CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

House and Cuddy met up that night at the Fairmont, an old movie palace built in 1922. It still ran old silent movies on Friday nights. It was one of House's favorite spots and he often came here after work to unwind and take his mind off whatever case was consuming him at the moment. Tonight was different, though. Tonight he was on a date that he hoped would take his mind off his current case.

He was waiting for her in the lobby with two sodas, a bucket of popcorn and two tickets for the double feature that started in two minutes. Hidden in his pocket was a bag of Raisinets. He was still unsure if he wanted to share them with her or not. He certainly wasn't going to share if she made him late for the vintage cartoons they ran before the movie.

"Sorry I'm late." Cuddy rushed over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh, so public displays of affection are okay now?" He was mostly teasing her.

"They are always okay as long as we are not at the hospital or a work related function." She would probably live to regret those words but it was too late to take them back now.

"Well in that case." He put his snacks on the nearby table and swept her up into his arms and gave her a big, wet kiss.

When House finally let her go she was holding a small yellow bag. "What do we have here?" She asked playfully. "Ooh, I love Raisinets. Thanks." She smiled and dropped them into her pocket. "We'd better hurry or we'll miss the beginning of the movie." She grabbed the tray of snacks and headed for the theater. "Do you have the tickets?" She called back behind her.

House nodded. He felt defeated. He had decided not to share those with her and now he didn't have any to share. He tried slipping her hand

He led her to one of the private boxes that lined the sides of the theater.

"This place is beautiful." Cuddy was looking around, taking it all in. She didn't have much chance as the lights dimmed just as they were sitting down.

House pointed out where the pianist used to sit during the silent movie era. These days they played a soundtrack over the speakers.

"Awe, was that your job when they first opened the theater?" She teased, poking fun of his age.

"Don't make me take you over my knee little girl." House wiggled his eyebrows at her in the near dark.

"I'd like to see you try." She grinned.

House made a move toward her and she threw a hand full of popcorn in his face.

"You know the poor janitor is going to have to clean that up."

"Shhh. I'm watching the movie." Cuddy tried to ignore him.

They watched the old Gloria Swanson film in relative silence, only making random comments on the story playing out before them. House didn't turn to look when he felt her arm slip through his. Instead he simply enjoyed the feel of it.

House let his hand fall onto her knee. When she didn't signal a protest he let it slip up her thigh slowly, promising her something he had no intention of giving. His mind was on a far more nefarious goal. He slid is fingers carefully into her coat pocket and was just about to pull out his reward when he felt her hand come down hard against his.

"Don't try to steal my Raisinets." She pulled the bag out of his hand quickly.

"Your Raisinets?" He couldn't believe the nerve of her. "You stole them from me."

"I had to, or you never would have shared them with me."

"They're mine. I shouldn't have to share them."

"Well, they're mine now, so why should I share them with you?" She was trying to use his own logic against him.

"Because you love me." He outsmarted her. Or at least he distracted her long enough to grab that bag out of her hand.

The pout on her face was absolutely adorable. Damn!

He caved. "And that's why I'm going to share them with you."

It was the closest he had ever come to telling her he loved her and they were both fully aware of the meaning of his words. They also both opted to pretend they didn't.

House poured himself a handful of the candies and then handed the bag to his girlfriend. "See, I'm sharing."

"Thanks." She smiled at him. Inside she was jumping up and down and chanting 'he loves me, he loves me' like a teenager girl. Outside she was poised and calm.

By the end of the second movie the Raisinets were gone, along with the soda and popcorn, but Cuddy still clung to the empty bag. It was a strange little token of his love and she didn't have the heart to let go of it just yet.

"Wanna get something to eat?" He didn't want the night to end just yet and he wasn't sure if the sex embargo was still in effect.

"I could go for some Chinese." She was happy to keep the night going as well.

"You buying?"

She didn't feel that needed an answer.

They were just gathering their things when a bright light flashed in from behind them. "Oh, hey, doc." A handsome, clean cut young college student shined his flashlight into the balcony. He noticed the attractive brunette by his most frequent customer's side. He leaned toward House. "Is that her?" He winked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." House tried to avoid Cuddy's gaze.

"Party Pants? Is that her?" He was checking out Cuddy like the horny teenager he was.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Cuddy's face.

"We'd better be going." House hurried Cuddy away from the nosy boy.

"Party Pants?" She was not happy.

"I was telling him about this stripper I know. Really hot. Her stripper name is Party Pants." It was really Cuddy's nickname in college.

"Shut up and get in the car." She knew he'd been talking about her, but if it was bad, she didn't want to know, and if it was good, she knew he wouldn't tell her, so there was no point pushing the issue.

Wilson had dropped House off at the movie theater earlier that night. House fully intended to spend the night with Cuddy which would be much easier to arrange if they had to share a car. The only problem with his plan was that Cuddy insisted on driving.

The Panda House was crowded. It was a Friday night and the small restaurant served the best Chinese in town. It was also budget friendly which made it a hit with the college crowd. Looking at the crowd they quickly decided to get take out.

"You don't mind eating at my house do you?" House had weighed whether it would be easier for her to get him out of her house or escape his, but in the end he just wanted to sleep in his own bed. He also didn't want to have to worry about getting duck sauce on any of her fancy furniture.

"That's fine." She was more than happy to avoid having House eating all over her new couch. She happily drove to his place.

House led the way to his front door and unlocked it cautiously. He couldn't remember if this was one of Helga's cleaning days. He wasn't even sure if Helga was her real name. That's just what he called her because he thought it was a good name for a squat, hearty Eastern European cleaning lady.

He poked his head around the door. It had been Helga's day off. Crap. It was too late to turn back so he opened the door slowly and invited his date in. He thought he saw her hesitate before entering. "I don't have to invite you in do I?" He was thinking of that rule with vampires.

She looked at him curiously then shook her head in confusion and walked in. "Do you actually live like this?" She started tidying as soon as she took her coat off and placed it in the hall closet. She put his in beside it.

"Is that what that's for?" House asked mockingly as he laid out their dinner.

"Is it insane of me to ask for plates?" She wondered if he didn't just eat with his hands off the floor.

"Bottom shelf to the left of the sink," he directed her.

While House went to relieve himself, Cuddy set out two plates and silverware and napkins on the coffee table and opened the trio of food containers they had decided to split between them. By the time House returned, she had a lovely picnic style spread complete with candles and soft music playing from the surround sound speakers.

"This is nice." He lowered himself onto the couch, his leg propped up on the table she had so carefully arranged. He saw her look, but she didn't say anything.

"Dig in." She handed him a plate piled high with Kung Po Chicken, fried rice and egg rolls.

"How is Mr. Rose?" She had read his file earlier that day. She liked to keep an eye on House's cases.

"He's got a growth on his neck. Might be a cyst, but I want to have a better look at it."

"You don't think it's cancer do you?" Cuddy was using chop sticks quite adeptly.

"Not yet, but I get the feeling he's hiding something."

"Hiding something medical?" Cuddy wouldn't put it past House to admit someone just to figure out if he was having an affair just to satisfy his curiosity.

"Not sure yet." House gave her a smile. He knew she'd hate that answer.

"House!"

"No work talk." House shoved his egg roll into he mouth to shut her up.

She pulled it out and put it on her plate. "Fine."

He reached over and took his egg roll back. "Leggo my egg roll!" He thought he was so clever.

Cuddy rolled her eyes. "You shoved it in my mouth."

"If you're lucky I'll be shoving some…fwing…" he couldn't finish talking until he removed the egg roll that had gotten shoved into his mouth.

"If YOU'RE lucky you mean." She smiled.

"So, this no sex thing…"

"Still applies."

"It's a stupid rule."

"Get over it."

"I'd rather get over you."

She groaned.

"I won't stop making sexual remarks until I get laid."

"Hire a hooker."

"Why would I buy a hooker when I can have you for free?"

"But you can't have me for free."

"The night is young." He stuffed his mouth full of rice and began chewing it awkwardly.

"Yes, but you're not." She ducked quickly.

"You know, one might think you don't want me."

"But you're the great Dr. House. Everybody wants you." She was teasing him now. It was light and easy and a vast departure from their past taunting.

"Really? Then why am I wasting my time on you?" He put his fork down, finally done eating.

"This is why." Cuddy pushed the food aside and propelled herself toward House, arms wide to pull him to her. House was a smart enough man to not put up a fight. Instead he let her weight press down on his full stomach, and let her mouth fall against his own. He was glad they'd eaten the same food or the taste of onion and garlic might have put her off.

House felt his body quiver as a ripple of pleasure passed through him. She was right; this was why he was wasting his time on her. The woman knew how to get to him, and she felt so good in his arms, and he couldn't think of a single woman real fictional or other that he'd rather be with at that moment.

"Does this mean the ban is off?" He asked hopefully.

"It means good night House." She gave him one last kiss before rising to her feet and clearing the table.

"Leave it." House put his hand on her arm to stop her from cleaning up his mess.

"I'm leaving." She didn't want him trying to manipulate her into staying so she made her intentions clear.

"Good night Cuddy." He walked her to the door, helped her with her coat, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was all very civilized and all very not what he'd had in mind. He should have suggested they go to her place.

When she left he looked around his messy living room. The left over Chinese blended in with the half read newspaper, the pile of unwatched DVD rentals and the empty pill bottles carelessly strewn about.

Now that he had a girlfriend he was going to have to have Helga come twice a week. If the place wasn't such a dump Cuddy might have actually been willing to stay the night. He shook his head sadly. She wouldn't have stayed. She was a control freak. She wasn't going to have sex with him again until it was on her terms, and most likely in her bed.

House was okay with that. He would wait. He would prove to her that this was about more than sex if that's what she wanted. For now he would have to satisfy himself with The Bush Doctrine which, he had been assured at the rental place, was NOT about politics.