A long forgotten fic, I made a promise and I was determined to keep it no matter how long it took. I've finally after all these years finished this fic :). I've been sat at my computer all day for almost 12 hours flat out. I have tried to fix some of the previous chapters and have added the final two. I hope you enjoy this, even though we're now a long way from Halloween, it's never too late/early for a little magic.

Thanks to everyone whose stuck with this and still reviewed and e-mailed me after all this time. It gives me a kick when I need it.

- SS -

Thunderstruck

House's fingers fumbled with the rubber band. It twirled incessantly as his subconscious silently ticked over. The office was flooded with the low light of a single lamp, illuminating the room just enough to split the shadows. House's expression was cast in shadow, his blue eyes glazed over as he focused forward, mind far away from the place he currently sat.

It had relocated itself within another office; the owner of which was a single woman in particular. He could still hear her breathing, light little cries of pleasure fighting to remain mute. Her head had tilted back in surrender, eyes tight shut as her hips had bucked up, instinctual desire taking over her and her desire had been all for him. He remembered the way she'd felt, the way she'd tasted.

The band stilled, thumb brushing over the knuckle of his fore finger. It was a gentle stroke over the digits that had been buried within her only a few hours ago.

And wished they could be again.

Not a sound could be heard, his breathing rendered almost silent. The halls were deserted, not a duckling in the outer office not a patient alarm to shatter his thoughts. Head tilted to the side he watched as image after image reeled before his eyes. It was like a scratched disc jumping over every memory. Repeating over and over until he'd sharpened every detail determined to never let it fade. A woman had never occupied his thoughts so much, not since Stacy and even she hadn't stretched him to his limit.

He'd taken advantage of the situation and, while he knew he should, not an inch of him regretted it. In this brief suspended moment he could be honest with himself. He was on his own territory where no one was around to observe him. There was no one to judge, no one to question him as he rummaged around his mind running over every thought, every feeling, coming to only one conclusion.

He tossed the plastic band on to the table leaving the sad object lying limp and forgotten, patiently waiting for another night when it was needed. House eased himself slowly to his feet wincing slightly at the ache in his leg. He'd been stationary too long and his muscles were making him pay with a momentary stab of pain. He eyed his Vicodin only to sigh as Cuddy flooded before his eyes. She hated him taking the stuff and after today he couldn't lie to himself. Her opinion mattered more than it should. He could never forget that bet, all the suffering and anguish all because it was her who'd suggested it. He wanted to prove something, not only to everyone else and himself but most of importantly to her. He'd denied it at the time, but not any longer. He sighed. She'd be the death of him one day.

His evening hadn't gone as planned. The pride had drained away as his thoughts had delved deeper beneath the surface, furrowing out the honest truths. It had gone from a momentary male moment where he'd scored with his boss, to the beginning of a massive web of emotions. Emotions, that in the dead night of the day, he could no longer ignore. He just wanted a drink. Just something to dull the sting of knowing it probably wasn't going to happen again. He'd incur her wrath, poke at her humiliation and avoid answering anything. He'd be rude, and all would return as it was before. This was mess he didn't want or need. He should let it go. But the niggling doubt was ferreting its way in once more. The kiss that had triggered everything had been instigated by her not him. She'd pulled him in only to push him away and then get her rocks off alone. He growled. Women were confusing and more trouble than they were worth. He needed a long, stiff drink. With his fingers flexing on his cane he flung his rucksack on his back before flicking the light off casting him into darkness. Gritting his teeth against the ache that burrowed beneath his skin he wandered out his office limping down the deserted halls.

Round and round. The firelight danced in her eyes as Cuddy's hand subconsciously twirled the wine glass currently in her grasp. The rustle and crack of the flames were the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Sipping her wine she shifted intent on easing the ache from her back. It only triggered a shudder, a little lingering bolt of pleasure zooming up her spine. She could still feel the shadow of his fingers even hours after the event. She hadn't felt anything like it in a long time. You liked it. You loved it.

She dragged her tongue over her bottom lip before grazing her teeth over it. She was being driven out of her mind. She'd been poised here for over an hour wallowing in subtle tones of jazz as they washed over her thoughts. She was sure House would never leave her alone after what had happened between them and the voice in her head was screaming. Go to him, give in. She swallowed, shifting awkwardly again as the voice drilled into her head. If his fingers felt so good, imagine what he could do to you. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. It was shallow. The tremor of her heart danced over her skin thudding in an almost continual beat of desire. Just let him.

'No, no, no!' Cuddy jumped to her feet. 'This is stupid.' Lust isn't stupid. It's your bodies way of saying you want something in a way your mind can't ignore. 'Well I've ignored it well up to now.' Every smile, every 'accidental' touch. Like a game you weaved around each other. Denial doesn't last forever.' I'm not in denial. Say it a bit louder, you might end up believing yourself.

'Shut up!'

Cuddy threw her wine into the sink, ignoring the sound of splintering glass as the glass fell from her fingertips. She gripped the edge of the counter, gently rocking back and forth as she aimed to relieve the tension that coiled within her. Something was trying to escape, like a big bubble expanding out from within. She'd gone mad, arguing with a voice only she could hear. She felt sick. Every emotion was clashing together in a whirlwind of confusion, the noises in her head a jarring symphony of hysteria. The voice wouldn't leave her alone. She couldn't be with House, wouldn't be. He was wrong for her in every possible way, but he'd felt so right. He'd felt so good. She'd given in to him on instinct which only increased her craving. After fighting against him for so long her walls had crumbled like sand pummelled by the sea, the wave of desire finally washing away any resistance. When he'd discovered her today she'd had no defence against him. She'd given in to his touch. Desire, coated in denial, today he'd given her a taste of something that she'd secretly wanted for so long. She rolled her neck, tilting her head back to gaze up at the ceiling in some vain hope that everything would vanish and the simplicity would return to her life absent of any longing towards a man who was the devil in her day.

She cursed the stupid apple, a mistake that had made a total mess of her life. Damn the individual who'd planned the prank. She'd only gotten caught in the cross fire. The apple wasn't meant for her and she knew it. The basket was for House. After one simple action with unseen consequences her whole life was beginning to unravel at the seams.

Her desire was a bitter pill to swallow. The walls were closing in on her as she fought for some way out. She'd gladly accept any other answer and avoid the fate currently closing in. The voice had other ideas. With invisible fists it tugged every little lie and denial to the surface. Pulling her desire out from under a vale and casting it into the fray. She couldn't ignore it any longer. Like a physical mutiny her body was turning against her. Shuddering, with the ache still emanating between her thighs even the alcohol couldn't dull the sensation still throbbing through every cell in her system. After the teasing taste of her touch her body was addicted. She was in a corner, unable to escape without giving in. The voice in her head was amplifying the longer she left it, and her body was being more persistent with every passing second. A bead of sweat bled over her skin. Breathing in deep she winced as another bolt rippled over her nerves. She needed him, if only for her sanity. Go to him. I'll go. Just once. Pleasure tingled between her thighs like a whisper of an invisible touch, her body now marked with the memory of his hands. 'Go on! Give in, you know you want to'.'

'Shit'

She had to get out. Grabbing her keys she darted out the house without a backward glance. Sighing in relief as her feet hit the pavement and the cool night air hit her heated skin. She just needed to walk it off. Exhaust herself until she couldn't think, couldn't feel. Everything would be fine.

The melodic sounds of the piano died down as a crack of thunder rumbled over head. House limped to the window to gaze out into the street. Raindrops plummeted down on to the sidewalk, pooling into pit holes and spiralling down drains as the area in which he lived got flooded by a storm cloud.

Pouring himself another glass of whiskey he knocked it back without a wince. The golden liquor burnt its way down to light a fire inside and the warmth bled into every inch of his body. He felt the calming haze of alcohol revolve around him, the happy buzz tingling along his skin. Settling down again his fingers began to beat out a rhythm of their own on the piano keys. The instrument springing to life as he played a tune from memory, eyes closed as his fingers found the correct key on instinct.

He almost didn't hear the light knock on his door.

A light tap that increased in volume as the second bout of thunder clashed over head. Lightening lit the streets rippling through the clouds like static, casting an eerie glow over the earth. House considered leaving the poor soul on the doorstep, half of him silently wishing for someone else to wallow in misery. But with a grumble thinking it might be Wilson, kicked out of home with no where to go once again, he grudgingly eased to his feet. Cane clasped tightly in his hand he hobbled over to the door, a sarcastic comment on the tip of his tongue ready to let rip on the stupid sod that stood outside.

It died in his throat.

It was Cuddy. She was drenched to the bone. Her clothes plastered to her like a second skin, darkened and damp from the rain. Droplets poured off her splashing on to her shoes. Tendrils of moisture spiralled over her skin, dripping off the tip of her nose or slithering over her lower lip. Her arms were wrapped tight around herself in some failing defence against the weather. She reflected a rather sad and weak image of the woman that usually ruled within the walls of PPTH.

After the day and every emotion plaguing him hence forth he should have held his tongue. But the alcohol fuelled him on and he'd never missed an opportunity to goad her, he wasn't going to start now no matter what had passed between them. It was better for both just to continue as before and fall back into their original equilibrium.

House raised his eyebrows, looking to the side before mockingly leaning in and whispering, 'Soaking wet twice in one day.'

'I'm cold, tired and in case you haven't noticed the storm hasn't stopped.'

'It hasn't? House stuck his head out in jest, 'Wow! You're right. As always I'm in awe of your powers of observation.'

She sighed, 'House,' She shivered, eyes slipping shut as the instinctual tremor took over. Even in the rain she looked beautiful. He watched a single droplet slowly snaking its way over her neck slipping between the collar of her blouse. He envied it. His memories flared up once again, the facts bleeding into fantasy. 'House!' Sharper than a crack of thunder her voice whipped into his thoughts. House snapped out of his trance. She looked defeated, 'please?'. He nodded and with his eyes cast downwards he silently stepped back allowing her to enter.

She wrung her hands. What the hell was she doing here? On the porch of the very man she'd aimed to avoid. She'd turned up like a drowned rat and to add insult to injury she was now dripping all over his floor. How humiliating. He would never let her live it down. She braced herself for impact, prepared for the stinging barb to fly as she turned to face him.

Nothing.

Not a comment or spiteful jibe met her. Just a pair of bright blue eyes that now bored into hers. Heat seemed to flare in them for only a second before dying down. It happened so quickly she questioned if she'd seen it at all.

Silence prevailed only disturbed by the subtle drip as moisture pooled around her feet. Like she was under examination his eyes trailed over her from head to toe. She hated when he did that at the best of times, especially now with her thoughts running riot over the things he could do, things you want him to do. Her face tensed eyes slamming shut for barely a second as she banished the voice from her mind. As her eyes slowly eased open she blinked to find the space before her empty.

'Here', hearing his voice she turned, only to jump back as she found a towel thrust beneath her nose.

'You're dripping on the rug.'

She ignored it. She shouldn't be here, how she'd ended up on his doorstep she didn't know, one moment she'd been walking the next she'd ended up outside his house as the storm broke over head. She'd hovered outside for over 15 minutes before finally deciding to enter in. Now she was here she was starting to question her intent. She wasn't here to shelter from the storm and her body knew it. She swallowed, nerves crackling along her sodden skin, the muscles tensing in her shoulders under the onslaught of sensation. If she stayed for any longer she wouldn't be able to walk away, the voice would win, ordering her to give in to what she wanted. If she gave in, it would complicate everything even further, and force you to admit that you've been lying to yourself for almost 20 years. Her attention was shattered as a towel danced in front of her nose, 'Take, unless you want me to dry you myself?' She frowned snatching the towel from his hand, 'thanks but I think I'll pass' The finger on his free hand now poked out, slowly ringing in a circle, 'this is the point where I make a joke about you being wet for me right?' she sighed holding her hand out to pass the towel back to him, her grip lingering as his hand wrapped around it.

She tilted her head over her shoulder 'Um I'd better go.'

'Running away again?'

Her lips narrowed, 'Not now House?'

'When then?'

'Never,'

He tilted his head, eyes roving over her as the corner of his lips twitches, 'You came here to talk,'

'There's nothing to talk about,'

'Well I think you'll agree there's something going on between us right? I mean, what happened today wasn't just a perk of the job. Or has Jimmy been holding out on me?' He waggled his eyebrows.

She let out a bitter laugh, her head tilting back as she shook it, 'Yeah, a real perk, one you won't be getting again any time soon. It's only for good doctors. And when I say good I don't mean with medicine.' Her expression was one of defiance and challenge. It soon fell as he tugged the towel toppling her off balance. She fell forward into him hands slamming into his chest as he caught her, fingers tightly wrapping around her arms.

'Well you were wetter then than you are now, and god I can only imagine how loud you scream when you're going at it with the 'good' doctors.'

An excited bubble burned in his stomach, the verbal sparring constantly hitting a key within him. He smiled as her head lifted, eyes flashing as she looked into his, the defiance still firmly returned to her face. She jerked trying to pull away. His grip didn't loosen and she didn't try again. He liked Cuddy like this, on edge her head not holding her back as she met him every inch of the way. His eyes faltered slightly as she leaned in, her breath tickling against his chin as she hovered barely an inch from his lips a smile slowly curling in the corner.

'There's that wet joke.'

He stared right back at her, unflinching, his expression remaining impassive not indicating any evidence of the desire her proximity was driving, 'Couldn't resist,'

He didn't move as she bowed to his left, her body inching up slightly bringing her mouth up to his ear. She was teasing him, testing him and he knew it. She couldn't escape, the only way was to make him back off. He had no intention of doing so. He fought a shiver as her words graze against his skin, the dampness of her breath lingering just below his ear, 'and how loud I scream is something you'll never find out,'

He laughed lightly, feeling a kick of satisfaction at the involuntary shiver, his voice forming a fissure through her defence, 'I think I got a good idea.' His hands slowly slipped lower, coming to rest on her hips as she inched away again.

'Ah yes right before YOU ran' she smirked 'limped away.'

'Ouch, Dr Cuddy you are mean to me.'

'Avoiding the question as always, who can't answer now? Admit it House, you're balls are no bigger than mine, metaphorically of course, but then maybe not, I wouldn't know.'

Their noses were almost touching, her eyes boring into his in a challenge both waiting and willing for the other to back down.

'Anyone would think you want to find out.'

Cuddy blinked as a warm droplet of water trickled over her brow, dripping off the tip of her nose to landing on her mouth. She watched House's thumb slowly reach out, dragging the pad over her lower lip. Tentatively her tongue slipped out, the tip grazing against his thumb collecting the lingering liquid. 'I think I need to.'