House felt slightly excited as he made his way to the car that night. He couldn't wait to see Cameron in her dress that night, hell he longed to see her and hold her even if she was wearing a gown of his smelly socks. He'd strip it from her sock by sock and… That sure was one odd fantasy, he thought as he parked outside his apartment. Even before he looked around he felt a cold empty feeling set in the pit of his stomach.

Her car was no where to be seen.

House flipped out his cell.

"Hello?"

"You're not here."

"Depends where here is; I'm here but I'm not there."

"There is here." House demanded.

"So where is there?"

"I told you already that there is here."

"But uh…Greg." She sighed growing confused and somewhat tired with the conversation.

"I want you." He whispered softly.

A swift silence lingered in the air.

"I know." She replied equally as softly. "I want you too."

"Where are you?"

"At home."

"Want me to come over?"

She nodded then added as soft but resounding, "Yeah." As she realised that he couldn't see her.

He glanced at the door. "I'm going to get changed." He stated with ideas of donning a suit and tie. "I'll bring dinner over." And wine sounded in his head as and after thought.

Cameron tensed at the sound of his voice. House could almost feel it himself.

"Okay." She murmured.

"Allie, chill okay?"

"I can't help it." She breathed shivering slightly. "I feel so nervous." She admitted.

"Why?" he asked softly.

"You know why."

"I have an idea… but that doesn't mean anything's going to happen."

"But I want it to." She whispered.

House smiled. "Then I'll bring some PJ's and condoms then." He said with a slight chuckle. "Can you wear your dress?"

"What dress?" She tried to ask innocently.

House laughed outright. "Cuddy talked to me. I agreed to the ball. But I don't want to have to wait that long until I see you in it."

"I'd only be wearing it for you anyway."

"Then wear it for me tonight." He said in a low sexy tone.

Cameron took a deep calming breath but it did nothing to stem the warmth and moisture in her body.

"Okay." She agreed.

"Good. I'll be over in an hour, okay?"

"Mmm hmm." She said affirmatively.

"Right. See you then."

"I love you." She murmured sheepishly.

"I love you too."

Cameron looked at the phone that now sounded the dull tone letting her know that House had hung up on the other end. She had heard his smile in those last few words and it warmed her heart as much as her belly.

House was sure he'd never showered and changed faster. His hair was still a little wet granted and his collar showed the evidence of it in the forms of small dark circles that stained the material but he paid little mind knowing it would dry out soon. He grabbed his backpack dumping the untouched spare clothes he'd taken to work with him and stuffed in some PJ's and reasonable stash of condoms to keep them occupied should he decide to stay a couple of weeks. And at that thought he added a fresh pair of boxers and a plain black tee. After that was done he still had 40 minutes left to get to Cameron's place.

He called an Italian place and put in an order to arrive hopefully around the time he did.

Limping back to his bedroom he took his time trying to find a tie that didn't scream, " Wilson bought me!". It was nigh impossible but some how he managed to find a deep blue tie that did the job. Slipping on the jacket of his dark charcoal suit he was especially glad for the good tailoring that gave him the width he needed to look proportional given his almost extreme height. He looked damn good that was for sure.

Really damn good.

He glanced over at his bathroom and then with a shake of his head disappeared back into the steam filled room to brush his teeth yet again and use a touch of not-quite-aftershave, spraying it on his neck lightly then with a shrug squirted his crotch once or twice too.

Black socks covered his feet, though he choose those with "Devil in the sack" written on the side and a cartoon of just that. Well a trident and a forked tail poking from a canvas sack anyway. It would make a conversation point he thought. He just wondered if it would be tonight or tomorrow morning. House hoped it would be tomorrow… when she recovered it from whatever piece of furniture it had landed on while he slept of the exhaustion of so much sex the rest of his body would ache like his thigh.

At least that's what he hoped would happen.

With 20 minutes left he picked up his cane and backpack then dropped them on the couch before plonking down in front of his piano and passed the time trying to drift in between the notes.

Cameron had already showered when she got House's call but she'd been slobbing out on the couch with a pair of yoga pants and one of her dad's old football shirts; hardly the look for a romantic evening.

She practically ran to her bedroom and sat at her dressing table and stared at the image before her. It was better than she thought it would be. Her hair wasn't too frizzy so she didn't fret about it too much as she added a little product and threw in few curlers too give her hair some bounce. She applied a thin layer of tinted moisturiser not wanting anything to heavy on her skin. With a dusting of powder, a hint of rosy on her cheeks and a sweep of mascara she was done.

She stripped careful not to disturb the rollers and moved over to her dresser and picked out a pair of lacy black thongs and slipped them on. She knew from trying the dress on that it hugged her slightly diminutive breasts enough to give her some form of bust and there was no need for her usual padded bra. She dabbed some perfume on her neck, the pulse points on her wrists and behind her knees.

The dress she'd bought earlier that day hung waiting for her on her closet door. She'd spent entirely too much in her opinion but she was also utterly sure that it was worth every single penny. She'd never really been too sure of the color red against her snowy skin but this was vibrant and deep and somehow did everything for her figure and everything else about her appearance too. She stepped into the dress feeling much more comfortable in it than she had when trying it on in the shop. Sliding up the zipper she hoped she wouldn't be the one undoing it later on tonight.

Standing in front of the mirror she pulled out her curlers slowly watching as her hair fell in waves across her shoulders. She cast a critical eye over her form before glancing at the clock. She had 15 minutes left until he arrived.

She tied up her bedroom a little, sweeping all her make up into the top drawer in her dressing table, kicking her laundry into the bottom of the closet and shutting the door quickly. Padding quickly out into the hall she turned up the thermostat by a few degrees already feeling slightly chilled at the amount of skin exposed to the almost cool air.

And with flurries of quick movement she put a few plates in the oven to warm them, set the table for two and lit a few candles around her living room. She thought about music but there was a knock at the door before she could make her way to the stereo.

A small squeak sounded from her involuntarily.

Taking deep calming breaths she made her way to the door and opened it.

A pimply faced teenager stood there with a bag of boxes. Cameron sighed softly.

"$21.65." He said without enthusiasm.

"Hang on while I get my purse." She said disappearing into the apartment hearing the boys grumbles of disapproval.

Typical House, she thought. Say's he'll bring over dinner but gets her to pay for it instead.

"I'll give you twenty five." She said walking back into her living room to find the door closed. Frowning she opened the door and saw nothing of the delivery boy.

"In here." Sounded a familiar deep voice.

Cameron very nearly gasped in shock. She closed the door and set her purse down before making her way to the kitchen her breath fast and shallow.

She watched as he opened containers and tipping them on to the warmed plates. He looked great in that suit, she thought her gaze lingering on his broad shoulders and his ass.

His lips smacked as he sucked his finger clean of some stray sauce.

"Allie." He called and then turned. "Where's the…"

The moment his eyes fell on her he stopped still, his eyes wide and his mouth opened.

"Guuhh," he breathed as he took in the vision of perfection before him.

She was stunning.

He licked his lips and blinked a few times trying to remember anything at all, but it was hard considering his mind was filled by her.

Cameron smiled softly, his obvious attraction giving her confidence at the idea that she had power over him. She drew closer to him until her body was pressed against his. Standing on her toes her body rose by a few inches and she kissed him softly.

House stared down at her his breath harsh and his body shivering with want and desire. He could barely believe she was his. All his. His arms moved around her of their own accord.

"Tastes good." She murmured licking her lips, getting traces of the pasta sauce.

He smirked lightly and kissed her softly. "You look amazing." He murmured truthfully.

"I know. So do you." She said with a smile.

All nervousness was gone. All that mattered was each other.