When No One's Looking
It isn't what anyone expected, what anyone sees. Everyone's so caught up in the obvious dramas, the tension between House and Cuddy, the sadness between House and Stacy, they never think. Maybe it's better that way, because then there'll be no one to hid from, no one will be looking.
Cuddy's had a long day, a damn long, horrible, day, and when Stacy pulls up next to her on her way out of the hospital and offers to buy her a drink she says yes. They have a couple drinks a pub Stacy knows talk about unimportant, non-work, non-House related things.
"You look so tired"
Stacy says and Cuddy's surprised because she sounds so understanding, like she cares and she suddenly realizes it's been far too long since anyone's talked to her like that. Cuddy reaches over and takes the other woman's hand in hers, just holding and Stacy doesn't pull way.
Stacy drives her home and at the door Cuddy rummages for her keys thanking Stacy awkwardly. Stacy's reaches out and gently brushes the hair way from Cuddy's face.
"Lisa, just don't. You don't have to"
Her voice is soft and Cuddy turns, knowing what's going to happen next and still managing to be surprised when Stacy kisses her. Cuddy pulls back first looking at Stacy seeing the way her cheeks have flushed slightly, feeling the other woman's hands on either side of her face. She can still tasting Stacy's lips on hers; alcohol and lipstick and the faintest hint of spice. She knows it's wrong she knows it should stop there and never go any further but she needs this, she needs this woman, in a way she's hardly ever needed any one before. She wonder's briefly weather it's the alcohol, or the loneliness, or something about Stacy, something she sees in the other woman that no one else has ever had. She unlocks the door and turns back to Stacy.
"Would you like to come in?"
She's a little surprised that her voice is shaking, but Stacy only smiles.
Sometimes Cuddy wonders about Stacy's husband and what he means to Stacy and why she stays with him, and what she means to Stacy for that matter. She's not good at keeping secrets but Stacy seems to bring out the worst parts of her, and she can't say deep down she minds. Sometimes she wonders weather Wilson knows or suspects, and sometimes she thinks he might. Sometimes she wonders if House knows, and thinks it probably doesn't matter. Because for the first time this isn't all about House.