Chapter 25

Sitting at her desk, Cuddy watches over House's sleeping form. She's just thinking. He couldn't stand the thought of losing me. She smirks, when has he become so attached to me? Then she ponders, and realizes, for a long time.

It might seem conceited but she thinks of herself as his only constant. He needs me just as much as I need him. This realization gives her comfort, and a peace of mind.

House had ended up passing out into a Demerol, pain free induced sleep and Wilson had insisted on an IV drip of Saline and Glucose.

Wilson left Cuddy to tend to House and now he's politely ignoring the stares by everyone he meets as they gawk at his baby doll pink splattered lab coat.

Nudging him gently Cuddy asks, "Wake up sleepy head, wake up for me?" His face scrunches up then relaxes as he opens his eyes, no longer dull gray from pain but an icy blue that seems to peer into her soul.

He smiles, content waking up to the sight of such a lovely face. He brings his hand up to caress her face when he feels the tug on the back of his hand.

"You didn't…?" He accuses, only half joking.

"Do you think so less of me?" She asks, still smiling at his reaction. He doesn't answer.

Rolling her eyes she tells him, "Nurse Brenda jumped at the opportunity to shed the blood of Gregory House." Now it's House turn to roll his eyes.

"Of course, she was a little disappointed you were unconscious at the time, Demerol and exhaustion seem to have that affect on you." She smirks.

"How long have I been out?" he asks, sitting up. He stretches a little bit, using the movement as a diversion as he tries to remove the IV from his hand.

She smacks his free hand and tells him to, "Stop that."

"But, mom!" He wines. She smirks. He smirks.

"Keep it in for a little while longer, you've only been out for two hours." She mentally adds, And I'd like for you to be well enough to go with me to the first real checkup for your unborn child.

Grabbing the IV stand, using it as a temporary cane, he complains, "You couldn't have told her to put it in my left hand?" He flexes his cane hand, evaluating the degree of soreness while glaring at the IV tubing.

He shuffles to her private bathroom, Cuddy is right behind him, "You're not feeling sick are you?"

He turns around to face her, smiling at her over protectiveness, "No, just got to relieve myself."

Cuddy waits until she hears the flush before she enters. She watches as he turns on the facet and as he catches his first good look in the mirror.

Silently watching as he takes in his appearance, the pallor of his skin, the dried tear tracks on his cheeks.

"Did I really…cry?"

"You were pretty much out of it. Your fever spiked at 102.3. Which reminds me…" Cuddy goes back to the coffee table where she had laid House's coat, containing his vial of Vicodin.

Shaking two out she hands them over, then recaps the bottle before leaving it on the counter.

He swallows them. Then begins pulling open drawers.

Curious, Cuddy asks, "What are you looking for?"

"Toothbrush… I know you're anal enough to keep extra ones around here somewhere, the whole morning sickness fiasco and such."

She laughs, and finds one for him, handing it and a tube of toothpaste to him. She thinks, At least now I can do more than just look. He's been looking fine wearing a black t-shirt, dark blue jeans. What can I say? My man looks good in black.

House moves out of the bathroom, snagging his Vicodin on the way out, and precedes to grab his coat and cane.

With his coat slung over his left arm, metal pole holding saline and glucose bags, grasped in his left hand, tubing in front of him and cane in right hand, he moves slowly to the door, giving a confused Lisa a peck on the cheek on his way out.

"Where are you going?" Cuddy asks, uneasy about his sudden departure.

He speaks softly as he looks at his watch, "My team is expecting me, if I don't show up for what's on time for me, they'll know something's up."

"They already know something is up. Wilson's already informed them you won't be coming in today." He stops his procession and walks backs in, coming to stand close to her.

"Oh, well in that case," He grins, his blue eyes teasing her, she pops his arm, "Ow, sick cripple here, don't you love me any more?" He teases.

"I'm sorry House," She tells him, dead serious. He wonders, What are you sorry for? Then he realizes what she means, "I'm sorry too, I'm afraid of losing you," he lays himself out there, knowing he can trust her.

She reaches her arms around his neck and pulls him close, "You don't have to be, I'm here. Always," and she seals her promise with a kiss. She can feel his smile under her lips.

"Oh, I'm definitely feeling better now." He doesn't want to worry her. He wasn't feeling great, but at least he doesn't feel like breaking bones to relieve the pain.

He still feels warm. He tosses down his jacket as he plops down onto the couch once again.

Breathing through his nose, he takes inventory of himself. I'm exhausted.

Reading his mind, or the look on his face, Cuddy helps arrange a pillow under his head, and makes sure the tube coming out of his hand isn't kinked, and she plants a kiss on his forehand and he grins.

She laughs, "Just checking your temperature."

"Oh, yeah?" He raises his head and touches his lips to hers. Running his fingers through her hair, he brings her closer to deepen the kiss.

They break. Breathing hard. Each staring at the other, desire written in each other's features.

His slides his hand over her back, pulling her even closer to him, she stops him, "Wait…"

He lets go reluctantly as she swaggers to her door, it clicks as she locks it.

"Now, where were we Dr. Feelgood…?"

A shit eating grin spreads across his face, just like she knew it would.

Who ever said you can't mix business with pleasure?

"Let him soothe your soul, just take his hand
(Dr. Feelgood)
Some people call him an evil man
(Dr. Feelgood)
Let him introduce himself real good
(Dr. Feelgood)
He's the only one they call Feelgood

He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He's the one that makes ya feel all right
He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood"

To be continued…

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the quicker update!

I almost considered upping the rating on this story to but I decided against it, its just not my style.

Please, review!

I'll make a deal with you all, If I get 15 reviews for this chapter, I will update right then and there. =)

They are my inspiration and what keeps me writing more.

Lyrics by Motley Crue, "Dr. Feelgood"