Hey I wanted to get this chapter up as soon as I could because the last one was just a filler. I wasn't on form when I wrote It, I'd been suffering with a bout of writers block. I hope it didn't put my readers off. I feel this one is a lot better, not to mention more, Huddy loving than Huddy friends which is always good. :). The last chapter was just to resolve certain situations, now the path is clear for the story to slowly unravel…lots of twists and turns left so don't give up on me just yet! And of course, the Huddy sex too!! So remain in your seats people, and remember to review at the end lol!!

The title, while slightly obscure, is to do with the fact this chapter is a lot to do with House and Cuddy hiding from each other, and trying to avoid things. Also certain other things are going on which will become clearer in the next few chapters.

Hugs

Scarlett

Reviewers: -

HouseAddiction: yeah it was intense, a little too much, but I was aiming more for the comfort factor than anger lol…so I'm pleased that came through! I'm pleased u liked it:D thanks!!

house's phoenix: Yes it was a bit of a filler, which is bad because I tend not to do that, but stuff needed resolving before I could take the story on to the next stage of developments. I apologize for the chunks of texts, I think I got a bit snowed under, I felt under so much pressure to write it because I'd left this one for so long. But with this chapter I was able to take my time with it…so I'm happy :). Thanks for reviewing bubs!!

prinnie: Hello you!!! The punisher has graced my fic with a review lol! Thank god house came across as house…I was worried about that a lot!! And yeah…it was a set up completely!! Now on to the exciting stuff!! ((hughgles and lisses))

sinister scribe: Lmao thanks for putting yourself through that bubs!! I know you don't like that kind of thing…and I'm flattered you suffered through the pain for me!! Lol…thank you for saying I write it well :)…me flattered!!

gabiroba:) I'm pleased you still liked it. I did try and use it as a chapter to reflect their thoughts and feelings but I think I got too bogged down by them…I'm much happier with this chapter…I hope you like it too!!!

Anon:) I'm so happy you find my story interesting!! And I was trying to use the last chapter for exactly that, to look inside their heads and stuff, but you're right…too much description. I think I've gone back to my old ways with this next chapter and broken down the description again so it's not too hard to get through…at least I hope it's not!! Lol! Thank you for mentioning the way I write their vulnerability but keep it in character, it is one of the things I try very hard to do so it's always nice to hear that I achieve my goal:D

-----------------------------SS------------------------------

Mixing Amongst the Shadows

The hallway was quiet, just how she wanted it to be. She turned the corner walking the long stretch beside the baby ward. She stopped to watch, smiling as there little hands and legs stretched, kicking out from under their blankets, eyes closed, innocent and undamaged. Little bundles of joy all wrapped up in alternating colours. A ball of warmth blossomed in her chest, knowing she'd be holding one in her arms soon enough.

She wished she wasn't doing it alone, but she'd rather this than nothing at all…maybe. Doubts still sprung up at the most inopportune times. Sitting in a board meeting, in the clinic and now, walking down to her prenatal scan. She knew she was stalling, there was no reason for her to linger the way she did.

'Thinking of stealing one?'

Lost in her thoughts she hadn't heard him approach, the voices in her head loud enough to drown out even his un-stealthy gait.

'I don't think you'll pass it off as yours, wonder woman though you are, I don't think even you can give birth in a month.'

She snorted, turning back to the wall of glass that separated the fragile beings from the outside world. Each ones life already laid out for it, their innocence seeping out of them with every passing year. Was their destiny determined, she was always curious to know if life was as unpredictable as it seemed. Maybe it was written in the stars, just no one had bothered to look long enough, think long enough. Maybe if she had, she wouldn't be standing here today.

Without a word she turned, walking the last few feet, knowing he was desperately trying to keep up with her, even though it was impossible when she was in one of these moods.

She strolled round the corner, walking into the waiting room, approaching the desk. Her appointment was in 10 minutes. She filled in the appropriate forms; hiding a smile at the fact the nurse was eyeing them with curiosity, eyes flicking between her and House. It was obvious she was trying to deduce why he was there. Everyone in the hospital knew she was pregnant, the gossip racing around like wild fire after her announcement. The only piece of information which had remained incredibly opaque was who fathered it, and now, with House standing behind her, she had a feeling incorrect assumptions were being made.

'What?' Cuddy's head shot over her shoulder when she heard House's voice. He was staring at the nurse, a mocking expression over his face, 'something overly interesting about the Baby bearing boss?' Cuddy turned back to the nurse, trying to not laugh at the look of embarrassment that flushed over her face.

' I, er' she was stuttering obviously unsure of what to say.

'Er??' Cuddy frowned at him, she knew he'd be his usual self, always trying to annoy her staff; but she wasn't going to let him use her to do so.

'House, go and sit down.' He looked at her, innocence written all over his face, it didn't work with her, 'now.'

'Yes mistress.' Cuddy sighed as he winked at the nurse over her shoulder, a look of shock now clearly apparent on her face. Cuddy stared at her with a stern expression until the nurse noticed she was being watched. Startled at the way Cuddy was looking at her she quickly buried herself beneath the papers over her desk.

Cuddy went to follow House as he trudged his way over to a seat. They sat, her hand smacking his lower leg when he went to put his feet up on the table.

Her fingers scrambled for a magazine, anything to pass the time without having any words between them. She didn't need to be annoyed before this. She was walking on a tight rope as it was; her emotions already on edge.

House's hand drummed against his leg, she could feel his fingers just brushing her skin. She shifted, but in the packed appointment room she couldn't get enough distance between them to stop the sensation. It was making her increasingly uncomfortable. Her eyes were on the magazine but they weren't moving. Her mind was focused on his hand, the accidental caress against her thigh, making her tingle, sending a shiver through her she only just managed to resist, forcing her body to remain relaxed, keeping her breath calm, dimming any sign of arousal from his simple touch.

……………………..

He could feel the warmth from her leg, the smooth skin brushing against his knuckles. He couldn't help but indulge in the feel of her, this little fraction of her he was able to touch.

She was uptight today, he'd know that the moment he'd seen her this morning. He'd hovered just out of site, choosing to watch her instead, judge her thoughts and feelings by the expressions that passed so freely across her face when she thought no one was around to see them.

The way in which she talked to him, the short sharp tones, the little reprimands. He shouldn't love it as much as he did, but it was his Cuddy. The woman that used to stay toe to toe with him each and everyday was slowly returning with full force.

It bought a certain sense of happiness and joy, many alien emotions invading him at once, triggering a certain sense of fear at the thought of her managing to cleanse his blackened soul. He'd worked hard to get it that way, and here she was, washing away all his work with a few gentle touches.

He didn't mean to push, but he couldn't play this game any other way. He had to get things to return to the way they were, and that was to have her on her guard, one of them had to resist this, prevent them colliding together, avoid the many mixed emotions blending with the messy situation; and, unable to ignore how he felt, he knew she was going to have to be the strong one.

…………………….

'Dr. Cuddy?'

Her head snapped up, thank god the nurse had arrived, calling her out for her appointment, an angel sent to rescue her from falling under the devils spell. She shot up, faster than necessary, startling House, who seemed to snap out of a trance.

'Woah! Wound like a live wire aren't we? Anyone would think you were worried.'

She ignored him, choosing instead to follow the nurse, unaware of his footsteps behind her until the door had shut behind them and she turned to find him standing only inches away.

She opened her mouth to tell him to leave, but closed it not wanting to make a scene in front of the Doctor who was waiting for them. She never suspected he'd follow her, this far. Sit outside in the waiting room maybe. She swallowed; the nerves that had been fluttering around inside her reaching a crescendo and House was going to be around to view them, watch every emotion that flickered across her face as she lied vulnerable on the table only a short distance away.

She slid up onto the surface, House's eyes on her the whole time as he leant against the wall. Her fingers fumbled at the zip of her skirt, sliding it down to loosen the material around her waste and force it lower. She then dragged her shirt up over her abdomen leaving it to rest just below her breasts. She saw House's eyes focus on the creamy expanse of skin that had been exposed, eyes boring into each inch of flesh. She tried to ignore the tingle, focusing all her attention on the Doctors words guiding her through the process, one which Cuddy new off by heart.

She gasped as the cool gel coated her stomach, the wand gliding over her lower abdomen, a barely visible shadow springing onto the screen in front of her. Her eyes settled on the tiny form, the rhythmic beat of its heart echoing off the walls around her.

She felt all the emotions well up inside, contrasting, joy, hope and happiness still tinted with shame and regret from how this little life was formed. She felt the tears sting her eyes, blurring her vision. She tried to fight against it, force them away; not wishing anyone to see her like this but a droplet broke free, trickling down into her hair. She didn't hear him move, had almost forgotten he was there until she felt his warm hand slid into hers.

She forced the heel of her palm into her eyes, wiping the moisture away.

'Sorry.'

The Doctor smiled down at her, 'Don't be, first time parents always find seeing their child for the first time emotional, tears are perfectly natural.'

Parents? It took a second for Cuddy's brain, weighed down with emotions, to catch up with what the Doctor had said. Shit she thought….House…the daddy? Cuddy would have laughed in any other situation, but this was different. The Doctor thought House had fathered her child.

She went to clear this awful assumption up but House's voice rang out, killing the explanation on her lips, 'Yeah, we're so excited.'

Her head snapped up to him, confused and frowning. He wasn't looking at her, avoiding her gaze, eyes still focused on the screen. His voice had been his usual breathless mocking tone, subtle enough not to be picked up by the doctor, but loud enough for her to hear. Talk about fuelling rumours. His expression was tense, trying to keep his face emotionless. Why was he doing this? Somehow he'd been teasing her all day, deliberately or by accident. Her stress had all but doubled with having him around.

Her hand squeezed his tightly, trying to crush his fingers as she forced a false smile onto her lips in reply to the doctor's comment. She had to remain silent, a dead explanation now lingering on her lips as her mind worked over time trying to explain everything that was unravelling around her.

He was toying with her, winding her up like he always did. She should correct the doctor's assumptions, set things straight but how could she? If she said House wasn't the father, not only would that look weird after House had just said he was, but also the question about who was would certainly appear, and that she wasn't willing to explain.

Pregnant with one mans child, while another man stood beside her. It didn't look good. Maybe it was better to leave the lie in place. But House… the dad? She imagined, this little life having bright blue eyes and felt a sense of warmth expand within her.

She shook her head, this was silly, she wouldn't want House as the father, and it certainly wouldn't help her career if he was. But luckily for her the doctor was bound by patient doctor confidentiality, so none of this would leak out into the hospital. In a weird way House had managed to protect her, helping her avoid the uncomfortable looks and awkward explanations, but she was still angry with him, the way he was messing with her mind, and she was even more angry at herself that she was letting him.

-------------------------SS----------------------------

Finally it was over. Her head ached from the many thoughts and feelings rushing around; the constant waves of confusion crashing against the confines of her skull ringing within her mind.

She hated him right now, everything he made her think; everything he made her feel. She could only deal with one thing at a time, and House was too much to handle.

Why had she told him about the appointment?

She whirled round the corner and slammed to a halt, something occurring to her once her thoughts had finally died down. She never did tell him, so how the hell had he found out?

She spun round to confront him, faltering slightly when she realised he was so close, her panicked stumble causing her to loose her balance. She would have toppled over if it hadn't been for his arm lacing around her waist, holding her too him, grunting as she collided with his chest.

'Falling on your ass isn't going to do the baby any good, even if there is a lot of padding.' He prodded it with his finger.

'House!...' her hands went up, fastening themselves around his arms trying to pry them away from her, fearful of who could walk round the corner any moment and trying to ignore the warm sensation the seemed to spread through her from his touch. She leant back, increasing the distance between them as much as she could when she was pinned to him.

He was smiling, knowing she was uncomfortable, although she sensed he probably thought it was more to do with the hospital than him. Him being pressed against her, forcing her to face things she'd otherwise ignore. She wanted him; she could feel it throb through every muscle of her being. Over the last few weeks everything had been building, all the confusion and fear clouding her judgement slowly lifting, to reveal something she'd rather run from.

'House, please,' it was breathless, pleading, his proximity stealing the oxygen from her lungs, needed to feed her rapidly beating heart.

She felt his hands move lower, she knew she should do something, push him away tell him to stop, but the mist of desire was consuming her. She hadn't had a man's hands on her since the attack, and this was the first time she'd ever let herself truly want it. Lust was rearing its ugly head at the worse possible time; it had to be the hormones. He hadn't even touched her yet, and she was already in a daze, reeling from having his arms round her, his hips forced firmly against her own.

This shouldn't be happening, couldn't be happening, in the middle of the hall where anyone could see them, and yet she couldn't pull away, feet frozen to the spot, desire only drawing her closer. She needed this.

Her eyes fell upon the little line of skin, his shirt, cracked open, a line of buttons undone revealing him to her. Her body moved of its own accord, face coming forward tongue flicking out to lick her lips moments before they caressed his skin; a gentle kiss, long and lingering over his heartbeat before trailing upwards towards their final destination. She paused, feeling his breath tickle her skin, their mouths only an inch away, her eyes, dark and desperate, begging him to close the final distance.

……………………………..

She felt so good in his hands. Her warmth pressed up against him, lips open as she gazed up into his face. He hadn't meant to end up with her like this, catching her had been a reflex action, which had ended up with delicious consequences.

He leant his head down, closing the distance, brushing his lips over hers. His arms were suddenly grasping nothing but air, a loud noise ringing out had caused Cuddy to break away from him. Her body darted passed him before he even had a chance to register what had happened. He whirled on the spot, eyes zooming in on the cause of the disturbance, what had awoken her and forced the object of his desire to flee from him.

A nurse was frozen to the spot, eyes wide with shock, staring straight at House.

'What?' his annoyance rumbled low in his voice, 'the boss was trying a new discipline technique, keep staring long enough and I'm sure she'll try it out on you too.'

With that he hurried down the hall after Cuddy. His heart was hammering, he'd thought his chance had passed, but it only just begun; all the time he'd been telling himself she didn't want him, and here she was making the first move. He'd almost gotten her to give in, let him closer, and yet she'd fled, for the second time, but this time, he wasn't going to let her get way.

……………………….

She burst through her office doors, chest heaving. There was a delay in the click of safety before it slammed shut behind her making her jump. She spun on her heel, coming face to face with House, his eyes dark, boring into her as he slinked towards her in the dim light of her office.

She darted behind her desk, trying to form a wall between her and him refusing to give into anymore hormonal emotions.

'What do you want?'

He frowned, 'I think that's the first stupid question I've ever heard you ask, it's pretty obvious what I want, or more technically whom.'

Her eyes stared straight into his, her heart still hammering, 'House I can't deal with this right now.'

'Then when can you? That was all your doing out there. You can't come on to me then run away and hide in your office.'

'I'm not hiding.'

He raised his eyebrows, eyes running round the room and over the desk and her hands which where now splayed over it. 'Well it certainly looks like it from where I'm standing.'

'Then move.'

'Fine I will.'

She thought he was going to go, and stumbled when he rushed forward, invading her space, breaking the barrier she'd formed between them, there was no desk to keep them apart now, just her and her will power.

With every step he took, she took one back. She'd never normally retreat but she didn't trust herself right now. She felt the wall press up against her back, solid and preventing. Now where left to go, cornered like a piece of prey.

His hands came to gently rest on the wall either side of her head, bringing his face forward, breath brushing over her lips, 'still looks like your trying to hide from this angle too.'

She frowned, turning her head away, this was stupid, she was stood here carrying another mans child while her employee had her pressed up against the wall. The wish that she wasn't carrying the little complication within her womb passed for a fleeting second, but she quickly banished it. It was the one wall that could never be broken, and for that she was thankful. She couldn't give in to him, and her baby ensured she wouldn't.

'House this would never work. So stop playing games and leave.' Her voice sounded braver than she felt. Her knees almost giving way from under her as she could feel his warm breath tickle the sensitive skin on her neck.

He went to speak, but a rapid knocking halted him.

Their heads turned towards the door, the little disturbance, seen as a curse by one and a blessing by the other.

'That was your queue to leave. I have work, to do.'

He leant in the final distance, his lips caressing the corner of her mouth, before pulling back, fingers fastening around her chin and forcing her to face him, to look into his eyes.

'You can't run from me forever Cuddy.'

Without another word he abandoned her, the cool air rushing in to claim her, an icy touch upon her heated skin.

With a sigh she watched the door swing open, allowing a brief moment to gather her thoughts and feelings, eyes snapping open as she heard footsteps, and the loud crack of the door snapping shut echoing around the room.

………………..

His heart had been leading; he knew about the baby, knew he could never be a father to it and yet he wanted her anyway. He would take anything he could from her, any little thing she was willing to give and for however long she'd let him take it.

He'd had to pull away, the outside world knocking at her door, stealing her away from him at every opportunity.

His fingers wrapped round the door handle, eyes focused forward refusing to look back. As he stepped outside the office he went to close the door behind him, wanting to give her a few moments to herself, to think about what he'd said and let it sink in, but he was forced to the side as a heavy body crashed into him. He met the man's eyes as he rushed passed, wide and wild, the iris so dark it seemed almost black. The man quickly vanished within the office, House's head whipping round when he heard the click of the lock.

Ice seemed to cascade into his stomach, goose pimples breaking out all over his skin even with the absence of a chill. His body had gone on high alert, a sense of dread washing over him.

Something didn't feel right.

-------------------------SS-----------------------------

Thank you for reading!!! I hope this one was a lot better than the last and i'm not losing my touch!!! Please REVIEW!! they make me smiley!! lol ((hugs)) to all the huddy bunnies out there!!