Surviving Misery

Chapter 6

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.

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House woke up and looked around, his head spinning. Details of the the last day, flooded him, but in random order. He immediately noticed that he was laying against another person. Then it all hit him at once. He was laying against Cuddy, she had come into his room last night. He had a nightmare, she comforted him. He cried in front of her, he let his vulnerability show. She could tell everyone, she's going to ruin the reputation. Maybe she won't, she's been through this too. She'll defiantly use it against him. All of the thoughts passed through his mind and he began to panic. He went to sit up, but a sharp pain prevented him from moving. He let out a groan of pain, waking Cuddy. She placed an arm around House to stop him from moving.

"Relax, don't move. You might injure your ribs further," Cuddy said, before helping him sit against the headboard.

Cuddy then left the room, but quickly came back with a glass of water and two vicodin pills. House took the pills with the water, then gave her back the glass.

"Thanks." House muttered.

"Well it's not like I want you in pain. I'm gonna go make us some breakfast, do you need anything?"

"No, I have a remote. I'll channel surf until I find some boring show, that I'll be forced to watch because there is nothing better on. I hate Saturday morning TV." House griped.

Cuddy laughed then left the room. As she made breakfast, he began to rummage through the drawers in the night stand. If she had something on him, he will find something on her. Just in case. House turned on the TV, left it on the news, then searched the first drawer. Nothing. He growled in frustration, but continued onto the second drawer. The second drawer had different papers in it. He sifted through the papers, and came across a picture that turned upside down. He quickly picked it up, and turned it over. He recognized the picture immediately, even though he hadn't seen the picture for a little over twenty years. It was of House and Cuddy outside eating outside at a cafe. They were both smiling at each other, and he had one of her hands in his. Their mutual friend had taken that picture without either of them knowing, then gave each of them a copy as a Christmas gift. House stared at the picture as all those memories filled his head.

Cuddy and House had dated for a year and an half, before House left to transfer to another school. During that time, they had gotten really close and were in love. He was scared of the commitment that would soon happen in their relationship, so he found a way out of the relationship. He left Michigan, and ceased all contact with her in hopes to stop the feelings that he had. Fifteen years later she hired him. She had never showed any sign that she even remembered Michigan, but it haunted him. All of the what ifs started to form in his mind and never left. When he met Stacy, he thought the thoughts would leave. But, he was wrong. Eventually he drove Stacy away in an attempt not to hurt her. His feelings for Cuddy and their old relationship swarmed him, and have controlled him ever since. Part of him wants to restart his relationship with Cuddy or pick up where it was left off, but the other part of him doesn't want to risk the chance of getting hurt.

Cuddy walked into the room, and seen House staring at the picture. She had forgotten that she had left the picture in the drawer. She had put that picture in the guest room, so she wouldn't accidentally come across it. She did not want her old feelings for House stirred up, and she did not want to relive old memories. Deep down, she knew she still loved him, but she would not admit that to anyone. She didn't want to get hurt again. When she offered House her guest room, she knew that old feelings would resurface, but she did it to help him.

Cuddy walked into the room, and House looked up. He didn't even try to hide the picture, he just sat it down on the table. She handed him a plate of fried eggs, bacon, and a sausage biscuit. He smiled at the fact that she still new his favorite meal as he took the plate. He began to eat it as she sat down on the end of the bed with her own plate.

"Thank you." House said as he continued eating.

"Well I wasn't going to starve you." Cuddy replied.

"I meant for last night. You didn't have to do that, but you did. So thank you."

"That's what friends do, they help each other. You're welcome though. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I would hate to see your reputation ruined."

House smirked, but deep down he was extremely grateful for her silence. His cell phone rang and he quickly answered it.

"Hello? ... Yeah ... thanks ... Tomorrow? Okay ... Take it out of my account ... thanks ... 2 o'clock? ... That will be fine ... Bye "

"Who was that?" Cuddy asked curiously.

House had almost forgotten about all that had happened when he found the picture, but now it all came back to him with a vengeance.

"Greg, what's wrong?" Cuddy asked, now concerned by the blank look on his face.

He looked up at her then took a moment before speaking.

"I need a favor."

A/N:

Hope you guys enjoyed the lastest chapter. Happy Holidays. Please give me Christmas presents by leaving me reviews, even if it's coal. Thanks.