Disclaimer: I don't own House MD
I only got two reviews for the first chapter Frown
Please read and review as it will motivate me to update sooner. Thank you Inu-midoriko and Kahlua13 for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Please note I stayed up all night writing this. I'm not too happy with it, but I didn't know really how to get through this part of the story.
It will get better, I promise.
Cuddy sat at her desk and stared at the time flashing on her computer screen. 4:45 PM. The day had dragged by at a tediously slow pace. Every second passed like minutes and every minute passed like hours. She was tempted to call it a day, but she had made it absolutely clear to House that he was expected to stay on clinic duty until 5:00. She couldn't very well end her shift fifteen minutes early and expect him to remain on duty. She was becoming antsy, though. She was beginning to feel closed in and smothered by the walls confining her to her office.
Cuddy had stayed in the office most of the day, with the exception of about five minutes when she went to the clinic to make sure House hadn't skipped out of his duties. She was pleasantly surprised to find him annoyed, but accompanying a mother and child into an exam room. Apparently House was behaving himself, which was wise seeing as how he would be spending the evening with his boss…alone. Best to be on her good side. They would both attest to that. Cuddy did not acknowledge that she saw him or that she approved of the diagnostician's rare behavior, fretting that he may disappear for the remainder of his shift, just to spite her. She just returned to her office. If anyone needed her, everyone knew where she would be.
Cuddy tapped her manicured fingernails melodically against her desk as she waited an eternity for just ten minutes to pass. At 4:55 she gathered her things, locked her office doors, and made her way to the clinic in search of House. She found him filing the last of his paperwork, correctly no less, at the main desk.
"I'm impressed, House." She said as she approached him. "You actually did your job and finished your entire shift."
"And I'm impressed, Dr. Cuddy." He said mocking her. "It's five o'clock and you are right on time. What, no spending an hour fixing your hair and makeup? Am I not worthy of your efforts to get ready?" He pouted as if she had hurt his feelings, and he walked away from her toward the exit.
"I don't have to impress you, House." She called out as she followed him. "You know what I look like in the middle of the night." She stopped dead in her tracks and blushed profusely as she realized the way that that had sounded. She buried her face in her hands, not wanting to see the eyes and gaping mouths that had all been instantly directed at her. Oh, God! How many people heard that?
House turned to face her; completely shocked that she would let a comment like that slip from her lips. "And I thought you wanted to keep our love a secret." He said loud enough for the staff on the entire floor to hear. Then he whispered for only her to hear, "You know, I think you just gave everyone in the hospital the evidence they were looking for to confirm that we are indeed sleeping together."
"You know what I meant." She slapped his arm, her face turning an even brighter shade of red.
"You like me, you really like me." House said rubbing his arm, trying desperately not to smile as he feigned pain. He was enjoying the attention they had attracted.
"You are such an ass! I'm leaving." She turned and stormed out of the hospital into the parking lot, leaving House in her dust.
"She can be so touchy sometimes." House said to the crowd that had gathered around to watch the spectacle, then he walked out the doors.
When House reached the parking lot, Cuddy was nowhere to be seen. He just walked to his bike. He couldn't blame her for leaving; she had to be quite embarrassed after the show she had just put on for her employees. He was about to start his bike's ignition when he heard a car pull up behind him. He turned to see Cuddy rolling down the window.
"Get in." She said. "Hurry up. I don't want anyone to see us leaving together." House limped to the passenger side of the car, a contented smile on his face, and Cuddy leaned over to unlock the door.
"I thought you left." He said as he buckled his seat belt and she sped away.
"That's the point. Hopefully everyone else did too. Now, where are we going?"
"Your place, my place, it doesn't really matter, now does it? As long as we're together." He batted his eyelashes at her. He was obviously making fun of her.
"That's not funny, House. Where are we going?" She demanded.
"Touché." He said raising his arms in defeat. "Turn left. It's just down the road on the right."
Cuddy pulled out onto the road and found the bar easily. No more words were spoken until they had entered the bar, found a secluded corner booth, and each had ordered a beer.
"I thought you were the designated driver tonight." House said, reluctantly breaking the silence between them.
"Yeah, well, after the stunt you pull back there, I think I deserve a drink or two." Cuddy replied.
"Hey, you said it, not me."
"You certainly didn't help matters any." She snapped back glaring at him. "Now what is everybody going to think? My reputation is ruined. Thank you very much by the way."
"They won't think anything different than what they already thought, so relax."
"That's reassuring."
"You're welcome."
"Why did you ask me here tonight?" Cuddy asked changing the subject, though she wasn't sure this particular one would be much better.
"What?" He asked, playing dumb.
"Why are we here House?" Cuddy's irritation was clear in her tone.
"I wanted the company." He answered with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
"You never just want the company, least of all my company. There must be an ulterior motive."
"Wrong."
"Then what is it?" She paused and her expression softened and she smiled. "Is this a date, House? Do you like me?"
House was silent a moment too long as he thought of how to answer the question.
"House! This is a date!" She exclaimed louder than she intended, and nearly drew the attention of everyone within earshot to herself for the second time that afternoon.
"Well, I hadn't actually thought of it that way. But, if that is how you see it, then sure, we can call it a date." House was so nonchalant about it.
"You're impossible. And, since it's up to me, this is absolutely not a date. Make no mistake."
"You need to get laid."
"Excuse me?!" She was livid.
"You need to loosen up."
"I am not having this conversation with you."
"Seriously, Cuddy. When is the last time you had a man in your bed?"
"I don't think that is any of your business. And you are treading on thin ice, House. You had better watch your step."
"Really? That long?" House knew he had crossed the line. He was beginning to make assumptions, but his assumptions were usually right on, so he went with his gut.
"I can't very well have a relationship with a man when you keep showing up on my doorstep at all hours of the night. And I'm not like you, House, I don't want someone to fuck me, take my money, and leave before the sun comes up. Unlike some people, I'd like a little companionship to go along with the sex." She intentionally tried to offend him with her comments.
House was left speechless. That never happens, especially not with Lisa Cuddy. He always knows what buttons to push, and which to leave alone. He had definitely crossed the line. He had never seen her so angry that she deliberately tried to hurt him. They were friends after all. They pushed each other, challenged each other, crossed each other, and most importantly understood each other.
There was silence between them again. They were each staring down at the beers in their hands, not wanting to make eye contact.
"I know you, Cuddy." House was once again the one to break the silence. "You are not happy. You're lonely." He attempted to reach for her hand across the table, but she pulled away before he made contact.
"You know what? You're right, House. I am lonely. I want a real relationship with a man who genuinely cares about me." She confessed, her voice taking a gentler tone. "But, you know what else? I'm not the one spilling my guts to a patient in a coma." Lisa Cuddy also knew exactly which buttons to push, and she knew that would hit him where it hurt. He deserved it.
"You know about that?" He asked, looking once again down at his beer.
"I heard you talking to him today." She confessed and recognized the expression of shame and embarrassment that briefly crossed his face. My God he hides his feelings well. "Tell me, House, when was the last time you were with a woman you actually cared for?"
House, assuming correctly that the question was rhetorical, didn't answer it. Instead, he blurted, "I want this to be a date."
"So…What? Is this your way of hitting on me? I mean, you are just so charming." Cuddy said with just a hint of sarcasm.
"Let me put it this way," He said, reaching across the table. This time she let him take hold of her hand. He looked her directly, intently in the eye before continuing. "I would still be there when the sun came up."
Cuddy's mouth gaped open, and she stared at him dumbfounded. Then she smiled. Did I just hear what I think I heard?
