"What did you do?" Her knock at the door wasn't entirely unexpected, and the question was one that had been asked myriads of times. But it was personal this time, really personal, and House had been prepared for the consequences of his actions. That wasn't to say that he was feeling a little bit stupid about what he had done, but given the opportunity, he wouldn't have changed anything. Actually, given the opportunity, he would have changed a lot, but that didn't mean anything, not now. What mattered now was that Cuddy was standing in his doorway, demanding his confession. She wasn't going to get it easily, though, something she should have expected.
"When?" he asked, and almost smiled at the livid look on her face. He lived to rile her up, more than anyone else.
"When? When? House, you know when; what did you do?"
"Yesterday? Last month? When I was in Mayfield? Two years ago? When I was in medical school? When I was eleven? Be specific Cuddy, I'm sure you don't have time for my life story."
"Damn right I don't; what the hell did you say to him?"
"To who?" House asked, feigning ignorance, knowing that she could see through his falsehoods in an instant. The blow-up was coming, he could feel it, but he wanted to enjoy the little bit of toying with her that he could get.
"He broke up with me!"
"Who, your boyfriend? Lance?"
"You know his goddamn name, House. What did you say to him?"
"Nothing. What makes you think that it was my fault Prince Charming broke up with you? Am I really the cause of ALL your hardships?"
"Yes!" She screeched at him, and he started laughing. "What the hell are you laughing at, House, do you think this is funny?" Her eyes had gone practically red with anger, and he just laughed harder.
"Yeah, actually, I do. You're getting pretty pissed at me for something that he did."
"No, House, no! It's YOUR fault!"
"And where's your proof of that?"
"I don't need proof, House, I know it was you! We were doing FINE before you… before you talked to him yesterday!"
"I didn't talk to him yesterday. Maybe it was Wilson; he probably still thinks we're going to 'get over ourselves' and boink each other." He was happy to see the blush form on her face; if she had come to his house, surely she was ready to deal with the consequences.
"I know it was you, House, I already asked Wilson if he had said anything, and you know he's a terrible liar."
"Fine. Maybe I did say a couple of words to Larry."
"Like what? Stay away from Cuddy, because it's my goal to make her stay single for the rest of her life?"
"No." The playful atmosphere left the room as soon as the low, reluctant disagreement left his lips, and he lowered his head, removing his gaze from hers. She sensed that was struggling with something, but she wouldn't give up on her anger. Her heart had been broken and she wanted to know why.
"What did you say?" she asked intently, almost whispering. He looked up at her, scared for one of the only times in his life, and moved his mouth, but no sound came out. He tried again, but his murmur was so inaudible that she didn't hear a word of it.
"House?" Her curiousity had overcome her furour, and she wanted desperately to know what was so hard for him to tell her.
"I told him that I loved you." He lowered his head again, and waited for her reply, having no idea what it would be.
Her mouth dropped open, but she quickly composed herself and closed it. He could be playing games with her, that was a definite possibility. But she was just so tired of not knowing what he was really thinking that she dared to pose a question.
"Were you lying? We all know that you're jealous of me so-" And then, his cautious, unsure look was replaced with one of fury, of resentment, of disgust, one of disbelief
His features morphed until he looked positively dangerous, but Cuddy couldn't move, she had frozen herself to his floor.
"Get out." he muttered, looking at her with murder in his eyes.
"What; House-"
"Get. Out." She remained standing, her mouth open again, completely at a loss for what to do.
"I don't-"
"GET OUT!!!" he screamed at her, and suddenly, at this display of emotions, of his hidden humanity, his face became inhuman, twisted out of shape by his odium. She was surprised beyond belief, but she still couldn't move, still couldn't say anything remotely helpful.
"Was I- Was I lying…" he laughed darkly, looking at her in infuriated insanity. "I wish I had been." He limped off to his bedroom, and she was left alone in his house. Not knowing what else to do, she moved her now mobile legs, leaving little wet spots of tears on the floor, and walked out of the house, more conflicted than ever.
