I noticed what a mess the previous chapter was, so I rewrote it. I have a few more ideas, but I do think this story should end with this chapter, not sure I want to potentially ruin it by adding more. Thanks so much for Reading and reviewing!
He opened the door with a cautious smile, "I see you're on your feet." He commented, wary of her reason for coming to see him
She nodded, "I went back to work yesterday." She told him.
There was awkward silence again as both thought the same thing. What was she doing here?
"Thank you for sending Rachel a birthday gift." She said, politely, making House feel the rift between them widen as their emotional state faded from what it had been a few weeks ago at Bayshore.
"You drove all the way here to thank me for that?" He asked.
"No." Cuddy answered. He gave her a questioning look so she said, "Are you going to invite me in?"
House took a breath and nodded, moving so she could come inside. He inhaled her scent as she passed and regretted it as it filled him with bittersweet memories. The apartment was pretty bare yet and all the furniture was new.
"Have a seat." House offered. The couch was brown and new and it sat in front of a small television that did not look so new. She guessed pawnshop. There was a wooden coffee table that matched the end table and she imagined House going into a single furniture store and picking out some collection arbitrarily, "Can I get you anything?" He asked as she sat on the couch.
"No." Cuddy said, looking like she clearly had something on her mind, "Foreman told me about the judge's decision. I'm glad it worked out."
"And I just have to go a year without smashing my car into someone's home or faking my death and I'm officially a free man." He took a chance, "I'm also number nineteen on the persons most screwed up list, so I'm getting there. Should I still call you when I'm below twenty?"
Cuddy smiled, but chose not to answer, "I just wanted to let you know that if you needed a friend…"
"I don't think I can do that." House interrupted.
"What?"
"Just be friends."
Cuddy sighed and paused, "I don't know that I can either."
House's brow furrowed in surprise as he looked down at her, here, sitting on his couch, admitting maybe that she wanted something more with him again. Wilson's words came back to him, "If you weren't such a selfish ass you'd be surprised how many people will be happy, including yourself." This was the second time he had tried to do the right thing according to Wilson or his therapist and had initially found himself disappointed only to see that his words and actions had effected people after all.
"We don't sound very sure."
"I'm not." Cuddy admitted, "But I can't stop thinking of you, of what you did for Wilson, and what you did for me. And, I haven't been with anyone in years because each date ends the same. I go out with some man who is nice, thoughtful, considerate, and completely boring. I have him figured out within the first few minutes and through the date, he has no original ideas apart from any other man I've met. Courtship would be red roses, flattery, and jewelry. I would go through it all with no challenges, no surprises, and no passion. Yes, that man might be better for me, more stable, but I know I wouldn't be happy."
House limped to the couch and sat as well, taking in her confession.
"You provided the surprises, the passion, and the admiration I have to have for the person I'm with but…"
"But I put myself first. I chose to protect myself." House admitted, "Wilson told me that if I stopped being a selfish ass that I would make other people happy and, in turn, myself."
Cuddy studied the carpet, looking for her next words, "I'm sorry about Wilson, House." She said, finally, her eyes filling with tears.
House just nodded, "So, now what?"
"I don't know."
"Do you love me?"
"It was never about a lack of love, House. I always will love you."
"Do you want to be with me?"
Cuddy's blue eyes came up to look at House's. She swallowed, "Yes."
"This isn't going to be easy."
"No." She agreed, "I don't think easy would make either of us happy." She wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Can I kiss you now?" He asked again.
Cuddy gave a short laugh and nodded.
House leaned in and grazed her lips with his own. Electricity, the same kind of energy and ardor as he remembered, passed between them and he held for a second, enjoying the moment before. Cuddy watched him lean in and closed her eyes. Her heart pounded in anticipation and her skin flushed with warmth as her lips felt the light touch. Finally, House closed his eyes and kissed her. He felt weak with gratitude and emotion as the kiss deepened. Her hand came up to softly caress his face and he buried his own hand in the softness of her hair.
They kissed until Cuddy felt light headed. She pulled away and he smiled, "Is this why you came over? Was this the plan?"
"Stop analyzing everything." She commanded, going in for another kiss.