Don't Get Around Much Anymore

A/N: I have read and loved a ton of Jealous! House fics but I liked the idea of Cuddy being the one thrown for a loop, so that is how this little ditty came about. This is kind of a mixed bag of genre's, romance, humor, angst, farce... It is set after Locked In but before Simple Explanation so no Kutner drama. The rating of this will most likely change to M in later chapters but for now it is not necessary. Oh and a warning I did my last edit of this chapter after watching tonight's episode so blame any errors on my Huddy induced happiness coma...

Chapter One: Here We Go

Cause you can bend the truth till it's suiting you

These things that you're wrapping all around you

Never know what they will amount to….

It was nearly the beginning of House's workday, when he busted into Cuddy's office with his typical theatrical entrance. Cuddy looked up from her files at the rather predictable interruption and immediately set her pen down. Cuddy took in a deep breath at the sight of House preparing herself for whatever he planned to throw her way on this dreary Monday morning.

"I have a new case." House announced before he plopped himself down on Cuddy's sofa and stretched lazily across the surface.

Cuddy stood up from her desk without comment making her way over to him. She sat down in the chair that was next to his spot on the couch and let out an unsurprising sigh of exasperation.

"Okay. Being the Dean of Medicine and all I kind of knew that already, House. You know a better place to work on your case would be in your own office. You know with your team. It's why I let you use those two rooms upstairs." Cuddy sarcastically replied as she looked at House's lounging form.

"I am aware, but I saw what you were wearing when I arrived and none of my team members have the inspiring lady parts so readily exposed for me to ogle," House returned staring into the deep scooped neck of Cuddy's scarlet colored top.

Cuddy gave him an irritated look at his lecherous comment, but the effect was lost on him because of the simultaneous twinkle in her eye.

"See, this whole time that is why I thought that you hired Thirteen..." Cuddy deadpanned.

Cuddy was as always hyper-aware of his razor sharp stare aimed directly at her moderately exposed chest. Cuddy wondered what it was about House's gaze that always felt so demanding. Even when he was just doing his typical leering, there was this intensity to his focus that left her with a tiny fluttering in her stomach. A useless fluttering of emotion since it had been made abundantly clear that nothing would ever come from the sparky thing (for lack of a better term) between her and House. Cuddy had accepted that House was just not dating material but unfortunately, it did not stop her body's natural reaction to him. It never had.

"Cuddy, I am disappointed. I would have thought by now you would have given Thirteen a once over and noticed while she has got a respectable ass, she is as flat as one of the useless pennies children collect at amusement parks."

"Sorry, I wasn't planning on officially switching teams till next Wednesday. That is when I had penciled in some time to do my full body exams. I will take your word for it since you are the king of inappropriate leering. I guess Thirteen is out and I will just have to go with plan B for my new secret lover." Cuddy joked before continuing more sincerely. "House, fun as this exchange is, I am busy. What are you really doing here?"

"Sorry, Cuddy I can't answer that right now. I have far too many naughty images floating around my head to bother with work related nonsense. The current one involves you, Thirteen, Cameron, a bottle of whip cream, a lot of lips, and exposed skin." House said staring up towards the ceiling with an exaggerated dreamy look on his face.

"You're sick."

"You started it. Admit it. You wanted me to conjure up these pictures of you and the other hotties of Princeton Plainsboro bouncing naked around me while I sit on my throne with my crown and scepter." House declared with a wicked grin on his face.

"House, you can either tell me why you showed up here, or you can leave my office taking your rich utterly delusional fantasy life with you." Cuddy countered.

"You are no fun. I would really rather stay right where I am and keep up our current discussion of orgies and hot girl on girl action." House pouted.

"Okay, and on that extremely improper note, get out of my office."

"Fine, I guess since you aren't willing to play along after riling me up, I might add… It would be the time in this conversation where I ask you if I can perform a brain biopsy on my new patient." House replied taking the file he had been laying on and throwing it in Cuddy's direction.

Cuddy caught the file with ease and began to review the contents while she spoke, "Your patient needs a brain biopsy and you have been wasting my time with garbage."

"Again, I blame you. You can't say the words secret lover and not expect my mind to wander." House shrugged.

"House, shut it." Cuddy decisively declared. She put the file down on the table in front of her before continuing. "It looks like it almost always does that you are skipping straight to step Z without going through steps A through Y. Sorry, but no brain biopsy on the patient until all the test results are in."

"I already know what the tests will say. Cuddy trust me this woman's problems are neurological. She needs this biopsy. If I wait until all those results are in, it is only going to make her condition deteriorate at a faster rate. I know how much you hate those pesky dead patients, so much paperwork."

"Why bother with the tests at all, House. You are apparently omniscient. I am surprised you have not healed her through reiki, simply laying your great and powerful hands over her. Although, I guess that would mean you actually had to visit your patient so I see the problem." Cuddy sarcastically noted.

"Don't you get tired of having the same back and forth over and over again between us?" House asked suddenly serious.

At his question, Cuddy felt that same bubbling intensity in her stomach ripping and fluttering as the deeper implications of what he had said washed over her. The way his deep blue eyes pierced into hers just magnified the mixed feelings.

"Yes." Cuddy sighed, her voice cracking a little with emotion as she continued. "I really do."

House immediately wished he had phrased his query differently. Cuddy's sincere answer was clearly a response to so much more than simply their battle's of will over work related things. It was too late for that now and all of a sudden, a painful swirl of disappointment and other dreaded feelings rose in his chest. The room was suddenly thick with things that would always remain unsaid between them. House swiftly tried to bring the conversation back to less poignant territory.

"So why not just go with what I am asking then? I have a pretty good track record when it comes to saving lives."

"It is a little difficult to put blind faith in your ideas when you usually almost kill a patient a few times before saving them." Cuddy answered changing the focus of her eyes to the floor as if that alone would calm the mood of the room.

"This isn't one of those times. Cuddy she needs this procedure. I promise you it is the right move." House said in the way he had that meant he really believed in what he was saying.

"Fine," She conceded. Cuddy was a little dismayed because she was not entirely sure if she agreed because she thought it was the right move, or simply because she could not handle being in the room with him any longer. To clear her conscience a bit, she added, "You need to make it abundantly clear to her the risks of the procedure. She needs to sign off that she is aware, and all that other red tape you are so fond of forgoing."

"Okay, my team will do all the necessary ass covering. I got it." House responded standing up from his spot. The material of his jean-covered legs brushed over Cuddy's crossed bare ones as he made his way past her towards the door.

Cuddy stood up after he had passed. Her legs tingled from the brief contact with him. She started to make her way to her desk. She was watching him out of the corner of her eye as he left her office. She wondered what he was up to when after he made his way out the door; he turned back around to look at her. He was holding the door open with a gleam in his eye.

"When I have saved yet another patient, I am coming back in here. That is when we will continue our discussion about you making out with the various sexy ladies at this hospital."

Cuddy grabbed a stress ball poised at the end of her desk and chucked it at House hitting him square between the eyes.

"Feisty." House said with a wink as the ball fell to the ground. "I will pay you back for that you know."

"Try it." Cuddy throatily returned giving him a smile that was both sexy and threatening at the same time. She sashayed around her desk adding a little extra spring to her step knowing House was still watching her before sitting in her chair and resuming her work. Cuddy did not think she would ever fully understand how House managed to get her to go from annoyed, to emotional, to playful in a matter of minutes.

House watched in awe as Cuddy turned back towards her desk. He carefully took in the hypnotizing rhythm of her swaying hips as she walked. God, Cuddy knew how to use her body. She was also the only woman House had ever met that could truly keep up with him quip for quip without ever tiring of the game. For a brief moment, he wished things could be different between them.

His brain shot down the idea as soon as it formed. Just as it always did knowing that wishing had no real place in a logical man's life. Painfully complicated did not even begin to describe the entity that was him and Cuddy. The last thing House needed was more pain or more complications.

House realized he was still staring at her watching as she bit her lip in concentration at the files she was now studying. Another surge of attraction flowed through him and he started that dreadful wishing again. Now he wished it were his teeth gnawing on those glossy plump lips, his tongue gliding over that pouty pucker…

"Devil woman," House muttered as he finally turned around and left Cuddy's office for good letting the door slam behind him.

Cuddy looked up and smiled at his retreating form knowing he had been watching her and unable to help the tiny thrill it caused within her.

House leaned back in his office chair his tennis ball firmly in his hands before expertly throwing it across the room. Wilson was lounging on House's eames chair and caught the ball with ease. Neither man spoke as they continued to pass the ball between them. They were both content to indulge in their impromptu game of catch for a few minutes. Taub walked into House's office and interrupted their game. Wilson was in control of the ball at this point and dropped it beside him effectively ending the silent exchange.

"Can I help you Dr. Taub? I am sure I told you and the other pips to keep yourselves out of my hair until our patient was out of surgery. Since that was ten minutes ago I am thinking that's not likely the case." House asked looking up at his least favorite underling standing awkwardly in his office.

"It's not about our patient. Listen, I know I am setting myself up here, but besides 'dates' with hookers, you don't date, right?" Taub quickly asked. Taub's tone suggested he knew the onslaught of House's sardonic wit was about to be unleashed on him at the question.

"This is so unexpected. I can't believe another one of my underlings is in love with me." House mockingly said, briefly looking over at Wilson before changing is focus back to Taub. "Listen Taub, I hate to ruin your chances of cheating on your wife again. However, if I wanted to hook up with a tiny Jew, Cuddy's office is just a few floors down. While she is a hell beast, her blouse bunnies are just plain nicer than yours. What is it? Do I give off an undeniably sexy vibe? I will try and tone it down for the sake of the workplace."

"House, I didn't mean me." Taub replied unamused.

"Of course trying to save face in front of Wilson, I understand." House continued to ridicule.

"Have you ever heard of a Dr. Lily Davidson? She was a big up at UCLA Medical Center. Her specialty is infectious disease. You have apparently met her before." Taub questioned trying to stay on track.

"Are you talking about Lily Davidson, the brunette infection disease babe with the tiny waist and huge yabbos?" House asked motioning with his hands to show the size of said yabbos.

"I wouldn't have put it that way, but yeah that sounds like her." Taub replied evenly.

"Is she why you are asking if I date?" House asked now less annoyed at Taub's presence and slightly intrigued at what he had to say.

"She wants to be set up on a date with you." Taub returned cutting to the chase.

"What? Back up. Tell me this from the beginning."

Wilson finally cut in from his spot on the chair, "Oh girls got a nice rack and all of sudden you are interested."

"Shut up, Wilson don't be jealous. Taub go on, back ground info…. How do you know her? How does she expect to date me from California? How did this come about?" House rapid fire shot off his questions.

"I have known Davidson a long time. We went to medical school together. I dated her college roommate for about five minutes."

"Let's stick with things I give a crap about, Taub. I need less about you and more about the logistics of why and how Dr. Davidson wants to take her seat on the House train." House quipped.

"I ran into her at a dinner party over the weekend and we talked briefly. She moved here recently and is working at Princeton General. I told her I was currently working with you. She said she has always admired your work. That she has met you at a couple of conferences over the years. I guess you made a big impression because she asked if you were currently seeing anyone. This of course prompted me to ask if she was absolutely sure we were talking about the same Dr. House. To my astonishment, she really was asking about you. I told her you were single but I did not really feel comfortable and well, long story short she is very convincing and reminded me I owed her one so here I am asking you. I can already see that it was the mistake I knew it would be."

House listened to Taub's explanation intrigued as to why this woman would go to the trouble of calling in a favor to be set up with him of all people. He had not seen the woman in a few years, but baring a disfiguring accident, she was undeniably hot. She was tall, in shape, with a pretty face and a rocking body. She was easy to remember, since the times Cuddy forced him to attend medical conferences over the years ninety-nine percent of the attendees were sad old doctors with varying degrees of ear hair.

House could not remember much about her beyond her physical attributes, which in his mind meant either she was not a complete idiot or her looks had outweighed any annoying qualities. Despite his rather pleasant memories of her, his immediate reaction was to turn the offer down. If for no other reason than that Taub was right, he does not really date. That coupled with the fact that she seemed desperate enough that she asked for this set up set off alarm bells.

Without his consent, another basis against agreeing to this date popped into House's head. His mind conjured up an image of his shapely boss. At the thought of her, something akin to guilt temporarily washed over him. As if going on a date with this woman would somehow be cheating on Cuddy. The thought was completely absurd to him on so many levels. Yet, the image of her staring up at him with her sad disappointed puppy eyes in that uniquely Cuddy face she made would not shake from his head. Completely unwilling and unprepared to deal with what that meant, he made an impulsive decision.

"Set it up." House responded quickly.

"What?!" Wilson sputtered sitting up in the chair.

"Seriously?" Taub simultaneously asked.

House was mildly amused at the two shocked guests in his office. For him it was another reason to go for it the sheer novelty of seeing people's reactions.

"Yeah, do it. Let me know the details and by that, I mean plan the whole thing for me and tell me where to show up. Get going…" House said shooing Taub out the door with his hand.

"Okayyyyy," Taub responded walking out the door shaking his head in disbelief. "I will let you know the specifics."

"I am pretty sure this is one of the signs of the apocalypse. The famine and locust cannot be far behind. You are willingly going on a date, seriously?" Wilson inquired as soon as Taub had left the room. "Not only that but you are allowing yourself to be set up with some random woman Taub knows. Are you just screwing with Taub? Is that it?"

"Nope, I am not screwing with him this time. I am just trying to get some free strange. This economy has been hard on all of us, Wilson. If you had seen this chick, you would not be questioning me. She is beyond sizzling. She is so stacked I actually remembered her name. The hot chick doctor is a rare breed. You don't just let that pass you by."

"But Taub was right. You don't date." Wilson cautioned.

"Yes, because usually the downside of dating outweighs the rewards. With this, I see no immediate downside. If it goes badly oh well, it was only a couple hours of my life and I get a fresh memory of her to add to my spank bank. If it goes well then I could end up with those big boobies all up in my face. I am talking a solid D cup here, Wilson. It is a win/win, a no brainer if you will." House explained.

"What about Cuddy?" Wilson finally got up the nerve to ask the question that had been weighing on his mind since House agreed to this date.

"What about Cuddy? I don't think she is interested in a date with Dr. Davidson, although a conversation I had with her this morning might infer otherwise." House asked back acting purposely dense. He thought he might get through this without Wilson mentioning her, but no such luck.

"You know that is not what I meant. You and Cuddy have been circling around each other for quite sometime now. She is the rare breed of hot doctor you supposedly think you should not let pass. You have already kissed. If you are all of suddenly willing to date someone, why not date Cuddy?" Wilson interrogated.

"Well first, calling Cuddy a doctor is questionable at best. Second, I will admit Cuddy's bodacious ass rates higher than Davidson's forgettable behind but that's about the only thing Cuddy has got going for her in the plus column." House succinctly answered.

"That's a little cruel even for you, House. We both know damn well that Cuddy has a lot more than just her ass going for her…." Wilson returned suddenly feeling the need to defend Cuddy's honor.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Wilson, I don't mean it like that. I meant going on a date with Davidson there is no pressure. Going on a date with Cuddy could never be just a date. When you have known someone for over twenty years, there is no such thing as a first date. You go out once you are on like the 20 millionth date. Plus, we work together, she is my boss, I see her everyday, she is pure evil, and I have already told you countless times it is not going to happen." House matter-of-factly stated.

"Let me get this straight. In your messed up head because you feel something for Cuddy she is unacceptable dating material. However, since you don't give a crap about this Davidson lady she is fair game for a date."

"Pretty much," House nodded.

"You know that you just admitted you have feelings for Cuddy." Wilson returned while he pointed his finger at House as if he had caught him in something huge.

"No, I didn't. That is where the 'pretty' part of 'pretty much' comes in." House retorted.

"You are impossible. I can't believe you are doing this." Wilson said shaking his head in an added show of disbelief.

"Aren't you always spouting off about how you want me to find happiness? Telling me about your fear of me dying alone where no one finds my body till my whole complex starts to smell of rotting corpse?"

"Yeah, but I just always thought that meant with Cuddy…" Wilson answered.

"Are you saying you only want me to be happy if it is with Cuddy? Wilson, that is just straight up weird. Any psychologist would have a field day with that little reveal."

"No, no you are right. It does not have to be Cuddy. I am happy you are making an effort." Wilson reluctantly conceded.

"Good, now get out of my office."

"House…" Wilson began.

"Bonding time over, give me my ball and go back to your dying patients." House ordered.

"Fine, but I expect details from this little outing." Wilson asserted.

"I will be sure to let you know if her funbags are really the two handfuls I think they will be."

Wilson nodded once before heading out of House's office still reeling a little from what had unfolded.

Song Credit: Here We Go, Jon Brion

Next Up: Cuddy learns of House's plans…Did you like it? Do you want to read the next chapter? I think we can all see where I am going with this one, review please and thank you…