A/N: I don't even know if they have zoos in New Jersey. Please forgive me, I'm Australian. I don't know what it would look like or what would go on there either. I hope this is good enough.
Chapter 6: The Zoo
"Hey kid!" yelled House.
The boy standing on the fence turned around.
"Did you read the sign? It says 'no climbing'. Don't wanna have to rescue you when you fall in. I might wreck my jacket."
The kid looked confused and defiant.
"Bite me," he said.
"Leave him alone," Cuddy told House.
She was leaning against him with her hands on his chest as they walked around the zoo.
She steered House away from the seal pool where the boy was perched on the ledge.
"You know seals are carnivores?" House yelled over his shoulder as they walked away.
"Oh stop it," Cuddy murmured to him.
"Well, they are," he pointed out. "They eat fish, penguins… and obnoxious little boys."
Cuddy laughed. She reached up to kiss him.
"Oh, it's almost five," she realised, pulling away.
"Come on," complained House. "It's a Saturday."
"It's my hospital. I have to work on weekends."
House checked his watch.
"Three thirty. And to think we've spent six hours at the zoo."
"Well," speculated Cuddy. "We weren't looking at the animals the whole time."
She stroked his chest.
"No," he agreed, taking hold of her waist.
She pulled his shoulders down to kiss him. He opened her mouth and licked her teeth gently, trailing his tongue across her lips.
The kiss became deeper and they stroked each other's jaws and backs.
Cuddy pulled back.
"Do you really think we should be making out in public? I mean, it's nice and all. But what if someone we know sees us?"
"They won't," House reassured her. "Only families go to the zoo."
He leaned in to kiss her but she kept talking.
"Plenty of doctors have families," Cuddy protested. "And we're not a family," she pointed out matter-of-factly. "And we're here."
"Why are you so worried?" accused House.
"I'm not worried," she scoffed. But House could tell it was a lie.
"Good," he said nevertheless, and started kissing her again.
They broke apart when they heard a sudden sound right next to them.
Turning around quickly, both bearing unconvincing expressions of innocence, they saw what it was.
House glared disbelievingly at their unwelcome spectator.
"Chase!" he exclaimed.
Dr. Chase was standing there dressed in his leather jacket, one empty hand stretched out in front of him where the drink which was now broken and leaking on the ground had been moments before. His expression was one of utter horror.
"What the hell are you doing here?" demanded House.
"Um… I… uh…"stuttered Chase. "I'm here with a friend. What are you two doing here?" he challenged.
"Don't try it," House warned, threateningly.
"OK," Chase consented quickly.
He turned around and walked away.
"So," House said to Cuddy. "Want me to give you a lift to work?"
"I think I'll take the bus straight there," she decided. "Bye."
She stood up on her toes to kiss House goodbye.
"I'm gonna pick up my bike from your house," he said.
"OK."
Then she walked away towards the exit.
House stood still, leaning on his cane. Then he looked up.
"I love you," he called after her.
"No you don't," she yelled back.
He laughed shortly and nodded. Then he took a Vicodin and limped towards the opposite exit.
