Ch. 14- The Shower

House returned from rehab, neither Cuddy nor Wilson was there, but he didn't really expect them to be there. He decided to listen to his Ipod until someone showed up. The surgeon returned and took his stitches out, considering that House would be up and moving tomorrow at home. House decided to let all his dignity go. The door was shut, he was sure of it, and he decided to turn up the music and belt out a favorite song or two. He had on David Bowie as Cuddy walked in.

"This is Major Tom to ground control, I'm stepping through the door, and I'm floating in a most peculiar way…"

Cuddy couldn't help but laugh. House was a fair singer, but she didn't expect to hear him sing ever, let alone today. When she approached him he jumped, not realizing that she was there until he saw her.

"How long have you been here?"

"Since Major Tom called ground control." She said with a laugh. "Need anything? How was it while I was gone?"

"Did the rehab thing. Went well. Can defiantly go home tomorrow. But I do need your assistance."

"Oh, I'll defiantly be there tomorrow."

"No I need your help today."

"Oh, with what?"

"I haven't showered since Friday morning from what I can remember and rehab said I can't do it unattended, afraid I might fall or what have you. So you think you're up to helping me? All you have to do is be in the room in case I do need you."

"Uh, sure…why not. When do you want to do it?"

"ASAP. I'm a dirty boy." He flashed her a smirk and she laughed.

"Lucky for you we have a shower in your room. Less of a walk."

"Oh the walk doesn't matter." House knew that the walk did matter to him, but he hid that. His leg still did hurt. Cuddy got clean clothing and set it on his bed. She made sure that there was a towel in the bathroom and a seat in the shower.

"All set there, Major Tom, when ever you're ready."

House laughed and with little help got up and approached the bathroom.

"Could you undo this IV, I don't want to get tangled up."

"I can, but if you get into pain let me know and I'll get your Vicodin."

"Alirghty."

Cuddy turned on the water and let House be alone.

"If you need help I'll be on the other side of the door, I'll be able to hear you."

"Got it, help is just a bellow away. Thanks boss."

He was a little nervous flying solo, but he managed alright, he just took it slow. The only reason to hurry would be so he could see Cuddy again and he knew she wasn't going anywhere. He sat on the toilet and took his shirt off that was the easy part. Next were the socks which were a little difficult but not too bad, the pants were the hard part. He lifted his thigh gingerly to take down his pants and with some pain he got them off. He was sitting on the toilet in his boxers and found himself staring at his bandaged leg. It brought back many angry memories, which surrounded him and clouded his mind of what he was really supposed to be doing. He suddenly came to and realized, could he get this dressing wet? His thigh was still bandaged and he forgot to ask the surgeon when he was in.

"Cuddy!"

She came right to the door and stopped herself before she came in. Was he wearing clothes, did he want her in there?

"What House, do you need me to come in?"

"Can I get this dressing wet?"

"Uh, I'd have to see it. Can I come in?"

"Yeah I'm still half decent. Nothing you haven't seen before."

Cuddy came in and saw how his leg was dressed. She didn't think it would be a problem; she would just need to change it after he was done so that the wet bandage didn't see there the whole night.

"No problem, just take your shower and I'll change the dressing after you're done."

"Sounds like a plan."

House got into the shower and sat down. The water felt great since he hadn't taken a shower in almost five days. He sat there and let the heat hit every part of his body and take the stress that was left over from Friday away and down the drain with it. He was careful of his leg; he didn't want the water to hit it directly. After twenty minutes he was done and had a towel around his waist. The shower felt great and refreshing, like House was almost reborn. All the stress of what had happened had gone away for the time being and he was feeling good.

"Where are the clean boxers?"

Cuddy had forgotten to leave them in there with his towel. She hung them on the doorknob so that he could have them and he didn't have to let her see him exposed. After he put them on he came out of the bathroom and sat on his bed. While he was in there Cuddy had gotten new dressing supplies. She handed him his t-shirt and prepared to re dress his leg.

"How was the shower?"

"Amazing. I didn't know how wonderful water felt until I hadn't felt it in five days."

"I bet."

"You're going to be gentle right? I'm very sensitive you know."

"Yes House I'll be gentle. I've done this once or twice."

House was amazed at exactly how gentle she really was. Her touch he could barely feel it was so gentle, yet she got the bandage off, dried off his leg and replaced the bandage with ease and tenderness.

"Wow you're good. I barely felt that."

"Yeah I'm good."

She helped House get dressed and got him some Vicodin. They had dinner together and then Cuddy started to get his things together for their departure tomorrow morning. They would be checking out around seven and would be spending the day at House's apartment. Cuddy could tell that House was anxious to get home; he hated staying at the hospital for more than five hours in one day, let alone multiple days and nights. She was excited to be staying at House's apartment herself. The next two weeks could turn out to be very interesting.

I need some imput from you reviewers. Should I continue this story or end it and start a sequel. The sequel is coming no matter what, I just don't know when a good stopping point would be in this story. I can work with stopping this story now but, let me know please, the quicker I know the faster I can get to work and have more for you all of you to read. Thanks for all of the reviews, they really encouraged me to keep writing. Thanks again.