Broken bones really suck!!! I'm sooo bored lying around all day long. Thanks for the nice reviews. :-)

I was so bored so this chapter is a little bit longer.

House knew this would mean work and not pleasure. Half an hour later he wondered why women were always so obsessed with jewelry. Too shiny, too big, too small, too whatever…

Every piece Cuddy found had one tiny mistake and therefore she put it back and went on searching for the perfect one.

House followed her wondering if this was also a place where he could buy some drugs. Suddenly his attention was drawn to a band that was playing at the next corner. It looked as if those people had just met and spontaneously decided to jam together. But they sounded good. House left Cuddy behind at the stand and walked towards the group. Finally he stood a few feet away and his right foot tapped the rhythm and a small smile built up on his face.

"What do you think about this one?", Cuddy asked and looked around only to realize that House had disappeared. Finally she spotted him at the corner.

It was one of the rare moments Cuddy had a chance to spot a happy expression on House's face. She watched him for a moment before she walked over to him.

"Are they good?", she asked him dragging him out of his thoughts.

He looked at her. "Yeah. Sounds weird but I like it."

His view fell on her hands.

"Did you pay for this?", he asked pointing at the necklace in her hands.

Cuddy startled. "Oh my God. I was looking for you and totally forgot it. I have to give it back."

House cocked his head.

"No, you should pay for it.", House told her.

Cuddy smiled. "Do you like it?"

House shrugged. "Who cares? You can ask me about music and medicine but not women's stuff. If you like it buy it if not give it back."

He tapped his cane on the icy ground for a moment and looked back at her.

"Buy it.", he mumbled and walked back to the stand.

Cuddy smiled. "So you do like it."

"No. But the guy observes us and everything else would be embarrassing now."

While Cuddy thought about this for a moment House found himself a stand with LPs. He started searching through the records.

Finally Cuddy stood next to him.

"So? Did you get it?", he asked while inspecting a Rolling Stones LP.

Cuddy shook her head. "No."

"You want to go on looking?"

House paid the owner and took his record.

"No. It's ok.", Cuddy said in a sad tone and walked away. House sighed.

"Hey, what's wrong?", he yelled after her.

"Nothing. I'm fine.", she explained without turning around.

House limped after her.

"Come on. Tell me, Cuddy. What did I do now?"

Finally she faced him.

"Nothing! Everything is fine, House!", she shouted making people look at them.

"Ok. So what now?", he said calmly.

Cuddy looked at her watch. "We should find Wilson."

They got on a taxi and the drive back to the hotel went by totally silent. House pondered what he had done to ruin Cuddy's mood this time but couldn't find an answer. Not really the sort of diagnosing he was good at. Cuddy hated herself at the same time.

House had been so nice the entire day. And certainly he wasn't mean when he didn't give her any advice regarding the necklace. She was overreacting.

There were moments when she just wanted to kiss him or tell him that she had feelings for him but then she suddenly realized that a relationship with House would never work out.

He could be so sweet in rare moments but his brutal honesty was too painful for her to take it constantly. This man could make her cry within minutes if he just wanted to because he knew where to stab. But on the other hand he could make her laugh or happy. She even liked him being a jerk, hell yes she liked it when she had to chase him to make sure he does his clinic duty. She liked his snappy comments and the disagreements they always had even if she lost most of them. God, sometimes she wished she had never known him. Because it was true, she could neither be with nor without House.

The cap stopped in front of the hotel and House paid the fare.

"How about dinner?", he suddenly interrupted the silence.

"What?"

"Dinner. You know, plates, knives and forks. Sometimes they even put food on the plates."

"Why?", Cuddy wondered. There it was. House being nice.

"Because we have to eat something. We could do it together if you want. Don't worry it's just eating. No ulterior motives. Forget it. I'll call room service."

And there he was being House. Cuddy sighed.

"No, let's do this. Let's have dinner. What about Wilson?"

House shrugged. "Guess he has to eat as well. I'll talk to him."

Damn it! There was his chance. But no, the big coward he was refused to go out on a date with her. Sure he had to bring in Wilson. Sometimes House really wanted to hit himself with his own cane.

They walked inside the entrance hall.

"So, let's meet in an hour, ok?", Cuddy suggested and House nodded.

Both of them found their rooms, collapsed on their beds and shook their heads.

"I'm such an idiot!", they thought.

House got rid of his tie and opened the top button of his shirt. At least the mini bar served his favorite Scotch. He sat on the edge of his bed and pitied himself.

He got interrupted by a knock on his door.

"I'm not at home!", House yelled but that didn't prevent Wilson from entering the room.

"I know. That's why I'm searching you in your hotel room.", the oncologist told him and took his usual position with his hands on his hips.

"So how was your afternoon?"

House shook the bottle of pills and swallowed one.

"I got hooked on drugs again successfully.", he announced.

"That's not the part I'm interested in."

"Then you entered the wrong room. Cuddy is two doors down the floor."

Wilson got himself his own glass of Scotch.

"I thought you were in need for a talk. What is going on with you?"

House rolled his eyes.

"Nothing. I'm paying for a lost bet."

"NO!", Wilson chuckled. "If you were still angry about the bet you would find your ways of showing us. You are in love my friend."

"You're right. I was too shy to tell you since you are so straight but yes, it's true, I love you James!"

Wilson shook his head and sat down next to House. The diagnostician raised an eyebrow.

"You are straight, aren't you? No need to get this close!"

"Shut up and listen!", Wilson told him. "House, I've been dealing with you guys for years and I can tell you. You guys are driving me nuts. You are made for each other. Cuddy's the only one who can handle you. She is smart and interesting and we don't have to discuss her exterior features. So do I have to kick your ass or will you finally make this happen? For your sake for hers and definitely for mine!"

House chuckled. "Calm down, Jimmy. Get a hobby or something. I can also find you a shrink if you want to talk about it."

"Yeah, go on with your snappy comments. They only prove what I already know. You are a coward."

House glared at him. "Knock it off, Wilson! I don't need you to tell me this shit! Why should I listen to you? All your marriages sucked and now you give me advices on relationships?"

Wilson smirked.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?"

It happened in a split second but the black eye would take some time to disappear from Wilson's face. Without thinking House punched his buddy in the face. But before Wilson reached the floor House realized what he had just done. He starred at him eyes wide open.

The oncologist covered his eye with his hand.

"Actually that hurts even more!", he mumbled and sat up on the carpet.

House looked around in the room avoiding his friend's eyes. He bit his lip for a moment before he spoke.

"What do you think I should do?", he finally mumbled.

Wilson didn't know what to think. Just a moment ago he got hit by his buddy and now he asked him for advice after all.

"First of all, get me some ice!", Wilson ordered him and got up. He went into the bathroom to see his face in the mirror. Carefully he checked his bones for fractures but everything seemed to be fine.

"You should use your left hand for your cane for a while. You are building up too much muscle in your right arm!", he yelled at House who was busy with crushing some ice cubes from the mini bar. He had wrapped them inside a towel and worked on them with his cane.

"Comes in handy when a friend is in need for some crushed ice.", he replied and handed Wilson the towel.

For a moment they were just looking at each other. House knew an apology was due. Wilson knew this as well but he didn't expect it from House. The fact that House didn't rush outside after the punch showed him that he was sorry.

House felt really uncomfortable.

"Are you ok?", he finally mumbled and sat down again. Wilson pressed the towel against his left eye carefully.

"No. It hurts!", he answered. "But I'll live!"

This time he sat down on the chair next to the desk.

"It really hit you, didn't it?", he started.

House smirked.

"Yeah. Just like you. But it's easier to deal with a black eye."

"Instead of a broken heart?", Wilson dug deeper.

"You want to look like a raccoon? Keep talking."

"I do hit cripples, you know! So stop this shit!", Wilson threat him.

"Anyway. Since you obviously like Cuddy you should concentrate on this item. What did you guys do this afternoon?"

House rolled his eyes. "We were on a market."

Wilson smiled.

"That's a start. Did you buy her something?"

House looked angry.

"Why should I? She makes more money than I do. I paid for the taxi."

"Did she buy something?", Wilson went on questioning him.

House shook his head. "She was looking at every necklace this damn market sold but didn't buy anything."

Wilson looked disappointed.

"Oh House. Didn't you learn anything? How could you miss such an opportunity?"

"We were just on a walk together. Shall I buy a wedding ring tomorrow?", House complained.

"Sure, you have just known each other for 20 years, why rush things.", Wilson mocked him.

Suddenly their discussion was interrupted by a knock. They both knew who it was. House looked at Wilson, no actually just at his left eye and startled. Cuddy would be soooo pissed.

Wilson recognized House's reaction and actually he enjoyed this.

"You will pay for my lunch for at least a year!", he told him while he went to the door.

"A year?", House groaned. "Forget it."

"Ok. You want to tell Cuddy or shall I?", Wilson asked the door handle in his hand.

House exhaled deeply but gave in. "No desserts!"

"It's a deal!", Wilson laughed opened the door and let Cuddy step inside.

"House, I thought we would meet downstairs."

She stopped when she spotted Wilson's face.

"Oh my God. What happened?", she wondered.

Wilson looked at House.

"House….", oh yeah he really enjoyed this. He could see his friend nearly freaking out.

"… just checked my face. You should have seen the crowd fighting for taxis after the convention ended. I got an elbow in my face."

"Are you alright?", Cuddy asked him now.

"Sure. I will find myself more ice and go to bed early."

"We wanted to get some dinner. You want to join us?"

Wilson shook his head.

"No, thanks. I should really lie down. But have a nice evening you two."

"Can we get you something?", House joined the conversation.

Wilson smirked.

"I think you know what I want.", he said and left the room.

House was relieved but he knew that Wilson owned him now. And this would mean more than providing lunch money. Maybe he could ask the cafeteria chick for monthly bills. No way he would walk to the ATM every day.

Cuddy turned to House.

"His face is really ok?", she asked him now.

"Sure. I checked it. Nasty bruising but that's it."

"Good. Did you hear anything about your bag?"

House shook his head and suddenly looked surprised.

"Damn it. I forgot to get some stuff. I have no clothes no underwear, nothing."

Cuddy checked her watch. "It's just 7.30 pm. Stores are open pretty long over hear. Let's go."

House raised an eyebrow.

"You want to go shopping again? You sure?"

"House, this suit really looks good but you can't wear it forever."

"Fine. But if you like something this time, we'll buy it!"

He got his wallet and his coat and followed her downstairs.

"You still want to go by the big red bus?", Cuddy smirked when they got out of the building.

"Yes, but maybe another day. My leg had a very long day. Mind if we take a cap?"

"Sure. Sorry."

House opened the cap door for her.

"No problem. Oxford street it is!", he told the cabby and sat down next to her.

Wilson lied in his bed and watched TV. His face hurt like hell but right now the oncologist didn't care at all. He just got himself free food supply for the next year plus his two friends were out together. The oncologist gave himself a promise right that moment. If House would screw this again they would share something in the morning. House's eye color would match with the surrounding part of his face for a while.

If you want to go shopping in London, Oxford Street is really a good location to start. Unfortunately it was crowded with masses around the clock. This and the snow covered streets made it really hard for House to make his way through the crowd.

A few times he nearly slipped when his cane found another icy patch on the ground. Finally it was Cuddy this time who put her arm around his waist to offer him some support.

"That better?", she asked him.

House smirked. "It's definitely warmer. And yes, it's better. Thank you."

They entered one of the huge shopping centers and headed for the men's clothing department.

"I doubt it they sell crumpled shirts here.", Cuddy chuckled when House looked around lost.

"I really miss my stylish t-shirts!", House sighed and walked over to a clothes rack.

Cuddy followed him and pulled out a striped pale blue shirt.

"How about this one?", she suggested.

"Sure, I only have 500 blue shirts so far. Always room for one more."

"But they match so well with your eyes. Seriously, I like them best on you."

"Ok.", House said and ripped it from her hands. "But one won't do. What about green? Does it make a perfect symbiosis with my eyes as well?", he mocked her.

"Green is boring. What about red?", Cuddy answered.

"Between the two of us you are the expert. Whatever you choose, I'll try it on.", House offered and Cuddy took this really serious. For the next half hour House was actually locked into the changing room trying on shirts, jackets and trousers while Cuddy handed him fresh supply every now and then. She even found time to get him boxer shorts and socks.

House was really skeptically about this in the beginning but he had to admit, somehow this was funny.

House had gotten rid of the 12345th pants he had tried on when Cuddy popped in her head.

Reflexive House grabbed a shirt and covered his naked legs.

"What the hell? Get out!", he yelled at her.

"Oh come on. Those are not the first male legs I see in my life, House!", she chuckled.

House looked at his right thigh which was still covered and starred at Cuddy.

"They don't look all the same.", he mumbled. He had that sad look in his eyes again.

Cuddy sighed. "I'm sorry, House. I know how much who hate it when people can see…", she broke off and disappeared.

House sat down for a moment and removed finally the shirt. He looked at his scar and exhaled deeply. Compared to the limp and the pain this scar was his smallest problem but still he hated it. The perfect reminder of his damage and also his misery.

He swallowed another pill and got dressed in his own clothes again. Finally he stepped out of the cabin and looked for Cuddy. She stood a few feet away and had her usual guilt-ridden expression on her face.

House chuckled for a moment. She hadn't done anything but still she felt guilty.

"Cuddy!", House yelled, "Come over here."

She walked over and he pointed at the changing room.

"Could you give me a hand here? I can't carry all that stuff alone."

"What do you want to buy?"

House shrugged.

"Everything. After all it's a sale."

They grabbed all the clothes and headed for the cash point.

"I need some shoes as well.", House pointed out.

"House, we are just here 3 more days. You have the sneakers you wear during the flight and those you are wearing right now. I think you can make it."

House raised an eyebrow.

"How many pair of shoes did you bring?", he wondered.

"I'm a woman. I'm entitled to pack twice as much as I need. It's gender related."

It was their turn and they put the clothes on the counter.

"I have an obsession with sneakers. I don't know if it's related to my genes or my environment but still I want some cool shoes."

"That would be 558 Pounds, Sir.", the cashier interrupted.

House looked a little bit shocked.

"All right, forget about the shoes.", he said and handed over his credit card.

Cuddy laughed. "It's worth every penny. You will look good. By the way, Wilson would borrow you his razor. How about a nice clean shave?"

House rolled his eyes.

"I brush my hair this week. That'll have to do it."

They grabbed their bags and went downstairs.

"Are you hungry?", House asked her on the escalator.

"It's getting late and we have to get up early.", Cuddy explained.

"No problem. There's McDonalds just across the street. And I think I saw a Pizza Hut down the street."

"No, thank you. Not really my food."

House laughed. "Oh come, Cuddy. Sometimes you have to take risks."

"Like eating fast food?"

"Yes. Or letting a woman chose your clothes so you end up with spending 550 Pounds. How much is this in dollar?"

"Around 800 dollars, I guess. Wow, this city is really very expensive."

They looked at each other for a moment. Cuddy suddenly burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry. But the idea of you spending 800 bucks for clothes is just ridiculous."

"I'll have to ask my boss for a raise.", House announced.

"Forget it. You are overpaid anyway."

They stepped outside.

"So what now? Dinner or hotel?", he asked her.

"We should get all your bags back to the hotel.", Cuddy suggested.

"Ok.", House answered and off they went.

Half an hour later they were back in the entrance hall. They took the elevator upstairs and went into House's room.

"There you go.", Cuddy mumbled and put the bags on his bed.

"Thank you!", House said and put down the bags he carried as well.

"I think tomorrow I have to buy a suitcase."

An uncomfortable silence built up between them.

"I think I'll go to bed now.", Cuddy said after a minute.

House nodded.

"Thanks for your help.", he mumbled.

She walked to the door but suddenly she turned around.

"I'm sorry, House. I shouldn't have come into the changing room."

He shook his head.

"It's ok, Cuddy. If we go shopping clothes for you I'll return the favor. Don't worry."

She smiled. For a moment their eyes met.

"Good night, House!", she said finally and walked out.

"Good night, Cuddy.", he replied and closed the door.

They had spent a nice evening. Both of them had enjoyed it. But now they were in their own rooms and felt not really happy or satisfied. Why was this so complicated?

House tried to drag his mind of Cuddy. He watched TV for a while but decided that British TV was boring and not interesting at all. So he did something he had not done in years.

He sat down at the desk and started writing his lecture.

House had no idea what he was expected to tell his colleagues but he decided to tell them the only thing he knew about diagnosing patients. How he did it and why it worked out all the time.

It took him some time since he couldn't stay focused on the matter. The woman two doors down the floor dragged him away from medicine. Something not many women could manage to do.

Reviews are still welcome, guys! :-)