"You've got a great rack."

House had demonstrated many original variations of "good morning" in their time together, but this was by far the least tasteful.

Kelly didn't even open her eyes, which were covered by her left arm. "Why are you looking at my breasts?"

"It's hard not to with them right there for all to see." Her robe had come untied while she slept and was gaping open.

"You could cover me up, you know."

"Nah." He leaned closer. "B cup?"

"Greg..." With her right hand she moved to pull the blankets over her chest but he stopped her.

"One of your nipples is dimpled. When was the last time you had an exam?"

"Wow, Greg, when you 'play doctor' you really go for authenticity. I respect that." She tried again to cover herself but again he stopped her. When he touched her bare skin she jumped. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Her eyes were open now and she was glaring at him.

"I'm stealing second," he deadpanned. "Relax."

Kelly didn't relax but she did stop fighting him as his fingers probed her breasts. She was surprised that it could feel so cold and clinical after all they'd been through, but he conducted the same exam she'd experienced at her family doctor.

"Hmmm... Feel this." He took her hand and guided it to what he had found.

Immediately she panicked. "I have a tumor??"

"It's just a cyst. A tumor feels different; I'd be able to tell." He went on to demonstrate the properties of the mass in order to reassure her. Then he poked her --- not so clinical --- and said, "So, was I right? B cup?"

She sat up and closed her robe, blushing. "I know; they're tiny."

"No. They're perfect."

Her insides were starting to melt when she caught on to his game and her eyes narrowed. "How long did you think you could distract me by talking about my breasts?"

"I was hoping until Wednesday." With that, he rolled over and buried his face in his pillow.

Looking at the clock, she realized that her intentions to return to her own room were remiss by hours. She also noticed that his cane was leaning within arm's reach and his Vicodin bottle was on the bedside table, meaning he'd already been up. "Why didn't you wake me before?"

Unintelligible mumblings were his only answer.

"Are you feeling better? How's your leg?"

More mumbling.

"I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

No mumbling that time. He lifted his head briefly. "Can I come?"

"No."

"Really? Because I'd be willing to trade a coed shower for a frank conversation. And I know you LOVE to talk about things." After the night from hell, he found himself in fine form; the opportunity to feel her up, even in the name of a good diagnosis, had of course helped significantly with this. He was fairly certain that he could actually convince her to shower with him with a little verbal gymnastics. And why not? After his ridiculous break-down the night before he had nothing left to lose because he was sure he had nothing left at all.

"We WILL talk, Greg." And she left the room before he had a chance to press her further.

He followed, waiting outside the bathroom door until he heard the shower spring to life. He reached for the knob and to his surprise found it locked. He knocked loudly. "Gotta pee!"

She opened it a crack and peeked out, toothbrush in her mouth. "No, you don't," she said firmly around it.

"Do so."

"Then go upstairs." She tried to close the door in his face but he used his cane to prop it open.

"Hello? I'm a CRIPPLE." He moved roughly past her and limped to the sink where he grabbed his own toothbrush.

She pushed around him to spit and rinse before saying, "You're not peeing."

"Of course not. I can't do it with you watching," he told her dramatically, toothpaste foam dripping down his chin as he spoke.

She gave up then, and knowing full well he was watching her in the mirror she dropped her robe and stepped into the shower.

What a tease. House finished brushing his teeth and with a wide grin followed after her.

Or tried to. She was holding the shower door closed and doing so rather effectively. "I've seen you naked," he reminded her. "Several times. TODAY." He was thinking of earlier when she'd gotten out of the tub.

"I'm surprised you remember. You were pretty out of it," she called over the sound of the water.

"Are you trying to start a frank conversation with me? Oh, and by the way, I also remember you seeing ME naked. Several times. TODAY."

"Well, if everyone has already seen everyone naked, than why is this shower such a draw for you?"

"Because I have GOALS, remember?" He stepped out of his boxers.

She laughed then. "You already made it to second base this morning. Maybe you should pace yourself."

He pulled off his shirt. "Maybe YOU should let me in." And he reached with his cane to flush the toilet.

A word came out of her mouth that House had never imagined her saying as she was forced to jump back from the painfully hot water. And as soon as her hand came off the shower door he opened it, waiting for the temperature to return to normal before joining her.