SEVEN

Cuddy hoped she could just slip in quietly without anyone noticing she was late, but when she got to her office Cameron and Chase were both waiting for her.

"We need to run some tests," Cameron stated as Cuddy came in.

"Well, go ask Foreman. He's in charge."

"He won't let us do the tests; he's positive that it's allergies," Chase added, handing Cuddy the patient's folder.

"Persistent cough, shortness of breath, itchy rash, and lesions around the mouth," Cuddy read off of the patient's file. "Sounds like an infection to me."

"I agree. Foreman doesn't though."

"You guys can do the tests. But try and work together from now on, I don't like feeling like I have to baby-sit you guys."

Cameron and Chase nodded and went off to run the tests for infections. This would be so much easier if House was here, Cuddy thought with a sigh. She looked over at the stack of mail she had to reply and started reading the first one.

Time went by so slowly and Cuddy was glad it was finally time to leave. She put on her coat and locked up her office. Stopping on the way out to pick up House's vicodin, she headed out to her car and started towards House's place.

House was busy lying on his couch, drinking and watching his rat when he heard his doorbell ring.

"Door's open," he shouted at the door, not wanting to get up. He looked up and saw Cuddy walk into house, unsure of why his heart suddenly sped up when he saw her. It must just be the alcohol I've had tonight, he thought to himself. Cuddy just walked over to him and tossed a full bottle of vicodin on him, landing right on his stomach.

"Hey, you could've just put them on the table or something," House joked.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't want you to have to actually move anytime soon," Cuddy replied sarcastically. "Have you even gotten up once today?"

"Well, I had to pee a few times, so yeah, I've moved around a bit today."

"You're pathetic," Cuddy said as she rolled her eyes and headed back to the door.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I'm going home. I brought you your vicodin, which, judging by the fact you haven't walked around all day, I'm assuming you didn't need that badly anyway. So now, I'm going to go home and rest. Goodnight."

"Stay for a bit," he said, staring at the cane he was tossing back and forth between his hands to avoid meeting her eyes. He expected to hear some snicker or mocking remark from her and he regretted ever making the suggestion. But she just nodded and walked back over to his couch, glad to have some company for a while. He lifted his legs off the couch and made room for her to sit. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before House stood up and walked over to the kitchen.

"You want a drink or something?"

"Sure. I'll just have whatever you're having," she answered tentatively, unsure of why she was here, in house's home, having drinks with him. The thought made her heart race and she suddenly wished she had just dropped off the pills and left right away. She obviously had feelings for him and this realization terrified her. She was his boss for God's sake. He was suddenly standing over her again, holding out a beer for her. She took it gratefully, refusing to look at him, hoping the alcohol would clear her mind.