The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 11- Leap

When Nora packed up her bag that night, everyone had gone home. She locked the workroom doors on her way out, smiling as she saw that Foreman had left his files on the table. That'd piss him off. She made her way to the parking garage and immediately recognized House leaning against his orange motorcycle, helmet in hand.

"Hey." She said sweetly, looking him up and down.

"Hey. I didn't know if you'd ever ridden before but something tells me you have a little experience." He replied, handing her the helmet. "I know what I'm doing, so I don't need to wear it as much as you do."

"I...thank you."

"Hop on, Graves." He grinned, straddling the bike and kicking the kickstand up. The engine roared to life as Nora swung on behind him, her legs molding to his. She wrapped her arms around his middle and felt him straighten as she leaned into him.

"You ready?" He asked, looking over his shoulder.

"As I'll ever be." She replied, cuddling up to him.

"Hold me tighter if you get scared and I'll slow down, okay?"

"Okay." He sped off into the cool October night, startling Nora. She instinctively tightened her grip around House's midriff and he slowed his pace, bringing one arm back to lay it on top of hers for comfort.

Dinner was at a local restaurant, nice but not high end. It felt more like a date than a business meeting and that was something Nora loved. The ride back to the hospital parking garage was a nerve-wracking one for Nora. By the time they got back on the bike, however, House had learned to recognize the small movements. For example, Nora would move her legs back if she were relaxed, but would practically plaster herself to him if she was scared.

"That was exciting and terrifying at the same time." She laughed, swinging off of the bike.

"I'm glad." House said, still seated. She looked down at him, grinning. "Would you want to go out with me again?"

"Next time you can come over to my place, I'll cook for you." Nora offered.

"I'm down."

"Friday after work sound okay?"

"Sounds great."

"I'll text you the address." Nora leaned down and kissed him softly, but he was having none of it. He cupped her face and brought it closer to him, crashing his lips against hers and drawing in deeper. Nora stepped closer, to the point that the top of his chest pressed just below her breasts. House moved his hands and threaded them around her waist as she darted her tongue into his mouth. A groan reverberated through his chest, awakening the butterflies in her stomach. They broke away from each other, longing in their eyes.

"House..." She breathed.

"Greg." He whispered. "My name is Greg."

"I'm so glad I got pranked."

"What do you mean?"

"A few of my friends in med school sent my application to Cuddy. It was a prank. My whole job here was a prank."

"Do you like working here? If you don't, I can send your application to other hospitals and get you transferred."

"Are you kidding? I love working here. This is the job of my dreams."

"Why didn't you send your application in?"

"I'd convinced myself that I'd never get accepted."

"Graves..."

"Nora."

"I'm glad you got pranked."

"I need to be heading home. I'll see you at work tomorrow morning?"

"Six thirty sharp."

"You got it, boss." Nora laughed. House chuckled. She pressed another kiss to his mouth before he let her go to her car.

"See you, Nora." He hollered after her.

"Bye, Greg."

"Drive safe."

"I'm in a car and I live maybe ten minutes from here, I'll be fine. You be careful."

"Yes, ma'am."

I'm back to my regular uploading schedule, I promise :)