A/N – Me again! Sorry it took a little longer on this one, had a busy weekend. It may be slow going for the next few installments, but the wait shall be worth while!

Chapter 4 – An Invitation For Disaster

That strong drink had now upgraded to a double. She was thinking whiskey, or scotch. No preference really long as it was 100 proof and could be shot or swigged from a bottle. The mental image of her mother popped into her head –"It's not lady-like to drink from the bottle Lisa." She kicked the deflating tire to her Lexus and muttered a string of curses towards the heavens. Swearing wasn't lady-like either but what the hell did she care at this point. She was the only one in the hospital parking lot at this hour. All she had wanted was to go home, take a long hot bath, have a glass of wine, and try to forget about the day she'd had and her dealings with House. She was surprised he'd kept so low on her radar for the remainder of the day after he vowed that their conversation was not over. It was unlike him to let anything go. He would push until patience was worn thin enough to break. She mused for a moment that maybe he had tampered with the tire and was the cause of her misfortune, as he so often seemed to be. No, not even House had that audacity to blatantly attempt to incur her wrath.

" You should really get that looked at," a gruff voice from behind her announced and she jumped startled. "Damnit House, stop sneaking up on me." She snapped at him. He was stealthy for a guy with a cane. " I'm gonna tie a damn bell to your cane." She mumbled under her breath.

House tilted his head considering the tire and tapped his cane against the flat. "Got a spare?" he asked with an almost genuine concern.

"No, actually I have not had a chance to replace the," she stopped mid-sentence and scowled at him, "what like you are gonna fix it for me? What do you care anyway."

"Nope, your right, I just thought the idea of you on all fours in a skirt and heels changing the tire would be hot, that's all." He shot at her sardonically. A firm grip on his cane, he planted it in front of him and rocked slightly back and forth as if waiting for her to begin. Of course he was going to attempt to help her he was a bastard, but he was a gentlemanly bastard when he wanted to be. "No don't mind me really," he gestured for her to proceeded and upon receipt of an ominous death glare, he ceased.

"Guess you'll be needing a ride then."

"What, with you?" Cuddy's shocked exasperation pursed her lips into a scowl even as something inside of her stirred with a mild excitement she could barely suppress. She did not want to get on that thing with him. Did she?

" I'm sure Dr. Adams would be more than happy to give you a ride. He's been trying to take you home since last years Christmas party." House relished the look of sheer appall that washed over her face at this. What she didn't know was the reason Dr.Adams had stopped hitting on her. Which had to do, in no small part, with a random meeting between himself and the aforementioned pest. A meeting she would never know about and Dr. Adams would never forget about. He chuckled to himself.

"I am not getting on that death trap with you behind the wheel." She shook her head in protest and rested her hands upon her hips. Even as she put her foot down her resolve seemed dangerously shaky. She had never been on one before. Part of her wondered what it might be like; the stupid part of her, Cuddy reprimanded herself.

"Technically there's not really a wheel and I promise to take it easy. Scouts honor." He held up two fingers in illustration, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I'll just get a ride with Wilson, I'm sure he is…"

"Already gone." House cut her off.

He offered the bike helmet to her along with a lopsided grin of triumph. She had no choice but to accept. Things were going according to his sinister plan. After all, offering her a ride was the least he could do after he deflated her tire. It had been surprisingly easy with the syringe. It left only a tiny little hole that could later be patched relatively cheap. He would of course get it fixed for her later - unbeknownst to her. He had promised her their conversation was not over. He always kept his word.

"Fine, I am not wearing that." She exaggeratedly pointed at the helmet as she looped her purse over her head and slung it so the strap was diagonal across her body and the purse was resting conformably on her back. She wondered how she was going to navigate the damn bike in a skirt and heels. This should be interesting.

House lowered his head so she wouldn't see the smirk he could no longer quell. This was going to be fun. She had made it to the parked bike before him and was starring at it as though she was waiting for it to start of its own accord. How did she move so fast in those heels? He'd always wondered how she did it. It was admirable. He held the helmet out to her again, which was met once again with opposition. He quickly mounted the motorcycle and started it after securing his cane. He was surprised at the graceful ease with which Cuddy managed to maneuver herself onto the back in a skirt. The fact that it was hitched halfway up her thigh had also not gone unnoticed. After a short argument that she would be wearing the helmet, to which she yielded and donned the dumb atrocity, he tugged her arms around his chest and made for her place. She had to admit as the wind blew at the locks of hair that fell from beneath the helmet, and the humming of the bike lulled her into a trance, that this was not an entirely unwelcome experience. The fact that she was pressed against him, her arms around hischest also not that bad. She tucked her hands into the opening of his jacket to shield them from the cold air that hit them. She hated to admit it to herself but she was extremely turned on between the exhilarating speed House insisted upon and the heat from his body that warmed her against the chilly night air. She tightened her grip as he took a turn a little faster than she was prepared for. She thought she heard him chuckle but wasn't sure.

He couldn't extinguish the feeling of arrogant pride as he drove, hearing her shocked gasps at his sudden speeds and unexpected turns. Her tightened grip had just made every cent he spent on the bike worth it.

Soon enough they arrived at her house and she shed the monstrosity he called a helmet. She knew her hair was mussed and she waited for the jokes to ensue. Instead he did the oddest thing. He walked her to her door.

" That'll be 15 dollars fare but feel free to repay me anyway you see fit," he suggested with a wink before smoothing a stray strand of hair from her face. Cuddy flinched unsure of what he was up to but quickly relaxed as he tucked the strand behind her ear. She suddenly became aware of the fact that they were just standing like idiots outside her door. Then she did something unexpected.

"You want a drink?" she offered the question with a tired smile. "That should satisfy my debt right." She teased, even as a tiny flicker of panic tugged at her thoughts. She had just invited him into her home. House, she had invited House in. What had come over her lately? There was a mutiny of her common sense a foot. She fished for her keys in her purse while he waited leaned against the door. He seemed almost pleasant company for the moment. Funny howshefound himalmost handsome when his mouth was shut. This was certainly an invitation for disaster. She turned the key.

A/N - Feed back appreciated! I promise there is more on the way! Thanks to all those who continue to review! You guys are awesome!