Hey all! Sorry for the delay. :/ But we will be up and running kind of frequently... hopefully.. :) Thanks for all the reviews! Keep 'em coming!

CH. 3

Cuddy blinked hard. Was that him? Is he actually outside… did he come for me? Cuddy rolled her eyes… wishful thinking? But she couldn't help the flood of emotions that coursed through her. Perhaps she had been seeing things. Yeah, wishful thinking. That's it!

Though, even she knew denial, especially when it came to House and her feelings. But the sheer possibility that her eyes were not playing a cruel joke on her made her heart flutter. Biting her lip, she slowly turned away from the window and sank to the floor, making sure to stay in the same spot where House could've seen her. She felt as though if she were to move from that spot, that House might not actually be there, and that was a reality she was not willing to face.

Fuck. Well, at least she seems to be okay… House pulled up noticing someone – Cuddy – closing the blinds. Seeing her seemingly unharmed gave him hope that this may not turn out badly, like most situations in his life. She looked scared. He had never seen her, the strong, determined, quick-witted Dean of Medicine seem so defeated. At that moment he knew that he would do anything and everything in his power to make sure that she never looked or felt that way ever again.

Before he realized, House was already off of his motorcycle and making his way towards the bank's entrance.

"Excuse me, sir! You are not allowed to cross the yellow tape. This is a hostile situation. The criminal is armed and extremely dangerous," a policeman stopped House.

House scrunched the right side of his face in mock thought, "Are you talking about the bank, or have you met my mother?"

"Listen, sir, this is no joking matter. I'm going to have to ask you to stay behind the yellow tape," the cop angrily stated.

"Yeah, okay. The yellow tape. Right after I make a withdrawal." And with that House was under the tape and on his way to the entrance.

'Click.'

House stopped mid-step. Where had he heard that sound before? He stopped himself from dumbly scratching his head as he searched his brain. When he couldn't realize exactly where he'd heard such a sound in his memories, he turned around slowly and looked over the damned yellow tape he'd just crossed.

They had their guns, up and ready.

He stared at the barrel closest to him impassively. "So you have met my mother," he asked indifferently, looking up at the very policeman who'd tried to stop him.

"Sir, will I have to repeat myself?"

"Wouldn't you find that repetitive and redundant?" House asked in his trademark 'duh' tone.

"Sir, don't make us have to physically restrain you. You have ten seconds to cross back over or we will have no other choice but to take you into custody."

"Look," House started rather unsure, "there is a very important person in there…"

"Are you talking about Lisa Cuddy?" one of the other officers piped up.

House feigned a look of confusion, "So, you know about the withdrawal I need to make?"

"Look, pal, we want to get those people out of there just as much as you do, but he has a gun and I just cannot let you on the premises."

"Well, I passed the line… so in theory, I am already on the premises… now, if you excuse me, I need to go make a transaction."

The officer huffed and rolled his eyes – there was no way he was going to win an argument with this man. And frankly if he got shot by the perpetrator… that would be one less cantankerous cripple in the world.

House, knowing he had just won, resumed walking toward the bank.

"SIR!" the officer gave one last attempt to stop House, "Lisa Cuddy is being held for ransom. If you want to get her out, I need you to cross back over this yellow tape and help us formulate a plan."

This made him stop. Not only that, but let out the longest sigh he's ever exhaled in his life. During that time, he was exasperatedly thinking, What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Cuddy? He rolled his eyes, defeated and finally serious, crossed over the tape.

Looking at the officer who stopped him in the eyes again, he said, "I'm her diagnostician. The only reason I'm here is to save hospital property." And someone I lo-…care for.

From the slightly, longing look House had on his face for that split second he thought such words, the officer who'd stopped him lowered his gun and lightly patted him on the shoulder.

"Sure kid, sure," he said. House looked up and met his dark gray eyes. Then he snorted.

"Respect your elders, kid," he snarled.

For the next hour, the police brought out blueprints of the building and planned an entrance. They were unable to make contact with the robber, for he disconnected all lines within the building.

As the lunch crowd made their way back to work, House and the police had finally formulated a plan. House was given an earpiece in which he could communicate with the fellows outside. He was to then enter through the back loading ramp where high-profile armored trucks made their deliveries. The police would help him breakdown the door, after which he was to find his way to the holding room and negotiate with the perpetrator, buying time for the SWAT team to enter and get control of the situation.

House and the teams made their way to the back entrance. Looking from the police to the door, House took a deep breath and declared, "Let's do this."

I know that some of you have also been reading my other fic... well, it seems that my muse has betrayed me... lol... if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear it! Thanks for all the support! :)

Please, let us know what you think!