DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything related to Fox or the TV show House. I'm only borrowing some characters. The characters belong to David Shore and company.

A/N: This one's a little late cause I've been sick this entire day while writing this… anyway, it's up now so enjoy! :D

*Gives each and every one of you a very, very BIG hug* Thank you so much for the response to the previous chapter! I feel so loved, and so does the muse who's like, overflowing with ideas! Lol!

Wow… I'm so touched by everyone's support.

Oh and Absence has passed the 300 mark! For only 14 chaps! This would not have been possible without every one of you… so, thank you so much.

In celebration of passing the 300 mark, I give you a long Huddy convo… Prepare to *squeal*… lol, I know I did.

Another shout out to Lexi, aka Bree in Diamonds! Thanks for the brainstorming again! Lol

Enjoy! We're nearing the meeting of our favorite unsinkable ship!

ABSENCE

CHAPTER 13: CALL ON ME

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As he input her number, he closed his eyes and pressed the call button.

And waited.

Holding the bridge of his nose, House stood up and made his way to the terrace of his condo unit as he waited for the other line to ring. Sliding the door open, he managed to ease the rapid beating of his heart at the view before him, streetlights lighting up the streets below, the lamps along the seaside where the yachts were docked illuminated the water while it drizzled in the cold January midnight.

Sitting down, he gazed at the moon in all its glory, casting a mesmerizing reflection atop the sea while clouds went on by. This was one of the few things he liked about the place he's staying at now. It offered him a peace of mind with the use of nature's natural calming power whenever he needed a breath of fresh air and clear his mind despite the cold.

He sat down on the couch outside and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, propping him forward as he kept his eyes on the sea.

A few seconds more later it rang.

Once… twice… thrice… She wasn't going to answer. She was surely asleep, he thought. Three more times it continued ringing… and he thought he'd just try again in the morning. Sighing, House pressed the end key and stared for a while.

Shaking his head, he gathered what he'd tell her.

What was he supposed to tell her? He didn't even know. He just wanted to hear her voice. And more… He's long wanted to know how she really was, wanted to let her know he actually missed her. But what was that what he's really going to tell her? Did she even want to hear from him? Why was it so hard to think of anything to say?

He gazed down at his cell phone, his brows furrowed thinking whether she'll answer or remain asleep while he called.

Once again pressing the call button, he took a deep breath and was surprised at mentally crossing his fingers for her to answer. The sound of her voice would mean so much to him already. He was thirsting for the sound of her voice… her laugh mostly.

But what was there to laugh about? He hadn't done or even said something even relatively close to making her laugh or crack a smile in months. He's just caused her pain, not sparing her drama.

Caught in his own thoughts and reminiscing, he barely heard the other line ring. And when it stopped, he snapped out of his own world and realized that she had picked up but not immediately asking who was calling or what the caller wanted, probably still trying to wipe sleep from her eyes.

"Hello?" yes, he woke her up, he comprehended upon hearing her low, raspy voice. And he didn't fully realize that he's missed her voice even more than he admitted to himself until he heard it again at that moment.

"Hello?" he heard her say again, a little more awake than when she first answered.

Not bothering how obvious the answer was, he answered. "Hey… Did I wake you?" House opted for a slightly casual greeting, his uneasiness apparent.

Cuddy's heart swelled upon hearing his voice. Could she be dreaming? She sat up in bed, repositioning her pillows so that she had something to lean on. She didn't know whether to smile or cry upon hearing his deep voice. She moved up her bed, tucking her chin under her knees as she fiddled with the duvet that ran down to her toes while her other hand held her phone.

She was too lost in the bliss of hearing his voice that she barely recognized the awkwardness it held. She was just happy to hear from him. No—she wasn't happy, she was in raptures. Plain and simple.

She didn't realize she's been reveling on his first words and greeting until he spoke again, pulling her out of her daze. "Cuddy… you there?" he asked, his voice obviously nervous.

"House…" she said with a smile he could have heard. He didn't know how but he felt like a huge weight was lifted from his chest with that greeting alone.

"I'm surprised you haven't gotten on the first plane here and jumped me," he said with a diminutive, nervous laugh, his boyish grin noting his mischievousness. God, he missed doing this to her.

Cuddy smiled and bit her lip, forcing herself to not cry from emotion. He called her! She didn't give a damn that he did so at… 3:45 am, she thought as she glanced at her bedside clock. She's longed to hear him say things like what he just did to her for months!

"You called…" she sensitively murmured and trailed off as a tear cascaded on her cheek which she quickly wiped at.

House kept silent. How did he answer to that?

Cuddy inwardly sighed while she tried to recollect herself and admit what she felt whilst he still wasn't in a rush to hang up and seemed not to be interested in hanging up soon. "House." She softly spoke, wanting to make sure that he was listening to her and not staring off into space while she poured out her heart.

"I'm here," House whispered… and he certainly had no idea how those two words lifted Cuddy up in a cloud even if she was aware that he just said that he was still on the line.

"I miss you," Cuddy confessed softly, longingly. It was a new but liberating feeling having told him that. She didn't know how he'd respond to it but she hoped he wouldn't run anymore. He's already ran so far, or so she thought.

House's heart clenched at that declaration. How could she have missed him? After everything he's done? She really missed him?

"You missed me," House repeated dumbly, "Why?" Okay, that was a stupid question. But it was puzzling him to no end. What had he done right for her to miss him? Although there was no question that he missed her.

Cuddy furrowed her brows. He seriously asked her why she missed him? He must have assumed that not only did she hate him, he might have assumed she loathed him!

"I do, House. I never wanted you gone!" Cuddy answered earnestly. For one, she couldn't believe that he doubted her, second, she was hurt that he was indeed thinking that she despised him—his silence was enough an answer for her.

"I never wanted to," House whispered almost inaudibly. But Cuddy heard it and she couldn't help but release the tears that have threatened to fall the moment she heard his voice on the other line.

House let out a heavy sigh upon hearing her sniffling on the other line and he dropped his head and he rubbed his face with one palm. "How are you?" he chose to ask after a moment of silence.

"House, don't deflect! Please…" Cuddy pleaded on a breath.

"Cuddy, what do you want me to say?" House inquired her in a desperate voice.

"I don't know…" she replied sincerely.

"I don't want to talk about what happened over the phone, if that's what you want," House then said, his voice starting to retain it natural gruffness.

"House… if only you'd have let me speak the last time, you would have known that…" Cuddy paused, taking a deep breath and then releasing it, "you didn't—don't, have to apologize for anything. It wasn't your—"

"It was, Cuddy! And you know that! I'm even surprised you haven't hung up on me!" House then stated, his voice low and full of certainty.

Cuddy's brows furrowed as she dangerously clutched the duvet on her feet and told him, "House, I never would have hung up on you! I was so worried when we didn't have any contact with you!" she said.

"There's no question as to what you would have done then."

"Stop drawing your own conclusions, House!" Cuddy said, her voice breaking.

"It's the truth!" House answered, exasperated.

"It's not, House! Could you please, just please, listen to me?" her frustrated voice implored him. She was right, he thought, he has indeed been drawing his own conclusions, blinding his judgment. But that was better than hearing the actual truth, right? At that moment, he didn't know.

"House…" her soft imploring voice called to him when he remained silent.

"Still here," House mumbled, conflicted.

Cuddy sighed in relief or in exasperation, she didn't know. "I'm tired of this…" she opened up, her voice barely audible but amidst the quiet midnight from where House was, he heard her and immediately felt the gut-wrenching powers of guilt take hold of it. He hated guilt. It made him feel so vulnerable. But he guessed he should have seen this coming.

"I'm sorry… Cuddy, I—"

"What happened, happened," she cut him off gently before he could say anything else, "and you don't have to apologize, nor do I want you to because what happened wasn't under your control or mine."

"I don't know what else to say," House honestly told her, his voice soft as he spoke, fragile even.

Cuddy smiled small as she thought of something. "Say you'll come back… Say you'll come home," she suggested, the smile never leaving her lips.

Shaking his head, lost in his own thoughts, House replied, "Come home to what?" he asked seriously. Did she still honestly trust him after everything? After all he's did? Yes, she must have long forgiven him for everything but could there still be anything between them after that? He knew he couldn't make her happy because she deserved so much better than him. He held his breath, waiting for her answer. What answer was he even expecting anyway? He thought.

"To me…" Cuddy replied, choking back a sob then emitted a chuckle as her smile brightened a little on the thought of him with her again. Of how they could try and make things better between them, and actually try for a relationship.

Although he knew she fought off sobbing, her strained jovial chuckle went down to his heart and wrapped around it but the man in him didn't understand this woman at all, or how she could possibly forgive all his ills towards her. And how he loved her even more that she wanted to be with him, no matter what the reason—as much as he would have scoffed or answered sarcastically over his current thoughts, he didn't. Upon nature, he started, "Why would—"

"I love you, House…" she tenderly professed, wrenching his heart out from its cavity at the way she said it, making him want to punch himself even more for what he did to her. Did she really just say that or was he just dreaming? His heart which has calmed down for some time jumped back to life, making his breathing a little more laborious. Sighing inwardly he thought how she could have loved him despite everything. It was overwhelming and lifting at the same time.

"Despite everything?" House found himself audibly asking, his voice an octave lower if that was even possible.

Her quiet laughter was like music to his ears. "Despite everything… I do, House." She said, amazed and amused at how she could easily tell him this now. She was sure that she would have had a very hard time saying it to him had not this not happened, "You would have found out the last time if you hadn't hung up on me…" she then melancholically murmured, trailing off.

"I'm—"

"House! Seriously, enough with the apologies… it's starting to creep me out!" she scolded mirthfully.

Letting loose, House took a deep breath and exhaled quietly. How could he have left this woman alone for moths? He asked himself, regretting that he did but at the same time thankful that he had. Why he regretted leaving was obvious. He was thankful though, because if he hadn't left, he wouldn't have known what he was missing out on, wouldn't have met Blair, wouldn't have known really just how much Cuddy meant to him and how much he needed her just as he thought she probably did.

"I love you too," House opted to tell her now, genuinely, softly, and in no rush at all. She deserved that.

Cuddy's heart fluttered at that and she let out a few happy tears. They were being open to one another. It was a surreal conversation they were having but they didn't care.

"So… Vancouver?" Cuddy started after a few moments of comfortable silence, "Why there?"

House shrugged even if she couldn't see it, "First place someone recommended."

"Where are you now?" she asked curiously.

"Condominium unit," House answered nonchalantly, peacefully gazing at the moon's reflection on the sea.

Surprised, Cuddy arched a brow in amusement, " You actually bought one?"

"Rented," House corrected.

"Is it nice?"

"It's got a view," House whispered, lost in the soothing of talking to her and the sight before him, "I'll show it to you on the seminar."

Cuddy smiled, already anticipating that date. She couldn't wait anymore, in fact. "What if I boarded the next plane now so you could show it to me soon?" she joked.

"Patience, Cuddy," House teased with a laugh which then turned into a smirk Cuddy could practically envision, "Besides, you wouldn't leave your hospital un-administrated." He added. Cuddy shrugged in response, he was right about that, she thought.

"Make sure you bring thick clothes…" House started softly but then added, "Wouldn't want your ass to freeze."

"Good to hear you're back House," Cuddy laughed quietly.

"How's your leg?" Cuddy hesitantly asked after deliberating the question.

"PT's working great. No limp, no pain."

"You've actually taken Physical Therapy?" Cuddy asked surprise.

"Didn't have much to do, I thought I might as well go for it," House shrugged.

"That's great, House, I'm happy to hear that," Cuddy said with a small smile. She then yawned causing House to furrow his brows.

"You should get back to sleep," he suggested. No point in hiding his soft, caring voice.

"It's okay…" Cuddy said, shaking her head, "It's Saturday."

"Cuddy…" House started on a sigh, "I won't go running off anywhere again."

"It's not that… I just, I just want to talk more," Cuddy said truthfully.

"We'll talk more soon… I promise, I'll call you," House promised. He wanted to talk more as well but he had a lot of processing to do and he still had to work the next day since his patient was still undergoing observation.

Reluctantly, Cuddy nodded as she spoke, "You promise?" she asked seriously.

"Yes," House answered truthfully.

"Okay…" she said. "House?" she called, he told her he was listening.

"Thank you… for everything. For calling most of all…" she said, wholeheartedly appreciating this move on his part.

"You're welcome… Goodnight, Cuddy," he said, just waiting for her to reciprocate before he hung up.

"Goodnight, House," she whispered with a small smile. "And House?" she then hurried to garner his ear for her next words.

"Yeah?"

"I love you," she said endearingly and lovingly with a smile.

House gave a genuine, quiet laugh. "Xoxo Cuddy…" he teased dryly.

"House!" she whined with a pout. She was milking this all she could since they were being so open.

"Okay, okay…" House amusedly acquiesced, "I love you too, Cuddy," he said with affection.

"Thank you… Night House," she said.

"Night…" House said and then reluctantly pressing down the end key.

A rare, serene smile spread across his face as he anticipated seeing her again at the seminar. A warm feeling wrapped around his heart at her words. And that he was able to open up to her as well. Things were turning out great. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

That night, Cuddy placed her phone on her nightstand and buried herself under the duvet, a smile plastered on her face as she closed her eyes and dreamed of him.

VBCTH, January 2, 5 pm

"I suppose you called her?" Blair asked with a smile as she entered his office and stood at the doorway with her arms crossed in front of her.

House nodded.

"And?" she prompted.

House raised an eyebrow at her, "It's none of your business, Snoopy." He smirked.

"Now you know how it feels. Anyway, stop diverting the topic. What happened?" she asked, very much interested.

"Everything's forgiven, although not much forgotten," House said in the simplest way.

"Told you," she said smugly with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, don't get too full of yourself," he snarked at her. Darn, she was right, having your personal life dissected like a frog was annoying.

"You'll see her soon, Grumpy," Blair teased as she started to turn around and walk out.

"You missed a spot with the concealer!" House called out as payback, causing his team to look at Blair who just sent a death glare his way and huffed out, her rubber shoes quietly and quickly walking off towards the nearest bathroom as he predicted.

VBCTH, Blair's office, January 5, 1 pm

"I wanted to apologize for not having told you earlier," Blair said in greeting to Cuddy when the dean picked up.

"Why keep it?" Cuddy asked curiously.

"He didn't want anyone from New Jersey to know," Blair honestly answered.

"How did he get through without references and a recommendation?" Cuddy asked with an arched brow at the other line.

"Well… His name is very much a pass already," Blair answered.

"Good point," Cuddy mumbled.

"Lisa, I'm really sorry… I hated myself, actually. But if it does make you feel better, I asked him to call you three nights ago," Blair said, scrunching up her face like a kid with one eye squinted as she waited for Cuddy to answer.

"Really?" Cuddy asked, amused, "And he listened to you."

"Well, considering the circumstances, he did. And I'm glad he did. You'll see each other soon." Blair assured.

"Thank you Lexi," Cuddy answered with a grateful smile.

How Lexi Blair was able to handle House, she probably would never know. But she was glad a strong person was keeping him grounded- as much as you can ground House, Cuddy thought.

They talked more for a while and then conversed about the other things they probably missed out for the seminar.

House's condo unit, January 18, 9 pm

They've been talking for a while now, not caring how long it took but at a point, Cuddy told him that she was dead-tired from the numerous pile ups and paperwork at the hospital earlier.

"I'll see you soon," House said.

"Would you laugh if I actually circled the date with a heart?" Cuddy laughed as she sat on her couch with her laptop on her side, paperwork ignored.

"Let me guess, Wilson suggested it," House smirked.

"Yes… he also told me to hang a cane on it," Cuddy returned the smirk that he wouldn't even have seen.

"Yet you drew the heart," House said, knowing that she was surely smirking on the other line.

Cuddy laughed. Yes, she did. "Mind your own business!" she humorously reprimanded.

"How's Wilson?" he then asked.

"Missing his partner in crime."

"Tell him that his current girlfriend shouldn't be more important than I am!" House fake-whined in jealousy.

Cuddy laughed, "House… even if he had one, you'd still be his bitch."

"That sounded nasty, Cuddy," House grimaced.

Yawning again signaled House that he should let her go. "Get some rest."

"Yeah, night Grumpy," Cuddy teased, remembering the pet name Blair told her to use on House to get him riled up.

"You just brought upon that Blair-witch her own destruction," House muttered, annoyed. Cuddy laughed on the other line and told him that he had nothing to worry about and that it'll be their little secret.

"Goodnight, Cuddy," House said and then hung up when she did.

Smiling to herself, Cuddy fixed her files. She'll see him in a few days.

House, sitting on his couch in front of the muted monster truck rally rerun, smiled.

He'll see her in five days. Five days more.

He couldn't wait.

A/N: Who else couldn't wait? Raise your hand/s!

Let me know what you think guys! Leave a rev on your way out :D

Needless to say, the next chap is the start of the conference!