A/N: Okay, first of all how cute is baby Rachel in the Previews...I'm in love. A reader pointed out a huge mistake I made. Somehow it escaped me that Wilson is on the board. So can we all just pretend his 'rotation' was over and he's currently not on the board...or maybe he was so worked up he couldn't stand to be there and watch Cuddy throw her life away? Please?

Chapter 14

He entered Cuddy's bedroom quietly. The kid was asleep, her head on Cuddy's lap.

"You always have a reason." Cuddy whispered, not looking up.

He'd been expecting a screaming match. He'd planned on initiating one. It wasn't fair, her using the kid as a weapon like this.

"I'll put her to bed." He said gruffly.

"No, I told her she could sleep here tonight. I promised I'd stay with her."

"How sweet…she'll be the poster child for co-dependence if she lives with you much longer."

"Little girls are dependent House. She needs to be able to depend on something." She looked at him for the first time. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"Why didn't you just TRUST me?"

"I did trust you! I trusted you to tell me what I needed to know." He looked away. "How long has Jen been like this House? How long has Paige lived like that?"

A whimper came from the hall. Lisa looked stricken, drawn to her baby, but unwilling to break her promise to Paige even for a moment.

"I'll get her." House mumbled.

Lisa nodded with tear filled eyes. She ran her fingers through Paige's damp curls. House returned a minute later with Rachel in his arms.

"She's okay…I think she's still asleep."

"She has bad dreams sometimes. Do you mind holding her for a little while?"

"No." He admitted. He took a deep breath. "And I don't know…I don't know when this started. I was going to tell you today, but you were gone."

"School called. Paige was hysterical…" Lisa's voice cracked and she wiped furiously at her face. "Because some poor grandmother called her the wrong name. She hadn't calmed down by the time I arrived and…"

"You should have called me."

"I know that now House…but you weren't there and she was so upset and I…"

"Followed your instincts. Your instincts suck Cuddy!" He hissed.

"So you keep telling me." Cuddy's face changed. "Give me the baby and get out of here. I can't deal with you right now."

"You aren't superwoman, you can't do everything by yourself." She wasn't sure what he meant until he turned and walked off with Rachel.

Lisa woke to a small hand patting her shoulder. "Up Mama!"

She had at some point adjusted Paige so she could lie down and sleep beside her. Now Paige was gone and Rachel was smiling brightly in her place. "Mama!"

"Morning Baby Girl." She smiled. "You're all dressed already?"

She slid out of bed, gathering the baby and seeking out Paige.

She heard House grumbling indistinctly.

"I don't want to go to school!" Paige cried.

"That's too bad, I don't want to go to work either."

As soon as Lisa cleared the corner Paige was clinging to her waist. "Lisa, I don't want to go! Uncle Gory's being mean."

House turned away in frustration. "Paige, Uncle Gory is not being mean. I would have said the same thing."

"But…but…"

"I'm sorry Paige, but you've already missed a lot of school, we don't want you falling behind."

Paige looked miserable. "Lisa…they're gonna be mad."

"No they won't." Lisa bent down and put her free hand on Paige's cheek. "Paige no one is mad at you, you didn't do anything wrong."

Paige bit down on her lower lip.

"I'm going to talk to your teacher and Ms. Christine and explain what happened, but you need to promise me that no matter what, you won't run off again."

"But…"

"No more buts. I want your promise."

Paige's chin quivered. "I promise…I still don't want to go Lisa."

It killed her, but she ignored the plea. "Can I get a hug?"

Paige's arms sloppily engulfed both Lisa and Rachel. "Will you do my hair? Uncle Gory made it all funny."

It was close to 9 before Lisa walked into her office. Christine had assured her that Paige was in good hands and sending her back was the right thing to do. Lisa wasn't about to admit it, but she was this close to letting the girl stay home. House was right. Her instincts sucked.

"I'm sorry." She heard as soon as her door closed.

"What?" She spun around more surprised with the words than the fact that House was in her locked office waiting for her.

"Yeah, not gonna repeat it. You heard me."

"You're sorry!" She shook her head in disbelief. "You never apologize. About anything. Ever."

"Well, maybe this is the first time I've ever done anything to apologize for."

She gave a half hearted laugh. "That must be it." She sat down next to him on the loveseat. "I'm sorry…I should have consulted you…I should have trusted you had a reason for not wanting her to visit.

"In hindsight I should have seen it. St. Anselm's has a decent rehabilitation center, but nothing better than half a dozen other Princeton facilities. What they do have is Emily Myrick, one of the best geriatric neurologists in the country. She graduated a year ahead of you, right?"

House nodded his agreement.

"Is it Alzheimer's? She's on the young side for that…"

"Well, we've ruled out a tumor, no signs of a stroke."

"She was your case on Monday…your aunt."

Another nod. "No lesions. Her psych eval was inconclusive. Emily scheduled a more thorough one for today…but now…"

"How is she?"

"Agitated, but apparently no clear recollection of yesterday so far. I'll be going over there after lunch."

"Fine." House stood up, but she grabbed his hand. "I'm very sorry Greg…for everything."

He shrugged. She studied his face, stubble, circles under his eyes. How had she not seen how hard this was on him? How had she not realized how hard he'd been trying? Impulsively she pulled his face closer and kissed his cheek.

She pulled away, waiting for the grossly inappropriate reply. Instead he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I gotta go. See ya later."

A/N: And Brave Heart!!!! Best Huddy interaction so far!!!!