Goren declined a rematch. Eames would never let him live his defeat down, but he'd worry about it later.
More coffee refills and more swapped stories of not-so-clever criminals, memorable patients, college hijinks, childhood adventures and the like. Laughter and gasps and questions filled the dining room like confetti thrown in the air. Time appeared to stay out of the room, and when Eames glanced at her watch she was stunned to see it was 1am.
After many rounds of good-byes, thank yous, and promises to get together again, the detectives pulled out of the driveway and pointed the SUV towards New York City. Wilson helped clear the table, then reminded the hostess that he didn't have to do the dishes, and beat a hasty retreat before she changed her mind on him. The sudden quiet loomed over the place.
Cuddy retreated to the kitchen. House followed and watched from the doorway as she packed the leftovers away and moved to the dishes.
"They loved you," House said. "I told you they would love you."
"They were very nice. Bobby is quite a character. We'll definitely have to get together again." She looked up from the sink. "Are you just going to stand there?"
"Yes."
Cuddy shot him a look, then opened the dishwasher. "And Alex, she can really hold her own. If I were a cop, I'd want a partner like her."
"I'm sure the Major Case Squad doesn't take any idiot who walks through the door, no matter how cute they are," House said, limping into the room and leaning into the refrigerator door.
"You think she's cute?" Cuddy asked with mock concern.
"I was talking about Bobby," House smirked. "But now that you mention it..."
Cuddy chuckled, she walked right into that one. "Are you going home, Greg?"
"No," he said, turned and headed to the bedroom.
She loaded the dishwasher, turned it on, and got ready for bed. House was already buried under the covers on what she had lately come to think of as his side of the bed. The sight of his clothes on the floor and his cane against the night table were now a regular part of her life. Though his eyes were closed, she knew he wasn't asleep and didn't say a word as she changed into a nightgown and joined him under the covers. He pulled her close. She felt his warmth all over and fell asleep as he played with her hair.
She woke up alone, but that was hardly a surprise. He hadn't left yet. The faint gurgle of the coffee maker drifted down the hall.
He was drinking coffee at the head of the kitchen table, facing the doorway, waiting for her to get up.
"Big sale at Victoria's Secret, Lisa?" House asked, eyeing the frilly nightgown with apparent approval.
"The tee shirts are in the wash," Cuddy said, though House liked what he was seeing and offered up no complaints. "Do you want some breakfast?"
"Sure."
Cuddy hesitated for a second, then opened the dishwasher and pulled out the top rack. "I have four blueberry waffles left. Put the glasses away and they're all yours."
House, caught off guard, peered over his cup at his lover as if she had suddenly announced that aliens were landing on her front lawn. "What?"
"Take care of the glasses and I'll fix you waffles and anything else you want."
"You're joking, right?"
"No," she said, folding her arms. "You seem to forget that you're under my roof right now. And seeing as how I cooked you and your friends a wonderful meal last night, it won't kill you to do this for me."
"You're serious."
"I am."
"Just the glasses?" He looked over the clean, shiny dishes.
"Glasses, coffee cups, everything in this top rack."
The doctor started to pull himself up, then paused. "Can I have bacon with my waffles?"
"You know I don't have any bacon."
"Hash browns?"
"I don't have any hash browns."
"Eggs?"
"I have eggs. Do you want some eggs, Greg?"
"Yes, two eggs over easy if you don't mind. Do you have any orange juice?"
"No, just grapefruit juice."
"I'll pass on that," he said, standing up with a grunt.
Cuddy leaned against the refrigerator just as House had the night before and watched as he limped over. The glasses were easier for him since they were kept in the cabinet right by the dishwasher and sink. But the coffee cups had been moved next to coffee maker at the other end of the counter, and House had to make three trips. Cuddy's eyes never left him.
He finished, pushed the rack back in, closed the dishwasher, and went back to his place at the table. "Could you make that three eggs?" he asked with a tilt of his head and glint in his eyes.
"If that's what you want."
"It is," he smiled. "I'm waiting."
Cuddy smiled back and opened the refrigerator.
