Chapter 10 : I know it's been quite a long time, a too long time but I was very busy. But next chapter is almost ready, and if you're still interested in the story, just leave a review and I'll post next chapter. Hope you'll enjoy this one : )
-Who are you? He repeats staring at her. Cuddy feels a burning pain in her chest. Would it be possible that he doesn't remember her? Or is he joking as usual?
-House! It's me, Cuddy, don't you remember me? Seriously?
-House? Is it my name? Cuddy moves back, she stares at him, frightened.
House – if he's amnesic, hasn't lost his sense of observation, nor his insightful mind. Are you someone important in my life? What kind of relations did we have?
-I … I think you need to rest. I just hope that's a temporary amnesia, she whispers, still looking at him. Maybe it's better so…
-I can read some fear and some sadness in your eyes, why? Did I hurt you?
-I… I have to go, I'll come later, she replies and leaves, distressed.
-No! please, stay with me, I need you… He doesn't really know why he said that, but the words came out before he could think about them. This woman must have an important role in his life, but which one? From what he saw in her eyes, he can guess it has to do with feelings, and if he's right, he's a lucky guy. But…
As she left House's room, Cuddy was so disturbed that she didn't see Wilson and ran into him.
-Hey Cuddy! Is there a problem? You seem so… shattered!
-I … I'm sorry Wilson, she stutters, House…. He …. It seems that he's amnesic, she articulates with sobs in the voice. He… He didn't recognize me! She turns her head to his room, unable to look at Wilson, she doesn't want to believe House forgot her, forgot their relationship which was so … so special.
-I'm sure it's a temporary amnesia, it's common after a coma, Wilson says, trying to find some cheering words but he wasn't really convinced himself of it.
-Yeah, I hope you're right, she whispers and leaves.
As Wilson enters House's room, he finds him with closed eyes. He was about to leave when House calls him.
-Hey! Can you help me?
-Hm, yes, yes, of course. What do you need?
-Do you know me? House asks scrutinizing him. Wilson feels uneasy.
-Yes, yes, I know you.
-Great, so you'll be able to help me. Please, sit down because it will take some long time.
-Ok.
-First of all, who are you?
-Are you serious or is it one of your trick to avoid hard explanations with Cuddy? Or one more joke to make fun of me?
-I must be someone hateful, a real pain in the ass…
-Why do you say that? Asks Wilson suspicious.
-Because no one believes me when I say that I don't remember anyone here…, House replies sadly and looks at the trees outside.
-I'm Doctor Wilson, James Wilson.
House seems to think about it. After a few minutes, he says: Neither your name, nor your face recalls me something… I repeat, who are you? Who are you for me? And who am I? What kind of person am I? Am I really a bad guy? And who is the beautiful dark hair, grey eyes woman who left my room a few minutes ago? Did I hurt her? Am I married to her? Is she married? Is she a patient? A colleague? If she's single, do you think I have some chance to seduce her? Do you know what her type of guy is?
Wilson looks confused, House fires questions at him and expects answers, but Wilson doesn't know where he shall start.
-Well, you are Gregory House, the most brilliant diagnostician that I know, a … a good friend in your own way… but you can also be a real jerk…
-Why?
-Why what?
-Why did you say that I can be a real jerk?
-You… you often find that people act so stupid and … you say it to them…
House listens to Wilson and thinks about what he just heard. I find this reaction rather clever… I don't know why I should waste my time with stupid and narrow-minded people.
-A lot of people don't like you because you say what you think, you act according to your mind, no matter the consequences, to get what you think is right for you or for your patient or for your friend… you're a great doctor, you work hard to find out what your patient have. Only patients that other doctors have failed to treat find interest in your eyes.
-Do I manage to heal them?
-Most of the time.
-And the woman?
-Which woman?
-The one who was there, by my side…
-Oh, this woman… Hm, that's Doctor Cuddy, Lisa Cuddy… She's the Dean of Medicine, our friend and…
-And?
-Seriously, House! You don't remember her?
-No! I feel there's something special about this woman, I feel we have some kind of relationship, but I also feel sadness, anger and disappointment. I feel she's very important in my life but I can't remember why!
-Cuddy… Cuddy was your girlfriend, you know each other since the Med School, you … you danced around each other for more than 20 years and… and last year you… you finally got in a relationship.
-You say "was", I guess we're not together anymore …, House says sadly. Without knowing why, his throat tightens and a sudden pain crosses his chest.
-It's … it's complicated…She… she felt ill and you went back on drugs to find the courage to be there for her after letting her a whole day alone at the hospital… She found it out and … and she broke up…
-I went back on drugs? That means I am a junky…
-You used to take Vicodin to relieve the pain in your leg.
-My leg? I don't feel any pain in my leg.
-It's certainly because of the morphine we give you.
House closes his eyes, the efforts to recover his memory have exhausted him.
-You're tired, I'm gonna leave, try to rest, I'll come back later.
Wilson finds Chase, Foreman and Taub waiting for him in front of his office.
-How is he?
-Is it true that he's amnesic?
-He needs to rest and… yes, he suffers from amnesia.
-It's not unusual after a coma, Foreman says. He should recover his past in a few days.
-I hope you're right, Wilson whiffs.
-Is there something we can do to help him?
-Maybe we can go and talk to him, Taub says.
-You're not afraid he prefers to go back in a coma than to see you, replies Chase with a smirk.
-Haha, you're so funny…
-You can always try…, Wilson says.
Cuddy has a lot of work but her mind is obsessed by House. She still can't believe he's amnesic. And she still hasn't decided if it's rather good or rather bad. On the one hand, this means they get another chance of happiness together, on the other hand, they lost all their past, all the great moments they spent together, all the bonds they had… maybe he won't fall in love with her again. And this thought is particularly unbearable. Because if Cuddy doesn't know what to do right know, she's sure of one thing: she loves House, no matter what he's done, she can't help it, this man drives her crazy and she needs him in her life, she's never felt that for anyone before him. And one thing more: she's ready to fight to get him back. She's never thought she would say that one day, but she can't live without him, he's the one for her and no one would be able to take his place in her heart. She'll end her life with him or alone. And she knows what she has to do now: seduce him; make him fall in love with her again…
-Doctor Cuddy? May I talk to you? Foreman asks.
-Foreman, what do you want?
-Hm, you know that House is here as a patient and that he can't run the diagnostic department, so…
-So…? She replies with a smile, waiting for Foreman to express his desire to take House's job.
-I think you need to appoint someone to do it and…
-With other words, you want his place, am I wrong?
-Yes, no.
-You don't want to run the department?
-Yes, of course, I'm the most qualified to do it and you know it.
-You want his job then…
-Yes, I want his job.
-House isn't dead, he didn't tell me he wants to resign, he…
-He's amnesic and can't do his job! I know you still have feeling for him but think of the hospital!
Cuddy gets up and leans over Foreman, looks at him straight in the eyes and says: Doctor Foreman, my feelings have nothing to do with this! House doesn't know who we are, but his faculties are intact and as far as I am concerned, he is still the head of the diagnostic department. Any other questions?
-No, replies Foreman coldly and leaves.
It's time to go home, but before, Cuddy wants to see House. She finds him lost in thought.
-Hm, House?
He turns the head to look at her and she catches a glimmer of interest in his eyes.
-You're Lisa Cuddy, aren't you?
-Do you remember me?
-No, he replies in a whisper. Doctor Wilson told me…
-He told you what? she asks and feels her throat tightening. Fear comes over her gradually, what did Wilson tell House about her, about their relationship?
-He rapidly told me what happened between us.
-Oh…
-You seem disappointed.
-No, no, it's… it's just that…
They stare at each other for a while, it was as if they were both hypnotized, they can't, and they don't want to break the bond they've just created.
A nurse comes in: Sorry to disturb you, but it's time for Doctor House to take his meds.
-I was about to leave, Cuddy says and blushes slightly, what House finds sexy.
-It won't be long you know, you can stay, I … I'd like to talk to you, he says and swallows the pills without stopping looking at her. Once the nurse left his room, he adds:
-I know I did horrible things to you, but I hope you'll forgive me, because you're fucking damn hot and …
-And? She replies with some nasty smile sitting on his bed.
-I… I hope we can be friend again, he finally says.
-I'm sure we can… Then she gives him a soft kiss on the cheek and leaves. He follows her with the eyes, a smile on his lips. He may have lost his memory at the moment, but one thing is certain, he won't make the same mistakes with her, he's determined to get her back.