Hey guys. So when I watched last weeks new episode the final scene completely broke my heart. I finally decided House and Cuddy both deserved to have that talk with one another so I came up with this. At the end of the episode House is about to enter Cuddy's office, with Fiona Apple's lovely song 'Why Try to Change me Now' in the background, but Lucas is in her office, laughing and snuggling with Cuddy so House doesn't go in. Well what if Lucas hadn't been there?

This is not a one shot..I have the next few chapters ready- that is, if you'd like them :) Nevertheless this will be a short story most likely. I'm thinking less than ten chapters. But then again who knows. This is my first House MD fanfic story and I wanted to start posting it asap because I figure it'll motivate me to finish the chapters I'm working on now.

Thanks and hopefully enjoy!

Madeline


'I'm sentimental so I walk in the rain,

I've got some habits even I can't explain,

I go to the corner, I end up in Spain,

Why try to change me now?'

She smiled as she finally finished reviewing old performance reviews from the past year. Looking at the time on her computer she blinks a few times, shocked at how late the time has gotten.

Sitting up a little straighter in her desk, she turns off her computer yawning slightly. She reaches for her cell phone before she hears her office door open.

Looking up she rolls her eyes. "House. What can I do for you now?"

He shrugs, to himself it seems, and walks further into her office. "Can we talk for a second?"

Cuddy stands and begins to walk to the corner for her jacket. "Sure."

"Are you...going somewhere? If it's too late.."

"As long as it's quick I'm all ears." She smiles slightly and sits back in her chair behind her desk.

Silence fills the room, a silence that's neither awkward or pleasant but unused to. "House," Cuddy sighs, her voice not void of exhaustion from a long day, "If this is going to take-"

"I'm sorry." he almost whispers it, but it's just loud enough for Cuddy to make out.

"Oh." Cuddy replies just as softly. She's surprised at first, and the thought, Since when does House apologize? enters her mind quickly but suddenly she remembers.

"If it's about the photographs, don't worry about it. I can fix them I just- well I'd rather I didn't need to fix them but knowing you-"

"I wasn't talking about the photos."

And now Lisa's truly confused. "Well then what-"

"I'm sorry for what I said about you and Rachel. For what I called you two the night I hallucinated."

Go suck on the little bastard child that makes you feel good about yourself.

The sentence comes as quickly to Cuddy's mind as it does to House's.

She says nothing for a couple seconds, letting the memory register. Finally House continues.

"I'm sorry for the shouting I did off the banister last year. And I'm sorry for-"

"House." she interrupts, her voice is still soft but weaker now. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why am I apologizing?"

"Well.." She looks around the room with her palm against her cheek, avoiding his eye contact. She regains control and looks back at him. "Why are you apologizing now?"

"You deserve it."

"Are you..feeling guilty?"

"No." he says. And Cuddy sighs, Of course he doesn't feel guilty.

"No." he repeats, "If I was feeling guilty then I wouldn't be doing this for you. I'd be doing...saying this for me." He sighs and then continues, "I'm apologizing because I treated you horribly last year. And-"

He stops, and Cuddy can sense he's nervous.

"I was wrong. Wilson told me that..I push people away and-"

"He's been saying that for years." Cuddy sighed, smiling slightly. "He's right."

"I didn't realize it then." He breathes. "And I'm so sorry."

There's a pause, Lisa debates moving closer to him, to touch his shoulder or something but stays put. Finally she says, "House you can't- you weren't well. You were sick."

"Did I hurt you?" he says abrubtly.

She meets his eyes again, involuntary tears spring into her eyes. She regains her composure, hiding her eyes the best she can. "Yes."

He looks down at the ground, nodding.

"But House," and now she can't avoid his presence as she moves closer to him, "You weren't well. You had a drug problem."

"It's no excuse." House says. "I know how I acted. I was afraid and I took that all out on you."

"Afraid?" Cuddy smiles, "You're never afraid."

He laughs lightly, happy the mood has lightened. "I was of you."

Lisa's shocked at his honesty. "Of me?"

"Of us." he nods. "You gave me every chance and I blew it. And I'm sorry for that, but mostly I'm sorry for how I treated you. Even if I was a drug addict it doesn't justify my actions."

Cuddy inhales deeply, touched by his words. "Thank you."

"Hmm." he sighs. "It's late..I'm sorry I kept you."

"No it's okay." she turns, hiding her eyes again afraid they'll betray her. Picking up her purse, she sets it on the desk to get her keys out as House starts to leave her office. Pushing her chair into her desk, her keys fall onto it. She leans to pick them up-

Your mother sent it? That's very nice of her.

No. My mother has no idea I'm redoing my office.

"House." she breathes.

He turns and looks back at her.

"I never.." she pauses, "Thank you for the desk."

He stares at her, a look that makes something flutter in Cuddy. "You're welcome."

House leaves her office, Lisa soon following. On her drive home she knows she should be excited to see Rachel and thinking about spending her night with Lucas, but House won't seem to exit her mind.


Say the word and chapter 2's up.

Meaning, review if you can!