Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own House.

A/N Sorry I took so long. A lot going on here! Both sides Now sung by Haley Westerna a great inspirational song for this cahpter!!

House sighed as he stared out the windowpane wishing he was anywhere else but in his own mind. Still seeing sherry bottles Cuddy…

He began to rub his thigh absentmindedly watching the trees blur in the glass. Cuddy turned an eye to her passenger. She noticed him catering to his leg. He doesn't seem aware. Is that a good or bad thing?

"Almost there, House." There was no response. "Aren't you the least bit curious as to where we're going? For someone whose soul existence for the most part anyway has been to solve puzzles, you seem rather reluctant to solve the one right in front of you."

House stopped rubbing his leg and took a deep look into Cuddy's face. She had turned her attention back to the road which was probably a good thing. House didn't want her to see his heart on his sleeve. Is she implying something in that statement or has my cynical nature paved a path for hope?

Didn't matter. He turned his attention to the clearing before him as the car slowed its pace.

"Here we are."

House rolled down the window and gazed up at the clouds above him. Might as well as get it over with…

He opened the door to see Cuddy waited patiently for him to get out. In her one hand was his cane which she graciously offered for him to take. Confining me to my feet…

"So, Cuddles," he is trying to make a joke, "why are we here again?"

Cuddy tried not to convey too much joy at hearing him call her Cuddles as she replied. "I thought it would be a good idea for you to get out of the apartment for awhile. It was such a beautiful day…"

"You decided to play hooky today to be with me?"

Cuddy felt the heat rise quickly to her face. "Yes, "she whispered.

House nodded. "Kewl."

The two had walked for nearly 30 minutes, mostly in silence fearing what the other might have to say or didn't say for that matter.

The time finally came when House could no longer stand on his own two feet. He had been pushed to his limit today. It was enough in more ways than one, yet…and yet he found no desire to leave her side. It was nice to know she had chosen him over work. Nice to have someone chose me over anything: whether it be principles, anger, fear….

The two sat under an oak tree for some shade as Cuddy reached into her handbag and produced two water bottles. House seized his eagerly nearly downing it in one gulp. Cuddy opened hers and sipped it slowly watching him all the while. The sweat glistened on his features making his piercing blue eyes stand out even more. Cuddy's reverie was broken as she heard House clear his throat.

"Anything on my face? The way you keep staring at me I assume there must be unless…." He pretended to be embarrassed. "You like me don't you?"

Cuddy shook her head. Plausible deniability… "Course not. I told you before…"

"Yeah, something about ships sinking or what not, but there's no other reason why you would be here instead of with your baby unless you like me. "

"What's with the twenty questions…?"

"I thought you wanted me to figure out the puzzle."

"I meant where we were going…"

House smiled. She left it wide open…"I am trying to figure out where we're going."

Cuddy realized he was speaking of something completely different. "I…I mean…"

House chuckled. She's not ready yet…"Got you!"

Cuddy 's eyes softened as she tried to relax. He was joking…of course he was joking…

"You are insufferable."

House nodded. "Maybe, but you love me." With that he grabbed her hand and gazed up at the passing illusions in the sky leaving Cuddy to enjoy the moment.

The ride back was a peaceful one. They stayed for quite awhile like that until House began to yawn and Cuddy knew the moment was passing.

"Time to go."

House nodded barely able to make it to the car before crashing into the plush seats and snuggling against the glass pane. Cuddy wondered how she was going to get him into the apartment alone when she heard him murmuring.

"Don't want to be miserable….hate me…"

Cuddy's eyes filled with tears. Change of plans…

Cuddy pulled into her driveway shortly as the dusk began to settle in the Jersey skies. She sighed and looked to her companion. "House."

She shook his shoulder gently. "We're home." House blinked his eyes clearly the haze it left but found it difficult to stay awake.

"I will help you inside and then you can fall right back asleep Ok?" House nodded. Sleep….dreams….no…

He began to shake his head vehemently. "No, I'm fine..."

Cuddy pushed him up with one arm while trying to unlock the door with the other. "You are not fine. You need your rest."

He closed his eyes dragging his feet across the unfamiliar floor. "Not alone."

Cuddy ran a finger along his jaw line. "You're not alone."

The two fell asleep in each other's arms on Cuddy's bed in a dreamless sleep.

Hope not too out of character for House, but remember this is vulnerable House for the time being! Please review! You guys are great! Thanks so much!