Conclusion [Two days later

[PPTH

House limped through the lobby, wanting to get to the elevator before anyone spotted him. He knew that his soap would be on soon and he wanted to get the Ducklings straight before it came on. Besides, although he'd never admit it to anyone, he felt relatively better after his get away with Cuddy.

"See you made it back," Wilson commented as he joined House in the elevator.

"Gee, Wilson, I can look after myself. Kind of surprising, isn't it?" the diagnostician supposed sarcastically.

"Somehow, you do. How we'll never know," Wilson replied. "You saw that Steve's okay?"

"Yeah. You didn't feed him anything weird, did you?"

Wilson snickered. "The mad experimentation thing's your game, not mine." He was going to ask about the Orchard Cove incident but decided not to.

House smirked at the last comment, recalling the whole "s 'more session". "Your loss, Wilson. Bye!" He limped out of the elevator and tipped the 'close door' button with his cane.

Wilson stared incredulously at his friend as the doors closed, sensing that the latter had done something yet again. What has he done now?

[Diagnostics Suite

Even as House approached, the Ducklings worked on another case. While their fearless leader was off causing waves in the upper Midwest, they'd solved three cases in the meantime.

"I thought Wilson said they were supposed to be back today," Chase remarked while looking at his watch.

"You know House, Chase. He'll get here when he's damn good and ready," Foreman reminded him. "It's actually been nice with him gone."

"Speak for yourself, Foreman," Cameron disagreed while considering their list of symptoms on the whiteboard. "I, for one, would like his input on this patient."

"Ah! The sound of respect! How I love to hear that!" House greeted them sarcastically. "Greeting, Troops, been good while Daddy's gone?"

Not wanting to hear the latest gibe-fest, Foreman shook his head. "I've got Clinic duty. They'll catch you up." He grabbed his stethoscope and left hurriedly.

"Whoa! What's with the black dude? I greeted him all friendly-like and stuff!" House limped over to the board and read the symptoms over. "Give this guy 300 milligrams of isomilotene and he'll be up and walking in two days."

"Just like that?" Chase wondered.

"He's House," she clarified wryly. "Let's get that med into Mrs. Hanover's IV bag. It's his time."

He checked his watch and nodded. "Yeah. It's in the bottom right drawer, House. Knock yourself out."

House narrowed his eyes at them. "Just don't let Wilson catch you holding hands in the hall. He might call a cootie alert!"

"We'll keep that in mind," she replied with a smirk of her own as she and her boyfriend/fellow Duckling left and closed the door behind them.

As soon as they left, he set up the TV and flipped it on just as his soap was starting.

It was good to be back.

[Administrative Suite—a few hours later

Cuddy inspected the in and out boxes on her desk and started hauling through her emails. Fortunately, she found most matters had been ably handled in her absence. Wilson did a nice job, I have to say.

Even if there'd been an avalanche of work waiting, her trip with House had been well worth it. She had rarely felt so refreshed and reinvigorated after a vacation. In spite of her earlier protest, she'd rescheduled House away from the Clinic for an entire two months. However, she also knew that she owed him certain favors as well. Even so, it's worth it especially if he stays so creative. She smiled while recalling their encounters. It certainly helped deal with that crap in Orchard Cove!

She heard a knock at the door. "Yes?"

Her assistant walked into the room with a small box. "Dr. Cuddy, this just came for you."

"Thanks, Kathy," she accepted while taking the package. After the other had left, she opened the box and put her hands to her mouth in shock.

Inside of it, the music box from so long before lay undamaged along with a small envelope.

She opened it and read:

"Dear Lisa,

Hi again! I wish you and Greg could've stuck around a couple of hours longer. After you left, our classmates and I went down to the town hall and talked with the mayor about your situation. After hearing about both incidents, he's ordered a recall election for the sheriff's office.

In addition, we wanted you and Greg to know that Michael Sandoval, Peter Randall and Marty Bishop have been arrested for the other night. While the police went through Michael's house, they found the music box. I hope you don't mind if I took the liberty of returning it to you.

It seems really small now, Lisa, especially given how everyone treated you both way back when. Everyone wanted you to know how badly they feel in hindsight and hopes this starts to make up for it. Once again, please feel free to visit any time you want. You're a super person and we're all proud. Hang onto Greg. You two are really good for each other.

Thanks!

Patty DeAnda"

"Wow!" she exclaimed as she lifted the music box and gently set it down on her desk. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes to keep the happy tears from smearing her mascara.

She gently picked up the lid and listened as the box played her mother's favorite classical tune. If only Mom could hear this.

"Hey, what's with the box? New sex toy?" House supposed sarcastically as he limped into the office. As he heard the tinny music, he froze. "What the Hell?"

"This just arrived from Orchard Cove, House," she sighed. "Don't kill the moment." She waved him inside. "Shut the door behind you."

"Maybe it's a bomb," he supposed half-seriously.

"Or maybe it's a make-nice gift." She yanked the box away revealing the music box. "Look familiar?"

He stared, recalling the box. "Oh great! Now you're getting all sentimental on us. Bet you're going to want dinner now?"

"Maybe we should both celebrate," she suggested while leaning back in her chair and waving the letter in her hand. "Seems our mess embarrassed a few people back there."

He smirked, smelling the sweet aroma of justification wafting on the breeze from the northwest. "Yeah? Like what?"

She grinned back. "I could make you wait for it."

"Yeah?" he supposed while leaning over the desk.

"Yeah," she replied warmly before kissing him. "The mayor removed Struthers from office and called for a recall election."

He stopped for a second considering those words in silence; his need for revenge lightening ever so slightly at the removal of the idiot.

"There's more," she told him. "And it's tied to the music box."

"I really don't want to hear about it. Probably Sandoval laughing at me or some crap," he presumed.

"Actually, House, you're wrong," she informed him.

He wheeled around, betraying his shock over her words. "What?"

"According to Patty DeAnda, he and his buddies were arrested for what they did to us. Seems like there's some justice in the world after all," she continued.

"Yeah right. You can pull those assholes out and others will pop up in their place, Cuddy. It's just a matter of time. Anyone who thinks different is full of it," he argued angrily.

"I still believe in justice, House. Still, I'll never forgive myself for leaving you that night. My mother knew but she never told me what happened or who you were," she explained while walking over to him.

"Hey, if you didn't believe that stuff, you wouldn't be you. And even if you are full of it some of the time, you get it right once in a while. Don't let it go to your head, Cuddy." Making sure that the assistant was away at lunch, he kissed her.

"House," she lectured half-seriously. As much as she would never admit it in that office, he really could turn her on.

"I thought so. Got this case with a hot babe! Catch you later, Mistress!" he sassed while heading out the door, knowing full well it would get her goat. Still, he had to admit (albeit to himself) that she could be right on that score….but only in certain cases.

Meantime, she sat behind the desk and listened to the music box for a while longer. The work would wait for a while longer. For that moment, it was more important to listen to the theme of redemption and to lighten her own sense of guilt.

On another level, she could put that scared teenager to rest and help her love to do the same.

And in so doing, they would let their love grow and heal them.

THE END