Chapter 21: Eavesdropping

The infamous Gregory House loves me. The neurons in my brain were firing like crazy. I could feel them pulsing…or maybe that was just the throbbing headache that had developed. I wasn't sure what to do or say and my whole being was thrown into a state of confusion. I visibly cringed and rubbed my head in a pitiful attempt to ward off the pain. I was freaking a bit, but in addition to everything else I was actually worried I would stroke. I knew House wanted me to say something, but I couldn't think. I couldn't process his feelings let alone mine. Both Cuddy and House noticed my state of confusion. Cuddy glared at House who gave her an innocent I-didn't-do-it look. Her gaze didn't falter. House sighed and looked into the rearview mirror again. "I don't actually expect you to say anything." House began. "I think that was the tenth bomb I've dropped on you today, so it's normal to be a little freaked." I didn't understand his point. "What I'm trying to say is that I don't expect anything from you. Whatever you're going to say, you can tell me later, okay?" His words were actually comforting.

"Okay." I croaked out weakly. I relaxed a little and suddenly felt exhausted. The pills were already wearing off and I began to drift to sleep. I stretched out on the backseat with my eyes closed, but I was still vaguely conscious when Cuddy's voice broke through my daze.

"How long?" She asked. I kept my eyes shut as I eavesdropped on their conversation.

"How long what?" House replied, seemingly oblivious to her question.

"How long have you…loved Wilson?" Cuddy asked again in a hushed tone so as not to wake me.

"Here we go…women and their need to hook people up. It really isn't your business anyways." House replied.

"You made it my business when I caught you kissing him on an abandoned street at three in the morning." Cuddy replied louder, accepting that I was asleep.

"I didn't make you catch us." He countered cleverly.

"You know as well as I do that I'm going to get my way, so will you just answer the question?" She stressed forcefully.

"I don't know. I guess a…year or two?" House answered indifferently.

"Y-you've loved Wilson for years and you didn't tell him until now?"

"Hey, look who's talking. You still haven't confessed your love for me!"

"House, I don't love you. I just can't believe you kept this whole thing a secret this long!" She exclaimed without hesitation.

"What? That I'm gay?" I withheld any reaction to this comment.

"You're gay?" Cuddy asked in disbelief, as if the idea was impossible.

"Well, bisexual. Same difference." House continued nonchalantly.

"House…" Cuddy warned.

"Do you think…do you think he'll hate me?" House cut in, uncertainly. I was tempted to respond, but instead remained silent. "I mean…if he doesn't feel the same way then…is our friendship over? I mean it's always been really screwed up, but this…this could just be the tipping point…this could-" He ranted nervously.

"I've never considered you a man for the 'what ifs.' James isn't going to abandon you." Cuddy replied. Her tone was comforting, but not too over the top. She always knows how to handle House best. House stayed quiet…for once. I finally drifted to sleep.

I'm not going to abandon you.

Next Chapter: Saving the World

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I'm still working on wrapping this up so please be patient. :)