Chapter 11 – Forgive Me

Maya still felt a bit of trepidation as she stood there waiting for something more from House than just the hint of smile he'd given her. House on the other hand was feeling unsure of Maya, and yet the way that she looked up at him was almost his undoing. He'd thought about her almost none stop since Thanksgiving weekend. Now here she was and she looked completely vulnerable to him. Just ten minutes ago he'd been sure that she'd blown him off. She was still staring at him expectantly. What exactly was he supposed to do? Holding his cane in his right hand he timidly held his arms out to her, just barely in case it was the wrong thing. But Maya immediately fell into him, winding her arms around his neck.

He lifted her several inches off the ground in his embrace, it was either that or stand hunched over so that he'd have a back ache and a leg ache. Although some of the excruciating pain had subsided. Must have been the last ibuprofen he'd popped. Chase came out of the observation area and looked up and down the hall. He'd actually expected for House to be back in his office for a while, but he saw him down the hall, embracing someone. Chase smiled and put his head down thoughtfully for a moment. Then he looked up and walked toward his boss. House had just released Maya as Chase approached. "Hey House."

"Chase."

Maya looked up at the blonde doctor curiously as he admired her openly. "Judging from the outfit and the long hair, you must be Maya." Chase was trying to be discreet and not let on that he'd seen the picture on House's phone.

"I am."

"Nice to meet you." Said Chase with a smile and then looked to House. "Tucker's transplant went well, you'll let Wilson know?"

"What makes you think I'm staying here?"

Chase cocked his head to the side, "Right." He nodded at Maya as he began to walk away. I'll be around for another hour if you need anything, and then I'm heading home." He said over his shoulder.

"Chase." Chase stopped and turned to look at his boss. "Thanks." Chase nodded and continued to walk away.

Maya looked up at House, "I really need to run back out to the bike, I need to get my toothbrush."

"No need to run back out there, come on." House shrugged and began to walk down toward a nurses station. She followed him just past that to a supply closet where he pulled out a cheap new toothbrush and a trial size toothpaste.

House turned around to hand her the toothbrush and asked, "So how long has the puking been going on? And why are you riding your bike in December?"

"Well Mommy, I haven't purchased a car yet, so the bike is all I have to drive. I have had a nervous stomach for the last couple of days while taking exams. Thank you for the toothbrush." And she turned on her heel and headed back to the restroom.

House stood there for a few minutes then looked around and followed into the ladies room.

"Whoa… what are you doing in here?"

"I happen to like the taste of toothpaste," he answered and then swept her into a toe curling kiss.

When they both felt the need for air the kiss ended and House continued, "I need to get over to post op and check on Wilson."

"Would you like me to grab some coffee or something?"

"Yeah, but go to my office, Chase will help you, that crap from the cafeteria isn't fit to drink."

"Ok, where's your office?"

"Look on the board, consider it an adventure."

Maya rolled her eyes and walked over to the board then got on the elevator.

House walked in to look at Wilson. Wilson was still sleeping deeply. House shook his head. What an idiot, he'd let that self important jerk talk him into this. House looked over at that dumbass Tucker lying a few beds down. 'Worthless asshole,' he thought. Yet House wasn't nearly as distraught now as he had been earlier today. He still worried for his friend, but he didn't feel nearly as alone since Chase had come to get him and Maya had shown up. Apparently there were friendships and relationships out there to be had and it didn't really take as much effort as he'd always thought. He'd always imagined those things to be completely draining and yet with barely an effort, here they were, supporting him. He pulled a chair over next to his friend and sat thoughtfully, hands on the top of his cane, chin wresting on his hands.

Maya walked into Houses office to see Chase sitting behind Houses desk. "Hi."

"Hey, I was just doing some paperwork, my ex-wife used to do House's paperwork, now it seems to have defaulted to me."

"I see, well, he sent me here for coffee, apparently cafeteria coffee leaves something to be desired."

"Right," he rose from the desk and motioned for her to follow him to the adjoining conference room. "We buy the good stuff, not House of course, it's up to us minions to keep him happy," he said sardonically.

"He enjoys manipulating, each little victory seems to give him a bit of satisfaction."

"And you like that?"

"I like him." She smiled slyly as she said it.

"Why?... I mean I can see what he'd see in you but… What could you possibly see in him?"

"You'd be surprised." Chase looked puzzled so she felt compelled to continue. "He's not over sentimental you know? I mean I know us girls are supposed to admire it in men but not all of us do…. Annnnnd… he's so incredibly smart, he's witty, he's funny, sarcastic and hard as nails." She looked up at Chase who still seemed to be trying to figure out the attraction. "But when a man like him lets you in, when he chooses you to be vulnerable to… you feel honored and special. I could fall for him so easily, I'm still a bit gun-shy after choosing badly with men in the past, but Greg… he's just not like anyone I've ever met before, it's like beginning an adventure."

Chase said nothing, just smiled. He'd never been able to understand Cameron's infatuation or admiration of House, but then she'd never bothered to articulate it as Maya just had. Finally he said, "You sound quite smitten. Well here's Houses cup, here's a cup for you I'll just let you fix it up." He began to walk back into House's office to continue his paperwork and stopped halfway through the door. "By the way, keep sending him photos like the one on your motorcycle and you'll probably have him eating out of your hand." He winked at her and she gasped, he then smiled broadly and exited the room.

Maya kept her back to the glass that separated the two rooms. She was blushing but didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing it. She kept her head high as she prepared her coffee. Then feeling a bit conspicuous she removed her leathers and laid them over a chair before asking Chase to show her to the recovery area.

House looked up to see Chase leading Maya back to him in the recovery room. She handed him his cup while taking a sip from her.

"Any sign of waking yet?" Chase asked.

"Eyes fluttered a bit a while ago, another twenty minutes and I think he'll be awake."

"Ok, well I'm out of here."

"You get all my paperwork done?"

"Of course not, I'll be working on it into next week."

House nodded losing interest in what Chase was saying, Chase just nodded and walked away. House looked thoughtfully at the exhausted small figure next to him. He carefully took the coffee cup from her hand. "Forget the coffee, you need some rest." He led her to the hospital bed next to Wilson which just happened to be empty and encouraged her to lie down. He looked seriously at her as her eyes quickly fluttered closed.