Trust and Control, Chapter 7: Expanding Horizons

Author: starhawk2005

Summary: House tries to 'expand the horizons' of his existing relationship with Cam. Albeit slowly.

Notes: Note that there's anal play in this one, so avoid if that squicks you.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the sex toys.
Betas: Thanks very much to katakombs for helping me out. This fic SO wanted to give me trouble. She helped me wrestle it into something resembling a decent chapter. *gives cookies*
Author's Notes: AU, and spoilery for S2 of House. Yeah, I'm playing fast and loose with the canon timeline a bit. Oh, and I've never written anal!play before, so hopefully it doesn't suck. Or is that blow? ;)

Another week, another puzzling medical case. Another week that nearly everyone was in the dark that House and Alli were an item. And House liked it that way.

He was still doing his best to maintain the status quo at work. Wilson knew, but Jimmy-Boy also knew he'd better keep his mouth shut, if he wanted to avoid getting caned across the shins. Stacy had figured it out somehow, but she didn't seem in a hurry to inform the masses.

But it was still safer to maintain the status quo. He didn't want a repeat performance of what had happened when Alli had first asked him out (pushed him, rather) on that date. Everyone talking about it, everyone coming up to offer advice. Just remembering it made him shudder and reach reflexively for his Vicodin. Hell, no, he didn't want to deal with that again. Instead, it was much better to give the appearance that nothing much had changed. That he was still the bitter, lonely old cripple who tormented his minions and harassed his boss.

So, even though it was vastly inappropriate – not that it hadn't been before, obviously, but now it was even less so – he continued to comment on Cuddy's obvious endowments every chance he got. The little incident with her and her handyman with the pasta name gave House ample opportunity for that.

"We need something stronger than heparin. Human-activated protein C."

House goggled at Cuddy as if she'd grown a third breast. Nope. "Looks like Cuddy, same cleavage. Protein C is indicated only for severe sepsis."

As expected, they argued, he snarked.

"You know, if I tried a scheme like this, you'd give me that nasty, wrinkly face and screech like a hyena." He limped over to Cuddy, smirking. "It's very sexy, I admit."

Cuddy just rolled her eyes, issued her commands, and left. House turned to Alli, wondering belatedly if he'd pushed too far, but she was only shaking her head. Even smiling a little, as if the display amused her. And it probably did. She knew his ways too well by now to be concerned about his remarks to their Dean of Medicine.

Good; he wasn't keen on getting his balls cut off. Or sleeping alone again.

House continued his game as he and Minions One and Two (a.k.a. Foreman and Chase) went to Cuddy's to search for possible contaminants.

He won his bet - that he could get into Cuddy's place in under twenty seconds - scoring forty dollars. Nice. Maybe he'd use his winnings to surprise Alli tonight. A bunch of tiger lilies (roses were too romance-novel for him) for the dinner table - well, OK, coffee table - tonight.

Chase and Foreman even made it easy for House to pretend he actually had a hard-on for their bodacious bosslady. "So how did you know about her key?" Foreman asked. "You been doing a little handyman work for Cuddy yourself?"

And later, Chase, in Cuddy's bathroom: "You two are just too nasty to each other not to have been…nasty."

"Hey, I can be a jerk to people I haven't slept with. I am that good." House snorted inwardly. Christ, these two are just making it too easy. It was almost not any fun at all.

OK, he was wrong.

It was fun. Mostly because he could then go back and snark at Cuddy about it.

"By the way," he asked, turning around to face her before limping out of her office. "Why does everybody think you and I had sex? Think there could be something to it? I don't know."

He limped out before she or Stacy could answer. He already knew the answer, after all. Besides, he had a new case. Some doctor from Africa. Yay, he thought sarcastically. Treating medical staff was always a huge pain in the rear. And not a good pain.

In fact, as he walked into the Diagnostic conference room, there sat the sick-o in question. Lovely.

"Patients aren't usually part of the diagnostic process," he grumbled loudly, limping in to get to the business of getting the guy out.

Allison watched Greg limp into the Diagnostic conference room, scowl firmly in place. She'd observed him making his sexually-laden remarks to Cuddy all week long, but it hadn't bothered her. He'd been interacting with Cuddy this way since Allison had started working here. Since long before Allison herself had started to be attracted to him, have feelings for him…so she wasn't worried. It was normal, for him, strange as that might seem to an outsider.

Besides, she knew that he was still paranoid that PPTH would find out about their little 'arrangement' and that the tongues would wag endlessly about it. Considering how she herself had been forced to field questions from practically everyone at PPTH about how their first horrible date had gone, she could see his point. Yes, part of her was sick of sneaking around like this. But she could almost picture the looks she'd get, the questions, the advice. No, thanks. So Greg would, as he'd been doing all along, make every effort to keep up the appearance of normalcy. Which included snarking at her in front of Chase and Foreman, continuing to make remarks about Cuddy's breasts, and so on, and Allison would go along with it.

Besides, she wasn't worried Greg would cheat on her with Cuddy. If he was unhappy, he wouldn't keep his mouth shut about it and find a little 'fun' on the side. He'd never been the type to keep any feelings of discontent hidden. So, if Greg was displeased about 'them', he'd inform her and probably wouldn't think twice about it. Or about even just unilaterally dumping her, although Allison was fairly sure things between them had progressed way too far for that. Still, the point was that if he wanted out, he wouldn't cheat on her to do it.

Still, after nearly a week of watching House take hourly potshots at Cuddy, Allison was almost happy to have another case thrown into their laps so soon. Even as she wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep. At least Cuddy should – should – be more hands-off with this one. It wasn't someone she knew personally. So Allison would get a break from watching the one-man show that was her boyfriend.

Or not. Right now, they had a new case, and she had to focus on that. Focus on diagnosing their patient of the week, Dr. Sebastian Charles.

Except, apparently Greg had other ideas. He was currently making a show of sniffing the air. "What is that?"

In the seat next to her, Dr. Charles replied: "Oh, that. I'm sorry, that's my body powder. It's the only thing I've found that works in the Sahara. I'm kinda used to it, I don't even notice it."

"Who thinks it smells like an elephant dung smoothie?" Greg commented sardonically, and Allison shifted in her seat, starting to finally feel a little irritated with him. Did he ever turn it off?

"It smells okay to me," she jumped in. Next to her, the patient laughed.

Throwing her a glare, Greg retorted, "That is exactly why the patient shouldn't be in the room. If you can't tell a man that his cologne makes you want to puke, how are you going to tell him that he's an idiot?"

"He's not an idiot," Allison threw in. What was Greg's problem? He hadn't had any objections to having Rowan Chase in here, helping them with a case. Why was this doctor any different?

A few more arguments were thrown around, finally culminating in Sebastian ordering a TB test. House seemed to tacitly agree, but Allison wasn't fooled.

Greg confirmed her suspicions a few moments later, when Sebastian had left.

"I had to get him out of there," he said. "Now we can all sit around and call him an idiot. Who wants to go first?"

Typical Greg, she thought with a sigh.

A little while later, she found herself rebelling against Greg, and not regretting it in the slightest. She prepped Sebastian for the stress test and the echocardiogram. But she also prepped him for a PPD; that was for her. Greg might control her utterly in the bedroom – when he was wearing the Dom hat, anyway – but not here. Not at work. She was allowed to have independent thoughts, take independent actions.

Sebastian seemed to realize that she was undermining her own boss. His appreciative chuckle after she administered the PPD confirmed it.

A few days later, Allison was once again contemplating the issue of jealousy. Strange, how these things went. Not so long ago, Greg had been practically drooling over Cuddy - at least, from an outsider's perspective - and Allison had been in a position to get jealous and angry. If she'd allowed herself to.

Now, it looked like Sebastian Charles was interested in her. And that Greg was actually worried his girlfriend might be looking to 'trade up'. At least, that's what his recent craziness suggested. It had started with Sebastian asking her to dinner in the stairwell. He hadn't exactly been clear on whether he was trying to recruit her to his cause, or whether he was interested in a date. Not that it mattered. Even if she wasn't involved with Greg, dropping everything to live in Africa wasn't exactly to her taste. But Sebastian had collapsed before she had a chance to tell him she wasn't available for either scenario.

Later on, however, was when Greg had caught on and the dramatics had really started. She still hadn't yet handled the issue of Charles asking her out – mostly because she realized that if she told him she was seeing someone, Sebastian might mention it to someone else and then everyone would be pestering her about it – so he probably still thought he had a shot with her.

So when she went to see him, she tried to keep it about his TB - which he refused to let them treat him for. "I just came to ask if you'd be willing to accept any treatment."

He shook his head. "No, if you're trying to scare me into any –"

"No." she said. "Palliative treatment. Narcotics, Fentanyl patch, morphine drip, whatever it takes. We can make your last days fairly comfortable," she said, then paused before adding,"And if you have another good day, maybe dinner."

It was manipulative, but it was worth it, if it convinced Sebastian to take care of himself. Greg manipulated patients all the time, why couldn't she? Besides, she'd only said maybe dinner.

When Sebastian had taken her hand and thanked her, that was when Greg had gone ballistic. Allison decided later on that he must've witnessed them holding hands and jumped to the wrong conclusion. He'd gone insane, turning up the thermostat, knocking Sebastian's personal items onto the floor, unplugging the TV. He'd even gone so far as to flush Sebastian's cell-phone down the toilet, and then wipe his cane off with the sheets on Sebastian's bed.

At least, Allison thought Greg was jealous. She supposed it could just be that he was frustrated with Sebastian's behaviour. Or that he had something against other doctors, famous people, or something else she hadn't thought of. Then again, considering he'd gone so nuts mere moments after Sebastian had taken her hand…

Was Greg really that afraid that Allison would dump him for a younger model as soon as possible?

Apparently, he was.

She was sure of it when they were leaving for the day, Sebastian's tumour diagnosed and in the process of being treated.

Alone together in the elevator, he asked her: "Are you gonna go out with him?"

Greg threw the question at her bitterly, and Allison shook her head. How ironic, the way things were going between them. Not so long ago, she'd been frightened he'd leave her for Stacy. Now he was the one afraid of being abandoned? "I don't think so. Last I checked," she added casually, "my boyfriend and my job were both in New Jersey."

Greg didn't seem that reassured. He stared up at the numbers flashing above the door. "Two days ago you were holding his hand. What's changed?"

"I can't hold hands with a patient? If it encourages them to do what you want, to save their lives? I've seen you do much worse to save patients," she retorted.

"So, let me get this straight: if having sex with my patient will save his – or her – life, you'd do it." It was a statement, not a question.

She shook her head. He really was afraid. Astounding. "I won't even dignify that with a response. You know better."

"Do I?" he asked.

"Yes," she said flatly. "And besides," she couldn't help adding, "Don't you think you're being unfair? You flirt with Cuddy all the time, right in front of my face, and I don't hassle you about it. I trust you. And yet, you see me doing something as innocent as just holding hands with a patient, and you decide I'm ready to leave you?"

The elevator doors opened, and she stormed out, thanking her lucky stars that they'd driven in separately today. She was no longer in the mood to put up with his insecurity. If she hadn't proved herself enough by now, that was his problem.

She was still fumbling with her car keys when his thumping gait sounded directly behind her. She swore inwardly. She wasn't really angry – yet – but if he continued on in this vein, she thought that might change pretty quickly.

His hand closed warmly over her shoulder. "Allison," he said. "I'm sorry."

"You've been doing that a lot, lately. Apologizing," she pointed out.

"Yeah," he said. "Seems to be becoming a habit of mine. Should I say I'm sorry for that, too, or is that just confirming your point?" A little humour started to creep back into his voice.

Still bent over her purse, she smiled ruefully to herself. "I guess it would be-"

She got a surprise as House pulled her around to face him, then wrapped long arms around her, pressing her tightly against his chest. I guess he checked to make sure there were no witnesses, she thought drily to herself.

"It's just," he said, in that uncharacteristically quiet voice of his – the one she was coming to associate with either intimate acts in the bedroom or those 'heart-to-heart' moments they had on rare occasions – "I'm probably boring you."

"What?" she exclaimed – or tried to, as her voice was kind of muffled in his shirt. She attempted to pull back to look up at him, but he wouldn't let her go.

"Boredom. Defined as 'the condition of being bored; ennui'. Because all we usually do is go to my place, order in dinner, watch movies or tv, and have kinky sex. Sometimes, just to mix things up, one of us'll cook dinner. Or I'll play my piano or guitar. There's a lot of women who'd get tired of that routine rather quickly. Probably even some men, too," he added, after a pause.

Allison pushed against him until he finally loosened his grip. Pulling back, she looked up and met his eyes. "Not me. I enjoy your company, Greg. That's the most important thing. Who cares what we do, as long as we're doing it together?" She smiled mischieviously. "I'd say we get plenty of thrills on the job, anyways."

He snorted, then bent and pressed a quick kiss on her lips before releasing her. "Yeah, high drama on a regular basis. Some network ought to make up a show about us. It'd be compelling television."

She smiled and started to dig in her purse for her keys again. "So, are you reassured?"

"It'll do," he said, now smirking slightly. He was up to something, she realized. She could practically see the gears turning in his head. Probably trying to come up with some new ploy in the bedroom. Fine by her. Whatever he needed to do to reassure himself that she wasn't going anywhere – especially if it wound up leading to a delicious sexual encounter – was most definitely welcome.

Despite Alli's assurances, House wasn't all that reassured. Wilson's words from weeks ago came back to him, circling in his mind like angry wasps.

Relationships are more than just sex and Chinese take-out. I'll bet you've never even taken Cameron out for a night on the town. Too worried someone from PPTH might spot you. And then your secret would be out.

It was true, of course. He ruminated on the problem. Yeah, it wasn't just sex, and it wasn't just Chinese take-out. But it wasn't much more, either. He did tend to linger around his apartment. Hell, he'd rarely even set foot in hers – too many stairs to navigate. They ordered-in more than just Chinese, but House wasn't going to delude himself into thinking that was enough 'variety' to last them for years. Or even months.

Their bedroom repertoire, too, while being decidedly less vanilla and boring than most people's, wasn't going to cut it, if that's all they did. Going out to eat, going to movies, going to monster truck rallies and to blues clubs and to rock concerts. That's what normal couples did, and in all the months they'd been involved, none of this sort of thing had happened. He wasn't, he could admit that to himself, much of a catch, crippled and grumpy as he was. The fact their kinks dovetailed was only going to carry this so far.

So, he started to plot. To plan. There had to be a way around the basic problem. If I can solve puzzling medical cases with relative ease compared to Dull Normal Doctors, how hard can this be?

The end of the week approached, but with no new cases in sight. At first, no one seemed to mind. Greg seemed happy to sit in his office (when he wasn't grumpily catching up on Clinic duty), watching soaps and playing Gameboy. Allison and her colleagues tried to make a dent in the backlogged charting (also a classic ploy of Greg's). But despite the tedium of the charting, it was kind of…restful. They didn't have to rush through lunch, could have coffee in a leisurely manner, could go home at a decent hour…

By day three, however, they were all getting a little antsy, so Allison was very glad it was Friday. Until Cuddy paged her to the Dean's office.

Allison wasn't sure what was going on – it wasn't like they had any cases that Cuddy needed the inside scoop on – but she tried not to get too nervous. It could have nothing to do with her and Greg. Nothing at all.

"Dr. Cameron," Cuddy said, as Allison walked into her office. "Come sit down." They both settled themselves on the couch.

There was a long pause. Somehow, Allison knew what was coming.

"So, how long have you been seeing House?" Cuddy asked, smiling a little.

Allison struggled to keep her facial expression neutral, in case Cuddy was just 'fishing'. For a moment, she actually considered lying. Until she remembered she was a terrible liar.

Seeing her hesitation, Cuddy added: "It's OK. You're not in trouble. Or House, for that matter. I don't know if you know this, but I encouraged him to go on that date with you."

That was a surprise. Allison had realized after the fact that 'forcing' House to go on a date with her might not have been viewed with approval by their big boss, but since the first date had gone so poorly, she had deliberately forgotten about that aspect. And then, once she and Greg had started this 'relationship' in secret, of course there was no reason to think Cuddy would even have found out…except she had.

"I didn't know," Allison said. "I'm actually surprised. I thought-"

"Normally, it's not the sort of thing I encourage – a boss dating their employee." Cuddy interrupted, shaking her head. "But it was – is – a unique situation. House isn't exactly easy to put up with. Few women would even consider involving themselves with him. And he'd let even fewer of those in. But after five years, he needed to. So yes, when I'd heard you were trying to bring something normal – a date – into his life, I chose to encourage it. Even if the way you got the date was a bit…" Cuddy was grinning.

"Yeah, I guess I did 'push' him. On the other hand, it was the only way." Allison allowed.

"Hopefully, that's not the way you're getting him to see you now." It was a statement from Cuddy, not a question.

Allison paused, considering. Then decided to tell the truth. She didn't know where Cuddy was getting her information from – Wilson? Stacy? – but it seemed that honesty was the best policy. Cuddy herself knew what Greg was like. She seemed to understand that any relationship with House almost by definition had to be unconventional. Still, she saw no need to go into specifics. Cuddy didn't need to know that their relationship had really started with Allison kneeling naked on the floor of Greg's bedroom. "No, I don't need to 'push' him any more," Allison answered, finally smiling back at the other woman.

"Good," Cuddy nodded with approval. "I don't know if being with someone again will 'soften' any of those sharp edges of his, even a bit, but we can hope."

She nodded to Allison, dismissing her, so Allison got up and started to move to the door. She had her hand on the doorknob, when Cuddy added: "Oh, and you two enjoy your weekend off."

Allison paused, looking back over her shoulder at her boss's boss. "What?"

He'd come up with a plan. And House was feeling smug.

From the start, he'd resolved to keep everything secret from Alli. Surprising her was so much more fun than just telling her.

House didn't know if this would really work. He doubted that what he had planned was all that different, really, from the kinds of 'dates' they'd been having all along. He supposed he could ask Jimmy for his opinion, but he quashed that thought after a moment's consideration. He'd gone to a fair bit of trouble (for him), and he was going to see it through. 'Baby steps' were better than no steps at all.

He'd waited until Alli had left for work this morning – she often went in earlier than him – and then he packed both their bags. He didn't have the 'full range' to choose from for her clothes, since most of her stuff was still back at her apartment, but he'd made do with what he had. He'd also made sure to include their 'toys', some sexy underthings that he liked seeing on her that she tended to leave over at his place, and other key items. The essentials. Then he'd managed – carefully – to load everything into the 'Vette.

Sitting in his office and idly watching GeneralHospital, he congratulated himself. All set, he thought. Cuddy had already cleared both of them for this weekend. They had no cases, so that helped. She'd been curious, of course, as to why House was asking for time off for both himself and Allison this weekend. Hell, she was probably wondering why House was asking for vacation time, period. He'd come up with a song and dance number about serendipity, but he'd been able to tell from her eyes that she wasn't fooled. Not for a moment. She'd probably gone and grilled Wilson right after House had left her office.

But he wasn't worried if Cuddy knew about him and Alli. Cuddy had been very supportive of their public date. And he knew from their days at Michigan that Cuddy knew how to be discreet.

But apparently her discretion didn't extend to Alli, as he was about to find out.

Mindful of the fact that Foreman and Chase were in the next room, Allison pushed the door of Greg's office open and walked in, stopping in front of his desk.

"What's this about you getting time off for both of us this weekend?" she asked. Finding out that Cuddy knew all about them was only the first surprise she was going to get today, it seemed.

House sat back in his chair, grinning. "I don't know. Maybe we should ask my Magic 8-Ball," he said, making a show of reaching for it. "Oh great plastic guru, should I tell Allison Cameron what shadows lurk in the minds of brilliant diagnosticians?" He turned it over. 'Yes', the little triangle read. Fuck.

"I thought we could use a little time off," he told her. "Together. Wanted it to be a surprise. Which I guess it still is, except a little earlier than I expected. Cuddy spilled, didn't she?"

Hell, yes, Allison thought. "Yes, it was a surprise. So what are we doing, then?"

"Uh-uh-uh, Allison," House said, wagging his finger at her. 'That would spoil the remaining surprise. Just report back here in, oh-" he checked his watch, "two hours, when we're both officially done for the day, and you'll see."

"That's right after lunch, House."

"I talked Cuddy into letting us leave early if we had no cases. We don't, so we are. Now make like a good little minion and do some charting til then, OK?"

Allison shook her head, smiling to herself, then smoothed her expression out before turning and walking towards the conference room's connecting door. Yes, a day full of surprises, and it wasn't even noon yet.

Allison was indeed surprised when the 'Vette pulled up in front of a hotel. Fancy place, she thought. What are we doing here? She started to ask Greg, but he was smirking at her in such a way that she knew he'd just slither away verbally if she tried to question him. So she didn't try to, just stood back, bemused, as bellhops dealt with their luggage – considering he had packed secretly and without her input at all, she hoped he hadn't just packed nothing but thongs in various colours for her – and Greg surrendered the keys to the 'Vette to a valet.

Still, the question gnawed at her. She held it back as they checked in, as they rode the elevator to the top floor. As they walked into the room and the bellhop brought in their things. Until they were alone.

"Greg, why are we here?"

He was busy looking over their room. A large bed. Nice furnishings. And, most notably, the large hot-tub.

Still smirking, he limped over to her. He put out a hand, stroking light fingertips down the side of her face. "Wanted to take you somewhere different. Do something new."

She knew immediately what this was about. "I told you, you didn't need to. I'm happy-"

His fingers took a firm grip on her chin, stopping her words. "I know. But I wanted to." Greg kissed her then, deep and slow, and she decided that there was no point arguing with him. Especially when he turned and limped over to the hot-tub and turned on the water.

"Now get naked, little girl," he ordered.

She knew that tone. The one that signified that he was running the show. The one that meant she'd probably wind up securely tied to a piece of nearby furniture, vulnerable and exposed and loving every second.

This was one of those times when it was OK to let Greg boss her around.

Two seconds after starting the water, House changed his mind. He told Alli to hold up with the clothing removal. Instead, he turned the water off, and then limped over to the phone. Room service, it was a beautiful thing.

House lounged on the bed as they waited, clicking through several channels before settling on a National Lacrosse League game, with Allison snuggled up next to him. She'd wanted to unpack their things, but Greg had ordered her onto the bed with him instead. Probably, he had a bunch of 'toys' hidden in one of their suitcases, and he wanted to surprise her with them later. That would be typical of him.

Thirty minutes later, dinner arrived. Complete with champagne, Allison noticed. "You'd better be careful," she joked, after Greg had paid the server off generously. "I might get used to this. I might expect it every weekend."

"Gotta spend my massive doctor's salary on something," he replied, lifting a silver lid and poking at the steak on his plate. "Now that I don't have to blow my money on high-class hookers every weekend, that leaves plenty of disposable income to spend on you." House grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her.

She snorted. "I'll ignore whatever you're implying."

He did his best to look wounded, but it was all a sham. Again, typical.

They ate, Greg making a running commentary on the lacrosse game still. The food was excellent, the champagne making her slightly tipsy. And that hot-tub was looking very tempting. It had been a long few weeks, and Allison was looking forward to soaking it out of her system.

When they finished, they lounged around a bit longer, sipping champagne and watching the end of the game. House watched Alli critically, unbeknownst to her. He didn't want her drunk. Didn't want her judgement compromised. He just wanted her relaxed for what he was going to propose, he wanted her loose and limber….

Finally, he decided it was time to put his plan into action. He snapped off the tv and turned to face her, using his Dom voice once again. "I brought you a gift. It's in your suitcase."

Weaving only slightly, Allison got to her feet and made her way to their luggage. Behind her, she heard Greg make his thumping way to the hot-tub once more, and then the sound of water splashing.

She opened the zipper, and there it was – a small flat box, neatly tied with a silky ribbon. She lifted it out, carrying it to the bed. "Should I open it?"

"Yes," came the command, and she undid the ribbon. Opening the box, she was soon lifting out a set of pretty, lacy red underthings. A teddy, with sheer lace panels as the bra-cups, and a tiny thong, also with a panel of lace at a key spot. Modesty had nothing to do with this. This was definitely something to display one's charms in, and Allison smiled. "Thank you," she said, going over to Greg and reaching up to kiss him.

"Don't thank me yet, little girl. We're just getting started." House sat on the edge of the tub, feet still on the dry side, studying the water-flow with a baleful eye. Filling this damned thing would take forever. He popped two Vicodin, before tossing his pill bottle onto the dresser.

May as well kill some time, he decided. "Take off your shirt. Slowly," he instructed her, spinning his cane slowly in one hand.

Allison felt a blush come to her cheeks. Despite the champagne, despite the fact they'd been involved for long enough that he surely knew every inch of her as intimately as a man could know his lover, she still felt a little shy about this sort of thing. But she wasn't in the mood for a spanking, so she turned, facing away from him. Letting her hips sway slowly, a little hesitantly, as she started to undo the buttons on her shirt. Although that wasn't much of an escape from his intent gaze, as the mirrors over the dresser reflected both of them. And reflected in the mirrors around the hot-tub, reflecting a thousand sitting Gregs and a thousand stripping Allisons.

"This would be easier if I had some music," she quipped, undoing the last button and letting the fabric slip from her shoulders, down to her elbows.

"I could hum the theme from 'Jeopardy'," Greg chuckled. His tongue passed briefly over his lower lip. Entirely unconscious gesture, but Allison noticed it, and tried not to get weak in the knees, wondering if that tongue was going to be inside her, between her thighs, anytime soon.

"No thanks," Alli laughed, and House watched her let the fabric slide down her back and eventually off her arms. "That would probably kill the mood," she added, tossing her shirt onto the bed.

"Possibly," he granted her. "Now the pants."

He's calling all the shots tonight, isn't he? she noted. Dictating practically her every motion. But that didn't bother her. Not in this context. Work would've been another story entirely, but here- She unsnapped the fly of her slacks.

She made sure to sway her hips as she worked the pants down and over them. Shimmying ever so subtly as she let them drop to the floor. Smiling over her shoulder at her boyfriend. Maybe it was the champagne, but she was starting to have fun with this.

House alternated between admiring the view – Alli wasn't exactly wearing a g-string, it being a work-day and all, but a nice ass was a nice ass, and he intended to get very intimate with it later on - and glaring at the slowly filling tub. I'll be ready for a nursing home by the time this thing is even half-full, he grumbled. Out loud, he instructed his lovely bath-partner to: "Tell the bra to take a hike."

She did that, too, really enjoying herself now. Greg's lustful looks never failed to have that effect on her, and the alcohol didn't hurt, either. She unsnapped the hooks, turning to face him while she slid the cups away. With a flourish, she tossed it over to him.

He caught the bra neatly, holding it to his nose to take a deep sniff, then grinned lecherously at her. "Eau de Allison, my favourite."

She laughed. "You're such a hedonist," she teased.

He widened his eyes at her, as if shocked. "You say that as if it's a bad thing."

"Never mind," she snorted. "Let me guess – you want my pantyhose off next?"

"That's my girl," he encouraged, tossing the bra over to join her shirt. "And while you're at it, the panties, too. Wouldn't want the pantyhose to feel lonely."

"Yes sir," she saluted him smartly, turning away from him again to wriggle her way out of the aforementioned articles of clothing.

Hmmm, maybe a little too much champagne? he wondered. Not that she didn't joke around with him outside of work, but this defiant flippancy mid-scene was new.

Time to get control back. The tub was half-full, so time to make himself naked. "Over here, little girl," he beckoned, once her remaining clothes were off and out of the way.

Allison walked over to him carefully, trying not to weave too obviously. She didn't fail to notice the critical eye he ran over her. She got the feeling that he was, as usual, looking out for her. Particularly in these situations. She'd learned from past sexual experiences with him that if she was going to hand over control, it was something he was going to take very seriously. It was a responsibility, and one he wasn't going to shirk on, which was why she trusted him enough to give him that control in the first place.

"Get on your knees," he ordered, when she was standing over him. He waited until she was kneeling on the soft carpeting. "Now, undo my buttons," came the next direction, as he motioned at his shirt with the handle of his cane.

Allison was aware of his gaze on her, watching her every move. Somehow, she was even more self-conscious about her nakedness now, mere inches from him, his body heat on her bare skin, than when she'd been stripping for him across the room. It made her fumble a bit – or maybe it was the alcohol – but she managed to get his shirt opened and off. Didn't even drop it in the tub. Score one for her.

The tee shirt soon followed suit, and then he directed her to remove his pants and boxers next. They had a bit of a struggle, getting the clothes off around his already impressive erection, but soon enough, Greg was also naked. He ordered her to get back up, then stood up himself, leaning over to turn off the water, and then he put his weight carefully on her and let her help him slowly into the tub.

Hot water engulfed House's legs, easing the ache somewhat. Long drives weren't fun, especially not added on top of the usual fatigue and wear-and-tear on his legs and back and shoulder after a long week. There was a seat built into the tub – only one, which sucked, but he supposed this gave him an excuse to have Alli sit in his lap – so House laid his cane along the tub's edge, and then limped slowly over to it, before lowering himself into the water, sighing with relief. Once he was settled he motioned Alli closer.

Whoa, that's some hot water,Allison thought, letting herself sink down until the water swallowed her from feet to shoulders. She pushed herself over to Greg, allowing him to catch her by the wrist and draw her against his chest.

They remained like that for several long moments. Their lower halves engulfed in the hot water, her head pillowed on Greg's chest. She closed her eyes, feeling her whole torso moving subtly up and down with his deep, slow breaths. She could hear his heartbeat under her ear. She could feel the hardness of his erection pressing insistently against her belly.

Damn, this is nice. If a little too hot, House thought, mopping absently at the sweat trickling down his face. Note to self: next time, don't crank the hot water quite so much. But at least he was no longer feeling all the aches of the drive up here. He moved a foot into the path of one of the jets, letting the massaging sensation soothe him, and stroked wet fingers down Alli's unruly curls, across the smooth expanse of her back. Looked like his game-plan was working. A little champagne, a little relaxing soak in heated water, and maybe she'd let him take the last bastion of her virginity, so to speak. He was rock-hard just from reviewing his plan in his head.

He considered his plan again. She'd never engaged in anal play before, so caution was the order of the day. He had enough experience with it to know that it would probably be a really bad idea to just flip her over, tie her down, slap on a condom and some lube and push himself into her back door unannounced. Those porn movies he'd often watched aside, the ladies generally didn't appreciate that kind of approach. Especially not for their first time…seducing one's partner into it was a far better strategy. His erection twitched against Alli's skin, just from visualizing how she'd look beneath him, shuddering in orgasm with him pressed deep inside her in two places at once.

Allison felt 'Little Greg' (as he liked to call it) flexing against her. She didn't know how he managed to maintain an erection in this heat. She could feel sweat beading her skin, wherever her body was above the water, and along his skin as well. Responding to his body's messages, she caressed him lazily, running her hands down his arms, through the sparse hairs on his chest.

She suddenly wanted very badly to slide down and take him into her mouth. Except, he was still in charge, and he hadn't ordered her to do anything except come and cuddle with him. Would he punish her for her audacity? Although, considering how much she enjoyed getting 'disciplined' by him – it made her tingle just remembering the last time he'd taken her over his (good) knee – was that really such a bad thing?

She decided to risk it. She slipped out of his arms and got onto her knees, smiling at the puzzled look on Greg's face, then slid her hand down his body, encircling his throbbing hard-on and stroking softly. He smirked then, catching on to her ploy, and angled himself in the tub's seat to bring his erection up above the surface of the water.

"I thought I was the one in charge here," House commented mildly. It wasn't a complaint, however. Especially not when Alli leaned forward, gripping the base of his shaft with a firm hand and darting her tongue across the underside of the spongy head. He bit off a groan, and reached to tangle his fingers in wet strands of her hair.

"You are," she murmured, licking her lips seductively, before taking him entirely into her mouth. We need to order in champagne with our take-out more often- House thought in between the languid strokes of her lips and tongue. And install a hot tub in the townhouse. And-

Allison was drenched in sweat now, the heat overwhelming – heat of the water, heat of Greg's body under her hands, inside her mouth – but she kept on. Teasing gently at the thick veins with tongue and teeth, sucking the sensitive spot on the underside of the head, taking him in as deep as she could get him without gagging. And through it all, he was hard as steel, eyes squeezed shut and his head loose on his neck, and she couldn't help reveling in her sense of power. She might be the one on her knees, but he was the one who was helpless at the moment.

His eyes opened and he looked down at her, the passion in his gaze making a warm feeling – warmer even than the water – stir in her belly. On sudden impulse, she decided to do something she'd never done with him before. Stretching up on her knees, she leaned over his groin, guiding his rampant shaft between her breasts to slide hotly along her skin. She took her own breasts into her hands, squeezing her soft flesh around him, and teasing her own nipples, too, just for the heck of it.

House's mouth fell open, watching her. Feeling her. Christ. Oh yes, a little champagne definitely turned Allison Cameron into quite the sex-kitten. He'd have to remember that. He brushed her hands away so he could touch her himself, squeezing her nipples lightly in callused fingers and holding her softness around him as he slid up and down along her breastbone.

It was quite the view, and he marveled at it. The contrast between his hard, reddened rod and her satiny whiteness. The feel of her wet flesh sliding around and under his. And then, when she looked down and her tongue came out to tease across the aching head on every upward stroke, he was sure he'd lose it then and there.

Gritting his teeth, he released her and eased her away. "Not yet, little girl," he growled. Damn, he wanted to taste her so badly. Was there any way to do that in here, in the tub?

Looking around, he saw that every wall around the tub was mirrored – why, he wasn't sure. Did people get off on that? Probably they weren't usually scarred, grizzled old cripples – but he supposed there wasn't much other choice. Let the maids hate him for creating water-stains everywhere, he didn't care. He snatched a towel from the lip of the tub, folding it and laying it over one of the tub-edges that was against one of the mirrored walls. He patted the towel, beckoning Alli with his head. "Come and sit your luscious ass down."

Allison smirked at him, knowing exactly what was coming next (probably her). She stood up, suppressing a shiver as the transition from hot water to cool air made her nipples stiffen, and sat herself down. The mirrors were even cooler against her back, but she didn't have time to dwell on that, because Greg was kneeling down in the hot water, most of his weight on his good leg, and spreading her legs wide with firm hands.

House licked at her outer lips, not surprised that she tasted of water and not much else. He'd just have to fix that, wouldn't he? He sucked droplets of water from her curls, brushing his tongue across her clit a few times for good measure, tightening his grip on her thighs as she reacted with squirming. He pushed his tongue deep inside her, tasting her familiar flavour again, then pulled out and caressed along the sensitive inner lips. Mmmm, Greg likey.

Allison clutched onto the slippery edge of the tub, tingling fires shooting through her every time Greg's tongue made contact with a particularly sensitive spot. She let her head roll back and forth against the mirror behind her, not thinking about the fact that her wet hair was smearing the surface. Just enjoying what Greg's talented mouth was doing, how quickly she was getting to the edge…

House waited until her breathing was quick and rapid, until he could feel the taut muscles in her legs bunching under his hands. But he wasn't going to let her come yet. That was for a bit later. He pulled away, ignoring her chagrined expression, and beckoned her back into the water. Besides, even if he'd been prepared to allow her to orgasm right now, his thigh was complaining very loudly, and if he didn't take a break, it would likely ruin the rest of his plans for the night.

They lazed in the water awhile longer, until the jets stopped running and House thought his thigh would shut up long enough for him to climb out of the tub. He pulled the plug out, tossed another towel onto the floor, then got up carefully, letting Alli stay in the tub and support him as he gradually negotiated his way out.

A few moments later, he was seated on the tub-edge again, letting Alli dry him off. She seemed to derive great amusement from rubbing his hair briskly with the towel, but he managed to hide his amused smirk. It was time to reassert his authority, so she'd be in the proper mindset for what was to come.

Allison let Greg pluck the damp towel from her hands and dry her off with a fresh one. His hands lingered on her, bringing goosebumps to her skin, and when his fingers went back between her legs to tease along the entrance to her body again, she pushed against his hand shamelessly. He leered at her and immediately stopped touching her, but she knew this game. Eventually, he'd make her climax. Still, she groaned irritably as he made her face away from him so he could dry her hair.

A few moments of brisk rubbing with the towel, and Greg seemed ready to move on. "Go put on the pretty new outfit I got you," he ordered. "And make it snappy, little girl."

Now, the real playtime was about to begin. She went over to the bed, slipping quickly into the new scarlet underthings, enjoying the way the rough lace teased at her nipples.

House wanted to watch her dress, wanted to admire how the new garments set off her pale skin and dark hair, but he had other important business to attend to. He'd enjoy the view once he had her properly 'prepared'. He got up, snagging his cane from where he'd left it earlier, and then pulled two fur-lined leather cuffs from one of their bags, plus a length of soft nylon rope. He limped over to the headboard, looping the rope around a fineole at the top of it, and left two ends free to attach to Alli's cuffs.

When he was ready, he motioned her over. She held her wrist out obediently when he held out the cuff, and he marveled again at her ability to trust him. It occurred to him that sometimes, he thought she trusted him more than he trusted himself. Except that he'd never hurt or disappointed her, at least not in this context. He shoved away the sudden thought that tonight might be a very stringent test of her trust in him.

When Greg had both leather cuffs securely buckled onto her wrists, Allison lay down on the bed as he directed, lying on her back and restlessly pressing her thighs together as he attached her cuffs to the rope's trailing ends. The bath had left her languorous and lazy, but her aborted orgasm had left her hungry for more of his tongue. Or whatever else he planned to use on her. Maybe he'd brought a few vibrators with him? She squirmed and tested the taut bonds, quivering in anticipation.

She was primed, House knew it, could practically smell it, but he wanted her even more relaxed. He slid himself between her thighs, pushing them wide apart, shoving the red lace to the side of her soaked entrance and picking up where he left off. He took in a deep breath of her musk, slipping his thumb inside her, enjoying how she gasped at the sudden invasion and pushed her hips eagerly up to meet his hand.

He wrapped his lips around her clit, suckling and nibbling with careful teeth, feeling her movements get more frantic against him. The bedspread was cool and smooth under him, and he hunched his own hips into the bed, rubbing his aching length against the fabric. He wanted to get inside her, but not yet. That was for later.

House brought her right to the edge once more, but this time, he let her fall over it. He relished the feel of her spasming around his thumb, the noises she made as she gave in. He loved the thrill of power it gave him, that she'd give him this control and reward him with her surrender this way.

He waited until she was still, her limbs like warm putty under his hands, before he slid up the bed and nestled himself against her side. It's time, he told himself, fighting the sudden urge to forget the whole idea in case she freaked out. Slow, he reminded himself. No, he didn't think he was about to propose anything earth-shattering to her. But on the other hand, she had practically jumped half a mile in the air when he'd caressed her between those gorgeous ass-cheeks while taking her for a 'ride' on his motorcycle in Jimmy's garage. She'd also seemed a bit nervous, as well. All things considered, he preferred to err on the side of caution.

"Alli," he whispered in her ear, "I want to try something new tonight."

She felt sleepy and sated, and it was an effort to focus on his words. But she shook the cobwebs from her mind. Maybe he had brought a new toy with him. "Like what?"

"Now, before I suggest this, I want you to know that you can always say no."

That got her attention. She looked sharply at him, wondering what would make him think that she'd want to back out. "I know. What did you want to do?"

He hesitated, and she started to feel a little nervous. Greg was never this hesitant, certainly not when he was running the show in the bedroom.

How do I put this? House wondered. Ah, fuck it. Grow some balls, he snarked to himself. Alli was getting nervous, he could see it on her face. He needed to gain control of himself, so that she would have no doubts. Besides, he'd done this sort of thing before and never gotten any complaints.

"Remember in Jimmy's garage?" he finally asked her. At the confused look in her eyes, he qualified: "When I 'rung the doorbell' at your back-door, so to speak, and you said you'd never done anything like that before? I want to change that. Take the last of your virginity, if you get my meaning."

Yep, she got it. "I…don't know…" She was nervous, alright. Reassurance was in order, he knew.

"I don't intend to go directly to 'home base' all in one night, Alli. Little Greg can content himself visiting the usual 'venue'."

He could see that despite her unease, she was getting intrigued, too. Wondering what he planned, if not full-on anal sex. He watched her swallow, gathering her courage. "Then what exactly did you want to do?"

She watched Greg as he slid off the bed, limping back to their piled suitcases. That anticipatory quivering was starting up again in her belly. She trusted him, and she would also admit to being…curious. She was a doctor, and she knew that carefully-excuted anal play was perfectly safe. She trusted Greg not to hurt her, either. But still, the embarrassment factor was high. Did she really want to expose that part of herself to him?

When he limped back to the bed and placed two items on the quilt – a tube of lubricant, and a set of latex gloves – she felt both her arousal and her nervousness jack up another notch.

"By the way," he added in that quiet voice - the one that always made her feel that he was looking out for her, making sure she was OK - "I can leave you untied while we do this, if that'd make you feel more comfortable. If we do this. And I should also mention that I'm not a virgin, in the sense that I've done this before. And my efforts always got a…warm reception."

As he spoke, he was smirking slightly, even as he was watching her reactions closely. Obviously, he was sure she was going to enjoy herself. "Although, if I do leave you tied up, then whatever happens, it's not your 'fault'. You were helpless in the face of my debased and depraved urges." His eyes were twinkling now, amused at his own logic, and Allison found herself smiling back.

He was still standing there, leaning awkwardly against the side of the bed, and Allison knew she had to make a decision. She could back out, yes, and say that she never wanted to speak of it again. She knew he'd respect her decision. Or she could back out now with a promise to try it later, except she knew she'd have to battle the same apprehension the next time. And yes, she was curious. She did want to know how it would feel, to have Greg's fingers invade her at that most private of places.

She knew he'd do whatever it took to make it feel good for her. There was that connection between them. That trust. And he was excited at the thought of doing this to her, his erection huge and hard. "OK," she said softly, feeling the blush creeping hotly up her neck and face, her heart already starting to pound.

House nodded, not trusting himself to say anything. He throbbed painfully, more turned on by the thought that she'd let him do this to her, that she trusted him that much, than the act itself. And he wondered suddenly if Mr. Big-Shot TB Doc was capable of being as…creative in the bedroom as House himself was. Doubtful. He doesn't have the brains. He allowed himself a moment of smugness, and then picked up the lube and gloves, sliding up next to her on the bed again. "Do you stay bound, little girl? Or should I let your arms free?"

He watched her lick her lips, considering the question. "Leave them," she finally said in a low voice. Fair enough.

Now, he decided, it was time to get her warmed up again. He shifted closer, leaning over her and licking wetly across her nipple through the lace. Her breathing caught in a moan, and he glanced up to watch her eyes slipping closed, hands clutching tightly at the ropes. He'd always intended this to be a slow seduction, and he was glad to see her already half under his spell. He pulled the damp lace roughly aside, hungry to taste her skin, suckling hard on the excited little peak.

Allison kept her eyes shut, arching her back. Yes, this was better than being free. She didn't have to worry about what to do with her hands, she could just lay here and feel, let Greg take all responsibility away. He accorded her farther nipple the same treatment, plus a teasing brush of stubble against her hot skin, and then he shifted lower. Kissing down along her belly, gradually working his way back between her thighs, and she tried not to tense too much.

She felt the wet pass of his tongue along her inner thigh, and then long fingers sliding inside her, working carefully at the sensitive patch of nerves on the top inner wall. Oh God. She rocked her hips, pushing down and against his hand, not surprised as his stubble scraped lightly against her clit, followed by a quick swipe of his tongue. "Greg," she couldn't help moaning.

She may have been nervous, but she was also appetizingly soaking wet. House sat up, pulling one of the gloves onto his right hand, watching her as the action created the characteristic snapping sound. Her eyes were still closed, but he didn't miss the way her breathing sped up.

He squeezed some lube onto the index finger of his gloved hand, spreading it liberally. "Don't worry, little girl," he said in a low purring voice. "You're in good hands. No pun intended." He waited until he saw the smirk forming on her face, before sliding back into position.

She couldn't help but jump a little when he touched her, but again, it was just his mouth against her, tongue working its familiar way between her folds again.

He stayed at it for long enough that she had almost forgotten what he was about to do to her, when she felt slick coolness against that other entrance to her body. She stiffened a little, but he wasn't trying to get inside her yet. Just circling the slick tip of his finger around the tight ring of muscle, caressing it.

And it was true, it did feel good. Even as she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks from her embarrassed flush, at being exposed to him so completely like this, she had to admit…yes, it was good.

She felt pressure then, gentle but insistent.

"Just try to relax. Let me inside you," came the quiet command.

House did his best to make this as slow and nonthreatening as possible, only easing forward when her resistance lessened. And he kept adding to the sensations by stimulating her more conventionally, playing his tongue along her folds, kissing the soft insides of her thighs.

It was slow, but he wasn't in a rush. His finger was halfway inside her already, and he was enjoying it too much to hurry. She was even hotter and tighter than he'd expected. And the view was just as erotic – more so – than he'd pictured in his head. Alli was squirming a little against the bed, head thrown back and her breasts jewelled with tiny beads of sweat.

"I wish you could see yourself," he told her sincerely. "You have no idea how amazing, how beautiful this is, watching you take me in like this."

Allison believed him, and it made the curling heat inside her belly spike even higher. She could feel every inch of him, of his finger inside her, could practically feel her heartbeat pulsing around his finger, tingling counterpoint arising from where his gloved thumb was still idly caressing the outside ring of her puckered entrance.

He was still easing into her, pushing in deeper, and she shuddered. But he wasn't done invading her, apparently, because a moment later he was sliding two fingers deeply and gently into her other entrance. Before she could even process that, however, his mouth returned to her clit, sucking hard, and she gasped. Drowning in sensation, she arched up against him.

Oh God, she'd never felt anything like this before. Still clothed in lingerie, but also naked and exposed, impaled on him simultaneously in both places. He nipped gently at her, teasing her nub, and she could feel her muscles clenching at him, front and back.

House fought off his own need, concentrating on her as he worked her throbbing button and started to move both his hands, carefully gliding in and out of her. Alternating, to see which combination was most effective. Did she make louder noises, her inner muscles grasping at him harder, when he moved one set of fingers out while pressing the other deeper inwards? Or did she shake and gasp more when he slid both sets out at the same time, and then slid them both in again, centimeter by centimeter? It was just the kind of medical examination he liked best to perform.

When she climaxed, it was powerful. It felt like every muscle in her body was pulsing, writhing. The sensation like a supernova that was exploding first in the lower half of her body, and then spreading everywhere, sweeping away all other awareness.

She barely noticed Greg easing himself out of her. She only realized he had totally removed himself from her body when the bed readjusted for the sudden loss of his weight. She kept her eyes closed still, panting and feeling sweat trickle down her sides and from her hairline.

House disposed of the latex glove in the trash, then got a fresh washcloth and soaped it up very well. He thoroughly soaked another washcloth with water, and then made his way back to the bed to clean her up.

His balls were really starting to ache by the time he'd finished, an ache that was giving even his bad thigh a run for its money, so he rolled both washcloths up in one of the used bathtowels and dropped them into the empty hot tub for the moment - besides, what else was maid service for? - then fished in the nighttable for one of the condoms he'd put there earlier.

When Allison felt his hands on her again, insistently turning her over onto her belly, she almost didn't have the energy to protest. Almost. "You'd better not be thinking of-"

"No," House said with a chuckle, easing her up onto her knees. "However, I never said I was done with you. Considering I think I gave you quite the orgasm a few moments ago, I think I'm entitled to one more 'ride' tonight." He unrolled the condom onto himself, then knelt carefully on the bed and slid himself into her, at the usual location.

One day, Little Greg might go spelunking in the deepest darkest depths of Allison Cameron, he thought to himself, amused at his own choice of inner words, but not just yet. Besides, he'd come here tonight planning just this sort of preliminary 'introduction'. Get her hooked on how good it felt, and then make her wait. Eventually, her own curiosity would fuel the fire, and she'd be the one coming to him and asking him for more 'backdoor' action. And then he could play out all sorts of naughtiness with her. I'm so evil.

Besides, it wasn't as if he was going to complain about getting the 'usual' tonight. She was just as delectable as always, wet and tight and yielding to his thrusts.

Despite the urge to just collapse, Allison was loving this. This was her favourite position of all. Bound and helpless, with Greg thrusting forcefully inside her, his hands all over her like he was trying to make love to every inch of her. She didn't think she could climax again, but that was fine. It was enough just to enjoy the feel of him inside her, the slip and slide of his hands over her sweaty skin, the texture of the lingerie, the feel of the rope rubbing against her palms where she was still gripping it.

In House's mind, recent events were replaying themselves in an infinite loop. The tight, hot feel of her, of both sets of muscles quivering and pulsing around his fingers. The excellent blow job technique she'd displayed earlier tonight. Remembering how it had felt, what it had looked like, when she'd wrapped her breasts around him. All those thoughts helped him get to the edge in no time. And it made him even harder, the realization that only he got to see these sides of her. It was all for him. Not for any idiotic doctors with TB from Africa. It drove him to grasp her hips almost hard enough to leave bruises, as he finally pumped himself dry, vision going blurry and his heart pounding rapidly in his chest.

He managed, somehow, to pull out of her before collapsing. He flopped onto the pillows next to her, totally spent. Eyes closed, his nimble fingers still found the buckles of the cuffs and worked them free, so he could then draw Alli's body against him, cradle her against his chest.

When he was finally sure that he wasn't going to have a cardiac event, he opened his eyes and looked at her. She looked sweaty and happy and almost seemed to be glowing, and he supposed he had his answer, but since he was obsessive he had to ask: "Did you like that, Alli?"

Allison smiled sleepily and put her arms around him, kissing him deeply on the mouth. She could smell and taste herself on him. Guess we'll be needing another bath. "God, yes. That was…very interesting. Maybe I should let you get jealous more often." But she smiled and winked at him, to show she was only joking.

"Dr. Charles wouldn't know a 'back-door' from a 'front-door'. Even if the former had an 'Exit Only' sign on it," he proclaimed, blue eyes glinting mischieviously at her. "Still, I'm very glad you enjoyed yourself. Does that mean you'll let me try some 'back door play' with you again in the near future?"

"Yes. As long as the 'near future' isn't within the next few hours, however," she answered, yawning. "You wore me out, and Dr. Cameron needs to sleep."

"Hey, I thought I had the market cornered on being easily worn out and fatigued. Go get your own excuse," he shot back, then stuck out his tongue at her.

She kissed his protruding tongue, enjoying the startled expression on his face, and just settled herself more comfortably into his arms, not caring that her lingerie was in disarray and that they were still lying on the rumpled, damp quilt and that the lights weren't even turned off.

Right now, she was going to hold on to this feeling and have a little nap. When she got her energy levels back up to something approaching normal, she'd give her boyfriend an enthusiastic 'confirmation' of how much she'd enjoyed the evening.

Just to cement the fact that she wasn't interested in anyone else but him.