In Absence of Keen Judgment:
A House/Cuddy Tale
Story Title: In Absence of Keen Judgment
Story Summary: When one takes away the medicine, the trials, and the blonde wenches who walk in at odd hours, they are left with the bare bones of the pair. In that moment, in the small window, in the absence of keen judgment, something might just change. House/Cuddy. Spoilers for Season Five.
Genre: Romance/Friendship
Chapter Focus: #354 of 1000 Themes, "Hold My Hand"
Chapter Rating: K+ to T
Word Count: 830+
Spoilers: For "Joy", nothing more yet
Author's Starting Notes: Obviously some space has passed since the last one. I suppose this may seem a little jumpy and quick, but this isn't one of those catch every single thing type fics. It's one that catches changes over time with them. So, this one is Hold My Hand. Review please.
If you like this, check out some of my other themed work by going to my profile and looking at my online works at the bottom. Read and Review.
Time Stamp: Posted January 19th, 2009 (Go new episode tonight!)
II
He cannot remember the last time they were this open. For as far back as he can recall, all they had ever been was laid out clearly before them. It just isn't like that this time. Every move he makes can be taken in multiple ways, and he isn't as quick to distinguish it anymore.
In the past, they knew their limitations, having drawn them ahead of time. Now, with so much time passed, so less life to live, those boundaries just don't seem so real anymore. Where they are is confusing at least, mind-churning at best. So, as she holds out her hand into the lingering space between them, he is unsure what course of action to take. Should he take the hand, or not?
"It's a hand, House. I'm pretty sure you're familiar with the way they work," she taunts playfully.
"That I am, I'm just checking it for girl cooties. Don't want to end up in a hospital or anything," he retorts. She rolls her eyes in the way she always does when he talks.
"Yeah, who likes those places?" she asks sarcastically.
"I surely don't. Horrible places, hot staff though," he adds as an after thought.
"Hospital workers cannot be hot," she tells him.
"What are you talking about? I know this one doctor who is gorgeous," he gushes.
"You do?" she questions.
"Absolutely. Nice dark hair, mysterious blue eyes, sexy curves, bright smile," Lisa smiles lightly, "And the working for me thing makes her even hotter!"
Lisa frowns. He smirks at her expression.
"What? You've got to admit that Thirteen is pretty hot," he continues.
"She isn't that bad," Lisa admits reluctantly.
"But, you know, there is another person even better looking than Thirteen," he starts, she looks up interested, "Cameron is-"
"House!"
"What? You already know you're good looking. Can we focus on someone else's breathtaking ass and amazing chest for once?" he asks rhetorically.
"You're an ass," she responds.
"And you are not holding out your hand anymore," he notes. She looks at her right palm, which is now swinging at her side as she walks forward.
"So I am."
"Why? Arm get tired?" he asks.
"More like I figured you weren't going to take it," she replies honestly.
"Now, why would I do that? We've already established there's something good in hospitals. I can withstand the girl cooties, Cuddy. And, if I can't, you'll just have to inject me with some morphine to ease away the pain."
She laughs at him lightly. Cautiously, she lets her hand go back into the valley of space between them. He makes no move to grab it.
"Aren't you going to grab my hand?" she asks.
"In this day and age, pa-shaw!" he exclaims. She rolls her eyes and brings her hand back to her side quickly.
"You make no sense, House," she comments.
"I never have," he points out.
"But, these days, you're just… confusing," she mentions.
"Maybe you're just getting too old to keep up with me, Cuddles," he tries.
"You're older than I am," she shoots.
"It's definitely just the hormonal thing," he throws out.
"Not my time yet, nice try though," she says.
"Well, it can't be that we're just in a new playing field without regulations. That would be dumb."
"And stupid," she adds.
"Insane," he piles on.
"Astronomical."
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
She looks at him warily.
"The word that means whatever you want it to mean," she states in disbelief.
"I needed a word to top your ass' mighty power," he deflects.
"You are nothing but a child, House," she says.
"You could be one too if you come to Neverland with me," he offers.
"How do I do that?"
"Well, you'll have to do something really risky," he warns.
"I can take it," she assures.
"You're going to have to be a big girl, stick your hand back out, and hold onto mine for a very long time. You can't let go, or the magic will wear off," he instructs.
"So, like this?"
She reaches over and grabs the hand not occupied by his cane. He nods, his eyes on hers now.
"Just like that," he encourages.
"What happens if I let go?"
"You won't."
"But what if I do?"
"You won't, Cuddy."
"House-"
"Cuddy, you're ruining the moment. Just walk and don't think," he commands. She opens her mouth to speak again. He squeezes her hand softly. Her gaze flutters back to their interlocked hands. Suddenly, she doesn't want to talk anymore. She wants to do just what he says because everything he has said is true. She won't let go. She will never let go. Not of his hand, this moment, or him.
Everything he says can be taken in a few different ways. She chooses to take one particular thing in the way that pleases her most. If only she wasn't a doctor, then she'd be able to pretend that hand and heart are as synonymous as House and baggage.
© Everything written above belongs to me (FF user, Paint Me a Symphony). If somebody is out there pushing this as their own, they are lying. I may not own House M.D, or its characters, but I do own this.
