"Lisa," House stuttered, "Where are we?"

She laughed bitterly and turned to face him, "The Tulgey Woods."

XXXXXXXX

"The what?" He asked, confused. "What the hell is going on?"

She wasn't sure how much time they would have before something troublesome was bound to show up. "House you are beyond out of your element here. I'm not trying to start a fight, just dammit now more than ever please just do what I say. Stay quiet and just follow my lead. I promise once we reach somewhere safe, I'll explain everything." She pleaded with him.

He looked down into her eyes and saw that they were filled with worry. It unnerved him to see her looking so desperate. House could do nothing, but nod his consent.

Cuddy heard a noise behind her, and cocked her head listening. A strange look crossed her face, part grin part snarl. She spun around and focused on a fallen log nearby.

"Here kitty kitty," she said in a singsong voice.

A rather large cat crawled out and made its way to stand just in front of her. He sat on his hind legs and looked up at her amused. "My my child, how you've grown," the cat almost hissed.

House had never seen a cat so large. Sitting like that, his head reached just above Cuddy's waist. Despite his height, he was rather thin. House thought his fur looked striped with its black coat and dark brown patterns, but his coat was so scruffy that it was hard to tell. He had never seen a cat with so many damn teeth though. He noticed as the cat grinned up at Cuddy, that they looked far more dangerous than what belonged in a cat's mouth.

"And you've grown quite mangy cat," she said, with mock innocence.

"I see your attitude hasn't changed," the feline growled.

She shrugged her shoulders, indifferently.

"I hope your skills have improved, resourcefulness will get you everywhere."

She stepped up towards the cat and scratched behind his ears. He arched into her hand and purred before continuing. "Be cunning Elisia, she's been planning this for some time."

Cuddy rolled her eyes, already tired of the games. House watched her in mild amazement. It was like looking at a totally different person. He had always admired her confidence, but here it was so much more.

"She fears you and that makes her desperate and desperation makes her dangerous. Do not take my warning lightly."

She moved her hand to scratch between his shoulder blades. "I assume Rachel is safe?"

"The child is still innocent yes, she cannot be harmed yet. She merely plans to lure you with it."

Cuddy nodded, satisfied with the answer. "How did she escape? That lock should have held."

"It did. She had help," he held a paw up to stop her questioning as he continued, "I don't know who, but I have some associates looking into it."

"She's back at her castle then?" Cuddy asked.

The cat nodded.

"How much more of my life does she plan on taking?" Cuddy asked, frustrated.

"I told you that you should have stayed to oversee thing's here." The cat said looking at his nails on one paw.

"This isn't my life anymore. I put things back in order; I'm tired of cleaning up her messes." She sighed, knowing deep down that he was right. They needed her here.

"You should know that she's trying to cross over again. The boundaries are unstable at the moment, things ending up where they do not belong."

Cuddy sighed. "Are my things still safe?"

The cat grinned and arched an eyebrow at her. "Of course, have I ever let you down before?"

She smirked at him, "We should go then." She looked apprehensively at the dusky light already setting in on the woods. "It will be night soon."

He pointed a paw at House's leg, "There are things here to fix that Elisia, and you cannot do this alone."

She nodded and kissed the top of the feline's head, hugging him gently. He tried to squirm away from her, but she succeeded in her actions.

"We'll see you soon cat," she said, smiling fondly at the creature.

Grabbing House's hand, she led him away from the clearing and down a narrow path.