Morning
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She was soft in her slumber. Limbs strewn half against the bed cushion half against him. A leg was wrapped securely around his while a hand caressed his waist.
He could see her face covered in the serenity of the always forgiving and limitless dream world. The rays of sun creeped out from the blinds and shone against her supple frame.
His gaze lingered down to the petite hand that clung to his waist. It was so small. He pulled it up gently and studied the tiny palm and fingers. There was a story to each crease and line. He kissed her wrist and placed her hand on his chest.
She leaned closer into his body turning completely on her side. She rested her head against him and sighed. He closed his eyes.
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The Night Before
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"Sometimes you should just keep your remarks to yourself." She said as she tended to his cut cheek.
"Hey, he should know she's been cheating." He said as he winced at the pain.
"It wasn't pertinent to saving her life or protecting his. You just wanted to cause mischeif and now you're paying for it with a cut cheek and black eye." She said as she handed him the ice pack.
"Why did you come over here?" He asked completely ignoring her comments.
Cuddy leaned against his couch cushion and exhaled deeply.
"I came to see how you were. You could say thank you."
"Not really my style. It's just a black eye and some bruising I didn't need a house call, Dr. Cuddy. So, why did you really come here?" He said as he propped his feet on top of his coffee table.
"Rachel's with my parents for the weekend and I haven't been...."
"Alone in a while." He said as he took off his icepack.
Cuddy rolled her eyes.
"I hate how well you know me." She said as she also propped her feet next to his.
"Likewise." He said as he bumped her shoe with his sneaker.
Cuddy smiled at the playful gesture.
"You could have went to Wilson's he probably would have food for you to eat. All I have is beer and bourbon."
"So, what do you do when you get hungry?"
"I go to Wilson's."
Cuddy laughed at his absurdity.
"I'll call for some pizza." She said as she grabbed his phone and started dialing.
"Fine. But you're paying."
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A Few Hours Later
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"I'm surprised you're a fan of Jeepers Creepers, Cuddy." House said as he devoured a cold slice of pizza.
"I like good horror films. This first one was really well done. I like how quiet and isolated it feels. The second seemed more like the standard mainstream horror flick. It lacked orginality." She stated as she drank some beer.
"I forgot you were like this."
"Like what?"
"A total film nerd."
"I'm not a nerd. I just know what I like and..."
"In college you dated that film major, Blake. He was a complete douche bag, but he shared you're obsession with movies so you let his douche bagginess slide."
"You mean Nate, and he wasn't that bad."
House raised an eyebrow at her.
"Okay. He was that bad, but he did have good taste in films." She said.
"I rest my case."
Cuddy smirked at him.
"Well, you're a music nerd."
"I'm a music afficionado. There's a difference."
Cuddy broke out in a laugh.
"You remind me of the geeky guys from that movie High Fidelity. I'm sure you know every album, song, and backstory of each band...
"It's a necessary education, Cuddy. If you don't know who Bob Dylan was talking about when he wrote "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," then you don't make it into rock n' roll heaven. Duh."
"You don't believe in heaven?"
"But a man can dream of rock n' roll heaven, can't he?"
Cuddy chuckled at his overly dramatic hand gestures.
"You are fun sometimes." She said as she bumped his sneaker with her shoe.
House smiled at the action.
"You too." he said as he bumped her back.
The two looked up at each other. The gaze was intense but not uncomfortable. All the awkwardness that had been between them over the past few months seemed to be lifted in that moment.
House leaned his face closer to hers. She followed his lead and placed her face near his.
"This is so easy." He said as he rested a hand on her cheek.
"Yeah. Who would have thought." She said as she leaned into his palm.
A small smile formed on House's face.
"Not me." He said as he moved forward and placed his lips softly over hers.
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Morning Reprise
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She can feel him staring at her naked body. Even with her eyes closed and her mind half in a dream state, she can sense his intense gaze.
He can see past skin and bone. He's watching her from the inside. He can feel the broken places in her heart, her womb, but he worships them none the less. He sees her as whole and complete just as she has always seen him.
She can feel him raise her hand and kiss her wrist. He's gentler than he would ever admit. She can feel him placing her hand against his chest. The thudding of his heart increases slightly. She wonders how often her presence creates such a response. It makes her feel light. Her own heart starts to beat a little faster.
It's peaceful laying with him. She wants to hear his heart beat. She leans on top of him and holds him close. She feels good. This feels good. She sighs in contentment.