Chapter 3: Win, team House
Later that afternoon House returned to his office. He had spent a couple of hours in the doctor's lounge outside of the neonatal unit watching his soaps and eating their food before taking a nap and then watched an open heart surgery. When he finally went back to the office he found Wilson still in conference with his new fellows, a schedule on the door, and cardboard all over the place. Cuddy stood by the doors that lead out onto the balcony.
"What's going on now?" House asked
"IKEA had a sale," Cuddy answered
House looked out the door and saw the workers on the balcony and the wicker furniture. It was nearly all assembled and his assessment was correct, there was plenty of room. Cuddy had managed to fit two sofas and an armchair, as well as a decent sized coffee table. It suited the balcony as well as the décor on the inside of his office and the black and red combination against the brick looked decent enough.
"That was fast," House smiled.
"Well, it was either get it done today or deal with moving all the stolen goods back to the cancer ward," Cuddy said. "I hope you're happy, I took it out of your budget."
"What do I need a budget for," House smiled.
"You have one of the highest cost rates in the hospital," Cuddy said angrily. "You are the man that likes to blow up our MRI machines remember."
"It was money well spent!" House chuckled to himself. "It was quite a show!"
"House, be serious!" Cuddy said angrily. "You owe me big time."
"Want to share a bottle of wine on my new party patio at five?" he asked Cuddy playfully. "I'll pay you for every dime!" he winked.
"No," she answered, "we are taking Rachel to her play date, remember. We promised to have dinner with the Parkers while the girls play."
"Damn, I totally forgot." House said
"Why do you have other plans?" Cuddy asked.
"Nothing that really matters," He answered.
"Have you found a case?" she asked
"No," he said.
"Then what do you have planned?" Cuddy asked as she stood in front of him so that he couldn't escape.
"Nothing," he said, "it doesn't matter to me as much as you and Rachel, and if dinner out with the Parkers will make you happy then I'm going to dinner with the Parkers."
"It will make me happy, and playing with Lucy will make Rachel happy," Cuddy smiled.
He smiled back at her and fell into one of the new balcony sofas as the workers cleared out and the cardboard was removed by the janitorial staff.
Wilson watched in confusion as the office was cleared of its debris.
"Hey Wilson, come hang out!" House yelled through the glass window that looked into the conference room, "Oh wait you can't you have to work!"
"House, stop tormenting Wilson," Cuddy said.
"Oh, them be the cards, little lady," House laughed, "until Wilson is out of my office I will be tormenting him and his team. Productivity will be very low for your head of oncology. The master is at work. Sit back and watch me work my magic."
"If you are planning anything that may hinder Wilson and his team you have to know that I will be taking Wilson's side and you will not get away with anything," Cuddy said leaning against the sofa arm.
"I'm sorry I didn't hear you. You'll have to speak up if you plan to wear a top that low-cut; Patty and Selma are staring right at me." He said, grinning as he looked down her shirt.
"House, I'm serious!" Cuddy said frustrated with him, "this is good for the hospital."
"Whatever the girls want I'm good with," He said still staring at her breasts.
Cuddy rolled her eyes and headed for the office door, "maybe I should just stick around and flash you all day; you'll be too distracted to care about Wilson."
"Please do!" House said.
"Contrary to popular belief, I do actually work around here." Cuddy said angrily.
"What should I wear to the play date?" House called after her.
"Something appropriate," Cuddy said.
"Well you'd better be changing cause that shirt is inappropriate!" House stated.
"I'll be looking every bit the soccer mom, I assure you." Cuddy stated.
"I will not be looking like a hockey dad!" House said.
"Just don't look like from bum off the street and I will be happy," Cuddy said.
"I don't look like a bum now do I?" he asked looking at his vintage t-shirt and jeans.
"You kinda do," Cuddy sighed. "It's not like you're a doctor or anything."
"It's not like I deal with patients!" House said.
Cuddy practically growled at him as she stomped away.
"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!" he retorted, "we all know it's big enough!"
"Don't stay out in the sun too long; this hospital isn't going to cover your melanoma surgeries!" Cuddy stated, "and I doubt Wilson will want to treat your cancer if you are planning to mess with him- and we both know you are!"
House winked at Cuddy.
"If you see my team send them up here," House added as he stretched out, his feet on the new coffee table.
"Page them yourself," Cuddy called from inside and left.
"There's no phone out here!" he yelled before she left.