Hi thank for the reviews, keep them coming, heres the talk I promised you

Chapter Twenty five

"So you have kids and your dates left you" Foreman said

"Looks that way" House replied

"So you and Joyce Malone…"

"Are Just very good friends" then to their surprise he added whist looking directly at Cuddy "We are both in love with other people!" He got to his feet and walked around the table and stood beside Cuddy he looked in her eyes and said "I think its time for that talk."

Cuddy got to her feet "Why do you get to decide when its time"

"I don't it was just a suggestion, as everyone knows, you're the boss, I just gave you my opinion" they were toe to toe staring each other down.

"Let the games begin" Chase whispered. House and Cuddy seemed to have forgotten they were there.

"I wish they weren't so confrontational" said Wilson

"It's their version of foreplay" said Foreman. Cuddy and House continued to banter back and forth, never breaking eye contact for long.

"Lisa, I've come for that dance you promised me" newly divorced cardiologist Darren Hughes came up beside Cuddy oozing charm.

"Lisa's busy" House said never breaking his gaze into Cuddy's eyes.

"Oh come on House everyone knows the two of you were short lived, we didn't even get time to organize a betting pool before you got your marching orders." Everyone at the table was cringing waiting for House to turn and punch the handsome doctor on the nose.

"You should check your facts Darren, I do give the orders, but as far as I know there's been no break up. If you hurry you can still go and arrange your juvenile bets" Cuddy tore her gaze from Houses to glare at the cocky doctor. "Greg was just about to take me home."

House took the opportunity to slide his arm around Cuddy and give the man a smug smile until he turned on his heal and left. House's hand slid lower until he gave her buttock a squeeze.

"Don't push your luck, House" she gave him a warning look "I'll go and get my coat"

House turned to the others, it was like he'd forgotten they were there.

"Behave yourself, House OK, don't go picking fights with her" Wilson advised

"Come on Wilson, we both know I should have punched that guy, but I'm on my best behavior, and I'm hardly going to screw up and miss out on the make up sex." He hadn't heard Cuddy come up behind him and jumped when she said

"Don't go getting ahead of yourself, I agreed to talk"

"I know I'm sooo looking forward to it' House said sweetly, Cuddy rolled her eyes. They said their good nights and left hand and hand.

They went up the steps and out into the foyer, suddenly House was pulling Cuddy into a dark hall way.

"House what do you think you are doing?" Cuddy asked as he enfolded her in his arms.

"SHHH, I just want to hug you" he whispered, his voice husky.

They stood not talking, Cuddy slipped her arms under his jacket and they held each other. House buried his face in her neck, he was intoxicated by her smell, her aura. Cuddy could hear his heart steadily beating, her head resting on his chest. She had half expected House to kiss and caress her in that dark hallway, but he was very still. How long they stood there in that embrace neither one could have said. It was as though they were drawing their strength from each other. Eventually Houses leg began to ache and he pulled back, it was too dark to see Cuddy's face, so he took her hand and asked "Are you OK"

"I'm getting there" she whispered. House planted a gentle kiss on her forehead then led the way back to the light of the foyer.

They walked hand and hand out to Houses car, he opened the door for her and said "Don't worry I have had nothing to drink except soda tonight" he went around and when he was seated in the drivers seat. "How much have you had to drink?"

"If you're wondering if I'm sitting here because I've had a lot to drink I can assure you the three wines I drank tonight are not the reason."

"Good! When is your babysitter expecting you?"

"Rachael's with my sister, I'm picking her up in the morning."

House started the car and Cuddy was very surprised when he pulled into a small dinner and parked the car and came around and opened her door, he said nothing as he walked beside her but when they entered he ordered tea for Cuddy and coffee for him and guided her to a corner booth where he took the seat opposite her."

"Why are we here, House?"

"Because we really do need to talk"

"We could have talked at my place."

"I would have said any thing you wanted to hear so I could have my wicked way with you."

She smiled "What do you want to start with?"

"Are you still pissed about my treatment of Raymond Malone?"

"Yes" Cuddy said leaning forward "I know you were doing what you always do, and because there was a positive outcome you are not sorry. I was hurt. I thought that I was important enough to you, that you wouldn't do something without telling me first."

"I thought that I was protecting you."

"You made a fool of me. I know you didn't intend to, but that's how it turned out. Even taking care of things back here with the staffing crisis, you did a great job, but when I got back and everyone realized that I had no knowledge of it, I was embarrassed. Why didn't tell me what was going on? We spent hours talking on the phone, you had plenty of opportunities."

"When you put it like that, I can see why you are annoyed, I was just trying to support you, I didn't want you worried about things here. I never intended to do anything that would upset you, except treat Malone" he conceded

"Did you not tell me because you thought I would stop you?"

"You would have!"

"I have let you do things like before, when all other options have been exhausted, what made you think it would be different this time?"

"His mother was the biggest donor in the country; I knew that that would freak you about to start with. Also I couldn't prove it; it knew what it was but I had no proof. You know how you like your proof."

"I rang and you got your team to fob me off. You could have trusted me."

"I never had anyone fob you off."

House explained how he was on his way to see her and he came across the Reilly situation and how he would have talked what he had done over with her, even though he had started the treatment.

"I never intended to have you walk in and be hit with the whole lot, but I fell asleep in my chair, and you came in early.

So by the time I checked on my patient, you were already in the know. For that I am truly sorry."

"Do you think we can learn from this and put it behind us?" Cuddy asked

"The question isdo you really want to?"

"What sort of question is that?" he could tell Cuddy was annoyed

"A valid one" House leaned back not meeting her eyes "I'm not going to change, Cuddy. If I could, I truly would for you. I once told you I was a crazy choice for a woman with a child; I'm an addict with mental health problems. We're together only a matter of weeks and I do all this to hurt you. I'm afraid one day I will do some thing to make you hate me."

Cuddy's eyes were filled with tears. "Are you breaking up with me?"

House shook his head "If I was any sort of man I would Cuddy, truly I would. I'm not good enough for you. I never will be, but I'm a selfish son of a bitch, so I'll wait till you come to your senses, then I'll probably do something stupid; hurt you or myself. You need to walk away from me Cuddy cause I don't have the strength to. I've worked hard this last month, and I'm in a good place, especially considering the circumstances. I'm giving you an out here. 'A get out of jail free card' so to speak. I promise you that if you think this over and realize I'm right, I will handle it. I won't like it, but I will be OK."

"Why do you do this?" the tears were running down her cheeks "Why can't you just believe in me? In us?"

"I do believe in you. If I didn't love you I wouldn't be so worried about what loving me might do to you." He answered quietly

'Are you serious in your commitment to the Reilly's? Cuddy suddenly changed the subject.

"Yes of course, they need me."

"I need you too, why is it different with me."

"Because they had nobody, you can have anybody."

"Not fair House" she was getting frustrated now.

"Life's never fair; you have to decide what you want, and whether you want to risk being involved with me. All I ask is that you are very sure."

"I want us to work more than I have ever wanted anything, do you think if I didn't trust you I would have let you watch Rachael. I just get so angry with you when you see yourself as some monster."

"Cuddy I suck at relationships, no matter how much I want this to work I'll screw it up."

"What about your friendship with Wilson? That has stood the test of time."

'Yeah great recommendation, I have a friendship with a man who specializes in lost causes, even in his job he gets people when there's no hope! He is attracted to hopeless cases, and I am the King."

"Is there anything you like about yourself?"

"Well I am good in bed." He looked at her questioningly with a hint of a smile.

"Did Wilson tell you that?"

"Nice" he said sarcastically "You disagree?"

She got up and walked around to pull him to his feet "I think you may need to refresh my memory."

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