A/N: Happy Halloween!

I confess that we don't celebrate Halloween in my country, but my sisters and I love it, so therefore I decided to write a few Halloween snippets. I was so ecstatic that you seemed to be excited about it. It has been so much fun to create these moments, and I hope it will get you into the spirit of the season.

As always huge thanks to my wonderful reviewers. You guys are amazing, inspiring, and just simply incredible. I usually try to write a review reply to everyone who reviews but so many of you are 'guest' reviewers so I wanted to give a special shout out to you. I wish I could reply back, but know that I love what you have to say, and as always thanks for reviewing.

To those of you who are situated on the east coast, or are affected by the hurricane Sandy, please take care. I hope you're okay.

Have a nice Wednesday, and a happy Halloween.

XXI

Trick in Your Treat

House peeked over the brim of the desk by the nurse's station. He glanced at his watch, and waited impatiently for the clock to struck five.

"What do you think you're doing?"

House jumped up and glanced backwards to a nurse who stood with her hands on her hips, her gaze disapproving.

"Nothing." He said dismissively.

"Uh-huh." She glared at him suspiciously.

"Oh, just do your job." He chastised, and continued to watch the closed office door. The nurse scurried off, leaving him alone.

"Come on." He muttered, and to his glee he saw the figure inside the room move to the door. He sniggered, and nodded to the janitor who stood close by. He nodded his head in return, and continued to swipe the floor.

Just at that moment the door opened and Cuddy walked out. The janitor walked up to Cuddy, and pointed towards the hallway exasperatedly. She frowned and nodded her head as she listened to him complain.

House started to move from the nurse station, and when he was sure she didn't see him he hurried down the hallway, opened the door to the back staircase, and hassled down the steps. When he reached the basement he slid into the janitors closet, and left a small gap so he could see.

Soon he heard the familiar clatter of her shoes, and watched her march down the hallway. She came to a halt by the closed doors opposite him.

"Come on." He muttered.

Suddenly she turned around. He wasn't quick enough to react, and before he knew it, she swept the door to the closet open.

"I knew it!"

"Oh come on." He whined.

"I knew you were up to something." She said victoriously as she stepped into the closet and slammed it shut behind her.

"Great. You just ruined a perfectly good prank."

"Oh poor you." She replied drily.

"Stop whining. Let's get out of here."

Cuddy gave him an evil eye then turned around and grasped the handle.

"Oh no."

"What now?"

"It won't open." She turned to him in panic.

"Ha, ha, very funny Cuddy."

"House, I'm serious." She said through gritted teeth.

"Really funny. I try to pull one prank on you, and now you're trying to repay it. Who's the immature one now?"

Cuddy scowled at him, and put her hands on her waist.

"Are you seriously calling me the immature one?"

He didn't answer her and stretched his hand out to grasp the handle. He jiggled it back and forth but it didn't open.

"Are you satisfied?"

"No." He huffed, and began to slam on the door.

"Hey, is anyone out there?" He yelled.

"House, there's no one there." She said tiredly.

"There must be someone." He countered. He slammed his hand on the door again.

"Hey!"

He continued to bang on the door, but nothing happened. After about twenty minutes of yelling, and banging on the door, House finally gave up.

Cuddy had seated herself on the opposite end of an empty trashcan, and watched him calmly, as his failed attempt unfolded in front of her.

House finally stopped, and lowered himself on the ground. His long legs barely managed to fit in the small closet.

"This is just great."

"Oh please stop whining. If it weren't for your stupid prank we wouldn't be in this situation." Cuddy said frustratingly.

Both of them brooded in their separate corner. Suddenly House piped up.

"Hey, don't you have your cellphone?"

"No, I forgot it in my briefcase." Cuddy said glumly. "What about you?"

"Nope. Forgot it."

"Damn."

They descended in another long silence, both painfully aware that they were stuck in an uncomfortably tight place. Both of them hated when their personal spaces were invaded, and being stuck there together was just the icing of the cake.

"What the hell were you doing anyway?" Cuddy asked suddenly.

"I was going to lock you in the morgue."

"What? Why?" She said exasperatedly.

House shrugged.

"I was bored."

"Wow, that is low, even for you."

"What? It's Halloween, or didn't your workaholic mind realize what time of year it is?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes, and stared at the wall.

"Why lock me up in the morgue? There's almost always someone working there."

"I tipped off the doctor working."

"That's creepy."

"Yeah, that's why I thought it would be funny." Cuddy frowned.

"I could fire you for something like that."

"Yeah, right." He said sarcastically.

"Shut up."

House smirked, as Cuddy rolled her eyes. This was going to be something.

Four hours later, and they were still stuck in the closet. House had ditched his jacket, and had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. Cuddy had also removed her jacket, and heels, much to House's enjoyment. She was wearing that extremely low cut top he liked so much.

"Ugh. I'm so hungry." Cuddy whined.

"I'm not surprised. All you ate for lunch was one salad."

Cuddy's eyebrows rose. Of course she would take it that way.

"Don't flatter yourself. I saw you when I was waiting in line."

"If you say so."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Uh, what about the time when you told me that you know what kind of frozen yogurt I like? Or when you…"

"Okay, okay, I get it."

Silence fell between them. He didn't know how long they sat in silence, but it felt like an eternity. He looked at the clock every other minute. There seemed to be no sign of anyone outside, and he was starting to think that they would have to spend the night there.

He glanced at Cuddy, who seemed to be equally frustrated as he was.

House sighed, and put his hands under his head, and stared at the ceiling. A single light bulb provided the only light in the closet.

The light flickered slightly, and then returned to normal. He didn't give it any notice, and closed his eyes.

He was almost asleep when he heard something outside the door. It was low at first, but grew louder.

"What was that?" Cuddy whispered.

House looked up at the flickering light bulb, and gulped.

"It's probably just something in the electricity." He said unsurely.

"Are you sure?"

No, he wasn't sure, but he was not going to tell her that.

Suddenly they heard a loud bang coming from the hallway. Cuddy shrieked, and jumped up. At the same moment the light went off.

"That's it. I can't take this." She cried.

"Calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down. You calm down." She cried out hysterically.

House raised his hands up in a sign of surrender.

"Fine."

Cuddy was clearly distressed, and was almost visibly shaken.

They jumped up when another noise came from the outside, this time it was louder and closer than before.

Cuddy stared at the door, and lowered herself on the ground beside him.

She grasped his shirt, and shook him.

"If you're messing with me, so help me god." She threatened, but her threat was short lived when there came a loud bang on the door of the closet. Cuddy paled, and buried herself in his embrace.

House barely noticed it, and stared crestfallen at the door. He had never believed in ghosts, or spirits, but he was starting to doubt that. Or maybe someone was having a blast messing with them, which was the more logical possibility.

They sat there in silence, and looked at the closed door.

"Is it gone?" Cuddy whispered.

"First of all, I'm not sure that it was an it. I think someone is just messing with us."

Cuddy didn't reply, and stared at the door completely perplexed.

"Are you scared of ghosts?" House asked a little amused.

"No." She snapped, then she nodded her head a bit reluctantly. "Maybe a little. Don't tell me that you're not a little freaked."

"I'm not."

"I saw that look on your face."

"What look?" He asked incredulously.

"The look of sheer panic. You were scared." She said triumphantly.

"No. There's no way. You were so scared that there's no way you could have seen my face."

Cuddy raised her eyebrows, and smirked wickedly. House glared back, not amused at all.

Cuddy seated herself more comfortably opposite House on the filthy floor. She didn't mind the dirt, and she refused to sit alone after that horrible experience before.

Suddenly House started to chuckle to himself. Cuddy looked at him curiously.

"What's so funny?"

"You…you were so scared. You should have seen your face."

"What? It could have been a ghost, or something worse."

"Ghosts don't exist. It's all in here." He said matter of fact, and put his finger on her forehead.

"It was not in my head. You heard it too, and the light is out."

"It was jut the electricity." He mumbled.

"Sure."

"You're shaking, are you alright?" He asked a bit concerned.

"I'm just fine." She said drily. "I'm stuck in this tiny closet with you. I'm hungry, tired, and yes, I'm freaked out. Are you happy?"

"No." He murmured. She sighed.

"I'm sorry. This is just not how I wanted to spend the evening."

"Ditto."

She looked at him, and frowned.

"House." She said gently.

"Uh-huh."

"Did you do this on purpose?"

"What?" He snapped.

She looked at him meaningfully, and House exhaled in frustration.

"No, of course not."

"Okay. I'm sorry I asked."

House watched her out of the corner of his eye. He was still frustrated with her. She was always so demanding, so frustrating, and still he felt some pull towards her. She looked miserable sitting there on the hard floor. She was still shivering, her arms circling around her small frame, trying to control the tremors.

"Come here." He said before he could control himself. Her head snapped up.

"What?"

"You're shivering. Come here." He ordered.

She seemed to weigh something in her mind, then slowly, and a bit reluctantly, she scooted over to him. He wrapped his arms around her, and much to his surprise she seemed to relax.

"Thanks." She murmured awkwardly.

"No problem."

He rested his chin on top of her head, and smelled the scent of her hair. The scent was hypnotizing, enticing, and pulled him under her spell. He felt a familiar pull in his gut, and he wanted nothing more but to touch her, and feel her.

Cuddy's breathing slowed into an even rhythm, and he realized, a little disappointedly, that she was fast asleep. He removed a lock of hair out of her face, and allowed his touch to linger on her skin.

He sighed, and grumpily lowered his hand. He leaned his head back, and closed his eyes.

The next morning Stan Wilkins, the hospital's janitor, opened the door to the closet, and almost jumped back when he noticed that someone was inside. He peered into the darkness, and smirked when he saw the image before him.

On the ground lay the notorious legend Dr. House, and in his arms lay non other than the Dean herself, her head snuggled into his chest.

He cleared his throat, and watched as they slowly woke up. They seemed a bit disoriented, but soon they woke up from the daze of sleep. House looked down, and blanched when he saw how they were situated, and moved his arm from her waist. Cuddy was also quick to react, and tried in vain to detangle herself from his embrace. She sat up, and tried feebly to fix her unruly hair.

"What time is it?" She mumbled.

"It's 8 o'clock." Stan the janitor said smugly.

"We…uh….the door… it locked…" She murmured, and stood up clumsily. She put her heels, and her jacket on, and stumbled out of the closet.

"Uh…see you later House." A faint blush covered her cheeks when she looked at House, who was still seated on the floor. Her eyes fluttered from him and down the hallway, her gaze fleeting, as if she wanted nothing else but to escape this place as quickly as she could.

"Later Dr. Cuddy." He said a bit too smugly.

She nodded her head, and almost darted down the hallway. House ogled after her, and sniggered to himself. He stood up clumsily with the help of his cane, and brushed dust off his pants.

He didn't give Stan a second glance, and limped away, whistling a cheery tune that echoed off the bare walls.

Stan watched him leave, and shook his head exasperatedly. Some people he just simply didn't get.

XXII

Pirate's Life for Me

Cuddy wasn't sure who was more excited, her fifty-year-old boyfriend, or her three-year-old daughter.

House sat by the dining room table; his shirt rolled up to his elbows, and put finishing touches on Rachel's costume.

"There you go."

"Arr, arr, matey." Rachel scrunched her face, and raised a plastic sword in the air.

Cuddy couldn't help but smile at the display in front of her. Rachel was wearing her pirate costume, striped pants, boots, and a red coat. House had drawn a fake beard on her face, and her eye was covered with an eye pad.

House stood up and grinned. He was wearing black pants, a loose white linen shirt, and a green velvet jacket that reached his knees. On top of his head was an elaborate pirate hat with a large feather attached to the brim. On his left hand was a fake hook that glinted in the candlelight.

"How do we look?" He asked smugly.

"You look amazing." She giggled.

"You don't look too bad yourself." He eyed her hungrily. She smirked and looked at her attire. She was wearing a rather short, tight fitting nurse costume. She had painted her lips ruby red, and pinned up her hair to complete the look. She was quite pleased with the outcome. She wasn't quite sure how her neighbors would react to her attire, but House had been so thrilled that she didn't have the heart to change it.

She had been a little timid when House had arrived from the costume shop with this costume. She had been busy with work, so she had asked House to take Rachel to the costume shop. This costume had been his revenge, and at first she had told him to return it. But when he whispered very naughty things in her ear, about the things he would do if she would wear it, she had accepted.

She smirked and grasped the lapels of his jacket, and pulled him closer to her.

"Maybe later we could, you know…." She whispered in his ear huskily. A growl escaped his throat. His mouth crashed against her lips, and moved down her neck. Right at that moment the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Rachel yelled.

"It must be Julia and the kids." She muttered.

"Don't care." He growled and claimed her lips.

"Hi Lisa, how's…oh my god!"

They separated and looked at Julia who stood baffled in her living room. House smirked, and rested his hand on Cuddy's waist. Julia looked condescendingly at her sister.

"I see you've finally exposed your true self." He said smugly, and eyed her costume. Julia was clad in a black floor-length dress, her skin tainted green, and on her nose was a huge fake plastic nose with an ugly wart. To top her attire she donned a black pointy hat with a purple ribbon.

"I could say the same to you." She replied drily.

"At least I'm not a cranky old witch." He remarked back.

Julia opened her mouth but Cuddy stopped her before she could speak.

"Where are my nephews?"

Julia closed her mouth, and gave House a nasty glare.

"They're outside. They were fascinated by your little skeleton thing."

"It was House's idea."

"No kidding." Julia muttered.

"Okay, let's get going before the candy's all out." Cuddy picked Rachel up, and her little trick or treat bag.

"Let's go, you bloody scallywag." She directed her sword in House's direction.

"Ay. Let us seek the hidden treasures of our traitorous fiends." He said with a fake pirate accent.

Rachel giggled at his remark.

Every house on Cuddy's street had been decorated with elaborate decorations. They walked down the street, and watched as children knocked on houses, and sang, trick or treat.

Julia's sons Aiden who was ten, and Caleb who was six, accompanied them. Julia's oldest son Liam was too busy being a teenager to bother with trick or treating. Rachel was thrilled to be accompanied by her nephews, and they were surprisingly tolerant of her enthusiasm.

The adults trailed after the kids and watched them run between houses.

Julia's husband, Ben, was eager to speak to House about his bad knee when he knew that he was a doctor.

House barely listened as he animatedly explained his entire history.

"And then I went to Dr. Hodge, do you know him?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, he told me that there was nothing to do, and I didn't accept that. So I told him…"

Cuddy glanced at House, and smirked smugly. She walked a few steps ahead of him, swaying her hips a little more endearingly than usual.

He stopped listening to Ben, and gaped openly at her behind. He didn't notice the condescending glare Julia was shooting him.

"Lisa, what is up with that costume?" She asked her sister disapprovingly.

"What about it?"

"Please, don't do that." She eyed her sideways. "You look like a hooker." She whispered the last word poisonously.

Cuddy stopped in her tracks, and glared at her sister. House almost pumped into her.

"What is your problem?" She snapped angrily.

"Lisa, would you not do this here? There are children." She said in hushed tones.

"Julia, whatever you have to say, you can say it now."

Julia glared at Cuddy, and straightened her posture.

"You're acting like a love struck teenager. This is not like you. Look at yourself."

House opened his mouth angrily, but Cuddy put her hand on his arm to stop him from saying whatever he was going to say. She could handle her sister.

"I know that it's hard for you to fathom that I'm happy. Yes, this costume is a little bit sexier than other moms wear, but at least I have a boyfriend who's still interested, and willing to do something on the…wild side." She smirked wickedly.

Julia gaped at her, and House. Cuddy wished to say so much more but she was caught off by a small voice.

"Mom."

Thankfully, for Julia, Rachel arrived at that moment, and she didn't dare to say something in front of the child. Julia and Cuddy remained silent for the rest of the walk back home, although Julia made sure to shoot some nasty glares towards Cuddy, and House.

After everyone had eaten their fill of candy, and the kids had finally calmed down after the day, Julia decided to use the low time to speak with her sister.

They sat by the breakfast table in the kitchen, and drank apple cider.

"Lisa, tell me for once. Are you and House serious?"

Cuddy choked on her drink, and slammed the glass on the table harshly.

"What is your deal Julia? I know that you don't like House, for whichever reason you have, but please don't interfere with my relationship."

"I'm just worried. You have to think about Rachel."

"I am thinking about Rachel. House is actually great with her. Sure, he was a bit timid at first, but they've actually warmed up to each other."

"Fine, but don't come crying to me when it won't work out."

"Don't worry. It won't happen." Cuddy said fiercely.

"For your sake, I hope not." Julia muttered.

"I think you should go." Cuddy whispered.

"I'm just trying to look out for you."

Cuddy squared her jaw. She couldn't stand that he sister couldn't be happy that she had found some happiness in her life. It bothered her to no end.

She did try to put of a pleasant face when she bid them good night, and when they finally left she lowered herself on the ground.

House limped over to her, and sat himself down beside her. He had removed the hat, and he had replaced his boots with the usual Nike's. He nudged her shoulder.

"Busy day?"

"You could say that." She murmured.

"I heard what your sister said."

Cuddy looked up, and grasped his hand.

"Don't listen to her. Julia is…well…we don't exactly share the same opinions. We never have."

"Thankfully not. Then I would definitely not date you."

Cuddy chuckled half-heartedly.

"She's just an old witch." He tousled his hair, and looked at her wickedly.

She smirked, and kissed him on the lips, not caring that she was smearing her lipstick.

"Rachel's asleep." He whispered. Cuddy smiled, and stood up. She helped him up, and together they stumbled into her bedroom. She started to unbutton her dress, but he put his hands on hers, and shook his head.

"Leave it on."

She smirked, and stopped what she was doing.

"Ay, ay, Captain."

He smirked, and shut the door behind them.

XXIII

Boo

Cuddy was alone in the house, for what felt like the first time in months. Rachel was newly recovered from the flue, and House had been busy at work with a case, so she had barely seen him the whole week.

That Sunday she had been overly joyed when her good friend had decided to take Rachel, and her kids to the zoo. She had decided to spend the day with House, but found a note on his pillow that read that he had an emergency at the hospital.

Cuddy's disappointment was soon replaced with joy when she realized that she could spend some quality time alone. She got out of bed, and headed to the kitchen where she decided to splurge on herself, and make some pancakes. She took her plate, and mug of freshly potted tea into the living room, and plopped down on the sofa. There she turned on the TV, and ate the food as she watched her favorite show, Oprah.

After the tear jerking show ended, she was feeling depressed enough, so she decided to do some workout. She couldn't go a day without getting some workout done, so she dragged out her yoga mat, and pulled her hair in a ponytail on top of her head.

After about half an hour of well-practiced yoga positions, and meditation she felt completely relaxed. She knew it was exactly what she needed after the hectic week. The only thing that would top her day would be a nice warm shower.

She padded into her bedroom, and dressed out of her yoga pants, and tank top. She turned on her shower, and waited for the water to turn warm. While she was waiting, she picked out a fluffy towel, before she stepped into the warm shower.

She sighed when the water hit her soar shoulders, and closed her eyes in content.

She was lathering some shampoo in her hair when she heard something coming from outside the bathroom door. Her eyes popped open when she heard the sound. Her hands froze in her hair, her eyes twitching back and forth in panic. She peeked over the glass door of the shower, and looked back and forth. She exhaled when she saw that the room was completely empty. She laughed to herself, and shook her head.

She was being way too paranoid. Or maybe she was just getting so used at having someone in her life. She had spent so many years alone, but now she had Rachel, and House. Her lips turned up in an unconscious smile, as she thought of her two favorite people.

She rinsed the soap from her hair, and as she opened her eyes she jumped up.

It happened in just few seconds, but to her it felt like slow motion. Through the mist she could see a large, hooded figure standing in her bathroom. His hand stretched out, and slid the glass door open.

"Ahhh." The dark figure yelled, and wielded a knife in her direction.

She screamed, and flayed her arms in the air, blindly fumbling for something to defend herself. She couldn't find anything, and in defensive mode she clenched her fist, and hit the next thing she saw.

The figure fell in a heap on the floor. Her heart hammered in her chest, as she peeked and looked at the hunched figure. She frowned when she realized who it was.

"House?"

"Who else would it be?" He cried out, and clutched his leg in pain. Thankfully it was his good leg.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" She jumped out of the shower, and quickly put the towel around her. She dropped down beside him, and touched his leg smoothly.

"Yeah, I'm okay." He groaned.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Cuddy frowned, and swatted him on the arm angrily.

"What the hell were you thinking? You could have given me a heart attack."

He laughed, and shook his head.

"It was too good to pass."

She glared at him, and stood up from the floor. She noticed the plastic knife on the floor, and glowered at him.

"Cuddy, come on." He said through giggles.

"Admit it, this was funny."

She didn't answer him, and slammed the door shut behind her, leaving him on the floor.

"Cuddy, come on."