"Doctor Cuddy can I see you for a moment?"
Robin entered the dean of medicine's office unaware of the third party in the room. She had come to seek refuge from the gawking stares of the nursing staff and the rumors about her and House circling around the hospital.
"Of course Robin, we're finished here anyway."
At the word "We" the blonde haired nurse came face to face with the one man she didn't want to see. There standing up from the couch was House who wore a similar look to Robin's.
"Ah, thanks for the input boss lady (sigh) I'll see you later."
This being said the diagnostician left the room with a soft click through the wooden door.
"What was he doing here?"
"He works here. What's with the attitude?"
"Nothing."
At this comment, Cuddy crossed her arms over chest and stared at Robin with a look of concern and curiosity in her eyes.
"Uh huh, so what's on your mind?"
Before she knew what was happening Robin said the first thing that came to mind.
"What were you and House talking about?"
Arching an eye brow at this comment Cuddy tilted her head to the side for a moment before reaching a conclusion and acting upon it.
"Is that any of your business?"
"I'm his girlfriend."
"Make that, was his girlfriend. House told me everything."
"(sigh) He did? Well, I can't say that I'm not surprised, I just wish things could have ended differently between us. I didn't mean to hurt him."
At this comment, Cuddy gestured for the younger woman to join her on the couch. The sincerity in the dean of medicine's eyes was enough to get Robin's attention.
"Listen, I've known House for years. Hell, even in college he was already a legend but, there's something you need to know about the man you used to live with."
"What?"
"(Sigh) House doesn't allow himself to get hurt. I mean he'll probably sulk for a couple weeks and lurk in dark shadows until he finds a new nurse to stalk but, trust me the two of you will bounce back from this. Maybe not together but definitely in time."
Robin knew Cuddy was right but still, it didn't make the situation any easier. There were things she had said in the past to try and convince herself to move on but nothing seemed to work until now.
"I know your right. I just wish that that time would come sooner rather then later."
"Well, unfortunately I am not a genie nor a psychiatrist I just see what I see. (pause) It'll be okay."
"Thanks Cuddy. You really care about House don't you?"
"Yes."
More then you could ever know.
"He's lucky to have a friend like you."
This being said, Robin left the room leaving Lisa to her own thoughts.
Meanwhile, House stood in his office packing a bag. It had been a long time since the diagnostician had even considered going on vacation but with everything that had been going on recently the chance to get away couldn't have come at a better time.
"Where are you going?"
Looking up to face Thirteen who had come into the room, House smirked to himself while shooting her a playful glare.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Where's Foreman? There's something he and I need to discuss."
"I just paged him. We've got a new case."
Before this conversation could continue, Foreman walked in behind Kutner and Taub. The three knew something was going on but rather then beat around the bush with pointless questions Foreman acted as the mediator for his colleagues.
"What's up?"
"I'm glad you asked Eric. Now, before Thirteen begins to tell you about what is sure to be a fascinating case I've got some news. I am going on vacation for a few weeks which means Foreman will be in charge seeing as he has seniority over the rest of you."
Great.
Taub and Kutner couldn't help but roll their eyes at this comment. They knew how the neurologist could get when he let the power of being in charge over throw the rest of his senses. However, in this case there was nothing they could do to change the situation.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought I just mentioned that. Away. Thirteen, the floor is yours."
"Thank you. twenty eight year old man presents with stiff neck, rash and flu like symptoms after falling off a horse. The EMT run sheet showed no indication of anything that could causeā¦"
After the DDX had gone underway House disappeared down the hall and over to Wilson's office.
If I'm going on vacation I might as well tell my best buddy he won't have anyone stealing his food for awhile. Wait a minute, doesn't Jimmy have other friends?
Knocking on the door and twisting the knob, House could see that Wilson had locked himself into the office again. Why does he insist on torturing me? I like it.
The only other way to get into the office was to go through the backdoor of the diagnostic department's conference room and over the balcony wall. House had done that so many times to get through to Wilson that you would think it would have gotten old. Think again.
"Don't you ever knock?"
"Yeah, like that's ever going to happen. (Sigh) Actually, there was a reason I came by. Even though messing with you does make me smile. (Pause) I'm leaving New Jersey."
As this was said, Wilson looked for the loophole, looked for the joke that his friend was obviously playing.
"I don't get it."
"What's not to get? There's a flight to London leaving tonight and I'm going to be on it. I need to do this for my sanity otherwise who knows what could happen."
"huh, a European vacation, nice. What made you decide to go there?"
"I have family there. My aunt and uncle live in Cambridge and my niece lives only a few miles away from them."
A family reunion? I didn't think House had any relatives. He never said anything before.
"I know what your thinking Jimmy and don't ask. it's a long, and complicated story."
"Fair enough. How long do you think you'll be gone?"
"I don't know yet. I told Cuddy three weeks but that could always change. You should have seen her face when I said I was going on vacation, she couldn't believe it."
"Neither can I and yet here we are."
This being said, House looked down at his watch. if the department head was going to make it to the airport on time he had better go home and pack.
"Yeah well, I hate to cut this short but I better go. Lots of things to do before I leave tonight."
"Right. Hey, while your packing how bought a game of cards? I'd hate to miss an opportunity to beat your ass at poker yet again."
"You got lucky."
"Sure, you go on believing that and see how long it lasts."
"Your on."
