A/N: I am truly sorry for the long delay in an update. If you've been reading my notes, I was calling for MGL. Well, she heard me. After three years, she wrote me. I was a little distracted by that. Sorry. This chapter is not as long as usual, but I hope you like it! You might not like what I did with one of the flashbacks, but I was trying to make a point. No, I do not believe that under normal circumstances Cuddy would have let this happen, but this is fiction BASED on fiction, so please excuse me? Please R&R!
Cuddy was furiously typing away on her laptop keyboard. She could feel herself being pulled waist deep into a confrontation with a long time donor who was now threatening to pull his funding if new demands weren't met. She wanted to avoid the man under the best of circumstances, and these were clearly not. Despite her need for concentration, her attention was completely divided between the work she was doing and her cell phone which was sitting just inches away. Her focus on both objects at once was so complete that she didn't even notice the newest addition to her office until the intrusion was propped on the side of her desk. Even then, she was startled out of her mind when she did notice.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you…" Cameron was clearly uncomfortable. "What were you thinking about that had you so distracted, if you don't mind my asking. I mean, you're staring at your phone so intently you seemed to be trying to make it ring yourself."
Cuddy looked back to her phone and then her computer. "I'm in the middle of trying to keep one of our larger donors from pulling funding, and also expecting a phone call." At that instant the object in question started to play "The Dog Song" by Nellie McKay. Cuddy snatched the phone up immediately and pressed the button to answer. "Kate! How long does it take you to get showered in the morning? I've been waiting for your call for almost three hours. I was worried you forgot…" She listened for a moment. "And please explain to me how he managed to get covered in oatmeal?" She listened for another moment and let out a small chuckle. "I'm glad you decided to eat something when you were hungry, but honestly, it works better if it's inside you, not outside your dog. Did you put the patch on? Good. I suggest you make another bowl of oatmeal and this time don't trip over Simon on your way to the other room, ok? Ok. Talk to you soon… love 'ya too. Bye."
"Is that seriously your ring tone?" Cameron was taken by surprise at the obvious playfulness that ring suggested.
"It is for Kate. I have special ring tones for certain people." Cuddy was back to splitting her attention as she turned back to the computer while taking a sip of her coffee.
"Do I have one?" Cuddy immediately started to choke on the mouthful of coffee and spit the remainder back into the mug. "Breathe. In… out… in… out… I didn't mean to become a choking hazard here!"
"I would say no, you don't, but I think I may have just given myself away with that. All I will say is I'm not going to play it for you." Cuddy was back to the normal steel determination that dominated her professional demeanor.
Cameron couldn't figure out what had just happened, but accepted that she would just have to wait to find out. Or, she thought, she could just ask Kate sometime… She decided to change the subject, almost as if for her own safety, and Kate was on her mind. "So, Kate's mom doesn't mind you encroaching on her turf with your maternal relationship with her daughter?"
"Please don't ever do that." Lisa was nearly lost in her own mind at that comment.
"Do what? What did I do?" Now it was Allison's turn to be lost.
"Don't ever mention her mother, especially around her. Never. Please don't." There was a look of pure truth that couldn't be ignored in Lisa's eyes. Allison was going to have to accept that the other woman didn't supply any more at the moment.
"Why? What happened?" Allison tried to get her to open up. She was trying to find out what had caused her friend to freeze. A babbling Cuddy wasn't something that you see every day. Especially not a babbling Cuddy with that look on her face.
"I was with her in the hospital after her surgery when her," she choked over the next few words, "her mother came in. A few minutes later she pretty much told me I could have her…"
The two were watching one of Kate's favourite episodes of Voyager, 'Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy' when two visitors walked into the hospital room. Kate's gaze broke away from the computer and slowly refocused on the intruders. "Mom," she choked out. Indeed, after a little over two weeks in the hospital her mother and sister had finally shown up for a visit. Lisa started to rise from her position next to the bed to give the trio some privacy but she saw the pleading look of desperation in Kate's eyes and felt the young woman's hand grip her own tightly. Obviously, Kate wanted her to stay, and although Kate had just slightly briefed her on her relationship with her mother, she thought she should at least give them some time, but remained where she was seated none the less.
"Mom, this is Lisa. Lisa, this is my mom and my sister." Kate made quick introductions. Her mother and sister were standing at the foot of the bed seemingly ignoring the woman sitting next to Kate.
Her mother looked around briefly. "It looks like you're making them all go to a lot of trouble here. You've even got your friend here," she gestured towards Lisa with her head, "indulging you in some entertainment, I see. You've always had a flare for the dramatic. Knowing you, you're not half as bad off as you are making it look like." Lisa's gaze bounced back and forth between Kate and her family. She honestly couldn't believe what the woman was saying. "We all know you only do things like this for the attention." Lisa saw the tears forming in Kate's eyes.
A moment later, Ryan and Meg walked into the room. In the span of fifteen seconds Kate's mother and sister were out of the room. Of all the ridiculous things Lisa had ever seen, this might be near the top of the list, and she was pissed. "I'll be right back," she told Kate. She stormed down the corridor and caught up to the pair at the elevator. "What the hell is your problem? You come to visit your daughter and stay less than five minutes just because your ex-husband walks in? What kind of mother are you? Your daughter has been through major surgery and is having a horrible time with recovery and you just, just come in, accuse her of faking symptoms, and walk out without even saying goodbye?" She didn't care that she was making a scene in the middle of the hallway; this woman had pissed her off. "How can you treat her that way?"
Kate's mom was nonplussed. "You obviously don't know my daughter half as well as you think you do."
"Maybe I don't know her as well as you do. What I do know, though, is that she's an amazing young woman who has had to live with a lot of crap her entire life. The kinds of things that she puts up with on a day to day basis are more than I can imagine sometimes. I also know that she deserves a mother who gives a damn about her life." Lisa was livid at this point. "If I were lucky enough to have a daughter like her I would never, never do what you just did in there."
The other woman made a simple gesture with her hand. "If you think she's so amazing, why don't you try being her mother? You will find that she's not so great after all. She's a destroyer of relationships. I bet she didn't tell you that she broke up my marriage, did she? Of course she wouldn't. I hope your husband or boyfriend or whatever doesn't mind having another person around, because she clings like plastic wrap. She's got you wrapped around her little finger already, I can see that."
"Look, I don't understand what your problem is. I have no problem with being the person your daughter comes to when she needs something, no matter what that something is, and I'm sure Tess wouldn't mind either."
The look on the two others changed. This time Kate's sister spoke. "Wait, Tess? This is just insane."
Her mother took over again. "So you're the one who gave her the impression it was a good idea to date other women. She mentioned something along the lines of that kind of thinking a few years ago, but I thought she grew out of it. I guess having you in her bed was what was keeping her thinking mixed up. You really have some nerve to corrupt her like that."
By this point Lisa was even more furious than she could ever remember being, but she had plenty of practice keeping a moderately cool exterior thanks to House. "First of all, there is nothing wrong with loving someone, even if they do happen to be of the same gender. Secondly, I have only known your daughter for a little over a year, so if she had ever mentioned anything to you before that, it had nothing to do with me. Thirdly, I have never, and will never, engage in sexual acts with your daughter." With this, she started walking back towards the room.
Kate's sister had to get the last word in. "Give her a kiss for me, and make sure to use plenty of tongue!" Lisa just ignored the comment and continued on her way.
That night after a late dinner at Ryan's house, Lisa sat down in the living room and took out her computer. She had managed to leave the hospital at a decent hour but still had some work to catch up on. "Damn." Her computer battery was dead. She looked in her bag for the power cord, but came up dry. She hated to ask for more than she was already being offered, but it was something she needed. She found Ryan and Meg still in the kitchen drinking coffee. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Ryan, but I need a favour. My computer died and I must have left my cables in my office. I have some work that I need to finish tonight. Do you happen to have one I could use?"
Ryan got up from the table. "Of course I do. It's upstairs in my office. I'll help you turn it on." They walked up the stairs together. They entered the small room next to the guest bedroom. "This used to be Jenn's, sorry, Kate's room when she lived here." He walked over to the computer and turned it on after first flicking the power strip on. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you. I'm sorry to impose like this." Lisa was embarrassed that she had managed to create a bigger imposition than she already was.
Ryan turned towards her. "Don't be silly. You are not an imposition. I am the one who should be thanking you for being so helpful and such a friend to my daughter. Thank you." Ryan then left the room, and Lisa, to her work.
While the computer was coming on, she took a moment to look around the room. Floor to ceiling book cases lined one wall filled with books ranging from fiction to politics to sciences and everything in between. Above the computer hung Ryan's diplomas. He was well educated. She noticed the bachelor's degree from Columbia University. Next to that was his doctorate from Yale University. A cheerful tone from the computer informed her that it was now fully booted and she was free to begin her work.
"Seriously? You can't even figure that out? I honestly thought you could have done this yourself. I was working until I had to leave last night and I honestly thought you could fend for yourself. If you can't manage to find a way to make anything in the freezer cook for you, by all means, you have my permission to get take-out. Honestly. You can't figure out how to cook a frozen dinner?... I don't believe you. You're impossible. You want a home cooked meal every night? Honestly? I've got better things to do than cook for you… I didn't mean it like that, you know I don't… I'm sorry. I love you. I just don't think that you should be so incapable of heating up some frozen macaroni and cheese. I know it's not my special recipe, but it's good. I promise. Please just try it for me… I love you… Yes… Ok, I'll ask her, but I won't make any promises. I'll miss you tonight… I'll see you Sunday. Goodnight."
"Your boyfriend can't work a microwave?" Meg was looking at her own in contempt, even though he knew well how to cook for himself.
"More like girlfriend, and no, she can't, I suppose."
"Don't worry, husbands aren't any better, believe me."
"I'm sure they aren't. You don't think that he'll, you know, make me leave her alone now…"
"No, of course not. Ryan knows you are a friend of hers. He won't care about who you choose to date. Believe me, he's not like that." Meg was completely speaking from the heart. "Besides, I know about her preferences, even if he doesn't. I won't let him kick you out because of that, even if he were to think that, which he won't. He's very open-minded."
"She wants to meet 'the woman who is taking me away from her'. I want to ask Kate if she would allow a visitor next weekend. I completely intend to book a hotel room, though. I don't expect you to have us both as guests. Do you think she would allow another visitor?" Lisa was nervous at this. She knew how Kate reacted to those around her and didn't think that the young woman would allow another visitor on premises.
"I don't know how she would react to that, but if you explain who she is, I'm sure she would consider, at least, she would if she were thinking clearly… Maybe you should just ask her though. She seems to respond to you better than anyone else at this point." Meg was unsure how else to respond to the question. She was sure, however, that in her own sane mind, Kate would react to the question with open arms. Now, under this kind of medication, however, she was unsure how she would react.
A few hours later, at Kate's bedside, Lisa decided to open the topic of conversation. "Kate? Are you awake or are you just staring at the blank TV again?" Lisa decided to open the conversation with humour, seeing as Kate had not stared at the blank television for several days at least.
"I'm here. I'm awake. Lisa? You seem to be feeling awkward…"
She was continually impressed by how perceptive the younger woman could be. "I need to ask you something. I don't know if you know, but I have a girlfriend."
"I know. I know you do."
"Would you mind if she visited next weekend with me? She means a lot to me and she wants to meet you," she left out the part about wanting to meet the woman who was taking her away from her girlfriend. "She'd like to know who you are."
"She can come. It's ok, as long as it's ok with dad…"
"Your dad doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm going to get a hotel room for us. He won't have to give us a room. I just needed to know it was ok with you." Lisa was feeling relieved at Kate's response, but she was starting to ramble again, obviously because of the effects of the narcotic.
"We can talk some other time. You should try to get some sleep now."
"She can come. She's fine, as long as she comes with you…" Kate was starting to drift off again.
"She'll be with me, don't worry," Lisa reassured her.
Later that night, both Ryan and Meg insisted that it was fine for both Lisa and Tess to spend the night in the guest room the following weekend. The following weekend's arrangements were made firmly, and that was that.
"Ryan, come on. Stop staring"
"I'm sorry, blame my gender." Lisa and Tess were on the sofa of the living room off of the kitchen. Lisa was lying in Tess's lap and looking up into her eyes listening to what she was saying.
"Come on. They came here on an invitation. Don't stare," came the admonishment from Meg.
"Dinner is ready," was the only thing out of Ryan's mouth.
The four sat down to a quiet dinner. At least, that's what it was in the beginning. Lisa put her fork down with force. "Stop it. Just stop. Please."
The other three in the room looked at her with surprise. Tess finally spoke. "We're not at your precious hospital, Lisa. Besides you don't mind that at home."
Lisa was getting uncomfortable. "We're not AT home, Tess. Stop it."
"Stop what?" Tess could be incorrigible.
"Outside," Lisa said, gesturing to the sliding door leading to the porch. "What the hell are you doing?"
The rest of the conversation was muffled by the now closed door. Both Ryan and Meg were watching, while trying to give the impression that they were ignoring, but it was nearly impossible given their own proximity to the argument. Being several inches taller, it was clear to the couple indoors that Tess was using her height for intimidation. Every few seconds she stepped forwards toward Lisa, who took a step backward, until she eventually hit the corner of the porch. Suddenly realising that she was now, literally, backed into a corner, she unconsciously started to lower herself down to the floor. Around the point where she was starting to bury her head into her knees, which were pulled up to her chest, Ryan got up and started towards the door. Just at that second, Tess backed off and sat down on a patio chair, took out a cigarette and flat out ignored Lisa balled up in the corner, as if these kids of altercations were commonplace in the relationship. Perhaps they were.
Ryan watched, still stunned, as Lisa pulled herself up and wiped at her tear streaked face. Shakily, she made her way back inside. Without a word, she walked back outside through the front door and made her way to her car. Normally, she would find refuge in her office, but that was miles away. Having no idea where she would go, she began to just drive.
Kate was almost asleep when she sensed movement next to her. She opened her eyes to see the chair next to her bed had been turned to the window. Over the back of the chair she saw a pile of dark curls, and she could hear the faint noise of post-cry sniffles. "Lisa? What happened?"
Startled, the woman got up and turned the chair around to face Kate. "Nothing big, we just had a fight. I was upset. I just need some time to clear my head." She thought for a moment. "You might want to give your dad a call. I think I might have scared the crap out of him by leaving the way I did… I think we may have just given him a crash course in the so called 'dyke drama'."
"That was the first time I had gone to another person after fighting with her. It felt good to talk about it, and anything else, with her. It certainly wasn't the last time I went to her after an argument… no, there were many other times…" Lisa suddenly realised she had completely lost the original point of the conversation, but Allison seemed to be willing to just listen. "I'm sorry. That was completely uncalled for." She composed herself quickly. "What can I do for you Dr. Cameron?"
"Well, I actually had two questions to ask, but one was already answered. I was wondering if you had been able to help Kate. The other question was I was wondering if you needed any more help with your choreography for next week. I mean, I could come over and help if you do."
Lisa was slightly amused at the deep blush forming on Allison's face. "I could use some help still. If you want, you can come over tonight. I should be done here around seven."
"Great!" Allison said with a bit too much enthusiasm. Reining it in, she continued, "I'll see you then." Embarrassed, she made her way back to the ER.
Lisa's phone rang yet again, but this time she heard "Crush". She looked down at her watch and swore under her breath. It was about seven thirty. "Allison, hey, sorry. I got distracted. I'll leave now. I should be home soon."
"No problem," came the voice on the other end. "There's a car in your driveway though. Were you expecting other company?"
"Is it a dark plum Honda Civic with a magnet on the back reading 'I heart my Shih-Tzu'?" Lisa was certain she knew who it was.
"Yup."
"That's just Kate. She probably either came over to use my kitchen, my plasma, or my basement. She'll let you in, just knock. I'll be there soon."
"Will do. Bye." Allison walked up to the door and gave a solid knock. Kate answered wearing an apron which had a floury hand print on the side.
"Ally, hi. I didn't know you were coming over. Come in." Kate bounced a few steps away from the door to let her in. "I was just trying out a new cookie recipe. It's double chocolate with semi-sweet chips. Wanna try one?"
The chocolaty aroma wafting through the house was too good to resist. "Absolutely." She picked a warm cookie off of the cooling rack. "So, you have a key to Cuddy's house?"
Kate gave her an odd look. "You can call her Lisa, you know. Are the cookies any good?"
Allison gave her an answer by picking up another cookie. "You haven't had any?"
Kate shook her head. "I don't usually eat what I bake. I find out if it's good from other people." It seemed logical enough to her. Changing back to the other subject Kate inquired to Allison, "Don't you have a key to your mum's house?"
Allison gave her a quizzical look, thinking back to the conversation she had had with Lisa that morning. She didn't know how Kate would like her knowledge of the relationship, so she played it like she had no idea what was going on. "You consider her your mother?"
"Well, not technically. She's the closest thing I've ever had, though. I don't usually call her mum, mostly in jest or when she's acting all parenty." The sound of the front door shutting clued them into the arrival of Lisa. "Mum!" Kate shouted, jokingly, for Allison's benefit.
"Hey, ladies. What did you make this time, other than a mess, of course? It smells wonderful." Lisa entered the kitchen and caught Allison stealing another cookie.
"I'll clean up, promise!"
"I have your movie," said Allison, handing over the DVD of RENT. "Thanks again for letting me borrow it."
"Have you ever seen the show?" asked Kate. "It's totally awesome. It's different from the movie, though. Lisa took me for my birthday a few years ago." Kate was still almost bouncing off the floor. Clearly, she was back in a manic phase.
"Give me a minute to change and then we can go downstairs," Lisa said to Allison.
Kate gave her a quizzical look. "You came over to dance?"
"Lisa's filling in for Beth Tuesday, and I was helping her with some of her choreography for the classes. You can join us if you'd like."
"Cool! I have my dance bag somewhere in the abyss of my car. I'll go get it." Kate was placing the last of the utensils and bowls into a sudsy sink to soak as Lisa came back in. "You didn't tell me you were teaching next week. Your classes are always fun."
The three went down the stairs to the basement and started the flap warm up to get their feet moving a bit. Halfway through the shuffles, Kate was suddenly feeling like she was going to be sick. She quickly excused herself and headed upstairs for the bathroom. Allison was concerned. "Is she ok?"
Lisa made a face. "I don't know. Nobody seems to know what the problem is." She looked over at Allison who had a far off look in her eyes. "Oh, come on. Put away the mental white boa- wait a second, I just had a thought. Pull the board out again, would you?" Together, they patiently waited for the young woman to come back downstairs.
"What?" was the question on Kate's mind when she walked back to the basement to find the other two staring at her.
"Have you seen an endocrinologist?" asked Lisa.
"Well, I seem to remember waking up next to one this morning. I can't remember how I got there, but still…"
"I stepped on you. You were sleeping on the floor next to the bed, so I put you in it. That's not the point, though." Lisa was curious now.
"No, I haven't. But I really don't want to go to any more appointments for this. It's feeling ridiculous." Kate was seriously getting tired of all of the appointments with all of the different doctors. It was at the point where she would live with the vomiting rather than go to another doctor.
"Can I have some of your blood? You won't need to go to another appointment, at least not an endocrinology appointment, unless I find something, deal?" This was the best offer Lisa could make at the moment.
"Ok. You win. I'll give you my blood. But just so you know, you sound sorta vampirey." Allison was trying not to laugh at that last statement. How many times had patients called her a vampire while she worked for House? 'Get me blood, lots of blood,' was an order she had received from him many times.
They spent a little over an hour downstairs before they were tired out. Up at the front door, Allison looked on while Kate and Lisa said goodbye for the evening. They filled a few moments with quick banter and a hug. If envy could really turn you green, Allison would match the grass after a spring rain. She was jealous of the closeness Kate had with Lisa. Not just the ease of a physical connection, but truly deep emotional connection that the two shared. That was the second that her conscious and subconscious minds collided like two trains on the same track. She wanted Lisa Cuddy. All of a sudden her insides felt like they had physically been involved in the mental train wreck. She was completely oblivious to the goodbye she had been given as she walked out to her car and made her way home.
Lisa shut the door feeling confused. Her friend's mood had flipped just minutes before. She could see the moment clearly in her mind's eye. One second she was happy, the next second she looked completely lost in her own thoughts. That look in her eyes, though, that was a look Lisa had seen often. It was the one she saw in her own eyes when she saw herself in a mirror after thinking about the woman known as Allison Cameron.
As she walked into the kitchen to fix a late dinner, she noticed the sink full of baking equipment. To nobody in particular, she shouted, "Jennifer Kate Kramer! Can't you ever learn to clean up after yourself?"
Next chapter will be fun! Please review!