While dancing with Wilson, Cuddy could not help but think of dancing with House and kept comparing them to each other, but Wilson interrrupted her thoughts with:

"So, having a good time tonight?"

"Yeah, I am." She replied with a smile "It's been good so far, I was very surprized that House actually went for it when you called his name in the auction, I thought he would have refused." she thought for a moment then added "no actually, I wasn't sure what he would do, but I knew it would be fun to watch." she grinned.

"It definately was that," Wilson agreed."You do realise he stopped it at you for a reason don't you?" He questioned.

"Yessss, but it's House, so i don't think we will ever know that reason."

"I won't, but you might."

"Wilson..." she began but was interrupted by the announcement that the meal was going to be served shortly and they were to take their seats.

They took their seats at the table, with House and Wilson either side of Cuddy, as if they were protecting her from the glares and the stares from curious others. The starter was served and they talked while they ate, mostly inane chatter, but Chase and Cameron seemed to be having a rather heated discussion in whispers.

Cuddy was enjoying the starter and was enjoying the company, she had spent the time chatting to House and Wilson and they had a bit of their usual banter and rapport going while they were eating.

The main meal was served, a lovely lamb dish that was so heavenly that it must have been made by angels, everyone at the table was raving about it, and it initiated a discussion about food and cooking and House casually added:

"From what I remember you're a really good cook Cuddy."

Everyone looked at him, and then he realized what that implied: that she had cooked for him, and he dug himself out of the whole quickly by adding:

"But Wilson was much better, I mean he actually gave me some of his food, yours I had to take from your secretary."

The conversation lulled for a second until the band began to play some soft jazz for entertainment and the awkward mood was broken, thanks to Cuddy changing the subject and getting everyone talking and discussing current events.

The dessert was served, it was a massive piece of hot chocolate fudge cake with ice cream, and even though everyone was stuffed, they managed to find some room for it. House watched Cuddy as she took her first spoonful and he saw her eyelids flutter because of how delicious it was, a huge smile grew on her face as she felt his eyes on her and as she opened them she had expected him to look away but he didn't, instead he winked at her and took a bite, over acting, pretending he was her and imitating her reaction to the delicious cake. She laughed and so did the other sat the table who didn't know the reason for House's imitation but found it amusing none the less.

Wilson was watching House and Cuddy intently and found himself in awe at how relaxed they were with each other and how their conversation flowed effortlessly and they still had their banter and sniping, but it was all very innocent and they were laughing and smiling and chatting away.

Cameron on the other hand was watching them with a look of pure loathing as she had really wanted to be the highest bidder for House so that he would see she loved him and was the one who would be there for him and she had wanted to got out with him to make him see that that was the case. She was fuming at him for stopping at Cuddy and furious at Cuddy for bidding on him. Chase and Foreman's comments were driving her insane, they kept saying that House and Cuddy must have 'done the dirty' because they argued so much that there can't be nothing there and they wanted to find out what it was. They were a bit like House in the sense that they wanted to solve the puzzle.

After the meal, some people went on to the dance floor while most stayed put, trying to digest some of the delicious food and trying not to burst. Cuddy realized she couldn't take her eyes off of House as even when he wasn't talking she keep wanting to just look at him and watch his reactions and the faces that he pulled. She was having a really good time and didn't want to leave the table, but knew that she had to go and mingle and talk to the donors who were here and male sure they were having a good time.

When Cuddy got up to excuse herself, House got a flash of her more than ample cleavage as she stood up and was treated to an apologetic smile as she told them she had to mingle, she did however promise to be back later and that they were not to have too much fun without her. As she walked away, House couldn't help but give her a$$ an appreciative glance which unfortunately Wilson noticed and he laughed at House for trying to be discreet. House could not believe just how beautiful Lisa Cuddy was.

Cuddy had known when she turned to walk away that House would be checking her out, and she found herself smiling as she felt his eyes on her. She knew that there were other eyes on her as well, but they didn't seem to matter, only the fact that House's were on her made her walk with a little extra confidence and a little more bounce in her step.

House noticed the extra bounce and was very pleased, she knew he was looking and wanted him to know that she knew, and the extra bounce shoed that she didn't mind at all that he was checking her out.

The rest of the night went well, with House staying at the table while Cuddy was mingling and then the two of them danced again at the end of the night when the song was interrupted by an announcement:

"Remember Bidders that you paid for a night with the bachelor you bought, and tonight doesn't count, so please make that date soon."

They continued to dance, Cuddy not sure what to say to start that particular conversation, when House said:

"So, Lisa Cuddy, what do you want to do since you're the one that bid on me?" He asked with a smile.

Cuddy looked into his playful blue eyes and said: "Well, since you think Wilson is a better cook than I am, I will have to prove you wrong."

"Just tell me when and I will be there." He said as he cocked his head to the side, watching her.

"Hmmm…well, whenever you don't have a case and I'm not too busy and you're not being too much of an a$$." She smiled as he laughed, God he has a great laugh she thought as she watched his eyes crinkle as he let out a guffaw.

"Hmm…could be a challenge then." He said with a smile. "I'm sure you'll think of a time."

"Hey, you could help you know. When are you free this week?"

"Anytime, I told you."

"Okay, okay, how about Thursday?"

"Thursday's not really a date night is it?" He teased.

"Okay, fine, Friday, you happy now?"

"Ecstatic." He said with a smile that reached his eyes.

The week went by in a blur for both House and Cuddy, well, up until Friday anyway. Sunday to Thursday had been very busy for them both and they had tried to ignore the stares and questions they were met with about their time at the Charity Event and the 'date' they were to go on. The rumor mill had started and was not about to stop.

Friday was upon them, and House had never felt a day drag so much in his entire life. He didn't admit it to anyone, but he was really looking forward to going to Cuddy's tonight for dinner. He couldn't wait to try whatever mouth watering food she was going to make because he knew for a fact it would be fabulous as she was an amazing cook. House found himself watching for Cuddy wandering about just so he could see what she was wearing, and listening for the staccato sounds of her heels as she marched towards his office to yell at him for something, the sounds of her voice as she tried to schmooz the donors and encourage them to donate in the hospital, or the sound of her laughter as she laughed at a silly joke or story told by the nurses. He was really looking forward to tonight and hoped she was too.

Cuddy was surprised at just how interested people were in what her and House had talked about on Saturday and where they were going and what they were doing for their 'date', she wouldn't be surprised if Chase had yet another bet on them and vowed to find out. 'Will this day ever end?' she thought as she sat at her desk reading even more requests for equipment from countless departments, very few of which she knew would be able grant. Money was the issue, it was always the issue. As her eyes bean to loose focus she looked at the clock: 17:35. Only 25 more minutes and then I am out of here, she thought. Butterflies entered her stomach now when she remembered House was coming over for dinner. She couldn't help but smile at how strange that sounded, even inside her head and her mind wandered to the lovely meal she would make to wow him with her cooking, knowing full-well he would eat anything but wanting to make him something very tasty.

She was brought back from this reverie by a familiar voice in her ear:

"Hey, princess, what you dreaming about?" House joked.

"Ha, ha. You." She deadpanned.

"Aw…how sweet." He said in a camp voice while pretending to wipe away a tear.

She laughed.

"What time do you want me tonight?" He asked. "Forgot to check."

"Erm…around 7ish. That ok?"

"No problem. 7ish it is." He agreed as he walked towards the door.

As he reached for the handle, he turned and added: "Have you had as many questions thrown at you as I have?"

"No, no-one's said anything, but they didn't have to, I could tell from the looks what they think and think they know. Oh, and by the way I think Chase has started up his betting again."

"Surprise, surprise, Prince Charming wants to make money from our 'situation'" He drawled.

"What questions have you been asked?" She asked, curious.

"Oh, nothing much, just whether or not the twins over there are real." He said while pointing his cane at her breasts. She looked shocked, mouth agape.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I assured them all that they were. They are aren't they?" He asked receiving no reply. "Oh, and the goldfish look doesn't do anything for you by the way." He snarked as he left the room shooting her a cheeky grin.

It was the bang of the door closing that finally brought her back.