Finally got another one up and ready to roll. As usual, I only own Avery, not the others.

House let himself into his apartment that night after dropping off Wilson. Wilson had drank a little more of the bourbon than he had planned, and for once it was House ensuring that he arrived safely home. He had chuckled at this turn of events, singing "The Times They Are A-Changin'" loudly and off-key as House deposited him unceremoniously in his living room. House made a note to ask Avery to pick Wilson up in the morning, since they kept a similar schedule.

Avery was stretched out on the couch, flipping through a magazine. House couldn't help but notice how the solitaire on her left hand sparkled in the light of the living room as she turned the pages. He found himself absentmindedly playing with his own left ring finger, as if trying to imagine a band wrapped around it.

The thought made him chuckle, making Avery lift her head. She peered over her reading glasses at House.

"Hey, baby. Food's in the fridge."

"Stop, woman. You're turning me on." House grinned teasingly and leaned down for a kiss. "Don't tell me that's one of those godawful bridal magazines."

Avery laughed. "Unless the American Journal of Cardiology has suddenly started advertising wedding dresses…"

"Thank God." House paused for a moment. "Unless, of course…you want all that fancy crap."

Avery pondered this. When she was engaged to Bryan, she had pulled out all the stops planning a perfect wedding, only to have it all fall apart. It was then she realized that it wasn't the wedding that made a marriage, it was the people involved. This time around, simple sounded better.

"No, I don't need it. It could be you, me, and a judge for all I care."

Something in Avery's tone didn't sound quite right to House. He poked his head out of the kitchen. "Are you sure about that?"

Avery was baffled. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason." House retreated to the kitchen, emerging with a dinner plate and a Coke, plopping down on the couch. "Just seems that, you know, being a girl and all…"

"Woman. I'm an old woman, Greg. I don't need a fancy wedding. I'd rather focus on the marriage." She tilted her head at House. "Unless of course…You want all the fancy stuff. I'll bet you look quite dashing in a tuxedo."

"Guess you'll find out this weekend." House quickly deflected, tossing a paper at Avery. "Hospital fundraiser on Saturday night."

Avery let it go and opened the paper. "Oh yes. I got this yesterday. Texas Hold 'Em tournament, eh? This sounds fun."

"Do you play?"

"Mmm…not really, but I'm sure it will be fun anyway."

"You know…" House's eyes looked Avery up and down. "It's a formal occasion. You're going to have to get all fancy."

"Good." Avery smiled. "I have something in mind."

"Really…" House's hand touched her knee and started roaming up her thigh. "Going to show it to me?"

"Sure…on Saturday. Isn't it bad luck to see your girlfriend's formal dress before the fundraiser?"

"Fiancee. And I'll take my chances."

"Mmm…too bad. You're just going to have to wait." Avery kissed the tip of House's nose and rose from the couch.

"Damn." House's imagination was already fired up. While the anticipation might not kill him, it would definitely sting a little. He was sure that Avery would make it worth the wait.

# # #

House arrived at Avery's on Saturday night, adjusting his tie and tapping his formal cane on the door. She was taking her own damn sweet time answering the door, and he was starting to get a little impatient.

He was about to knock for the third time when the door swung open, revealing an even more stunning version of Avery. House didn't think that was possible.

Her hair was upswept in a loose bun, a few tendrils carefully pulled down to frame her lovely face. She wore a royal blue satin full-length strapless gown, the floating heart pendant resting just above the curves of her cleavage that rose just above the neckline. In her heels, she could nearly look him in the eye as she picked up her dress and stepped toward him, lightly kissing him on the cheek.

House let out a low whistle, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. He bent down to press a small kiss to her neck, inhaling the soft musk scent she had chosen for the evening. His hand slipped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"You know, nobody will miss us if we don't show up…"

Avery laughed gently, wrapping her arms around House, enjoying the leather and spice scent that wafted from him. As she suspected, he was devilishly handsome in that tuxedo, and she briefly considered taking him up on that offer.

"As tempting as that sounds…Cuddy will have both our heads if we don't show." She brushed her lips against his stubble, ending at his ear. "Don't worry…I'll make it worth your while."

"Well what the hell are we waiting for?! Game on, babe."

The lobby was packed by the time House and Avery arrived, and they wove their way through the crowd, finding Wilson and Taub at a table. They separated, leaving House playing cards, while Avery took up a spot as a dealer at an adjacent table.

The table talk started almost immediately, but House barely noticed. His eyes darted between his cards and Avery, watching her as she charmed those seated at her table. Her elegant hands waved about as she deftly dealt the cards and flipped the cards in the center.

He damn near lost the first hand, he was so distracted.

Taub noticed House's behavior, suppressing a small smirk. Matthews was looking exceptionally lovely tonight, even Taub had to admit that. Even after all this time, the jury was still out on House's and Matthews' relationship. The tongues had started wagging the minute the pair walked in, and hadn't stopped since. Suddenly, the table where Matthews was dealing became very popular.

"Matthews is drawing quite a crowd tonight." Taub watched House's face carefully for a reaction.

"The pretty ones usually do." House intoned mildly.

Taub looked at his cards, sighing almost imperceptibly. "I might have to change tables. My luck's running out over here."

House narrowed his eyes, casting a sharp glance at Taub. "Funny. Mine's just starting."

Wilson snorted, taking another drink of his beer and leaning over near Taub. "You leave this table, you're a dead man."

Taub shrugged. "Not like I could get a seat at that table anyway."

House folded, annoyed. "I need a drink. Don't bother saving my seat."

He limped to the bar, taking a Coke and casting a glance around the room. Taub and Wilson still sat at the table, chatting idly and continuing their game. Players milled around Avery's table, switching in and out. She smiled sweetly, making conversation with the players as she dealt.

She had a natural charm, no doubt. Even Taub had noticed. For some reason his comments had stirred…something in him. It made House think of Bryan and his obsessive behavior toward Avery. Who was to say he was any better? After all, he was the one leaning up against the bar, thinking vaguely murderous thoughts about Taub and anyone else that might try to give Avery any attention.

He made his way through the crowd again, working his way to Avery's table. The minute a chair opened, he maneuvered himself into it, glaring at the young man who was right behind him.

"Age before beauty, princess. Sorry."

Avery's lip twitched in an amused expression as she dealt House in. The game progressed, House motioning to Avery with a flick of his eyes when he wanted a card. She flipped the final card over, and House's lips quirked upward, taking the hand.

They continued in this vein for several more hands, their witty repartee making their table the hit of the fundraiser. Finally, House lost the last of his chips, and rose to leave the table.

"Ah well. Easy come, easy go, right?" He took her hand and kissed it. "Nice dealing, Matthews."

"My pleasure, House."

Their eyes met across the table, sending each other a message. House let her hand go and stepped away from the table, gesturing to the young man whose place he had taken. "All yours. Good luck."

# # #

House stepped out of the lobby into the cool night air. The poker game with Avery had been quite a rush, to say the least. There was something about watching Avery deal, turning on the charm, but saving a bit of something for him. He felt…special, wanted. It was unnerving, but exciting.

A whiff of musk told him that Avery had come out to join him. He turned to see her glide over to him. She was still stunning after the long evening, her sleepy eyes the only indication for the lateness of the hour.

She stood beside him, snaking an arm around House's waist. He returned the embrace, softly kissing her on the temple.

"You were amazing in there tonight. Really turned on the charm."

Avery looked briefly worried. "Something wrong with that?"

House chuckled, thinking over his own knee-jerk jealous reaction. "No, not at all. You might have charmed the room, but only one person in that room who gets to take you home."

"Glad you see it my way." Avery drew nearer to House, placing both arms around his neck, pulling him to her for a soft, sweet kiss on his lips.

"Mmm…You don't think you're getting away with just that, do you?"

"God, I hope not."

House deepened the kiss, languidly slipping his tongue into her mouth, bringing her as close to him as he could, his hands moving up and down her back. Her hands stroked the back of his neck, moving her fingers through his hair, resting on the back of his head.

They broke apart, breathing heavily, coffee brown meeting cobalt blue.

"So…think we can sneak past Cuddy and get the hell out of here?"

House barked out a laugh. "Ah, I have taught you well." He leaned down to plant one more kiss on her soft lips. "I think we've done our time. Let's bail. I seem to remember you saying something about making this evening worth my while."

This is the part where you read, then review. All feedback welcome except for those flame thingies.