Chapter 7
Later that morning House walks through the hospital lobby trying to go unnoticed, he's already late and the last thing he needs is a furious Cuddy reminding him of his clinic duty.
"House!" No such luck.
"House, you're late." He shows no intention of stopping or even slowing down so Cuddy has no alternative than to walk alongside with him.
"I'm late every day, what makes it today any different for you to point it out?" He increases his pace, he has long legs and Cuddy has to speed up as well in order to keep up with him. He really doesn't want Cuddy or anything else to stain the memory of the perfect morning he's having.
"Wilson is worried about you."
"Again, nothing new with that." He's getting annoyed. Why can't she just say what's on her mind and leave him alone.
"Are those the same clothes you had on yesterday?" She asks taking a closer look to his appearance. With all that happened this morning he didn't go home to change like he did last time when he fell asleep at Cameron's, not that he cares much about it anyway.
"Wearing the same clothes screams I got laid, so why don't you just go ahead and ask it."
"I don't care about your sex life unless it affects the hospital." She states trying to sound as convincing as possible, but House is way too smart. They stop as they reach the elevator, House presses the button with the tip of his cane and turns to her, using his eight to his benefit, not that that scares her much, she's used to it.
"You're used to me getting late for work, Wilson's always worried about me, and the fact that you know what I wore yesterday tells me that you pay way more attention to me than what you should. What you really want to know is if I had sex because you're jealous, you just don't want to admit it." He uses a smug tone enjoying making her squirm.
Cuddy opens her mouth to say what she's not sure, but he gives her no time for a reply.
"I didn't have sex last night so you can go and be with Lucas and pretend you're all a happy family in this illusion you created." He's cruelly blunt and he's not sorry for it.
The elevator's door open and he steps in facing her before the door closes.
"I didn't have sex last night," he pauses "I had sex this morning and it was awesome!" The doors slide shut and Cuddy's left there alone staring at the doors, mouth agape. She then realizes of the other people in the lobby starring at her, she puts on her brave expression and heads for her office where she's safe.
As she walks back to her office she curses him and his perceptiveness, he's right, she's not happy with Lucas, but she has to try. She's not sure if she should believe House's words or if he's just messing with her trying to get a reaction out of her. It is after all something he would do. But the idea of him sleeping with another woman bothers her more than she would like to admit. She releases a deep sigh before returning to her work.
Later that day House goes home to take a shower and change clothes, he's in the living room searching for his keys when Wilson emerges from the kitchen.
"You're not staying for dinner?" Wilson asks wearing some ridiculous apron.
"No matter how appealing your cooking is I have a better place to be." House says as he continues his search lifting the pillows of the couch.
"Are you going to tell me what you're up to?" There he goes questioning him.
"Nope."
"Why not? What's the big secret?"
"Stop worrying Wilson, I'm not going to some alley to shoot drugs, there's not gonna be any phone call telling you I overdosed. Now make yourself useful ad help me find my keys."
"Just don't do anything stupid." Wilson tells him taking House's keys from his pocket and handing them to him.
"You had them all this time?" It is after all something he would do.
"Like you said, I worry too much." Wilson shrugs and goes back to the kitchen.
Cameron hears the familiar knock on the door and rushes to open it. There stands House leaning on his cane while with his other hand he juggles a bag of groceries. As she takes it from him she notices an overnight bag previously hidden behind the other bag. She raises an eyebrow unable to control the smile that finds its way to her lips.
"What?" He asks though he knows exactly what she's thinking.
"Nothing." She heads to the kitchen grinning wildly. House follows her releasing a small grin himself.
"You're coking again?" Cameron asks as she takes a peek inside trying to hide the excitement in her voice.
"You obviously don't do it, and there's only so much take out a person can tolerate." Plus he has to put to use what he learned from his cooking lessons after he left Mayfield. And the fact that Cameron seems to enjoy it helps too of course.
"I'm not complaining, I like it when you cook."
House prepares their dinner and Cameron just enjoys having him there. Despite the different personalities (almost opposite) they find themselves in the same situation, both damaged and vulnerable, unable to truly commit seriously to a relationship and both alone. So they take advantage of the connection that's always been there and enjoy each other company.
And it feels right.
They've sort of established a routine, they share meals a couple of times a week, and on most weekends, sometimes they order takeout, or go to the diner across the street, but occasionally he decides to cook which she absolutely loves, although she doesn't tell him that, but then again she's sure he knows it. They have a good relaxing time together, no matter how weird sometimes the whole situation appears to be.
But as House once said, weird works for them.
Sorry for the Cuddy part in this chapter, I know she's not exactly the most popular character right now but it needed to be done.
R&R
