Chapter 2
They sat in Wilson's car, just around the corner from Cuddy's home. House held an obnoxiously large newspaper in front of his face, which greatly annoyed Wilson. Wilson sat donning a baseball cap and shades; he reached for the box of donuts that sat on the dash.
"And we bought donuts because?"
"All stake-outs have them. It's required."
"What's for lunch, fast food?"
"Yep."
"How long are we going to sit here House, it's been nearly two hours."
"As long as it takes."
"That could be all day. What if she's not actually going anywhere on vacation? Maybe she's taking the week off to stay home and relax."
"No."
"No? How would you know?"
"If she wanted to take a week off, she'd get as far away from me as possible. She wouldn't want me to drop by for a visit if she intended to relax."
"Contrary to popular belief, Cuddy's entire life does not revolve arou…." Wilson's voice trailed off. "Not that you're listening anyway."
"What?"
"Exactly."
"I have work I should be doing."
"Wilson, shut up. You agreed to this. You sound like a little kid in the back seat asking if we're there yet every two minutes. And it's Saturday, work can wait."
"Look. Look House, put the paper down, her front door's opening." House put his paper down and watched as Cuddy emerged in a robe, picked up her morning paper and headed back inside. Wilson sighed. "Yep, big secret operative she's got. Hush, hush on her mysterious week off."
"Fine, drive to the hospital. You can get some work done, I can check up on a few things and when we're done we can continue this tonight."
"What? You're going to break into her office?" Wilson said, shaking his head.
"You're starting to get the hang of this."
"I hope she comes in and catches you red handed."
House looked over at Wilson, pursed his lips and cocked an eyebrow. "Hadn't thought of that. You can stand guard."
Wilson stood next to the glass door to Cuddy's office, nervously looking around. He had decided that if Cuddy did actually catch them, he would blame it all on House.
"Will you stop your worrying? She's not coming in to work on her first day of vacation."
"I hope you're right. Do you have it yet?"
"No, she must have changed her password. I'm trying a few of her old ones. Is there anything in her trash can?" House kept typing possible passwords into Cuddy's computer, hoping to unlock it. He pulled open the top drawer of the desk and started rummaging around in it.
"Trash can's empty."
"Bingo."
"You figured out her password?"
"It's the one from last fall, I hate House. I'm so proud," House said, smiling. "Damn, she must have deleted her old emails. There's nothing here except one from a Dr. Peterson. I don't know him, do you?"
"He's a pediatrician."
"Must be hospital business." House clicked on the email to read it anyway.
"House," Wilson said warningly. "Don't read that."
"It's a note following up on their phone conversation yesterday." House looked up. "He's the consult she couldn't miss. What was he giving her a consult on?"
"House, this isn't our business, we should leave."
"Aren't you the least bit curious why she would suddenly take time off?"
"Yes, I'm worried about her, House. That's what friends do. Friends also respect other friend's choices in keeping some things private." Wilson and House were now standing on either side of Cuddy's desk, staring at each other. "Wait a minute, you're worried about her. In your bizarre, twisted way, this is you worrying about her, isn't it? Is this a concerned House?"
House looked down at the computer, "A pediatrician."
"Don't change the subject House. Can't you just admit she's a friend, that you might be worried about her health?"
"Wilson, you said it yourself, friends respect other friend's choices in keeping some things private."
"So you are worried."
"Will you stop trying to analyze me? I'm a doctor, in case you forgot. Suddenly my boss has an emergency consult and then takes a week's vacation with no notice? Something's up."
"God you're pathetic, you can't admit it, can you?"
Rolling his eyes, House turned his attention to the computer screen, "Dr. Peterson says he'll get back to her with name of the specialist he highly recommends, given the circumstances." House spoke to the computer screen, seemingly forgetting Wilson was standing there. "What does she need a specialist for? What circumstances?"
"House, we should go."
"Don't you find it odd, that Cuddy takes an emergency call from a pediatrician who is recommending a specialist just before she takes a week off?"
"No. She's the Dean of Medicine. She's probably looking to hire someone and asked for a reference."
"I think there's more to it than that."
"I don't."
"Let's go, I'll even let you buy me lunch." House smiled; Wilson grimaced.
"Turn the lights out, she'll see."
"House, I can't drive in the dark without the lights on."
"Wait, she's getting into her car. Follow her."
"This is ridiculous."
"Just go." Minutes later, they watched as Cuddy pulled her car into the parking lot at the local mall.
"Why are we here?"
"I don't know, but we can't follow her in there. She'll see us for sure."
"No she won't."
"House."
"Oh stop complaining, would you? I'm the one who has to limp all over a mall, not you." Wilson shook his head but said no more. The two men exited the car and headed inside, being sure to wait long enough so that Cuddy wouldn't see them.
They sat on a bench on the second floor of the mall and watched as Cuddy entered a shoe store, followed by a dress shop on the first floor.
Wilson was clearly becoming agitated. "House, enough. She's on vacation, she's shopping, it's late. Let's just go."
Though he hated to admit it, House also felt like the trip to the mall was hopeless. As they stood to leave, Cuddy headed towards a baby department store. Both men looked at each other with raised eyebrows. They took the elevator down to the first floor and began to look for Cuddy.
"If you wanted to know where I was going, you could have asked," she said, coming up from behind them. Wilson smiled, actually glad she caught them. He hoped now House would give in and go home.
"Shopping in a baby department, huh? Expecting are we?"
"Nope, I'm not pregnant."
House glanced at her hands and saw that she was carrying three layettes, all in shades of white and pink. "Why Cuddy, are we expecting a little girl?"
"These are for a baby shower."
"Sure they are. So, you took a week off to shop for a baby shower?"
"I took a week off because I needed it. Go home House."
He eyed her, still not believing in the story she was telling. "And you needed to speak with a pediatrician because?"
Cuddy's playful demeanor at having caught the two snooping quickly changed to anger. "You read my email? On my locked computer, in my locked office? Wilson, please tell me you had nothing to do with this."
"Sorry," he said, looking guilty. House looked at him in disgust.
"House, I'm going home. If you want a ride, fine, but I'm leaving right now. Not five minutes from now, no stops on the way home, this is it. I'm done." Wilson turned to leave.
"Wilson, if he tries to goad you into breaking and entering again, run. It's not like he can run after you," she quipped. Wilson smiled apologetically before heading towards the parking lot. House smirked at Cuddy and followed Wilson outside.