Chapter 2

A/N Please read! It has come to my attention that without meaning to I had spoiled some of you with my original summary. While I am happy to have it brought to my attention the way in which it was done (cursing me out) was not appropriate. Constructive criticism is always welcomed but there is no need to resort to foul language. For anyone whom I had ruined anything for I am truly sorry. Please accept my apologies. It was never my intention just an oversight on my part . On another note….

Disclaimer: I do not own House. Characters' thoughts are in italics. To everyone else besides the one comment….You guys are awesome! Thanks for the encouraging words! I must admit the music from House is truly inspiring. Spoilers for Hosue's Head and Wilson's Heart! Enjoy!

3 Days

…

It took 3 days for House to fade in and out of consciousness. Cuddy's heart was breaking into tiny pieces. Each breath for House she thought would be his last. She would watch his chest heave as his lungs craved for the air each one of them took for granted. Then…it would stop as if the effort became too much to bear. Cuddy knew she would do anything to keep him alive if even for one more day.

Wilson hadn't visited once. Cuddy called him to see how he was. "Fine" was the usual response to her inquires. His grief was fading in the background consumed by an intense anger…in words and deeds….Wilson is becoming as lost as House is and always was.

Cuddy waited each day internally begging for House to be free of his self contained torture cell. Finally after days, her prayer had been answered but another one was forgotten.

"Take me home, please." He could still barely speak. Cuddy wasn't used to the silence that accompanied her in the car that day. He sat gingerly, as if leaving the womb of the hospital room would shatter him. House looked out the window as if reading her thoughts. Nothing left to shatter, Cuddy…

When the car pulled onto the street, House got out and began to walk away. Cuddy hesitantly urged her arm to intertwine with his. House seemed surprised at the touch but didn't refuse it. She helped him to his door and to the couch which welcomed him like a long lost lover. He felt the warmth and familiarity of it curve to his body. Tired eyes and weary legs rested on the coffee table. With the nearby flick of the remote, House was lost in another way…distant. Cuddy sat down next to him fearing the repercussions of her actions. There were no outbursts no words…nothing. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. Nothing is worse than something.

The two sat in silence until one of them spoke.

"Why are you here?"

There was no immediate answer for this other than the obvious, but maybe he needs to hear it. Maybe he truly doesn't know.

"Because…I like you." She wished she could take the words back as soon as she spoke them. She sounded like a schoolgirl with a crush. Pick someone you like he had said once. It was always you.

"You needed a friend."

House seemed to accept the answers without really hearing them. A friend…why me?

"Why are you my friend?" There was so much in those words. So many questions wrapped neatly in one. A child craving acceptance in a cruel, cruel world…

House patiently waited for Cuddy to answer, a part of him begging her not to. I do not want to be pitied, but it seems it is what I have resorted to.

"Why do you think?"

House this time was the one without an answer. Too much time had challenged his notion of what a friend is and the lines were often blurred: friend… lover… boss…what was Cuddy? God only knows.

House rubbed his hand massaging his temples. "I need to sleep."

Cuddy knew that was her invitation to leave. She should have. It was better…safer that way. No strings….no need to comply, but he was her friend… maybe more…

"OK."

He watched her, gauging her reaction. She stood up but wasn't leaving. House followed suite. Losing his balance, he nearly fell into Cuddy who caught him . Their eyes met. I can't look at her…not now…

"There are blankets in the hallway closet if you need them." Cuddy smiled. He is accepting that some things are out of his control…

"Thank you." His eyes briefly greeted hers before retreating to the bedroom alone. They said it all. Thank you.

Hope you like it. It might seem a bit OOC for House but I think that after House's Head and Wilson's Heart he is so vulnerable right now. He needs to connect. I hope I am portraying that in the right way. Please review and let me know if you like it enough for me to continue. Thank you again!