Disclaimer: I do not own House

A/N: Okay, you guys may have not gotten the most votes but you guys are special, at least you gotta be if I stayed up till almost 3:30 am writing this. Sorry it took me FOREVER to write this, school just totally kicked my butt but OMG, only like 20 more days of school, I got better at the mile :D and fitness testing is over with!! :D I am sooo happy! I will try to update soon. This chapter is un-beta-ed because if you know me, u know that if I am tired, my beta-ing won't make much of a diff, and I just had a lotta sugar and the crash is coming real soon XD lol hope you all like it


House woke up a bit disorientated as he shielded his eyes from the sun penetrating through the window. He sat up slowly and looked around before he realized that he wasn't in his own room. He heard a soft moan and quickly looked down beside him. A ghost smile appeared on his lips as he looked down at the beauty that lay down next to him.

Her bare back faced him and her sleeping face was turned towards the door. A blanket covered from the small of her back down passed the bed as the blanket only covered his lower waist. He stretched his large muscles slowly before he leaned down and gave her a faint kiss on the cheek. Then slowly and cautiously, he got up and began to get dressed, not wanting to wake her.

When he stepped out of the room he smelt a wondrous aroma of breakfast being cooked just down the hall at the kitchen, he was not alone. He knew Cuddy probably didn't want their evening affair announced, especially to her mother and daughter, so he silently crept through the house trying not to make a sound. He thought it was going just well until he passed by the kitchen to get his cane, he was caught.

"Aren't you at least going to stay for breakfast," Lauren asked with her back to him as she and Rachel continued to cook the breakfast buffet. "We made an extra plate and everything just for you." She told him as she looked down at Rachel who quietly giggled at her grandmother and hers little trick to catch her father.

"No thanks, Lauren," House said a bit sheepishly, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I need to get home and change before I get to work, and it's kind of late, or else I'd stay and eat with you guys." He explained, not wanting the mother of his lover to think he was just abandoning her like he did in college all those years ago.

With a false, tired sigh Lauren smiled at her granddaughter knowingly. "Alright then, I'll tell Lisa you had to leave." She told him assuring him that he was off the hook for now. "And I'll have her bring you your food at work, but you really shouldn't skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day." She lectured.

"Yes ma'am," House nodded respectfully and stood awkwardly for another moment to see if she had anything else to say. When he concluded she was done, he nodded, more to himself, and cleared his throat. "Well, I'll see you." He spoke up before grabbing his cane and stepping out.

"You certainly will," She and Rachel shared a cryptic smile as they almost finished cooking.

--

Cuddy began to stir in her sleep as she slowly made her way to consciousness. Absentmindedly, she put her hand where she assumed House would be, but shot up immediately when she felt the spot empty. She frowned when her eyes confirmed what she feared. She felt the area beside her and smiled when she felt his warmth still lingering and she could smell his scent still on the blankets. Oh, what lovely cologne he was using that night.

She quickly grabbed her robe and threw it on, its fuzzy, warm feel reminded her immediately of the night before and she sighed at the sweet feeling. Still in a daydream state, she left the room and happily, floated her way to the kitchen where Lauren and Rachel watched as she smiled at them lovingly, she was in a much better mood than she's been the last few days. As Cuddy continued to bathe in her memories, the grandmother-granddaughter duo smiled at each other and continued to admire Cuddy's state of true joy as she just sat there in a dreamlike position.

"Dear, are you going to join us for breakfast down on Earth?" Lauren finally asked ruining her moment. She saw a faint blush on her daughter's cheek as she smiled and ate her breakfast quietly. "Greg said good morning and next time you should have clothes ready for him so he doesn't have to go all the way home to get them."

Cuddy chuckled as she rolled her eyes at her mother knowing very well that wasn't a message House would leave for her, but she didn't say a word. House was truly a changed man, or at least he was finally showing her how much he changed, and nothing was going to ruining her good mood, at least not immediately after she wakes up. It was a good day and she intends on keeping it so.

--

It was 9:30 am and Cuddy was just 10 minutes later than House to get into work. When she walked in, eyes were on her and she gave an apologetic smile as she made her way down to her boss' desk and threw a container on food making it crash, luckily it didn't spill open. She looked at House dully and he gave a knowing nod, which gave her the go to turn around and go to her seat.

Employer-employee relationships were extremely prohibited, which Cuddy knew very well, and with Fisher around she didn't want to risk anyone, let alone House. Their newly found intimate association would have to stay under the radar, at least in public. But House couldn't help but smile and watch as his lover made her way to her desk. For the first time since they were reacquainted House saw her wearing her extremely risqué shirts without a jacket or sweater over it.

"Well Dr. Cuddy, you're outfit might just make up for your tardiness," He couldn't help but tease and in response she simply turned around with a smirk and narrowed her eyes mockingly. "But I must say I certainly have not seen this one before, were you saving it for a moment just like this?"

"Thank you for the word of approval, Dr. House," Cuddy told him sarcastically as she sat down and intentionally leaned forward to tease him. "And don't flatter yourself, I did not dress up for you," She lied. "It's for someone else." She stuck her tongue out slightly between her teeth to mock him and got a jealous glare in return. She had to hold in her chuckle, she certainly missed their banter and flirting.

There was a short silence as House and Cuddy locked gazes and stared each other down, as they did in the old days. Without breaking it, he called out to Jacob, "What's today?" He caught the doctor by surprise and he hesitated. "Oh, you just lost 5 points." House looked at him with a smile. "Starting today, you and Michelson will be competing for points, starting at 0. You are now at -5 and he's still at 0. Anything can you make you gain or lose points and after we cure our next patient, the doctor with the most points will be the winner."

"When do we get our next patient?" Michelson asked curiously as he and Jacob wore the same look of disdain and worry. What boss in their right mind would make their employees compete as if this were a basketball game? Then again, was House ever in his right mind?

"Oh, you just lost 5 points for asking a pointless question." He smiled, he was certainly having fun. "Since Christmas is tomorrow, I decided not to cure anyone until after, a little Christmas present to myself, that doesn't mean you guys can't and shouldn't get your favorite boss a present, even if its last minute." He saw several eye rolls, but went on. "But as my present to you guys, I'm going to let you finish my clinic duty and I'll see you all on Monday."

He heard several groans before all the employees got up to go do their boss' work. A satisfied smile was plastered on his face as he saw the irritation and exhaustion on their faces, Merry Christmas to him indeed. "Dr. Cuddy, do you mind staying behind for a second?" He called out at the last minute.

Cuddy froze in her spot and nodded. She turned back to her friend and cousin and gave him the okay to go on without her, she'd be fine. They hesitated before leaving Cuddy all alone with their menace of a boss. Jacob shot House a warning glare before he walked out with Anderson following behind him, though she lingered a bit and looked at her friend concerned.

"What do you need, boss?" Cuddy asked as she stayed within arm's length as she waited for the door to close firmly behind the last person who left the room. Before House could go on, Cuddy heard the click and was almost instantly standing in between his legs combing his hair back. "You know, I really wish you'd brush your hair better before you come to work, you look like you just got screwed last night." She told him as she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.

"But I did," House smirked as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Cuddy's lean fingers making their way throw his hair. He suddenly felt a thump on the side of his head and immediately opened his eyes to be greeted by Cuddy's cold glare.

"Shut up," She told him, though she couldn't help but laugh a bit as she said it. She let out a soft yelp as House pulled her down onto his lap and cradled her like she was a baby. Quickly, she threw her leg around his left and straddled him expertly and immediately felt her affect. "You like this don't you." She smirked.

"Not saying I don't," He told her as he nibbled on her neck hungrily. His lips began their trek upward when he felt the vibration of her throat as she let out a soft groan and leaned into his touch. Suddenly, he stopped at her jaw and pulled away. "Now we really do need to talk." Cuddy was taken aback by his seriousness, she doesn't know the last time she's heard him be serious.

"About what," She asked as she got off and stood not two feet away from him. Her eyes looked at him at him with a hint of sadness and confusion. She thought he had kept her back for a small intimate moment, not for business.

"You need to tell me who Fisher is," He told her seriously and without more ado, Cuddy averted her gaze from his. He stood up and made her look at him. "I need to know who he is and what he did to you so I can keep him the hell away from you." He said protectively.

Cuddy looked at her knight in shining armor admirably. Instantly, she pulled him into a deep kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck lovingly. House placed his hands on the side of her waist and kissed her back passionately for half a minute before they got up for air. They rested their heads against each others.

"I know you can protect me no matter what," She told him as she caressed his face tenderly before giving him one more chaste kiss. Then they heard the door suddenly open and jumped a mile away. "Alright Dr. House, I'll try not to show you too much attitude," She quickly covered up their true intentions. "Though you really do deserve it," She added quickly.

"I'll be keeping a close eye on you Dr. Cuddy," House narrowed his eye and tried not to smile as he and Cuddy put on a performance of a lifetime for his boss lady, though he wasn't sure if she was falling for it and could see right through his act, she did know him pretty well. "You're dismissed."

They turned to see Walters standing at the door, their jump was certainly noticed and she gave Cuddy a knowing look and a cryptic message that probably only Deans could understand. Cuddy cleared her throat and cleared out of the room with her head bobbed not to look at Walters, who instantly turned to House once Cuddy was out of the room. Now they really had something to talk about.

--

All that day, House stalked Cuddy around the hospital. He wanted to make sure that not for a single second was she left alone, especially when he knew Fisher was around or near her. Whenever he got near, even within 100 feet of her, House would jump in and pull her away to do something oh so important. He may not know exactly what Fisher did to her, but he wasn't taking chances and leaving them alone – even if there were doctors and security guards on every floor of the building – hospital policy.

As the day came to an end, House called all his lackey's back to the lair and House wrote the final scores for each opponent on the board. Jacob and Michelson both took a peak before sitting flatly in their chairs and acting bored and as if they couldn't care less that their jobs were on a line and based on silly and random points.

"I like how you guys think that even though my back is turned I can't see what you're doing or how 'cool' you're acting," He told them, still facing the board. "But for being so idiotic you both lose 10 points." He erased their scores. "So what's that now? Hmm, Jacob and Michelson are tied for first place with -55 points."

Cuddy saw one of them get ready to ask a question, but decided to save them both the trouble. "How exactly did they lose more points? You weren't with them the whole day," She said indubitably, he was with her after all.

"Ah, but Dr. Cuddy, as you should very well know, I have many sources and I have ways of watching my players without them knowing." He explained vaguely, raising a ton more questions and waiting to see if either candidate had enough gut to risk another point. "How else would I have been able to leave all my work to you," He smirked and waited another second before snapping his fingers. "Oh, another 20 points since neither of you were brave enough to ask anything, I love this game don't you." He smirked.

There were several sighs, eye rolls and glares amongst the four employees and House continued to smirk. They all stared into nothingness as they waited for House to dismiss them to go home for Christmas Eve and he, knowing this fact very well, just stared at the clock as the big hand slowly made its way to another minute, for a torturing 10 minutes before he let them all go. They practically raced out; no one wanted to wait another second in that room.

House took his sweet time getting down to the locker room to get his things. He was fairly shocked to see someone standing beside his locker with a smile as they held his things for him. A smile appeared on his face as he took his items and threw on his jacket. He, once more, decided to take his time and make the other person wait for him, but instead of giving him the annoyed look he searched for, she giggled softly since she knew what he was doing.

"It's no fun when you enjoy it," He pouted as he took his backpack and threw it over his shoulder. Her smile soothed him though and he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her pink lips. "What do you want?" He asked as he pulled away but kept their lips centimeters apart.

"What could I possibly want," Cuddy asked jokingly as she smirked and leaned towards him but refused to go all the way up into his kiss, she wanted him to go down to her. When House stayed unfazed with a challenging smile on his face, she leaned away and gave her own hissy pout. "My mom and I are hosting a Christmas party at the house, and she and Rachel begged me to invite you." She lied.

"Oh so you don't want me there," House decided to push and made his way in front of her, effectively trapping her between his large, muscular figure and the dull green lockers. He made sure the locks didn't hurt her though.

Cuddy smiled a toothy smile as she looked at House lovingly and at the same time rolled her eyes playfully annoyed. "Well, I guess I want you there," She admitted not too subtly and House accepted it. He leaned down to give her a kiss, but she put her fingers on his lips stopping him. "You can't kiss me at the party." She told him before walking off with a smug grin. Boy, did she know how to end a conversation.

--

There was yet another knock at the door and Lauren peaked through the peephole. She smiled at the guessed and backed away from the door, walking away from it promptly. The guest knocked once more and Lauren had made it to the island table in the kitchen by then.

"Lisa," Lauren called to her daughter who was just a yard or two away from the door. "I think I heard someone at the door, can you get it?" She gave a wink to her granddaughter who giggled at their plot.

"Alright," She yelled as she made her way through the crowd with suspicion hanging over her head. All night her mother has been volunteering to open the door and all of a sudden she tells Lisa to. There had to be something up. She opened the door and smiled when she saw who it was. "Why Dr. House, I'm surprised you made it." She lied as she welcomed him in. "A little late, but you made it." She took his coat and threw it onto the couch.

"Wait," Lauren yelled before the two could get away from the door. They both looked at her in confusion as she approached them smiling. "Looks like someone got caught under the mistletoe." She couldn't help but smirk at her and Rachel's well worked plan.

"What mistletoe?" Cuddy asked shocked as she looked above them and she gave her mother a nasty glare. "You sneaky, conniving old woman." She cursed aloud.

"Oh Lisa, shut your trap and kiss the boy." Lauren commanded as she pushed the two closer together and more under the mistletoe and the shared a small, nervous glance.


A/N: Alright, so I am not changing the poll for a while, so those who havent voted can. I am getting a lil tired of erasing the poll over and over so I'll change it maybe every month, if I get super lazy I'll tell you guys. So you have a chance to get a little up.

Sorry for not beta-ing and if my replies seem distant it's because I'm super busy and tired in the morning. Your reviews are all really great to read, even if they are bad reviews because it says you have an opinion for this, and they all make my day, they are the first things I read in the morning. :D Dont forget to vote and tell me if you guys DONT want Huddy to kiss, at least not in front of the pplz.

-Jess