"Oh God House," she whimpered, trying to pull away from him. "I can't it's too much." She kept telling herself she wasn't going to cry, but even after living in such denial, she recognized the sound of her own voice cracking. She could feel the emotions being drawn to the surface by the bastard holding her and trembled in fear. She struggled angrily trying to get out of his grasp.
House hated to seem so cruel, but she needed this. She wasn't dealing and it was destroying her. He pulled her firmly against his chest, even though she was shaking her head, her eyes pleading with him not to do this. He closed his eyes in a pained expression, ignoring her struggles. He held her tight against him, feeling her panic and struggle inside of the shelter of his arms.
"It hurts too much Greg; please… please don't make me." She was terrified; he could hear it in her voice. He stayed silent holding her head against his chest with one hand while his other arm held her body close to his. He didn't want her to see his own silent tears escaping down his cheeks.
He brought them to the floor, letting his body slide down the wall behind him. She crumpled against him sideways. She sobbed tearlessly against him for a moment, clinging to his shirt and welcoming his embrace. Her breaths were ragged and he could tell she was still trying to keep her emotions in check.
He shook his head, somewhat disappointed. "Let go Lisa, let it out," he whispered in her ear. Instead of having the desired effect, of her falling into his safety net, she once again, was faced with the situation at hand.
She jerked back trying to move away from him, but House was well-prepared for the woman's stubborn nature. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled her towards him between his legs, her back resting against his chest. As she fought against him, he quickly snatched her flailing wrist that was aiming a fist towards his broken thigh.
"You're not getting away from this Lisa," he urged, softly in her ear. "It's killing me to see you destroy yourself." His words were hissed with a desperation that shocked even him.
"Just let me go, I can handle things my way." She begged, exhausted from the mental and physical struggles taking place.
"That is not handling anything. It may help, it may get you through today, but that's it. Lisa you have to find something else." He had his arms wrapped across her chest pinning her upper arms to her sides, but loosened his grip slightly. He rested his chin on her shoulder.
She instantly moved her face against his, needing the comfort he was offering. "I've tried," she said, defeated. "I'm just not strong enough. It's too much," she whispered near tears.
"Well," House kissed her temple softly, "It's a good thing you won't have to get over this alone then."
She let out a pained sob at his, declaration, "You don't understand." She was struggling again, desperately trying to pull away from him.
He held her close to him, as she finally started to cry. Rocking her softly back and forth, he listened to her painful sobs and deep gasps for breath. It wasn't just shoulders shaking, gasps for air, and lots of tears. Her entire body was involved. She was desperate and panicked trying to run away from what he wasn't sure. She fought against him as she cried, her whole body trembling.