Chapter 10

The week went by, the days succeeding each other in a monotonous rhythm, it was already Friday and House thought about his near future. He agreed with Chase and Foreman to leave the hospital next week, on Wednesday maybe, if they found someone who accepted to come to his place to change his bandages, at least until his wound healed properly. Fortunately he kept his place after his "death" with the help of Wilson. And he decided to put an ad: "Sexy and funny man in his fifties who lost his past looks for a nice nurse to help him get it back". He was thinking of adding and more if we hit it off when Adams came in.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing an ad to find a sexy girl willing to take care of me."

"Are you sure it's a good idea?"

"Why?"

"Why what?" replies Adams on the defensive.

"Why do you think that's a bad idea?"

"Because… because. I don't know. It's weird."

"Weird? Lots of people do it every day."

"And look where it lead them most of the time." She replied sarcastically.

"Is that a way to tell me that you feel concerned about me?"

"Of course I'm concerned about you! You're my patient and…"

"And?"

"And you were my boss."

"Oh really? I didn't know it"

Adams stared at House and said: "Com'on House! I'm sure you do."

"I'm sorry but I don't. I'm sad to have forgotten you. Did we have a relationship?"

"No!"

"I should have known, you're too uptight".

"What?"

"Don't take offense! It's obvious that you're not a funny girl. You look so serious." Adams didn't know what to reply. After a while, House added: "How was I? As boss I mean."

"Horrible, odious, indifferent, cold and sarcastic"

"Okay, I get it."

"But you were creative and … you could be nice too." Before the surprised face of House, she added: "In your own way of course. And I appreciate this side of you. Just like your other fellows."

House nodded slowly but didn't know what to say.

"And I think you screwed your talent. People do need doctor like you. You're brilliant even if you're not a philanthropist. And even if your method is not what I could qualify as perfect, I have to admit that it's efficient most of the time."

"What does it have to do with my ad?" Asked House a little surprised by Adams' vehemence.

"You should ask someone you know, someone you trust."

"Someone like you?" House replied staring at her. And then he added: "Because I don't remember who my friends are. I'm amnesic, do you remember?"

Adams blushed: "Yes, of course. It was stupid of me. But if you ask me, I'll come to you every day to change your bandage and we can talk in order to help you recover your memory. I'm sure I can help you."

"Let me think about it" replied House puzzled. As Adams left his room he added: "Thank you". She nodded and left.

Oooooooooo

It was Friday afternoon and Cuddy sat at her desk trying to find a way to escape her dinner with Jeremy. And she began to think of House. What would he do to avoid something? He was very good at this game. She knew a thing or two about that. Maybe she could call him and… "That is it!" she suddenly exclaimed and paged Robert: "Come to my office as soon as possible". About ten minutes later, he knocked at her door.

"Is there a problem?"

"No."

"Your message implied an emergency."

"Do you remember our deal?"

"What deal?"

"I helped you with your patient and now I need you to return me the favor."

"What can I do?"

"Just call me tonight at 8.30 pm and say I'm needed at the hospital. Emergency."

"Okay but"

"Don't ask me anything. Just do it."

"Okay"

"Thank you. You can go now."

"Well… Are you free Saturday night?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"Yes. So?" he replied staring at her.

"I have to ask my babysitter but I guess it can work."

"Great. I'll take you at your place at 7.00 pm."

Cuddy watched him leave her office and smiled. Thank you, House.

Ooooooooooooo

House was thinking about Adams when Chase came in.

"Your last results are good; I think we can let you out on Tuesday. I'll tell the police if you're okay. Did you find someone to "help" you at home?"

"Adams proposed to help me." Chase looked at House. He was puzzled.

"Are you kidding?"

"No. Do you know why she does that?"

"No. Why should I?"

"I thought that maybe you suggested her to…"

"No." After a while Chase added: "But maybe Foreman did."

"Maybe. But I don't think so. Why does Adams want to look after me?"

"I have no idea. Will you accept?"

"I guess I'll do." House replied, a glint of interest in his eyes. And Chase suddenly knew why he accepted Adams 'proposal.

"You want to know why she does it, don't you? A new mystery to solve…"

"Yup" House answered, smiling.

"It will do you good. But do me a favor."

"What?"

"Take time to think of Cuddy. I think she was moved when she saw you the other night. She still feels concerned about you in spite of all happened between the two of you." House didn't say a word. He just held Chase's gaze.

"That's not what she said at the cemetery."

"But she came here to warn you…"

"Do me a favor, Chase."

Chase waited, looking at House.

"Think of Adams."

Chase rolled his eyes and left.

"Don't worry about Cuddy, Chase. I think about her night and day. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it."

Ooooooooooooooo

Cuddy tried to be relaxed and friendly but she desperately waited for Robert's call. This dinner with Jeremy was so boring. He didn't listen to Cuddy, he just talked about himself. He was beaming. Cuddy didn't know why. Maybe because she accepted to have dinner with him. Maybe because he was proud to be with her in this restaurant where he knew many people. Whenever one of his acquaintances came to greet him, he introduced her as his girlfriend. Cuddy tried to make him understand it was just a dinner between friends and nothing else, he refused to accept it. She knew he was an impulsive man and she didn't want him to bitch up so she decided to wait for Robert's call. And finally her phone rang.

"I'm sorry, I have to answer, that's the hospital."

"But Lisa!" he said exasperated and rolled his eyes. But Cuddy didn't care and listened to what Robert told her, pretending to be interested.

"I'm sorry I'm late but I was busy and "

"Okay, I'm on my way" she said worried. "Jeremy, I'm sorry but there's a problem at the hospital and I have to go."

"But Lisa, we "

"Sorry. Thank you for the dinner." She got up and left. Once in her car, she smiled. She just arrived at her place when she received a message: "Hope you appreciated my help." She was thinking about an answer when she received a second message: "Please don't take your phone tomorrow night." Cuddy smiled and decided not to answer.

She just lied down when she got a new message. It was House. "I'll be out on Tuesday." She didn't know if she should answer. What did he expect? Why did he tell her? House waited for her answer. He needed her to send him a message back. Just to be sure she still cared. But nothing. After a while he thought that her phone wasn't near her or that she was busy or … Maybe was it true what she told him on Wilson's grave? She maybe really moved on? She had maybe someone in her life and didn't want to hear about him anymore? Could he have imagined this glint of worry, of care in her eyes the other night? He used to know exactly what she thought or what she felt but … but it was a long time ago. Things might have changed. After all she never asked about him when he was in prison, at least he didn't know it. On the other hand, he never really asked about her. Of course he inquired and followed her career, just to know where she was, what she did… But he never asked her or sent her a message or called her. Well in fact he called her but never spoke when she picked up. He just heard her voice and imagined her face. How could she forgive him? He thought it was right what happened to him. He didn't have the right to be happy; he was a bad guy, cynical, arrogant, selfish, unable to care about someone. He could remember the words she told a few weeks before their break-up: You need me House, you may even love me but you don't care about me. And I deserve someone who does. And I deserve someone who does. And she was right. Of course she deserved someone who cared about her, about what she thought, someone who shared her pain and her fears. This was what she blamed him for the night she broke up: Pain happens when you care. You can't love someone without making yourself open to their problems, their fears. And you're not willing to do that. You choose yourself over everybody else over and over again because that's just who you are. Those words still echoed in his mind. How many times he dreamed that all this was a nightmare! But unfortunately it was reality. And yet he confessed to her how she was everything to him, that he was ready to give up everything – including his gift – for her, just to be with her, to love her and be happy, with her, with her… Now that Wilson died, she was all he had, she was all that mattered to him. How could he explain this to her? He didn't know how to show her his feelings. Not to mention that when he destroyed her living-room he also shattered her life. She had to resign and leave Princeton. What gave him the right to come back in her life? His love? Or the fact that he knew she needed him as much as he needed her? But maybe was it just an illusion? Why would she need him? Because their story began at John Hopkins? Because they trusted each other? Most of the time he annoyed her and caused her troubles, but it also happened that he was there when she needed someone. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. "I'm glad for you. Be careful." "That's it!" he exclaimed, disappointed and a bit angry. He decided to answer: "Don't worry. A sexy girl will be with me."

"Great! So you won't worry me anymore."

"You sure?"

"Good night"

"What are you wearing?"

After a while, she answered: "Nothing"

House smiled, he could imagine Cuddy naked in her bed. And the memory of it reminded him of good time. But suddenly jealousy haunted his mind and he texted her: "Are you alone?"

"Try to guess…" Cuddy had fun, flirting with House had always been a game that both of them appreciated.

"Yes you are."

"How can you be sure?"

"Cause you're texting with me."

"Good night : )"

"Good night : ))"