House looked up to the ceiling for a moment, feeling her hand on his knee and reminding himself that there should be nothing arousing about this situation.

"I suppose we're both judged by our appearances," House said with a wry smile. "Beauty and the beast. Though in my case, it's often the people who get to know me who dislike me more."

He winced as another stab of pain shot through him, and stretched his neck, feeling his body getting tense again.