Disclaimer: I don't own [H]ouse, MD. If I did, well...things would be different.
"If Greg House steps foot in my hospital again, comes anywhere near me, I want him thrown in jail."
Julia walked to the edge of the drive way and sat down after the police officer had finished questioning her sister, Lisa Cuddy.
"Lise, you okay?" She asked, placing a hand on her sister's back.
Cuddy's tears began to stream down her face again, this time even heavier than before. "He drove through my house, Julia. My house!"
Julia hugged her sister and tried to slow down her sobs, "I know, I know. But they'll find him," She assured, motioning to the cluster of policemen standing off the to side, plotting their plan to find Gregory House. "They won't let this go until they have House behind bars."
Somehow, that didn't make Cuddy feel any better. Maybe it was the shock, or the hurt...whatever it was, it was keeping her from believing that this had actually happened. Gregory House...the man she loved...he had really done this. There was nothing to suggest otherwise. The gaping hole in her home served as all the proof she needed.
She wanted him to pay. She didn't want him anywhere near her or her daughter...not even her hospital.
And so lay the end of her personal relationship with House...she didn't want it to be like this, not ever. Just in the hallway, she'd apologized, and he had admitted that his pain wasn't her fault...she took that as a good thing, a sign that they could go back to being co-workers...that had been her clearance to move on...although, as she sat on the pavement and really thought about it all, could she ever really move on from House? She tried that once and failed miserably.
Her eyes rolled at the thought and she pulled away from Julia, finally standing up. Julia clambered to her feet and followed her sister as she made her way back into her damaged house.
"Lise, do you need a place to stay? You and Rachel are always welcome at my house."
Cuddy shook her head, barely paying attention to her sister, "No, we'll be fine."
"Lisa...there's a giant hole in your living room...are you sure?"
Irritated, Cuddy lashed out, "Damnit, I told you, we'll be fine. I appreciate the offer, but no thank you." Every syllable was distinctly pronounced and poisoned with a plethora of emotions: rage, guilt, hopelessness, genuine sadness, and a slight twinge of a twisted form of love.
Why that certain emotion even existed in regards to House anymore, Lisa Cuddy would never know. It almost pissed her off even more to think that she could think of House in that light still. Certainly, that light was tarnished and very dim, but at this point in her life, she was positive that nothing could just erase twenty years of him over night.
Jerry joined Julia and Cuddy in the remains of her living room. He had stuck around, despite the personal issues in Cuddy's life that had appeared during dinner.
"Lisa, can I get you anything?" He asked as sweetly as he could manage.
Sympathy was not what she wanted right now. Sickened instantly, she whirled around to face him, her face stricken with tears, "No. Jerry, listen. You're a sweet guy, and my sister wants the both of us to be happy...but this won't work."
Not expecting her response to be anything along those lines, Jerry slumped slightly, "Why not?"
Cuddy glared at Julia then returned her gaze to Jerry, "It just...won't. Take my word for it."
Julia's jaw dropped, "This...this doesn't have anything to do with...House...does it?"
"Jules...the man drove through my house. Any feelings I had left for him were destroyed along with my living room. It's okay, you can rest easy tonight," Her reply came so sarcastically that it was almost as if House himself had delivered it. The fact that it was a lie was even more like House.
"Look, I'm sorry I'm a little bitchy this evening, but I have a really good excuse," She admitted, sadly.
Julia's face softened, "It's okay, Lise. I understand."
Jerry sighed, not convinced, "Don't make me suffer because of him. Dinner was going great."
Cuddy scowled, "One day, Julia, you'll learn to stay out of my personal life. While I appreciate the gesture, promise me you won't do this again. Jerry, no. I'm sorry. It's better if you don't get involved with me. Who knows? If I piss you off, you might blow up my refrigerator, or burn my grass. I'm not taking any chances any time soon."
Jerry frowned, but nodded, muttering, "When you said you had personal issues in your life, you weren't kidding."
"Yes, I'm well aware of my screwed up personal life, thank you for taking the time to notice...as proved by the hole in my living room, or lack thereof," Though her remark was overly catty and sarcastic, Cuddy managed to squeeze it out with a small smile.
"I should go," Jerry concluded. He was clearly disappointed, but decided that leaving was in his best interest.
"Thanks for coming, Jerry," Cuddy said, giving a small wave.
After Jerry left, Cuddy turned to Julia, who was standing with her arms folded tightly across her chest, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, Jules...he's just not my type at all," Cuddy admitted, shrugging. "You can't force these things."
Julia rolled her eyes, "He's not House. That's what you mean to say."
Cuddy shook her head and pointed at her demolished living room, "Do you not see that?"
"It's not about the house, Lisa."
"You're right. It's about everything. He's hurt me so many times, and granted I've hurt him too. But this...this was the final straw."
Julia shook her head, "I'll believe it when I see it. Look, I'm not here to argue, so if there isn't anything you need me to do, I'm going home."
"Thanks for your help, Julia. I really do appreciate it."
She nodded, hugged Cuddy, then left.
Finally alone, Lisa Cuddy turned to observe the damage done to her home. A few more tears dripped from her eyes, but she wasn't crying because of the hole in her living room. Through all the rage and hatred, this was the end of a very long friendship with the most incredible man she had ever known.
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