A storm was brewing, around House and inside of him. He needed something to take the edge off and dull the pain from Cuddy's rejection and frigidity. He sifted through his pocket and pulled out his meds and dry swallowed a couple more tablets of Vicodin.

The sky was dark grey. It was raining—raining hard. And the cold night air whistled and howled. Strong winds blew trees left and right as huge puddles threatened to flood the parking lot of the hospital.

House and Cuddy stood frozen behind the main glass hospital doors staring out at the bleak and difficult drive ahead of them.

She clutched the handle of the door. "Okay. Give me your keys."

He looked over at her and snarked, "Didn't you bring a coat or something? Or perhaps—I don't know—check the weather forecast before you left the house?"

"Yes. I did bring one. But stupid me left it behind in Kevin's car."

"Ugh. Well, you can kiss that jacket goodbye. Seriously. Can you imagine what he and Melanie might be doing in the backseat of his car on your jacket?"

Cuddy stuck her tongue out. "Thanks for the mental image."

House removed his tuxedo jacket and handed it to her. "Here, take mine."

"Thanks. But you're going to get all wet."

"Well it's only fair I do too. I mean I got you wet earlier, didn't I?"

Cuddy's eyes grew wide "Huh?"

"Um, hello? I dropped a glass of water on your lap about a few hours ago." He paused for a moment. "Oh, you thought I was talking about…"

"House!"

He laughed. "Aha! Now who has their mind in the gutter?" He shook his finger at her. "Just take the damn jacket, Cuddy."

Then he looked at down at her chest and added, "Besides, I wouldn't want the girls to catch cold."

She slipped it on.

They remained silent for the most part on the way toward House's apartment. House didn't want to break Cuddy's concentration on the road. It would have been stupid and dangerous to make a move on her especially in these hazardous weather conditions.

Cuddy parked curbside in front of House's place.

"Hey, do you want to come inside for a little while? Dry off and maybe weather the storm a bit?"

"No, I really should get going."

He placed his hand on the side of his head. "That's too bad. I was hoping you might help me get into my apartment. All that booze you forced me to drink is making me feel a little woozy. I'm afraid I might slip and fall with the ground being wet and all."

"House, it was only one drink."

"Yes. But you're forgetting that I told you I already had a few drinks prior to that one."

"Oh. Right."

The rain pelted the car windows faster and harder.

"Okay. On the count of three, go. One. Two. Three."

Cuddy ran out in the rain over to the passenger side. She helped House up then wrapped her arm around his lower back. He leaned against her and slowly limped up to the front door, purposely staggering a few times.

"Can you give me my keys?"

"House, I'm not digging into your trouser pocket."

"Cuddy, you drove us here. You have my keys."

"Oh."

"Why do you seem so nervous?"

"I'm not." She looked back at the overflowing gutters in the streets. "I just thought I'd take you up on your offer and hang out here till the storm dies down."

"Cool."

House entered his apartment, placed his cane near the door and turned on the light. Cuddy filed in after him.

"So, can I get you anything? A drink? Or something to eat?" He opened up his refrigerator. "Let's see I've got some pitted olives, a box of baking soda…ooh, leftover Chinese takeout!" He opened up one of the white cartons and sniffed its contents. The pungent stench was overwhelming. "This is no good." He tossed it aside and opened up the freezer door. "I don't suppose you'd like some freezer burned chocolate ice cream?"

She scrunched her face. "Gee, as appetizing as that sounds House, I'll take a rain check". She took a few steps away from him. "Maybe I should just, go?"

House opened up the kitchen cupboard and held out a box of cereal. "How about some Colo's Colios?"

"No, thanks."

"Okay," House said defeated.

He walked Cuddy over to the front door. "So, we'll make arrangements tomorrow regarding the situation with my car and how I'm going to get it back and…"

House leaned forward and pinned her against the wall. His lips collided with hers with great fervor.

They hungrily explored each other's mouths with their remarkable tongues, mapping out every crevice. He reached for her hand and held it firmly then loosened his grip as he softened the kiss.

They broke apart.

"Wow. What just happened here?" House managed to sputter out.

Cuddy placed her hand on her forehead, paced his apartment then made her way to the piano bench. "You were talking and then out of nowhere you were rounding first base. That's what happened."

"So were you! You kissed back too." He left the front door and approached Cuddy at the piano. "I may have been rounding first Cuddy, but you were wanted to score right off the bat."

"You're drunk right now. You don't know what you are saying."

"I'm not! I've been faking the whole time." He sat down next to her and lifted her chin up so she would look into his eyes. "Tell me I'm wrong, Cuddy. Seriously. You want this just as much as I do."

She turned away from him. "Okay. Maybe I do, but…"

"But nothing." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, slow and long.

She tastes wonderful, he thought. Like…like Heaven? Heaven? Pretty damnfunny, coming from an Atheist.

Cuddy ended the kiss and focused in on House's gaze. His pupils were wide and wild. He wanted her. He wanted her badly. He wanted her right now.

"How about a little southern comfort?"

She laughed. "Are you trying to make a joke right now?

"No. Cuddy. That's not what I meant at all." He pushed her up onto the keys of the piano and flung the piano bench over and got on his knees. His right hand traveled to the hem of her dress. It slightly trembled along the way as it slowly slid up her left leg. His fingers lingered there for a moment only to disappear a second later under the fabric. "I just thought that you'd like a nightcap."

His hand journeyed farther up and moved along the damp surface of her panties. "I knew it."

She bit her lower lip while he pulled up her dress and peeled off a pair of very sticky panties. She was swollen and glistening. House lowered his head between her legs and proceeded to dazzle her with his skillful tongue and fingers.

The piano keys pounded every time Cuddy's body wriggled and writhed.

A-sharp. A-sharp. G-major. D-Major.

She spread her legs even wider and grabbed the sides of the piano. With her head craned back she thrust her pelvis harder to his face.

The piano chords continued to rhythmically play. G-minor. C-major. A-sharp.

Her core was getting hotter and her moans were getting louder as waves of pleasure increased to the nth degree.

F-sharp. F-sharp. F-sharp. F-sharp. F-major!

The Cuddy moaned and made the 'O' face. Through ragged breaths she managed to spew, "Wow, that was…that was…that was…"

"Yeah." House sank into her lap and held her tightly. "See, I knew we would make beautiful music together."

TBC