A/N: It has been a long time hasn't it? Thanks for hanging in there. Sometimes life gets in the way. We all know what that's like. Here's a big shout out to all you Huddy fans! Thanks for reading, not just my fic but all the other great Huddy fics out there!

In this chapter, it's Friday night, House asked Cuddy on the date earlier in the day. House and Cuddy have been on vacation just over a week. House left for two weeks on a Wednesday, Cuddy left on Friday. They have about seven days left to go on vacation. What will they do with that time? Hmm...

Previously...

"I'm taking you out tonight."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. You know-a real date." He saw Wilson smirk at him and rolled his eyes.

"I'd like that," she said.

"I'll be there around six. Dress casual. As in jeans and a sweater, it's going to be cold." Then he added, "Wait-make that a low cut sweater."

She grinned. Only House would suggest that she wear a sweater because it was cold and yet insist it be low cut. Then she thought of something.

"Hey," she said. "Don't you think you should ask me out properly?"

House sighed. "It's not a marriage proposal, Cuddy."

"Nevertheless, a girl likes to be asked."

House huffed. "Fine. Lisa Cuddy, would you like to go out with me tonight?"

She didn't respond right away just to irritate him. Then after a few moments she said, "I'd love to."

"Good. Now, I'll see you at six. And don't be late!" He said hanging up before she could respond.

Cuddy stood in her kitchen holding the phone, biting her bottom lip and grinning ear to ear. House wasn't the dating type, but she got the feeling he wanted to show her he was willing to open up and try new things. As scared and nervous as she was, she knew he was too. And it made her love him that much more that he was willing to go outside his comfort zone...for her.

She thought about where he might take her on their date and felt the butterflies just thinking about it. It was going to be a long day for sure. She needed to keep herself busy and not think about him, if that was even possible. With a loud sigh, she set the phone down on the counter, grabbed her water and a hand towel and headed back outside.

Back at the lake, House and Wilson found two empty spots on a bench overlooking the lake where the races were about to begin.

"I can't believe you told her it was my idea," House said.

"Hey it just slipped out. Besides it didn't matter. She didn't even say a word about it." Turning to House, Wilson asked, "What on earth have you done to Cuddy?"

House looked at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought for sure she would've been pissed at me for not being at the hospital. And then I surely thought she'd rip into you for suggesting we come out here."

House shrugged. "I thought so too."

Wilson looked out at the water. "She's happy. Whatever you're doing to her, keep doing it." He cringed once he'd realized his words.

House responded with a smug grin. "Hey what can I say? I am just that good."

Just before six o'clock, Cuddy heard a familiar rapping on her front door. Her heart fluttered in anticipation as she practically ran down the hallway to answer it. She stopped and looked in the mirror next to the door, chiding herself for her giddiness. She knew she looked good. She always took pride in her appearance but she especially loved the attention she received from House. Often she had chosen her work attire specifically with him in mind. This night was no different. Relax, it's just House, she thought. As she pushed a renegade curl behind her ear she caught the knowing smile on her face.

Cuddy took a deep breath and opened the door. Her jaw dropped as she took him in. House had trimmed his scruff and combed his hair. He wore a crisp dark blue oxford topped with a charcoal blazer. Her eyes were drawn to the top three buttons of his shirt which were undone and exposed his sun-kissed clavicle. She looked down and took in the dark jeans and tennis shoes and smiled. Some things never changed. Her eyes roamed over him again and she felt a shiver down her spine. When her eyes met his, he wore a shit-eating grin, as if he could read her thoughts.

"I clean up pretty well, don't I?" He asked smugly.

She rolled her eyes and stepped aside so he could enter. She closed the door behind him. "I'll be ready in a minute," she said, as she strutted toward her bedroom, making sure to add a seductive sway to her hips.

As he waited, House took in the surroundings which had become more familiar each time he visited her home. He limped about the living room analyzing books, photos and knick knacks. His eyes gravitated toward a framed photo of Cuddy and her father that he'd seen many times before. It was taken at her medical school graduation. He picked up the photo and couldn't help but smile at the young Doctor Lisa Cuddy who was herself smiling brightly at the camera as her father gazed down at her with a look of pure adoration. He'd always known Cuddy was a daddy's girl. She and her father had shared the same hobbies and interests and back in college, she'd confided in House that her father had been her greatest ally and supporter.

House recalled a similar picture only it was his mom, not his dad, who stood beaming at him proudly on his big day His mother had cried and hugged him and told him how proud she was and how she'd always known he was destined to do great things in life. In contrast, John House had merely shook his hand and congratulated him using the words, "don't screw it up."

House was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to hear Cuddy calling to him until she was right next to him, her hand gently grasping his forearm. He set the picture back on the shelf and turned to her.

"You were definitely zoned out. What were you thinking about just now?" She asked, curiously.

"Nothing," he replied, dismissively. Tonight, of all nights, he didn't want to think about his dad.

Cuddy looked back at the photo and knew there was more to his explanation and while she wished he'd talk to her, she knew with House it was small steps. He'd been opening himself up to her slowly and she knew he would do more in time. She didn't want to frighten him off. She just wanted to enjoy their evening together. There would be time to talk later.

She squeezed his bicep then placed her other hand gently on the side of his face, her fingers caressing his scruff. Instinctively, House closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy her touch. A moment later, she ruffled his hair, which caused him to open his eyes.

"Much better," she said, admiring her handiwork. "I like you a little messy."

House gazed at her fondly. Cuddy looked beautiful in very little makeup, her face naturally radiant with a hint of color from working outside. Her hair fell loose in natural waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were playful and her smile was relaxed. He loved seeing her like that.

His eyes roved over her, taking in the long-sleeved navy blue v-neck sweater that showed off her ample cleavage. His eyes were drawn down her silhouette to her form-fitting jeans and low-heeled boots. He let out a low whistle.

Cuddy blushed under his gaze. She never tired of how he looked at her. It always made her feel sexy and desired.

"You like?"

His eyes sparkled with mischief as they roamed over her chest and then back up to her face. "Oh me likey alright," he said raising his eyebrows up and down. "Are you ready to go?"

She turned and picked her jacket that lay over the arm of the couch. "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"You'll see," he said as he smacked her on the ass when she walked past him toward the door. He followed her out the door staring admiringly once again at the intentional sway of her hips. He loved that she knew exactly how to get to him.

Though his car was parked in the driveway, he thought she might prefer to take hers.

"We can take your car if you want."

She nodded. "No, yours is fine." He opened the door for her and when she was settled he closed it and went around to his side and climbed in. He handed her his cane which she settled between her knees. She checked out her surroundings, smirking a bit at the cleanliness of his car, which she had not expected.

"Surprised?" He asked as he caught her looking around.

She nodded. "I expected fast food wrappers and coffee cups."

"And you'd be right except I haven't driven this thing in a while."

Cuddy nodded, understanding his preference for the bike, even in cold weather. After purchasing it, he'd told Wilson it was easier on his leg and he liked the freedom of the open road.

House started the engine and turned on the heat. As the car slowly warmed, he turned and leaned toward her. Without a word, she took his cue and met him halfway. Their lips brushed together in a delicate kiss. His right hand caressed her jaw while the other stayed on the wheel. Cuddy's left hand went to his neck, her fingers digging into his scalp, her thumb caressing his scruff.

"Wow," she said when they parted.

His hand remained on her face, his thumb gently caressing the corner of her mouth and he watched as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "I've wanted to do that all day," he said.

She opened her eyes. "Me too."

House drew his hand gently down her neck, letting his fingers glide softly over her skin. It traveled farther down until it found hers. He squeezed her fingers and when she returned the gesture he brought the hand to his lips and kissed her wrist. Cuddy's heart quickly and she trembled with desire at the unexpected romantic gesture.

"Did I mention how hot you look tonight?"

"Oh geez, it's just jeans," she said casually wondering if he knew she'd chosen that outfit for him.

He snickered as he started the car. "Nothing is just anything on you, Cuddy." He knew. He always knew.

They listened to a classic rock station as they headed to their destination. Neither liked small talk but every now and then they'd chat about the music or House would make a smartass comment about other drivers on the road that made Cuddy laugh.

Cuddy noticed House reached down occasionally to rub his leg. She frowned thinking about how he'd been favoring it lately, especially after sex. She'd wanted to say something to him about it and ask if she could help but she knew how sensitive he was about the subject. Things had been going so well between them that she didn't want to screw it up but she knew that sooner or later they'd have to talk about it. Until then she'd put it off as long as she could.

Feeling the need to connect with him that moment, she acted upon her gut instinct. Without a word or turn of her head, Cuddy reached over and grasped House's right hand and placed it on her left thigh. Then she placed her left hand on his right thigh and gently massaged the injured area as he drove. House said nothing but when he turned his head briefly, their eyes met and he wordlessly conveyed to her his appreciation.

They arrived in Trenton and drove through the city. House turned right onto a two-lane road with significantly less traffic and lights, heading out of the city and into the rural area. Twenty minutes later they turned down a tree-lined road and House announced they'd arrived at their destination. At that moment, the view opened up and Cuddy's eyes were immediately drawn to a neon sign ahead.

"A drive-in!" Cuddy exclaimed, turning to him, her eyes wide. "Seriously?"

"Yep," he replied as he pulled up at the entrance. He took out his wallet and handed cash to the young female attendant.

"I didn't think there were any left," Cuddy said.

"This is one of the only drive-ins left in Jersey."

They drove past the large marquee. In bold letters was the title of the feature presentation.

"The Blob?" She looked at him in awe. "I can't believe you remembered!"

Her excitement warmed his heart. He'd wanted a non-traditional night with her, something different that they'd both enjoy. Days earlier when he planned the outing, he'd remembered back in Michigan she talked about how much she enjoyed drive-in movies in her youth and that she and her father loved watching the cheesy sci-fi classic films. "The cheesier, the better" she'd told him and he'd never forgotten it. Given the fond memories she had with her father he felt he couldn't go wrong.

The place was packed but House managed to find a parking space which wasn't too far from the screen but not a long walk from the concessions and bathroom either. Once they were parked, they headed to the concession stand for snacks. Cuddy was still in awe and excited over the surprise and she linked arms with him as they walked and they talked about the old science fiction films.

"I don't know why dad and I loved that stuff, we just did. We'd watch the same crappy sci-fi movies every chance we got. Mom said we did it just to annoy her."

House looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Okay so maybe we did," she confessed with a smirk, squeezing his bicep.

"This movie kicks ass. I mean it doesn't get any better than Steve McQueen and a gelatinous mass of growing, flesh-eating goo unleashed upon the Earth by a big rock from outer space." he said.

House went on, cracking jokes and mocking 1950s and 1960s science fiction films, rattling off at least a half dozen on his worst-ranked list, all of which Cuddy had seen with her dad, and loved. Cuddy laughed so hard listening to him that shehad tears in her eyes. When she stopped long enough to catch her breath, she felt an overwhelming feeling of happiness and freedom and she loved that House was the reason for it.

When they reached the counter House leaned on it. Cuddy nudged him. "You okay?"

"It's fine," he said, not wanting to get into a conversation about his current level of pain.

"House-" she began. She didn't want to ruin the mood but she needed to know he was okay.

"Let's just order," he replied abruptly. His sudden change of tone took her by surprise but taking the hint, she gave him her order and said nothing else. A few minutes later they had their food and with some time to kill before the movie began, they ventured over to a nearby picnic table and sat side-by-side on top of it.

Cuddy ate her popcorn silently, feeling guilty about having said anything to House about his leg. Every now and then she'd glance over at him hoping to make eye contact, to no avail.

In the meantime, House ate his hot dog as he looked up at the star-filled sky. He felt Cuddy watching him but he said nothing. Truthfully, he felt like a jerk for making her feel bad. He didn't want to hurt her just because she cared but it was something he'd grown used to over the years-biting back at people for caring. He hated talking about his pain because he didn't want people feeling sorry for him. He knew though that Cuddy didn't feel sorry for him, she genuinely just cared and wanted to help if she could. She didn't treat him like he was disabled, if anything, she had done the opposite. She had sparred with him, made him work and stood toe to toe with him on his worst days, never backing down. Cuddy had always expressed concern for him but never had she ever felt sorry for him and he was thankful for that.

House looked over at Cuddy as she picked at the remains of her popcorn. Suddenly he felt like shit for making her feel bad. He let out a sigh and looked down as he tapped his cane against the table. "It always hurts. It never really goes away. Some days it's not so bad but some days it's so bad I curse myself for not cutting the damn thing off." He swallowed hard and continued, speaking softly. "Right now it's sore because I've been using it more lately." Hoping that would make her smile, he looked over at her. She understood and smiled back. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerely. "I just don't want to think about it if I can help it, at least for a little while."

Cuddy nodded, relieved that he'd addressed it and also surprised at his apology. She laid her hand over his in a gesture of understanding and he looked at her, his thanks noted in his eyes. At that moment, Cuddy decided to change the subject. "I wonder how this place survived after so many years."

House, glad that she'd understood and accepted his apology, took her cue. "The people who own it have a farm just beyond there," he nodded toward a group of trees in the far background. "The city was going to tear it down years ago but they got a petition signed designating it a historic site so they remodeled and opened it."

"How did you even find it?"

"I was out riding," he said. He recalled the day he'd found the place. "My parents had just left-that time they visited me before heading to Europe. I needed to get away for awhile and I got on the bike and just kept going. I wound up at a convenience store not far from here and overheard the store clerk giving a guy directions to his place. I cruised down here but it was closed. Apparently it's only open on weekends. "

Cuddy nodded as she sipped her root beer. She remembered his parents' last visit. She and Wilson had conspired to have dinner with them but it never happened because they'd left so soon. She was later glad it hadn't worked out when she realized how upset House had been by their sudden appearance. When they left, he'd disappeared for hours. Wilson had fretted but Cuddy reassured him that House likely just needed some time alone.

"I figured you had to clear your head when they left. You were really on edge," she said.

"Like I said, it's not her, it's him."

"Yeah." She'd noticed. On the few occasions she'd met his parents, she'd noticed how tense House had become around his father. He was unusually quiet during those rare visits.

She reached over again, this time she lay her right hand on his left thigh in a gesture of reassurance. She'd had a great relationship with her father and even though her relationship with her mother had been strained for years, it was never the magnitude of what House had endured with his father. Through bits and pieces of information over the years since she'd first met him, she knew it had been volatile and affected him in ways nobody could ever imagine. She suddenly felt guilty for even wanting to have dinner with them when they'd been in town last.

He shook his head. "There she goes with the guilt again. Will you ever learn woman?"

"What?" Again he'd read her thoughts.

"You know what."

She did. She laughed out loud. "God, how do you do it?"

He shrugged. "It's a gift. Some would call it a curse. Cuddy, he's not your problem."

She scooted closer, wrapped her arm around his and looked up at him. "House, you can talk to me. Couples share their problems."

At the mention of the word couple, House looked down at her arm wrapped around his own, his eyes were drawn up her face. In her beautiful eyes he saw no pity, only understanding and...love. He swallowed hard. He felt it too.

Cuddy tilted her head. "What?" She asked. She knew her response had affected him. They hadn't really talked about it but both of them knew they were a couple. It hadn't been broadcast, they hadn't gone public, it was their little secret. But that didn't take away from the truth of what they shared. She waited for him to speak but he had a look of awe on his face, and seemed as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Finally, he replied.

"Nothing. I'm just glad you're here," he said. He meant it, too. He enjoyed every moment he spent with her but he couldn't help wondering when it would end. He'd once been content to spend his free time lounging on the couch in his apartment with a glass of scotch and vicodin, with only his misery to keep him company but the more time he spent with Cuddy the less he wanted to be alone and the more he wanted to be with her.

Cuddy flashed House a bright smile in response to his admission. He'd said a lot in those few words. "Me too," she replied. She leaned back, her hands on either side of her, and let her head drop back as she looked up at the night sky. She sighed loudly. "This is so cool."

"You like?" He asked putting his arm around her.

She leaned into his warmth. "Yeah, I do."

House kissed her on the top of her head. He held her like that until they saw people walking to their cars, a sign the movie was about to begin. They hopped off the bench and when they got back to the car, they placed the speakers in the windows, pushed their seats back and reclined them slightly. They pushed the middle armrest out of the way and moved closer as the film began.

They spent the better part of the movie laughing and carrying on like a couple of teenagers. Every time something completely unbelievable happened on the screen they made a crack about it. Just over an hour later they were headed away from the drive-in. Though she prodded him on where he was taking her, he wouldn't tell. As they drove, they talked excitedly about the film.

"Do you ever notice in these movies how every time they run away they wind up falling down and getting killed?" She asked. "I mean-they trip on nothing and then lay there screaming till the monster gets them. It's like they want to get caught."

"Yeah but if nobody fell down, they plot wouldn't progress. Nobody would die."

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Plot? Seriously?"

"See Cuddy, this masterpiece is a seriously unique fusion of genres…nineteen fifties sci-fi invader-from-outer-space meets small town America and teenagers coming of age. It's perfect," he said in an attempt to be serious.

She laughed out loud. "It's one of the worst films ever made!"

"And yet you like it," he said pointing at her.

"Because it's one of the worst films ever made. But it's so horrible it's hilarious. I mean it's-people-bing chased by strawberry jam." She couldn't contain herself and laughed so hard her sides hurt.

"Are you kidding? It's a wonderful period piece of Norman Rockwell Americana." House was laughing too now.

She stopped laughing and contemplated. "Actually, I do like the nineteen fifties aspect of it and…Steve McQueen is hot," she said.

He turned to her. "You think he's hot?"

"Are you kidding? I mean…well he's not hot in this but later on when he got a little older…oh man…all scruffy on that motorcycle with that leather jacket…oh yeah."

He beamed at her. "You are truly the perfect woman."

She grinned. "You're just figuring that out? When I was a kid I thought that movie was the coolest thing ever and then I grew up and realized just how horrible it is."

"And yet," he said. "Here we are watching it."

She laughed. "What in hell does that say about us?"

He grinned, his eyes still on the road ahead.

A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of a small diner.

"Ruthie's?" She asked as they got out of the car.

"Yep. Best burgers in town."

"I'm a vegetarian."

He rolled his eyes. "Okay fine. Best root beer floats in town."

"Now that's better," she said as they entered the restaurant. They were both surprised by the decor. It really had the look and feel of a nineteen fifties burger joint. It had black and white tiled floors, a jukebox in the corner, booths along three sides and a long white counter with red-topped metal stools up front.

"How on earth did you find this place?" She asked in awe.

"Same convenience store. Clerk told the guy he couldn't go to the drive-in if he didn't hit this place afterwards."

They were greeted by a bubbly teenage girl named Holly who led them to a booth in the corner. They split an order of cheese fries and ordered a hot fudge sundae for House and root beer float for Cuddy.

While they waited, Cuddy looked around, taking in the ambience of the place. She absolutely loved it and loved how House had put so much thought into it. House watched her noting the carefree look on her face. It was a look that he liked and he felt proud that he was the one to put to put it there. So many times over the years he'd made her sad and angry, it felt good to make her happy now.

Cuddy caught House watching her. "What?" She asked, smiling.

"I like this side of you."

"What side?"

"Fun Cuddy. Which is always better than I'm-going-to-put-a-heel-through-your-testicles-if you-don't-do-clinic-duty Cuddy."

She laughed out loud. "I've never said that!"

"You don't have to. Every man at that hospital is naturally scared to death of you," he said, knowingly.

She laughed out loud. "True, except for one," she said, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah," he said with a smirk. "Except for one."