Do to the overwhelming show of support –cough- I decided to post another chapter. Now please if you read, review! Even if you hate it! Don't you think I can't see all those hits…

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House woke up that morning with a terrible headache and his leg throbbing. He squeezed his eyes shut in hopes of blocking out the bright sunshine filtering through his living room window. 'Wait… living room?' House opened his eyes and sat up, trying to remember why he was there, and not in his soft, cozy bed. Memory's of the night before began coming back to him; getting drunk, Cuddy helping him home, Cuddy kissing his forehead, Cuddy telling him she cared for him...

House shook his head, clearing it of all thoughts Cuddy. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his vicodin, popping a couple the white pills. He was still in his cloths from yesterday, which were wrinkled and dirty and smelled like beer. Grabbing his cane, which Cuddy had propped up against his couch, he limped off to the bathroom to shower and change.

When House was clean and clothed in his usual jeans, t-shirt, and a sports jacket, plus a pair of dark sunglasses, he hobbled into the kitchen. He still had that terrible headache and was in desperate need for a cup of coffee. He smiled slightly while making it, his thoughts drifting to Cuddy without his knowledge or consent. Thinking of Cuddy caused him to think of work…

'What time is it anyhow?' House wondered, checking the clock on the microwave; it was 9:45. He was, in fact, not that much later than usual. And it's not like he had any causes to worry about.

A couple minutes later he winced as he walked back into the living room to grab his ipod, the sunlight hitting him again; even with his sunglasses it was bad. 'Maybe I could just not go to work at all…' House smirked to himself, 'I'm sure Cuddy would give a break to her favorite diagnostician.'

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Alas, House still showed up at work that day, and only a half hour late (or later then he usual showed up anyway). He was unable to stay away; it seemed as if the place was calling for him… or more like a particular hospital administrator. He pushed through the doors of the PPTH with half the vigor he usually did, and headed straight for the elevator.

He hesitated for a mere moment when he walked past the windows of Cuddy's office. Cuddy was hunched over her desk, doing some sort of paper work that House never bothered thinking about. House gave her a once over before continuing on his way and trying and avoid the greater part of the human race. Cuddy kept working, unaware of ever being under scrutiny.

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House was already lounging in his office (with the blinds shut and only one light on of course) by the time Cuddy barged in fifteen minutes after he got there. "You were late." She announced.

"Really? Well…I had no idea. I thought I was supposed to be here by ELEVEN. Thanks for telling me, I promise it won't happen again." House drawled, twirling his blue/grey ball against his desk.

Cuddy walked deeper into the room, "You have clinic duty." She added, not bothering arguing with him on the tardiness.

House sat up straighter, "I always have clinic duty. The question is…why did you come all the way up here to tell me what we both already know?" He stared right at her, intimidating even though he looked exhausted.

Cuddy squirmed under his gaze, and after several moments snapped, "I just wanted to check and see if you were ok, alright?" She said with a small, feeble shrug.

House gave a triumphant smile, "Now that wasn't all that hard was it?" he watched as Cuddy rubbed her forehead, sighing heavily. "And for the record… I'm fine." He added.

Cuddy gave a nervous smile and mumbled, "That's…good."

They stared at each other for a few moments, the air was so heavy with tension that if Chase walked in his hair would probably loose all its adorable bounce.

Cuddy was the one that broke it, "Well, if you're fine then there's no reason you shouldn't go to the clinic." She informed him in her best administrative tone, "I expect you there in 15 minutes." And with that she strode out of his office.

House leaned back in his chair, a gloating smile on his lips, 'She cares about me, alright.'