Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Everything belongs to David Shore, Fox, and its respectable owners.

A/N: Hi again, and welcome to the third chapter of my little story.

Now I do recall saying that this story wouldn't involve too much Huddy drama, well I changed my mind. This chapter contains a lot of Huddy angst, but it is relevant to the story, plus it is kind of fun to write.

I do realize that I was a little bit late with this story, considering the fact that it is a Christmas based fic, but the Christmas theme isn't too much, so if it bothers you try to think of it as a normal one with slight Christmas atmosphere

I hope you guys like this chapter. And please review. I really do appreciate any kind of feedback. I love to hear what you have to say. Thank you to those who have reviewed, favorited and alerted.

Enjoy!

13:05

Rachel's heart drummed in her chest; the muscles in her legs were burning, but she didn't dare to stop; she just followed her instinct while her feet moved against the snow-covered pavement.

After she had made her decision, Rachel had rushed inside and returned the ring to its rightful place; then she dressed herself up in winter attire before she darted outside. She had been running for about fifteen minutes when she realized that running to the hospital might not have been the best idea.

She had considered calling a taxi, but she hadn't taken any money with her, and she was certainly not going to go back home when she was already halfway to the hospital.

Rachel didn't care how absurd she must have looked to an outsider, running around like a madwoman, but she didn't care, this was a serious matter, and she needed to talk to uncle Wilson, as soon as possible.

Rachel didn't slow down until she had reached the hospital building. Tiny drops of sweat had formed on her forehead, and her sweater was glued to her skin. Her breathing was uneven and she felt like she was about to pass out right then and there.

Rachel made her way to the nearest bench, and sat down to take a breather. After her breathing had evened she began to think about the task ahead.

The hardest part would be to avoid running into her parents. Usually they weren't keen on having her in the hospital. It had always been their protocol to separate their working lives with their personal ones.

Hence it would look oddly suspicious to them if she suddenly appeared without any reason or purpose whatsoever. Knowing their over compulsive minds, Rachel knew that they would somehow manage to drag the truth out of her, and that was something she was going to avoid at all costs. However, if fate decided to get nasty with her, she would have to find a damn good excuse for her sudden appearance.

So far she had none.

Rachel stood up off the bench and walked slowly towards the entrance, she was careful to walk near the bushes that surrounded the hospital grounds, just in case she had to hide suddenly. When she was close enough to see clearly inside the entrance hall, she came to a halt, and as smoothly as she could, hid behind the nearest tree trunk. She thanked God that the hospital was surrounded with broad enough trees, they did make the perfect hiding place.

Rachel peered inside and noticed that the hall was buzzing with people. It would be no problem for her to sneak inside and blend in. There seemed to be no sign of either her mom or House, so the coast was clear.

Rachel decided that it would be now or never. Ever so slowly she made her way around the tree, and waited for the right moment. She eyed the people passing by. A group of middle-aged men walked near her hiding place, clearly heading for the hospital entrance. Just when they had passed her hiding place she jumped behind them, and walked as normally as she could.

The entrance hall was crowded with people; Rachel noted that most of them were patients and their family members. Today would be the day where patients were discharged for the holidays.

She walked as discreetly as she could, hoping that she blended with the people so no one would recognize her. Rachel was too busy looking around for her mom and House, that she barely noticed the extravagant decorations surrounding her and the jolly music in the air.

Rachel was halfway towards the elevators when she saw her walking from the clinic.

Her mom had her head cast slightly downwards, so there was no way she could have spotted Rachel. A man in his fifties walked just behind her, his attire suggested that he was there purely in business errands. His expression was stern and obstinate which gave him an unpleasing demeanor. Rachel noticed that her mom was equally rigid; her mouth was set in a thin line and her eyes showed seemed colder than eyes. She stopped by the reception desk; the man reached out his hand for her to take and they shook hands stiffly.

Rachel felt herself panic, she looked around frantically trying to find some way out of this mess. When her mom would turn around she would spot her immediately. From the corner of her eye she spotted a display of figurines demonstrating the scene of the birth of Jesus.

She looked into her mom's direction; she stood still, staring after the man with a stern expression on her face. Rachel was pondering whether she would have time to run for the elevators when she noticed her mom turn around, her grey-blue eyes looking directly at her.

Time seemed to stand still, and Rachel couldn't think of what to do. Right at that moment a group of people walked right in front of her, blocking her from her mother's view entirely. She used the opportunity to crouch down, and slid behind the display just before the group passed by.

She peaked from behind the figure of the Virgin Mary, to see her mother's confused, and searching gaze. She breathed a sigh of relief, and hoped that next time she would be just as lucky.

Her mom shook her head confusedly and walked towards the clinic. Rachel prayed to god that she would just stay in her office, so she could reach uncle Wilson's office without the fear of running into her.

To Rachel's dismay she walked right passed the doors, and headed towards the elevators. Rachel couldn't believe how unlucky she was, but she wasn't about to give up; there was always another way.

When Rachel was sure the elevator had closed, she moved slowly around the display and straightened up without anyone noticing.

Instead of walking straight towards the elevators she turned right and headed towards the staircase. At least she was sure to avoid House there; he never took the stairs, and her mom rarely used them considering the fact that she usually wore at least three-inch heels to work.

Rachel walked up the stairs, and was grateful that she only passed two doctors descending down the stairs.

When she had reached the platform she made sure that the coast was clear. She walked as quietly as possible down the corridor. Wilson's office was by the end of the corridor; she just had to turn left and she would be there.

When she was about to turn she heard two loud voices coming from the corner. She stopped dead in her tracks.

"-suing us for 300 million dollars! How could you be so reckless?"

The voices became louder when she came nearer, but she stood put, holding her breath.

"And what was I supposed to do? Let the woman die on my table? I saved her life, and what do I get in return?"

Rachel could have recognized those voices from anywhere. Thankfully she couldn't hear any footsteps. Apparently they had stopped, but their voices seemed to grow even louder and angrier then before.

"You might have saved her, yes, but not until you cut a part of her brain out! She will suffer from personality disorder for years, she might never be the same."

"Well, that's not my problem. My job is to save lives, and that's what I did."

Rachel couldn't help herself; she peaked around the corner to see better what was going on between her parents.

They stood few feet away from her; her mom had her back turned towards her; she had her head tilted upwards so she could look properly at House who towered well above her. Although she couldn't see her mother's face; Rachel could easily imagine her angry expression. House was clearly frustrated with her, and she could only wait for the bomb to drop between them.

"It is your problem, because your decision might cost the hospital 300 million dollars."

"And that's the only thing you think about- money. Besides, why the hell are you harassing me with this? You ask me to do my job, and that's what I do."

"You were supposed to ask my permission for the surgery, and you didn't."

"What do you want me to say? Do you want me to say that I'm sorry?

Well, do you know what? I'm not." House looked stubbornly down at her mother.

"Why do you always have to do that?" her mother's voice was exasperated.

"What?"

"You know what. Why do you always have to act like a child? You made a mistake, accept it, take the consequences, and act like an adult for once."

"Oh, and what's that supposed to mean?"

"You know fully well what I mean."

House's face darkened, and he straightened up to his full height.

"Yeah right. You keep acting like you're my superior, and you keep judging me for everything I do. Haven't I been there for you the past ten years? Haven't we raised a child together, or doesn't that mean anything to you? I'm just some fulfillment in your pitifully empty life!"

Rachel stood rooted on her spot; she almost forgot that she was hiding from her parents, who were definitely not talking about the hospital anymore; things had turned far more personal, and she couldn't take it.

She didn't want to listen to their argument, she wanted to run away as fast as she could, but she couldn't move.

"Do not make this about us! You may try to hurt me with your words, but I don't care, because right now I need to sort out of your mess." Her mom stepped closer to House; her fists clenched. "If the hospital loses this case, I will most likely lose my job, do you realize that? Or maybe you don't care, like about everything else."

"Cuddy" Hose's hand touched hers slightly, his tone had softened considerably; "I do care, but you can't blame me for every fault in your life. I just can't take it anymore."

"So, you're just going to give up because I make you do your goddamn job every day, even though it's almost impossible. Do you realize how much I have had to sacrifice for you and your unconventional methods?" She had backed away from him now. Her voice almost shook.

"You tell me that I blame you for every fault in my life, well guess what House? You are every fault in my life."

House's expression hardened, Rachel could see the hurt in his blue eyes.

"Then why do we even have a relationship? If I make your life so unbearable, why do you even bother?"

His questions were only met by silence, and House waited expectantly for her answer, but it never came. House walked closer to her mother, and placed his large hands on her mother's shoulders. The gesture wasn't comforting, but it wasn't threatening either. It was as if he was trying to force her to tell the truth.

"Answer me," he bellowed demandingly. She didn't answer, but stood still, her head turned downwards.

"Cuddy, answer me." He said with more vigor in his voice. She didn't answer him.

"Answer me goddamn it!" He shook her shoulders slightly, the terror in his voice evident.

"I don't know!" She cried out.

The tension could have been cut with a knife. House lowered his arms down, and the look he gave her was way beyond hurt. She could have cut his heart out with a knife, compared to his face.

"Well, then I don't see why you need me in your life." He backed away, and stared at her with his magnificently blue eyes.

"I will be gone before you'll get home." His voice was shaky, and Rachel wanted to scream for him to come back. She didn't understand how this had happened, what had happened to her over the top loving parents that morning?

She looked after House who painfully walked down the hall to his office, then turned her face towards her mother who seemed to be rooted on her spot. She could hear a sob escape her throat.

"House" she could hear her whisper.

Rachel backed away and leaned against the wall. She couldn't stand to listen to her mother cry.

She felt like her whole world was crumbling around her. One minute she was overreacting to House potentially asking her mom to marry him, but that worry seemed a far cry away from the awful encounter she had just witnessed.

House couldn't leave, he was her dad, he couldn't just leave her. But then again, he wasn't her biological father; he had no obligations towards her whatsoever.

The clicking of her mother's heels signaled that she was leaving.

When Rachel was sure that she couldn't hear her anymore; she allowed a small sob to escape her, then the tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Rachel?"

Rachel jumped up in panic, and turned frantically towards the intruder, only to meet face to face with uncle Wilson. She had never been so glad to see her uncle, and crushed herself against him, allowing her tears to flow freely.

"Rachel what's wrong?" uncle Wilson's voice was very concerned, and he wrapped his arms around her reassuringly. Rachel couldn't answer him, and just continued crying into his shirt.

"Did someone hurt you?" he asked alarmed. Rachel shook her head. He didn't question her further and just held her there and tried to comfort her.

After several minutes he pulled her away from him gently and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"Why don't we go to my office, and we'll talk about it, okay?"

Rachel nodded her head, and followed him to his office. Wilson closed it behind them and sat on the white sofa gesturing for her to sit down. He offered her some tissue that she gratefully accepted. After she had damped her eyes he looked at her worriedly yet curiously.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"I…I f-f-f-ound an engagement ring, and th-they had a hu-hu-huge fight. Now House is going to leave, and I do-do-don't know what to do."

Rachel tried to speak between her sobs. Uncle Wilson looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Why don't you try to breathe in and out, and I'll get some water. Okay?"

Rachel nodded her head. Few moments later he appeared with a glass of water. She drank it and tried to compose herself. After he was sure that the sobs had ceased he asked her again.

"What happened?"

Rachel took a deep breath and started to tell him about the engagement ring she had found in House's office. Wilson's face lit up in a smile.

"That's great news. I always new he had it in him. Why are you so upset?"

"I wasn't so upset about that. Well, I was a little upset, but that wasn't the reason I was crying." Rachel explained.

"But why? House is practically your dad, well according to U.S. law he is."

Rachel bit her lip, she really didn't want to go there, especially because she hadn't told him about the argument, but she had come to talk to him about this in the first place, and she needed to lift this off her chest.

She sighed and made herself more comfortable in the couch, looking down at her hands.

"Do you have time to listen to this?" She questioned. Wilson nodded his head reassuringly; "I'm not that busy, I have enough time."

Rachel nodded her head and thought about where to begin.

"Do you remember eight years ago when House and my mom broke up?"

Uncle Wilson nodded his head, and gestured for her to continue.

"Well, I know I was just five then, so I don't remember that much. But I do remember how sad I was, and how sad mom was, and I didn't understand how he could hurt her like this." Rachel took a break and sipped some water before continuing.

"Mom cried for weeks, she didn't know that I knew but I still can remember waking up to her crying. She didn't smile, and she didn't laugh anymore, and I started to hate him for hurting her so much. Then he came back, and she became happy again, and he became a father to me. For the first time in my life I felt like we were a family." Wilson smiled and nodded his head.

"Yes, I can say that it's the first time I saw your parents genuinely happy."

Rachel gave him a small smile; then her face turned serious again.

"But there has always been a part of me, that's been afraid that he'll leave again." Wilson nodded his head knowingly, and patted her hand.

"Rachel, you must realize that when he left you were five years old. I understand that you just saw how hurt your mom was, but they were equally at fault. House has loved your mother for a long time, and the night he left they hurt each other badly." Wilson sighed at the memory.

"It wasn't the first time either, they broke up when you were just two years old. It was a horrible time for both of them. But they have learned from their mistakes, and I don't think that House is going to leave again. Be happy, they are actually getting married!"

Rachel shook her head miserably; few tears fell down her cheeks.

"No, you're wrong. I was on my way to see you when I overheard them arguing. House is leaving mom again!" She cried out in desperation.

"Calm down Rachel. Did you actually hear him say that he was going to leave?"

"Yes" Rachel whispered.

Wilson seemed to deliberate over this for a moment before he shook his head.

"Why do they always have to make things so complicated?" He muttered to himself. He looked at Rachel and stood up.

"Rachel, stay here. I am going to talk to House and see whether I can sort things out. Try to find something to do, this might take some time." He muttered.

Rachel nodded her head and watched him leave the office.

She wanted to think that uncle Wilson would be able to fix everything, but she wasn't sure that even he would be able to comfort her parents.

She couldn't believe how the day had taken such a drastic turn; she felt so silly to have reacted that way to the idea of her parents getting engaged. She wanted them to be together more than anything else in the world, she had even warmed up to the idea of them getting married, but now it wasn't going to happen.

Rachel shook her head; she was not going to think so negatively. Maybe uncle Wilson would be able to talk to her mom and House. Maybe things would get better.

No matter how much she tried to think of this situation in a positive way, she couldn't help but feel the shadow of a doubt cross her mind. She hoped that uncle Wilson knew what he was doing; her hopes relied on him. If uncle Wilson would not be able to reassure her parents, then no one would.