"Coming to bed?" Cuddy asked quietly, steam from the shower still whirling around her. The sweet, flowery scent of her bodywash wafted over and settled all around House. He loved the smell of that bodywash on her, not that he would say it out loud. Then she would make him use it.
"Eventually," he answered. The television was distracting him.
"How long will eventually be?"
"However long eventually decides to take." He had helped himself to her red wine. He sipped away while Cold Case Files played to the still room. His sneakers were still laced tightly on his feet even though it was well after ten o'clock.
"Who's going to win the grudge match tonight?" Cuddy came around, wrapping a fluffy pink towel around her dripping hair. House could still see more steam puff up from her skin. "The insomnia or the nightmare?"
"Neither," he said, refilling his wine glass to the brim. "The fight has been called off."
"By who?"
"By me. I'll have to reschedule."
She took the bottle and put it back in the cabinet. The diagnostician glanced at her but said nothing. His feet plopped on the table and were pushed off in five seconds. He tried again and she kicked his good, being extra careful to make sure it was his good leg. She captured his stare and held it with a tight grip. "Drinking your troubles away, Greg? Has that ever worked before?"
"I wanted something to drink, that's all. Last I heard that wasn't a crime."
"Coming to join me when you're finished stealing and drinking all my wine?"
"Miss me that much, Lisa? If you're just dying to have my strong arms embrace you during the night, why don't you just say so."
"Okay," she grinned. "I say so."
House grinned back. "Well then, who am I to say no to that?" The wine was finished in three gulps.
The strong smell of disinfectant made his stomach turn. The harsh light burned his eyes and made his head pound. Voices around him, the patients. Thousands of patients. They needed his help. He paid no attention. They weren't real. He didn't have to worry them, and he wouldn't. They didn't matter. Not anymore. They never did.
She was walking ahead, as usual. Not listening to him or anyone else. Not turning around. Her heels clicked on the floor and echoed down the corridor.
"Turn around. I said turn around!" he yelled, straining his throat. Panic begin to rise. He didn't want to go through this again.
She stopped walking down the corridor but kept her back to him.
"Don't go out that door, Lisa. Whatever you do, don't go out that door."
"Why?" she asked.
"You know why," he answered, limping closer. His shoes squeaked on the tile.
"The car. Is that what you're afraid of, Greg?"
"I'm afraid of what the car will do. I can't stop it. But I can stop you from going out there."
"You can?"
"Yes, I can." House grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "You're not going anywhere. Turn around."
"Why should I?" All he could see was her long black hair cascading down the back of her cream colored suit.
"Because I said so. Now do it." His voice was stern and serious. There was nothing to joke about. He didn't want to go through this again, he didn't want Cuddy to go through it again. No more slaps, no splashing water all over his sleeping form, no more waking up drenched in sweat. It was now or never. He had to end it.
"What is this?" he demanded. "Why is this happening?"
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do. Tell me!"
"You already have the answer. All you have to do is look."
"What is it? Lisa, tell me, please."
"I don't have to. You already know." She turned to face him. Her eyes glittered under the light, shades of green, purple, and yellow turned round and round like pinwheels. It was like looking into a living kaleidoscope. Gold and silver threads wove through her hair, coiling and circling in every conceivable direction.
"Know what?" He took her hand.
"You already know," she said, turning away.
House awoke as the first faint traces of morning broke across the sky. Birds chirped away while a light breeze shook the window shades. His lover was curled up beside him, wearing the Jim Morrison shirt. She was still sleeping. She wasn't awake and terrified for him. That brought a tiny smile, tugging at the corners of his mouth. He watched her for a while, enjoying the feeling of the warmth of her body where it was touching his, then drifted off again as he wrapped his arms around her.
