House was slathering garlic butter on the bread and watching Cuddy from the corner of his eye.She was putting together a plate of vegetables and another of cheese and crackers, arranging them so artfully it was almost a shame to eat them. Spaghetti sauce simmered away on the stove. In the dining room, Wilson was setting out plates and silverware in return for the promise that he wouldn't have to do the dishes later.

Even though she kept her home spotless to begin with, Cuddy had gone on a cleaning frenzy the night before. Everything shined. The distinctive scent of Pine-Sol still hung in the bathroom. House suggested that she should just save her plates and have everyone eat off the kitchen floor.

"There!" Cuddy said with a satisfied grin as she wrapped the appetizers in foil and put them in the fridge. On the bottom shelf was the chocolate cheesecake Wilson had brought. It was calling her name.

"Save some for the guests," House said, and smiled as he watched the blush creep up her neck.

"Glasses?" Wilson strolled in and looked longingly at the sauce.

"Next to the sink," Cuddy pointed. "How's the garlic bread coming?"

"Almost done, boss."

"Great." She was dressed to the nines in a black skirt, cobalt blue blouse, and high-heels clacking on the floor. A long string of pearls glittered at her throat. Wilson was all dolled up in his best suit, shaved and groom to within an inch of his life. House was his usual scruffy self in jeans and sneakers. But he did iron his shirt, the light blue one that Cuddy liked.

Half an hour before the guests were due to arrive. Cuddy paused for a sip of wine.

"They're going to love you," the older doctor said as he put the garlic bread on a cookie sheet. "They're not going to arrest you."

"Why couldn't you buy the dessert, Greg?" Wilson asked as he helped himself to the wine.

House smirked. "Because I told you to."

"Do you know how much that cheesecake cost?" The oncologist frowned into his glass.

"Nothing but the best for New York City's finest." House leaned back into the counter. "Be sure to mention the price to Bobby and Alex, you might win them over. Or maybe they'll think you're trying to bribe them. Maybe they'll try to arrest you for that, but I'm not sure about the whole jurisdiction thing."

"And just what have you contributed to this dinner?" Wilson asked.

"I buttered the garlic bread."

"I hope you didn't strain yourself," the younger doctor said dryly.

"Well, I suggested we go to a restaurant, but Lisa here insisted on cooking a real meal," House pointed out. "And you didn't have to go into debt for that gold-plated cheesecake in there. Plus Bobby and Alex already know me and like me, therefore, I have nothing to prove."

"Is that so?" Cuddy asked, sloshing her drink around the glass.

"Absolutely." The older doctor grinned from ear to ear. "In case you forgot, they're driving all the way from The Big Apple to meet you two. You and Jimmy have everything to prove and everything to lose."

The Dean of Medicine arched an eyebrow. "True."

"See, Lisa? I didn't have to butter the garlic bread for you. That's five minutes of my life I'll never get back because I wanted to do you a favor for your guests."

"You're too kind," she sighed. "I'm sure Mother Theresa is doing backflips in her grave over your selflessness."

"They should make you a saint," Wilson chuckled.

The diagnostician grinned at his friend. "Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over. Besides, Saint House just doesn't sound right."

With a short laugh, Cuddy turned and did a last minute inspection. The glasses and silverware gleamed like treasure. The sauce was still simmering at the right temperature. She had House fill the big pot with water for the noodles and Wilson set out the dinner napkins. Ten more minutes for the potatoes. Appetizers were within easy reach. The garlic bread would go in the oven when the noodles were boiling away.

A big black SUV pulled into the driveway. A car door slammed, then another. The doctors walked over to the door and waited for the knock. The detectives had arrived.