CHAPTER 7:

Foreman sat before Cuddy in her office being lectured. A patient's family had become highly upset over an incident between Taub and Thriteen in which both doctors began disagreeing about treatment procedures in front of the family while Foreman was taking care of paperwork.

Looking Foreman in the eyes, Cuddy tells him, "Foreman we can't have this."

Foreman answers her, "I know. I should have been in there with them. They shouldn't have been arguing in front of the family like that."

She admonishes him a bit by saying, "They shouldn't be arguing period. This is supposed to be a team effort concerning patient care. Things like this are how lawsuits are made. I definitely thought I'd have an easier time preventing that problem with you in charge, since lawsuits are pretty much a prerequisite to having House as a doctor."

"I'm sorry. It's just been really stressful without House here overseeing these cases. We made a lot of mistakes with this one in particular. Ones that House probably never would have made." Foreman confesses to her.

Looking at him with more concern now she says, "Foreman, that's not true. House is far from perfect. You know he makes mistake, but that's all part of the process. His idea is that you gain more knowledge from the mistakes you make so you don't make them again. And you know what? He's right, because that's what makes you a good doctor…not just the amount of lives you save. He's been doing this for over twenty years, Foreman. You've only been doing this for six. Give yourself some time."

"Our patients don't have that kind of time." He says concerned.

"It's a fact of life that patients will die. But it's also a fact that if we put our best efforts into the care we give honestly, then the knowledge we gain from the experience is just as helpful and comforting, because we can prevent things from happening the next time." She offers encouragingly.

Looking down at Cuddy's desk, he reflectively says, "I never understood his brilliance as a doctor, until I was put into this situation. For as big an ass as he is, he really is that good."

Cuddy smiles and says, "Yeah, he is, but so are you, because you've learned from the best and you're only going to get better from this experience. We take chances every day, Foreman. I don't think New York Mercy gave you enough of a chance. If they had, then they would have seen the potential that I see before me right now. Not too many people gave House a chance either and look what's he become….a world renowned diagnostician with a pile of challenging case files on his desk every day, ones that no other doctors want to touch. He may be obsessive, insane, and an arrogant ass, but the son of a bitch is the best at what he does. You don't have his personality qualities, thank God, but you do have his diagnostic abilities. Teach them the way he's taught you….with the exception of calling them morons."

Foreman smiles and says, "Thank you."

He gets up and heads for the door.

Cuddy calls to him, "Foreman!"

He turns around and she says, "We all miss him."

Foreman nods his head and exits.

Later on Cuddy goes to Wilson's office, curious to know how his encounter with House was. She enters and closes the door behind her. Like House usually does, she sits in the chair across from Wilson.

She asks him, "How is he?"

"He's….still House. But I think this is really working for him." He answers her. He pauses for a minute then says, "He was asking about you."

"What did you tell him?" She wonders.

"I lied. He knew." Wilson says stoically. He then says, "I think you should go see him."

Cuddy leans back in the chair and looks up and around the room saying, "I don't know if I can."

"I know this is hard, but remember it's just as hard for him too. I think he still feels guilty about what happened between the two of you." Wilson tells her.

"It's not his fault though, Wilson. He didn't know what he was doing." She says sympathetically.

"I don't think he feels that way. I think you need to talk to him. Talking to him I think will help him, especially because..I…think…he really misses you." Wilson says cautiously trying not tread on what he believes to be House's territory. He continues, "He needs you, Lisa. If you still feel guilty for not being there for him then….be here for him now."

"You're right." She agrees as she lets out a soft sigh.

She gets up and Wilson gets up with her, going over to hug her.

While hugging him Cuddy says, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. " He responds softly.

Later that night, Cuddy falls asleep at home after a most exhausting day mentally and has the most unusual dream. In that dream, we see her awaken from the comfort of her bed wearing a black, flowing, thick-strapped mid-length dress. She approaches her front door to leave, but finds herself locked within her home. She tries desperately to open the door, turning the handle with vigor, until she hears it unlock. Slowly the door opens to reveal House standing there strangely dressed in a locksmith's jumpsuit with a white patch with red lettering which read his name "Greg." He smiles at her. And with tool kit in hand, turns to walk away without saying a word. As he walks down her steps, she steps out the door only to now find herself in a darkened alley all alone, as the pavement beneath her bare feet glistens with puddles from rain that had fallen. She looks down the end of the alley and sees House, as himself with cane in hand. He turns to look at her, then turns back around and walks down the alley. She follows him, though he is far ahead of her. She begins to sweat trying to quicken her pace to catch up to him. She sees him turn a corner to his right. When she turns the corner, a metal fence blocks her way and she begins shaking it. She sees House continue on and she shouts out his name with desperation, but he doesn't hear her. Shaking the fence again, she begins to cry and falls to her knees. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself at the edge of a pond kneeling in the grass. She looks to her right and sees House's cane hanging from an old tree. She looks back into the pond and sees House's reflection in it. She dives into the pond and finds herself floating underwater with him. House then disappears up to the surface and she floats up to the surface following him. When she emerges, she is now dry and standing in a green garden surrounded by white roses. Facing her is House with a blue, fleece blanket in his hand. When faced before him, she unzips the back of her dress and lets it fall to her feet, revealing only a lace bra and panties. House limps towards her slowly without his cane, takes the blanket and wraps it around her. As he holds onto the front of it, he leans in and kisses her softly on the lips as she closes her eyes. As she opens her eyes, he backs away holding two chemistry beakers in his hands. He pours the left into the right and tosses the empty one into the grass. The one in his right hand begins to form smoke until it clouds the entire scene making invisibility impossible. When the smoke begins to lift, Cuddy finds herself back in her room, dressed, but with the blanket still around her. When the last bit of smoke lifts, it reveals a full length antique mirror. Cuddy looks into it and sees House's reflection staring back at her instead of her own. She goes to touch the reflection with her right hand, allowing the blanket to drop to her feet, but the reflection disappears. When she pulls her hand away, she finds a knife in her hand. Taking the knife in both hands, she plunges it into her heart. Startled by the vision, Cuddy wakes up trying to catch her breath, putting her right hand to her chest. She closes her eyes and tries to calm herself. Unable to sleep at that point, she gets up and leaves to check on Rachel, knowing in her heart that she needs to see House.