Beta: Thyla (All thanks to Thyla for making this story easier to read and more enjoyable.)

Seeing House's smug amusement in this precarious situation, Lisa Cuddy felt this almost primal feeling coursing through her veins. She could feel her innate instincts trying to surface. Her eyes narrowed on her pray and her fingers itched to curl around House's neck and squeeze it.

Only years of practiced self-control and her deep seated mantra kept her from lounging toward House, and do just that. Sometimes, like today, her mantra 'don't kill House, don't kill House' just didn't quite cover it. Maybe she could defend herself in the court of law with a momentary loss of sanity. God knows, even the best of days, and this wasn't one, House could try the patience of a Saint.

Of course, most of the hospital's staff, including Cuddy herself, was of the opinion that her moment of insanity was when she employed him. She wondered if, no, whenshe killed House where could she hide the body. Maybe Wilson would help out, but even if not, there were a lot of other candidates for the job. Hell most of the staff, not to mention his former patients would gladly volunteer. She was pulled back to the present by the Colonel's voice.

"It is a very serious admission you made, Doctor House. It is considered treason for which the penalty should be… I mean could be death." The Colonel's dark eyes lit up for a moment as he said this, before the blankness quickly replaced it, making his voice sound somehow more sincere. Cuddy shuddered when the Colonel's two men stepped toward the still seated House.

"Doctor House, I'd appreciate it if you would accompany us on your own, but if not…" the Colonel trailed off, leaving it open to everyone's imagination what he would do if House said no. Cuddy had a very good idea what the two officers flanking House were capable of doing to her prodigal doctor.

She gulped not believing it would come to that. She looked at Wilson, seeing her friend coming to the same conclusion. Wilson stood up his face clearly mirroring her disbelief. He was ready to protest and even to protect his friend. Even House looked momentarily stunned by this turn of events, but his piercing blue eyes never left the Colonel's face. When he finally answered, Wilson almost choked on his words and Cuddy had to massage her nose in an attempt to ease her frustration.

"Hey I am a cripple;" House looked up with his most innocent puppy dog eyes. Cuddy wondered how it was she always fell for this look despite of how many times she had seen House pulling it on her. The only thing comforting her was the knowledge that she wasn't the only one. It looked however like the good Colonel was immune to it. O'Neill just raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't harm me.' House implored' There are rules against such things somewhere." The Colonel looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Sir, maybe he is talking about the 'shoot first ask question later' rule." supplied the Major, Wilson's eyes widened comically at the suggestion.

"Do you think Major?"

"No!" House said as he leaned back in his chair. "I am talking about safe haven for the injured and medics, and as I am both…" he spread his hands. O'Neill narrowed his eyes and nodded as in agreement before he shook his head negatively:

"Nope, never heard of it. You Major?" he arched a questioning eyebrow at Ferretti.

"Ah… Sir, no sir."

"Sweet. Well then Doctor House, if you would…" House stood with as much suffering martyrdom as he could. His eyes roamed over the cafeteria, where now most of the hospital staff, including House's ducklings congregated.

"Jimmy I, I don't know how to tell you this, how to ask but… I trust you to keep safe everything what is important too me" House's gaze switched from the bewildered Wilson to Cuddy to his ducklings, they all looked slightly touched before he met his friend's gaze. "Take care of my rat, Steve."

"WHAT!!!"

"House!"

House just smirked, before he let himself being led away. Cuddy watched him limp away, before the Colonel stepped in her sight.

"Ma'am, thank you, and your staff, for your cooperation." He was just about to turn away when she called out.

"Colonel O'Neill, please tell me…" she really didn't know what she was asking, she could not really word it, but it seemed the Colonel understood.

"I would love to reassure you, you will get back Doctor House unharmed…" the Colonel studied for a moment House's limping retreating form, before his gaze met Cuddy's again. "But I can't." with that the Air Force Colonel nodded his goodbye before he marched after his men.

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As soon as they stepped outside PPTH, House whirled around to face his two old acquaintances, maybe even friends.

"Okay, it was fun but if you won't tell me now what's going on, I'll kick your ass."

"No hello, how are you? Man, nobody takes the time for pleasantries anymore." complained O'Neill good naturedly.

"Jack, you are speaking about House, here." Ferretti pointed out helpfully, with a big grin on his face as he jumped in the Jeep.

"Good point." Jack turned back to House nodding his head toward the waiting car, inviting House to get in as well.

"Am not going anywhere until you don't start talking."

"Get in the car and we tell you everything." promised Jack.

"You will like it House." assured him, Ferretti. While he was climbing grouchily in the car, he looked back at O'Neill with an arched eyebrow.

"I will?" he asked, while he moved to sit more comfortably. His leg ached terribly, the movement to get in the Jeep didn't really help only caused the pain to flare up more intensely. His discomfort didn't go unnoticed by either officer. They shared a look as O'Neill answered cheerfully "Yep… Well of course it's all depending…" Jack trailed off mysteriously.

"On what?" House asked back suspiciously.

"What's your opinion of E.T.?" House just stared at his friend's merrily glittering brown eyes.