A/N: Thanks everyone for reading that last chapter. As soon as I published it, I began working on this one, a little bit here and there throughout the week and well here it is. Enjoy!

Oh yeah do yourselves a BIG FAT FAVOR and check out all the new fics on this site...and the old ones too. There are (drum roll!) 3,611 House-Cuddy stories on this site.

One last thing. I'd like to thank my House chicas for the laughs we've shared...including...MystryGAB, DrDiagnostic, FreyaOz, TracyHepburnFan, Vicpei1, BabyGoz, Kermie, GratefulInsomniac, CherokeeJedi, RochelleRene, Maya, Oc7ober, Allthingsdecent, Winnywriter, LapizSilkwood, HuddyLoverXOX, DrGaia, TDCSI, Yahnis14, HughsBlues, LeakeyLover, PartyPantsCuddy, CantStopObsessing, SissiCuddles, etc. You guys crack me up!


Cuddy and Rachel sat on the back porch watching the stars twinkling in the early evening sky as they listened contentedly to the soothing sounds of a violin next door. Cuddy's next door neighbor, Dr. Bernard Schatz, was a widower and retired music professor at Boston College. He played with the Boston Philharmonic and a few evenings a week he practiced his instrument. Given the nice weather, Bernie, as he was known to friends and neighbors, had decided to open his windows and let in the fresh air. Cuddy and Rachel listened quietly and contentedly as the sounds of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major made its way to their ears.

The first time Cuddy heard Bernie play, it had been a Saturday afternoon shortly after she moved in. She and Sharon had spent the day unpacking boxes and were grilling kebobs in the backyard while the girls played in the sprinklers. Unable to resist the lure of the beautiful melody, she walked over to the fence, leaning on it and listening as Bernie and his group of retired musician friends played for at least a half hour. Bernie had noticed her watching and smiled at her. When they finished playing, he waved to her and told her to come over. She took him up on his offer, and together with Rachel, Sharon and Hannah, they visited with the group and stayed over two hours listening to them play. She chuckled to herself as she recalled Bernie's interaction with Rachel that first time.

"What are you playin?" Rachel asked.

"Well, my dear, it was Dmitri Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 99."

"Huh?" Rachel looked completely confused. "Shoxta...who?" She never finished the sentence because she couldn't correctly pronounce the name. Bernie chuckled and then explained to the little girls a bit about Shostakovich as well as other great musicians like Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky at least to the extent that two young children could understand. Rachel and Hannah listened intently as the old man told them stories of his trips to Russia and Eastern Europe in his travel with the Symphony. Bernie had later asked Cuddy if it would bother her that he practiced a few days a week. Being the music lover she was, she didn't mind and sometimes when he practiced with the windows open, she would set aside whatever she was doing at the moment and close her eyes and listen to the beautiful music being made next door.

As Cuddy lay in the super-sized lounge chair, with Rachel beside her, she listened to the gentleness of the music and thought about House and his piano. She so loved when he played for her because he played so beautifully and she loved the way he lost himself in the music. He was at his most relaxed when he played. She loved the way his fingers would glide over the keys, his eyes closed, head tilted back, lips slightly parted. During those moments, he was mesmerized by the music and she by him. The last time she'd seen him play had been a few days before their breakup. He'd had a particularly rough case and hadn't slept more than a few hours over the course of three days. When he'd left the hospital early on the day they finally made the diagnosis, he looked very rough and tired and his limp was more pronounced. The stress and the lack of rest and decent meals had taken their toll on him. She'd invited him over to her house but he declined, which was unusual, and opted to go home instead and rest. She'd kissed him on the cheek before he departed. Later that evening she and Rachel were restless, neither could sleep.

"Mommy, I can't sleep," Rachel called from the doorway to her mother's room.

Cuddy, who hadn't been able to sleep either, motioned Rachel over to the bed. "Climb in with me."

Mother and daughter lay together under the soft duvet comforter. After an hour, Cuddy hadn't heard Rachel's usual soft snores. She looked over at her and noticed the child was wide eyed and fidgeting.

"Rach, you okay?"

"Yes mommy, I not tired."

Cuddy sighed. "I know, I'm not either."

"Mommy, where's Hows?"

"House is home honey, he's really tired."

"But why isn't he here with us?"

"He's had a very rough day, he hasn't slept much lately."

"I like it when he comes here. We play games." Rachel looked so sad. It was one of those moments when she realized once again how much House's presence influenced her daughter's life.

"You like it when House plays with you eh?"

Rachel shook her head vigorously and smiled.

Cuddy had an idea. It surely made no sense as it was late and Rachel had pre-school tomorrow and Cuddy had to work, but for once she decided not to analyze. "Honey, would you like to see House?"

"Really?"

"Yep. Listen, go put on your sneakers and grab your jacket, we're going to see House."

"Yaaaay!" Rachel exclaimed. She jumped out of her mother's bed and ran down the hallway to her room. She returned in a few minutes sneaker-clad, with a stuffed animal and favorite pink jacket. "I'm ready mommy!"

Cuddy turned to see her daughter standing there in the doorway; sure enough she was ready to go. She shook her head and laughed in amazement that her daughter was so excited to see the man who had quickly become her best friend and favorite playmate. The fact that by just being himself, he had melted the heart of her daughter made her love him that much more.

"Well then I guess we better go!" Cuddy, now dressed in sweat pants and a tee shirt, slipped on ballet shoes and grabbed her wallet, cell phone and keys and took off for House's place. Ten minutes later she was standing outside of 221 B Baker Street knocking softly on the door. After a moment, she heard the music stop. She knocked again and was met with the haggard face of her boyfriend.

"Hi."

"Cuddy? Why are you here? Is Rachel okay?" He noticed the toddler nestled in her mother's arms.

"Oh she's fine, a bit tired. She can't sleep."

"Warm milk works a lot better than driving around at this hour, don't you think?"

"Well, the thing is we're here because she wanted...you."

"Me?"

"Yep."

At that moment, Rachel woke up and gave House a toothy grin. She stretched out her arms to him. "Hi Hows," she said through droopy eyelids. Cuddy noticed House frown a moment and then he relented. He moved out of the way so they could enter and he ruffled the little girl's hair as they went past him. Cuddy lay Rachel on the couch and covered her with an afghan then she turned to House who once again made himself comfortable at the piano, a half full glass of Scotch on a napkin in front of him.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

"House, would you please trust me? Don't shut me out." She sat next to him at the piano and wrapped her right arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. "Why are you playing such sad music tonight?"

House sighed and looked at her looking up at him. "It's been a rough day. I don't want to talk about it. Just stay with me for awhile?"

Cuddy knew that not only was he tired but he was in pain. She knew when not to push him so she nodded her head and without words conveyed she would stay with him as long as he needed her. As she leaned on his shoulder, he continued to play. It was sometime later, she didn't remember how long, that he stopped for a moment and looked down at the piano keys. In a low nearly inaudible voice, he said, "Music has always been my escape...from everything. When things got tough...when I felt like I was losing control...music made me feel better. It was the one good thing that could never be ruined. My grandmother told me that no matter what anyone ever did to me, they could never take away the music because it was in here." He pointed to his heart.

Cuddy's eyes filled with tears at his revelation. She'd always known how much he loved music but she never knew why it meant so much to him. She was overjoyed that he had shared his secret with her but the sadness he endured which was the reason he had to escape to music in the first place, pained her greatly. Gently, she took his hand in hers. "Thank you for sharing that with me." House had then done something completely unexpected. He turned to her and enveloped her in his arms. He held her close like that for several minutes and she felt him relax around her. Finally, knowing it was late and they both needed their sleep, she stood and offered him her hand, and after making sure Rachel was tucked in securely on the couch, she led him to his bedroom.

Cuddy smiled as she recalled the memory of that conversation. Later that night, they had not made love; rather they had undressed each other, taken a hot soothing shower together and crawled into bed falling asleep in each other's arms. When they were no longer a couple and later when the only thing they had left to salvage—their friendship-had been torn apart after one fleeting moment of anger and despair, she often thought about those things he had revealed to her in secret, during incredibly vulnerable moments. She'd grown to love the way he trusted her and she had missed it. Now that he was back in her life, she vowed they would rebuild that trust.

As Cuddy lost herself in her thoughts and the music, Rachel nudged her and asked, "Mommy when's Hows comin?"

"I don't know baby, he should be here soon." Cuddy had been anticipating House's arrival. He called her when he left Princeton and told her had some things to discuss with her after Rachel went to bed. She became concerned but he assured her everything was okay, he just needed to talk to her. She checked her watch; it was just after eight o'clock and was anxiously waiting for him. At that moment her mother opened the glass doors and walked out onto the porch.

"Lisa, dear how are you feeling?"

"I'm good mom, I feel good."

"Hi gramma!" Rachel chimed in.

"Rachel, are you enjoying the music?"

"Uh huh," she said with a smile on her face.

"Rach honey, do you know what instrument Bernie is playing? Can you tell grandma?" Cuddy looked at her daughter who shook her head vigorously.

"It's a violin."

"Good job Rach!" Cuddy high-fived her daughter.

"Rachel you are one smart little girl aren't you?" Arlene asked. "Where did you learn that?"

"Silly gramma, everyone knows it's a violin," Rachel responded matter-of-factly and Cuddy just chuckled at her daughter's response.

"Hmm…she's getting sassy like you were at that age." Arlene raised an eyebrow and Cuddy responded in kind.

"Listen dear; is there anything I can do for you?" Arlene asked as she took a seat at the foot of her daughter's lounge chair.

"Gosh, I don't think so. You've pretty much taken care of everything."

"I wanted to, now you can focus on getting well."

Cuddy suddenly felt a twinge of guilt for being so upset at her mother for arriving unannounced days earlier. Her mother had been a great help to her.

"Stop it Lisa, you're feeling guilty again."

Cuddy was still amazed at how her mother could read her. "I'm sorry I was upset with you when you got here. I just hadn't expected you and with House here I just wasn't sure what was going to happen. You two in the same room...you're like ticking time bombs."

"Don't apologize, you had every right to be upset. I can be annoying, hell you don't think I know that? Your grandmother was the same way with me, it's what we do. You can rest easy knowing someday you'll be driving Rachel crazy too."

Cuddy laughed, and then held her left side, as she was still a bit sore in that area.

"What time is Greg supposed to be here?" Arlene asked.

"It's almost a six hour drive and with his leg, I expect it might take longer."

"So, what comes next?"

Cuddy sighed. Knowing what her mother was referring to, she shook her head. "I have no idea. I do know we have a lot more talking to do."

"Good to hear that." Arlene patted her daughter's ankle. "I would imagine you do have a lot to say, but you have a lot to hear too. Greg isn't one to talk so once he starts, don't stop him whatever you do."

"I'm still shocked that you and Julia aren't having me committed for this."

"If I have you committed for this, then you can do the same to me for having dated Jesus."

"Oh geez, not your finest hour was it?"

"No, but he was good in the sack," Arlene leaned forward and whispered to her daughter.

"No, no, no." Cuddy waved her hands in front of her. "Do not talk about your sex life around me."

"Oh geez Lisa, I didn't raise you a prude."

"Mom!"

"Ok fine." Arlene put her hands up in surrender.

"I can't believe so much has happened these past few weeks, sometimes it's just overwhelming ya know?"

"Actually I do. You're a strong woman, you'll be fine."

"You really think so?"

"If all of this had happened back then, I don't think so, but you've changed. Greg has changed. I don't know what it is about him that makes you, hell even me, want to believe in him, but I can sense that he's remorseful and that he's trying very hard to do the right thing, to be the person he wants to be."

"Can you believe it? He had to drive his car through my house and go to prison before he finally got it? I'm pretty sure that's not in the manual."

"He's different from any man you ever dated and you dated some real winners. Do you remember Bunky? He had such a crush on you."

"Oh God mom, that was sixth grade!"

Arlene ignored her daughter and continued to reminisce. "You used to go across the street to his house to play with his microscope. Poor kid came over one day looking for you and I had to tell him you were in his basement playing with his stuff."

Cuddy laughed. "I wonder where he is now."

"Mommy who's Bunky?" Rachel interrupted the conversation, wanting to know what they were talking about.

"Oh just someone I used to know when I was your age."

"You were my age?"

Arlene cut in. "Yes Rachel, there was a time your mother was little as you are now. All the boys used to follow her everywhere she went but she wouldn't give them the time of day."

Rachel looked at Arlene with a quizzical look on her face. Cuddy stepped in to explain but before she could, her cell phone rang. Rachel picked it up and saw the caller ID and became excited."Mommy, its Hows. Can I answer?"

"Okay."

"Hello?" Rachel asked politely.

"Hello runt, put your mom on the phone."

"I not a runt." Cuddy rolled her eyes listening to the one-sided conversation.

"Yes you are, where's your mom?"

"Right here."

"Well, let me talk to her."

"You hafta say please!" She sang into the phone. Cuddy and Arlene chuckled listening to the one-sided conversation.

House sighed. "Please?"

"Okay." She handed the phone to her mother. He wants to talk to you."

Cuddy smiled and took the phone from her.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi, yourself."

"Where are you?"

"Answer your door and find out." Just at that moment Cuddy's doorbell rang. She smiled.

"I got it!" Rachel yelled as she jumped out of the lounge chair and raced to the front door.

"If only she was that fast when I want her to clean her room," Cuddy mused. "Rachel, remember,always ask who it is first," she yelled to her daughter.

Rachel ran to the window and looked out onto the front porch. "Hows!" She opened the door, grabbed House around his knees and hugged him. "Hi!"

"Hey kiddo," he said, standing there with the phone still at his ear, backpack slung over one shoulder and the cane in his right hand. "Gee, I was only gone a couple of days."

"I miss you," said the little girl looking up at him with a cheesy grin.

"Missed you too kid, now you gonna let me in?"

"Okay." Rachel let go of his knees and took his left hand and led him into the house. Cuddy met him in the living room.

"Hi," Cuddy smiled as she greeted him.

"I thought we covered that already," he said, smirking at her.

"How was the trip?"

"Long and boring. I'm tired."

At that moment Arlene entered the room and looked at House.

"Gregory."

"Dragon lady."

"Nice to see your charm is still intact."

"You always seem to bring out the best in me."

"I'm sure," she said, rolling her eyes. "Lisa, I'm going to get Rachel her bath so you and the schmuck here can have some time alone."

"Thanks mom."

"Yeah thanks Endora." House smirked as he watched Arlene turn around and give him "the look". As he watched Arlene and Rachel walk down the hall, he heard the little girl whine, "But I don't wanna bath, I wanna stay with Hows."

"That's my girl." He smiled at the thought that Rachel would rather spend time with him than have her grandmother give her a bath. He tossed his backpack on the couch and followed Cuddy into the kitchen.

"Are you hungry?"

"Actually yeah, a sandwich sounds good."

"Okay."

House gently took her by the arm. "No, you relax, let me get it."

"Oh House come on, I'm not an invalid, I'm just a little sore. Please, I need to feel useful around here; mom's done everything since she got here."

House threw his hands up; knowing arguing with a very determined Lisa Cuddy was useless. "Fine, how about a fried egg sandwich?"

"One fried egg sandwich coming right up."

He settled onto a stool at the kitchen island and watched as she moved about slowly with a smile on her face. She was moving with much more ease than when he'd left but he could tell she was still a bit sore. Once the eggs were cooking on low, she walked over to him and placed a tall glass of milk in front of him, which he drank almost immediately. She smiled at him then ran her finger along the top of his upper lip then put it in her mouth. He just looked at her oddly.

"You had a milk moustache." She smiled.

House placed his hands gently on her arms. "I missed you," he said sincerely.

Cuddy looked at him; his eyes were glassy and tired. He motioned for her to come closer and he wrapped her in his arms. He noted to himself again how perfectly they fit together. Her head snuggled against his warm chest and his chin rested on her shoulder. He could smell the shampoo she used that he loved so much. She smelled that essence of him she had grown to love over the years, it made her feel safe. They stayed like that a long time, neither of them saying a word as mere words were unable to convey their thoughts and feelings at the moment. They pulled away from one another at the same time. She patted him on the chest and said, "Let's get you fed."

The two sat at the breakfast nook in the kitchen as House eagerly devoured his dinner. They'd talked a bit about the trip, his recent case, and the upcoming consult he had at her hospital. He expressed that he was looking forward to it.

"How was your session with Nolan?"

"Went well actually, lots of talking and pancakes."

"Pancakes?"

"Yep, killed two birds with one stone. Pancakes and therapy at PJ's."

Cuddy smiled and nodded her head. House loved his pancakes. "So, you had a good talk?"

"Yeah, we did."

"Good. Anything you want to share?"

House finished the last bit of his sandwich before he replied. He wiped his mouth and thought carefully. He wasn't ready to share everything just yet but he knew the only way they could do this right was to trust one another with their secrets.

"I thought we'd talk later, once everyone else is in bed."

"Okay. Listen, I won't push you. Talk as little or as much as you want. I'll just be there to listen."

House nodded his appreciation and finished off the milk in his glass. Cuddy offered to make him another sandwich but he declined. "I'm going to shower." He got up, kissed her on the cheek and left the kitchen. Cuddy smiled wide as he left, touching the place on her cheek where he'd kissed her. Humming a little to herself, she put his dishes in the sink and began cleaning up the kitchen for the night.

House limped tiredly into Cuddy's bedroom with his backpack. He closed the door behind him and tossed the backpack on the chair next to the bed. He hung his cane on her dresser, toed off his shoes and slowly unbuttoned his long sleeved shirt and took it off, followed by his tee shirt. He unzipped his jeans and sat down on her bed. He thought about how much he wanted to talk to her later; there was so much to be said. He didn't want to be rushed, there was time. Now that he was back, he was nervous but he remembered what Nolan said about taking one day at a time. He leaned forward, head in his hands and remembered what they had discussed about his happiness being solely dependent on one thing in life. He knew Nolan was right; he had to find meaning in his life that went beyond Cuddy. He had to learn to enjoy life; he only hoped she was patient enough to help him. Removing the rest of his clothes, he finally made his way into her bathroom and the oversized shower. Turning on the water as hot as he could stand it, he stepped in and smiled. "Oh yeah," he said aloud. "This is good."


Forty-five minutes after House left Cuddy in the kitchen, the lights in the house were off and Cuddy made her way to Rachel's bedroom where Arlene was reading her a story. Cuddy quietly stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame watching the interaction between mother and daughter. She was amazed sometimes that her mother, who could be so harsh and annoying the rest of the time, could be so soft and loving as she was with Rachel at the moment. She knew her mother was easily annoyed by small children and babies but Cuddy knew Arlene loved Rachel as much as she loved Julia's children. Rachel was the youngest and over the last few years Arlene had grown especially fond of the little girl.

As Cuddy listened to her mother read to Rachel, her mind drifted to the past. There were times her mother had been tough as nails on her, nagging and pushing, and there were times where she was extremely loving and comforting. Arlene Cuddy had always known when to turn it on and off. Looking back Cuddy realized that as she got older she had focused so much on the harsher side of her mother's personality that she had completely forgotten about the tenderness. Arlene had been tough on her to the point where it had forced a wedge between them by the time Cuddy had left for college and it wasn't until a few years ago, after House had saved her life, that she realized why her mother had been so tough at times, she knew her daughter could handle it and she wanted her to succeed. Cuddy had always been closer to her father and when he died, Cuddy felt left out of the mother-daughter bond her sister and mother shared. It was only in the last few years that the two developed a stronger relationship and Cuddy was thankful for it. Watching her mother with Rachel, she smiled thinking about how much she used to love when her mother read her stories.

A few minutes later, Arlene had finished the story and Rachel was almost asleep. Arlene stood up to let Cuddy take her place on the bed. Cuddy kissed Rachel on the forehead. "Okay, time to go to sleep, you've got school tomorrow."

"Can't I stay up with you and Hows?" She whined sleepily.

"No, you have to go but you can spend plenty of time with us when you get home okay?"

"Okay."

"Give me a hug." Cuddy enveloped her little girl in her arms. She would never get tired of the feeling of holding her daughter. "I love you," she whispered in her ear as she laid her back down on the bed.

"Love you too mommy."

Cuddy stood up and walked towards the door. "Goodnight Rachel," said Arlene.

"Nite gramma."

Cuddy walked Arlene to the guest bedroom. They stood at the door ready to say goodnight.

"I'll be leaving in the morning."

Cuddy looked surprised. "You sure?"

Arlene nodded. "Greg's here, you'll be fine. Besides you guys have a lot to do. For starters, you need to deal with the insurance company and get this accident mess straightened out."

"I guess so, I hadn't really thought much about it. I figured I'd wait."

"Lisa, I'm proud of you," she said, as she turned her back to Cuddy and walked over to the windows to close the blinds.

"What? I didn't do anything."

"I'm proud of you for being so strong, for going after what you want no matter what. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do when things get tough is to walk away. Sometimes it seems like walking away is the more difficult option but that's not always the case."

"Okay…" Cuddy wasn't sure what point her mother was trying to make.

"I'm talking about you and Greg." Arlene turned around to face her daughter. "I'm an old woman, a nag and a pain in the ass, but every now and then I say something that makes sense. You walked away from Greg when things got tough and then instead of trying to win you back, he just let you go and he walked away too. Look what it did to both of you. Walking away seemed hard at the time and it probably was, but it was easier than doing what it took to stay together. Sometimes the hardest part is sticking around and doing what it takes to make things work."

Cuddy just gazed wide-eyed at her mother in amazement and taking in her words. Suddenly her mother took both her hands in hers.

"I've asked myself a hundred times what would other mothers do in my shoes and the only conclusion I've come to is that I don't give a damn what other mothers would do. You're my daughter and I want what's best for you."

Cuddy remained speechless. Her mother noticed the look and laughed out loud. "God knows why but he's the only man in your life who keeps coming back to you and you seem to be the only woman in his life, besides his mother, who does the same." Cuddy chuckled at that. "When things get tough, it might seem like the best thing to do is walk away, but it's not. I think you both know that now. If he relapses, don't give up on him. Support him, be there for him, and love him. We both know he's going to make you crazy, he's going to make you cry but we also know you are so much happier with him than you were with Lawrence—"

Cuddy rolled her eyes. "Lucas mom, it was Lucas."

"Yes dear, whatever, now where was I? Oh yes, we both know that crazy bastard in the next room is the one for you. Did I just say that?"

Cuddy's eyes had become moist listening to her mother. She could tell her mother was being sincere, masking it with sarcasm, as she always did.

"Yes, you did."

"Keep it between us."

"Mom, thanks…you know…for everything."

Instead of deflecting or saying something sarcastic, her mother just hugged her and said, "You're welcome dear."

Cuddy closed the bedroom door behind her, still in awe over her mother's words. Sometimes her mother surprised the hell out of her. She headed for her bedroom, the door was still closed. House had been in there quite a long time, she thought maybe he'd fallen asleep. She opened the door gently and there he was, lying on her bed, leaning against the headboard, on top of the covers in his boxers and a tee shirt. He wore his reading glasses and seemed to be immersed in a thin journal.

"Hi. You okay?"

"Yeah. My therapist gave me some reading, a few journal articles on pain breakthroughs."

"Anything interesting?"

"A few."

She stood there looking at him, he looked so sexy in his current attire and those glasses. There was something about him in those glasses that drove her wild. So many times she'd walked into his office and he'd be wearing them and look up at her. She recalled the time she went to see him about being her donor. He looked at her peering over the rims of those glasses. How she wanted him at that moment but pride and the need for self-preservation held her back.

"Cuddy? Something wrong?"

"No, just thinking."

"You know they say sharing is caring."

"So I've heard."

"Hey, I hope you don't think I assumed I'd be sleeping in here."

"What?"

"I mean, I plan to sleep on the couch. I was just tired after my shower."

"It's okay House. You can stay here."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Listen, I'm gonna go shower, then we can relax." She went through her drawers and grabbed what she needed and entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She leaned up against the door and took in the smell of his aftershave, which she had missed. He had cleaned up nicely. When he walked through her door earlier he looked haggard and tired, and hadn't shaved in days. Now, he looked so much better. He had trimmed his stubble back to very short, just the way she liked it, his face seemed less stressed and he smelled so good. Oh what am I doing? I can't think about that now. We have so much to talk about. With that thought, she undressed and stepped into the shower. All she could think of was that just an hour earlier House had stood naked in that same shower. The thought send shivers of pleasure up and down her spine.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom House was thinking about the way Cuddy had looked at him when she entered the bedroom. He could have sworn he saw a hint of lust in her eyes. He wanted her so much but not like this, it had to be right. If…or rather he hoped, when they consummated their relationship, he wanted it to be the right moment for both of them with no regrets, second thoughts or hesitations. He loved her so much and was willing to wait for her as long as it took.

Love.

He thought about that word. He'd shied away from it for years after Stacy. He wasn't exactly free with the word with Stacy or even before her, but after she tore out his heart, he swore he'd never love let himself love anyone again. The problem was he'd always loved Cuddy. In college and then years later, she had brought out the best in him, she challenged him and made him want to be a better man, though it just wasn't that easy. He wanted to tell her for years that he loved her but he dare not for he worried she wouldn't feel the same way and he would rather keep what they had than risk not having her in his life at all. He thought about the moment he said it to her that weekend they were together, their first time in twenty years. They had just talked about his insecurities and his inability to change. At that moment he had looked into her eyes and knew it was the moment of truth. She had bared her soul to him and was taking a chance on him; he felt he owed it to her to let her know how he felt. He'd only said it a few times in the time they were together but he assumed she knew how he felt. He hoped she understood he was just not good at words, besides, he'd never grown up hearing his parents say it to one another, and so he never thought it was a big deal.

But this was Cuddy, she was not his mother, and he was surely not his father. He never wanted her to ever doubt how he felt about her. As far as taking the next step, he loved her so much he was willing to wait for her, focusing first on rebuilding them. But Cuddy was so beautiful and strong and amazing, that it was hard for him to resist her. It was one of the reasons he was considering sleeping on the couch. He didn't know if he could sleep in the same bed with her again and not touch her, not make love to her, not give himself completely to her. He relaxed against the oak headboard of her bed and listened to the sounds of the shower. She was only a few feet away from him, naked and wet. He wondered if she was at that moment thinking about him as much as he was thinking about her. He could feel himself responding in his boxers. Not now, he thought to himself.

Moments later, as if on cue, Cuddy stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and curly, dressed in a terry cloth robe. She smiled at him as she casually took off her robe and hung it on the hook on the back of the bedroom door. Underneath she wore a tank top and shorts. She could feel his eyes on her from behind. House swallowed hard as he watched her. He would swear until his dying day, until he took his very last breath in this life, that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

Cuddy turned back towards the bed, took a seat on top of the covers, and hugged a throw pillow to her chest. She leaned back against the headboard and looked over at him and smiled.

"So…you wanted to talk?"


Well, another chapter is complete. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. How many of you got the "Endora" reference? Remember Endora was Sam's mother on the old TV series "Bewitched"!