A/N: Okay so at this point in time I have no words to express how terribly sorry I am for not updating. I've been SO sick these past 2 weeks and before that I've just had so much going on in school that I just haven't had enough time. So I tried to update 2 weeks… no a week ago? But that sorry excuse for a chapter I had to take down because, well, it was just pathetic. So I hope, for those of you who still choose to read, like this chapter… Please Read&Review!
The next couple of weeks went by, surprisingly, smooth. House had taken a liking to Cuddy's house after work, and she didn't mind it at all. Juliana had become a little less frequent in their lives but she still made her random appearances.
One thing Cuddy didn't understand was House's pain. She wanted to believe so badly that she affected his lack of pain, but she was not naïve. Sure, her company had made him a lot less miserable however not enough to change him so drastically, and in such little time. Lets face it, he had become a lot more vigorous in bed and his limp was less pronounced. She didn't want to accuse him of anything, but his history only lead her to believe otherwise...
She picked up her telephone and dialed a familiar number, "Hey James? Are you busy?"
With a sigh, she made her way up to Wilson's office and knocked briefly before stepping in.
"Hi James" she said greeting him with a quick hug.
"Hey Lisa" he said returning the hug, then retreating back to behind his desk.
They both took their seat and Wilson motioned for her to elaborate.
She took a deep breath before continuing "I think there's something wrong with House"
He frowned "I thought you knew he was misanthropic jerk…"
She let out a sarcastic laugh, "Seriously, I think he's taking something besides Vicodin. Haven't you noticed his lack of pain?
"I mean I did, I just assumed it was from the uh…" he blushed "extra activity he was participating in".
Her blush started to creep up her neck, past her cashmere, charcoal gray sweater "I—seriously that much? I mean it could affect him a bit but he looks like he could be walking without cane." She sighed resting her face in her hands.
"I just—I hope it's not-- he's not—" she stumbled over her words.
"Cuddy I'll find out, okay?" , he made his way around his desk and placed his hand reassuringly on her back.
She looked up and nodded "thank you" and smiled warmly.
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Cafeteria:
"You know you should really buy your own chips" Wilson said as he sat down at the table and watched House steal his Lays.
"But then your chips would be lonely"
"Or I could actually eat one of my snacks for once"
"Nah" he shoved the potato chips in his mouth "I don't want to risk it"
Wilson rolled his eyes, "So how are you and Cuddy?"
"Well you see when were all stripped naked and sweaty she does the cute little thing with her—"
He sighed "You know what I meant"
"You want to know about the 'emotional' part of our relationship…it's fine"
He frowned "Just fine?"
"Who the hell serves coleslaw in a cup?" ,House said in order to avoid the question, while poking at the strange pieces of lettuce? At that point Wilson tried to steal his chips back, but they were quickly snatched away before he could get his hands on the package.
"No, the cripple needs his nutrition" he said sticking his tounge out.
He raised an eyebrow and shoveled some food into his mouth, "speaking of cripple, your leg seems to be looking a lot better. Any pain relief?"
"How long have you been waiting to ask that question?"
"How did-"
"Just a tad eager" he pointed behind him "I saw your tail wagging… and I'm shoving just as many pills as I was before"
"House, what are you taking?"
He sighed, "I'm not on heroin" .
"So?" he was getting frustrated now.
"Methodone." He looked away.
"Do you know how dangerous that is? You know you can die in your sleep—"
"Gee I was wondering why I had that Dr. before my name."
Wilson sighed in frustration and pounded his head in his hand "Have you talked to Cuddy?" he paused "Actually scratch that, you need to talk to her"
He sighed and with that he got up and left.
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Cuddy's Office:
"You broke my ceiling!" Cuddy exclaimed
Juliana sat in a single wooden chair in front of Cuddy's desk as this woman continued to yell.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
She replied hesistantly "I- it wasn't my fault?". Cuddy glared intently, "But I'm very sorry."
"What could have--"
*House pokes his head behind the door*
"Ooh whose in the hot seat?"
"House not a good time"
"Come on! I never see you grill someone almost as bad as you grill me", he said as he stepped through her doorway and sat on her couch.
Cuddy turned back to Juliana, "I'll deal with you later". Juliana sighed and got up.
"My punishment is…?" she said before she opened the door.
"I think I'm going to have to speak with your Dad to work it out"
"Wh-" , she did a 360 turn and walked right up to House, pulling a brown furry critter out her pocket.
"Tell your friend he owes me thirty dollars" Juliana said as she thrusted the rat over to him and quickly left.
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"House, tell me that is NOT a rat in my office."
"Then I'd be lying. Besides it's not just any rat, it's Steve McQueen!"
She gasped, "Get that out of here, we'll talk later"
He smirked, "How do you know I don't have some sort of procedure I need you to sign off on" as he inched closer. She picked up her stuff heading towards the door and gave him a quick peck.
"Because you don't have a patient… and get that thing out "
"But he's a part of the family!"
"Out now!" she said as she headed out the door, pretending that his word use of family didn't just make her heart leap.
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2 hours later:
House found himself in one of the lounge rooms stealing someone's peanut butter and jelly sandwich while watching General Hospital. Suddenly, Juliana appeared in the doorway in a janitors suit wheeling a trashcan around.
"You know next time you should probably resist the urge of climbing into a hospital air vent for a rat."
"But I'm fifty dollars richer"
"In exchange for picking up this?" he said as he threw the crust of his sandwich onto the floor.
She formed a sarcastic chuckle, "cute, how do you even know this?"
"One of the perks of dating the boss and Wilson, the guy who hired you, being my only friend."
"True" she said as she began to clean out the trashcans. After she finished she plopped down right next to him and turned to face him.
"So when do you plan on telling Cuddy that you're taking Methodone… or Heroine, personally I think it's Methodone."