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You were friends with Cuddy, and being friends with Cuddy meant that one single event would inevitably occur at some point in your life. That one thing would drive you to the brink of insanity. That one thing would change your life; it would irrevocably alter it. It would grab a hold of you, and swiftly, in mere seconds, it would take all you have ever known into its hands and crush it to dust. But above all, it would suck you in with the force of a thousand suns, and not even the greater forces, if there was such a thing, knew what would happen after that.

But the worst part of it all is that that thing had a name. And that name you could never forget, not after that day, and not because it was a common name or simple to remember. Oh no. It was just too difficult to forget that monosyllable that rang so vilely in your ears.

House.

It was a late winter evening, and the night was as bitter cold as your disposition. It was difficult to manage a smile, much less speak to a single human being and manage a pleasing tone of voice. Cuddy looked at you, for the first time you had ever known her, with pity in her large, reflective eyes. She put her hand on your shoulder but you pushed it off, holding back the tear that so desperately yearned to run free.

"You don't want him back, do you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I don't know. No. Maybe. He visited me at the clinic yesterday. He abused medication to fake flu-like symptoms to have an excuse to see me there. No matter how pitiful an action it was, no matter how much I wanted to hate him… Cuddy, I couldn't. And it occurred to me that I miss him. That's what scares me the most. I don't want to miss him." You worked at a hospital a several miles away from Princeton Plainsboro, and you ex-boyfriend (who was also a doctor) had abused medication on his job in an attempt to win you back while you examined him.

"What he did to you was terrible, (Name). Trying to win you back was even worse. He must affect your ability to perform your duties as a doctor properly."

"What are you getting at, Lisa?"

"Princeton Plainsboro is hiring. You are an exceptional doctor. We could use someone like you. And, as your friend, I think it would be the best for you to get away from him. Coming here would be a simple answer. I can make the transition easy for you."

You nodded, biting your lip. You know it is a good option for you, but leaving your job behind at the other hospital would be difficult emotionally. "Give me time to think it over, alright?"
"As much as you need. In the meantime, go home and relax. I hate seeing you like this."

"Thanks for taking time out of your day. I needed to talk to someone, and—"

"Don't sweat it. I'll always be here for you. I love you like a sister."

"You know, if you take out the 'like a sister' part, I would have paid a lot of money to see you two going at it on Cuddy's desk. Actually, I still would." And those were the first words you had ever heard Gregory House speak. He hobbled into the room, his hand tightly gripping his cane. "She needs a job; I need someone new on my team. I'll take her. She starts next week."

"You don't know a single thing about her," Cuddy snapped, not giving you a chance to speak.

House looked you up and down, studying you carefully Finally, his blue eyes met your (eye color) eyes. "Don't need to. She and I will fight every day, and she'll piss me off to no end. I'll hate her more than I hate most other people. Hell, I'm sure she'll slap me a couple of times for being an ass. But she's a good doctor, and I don't need her credentials to tell me that. The fact that she is not only your 'friend' but a doctor whom you respect is enough for me to determine how competent she is."

"And what department would I be working in?" You fold your arms in front of your chest. You've never felt more annoyed in your entire life.

"Diagnostics. Job requirements are: short skirt, thong or no underwear and a low-cut shirt. Oh, I forgot to say that you'll attempt to sue me for sexual harassment at some point, but we'll get passed that."

"Oh, that's rich. You're an insufferable asshole who thinks he can get away with all kinds of shit just because he's a cripple. Do you want my sympathy to take precedence over my better judgement and to let myself jump off of a cliff? 'Cause I'm sure that what's at the bottom won't kill me, but it'll leave me wishing I had died. So no, Mr. Douchebag, I will not work in your department. And, I'm sorry Cuddy, I won't be able to work in a hospital that employs this—"

"First, metaphors are my thing. Second, you are the bi—"

"That's enough, both of you." Cuddy sighed, collapsing into the chair behind her desk and putting her hand on her throbbing forehead. "And House, you could have at least introduced yourself properly before making an ass of yourself in front of (Name)."

"No, it's fine. I actually like the fact that he didn't introduce himself. I'll just use asshole in place of his name," you quipped. Your voice was jagged and cold like cracked ice.

House only looked at you, intrigue glimmering in his eyes. His face however remained in a stagnant scowl that you think looks unflattering on him. You took time to observe him as Cuddy spoke. Perhaps you would have thought him to be attractive had his personality been more appealing, but alas, you had found him completely revolting the moment words began to spill from his thin lips. As you watched him you were almost taken aback when he took the slightest step toward you and let a smirk play on his lips for a split second. You gulped, knowing that you were facing what feels like an adversary. He was amused by you and your anger. How dare he?

"Cuddy, that's enough. (Name), look, I apologize. Well, not really, as I'm only doing this because Cuddy wants me to, but either way you'll want to come and work for me sooner or later. Though, I would prefer you accept this offer now because, well, I'm not one for wasting time on trivial things like stupidity."

"Fine! I accept! I hope you regret hiring me, because I will make your life hell." Cuddy looks at you, her brows furrowed. She had never seen you tick before, not like this, but House made you tick, and she didn't know whether that was a good or a bad thing.

"I look forward to hell," House said firmly.

You looked at the clock and noticed the time. "Lisa, I've got to get headed home. Fax me the paperwork and I'll get it to you as soon as possible. Thanks again for listening."

Once you exit, Cuddy turns to House and raises an eyebrow to him. "Are you sure you can handle her, House? And do you really need her in your department. She's a phenomenal immunologist, and perhaps it would be best for her to work in immunology. Because the way I see it, you've started a war by offering her a position on your team."

House chuckles, "I do need her, Cuddy. And why don't you look at it this way: She's your friend and as your friend she can keep an eye on me. You know, keep me from getting the hospital in a messy lawsuit."

She sighs, staring at her desk. "Very well, but if you so much as—"

"It's not like I'll beat her with my cane. Okay, well, not too hard. See you later, Cuddy."

"Wait! House, why did you come to my office in the first place?"

"I need to be a nuisance to you at least once a day. It's in my job description." The door closes behind House as he hobbles off.

A/N: This is the first character/reader I've ever written. Is it any good? I noticed that there aren't very many of House/Reader and decided it was about time that I wrote something. Leave a review and tell me what you think. I'll continue writing this if there is enough interest in it.

This is the song I thought of when I wrote this chapter: Hozier - Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene: www. youtube watch?v=sXAzwjci-40