Surviving Misery

Chapter 5

"You'll get through this Greg. With time the pain will dull, and the hatred will fade. But you don't have to go through it alone, I'll be here for you."

Cuddy didn't give him a chance to reply, and got out the car. She went around to the passenger's side of the car, and helped House get out of the car.

She helped him into the house and into the guest room where he would be staying.

"Well I know it's not as spacious as your own apartment, but it'll have to do until you heal," Cuddy explained.

"You're right, it's not the Ritz, but it'll do just fine. So I guess it's time for me to go to bed, huh?" House replied.

"That would be the idea, yes. You've had a long day," Cuddy said as she walked toward the door.

"So do I get a good night kiss?"

"G'night House."

"G'night Cuddy."

Cuddy gave him one last smile before turning out the light, and leaving the room. House smiled faintly, it had been a while since he had seen Cuddy smile at him. House closed his eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

Once Cuddy left the room, she sat down in the living room, and waited for an hour, to make sure House was asleep. She checked on him, then the house. She drove to his apartment and found his spare key. She quickly opened his door, and went inside. She rushed to his bedroom, and went into his closet. She pulled down a duffel bag, and packed it full of his clothes. She went into his living room, and walked toward a bookshelf. She pulled out a Lupus textbook, and opened it up. She found a bottle of vicodin and put it in her pocket.

"It's never Lupus." Cuddy said to herself as she put back the book.

She then went to walk out the apartment when she passed his phone. One unheard message. She clicked the button to play the recording.

"Dr. Gregory House, this is Karen Danely from the Baltimore Memorial Hospital, it's very important that you call me back. It's about your parents health. Please give me a call back at 567-932-5487. Thank you."

Cuddy deleted the message and then left the apartment. She arrived back at her house, and quietly slipped back into her house. Lisa layed his stuff next to his door, then went into her own room. She changed into her night wear, and went to sleep.

House was in a hallway of a hospital, pacing back and forth. He had to find the answer, he had to figure out the puzzle. He turned around and was met with his father. House was stunned, and took a few steps back. House's father looked extremely pale, and was dressed in a hospital gown.

"Dad?" House questioned.

"What's the matter Greg, you look like you've seen a ghost," his father asked.

"You're dead, that's what's wrong." House replied almost instinctively.

"Well you should know, you killed me. You screwed up again, Greg. You've let me down again. What do think your punishment shall be?"

"I - I - I, I don't know."

"Your mother should know the right punishment, let's go ask her."

"No dad, no. Don't bring this to her, she doesn't need to know," House replied, practically begging.

"You're right Greg, I don't need to know, but I do. You killed us. Our own son killed us. You let your pride get in the way and now we're dead," his mother stated.

"No mom, it wasn't like that. It wasn't. Please, I'm sorry, okay?" House replied on the break of tears.

"You failed us Greg. When we needed you the most you failed us. You should experience what we went through. What you put us through." House's father said.

His father took more steps toward him, and House backed up into the wall.

"Dad, no. Please no. I'm sorry. I didn't mean too. I'm sorry." House said as he slid down the wall.

"Oh, it's too late for that. You killed us. Your own parents. Sorry doesn't cut it. It's time you experience what we did." House's father continued.

House's father towered over him, then slowly reached out toward Greg's arm.

"HOUSE!!!!!! HOUSE!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! GREG!!!!!!!!" House heard someone scream from a distance.

Slowly House opened his eyes, to find himself laying in Cuddy's lap. House was drenched in cold sweat and he was silently crying. He looked around in fear. He went to move but Cuddy gently pushed him back down.

"Greg, it's okay. You're safe. It was just a nightmare. You could rip out your stitches if you're not careful. Here," Cuddy helped him lean against the headboard and she stayed sitting beside him.

"It seemed so real." House finally said after a few minutes went by.

"They tend too. I thought you might have one. I did. I came running in here when I heard you talking in your sleep. When you started screaming I was getting desperate, but your awake now."

"Sorry I woke you."

"Greg, you don't have to be sorry. I'm just happy I was here."

They stayed in silence for a little while before House started talking.

"I was at the hospital, then my father appeared out of no where. He began calling me a failure, saying that I let him down. He wanted to punish me and asked me what punishment I deserved. I told him I didn't know. He suggested that we ask my mother, and I begged him not too. Then my mom appeared and said she already knew the situation. That I killed them both, my own parents, because I let pride get in the way of my own judgement. I told her it wasn't like that, and that I was sorry. My dad told me I failed them when they needed me the most. Then he said I had to experience what they went through. I begged him not too, that I didn't mean to kill them. He told me that it was too late, and that sorry didn't cut it. Then he leaned over me, about to grab me, when I woke up. He was right though, I killed them. I failed them. They needed me, and I just let them die. I deserve their fate. They didn't deserve to die, but I do. Cuddy I want to die. Let me die. Please," House said as he broke out into uncontrollable sobs.

Cuddy pulled him into her arms, and held him tight. She let him get out all of his guilt, as she held him there. This is the most vulnerable she had ever seen House, and this made her want to cry. She knew what he was going through, she had been in his place. She had been the one crying. She had been the one wanting to die, and now she had to watch as a friend went through the same thing. House eventually cried himself to sleep, but Cuddy didn't mind. She adjusted herself, so that she was leaning against the headboard. She let him lay against her and she wrapped her arms protectively around him, as she too drifted off to sleep.

A/N:

Sorry about the delay with the next chapter. I had tons of papers to write before Christmas Break. Hope y'all enjoy this next chapter. If plans go right, the next chapter should be up before the New Year. Anywayz Happy Holidays. And as always, please review. I'll take the good and the bad.

Thanks.