Title: Leave the Light On

Summary:Lisa Cuddy's world was tumbling into a dark abyss, all her hard work and nothing to show for it, she was still miserable, if only one doctor could have the cure for her bleeding heart. Huddy. A different spin starting from the kiss scene in "Joy" 5x06.

Disclaimer: I do not own House, nor do I make any profit.


Chapter 4

While the boys are doing lunch, Cuddy's doing everything in her power not to think about her loss or last night. She knows she was expecting too much from him, hoping he would be her prince in shining armor, she knew House would never walk the straight and narrow, not even for her.

She busies herself with paper work; an important donor is coming for a visit today. The donor wants to hold a fundraiser, in his honor of course. Apparently, he likes to dress up and flaunt his money in people's faces while getting praised for his generous donation to Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Cuddy doesn't mind, he's definitely donating a hefty sum to the hospital, and she likes parties; there is some truth to House's nickname for her, Party Pants.

It was the only reason she decided to come in today, the party is Friday just one day away and she has to make sure everything was going according to plan. Wilson had told her to take some time off, that even though Joy was never actually hers; he knew how much it had shaken her. She would have, most definitely, she would do anything not to have the chance of running into him today, she wasn't sure she could handle that.

She slams her ink pen down, hands now cradling her face. The beginnings of a breakdown are rising in her demeanor, her senses alert that she had more important things to do than wallow in self pity, hurt, pain, but she couldn't shake the trembling in her heart every time her thoughts wandered to a certain doctor on the next floor up wondering if he was thinking about her too.

There's a rap on her office door before it swings open revealing a average sized, yet hefty, middle aged man, so caught up in himself he does not comprehend the distress of the lonely female perched behind her desk.

He drawls his salutation as if he owns the building, which in all reality his donation could build an entire wing with his name on it. Hopefully, this donor's jolly mood and self absorbed self will finally free up Cuddy's spare time after the grand party. Unlike the past two months, he's been speculating on donating, and his stipulations, a gala in his honor.

His bare ring finger being the sole reason he wants to rub elbows with Princeton's finest. He's looking for Mrs. Right, or for the future unfortunate lady, Mrs. Harry Boyle. Just the mention of his full name is enough to drive anyway potential girlfriend away fleeing, before he can spell bind her with his wads of cash, and promise of a huge rock on her finger.

Cuddy switches elegantly into business woman mode, and lithely stands and greets the newest donor to the hospital. Her mood forgotten as she easily slides the calm façade across her features, and they get right down to business.


Apparently Wilson had a bought of good luck earlier, reading House so well, noticing something was up. But, unfortunately the man is so stubborn when it comes to divulging his reasons for his actions, much less his feelings. Wilson has been trying whole heartily with carefully placed banter, inquiring about last night's events when he finally gives up.

House reaches to snatch Wilson's bag of potato chips when a thwack is heard, and a swear word is uttered from House's lips, while Wilson's are goading him into conversation while rescuing his chips. House rubs his sore hand ruefully, still dancing away from answering Wilson's prying questions. They both retreat into silence, a safe ground to regroup and plan a new strategy, it was like playing battleship with a spoiled four-year-old, House always changed the rules.

"Well since you're all rays of sunshine today…." Wilson trails off, and then asks, "So have you picked up your tux for the fundraiser?"

"Why? I'm not going," House continues to rattle off his excuses and how regretful he's going to be, missing out on the free food and booze and seeing Cuddy's bosom popping out of her dress, freely stating what he'd like to do with said bosom….

Wilson abruptly interrupts his friend's amusing try at distracting him with intimate details of Cuddy's anatomy, but he knows House has other reasons for not going to the party Friday night. Which only had partly to do with Cuddy's anatomy. House has seen enough of her assets, so much so his heart can't possibly take anymore.


To be continued...


Author's Note: Please leave a review, and tell me what you think!

The next chapter will be up soon...=)