Remy Hadley awoke that morning with a throbbing headache pounding her temples. She slowly rose out of bed and softly planted her feet on the floor. She slowly walked into her bathroom, apprehensive as to whether or not to turn on the light. The sky was pink and soft outside; the mornings never have treated her well. Her hand went to the light switch; she pondered that if she turned on that light, she would have to accept the harsh reality of what her recent night life has inflicted on her. She flipped the switch, and the light immediately flooded her senses. She looked at herself in the mirror and was distraught at the sight before her. 'How could anybody care about me when I look like this?' Of course when she thought, "anybody," she meant her boss and former lover, Lisa Cuddy.
She began removing her clothes and turned on the shower. The steam began permeating the room. She stepped in and pulled the curtain. While the steaming hot water caressed and stung her skin, she began reminiscing,
Remy's feet felt like lead as she slowly made her way to Cuddy's front door. Remy was sporting a pair of long black pants, and a white button down shirt; a black silk vest accentuating her upper body. Her long grey jacket flowed with the chilly wind. Remy exhaled deeply and finally gained the courage to knock on the door. She heard the clicks of Cuddy's shoes on the hardwood in her hallway. With each click, Remy's heart began beating faster and faster. The autumn leaves rustling around her seemed to whisper, 'don't mess this up!' Remy shook the thought from her mind.
The door opened and Remy was taken aghast. Lisa Cuddy was wearing a long, black dress that shimmered in the moonlight with a slit up to her left thigh. The dress rose to her bosoms and accentuated every curve. Her hair was pulled up into a loose ponytail, and a diamond necklace was draped elegantly around her neck. Cuddy smiled when she saw Thirteen's expression,
"…you look absolutely amazing, Cuddy." Remy said with her eyes as wide as saucers. Cuddy laughed a little and motioned for Thirteen to come in.
"I'll just be a second. You can relax on the couch if you'd like." With that, Cuddy disappeared into the hallway. A smile grew on Remy's face as she thought of what this night could bring. She had no idea how she mustered up the courage to ask Cuddy if she may escort the Dean of Medicine to the fiftieth annual fall fundraiser benefit. But whatever pushed her to ask, she couldn't be more thankful.
Cuddy reappeared with a small black sequined clutch and a dark shawl draped over her shoulders.
"Ready to go?" she asked. Thirteen rose to her feet,
"Yep, let's go." Thirteen said.
The two walked outside and Cuddy turned around to lock her door. Thirteen's eyes went from her car keys to Cuddy's perfectly formed behind. Cuddy placed her keys in her clutch and turned around just in time to see Thirteen's eyes snap up from her ass. A smirk grew across Cuddy's face. A combination of the chilly fall air and pure embarrassment shaded Thirteen's cheeks a light shade of red. Cuddy smiled and said,
"It's fine, Thirteen. Everyone has a bizarre fascination with my ass. It's natural." Thirteen smiled like a little boy who had just been kissed on the cheek. She then held out her arm,
"May I?" she asked in the best voice she could muster. Cuddy smiled and placed her arm around Thirteen's.
"Why you most certainly may." With that, the two walked to Thirteen's shiny blue BMW.
Thirteen shut the shower off and reached around the corner for her towel. She slipped it off the hook and began dabbing the water off of her damp form. She stepped out of the shower and went to her sink. She rubbed off some the condensation and looked at herself again, but this time she was a little more pleased with what she saw. 'At least that's a start.'
She began brushing her teeth. As she was beginning her morning routine, she thought back again to that night three months ago.
The two arrived at the front entrance of the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Thirteen turned the car off and pulled the keys out of the ignition, while the valet on the right side of the car aided Cuddy out of the passenger's seat. Cuddy placed one perfect leg out of the car, and as Thirteen handed her keys to the other valet, she stared at this marvel and could not hide her fascination. Thirteen approached Cuddy and the two walked into the benefit arm in arm.
Immediately all eyes were upon them. Some were critical, some were astounded; whether they were astounded by Cuddy's beauty, or choice of escort, neither of them knew, or cared. The room was elegantly decorated, with the nurses' station serving as a bar. The railings of the second floor were draped with strings of silver lights, and the room had a deep red tint in the lighting. Towards the elevators was a dance floor and a small jazz band was playing. The soft jazz echoed through the room and touched Thirteen's ears; she always had a soft spot for jazz.
The two were then approached by Foreman, Chase, and Cameron, all of whom were dressed to their best. The crew greeted each other and began laughing. Chase took Cuddy's hand,
"Dr. Cuddy, you look absolutely radiant." He smiled.
"Why thank you, Dr. Chase. You look very handsome yourself." Cuddy smiled. Foreman then commented,
"You should have seen Wilson's face when you walked in. He is probably still trying to get the drool off of his suit."
Thirteen began putting on her jeans and her t shirt. She slowly pulled them past her hips and buttoned them.
"Where are you guys sitting?" Cameron asked them.
Thirteen and Cuddy looked at each other,
"We don't have a table yet." Thirteen responded.
"You can come sit with us, we're with Wilson and House. Come on," Chase said. He led the crew over to their table, which was right next to the dance floor. As soon as Thirteen noticed this, she went slightly pale. 'Dancing, there's dancing?' Thirteen asked herself, slightly panicking. Foreman chivalrously pulled Cuddy's seat out for her and she took her seat. Foreman sat next to Chase, and Chase sat next to Cameron. Cuddy then noticed a familiar face sitting directly across from her, House.
House's expression was not a particularly greeting one, but Cuddy knew that she could handle him. He was just aggravated that it was not him who brought her here. And frankly, she was glad Thirteen brought her.
Thirteen began putting her long black boots on over the bottoms of her jeans. Then she pulled her grey sweater up over her head.
After dinner was over, there were a few speeches, and then there was dancing. Thirteen's palms began to sweat. She wondered if Cuddy would like to dance, but couldn't seem to muster up the courage to ask her. 'First date jitters and all I guess,' she told herself. House began talking obnoxiously loud to Wilson, who tried to tame his smart assed remarks.
'Do you think Cuddy wants to dance?' he asked.
Thirteen's eyes went to the floor. She suddenly felt inferior to House and felt ashamed that she was too afraid to ask Cuddy. Cuddy noticed this, and then said,
"If I wanted to dance, I sure as hell wouldn't dance with you, unless I wanted to go in circles all night." She smirked. House then smiled and replied,
"Oh snap, sexy doctor lady with the big ass one, crippled doctor who can only dance in circles, zip." The whole table was entertained by the banter between the two of them, except Thirteen. She took a sip of champagne. Foreman then asked Cameron,
"Would you like to dance?" Cameron smiled, leaving Chase speechless.
"I would love to." The two adjourned on the dance floor and began dancing to the slow jazz of 'Moon River.' Cuddy then turned to Thirteen,
"Do you want anything else-" Thirteen then nervously blurted out,
"Would you like to dance?" Cuddy was taken aback for a second and then smiled. Thirteen looked horror struck and her pupils grew to the size of tea plates. Cuddy took her hand and said,
"I would love to." Thirteen smiled and pulled Cuddy's chair out. Then Cuddy stood and took Thirteen's hand as they walked out together on to the dance floor. Cuddy placed her arm around Thirteen's neck and placed her other hand in Thirteen's. Then, Thirteen placed her hand on the small of Cuddy's back. The two gazed into each other's eyes. Thirteen then smiled, shyly,
"Just so you're forewarned, I'm not all that great of a dancer." Cuddy shook her head and smiled.
"You don't need to be. Just move with me." Thirteen trusted Cuddy and the glided back and forth on the dance floor. Slow song after slow song, Cuddy's head began resting on Thirteen's shoulder.
The night concluded with the two of them being the final pair on the dance floor. Neither noticed, until the clock struck midnight. This stirred Cuddy and Thirteen out of their collective dreams.
Thirteen poured herself a cup of coffee into her travel mug and then proceeded out the front door. The chilled, winter air stung her cheeks as she made her way to her car. She pulled her keys out of her coat pocket and opened the door. She got in and placed the coffee cup in the center console and turned on the car. She longingly looked at the passenger's seat.
They arrived in front of Cuddy's house, and Thirteen placed the car into park. Cuddy smiled at her, and Thirteen returned the favor.
"Thank you for this, Thirteen. I had a really nice evening."
"It was my pleasure, Dr. Cuddy. I think that was the best night I've had in a long time."
"It was nice, wasn't it?" The two laughed,
"It wouldn't have been half as wonderful if I didn't have you on my arm, Dr. Cuddy."
Cuddy was taken aback by this. She was somewhat overthrown by her emotion, and tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. Thirteen got out of the car and made her way to Cuddy's side and opened the door. Cuddy smiled and got out. The two made their way to Cuddy's front door. Cuddy unlocked the door, and turned to say good night to Thirteen.
"Good night, Dr. Hadley." Thirteen was somewhat hurt at the sudden tone of professionalism and then shook it off.
"Good night, Dr. Cuddy." She said. Then as if some spirit overtook her, she slowly placed her arms around Cuddy's waist. She expected Cuddy to resist slightly, but resistance was nowhere to be found. Thirteen brought her lips to Cuddy's, and both felt a sensation shoot through their bodies. Cuddy wrapped her arms around Thirteen's neck. After seconds of passion, the two separated.
"Please, call me Remy." Thirteen said. Cuddy smiled,
"Call me Lisa."
Both could tell that this was the start of something spectacular.
The sky was gray and dark; too dark for so early in the morning. Another day of snow and rain was sure to await Thirteen. She turned into the parking space and turned off the car. She took a moment to have some final alone time before she had to go in and have the imminent confrontation with Lisa. As she sipped her coffee, she began thinking. She wanted Lisa back. This mess was all my fault, she thought. She kept remembering back on that night. The night it all began. And the night it all fell apart.