Hello everyone! Here's the longest drabble yet (probably), which I pretty much wrote while I was waiting for my meal to heat up (I do find time to write!). It's an AU Broken that pretty much ignores canon.

Thank you for the feedback you left last time! I hope you'll enjoy this one.

20. Did you get my letter?

As far as Cuddy knew, House didn't write letters – except when it was part of a prank, or when he found a way to cleverly insult her and/or the patients while demanding to be exempted from clinic duty for the ten following years.

That's why she was surprised to find a letter from him in her mailbox, ten days after he was admitted into Mayfield.

In the first letter, he told her he was sorry about the whole thing, and that rehab sucked.

In the second letter, he told her about the other patients – especially his roommate, Alvie – and how bored he was because he'd figured all of them in ten minutes.

In the third letter, he told her about his psychiatrist, Nolan, who had been giving him placebos all the while he was convinced he was playing him. Just as Cuddy told herself he'd finally found a physician worth his respect, she got to the line where he wrote "although he still thinks he's an actual doctor".

There were more.

He told her he was bored to tears, he told her he'd just gained visitation privileges, and he told her the visiting hours were from 3 to 6pm on Saturdays.

Which, in House language, meant 'Come visit me'.

When Nolan told him that Doctor Cuddy had called, asking if it was okay to come over and see him, House tried to play it cool.

Which he also did as he sat on the piano bench, scanning the faces of the visitors as they entered the room.

And when he saw her, clad in a flowing summer dress, he couldn't help but break into a grin.

She walked towards him and he stood up. They smiled at each other, unsure as to what to say.

He pointed at her straight hair. "Since –"

She blushed. "Just a few days. I'm trying it out. You, too."

"Yeah, they buzz your hair on the first day so you don't tear it off when you're in withdrawal."

"Oh."

He smirked. "I'm kidding." He motioned towards the bench, sat beside her, which left them fairly isolated from the other visitors. "How's Rachel?"

"Wow," she chuckled. "They have you on some really good stuff here." He didn't reply. "She's fine, House."

"I meant to say… I'm sorry I insulted her. And you," he said, looking into her eyes.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault."

"It kind of was."

She smiled. "Well, I accept your apology."

"Thank you."

More bashful smiles. More staring into each other's eyes.

"You look tired," he said, hoping to lift up this sudden loaded mood. It worked; she flooded the entire room with her laugh.

"Only you would say this while in rehab."

"I'm healthy as a horse!"

"I can see that." He smirked. "If you must know," she explained, rather reluctantly. But she thought he should know. "I had drinks with a friend yesterday night."

"Someone I know?"

"Lucas, actually."

His face fell the tiniest bit. "And?"

She shrugged. "I don't like him that much."

That seemed to reassure him. "Did you get my letters?"

"Wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"So all it took for you to come visit me was three weeks and half a dozen letters?" he quipped. "Nice."

"Don't be like that," she said with a frown. "I was afraid I would… interfere."

"Well, you don't." She smiled. They'd scooted closer to each other while they were talking, their shoulders almost touching now. "Wilson didn't even visit."

"He's pissed cuz you didn't write him any letters."

He arched an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"House, you called him once! And it wasn't even out of the goodness of your heart."

"Yeah well, he needs some tough love."

"They let you play?" she asked, gesturing towards the piano.

"Not at first. I had help."

"Another patient?"

"A visitor, actually. She's the sister in law of the woman over there."

"Oh. A woman," she observed, hoping she didn't sound as dejected as she was.

"Don't worry. Catatonia isn't really my thing," he said with a wink.

"I didn't mean –"

"I know what you meant. And I don't like her that much."

She smiled.

They talked more, until it was time for the visitors to go.

"Well, looks like it's closing time. Wanna have a last drink at my place?" he teased.

"Oh, I don't know if I should," she said, playing along. "I've got work tomorrow."

"It's Saturday."

"Oops."

They stood there awkwardly, until she caved and decided to give him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her, oblivious to Alvie exclaiming in the background that, yo, House had a girlfriend. He felt the tremor of her chuckle against his chest.

"It was good to see you, House. You look better. Healthy," she told him as she pulled away. "I'm happy you're doing this for you."

"I'm not the only reason I'm doing this." Her breath caught in her throat. "I mean, Taub would be devastated if I lost my medical licence."

She laughed. "Right."

"Will you visit me again?"

"I will."

In the end, it didn't matter, because Nolan released him that Monday.