A/N: I don't think whyness is a word. I think I heard it on A Bit of Fry and Laurie or something.

Chapter 16: The Café

Wilson arrived at the place early and waited out of sight until both Cuddy and House had arrived.

Cuddy had got there on time and sat down patiently at an empty table.

House had arrived there three minutes late and, having spotted Cuddy warily, limped right past her without a glance.

Then Wilson went in for the kill. He strolled casually up to House and continued walking back to Cuddy's table, skilfully herding him in the direction he had just come. House's face fell. He silently quizzed Wilson on the whyness and at the same time pleaded for him not to.

When they got to Cuddy's table, Wilson breathed in happily.

"Glad both of you could make it," he smiled.

Cuddy looked angrily at Wilson and House glared at him. She impulsively stood up as if to leave.

"Sit down, Lisa," Wilson said. "Please. Let's not act like children."

This appeared to have an impact on Cuddy. Not wanting to be a child, she sat down.

House sat down too, but on his way to his chair he muttered in Wilson's ear, "This is the oldest trick in the book, and it isn't going to work."

Cuddy had chosen a table with only two seats. House determinedly looked everywhere but at Cuddy.

"OK then," Wilson clapped his hands together. "I'll just go get a chair for myself. Would you guys like a coffee? Latté?"

"Espresso," they both said at the same time; which made them briefly look at each other with either curiosity or annoyance.

Wilson grinned. He saw love in both their glances.

Then he left them alone together.

House watched Cuddy secretly while she fiddled with her nails. He looked away as she brought her head up and quickly became overly interested in his watch. After he had checked the time without actually taking in what he had seen, he stared at another table.

While House pretended to be interested in the people to his right, Cuddy glanced at him. She took pleasure in watching him without his knowing, but she still hated him. Thinking of this, she turned away and refused herself that pleasure.

They sat in silence for another few seconds and then House broke the silence. He moved his chair closer to Cuddy's, but not so close that it was interpreted as a move on her, and asked, "So, what have you been up to?"

Cuddy was astonished. She blinked dramatically.

"Um," she said. "Work, of course. Why…why do you care?" She meant to say ask, but she was thinking care and that's what it came out as.

"Of course I care," said House. He moved his chair closer to hers. He had made a decision right then and there that he forgave Cuddy. He couldn't even remember what he was forgiving her for; but he was forgiving her. "I need to tell you something."

Cuddy didn't care what he was going to tell her because she had forgiven him too. She had decided to forgive him no matter what he'd done or what he was going to do in the future.

"I've lessened my dosage," he confessed.

Cuddy was so surprised and in one movement she slid to the edge of her chair so that she was closer to him. She wanted to be closer to him.

"You…you've done what I wanted? Even though I know now that I was being totally and completely unreasonable?" she breathed.

"Yeah. Because it wasn't unreasonable." He shifted his chair closer again. She shifted hers.

They were sitting next to each other now. House looked down at his hands in his lap.

"Leg hurts like hell," he admitted. He looked up at her and leaned closer. Closer and closer and until their faces were inches apart.

"They say love hurts," Cuddy breathed.

Now their faces were barely centimetres apart.

"It doesn't always," said House. His lips accidentally brushed against hers for a moment. She didn't mind.

"No," she agreed. "It doesn't."

She was cut off as they kissed, suddenly and richly. Neither of them had realised how much they had been craving each other. They kissed some more. House wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair lovingly. She touched his face and his chest. They kissed some more.

"I'm so sorry," House confessed sincerely.

"So am I," Cuddy almost sobbed with relief.

Wilson came back from the cafe counter. He saw them kissing and smiled to himself.

"Will you marry me?" House asked between kisses.

"No," Cuddy replied breathlessly.

"Good," he said.

"At least," she added. "Not yet."

And then he romantically embraced her again and leaned over, kissing her passionately.