A/N: This story is coming to an end so the next few chapters will be the last. Thanks to all my readers and all your encouraging reviews. You guys are the best!
Goren sat with them in Cuddy's hospital room, the passage of time apparent only by the dimming light in the windows, peppering them with endless questions. House and Cuddy answered as best they could, giving every single detail they possibly offer. It was painful, excrutiating sometimes, and the detective waited with infinite patience Cuddy or House had pause, choke back a sob or blink back a few tears. He poured them cups of water which they accepted with mumbled appreciation.
As the many bits and pieces began to slide into place it soon became apparent to the detective that Cuddy was the intended target of Nicole Wallace's wrath. All Nicole had to was chase Cuddy to the back of the apartment and left her there, and then she could have easily turned her attention and syringe back to House. No need to break the bedroom door down. No need to voluntary engage in a knock-down, drag-out fight with her at all. He laid out his theory to his friends and they stared back him in the thick silence.
"What did she really want to do to us?" Cuddy wondered aloud.
"I don't know," Goren replied. "But she had her camera with her. At least a few of the pictures would have ended up in an envelope with my name on it, I'm sure."
"Good God...," House muttered and slumped in his chair. His leg was throbbing where Nicole's boot had made recent and violent contact. He was tired of all the questions and just wanted more pills and to get some sleep.
"When Nicole was done with you two, there was only one more person left," Goren said flatly.
"Who?" House asked.
"Eames. Princeton's finest took a look at Nicole's laptop and found that she had looked up directions to my partner's house."
"You don't sound surprised," House noted. It almost sound like Goren had been expecting it.
"I'm not. Nicole found out my birthday and social security number within days of meeting me. Finding an unlisted address is as easy as opening a can of soda for her. Eames can certainly take care of herself, but Nicole is so devious..." he trailed off, not wanting or needing to finish the thought out loud. He looked over to see House rubbing his thigh. "You okay there, Doctor?"
"Yeah." House tried to sound upbeat, but the undercurrent of anxiety coupled with the strain on his haggard face were all to noticeable. "My leg hurts where she kicked me and--"
"She kicked you?" Cuddy gasped in shock, her eyes as wide as manhole covers. "Oh my God, you didn't tell me she kicked you!"
"You didn't ask." He didn't mean to snap at her and winced at her frown.
"Dammit, Greg, why the hell didn't you tell me?"
House ignored here as he felt a migraine building behind his eyes. If he didn't do something about it soon it would make the pain in his leg seem like a paper cut. "Look, my leg...and I think Lisa and I-"
"It's alright, Dr. House." Goren stood up. "You two have been more than helpful."
"Are you leaving?" Cuddy asked.
"Yes, I got what I came for. Thank you for talking to me, I really appreciate it. After everything you've been through...well, I need to get back before Ross reassigns me to animal control." He gave Cuddy a broad, hopeful smile before leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "You take care, Dr. Cuddy."
"You too, Bobby." She managed a smile for him.
"Keep an eye on Dr. House, too."
"I'll try."
"I know you'll do more than that." Goren said with a low chuckle. "Eames wouldn't mind a phone call as long as you're up to making one."
"She'll get one. Tomorrow at the latest. Drive carefully, Bobby."
Goren then turned to the man in the other chair. "Take care, Dr. House."
"Easier said than done," the diagnostician mumbled. He suddenly felt a thousand years old.
"I'm sure there's someone who can help. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
House nodded, and watched Goren said one more goodbye and strode out of the room, back to the hustle and bustle and the Big Apple, leaving the doctors and the waning daylight in the room.
"Greg?"
House looked up when he heard the soft, quiet voice say his name.
"How bad did she hurt you?"
Silence for a few beats, then House answered, "It's nothing I can't handle."
He slowly got to feet, the pain digging its claws in deeper. The air was heavy with the weight of the awareness that Cuddy was watching his every move.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
The truth was he didn't tell her because he had been so concerned about her that he honestly didn't think about it. But she wasn't going accept anything he told her anyway. "You don't need anything else to worry about," he said.
"But she did hurt you," Cuddy pressed on.
"More than you'll ever know." He was finally on his feet and began to limp towards the door. "My leg can't take these damn chairs anymore. I'll be back later."
"Should I still have the piano brought in?"
He turned and found her staring wide-eyed and hopefully. The look on her face made it impossible to turn her down even if he wanted to. The room ceased to exist, the hospital ceased to exist, the entire world ceased to exist. It was her and him and their unbreakable connection.
"Yeah," he said, and her grateful smile nearly made his knees buckle. "Be sure to have some requests ready."
