Overhauled. Chapter 4.
By the end of the month, they were practically living together. House has been staying at Cuddy's house for the past week, and has only been at his apartment to get more of his clothes and personal effects. Even the corner of Cuddy's study room is already filled with his guitar, base, and amplifier. The only thing missing was his piano.
"So, tomorrow's the big day... I was thinking we should set some rules for the office." Cuddy blurted in the middle of watching a James Bond movie.
"The lady finally realized the need to set the rules" House replied sarcastically. "I was thinking we'll just continue where we left off. You, bickering at me, and me underwhelming your authority. The circle of life."
She just stared at him, not really sure what to say next.
He took her hands, and held it close to him.
He looked straight into her eyes, baring his soul to her "Look, I just want us to be like this for a while. Oblivious to everything else around us. Yes, I'm selfish, I want you to be with me for a little bit longer. And if we share this relationship to the world... I don't really know what's going to happen."
She smiled. "Fine. I want all of you to be mine for a little bit longer too" she finally accepted. She liked that he was being brutally honest with her. "But, do you think we could ever go back to the way things were? You would question my approval. Heck, I would second guess myself every time you would ask me for a procedure. This is going to be hell House. We need a fallback plan."
"Hmm... yes, this is going to be tricky wouldn't it?" he agreed. "Well, you could always ask Wilson. Think of him as you Jiminy Cricket?"
"I think that could work. Wilson doesn't know yet, maybe he could still remain unbiased. Have I told you lately that I like how your mind works?" praising him was nothing new to Cuddy.
But House got easily overwhelmed with the way Cuddy has been treating him lately. He liked that she became more open to him. But he was also afraid at the same time. Cuddy expects him to be the same with her. He has made tiny steps, but he's still not ready to let go. He brushed his thoughts off. As long as he's trying, Cuddy wouldn't push him, he knew her, and currently, she's the only person he trusts. This has to work.
Cuddy noticed his sudden silence. She knew he was having second thoughts, but she doesn't want to push him too far. Instead, she tried to change the topic. "Speaking of Wilson... I hate to sound like a broken record asking you again and again, but...I just want you to patch things up with him House. He's your best friend."
"I know. It's not that I've tried Cuddy, I've left him messages. But I can take a hint too. He just doesn't want to talk to me yet."
She saw the hint of vulnerability in his eyes. It was at that moment that she chose to hug him. "You're making it harder and harder for me not to fall for you Gregory House. Do you know that?"
He was surprised by her gesture. And her statement sent butterflies to his stomach. It was at that very moment he realized that he's already fallen deeply in love with Lisa Cuddy. Damn woman! He thought. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her passionately.
Their lovemaking was a little bit special that night. Both of them taking time, being careful. But once they both found the rhythm, the night seemed to go on forever.
House woke up to an empty bed next to him. He stood up and went straight to the kitchen. Cuddy was already dressed, halfway through her breakfast.
"Good morning to you too!" she greeted. "I figured, you'd enjoy the last moments of peace and quiet. Do you mind if I go by myself? I don't want to fuel the rumor mill."
"Are you kidding? Not at all. I'll save myself from your nagging this time. You won't have any reason to get angry at me early in the morning, cause you already know where I've been. This is gonna be fun!" he poured himself some coffee, and stirred the contents.
He drank his coffee and headed back to bed. He paused. Turned back and decided to bid her goodbye, "Have fun at work Cuddles!"
"House?" she called. "Try not to be late. It's your first day at work remember?"
"Aw, come on. We both know that that would not be fun!" he grinned. "See you when I see you!" he called, and turned back to the bedroom.
Cuddy sighed. She's going to have to accept early on that there are just some things that she couldn't change. She cleaned up the table and prepared for work.
9AM and she's already on her way to Wilson's office. She knew he was already in. "Hello James" she greeted him with a smile.
"Hey" he greeted back half-heartedly.
"How was Boston?" she decided to keep the conversation light. She knew he's tired of answering Amber-related questions by now. She wants her friend to move on.
"My parents were glad to see me back. It's been a while since I stayed for a long time."
"Well I'm glad you're here now. And since I'm already here I need your help with something. I know it's your first day back, but if you're not busy, could you read through these cases? It's for him" she paused. House has always been a taboo topic for the both of them since the accident. "It's also his first day back, and I wonder if we could find interesting cases for him, you know, like the last time. I think it'd be great for you two. Break the ice or something."
"I'm not so sure Cuddy. I'm just not ready to see him yet" he hesitated.
"It has been a month James. Don't you think he deserves his friend back?" she was getting frustrated with this drama. It's time for James Wilson to move on.
He gave up "Fine, leave the cases, I'll read them. I'll come by later to discuss them with you."
She smiled "Thank you. This means a lot James."
Seeing Cuddy smile intrigued him. Something's amiss. "What's going on between the two of you?" he asked.
"I'd rather not divulge. I want both of you to settle whatever it is that's keeping you both from speaking to each other first. The rest of the drama can wait" she offered him a smile.
"I'll try Cuddy. But I can't promise you anything... But, whatever it is that's going on, it seems like it's working out for you. I'm glad you're happy Cuddy. Really. If Amber would have been alive, she'd be grinning already" mentioning Amber's name in the conversation made him think about Amber again, and he started feeling sadness.
The moment she saw sorrow back on his face, she went by his side and hugged him. Wilson was such a great friend. She was glad she didn't lose him.
"You'll be fine James. We'll get through this." she held on for a while.
House arrived later than normal. Cuddy was already waiting for him at the lobby.
She was frowning "You're late. House, it's your first day back..."
He cut her off "Your blouse is too low. I can see the twins from outside" he smiled. She looked shocked. He walked towards her and whispered. "I'm just living up to my reputation. This is how we work remember?" he winked, and header straight to the elevator.
She looked back at him and smiled. He was not limping any more. And he didn't need a cane. People were staring at him too. They were probably wondering what kind of miracle healed the great Dr. House. She was happy he was back.
House took his morning time getting re-acquainted with work. Thirteen, Taub, Kutner and Foreman were re-assigned during his leave. When they welcomed him. he shooed them off since he didn't have a case yet. After checking his e-mail backlogs, he was left with nothing to do.
He looked outside his window, wondering whether his friend was there. It was almost lunchtime anyway, so he figured he'd go visit Wilson.
He opened Wilson's door, and found Cuddy and Wilson sitting on Wilson's couch in the middle of a discussion. Of course they'd conspire again.
"What have you got for me boss?" he asked Cuddy.
Wilson looked up. "Hey. Heard your leg got better" it was awkward talking to him again. But he figured it was better to talk to him as if nothing happened.
"No cane, no pain. I'm as good as new" House nodded at Wilson. "Found some interesting cases for me yet?" He sat on Wilson chair "I'm so bored. What kind of hospital are you running anyway?" he bickered at Cuddy.
"40 year old man complaining about heart palpitations. CT is clean, BP normal, gastric activity is normal, everything else his normal. But his heart palpitates irregularly every hour. You up for it?" she challenged.
House played with the toys on Wilson's table. "Heh...Not interesting enough. I'll think about it"
Cuddy sighed. Wilson was not speaking again. She decided to make a move. "Fine, take it, don't take it, I don't care. You two need to talk this thing out." She stood up and headed to the door. "Good luck boys."
After sitting in silence for a few minutes, House decided to speak up. "You hungry? Want something to eat?"
"I, I can't do this right now House. I'm sorry, I know I should forgive you, I just" Wilson didn't know what else to say. "I need some space House."
He knew he was hurting his friend. But seeing House only reminded him more of what happened to Amber.
"Of course you'd do this" House declared. He grabbed the case file from Wilson's couch, and left.
His phone rang as he was going back to his office.
"How did it go?" it was Cuddy.
"Wow, it's like your psychic or something. Are you watching me?" he liked that she called him first before Wilson.
"I knew that the both of you wouldn't be able to stand each other for more than 5 minutes. I just have perfect timing. So, how did it go?" she asked.
"He cut me off. Still not talking to me. It's OK Cuddy, he probably just needs time. Wanna grab some lunch? I'm hungry." he wanted to know if she was ready to take small steps with him.
"See, you're forgetting something here. I handed you a case remember? You need to start on that first. Call me again after you've prepped your ducklings" she hung-up.
A small grin formed on his face. Small steps he thought, small steps.
They managed to have late lunch at the cafeteria.
"People are staring. Are you not concerned?" he grabbed some of her chips.
"That's because it's hard for them to imagine that you're walking without the help of a cane. Me eating with you is normal. Your best friend is not talking to you, I'm the next best thing" she reasoned.
"Right, because if you quarrel with your best friend, you go run off to your boss" he grinned.
She changed the subject "just give Wilson some time. He's trying to move on. And you're..."
"A reminder of the great tragedy. I get it."
She held out her hands over to his and squeezed it. "He'll get over it. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, but he will. Soon. I hope" she took her hands back and finished her food.
They left together after eating. "I need you to go with me to HR this afternoon. I think we should already declare whatever it is that's happening between us."
"Have I told you how much I like you when you're getting aggressive? Are we signing love contracts already?" She nodded. "Covering all your bases I see. " he looked around, after finding no one in the hallway, he decided to grab a kiss. "All right, I'll see you at 4." he started to walk away. "And wipe that grin off your face, your wrinkles are starting to show..." he shouted as he was walking out.
Cuddy smiled anyway.
TBC