Enjoy and thanks for the reviews!

Chapter Nine

Cuddy's POV

"Lisa!" Allison flew from the front door to the side of the car, looking in worriedly.

"I just need to sleep," Lisa whispered, stepping from the car and making her way slowly towards the door. House followed her at a slight distance, carrying Rachel awkwardly. Chase followed with the crib while Cameron carried Cuddy's duffel and Rachel's bags.

Collapsing on the guest room bed, Cuddy sighed, tugged off her sweatshirt, and curled under the covers. House looked quickly at Rachel, who was asleep in her crib, before pulling off his sweatpants and climbing in bed besides Cuddy.

"Hey, Cuddles," House whispered in her ear, his arms wrapping around her waist, "I love you."

"I love you too Greg," Cuddy responded sleepily, "But it's almost four in the morning and I haven't gotten any sleep."

"You gonna call Mayfield later today and tell them that I'm not coming?" House asked, hoping that she'd agree. Nodding, Cuddy rested her head on House's chest and closed her eyes. One hand rested lightly on his thigh while the other gripped his shirt possessively, her knuckles white from the grip.

"I will protect you with my life Cuddy," House whispered to himself, dropping a kiss to her forehead. He removed his hand from her shoulders and replaced it around her waist, holding her against him.

Five hours later found both of them wrapped up in the blankets, though in slightly different positions. Cuddy had let go of House's shirt, but she was curled against him, her face buried in the crook of his arm. House now lay on his left side, half on top of Cuddy, his arms holding her in place.

"Mmm," Cuddy stretched slightly, feeling House's arms tighten as she moved. "I love you Gregory House," she added as House nipped lightly at her neck.

"I love you too Lise," House's lips grazed her shoulder and paused above her lips. After a few moments, he lowered his lips to hers and shifted his weight slightly, so he was now straddling her waist.

"Please Greg," Cuddy whispered quietly, feeling his hands push against her hips. She arched her own hips slightly and gave a cheeky smile, squirming under House's weight. Desire was visible in her eyes as she gazed into House's blue eyes.

"Lise," House sighed, regret lining his face as he kissed her cheek, "I'm not going to treat you like Wilson would."

"You're not. I wouldn't want Wilson to do this to me - I want you to." Cuddy protested, "I want this Greg, I love you."

"I love you too Lise," House responded, "But I don't want this relationship to be about sex."

"But it's not," Cuddy insisted.

"Lise," House rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow again, "We don't even know how we're going to manage this relationship once I go to Mayfield. Not even to mention how everyone at the hospital is going to react."

"Fine," Cuddy's response came as more of a snap than she meant for it to and she rolled onto her side, facing away from House. "Apparently you don't want this as much as I thought you did last night."

"Cuddy," House shook her shoulder, "I want this, I want us. But not like this, it's not a good time for us now."

"Then when is a good time?" Cuddy asked, watching House rise from the bed and make his way towards the door. He held his shirt and sweatpants in one hand, his cane in the other. Looking back, he shrugged, blowing her a kiss before opening the door and disappearing down the hall.

"Greg...wait," Cuddy called, hoping that he'd hear her, "I love you." She hurried to the door, but the front door of Chase and Cameron's ranch-styled home was already slamming. Cuddy leaned against the door jamb and rocked back and forth, tears streaming down her cheeks.

House's POV

Making his way quickly along the back roads, House arrived quickly at his apartment. Unlocking the door, he glanced around before slipping inside and locking the door behind him.

"Hello?" Elizabeth Smith poked her head out of the office and nodded, seeing House. "Oh good, I was worried that it was someone else."

"Like who?" House asked, seeing Elizabeth step out in full police dress.

"Adam," she made her way towards the door, "He was convinced that Wilson didn't leave anythig here, but I thought I'd check. Everything looks good though," she paused, one hand on the door, "We'll probably be calling you and Ms. Cuddy in for your statements Monday afternoon. Let her know for us will you?" She nodded then left House alone in his living room, wondering exactly what to do next.

Reaching for the phone, he quickly dialed Cuddy's cellphone, praying that she'd pick up.

"Hello?" It sounded as if Cuddy had been crying.

"Lise, I'm not mad at you. I just need time to think. Can you stop by in about half an hour?" House spoke before she got a chance to speak again.

"Greg," Cuddy half-cried into the phone, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Lise, just stop by at my apartment in about half an hour, no sooner." House avoided her question, twirling a simple silver ring on a pencil. "I love you Cuddles. Remember, no sooner than half an hour."

"I love you too Greg," Cuddy smiled as he hung up.

Leaving the phone on the counter, House grabbed the keys to Cuddy's Mazda and made his way to the car.

Five minutes later, he found himself at a quiet jewelery store off the main road. He twirled the ring in his hand around on the table and looked up.

"Morning," the manager sat down behind the counter and glanced down at the ring on the counter.

"I was wondering if you could tell me the size of this ring." House pushed it towards the man who took it.

"It's a size six," he nodded to the engagement rings and pointed to a simple gold band with a pale blue stone in it. "That's the only one we have in stock right now, the others displayed would be about a two
weeks wait."

House examined the gold ring, nodding occasionally, "Would you say that the stone is about the same color as my eyes?" He looked up, seeing the man nod, "Well, I actually think I will purchase it today. But I'm also going to look around."

The man nodded, "Of course, do you mind me asking, how long have you and your soon-to-be-fiancée been together?"

"Well, that's a funny question," House paused, "You see, we've been dancing around each other for so long, and haven't honestly been dating for too long. Just about three weeks," he lied, ignoring the man's surprised expression.

"I've been in love with her for almost twenty years though."

"And she with you, unfortunately." a voice called from the doorway, causing House to look up.

"Chase, you little liar, your lucky I'm not planning to tell Cuddy that you said that or else you can expect your next paycheck to be much lower." House laughed, a simple necklace catching his eye. It had a simple silver chain and in the middle dangled two charms; a silver heart and a silver key. He called Chase over and pointed at it, "Do you think, in all honesty, Cuddy would wear something like that?"

Chase shrugged, "Most likely, though I don't know if she'd like the silver or gold charms better. Something is telling me gold," he laughed, seeing House roll his eyes.

"I'd better be getting a big paycheck after this," he nodded to the manager, "This necklace too, only with the gold charms instead."

The manager nodded, handing Chase a small box and he removed a second box from beneath the shelf. House handed the man a credit card and smiled fondly at the two boxes, "I'll see you later Chase," he signed his name on the receipt and picked up the bag that now contained Lisa's engagement ring and necklace.

"Good luck," the manager nodded to House as he made his way towards the door.

"See you and Cuddy on Monday," Chase gave a wave and watched House leave.

So ... is House gonna propose or not? Well ... I already know since part of the next chapter is written. :) Concert was great if anyone is wondering. Maybe a chapter or two tomorrow if I'm able to get time to write. Read and review! -Katheryn Mae