Chapter 13

The next day, Nicky headed for work feeling fine. She'd slept like a baby wrapped in House's arms, he wanted to make sure she was okay after her first treatment and, if he could have wrapped her up in cotton wool, she was sure he would have. She didn't want to take sick leave until she absolutely had to, plus it was nice to work with Greg all day too.

"I don't want Nicky taking any history's with you lot anymore," House warned his team. "You bring the case notes back here and she'll sort them out, understand?"

They nodded gravely and went about their duties.

"There's no need to be so abrupt, you know," Nicky said softly. "They do understand."

"If I had my way, you wouldn't be here at all, you know that don't you?" House said. "A hospital is really not the place for you to be in right now."

Nicky couldn't help but smile at the irony of what he was saying.

"Right," she smiled and walked into her office.

By the end of the day she felt like she'd been hit by a train.

"That's it, you're taking the rest of the week off," House clucked around her.

"I'm fine," Nicky protested, "I just want to go home and sleep it off, stop fussing."

After convincing House that she was going straight to bed, he eventually left but he felt uneasy. He'd fallen for her hard and he wanted to be around her no matter how she was, healthy or ill.

Nicky worked part time for the rest of the week, coming and going as she pleased. Dr Wilson had called a couple of times a day to check up on her, although she'd seen through his excuses straight away and he'd had to admit that he was really checking up on his patient, not just calling on House for a consult.

Friday night was date night again. House had made a big thing of it all day although going out was the last thing Nicky fancied. She tried to be enthusiastic about it, but she confided in Wilson when he took her to lunch that day that she was feeling really tired and all she wanted to do was veg out in front of the t.v. and watch a good film.

"I'm not letting Greg down though," Nicky smiled at her friend defiantly. "He's looking forward to it."

"Why don't I have a word with him?" Wilson suggested gently.

Nicky shook her head and smiled, "No, I want to go on a date with him, really I do," Nicky explained, "it's just that I hope he doesn't want to go to a restaurant that's all, I still feel a little sick." They smiled at each other, understanding. "Anyway, he won't tell me what we're doing yet either, which is worrying." She broke into a sly grin and Wilson couldn't help but chuckle.

Wilson knew that trust and openness was really important to her, so he decided to go against his instincts and not talk to House how she was feeling. He was sure that she'd tell him if they were doing too much on their date tonight.

"Ready?" House said enthusiastically, popping is head around the office door.

Nicky smiled at him and got up to go. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"Put it this way, you don't need to go home and change first," he replied mysteriously.

She shook her head, breaking into a grin and linked her arm in his as they walked towards the elevator together.

House drove straight to his apartment, smiling devilishly as he walked around to her side and opened the door chivalrously.

"Why, thank you, kind sir," Nicky grinned and batted her eyelids at him.

He drew her into the living room and sat her down on the sofa, then lit the log fire deftly.

He grabbed the phone, "What do you fancy? Italian, Chinese, something else?" He gave her an enquiring look.

"Up to you," Nicky smiled, realising that this was the date, and relaxed.

"Let's have your favourite then," House grinned, and ordered Italian.

"How did you know that?" Nicky asked amazed.

"I asked around," House said a little embarrassed. "Be back in a bit."

He hobbled off towards the kitchen, but turned on the stereo first. He was soon back with two empty glasses in his hand and a bottle of wine tucked under his arm.

"Sorry," he apologised, "I can't carry two full glasses, I spill them."

Nicky smiled and he noticed her eyes sparkling. Finally, he relaxed, knowing that he was doing the right thing.

"I've just got to do one more thing," House said, getting up and shuffling to the bathroom.

Nicky heard the taps running and waited patiently whilst he had a bath, although she was surprised to see him walking back into the living room so soon.

"Ready?" House said quietly as he reached out his hand. She took it and followed him into the bathroom. She was amazed at what she saw.

There must have been at least fifty or so candles lighting up the room, they were on every available surface and the aroma was heavenly. The bath was filled and the bubbles never looked so inviting.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

He gently undressed her, then took off her dressing. "It's healing nicely," he said quietly, "it'll be okay to get it wet."

He looked deep into her eyes and saw total trust in them, his heart did a somersault and he heard rather than felt himself take a gasp of air.

"Are you okay?" Nicky asked, she frowned in concern.

"I'm fine," House replied, still surprised. "I wish I could take you in my arms and lower you in," he added regrettably.

She smiled as she stepped in and sank gratefully into the warm water.

"Is it okay?" House asked her quietly. He knew how women loved their water hotter than men did.

"It's wonderful," Nicky replied dreamily, "in fact, it's perfect, just like you." She reached up and he leaned forward so that she could touch his face. He loved the way her fingertips felt on his skin, his eyelids and even his mouth. How could anyone give someone like her up? He perched on the side of the bath so that he could get as close as he could to her and looked at her sparkling eyes, he could gaze at them all day. He loved how they changed from light to dark blue, depending on the light and her mood, he loved the little brown freckle in her left eye, but most of all, he loved the way they sparkled.

They gazed at each other for a long time, neither of them tiring of it, knowing there was no need for words, just to be in each other's company was enough. Every now and again, House would lean over and gently kiss her, she responded by running her fingers through his hair and touching him in that special place at the base of his neck that gave him shivers and made him turn to liquid.

Eventually the water started to cool and it was time to make a move. He dried every inch of her before finally pulling his robe around her which made both of them smile as it was too big by far and could almost be wrapped around her twice.

"I can smell you right through it," Nicky whispered, burying her face in the lapel and taking a deep lung full. "If I ever need to stay in hospital, I want to bring this in to me, do you understand?" She looked straight at him and he knew she meant it.

He nodded and smiled, "Of course, how can I deny you anything?" he whispered before kissing her gently. "Now come back into the living room before you get cold," he ordered her softly.

He kissed her gently once more before grabbing a quick shower himself. He'd hardly stepped in it, when he heard the bathroom door open quietly. He felt, rather than saw Nicky step into the shower, her hands gently touching his shoulders, making him turn around to face her. He smiled and let his hands roam over her body and she copied him. She gently took the soap and washed his entire body, he suddenly realised that with her, he hadn't once flinched when she looked or touched his leg, not even from the start.

They were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

"Food," House said. Nicky smiled at the sound of regret in his voice. "Coming!" he yelled as he hurriedly turned the shower off.

Nicky waited for him to get out first, the last thing she wanted was for them to collide and for him to slip. He pulled on another robe and hurriedly went to answer the door.

She tidied up the bathroom quickly before wandering out, towel drying her hair as she did so. House was arranging their food on plates.

"Perfect timing, huh?" he said rolling his eyes, indicating that he meant the delivery guy and not her.

"Well, there's plenty of time to take more showers," Nicky replied, walking over and giving his head a towel rub too. "Why don't we eat these over there?" Nicky added, indicating to the sofa.

"Good idea," House agreed, grinning. "I'm so glad you're not one of those stiff upper class Brits who feel the need to eat at the table all the time."

Nicky laughed and carried the plates over to the coffee table, as they sat down she said, "I'm not English, you know."

House looked at her puzzled.

"I'm actually Welsh and as down to earth as they come," she said, her eyes had that devilish glint to them.

"So I see," House replied recovering quickly. "Wanna watch some t.v.?"

"Love to."

They were lucky enough to catch the beginning of a good film and settled down to eat, not worrying about making small talk. Nicky ate a couple of mouthfuls and set her plate down.

"I can't eat any more, I'm sorry," she said apologetically.

House smiled, but wished she'd managed a bit more.

When he'd had enough he pulled her closer and stroked her hair idly whilst they watched the film, slowly she turned to face him and whispered, "This is the best date I've ever been on." She reached up and kissed him tenderly and he wrapped his arms around her tighter and sighed, life didn't get any better than this.