-5-

Before she got ready, Christine called her boss and attempted to sound sick. She dialed his number and pressed the send button. She waited for a few seconds and got an answer. "Hello? Richard Woodium speaking."

"Uh, M-Mr. Woodium?" Christine responded weakly, letting out a big cough.

"Oh, Christine, you don't sound good."

"I know, I still have strep; I won't be able to come tonight, and I apologize for that. I should be better by tomorrow, though." She promised.

"Alright. Just get plenty of rest tonight."

"I will."

"See you tomorrow, hopefully."

"Alright."

They both hung up.

"Good acting skills." House complimenting as he leaned against her door.

Christine jumped slightly and turned to see him. Her eyes grew slightly, seeing that he looked very.. nice. He had a black shirt on with a black jacket over it. Then he had long, dress pants and dark dress shoes.

"Y-You know there's a thing called 'knocking'. You should do that from now on." Christine said, trying not to stuttered, though she did as she started speaking to him. She gulped and added, "You're early."

"But it's fun surprising you." House said, grinning.

"Don't push it." Christine then walked into her room and quickly got ready; fortunately, she curled her hair and put on her makeup earlier that day after House finally took her home. She put on a black blouse on with a white, short, puffy-sleeved jacket over it; the jacket also had thin black stripes going vertically on it. She then put on black, flowy dress pants on with black flats.

She then walked out of her room and saw House on her couch just like how he was that morning. She smiled shyly at him, though he wasn't paying attention. "I'm ready." She said.

House looked up to Christine, his blank expression changed quickly. Christine could already tell that he liked her appearance more than ever. She giggled. "You don't have to say anything; your expression tells me already."

He then got up and limped over to her. He looked into her eyes, like he always did. Her beautiful blue eyes reflected his sky-blue eyes. He was like that for a couple of minutes, until Christine brought him back to reality.

"You ready?" She asked him.

House nodded. "Taking your car?"

"Sure."

"Great."

Christine quickly grabbed her car keys and kissed her kitten good-bye. "I love you, baby. I'll be back later on tonight." She promised Rose.

She then walked over by House and opened the door. She waited for him to go out first, but he just looked at her. "Ladies first." He said.

Christine smiled more and walked out of her apartment room first, with him quickly following. The two then got out to the parking lot and found Christine's neon (which was right next to House's motorcycle; talk about a coincidence). The two then got inside, and Christine started it. She then made her way out and onto the barren street.

There wasn't any conversation in the vehicle, so it was silent for a while. They soon got to the restaurant that House wanted to take her to; fortunately for Christine, it wasn't her workplace. The two got out of the car and walked inside the small building.

The inside of the restaurant was beautiful. It was all darkness, except the long candles that were lit on each, rounded table. There were only two tables that were booths in the restaurant. There was something else in the restaurant that made the atmosphere so calming and nice.

"Good evening." A waiter said at the podium. "Two tonight?"

"Yes." House answered, "There's no one else around us." Christine rolled her eyes and nudged him lightly in the side.

The man took two menus and lead them to a booth, which Christine really enjoyed. Christine sat on one side, and House sat on the other side. The waiter set their menus in front of them. "Would you two like to start out with a bottle of wine?"

"Martini, please." The two said. They then looked at each other with a smug little grin on their faces.

The waiter nodded and walked away from the two.

"And I thought you were leading me to a strip club." Christine said with a surprised, yet sarcastic attitude.

"Man, I should've done that. Thanks for the late suggestion." House said like a child.

Christine giggled. "Actually, you're not as bad as I thought you were." She commented.

As House heard that, he grinned evilly. Christine then remembered what House had said the day before about 'being in his world'. He said that Christine would eventually turn to him. Her eyes grew wide. "Oh cra-"

"I knew it." House said, feeling good about himself.

"Well, that doesn't mean that I like you-like you..." Christine pointed out to him.

"Then what does it mean?"

Christine was silent, not knowing how to respond to that. Her cheeks turned pink, though House couldn't notice it, and gulped softly.

House smiled, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Your martinis." The waiter said, coming back with two, long, thin glasses of alchohol. "Need a few minutes to think on what you want?" He asked.

House and Christine then looked at each other. Christine turned her head to the waiter and said, "I think we're just having the drink."

"Alright. I'll be back in a few with the bill." The waiter then walked away.

Christine then looked back at House, seeing him staring at her. She brushed some of her hair back behind her ear (which she does when she's nervous) and wasn't sure how to start up a conversation.

"Hey, Wilson!" House said to his friend, who was in the restaurant, sitting by their booth.

Wilson jumped a little, not knowing that House was nearby and turned to see him with Christine. He rolled his eyes at House, yet smiled at Christine. "Evening." He responded. He got up and sat over by House at their table.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" Christine asked.

"Just needed to get out of my place."

"Aw, doesn't that make you miss living with me?" House said with a grin on his face.

"He used to live with you?" Christine asked House.

"Yeah, but then something happened and he decided to move out."

"So what are you two doing here?" Wilson asked.

"We're on a date, like what a couple should be doing." House answered, looking at Christine with a smirk.

Christine's turned a bright pink at his malicious grin. She bit her lip lightly, since she was attracted to that expression, and took a sip of what was left of her martini.

"So... you weren't bluffing after all." Wilson said to House.

"You didn't think that I was actually his?" Christine questioned, raising an eyebrow at House's companion.

"N-No. Wh-What I mean is-"

The waiter came up to the three and gave House the bill. Without saying anything, he just walked away.

"Wow, he could've said something." Christine complained about the waiter, folding her arms on the table.

"Oh well. All you have to worry about is paying the bill." House said, giving her the slip of paper.

"You know, it's usually the guy who pays for dinner." Christine pointed out, a grin appearing on her face.

House rolled his eyes in sarcasm and payed. He set the money on the table and glanced at Wilson. Seeing that he didn't move and asked in an annoyed tone, "Am I not allowed to leave?"

Wilson raised an eyebrow, not knowing what he meant. He was dumbfounded at his friend's question. He went to get up, but House was already impatient and pushed him off with his cane; it wasn't a hard fall for everyone to notice, but it was hilarious!

House smirked and got up and took Christine's hand, lifting her up. He then let go and looked down at Wilson, who was still confused on what had happened. "What are you doing on a floor? You're in a restaurant, for Pete's sake." House said, rolling his eyes again.

Christine grinned, trying to hold back what would probably be a boisterous laugh. She kind of figured that House would do something like that, but as she actually saw it, she couldn't help but smile.

House then chuckled lightly at his friend and started limping out of the restaurant with Christine quickly following (after whispering sorry to Wilson). As the two were outside, Christine looked up at him and said, "I really enjoyed the dinner, even though we only had a drink."

House nodded, a smile appearing on his face as they got to Christine's car. They got in and drove back to the apartment.

(Don't worry... there's more of the date to come)