A/N This one was supposed to be a one-shot; but, I decided to add another chapter. Yeah, it's pure, cotton-candy fluff. I wanted to get it posted before tomorrow night's new episode.

Disclaimer Please. We all know I don't own House.

Greg House guided his motorcycle to a stop in the driveway and shut off the engine. He removed his helmet and unclipped his cane. The exhausted doctor continued to sit for a moment and stare at the house. The living room lights were still on. He had told Cuddy not to wait up for him. Apparently, she had chosen to ignore him. He swung his bum leg over the bike and slowly limped up the walkway.

House had made it to the porch when the front door opened. Cuddy stood illuminated by the soft glow of the light behind her. She was dressed in black yoga pants and a light blue tank top. Her hair was loose and curled around her face. She smiled warmly at House and stood up on her tip-toes to kiss him when he reached the door. Despite his bone crushing exhaustion, House returned the kiss and then wrapped her in a brief hug.

Cuddy pulled back and cupped his stubbled cheek in her palm. "You look like you're about to pass out."

He leaned into her touch. "I started to just sleep in my office. Then I remembered you promised to feed me."

After she had drawn him into the house and shut the door, Cuddy took his backpack and helmet. "Why don't you go grab a hot shower while I heat you something to eat? I'll have it ready by the time you're finished."

"I must be more tired than I thought. I can't even think of a suggestive comeback for that," House managed a small smile.

Cuddy steered him toward the hallway. "You can make up for it tomorrow."

She watched him limp slowly towards her bedroom. He looked like a homeless person. His jeans and t-shirt had been worked and slept in for at least the past two days. His usual scruffy whiskers were now almost a full beard. The motorcycle helmet had mashed his wavy, graying hair down into matted clumps.

The exhausted slump of House's shoulders and his gait that was more uneven than usual concerned Cuddy more than she had let him see. The past several days had tested House's tremendous skill as a physician. He and his team had worked nonstop around the clock. Her genius diagnostician was worn down both physically and emotionally. Cuddy knew it was up to her to provide whatever comfort she could.

Cuddy heated a pot of her homemade vegetable soup and fixed him a grilled cheese sandwich. She hesitated at the refrigerator and then pulled out the gallon of milk. As she poured him a glass of milk, she smirked. None of the hospital employees would believe it if they were told that the fearsome Dr. House was a secret milkaholic. He had confessed that his addiction was another product of his twisted childhood. As she returned the plastic jug to the refrigerator, she spared a few seconds to damn John House's eternal soul to Hell.

As promised, the food was ready for him when House limped into the kitchen. Cuddy smiled warmly when he sat heavily in one of the kitchen chairs. In the soft light of the kitchen, he looked marginally better. His gray hair was still damp and he had actually taken the time to shave. He had dressed in a worn Rolling Stones t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants. Her smile grew as she thought of how fortunate she was to finally have such an intimate relationship with this amazing man.

Cuddy sipped a cup of tea while she watched House eat ravenously. She got up and refilled his milk glass and then the soup bowl. She had no idea how long it had been since he had eaten or slept. She only hoped the hot shower and a full stomach would allow him to sleep undisturbed for hours.

House was nibbling on the last of his crackers when Cuddy finally asked softly, "How did it go?"

He laid the last cracker back on his plate. "We managed to save the baby. We lost the mother."

Cuddy placed her hand over his. "I'm sorry. I know you did everything you could. How is the husband doing?"

"He's devastated." House shook his head. "He's scared and lost."

Cuddy started to speak and then stopped at the sight of Rachel as she shuffled into the kitchen. The toddler made her way to House and leaned against his left side. Cuddy sat her cup down and watched in surprise as her daughter wrapped her arms around House's left arm.

Rachel peered up at House who watched her with a puzzled expression. "Hi."

"Hi," House returned her greeting. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Yeah," the toddler admitted.

House smiled. "Then why aren't you?"

"I heard you," Rachel responded. "I want to see you."

House shot Cuddy a look of regret before addressing Rachel. "I'm sorry I woke you."

Rachel ignored his apology as she studied House with a look of concern that made her look eerily similar to her adopted mother. "You look sad," Rachel told him.

Cuddy was shocked when House replied honestly to the little girl.

"I am sad," he said quietly. "And, I'm very, very tired."

Rachel turned loose of his arm and held both of her arms up. "Hug," she demanded.

House picked her up and Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. She patted his back with one small hand. Cuddy could see the sheen of tears in his weary, blue eyes.

Cuddy blinked away her own tears when she heard Rachel whisper, "You be okay."

As House returned the hug, he breathed in the scent of baby shampoo and Mr. Bubble. He marveled at the feel of her slight frame as she leaned against his chest. This was only the second time Rachel had initiated physical contact with him. The first time he had been half asleep and House figured that the toddler had, literally, welcomed any port in the storm. This time she had sought him out on purpose. House was amazed by how perceptive the little girl was and he was more than a little awed by the fact she seemed to be ready to accept him as part of her life.

Rachel leaned far enough back to peer into those blue eyes that had once frightened her. "Better?" she asked.

House managed a weary smile. "Yes, thank you. Now, don't you think you should get to bed?"

Rachel studied him for a few seconds. "You, too."

House knew it was an order not a suggestion. He chucked at her audacity. Little Miss. Cuddy was definitely a clone of the adult version. "Yes, I'm ready for bed, too."

Rachel placed a noisy smack of a kiss on his cheek. "Night, Hows."

Cuddy watched as her daughter slid from House's lap and scampered from the kitchen without a parting glance at her mother. Apparently the little girl had accomplished her mission. Her smile faded at the haunted look she saw in House's eyes. Where seconds ago he had been smiling, he now looked on the verge of tears again.

Sliding her hand over one of his, Cuddy softly asked, "What's wrong?"

House looked at their hands as they rested on the table. "How can she trust me?"

Cuddy had known his fears would not be conquered quickly. "Children are very good judges of character. My grandfather always said to never trust someone if children and dogs didn't like them."

As House looked up, Cuddy could see the pain and guilt in his eyes. "But, I was so horrible when you adopted her. I've said terrible things about her. How can you forgive me?"

Cuddy knew his emotional and physical fatigue were responsible for such a frank admission from the intensely private man. After his confessions about his childhood, House had made other passing remarks about the trauma he had suffered. But, those had been statements interjected into conversations as if those small glimpses were all he was able to share. Since their discussion that first night, he had not been so open and forthcoming about his pain or his fears.

Cuddy clasped his hand. "Rachel doesn't know how you felt about her when I first got her. She only knows what she's see since we've been together. You've been incredibly patient with her. House, she knows she's safe with you."

"I didn't hate her." He stared at the table top as he softly made that admission. "I was jealous. You finally had what I thought I never would."

"I know." Cuddy clasped his hand. "The things you said hurt me. I expected you to be an ass. I knew I couldn't count on you for support. I didn't expect you to verbally attack me for my decision to be a mother. Now I know it was about you not about me or Rachel."

"I'm sorry." House looked up and met her gaze. "I know I've said it before, but I am sorry."

"I've already forgiven you." Cuddy managed a small smile. It was time to lighten the mood. "I also know you're really a closet marshmallow when it comes to kids. I give it a month, maybe two, and Rachel will have you wrapped around her little finger."

"Seriously?" House tried to look offended. "You don't think I can hold out longer than that?"

"Nope." Cuddy's smiled widened. "You're going to cave like a house of cards. You're going to be putty in her little hands."

"I hope you're right." He turned serious. "You have no idea how much I want to be the person you think I can be."

House ran his free hand over his face. Cuddy could see that he was fading fast. It was past time he was in bed. She stood and attempted to smooth his wild hair.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed. You're too exhausted for such a serious discussion." Cuddy waited until he rose and then clasped his left hand.

"Are you going to tuck me in?" House managed a cheeky grin as he picked up his cane.

She just smiled and walked down the hall with him. She stopped and peeked into Rachel's room. The little girl was curled on her side snuggled up with her stuffed rabbit. House stopped and watched as Cuddy crossed the room and covered her daughter with a blanket. He continued to gaze at Rachel when Cuddy rejoined him at the door.

"She gets in and out of that crib quicker than Houdini with a straight-jacket. Don't you think it time she had a real bed?" House scowled when he saw the smirk on Cuddy's face. "What? I'm not caving. I just thought you would be worried that she might get hurt."

She patted his arm as she closed Rachel's door. "Of course you aren't caving. And, you're right. Rachel is ready for a toddler bed. You can help me shop for one this weekend."

House protested as he followed her down the hall. "Why me?"

"Because, it was your idea." Cuddy turned down the bed coverings.

He leaned his cane against the nightstand and slid into the bed with a groan. "Fine. I'll go shopping with you and Rachel. I'm sure we can find her something totally cool."

Cuddy turned off the light and slid in next to him. She laid her head on his shoulder. "You're going to make me pay for teasing you, aren't you?"

"I'm hurt. You're a suspicious woman, Lisa Cuddy." He pulled her closer to his side and placed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

"And, you're a devious fend, Gregory House." She wrapped an arm across his waist. "Maybe I should be worried about you and Rachel becoming close. I'm suddenly having visions of the two of you plotting world domination."

House sounded on the verge of sleep when he responded. "She should be ready to take over as head of Diagnostics by the time I'm ready to retire."

Cuddy smiled as she listened to his soft snores. She snuggled closer and closed her eyes. She listened to his heartbeat and drifted to sleep wrapped in the safety of his embrace.