A/N: Hello all. This chapter picks up immediately after the events of the last one. I'm going to post a few lines from the previous chapter to help the flow between chaps and see how that works out for us. Enjoy and please don't forget to leave a review! Reviews are love!

"So what do you want to do now?" He raised his eyebrows at her flirtatiously.

"Run me a bath while I make a few phone calls and get dinner on. Rachel will be home soon," she said as she got out of bed. As she walked past him towards the door, she swayed her hips a bit just for him.

"You're a slave driver," he whined.

"Yeah, yeah, just get me my bath, slave," she laughed on her way out of the bedroom.

House grumbled something about bossy women as he rolled out of bed and headed toward the master bath. A moment later, Cuddy stuck her head in the doorway of the bedroom.

"Hey House?"

"Yes Mistress?" He stuck his head out of the bathroom.

"I really do miss you playing the piano for me."

House grinned. "We'll just have to do something about that won't we?"

Around five o'clock in the afternoon, Sharon arrived at Cuddy's house with Hannah and Rachel in tow. As she entered the house, she heard voices in the kitchen and upon entering the room, she noticed House, in an apron, standing at the stove inserting a spoon into the mouth of a giggling Lisa Cuddy. Sharon rolled her eyes and stifled her own giggle when she saw Cuddy moan in response to what she was tasting.

"Ahem," she interrupted.

Cuddy jumped and she and House turned to see Sharon and the girls standing there. "Sharon! You scared me," she said.

"And what are you two doing?"

"She's tasting my special sauce," House said with a wink.

Cuddy elbowed him.

"Ouch! What? It's true, it is special."

Sharon held her hands up. "I do not want to know any more, just keep it to yourselves."

"Mommy," Rachel chimed in. "Can I have some special sauce?"

Cuddy's mouth dropped open as she looked at House. "See, what you've done. You're corrupting her!"

"Cuddy you're such a pervert, get your mind out of the gutter, will ya? The kid just wants some of this delicious homemade tomato sauce."

"Mommy, what's a pervert?" Rachel asked her mother.

Cuddy glared at House but he had his back to her. She could tell from the slight tremble of his body that he was laughing.

She turned back to her daughter. "Nothing honey, nothing you need to know about right now." She attempted to change the subject. "How was your day?"

"It was fun. We finger painted."

"You did?"

"Uh huh. Look!" Rachel took a large rolled piece of paper out of her knapsack and gave it to her mother.

Cuddy unrolled the paper on the counter and smiled. "Oh wow this is really nice. House, you have to see this."

House backed up to the island and took a look at the painting. It was definitely a finger painting made by a five-year old but he could make out the squiggly figures rather well. "Let's see, the skinny one with the wild kinky hair is uh…you," he said glancing at Cuddy. "And the midget troglodyte with big eyes is…hmm...who could that be?" He asked looking at a giggling Rachel. "The tall handsome squiggly line with the cane, great hair and regal air about him must be…me."

Rachel clapped her hands together. "Do you like it?"

He laughed at the picture. "Yeah, I do. Picasso had nothing on you kid."

"You know House; I think you've got too much hair in that picture," Sharon joked.

Turning to Cuddy he said, "You just gonna let her pick on me?"

She waved one hand at him. "Please, you can hold your own. Just finish dinner." Turning to Sharon, she asked, "You guys wanna stay for dinner? House is making lasagna."

"Not just lasagna, my world-famous lasagna, get it right woman!" House barked from the stove.

"Mom, can we please?" Hannah tugged at her mom's shirt.

"Well, I think you have your answer."

"Mommy, do you wanna see the books we got at the fair?" Rachel asked.

"Sure, honey." Cuddy left House and Sharon in the kitchen as she took the girls into the living room.

Sharon stood at the island watching House cook. "You two seem to be getting along fine."

"Yeah, we are."

"You mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go for it."

"How long are you planning to stay here?"

"Another week or so, maybe longer if I can get away with it."

"What happens when you leave?"

"I don't know. Why do you want to know?"

"She seems…I don't know…so relaxed and happy, I've never seen her like that."

"There are those who would disagree that I had anything to do with that," he said sarcastically as he placed boiled lasagna noodles into a baking dish.

"You seem to be doing okay too."

"I get by."

"How's your leg? If you don't mind me asking."

"I don't mind you asking so long as you don't ask every five minutes. For the record I have my good days and bad days; today it's alright."

"Lisa says you're going to PT while you're here?"

"Yeah, her friend Burt got me in starting tomorrow."

"That's great. Are you talking to your therapist while you're here?"

"Damn woman, you know everything?"

She put her hands on her hips. "Lisa's my best friend. We do talk, you know."

"In that case, yeah I'm still talking to him."

"Good. I'm not trying to be nosey, it's just that continued therapy on a regular basis is a good thing. I worry about my own patients if they don't see me for awhile. It' so easy to fall back into familiar patterns."

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Not at all. You seem to be doing great. Just don't give up on your therapy. If it's working, and I hope it is, it'll really help you change your life for the better."

"I've never been a fan of therapy…but it's helped. I can't ask for more than that."

"Compare your life right now to where you were a year ago, six months ago, you've undoubtedly come a long way, wouldn't you say?"

"I have and I don't want to go backwards."

"Who does? But you have to remember House, we all take steps backwards occasionally, it just happens. What makes the difference is how we handle it. You've got to stop worrying about making mistakes and just live your life the best you can. Just deal with things as they happen, then move on. Dwelling on our mistakes or feeling guilty only makes us miserable."

"You sound like my shrink."

"Well, we do have something in common, don't we?"

"What's that?"

"We both want to see you make it."

"You hardly know me."

"I know you better than you think." She winked at him, and then left the room to find her friend and their daughters. Meanwhile House just stared after her. That's one ballsy bitch, I like her; he thought and went back to his food.

Two hours later, after a dinner of meatless lasagna with tossed salad and baked garlic bread and House's secret recipe chocolate mousse for dessert, Sharon and Hannah had gone home and House, Cuddy and Rachel were sitting on the couch in front of the television. Cuddy was on her laptop answering email from work while House and Rachel were firmly engrossed in reruns of the Cosby Show.

"Mommy, why is Theo's dad mad at him?"

"'Cause he got an earring, kid," said House.

"What's that?"

"An earring?" He said pointing at the hoops in Cuddy's ears. "See those hoops in your mom's ears."

"Those are for girls." Rachel said adamantly.

"Exactly."

"But Theo's not a girl."

"Well there's only two kind of people who wear earrings, girls and-"

"House!" Cuddy looked at him frustrated. "You're not helping."

"Well, real men don't wear earrings," he said.

"Yes they do," Cuddy countered.

"No they don't."

Cuddy gave House the evil eye, then looked at Rachel and said, "Honey, you don't have to be a girl to wear an earring."

"But Hows doesn't wear one."

House sat there with his arms crossed and a satisfied smirk on his face. "Yeah, apparently your daughter knows a real man when she sees one."

Cuddy rolled her eyes. "No, he doesn't honey, but some men do."

"Why?"

"Well," Cuddy thought about how to answer the question. "Sometimes people do things other people might not do, just because they want to."

"Huh?"

"It's like…House…" Cuddy watched House roll his eyes at the mention of his name. "He does things other people don't do just because it's who he is."

"Really?"

"Yeah, people think he's unusual but really he's just being himself."

"So Theo wanted to be himself?"

House interrupted before Cuddy could answer that question. "Well, kinda. Except back then all the boys his age were getting earrings so really he was being like everybody else. Instead of being his own person and doing his own thing he just conformed to what every other kid his age was doing, which in the end, makes him just like everyone else." He smirked knowing he was annoying the hell out of Cuddy.

"I like you Hows, you're not like everyone else," Rachel said innocently, smiling up at him.

House looked at Cuddy and stuck his tongue out. "Thanks kid, I am my own man."

Cuddy sighed. "Oy vey."

"Mommy can I get a earring?"

"You're kind of young."

"How old were you mom?" House asked.

"House, that's not the point. Don't give her any ideas," she whispered to him.

"Oh so you had them but she can't?"

"For the record I was…ten."

"Okay so she can have them when she's ten," he said.

"Shut up House." Turning to Rachel, Cuddy said, "Honey, we'll wait till you're ten and see what happens then okay?"

A very thoughtful look appeared on Rachel's face which, it seemed to House, oddly bore a strong resemblance to her mother despite the non-biological connection. "Okay mommy."

Cuddy looked at her watch. "Time for bed. Say goodnight to House."

Rachel leaned over to House to hug him. House faked a look of disgust and held his fingers up in the sign of a cross. "You've got cooties."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Do not."

"Okay you guys. Say goodnight."

"Nite Hows."

"Nite Rugrat." The wink he gave Rachel did not go unnoticed by Cuddy.

Cuddy took Rachel's hand and led her down the hall. House leaned back into the couch and put his sock-clad feet up on the table and waited for Cuddy to return, which she did fifteen minutes later.

"She asleep?"

"Yeah she was tired. Amazing that since she started school, she gets tired so much earlier and goes to bed without a fuss. How about you? Ready to go to bed? She asked.

"In a bit."

"Okay." Cuddy turned and went back to her bedroom. She turned back to him. "Anything on your mind?"

"No more than the usual. Night, Cuddy."

"Night, House," she said as she padded down the hall into her bedroom and closed the door. She brushed her teeth, stripped down to her panties, slipped on a very sheer tank top and crawled under the covers. She looked over at the empty side of the bed, running her hand along the cold sheets. As she lay there, she wondered why House hadn't gone to bed with her as he had since he'd arrived. She figured he just wasn't tired yet or had things on his mind he had to sort out. Cuddy loved sleeping next to him, it made her feel safe but it was getting more difficult to keep her hands off of him. Though they'd discussed it and decided they needed to wait for the right time, being in the same bed didn't make it easier. She sighed out loud then slid her her right hand under her tank top and gently caressed one breast slowly, her eyes closed, imagining it was his hand caressing her. Realizing that nothing she could do for herself would equal the pleasure he could give her, she gave up, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, in the living room, House waited about an hour before he turned off the television. He checked the locks on the doors and then limped down the hall. First he checked on Rachel, who was sound asleep, then he checked on Cuddy. He opened her bedroom door gently and just stood there, taking in the sight. Moonlight streaked across the bed highlighting her brunette tresses sprayed across her pillow. Her covers were down at her waist and he could see she was wearing a tank top and a smile graced his lips as he noticed one of her hard nipples showing visibly through the thin fabric. He watched her chest move slowly up and down with the rhythm of her soft snores. He loved seeing her relaxed like that and knowing that he had something to do with it. He closed the door quietly and proceeded to the guest room. Closing the door behind him, he limped over to the bed and turned on the lamp before undressing down to his boxers and tee shirt. He sat down and rubbed his thigh a bit. While he knew it would hurt like hell, he was actually looking forward to physical therapy the following day. Besides, the pain of the exercise took his mind off the pain of the missing muscle. It wasn't Vicodin but for that he was glad. He never wanted to turn to Vicodin ever again. He turned out the lamp and lay in the dark, hands behind his head, waiting for sleep to come. He knew he'd sleep better next to Cuddy but it was hard as hell to resist her. They'd kissed and touched, but they hadn't taken it any further yet. While he yearned to throw caution to the wind and make love to her, he didn't rush it. They had to be sure who they were together and what they wanted because once they took that step and became one again, that would be it. He didn't think either one of them could take the pain that would come once again if they were not sure of what they wanted and needed. He rubbed his tired eyes as his mind ran amok with thoughts of her. He turned over on his side and closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come soon so those thoughts would continue in his dreams.

Not long after House dozed off, he woke to a noise in the room next to him, which sounded like crying. Thinking something was wrong with Rachel; he leaped out of the bed and limped quickly to Rachel's room without his cane. He found her in there sitting up in her bed crying. Closing the door behind him, he made his way to her bed and sat at the foot of the bed.

"Hey kid, what's wrong?" He asked.

"Bad dream," was all she could get out in between sobs.

"You know whatever it is can't hurt you right?"

"It was scary."

"Sure it was. Everyone has bad dreams."

"Even you?" She asked surprised.

"Sure."

"Are they scary?"

"Sometimes. But I always remember they're just make-believe and can't hurt me and you have to believe that too."

"Okay."

House got up from the bed ready to tuck her in again.

"Hows?"

"Yeah?"

"When you went away I dreamed about you."

"You didn't have bad dreams did you?"

"No. You're not scary."

"Good." He smiled.

"Are you going away again?"

"I might have to." He didn't want to think about going back to Princeton but he knew he had no choice.

Rachel's lip curled into a pout and she looked like she was going to cry.

"But I'll come back." He quickly added, sitting down again, this time right next to her.

"You will?" Her eyes lit up and she smiled.

"Of course I will. We're buddies right?"

"Yeah," she replied smiling as they bumped their fists together.

Sometime during the night, Cuddy woke to go to the bathroom. She noticed the other side of the bed was still empty, and then looked at the clock, it was past two-thirty. After taking care of business, she headed for the living room expecting to find House asleep on the couch. Instead, she noticed he wasn't there. After checking the locks on the doors, she headed for the guest room. Peeking inside, she noticed the comforter and sheets were disturbed and his clothes lay rumpled on the floor. The only other place he could be was Rachel's room and as she opened the door quietly, her eyes began to tear at the sight before her There was House lying peacefully in the double recliner, the one Cuddy often sat in with her daughter just before bedtime. House wasn't alone in the chair, for next to him, tucked under the afghan, was her small sleeping child. House had his arm wrapped protectively around Rachel and she leaned against him in her sleep. Cuddy smiled. She hadn't wanted to wake them, but in closing the door, it creaked and House woke immediately.

"Cuddy?" he asked softly.

"I didn't mean to wake you up," she whispered.

"She had a bad dream." He said, motioning with his hand for her to approach him. "Take her for me will ya?" Cuddy gently took Rachel from him and laid her in her bed and covered her. She kissed her little girl on the forehead and helped House out of the chair. Quietly they left the room and closed the door.

In the hallway, House said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep in there."

"House, why would you be sorry? I appreciate that you could be there for her. Are you going back to bed?" She asked.

"Not yet. Since I'm up, I'll get something to drink. You?"

"I am kinda thirsty," she said as she followed him into the kitchen. After heating up warm milk with honey the two sat at the breakfast nook, neither saying much of anything. Finally Cuddy broke the silence.

"Why didn't you want to sleep in my bed?"

House ran his finger around the top of his mug. "I...just thought it would be better if maybe I slept in the spare room."

"Is it because of what we talked about?"

House nodded.

"I understand."

With his head still facing down towards the table, he lifted his eyes to her. "You missed me?"

"Yeah, kinda."

"What kind of answer is that? Kinda?"

"Well I did miss you but I didn't miss you sucking all the warmth from me." She chuckled.

"Yes, you know I'm actually well known for that."

"You don't have to sleep in the guest room."

"Don't you think it's safer?"

"You afraid you can't keep your hands to yourself?"

"It's not my hands I'm worried about."

"Trust me, I think I can control myself. Come on, we have to get up early tomorrow." She got up from her chair.

"Lead on mistress," he said as he got up from his chair and she took his hand and led him down the hallway into the bedroom.

Around ten o'clock the next morning, while Cuddy was in her checkup with Burt Kelly, House was neck deep in physical therapy. Burt had arranged for him to work with one of the older and more seasoned therapists, Renee Cohen, Doctor of Physical Therapy. Cuddy had filled Burt in on House's leg and explained to the older doctor how sensitive House was about physical therapy, that he required a different approach. Burt passed that information as well as the history of House's injury, to Dr. Cohen.

"Fuck!" House shouted after completing the first round of wall slides. It was difficult enough for someone with a fully functional thigh muscle but for someone missing a large portion of it, it was especially painful.

"Come on House, you can do this." Renee yelled at him.

"What have I ever done to you?"

"Nothing. I don't even know you but I know all about you."

House just glared at her.

"Dr. Kelly told me all about you; you're some kind of genius and a real pain in the ass. Now do it."

"I don't like you already."

"I'm not here to be your friend."

"Why are you here?"

"Because Dr. Kelly is a friend, a good friend, and he thought I would be the one person who could handle you. You're lucky I've got time for you in my busy schedule. You're not even a patient of mine, hell you don't even live here, but as a favor to Burt, I agreed to help you while you're in town. Now quit talking and move your ass. Straight leg raises this time." Renee patted the table and House grudgingly climbed on it.

In an effort to keep his mind off the pain, Renee talked to him while doing her exercises. "So, you really a genius?"

"Well, yeah, but I don't like to brag." He grunted.

"Really? Because you remind me of the kind of guy who would want everyone to know it." She snarked.

"You keep up the bad attitude and I'm going to want to marry you."

"Don't get your hopes up, I swing the other way."

"You don't say?" House asked, thoroughly amused at her ability to keep up with his banter.

"Yeah, I do. Now raise that leg and I don't wanna hear a peep out of you."

"Nazi."

"Ass."

She's alright, House thought to himself as he continued his grueling workout.

After about an hour of intense therapy and another hour of rather frank discussion about House's injury, his past and current attempts at rehab for his leg, the two wrapped up their first visit.

"How long are you going to be in town?"

"Just another week, maybe two, I've got plenty of vacation time. I suppose I'll be here till my boss misses my handsome and charming personality so much he wants me back."

"You plan to keep up with your regular workout schedule? Weights? Swimming?"

"It works, I need to fit it in. I missed some time recently, I can feel it. I have to keep at it."

"Good for you. I like the attitude." She made some notations in a file. "House, I gotta hand it to ya, you're one tough son of a bitch. Not a lot of people could keep fighting like you are."

"I just do what I have to do."

"Sure you do. Listen, my guess is your job is very stressful, you know, being a genius and all." She smirked at him. "I'm also guessing that there are days that the pain is so intense you want to end it all." She noticed House just looked up at her with a shocked expression. In a soft voice she said, "I don't pity, but I do believe in helping someone who wants it and needs it. You obviously need it, now if you want it, I'll do what I can even though I'm not your regular doc."

"Thanks."

"That damn muscle is always going to hurt but as you now know, there are ways of managing it without Vicodin."

"I don't want to go there again."

"Good, because pills aren't the answer. Eventually they would've killed you. You would have had to take more pills than your body could handle in order to reduce the pain to a reasonable level."

"They almost did kill me," he said almost in a whisper but he knew she heard him from the look of understanding on her face. Suddenly the door opened and they both turned and watched as Cuddy entered the room.

"Dr. Cuddy so nice to see you," Renee extended her hand to Cuddy.

"Dr. Cohen," she said accepting the therapist's hand. "I hope he wasn't hard to handle."

"Nope, he was a real angel." Renee winked at House.

"See, she's already trying to pick me up."

"Why don't you come in tomorrow? Anytime is fine, I'll set you up on the machines for some strength training and then you can get in a good swim. That sound good?" She asked.

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied. House and Cuddy bid Renee farewell and decided to have lunch in the cafeteria. They made a stop at her office so she could grab her purse which she'd left there when she'd decided to do some work after her checkup with Burt. On their way to the cafeteria, Cuddy's phone rang.

"Lisa Cuddy."

House listened to one side of the very short conversation. A look of surprise was etched on Cuddy's face as she listened to the person on the other end.

"Okay, we'll be there in ten minutes," she said.

"What's that all about?" House asked when she hung up.

"I have no idea but we're taking a detour. The Chief of Medicine wants to talk to you...or rather...us."

Hmm...whatever could be going on here?

That's all she wrote. Until next week...thanks for hanging in there.

Jess