AN: This is a long chapter, and sorry I didn't update sooner. Wasn't sure on how to finish it. But I got it. There should be loads of updates this week. And, who's looking forwards to the Thanksgiving episode tomorrow? That looks like fun, kind of, not really. LOL.

I'm gonna shut up now and let you all read.


Chapter Eight

House paced his bedroom, Westlife's "Queen of my Heart" playing quietly. He had been playing hookey from work the past three days, and each time, Cuddy hadn't questioned him. The first time he had called, the day after they had kissed, she sounded like she had been up late or that she was getting sick. She had merely accepted his excuse of having too much personal crap going on and hung up. Though House wanted to talk to her, to make sure that they were all good after the previous day.

When he had called on the second day, again, she had accepted his reasoning and informed him that he had a case that his team was working on. Though that whole day, he never heard from his team, which he was thankful for. And even on the third day, a Saturday, Cuddy still accepted his excuse, but told him that she expected him in work on Monday. Not once did she mention the kiss they had shared that past week, or what her reactions were to it after some thought.

In some weird way, he hoped that she had told Lucas about it, so he would have a reason to confront him about Cuddy. He deserved it, a good slap would be better for him, he had no right to try and kiss her when he had just assured her that he had absolutely no romantic interest in her. And even I he had, she and Lucas had been married, heck, he even went to their wedding. There was no reason whatsoever that he should have kissed her.

But that wasn't what bothered him; like after the time she had lost Joy, he stopped the kiss, knowing it would only make matters worse. Well last time neither of them had anything to loose, they were both out of their usual comfort zones around the other; her suddenly vulnerable and him letting his true self show. But this time, as usual, he didn't have anything to loose; he was still as in as much pain as he had been the last time, and he had no wife or girlfriend. Cuddy though, now, she had everything to loose if Lucas found out. She had a husband, three kids, a reputation; stuff which he never had nor made it clear he wanted.

But clarity wasn't something he thrived on, he hated it. It made him weak, as if he had lain all his thoughts out on the floor and allowed the world to read each word, each letter, burning the thoughts into their minds. He feared weakness and failure, something he knew that he'd surely experience if he was to allow himself to be read like an open book in size forty-eight font. Of course he wanted people to know him, but it took a lot to know him. Something he had truly allowed to five various people throughout his life. There was Wilson, obviously, and also Stacy, though he didn't want to admit it. He almost wanted to say Lydia or Dr. Nolan, but he scratched them off his list. And of course, before he married Cuddy, Lucas and him had some sort of friendship. Then there was Cuddy, she had known him the longest too, which only made matters worse for him.

Here he was; unmarried, a former drug addict, nearly an alcoholic, depressed and; to make matters worse; reconsidering his attraction to one of his friends. That alone made him feel worse, he had told everyone, even Cuddy herself, that he was never truly jealous of her and Lucas because it made him happy to see Cuddy happy. And, at the time, she had been happy with Lucas, and if he was wrong, maybe she still was.

For the past three days, he had mulled over his possible attraction to Cuddy and what to do about it. Of course there was the option of telling Lucas that he kissed her and she kissed him back. But that would only increase his suspicions about Cuddy having an affair. He could also tell her but add that he didn't expect anything to happen, because of her marriage. Or the last option, the one he prefered the most, was to simply keep quiet and take that knowledge to the grave. Now it was almost nine-thirty that night and he was starting to get hungry. Just as he was about to pick up the phone and order takeout, there came an exceptionally loud banging on the door.

"Go away," House muttered, but never the less, he went to the door and opened it a crack.

"Dr. House?" He looked at the girl in shock; surprised, but glad, to see Rachel Douglas standing on his doorstep.

"Rachel?" House reached forwards and pulled her inside roughly, "What are you doing here? Do your parents have any idea where you are?"

"Mom's upset and dad left to go somewhere," Rachel replied, her tears had dried on the way over, but her eyes were still bloodshot. "They were fighting and I ... I couldn't call you. So I decided to come here," she held out the slip of paper House had given her.

"Good Rachel," House nodded, "But how did you get here alone?"

"I have a friend that lives about two blocks from here. She has an older brother who can drive, he brought me over here from the park by my house."

"So obviously your mom and dad don't know that you're here," House began, "Rachel, look, as much as you probably don't want me to, I need to call your parents so they know that you're safe."

"No!" Rachel cried, "I don't wanna see them! Dad is mad at mom and he left too...he's gonna be furious if he knows that I'm here."

"Then I'll call your mother and tell her," House reached for the phone, "She doesn't have to come get you now, but she needs to know." He picked up the phone, about to dial Cuddy's cellphone number, when Rachel grabbed the phone.

"Wait, not now, in the morning, please?" She pouted and House narrowed his eyes at her.

"Your parents are going to have my head for this, you know that right?" House took the phone back and returned it to the cradle. "I want you to tell them why you came here if they ask, not me, it's your business to apologize to them."

"Okay," Rachel plopped onto the couch, "Can I sleep here?"

Almost right away, House nodded and he limped into his bedroom, grabbing a blanket from the closet. He returned to the living room and tossed the blanket to Rachel, allowing her to cover herself with it. Snuggling under it, Rachel glanced at the logo on the fleece material.

"You went to Michigan too?" She asked, "My mom went there for college. Did you know her?"

"A bit," House shrugged, "But you need your rest, we can talk tomorrow while waiting for your parents." He dimmed the lights, and left the room, leaving Rachel to fall asleep. Himself, on the other hand, he never fell asleep until late into the night, his mind buzzing.

"Hey!" Rachel hurried into House's room, hitting him over the head with a pillow, "Get up! The phone is ringing."

"Do you wake your parents up like this too?" House sat up, reaching for the phone, spotting Wilson's cell displayed on the Caller ID. "Hello?"

"House," Wilson sounded panicked, "You need to get to now."

"What's up?"

"Rachel's missing," he sounded worried, "You need to help look for her … now."

"Why isn't Cuddy calling me? Or Lucas?" House asked, motioning for Rachel to stay quiet.

"They're out looking for her." Wilson explained.

"Then I'll call them and offer to help look, you should do the same." House hung up and quickly dialed Cuddy's cell phone.

"House?" Cuddy picked up quickly, "Have you seen Rachel anywhere?"

"Cuddy, come over to my apartment, pronto. I'll help look for Rachel with you guys after." House spoke quickly, hoping she would agree.

"Fine," Cuddy sighed, obviously annoyed, "I'll be over in five."

"You told my mom to come over here?" Rachel sat on the bed, pouting, "She's gonna be really mad."

"It's fine," House sat on the bed besides her, explaining what his plan was.

Five minutes later, there was a knock at the door and House limped towards it, leaving Rachel in his bedroom. He opened it, glad to see that Lucas hadn't come along, and let Cuddy inside.

"What do you want House?" Cuddy looked stressed and exhausted, "This better be quick."

"You need to do something about you and Lucas," House began, "It's affecting Rachel too."

"How would you know what's affecting her? You barely have any contact with her." Cuddy snapped, "Besides, I don't see why you're so intent on finding something wrong with Lucas's and my marriage, even if there is, it's none of your business."

"Really?" House narrowed his eyes at her, "And it's none of Rachel's either?"

"House, seriously, stop acting like you know what's going on with Rachel, you haven't spoken to her since Tuesday."

"Actually, I spoke to her just a few moments ago," House turned on his heel, and made his way into the kitchen, unknowingly giving Rachel to cue to come out of hiding.

"House, seriously, this is no time to eat," she made her way towards the kitchen, but stopped, seeing Rachel is his bedroom doorway. "Rachel, what are you doing here?"

"What do you think?" House turned, quirking his eyebrows at her.

"I … I was scared," Rachel began, looking at her feet, "House said I could come here if I got scared."

"You what?" Cuddy looked at House, her eyes blazing, "You told her that she could come here whenever she wants?"

"Within reason," House shrugged, "I think there's good reason in why she's here."

"I don't care," Cuddy snapped, "Rach, let's go."

"No, I wanna stay here," she pouted, sticking out her lower lip, "I like it here."

"Rachel, seriously," Cuddy took her hand and knelt to Rachel's level, lowering her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"House said I could come here if I needed something or was scared," she paused, her lower lip trembling, "You and dad were fighting again, mommy, I don't like it."

"Rach, come here," Cuddy hugged Rachel tightly, shooting dagger glares towards House, "Go wait in the car, I'll be out in a few moments." Nodding, Rachel grabbed the small bag she had brought with her and went out the car, sitting quietly in the seat.

"Cuddy, seriously, you can't ignore this anymore. Obviously, whatever is going on between you and Lucas is affecting her to so much that Rachel is too scared to tell either of you about it. I'm not saying that you and Lucas need to do some major, but try and talk to her, find out what's affecting her so much. Maybe then ..."

"I don't need your help with my life House!" Cuddy snapped, cutting him off, "If I need to talk to Rachel then I will. I don't need you to tell me how to raise my own daughter; that's Lucas's job, not yours." She turned on her heel, ready to leave, but House wasn't done.

"Well then make it his job, because right now, he sucks at it."

"Excuse me?" Cuddy stopped short of the door, turning to face him, "What did you just say?"

"Lucas sucks at being a good father, and no I'm not just saying that and I'm not trying to be offensive, but seriously, Rachel barely knows who I am. She ran to me for help; not you, not Lucas, and not Wilson. Why didn't she come to you, you're her mother, what did you say to her?"

"Nothing!" Cuddy snapped, stepping towards him.

"I was right, you do suck as a mother." House replied quietly, "You're own daughter won't even talk to you."

"You idiot," Cuddy stepped towards him, "What are you gonna do later? Say you were wrong?" House opened his mouth, but reeled in shock as Cuddy's palm connected with his jaw. "You asshole," she growled, "You know how hard I've worked to be who I am, and to have the life I have."

"Cuddy, look, I didn't .." House spoke after few seconds, but his own response was the door slamming.


AN2: YES! An almost-repeat of "Joy" ... was tempted, but didn't since I don't what them to kiss a lot before certain events. *cough*Trial*cough*

Next chapter: Cuddy talks to a relationship counselor that's not Wilson. Lucas gets drunk - again.

Read and review!

KM Wilson