Occam's Razor - House M.D.

Part 20- Steam and Satellites

Long after the work day ended, in the quiet dimness of House's office, were two not-so-polarized individuals becoming one inside the heat of passion. 

House used his big hands to lift Madelyn onto his desk where he couldn't refrain from tasting her perfect pink lips. Madelyn clasped her legs around House's waist, pulling his body towards hers like they were magnets. Their lips wet and their breathing heavy, the two doctors showed an intense eagerness to give into the pleasure. 

"Is this okay?" House whispered, his breath hot against Madelyn's skin and his lips on her sweet spot below her ear. 

"Yes." Madelyn exhaled, her bosom heaving and aching for his touch. 

House's lips slowly trailed down her neck, and he stopped at her collarbone. Madelyn's hands that were rustling through his hair stopped. 

"Is something wrong?" she asked, panic in her voice. House kissed her lips, holding her gently by the jawline with his fingers. 

House forced himself to take a couple steps back, and he brushed his lips softly with his fingers, surprised. It wasn't as if he expected them to go all the way right now in his office, but he cared more about Madelyn as a person than having sex with her. After all, House never imagined she would return his feelings, and he wanted to understand her seemingly sudden change of heart. 

"Why'd you kiss me?" House asked. 

"Because, I like you House. I-I know you're my boss. I know it's a conflict of interest and--"

"No..." House interrupted her, "We both agreed that something between you and Wilson did happen. So why are you here kissing me?"

Madelyn looked at House sympathetically,

"You never really let me explain it, though." 

"What other explanations could there be?"

House scratched nervously at his beard, and began pacing a little, back and forth behind his desk. 

"House." Madelyn said, indirectly. She hopped off the desk to her feet, and stood before House who was still nervously pacing. "I didn't initiate the thing with James. He did. We used to be... romantically involved." 

"Why didn't you or him tell me?" House asked, his voice soft. Madelyn worried he was hurt. 

"I mean, it had nothing to do with the job. I didn't expect Wilson to do that, and I definitely didn't expect you to see it." Madelyn confessed with a tone of undeniable honesty. Madelyn walked over to the window that was further behind House's desk, and she turned her gaze away from him. 

"As for him, he also probably thought it was unimportant information, too. We're just friends. I wouldn't have kissed you if that was the case." 

"Does Wilson know that?" House asked, concerned for both his own feelings and for his best friend's. Madelyn was silent for a moment. She didn't know if Wilson was aware of that, or if she just hoped he was. 

"If he had feelings for me, he would've talked to me about it by now, but then again, he's not exactly known for being honest and a tell-all romantic." Madelyn noted, remembering he'd been married and divorced three times. 

"Well, why should I trust your feelings for me?" House asked, almost challenging Madelyn. They both liked a challenge. Her back was still turned to House, but she felt her nerves calming down a bit and said: 

"Because I don't let myself get close to anyone. People are disappointing, and like you said, everybody lies."

House found himself smirking a little; had he finally met his match? Madelyn turned around and noticed House staring down at the floor, in sort of a daze, but not quite aloof. She reached for his hand and he accepted. 

"I like you," Madelyn affirmed squeezing his hand, "I care about you, and I'm practically putting my job out on the line right now."

 House nodded in agreement, still holding onto Madelyn's dainty hand. He remained silent, but not from a lack of feeling.

"Say something, please." Madelyn begged beginning to feel scared that he was just entertaining her. 

"Your job..." House spoke, "is safe here. You're good at your job."

"And my heart?" Madelyn asked, referring to her sharing her vulnerabilities with House. He exhaled heavily, and took a seat in his chair. He grabbed his cane and used it to bounce his oversized tennis ball. 

"I like you too." House admitted through nearly unmoving lips. Madelyn immediately grabbed her things that she intended to take home with her about an hour ago now-- the case was closed.

Before leaving for good, Madelyn met House at his desk chair, leaned down a smidge, and kissed his lips passionately between hers. He was more than accepting. 

"See you tomorrow, House." Madelyn blushed, frolicking out of the office, her head in the clouds. 

House, at a loss for words, smiled in response then got back to finishing his work for the night.