BACK TO WORK

One month had gone by and Cuddy was staying at a nice hotel. After five days of nothing happening at Wilson's she decided that it was time she move out and get some space. She was still a little jumpy and slightly frightened over the bomber and the fact that the police had no idea about who it was didn't help. Still she was beginning to feel a little bolder and stronger. Her life was slowly beginning to turn back to normal, she was even going back to work today.

She had missed the hospital. She had taken leave (Because of the stalker) for over a month. It was nice but she still would have preferred the working to sitting around wondering if it was safe to go outside. The only problem with going back to work was seeing House. Its wasn't that she doesn't want to see him. Its just that she was afraid to see him. They hadn't spoken since she left is apartment that day with Wilson. House had called her a few nights but she just couldn't find the strength to answer the phone. Instead she had Wilson take messages for her. Although he never did leave any. Cuddy knew that Wilson was calling House when she was staying with him. Just to let him know how she was doing. She wondered briefly if she should be angry at this. Instead she decided that she felt blessed to have such a good friend like Wilson.

As she moved around her hotel room (at 6:45 in the morning) getting ready for work, she noticed some paint strips lying on the floor. So she quickly bent down and picked them up. She had been trying to decide what colour to paint her house. All of the repairs had been completed and she could move back in today if she chose too. But she wanted to have the whole place redecorated first before she did. Otherwise it might just make her remember things that she'd much rather forget.

After cleaning up a bit, she looked herself over in the mirror to make sure that she was ready. Then she grabbed her coat and walked out the door.

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House was sitting in his office at work, throwing his ball up into the air with his cane and catching it again. He'd had a tough night last night. The case they had been working on had been extremely difficult. Which was good on some level because it made him forget about Cuddy... At least for a while. However they didn't realize that the patient was allergic to the medicine that they gave him until he took some and nearly died. It wasn't until a few hours ago that they had figured out the puzzle. After it was safe to say that the patient was going to be alright, House sent Cameron and Chase home. Normally he would think of something horrible to do to them. Like make them stay and do his paper work while he went home to sleep, but he just didn't have the energy. Plus they looked exhausted and drained.

He had to feel sorry for Chase and Cameron. They had spent too many days by themselves with either nothing to do, or with a case that they had to work on themselves. And he knew that they were worried about everyone and what was going on. They were both worried about Foreman and his recovery. But at least with Foreman they could ring him up and ask him how he's doing. They were even more worried about the whole Cuddy situation and had tried to get some answers but it was hard when no one knew anything. After seeing them like this, House hoped that they would go out together. Even if it was just two friends having a drink. He knew that they would support each other and they both needed that. He wasn't making life easy for them. After Cuddy had left his apartment, the pain in his leg seemed to have doubled which made his mood worse. He was taking far to many vicodin and snapping at his team far more often, and normally for no good reason. He was sorry for this but would never say so.

House should have gone home for some rest after the case had been solved, and on a normal day he would have but today Cuddy was coming back to work and he wanted to be here to see if she was okay. Wilson had told him that she was doing fine. That she seemed happier and that she couldn't wait to get back to work. House was pleased but still he wanted to see for himself. After all they hadn't spoken in over a month, and since he started working at the hospital that had never happened. They always spoke. Normally once a day. Okay so most of the time their conversations were more of an argument but at least they were communicating to one another. So instead of going home, House had decided to stay at the hospital in his office and wait for the day to begin. Hopefully he would find an excuse to go see Cuddy and things will go back to normal. That's what he hoped.

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At 7:00am Wilson's alarm went off. He didn't have any patients or meetings to attend to until 12 so he decided that he didn't have to be at the hospital until 10. But seeing as Cuddy was starting work again today he had decided to go to the hospital at 8 to see how she was doing.

She didn't say anything, but he knew that she was nervous about going back and facing the stares and the gossip. Wilson, Chase and Cameron had, of course, tried to get everyone to stop talking about their boss but it was no use so, after a while they gave up. Cuddy had asked Wilson to tell her what the rumors where so that she wouldn't be surprised when she heard them and reluctantly he told her everyone that he knew about. Wilson sighed as he got out of bed and remembered the conversation with Cuddy.

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It was Tuesday afternoon and Wilson had come home from the hospital early. He threw his coat down onto a small table and angrily grumbled something under his breath.

"Are you okay?" Cuddy asked.

Wilson looked up, slightly startled. He had forgotten that she was there.

"Yeah, just a bad day at work," He replied.

"Oh, what happened?"

"Nothing. I'm just sick of peoples stupid gossip and rumors," he snapped in reply.

"What are they gossiping about?" She asked.

Cuddy suspected that Wilson was seeing one of the nurses and word had gotten around.

"There are rumors going around about yo--" Wilson suddenly realized what he was saying and quickly stopped.

"Me?" Cuddy asked. "They're...they're talking about me?"

"Yes. I'm sorry Lisa, I didn't want you to find out about it." He explained. "We hoped we could get them to stop before you got back to work."

"We?"

"Cameron, Chase and I," he replied.

"Oh. Um, thanks. I guess. But its okay."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'd rather know about them before hand then go to the hospital and hear them all then," Cuddy told him.

"Alright," said Wilson.

"So what are they saying?" She asked after a few moments.

Wilson took a deep breath before he continued.

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That had definitely been a hard conversation. Most of the rumors where about Cuddy and House and that was still a sore subject with both Cuddy and House. Wilson had spent so many days trying to get his two best friends to talk to each other but it was no use. They were both as stubborn, and scared as the other. He called House every so often just to let him know how things were. House never asked him to, but Wilson knew that his friend really appreciated it. He also knew that Cuddy was well aware of what he was doing but if she was annoyed then she didn't say it.

Once he was ready, Wilson grabbed his things and headed to the hospital.

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So far her morning had been slow and easy. A few members of staff welcomed her back but none of them mentioned the bomb or the stalker. For this Cuddy was grateful. There were a few papers and patient's files that needed her signature, and one donor that wanted to speak with her over the phone but besides that there was really nothing to strenuous on her first day back.

At the moment she was sitting at her desk, going over her emails when she noticed that it was 12 o'clock. It was then that she noticed how hungry she was. She picked up her phone and dialed Wilson's office number.

"Hello," came Wilson's voice.

"Hey, James are you busy?" She asked.

"Ah, not at the moment. What's up?" He asked, "How's your first day back?"

"Okay so far," Cuddy replied. "Look, I just wanted to see if you'd like to join me for lunch?"

"Sure. I'll meet you in the cafeteria in 5."

"Okay. Bye."

She hung up and headed off to meet Wilson.

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Chase and Cameron where sitting in the break room. They had nothing to do seeing as their last case was solved and they had yet to get a new one. Both of them were trying to avoid House, as his mood was considerably worse today.

"I bet its because Cuddy's back," Chase whispered so that House wouldn't hear.

"I think you're right," Cameron replied softly. "Wilson mentioned a fight."

"What about?"

"He didn't say and I don't think he knows. But it must have been bad for her to move out of his place."

"Yeah I guess so."

After about 2 hours of catching up on House's paper work (this was how bored they were) Chase stood up from his seat and stretched his arms over his head.

"I'm hungry." He announced, "I'm gonna run down to the cafeteria. You want anything?" He asked her.

Cameron looked up at him and thought for a moment.

"Could you grab me a chicken salad sandwich?" She asked.

"Sure thing," He told her with a nod.

He headed out the door, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze as he walked past. This caused Cameron to smile slightly.

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In the cafeteria, Cuddy and Wilson were sitting down at one of the tables. They had finished their meals and were now enjoying some coffee. Well enjoying was a bit of a stretch seeing as the hospital's coffee wasn't the best.

"How did the call with Mr. McCarson go?" Wilson asked.

"Better then I thought actually," Cuddy replied. "He's wants to come down next month to check everything out before he makes his donation."

"Oh, do you know how much he'll be donating?"

"I'm not sure. I guess it depends on how much he likes the place. But he seems to think it could be anywhere between 2 and 3 million."

"Well if you need any help showing him around just let me know."

"Thanks. I might."

Chase was just getting his food when he noticed Cuddy and Wilson sitting at the other end of the room. He payed for his food and then headed towards them.

"Hello, Dr. Cuddy," Chase greeted them, "Dr. Wilson."

"Oh, hello Chase," Cuddy replied. "What are you doing?"

"Just grabbing some things to eat," Chase replied. "Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome back."

Cuddy offered him a genuine smile.

"Thank you. And congratulations on your last case. I hear he's doing very well," said Cuddy.

"Yeah he is," replied Chase.

"What are you guys doing up there?" Wilson asked.

"Catching up on some work," said Chase. "We don't have a new case so there's really nothing for us to do."

"I have some clinic hours to fill if you're that bored," said Cuddy. "Dr. Louis is sick with the flu so someone needs to cover her hours."

"Um, sure, I guess," Chase said slowly. "I'm sure Cam wouldn't mind a change of scenery. Is it okay if we come down after lunch?"

"Yeah that's fine," Cuddy replied with a nod.

All this talk about the clinic made her remember the fact that House had some clinic hours that he had to do. She sighed and looked over at Chase. Normally she would go and yell at House herself but things were still weird between them.

"Chase, when you go back can you tell Dr. House that he needs to see at least five patients in the clinic before the day is over?" She asked.

Chase was a bit surprised but nodded his head anyway. "Yeah sure. Well, I'll see you two later."

"See ya," Wilson called out as Chase left. Then he turned back to Cuddy. His face showing his deep concern. "You can't just avoid him forever."

Cuddy slowly stood up.

"No," she agreed softly, "but I can avoid him for now."

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Chase walked into the break room first. He saw that Cameron had made them both some coffee. He sat down opposite her and tossed her sandwich towards her.

"Thanks," said Cameron.

"No worries. I ran into Cuddy and Wilson."

"Oh, how is Cuddy?" Cameron asked.

"She seems fine. Happy to be back, just...don't mention House. I think that's a sore subject," Chase explained.

"What makes you say that?" Cameron asked in a whisper.

"Well, she wants me to tell him that he needs to work in the clinic..." Chase began.

"Wouldn't she normally come up here and tell him that herself?" Cameron wondered.

"Exactly, but she's not. She wants me to do it. I think they're avoiding each other."

"I think you're right," agreed Cameron. "I mean House hasn't left his office all day. Its like he's brooding. All he's doing is watching his TV or playing his gameboy with his Ipod on."

"Yeah. Soooo, do you wanna tell him about the clinic?" Chase asked hopefully.

"Oh, no," She replied.

"Damn." He sighed, "Okay I'll do it."

Chase stood up and headed towards the door to House's office. Before he reached it though, he turned around and looked at Cameron who was busy eating her sandwich. She stopped and looked back at him.

"I'm not doing it," she said firmly.

"No, I know. Cuddy wants to know if we were interested in picking up some extra hours in the clinic later today," he explained.

"Um, I guess so. If I get all of this paper work done."

"Okay."

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"Excuse me, House," Chase asked cautiously as he entered the slightly dark office.

House had the blinds on the window down so the only light was coming from the break room and across the hall. House was currently watching his portable television. When Chase walked in, he raised his hand in the air to signal that his show was playing. Chase walked closer to the desk and waited for House to lower his hand. After one minute he did just that.

"You have about 3 minutes," House warned. "Go!"

"Right, um well, Cuddy said to tell you that you need to do some clinic work today," Chase told him.

House's face became more serious as he asked, "she told you to tell me this?"

"Yeah, about 15 minutes ago."

"Fine," House snapped.

He stood up and turned his TV off. Chase watched as House angrily marched out the door. He doubted very much that House was actually heading towards the clinic. Just then Cameron poked her head in from the other room.

"Where's he going?" She asked.

"He's...Were you listening in?" Chase asked

She nodded her head and Chase sighed.

"I don't know where he's going. Maybe to see Wilson. But I don't think he's off to do what Cuddy wants."

"You never know."

The two of them looked at each other before they both headed back to enjoy their meals.

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House was now completely angry and fed up with the entire situation with Cuddy. There was no way they could avoid each other for ever and it was going to stop now. The fact that she was no longer willing to do her job, which consisted in making sure he was doing his, was the final straw. Sure he had wanted to give her space but enough was enough. They had gone a whole month avoiding one another and he simply couldn't take it anymore.

He violently pushed the elevator button more times then necessary and waited for the doors to open. He wasn't sure what exactly he was going to say to her but just seeing her would be a start.

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Cuddy was getting a bit anxious sitting in her office. She couldn't stop thinking about House and what Wilson had said. Was she really going to attempt to live her life without seeing him. No. She didn't think it was possible. Half her life involved him and she still cared about him. Still loved him. But she needed to sort out her own feelings before she could mend their broken relationship.

After a while, she decided to go for a long walk to think about some things. Unaware that House was on his way to talk to her.

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House was a little surprised and alarmed when he got to Cuddy's office and she wasn't there. He cursed this...stalker for making his mind jump to the worst conclusion whenever he had no idea where she was. He quickly walked over to her assistant's desk.

"Where's Dr. Cuddy?" House demanded.

"I don't know," replied Graham.

"What do you mean you don't know?" snapped House.

"Well she just went for a walk, Dr. House."

"Which way did she go?"

Graham pointed to the stairs. House growled and headed towards the lifts. This was going to be a long search.

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House had looked through the entire hospital in less than 45 minutes. No one knew why he was looking for Cuddy, but they assumed it had something to do with a patient or perhaps the clinic seeing as that's what most of the arguments were about and House looked quite pissed.

He decided to check the roof because he had run out of ideas, and he couldn't stop fearing the worst had happened.

When the elevator doors opened on the roof, House let out a long breath that he hadn't known he was holding and said a quiet thank you to some higher power before he limped out and walked towards the Dean of medicine.

TBC