Disclaimer: Still don't own em...

AN: As promised. :) I like this one.

A soft sigh escaped Cuddy's lips as she stepped into the relative sanctuary of her office. In reality she wanted to curl up with a cup of tea at home and just not think any longer – of course, her guilt wouldn't allow her to do that. Shaking her head, a sound from the far side of her office, drew her attention and broke the illusion of sanctuary. "HOUSE…"

"Heya roomie…" He grinned at her from where he sat. Across from him was the TV from the doctor's lounge, in one corner was the foosball table she hadn't had removed from the same lounge regardless of the fact that Wilson and House were the only ones that played it. A cot that the ER doctors used to sleep in was also in the corner. It was obvious he'd had help as he had his own little living area set up in one corner of her office.

"What in the hell were you thinking?" Cuddy stalked over to the now crowded corner of her office. "You can't stay here."

"And I don't want to stay in the hospital room you've got me in, it's uncomfortable, there are glass walls and the food is icky." He explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And since you won't let me go home on my own, and you won't come with me – I figured I'd set up house here." He grinned winningly at her.

Cuddy slouched down on her couch, unable to take more – it was so like his normal self and yet not. Everything was just wrong – broken and she didn't know how to set things right. Her shoulders sagged as she held her face in her hands and began to sob.

"Whoa…" House's face fell – this wasn't the reaction he was going for. "Hey… Lisa…" He hobbled over to the couch and settled beside her, pulling her into his arms and rocking her slowly. "Shhhh… It'll be okay."

"No, it won't." Cuddy breathed, barely able to talk around her sobs.

"You've been barely holding it together for over a week now. I'd be calling you a wuss for crying except I know how long you've been holding it in." He said softly, admitting what he'd observed. He raked his fingers through her curls after releasing it from the clip he'd put it in earlier. "So tell Uncle Greg, boyfriend?" He pushed down of the jealousy he felt at the thought of that.

"No…" She shook her head to emphasize her point.

"Girlfriend…" House tipped her head up so he could look into her eyes.

"That's your fantasy not mine…" Lisa said with a slight chuckle.

The expression on House's face clearly communicated that's my girl. "Oh snap..." He rolled his eyes. "How about guy you really wanted to notice you, but hooked up with some other woman who has now tragically died and he's sworn off women for the rest of his life."

"No…" Cuddy couldn't help but laugh, even though House was far too close for comfort.

"And you're not gonna tell me… Amnesia… Bleh, bleh, bleh…" He pouted then reached for the Kleenex box on the coffee table in front of them. "You look like a racoon… Might want to fix that."

"My mascara is supposed to be water proof…" Cuddy complained softly.

"Apparently, it's no match for Hurricane Lisa." House grinned.

"Apparently…" She said softly then looked around. "I can't believe you." Then she laughed. "And how the hell did you get this stuff in here? All your possible minions were at the funeral with me."

"Ah… Now why would I…" House rolled his eyes at her expression – knowing he needed to keep her playing to keep her mind off of everything – most of which he didn't know about - yet. "Fine, you're no fun, making me give up my secrets." He smirked. "I tutored some of the med students who loiter around this place – four big muscle bound jocks – you would have liked them, hence why I had them killed and buried on the grounds."

"You tutored med students…" Cuddy was astounded, completely ignoring the rest of his statement.

"Yep, for an hour…" At her look of disbelief, he smirked. "Tutoring… You remember that, I tutored you."

"You helped me study, you ass." Cuddy glared. "So I could get extra credit." Then her expression softened again. "I also didn't have to lug heavy furniture all over a hospital for you."

"Nope, I just got to ogle your bodacious ta-tas with no interruptions." House waggled his brows playfully.

Cuddy smacked him hard, making him wince and grab his arm. "Owww… Mommy that hurt. Abuse."

"You deserved it…" Cuddy shook her head. "I just can't believe you helped some students study." If only she could keep him like this, and make everything else go back to normal – and yet, she knew that was just being selfish. It just proved that he could be like this again.

"Well, they also scored me some serious weed… I figured we could toke up later. I could dig out my old bong if you drive me back to my apartment." House smirked.

"They did not…" Cuddy's eyes widened then she realized he was still playing her. "I don't know why I put up with you."

"Cause you likey me…" House said with utmost confidence in himself. "I just think you likey me better this way than how I was before."

"No…" The distress in Cuddy's gaze, made him almost feel badly for pointing it out.

"You know that I need to get back into familiar settings in order to help my memories return… To find something to trigger their return." House said softly. "Yet, you won't let me go home and my office is locked."

"Doctor Foreman is worried about you finding something…" Cuddy started then sighed. Her mind was swirling with the possibilities. Was that what she was actually doing? Was she keeping him like this because she liked this Greg House better than the one with all his memories and experiences, good and bad intact?

"Let's go to your room and get your chart. We'll do a final check up and then I'll sign your discharge papers." She swallowed hard. "I'll have to stop at my place and pack a bag so I can stay with you."

A small smile crossed House's face, he almost felt bad for manipulating her like that, in her emotional state, but he promised himself that he'd make it up to her later.