Thursday evening House was stretched out in his seat in first class on US Airways Flight 1886 headed to Boston. He looked at his watch. Only twenty more minutes, he thought. It had been a long day and he was tired. He'd been sent a patient in the early morning hours and worked the case as much as he could before he left. Fortunately, Chase was still on the team for the time being and could take care of things in his absence. As he put his feet up and nursed his scotch, he recalled the conversation he'd had with Nolan earlier.

"Well, time's almost up and I've got a plane to catch," House said, getting up to leave.

"Are you sure we're done?"

"You think there's more?"

"Earlier you mentioned having done something completely out of character. What did you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Can I go now?"

"I know you're anxious to see Dr. Cuddy and I don't want to keep you but if there's anything you want to talk about...that's what I'm here for."

House sighed. He knew Nolan wasn't going to give up. "Okay fine," he said as he sat down. "I went to see the guy who was in Cuddy's house the day I ran my car into it. I apologized to him."

"You did?"

"You shouldn't be surprised, after all, it's your fault."

"How's that?"

"All that forgiveness and making amends shit you talk about. You know I hate apologies. They don't change anything."

"That's not why we apologize and I suspect you know that, you're just deflecting. An apology is about admitting a mistake and taking responsibility. Granted, admitting a mistake can evoke feelings of shame and guilt and it makes it that much more difficult, but in the end it is the right thing to do when you have wronged someone. So, how did he take it?"

"He seemed to accept it. He said he was raised with a strong faith and that made it possible for him to forgive me."

"It couldn't have been easy for him. You know how difficult it was for you to apologize? Well, forgiving someone is just as difficult. A person considering forgiveness may feel that they are condoning the behavior or somehow letting the other person get away with something. For many, it's very hard to let go of what's happened but when they do, it allows them to let go of the anger, the hurt, and the pain. It gives them closure and allows them to move on. Greg, you of all people, know what it's like when you hold on to pain, it eats at you until there's nothing left."

House nodded. He definitely understood.

"Let me ask you, why did you decide to apologize to him?"

House looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm trying to move on with my life and...something was nagging at me...telling me I needed to do it."

"Your conscience was bothering you."

"I suppose." He looked down and fiddled with his cane.

"Greg, that's good. Your conscience was telling you to do the right thing and you did. Apologizing is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it takes a lot of courage to admit your mistake and accept responsibility for it. Hopefully you will get to the point where you don't feel this is out of character for you. You've taken another major step in your progress and I'm proud of you."

"Sir?"

House woke suddenly to someone gently shaking his shoulder. It was the flight attendant.

"Please move your seat upright and secure your seat belt. We're about to land," she said politely before she cleared his tray and moved down the aisle.

As House secured himself and packed up his belongings, the conversation with Nolan was still fresh in his mind. Nolan was right early on when he'd said apologizing and asking for forgiveness would help him heal. He felt enormously better after leaving Jerry's house though he was a bit humbled after learning about the conversation Cuddy had with him. Discovering that she had hurt so bad that she had closed herself off to the possibility of a relationship with anyone else should've made him happy but instead, he felt like shit. Once again it hit him how much he had failed to see that she had been falling apart before his eyes. He made a promise to himself that no matter what happened between them in the future, he would try to never let himself be so consumed by his own pain that he couldn't see hers.

Twenty minutes after the plane landed, House's cab pulled up at the familiar tree-lined street in Cambridge. The porch light was on and there was a lamp on by the window in the living room. He paid the driver, grabbed his backpack and duffel bag and got out of the car. After shutting the cab door, he turned around to make his way up the walkway when he spotted her standing on the front porch. She wore a white bathrobe and ballet slippers and her hair was loose and curly around her shoulders. He watched as she walked down the steps towards him. They met halfway and he dropped his bags as they looked at one another.

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Hi," he replied. He was nervous though he didn't know why because when he was with her, he felt like he was home. He stepped closer, placed his hands on her waist and brought her to him. As he embraced her, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"God I thought you would never get here," she said, her eyes filled with tears.

"I know," he said pulling back to look at her. He noticed her watery eyes and he took his thumb and brushed a tear that escaped from her left eye. "Hey, no need to cry," he said as he kissed her left cheek.

She just nodded, unable to speak for fear the tears would flow. They held each other again until he felt her shiver.

"Come on, it's cold out here, let's get you inside."

He picked up his duffel bag and she picked up his backpack and together they made their way into the house. When they got inside, they set his bags down next to the couch and Cuddy locked the door. Just as she turned around, House grabbed her and pressed her against the front door, planting a soul-searing kiss to her lips. Suddenly, they couldn't get enough of one another. His hands roamed her back and he grabbed her ass as she ran her fingers through his short hair. Their lips devoured one another and their tongues dueled until they finally broke apart for air. Then they started laughing.

"What's so funny? He asked.

"I have no idea," she replied. Once the laughter subsided and they caught their breaths, House took off his jacket and toed off his shoes.

"Rachel awake?

"No, she went to bed about two hours ago."

"Oh come on,let me see her. I won't wake her."

"Come on," she said. She couldn't possibly deny him the opportunity to see the little girl he'd grown so fond of. She led him by the hand down the hall and into Rachel's room. She opened the door quietly and House handed her his cane. He limped in without itand stood at the side of her bed, watching her sleep. Suddenly, Rachel turned on her side and opened her eyes only to find his blue orbs staring back at her.

"Howse!" She whispered.

"Hey kiddo."

She tried to sit up but he gently pushed her back down. "Go back to sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"Will you make us pancakes?"

"Yep, but first you have to go back to sleep."

"Okay."

"Night, kid."

"Night, Howse." When Rachel closed her eyes, House turned around and headed toward the door. He spotted a smiling Cuddy.

"What?" He asked as he approached her, taking back his cane.

"Nothing. You're so good with her," she said, closing Rachel's door behind them.

"She's easy. She eats, sleeps, poops and plays."

Cuddy slapped his arm playfully. "She's not a pet."

House started to reply with something snarky but was stifled by a yawn.

"You must be so tired," she said. "You hungry?"

"No. Just want a shower and then sleep."

"I'll unpack your stuff," she said, leaving him in her bedroom while she went into the living room to grab his bags.

House sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room until something caught his eye. He got up and limped over to her dresser and picked up the five by seven wood frame that sat upon it. His jaw dropped when he saw the photograph it held. It was a color photograph of he and Cuddy, much younger, standing in front of a trailer with hay bales on it. He was dressed in faded blue jeans, white tee shirt and a long sleeved plaid shirt over it and a jean and sweatshirt clad Cuddy was sitting on his shoulders. His arms were wrapped around her legs, securing her to him. Her hair was up in a ponytail as it often was back then, and both wore smiles.

"Can you believe we were ever that young?" Came the sultry voice from behind him. He turned around to see Cuddy placing his bags on the chair next to the bed.

"Where did you get this?"

"Mom."

"Your mother?"

Cuddy took the frame from him and sat on the edge of the bed, patting the space next to her so he would join her.

"Mom and Julia decided to go through a bunch of boxes in mom's attic and they found a ton of old stuff Julia and I had left behind from our younger days. Mom found this tucked between the pages of one of my old textbooks. I can't believe she found it. I thought it was gone a long time ago. I thought they were all gone."

"All? You mean there's more?"

"Yeah," she said as she ran a finger over the glass. "This is my favorite. I think we were slightly tipsy here."

"That we were," he nodded in agreement. "Why your favorite?"

He watched her run a finger over the picture in a reminiscent manner. She side-eyed him and smirked, then she got up to place the picture back on the dresser. She walked back over to him and House reached his hand out and gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. She stood between his legs with her arms resting on his shoulders.

"You know why it's my favorite picture," she said she planted a kiss on his nose. "That was a pretty big night for us."

"That it was." He lowered his hands to her ass and fondled it.

"You were so handsome back then."

"Yeah I was, wasn't I?" He said with a cocky smile.

She smacked him playfully. "Fortunately, you got better with age."

"Ya think?"

She leaned down and kissed him. "Oh, I know and in more ways than one too," she murmured through her closed lips. After a long, passion-filled kiss, they broke apart and he buried his face in her robe as she stroked the skin on the back of his neck.

"You know, I'm not the only one who got better with age," he said.

She pulled away from him and looked down. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." He smiled up at her. "Nobody holds a candle to you. Nobody."

Cuddy beamed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said as he continued to fondle her ass. "Although your ass has expanded exponentially."

"Shut up" she said with a chuckle.

"Hey, how about that shower?"

"I've already had one."

"Yeah but I'm sure a second one wouldn't hurt. You know what they say...cleanliness is next to godliness."

Cuddy burst out laughing again. "You did not just say that." He smirked.

"How about a bath instead?" She asked, arching one eyebrow. "It'll help your leg." She gave him a chaste kiss and removed her arms from around his neck, then went into the master bath and turned on the water. He followed her in there and she gently nudged him backwards so would sit on the toilet. She slowly unbuttoned his long-sleeved shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. He pulled it off the rest of the way and discarded it onto the floor. Next, she took the hem of his tee shirt and pulled the garment up over his head. She knelt down and rolled off his socks then massaged his bare feet for a moment before leaning closer to undo his belt.

"I can do that," he offered.

"No, let me," she insisted.

He acquiesced and she knelt down and unbuckled his belt and popped the button on his jeans. She slid the zipper down slowly and motioned for him to raise his hips which he did just enough for her to slide his pants off. Seeing him sitting there in only his boxer briefs made her heart race as she would never cease being turned on by the sight of him. She moved between his legs and House lazily untied the sash on her robe, letting it fall open exposing her silk shorts and spaghetti-strap top adorned with lace. He wrapped his arms around her middle and buried his face in the warm skin of her belly.

"You don't know how much I've missed this," she said, enjoying the feel of his stubble against her bare skin as she ran her fingers through his short hair.

"Not more than I did," he replied. He watched as Cuddy let the robe fall from her shoulders. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of her silk shorts and pulled them down slowly, making sure to glide his fingers over her smooth, silky legs all the way down. When she stepped out of them and kicked them aside, House pulled her close again and began placing kisses on her stomach.

"Oh, God that feels so good," she moaned. She felt the buildup in the pit of her stomach. She stepped back and held out her hand to him. He got up and she knelt down and pulled down his briefs. He stepped out of them and kicked them aside. Before she stood up, she put her left hand over his right thigh, gently caressing his scar. He offered her his hand and helped her up. As she faced him, he turned her around so her back was to him. He took the hem of her spaghetti strapped top and pulled it over her head then pulled her to him with her back snug against his chest. He kissed the naked expanse of her soft, elegant neck, running his tongue along the way, leaving a trail of heat wherever he went. He could feel her tremble beneath his touch. Her head fell back into his chest as his right hand traveled down her naked belly to her warm wetness between her legs. As he used his fingers to pleasure her, she moaned and rubbed her ass against his erection. She turned to face him and he stared lustfully at her, taking in the creamy white skin and perfect breasts. He placed his hands on them and gently massaged. He bent his head down and took a nipple in his mouth, twirling first one with his tongue, then the other.

She pushed him away gently. "Come on, let's get in," she said. He nodded and eased himself into the tub and after dimming the light a bit, she settled herself in as well, sitting between his legs with her back resting against his chest. He put his arms around her and held her hands, as they'd often done in the past. No words were spoken and none were needed.

"This is nice," he said after awhile.

"Yes, it is."

When the water cooled, Cuddy got out of the tub first, then helped House get out. She took the oversized bath towel from the hook and they took turns drying each other. At one point, House wrapped the towel around them both and pulled her against him and they kissed. Short pecks were followed by sweet, lingering kisses. During the entire time, they chose to communicate with everything but words. Cuddy hung up the towel, turned off the light and they made their way into her bedroom. Cuddy turned down the covers and they slid under the soft cotton sheets and duvet comforter. She turned off the light on her nightstand and rolled over and snuggled up to House.

With her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped securely around her, she said, "You had a long day today, you should get some rest."

"I'm tired, but never too tired to please you," he said, eliciting a giggle from her as he kissed the top of her head.

She looked up at him, her eyes dark and sincere. "Honestly, as much as I want you at this moment, just being here with you like this means more to me than anything."

House swallowed the lump in his throat. He was overcome with emotion at her words. He caressed her cheek softly as they gazed into each other's eyes. Suddenly, he rolled them over and nestled himself perfectly between her warm thighs, positioning himself at her opening. He reached one hand down and parted her with his fingers. He smiled mischievously at the feel of her slippery wetness.

"You want me," he teased.

She chuckled. "Always." She pulled his head down and kissed him just as he pushed into her. She let out a loud gasp at the feeling of him being inside of her.

Oh God," she said softly.

"You okay?" He asked, his hands on either side of her face, his thumbs caressing her beautiful cheeks, which were softly highlighted by the glow of the nightlight next to the bed.

"Never better. It feels so...oh God...so incredible."

House rested himself on his elbows as he moved slowly and deliberately in and out of her eliciting pleasurable sighs from her. Cuddy kicked the covers away and wrapped her legs around him tightly, using her feet to press against his ass encouraging him to push deeper into her.

"House...it feels...so...so good." Her moans were getting louder. "Have...missed you," she managed to get out.

He placed one arm underneath her ass and brought her closer to him which helped him penetrate her deeper. "I want you to feel every inch of me."

"I do...I do." Cuddy laid her head back and enjoyed the feeling of him moving languorously in and out of her. He was taking his time and she loved every moment of it. Soft sighs and gasps emanated throughout the room, as they reveled in their lovemaking. With the fingers of his free hand, House began circling her clit. Cuddy involuntarily held her breath as she felt her climax building. She wanted to wait for him, but it was useless, her body caved. Like a spring wound too tight, eventually she let go, unable to suppress the buildup. She let herself go, feeling wave after wave of pleasure convulsing through her. House felt her tighten around him and while he wanted to prolong her pleasure, her cries of ecstasy sent him immediately over the edge. He continued to thrust into her as he lost himself in the intensity of his orgasmic bliss. For a moment, he was so overcome with emotion, he wanted to cry.

As they came down from their high, they lay sweaty and still, staring at one another, trying to catch their breaths as they exchanged kisses. He stayed inside of her for a long time as they were both too overwhelmed by the moment to do anything else. Eventually House pulled out of her and rolled over onto his back, bringing Cuddy with him. She pulled the covers around them and rested her left leg in between his legs and he wrapped his arms protectively around her. Few, if any words, were said and it wasn't long until House heard Cuddy's soft snores. He continued to stroke her gently as he buried his nose in her soft raven locks and took in the scent of her sandalwood shampoo. Oh, how he had missed that scent.

He brought his lips close to her ear. "I love you," he whispered softly just before he closed his eyes and joined her in sleep.