Ok, this is a tinee tiny chapter! But i wanted to round up this part of the story as the next part may involve a flash forward. (Not sure yet, still struggling between two ideas.) This involves a bit more Huddy than the previous chapter... she finally gets to see House again! Enjoy, and thanks for all your reviews!

House and Wilson both lay side by side in a room. Wilson was still unconscious and House lay with his eyes closed. The pain was subsiding but was still there, it was never going to go fully away and that's what he hated.

He finally opened his eyes and looked over to his best friend, hurt, all because of him. He couldn't get Cuddy's voice out of his head 'people who get close to you, get hurt.' He knew she meant mentally, but the quote seemed fitting for the current situation.

Speak of the devil... he thought as he heard his room door slide open.

"Hey." She said as she walked in. He immediately felt hurt. He knew it wasn't her fault that she hadn't come sooner but he still felt abandoned by her. He watched her as she went from House's chart to Wilson's to see the extent of their injuries.
"Hi," he replied noticing his voice sore from not speaking for quite a while. "I thought you were being kept hostage by that detective guy."
"I am still, he's outside. I've got my own personal guards just like you." She half laughed not really knowing why. "He let me come see you guys after I heard about Wilson."

Ouch. House immediately thought. She came when she heard about Wilson, but not him? She could have come to see him before she saw the detective, why didn't she?

He watched Cuddy take off her coat and hang it on a peg in the far corner of the room. He had missed that ass, those legs, her curves, that black bruise... wait! Cuddy's shirt had lifted slightly as she reached for a peg and House noticed a menacing bruise covering her lower back. It probably went higher and he was sure there was a few more. Next he noticed Cuddy's long sleeve shirt, she never wore long sleeves!

"I hope you told him to fuck off now?"

Cuddy sat down in a seat in between her diagnostician and oncologist and flinched in pain.

"Yes."
"See this is what happens when I'm kept in the dark about your dates and don't stalk you!"

She half laughed again and looked down at her feet. She didn't know what to say.

"Look, House, I couldn't ok. You and I both know I didn't walk into a door. He threatened... things if I disobeyed what he said. I was scared and not thinking straight. I know I should have gone to the cops sooner ok."

Cuddy was never scared, well not of a piece of scum like Phil. She would stand her ground no matter what he threatened or blackmailed her with.

"Like what?"
"What?" She was confused, raising her head she looked at House.

House could see her better now. The bruise that still present on her face made his stomach churn. He rolled his eyes.

"What did he threaten?"

She didn't answer. He held out his hand and touched her shoulder. Cuddy flinched and jumped up out of her seat. House saw fear in her eyes and sadness briefly wash over her face. Oh god... he thought. Phil had raped her.

"Cuddy... why? Why didn't you..." What was he saying? Why didn't you stop Phil raping you? Because she's a small yet feisty woman but he's a huge, powerful guy and you weren't there to fucking help her, once again you fucked up! House screamed to himself.
Cuddy knew he knew and he knew she knew he knew! How confusing their relationship was at times!

"Why didn't I what?" Cuddy's voice rose. "Stop that wanker from fucking me? Is that what you were actually about to say!" She now screamed.

House just looked down. He had absolutely no idea what to say or do. He thought to stay silent, but as he looked back up at her tears were now in her eyes and rage was evident throughout her whole body. He then noticed her leaning more to her left side. He pushed back his covers and stood painfully in front of her. He reached out and grabbed both her forearms in his hands gently, she didn't flinch but calmed in his touch, it was like he was taking away her pain if only for a brief second. He then felt her right side and she gasped. Broken rib, he told himself as he looked back to her eyes. He felt himself saying something, it uncontrollably left his mouth and him stunned.

"Sorry..." He almost whispered.

A tear left her eye and quietly slid down her cheek. House brushed it away as it fell by her lips, softly grazing them as he did. He desperately wanted to kiss her but knew he couldn't chance hurting her after what she had been through. Instead and uncharacteristically, he pulled her in gently for a hug. She fell against his chest while he wrapped his arms around her back. In was only for a couple of seconds until Cuddy broke free and looked back up at him. She then looked at his lips and leaned in ever so slightly. House knew this was a signal and obliged. His lips tingled against hers as if they shuddered missing the feeling.

As they broke the kiss House became aware of his pain again. His leg throbbed, head hurt, stomach killed... but more than it should. Cuddy lifted her hand from House's side which was covered in blood.

"Oh god, House, your stitches. Quick lay down." She helped him back to his bed as she called for a nurse. He felt suddenly extremely light headed and felt himself fall into a deep slumber. He noted Cuddy's voice calling to him which began to fade as if she was calling from a far distance.