Chase suggested the park route rather than the city square not just because he thinks she'll appreciate the night blooming flowers but because it's quieter. The city doesn't need CCTV with its bank of constantly roving reporters and for once he'd like to get into work in the morning without House asking if she put out. He leads the way through the narrowing streets to the edge of Xanadu, a longer walk but - as she put it before - a good atmosphere, sweet scents and running streams.

"This place is incredible in the summer. Like the Botanic Gardens if they let you pick the flowers. Not bad in Winter, either." Tilting his head back towards her, he catches the edge of her sleeve between two fingers, a move that almost manages to seem casual, easy to let go if she pulls away. "None of this should have survived the snow."