The night and morning had been lonely for them both but Cuddy pushed forward and waited for House to come in late as usual. When he did limp in, it was quickly and he headed right for her office. After his avoidance the previous evening, she was surprised.

"Got something you wanna share?" House asked, his regular attitude showing through, "Cause I had to polish the banister all by myself if you know what I'm saying."

"I do."

"Get what I'm saying or have something to share?" House clarified.

"Uh," Cuddy backtracked, "Both."

House made a gesture for her to continue.

"My ex-husband came back into town." She began, waiting for the inevitable reaction.

"The one you were married to for six days?" House's eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

"Fine, everyone is entitled to live in New Jersey, but why was he here?"

"I knew Wilson couldn't keep his mouth shut." Cuddy remarked.

"Yeah, let's jump off the obvious train and get back on the not so obvious train." House redirected, "What does he want?"

"Just to make an appearance," She explained, though it wasn't the whole truth, "Give me grief."

"Boys don't tease girls unless they like them." House pointed out.

"This is not a courtship," Cuddy defended.

"Not for you, but he seems to have a different idea of what will make you swoon."

"There's nothing to be worried about, House," She said patiently.

"He came back during the charity event, doesn't sound like a quitter to me."

Cuddy gave a long sigh, "What do you want me to do, House? If he doesn't get the hint now, he will eventually."

"Why did you two split?"

Cuddy pinched the bridge of her nose, "It just wasn't going to work out."

"Why are you being so evasive about it? It's not one of those dramatic 'it's one of the worst time in my life' stories that you're so traumatized you won't recall it, is it?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes, "No, we just met at a conference, it was an instant attraction thing." She explained uncomfortably.

"I can see why, he is a hottie." House interrupted.

"More like a hot head. They say you don't know someone until you live with them. That was certainly true of us. He was an irritable jerk and had a short-tempered. When you're in love with someone, that sort of passion is enticing but after some broken dishes and a shouting match over a couch, I moved out and filed for a no fault divorce." Cuddy explained.

"So, short fuse guy has come back to claim his bride or get even and I should believe everything is roses?"

"It was twenty years ago, there is no grudge."

"Did he agree to the divorce?"

"No." She answered simply.

"You'd be surprised how long people can hold a grudge."

"If he comes back, I won't talk to him, I'll have security escort him out, would that satisfy you?" Cuddy informed him, even though this was her plan anyway.

"Oh, I was just in here satisfying my curiosity. I don't want to intrude on your annihilation of Nigel. You could even throw him out yourself if you wanted, I was just making sure we were going to have sex tonight."

Cuddy smiled a small smile, "Your place?"

"Sounds good." He said, walking out the door.

House came uninvited into Wilson's office, which was not unusual. Wilson still tended to look up at him annoyed, however.

"I don't want to hear your convoluted irrationalities about why you won't talk to Cuddy, just go talk to her."

"Already did." House said, smugly.

"Really? What'd she say?"

"Nigel Hottie used to be Nigel Cuddy." House announced.

Wilson was incredulous, "Cuddy was married?"

"Yep, whirlwind romance that ended in no fault divorce and supposedly, she has it under control now that he's back to try and do what you tried to do with Sam; stupidly remarry her. Except the reason it's stupid to try and marry Cuddy again is that she's with me and the reason it's stupid to marry Sam again-"

"I get it, House." Wilson interrupted.

"She said he turned out to be a jerk with a short temper."

"That's why she divorced him? What does she see in you then?"

"Ha." House gave a false laugh.

"What's she going to do about him?" Wilson wanted to know, smirking at his joke against House.

"Nothing unless he comes back."

"Seems kinda likely, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, but at least I'm getting laid tonight." House headed for the door, "An you're not." He taunted Wilson in revenge just before shutting the door behind him.

House opened the door of his apartment, letting Cuddy inside with a smile. A car behind her caught his eye and he followed it just before it turned out of sight. Was he being paranoid or was that the Chevy he saw at the charity ball? Paranoia, he decided, shaking off the feeling, almost embarrassed by the twinge of jealousy that he had felt this afternoon.

He took the Chinese take-out from her and set it on the table, pulling her into a deep kiss. Running her fingers through his hair, she pressed her body against his and kissed back fervently. He was already working on the zipper on the back of her pencil skirt as they made their way toward his bed. Almost feverishly, they made love on and enjoyed the take out afterwards, naked on his bed.