Author's Notes: Thank you so much for all the reviews. You're all FABULOUS!!! Enjoy…more to come!

The Dance

The next day, Greg was leaning against the doorframe of the master bath watching James shave, having already tired of being in his ridiculous tuxedo. "And you wonder why I don't shave every day! Can you imagine me having that much patience?"

Never taking his eyes from the mirror, "I don't wonder. I've actually come to like your unshaven look. Although my skin does protest."

"Do you want me to shave?"

"Would you if I asked?"

"Probably not."

"Didn't think so." A few more strokes then, "I don't want you to change for me. I want you to change for you. Besides, I love you just the way you are."

"How quaint."

After splashing on aftershave, "Why are you in such a mood?"

"I'm always in a mood."

"Not when we're home, you're not."

He paused, contemplating the truth of those words. Then he used them to his advantage, "Right. And that's why I'm in a mood. We have to leave our home to go to some pointless dinner where I have to not only not spend time with you, but also pretend like I don't want to strip off all your clothes and take advantage of you. It sucks!"

James wrapped his arms around Greg's waist. "It's only one night, and it's not pointless. You saved their daughter's life. They're grateful and we need these donations."

"We don't need donations. We need to stay home…in bed."

Knowing just how to get to his partner, "I'll tell you what. If you're good tonight, we can spend the whole day in bed tomorrow."

"Now that is the best bride I've ever gotten!"

Later, even though he was determined to win his prize, Greg was miserable seated at the overly expensive, poorly tasting meal. Although he'd planned to place himself at the table beside James, his plan had gone awry when Thirteen squeezed in to claim her place by Cuddy, leaving the two women seated between the two men. His annoyance only grew every time James stood and lead Cuddy to the dance floor, leaving him seated with his 'date' at the almost empty table.

It wasn't until both women disappeared to the bathroom that James stole the seat beside Greg. "Why aren't you dancing?"

"Bad leg…exaggerated limp…cane. Pick a reason."

"Those aren't reasons; they're excuses. You could dance if you wanted to."

"Fine. Then that's my reason; I don't want to."

"Why not?"

He leaned closer; hissing just above a whisper, "Listen. I'm here. I'm behaving. I don't want to dance with Thirteen. She's only here because Cuddy made me bring a date. She'd rather dance with Cuddy. If I was going to dance, I'd do it with you."

"Fine. When we get home, we'll dance."

Feeling frisky, "Why not here? Are you ashamed of me?"

A little shaken, he stuttered, "Of, of course n-not. I th-thought we agreed t-to not be public knowledge."

Acting shocked, "Really? 'Cause I don't remember agreeing to that."

His face was becoming flush, "Greg, let's talk about this later."

"Why can't we talk about it now, James?"

"Look, you're mad about being here tonight. I get it. I'm sorry I made you come. But we're here. Let's just get thru the night, okay?"

A moment later, the women returned, interrupting their conversation. It was Cuddy who recognized the discomfort. "Everything okay?"

Louder then necessary, House answered, "Everything's fine!" He lowered his voice slightly. "Wilson just misses me and wants to sit next to me. You don't mind, do you Thirteen?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes and Thirteen shrugged, both taking the two available chairs. Thirteen, who had been quiet most of the night, finally became vocal, "So Dr. Wilson, is it nice to be back to work?"

"Working was never an issue for me. I knew I could find a job. It was feeling at home that worried me."

A bit sarcastically, House interjected, "So, is it nice being home?"

Deciding two could play at House's game, "Yes. I've never felt more at home than I do now."

Completely ignorant to what was going on, Cuddy said, "Well, we're happy to have you back where you belong."

A voice from the front of the room stopped them from further conversation. "Excuse me, everyone." Once the room settled, "Thank you all for coming." The father of the patient House had saved morphed into a speech about how blessed he was and how much he appreciated House for saving his daughter. That was followed by the presentation of the donation check to Cuddy. It was the next request, though, that shocked everyone. When the father requested that House make a speech, the whole room was quiet.

Wilson finally jabbed House in the ribs, shaking him from his trance. Limping up to the front, House took the microphone from the father.

During his silence, Wilson's heart was beating rapidly, worried about what House would say. The look on Cuddy's face was that of pure horror. Wilson watched as she reached out to touch House's arm, hoping to convey her plea for him to behave thru some form of osmosis.

When he finally spoke, his words were eloquent. "We're all here tonight because I came to work and did my job. People don't need parties or donations made in their honor because they do their job. But I understand that tonight is also because of love and that love makes a person realize what's really important. It speaks volumes that these people are willing to admit in front of all of these people that they will make a $100,000 sacrifice because they can continue to love their daughter. So for that, thank you."

Applause followed, from everyone in the room except Wilson. To everyone else, the speech had been meaningful, polite even. But Wilson heard the undertones that were directed at him. The parents were willing to make the sacrifice of $100,000 for the love of their daughter, but he wasn't willing to make the sacrifice of his pride to dance with his boyfriend in front of their colleagues.

He needed air. Once outside, he paced back and forth several times, trying to rationalize in his brain. Was this just some kind of selfish trick in House's mind, pushing Wilson to make a fool of himself? Was this Greg pleading with James to take the next step? Start simpler. Was this House or was this Greg? His head was pounding. Better question. Why should it matter if it's House or Greg? Better yet. Aren't Greg and House the same person?

He blew out a breath and walked quickly to the bathroom. After he splashed water on his face, he leaned over the sink, a hand at each side, and let the water drip down the drain.

As the applause ended, House had made his way back to the table, stopped many times by random people wanting to sake his hand. Cuddy finally came to his rescue. "Dr. House, would you care to dance?"

His first response was to tell her to go to hell, but it was either dance or be assaulted by the crowd of people surrounding him. Deciding she was the lesser of two evils, he followed her to the dance floor.

Swaying ever so slightly to the music, "That was a beautiful speech, House. I didn't know you had it in you."

Inside he was laughing. He'd nearly won his bet and he'd made his point to Wilson all in one night. Deciding to admit one truth, "Wilson made a bet with me; said I couldn't behave for the whole night."

"I knew it had to be something. How much?"

"How much what?"

"Money? How much money did you bet?"

Before he could answer, "Excuse me, can I cut in?"

House stepped back replying, "She's your date. Be my guest."

Wilson swallowed, hard. "No. No, I meant…with you."

Greg raised an eyebrow, "Seriously?"

A blush rose to James' cheeks, but he was determined not to stutter. All the while, Cuddy stood frozen still, not knowing whether to laugh or have a heart attack. After a deep breath, James finally spoke. "I get it. Your speech; I get it. You win. Better yet, you're right." The three of them stood stark still, all for different reasons until James asked, "Are you gonna dance with me, or what?"

With a smirk, "No. The fact that you're willing is enough for me. Well, that and the fact that we have thoroughly traumatized our boss. Let's just get the hell outta here." James breathed a sigh of relief before Greg turned to Cuddy, "You don't mind catching a cab, right? My boyfriend and I are going to head home…together."

They didn't wait for a response, but just walked out. Not hand in hand, not exploiting their relationship, just leaving.

They were halfway home before Greg spoke. "Thanks."

Needing no explanation, "Welcome."

"What would have done if I'd taken you up on it?"

"I would have danced with you."

"No hesitation. Wow, you've got it bad, James."

"And just what would you have done had I made a scene?"

"I would have danced with you."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because our relationship isn't anyone else's business."

With a slight whine, "Then why'd you make such a big deal about it?"

"Because you being ashamed and it not being anyone else's business are completely different."

"So it was about principle?"

"Yep."

"Nice." A few moments passed before, "What are we going to do about Cuddy?"

"Nothing. It's none of her business who is dating who. It's not against hospital policy. If she starts yapping her trap, I'm sure I can come up with some sort of threat to make her shut up." A few minutes later, when James pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store, "What the hell are we doing here?"

"We're shopping. Unless you'd rather go home and have to come back out?" After he got no reply. "We're going to be spending all day tomorrow in bed. I'm assuming we'll get hungry at some point and that you'll probably drag this whole thing into Sunday and then Monday morning. We need to shop."

James was pushing the cart, Greg tossing whatever he wanted in it. James didn't care as long as they were together. He couldn't help it. Greg started grumbling halfway down the cereal isle, "We look ridiculous in these tuxedos in this store."

"Since when do you care what other people think?"

"I don't. I was just stating a fact."

A half hour later they walked up to the front door of their apartment to find Cuddy leaning against the wall. Adopting Greg's sarcastic tone, James asked, "Dr. Cuddy, to what do we owe this pleasure."

"Shut up, Wilson, and let me in." She followed them into the apartment, all but slamming the door behind her. As they put the groceries away, she stood in the middle of the kitchen with her arms crossed over her chest, her shoe tapping the floor. After a few minutes of them ignoring her, "Hello! Is anyone going to tell me anything?"

Calmly, James replied, "What would you like to know?"

"Everything."

"Well, we're in love. We live here together." Then, as if it had suddenly hit him, he turned to Greg, "Why do we live here?"

"Because you lived at a hotel."

"No, I mean, why don't we get a new place?"

"Because I like this place. All our memories are here."

For a split second, he actually believed his lover. Then he came back to reality. "That is such bullshit!"

Cuddy pulled them from their mini argument, "Excuse me!"

They both turned in unison, "What?"

"What the hell happened here?"

Greg handed Wilson the ice cream to put in the freezer asking, "Do you think if we ignore her, she'll go away?"

"I'm not going anywhere!"

Completely ignoring her, James replied, "It could work. Maybe."

They finished putting their groceries away before Greg hissed, "She's still here."

"You two can ignore me all you want, I am not leaving until you talk to me."

Still pretending she wasn't there, Greg said to James, "Okay, my idea didn't work. What's yours?"

James paused a moment before, "Pretty sure if we started making out, she'd leave."

Backing his partner against the counter, "Why James, you naughty boy." He attacked his lover's lips, not even caring about the woman behind him. But the gasp sent James into a fit of laughter. "Okay, okay." He turned to the woman that was interrupting his night and pointed his finger in her direction. "Look! You have five minutes to get whatever information you want. After that, I will not be responsible for the animal acts that your eyes will see. Do I make myself clear?"

The first question she sputtered was, "Is-is this some sort of joke?"

He was prepared to make this go as quickly as possible. "No."

"When did it start?"

"Couple weeks ago."

"Are…you…in love?"

"Yes."

"Does…anyone else know?"

"No."

"Is this why you've been actually doing your job at work?"

"Yes."

"Dr. Wilson, will this affect your work?"

"No."

"See that it doesn't." A moment passed before she added, "I'm…very happy for you both."

Only James responded, "Thank you. We're very happy."

To House, she asked, "You're…happy?"

It was only just above a whisper, "When I'm with him…yes."

A slight nod of her head and she turned to leave.

When the door clicked, Greg tuned to James saying, "Finally!" He took the few steps needed to press his body back against his lover, "Now where were we?"

"I believe you were about to take advantage of me for the next 36 or so hours."

"Thank God for that!"