Flooded ch.4 – The massage

They sat in silence for a time and then Cuddy remembered that she had taken some classes about massage and thought maybe, if he was willing, she would try some. Maybe it would help. She wasn't sure what he would say, or even if he would agree to let her touch him, especially on this thigh but she figured she could try it.

"You know…I took a class or two about massage. I can try to stop the spasm if you'd like.'

His leg was still in spasm, but he wasn't sure if he wanted her to try. It might make it worse and that was exactly what he didn't want.

"What if it gets worse because you try that? What will I do?"

"If I make it worse I will be here to help you in any way to ease the pain."

"Ok, you can try. Just don't hurt me."

He gave her a smirk, but was unsure of where this was going. Trying to keep an open mind he slid down the bed a little so that he thigh was on the pillow.

"I'm keeping my pants on Cuddy."

"I expected you to."

Cuddy started to work what was left of his muscle and his facial expression told her how she was doing. He had closed his eyes, but the stress and pain was still easily recognizable. As she went on she could tell that the muscle was feeling better, it was easier to manipulate and House began to relax, the pain was subsiding. After about fifteen minutes House was much more relaxed and the muscle was relaxed as well.

"How's that House?"

"Much better. I should have known this was going to happen, when my stress, anger mount it is taken out on my leg, which is usually the cause of my stress and anger."

"That's a catch-22 if I've ever seen one."

"You read that too?"

"A little, hard for me to get into."

House shifted his weight a little, since he was pretty tired after that massage. It wasn't very often that he was comfortable enough to be tired, but tonight was an exception. Cuddy could see the sleep coming in his eyes and was hoping that he was fall asleep. She didn't want to leave him tonight, in case he woke up and needed her. She wasn't sure if he would have another spasm, and she wanted to make sure he knew that she would help him, even if it was two in the morning.

"Cuddy, I'm going to fall asleep while I'm still comfortable. I'd get up to walk you out, but that would ruin it."

"I'm pretty comfy here too. Mind if I stay until you fall asleep? I don't want you to cramp up again and not be able to deal. You're leg may get worse considering your stress and it is pretty stressful and tiring to cope with a cramp in the middle of the night when you're tired."

House was going to argue with her and tell her to go home, but he was too tired to argue or even move for that matter. He didn't realize how much his stress made him tired and was grateful that Cuddy was there even if he didn't tell her that, she might have been able to tell how he felt. Cuddy waited as long as possible for House to fall asleep, but she couldn't out last him and ended up asleep before him. "Oh, Cuddy you can't out wait the master of no sleep. When will you learn?" He whispered this as he stroked her hair careful not to wake her. He really appreciated that she was there for him, but he just couldn't bring himself to tell her.

House was awakened by the movement of Cuddy off the bed. He opened his bleary eyes and saw her rushing around the room, looking for something.

"Cuddy, come back here."

She was a little startled when she heard his voice and turned to face him.

"What?" She didn't expect him to tell her to come back.

"I said, come back here. The bed is cold."

"I have to go to work House, it's already 7 and I need to go back to my house still."

"Cuddy, you must have been really tired because you forgot…yesterday was Friday so today is Saturday. So you have all day to come back over here and sleep some more."

Realizing her mistake she smiled and crawled back into bed with House. She wasn't sure why she was coming back or why he even wanted her to come back, but she did. She was still tired and was really comfortable in his bed. House raised his arm so that there was a space for her next to him. Cuddy thought this is too good to be true, why is House acting exactly like she wanted him to, and she liked it.

"Cuddy…Cuddy wake up…"

House was gently rocking her shoulder to try to rouse Cuddy.

"Wha…what?"

"Cuddy you can sleep here, just please get off my leg, I have to pee."

"Oh…sorry."

She couldn't believe that she fell asleep at his house and slept the whole night. It was Saturday and she didn't have to leave. Laying there she pondered the dream. Her dream about House was great, but she didn't think it would ever happen. She wanted it to, but it probably wouldn't.

House came back from the bathroom and laid back on the bed with his ankles crossed. He looked like he felt much better that he did the previous night.

"So, am I going to be in your company all day?"

"Maybe, could you plans include me?"

"What plans? You know I have no personal life…not yet at least."

"So I can stay?"

"If you want. I am a jerk…most people don't like my company."

"I don't mind."