A/N: I understand that no one likes Luddy. I'm not fond of it either. However, I still wrote this. It has Luddy in it, but as always underneath it all the deeper ship is always Huddy. This is my idea of what Cuddy is trying to accomplish. *shrugs*

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Cuddy sat on the couch next to Lucas and thought about their situation. Things weren't simple, but nothing in her life ever was. He wasn't the man of her dreams, but he might be the man of her reality. How many other men had she tried to be with couldn't handle her work or the new baby or House. Not only could Lucas handle all those things, but he seemed to understand. He let her throw her tantrum about House, he watched her express her feelings and love for another man, and after it was all over he held her in his arms and made her laugh.

Turning to look into his eyes, she kissed him. She tried to convey the feelings of devotion and appreciation to the man next to her. If he could understand her feelings for House, if he could handle House's antics, how could she not at least try things with him. Didn't she deserve it? Didn't Rachel? Cuddy wanted normal. She had decided it was time to try what was expected. A nice guy. A responsible guy. Someone who would care about her and help take care of Rachel. It didn't matter if he wasn't quite tall enough, if his comments were soft and gentle, or if he followed every rule that ever existed.

As she felt his tongue brush against her lips, she steeled her resolve. Fully submerging herself into the moment, she soon found herself straddling his lap. His hands pulled her close, tugging on her flesh with need. Closing her eyes, she found herself lost in sensations. Her body had been so starved for attention, that she melted under his firm touch. Reaching down she pulled her shirt off in haste.

Cuddy was more than surprised to find Lucas pulling her to his chest. It hardly felt sexual, when he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. Kissing her forehead, he whispered, "Let's go to bed Lisa." She wasn't sure how she felt about the gesture, but was too tired to analyze it just then. Standing up she grabbed his hand and led him silently to her bedroom.

Lying in the dark, with Lucas's arms wrapped around her, it was easy to pretend things made sense. It was easy to pretend that he was not a poor substitution for what she really craved. As he spooned behind her, Cuddy bit the inside of her cheek as a precaution against the tears welling in her eyes and willed her body to sleep.