A/N: I have no idea where this came from. Probably my newly formed obsession with sudoku. Um...and I really hope this ficlet isn't completely stupid. Anyway...enjoy! And feeback is loved.

"I thought the only people here at this hour were me and few of the nurses from third shift."

Wilson's head jerked up at the unexpected sound of her voice. "Cuddy! I didn't know you came in this early."

Cuddy shrugged as she took a few steps inside Wilson's office. "I have to. I seem to get much more work done before House comes in."

Wilson nodded. "Makes sense."

"So, the question is, what are you doing coming in so early?" Cuddy asked, stepping over to his desk to see what Wilson had been working on. "I didn't think you had any new cases this week."

Wilson gave her a wry smile and held up the book he'd been pouring over.

"Sudoku," Cuddy said, a confused look crossed her face. "You mean to tell me that you're here at 4:30 in the morning doing...a number puzzle?"

Wilson scratched his head and gave her a slight shrug. "Yes?"

And that's when Cuddy noticed the clothes he was wearing. Clothes that looked rather like the same ones he was in yesterday.

"Jimmy," she said, the use of his first name seamlessly switching her from the role of boss to the role of friend, "have you been here all night?"

He let out a nervous laugh, "It would seem so."

"Playing...sudoku?"

"Well...it's therapeutic. House has his red ball and I have this. It helps me clear my mind, helps me to think."

Cuddy nodded in understanding. "I clean," she confessed. "Give me a scrub brush and a bottle of 409 and there's nothing I can't figure out."

Cuddy smiled as Wilson burst into laughter. She'd been hoping that would cheer him up a bit.

"Listen, Jimmy," she said, her voice gaining a serious tone, "if you ever need someone to talk to..." Impulsively she reached out and gently squeezed his arm. "I'm always here for you."

Wilson nodded and patted her hand appreciatively. "Thanks, Lisa."

"I'll even bring the sudoku," Cuddy said, the smile returning to her eyes.

Wilson grinned. "And I'll bring the 409."

End