Chapter 2

Cuddy was at work early the next morning. She quickly sorted through the morning's mail, making piles mentally labelled "Handle Later", "Handle Now", "Handle Yesterday"...she sighed deeply at how quickly that pile grew...it was easy for her to sort, to neatly categorize tasks, juggle responsibilities and emergencies, so it was easy too for her to think of the previous night while ordering her day's duties. House had left when she woke him. He didn't complain, didn't explain, didn't say anything, in fact, merely dressing in silence. When he turned to take his cane from where it leaned against the bedside table, Cuddy reached out and quietly touched his hand, looking at his face, but he just left, not breaking the silence.

She sighed again, happily this time. She was happy, she wasn't going to pretend otherwise. The unexpected turn of events last night didn't astonish her, really. They made perfect sense. Cuddy didn't believe in "Happily Ever After" any more than House did, but she was pretty sure both of them could benefit from a dose of "Carpe Diem". Or "Noctem". Cuddy laughed to herself; her Latin stopped at medical texts.

The phone rang, and after consulting some notes, Cuddy told the caller she'd be in the conference room shortly. She gathered her papers and headed out the door. She purposely took the route that passed by House's office, hoping he would notice. As she passed, she glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Doctors Hadley, Taub and Kutner seated at the table, Dr. Foreman standing by the far wall, and House half-seated on the desk, legs crossed in front of him, talking and pointing at the white-board with a dry-erase marker.

House saw her, too. Cuddy didn't expect him to wave, or smile, or acknowledge her in any typical way. If he'd stuck his tongue out at her, she wouldn't have been surprised at all. She didn't expect though, the veil that fell almost immediately over his eyes. Her brow wrinkled in confusion and she cocked her head to one side, still looking at House, but he continued talking to his team as if she wasn't there. After a moment, she continued on her way, pondering his reaction.

Back in her office, Cuddy ran her palm over one of the few surfaces of her desk not covered with files, invoices, legal correspondence and other paperwork. She'd never thanked House for having her old medical school desk moved here when her office was redecorated. A sweepingly romantic gesture she hadn't thought him capable of, and it still touched her heart to think of it. "He's just being an idiot", she said to herself, picking up the phone and dialing his pager number. "When he gets here, we'll hash it out." She put down the receiver and began to sign off on some files while she waited for House to arrive.

A half hour went by before House appeared at her office door. Cuddy motioned him to come in, and though she was smiling, he looked glum and severe. He sat in the chair in front of her desk and balanced his cane between his knees.

"I suppose it's time for my performance review", House said in a monotone. Cuddy's jaw dropped. "Whaa...? What are you talking about?"

"Last night. This morning. Whatever you want to call it. I gathered from the bum's rush I received that the experience left you less than enthusiastic." His voice was cold and clipped.

"Oh. My. God. I honestly don't expect you to behave the way normal people do", she fumed. "I wouldn't recognize you if you did. But don't project your distorted perceptions onto me! How you took anything negative from my behavior is beyond my ability to comprehend." Cuddy was almost trembling with anger and frustration at House's apparent thickness.

"It's fine. You changed your mind, you were embarrassed, you didn't want me there for whatever reason. Actually, you don't need a reason. Your place, your rules." He looked away from focusing on his cane and met her eyes.

"Don't be an ass", Cuddy snapped. "You of all people should be intuitive enough to know I have a nanny for Rachel. I really don't want to be publishing my private business to the world. I, surprisingly enough, would feel awkward letting a man out the door at the same time I let the nanny in." She slammed a few files around the desk, trying to stay angry but her next words were softer. "If I didn't have to work today, I wouldn't have sent you home."

He stared at her for a few seconds. "I think you just didn't want me to meet the nanny", he stated. She looked at him in shock, mouth agape, furious again, until she saw his mask of mock-innocence. "God! Are you twelve? I should throw something at you." But she laughed, relieved and reassured. "Go do your job. I'll talk to you later."

"Yes, boss." He rose to his feet, swung himself around and limped out the door.

House wouldn't have admitted it to anyone, not even Wilson, but he was relieved, too. He had been hurt, or mystified anyway, when Cuddy asked him to leave. His ego was more than healthy enough to deflect criticism of just about any aspect of his life, which is why almost nothing Cuddy could rant or rave about in her role as hospital administrator could bother him. He did what he pleased and he was usually right. But last night, he wanted to do what she pleased, and it stung him to think that perhaps he'd failed. That, after the world's longest foreplay, he'd ended up being a disappointment to her.

"Damn", he thought to himself as he headed back to his office. "Dodged a bullet, but what now? I just don't want her to pity me. If I wanted that, I'd go after Cameron." He shook his head as he entered his office, the team looking up expectantly at him. "OK, what did you come up with while I was gone?"