Twice Shy

The voice was silent. For the first time since the incident, her mind was calm; unhindered by the cruel conflict that had plagued her thoughts for the last few hours.

She lay there, eyes roving over the figure currently snoozing beside her. His breathing was shallow, the cover slumped low over his hips. Even now her body thrummed, unable to ignore the pull towards him. Scratch marks scored his skin, bright red lines running across his shoulders and along the line of his spine. He'd been ruthless and un-yeilding, stealing her control and taking everything he desired.

She'd begged him, the pleading finally falling from her lips as he'd teased her unwilling to give in until she'd granted his wish. The words had barely left her lips and he'd pushed into her, right to the hilt. She'd never felt so full, the stinging as she eased around him only heightening the pleasure that burned between her thighs.

She sighed, wincing at the light ache, a lingering phantom of how he'd felt as he'd driven into her, tearing a moan from her throat with each thrust.

She felt content. After running from something for all this time, the release of giving in, made her feel lighter than ever. She'd been in denial. One lie on top of the other until she'd been unable to recognise the truth within the web she'd constructed in a desperate attempt to protect her pride.

Until she'd bitten that bloody apple.

Whatever the fruit had contained it had ripped ever thread to shreds, leaving the only honest one to wrap itself around her heart. She'd fought it with ever ounce of energy she had, but basking in the afterglow, she couldn't think for the life of her why. She'd wanted this.

There was only one concern, a little bubble currently hovering at the back of her brain waiting for her attention to turn to it. Everything had happened because of a seemingly innocent gift given to House. He'd been the target. What had the anonymous giver been hoping to achieve? And what would have happened if they'd been successful.

Her mind was filled with questions and lying here wasn't getting her any answers.

She shifted, intending to ease out from under the covers when a strong arm wrapped around her waist, 'You're not going anywhere.'

She didn't resist, a small smile curling in the corner of her lips as House burrowed into the side of her body, 'I've got to get to work.'

'I don't think the boss will miss you for a few hours yet.'

She'd been set to protest, the words ready and formed in her mind. They never left her lips, her eyes fluttering shut as his tongue glided along the line of her throat.

A few hours then. She relaxed back, losing herself to him as her questions dwindled in priority. She'd find her answers, in a few hours.

House snapped back in his chair. Today had been a long day. Having been disturbed from his slumber by a sudden screech and Cuddy rolling out from under the covers. A few hours had been a few hours too long. She'd rushed around the room drawing everything on in a haphazard order before darting out the door. He'd snagged her wrist for a quick kiss before she'd vanished from sight. He hadn't seen her since. She'd been holed up on her office, trying to catch up on her work and probably avoiding facing up to the consequence of her actions. Cuddy was fine until you gave her time to think. Then she'd analyse the situation from every angle and come up with a multitude of answers that usually banned her from having any fun at all. He'd soon see to it that she forgot all excuses she'd come up with in the course of the day but until then he was stuck here dealing with his ducklings and the new patient that had landed in his lap, quite literally.

His daydream had just been shattered by a young man walking into his office. It had only been a request for directions and House had ignored him, right until he'd dived face first into House's lap. His reflexes had only just managed to angle his leg out the way before the figure collided, his body smashing into House's own, a dead weight to the world now lying limply over his chair.

As the commotion calmed, House's eyes fell on an innocent item now rolling its way over his office floor.

Shoving the man from his lap he stooped down, fingers wrapping round the half eaten fruit, the toffee cracked on the outside a set of tooth marks scoring the skin.'

'And doctors say fruit is good for you.'

He eyed the man now snoring on the floor of his office. He'd be all right, he'd sleep for a bit, wake up and then probably follow the desire to fuck his nearest and dearest. House had no doubt this was the same case as Cuddy's. The two of them had talked about it the previous evening, somewhere after the sex and before the sleep. She'd been rather vague. He'd only able to draw certain ounces of information from her. His actions had been underhanded but she'd tasted delicious.

Forcing his mind back to the more pressing problem he eyed the apple with trepidation. It seemed they had an epidemic on their hands. An outbreak of spiked apples, and he suspected they kept missing their mark. He wasn't ignorant to the fact the first ones had been for him. However, rather than do him harm, it seemed the intended outcome was to make him horny. That narrowed down the suspects significantly. His thoughts were cut short as the door clanged open and, in a whirl of white, two of ducklings filed into the room.

'Where's the other one?'

The two guys looked at each other and shrugged 'haven't seen her since this morning'. Frowning House stood, quickly scribbling down a note he shoved the paper into an envelope. Jabbing the patient with his cane, he handed the envelope to Chase, 'Find him a bed, he's fine, just needs to sleep it off. Hand this to him when he wakes.' Hobbling out of the room he darted down the hall. The absence of duckling number three was suspicious to say the least. Usually quacking at his heels about some ethical code or another her vanishing act was glaringly obvious. With a theory already forming House ducked into the staff room.

It was empty.

Pulling the gold skeleton key from his pocket he located Cameron's locker. With a quick jiggle it came open with a click. The chances were she wouldn't be so stupid as to hide anything here. Then again Cameron may assume someone would never invade her privacy by breaking into her locker. Her belief in the goodness of others was a weakness that needed working on. She'd get caught out soon enough.

The small space mostly contained papers. There was a small bag of spare clothes and scrubs folded inside but nothing conspicuous. House rapped his cane on the floor casting a second glance through the contents. Pulling out the papers he lowered himself onto the bench as he flicked through them. Nothing, just study notes and book receipts. Casting a glance at the top one, he flicked to it again. Amongst all the medical notes was a website, the address scribbled in Cameron's elongated scrawl.

Grabbing his phone House snapped a photo of the address before shoving it unceremoniously back into her locker not taking any care to place them carefully.

The ducklings were in the outer office as he stormed back in. 'How's our patient?'

'Gone, he woke pretty quick and said he had somewhere to be.'

'He get the letter?'

'Yeah, he said a random basket. Then darted off.' Chase shrugged.

House nodded his suspicious confirmed. Another accidental casualty.

Foreman eyed House, 'You sure he was okay? You seemed to know what was wrong but you never told us.'

'He bit off more than he could chew.'

Ignoring the confusion now marring their faces he turned on his heel and headed into his office. He halted, eyeing the package now residing on his desk. Toffee apples, probably the same basket the man had got his from. It hadn't been on his desk then, but now it was. Innocently sat there, coated in caramel and sugar.

Cameron's voice rang out behind him. 'Someone left them for you as a thank you gift. Said they saw the apples the other day and thought you'd prefer some covered in candy.'

She shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

'A sweet tooth.' Chase laughed.

House turned to him, 'It depends what I'm sinking my teeth into to.' Without another word he entered he office. Ignoring the basket he settled down behind his desk. Typing in the address he quickly clicked on the link – One Bad Apple.

A single bite will bring forth feelings you've fought to suppress. Why not let your naughty side free and give in to what you so desperately desire.

It was meant to be self administered, but clearly the current culprit had decided that House needed a little help to give in to his deepest darkest desires.

Give into. The potion didn't force the consumer to do anything they didn't want to deep down. Cuddy may not have acted under her own control. She'd admitted that much the other night, but she'd never said that the desire had been there long before. All she done is bitten into a catalyst. The resolve in House's chest strengthened, now certain the woman in his bed last night had been there willingly.

He'd hadn't just given her what she needed, but what she wanted and he intended to do it again and again. Before then however, he had a crush that needed crushing for good.

Eyeing the apples he took one in his hand, waiting until he'd caught Cameron's eye he sunk his teeth into it. The caramel cracked, his teeth tearing into the soft flesh drawing the tainted fruit into his mouth. He swallowed, and waited. Nothing. Frowning he bit into it again, no longer interested in the mirrored confusion now creasing Cameron's forehead. Still nothing. Finishing the fruit he bit into another.

It wasn't working.

Casting a glance at the screen he started scrolling through the small print.

Do not consume if what's desired is unobtainable.

Do not consume if you've previously suffered from psychological disturbances.

Fainting will occur immediately after consumption, no responsibility will be taken for any injury that may accidentally occur due to this consequence.

Effects are rendered null and void if the consumers already has what they desire. If there's no internal voice being silenced then nothing will come forth and the consumer will remain conscious regardless of how much of the substance they consume.

Effects are rendered null and void if the consumer already has what/who they desire.

He already had what he wanted. Who he wanted. He'd met his desire when she'd sated hers. Snatching the apple up he stuck his head into the outer office, 'Dr Cameron,'

'Yes,' She snapped to attention, ignoring the amused looks from her colleges. 'What can I do for you House?'

Beckoning her in with his finger he stepped behind her letting the door snap shut. Lowering the blinds he took a little thrill in the quickening of her breath, the heightened anticipation oozing from her eyes.

Closing the distance between them, he placed his hands on her hips, slowly turning her to face his laptop.

'Bend over.'

'What?' She turned to face him, looking slightly startled.

'I have something I want you to see. So bend over.'

Shivering she turned back to the computer, bracing her hands on the desk as she leant over.

Leaning in he brought his mouth close to her ear, ignoring the sudden tremble that rippled through her body. It didn't have any effect on him. He had somewhere else he wished to be, but this needed to be dealt with.

'Read Line four.'

She couldn't turn this time, his current position pinning her in place. Her eyes widened as her gaze finally fell on the screen recognising the site for what it was. Her mouth moved, the words muted until the final few, ' regardless of how much of the substance they consume.'

The crunch of the apple against her ear made her flinch.

'I think this answers everything. I have everything I desire.'

He moved away from her, his cane thudding against the carpet. As he reached his office door he let his hand rest on the handle, turning to face her.

She was pink, her fingers clenched in a fist waiting for his final cruel remark.

'There's one thing I desire for you to do.'

Her eye's snapped to his.

'What?'

'Your job.'

With that he stepped into the hall. He didn't look back. The situation with the young doctor had been dealt with, it was time to find the final casualty in this whole mess, Cuddy.

He reached her office in no time, the apple still in hand. He had a point to prove. Weaving in and out of the patients and doctors he strolled past Cuddy's assistant in the outer office ignoring their spluttered sentence about Dr Cuddy not wishing to be disturbed and threw the doors open.

'Never Panic, Dr House is here.'

Cuddy didn't flinch. Her head remained resolutely bowed over her work. Her eyes didn't even dart up to meet his own. 'Usually that's a cause for panic.' To the outside eye Cuddy seemed to be the epitome of self control, her unconcerned attitude implying she didn't have the time nor desire to waste any on House. The tension in her shoulders said otherwise. Her eyes were no longer scanning the page, now focused on a single spot, her lips pressing into a tight line as she steeled herself for the teasing comments to come.

They never did.

Instead a sharp crunch rang out into the room. 'You know these are pretty tasty once you get past the point it's been poisoned.'

Cuddy's eyes narrowed, 'I thought you said the basket vanished?'

'It did. The culprit decided to strike again with something a little sweeter this time. It was too tempting for some, patient 232 might be having the night of his life tonight. Unless his desires unobtainable, then there will be no happy ending for him.'

'Who?'

He raised his eyebrows mockingly, 'Patient 232.'

'No I meant, who's been handing out the apples?'

He shook his head, 'they've been dealt with.'

'House?'

'Cuddy?' he smirked at her frown.

She sighed, 'Why are you eating it?'

'To prove a point.'

'What point are you trying to prove? And further more why are you awake to prove it? Shouldn't you be doing the world a favour and falling into a coma about now?'

'Unfortunately for the world there was a clause that renders the effects null and void,' he handed a piece of paper he'd scribbled the link on, 'check it out.'

She glared at the paper with suspicion, 'this better not be porn.' Taking a leap of faith she typed the address in, the screen quickly flaring to life. He pointed to where she needed to click and watched her face as she read through the details. A subtle wince alerted his attention. He knew what the potion did and now so did she. She couldn't deny her feelings any more, and he had no intentions of letting her do so.

'It doesn't work if the consumer has no desires. Lucky you.' her voice was sour, tainted with disdain as she turned away from him gathering the papers that now littered her desk together.

He watched her for a moment, the internal struggle as she fought to pull away from him and bury everything back where she'd found it.

'I don't have any desires today.' He slipped from the desk, circling around behind her. She tensed as he slid his hands round her waist his lips caressing the skin beneath her ear. 'My only desire was met last night.'

She said nothing, her breath hitching in her chest. 'The potion only forces latent desires to the surface Cuddy, you wanted me long before you bit into that bloody thing. Admit it.'

Still nothing. With a growl House spun her round shoving her hips hard against the desk. She gasped, her pupils dilating as he pressed himself against her. 'I'll get my answer one way or another, and unless you wish the whole of your hospital to hear you screaming my name you'll tell me now. Apple or not, did you want me?'

The silence stretched between them. His fingers fell to the hem of her skirt and unspoken challenge. When he met no resistance, they continued their assent. The material rumpled around his wrists, tightening over her thighs before giving way. Her fingers flexed over the edge of her desk, lips pressed tightly shut eyeing him with apprehension.

She'd fight him to the end.

Nudging her thighs apart he slipped his hands between them, surprised at the moisture he found. 'You've been thinking about me.'

She jutted her chin out in defiance, the effect was lost as a vicious shudder made her body tremble against his fingertips. A blush burnt her cheeks. His touch was gentle, too gentle. He wasn't here to provide pleasure but to tease, each tantalising touch only serving to heighten her discomfort until she gave him the answer he craved. With each languid stroke her muscles tightened, her laboured breath catching on the end of every pleasurable pulse that thudded through her.

'If you want more you're going to have to answer me.'

She was so wet. Copious amounts of fluid now coated his fingers, her knuckles white in a fruitless attempt to cling to her control. Her eyes fell to his fingers as they hooked onto the edges of her underwear. He tugged her panties down, watching as gravity took hold forcing them to flutter to the floor. The sound of his belt buckle echoed loudly in the silence between them, followed by the sound of his zipper. Her eyes flickered, throat bobbing as she swallowed. She jerked as the tip of his cock pressed against her, barely edging a centimetre inside before pulling away.

This was torturous, for her as well as him. He'd give anything to plunge into her, slowly bury himself within her wetness and then fuck her into the floor. 'Answer me,' he continued his shallow thrusts, finally eliciting an unwilling moan. Her thighs were ridged against him, her heels locked tight against his hips encouraging him deeper. He resisted. Instead his fingers tangled in her hair, tilting her head back as he leant in, his teeth nipping the soft juncture at the base of her throat.

She keened against him, 'Yes.' It was so quiet he barely heard it.

'Louder.'

'Yes okay,' she swallowed, 'Is that what you want to hear? I said yes.'

He didn't answer, instead his hand wrapped around her mouth, stemming any sound from leaking from her lips as he thrust into her. She grunted, eyes snapping open as he filled her before fluttering shut giving herself over to the sensation of him sliding between her thighs. She felt exquisite.

It didn't take long, the feeling of her rippling around him too torturous to resist. He thrust in deep, burying his head in her neck, her scream muted against the palm of his hand as the final tremors of his orgasm quaked through him. He gasped for air, finally relinquishing his grip.

She wouldn't meet his eye.

Wrapping his fingers round her chin he tilted it towards him. Finally she met his gaze, her body tense, uncertainty flickering over her face. He silenced her thoughts as his lips glided over her own.

'Looks like we've both wanted the same thing for a very long time.'

She returned his kiss, her body slowly relaxing into him.

'You've wanted me, and,' he paused, 'I've always wanted me too.'

She laughed, gently shoving him away, wincing as she slipped from the desk. 'If that was your desire you wouldn't be here, you'd be at home a glass of whiskey in one hand, and yourself in the other.'

He smirked, eyeing her as she bent down to grab her panties. Coming up behind her he wrapped his hands around her waist as she stood. Her stomach rumbled. He laughed against her ear, 'Hungry?'

'Staving.'

'I have a large basket of candy apples that needs eating.'

Her laugher rumbled through her as she turned in his arms. Tucking her panties in his pocket, she kissed him, 'Sounds good to me.'

- SS -

And there we go folks. (all mistakes are my own for which I apologise and I make no money from my stories). x