SEVEN

A few hours later, Cuddy lay in her bed, still wide awake. She rolled over for the hundredth time to face the back of the man who was really still a stranger to her. She listened to his steady breathing for a while, wishing she could sleep like that for once. She had let Ethan into her house unable to bear the thought of spending yet another night alone, sleepless, in her bed. Yet, here she lay, wide awake, regretting ever agreeing to this night out with Ethan in the first place. Her thoughts continually went back to the minutes she spent with House on the dance floor. She hadn't felt that relaxed and content in a long time. It made her feel alive and whole; a feeling that Ethan could never give her.

A pounding that sounded a lot like a knock on her door made her snap out of her thoughts. She looked at the clock beside her bed. 4:00 am. She only knew one person that would come to annoy her at such a ridiculous hour. She dragged herself out of bed, threw a robe over her bare skin, and made her way downstairs to get the door.

"Why are you here?"

"Funny," he replied looking back out to her driveway. "I was going to ask the man whose car is in your driveway at four in the morning the same thing. I didn't know business meetings usually went that late."

"It's none of your business, House."

"It actually is. I don't want a cranky boss tomorrow because she was too busy doing the donor all night long."

Cuddy just stared daggers at him, waiting for a better excuse.

"Wanted to make sure he didn't tie you to a chair or something while he stole all your jewellery so that he can actually pay for those cancer kids."

"I'm fine."

"Well, I realize he didn't steal any of your precious bling, but judging by the fact that you're still up at four in the morning, I'm assuming you're not fine."

"I'm fine!" she practically yelled. "Now go home!" She slammed the door before he could say anything more and she leaned her back against the door with a huge sigh. A tear rolled down her cheek and before she knew it she was turning around to open the door, knowing that he wouldn't be there, but hoping, deep down inside, that he would be.

She pulled open the door slowly, and her heart stopped when she found those blue eyes that she had come to know so well staring right back at her. She wanted to say something, but even if she had known what to say, it would have been impossible to speak them. She couldn't talk; couldn't even breathe. House took a slow step towards her, never breaking eye contact. She placed her hands on his chest, unsure if it was just in case she needed to push him away or if it was simply the need to touch him. Before she had time to decide which one it was, his lips were on hers. The touch was so soft and hesitant at first, but it was enough to send shivers through her entire body. She moved her hands to the back of his neck and pulled him against her at the same moment he dropped his cane and let one hand brush through her hair, the other one on her back, holding her against him. The passion with which he kissed her was more than enough to make her head spin and it was too much for her to handle; she wanted nothing more than to rip his clothes of right then and there in the doorway to her house. She pulled away for a moment and looked up at him, the lust and hunger in his blue eyes mirroring her own.

"House," she said, her voice breathless and shaky. She didn't know what was happening, but she didn't want to stop and think about it. All she wanted was him.

"I know," he replied, somehow answering the million thoughts running through her head that she couldn't even process herself. He held her gaze with an intensity that spoke a million words. She leaned back into him and pressed her lips to his, their warm breaths mingling as their tongues explore each other's mouths.

A loud creak from upstairs quickly brought her back to reality and she let out a sigh as she leaned her forehead against her chest. She wished she could stay like this forever, but she knew that Ethan was now awake and she would have to face him eventually.

"Do you want me to go?" House asked, resting his chin on her hair. She nodded slowly against his chest, but nonetheless pulled him even closer. "You need to talk to him."

"I don't know what to tell him."

"Tell him he was awful in bed. That will usually keep them away," House joked. "Something like 'even a cripple could have done better than that,' would probably do the trick."

She hit him playfully on the arm and pulled away from him with a laugh. "You'll never change will you?"

"Nope. Never," he replied with a smirk. "But admit it, you like me this way."

"Actually, I hate you 99 of the time, House."

"Well, that's less than most people."

"I know," she replied, kissing him lightly before heading up the stairs. "Now, get out of here."