Surviving Misery

Chapter 7

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."

"Okay. How can I help?" Cuddy asked, as her mind reeled on who could have called House.

"That was the funeral director on the phone. They finished the arrangements for my parents funeral. It's at 2 o'clock tomorrow in Baltimore. I don't want to go, but I need to. So I was hoping, if it wasn't an inconvenience for you, if you could possibly take me to -" House asked, stumbling over the words, but Cuddy interrupted.

"It's not an inconvience, Greg. I'll go pack a bag, then I'll reserve a hotel. We'll leave in a few hours."

"Thank you." House replied before she left the room.

House looked back at the picture that he placed on the night stand. After everything he had put her through she still helped him, she still cared about him. He knew he owed her so much for what she is doing for him, but he didn't know how to thank her. He put the picture into the pocket of his jacket, then slowly slid to the edge of the bed. He went to stand up, and his leg gave out. He fell head first into the corner of the night stand before hitting the ground hard. His left arm seared with pain, even in the brace and cast. He let out a howl of pain.

Cuddy ran into his bedroom, only to find House on the ground clenching his left arm and blood dribbled down his forehead. Cuddy immediately ran into the bathroom to get the first aid kit, then ran out of the room. She returned seconds later with a shot of morphine, and a bottle of vicodin. She then sat down next to him, and helped him sit up. She looked at his arm, then back at him.

"Do you think you reinjured your arm?"

"Yeah, it's broken again."

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah I think I can."

Cuddy helped him to his feet, then helped him to the car. She quickly went back to the house to grab two bags of clothes and his jacket. She put them in the car as well then drove them both to the hospital. They went to the clinic, and she checked him in and shoved him in an exam room. She told him to stay there then left the room. Ten minutes later she came back with the materials to redo his cast and a wheel chair.

"We need a new x-ray of your arm, and I didn't think you wanted to walk." Cuddy replied.

Thirty minutes later they were back in the exam room, the x-rays taken, and the results analyzed. His arm was broken again, and needed to be reset. Cuddy removed his old cast with the help of a mini saw then grabbed his arm.

"You ready?"

"Just do it." House replied.

Cuddy pulled on his arm, and House let out a moan of pain. She then quickly made his new cast, then reset his brace around it. She then pulled out the first aid kit and opened it. She removed some gauze, alcohol pads, and materials needed for sutures. She sat down in the rolling chair, and lowered the bed House was on.

"This will sting a little." Cuddy said before she wiped the wound with alcohol pad.

She then carefully threaded the needle, and pressed it against his forehead.

"I know it's going to hurt so you don't have to tell me, just get it over with." House stated, before clinching his fist.

Ten minutes later his wound was closed and Cuddy was wiping the access blood off of his forehead. She then placed gauze over the wound, and taped it to his forehead. House continuously stared at Cuddy's lips during the entire medical procedure. He wanted to kiss her, but he feared her reaction. Once Cuddy was done, she went to turn around to put the medical supplies back in there rightful place, fully aware of the tension building between the two of them.

"Cuddy" House muttered softly.

Cuddy's mind screamed at her to stand up and walk away, but she turned around. She stared into House's eyes which she knew was a mistake. He leaned toward her and gently placed his hand against her cheek and she leaned against the touch. House took this as a sign on approval, so he slowly pressed his lips against hers, ensuring that she had every opportunity to stop him. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss and she didn't fight against it. After a few seconds, she pulled away.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Cuddy declared as she stood up, putting as much distance between them as she could.

"You didn't have a problem with it a few minutes ago." House replied standing up and walking toward her.

"I got caught up in my emotions, and I shouldn't have. For that you have my apologies."

"Not good enough." House said as he backed her into a corner.

"It is for me."

"Why did you not want to get caught up in your emotions?"

"You know why. This was a mistake. The tension just became to intense, and we acted on it, that's all."

"You don't even believe what you are saying. Why don't you want to see where this could lead us?"

"Because we've been down this road before, House. Because I remember what happened when we got to the crossroad. You ran away, and never looked back." Cuddy said in anger.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Sorry about the cliff hanger. Please review. I even accept the bad stuff. Thanks for reading, and have a happy new year.