Okay. This is probably the most fun thing I am currently writing. I am simply in love with it and in love with what's in store. Hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's a wee bit on the short side, but the next part will be longer, so it should balance out. Thanks for all your great feedback. :o) Enjoy.


House saw her from across the lobby. After several minutes of waiting for her to go to her office and those results coming up fruitless, he decided to make his move public. Eyes on her backside as she scribbled hastily on the papers scattered about her, he limped towards her.

Slowing his pace, House became dangerously close to Cuddy. She was aware of his presence behind her and decided to wait and see what tactic he was planning to try.

House's warm breath caused her to tense and she grew annoyed at the deep flutter inside of herself. She wasn't going to break, not yet, not anytime soon, but she blamed the bet for making her feel this way solely because she knew she couldn't have sex. That was Cuddy's excuse anyway because she wasn't going to admit that the flutter could have also occurred due to the fact that it was House who was standing this close to her.

After letting that moment linger a bit too long, Cuddy spun quickly and punched House in the arm. He drew back out of surprise and because of the tingling pain in his arm.

"Ow," House said, frowning.

Before he could prevent it, Cuddy punched him again in the already tender spot.

"Ow," House repeated and gently massaged the place she had rudely assaulted.

"One for bringing Joe here," she told him, nodding smartly. "Two for paying him to seduce me."

"And did it work?" House was gentle in his question for fear she might strike a third time.

"No!" Cuddy exclaimed, causing a few heads to turn.

House eyed her suspiciously. "How was the sex?"

"We didn't have sex," Cuddy hissed and hoped they weren't causing too much of a scene.

"Oh, like I'm going to believe that." House rolled his eyes.

Cuddy placed an angry hand on her hip. "He left after an hour. You can ask my actual secretary if you don't believe me."

"And you didn't meet up for any late night drinks?" House was watching her closely, trying to identify any tells.

"He's married," Cuddy finally gave, hoping it would stop House's interrogation.

"So?" he asked as if it was no big deal.

"Morals, House." Cuddy patted House in the chest as she moved around him. "Try getting some."

House thought for a moment and then reached for her, stopping her with his tight grasp on her arm. Cuddy turned to face him, clearly annoyed.

"He never tried to seduce you, did he?" House asked her.

"No, he didn't." Cuddy shook her head, wanting House to accept it, move on, and let her get back to work. She pulled her arm from his hand with a glare and then folded her arms across her chest. "He told me of your stupid plan, which made me look like an idiot and then-"

"I need to get my money back." House's mind wasn't with her anymore.

Cuddy let out a sigh. "House-"

House's blue eyes met hers. "I paid him to do a job and-"

"That's prostitution," she cut him off, leaning in closer since she lowered the volume of her voice.

"No, it's not." House shook his head.

Cuddy narrowed her eyes on him. "Paying someone to have sex with-"

"Doesn't count if they never do it!" House exclaimed, throwing his hands out at his sides. He quickly jammed his cane into the ground. "I want my money back."

House began towards the elevators. He planned on making a very deceitful phone call in order to bring Joe back so his money could be returned to him. It was Cuddy who did the stopping this time.

"Leave him alone," she told House as he faced her before she pushed ice into her tone. "And don't ever pull a stunt like that again."

"Then, you should stop as well." His eyes were on her slender hand that still resided on his forearm.

Cuddy quickly withdrew it and placed both hands on her hips. "What do you mean?"

"Cleavage, Cuddy." House gave a nod towards her chest.

"I can't help it that I have breasts, House," Cuddy told him in response.

House smirked just a touch. "Maybe not, but your little game is to throw them around in my face to get me to crack. I simply chose to join you on the playing field, Cuddy."

"I'm not doing it on purpo-" Cuddy would protest her innocence come Hell or high water. She would never voice her admittance to the fact that he was right.

"Neither am I." House returned her innocence in his tone.

Cuddy narrowed her eyes at him. "Right. A bunch of male medical students followed you around because you're such a swell guy and my ex just happened to arrive on a whim."

"I can't help it if fate wants you to lose." House gave her a shrug.

House took a step in towards Cuddy, using a very precise and timed tactic. She watched him, confusion taking over her face at his actions. House brought his mouth close to her ear, his stubble rough against her cheek. Cuddy swallowed hard.

House breathed out. "Face it, Cuddy. You can't win."

Cuddy ignored his hot breath on her ear. She ignored the want of losing herself in that moment. Instead, she pulled back and slapped House across the face.

House placed a hand to his stinging cheek, a smirk spreading. Cuddy took a step back, willing away the deep flush that began to rise into her cheeks, and headed for her office. A smirk still on his face, House moved toward the elevators, completely aware of the suspicious eyes that followed him.