House tried to be careful but he still woke Cuddy up when he finally climbed into bed. She didn't move, wondering if he would repeat his actions from earlier. A hand brushed her cheek, then she felt him settle in and soon he was quietly snoring away. Cuddy slid over and rested her head against his shoulder, wishing she could join him in his dreams.

When she got up and dressed it was still early. Cuddy had plenty of time to run home, grab a shower and change. She was munching on toast and sipping coffee at the table when the hinges of the bedroom door squeaked and the click click of the cane brought House to join his lover in the kitchen. He had slept four hours, if that.

"Go back to bed," she said softly and at the same time marveled at how well he could function on so little sleep. She suspected House of being a life-long insomniac.

He shook his head, tipped a Vicodin into his mouth and washed it down with a gulp of her coffee.

"Any dreams?" Cuddy asked.

Another shake of his head.

"Go get some sleep, Greg."

"I slept," he replied curtly, letting her know he wasn't going back to bed and was through discussing it.

"There's probably a mountain of work waiting for me."

"Probably."

"I might not be able to see you for a couple of days."

A trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. "I know."

"It's not set in stone. I'll let you know."

"Okay," House said, and took another gulp of her coffee.

"You can get your own coffee, you know." She eyed the now nearly empty cup.

House reached across the table and broke off a corner of her toast. "I can, that doesn't mean I will."

"And your own toast."

"So what exactly is your point?" he asked as he chewed on her breakfast and wondered if she actually had a point.

Sighing, she got up and fixed another cup, feeling his bright blue eyes cut through the dull morning light and burn a hole in her back. Those eyes never left her as she sat back down and took a long sip. The cup went back on the table. Cuddy picked up the rest of her toast. House, with a faint smile, his eyes still staring into hers, took the cup and a swallow, then set it back where it was.

"It's so nice when couples share things," he smiled.

"Is that what this is?"

"Well, you are under my roof, sleeping in my bed, wearing my shirt, drinking my coffee, and eating my food, so I guess the answer would be a resounding yes."

"Are you complaining?"

"No. Just pointing out a few facts."

"If you wanted me to make you a cup of coffee all you had to do was ask," Cuddy said, finishing up her breakfast.

"I didn't want my own cup," House smirked. "I wanted yours."

Arguing with him was useless. She got up and rinsed off the plate.

"You called us a 'couple'," Cuddy pointed out, sitting back down and sipping the coffee.

"So?"

"Is that what we are now?" She smiled and pushed the cup to House.

"It's what we've been," he answered, and downed the rest of the coffee just because he could. "I could have called you 'the old ball and chain' but I felt like being polite."

"I never thought I'd see the day," she remarked.

"I'm just full of surprises."

"I have to admit I am surprised."

"When you're catching up on your work tonight be sure to think of me and this moment to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside," House said.

"What will you be doing?"

"Having a drink and watching television."

"And thinking of me?"

"I'll try to get around to it."

"Thank you," she grinned and looked at her watch. "I have to get going. I'll see you at the hospital."

"Before you go...," House pushed the coffee cup across the table.

Cuddy shook her head and grabbed the cup.