Cuddy wasn't sure why she was going to see House at home, but ever since he left she had thought about him and was a little worried. She thought that she worried about him too often, but he didn't know about it so she just let herself worry for him. "Wilson wasn't the only one watching out for House." She thought to herself as she drove over to see him. It could be said that she has feelings for House, but she would deny them if you were to ask her. She felt an urge to worry for him and keep an eye out, but wasn't sure why she did it.

Arriving at House's apartment she felt a twinge of butterflies as she approached the door. She wasn't sure what to expect when he opened the door to see who it was. What would he be wearing? What would his attitude be? Was he even home? There wasn't an answer to the door, but she could see his usual parking spot from his stoop so she decided to try the doorknob. It was unlocked so after knocking once more she allowed herself entrance into his residence. She found him eyes closed, playing the piano in almost the dark. He was playing a familiar song, but she couldn't place what the title was. He was so into is music; she had never seen him like this before. She had been over in the past, after he got shot she would stop by from time to time and check in on him, but he had never played the piano for her. He didn't realize that she was in his house since his eyes were closed and he was deep into the music. She set down her bag and continued to watch and listen to him play, figuring that when he took a break she would be discovered. While she was listening she was trying to piece together what she would talk to him about, how to explain why she was in his living room. After what went on today she wasn't sure how he would take her company, but she knew that it wouldn't end up in a dangerous battle, he would never hurt her unless she provoked him, and she didn't plan on doing anything like that tonight. She just wanted him to know that Wilson isn't the only person that is there for him, that he has another outlet if he has any problems or needs to discuss anything. She knew that House didn't open up to people very well, but maybe if he knew she was available then maybe he would use her in the future, even if he shot down the idea tonight.

Suddenly the music stopped, House started mumbling to himself and got up from the piano to find his cane lying next to the couch. That's when he discovered Cuddy; she wasn't sure what do to or say once he had made eye contact with her.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I know you probably don't want to talk, but I had been thinking about you all day and wanted to make sure that you were ok." She couldn't believe that she had just admitted all that, but she couldn't take it back now.

"Well I'm fine so you can leave." He reached his cane, but decided to sit on the couch with his feet on the coffee table instead. Cuddy sat in a nearby chair, ignoring what he had just said.

"I just want you to know that Wilson isn't the only one who cares about you. I care too and I know you probably don't care, but know that I'm here if you need me for anything, anything at all."

"Do my tests on that kid."

"I'll do them if you talk to me. Tell me what's going on. I can see the stress in your face and it's never been this bad, even when your pain was the worst. What's going on House?" Cuddy was really pushing it tonight. She never pried this deep into House's life, that was mostly what Wilson did and she left him to it, but she could tell somehow that House was partially angry that Wilson seemed to not have time for him today and House needed someone to bounce ideas off of, or try to go around Cuddy with. Once that outlet was shut down it just added stress to House and it just kept mounting until he left.

"I don't want to talk."

"Well, can I stay a little while then? I won't even say anything, just sit here with you."

"Sure…" House wasn't really in the mood for company, he didn't want to be alone but he didn't want to talk. Somehow Cuddy knew that and accepted it and he could tell that she knew; that was the only reason he let her stay. He wanted to open up to someone, but he didn't want that to ruin his reputation. With Wilson it was one thing, but with Cuddy he wasn't sure. After about twenty minutes of sitting together in the dark House got up and turned on some lights. He went in the kitchen to get another beer, but decided to make coffee instead.

"You want some coffee? I'm making a fresh pot."

"Sure I'll have some." She wasn't sure if he was going to talk to her tonight but she figured she could stay a while and see where it went. What else was she going to do tonight? House returned to the couch and turned to Cuddy.

"Tonight won't affect work at all correct?"

"You are completely right. This and work will not overlap, what ever happens tonight won't impact tomorrow."

"Ok…" House got quiet again. He wasn't sure where to start or what he wanted to tell her. He finally decided just to start and jumped in feet first.

"You live by yourself, how do you deal with the stress alone?"

"It's tough, I wish I had a defiant answer for you, but sometimes it's really hard and I don't know what to do occasionally, when the stress gets too huge."

"Yeah…that's where I am. Wilson was so busy today that I couldn't talk to him, he kept sending me away and I just didn't know what to do. Between the case, and other stuff I just couldn't handle it and had to leave."

"I completely understand. I do that sometimes too." Cuddy didn't realize until now that she did in fact leave from time to time to deal with it, she just didn't think about it. House was glad he could finally relate to someone, Wilson always came to House with his stress and vice versa, this new outlet helped House a little more; knowing that someone else shared his same stress and that they could talk about it. Wilson had too much stress to relate to; between his wives and his affairs House didn't have a lot of time to vent himself. The coffee was done by now, creating a time for the two to pause and make their way to the kitchen to get their coffee. Both of them were a little awkward, they didn't know what just happened; an actual conversation and they needed a little time to sort out what they wanted to happen next.