They were silent during the whole ride. Lucas was driving the car and he tried to make eye contact with her at every trafic light but she wasn't looking in his direction. It's not like she tried to avoid his gaze, she was just staring out of the window lost in her thoughts.

Once they were at home Cuddy hung her coat in the hall then disappeared into the living room.

"Do you want a drink? Or a painkiller?" Lucas asked going to the kitchen.

"No, thank you."

Lucas took a bottle of water from the fridge and followed her. He found Cuddy sitting on the left side of the couch. He went there and sat down next to her on the armrest then opened the bottle and drank a few sips from the water. She was busy trying to take off her jewelery but she couldn't manage to unhook her necklace.

"Could you help me, please?" she asked.

"Of course." he said and put the bottle on the coffee table. He leaned closer to her and took the fastener between his fingers. "You know, I'm very good when it comes to unhooking things." he said defiantly but Cuddy didn't react. She wasn't in that mood and his smile disappeared when he realized it.

"What's wrong? You are so silent since we left the party." he asked offering the necklace to her.

"I already said it's just my head." she answered rubbing nervously her temples but when she noticed it was a bit harsh she added "it's really nothing."

"Well.." he put his hands on her shoulders "maybe I can help." he said and started to massage her.

"Oh, God.. "

"Do you like it?" he smiled at the back of her neck.

"Oh Lucas, it's so good.."

Lucas' smile became broader hearing her reaction. "You know, you were the most beautiful woman tonight."

"In your opinion.." she mumbled.

"Pardon?" he asked because he didn't hear it.

"I said thank you."

"By the way.. the party was really good. You did a great job with the organizing."

"Yeah, it's been pretty good until House appeared. I don't understand why he was there. I mean he doesn't even like these charity parties."

"Maybe because he needed some fun and he had a date as well so.."

"Yeah, he did." she added with a scornful tone.

"You don't like her, do you?" he asked still massaging her back then added "She seemed very nice though."

Cuddy ignored his remark and continued "And besides.. what can they talk about? Cooking? Hhh.. It can be very interesting" she said sarcastically.

"They don't have to talk about it, they can do it together. I'm sure it's very hot. Well.. okay, not the cooking part but the sex after that.. on the counter.. I fantasize a lot about it."

Cuddy turned her head and stared at him with wide opened eyes. When Lucas saw her face he added "I mean not about House and Mira having sex."

Cuddy was still looking at him. Studying him she tried to decide if he was joking but he seemed serious. She closed her eyes for a minute then shaked her head.

"Nevermind." she said and continued her previous monologue.

"She is not even House's type. She is too.. soapy. He doesn't even like the blondies. And that dress.. It was too short. It wasn't a coctail party for God's sake!"

"Actually.. I think she was very hot. Those blonde locks and that low cut dress, wow! I should put her in my sex fantasies." he said with dreaming eyes and a mischievous smile but then he looked at Cuddy and his face became serious. "I mean I wouldn't think of her when I have sex with you."

Cuddy opened her mouth in shock and furrowed her brow. Lucas realized he made a mistake and tried to correct.

"I'm just joking." he said but Cuddy wasn't sure of it at all and she puckered her brows even more.

"By the way.. " he continued "it seems he likes this woman very much. I think we've really got his blessing. He was acting like an adult. Hey, he's accepted my invitation without punching me in the face." Lucas said jokingly but Cuddy didn't find it so funny.

"Well speaking about that.. " she stood up "it was a bad idea." she answered and went to the fireplace.

Lucas was looking at her with a surprised face. "Sorry.. I just thought that since he is over you now.." he started but couldn't finish.

"He is not over me." she turned towards him "He just pretends he is. It was just a show. I mean he pulled even the chair out for her. Seriously?! It's so not House!" she became more frustrated.

"Well.. maybe this Mira is really good for him."

"Trust me, I know him. He is up to something." that said she turned back towards the fireplace.

Lucas got up, walked to her and embraced her waist from behind.

"Well.. no matter what.. he can do nothing to separate us because our relationship is strong enough, right?" he asked with some doubt in his voice.

"Of course he can't." she turned to him and gave him a quick peck on the lips then turned her head back forward.

He pulled her closer. "I've.." he kissed her right shoulder softly "got.." another kiss but this time it landed on her neck "an idea." He planted a last kiss on her earlobe and stayed there speaking barely audibly. "I'm going to make a bath and then come back for you."

"I don't know." she said hesitantly "I'm really tired."

"Oh, come on, Lise! It's a scientifically proven fact that the water can ease the stress."

She smiled at his remark "Fine."

Lucas kissed her right cheek and went to the bathroom. He plugged the cork in, turned the tap on and went to the bathroom cabinet to choose the perfect bath oil. He picked the one with rose aroma because it fitted to the foam bath she used. He added them to the water then searched some candles and put them on the edge of the bathtub. He turned the tap off and went back to the living room but he didn't find her there so he started to call her.

"Lisa.." he hasn't got any answer so he tried again "Lisa.."

"In Rachel's room."

"The bath is waiting for you." he yelled but because she didn't answer, he departed toward Rachel's room.

He didn't understand why she was there since Rachel spent the whole weekend with Cuddy's mother. Once he reached the room he stood at the doorway and saw her walking up and down in the room.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah.. I'm just wondering if House is still at the party. I hope that jerk won't insult any of the sponsors."

"Lisa, for God's sake. Can you stop, please?" he asked a bit irritably.

"Oh, of course. Sorry." she said and stopped.

"I didn't mean the walking." He said quietly but a bit resignedly. She didn't hear him so just continued.

"Maybe I should call Wilson. House is able to create a making out show in front of everyone." she said and started to walk again. Not like she wanted to annoy Lucas but because she was very frustrated.

"Okay Lisa, it's enough." he said a bit louder than he wanted.

Cuddy froze at his voice and looked at him for the first time since he's come into the room.

"I know I'm not as smart as House but I'm not that moron either. I knew you loved him when you offered me the job but I also believed you've closed this House thing in yourself and tried to move on. I saw you've changed because you were opened with me. You let me in and I hoped it could work between us."

"Of course it can Lucas because I want this" she tried to convince him. Or.. maybe herself.

"Yeah.." he sighed "I know you want this but it's not what you need." he looked at her for some negation but he didn't get any. "Damn!" lowered his head and began to rub his neck forcefully.

"Lucas, I.." she started to speak and made a step towards him but she stopped when he looked up at her and continued.

"Lisa, I'm your boyfriend and practically we are living together for two months but I still feel like I would be the third person in this love triangle."

"Lucas, it's not true!" she protested.

"He was your priority at the beginning but I've reassured myself that it's just because we haven't known each other so well as you and House. And then you started to ignore him and it went quit well till tonight. I thought I could exile him from your heart but it's pretty impossible, right?" he asked with a bittersweet smile but since it wasn't a real question he didn't wait for any answer.

Cuddy didn't know what to do. She was just standing there and tried to grasp what he's just said.

"You know he was wrong. He said 832 was the limit but the truth is that there will always be a chance for him. No matter what."

Cuddy looked at him with a guilty face but didn't say a word.

"It's okay." he tried to ease the awkwardness. "I mean it's not but it's not so surprising after all."

Lucas saw she was totally confused. He thought it was because she didn't get what he meant so he continued.

"House is far not the perfect man but God knows why he is the one for you." he paused for a few moments "Lisa.. You deserve to be happy and so do I. I don't want to waste my time for someone who loves somebody else. So I think.." he took a deep breath "i think it would be better if we didn't force this relationship."

"I'm so sorry Lucas. It's so.. I.. I don't know what to say.." she whispered with a trembling voice.

Lucas stared at her and she could see in his eyes that he was sad but absolutely sure what he was doing.

"Damn.." he made a grimace "I knew I should have left when he asked me." he said and left the room.

Cuddy couldn't believe it's really happened to her. It was so unexpected. She felt like Alice in Wonderland. This whole situation seemed so unreal. It gave her a start when she heard the voice of the opening door. She hurried into the hallway yelling.

"Lucas!"

He stopped and turned back waiting for more but she didn't say anything. She was just looking at him with an apologizing gaze.

"I'm coming over tomorrow to pick up my stuff." he said and stepped out of the house.

Cuddy was staring at the door for a few minutes. She couldn't believe Lucas has left her. But it was more confusing that she wasn't sad or desperate. She just.. felt guilty and she didn't know what to make of it.

I think I really need that relaxing bath. She thought and started to walk towards the bathroom.