Chapter 5: baby steps to allow later our doctor phoenix to rise up from the ashes. I hope you'll enjoy it. Once again I want to apologize for the grammatical and spelling mistakes.

"Good morning, Doctor Cuddy."

Cuddy looked up and saw Tritter. Her heart skipped a beat. Her first thought was for House. She didn't hear from him since she let him at the police station three weeks ago and she was worried. She imagined lots of things about him and none of them was good. That was the reason why she was so tense when she replied:

"Detective Tritter, what do you want?"

"Do you know Jeremy Stein?"

Thanks God! It was just about Jeremy. "Yes." she replied, relieved. "Why? Did he raid a bank?"

"No. Are you kidding or do you know something that the police should know?" Tritter asked staring at her.

"It was a joke. So, I listen to you."

"Do I imagine that or are you relieved that I talk about Mr. Stein? Who did you think I was talking about? Do you hide something, Doctor Cuddy?"

"What do you want, Detective Tritter? I have lots of work and not enough time, so go straight to the point."

"Mr. Stein pressed charges against Dr. Robert for assault. As Dean of Medicine I thought I should inform you."

"I have the feeling that you don't tell me everything."

"Apparently Doctor Robert punched Mr. Stein because of you."

Cuddy looked embarrassed. "It was a simple misunderstanding. I'm gonna talk to Mr. Stein, I'm sure he will withdraw his complaint."

"Are you sure? I don't want to meddle in your private life, but next time be more careful if you date two men at the same time."

"Detective Tritter, I don't allow you!"

"Doctor Cuddy, forget what I've just said. I just hope Robert isn't a second House, because this time you won't be able to get out of a situation with a forgery." He was on the threshold when he added with a little smile: "Oh by the way, please accept my deepest sympathy."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you"

"Oh come on, don't tell me you don't know about his death" he cut her off.

"Detective Tritter, I have no time for jokes. Who is dead?" Cuddy asked tense and upset.

"House, of course." Cuddy's heart skipped a beat, a violent and sudden pain crossed her chest and she turned pale. "Doctor Cuddy, are you okay?"

"I'm just tired, very tired" she managed to reply.

"Last time we met, you pretended not to know about who I was talking. And I wanted to know why. I'm a detective you know, and I like to know why people do what they do. I was curious to know why you moved here. So I inquired…" Tritter waited for Cuddy to react, but she remained still, trying to calm down, hoping he talked about the "first" death of House. "And I heard from former colleagues about you and House. Your love story didn't end well. You shouldn't have trusted him. I tried to warn you but you didn't listen to me." After a while he added: "Seriously, you didn't know he died five months ago?"

A wave of relief and joy overwhelmed her. "Of course, I know it. Doctor Wilson told me."

"And did you see him before he… died?" asked Tritter who noticed Cuddy's relief and wondered why she was so tense and worried a few seconds ago, and now relieved and almost happy. He had to inquire about her, she hide him something, he was sure of it.

"No. Why? I have a new life here with my children. And I don't want to hear about House anymore."

"If you say so… But I have an intuition that my colleagues missed something in this building. Good bye, Doctor Cuddy."

Once alone, Cuddy tried to calm down the beats of her heart. She had to warn House. Tritter would investigate and he was smart enough to figure out what really happened. Not to mention his resentment against House.

When Chase came to the hospital this morning, Adams called him.

"A problem?" he said thinking of House.

"No, I don't think so. I just wanna tell you that a woman is waiting for you."

"Who is she?"

"I don't know. She didn't want to tell me her name. She just said she needed to talk to you rapidly."

"How does she look like?" Chase asked intrigued.

"I guess men find her attractive."

"Jealous?"

"No."

"Well, let's talk to this mysterious and beautiful woman." After a few meters, Chase turned around and asked: "Did I ask you to follow me?"

"No" replied Adams blushing a little. "I thought you could need me, I'm sorry, I go to the clinic"

Chase saw her leaving with a little smile. Maybe House was right. What a surprise to him, when he came in his office and saw Cuddy.

"Cuddy? What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you again too, Chase."

"Sorry, I didn't want to hurt you. It's just that… I didn't expect to see you here."

"I… Can I ask you a favor?"

"Will you take me out?" he asked jokingly.

"No!"

"What do you want?"

"Chase, do you know where Wilson lived just before he died?"

"Wow! I hadn't expected that. Why do you want to know that? And why do you think I know it?" Chase asked and stared at Cuddy. There were about thirty centimeters between them now. Cuddy held his gaze, trying to figure out if she could trust him.

"I… I wanted to know if I could get back some pictures" she finally lied. Chase came closer and whispered: "Really? I don't believe you. Tell me the real reason, Cuddy, or"

"Or what? I just asked you a simple question. If you don't want to answer me, I'll ask someone else."

"I'm sure you didn't ask anyone else. And you won't."

"Well, I think I should go" she replied and wanted to leave, but Chase kept her firmly by the arm. His face was just five centimeters away from Cuddy's face.

"Cuddy, are you still in love with House?" he whispered.

"I… House is dead, Chase, don't be stupid" she whispered back.

"I know you know. He told me. We can't speak here, come at my place for dinner at 8.00 pm" he whispered in her ear and let her arm. She looked at him, puzzled, and nodded. Then she left.

Two people saw them. From where they stood, they first thought they had an argument, but then it was as if Chase kissed Cuddy. Adams didn't know who this woman was, but she felt a little jealous when she saw Chase standing so close to her, without to mention when he kissed her. She was disappointed because she thought that they got on very well. She had to know who this woman was. As for Foreman, he recognized the woman. And it bothered him. He thought to himself: "Why is Cuddy here? Have Chase and Cuddy a relationship? Probably not. He held her arm rather abruptly. But why then did she let him kiss her? Maybe they had an argument and he wanted to make up with that kiss. And why did Chase not tell me about this relationship? We are friends. They maybe had a plan to get Cuddy back at Princeton Plainsboro and oust me at the same time." He needed to know. Now. That's why he headed toward Chase's office.

"Did I imagine what I've just seen?"

"I don't know. What did you see?"

"You and Cuddy."

"Cuddy? Why would she be there?" replied Chase surprised after a while. Chase hoped Foreman didn't hear his conversation with Cuddy. The fate of House depended on it. No one should know.

"Chase, don't take me for an idiot! I saw you and Cuddy right here a few minutes ago. You've even kissed her!" Foreman replied angry.

"Hey! What's the matter with you?"

"Chase, I know it was Cuddy. Do you have a relationship with her?"

"Why do you care of I'm having a relationship with Cuddy?" said Chase, thinking it could be a good thing that Foreman believed Chase had a love affair with Cuddy.

"That means yes. And since when?"

"That's none of your business"

"So you admit it."

"Okay. Does it bother you? Are you jealous?"

Foreman was a little embarrassed. "No. You can have a relationship with her, it's just that…"

"That?"

"Well she was our boss, House's girlfriend and…"

"And?" Chase wondered what bothered Foreman.

"And I don't know if you're aware of it, but you tend to become more and more like House! You get around the rules just like him, you can be hard with patients and now this! You have a relationship with Cuddy, his ex-girlfriend! Don't you think you go too far! Do you really want to be him?"

"Hey! Sometimes I have to get around the rules to save the life of my patient and I have to be hard with them just to get important information. But you know it, you've been working with House for many years and you did the same at the Mercy when you worked there, so don't blame me!"

Foreman didn't reply.

"Besides, Cuddy is a beautiful woman. And no, I don't try to become House, don't worry about that."

"Why did Cuddy come here today? Why didn't you tell me about you and her? Do you plot something?"

"What? What did you imagine?"

"Tell me that Cuddy doesn't intend to come back here and take my place."

Chase burst out laughing. "That's what bothered you! Don't worry. She has no intention to come back here. She just needed to see me."

"Well… Wish you a good time" replied Foreman who didn't believe a word of what Chase said.

Chase didn't know how to explain the situation to Cuddy. But he had no choice. He had to find something to keep Foreman out of House's plan. "House, don't wait too long to go through your plan."

Knock! Knock! Chase opened the door and let Cuddy in.

"I didn't know what to bring so I bought a bottle of wine."

"Oh, thank you. I hope you like Italian food."

"Yes."

"Please sit down, I'm coming back."

A few minutes later, Chase came back with two glasses of wine. "Cheers!"

"So… when did you see House?" Cuddy asked staring at Chase.

"Cuddy, before I explain you, I need to know something."

"What?"

"Why do you care about House?"

"Well, I … I suppose that's because… I promised Wilson"

"Cuddy… Tell me the truth. I need to know if I can trust you"

"Chase! What are you afraid of? He's not your boss anymore. You're the head of the Diagnostic Department." She looked at Chase and after a while of silence, she sighed: "What did he do? Are you afraid for your career?"

"Nope. It's just that… House was a jerk, he did horrible things to you, to me, but he was my boss and my mentor. I learned a lot with him, and not only on a professional level. He trusts me and I don't want to disappoint him."

"You want to know if I still love him… You asked me the question this morning."

"But you didn't answer."

"Because… I don't know. He drove his car in my living-room, he could have hurt someone. Don't you think I have the right to be angry?"

"He shouldn't have done it. But he loved you and he was deeply hurt. And you know it."

"Yes, I know it."

"Cuddy, I know it's difficult to forgive such a thing, but… are you dating someone?"

"No!"

"Why?"

"Because I… because I have not enough time, I"

"Com'on! Don't hide you behind your job."

"You're right. I can't forget him" she whispered.

Chase nodded. "Okay, listen to me. House came to see me three weeks ago. He needed my help, he" Chase's phone rang suddenly. It was Foreman.

"Chase, I think you should come at Princeton General immediately."

"Why? I'm with Cuddy and". Cuddy rolled her eyes. She didn't understand why Chase told he was with her.

"Tell her you have a case. Come here but without her." And Foreman hung up.

"Who was it? Why did you say that I was with you?"

"Cuddy, I have to go. Don't worry, I'll explain you later. You just need to know that Foreman believes we have a relationship."

"What?"

"I come back as soon as I can. Stay here and wait for me."