Hello everyone! Thank you for the feedback you left last time :)

I've divided this drabble in two parts: the first one is set in season five, right after the 10th episode, and the first one is set in season six, between 5 to 9 and the episode right before Help Me (which is named Baggage, and it pains me that I had to look it up because I used to know most of the episode titles). It's also kinda angsty.

(I've also stolen a line from 5 to 9. It's not mine. I didn't write this episode.)

Enjoy!

16. I'll wait.

"Hi," Wilson said as he slid in the booth across from Cuddy, carrying his tray. "Can I sit here?" She nodded absently. "What's on your mind?"

"I went to thank House for the desk."

"I'm guessing that didn't go as planned." He took a bite of his club sandwich.

"Well, I found him all cosied up with a prostitute in his office." She gave him a rueful smile. "So no."

"I'm sorry. Did you talk to him about it?"

"What's the point?" she said with a sigh. "He's probably just gonna deny it or brush it off. What's done is done."

There was a pause, where Cuddy fooled herself into thinking she was done talking about it. Wilson knew better and waited.

"Did he tell you anything?" He shook his head. "Oh, and he grabbed my tit," she added after a while. Wilson choked on his food. "When I thought we were going to kiss."

"Wow."

"Yeah. It sucks. I actually thought we were going somewhere."

"You're pissed at him, I get it. But give him some time. He's not ready to be in a relationship yet."

"I'll wait, but will he ever be ready?" Wilson gave her a sad smile, which she returned.

"This place needs you, and that matters to you."

And he'd kissed her.

She wasn't sure whether he meant to console her or encourage her. Either that or it was his human side responding to her vulnerability, like it had the year before when she lost Joy.

And she couldn't deny that for the few seconds his lips had touched hers, it felt great. Exhilarating, even.

She would also be lying if she said she didn't need his words of encouragement. There was one opinion she valued above all else, and it was House's.

But she had to push him away.

"House."

"I'm sorry."

He sat back and turned away. She licked her lips.

"I can't do this now."

"I know."

She had to think of her daughter, and she had a boyfriend at home –

Oh.

She called the infamous pharm tech back into her office.

And then her day got infinitely better.

She met him again in the parking lot as they were both leaving.

"Congrats on the twelve percent, boss lady," he told her. She nodded with a smile. House turned away and headed for his bike.

"House," she called out, catching up with him. Before she could regret it, she grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him firmly. "Thank you," she said, and hastily walked back to her car.

They would meet briefly almost every day in the parking lot or in a deserted staircase, mostly talking, about his patients, her daily victories and defeats, kissing once or twice. She liked that she could tell him about her day. Unlike Lucas who was rarely home at night and was more interested in having sex with her on the morning, House listened to her. And, well, the kiss was something she enjoyed, too. It was sweet and almost casual.

Until this day – he'd told her about his amnesia patient with the tattoo – when her guilt had gnawed all the way into her.

"I can't," she told him, staring down at her shoes.

"Do you love him?"

She snorted. "You're not seriously asking me this."

"Well, it's usually what they say in the movies," he said with a shrug. She smirked in spite of herself.

"Give me time."

He nodded, and gave her the sweetest kiss on her cheek. "I'll wait."