Slumber Party

Cindy carried a long umbrella with her to Greg's apartment. It was the only way she was going to reach the key. Once inside, she hung up her coat and changed from her boots to her house slippers. She hoped he wouldn't mind the fact that she was in her pjs and fuzzy robe. Her mood dictated her attire.

Greg burst out laughing as she stood in his doorway. "I think you forgot the curlers in your hair."

"Not funny."

Her reply was solemn, and it was at that point he realized there was something wrong.

"You want to get up and move around a bit?" Cindy didn't wait for an answer before untangling him from the contraption.

"Something go wrong for you today?"

"No." She managed to keep from looking at him directly."

"Nah, something's wrong…maybe not wrong, but somehow different," Greg said as he took his leg by the thigh and eased it to the bed.

"Drop it. It's none of your business."

"Ooh, harsh tones. You're making your problem my business."

"How so?"

"By bringing your crappy mood into my house. It's not like I can walk away."

"You want me to leave?" Cindy's expression was one of hurt and disappointment.

"Look, I've been thinking about you all day. I like you. You're interesting. But I can't handle the mood swings without some kind of reasoning behind it. If you're bipolar, I'll figure out a way to deal with it. If you're a psycho, I'd rather know that too, so I can gauge my craziness against yours." Greg was trying to add a little levity to the situation.

"I'm not bipolar. But I am messed up mentally."

"Honey, everybody's messed up mentally."

"Yeah, but it's getting out of control. And that scares me."

The sadness in her eyes hit home for House. "It should scare you. The fact that you're doing something about it means you're less out of control than you think."

"I haven't done anything about it." She helped him to stand.

"You told someone. That's always the first step." Greg waited for the world to stop spinning before he took his first steps.

"The people I work with don't know. I don't want them to know." She was embarrassed now, clearly not wanting to look him in the eyes.

"If they know, maybe they can help." Did he really believe that? He had been through it and didn't want his colleagues to have to deal with it. And yet it slid easily from his lips as if it was his credo.

"If they know, they may end up treating me like a Leper."

Greg stopped at the bathroom door. "Yeah, but at least you'll be treated." He closed it behind him, leaving her there to think. He could hear her walking away. Maybe he shouldn't have left her alone. What if she decided to off herself in his kitchen?

"You're not going to do anything silly out there while I'm in here? Are you?"

"If you're thinking I might try break dancing in your living room, then, no."

Good. She didn't have a clue as to what he was thinking. If she suspected him of worrying about her mental state, who knows how she'd react. Granted, he didn't know her well enough, but he knew how he'd handle it. It wouldn't be pretty. "Thank goodness. I thought I was missing something spectacularly awful," he called out through the door.

"Did you say awful or awesome," she shouted back.

"Depends. Which one would you prefer?" A clever comeback. It was hard to gauge her without seeing her body language. What was he getting himself into?

"Neither. It's called break dancing for a reason. Usually because someone breaks something." Cindy found the remote to the television and turned it on. She channel surfed until Greg sounded like he was leaving the bathroom.

"Hey," he called from half way down the hall. "Little help here." He actually didn't need her at all. He wanted her to feel useful.

"The more you get up and move around, the easier it will be. I'm going to have to talk to Radcliffe about putting you in traction overnight only."

"I thought you were on vacation." Greg let her lead him to the sofa.

"I'm always working, even when I'm not. That's my problem." She sighed heavily, seating herself in a chair to his left.

"It would be more comfortable on the couch with me." Greg wanted to put his arm around her and cuddle. He needed some physical contact.

"Not feeling up to it, sorry."

"Okay, no worries. Just one more request: can you get me a blanket, it's a little chilly in here." Greg threw out a fake shudder.

"Sure."

He watched her go, taking a longer than necessary look at her back end. She was sexy in her big, furry bath robe.

"Stop looking at my butt," she called out.

Greg chuckled. She was a pistol.

Cindy tossed the blanket at him on her way back to her seat.

"Sure you don't want to cuddle under the covers with me?"

"Look, Greg. I like you. But we hardly know each other."

"It's a good way to get to know each other."

"It's a good way to piss me off." She was glaring.

"Sorry!"

"No you're not, you're a typical male."

"Sure, blame my gender," Greg harrumphed.

"I'm bored," Cindy announced unexpectedly.

"You going to blame that on my gender, too?" He was purposely baiting her.

"No. Your gender could keep me from being bored."

"So you're sexually frustrated?"

"Why do you twist everything I say?"

"Why do you avoid answering my questions by asking another question?"

"You're annoying."

"You're sexy. So get over here and cuddle under the blanket with me. That way we'll both stave off boredom."

Cindy made a production out of getting up and moving over to the couch. Greg held up the corner of the blanket enticingly.

"No funny stuff," she warned.

"Cross my heart." Greg made an 'X' over his chest.

It didn't take long for him to make his move. She no sooner had she sat down then he cozied up to her. It didn't get too creepy until he started petting her fleecy robe at the sleeve.

"I'm not a cat," she growled.

"No, not a kitty cat. Perhaps a tigress." He moved his hand from arm to her thigh.

She smiled. He was incorrigible.

Greg got braver. He moved his hand around her thigh slowly, desensitizing her. When he felt it was safe, he let his hand creep closer to her inner leg, making its way between the folds of the robe.

She straightened up, slapping his hand in the process. The smile on her face didn't disappear.

He put his hand back in the safe zone. Cindy leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder.

A chick flick came on. Greg moaned. He hated girlie movies. Cindy stirred awake with his protestations.

"You okay?"

"Mm hmm. Just a bit nauseated."

"Why?"

"Xanadu's on."

"Egads!"

"Yeah," he concurred, stifling a yawn.

"I should get you to bed."

That got Greg's attention. His face lit in eager anticipation.

"Take it easy, playboy. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

"Too bad. I was ready to say: the feeling's mutual."

Cindy helped him to his feet, then put the blanket away while he crutched to the bedroom. By the time she turned off the TV and got to his room, he was waiting for her.

"You planning on staying?" He was hopeful.

"Nope." She went back to being all business.

"But it's cold and icy out. You could fall and break something and die of hypothermia."

"Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence."

"I really want you to stay." He was serious. "In my bed, on my couch. It doesn't matter. Just don't leave."

Cindy thought about it. His plea to stay and not leave him was a sign of his vulnerability and loneliness. "Okay, I'll take the couch."

A small victory for both of them, even though each had a misinterpretation of the reason.

Once Greg's leg was hanging back in traction he grabbed Cindy's hand, holding it in earnest. "Thank you for staying." He forced a shiver that proved to be more painful than he could possibly expect. "Mm," the moan escaped his lips.

"A spasm?"

He shook his head negatively, "Just got a chill and my leg hurt when I shivered."

Cindy disappeared into the living room, returning with the blanket they had used on the couch.

Greg relished the pleasure of her tucking him in. When she finished he was frowning.

"Why the puppy dog eyes?"

"What are you going to use to stay warm?"

"I've got my robe. And I'll turn up the heat. Where's the thermostat?"

"We could share body heat," He shuddered again for added effect.

"You just don't know when to give up, do you?"

"I'm consistent."

"More like persistent." She shimmied into the bed next to him, still clad in her robe. "No funny stuff."

"Yeah, like that deterred me last time," he teased.

"Be good," she admonished.

"Turn off the lights…please."

Cindy twisted the switch on the bedside lamp. They lay in darkness for a few moments, each thinking about the comfort of having the other in physical proximity. Greg was particularly aroused with Cindy so close. He was unable to hide his restlessness.

"What's wrong," Cindy mumbled as sleep was winning the battle over consciousness.

"Got a spasm," he said with a hitch in his voice.

"Let me help."

"Will you massage it for me?"

"Where is it."

"Give me your hand, I'll put it over the spot." Thank god the light was off and she couldn't see his face. With her hand in his, he led her to his groin.

Cindy screamed in disgust. "You're such a pig!"

"If I'm such a pig, why are you still massaging me?"

"Ugh!" She squeezed his shaft as hard as she could.

"Ow! What the hell did you do that for?" His hands tried to pry her off.

"I'm trying to break the spasm like you asked," she said innocently as she exerted another crushing grip.

Although he was in considerable discomfort, Greg realized that she was playing him at his own game. "Oh, man that feels so good."

She eased up.

"I think I broke something."

"Contrary to popular belief, there is no bone in your boner."

"That still doesn't mean you didn't hurt me," Greg whined. "Will you kiss my boo boo?"

"You asked for a massage and I strangled it. Now you want me to kiss it? How can you be so sure I won't bite you?"

"Would you please?"

She smacked him. "I don't do oral sex."

"How 'bout good old fashioned sex?"

"No thanks."

"Man, you're tough to break."

"I'm a born again virgin."

Hysterical laughter peeled through the room. They were both overtired and giddy.

"Seriously. I've been thinking about you all day and I want to have some special time with you."

"Why is the special time with you all about you getting all the pleasure?" Cindy dropped the act, becoming overly serious.

"I was hoping we'd both get pleasure from it." Greg, too, was sober about it.

"Like I said before, we don't know each other."

"It takes time. What we're doing, this communicating is us getting to know each other."

Cindy turned away from him. She withdrew mentally and physically, curling up into the fetal position. "Here's a little tidbit you should know: I don't enjoy sex."

"Well, that answers my question."

"What question?"

"The one about you being a virgin."

"I have had sexual relationships before."

"Just not good ones."

"No. The sex wasn't good."

"Maybe you just haven't been with the right person."

"I suppose you think you can 'rock my world'," she laughed scornfully.

"I've been told-"

"Here's another tip: women don't like to hear about their man's past relationships."

Greg reflected on that statement smiling. "You realize you referred to me as 'your man'!"

"Yeah, I guess I did." She was happy he picked up on that.

"So can I have that blowjob now?"

She rolled over, quickly slamming her fist into his crotch.

He oophed.

"Did you enjoy your blow?"