In Gregory House's world, there are only three people that really matter: himself, first of all, because he loves and loathes himself to a twisted degree; then Wilson, his conscience and BFF; and finally Cuddy, his boss and occasional love interest.

The Huddy (House/Cuddy) relationship has been hinted at and implied for the past five seasons, but it was only in last week's episode "Joy" that something genuinely happened between them. In a moment of emotional angst and confusion, House passionately kissed Cuddy, and in this week's episode of House he has to deal with it. Knowing House, he'll do it in the most offensive and odd-putting way possible.

The POW (Patient of the Week) Stewart (Todd Louiso) is a reclusive agoraphobic who is sick but refuses to leave the safety of his home. Years ago he was shot by a mugger, and his girlfriend was killed in front of him, which exacerbated his fear of the outside world. Cameron has been working on community outreach and is familiar with him, so she persuades House to help him. Cameron and Chase! You exist! House agrees to help the recluse, but he is more interested in causing enough pain that the POW has no choice but to go to the hospital. He plans to knock out the man and remove him to the ER, but Cameron messes up their plans in a fit of emotional kindness. As always, this ruins everything, and he hires a lawyer to protect him from them.

Meanwhile, House is feeling enormously awkward around Cuddy and does not argue with her on anything. This weirds everyone out, but they do not believe his claim that he 'hit that' except for Wilson. He hilariously and sweetly gets excited for his friends, and tries to talk both of them into giving the relationship a try. He even tries to manipulate Cuddy into going on a date with him, so House will see and get jealous. Cupid Wilson. Cuddy maintains they would never work, as if speaking from experience, and House just denies denies denies.

Cameron and Chase are having relationship troubles because they never stay at her place, and he points out he feels unwelcome there. He always has been the one chasing her, and her reluctance comes from her dead husband problems. Aw, Chase, maybe she's not worth it (call me!).

In the end, after a horrible in-home surgery and the patient being set on fire, House figures it out in the nick of time like usual and saves Stewart. He also rails at the man for his fear of the unknown and cowardly ways. In the end, it is House who is truly the coward, which even he knows. He has been hunting a mosquito all episode, but the itch on his hand is truly a metaphor for his feelings regarding Cuddy. He goes to her house, possibly to start something, and cannot bring himself to ring the doorbell. Stewart, however, does manage to leave the house and rejoin the world.

Taub's wife takes a step closer to forgiving him for his betrayal. Cameron allows Chase further into her life by giving him a drawer at her house. Everyone is moving forward … except House. It is not just his leg that cripples him, but rather his entire fear of change and vulnerability.

It does not look like this is the end of the Huddy possibilities, since next week's preview shows some discussion between Wilson and House. It was refreshing to see Chase and Cameron back again, but it may be a mistake for the writers to remind the audience how well the old team worked together. The Numbers took a back seat, and it felt better that way, which means they may never really get a chance to take their rightful places as long as the Ducklings stay around. This episode was well acted on all parts, especially with guest star Louiso as he is both pitiful and relatable. It is great that Stewart overcame his fears in the end, but come on, House, seriously? The agoraphobic has more courage than you do! "House, MD" is on Tuesday nights at 8 PM on FOX.

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer