A/N

To everyone who is still reading and reviewing, thank you! I love hearing your thoughts! I'm glad you all enjoy it :)

Here's the next chapter, as always, I hope you like it!

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October, 2008

He was sitting on his couch, a drink in hand, and he was staring at the T.V. without really watching it. He heard a knock at his door, and he jumped a little. He glanced up at the clock, and he frowned. Cuddy would still be on her date. As the knocking continued, he groaned, and he slowly got to his feet. He limped over to the door, and he opened it. He rolled his eyes, and he sighed. "What are you doing here?"

Wilson stared at him. "You chase me around for months, and now that I'm back, you ignore me?" He shook his head. "Why am I not surprised."

He moved back from the door, allowing his friend to enter. He looked at his friend with feigned indifference. "Now you're back. Not interesting."

Wilson just rolled his eyes. "Still the same House, I see." He walked into the apartment, and he looked around. "Do you ever clean up after yourself?"

"Well, after you moved out, I lost my personal maid-slash-assistant-slash-chef."

He sighed, "That was three years ago, House. I would have hoped you would have hired someone by now." He glanced at his friend. "So, are you going to tell me what's going on between you and Cuddy?"

He narrowed his eyes. "There's nothing going on between Cuddy and I. In fact, she's on a date." He sat back down on the couch, and he put his feet up on the coffee table.

Wilson was surprised. "And you're not out committing felony stalking and harassment? I don't know who I am anymore," he sighed, exaggerating it.

"Did that on the first date." He glanced at his friend. "Didn't want to be accused of repeating myself."

"Oh, since when has that stopped you?" He tried not to grin. "Or are you losing your touch?"

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "I've not lost anything."

"Then just go to her house, and let her know what's going on in that head of yours. Whether it's lust or love..."

"It's definitely not love. I'm incapable of love. Now lust on the other hand..."

"Stop deflecting. You're going to lose her, you know. You'll never get that chance again."

His head snapped up and he looked his friend in the eye. You have no idea what chances with her I've given up. He sighed deeply. "It would never work."

"No, it won't, unless you try!" Wilson never broke eye contact. "It may go down in flames, but at least you made the effort."

"What's the point in making an effort if it only ends in pain..." He turned his gaze away quickly.

Wilson shook his head. "You'll still feel the pain, but you'll never experience the positive things that lead to it." He nodded toward the door. "Go to her. See what happens."

He sighed. "You're not letting me stay here, are you?"

"Nope."

"Good to have you back, Wilson."

"Nice to be back, House."

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He was waiting at her doorstep when she got home. When he saw that she was alone, he smiled slightly. He was sitting on the stoop, tapping his cane rhythmically. His breath was misting in the frosty fall air.

She pulled up in her car, and she got out. She was actually a little surprised that he was sitting on her stoop. "House, why are you here?" She watched as he got to his feet, using his cane for leverage. To this day, she felt a twinge of guilt when she saw him use it. He limped over to her, and he stared into her eyes, his mixed emotions flickering through them.

"Wilson kicked me out of my apartment, until I talked to you."

"Talked to me about what." She wrapped her coat tighter around her body. "Let's go in. It's chilly here."

He nodded curtly, and then followed her in. He glanced around, trying to look at anything but her.

"House, why are you here? Why can't you just let it alone?" She pulled off her coat, and she hung it on a peg in the wall. He made no effort to do the same.

"I...I don't know." His eyes flickered nervously.

"Is this about...us?"

He sighed. "There is no us...not really. I...I can't be that guy. The guy that'll give you the house in the suburbs with the house and the kids and the yard. I'm a world class screw up and a drug addict." He paused, and she stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. "I...I don't know what I'm saying..." He turned to leave, cursing himself for feeling embarrassed. He turned away.

"House!" He stopped and he turned back toward her. She caught his eye, her own eyes glittering. "You're not the only screw up here, and I know that "we" can never happen...for many reasons. But," she frowned, trying to find the right words, "you have no idea, how lucky I feel to have you in my life." She rose up on her toes, and she kissed him softly on the cheek. "And I'll always feel that way, no matter how big of a pain in the ass you are. Good night, House."

He stared deeply in her eyes, desperately trying to ignore the rush of emotions that coursed through him. Finally he blinked. "Goodbye, Cuddy."

He walked out the door. She closed it behind her, and she softly cursed to the empty house. Why did everything have to be so complicated...