Dahlia listened to House carefully. She was trying to process what he was telling her. She hoped that if she could focus on the details going on in the present, she wouldn't be able to dwell on the events of the evening. Once he finished talking, they both awkwardly looked around Cuddy's living room.
House cursed his poor social skills. Although, he had a feeling even Cameron wouldn't be able to hold a conversation under the circumstances and she could blather on about anything. He considered checking to see if Cuddy was ready yet, but knew his constant presence would only make her more apprehensive.
Cuddy stared at her kitchen table. It was smaller than the one in the dining room, but it would serve its purpose. Her supplies were all laid out on top of the towel she'd spread across it. Everything was in easy reach from the chair she would be occupying. She knew sitting up on the table spread open to her would be awkward for Dahlia, but the lighting was best in this room and it would be easier to clean up. Cuddy knew it was time to get started; she had made the girl wait long enough.
Stepping into the dimmer lights of the living room, Cuddy's formal mannerisms softened. "I've got everything all set in there," she said to no one in particular. "I'm just going to grab a robe." Cuddy waited until both House and Dahlia nodded their understanding, before moving down the hall to her own bedroom.
House and Dahlia moved slowly to the kitchen, him leading the way. They stood in front of the table silently. Dahlia knew where she was supposed to sit, but she couldn't seem to make herself move. She just stared blankly at the prepped table.
"Hey," House said, resting his hand on her shoulder, "It will be over quick." He didn't know how he was managing to be so patient and understanding, but there was something about this girl that brought out his empathetic side. Taking a deep breath, he turned her towards him. "Lisa will make it all better," he said brokenly.
Dahlia's watery eyes met with House's sympathetic ones. She didn't know how, but this main new something about personal violation. She could read the pain in his eyes as easily as she felt her own. She glanced at the table once more, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. "I can't seem to move," she whispered.
House understood how hard it was to take that final step. It wasn't just about getting up on that table. It was about facing the events of the evening. After this, everything would be real and inescapable. She was admitting something had happened and that that something was not okay. He knew that despite his words and Cuddy's presence she felt alone. He also knew that she wasn't alone. Slipping his hands down to her hips, he easily lifted the girl up and placed her on the table.
Cuddy walked back in, just in time to witness the sweet gesture. She knew how much of himself House was laying on the line. His own personal demons were surely present in his own mind. Yet here he was, giving his all to a broken girl he'd never laid eyes on before. She felt her admiration for him swell. "All set?" she asked, breaking the precarious silence.
House turned around to face Cuddy and nodded. "Yeah, she's ready. Right doll face?" He turned his focus back to the girl. He knew she could handle this. She'd already been through one of the hardest parts. He knew that there was something worse that lay ahead, but wasn't ready to think about that yet. When everything really settled and she was faced with what had actually happened, he was pretty sure she would fall apart. They'd be there to catch her, though. She'd have the comfort and support he never had as a child. He vowed that he would not leave her alone.
Dahlia warmed slightly at the pet name, but it wasn't enough to shake her fears. "I think so," she said, nervously. Her eyes pleaded with Cuddy's for something. She didn't know what she wanted, but House's words rung through her ears, Lisa will make it all better. She glanced nervously at the unmoving House.
House noticed the nervous glance he was receiving and understood. "I'll just go wait in the living room." He started to head out, but stopped in front of Cuddy. "Holler if you need anything," he said, before gently hugging her and kissing her forehead. He knew she was having trouble with this and hoped she knew he was there for her as well.
Cuddy clutched onto him for a moment, before she felt him pry himself from her grip. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Turning her eyes back onto Dahlia, she instantly felt her own fears disappear. Maternal instincts kicking in, she knew she needed to comfort and protect. "You're sure about the police? There's no pressure, just once we start…" she trailed off.
"I know, Dr. House explained it to me. Thank you, for…everything," the younger woman said. She eyed the robe in Cuddy's hand and knew what was coming. "I guess you need me to get out of these huh?" she asked, gesturing towards her clothes.
Cuddy nodded at her awkwardly, "Yeah I do. You can put this on while I check you out though. It's not much, but I guess it's better than nothing." She smiled weakly. She wasn't being very comforting and it was troublesome to her. Noticing the girl's hesitancy, she handed her the robe. "I'm just gonna get some water," she said, gesturing towards the sink. It wasn't much , but it would at least offer her companion some privacy while she changed.
House sat on the couch, his face resting in his hands. He was considering what he should do. There was no way he could just sit by and let this man get away with what he had done, but the girl didn't want to go to the police. The girl in there trusted him though. Silence was not an option. Opening his cell phone, he scrolled down to a number he'd never needed to use before.
Dahlia changed quickly, appreciative of the small privacy Cuddy had graced her with. Turning to look at Cuddy, she could see the older woman was still stalling to give her as much time as she needed. Dahlia took in the signs of stress coating Cuddy's body and felt slightly guilty. She knew what happened wasn't her fault, but she'd brought herself to Cuddy's door. She'd made Cuddy and House a part of what had happened. "I'm ready, Lisa," she said, feeling more than a little ashamed and emabrassed.
Cuddy turned around and was instantly met with a sight that shook her. Being someone who took the world's problems on herself, she recognized the pained look of guilt in the girl's eyes. She dropped the washcloth into the bowl of warm water and carried it to the table. Setting it down on empty side of the girl, she looked back and met Dahlia's gaze. Cuddy cupped the girls cheek with her hands. "Tonight, was by no means your fault. Honey, what happened wasn't because of anything you did or didn't do. I know you, you're a good girl. Coming here, was by all means the smartest thing to do in your position." She felt the girls tears spill onto her hands and she pulled her into a warm embrace.
Dahlia let the older woman's words wash over her. They were everything she needed to hear and more. Laying her Cuddy's shoulder she clung to the doctor not ready to take the next step. "I can't," she whispered, desperately
"Yes you can, baby. I'm gonna be right here. Did House give you medicine yet?" she asked , as she stroked the girl's back reassuringly.
"Yeah, they're starting to kick in I think. I feel kinda funny," Dahlia said, relaxing in Cuddy's arms. She had to admit, the drugs made the pain almost completely go away as long as she stayed still.
"Then we should get this over with quickly while you're feeling less pain," Cuddy prompted. She was feeling more sympathetic than she should. A part of her wanted to just let the girls stay in the safety of her arms, but she knew they needed to get this done. That bastard could have done serious damage to her. The fear that something could be wrong had Cuddy feeling ill once more.
"Don't want to," Dahlia said, turning her face against Cuddy's neck. This felt safe. Cuddy was soft and reassuring in ever sense immaginable. She didn't want anything more than to keep that feeling.
"Come on," Cuddy said a little more seriously. She extricated Dahlia from her arms. "I'll hold you all night if you want, but we have to get though this, honey."
Dahlia nodded her understanding, feeling a bit childish now that they were face to face. "Please be gentle? I'm really sore still." Dahlia glanced down at her lap embarrassed both by her actions and her words.
"Of course I will, I'll do my best to not hurt you," Cuddy reassured. She carefully moved Dahlia's feet off the chair and sat down. She rested her hands on the girls knees and met her gaze briefly before spreading the girls legs apart.
Dahlia leaned back on her hands and looked away embarrassed. She couldn't stand to see Cuddy looking at her. It was all too much and a part of her wondered if she should have let Dr. House do the exam. Thinking it over she realized that idea was probably even worse. Dahlia jumped slightly when she felt the warm washcloth press against her thigh.
Cuddy couldn't stand the silence. She knew if it was bothering her it was probably doing worse to Dahlia. "Do you like stories?" she asked, for lack of anything better to ask.
Dahlia turned back to Cuddy confused by the strange question. "I guess so," her voice shook, as Cuddy's fingers gently brushed against her thigh.
"I took a class in college about fairytale's one of the things our teacher focused on was the therapeutic value of stories. He encouraged us to create our own life or troubles into a form of a fairytale. It sounds silly, but there have been times when it's the only thing that gets me through the day. Would you like to hear one?" Cuddy asked. She didn't know what made her think of it, but it was something to distract them with both. She continued gently wiping the blood off of the girls thighs.
"Okay," Dahlia said, tears streaming down her face. She nodded when Cuddy looked up at her questioningly. Cuddy's touch was just so soft and gentle, nothing like her previous experience.
Clearing her throat Cuddy began, "Long ago, when wishing still helped, a young girl lived on the edge of the forest. She didn't have golden tendrils for hair, or a complexion as white as snow like the girl's of most stories, but she was pretty and very bright. She had been forgotten by her family and now lived alone, on the edge of the forest. She swore she would never experience the pain and rejection she'd felt from her family again."
Dahlia found Cuddy's voice soft and reassuring. She sat their captivated by the older woman's ease and confidence. She knew the story was part of Lisa's small attempt to make things better. Dahlia closed her eyes and focused on the story instead of focusing on the fact that Cuddy was cleaning up her blood and her step-father's seman.
Cuddy continued her story as she finished cleaning Dahlia. She shot the girl an apologetic look as she slipped her gloved fingers gently inside the girl. "The girl did not despise her isolation. Instead she used her freedom to explore the woods beyond her home. The woods had always been rumored to hold things that should not be, but this did not scare the young girl. I have no family or friends to miss me if I do not return, she often thought. If there is a chance that something better or worse lies among the forest then it is than being alone and feeling sorry for myself."
Dahlia let out a small whimper, as Cuddy hit her more tender spots. Her hands gripped the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white. She tried to focus on Cuddy's words, but the pain was breaking through each time.
Cuddy could see the girl's struggle and spoke her name, "Dahlia." When she got no response she reached her free hand up to the girl's chin. "Dahlia, look at me," Cuddy said, tenderly. Their eyes med and Dahlia let her tears run freely once more.
She was drowning in the blue of Cuddy's eyes, but she didn't care. It was far more pleasant than facing the pain. "Keep going," she pleaded, needing the soothing tone of Cuddy's voice to keep her calm.
Cuddy nodded her understanding. Going back to the examination she continued the impropmtue tale, "By the time she was 23 the girl knew every inch of the forest and the creatures within. She knew how to find the creatures when they were hiding, how to speak to the trees, she understood the lapping brook's game with the rocks and fish inside it, and she understood the magic that lay in the deepest glen of the forest, but there was one lesson she hadn't learned." Cuddy paused for a moment, before withdrawing her hand. "I'm all done sweetheart," Cuddy said, smiling gently up at Dahlia. "You'll be sore for a few days, but there's nothing that won't heal on it's own.
Dahlia breathed a sigh of relief. She had been terrified that something might be seriously wrong and she'd have to leave the sanctuary of Cuddy's home. She met Cuddy's gaze and couldn't help but let out a nervous but relieved laugh. She bit her trembling bottom lip and tried to blink away the tears. She didn't want to keep crying. She was sure the two doctors must see her as nothing more than a child. She wanted to be strong though. Her parents had always hated when she acted like a child. Maybe it was the conditioning they'd placed upon her or maybe it was just her desire for the two doctors to like her. Either way she tried to put on a brave front.
"Hey," Cuddy said, seeing the girl's walls going back in place, "You don't have to be strong with me." She grabbed Dahlia's hand in her own, "I'm here for you, whatever you decide you need. " She pulled the girls robe closed for her and stood up. "Now about your forehead," Cuddy said, as she examined the cut, "I can stitch it up for you, but House is better than I am. It will leave less of a scar if he does it. Is that okay?"
Dahlia sniffed and wiped at her eyes. She tried to relax, but was having trouble just being herself. "That's fine," she whispered, afraid that if she spoke aloud Cuddy would hear the emptiness and fear in her voice.
"Baby," Cuddy whispered, watching the brave girl in front of her. "I promise I won't let anything like this happen to you again. You can trust me, I won't ever put you in danger." She wanted that man dead. Cuddy had never been a person who sought vengeance, but this situation even pushed her limits to the extreme.
Dahlia smiled up at Cuddy, "I know I'm safe with you, that's why I came here. You were the one person that I knew that would do the best thing for me no matter what."
The devotion and loyalty that poured out of her eyes easily took Cuddy's breath away. She knew the amount of trust the girl was crediting her with. She ruffled the girls hair, finding that touching the girl in itself was all it took to melt her anger away. Dahlia needed her to be her emotional rock, not out taking justice into her own hands.