"How do I know I'm not hallucinating?" House asked Cuddy.

"Did you take the Vicodin?"

He opened his hand and showed her the pills. "Nope."

"Then I think we're okay."

"Yeah."

He dropped the pills on the bathroom floor and laced his hand into hers. They kissed again, passionately and intensely. They stayed that way for several long moments, and then he put one hand on her shoulder and leaned against her a little.

"You need to get off your feet," Cuddy said.

"Yeah, I do," he admitted. He raised an eyebrow and nodded towards the bedroom. "My king-size is the best place for that."

"You also need a bath."

"The tub's full of broken mirror."

"First things first. Let's get you in bed and I'll clean out the tub. Then you can take a bath, and I'll re-bandage your shoulder."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do."

Cuddy snaked an arm around his waist and helped him into the bedroom. He gasped as he lowered himself onto the bed.

"Where's the ibuprofen?" she asked.

He motioned to the bedside table. Cuddy found the bottle, took out two pills and handed them to House.

"I'll get you some water."

"Thanks."

She went to the kitchen and brought him back a glass of water, then proceeded back into the bathroom.

"Do you have a small broom and dustpan? There are a lot of pieces of small glass."

"Hall closet," he answered.

Cuddy found them, as well as a large garbage bag, and started on the tub. After getting as much as she could with the dustpan, she ran water in the tub to make sure all the tiniest pieces went down the drain. Then she returned to House, who was still prone on his bed on top of the covers. He'd removed his filthy leather jacket and T-shirt, but still had on his shoes and pants. Wordlessly, Cuddy removed his shoes and socks and helped him stand again.

"Where's your cane?" she asked.

House looked around the room. "I'm not sure. Must've left it at the site."

"Why would you leave it?"

"I wasn't thinking of anything but getting Hannah into the ambulance. I guess the adrenaline was still flowing." His face fell at the thought of Hannah.

"Right." She supported him as he walked back to the bathroom. "Do you need anything else right now?" She didn't want to interfere too much, but he still looked awfully unsteady.

"No, I can handle it," he said. "Thanks again."

House took a long hot bath, which felt wonderful. He still couldn't quite believe that Cuddy was actually here, waiting for him in the next room. The events of the day had been so stressful and upsetting, but here she was, wanting him. They had so much to say to each other, so much to figure out, but he suddenly felt the exhaustion overcome him, and didn't think he'd be up for much more tonight.

After about twenty minutes, Cuddy knocked gently on the bathroom door.

"You still awake in there?" she asked.

"Yeah, come on in," House replied.

"You sure?"

"You've seen me naked before, remember?"

"Yes, of course I remember."

"So, come on in."

Cuddy entered the bathroom, holding a large towel. House was still in the tub, looking much more relaxed and comfortable than before, but still drained. He'd removed the old bandage from his shoulder, and the wound had started bleeding again slightly. He stood gingerly, holding onto the tiled walls, and Cuddy couldn't help but feel a flood of warmth at the sight of his dripping nakedness. Aside from the leg, he really was a glorious specimen of manhood. His chest and arms, especially, were so well-developed, lean yet muscular, and even the wrinkles in his face and graying hair were somehow a turn-on for her. She briefly thought of Lucas' relative scrawniness in comparison. House motioned to Cuddy with a wave of his hand.

"Might need a hand here," he said.

She walked over and held out her arm to steady him as he stepped out of the tub, and then helped him over to the toilet seat. He toweled off and she brought over some antiseptic and a bandage and tape to put a new dressing on his shoulder. He flinched as she applied the antiseptic.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's okay."

"You probably should've had a few stitches in this," she said as she dabbed at the wound before applying the fresh dressing.

He glanced over at his shoulder and shook his head. "It'll be fine."

Cuddy frowned, but quickly finished up her job and then helped him up again. They proceeded back to the bedroom and both sat on the bed.

"What now?" he asked quietly.

Cuddy smiled at him and replied, "We're both exhausted. But I'd like to stay with you tonight, if you want."

"What about Rachel?"

"The nanny's there. I told her I wouldn't be back until morning."

"I'd like for you to stay," he said.

"I'm not going anywhere."

He stretched out on the bed and she remained sitting, but leaned back against the headboard.

"We don't have to do anything, or even talk if you don't want," she said.

He ran his hand down her arm and took her hand again. "We can talk," he said. "We should talk."