Hóla, friends!! Sorry this chapter is so short, but the next one is fairly long to make up for it. Thanks again for all of the reviews! And remember, suggestions are always appreciated. The final destination of this story is pretty much in my head, but I have a lot of leeway with how the journey goes. If someone suggests something that is interesting or triggers a wayward plot bunny, I have no problem with drifting off course a bit. As long as it's fun!!
CHAPTER 10 – FACING REALITY
Lisa managed to avoid House for nearly the entire day on Friday. She made absolutely no attempt to hunt him down for clinic duty or nag him about interviewing candidates for the fellowship. She figured that the more House stayed away from her, the least likely he was to find out about her and Robert. She did do periodic checks to make sure he was in the building and not at her house peering through windows. She had called Robert when she saw House walk through the lobby that morning (50 minutes late, but she didn't call him on that, either) so that he could get out of the house if he wanted to. Robert was still asleep when she called, so she doubted he left the house then. He had muttered something that sounded like, "…'ck House. Don't care what he thinks. Bye, love" before hanging up the phone. She had stared bemusedly at the phone for a few seconds before shaking her head and chuckling. Robert Chase was highly amusing when sleepy.
Lisa stayed fairly busy up until 4:30 when Dr. Baumgardener, one of the senior board members, came into her office. She smiled at him and stood up to greet him. "Hello, Howard. How are you today?"
Dr. Baumgardener harrumphed at her and sat down in the chair in front of her desk, glaring at her from under his bushy, gray eyebrows. "Well, I'm fine. I have to admit, I'm a bit disturbed by some of the rumors I heard floating around here today."
Lisa frowned at him and asked, "Rumors?" She had been mostly hiding in her office all day and hadn't heard anything.
Dr. Baumgardener leaned forward and told her, "There some scuttlebutt going around about you having some sort of wild love affair with another doctor. Now, there is always nonsense and speculation going on about you and Dr. House, and I'm still not convinced it's all bogus…", Baumgardener held up his hand to stop Lisa, who had opened her mouth to comment. "Wait a minute, young lady. I think your attachment to that insane man is unnatural, but I can't deny that he's brilliant and he does bring donations and build the hospital's reputation. I don't really care to know anything about any torrid college affair you two may have had. But these rumors that I've heard today don't involve Dr. House. At least…he's not your paramour this time. I wouldn't be surprised if he started the rumor, though."
Lisa leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and sighing. "Do I even want to know what these rumors are about? Or maybe I should say, WHO the rumors are about?"
Dr. Baumgardener sat back in the chair, folded his hands on his stomach, and raised an eyebrow at her. "Why don't you tell me who this mystery doctor is?"
Lisa sighed again. She should have known House wouldn't let it go. She debated for about 2 seconds before deciding to come clean. She told Howard the whole story (minus the against-the-door action), being sure to stress the fact that she had not even considered dating Chase until after the job had been offered. And she also pointed out that Chase had not yet signed his contract, so technically he wasn't an employee. Baumgardener listened to the whole story, frowning at some points, shaking his head at others.
When she was done, he sighed and said, "Lisa…"
Lisa held up a hand to stave off the criticism. "Look, Howard – I didn't plan this. I didn't even want this. And I really didn't want this with Robert Chase. But…he's different."
Baumgardener snorted. "He's a child." Lisa thought about what the child had done to her the previous night and smiled slightly at the memory.
Dr. Baumgardener saw the smile and harrumphed again. He scowled at her again. "I'm sure I don't want to know what that little smile is for, young lady. Don't think I'm not aware of a few gaps in your story."
Lisa squirmed a bit in her chair. Although she was in charge of the whole hospital, Howard Baumgardener was one of few people who could still make her feel like a high school student. She straightened in her seat and looked him in the eye. "Look, Howard. I can end this now, before Dr. Chase is employed here again…but the attraction isn't going to just go away. Nor are the rumors going to stop. So what do you recommend that I do? Would you like me to step down as hospital administrator and dean?" Lisa couldn't believe what had just come out of her mouth. Did she actually just offer to throw away the job that she'd worked so hard to get, and keep, for a man? A man nine years her junior? She held her breath and waited to see what Dr. Baumgardener's verdict would be.
The older doctor leaned back in his chair and stroked his neatly trimmed beard. He liked Lisa Cuddy – not that he would ever truly admit it – and he thought she did an admirable job. With the possible exception of her dealings with Dr. House, her behavior and performance had been pretty much above reproach and her ability to bring in donors was unequaled in the history of the hospital. He would hate to see all of that get thrown away because of some fling. He thought for a few minutes more then leaned forward. "Lisa, we're going to take a page from Dr. House's book of hiring employees." Lisa's eyes widened then she began to smile as the crafty older man explained his recommended course of action.