Hi all, sorry so late with the update, but better late than never. Thanks to Cherokee Jedi for giving this a once-over. Thank you to the H gals for keeping me laughing so hard I'm in tears sometimes.

The usual shout out to the Huddy fic writers for being an inspiration!

In this chapter, it's Monday morning. House is back at PPTH.

"I love you," she mouthed to him.

House nodded, then started the car and put it in gear, backing out of the driveway and into the street. When he got to the corner just down from her house, and stopped at the intersection, she noticed his car sat there longer than necessary and she wondered what he was doing. Suddenly something vibrated in her sweater pocket and she realized House must have slipped her cell phone in there when she wasn't paying attention. She pulled out the phone and saw she had one text message.

"Me too."

She smiled and looked up but his car was already out of sight. She pulled her sweater around her tightly then took Rachel's hand and led her back into the house.

"Mommy, don't cry," Rachel said. Cuddy just ruffled her daughter's hair and smiled down at her.

Cuddy closed the door behind them and Rachel climbed back on the couch to watch television. Cuddy sat next to her and tuned in the Animal Planet. As she wiped the tears from her eyes, she wasn't sure if she was crying because she was happy or sad. She knew things were okay between her and House and that she'd see him soon, however, she couldn't help but worry about what lay ahead. She felt the need to control things and with House headed back to Princeton, she felt a little helpless. She knew she could not control his life and his actions, nor did she want to, but she couldn't help it. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. House is doing fine; she thought to herself, he doesn't need me to protect him. Though they had made great strides, Cuddy couldn't help but worry about the unforeseen things lurking about waiting to interfere with their chance at happiness again.

Despite those negative thoughts, she knew that she had to think positive. They'd found each other again for a reason and neither was willing to let go this time. She smiled at the thought that they were committed in a way that they had not been before. With that thought, she decided to concentrate on the good things. She looked over at Rachel who was looking at the television screen and laughing at videos of cats doing funny things. Cuddy reached over and pulled her daughter onto her lap, holding her close, watching and listening to Rachel's expression of happiness, allowing herself to enjoy the moment with her.

When he arrived back in the hospital unusually early Monday morning, House made sure everyone knew it. He made a general nuisance of himself to the nurses in the clinic as well as his team who he immediately dispersed to the clinic since they had no case. He spent the first few hours in his office catching up on email, most of which he promptly deleted without reading. As he was deleting the last one, his cell phone rang. He hoped it was Cuddy but frowned when he noticed it was a number he didn't recognize.

"House," he grumbled into the phone.

"Dr. House, this is Dr. Baker. How are you this morning?"

"Fine," he responded dryly. "Uh oh, is this where you tell me you've changed your mind about hiring me?"

"What?" Baker laughed. "No, of course not. Actually we might have something better. We'd like to revise the plan, if you're interested."

House leaned forward and took off his glasses. "I'm listening."

A few hours later, Wilson entered House's office, taking a seat across the desk from House.

"So...," he said.

House leaned back in his chair, rubbed his right leg, and took off his glasses. "So...what?"

"You've been back for hours and you haven't said more than three words to me all day."

"I've been busy."

"You don't have a case and judging from the number of unread emails you've likely deleted, I assume that's a lie. You're avoiding me."

"No, I'm not."

Ignoring House, he said, "The question is why. What don't you want me to know?"

"What do you think I don't want you to know?"

"Oh come on, spill it."

"Is this the part where I go 'Oh, by the way I slept with Cuddy'?"

"You slept with Cuddy?" Wilson asked with surprise.

"Like you didn't know."

"Actually, I didn't. I mean I assumed. So was it…you know?"

"Was it...what?" House looked at him suspiciously.

"Well...you know...everything you thought it'd be?"

"You do know we've had sex before, right?"

"Yeah but you've been apart for so long, I just wasn't sure if it was still…"Wilson drifted off hoping House got his point.

"See, that's why you never stay married; it's always about the sex. Don't you know women have feelings and emotions? They're not just sexual playthings. They like to be cuddled and held too." House smirked at him.

Wilson frowned in annoyance. "Who are you and what've you done with House?"

"I just don't think sex is the most important part of a relationship," he replied sarcastically.

Wilson nearly choked on his coffee. When he regained his composure he replied. "Normally you'd be running into my office to brag about it."

"People change," House responded casually, taking Wilson by surprise.

"Fine." Wilson stood up, threw his hands in the air. "Sorry to have bothered you." Then he exited House's office. House just sat there with a bewildered look on his face. He waited a few minutes and when he couldn't take it anymore; he spun around, grabbed his cane and limped out his door, bursting into Wilson's office finding him sitting behind his desk, pretending to work.

"I knew you'd come," Wilson said, looking up with a satisfied smirk.

"You manipulative bitch," House replied, pointing his cane at Wilson.

"I learned from the best. House, I know you. You want to talk but because you don't know how to communicate like a...normal person...you were going to make me drag it out of you. I knew if I gave up, it'd drive you crazy, because you actually want to talk about it."

House sighed and took a seat on the couch, giving out a slight groan that didn't go unnoticed by Wilson. "I hate that you know me so well."

"You okay?" Wilson asked, concerned.

"Fine," he said, not wanting to discuss it.

Wilson took the hint. "Sooo..." he tried again.

House breathed out heavily and said, "Yes, I slept with Cuddy."

"Well, duh. See, was that so bad?"

"You need a girlfriend," House snarked.

Once again ignoring House's comment he asked, "So, how do you feel about being back here?"

"I don't."

"You don't miss her?"

"No, actually I was just pondering which hooker I'd call tonight. Maybe Tawny or Brandy or better yet, the Russian one...Slutnika."

Wilson rolled his eyes. "You don't do hookers anymore, not since you got clean and sober. Admit it, you miss Cuddy."

"Well of course I miss her."

"You love her."

"Well, duh. What is this? A game of state the obvious?"

"I haven't seen you this happy since…well, since last time you got together. But this time you seem different."

"A lot of the baggage that was there before is gone. We're talking, which we didn't do the last go 'round."

"That's great. So did you guys do anything exciting?"

"You mean besides having sex?"

"Oh come on House."

House relaxed into the couch. "She bought me a piano and not just any piano either, a Sohmer and Company Cupid, 1956."

"O-kay."

"It's…only the best...oh never mind, you wouldn't get it." House discussing the intricate details of antique pianos was much like Wilson trying to explain the plots of his Mexican telenovelas to House.

"Obviously not." Wilson replied. "So she bought you a piano? What did you do for her?"

"You mean besides rock her—"

Wilson held up his hands and interrupted. "Do not finish that sentence."

"I took her on a date."

"So how was the kiddie carnival?"

"No, I mean a real date."

"No kidding. Have a good time?"

"Yeah, we did." He smiled to himself thinking of how happy Cuddy had been on their first date in two years.

"I'm glad things are good House," Wilson replied honestly. He really was happy for his friends.

"Yeah," House said. His eyes looked away and he seemed distracted.

Wilson knew that look. "No, House, don't go there," he warned.

"What?"

"You're thinking too much."

House twirled his cane in deep thought. Finally he said, "I can't help it."

"House, be positive."

"Okay, I'm positive that I can't help it."

Wilson sighed. "You know what I mean. You two are happy. Enjoy it."

"I can't help worrying how we'll screw it up."

"What's with the we?"

"Well, in case you forgot, there's two of us in this...relationship. I have this bad habit of sabotaging everything good in my life and Cuddy...well, she has a habit of being a control freak."

"Do you want this to work?"

"Of course I do...we do," House insisted.

"Well, then...what's the problem?" Wilson was perplexed,

"It's not a matter of wanting it to work; it's just who we are. It's us, all the way back to when we were in college."

Wilson sighed and leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk in front of him. "So, what are you doing to do?"

"Everything in my goddamn power to make it work."

"House, I'm proud of you. I know it won't be easy, but you just have to figure out how to let go of the past and look forward to the future, a great future with the woman of your dreams."

"You should write Hallmark cards," House quipped.

Happy that his friend was comfortable discussing some of the details of his renewed relationship with Cuddy, Wilson moved on to other things.

"How were things with you and Rachel?"

"We had a good time. She's a smart kid, like her mom," House said. The corner of his lip turned up thinking about her. "Cuddy's done great with her."

"She seems to be pretty fond of you."

"That kid...she's smart. She asks a lot of questions."

"Most kids do."

"At least Cuddy encourages it."

"What parent wouldn't?"

House looked away and replied, "You'd be surprised."

Wilson looked at House, whose eyes were still focused on the wall next to him. He had a feeling House was referring to his father. He decided to get back on the subject. "So...about Rachel..."

At the mention of the little girl's name again, the corners of his lips turned up just a little. "She's got a magnifying glass and uses it on everything and I do mean everything."

"It'll only get worse from there you know. Now it's a magnifying glass, tomorrow it's a chemistry set."

"That gives me an idea," House said, his face reflecting an epiphany.

Wilson laughed. "There's no way Cuddy will let you get her daughter a chemistry set. No way."

"Oh ye of little faith," House replied and both men laughed, genuinely.

Wilson watched his friend laughing and was amazed. House was still the same sarcastic, pain in the ass friend he'd always been but he seemed happier, more relaxed. He was definitely a man in love. He'd seen House in love when he was with Cuddy before, before even then there seemed to be hesitation, anxiousness and a lack of confidence. Wilson knew those things were part of the many reasons the relationship didn't work last time around. This time around, House was different. After all the terrible things he and Cuddy had been through, it still amazed him that they'd gotten to this point.

House noticed Wilson looking at him strangely.

"What?" He asked.

Wilson was brought out of his thoughts. "It's just…nice...seeing you like this."

"Oh geez, are we gonna cry now?"

Wilson smirked and then changed the subject. "So, what about the offer you told me about?"

"Either they're insane or I'm just that good." He watched as Wilson rolled his eyes again. "Actually it's been amended."

"You mean rescinded?"

"No, I mean amended. I just got off the phone with them a few minutes before you showed up."

"And?"

"Instead of teaching a diagnostics class to med students, they want me to do a diagnostics lecture to students and faculty. Eventually they might want to expand it to include some or all of their seventeen affiliates. "

Wilson's eyes got wide. "Wow, I can't believe it, this is huge. So how much are they paying you?"

"It's all about money with you isn't it?" House asked, feigning innocence.

"Oh cut the crap and spill it."

"Originally they offered me a lump sum per semester plus expenses, but now it's a three thousand dollar honorarium per lecture...and expenses."

Wilson's eyes got wide. "Seriously?"

"Yep." House said. "Since I'll be staying with Cuddy, I can pocket the per diem."

"Or you could decline it."

"Seriously? That school has mega bucks. They want my talent; they have to pay for it."

"Of course." Wilson's reply dripped with sarcasm. "So I take it you're doing it."

"Well, duh I'd be crazy not to."

"How often?"

"I decide how many lectures but they'd like at least once a month."

"Any actual hands-on?"

"No, but after that case I helped them with, they want to keep me on as a consult."

Wilson shook his head in disbelief at House's good fortune. "Sounds to me like they're trying to steal you from us. I can't believe our Board approved it."

"Apparently the head honchos know each other. Believe me, both hospitals are getting something out of this."

"As are you."

House nodded in agreement. He knew being asked to lecture and consult at the top teaching hospital in the country, while also employed at one of the next best hospitals on the list was a dream for many physicians. Not to mention he'd get to see Cuddy quite often. He might not voice it, but House knew how lucky he was and he wasn't about to complain.

"Do they know your history?"

"We talked about it." Remembering Dr. Baker's story about her son he added, "Let's just say that the one who made the offer, has a soft spot for lost causes."

"Apparently," Wilson mused. "So, you'll be going back there at least once a month?"

"Actually, I told Cuddy I'd be back once a week. My plan is to leave here Friday mornings, do the lecture Friday afternoon, spend the weekend there and fly back here early Monday morning."

"Whoa! That's a tough schedule. What about your cases here?"

"I'll manage. Chase is doing a great job running things."

"Wow. A compliment?"

"The truth."

"He's not you."

"Well who is?" House smirked. "He can hold down the fort if necessary."

"You think Foreman will be okay with this? I mean it just seems odd that this hospital would be okay sharing you."

"I'm pretty sure he will. I'll be available, my cases won't suffer. As long as I can keep things going, nobody cares. Baker assured me that it's all been taken care of. Sanford Wells and the rest of the Board here agreed."

"Wow," Wilson shook his head in disbelief. "In the past you would never have relinquished control of the kingdom and you never would have lectured at another hospital."

"Things change," House replied casually, once again stunning Wilson.

"And your leg? You'll be able to travel with it?"

"Well I was thinking of leaving it behind but that would make the whole walking thing kind of difficult."

"You know what I mean."

"I'll manage. Plenty of leg room in first class."

"Of course, I forgot, someone else is paying for it. So what about Nolan and therapy?"

"I'll manage it."

"You're not skipping it, are you? You've made great progress?"

"I didn't say that." House was growing annoyed. "Don't worry mom, I've got a plan already on how to handle both. When I know exactly what I'm doing I'll let you know. Besides, what's with the twenty questions? I thought you were okay with this."

"I am, House. I just don't want to see you try to do too much and wind up taking a step back."

House leaned forward with his hands on his cane. His face turned serious. "Look, I just might wind up taking a step back every now and then but I can't stop moving forward. I can't...I won't go back to that dark place I was before. I know my leg will hurt like hell at times and I know I can't forget about my past but...I love her. I don't want to be without her and I don't want to be with anyone else…ever. I'll do whatever it takes and she'll do the same."

Wilson leaned back in his chair, stunned at House's change of attitude. Just hearing the genuinely honest and gentle tone in his best friend's voice, he knew House was serious and committed to his words. "House, I'm really happy for you. You know what you want and you're doing what it takes to get it. You deserve this, both of you do." Wilson's eyes were slightly glassy as he smiled at House.

House broke his serious tone when he noticed Wilson's eyes. "Oh, don't get all girly on me now Wilson."

"What? I can't be happy for you?" Wilson mused, thankful for House's humor at the moment.

"How about you be happy for me over some food. I'm hungry. I'll buy and you can tell me all the good gossip I missed while I was gone." House pushed himself out of his chair slowly, grabbed his cane and headed for the door.

Wilson got up and followed him. He noticed House's limp a bit more pronounced, but said nothing. His friend seemed to be okay so he let it go for the time being. "Wait, you're buying me lunch?" He asked in shock as they made their way to the elevator.

House banged the tip of his cane against the elevator button and replied, "Actually, it's code for you're going to buy me lunch because you missed me so much."

"Naturally," Wilson groaned, rolling his eyes as he followed House into the elevator.

Thank you to Norea for coining the term "Slutnika" on twitter. We've used it a thousand times and it doesn't get old!

Thanks for reading. This was going to be a much longer chapter that covered both House and Cuddy back at their respective workplaces and lives but figured that I'd save Cuddy for the next chapter. As always thanks for reading. Your reviews mean a great deal to me.