"You don't have to worry about it anymore either," House said with an unmistakable tone of satisfaction in every word he spoke. "Just how great does that sound, boss?"

"It sounds wonderful, but are you really so sure about that, Greg?" Cuddy asked with a raised eyebrow. "A little early to declare victory, don't you think?"

"Hmmmmm...Lisa, do I detect a note of doubt in your pretty little voice?"

"I know you believe it, Greg, but are you really sure?"

"I can't say that I've never been so sure of anything in my life," he replied, "but let's say this might make it into the top twenty."

"Let's give it a few days before we starting celebrating. Do you think you can handle that?"

"I say we celebrate now," he grinned as he gathered her in his arms. "We won't know if I'm wrong until much later anyway."

Cuddy couldn't help but smile back. "And what if you're wrong? What then?" she asked while stroking his hair, loving his frisky mood.

"Then I have another nightmare and we'll see how long I can stand having a glass of water thrown on me."

"No more love taps for you, Greg?"

"Not right now, thanks," House chuckled. Cuddy was honestly surprised that he could joke about and not hold it against her. The love tap was now a full-fledged shiner. He would probably scream when he finally got a glance of himself in the mirror.

"I say three times with the water before you think of something else."

"I'll make it four just to prove you wrong."

"And then what?"

"Then I'll think of something else," House answered. "Until then I say we spend the day in bed, how about you? How does that sound? Sounds good to me. I can't think of a better way spend this beautiful afternoon."

"You know we can't do that," Cuddy said with a slight scowl. "Not today."

"Please," he pleaded, begging with his voice as well as his eyes.

"We can't"

"Pretty please."

"Not today," she repeated. "I'll look and see if I can make a special day off just for us. Will that do?"

"You promise?"

"Of course. It may not happen for a while, though."

"How long is a while?" the diagnostician asked as his fingers tangled in her curls. One of these days his fingers may become wrapped up so tight that she'll have to cut her hair to get him free.

"It might be a few weeks."

"Too long. Not good enough."

"That's the best I can do, Greg," she informed him solemnly. "Beggars can't be choosers. Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it. Beggars need something to keep them going."

"I always keep my promises."

"I'm going to hold you to it. You better believe that."

"I believe it."

"I know you do. I say we rehearse for our day off," he smirked, tugging at her tee shirt.

Swatting at his roaming hands, she said, "How about we have breakfast and get ready for work?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No."

"Then breakfast sounds absolutely positively wonderful."

"I knew it would. Care for some pancakes today?"

"Yummy. Pancakes would be fantabulous."

"Great! Take a shower and I'll get breakfast ready."

"Yes, mistress."