The reviews are amazing! Please keep them coming.

Hope you enjoy Chapter 5!

Chapter 5

7:45 AM

Bella awoke to the sound of birds singing outside the window of the abandoned house she had fallen asleep in. Her new little friend lay next to her, curled up inside the large sweater she wore. Bella began coughing again; the air in the house was dry and she was breathing in dust from the dirty carpet she lay on. Her stomach started growling and she decided to go look for some food. She still had some money left from the doctor's purse she had stolen.

Bella sat up, hugging her cat to her chest as he whined. She gave him a kiss on the head and stood up to open the closet door. As she walked out of the closet she got a glimpse of the room in daylight and she walked to the window, looking out onto the street. It had snowed last night. Most kids loved the snow; it meant snowball fights, snow angels, and snowmen. But for Bella, it meant freezing weather, wet clothes, and possible death. She sighed and hugged her cat closer to her.

Downstairs, she opened the front door slowly. Her cat, which she'd decided to name Splat because he reminded her of a splatter of black ink, was whining because of the cold. Bella stepped into the snow and made her way carefully down the stairs. She had to set Splat down in the snow so she could hold on to the railing and not fall down the steps. Splat protested loudly, clawing his way up her pants and sweater.

When she finally made it down the stairs, Splat was hanging on her sweater for dear life and yelling at her. She gently removed his claws off of her sweater and cuddled him to her chest, calming him down. Together, they made their way down the street looking for someplace to eat.

A few blocks down the road, she came across a McDonald's and wandered inside. It was nice and warm. She walked up to the counter and gestured for the lady at the register to hand her a pen and paper. She wrote down her order and handed it to the woman. The woman looked at her strangely and glanced around the restaurant. Probably looking for her parents.

"Where are you parents, honey, do they know you're up here?" She asked Bella.

To make the woman stop asking questions and take her order, she decided to use her knowledge of sign language to her advantage. The woman would assume she was deaf and feel bad for talking to her. Sure enough, the woman's eyes grew wide and she placed her order without another word.

Sign language was Bella's first language as a baby because her mom was deaf and she needed to learn to communicate with her. Bella and Mattie had found that it came in very handy at times when they were living on their own. They used it to talk to each other when they couldn't speak aloud or to talk about people in front of them without them knowing what was being said about them. But since she didn't have Mattie to talk to anymore, she didn't see the point in talking to anyone.

Her order came and she walked to a small booth in the corner, away from everyone. She set Splat down on the table and poured some milk in a bowl for him to drink and she drank the rest. He lapped it up quickly and she smiled at him. She broke off half of her hash browns and fed it to him in pieces. They finished their breakfast and Bella decided they should stay inside for a little while longer so they could keep warm until they needed to venture out again to find some more warm clothing to take back to the house with them.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

10:45 AM

House was sitting behind his desk listening to his iPod with his eyes closed. He was trying not to think about what had happened last night with Cuddy and how she had basically rejected him and kicked him out of her car. Ok, so that was a slight exaggeration, but that's what it felt like.

The thoughts he was trying not to have were interrupted by someone yanking his headphones off his ears. He opened his eyes and saw the subject of his non-thoughts standing in front of him.

"Shouldn't you be in the clinic?" She asked with her eyebrows raised in question to him.

"I'm there in spirit." He quipped.

She smirked at his reply. "House, we have to talk."

She opened her mouth to continue her thought when he stuck his finger out at her, stopping her from continuing. "I'm having the strangest sensation of déjà vu…do you feel it? It started when you said, 'House, we have to talk.'" He imitated her with a girly voice. "Actually, I take that back, it started when you said, 'Shouldn't you be in the clinic?'" Imitating her one more time.

House leaned forward in his chair and placed his headphones on the desk. He stood up and went to grab his cane but she snatched it before he could take it. "Oh now that's mature." He said as he stood beside his desk, holding onto it for balance.

"You started it." She smiled, teasing him.

"Yeah, and you ended it." He stated with a more serious tone, reaching out for his cane, snatching it out of her hands. He limped toward his office door, ready to leave this conversation behind.

Her smile faded at his words. "I wasn't rejecting you." She said quickly before he could walk out of his office.

He turned around, looking at her doubtfully.

"I'm pretty sure you were, but don't worry, since I cried myself to sleep last night, I feel much better today." He commented sarcastically and walked out the door, leaving her feeling rejected in return. He quickly headed to Wilson's office.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Cuddy had returned to her own office after her disastrous conversation with House. That did not go like she'd hoped. Who was she kidding; she knew House wouldn't just let this go so easily. Most people think that he's an insensitive bastard, but the truth was; he was the most sensitive person she knew. He just didn't show it like most people. She had hurt him last night and if she could, she'd kick her own ass for being so stupid.

Not wanting to think about her problems with House she switched to thoughts about Bella. She wondered if she had found a warm place to sleep last night, or if, God forbid, she had not survived the snow and freezing temperatures. That thought made Cuddy feel sick to her stomach. She needed to know that she was all right. Cuddy picked up the phone and dialed the police to see if they had found Bella.

After talking to one of the officers for a few minutes she was disappointed to find out they had not located her yet. Which she supposed could be good and bad. Good because it means they didn't find her body anywhere and bad because she was still out there and it was still a possibility…either way it was grim.

Cuddy suddenly sprang up from her desk and gathered her purse, coat and scarf. She left her office and informed the nurses at clinic reception she'd be out for the rest of the day and that she could be reached by cell phone.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

11:30 AM

House sat in a chair across from Wilson's desk staring at him expectantly after having told him what had happened between him and Cuddy last night and then a few minutes ago. He left the part out about looking for the kid. He didn't want to open that can of worms with Wilson just yet. The entire time he was telling him, Wilson had a goofy grin on his face, probably happy that he finally wanted to do something about his feelings for Cuddy.

As House continued to stare, he suddenly rolled his eyes. "Wipe that stupid grin off your face or I'll leave this office right now."

"Alright, fine. House, I'm sure you already know this because everyone constantly brings it to your attention on a daily basis, but…you are a complete jackass. What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking revenge. She made me feel like crap so I made her feel like crap."

"You always feel like crap!" Wilson shouted. "And you always make her feel like crap regardless of whether she made you feel like crap…so again I ask you, what the hell were you thinking?"

House rolled his eyes and pointed his finger at Wilson. "Hey, you are MY best friend, you're supposed to be on my side not hers."

"Yes, and as your best friend I am going to tell you to get your ass down to her office and apologize for making her feel like crap…and then kiss the hell out of her."

"What about my apology? She's the one that-"

"You didn't let her finish, House, you walked out on her. She was there apologizing to you." Wilson pointed out.

House narrowed his eyes at Wilson, seeing his point. He stood up and walked to the door. Opening it, he said, "I hate you." As he walked out, he heard Wilson call after him.

"You love me." His goofy grin returning.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Bella and Splat had found some blankets and an old couch sitting next to a dumpster behind a row of houses close to the abandoned house. She grabbed a couch cushion and a blanket, which was all she could carry. They were wet from the snow, but she thought they might have time to dry by tonight, when it would undoubtedly be colder and she'd need them. Splat sat on top of the blanket and cushion, going along for the ride back to the house. She made it to the house and walked in, shutting the door with her foot.

Making her way carefully up the stairs and to the bedroom she'd slept in last night, she set the cushion down on the floor. She removed Splat from the top of the blanket and spread it out on the floor to dry. Once that was done she and Splat headed back down to get the other cushion. Luckily the cushions were only wet on top, so they would dry quickly.

When she returned to the house, she laid the other cushion on the floor to dry. The next thing, she decided, was to see about getting some more food. She had a little less than ten dollars left; she would have to see what she could buy that would last her for a few days until she could get more money. It wasn't just her anymore; she had Splat to take care of now too.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Cuddy drove down the street keeping her eyes on the road and the sidewalk, looking for Bella. This was much easier with another person in the car. She wished she hadn't messed things up with House so he could be out here looking with her. She thought of parking the car and just walking for a while, but she had no way of knowing where Bella had gone. She tried to think of places she might go to stay warm or to find food.

She drove to the homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the area to ask if anyone had seen her. No one had. As she was walking back to her car, it began to snow again. Cuddy became even more worried and determined to find Bella, so she did the only thing she knew to do, drive around Princeton.

It was after lunchtime and Cuddy was hungry, but she felt bad that she had the means to feed herself when Bella didn't. She really hoped that Bella still had the money she'd taken the other day and Cuddy wished that she'd had more cash in her purse that day.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

House had decided to take Wilson's advice for once and go talk to Cuddy. He was on his way to her office, almost to the door when one of the nurses at the clinic reception desk called out to him.

"She's not in there."

House turned to her. "Where is she?"

"Gone." She smirked at him.

"Did she say where she was going?" House asked, narrowing his eyes at her and looking as intimidating as he knew he could be.

"Nope." She replied, not intimidated in the least.

"Did she seem pissed?"

"Nope, she seemed in a hurry." She replied, turning away from him to talk to a patient that had just asked her a question.

'She's not pissed and she's in a hurry…that could mean anything.' House thought, trying to figure out where she'd gone. After walking out of the clinic on his way back to his office, he realized where she'd gone. He shook his head, "Idiot." He said aloud to an elevator full of people. Everyone turned around to look at him with scowls on their faces.

"Wow, I was only looking for one idiot, but I lucked out and found all of you." House smirked at them.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Bella and Splat walked several blocks until they found a small grocery store. She snuck Splat in by keeping him under her sweater. Once they were in the food isles she took him out and set him on her shoulder. She grabbed a basket and started loading it with small food items. She got some tuna, crackers, milk, water and a few other inexpensive and non-perishable food items. She had stuffed some small items in her pants and jacket pockets, which were covered up by her sweater. She would pay for what she could afford but she knew she wouldn't be able to pay for all they needed so she had to steal some of it. Plus it made her less suspicious if she paid for some stuff.

She got out of the grocery store without any problems. She and Splat made their way back to the house with their food, ready for another meal. It was snowing again so they had to walk quickly. They were able to get a lot of food that could last them for a while, and she was proud of herself for taking such good care of Splat.

They arrived at the house and she removed the items from her bag and pockets. Splat was excited, rubbing against her leg and meowing at her. She leaned down and scratched behind his ears with a smile. Bella opened a can of tuna and set it out for Splat, which he ate enthusiastically. She opened a box of crackers for herself and they sat together enjoying their meal.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

6:00 PM

Cuddy had just arrived home after looking for Bella most of the day. She really needed to go back to the hospital to get some work done but she was so exhausted from driving around Princeton and worrying about Bella that she just didn't have any energy left. She felt helpless with Bella and it killed her to know that she could help if given the chance, but it seemed Bella didn't want it or didn't trust anyone enough to give her the help she needs.

It made her wonder how Bella ended up in her situation. All she knew was that she wasn't kidnapped, she didn't run away and no one took care of her. 'How does something like this happen to a child?' Cuddy wondered.

Cuddy changed into some warm and more comfortable clothes and headed to her kitchen to make some soup. She hadn't eaten much today, mostly out of guilt and she realized that was stupid because she needed to eat. As she was preparing her soup, her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and frowned.

"Hello." She answered tiredly.

"So I guess you didn't find the kid." House said.

"How did you know that's where I was today?" She stopped stirring her soup at the stove.

"I'm psychic."

"Since you're calling me, I guess you're not mad at me anymore?" She flipped the eye off on the stove as she cautiously asked her question, not knowing how he would react.

There was silence on the other end. Finally she heard him clear his throat.

"I'm not mad." He responded quietly.

"I didn't mean to upset you last night, House, I just…" she paused and took a deep breath, "you confuse me sometimes." She leaned against the counter, lowering her gaze to the floor as she spoke softly to him.

"What was confusing, Cuddy, you knew what I was doing." He sounded a little irritated.

"Yes, I knew what you were doing but what I didn't know was why. Last time you kissed me you didn't even want to talk about it…was this time going to be any different, House? You said you didn't want a relationship…have you changed your mind?" She asked with a bit of hope in her tone.

She couldn't hear anything on the other end of the phone. "House?"

Suddenly she heard a knock on the front door. She knew that knock. Cuddy walked to her front door, still holding the phone to her ear. She opened the door and saw House standing on her porch with his phone still at his ear.

"I guess I have." He spoke into his phone with a small smile on his face.

She smiled at him and lowered the phone, switching it off. She stepped back from the door, opening it for him to enter.

He stepped in, closing the door behind him. He opened his mouth in mock disbelief. "You hung up on me." House stuffed his phone in his pocket.

Her smile grew wider. She shrugged her shoulders; "You were a jackass to me today when I was trying to apologize to you…it evens out."

He nodded, looking into her eyes as he stepped closer to her, reaching up, he stroked her jaw with his fingers, his right hand still holding onto his cane. "Just so you're not confused, I'm going to kiss you now because I like you and I want to be with you." He whispered as he leaned in, their lips only millimeters apart. He waited a moment to see if she'd stop him. She didn't.

He captured her lips with his own, kissing her softly. She kissed him back eagerly, bringing her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He lowered his left arm to her back, bringing his right arm around her waist. She vaguely heard two clatters on the floor as he dropped his cane and she dropped her phone. He moved his lips over hers; leaving no doubt in her mind that he meant what he said. Their kiss became more heated and passionate as their tongues moved against one another. After a few moments, she broke the kiss not able to breathe any longer.

House leaned his forehead against hers, still holding her close to him. She kept her arms around his neck as she breathed him in. She loved being able to hold him close to her like this. She smiled, pulling back to look into his eyes. He smiled back at her.

"What changed your mind?" She asked in a whisper.

"It's Wilson's fault, he told me to come and kiss the hell out of you." He whispered in reply, smiling at her.

She laughed, lowering her arms from his neck to his shoulders and down to his chest. "Really…so I have Wilson to thank for that kiss?"

"No way…that was all me, baby." House said arrogantly.

"Baby?" She questioned with an amused look on her face.

"No? I'm trying out pet names…let me know when I get to one you like."

"Pet names already? You don't waist time, do you?" Cuddy rolled her eyes and stepped away from him, grabbing his hand and leading him to the kitchen. "Come on, honeybuns, let's see if I can find something in my kitchen that you'll actually eat."

"Ooo, honeybuns…I like that one. I do have a sweet ass, don't I?"