A/N: I don't exactly know what OC means but I'm glad you found my fanfiction and I'm glad that all of you others are still reading it. Thank you so much for your reviews; they keep me writing till the end, for once. I don't think that House is out of character, because he is usually sensitive like that around Stacy, and even to Cuddy in Episode. 3 – Humpty Dumpty. He has acted like that in various situations. But, I'll admit, I can't write House snark. I've been trying my best. If it's not good enough, just sit back and enjoy the romance or stop reading it. I don't mind. (Actually, I do. I really want people to read this.) By the way, do you guys think my rating's right? Or have I gone a bit too far. I don't think I have, but I'm just worried. Moving on.
Chapter 11: Talk
House woke up in his own bed. Cuddy was lying awake next to him. Both of them were silent even though they knew it was morning.
"I can't believe I let you do that," Cuddy said for the third time.
"Well, you did," House reminded her. "Jeez, it's not that bad."
"I'm never riding a bike again. Even a push bike."
"Make a mental note. Do not ride/drive straight after sex. Tiring stuff."
"You almost fell asleep at the wheel."
"Bike doesn't have a wheel."
"Steering thingy, whatever. We almost crashed. I am never letting you take me for a ride again."
"Riding's fun," protested House. "I used to ride when I was younger."
"I know. You used to ride to college. I saw you on your bike a couple of times."
"Yeah, but I got rid of my bike when I met Stacy. She didn't like it."
Cuddy was silent for a moment.
"Are you still in love with Stacy?" she asked.
"Of course not," said House. "I mean, I'll always love her a bit; she's a part of my history and I'll never forget her. But I got over her eventually. I thought you'd witnessed the whole process."
"I suppose I did."
"Anyway, I don't want to be with anyone but you. You're the only one I'm in love with right now and forever and ever."
He kissed her and she kissed him back, stroking his chest and trailing her kisses down his neck and his front.
"Greg," she said.
House froze.
She called me Greg, he thought.
"Yes?" he answered.
"You know I'll always love you?"
"I never doubted it for a second. Lisa," he added hesitantly. But in his mind without a doubt.
"You know, you said we could talk now."
House's face fell to neutral and he rolled away from her onto his opposite side.
"Yes?" she heard muffled from the other side of his mound of body.
She reached out, annoyed, and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back onto his back and turning his head to face her.
"Please just listen," she said.
He didn't speak or move, lying with his face clamped expressionlessly between her hands.
"OK," he said, muffled by her hold.
She let go, examining his blank expression and losing herself in his bottomless, light blue eyes.
"OK," she echoed. "You know what I want. I know what you want. Unfortunately we can't both have what we want, so what are we going to do?"
"I'm not going off Vicodin," said House defiantly.
"Then you don't love me," Cuddy stated.
"So I'm the one who doesn't love you. What about you? Too worried to show your affection in public. What are you? Ashamed of me? Don't you love me?"
"Don't be ridiculous," accused Cuddy.
"How can you accuse me of not loving you because I'm on drugs, and then claim that you love me, even though you'd die if anybody knew about our relationship?"
"Our relationship isn't going to work," said Cuddy. "Not if you don't get off the Vicodin!"
She spun around and pulled on her clothes quickly, stumbling out of bed.
"Oh, now where are you going?"
"Home. Or wherever I don't see you."
She stood up and put her shoes on.
"You don't have a car," pointed out House.
"I'll take the bus," she snapped.
"Oh, come on! Why are you leaving? You said you wanted talk."
"Well, obviously you don't. I told you I loved you but I can't be with you if you don't respect me. You've never respected me."
"I've given you all the respect you deserve," said House. He began to get out of bed and get dressed.
But he had gone too far.
"Why bother getting up? I'm leaving, you arrogant Son of a Bitch. I can't believe I ever thought you could have a relationship with someone. I even pity Stacy. Five years, the poor woman."
"Leave Stacy fuckin' out of this," yelled House. "You were always jealous during our relationship, weren't you?"
"You really are even more arrogant than anyone thought, aren't you?"
House stopped, not bothering to pick up his cane.
"Fine," he said in defeat. "Get out. Leave, you never wanted to be here in the first place."
"Fine," she retorted. "I will." And she stormed out.
House stared at the wall after she had gone. He felt both angry and betrayed. He didn't know whether he was more mad at Cuddy or at himself.
