so...the reason why I decided to combine two chapters into one post was because I screwed up the order in one of my earlier posts, where I split up parts into multiple posts, disrupting the order...never mind...lol that means, you guys get two chapters this time! Aren't you lucky?

Chapter 20 (Part One):

House was lying on the bed, with his arm wrapped protectively around Cuddy's back, while Foreman and Cameron were sitting in chairs beside the bed. A whiteboard had been set up facing the bed. Their patient still had all the previous symptoms from two days earlier: hallucinations, confusion, muscle weakness, seizures.

"So the patient has not been to Africa," Foreman said, crossing off 'W. African sleeping sickness' from the board.

"What about a brain infection?" Cuddy asked.

"Ok," House said, "who said you can participate in the DDX?"

At this, Cuddy smirked. "Who said I needed to ask anyone?" She turned to Cameron and Foreman. "What about encephalitis?"

"That's a possibility," Foreman said, after a moment's silence of him and Cameron contemplating it in their heads. He stood up and wrote it on the board.

For about twenty minutes, the four doctors' went back and forth calling out symptoms, and writing them on the board.

House looked down at Cuddy, who had her head resting on his shoulder. He noticed her eyes looked glassed over.

"Hey, what's wrong? You tired?" he asked softly, stroking her hair. She nodded, and buried her head in the crook between his arm and shoulder.

House told Foreman and Cameron that they will continue the differential later on. Foreman wheeled the white board out of the room, and then he and Cameron walked out.

House continued to stroke Cuddy's hair in silence. He watched her chest rhythmically rise and fall with her breaths, and listened to the various monitors that surrounded the bed.

"Greg?" Cuddy called out, with her eyes closed.

"Yeah?" House said, surprised. He thought she had fallen asleep.

Cuddy opened her eyes and titled her head to look at him.

"Do you want this baby?"

House stared at her. He did not expect her to ask that. "Of course," he said quietly, "What makes you think I don't want it?"

"I don't know," Cuddy admitted, after a few moment's of silence. "I just…I don't know."

House cupped her cheek, forcing her to look in his direction. "Lisa, listen to me," he began softly, "I will always be here for you. I'm not going to be one of those jerks who abandon their pregnant girlfriends, and who don't pay an ounce of child support." He paused briefly. "Yes, I want this baby as much as you do," he said quietly. He brought his hand to rest on Cuddy's abdomen. Cuddy followed his gaze, and rested her hand on top of his.

"I'll be here. I promise," House whispered. He hesitated, and then said, "Don't know if I'll be the best dad though."

Cuddy looked at him. She hesitated, not sure if he was going to continue or not. When he didn't, she spoke.

"Greg, you are not your father," she whispered softly. She thought she saw a trace of a tear in his eye, but she blinked and it was gone.

"I just…I don't want this kid to have the same childhood I had," House muttered. He turned away, slightly embarrassed. "Forget it. It doesn't matter."

Cuddy put her hand on the side of his face, forcing him to look at her. House turned his head back to her, but immediately shifted his eyes downward, and stared at the pale blanket.

"Greg, look at me." Cuddy waited until House made eye contact with her before continuing to speak. "You are not your father," she repeated firmly. "You will not raise our child the same way that your father raised you." She wiped a stray tear from House's cheek. "I will not let you become your father," she continued, her voice beginning to crack. "Because you're not," she finished. She put her hands on either side of his face. "You're not," she whispered, as she ran her hand down the side of his face, stroking the few days' worth of stubble that had grown in on the sides of his face.

House did not say anything. No one was supposed to see this part of him; it was the part that he kept under his rough exterior. When he heard her say the words 'You are not your father', that's when he lost it. That's when a sudden rush of emotions came flowing all at once. He didn't know he had let a tear escape until he felt her hand wipe it away. He closed his eyes as he felt a lump rise up again in his throat.

Cuddy remained silent, and continued to stroke his cheek softly. Inside, her heart was aching: for him and for their unborn child. He was letting his guard down.

"Shh Greg, its ok," she whispered. She touched her lips to his. "It's ok," she repeated, looking into his eyes after breaking off the kiss.

"I'm sorry," House muttered finally, turning away. He went to get up, but Cuddy laid a hand on his arm, preventing him from moving. He looked at her.

"You have no reason to be sorry," Cuddy whispered. "You don't have to become him."

House stared at her. Cuddy thought she saw a trace of fear and sadness in his eyes. House stood up, and kissed Cuddy on the forehead.

"I have to make some phone calls," he said lying. Turning quickly towards the door, he limped out, and slid the door shut behind him.

Cuddy watched him go in silence. It upset her to see him being so hard on himself. She gained a little more insight into why he was the person he was brought up to be. She could not explain what drew him to her. Something did; something inside made her attracted to him. She put one hand on her stomach.

"I won't let your daddy raise you the way he was raised. I won't," she whispered around the empty room.

Part Two:

Later that afternoon, Dr. Parker came by to make sure everything was still as it should be with the epidural. He made some notes on Cuddy's chart, and then left. Cuddy remained interrupted for close to an hour, until Cameron came.

"Hey," she said, walking up to the bed. "How're you doing?"

"Better," Cuddy said, pleased that she now had someone to talk to. She waved her IV clad hand towards an empty chair, signaling Cameron to sit down.

"You might get to go home on Friday," Cameron said, smiling.

Cuddy's spirits rose. She could wait another two days. "That'd be nice," she said, smiling.

"I bet you're looking forward to it after being cooped up in this place for almost a week."

"Yeah, especially if it's the place I'm Dean of Medicine of," Cuddy said, smirking.

Cameron grinned. "Yeah well, consider it a privilege," she said, chuckling.

Cuddy laughed. A second later, she regretted the action, as she winced and put a hand to her left side.

Cameron frowned. "I'm sorry about that, Lisa. I shouldn't have..."

"No, it's fine. Just…give me a minute." Cuddy closed her eyes until the pain subsided from her aching ribs. Once the pain was almost gone, she reopened her eyes.

"Good?"

She nodded.

"I want you to take next week off though. Rest and give your ribs time to heal," Cameron said in an authoritative voice.

"Cameron, my ribs aren't going to heal in a week. You should know that. You're a doctor," Cuddy said, grinning.

"You sure about that?" Cameron asked, smirking.

Cuddy smiled. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I am kind of looking forward to going back to work.

"I would probably say the same thing." Cameron gestured towards Cuddy's midsection. "What're you going to do about…?"

Cuddy followed Cameron's gaze, and didn't speak for a minute. She smirked. "What're you trying to do, rush me along here? I have time before we have to tell everybody." She chuckled softly to herself. "Or, I could wait until like the eighth month. 'Oh yeah everyone…by the way, FYI…'"

Cameron laughed. "You could do that," she said, jokingly. They lapsed into silence. Finally, Cameron spoke.

"Is House okay?"

Cuddy's smile faltered. "What do you mean?" she asked quickly. Her immediate reaction must have shown on her face because she felt Cameron's hand touch her arm.

"I didn't mean to get you all upset," Cameron said, reassuringly. "When he came back to his office, he shut the door, and the blinds were drawn. I knocked on the door but he didn't answer. I'm pretty sure I heard music playing."

Cuddy bit her lip and looked down at the blanket covering her body, and began playing with the IV line that was taped to the back on her hand. She knew exactly why he was acting this way.

"You know why he is acting this way, I bet?" Cameron deduced, quietly.

Cuddy slowly nodded, and lifted her head to meet the other doctors' lingering gaze. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it a second later.

Cameron waited patiently.

"…He's scared," Cuddy began softly, "He's afraid because he thinks…he will raise our kid the same way his dad raised him," she finished out, finally.

Cameron stared at her, lost for words. "What did you tell him?" she asked softly.

Cuddy swallowed before speaking. "That he is not his father." She shook her head, and closed her eyes. "I've never seen him like he was today," she whispered.

Cameron reached out, lightly squeezing Cuddy's shoulder. "Lisa…"

Cuddy opened her eyes. "I told him I was not going to let him become like his father," she whispered. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye. She brushed it away before it rolled down her cheek.

"Lisa, you did the right thing. Now you have to give him time," Cameron told her quietly as she looked into the older doctor's eyes.

To see the woman in front of her open herself up to so much vulnerability was not what Cameron expected. Here was a strong woman who Cameron looked up to, who she admired, just falling apart to pieces right in front of her. Cameron always thought that Lisa had it all together; she never imagined seeing her in such an exposed vulnerable state like she was now.

"You did the right thing," she repeated again.

Cuddy swallowed, and then nodded, finishing wiping her face. "How am I going to convince Greg that our child won't have the same childhood he had?" she asked.

"I don't know," Cameron answered truthfully.
The two women did not speak for a few minutes, and then Cameron broke the silence again.

Lisa," she began somewhat hesitantly, "…I spoke to Chase last night."

Cuddy's head shot up in Cameron's direction. She stared at the younger doctor. "And you're telling me this because…?"

Cameron shrugged, not saying anything.

"…How is he?"

"He says he's in pretty good shape. Told me he's been working out a couple days a week, doing manual labor in the yard," Cameron said.

"I meant, how is he coping?" Cuddy asked, quietly.

"Oh." Cameron blushed slightly. "Not very well, I don't think," she said quietly.

Cuddy was silent. 'That was understandable,' she thought quietly to herself.

"He asked about you," Cameron continued, after a moment's silence. "I told him you're recovering, and that it's going to take a while."

"I'm not mad at him," Cuddy found herself saying. "I know I should be 'cause its his fault that I'm here, but…" She paused as she struggled to verbalize what she was thinking. "It's probably because I don't remember it happening...like I didn't know he was in the car." She paused again, and then smiled slightly. "Greg, on the other hand…wants to knock his brains out."

Cameron grimaced. "I've noticed."

"And I'm pretty sure this is going to go to trial," Cuddy said, grimacing.

Cameron looked at her, rather surprised. "You don't know that."

Cuddy shrugged. "I just…have a feeling…whatever, it's just a hunch."

Cameron opened her mouth to speak, but the shrill beep of the pager clipped to her pants sounded. She looked down at it.

"Crap," she said, "our patient is going into cardiac arrest." She smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but…I'm going to have to go..."

Cuddy waved her hand in the air. "Don't worry about it. If you need to go, go ahead."

Cameron stood up and walked to the door.

"Cameron?"

She turned back.

"Please keep this conversation between us."

"Of course," With that, Cameron stepped out, sliding the door shut behind her.

Chapter 21:

Two days later on Friday, as promised, House strolled into Cuddy's room, followed by Cameron and Foreman.

"Guess what today is?" he said, as he limped up to the bed.

Cuddy grinned. "The day I get to go home?"

"Yup," House answered, smiling. He bent down and kissed Cuddy on the lips. "I brought my posy this time," he said, smirking, as he motioned toward Foreman and Cameron.

"Your 'posy'?" Cuddy asked, rolling her eyes.

House shrugged. "I thought it was catchy."

Foreman snorted with laughter and Cameron smirked.

"Ok, shall we get this show on the road?"

Cameron nodded. "Epidural first?"

House directed his attention towards Cuddy. "Lisa, can you roll on your right side?"
After House helped Cuddy roll on her side, Cameron discontinued the infusion of medication, and then as gently as she could, took the tape off. After that was done, she took the catheter out of Cuddy's back.

"Almost done," she said, as she felt Cuddy grimace.

After Cuddy was returned to her previous position, Cameron took the IV out of her arm. Foreman unhooked the bag, and then assisted Cameron in unhooking Cuddy from all the monitors. When that was done, Cameron looked up at House. "How are we going to remove her gown?"

House bit his lip, as he thought. "Foreman, would you mind?"

Foreman stepped out of the room to give Cuddy some privacy.

Once Foreman pulled the blinds over the door and windows that looked out into the ICU corridor, he walked out of the room, sliding the door shut behind him.
House slid a pair of gray yoga sweat pants underneath Cuddy's gown. "Now for the hard part," he remarked. Very carefully, he took Cuddy's gown off her to which Cameron turned to give them some privacy.

House stopped went he saw her left side. Cuddy's entire left side was purple-blackish in color. He drew in a quick breath. Instantly, still vivid color flashbacks flooded through his mind: the car, the gurney, the sight of the person he loved crushed against the steering wheel.

Cuddy's quiet tone brought him back to the present. "Greg, focus," she said, softly.

Upon hearing this, Cameron stayed very still, not daring to turn around.

"I…I…" House couldn't speak as he stared at her body.

Cuddy remained calm. "Greg, if you don't want to do this or if you can't, then let Cameron." She closed her eyes as she winced in pain.

Noticing her grimace, House said softly, "Lisa, if you can't do this…" He stroked her cheek with his thumb and forefinger. "Breathe…it'll be okay." He waited until she opened her eyes again. "Continue?"

She nodded, never taking her eyes off him.

`After pulling a loose fitting t-shirt over her head, he helped her to a sitting position so she could stand up. As she was moving up to a sitting position, Cuddy cried out in pain, and fisted House's shirt, burying her head in it.

Cameron whipped around. "Lisa, are you ok?"

Cuddy nodded, her head still buried in House's shirt. House stroked her hair until she picked her head up again to look at him.

"Ready?" he asked quietly. She nodded.

With House on one side and Cameron on the other, they both stood Cuddy up. Cuddy leaned into House as he put his arm securely around her waist, being mindful of her left side. Very slowly, she walked to the door, flanked by the two doctors' for support. Once they reached the sliding door, House dismissed Cameron.

"I can take it from here. Wilson brought the car out front." He handed Cameron a black duffel bag. "Can you bring this out?"

Cameron took the duffel bag from him and slung it over her left shoulder. She turned to Cuddy. "Lisa, I want to see you later next week to make sure everything is still okay."

Cuddy nodded. "Okay."

Once Cameron left, House and Cuddy moved out into the hallway. House kept his arm wrapped tightly around Cuddy's waist as they advanced slowly forward. Cuddy's arm was around House's back for support.

"Just focus on walking," House said in a low voice, as they made their way to the elevators. Every doctor who passed stared at them. House shot each and every one of them an icy glare.

"Greg, don't gesture towards all my employees that you want to kill them, please," Cuddy said, as she noticed his cold glare towards everyone who passed by.

Once they stepped into the elevator, House said, "Well, they don't all have to stare at you."

Cuddy chuckled softly and chose not to say anything. A second later, she winced. Turning to face the man beside her, she laid her hand on his cheek, stroking his scruff.

"Thank you," she said; her voice just above a whisper.

"For what?"

"For everything, for staying, for taking care of me," she said, still maintaining the soft tone.

"You're welcome," House said, matching her quiet tone. He touched his lips to hers. "Anytime," he added.

Cuddy pulled him closer, and welcomed the kiss. She raked her fingers through his hair, and then moved down and clasped her hands around his neck. House moved his hands down to her waist, hooking his cane on his arm. They were interrupted by the DING! of the elevator as it reached the main floor. They broke apart, but stayed within inches of each other.

"We should probably move," Cuddy said softly, as she stared into House's eyes.

"Yeah, we probably should," House said quietly, as he caressed her cheek with his thumb.

They were completely oblivious to the fact that the elevator doors were wide open, and that there were about ten employees standing outside the elevators, gawking at them.

"Hey guys! Hurry up or get a room!" a voice called out.

House and Cuddy turned to see Wilson grinning as he dangled a set of car keys in front of him. House helped Cuddy out of the elevator.

"I can't believe you just said that!" muttered Cuddy in embarrassment as they reached Wilson.

House turned to the gallery of people who were watching them. "Every one of you back to work now!" he roared.
The lobby became almost vacant in about three seconds.

"Wow, Greg, you want to take over my job?" Cuddy paused, furrowing her brown as if in deep thought. "…Oh wait, never mind, Gregory House in charge of an entire hospital, what am I thinking?"

Wilson chuckled at her little revelation as House scowled darkly.

House still had his arm securely around Cuddy's waist as they walked slowly out of the hospital and to the car. Both men helped Cuddy lay down in the back seat, and then House climbed in the back with her, as Wilson got in the driver's seat.

The ride to House's apartment was a semi-quiet one. Cuddy gripped House's hand as she felt the aching in her side. Wilson was careful to drive as slow as possible, but sometimes, he just couldn't help the speed bumps.

"Sorry," he said, as he heard Cuddy suck in a breath and then regret it a second later as she moaned in pain.

'Damn speed bumps', Wilson thought to himself.

Finally, Wilson flicked on his turn signal and turned onto House's street. Pulling into the driveway, Wilson stopped the car, took the keys out of the ignition, and opened the door. Both men succeeded in getting Cuddy out of the back seat, although it was no easy task.

"Just give me a minute," Cuddy gasped, as she leaned against House, who placed his arm around her waist to keep her steady. She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sharp pain in her ribcage. She felt House's hand on her face, caressing her cheek. She opened her eyes again and met his gaze.

House saw the pain in her eyes; not just physical pain either.

With House and Wilson on either side of her, Cuddy managed to get into the apartment. Wilson shut the door and dropped the duffel on the couch.

"Are you coming over tonight, James?" Cuddy asked.

Wilson shook his head. "I have plans," he muttered. He met House's gaze. House smirked. He knew Wilson's plans involved a certain man by the name of John Greene.

"Oh ok," Cuddy said, completely oblivious to the two men having a silent conversation, "Next time then."

House walked with Wilson to his front door. "Have a good time tonight," he said, clapping a hand on his best friend's shoulder.

Wilson's eyes almost bugged out of his head. "Woah!" he exclaimed, "Who are you and what have you done with Greg House?"

House smirked. "What, I can't tell my best friend to have a good time on his," He stopped, lowering his voice, "date?" he whispered.

"No offense, but it IS kind of weird, coming from you," said Wilson, laughing.

House smirked, and opened the door.

"Well, until tomorrow Wilson…"

Wilson stepped out into the cold. "See ya House!"

Once House had closed the front door, he limped back over to Cuddy and helped her into the bedroom.

"You look tired," he remarked, looking at her, stopping after they had reached his bedroom.

"I am," she admitted.

House pulled her closer, wrapping his hands around her waist. "Well, you should get some shut eye. Doctor's orders," he growled, seductively.

"What doctor?" Cuddy asked, playing along.

House kissed her on the neck before moving up to her mouth. "Doctor Gregory House," he growled in a low voice, in between kisses.

"You know," Cuddy teased, as she kissed him on the mouth again. "If this 'Dr. House' was really a doctor, he wouldn't be trying to elevate my heart rate like this."

House grinned. "Is that so?" he murmured against her mouth. "Says who?"

Cuddy smirked. "Says Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the doctor who employed him." She opened her mouth again as he slipped his tongue in.

House chuckled. "Well, then this 'Dr. Cuddy' made a big mistake in hiring him," he said, as he withdrew from the kiss.

Grinning, he put his hand around Cuddy's waist as they moved towards the bed. He brought back the sheets so he could help Cuddy climb into bed. "Do you want me to get you some ice packs?" he asked, once she was all settled.

She nodded. Limping into the kitchen, he opened the freezer door. Grabbing two icepacks, he wrapped them in a towel, and then limped back to the bedroom. He laid the ice packs gently on Cuddy's left side.

"That okay?" he whispered.

She nodded.

House kissed her on the forehead. "Get some rest. If you need me just holler."

"You bet," she murmured, closing her eyes.

House stared at her for a second or two, and then limped back into the living room, closing the bedroom door slightly shut behind him, hoping that Cuddy would get a peaceful, much needed couple hours sleep.

TBC...

And no, I have not forgotten about Chase...
Remember the conversation between Cameron and Cuddy... it's going to come back in a while.