"Are you hanging in there okay?" she asked as static hissed in and out.
House regained his balance and propped his sneaker covered feet on the desk. "If you were here I wouldn't have to hang in there at all. Are you running up your relatives phone bills?"
"I forgot my cell phone charger. I'll pay them back."
"Sure, likely story," he said, trying not to grin like an idiot since any random moron could come waltzing in the door without warning. "Do they have cell phones in Des Plains or is it still some futuristic dream like running water and horseless carriages?"
"Your razor-sharp tongue hasn't lost it's edge," Cuddy said, laughing. "I can't decide if that's good or bad."
"It's good and you know it." House licked his lips.
"I guess you're right, Greg." She switched the phone to her other ear. "How's everything over there? Anything I should know about?"
"The hospital hasn't burned down, yet, so I guess there's really nothing much going on here."
"How about you? How are you doing?"
"You know how I'm doing, Lisa."
"No, I don't. Tell me."
"I miss you," he said quietly, leaning back so far his hair brushed against the windowsill.
"Really? How much?" Coyness in her voice, teasing him. She knew full well that if the roles were reversed he'd be doing the exact same thing.
"A lot," he replied.
"Just 'a lot'?"
"Too damned much."
"How much is 'too damned much'?"
"Enough to say that if you're ever invited to another cross-country wedding, just send a damned toaster and your regards," House answered, meaning every last word of it.
"Well, I can't promise that," she said. "But I can't attend every wedding I'm invited to either. So you sort of got your wish."
"Hmph," he grunted, though still smiling. "Lisa, tell me something."
"What?"
"Do you miss me?"
"Of course I do."
"How much?" he asked, bring his coyness level up to match hers.
"Enough to say I wish I could sit here all day and run this phone bill through the roof."
"I like the sound of that," House chuckled.
"And how about this--I'm wearing you're favorite shirt."
"Oh...God." House felt his heartbeat kick up a few notches. "Lisa, are we still on for tomorrow night?"
"You better believe it."
"Great." The idiotic grin returned. "Wear that shirt. I don't care if it's covered with mud or cat hair or whatever. Just wear the damn thing."
"You talked me into it, Dr. House. Now should I wear just the shirt or do you want something on underneath it?"
"Jesus...Lisa," he moaned, then movement caught his eye. Chase materialized at the door. "Damn it all to hell."
"What is it?"
"I have to go." Regret filled every word. An upright hand stopped Chase from coming in. "Send me an email?"
"You got it," Cuddy sighed, regret coming through from her end of the phone line. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
"Love you, too." House hung up and waved in Chase.
The colors were always so vivid; the blues, the greens, red and gold just exploding everywhere. If nothing else, Gregory House always remembered the colors. During those too brief times he didn't have to look at the world through his weary and cynical eyes. The cane always followed, was always there in his hand, but the pain waited for the waking hours. That was fine, he didn't care. He figured that was the reason he was able to take notice of the rainbow swirling all around him to begin with. Who knows, maybe he was right.
The sun was shining. He could feel the heat, the warmth beating down on his back. The sky was clear and perfect, the grass an endless emerald carpet. A slight breeze, it wasn't real, but he could feel it. He could feel it whisper through his hair and tug at his shirt. The doctor doesn't know why there's a warm summer breeze or why he always ended up in a bright and cheery garden with no rainy days. In the end it doesn't matter. After seven years it was a nice change to have something to look forward to when he closed his eyes at night.
Sometimes she was late but she was always there. Standing at his side, wearing the yellow and pink dress he likes so much, the one that existed only in this part of his mind. She takes his hand and he feels her smooth skin against his rough and calloused palm. Now she's smiling, looking up at him with those eyes that were bluer than any sky and deeper than any ocean. So vivid.
House woke up.
Outside it was still dark.
It always had to end. That was the only part he didn't like.
