House sat in his office, swivelling around in his chair and playing with his yo-yo.
It was late at night and there was no one in the corridor outside.
He was beginning to wonder whether he should go home soon when Cuddy appeared at the open door.
House looked up at her as she came in. He put the yo-yo down on his desk and clasped his hands in his lap.
"Dr Cuddy," he acknowledged her. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You owe the pleasure to the fact that I have finally finished work, it's a Friday night, and I happened to know you were still here."
House winced all of a sudden and reached into his pocket for a Vicodin.
"Go on," he encouraged.
"This office ever seen any action?" Cuddy asked, thoughtfully.
"As a matter of fact, no," said House. "Why? Did you have something in mind?"
"As a matter of fact, yes I did."
She wandered over to the door and clicked the lock, then she pulled the blinds closed.
"But first, I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot," prompted House.
"How much Vicodin are you on at the moment?"
House paused for a second.
"I don't have a problem," he stated, bluntly. "I thought we'd cleared that up."
"I'm worried," Cuddy admitted, sauntering over and sitting on House's desk. "You know that drug addicts die?"
"Everyone dies," House pointed out.
"Early," added Cuddy. "And especially now, I don't want to lose you before I have to."
"Am I supposed to feel flattered that you didn't care if I lived or died a year ago?"
"You're supposed to love me," said Cuddy.
"I do," he said.
"Well then, don't leave me."
"I won't. I'm not going to die."
"Oh, I feel completely reassured," she said sarcastically.
House lowered his eyes and pondered darkly. He had heard that expression before.
"I can't," he admitted. "I need the Vicodin."
Cuddy held back a sudden show of emotion and she sniffed, lifting a hand to wipe her dry eyes, expecting there to be tears. She looked away to disguise her feelings.
"Fine," she agreed. "But even if you don't die, you won't live either."
"Hey," shot back House. "I told Wilson last time you two cooked up this scheme. I function. I do my job. I can eat and sleep and think."
"But can you love?" Cuddy enquired.
"Of course," House told her.
"If you loved me enough, you could cut back on the drugs," proposed Cuddy.
House was speechless.
"I disagree," he said. "Without the pills, I'll die. You said so yourself."
"I believe in you. You're stronger than that."
"I live with the pills, I die with the pills, I live without the pills, I die without the pills. Which is it? I for one choose to live with them. I will live and I will love you, no matter what."
"But for how long?" asked Cuddy. "This is a serious relationship, and to be in a relationship, you have to be alive. Or don't you want it to be serious?"
"Of course I do. "Look, do we have to talk about this now?"
"When else are we going to talk about it?" she challenged.
"Um, tomorrow?" he suggested obviously.
Cuddy sighed. She nodded.
"All right," she gave in. "Do you still love me enough to indulge my fantasy?"
"What? Giving the office some action? Of course. I love you. I' in love with you. I love you all the way into infinity. I promise." He paused then said, "Come here."
House heaved himself out of the chair and staggered over to Cuddy. He enfolded her in his strong arms and she hugged him for a long time, burying her head in his chest, closing her eyes.
House put his chin on the top of her head and stared at the door, thinking deeply, but at the same time, stroking Cuddy's back comfortingly.
She pulled her head up and opened her eyes, both of which were tear-stained, House hadn't noticed before.
"Kiss me," she said calmly, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"As you wish," he consented.
Closing his eyes, he lowered his head gently and touched his mouth softly on hers, savouring in the contact. Then he drew the kiss from her with his lips.
"That was nice," Cuddy breathed. "Do it again, please."
He did, quicker this time, ducking down to steal a kiss, one after another, becoming a sequence.
While he was working away, she stripped him of his jacket. He stripped her of hers.
Cuddy pushed him backwards onto the desk.
"I'm glad you keep it clean," she noticed.
"I knew it would come in handy someday."
