A/N: I don't know any details about Cuddy's house or House's motorbike so please forgive me.
Chapter 4: Eggs for Breakfast
House woke up first. It was early in the morning and it wasn't light yet. But that wasn't unusual for him. He did feel different though. The bed was different, the room was different. His sleeping attire was the same. What else was different? That person in his bed wasn't the same. He was startled straight away. Then it all came back to him.
Lisa Cuddy was curled up next to him, still sleeping. Whoa, it hit him like a brick. Ouch.
In her sleep, her breaths came slowly; her lips were parted slightly and her beautiful eyes were covered by her eyelids. Her eyelashes flickered lightly. House stroked her hair and she stirred.
"House?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
Cuddy opened her eyes and they widened when she saw House lying next to her, propped up on one arm, looking at her.
"Um…" she said.
House moved and sat up on the edge of the bed.
"I'll make breakfast," he decided, pulling on his shorts and grabbing his cane. He picked up his T-shirt in the other hand and limped out of the bedroom.
Cuddy fell back onto the pillow and closed her eyes, thinking hard.
When she came out of the bedroom she saw House in the kitchen bent over her stove.
"I found some eggs in the fridge," he informed her. "Wasn't too hard to find the frying pan."
Cuddy nodded. Neither of them said a word about the night before and both of them acted as normally as possible.
House served the eggs and took Cuddy's plate out to her. She followed him back into the kitchen and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and put his chin on the top of her head.
"Come on," he said, grabbing his plate.
House and Cuddy sat on Cuddy's sofa in silence. They were both dressed now and sat close together, House slowly stroking Cuddy's hair. She spoke first.
"Wow," she said. House nodded. He was leaning his head against Cuddy's, staring into space.
"I love you," he said. Silence. Cuddy shifted and looked at him.
"That's a big statement," she accused. "You know you shouldn't say such things."
"I think I love you," he corrected. Cuddy's face softened for a moment and she smiled. House continued, singing the next line softly, "So what am I so afraid of? I'm afraid that I'm not sure of–"
"Stop it," Cuddy ordered. Then she softened.
"The thing is," she admitted, leaning towards him. "I think I love you too."
House beamed and leaned in to kiss her. The kiss lingered and both of them felt warm inside.
"So," Cuddy said. "I was hoping…that we could give it a go. You know...the whole relationship thing. I know what you're thinking: us and relationships isn't a match made in heaven, but…"
"Yes," agreed House. "We're delinquents." Cuddy ignored him.
"I wondered if you wanted to do stuff together. You know, stuff that couples do. Aside from what we've already done." House smirked. "And…will do lots more of in the future."
House laughed. "I hope so," he agreed. "Wanna come to my place then?" he asked.
Cuddy paused.
"Sure," she agreed readily. "Now?"
"Why not? Scared?" House used his cane to stand up and helped Cuddy out of her seat.
They got their things and walked out the front door together. House went first and reached his motorbike, waiting for Cuddy.
"Oh no," she said, shaking her head. "There is no way I'm going on that thing."
"Don't you like bikes?" House asked.
"I don't mind the ones where you pedal, but motorbikes… no way. Let's just take the bus. Please?"
House rolled his eyes.
"OK," he conceded. "Lead the way. I hope it's not too far."
"It's just a little way down the road."
He popped a Vicodin and followed her down the street.
