A/N: Well folks, everything must come to an end, so Chapters 29 and 30 will be the last. Thanks to everyone and thanks for all your wonderful reviews and feedback! I never expected the story to go on this long and I'm so glad you all enjoyed it.

"Ssshhhh, he's taken cover under the bookcase," House said quietly as he opened the door for Cuddy. "Don't make any sudden moves or loud noises.

"All this trouble over a rat?" Cuddy asked in a low voice as she unbuttoned her jacket.

"Yeah, well, it's not like I let him escape on purpose."

"You must really like this rat."

"Steve McQueen may be a rat, but he's my rat. My daddy didn't buy me the pony I wanted for my twelfth birthday so I felt deprived of that special unconditional love between a boy and his pony so I'm trying to make up for it now. Of course, Steve isn't a pony, but you get the idea. My landlord won't let me keep a pony in here."

He turned to Cuddy as she was hanging up her jacket and was fairly well surprised to see the Jack Daniels shirt clinging to her figure.

She smiled, knowing he was pleased to no end.

"You just made the top of my kick-ass list. You shall be handsomely rewarded," he said with a Cheshire cat grin.

"First things first, Greg," she reminded him, nodding towards the bookcase.

"Right." House tilted his head in thought. "How do we get ole Steve-O out from under there."

Looking over the battered cage House put back together with duct tape, Cuddy asked, "Are you sure this will hold him?"

"I hope so. Can't get another one until tomorrow."

"How did he manage to push the cage off the table?"

"Dunno. Must have been easier than tunneling his way out," the doctor said, limping to the spare bedroom. "Lisa, there's a big plastic salad bowl in the cupboard next to the dishwasher. Go get it."

Cuddy found the bowl and upon returning to the living room found House had put two pillows down in front of the bookcase. Now there were only two ways out, one at either end.

"Okay, what are we doing?" the lady doctor asked, looking from him to the bowl and back again.

"Catch him in the bowl," said House, carefully lowering himself to the floor.

"Greg, wait."

"What is it?"

"Are you sure he's under there?"

"He's not clinging to the ceiling fan, Lisa. Yes, he's under here. Get ready. It's time to rattle his cage."

He slid the cane underneath the bookcase and rattled it around like a crazy man trying to stir up a beehive. A few seconds later there was a clomp and a triumphant cry of "Got him!"

Peering around, he watched as Cuddy skimmed her hand under the bowl and gently wrapped it around Steve. Carefully, she carried him his humble abode and made sure it was far from the edge of the table.

"I always knew you were good for something," House smirked as he retrieved the cane.

"I'm a woman of many talents." She tossed the pillows and bowl onto the other end of the table, then grasped his hand and pulled him up.

"You don't say." He limped to the sofa and flopped down. Cuddy sank into the cushion next to him. "What kind of talents are we talking about here, aside from capturing wayward rodents."

"Let's see," she rested her head on her lover's shoulder, "I'm a doctor."

"I never would have guessed," he remarked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"I can cook."

"That's debatable."

"I put up with you every single day."

House couldn't help but laugh. "Now that takes talent."

"I take care of my doctors." Her hand came up and caressed his cheek.

"Yes, you do that well."

"And I'm an excellent lover."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"You know it is."

Without blinking, he said, "Prove it."

She moved in close. He could feel her breath as she playfully nipped at his neck, his chin, his mouth. At first the kisses were light and teasing, soon they became more frantic and deep, their moans filling the quiet room. She unbuttoned his shirt, ran her nails up and down his chest and watched him shiver.

"Lisa," he whispered, "Lisa, oh please..."