggled, "I meant that I'd rather suffer a few hour of a cold bed, that have you crash your bike on your way home because of exhaustion."

"How noble." House muttered and dug the tip of his sneaker into the carpet. Only the ducklings noticed that he was actually leaning his entire weight on his damaged leg, balancing on a delicate line. "When is your lecture done?"

"Around six, I think."Ali replied. "They last about two hours, right?"

"Yeah - is it at the Uni or -"

"At PPTH -you think Cuddy will kick me out if she sees me?"

House chuckled, "Leave the Wicked Witch to me. You're safe sweetheart."

"Okay."

Cameron frowned as she heard distinctly pearly female laughter come from the phone. Could it be...? No, it was stupid...

"When are you finished at work?"

"Should be wrapped up around seven, why."

"Thought we could grab some dinner - your treat of course." she said cheekily.

"Sure, and of course I'm paying - but you'll be paying me back, preferably on your knees." he teased.

On the other end, Ali blushed, but pulled herself together quick enough for him not to notice, "Damn that ruined all my plans, y'know, cause I was planning on spending the evening on my back..."

House hissed and cursed under his breath, "You're a conniving little pixie."

"So you keep saying," she giggled, "we want Mexican."

House wrinkled his nose, "Again? I'm bored of Mexican." She had been puling the 'we' line on him since the very fist moment she saw their babies. He'd be lying if he said he hated it, but it was hard to argue against. Not even he was cruel enough to deprive a baby of their favoured meal. "They'll never eat Mexican in their lives if you keep this up."

"But I want something spicy, and....Mexican."

"How about we compromise - Lebanese."

"I haven't had Lebanese before...."

"I know, that's why I suggested it."

"But -"

"Spicy, finger food, lots of different stuff. Anything you want, just not Mexican."

House could practically hear her pout through the line, "Are you starving us? We need to eat to grow healthy."

He snorted, "Low shot babe."

"Thought I'd give it a try anyway. So, Lebanese. Where, should I meet you there?"

"Sure. It's not like you're getting within twenty feel of my bike. Pars, at eight. Wear something pretty."

"I don't have anything pretty..." she mumbled.

"Go shopping then."

"I don't -"

"Look in your wallet."

"Why?" Ali asked curiously. House could hear her rummaging through her bag. "oh.....oh my god. Why?"she gasped.

"I figured I'd get annoyed if you had to call every time you wanted something," he said, trying to sweep it under the rug as a matter of convenience, but he couldn't hinder the slight tint of colour in his cheeks.

Chase couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"You really shouldn't -"

House chuckled nervously, "Does that mean you like it?" he asked as he disappeared into his office.

"Well of course, but -"

"020309. 2nd of March, doubt you'll forget it. See you at eight." He said and hung up. A few seconds later, he was still staring at his phone. Ginning softly, he slipped it in his pocket and walked back into the differential room and sat down. He arched his brows at his staring ducklings, "What?"

~*~

In the living room of 221 B, Ali was staring at her very own brand new and shiny cards. One was a regular card, and the other was Platinum VIP Master Card. Attached to them both were small post-it notes. To the regular card it said; "every day use - it's got a daily limit of $100, and a weekly of $300, so don't be stupid." On the other it said; "Anything over $100. Unlimited, but you buy something dumb I'll make you take it back!"

Ali's eyes were wet with tears. Unlimited....she thought and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Unlimited, uninhibited and absolute trust.

~*~

A/N; i know it may seem strange to you, so i thought i'd explain it; by giving Ali unlimited access to his accounts (e.i. sharing it) he not only trusts her, but also indicates that he intends to stick around, and if anything should happen, she and the kids are still taken care of. Not so much the money as the sentiment. House is a strange guy. Roses are too boring for him...and not really a romantic is he now....
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