Down the Rabbit hole

House stared at the ceiling of his bedroom. It was all he could do seeing as he had been trying to sleep for the past 5 hours to no avail. He had tossed and turned trying to get comfortable for the first 2 hours of this fiasco, but finally gave up around 2 a.m.

So here he lay, staring at the ceiling, with his mind wandering to dangerous places. He knew why he couldn't sleep... and it pissed him off. He had become one of Pavlov's dog's that drooled for it's dinner when a bell rang. Except now he could fall asleep unless he had a certain miserable harpy tucked into the crook of his arm. It was pathetic.

And what made it worse was the fact that he knew that was the trouble. He almost wished he were stupider. That way he would simply be wondering why he couldn't sleep instead of spending his waking hours thinking about the reason he couldn't sleep. She was all he had thought about sense he had given up fighting the insomnia 3 hours ago.

Why would she go with Wilson? Sure, House supposed he did have some of that boy next door charm and good looks, but House and Cuddy both knew perfectly well what a terrible husband Wilson made. So, why would Cuddy date him if she didn't think he was a good husband?

Maybe she just wants to get laid...

House growled out loud to that thought. He brought a hand up to his forehead in frustration. Damnit! He shouldn't give a fuck if Cuddy wanted to go slumming for a change... but he did. Why hadn't she asked him? Why wouldn't she just admit that what they might have together could be great?

That's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black...

He pulled the hand resting on his forehead down over his eyes. Partly to help him sleep and partly to block out what he already knew. He missed her snuggled against his body every night. He missed breathing in the sweet smell of her hair as he fell asleep. He missed the sparing match of wits he would have with her every night before they fell asleep. He missed her, and he wanted her solely for himself.

He rolled over again. He knew he needed to sleep. Tomorrow he would be riding up to New York with Wilson to the hotel were the gala would be held the following day. Most of the top hospital staff would be staying there over the weekend, and House knew Cuddy would be there, too.

A finale thought passed through House's head before he felt the sweet embrace of sleep begin to take him.

Nothing was set in stone, yet...

******************

Cuddy yawned to herself as she walked through the revolving doors of the hotel. She hadn't slept well last night for some reason. But as she stepped into the entry way her breath caught. It was a beautiful place. The ceiling went all the way to the roof of the sky scraper, and the rooms lined the edges of the building. The floors were a beautiful dark wood. The main restaurant in the hotel was directly to the left of the entrance, and Cuddy saw that the ballrooms were to her right. That would be were the gala would be held tomorrow night.

She made her way toward the front desk to sign in. As she did she marveled at the beautiful furniture and statues that tastefully decorated the lobby. She was marveling a particularly beautiful fountain piece when a shout met her ears coming from the direction of the reception area.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN 'ONE KING'?"

Cuddy's head jerked to see the owner of the very familiar voice. House and Wilson were talking to the nearest receptionist with bags in hand. Wilson was looking exhausted and put out, and House looked like he could kill someone.

"House, it's ok. I'll just sleep on the coach." said Wilson trying to placate his irate friend.

"NO! You will be sleeping in a bed. Your own QUEEN SIZED bed in the room that we RESERVED!" House said pointedly in the direction of the receptionist.

"Sir, i'm sorry, but we're all booked up for the event this weekend. This is the only room we can offer you." stammered the terrified woman.

Cuddy walked up to the group before House could berate the poor girl anymore than he already had.

"House, you're going to give the poor woman a heart attack!"

She watched as his expression changed as he saw her. His anger was still obvious, but he snapped his jaw shut rather quickly as she walked up to the counter. She looked at the woman and asked, "I've a two queen room reserved for Lisa Cuddy. Is it available yet?"

The woman typed a few things quickly on the computer before she respond with an affirmative to Cuddy. She thanked her and looked at House.

"There, i'll take your king room, and you and Wilson can take my room, you big baby."

House grunted with indignation as they exchanged keys. Wilson rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, Lisa" Said Wilson as he pulled his bag up onto his shoulder.

Cuddy blushed slightly as she smiled back at him. She had forgotten that they had a date tomorrow night. She needed to quit thinking about House and his stupid behavior and try and remember that she was going to be having a pleasant evening with a good man tomorrow... but she couldn't.

Her eyes darted over to House. He had noticed her blush and was now giving Wilson a death glare. He obnoxiously clear his throat.

"Look if you to are going to do it right now, can you just go ahead and give me the key so I can at least get into our room?"

Cuddy's already rouged cheeks turned almost purple at that. She knew he was just trying to get a rise out of her, but it still worked.

"Dr. Wilson! Dr. Cuddy! House!"

Cuddy turned in the direction of the voice to find Dr. Hadley walking toward the group, bag in hand.

"Ah! Thirteen, good thing you're here. You're just in time to save me from the rampant bunny sex that these two were about to break out in. Not to mention the rather awkward conversation with the concierge afterward." Said House.

Thirteen eyed the party curiously before saying, "If i'm interrupting, I can go up to my room. I just wanted to say hi."

Wilson sighed deeply.

"House is just being an ass, Remy. You're not interrupting a thing." He said politely.

Thirteen smiled back at him.

"Her name's Thirteen. God, you'd think people would know this by now." House said turning to Thirteen.

"Don't worry," He continued "I know who you really are, my friend with lesbian tendencies."

Thirteen simply smiled at him before saying, "Well, that's always a plus, seeing as i'll be going out with you tomorrow night."

Cuddy tried to put on an air of nonchalance, but couldn't prevent her jaw from visibly clenching.

"Say, that gives me an idea." Added Wilson cheerily.

The company looked at Wilson as he continued.

"We're all here, and not doing anything tonight. At least I know House and I aren't."

"Speak for yourself. I have an ass of pay-per-view porn in my hotel room that needs watching."

Wilson ignored this, but Cuddy noticed Thirteen give an all to attractive giggle that she did not approve of.

"ANYWAY, why don't the four of us have dinner tonight in the hotel restaurant? Like a double date?"

Cuddy saw House's expression mirror what had to be her own. A look of confusion and mild horror.

"That sounds like a great idea!" Piped Thirteen.

Cuddy turned to her in disgust. The last thing she needed was to have House watching every move she and Wilson made on their first date. Not to mention that watching Thirteen flirt with House the entire night wasn't exactly going to make dinner a pleasant experience.

But unfortunately, House saw the look of distress on her face.

He clapped Wilson on the shoulder before saying, "Why of course we will join you, my old chum."

Cuddy caught the sidelong glance that he gave her.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Cuddy's eyes narrowed dangerously. If that pompous ass thought that he was the only one that knew how to play hard ball, then he was dead wrong. House simply smirked back at her as she looked at him.

Cuddy softened her expression before turning to Wilson. She took a delicate step toward him, and looked up at him with slightly hooded eyes. She said in the most sultry voice that she could without sounding ridiculous, "Oh, that will be fun, James! Great idea." She brought her hand up to his shoulder and gently started moving it down his arm.

She dared a quick glance at House and saw that he was more than getting the message. His jaw was clenched and he looked as if he were trying to set fire to her with his eyes. Cuddy only smiled, leaned in toward Wilson so she could whisper seductively in his ear. "So, what time are you going to stop by my room."

Cuddy heard a strange muffled noise coming from House's direction. Wilson looked at her curiously before she added quite innocently, "To pick me up? For dinner?" Wilson's expression softened, and she could almost hear House's teeth grind.

"I'll pick you up around 7:50, so we can eat at 8. Does 8 sound good to everyone else."

Cuddy rested her hand on Wilson's shoulder and turned to look at House. He was watching her. She smiled at him as she gently rubbed Wilson's shoulder.

House's eyes narrowed. Served the bastard right for trying to screw with her like this. She smiled to herself in satisfaction... until House's expression changed. Without taking his eyes off her, he slowly began to smile.

Cuddy had to repress an involuntary shiver. She tried to tell herself that shudder came from nerves, but a pesky voice in the back of her head kept trying to draw attention to how fucking hot he looked when he smiled like that.

"8 works for me." Said House finally breaking his gaze and looking at Wilson. Cuddy hadn't realized she had been holding her breath until she let it out at these words.

House turned to Thirteen, and smiled tenderly. Cuddy felt her body go rigid. He gently put his arm around her shoulder and asked politely, "Is that time alright with you?"

Cuddy saw Thirteen stumble on her words. Cuddy knew that Thirteen had never been treated like this before by House. She was obviously confused and a little wary.

"Um... sure. 8's fine."

"Good," said House happily, turning to Wilson. "We'll see you then."

"See you then? House we share a room." Replied Wilson.

"Well, someone's got to help Thirteen find her room, unpack her things, check out the hotel... maybe do a little thorough room inspection."

Cuddy felt nauseous. She barely heard Wilson sigh and shake his heard through the ringing in her ears. She was fighting to stay present as House turned to her once again with his most devilish smile on his face.

"Well, I'll see you tonight."

With a wink, House turned and left with his shoulder around a red faced Thirteen.

********************************
House had finally finished helping Thirteen unpack her bags. With the embarrassment he must of caused her, it was the least he could do, he thought. He placed the empty suitcase in the closet before turning back to face her.

"Well, is there anything else you need? I'm going to go wander the hotel before I have to start getting ready for tonight." House said, hoping to avoid the awkward I-only-said-those-things-downstairs-to-make-Cuddy-angry-not-cause-I-really-want-to-do-them conversation.

Thirteen sat on the bed staring at House. His palms got a little sweaty. He was hoping with all that he could that she would pick up on the hint. He really wasn't interested. Before he could say anything to reiterate this fact Thirteen spoke.

"House, I know what you're doing."

"And what's that?"

"You're trying to make Cuddy angry. You're using me to get back at her." Said Thirteen plainly.

House was shocked. He had hoped that she would get the message, but not THAT easily.

"I...uh... look, i'm sorry to be using you like this. It's not fair to you. If you don't want to..."

"I didn't say that I was going to try and stop you." Replied Thirteen

House gave her a look of confusion.

"I simply said 'I know what you're doing'." Said Thirteen as if she were saying, 'It's raining today'.

House's look of confusion only deepened. Thirteen waited for him to say something, and when he didn't respond, she sighed.

"Look, House, I know you love playing this game with Cuddy, and in all likelihood, she probably likes playing it just as much. But you do have to remember that you're playing a game."

House cocked an eyebrow.

"What's your point?" He retorted. This was getting boring. The last thing he needed was a lecture from some lesbian floozy who's moral compass was just as off north as his was.

"My point is," replied Thirteen as she stood up and started walking to the door. "That in games, someone has to win," she opened the door leading to the hallway, "and someone has to lose." She gently motioned for him to leave.

House pondered her silently for a few seconds before making his way out he door. Once in the hallway, Thirteen pulled the door halfway closed before saying, "I know you're thinking 'I never lose', but you made need to think about what she'll be losing in this... I'll see you tonight, House."

And with that, she closed the door on a very thoughtful House.