Just Drive
'Just drive,' she said desperately, need in her eyes. 'Okay,' he whispered, taking her hand and squeezing it gently
Just to say, if you think this is turning into a cheesy musical, I'm sorry. As you've probably figured out, I like to use music a lot to get my point across. There were 3 songs in the last chapter because it was a major chappie, but usually chapters will only have one song. This one has 2, because the 80's party inspired me. :)
Unbeta'd, but never mind XD
She looked into his eyes, and saw a vulnerability to him she hadn't seen for years. He moved a stray curl out of her face, and before he knew what he was doing, he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back.
Cherry blossoms fell onto them, and one got caught in Cuddy's hair.
When they broke apart, he took it out of her hair.
They got off the boat soon after, and walked hand in hand back to the car.
***
They woke up the next morning in separate rooms feeling refreshed, and totally at peace, for once in a very long time.
In her room, Cuddy awoke to the sun shining in through the window, making her feel warm and fuzzy inside. She couldn't decide whether it was the sun or House that was to blame for that particular feeling.
She also knew that she couldn't push it with him, that she's have to let him come to her if they stood any chance of making this work. And she was prepared to do that, because she saw him as worth the wait. She had waited 20 years, a few more days couldn't hurt.
In his room, House gazed at the ceiling, seeing her face imprinted in the textures. Her gorgeous face was distorted by the hideous dated swirls on the ceiling, but either way, he thought that she looked gorgeous. She always was.
He was gonna take it slow. Until Jacksonville. Then if he was sure, he'd go full steam ahead with his plan.
***
They ate breakfast in silence this time, things still awkward between them from last night. It was either stay quiet, or make out in the middle of the room, leading to something more that could potentially ruin their budding relationship. They'd made the decision to take it slow, and that's what they would do.
***
They got into the car once more, and prepared for the drive to Richmond, their next destination, where they would spend a day.
'2 hours of your singing,' joked House as he turned on the radio.
'You did not just go there,' said Cuddy.
'Oh yeah, believe it,' he said jokily with a hearty laugh.
'Well then, my friend, it's war.
'Right then. The first song that comes on, we sing.'
'You got it,' replied Cuddy.
After a commercial break, All Over Again began to play.
Turn down the light, turn up the radio.
There's a fire in your eyes, and its keeping me warm
Hold on to me like it was yesterday,
When we both felt our spirits collide
This time, can be like the first time Your smile Come and step through the stars, What I'm trying to say, 'Cos this time can be like the first time, Your smile, All over again
I remember the moment, being struck down by lightning
Since the first time I saw your face, and you smiled
Come and lay down with me
Fill the space that's between us
Feel the magic that keeps love alive
Close your eyes and soon you'll be there
No man could ever guess what you're feeling
Turn a spark to a flame,
Make a wish, close your eyes, won't you start all over again.
Just like the first time you touched my skin,
All over again
I tasted heaven take me there again,
All over again
Your touch,
Your taste,
It turns me on and on and on,
That I fall in love with you,
All over again
Take a ride though the universe.
As long as we're here, lets take this whole thing in
Is that you are so beautiful
Let me say it, all over again.
Close your eyes, but you'll soon will be there
No man could ever guess what he's feeling,
Turn a spark to a flame,
Make a wish, close your eyes, won't you start all over again.
Your touch,
Your taste,
It turns me on and on and on.
That I fall in love with you,
I keep falling in love, with you.
All over again
All over again.
They spent the next 2 hours trying to out sing each other. Eventually Cuddy won because House's throat got sore from belting out ACDC's Highway To Hell.
***
House and Cuddy arrived in Richmond and quickly booking their hotel, learning their lesson from Baltimore.
Their first place of interest before a late lunch was the Museum of Fine Arts.
They wandered around admiring travel photography, which House found interesting because of his globetrotting as a child. They also found American art, European and Medieval era art, which House again found boring as usual. Cuddy was intrigued by it all, and lapped it all up.
But before Cuddy could move on to the African section, her stomach rumbled, giving her the signal that she was hungry. This went hand in hand with House's strikingly original toddler temper tantrum about being hungry.
She practically ran to a nearby cafe with him, where they devoured Reuben's and sodas. Cuddy didn't care about the fat or calorie content this time, she was absolutely starving.
***
They took the car to the Three Lakes Nature Center & Aquarium. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around, admiring three worlds in one; land, air and sea. Cuddy was mesmerized by the 'fish eye view' aquarium, House finding the sharks absolutely fascinating.
Cuddy laughed, and compared House to a shark.
'Misunderstood, potentially dangerous and can smell out anything.'
Although he feigned offence, he found it a very true description of him.
***
As they went back to their hotel to eat dinner, Cuddy began to read a pamphlet on what was going on in Richmond.
'Hey House, tonight there's an 80's party, fancy going?'
'Sure, should be fun, what time does it start?'
'Ummm not till 9, so we have lots of time to get costumes,' she replied.
'Can't we go in normal clothes?' he whined.
'No, that would defeat the object of an 80's party.'
'Spoilsport,' he whispered.
'No House, that's you!' she pointed out.
***
They found a costume shop near their hotel and bought costumes for the party. Quickly getting changed in their rooms, they met out in the corridor.
Cuddy wore a ra-ra dress in bright colours with leg warmers and heels. House wore a glam rock star 80's outfit, complete with wig.
'Let's go,' he suggested.
The party was in walking distance, so they took their time, just generally chatting about things, small talk.
They arrived at the party and started to mingle. They met a couple called Ellis and Kevin, who were there with their friends Brittney and Katheryn. They got on really well together almost straight away, which House found quite remarkable given his ineptness with social situations.
The music began to play, and everyone started to couple up and slow dance.
Kevin had Ellis.
Brittney was dancing with a guy who looked remarkably like Chase.
Katheryn was dancing with a Wilson clone.
And that left House with Cuddy, pressed together and slowly moving to the music.
Oh - thinking about all our younger years Now nothing can take you away from me *Chorus: Oh - once in your life you find someone Yeah nothing could change what you mean to me *Chorus* I've been waiting for so long Now our dreams are coming true *chorus*oh no..oh no..we're in heaven..
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more
Baby you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feeling down
Oh there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way
For something to arrive
For love to come along
Through the good times and the bad
I'll be standing there by you
House and Cuddy looked comfortable in each others arms, it was not at all awkward between them like it used to be.
Things had changed.