Hey everyone :)

This is my first shot at a House fic. I hope you enjoy it! I just started watching House on DVD this summer and very quickly fell in love with it. Right now I am a few episodes in to season 2 so any character development up til then is what I have to work on. There will probably be more for me as I grow in this amazing fandom!

Dru


He didn't believe that the weather could reflect a person's mood. It didn't rain nearly enough for it to be true for him.

His eyes remained closed, head propped up on his hand that was curled around the top of his cane as he listened to the drops outside his window. Today wasn't feeling so bad. A slow throb was ebbing its way into his leg. But that wasn't anything special. His other hand curled around the familiar bottle of pills as his eyes opened. The rain wasn't letting up.

"House?"

The voice was tentative and cautious. Different from the annoyed and accusing one he was used to. He purposefully took his time turning his chair around to face her.

"Cuddy."

It surprised even him how gruff and unfamiliar his voice came out sounding. He attributed it to the lack of speaking he had done. While he cleared his throat Cuddy made her way over to his desk. Dark hair fell around her face, giving her more of a tranquil appearance. The dull light in the office made her face look pale.

"I've been paging you."

The words didn't quite sink in. House rubbed the pad of his thumb along the rough ridges of his pill bottle cap. Cuddy's voice was still calm and unwavering.

"Who are you," House paused as Cuddy rested her hands on the edge of his desk. "And what have you done with Lisa Cuddy?" The tone of the room was beginning to make Cuddy feel uncomfortable. It was way too relaxed to be a conversation between her and House. Seeing him just sitting there eyes sad but still sharp, mixed with the rain trails crossing each other on the window behind him couldn't bring her to react in the way she normally would.

"Why are you hiding in here? You need to be doing your job," Cuddy's voice stayed soft. She still had a hospital to run even if her belly was turning funny and her heart was picking up pace in her chest.

"I had other things to do," House tilted his head back, popping in two pills before swallowing hard. Soon the pain in his leg would subside to bearable. He'd be able to stand up and complete at least an hour of clinic duty before going home.

"What…other things?" Cuddy found herself tensing now. A quick flash of lightning outside made her jump a little. House watched her carefully.

"I'm in pain," he answered simply, drumming his fingers on the top of his cane. He was debating whether or not to stand. Like the devil on his shoulder speaking to him, a clap of thunder from behind the window kept him in his chair. Cuddy closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

"10 minutes…and I mean it alright?"

A strange feeling of longing came over him as he stared at Cuddy watching him intensely. The familiarity of her voice put him at ease. Even if it was just pestering him to get back to work. She was still waiting for a response as he steadied himself on his feet and began moving slowly towards her. Cuddy froze for a moment but felt her pulse steadying again with his next words.

"It doesn't rain often enough. We should take advantage of it. You know? By sitting around and doing nothing?"

She found herself laughing. A quick glare and a flick at the pill bottle still lying on his desk seemed to say it all.

"Get back to work."