Flooded ch. 5- The Plan

House's pain free appearance to Cuddy was just that, an appearance. His pain was really about the same as it was the previous night, but he could hide his pain well. Cuddy went to her car to get some clean clothing for the day. While she was gone House was deep in pain and thought. He was thinking about his pain and how to keep it from Cuddy. She might notice it, and then what will she say? He couldn't avoid her like he does at work, there's no where to escape to, he was at his house after all. He decided that he would just go with it and see what happens.

He was reading a book when she returned, clothing in hand. He pretended not to notice her there, she made little to no noise coming back from her car.

"House, I'm taking a shower, where are your clean towels?"

"In the hall closet." He didn't look up from the text he was reading.

"K thanks."

He heard the door shut and the water turn on. He used this time to painfully stand and make his way to the kitchen. Cuddy had been so quiet; he didn't even hear her start the coffee maker. "She's too good to me." He thought as he poured himself a cup. As a spur of the moment he wrote that thought down and put it in front of the coffee maker along with a mug. He felt that if he couldn't tell her how he felt he should at least show her with little gestures every once and a while. He took two Vicodin and sat down on the couch. Propping his leg up with a pillow he was finally comfortable and turned on the TV.

He heard her footsteps on the wood floor. She went into his room, then proceeded to the kitchen and ended up with coffee in hand in the living room. She was looking for him in her own silent way. Even though the TV was on she had to check the kitchen, even if he was watching TV she needed her morning coffee all the same.

"Got your note." House put on a sheepish grin.

"It spoke the truth I cannot."

She understood and silently agreed. She noticed the pillow under his leg, but decided against confronting him about it. She didn't want him stressed or angry again, not this early in the day. They sat and watched TV for a little while. He flipped between Sponge Bob and the news. House got bored and decided to talk. He wasn't sure if he would like what he might say, but the cards were on the table this weekend. Maybe he would get Cuddy to understand him a little more; it wouldn't kill him if someone else was allowed as close to him as he let Wilson be. He decided to just start talking about something he loved, or used to love.

"I used to play lacrosse. Stacy wasn't too keen on it, but she came to the games all the same."

"Did I know you then?"

"Not really. I think we knew of each other but not enough to talk regularly."

"Oh, I don't know a whole lot about the sport, sounds interesting though. I would love to see how you played."

"Yeah, after the Ketamine I was hoping that I could get back to playing. The treatment didn't last long enough though. I only got as far as getting my running back. I never made it back to a team."

"I'm sorry Greg."

Cuddy didn't know what to say. He tried to open up to her and she couldn't talk about his topic. House felt awkward after opening up and decided he needed more coffee. He hadn't gotten up in some time and his leg grew stiff. He tried to hold his pain inside, but Cuddy could see it in his eyes and saw his arms shaking. She let it slide again, but hoped that he could see the worry in her eyes.

Cuddy was tempted to call Wilson, try to find out what he would do about House's pain, but House returned before she could place the call.

"Seriously I never talk about this. The only person I've discussed this with was Stacy. It's one of the main reasons I left yesterday." He paused and Cuddy nodded.

"I don't know why I'm opening up like this, but it just needs to be said. I have to get it out to someone. Never repeat what I say because I don't want people knowing anything."

"Ok."

"When I had the infarction I went into a depression. You were there, you saw it. Well now that my pain is back, I think I'm slipping back like I did then. Also my pain just keeps increasing, the Vicodin does almost nothing these days. Both situations make life hard enough, but I add work and my stress mounts to where I can't handle it." He took a long pause and stared at the floor.

"I guess what I'm saying is, I need your help Lisa."

She didn't know what to do. House never asked for help, he barely admitted his pain to anyone, even Wilson. Now she knew he needed her help and she was determined to help him in any way she could.

"I will try to help you, but you can't go all macho on me and hide things like pain and what you're feeling. Everything with me will be kept safe, only necessary things will be shared and you will know what I will share before I do it."

"I'm with you so far."

"I can help mentally and physically. Mentally you talk when you're ready, at any time I'm open ears. Physically we need an MRI to see what might be going on with your leg. I know you don't want that, but you wanted help so I'm helping."

"I figured you'd go the MRI route, today or tomorrow? I don't want people knowing that it happens."

"We can go tomorrow morning, early and I'll call ahead so no one is around. You and I can handle it."

"Ok, thanks Lisa. Wilson might be pissed if he finds out I came to you and not him, but we can talk about him later. Right now I need two Vicodin and a nap, if you don't mind."

"No, that's fine."

She got him the pills and a blanket and he was out within fifteen minutes.

"His pain must be pretty bad." She thought to herself, "that knocked him right out." While he was asleep she made a few phone calls and set up the MRI for tomorrow. Hopefully all would sail smoothly.