After experiencing first class like he never had before and being treated like royalty during the plane change and brief layover in Phoenix, House was less than enthused about the prospect of returning to life as he knew it.

As he waited for his personal flight attendant - yes, PERSONAL flight attendant; Philip had certainly pulled out all the stops - to retrieve his checked luggage while he enjoyed a moment of quiet reflection, he wondered if he had made a mistake in taking Cuddy up on her offer to drive him home from the airport.

But when he saw her enter the room, saw her face light up in recognition when she spotted him, allowed her to hug him warmly in welcome...

Yes, he had definitely made a mistake.

"Here are your bags, Dr. House. I can take them to your vehicle if you'd like." The attendant greeted Cuddy with a polite nod.

"That's fine; I've got it from here. Thanks for all your help."

Cuddy was too confused at this treatment to be shocked that he seemed genuinely thankful for it. "Did you play the cripple card or something?" she asked as the attendant walked briskly away.

"Or something."

The drive to Plainsboro took about an hour, and House was content to let her talk, catching him up on all that had happened in his absence. He appreciated that she didn't bother to grill him about his trip, knowing full well he wasn't going to talk about it. But when they pulled up to the curb in front of his place, she couldn't help but ask, "So... did you get what you wanted out of your trip?"

"Let's just say I'm waiting for the results to come in," he told her, revealing nothing. But as he reached for the door handle he paused, then turned back to her. "But I did get what I needed, I think."

Cuddy examined him carefully and then smiled, believing him. "I'm glad to hear it."

She helped him remove his luggage from the back seat but didn't move to follow him up the sidewalk. "I expect you to be at work tomorrow. No excuses. And on time would be nice, for once."

"I make no promises." A smile - a SMILE? "Thanks a lot for the ride."

This second expression of authentic gratitude registered. "Uh... you're welcome. I'll, uh... I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."

"Yeah." He hefted the backpack to his shoulder and raised the handle on his wheeled suitcase. "Goodbye, Cuddy," he said with a tone of meaning she couldn't understand.

"Bye, House." And shaking her head, she drove away considering that whatever had happened on his trip, there was something altogether different about him. She wondered if it would last.

He wondered, too.

THE END