A/N: I'm still having computer problems, and my repair guy says it may take a total overwrite of my hard drive to fix it. I'm still able to publish right now, but , if you don't see anything new for a while, you'll know why. Bummer.

Disclaimer: Don't Own House, Do Own OCs. blah, blah

Ann went down to the basement on Friday morning to wake up Danielle for breakfast and found Chase wrapped around her. Chase looked slightly embarrassed at being caught, but Danielle simply smiled.

They didn't shower since they didn't have any changes of clothes. They got dressed and joined everyone for breakfast.

Ann had riced some of the mashed potatoes and made hash browns out of them, along with eggs and bacon. They toasted some of the leftover rolls and had coffee and juice.

Chase knew he was being punished for leaving the seminary when his prayers that House keep quiet about the previous night's sleeping arrangements were not answered.

"So, how was the basement?" House asked with a leer in his voice as everyone was finishing up their breakfast.

"It was cold," Chase responded glumly.

"Robert came downstairs to help me keep warm," Danielle interjected.

"I'll bet he did," House agreed with another leer.

"I'm sorry," Ann said, "I forgot to tell you there's a space heater in the closet."

"I'm sure they got along fine without it," House noted lecherously.

"Just knock it off, okay?" Chase asked. "It's bad enough everyone I work with is going to hear about this from you on Monday. Can't I at least enjoy the rest of the weekend?"

"Greg, would you really tell your team at work?" Ann asked.

"Are you kidding?" Chase responded. "Not only the team, but Wilson, Cuddy, the nurses . . . hell, if he could, he'd announce it over the PA system."

"No I wouldn't," House insisted. "Everyone ignores the PA system. Group e-mail is a much more effective means of communication."

"See!" Chase exclaimed in irritation.

"Gee, is it that bad?" Danielle asked.

"Not for you," Chase responded. "You don't work there. Besides, doesn't it upset you even the slightest that the custodial staff at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital is going to know intimate details about your life?"

"I'm just happy to have some 'intimate details' for someone to know about," Danielle remarked. "It's been a long dry spell."

"I think we should go now," Chase stated. "Can I have my keys?"

"Okay," Ann agreed, "I'll just go get them."

"Should I get a ride home with someone else?" Danielle asked when she saw how upset Chase still was.

"What?" Chase asked, confused. "No, of course not. I need you to come with me to the drugstore, remember?"

Danielle smiled slightly. When she saw everyone looking at her, she said, "Um, he needs me to help him pick out a pain reliever for his hangover."

At this point, Ann had returned from the kitchen with Chase's keys.

"Thanks for inviting me," Chase said to Ann. "I had a really great time."

House was about to open his mouth and make a comment when both Chase and Ann shot him daggers with their eyes.

"You're welcome here anytime," Ann informed him. Everyone said goodbye and Ann walked them to the front door.

By the time Ann got back to the table, it had been cleared. She went in the kitchen. Deidre and Bob had the dishwasher emptied. Deirdre was putting the dishes away while House cleaned the plates from breakfast and Bob stacked them in the dishwasher. Sharon and Tom were putting away the leftovers.

"I can do this," Ann said.

"We're almost done," Sharon informed her.

"Don't you want to get on the road?" Ann asked Sharon and Tom.

"It can wait a few minutes, Annie," Tom replied.

They left within the half-hour.

"I hope you don't mind," Deirdre told Ann, "But Bob promised to take me to the Princeton University Art Museum. They have an exhibit on pre-Colombian art that I really want to see. You're welcome to join us."

"Greg isn't much for walking around art museums, and I'm a little tired, so why don't you go ahead," Ann responded.

"We'll be back by late afternoon, okay?" Deirdre told her as they headed out.

After they left, House went to the living room to watch TV while Ann stripped the beds in Tom and Sharon's room, the basement, and the fold-out couch in the music room. She put one load in the wash and joined House in the living room.

"Are you mad at me?" House asked.

"Annoyed is more like it," Ann answered.

"Why?"

"Well, for one thing, everyone kind of took off because it was so awkward."

"Well, I suppose Bob and Deirdre could have pulled that pre-Colombian thing out of their asses to get out of here for a while, but everyone else was leaving anyway, weren't they?"

"Yeah. You're right."

"So what's the big deal?"

"It's not a big deal. It's just . . .you were kidding about telling everyone, right?"

"Well . . . "

"You really shouldn't do that. What about Chase's feelings?"

"What about them?"

"Well, it was obviously upsetting to him."

"Listen, before you go all sympathetic on him, remember he's no defenseless kitten. When he found out about us, he had at least two pools going for when we would break up."

"Did you get a cut?"

"Of course. How do you think I paid for those roses for your birthday?"

Ann smiled. "I'm sorry for telling you how to conduct yourself at work with your employees. It's none of my business. I just don't want Chase to get mad at Danielle or get scared away."

"I wouldn't worry about that. At least not over this."

"Why do you say that?"

"Did you hear that comment about Chase and Danielle going to the drugstore?"

"Yes. She said he needed help with a pain reliever for his hangover."

"Think about that for a second. He's a doctor certified in two specialties and he needs help from a management consultant to pick which bottle of aspirin to buy?"

"I guess that is pretty unlikely. So why did he need her at the drugstore, then?"

"Since they didn't want to say what is was, here's a guess - how about buying condoms? If they just started having sex, he doesn't know her preferences – ribbed or smooth, lubricated, colors . . . "

"Okay, enough detail. I get it. And if he's buying condoms . . . "

"He plans to keep screwing her."

"But, wasn't he really upset about everyone knowing that they're doing it?"

"Let me explain something to you about the male libido. We can get upset and all that, but if we like banging someone, and we have the chance to bang them again, we'll do it. Besides, if he thinks I'm going to blab his secret all over the hospital, why not actually be doing what I'm telling everyone he's doing?"

"So, that means he likes having sex with her?"

"It would appear so."

"And you said 'if he thinks I'm going to blab his secret.' Does that mean you're not?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Ann smiled. "You know, you really are at least trying to be decent about this."

"Don't let that get around. I have a reputation to protect. Hey, there's something I wanted to ask you."

"What?"

"Aren't you the person who plans everything? Don't you have enough stuff stored here in case of a winter storm to impress a survivalist?"

"I guess. What's your point?"

"Do you honestly expect me to believe you 'forgot' there was a space heater in the basement closet?"

A sly grin formed on Ann's face. "It was an experiment. I wasn't sure if the cold would drive them upstairs together, or the bathroom access would keep them downstairs despite the cold."

"There's a much better chance of getting laid if it's cold and you need body heat."

"Are you suggesting I should turn the thermostat lower when we go to bed?"

"Ever notice how cold it is in my apartment at night?"

"Speaking of getting laid, it's only noon, and Deirdre and Bob won't be back for three hours, at least . . . "

"Lead the way, Annie."

They went to the bedroom and locked the door, just in case Bob and Deirdre came back earlier than expected. They got naked quickly after that.

Ann lay down on the bed and was surprised when House did the same but with his feet near the pillows and his head at the foot of the bed.

"What are you doing?" Ann asked, slightly nervously.

"Take it easy," House replied, trying to calm her. "I figure you've spent a lot of time the last few days standing, and, and I know you don't wear five-inch high heels or anything, but I'm guessing your feet might be a little sore, anyway."

"They are a little bit tired, I guess."

"How does this feel?" House had taken her left foot into his hands. He was pressing the sole with both of his thumbs.

"Um, that's nice."

House continued to work on the bottom of her foot, and then proceeded to the heel, and then moving between the spaces between each of the large bones. He then spent a while massaging each toe. It took a total of about fifteen minutes. He then took her right foot, giving it the same treatment.

By the time he was finished, Ann felt so good, she was in a near-gelatinous state. House kissed each foot, and then began to kiss his way up the inside of her legs. He covered her inner thighs with wet, sloppy kisses.

Ann was already pretty wet when he reached her center. He lapped up the juices with his tongue and plunged inside.

"Ummm," Ann moaned as House's tongue danced inside her. After several minutes, he slipped back out again. Before Ann had the chance to protest, he began to lick her clit all around the sides. "Oh, Greg!" she cried as his tongue found the tip. She climaxed in a matter of minutes.

After she recovered, he bent his head down to give her more.

"No," she said quietly, reaching down to cup his cheek with her hand. "I want you inside me."

House moved up the bed and gently entered her. He felt her move all around him - a sensation he had become familiar with, but one that never failed to touch something deep within him.

He pushed in and out of her. After a few moments, Ann took his face in her hands. Looking directly in his eyes, she whispered, "My beautiful, beautiful man." She stared intently at him for a few moments, then her eyes rolled back and she climaxed, taking House over the edge with her.

He collapsed on top of her and she enfolded him in her arms. They rested contentedly for a good half hour.

It was almost two, and they decided they should get up, in case their house guests came back early. Ann took the sheets for Tom and Sharon's bed out of the dryer, put the sheets from the downstairs bed in the dryer, and put the sheets from the sofa bed into the wash.

She made up Tom and Sharon's bed, and went to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher. She made sure everything was ready to heat up for tonight's dinner, and that they had enough for breakfast tomorrow.

At this point, the sheets for the downstairs bed were dry, so she took them out and put the sheets for the fold-out couch in the dryer. She went downstairs and made up that bed. She smiled when she thought of Chase and Danielle. She hoped her little "push" was the right thing to do.

She was almost tempted to call Danielle and find out how things were going. She decided that she'd leave them alone for the rest of the weekend. If anything important happened, she was sure Danielle would call her. Otherwise, it was best to just let them find their own way.

Bob and Deirdre came back at around three-thirty. Deirdre seemed quite excited about the exhibit, so maybe they really had planned to see it, after all.

They had dinner at six, and House, Bob and Ann had a small, impromptu jam session until about nine. Everyone went to bed after that. Bob and Deirdre left the next morning after breakfast.

Ann spent most of Saturday cleaning. She was really tired at this point, but she wanted to get everything done before the next day so she could rest a little. They ate the last of the leftovers Saturday night, except for some of the meat and the carcass. Ann went to the grocery store that afternoon to get vegetables and more barley to make soup on Sunday. As it simmered on the stove Sunday afternoon, House and Ann had sex and a long nap. They ate pizza on Sunday night and returned to work on Monday.

House hadn't decided how much of a thing to make out of Chase's new relationship, but he and the team got involved in a very complex case that pushed it to the side. House spent late nights at the hospital, and, between that and a rather sharp cold snap, his leg was giving him a lot of trouble. The thing that kept him going was the knowledge that Ann was waiting in bed for him every night.

Although House had the puzzle figured out by late Thursday night, it turned out it was too late to save the patient. Uncharacteristically, he spent the night at the hospital. He left at noon, and picked up the jewelry he had ordered for Ann for Christmas. The store wrapped it for him. He got to Ann's place about two-thirty, and stowed the present in a place he figured she wouldn't find it. He stripped down to his boxers and went to bed for a nap.

Ann came in the door at five-thirty. She knew House was there because she had seen his car in the garage and she found his coat hanging on the coat rack in the foyer. She also knew that he probably wasn't going to be in an upbeat mood. Although she hadn't been in direct contact with him, she found out he had lost the patient from Chase, via Danielle, of course. Ann remembered the e-mail: "Our guys are going to need a little extra TLC this weekend."

Ann took out the turkey soup she had been thawing in the refrigerator and put it in a pot on the stove. She put it on moderate heat and went to the bedroom.

It was early December, so it was already dark out, and the bedroom was dark, too. Once Ann's eyes became accustomed to the low light, she was able to make out House's form. He was burrowed under the covers, facing away from her.

His breathing didn't sound like he was sleeping, and she knew that he wasn't when she heard him sigh. He sounded dejected, Ann thought. She cleared her throat softly just to make sure he was aware that she was there, and then she went over to his side of the bed.

"Hey baby," she said in a quiet voice as she bent down to kiss him. She was a little surprised that he didn't reach up to touch her at all.

"Uh," he grunted vaguely.

"How are you feeling?"

"Leg hurts."

"I heard you had a tough case this week."

"Don't want to talk about it."

"Okay. Do you want some ibuprofen?"

"Can't take it on an empty stomach."

"I have some soup heating up, why don't I go and see if it's ready?"

"Uh-huh."

Ann was surprised at House's lack of conversation, or even acknowledgment of her. She knew he was exhausted, in pain and hungry. He'd probably be better after he ate.

She turned up the soup to make sure it would be nice and hot. She was getting out the bowls, spoons and ladle when she heard a crash coming from the bedroom.

As she hurried down the hall, she heard House yell, "Son of a bitch!"

She entered the room and flipped on the lights. House was sitting on the floor next to the bed. It looked like he had tried to get up and his leg had simply given out on him.

"Are you trying to blind me?" House asked angrily, shielding his eyes from the light she had just turned on.

"I'm just checking on you," Ann said as she moved towards him.

"Cut it out," House responded. "I already have a mommy."

Ann was taken aback by House's comment. The tone was harsh, and she didn't see any look in his eyes that would tell her he was kidding in some way.

He pulled himself up and sat back down on the bed. "I don't think I can walk to the table. I'm not hungry, anyway."

"What about your pain meds?"

"What about them? They suck. I might as well not bother."

"Baby, what's wrong? "

"Just get the hell away from me, will you?"

Ann left the room. She had never seen House like this. He was irascible and irrational. He must be in a lot of pain, she thought.

When she got to the kitchen, the soup was ready. Ann knew House would feel better if he could take his meds, and that meant he had to eat. So, she ladled some soup in one of the bowls and put it, a spoon, and some napkins on a tray.

She went back to the room and saw him furiously kneading his leg.

"I brought you some soup," she informed him. She knew that was stating the obvious, but it was so awkward, she felt the need to fill the space with words.

"Leave it on the nightstand," he grunted.

Ann did as she was told and retreated from the room. She went to the kitchen to get her own soup. It felt strange that they were going to eat separately. They hadn't done that any night they were together since the night they met. But, Ann wanted House to eat, so if that meant sacrificing one meal with him, she was willing to do it.

She was just about to put the ladle in the pot to get her own soup when she heard him swear again. She moved quickly to the bedroom, not knowing what she would find.

He was sitting in bed with the tray on his lap. He was concentrating so much he didn't see her standing just inside the room. Nothing had spilled and burned him, as she feared. She watched as he took a spoonful of the soup. His hand was shaking so much, most of the soup was back in the bowl by the time the spoon reached his mouth. He tried two more times with the same result.

"This is fucking useless," he said aloud to himself as he put the spoon on the tray and put his arm over his head. His breathing was ragged.

Ann could no longer watch him in pain and frustration like this. She knew she was risking his wrath, but she couldn't keep away anymore. She went to the bed, moved the tray back to the nightstand and began to stroke the arm that was across his face.

He pulled his arm away. They stared at each other for a few seconds.

"Annie . . . " House whispered. He sounded like a small child trying not to cry.

"It's okay, baby," she said softly. She held out her arms and he fell into them. His head was buried in the space between her collarbone and her neck. She caressed his back and ran her fingers through his hair.

After a few minutes, he looked up at her with red rimmed eyes. "Sorry to be so pathetic," he mumbled.

Ann cupped his cheek. "You're not pathetic! You're in at least five kinds of pain. You're entitled to feel badly."

"I can't even feed myself. I'm useless and weak."

"Weak? No fuckin' way! You function every day in more pain than most people could tolerate in a lifetime. You are the strongest, bravest person I've ever known."

"Really?" House asked, looking at her with that totally vulnerable face she'd first seen when she told him he was the sexiest man on the planet.

"Don't you have days when just getting out of bed is an act of will, let alone doing your job, saving people that no one else can? How can you not see how courageous you are?"

House was silent for a while.

"Can you do me a favor?" Ann asked.

"What?"

"Can you let me get you some warm soup?"

"I can't eat it."

"We'll figure something out."

Ann took the soup and returned to the kitchen. She dumped it in the sink and got more soup from the pot on the stove. She put the bowl back on the tray and headed back to the bedroom.

House was sitting up in bed. He held up his hands to show her they were still shaking.

Ann put the tray down on the nightstand and took House's hands in her own. She kissed each one and placed it gently on the bed. She moved the tray into position over his lap. She dipped the spoon in the soup and brought it up to his mouth. House looked at it for a couple of seconds and then sipped it off the spoon.

Ann went back to the bowl for another spoonful, which she then ate. They continued back and forth until that bowl was finished and they had consumed a second one.

Ann brought the dishes back to the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. She put what was left of the soup in the refrigerator.

When she returned to the bedroom, House was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I need to pee," he told her. "Can you get me my cane?"

Ann went to retrieve it and handed it to him. There was a laundry basket in the room with clean clothes, so Ann turned away to sort and fold them.

She heard him get up slowly, and, from the corner of her eye she watched as he steadied himself. She really wanted to rush over and help him, but she knew his dignity had suffered enough assaults already that night.

He returned after a few minutes and eased himself slowly down on the bed. He had a glass of water that he used to take his meds. He carefully lay back down.

Ann finished what she was doing and went to the bathroom to get undressed and brush her teeth. She climbed into bed and crawled over next to House.

"Listen," he said, looking down. "I'm sorry . . . "

Ann gently but quickly put her finger over House's lips. "Don't . . . it's okay." She moved her hand away from his lips and cupped his cheek. He leaned into her hand and closed his eyes.

They stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Ann moved her hand from his face and took House's left hand. She began to massage it, working firmly but gently on the palm and fingers. She then massaged his wrist and forearm all the way to the elbow. When she finished, she did the same thing with his right hand, being extra careful knowing that this arm was more sore because of his using it with the cane.

House sighed. "I'm really tired and I don't think I have the energy for . . . "

"I didn't expect it," Ann responded. "I know you had a crappy day. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Right now, I think I need to sleep. But I think I will want to talk about it in the morning."

"I'll look forward to it."

"It's not a happy story."

"It's not always about happy. Besides, whenever I'm with you, it's okay."

"Even tonight, when I was being a prick?"

"Well, that wasn't the most enjoyable experience I've ever had, but we got through it, didn't we?"

"Yeah . . . "

House leaned over for what Ann thought would be a quick kiss. It turned out to be soft and slow. House skillfully used his lips and tongue to probe and caress Ann's lips and mouth.

"In addition to being the sexiest man on the planet, you are the best kisser that ever lived," Ann sighed contentedly as they settled into each other's arms.

"Did you know one of the first things I noticed about you?"

"What?"

"Your lips – full, soft, red – just begging to be kissed."

"And yet, I kissed you first."

"You have no idea how glad I am that you did."

"I think I do, since I feel the same way. Go to sleep."

They moved even closer together and drifted off.