Friends with Benefits

By Saturday morning Greg had been feeling giddy. His pain levels hit plateau at a tolerable five. He was due to get out of the splint and into a cast so he could be on his way out of there. That in itself would make anybody happy, yet his giddiness was due to another reason. Her name was Cindy, and she was taking him home.

Once Greg informed her that her boss was aware of her feelings for him, Cindy became more relaxed around him. She was easier to talk to and more open with her opinions. She also listened to Greg and didn't pass judgment on things he said that she didn't necessarily agree with.

She managed to swap her Saturday off for a Sunday shift so that should could help Greg get adjusted to home life. He still wasn't willing to let his friends help him, reasoning that they'd only see him as a burden. Cindy didn't argue, even though she wanted to tell him that if they were really friends, it wouldn't be a problem. It was just another quirk about him she'd get used to in due time.

Greg was in the casting room now with someone else groping him while she read a magazine in the waiting room. It was better this way, she told herself. The attraction they had for each other was growing. Neither one of them seemed able to hide it. He'd reach out to touch her arm, her hand, any part he could get to when she was in the room tending to him. And she let him, often acknowledging his touch with one of her own. She wondered if she looked at him with longing like he did with her.

The idea of going to his apartment was a bit daunting. She barely knew anything about his personal life. He could be a slob or pervert for all she knew. Yet if he was, it certainly didn't seem to faze him. He warned her he couldn't remember what state the place was in or if it was the week the housekeeper came. Greg did promise that nothing would jump out and get her.

Cindy glanced at her watch just as Greg was wheeled out of the room.

"You didn't get fresh with the tech, did you?"

Greg grinned. "Jealous already? I don't think Raphael and I could ever hit it off. Nothing he did excited me." He winked.

Cindy pursed her lips to hold back a laugh. She smacked his shoulder playfully.

They said nothing else on the subject as the orderly rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to bring the monster mobile closer to the doors." Cindy jogged ahead and around the corner out of sight. By the time House reached the exit, she was just pulling up.

He hoisted himself out of the wheelchair, crutching the ten yards like a pro, only to be winded at the finish line.

"Take it easy, Speedy. You've got no one to impress," Cindy scolded.

House was contemplating his next move: getting into the vehicle.

"Same as last time," Cindy read his thoughts. She assumed the position and boosted him up and in.

"Why do I feel like you used to be in the circus?" He settled in, grabbing the forearm crutches from her.

She got in on the driver side and revved the engine. "I don't know. You ready?"

Greg remembered her driving skills. She had taken it easy on him when they first met. Her little display of power made him nervous. "Remember, I'm still broken. Try not to do any more damage."

"Hang on to your kidneys."

Greg was never happier to be home. Cindy was hell on wheels, driving like a New York Cabbie on a mission. At one point he thought she was going to avoid slow traffic by driving on the sidewalk. She must have seen the fear in his eyes, because she just laughed and slowed down.

They double parked in front of 221 Baker Street, where they both swore upon seeing an un-shoveled walkway and steps. Somebody had been lazy in Greg's absence.

"Stay put," she commanded before hopping out and stomping through the semi-packed snow. Using broad leg sweeps, she cleared a path just wide enough for Greg to maneuver. In the more solidly packed spots she kicked at the icy mess.

House opened the door and leaned out. "There's a shovel in the front hall."

"Now you tell me." Cindy threw her arms up in frustration.

Once inside Greg eased down on the sofa propping his leg up on the coffee table. It was old hat for him, yet Cindy was amazed at his adaptability so quickly to the cast. House watched her watching him. Cindy stood in the middle of the room, unsure what to do next.

"Come here," Greg patted the cushion next to him. "And welcome to Casa de Casa."

"Hold that thought." Cindy suddenly remembered she was illegally parked. "Gotta go put the beast away."

After a few minutes passed, House began to feel abandoned. At first he thought she was having a hard time finding a parking space. But when five minutes turned to ten, he felt the first pangs of panic and disappointment. He crutched over to the window. There was plenty of space to park, but no sign of Cindy. Where'd she go?

He hung his head, dejected. He headed for the bathroom before hitting the bed for a nap. By the time he came out, she was sitting on the bed sipping something from one of his mugs.

"Where'd you go?"

She heard anger, betrayal and a hint of fear in his voice. "Sorry, I ran into my place to get this." She held up the mug. "I made you some, too."

"Did you get a good parking spot?" Something wasn't making sense.

"I've got assigned parking in my building."

"You live around here?" House sat on the bed next to her.

"Just around the corner."

He took her mug and sniffed it. "Spiced cider?"

"Yep." She grabbed the other mug off the nightstand.

"Needs a shot of Jack."

"So you say." She peered over the rim as she took a sip. "Don't expect me to help you contribute to the degeneration of your liver."

"Five minutes and you're already nagging."

"Hah! If you think that's nagging-"

"Never mind, I was just kidding." He handed her the mug. "Hold that for a sec."

The next thing she knew he was repositioning himself on the bed. Cindy set down the mugs to help him. It didn't take long for him to be comfortable.

"Are you intending on joining me?"

She climbed over him, settling on the other side of the bed.

"You can come closer. I'm not contagious." Greg raised his arm for her to cuddle up against him.

Reluctantly Cindy moved in as close as she dared. It wasn't as close as he wanted, but it would do. He couldn't get his arm around her, so he settled for holding her hand.

"Greg-"

"Shh, let's not ruin this just yet."