She was like silk running through his fingers, like warm water flowing over him. The natural smoothness of her skin never failed to draw a gasp out of him as she pressed her body against his. Then the last of her self-control slipped away and she let him take charge. That was his favorite part–when she remembered that she was off the clock and didn't have to be the boss anymore. Ebony ribbons of her hair splashed against the pillow. He looked down at her with a crooked half-smile, then he saw it. Her vulnerability. When she stripped herself naked in every sense of the word. When she was his lover. If he had been standing his knees would have buckled and he would have been an aching, crumpled pile on the floor. And it would have been worth it.

Her gaze locked with his, her eyes liquid crystal. He was unable to look away, not that he wanted to. He was taking his time and was going to make sure she enjoyed every last second. Her eyes closed briefly with satisfaction and she hummed with contentment as he traced his fingers down the silky smoothness of her face and neck. Every curve, every hollow, every inch of her body, he knew it all blindfolded. She shivered under his touch. Shivered in delight. His heart skipped a beat or three.

The crystal eyes opened again. They were pleading with him. They were saying what she wasn't saying out loud. She wasn't talking because she didn't have to. He could hear her loud and clear.

Please...

Who was he to say no?

Wilson noticed that House had been quieter than usual. Not just quiet but reflective. Something was obviously making the gears in House's head work overtime. At first Wilson thought his friend was worried that Elizabeth would make a return visit. That was on his mind, of course; then Wilson found out what was really weight heavily on House's thoughts, and his neck nearly got broken with the sucker-punch of a revelation.

"Lisa thinks we should move in together," House nonchalantly announced after he had made himself comfortable on the couch in Wilson's office.

After regaining the ability to speak, the oncologist said, "What do you think?"

"I don't know."

From the look on House's face Wilson could see that he really didn't know what to think.

"You two haven't talked about this yet?" Wilson asked.

"Not yet."

"So...why are you talking to me? Does she want me to move in too?"

"I'm talking to you because I want some honest advice," House replied, shooting his friend a warning glance. "But if alphabetizing your precious files can't wait a few minutes–"

"I can spare a few minutes. But only a few minutes." Wilson pushed his files to the side and leaned back in his chair. "What is it, House?"

"She thinks we're ready to take the next step."

"And you don't?"

"That's the thing. I don't know."

"Well, I don't know what to say except you should talking about this with her, not me."

"I will...I will...it's just..." House trailed off and looked at the floor.

Wilson folded his arms across his stomach and knew what his friend really wanted. He didn't want to be talked into making a decision, he wanted to be talked out of making the wrong decision. Whatever that was.

"What are you afraid of, House?"

The diagnostician made eye contact again and said, "I have the sinking feeling that no matter what I choose, it's going to be the wrong choice and I'm going to blow it. If I say no, she's never going to let me forget it. If I say yes, we're going to end up hating each other."

"You see this as a lose-lose situation." Wilson was now intrigued. "Why?"

"I'm not very good these things, relationship-wise. I never have been."

"You and Cuddy have been together for quite a while now."

"Yes, we have."

"She really loves you. Even a fool like you must see that."

"Stevie Wonder could see it," House said. "And a fool like me."

"And a fool like me," Wilson said, noting the surprise on House's face. "When you came home after...whatever happened in New York, I checked on the two of you. You were laying there on the bed with your head in her lap, sound asleep, and she was watching over you, making sure you were you okay. You didn't remember who the hell she was, but that didn't stop her for a second. She hadn't slept all night, she was completely drained, but there she was being protective of you...and now when I think of the two of you together, I keep going back to that moment. She's there for you, House, and no matter what you might have forgotten, you damn well better not forget that."

"I know," House said quietly. "I haven't forgotten that."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that," Wilson said, pushing his files back in front of him. "She's going to want you to play the piano for her, whether you move in together or not. Don't forget that either."