Long Night Ahead |House|

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

If there was one thing that Cuddy felt now, it was stress. It wasn't because she was going out. It was because of what she was supposed to wear. When Cuddy had finally got the few details out of House that he had been willing to give her, all he'd said was to dress nicely. That was it. So, she was staring into her wardrobe.

Needing to relax, just a little, she put on one of her classical CDs and ran herself a warm bath. Humming along to Mozart as she cleaned up, she couldn't keep her thoughts from racing. But, she was calm and could at least think a little clearer as she finished her bath. Wrapping her towel around herself tightly, she re-entered her bedroom, staring again at the piles of clothes she'd pulled out earlier.

Chewing her lip, she thought. He'd remember the red lace...and the black silk. Her eyes lit up as she finally decided on a recently-purchased black lace matched set. Dropping the towel into her laundry basket, she slipped into the lingerie. Turning again to her wardrobe, she scanned all of the dresses she had hanging there. Nothing struck her. Until she saw one she didn't even remember owning.

Pulling it out, she gazed at the shimmery midnight fabric. Cuddy started as she remembered it. She'd worn this dress when she'd graduated from medical school. It had been slightly loose on her then. Vaguely, she wondered if it still fit. Slipping the hanger away, she shimmied into it. Fastening it, she was amazed that it still fit. Smiling, she returned to her bathroom to fix her makeup.

She'd just finished when she heard it. A knock. Rushing into her room, she glanced at the clock, realizing what time it was and how long she'd spent getting ready. Quickly, she slipped on her high heels. Cuddy had just gotten to the door when the second knock came. Opening the door interrupted the noise.

"Hi," she said, opening the door.

[Dr. Gregory House]

House made his way up the walk wearing a dark blue button down that brought out his eyes. He neglected to wear a tie, not even sure if he even had a tie anyway. He did wear a blazer, and slacks, rather than his normal jeans. He also shaved, but the five o'clock shadow was still barely visible.

He used his cane to rap at Cuddy's door, waiting for her to open it. When she did, House's eyebrows arched and he nodded in approval at the low cut of her dress. If they failed in conversation tonight, he would at least have appreciable eye candy. So long as he could disguise the fact that his eyes were at Cuddy's chest level.

He forced his eyes to meet Cuddy's and quirked a smirk. "Very nice," he complimented. "We're taking your car. I took a cab here."

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

Her eyes traveled over his form, taking in his attire. In the back of her mind she was snickering at the fact that they sort of matched. Her dress was probably only a shade darker than House's shirt. Cuddy wondered if he noticed that as well. Smiling at his compliment, she stepped out of the way, silently offering for him to come in, even if just for a moment.

"Okay," she replied. It made sense. Given the choice between her car and his motorcycle, she'd rather the car. "You should probably drive, though, since I don't know where you're taking me." She supposed she could just as easily ask him for directions as she drove, and she was sure House would make that point. Cuddy hoped she wouldn't have to argue about it with him. Because then, this wouldn't be fun anymore.

[Dr. Gregory House]

House took her silent welcome, and stepped inside. This wasn't the first time he had been here at Chez Cuddy's. Probably wouldn't be the last time, either. He was glad to be out of the cold though. His thigh hated the cold, always ached worse then.

At Cuddy's suggestion, House just nodded. He didn't mind driving. Her car was automatic at least. He could just use his left foot for the gas and brake. Awkward, but less painful on his leg. "All right," he agreed, "just give me your car keys and we can go. Reservations for 7:30. Don't want to be late."

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

Her eyebrows raised slightly at the mention of reservations. Was House going all out to impress her? Or did he always do this? Supposing it would be less than tactless to ask, she took up a jacket and slipped it over her shoulders. Looking around quickly, Cuddy located her keys on an end table by her favorite chair. Picking them up, she held them out to him.

"Seven thirty is kind of early...what else do you have planned? Or is it just dinner and back to your place for dirty movies?" She was joking, but only slightly. She didn't actually expect him to tell her anything; secrets and surprises were always better.

[Dr. Gregory House]

"Seven thirty is not early," House said with a mock affront, "besides, we start with drinks and looking at the very nice menu of food that will take you at least ten minutes to peruse, then we order, and by the time we get our food, it'll be after eight." He took the offered keys from Cuddy. Smirking, he finished his mini-rant, "oh, Cuddy, you know me so well. Maybe we really are soul mates. It's meant to be! And you with our lovechild," House sighed. He looked upwards dreamily, "my memoirs are really going to fly off the shelves."

He opened the door and made his way to Cuddy's car. "Forgive me for not being a gallant and opening your door, but I figure you're a feminist and can open a door all by yourself and wouldn't want me to open it for you. I'm thoughtful that way."

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

Oh, this was going to be a long night. But, Cuddy swore she would enjoy every minute of it, since her spa weekend had come to an abrupt cancellation. "Oh yes. If only we'd realized it sooner," Cuddy agreed mockingly. Now that she thought about it...there had always been something between them. "This place we're going to...it does have non-alcoholic drinks, right?" He'd said it himself...she was having his lovechild. Which meant she couldn't drink. Not that she would miss it.

Following him out the door, she took the spare key from under the potted plant by the door, locking her home. Putting the key safely back, she made her way down to the passenger side. "You're forgiven, if only because I love you." She knew those words got to him. And she would eventually hear them said back. But she wouldn't push her luck. "Although...you'll have to do nice things for me when I get farther along. Otherwise, you'll just be a jerk."

[Dr. Gregory House]

House smirked when Cuddy argued back. He enjoyed their witty repartees. It was one of the few pleasures he had in life. "Yes, Cuddy, don't worry. Just ask for a virgin anything even though you're not one anymore," he leered smirking.

"I'm always a jerk," House shot back, "this is not news." He unlocked the car and got in. Grunting as his knees banged the steering column, he adjusted the seat to slide back. It wasn't Cuddy's fault that she was shorter than him, he reminded himself. He fought the urge, he really did, when he turned to Cuddy. "Short much?" he drawled. Cuddy was five feet four inches to his six feet two.

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

Leaning against the car, she shot a look at him over the top. "We're dating. I'm having your baby. You could call me 'Lisa' off the clock, you know," she suggested, pulling open the door when the auto-unlock kicked in with the turn of the key in the driver's side. Sliding into her seat, she pulled out the belt and fastened it.

"Maybe I should have said you'd be more of a jerk," she replied, smiling, and ignoring his comments about how short she was. It wasn't her fault. Being tall didn't run in her family like it obviously did in House's. Which turned her thoughts again to their baby. She decided not to say anything at this point, purely on the basis that she didn't know what to say. "Just drive, Greg. Or at least start the car so we can have some music."

[Dr. Gregory House]

"Music to my ears... Lisa," House smirked. He started the car, pulling on his seat belt as he went. One bus accident was enough for him. He fiddled with the radio, trying to find a good station. Settling on a rock station piping out strains of the Who, he pulled out of Cuddy's driveway.

He drove along, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in tune with the music. Heading for Cafe Spoleto. It was pretty nice when he had been there the last time, if not exactly supremely enjoyable because of Cameron. Though he decided not to mention that to Cuddy. At all. Ever.

He was fond of where his balls were.