Chapter 7: Things get harder and feelings don't make them easier. Hope you enjoy it. Sorry for the mistakes.
"Hey wait for me!" said Foreman. "So I listen to you."
"I need to run more tests to determine if his memory loss is temporary or permanent" Chase replied and wanted to leave but Foreman kept him.
"Chase, we had a deal. I gave you two hours, now I want the truth."
Chase sighed, resigned. "Okay. It's a long story, but I tried to make it short. Before swear you won't tell anyone about it."
"I swear."
And Chase told Foreman about House's plan to come back to life officially.
"So will you help him?"
"I'm with you. But it will be difficult. The police are not willing to buy such a story."
"I know. That's why we need a solid medical diagnosis. And we're the best, aren't we?"
"We gonna need time to do a battery of tests to support our diagnosis and to develop a strategy. Because if it fails, we may all lose our job and our license to practice medicine."
"Nobody should know about this, Foreman. Just me and you." After a few seconds, Chase added: "And Cuddy"
"Cuddy? You mean she knows everything?" Foreman replied astonished.
"Yes."
"You got me! First I didn't believe you had a relationship with her, but then… when I saw you together early this morning… You… You don't have a relationship with Cuddy?"
"No, I don't."
"So why did you let me believe it? And why did she spend the night with you?"
"Because I didn't want to screw up House's plan. And it was funny" Chase replied smiling. Then he added more seriously: "I hope I didn't make a mistake by telling you everything."
"Did you tell me something? I don't remember. Go and run the tests. I try to deal with the police."
"Okay."
"Chase, did you sleep with her?"
Chase looked at Foreman with a smirk and left.
-ooooooooooooooo-
Chase went to his office. Adams and Park were there, waiting for him.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"We have the results of James Witter. And we thought you might be interested given that he's our patient" Adams replied sarcastically.
"I listen to you."
"The results show an elevated CPR and a high level of troponin" Park replied.
"Any diagnosis?"
"I think it's myocarditis."
"Seems to fit the symptoms. Do another round of imaging to confirm and then treat him. Good job."
"And that's it?" Adams exclaimed.
"What? Your diagnosis seems to be correct. What do you want me to do? Mock you and your theory?"
"No. It's just that… Leave it. Come, Park, let's go to do this MRI."
They were about to leave the room when Cuddy came in.
"I hope I don't bother you."
"No, they were just about to leave. I'm coming" Chase replied with a smile. Then he put his arm on Cuddy's shoulder and dragged her to the cafeteria. "Come with me, we need to talk" he whispered in her ear.
"Is there a problem?" Cuddy asked Chase once they sat at a table.
"House is here."
"What? Where? Did he have an accident?"
"Not really, don't worry, he's gonna be fine soon. I have to explain you briefly what his plan was so you understand why he's here." And Chase told Cuddy everything. She listened to him calmly.
"That's not good news" Cuddy said.
"Why? I don't understand what you mean."
"If the police are going to inquire about House, it means that Tritter will learn about it and"
"Tritter?"
"Yes. I… It's complicated. To make it short, I saw him for a problem in my hospital. He was surprised to see me there and he decided to inquire. He wanted to know why I moved."
"And? I don't see the connection! If he led an investigation, he should know why you left Princeton Plainsboro and that you no longer have any relationship with House. Where's the problem?"
"The problem is that he didn't believe me and doesn't believe in House's death. He told me he will inquire. You know him, you know he never forgave House for the thermometer and then to have been dismissed. Chase, I'm afraid for House."
"We really need a convincing diagnosis. I'm gonna page Foreman."
"Foreman?"
"I had to tell him everything, Cuddy. He's the Dean and we might need his help."
"Can I see House?"
Chase looked at Cuddy. "Is that what you want? You sure?"
"Yes. I have to tell him that Tritter will inquire about his "death"."
"If you want. But before I suggest that we meet Foreman in his office to decide what to do. Just in case. It will be better if we all have the same version."
Cuddy nodded and they headed toward Foreman's office.
-ooooooooooo-
Meanwhile Foreman tried to convince the Detective Ryan that House needed special care and that it would be easier to run the necessary tests if he stayed at Princeton Plainsboro.
"We have the best Diagnostic Department of the state, the best doctors and high quality equipment. Our service is most appropriate to figure out what happened to the memory of Gregory House. It's all the more true that Gregory House knows this hospital, he's been working here for years and it could help him to remember."
"Dr. Foreman, I'm not questioning your skills. I'm a detective. I'm not qualified to tell you exactly what Gregory House faces. But you have to understand that Gregory House will certainly be sued for false statements. And maybe more, I don't know the case."
"I understand but I just ask you to explain the attorney that Gregory House has to stay at the hospital a few days more."
"I tell him but I can't promise anything."
"Thank you."
Foreman remained alone in his office. He couldn't decide if House's return was a good thing or not. He knew why House pretended to be dead and why he came back now. First he just couldn't believe House's grounds, but on second thought, it was obvious that Wilson was all that remained to House. His former boss always gave himself the image of a cynical and heartless guy, but on many occasions he showed it wasn't true. And the perfect example was what he's done for Foreman and his brother. Wilson was House's best friend, maybe his only friend. And he needed House's support to face the cancer. What House did was beautiful and noble, but stupid. Because now, he was in a bad situation. On the other hand, it could touch Cuddy in a good way.
"Foreman, we need to talk. Cuddy has bad news."
"Tritter will probably meddle in the case" Cuddy said.
"Tritter? Why?"
And Cuddy explained him.
"You'd better go back to Chicago, Cuddy. If Tritter hears from House's comeback, he'll certainly want to inquire about it. I don't know if the attorney will agree, but just in case he does, you mustn't be seen here or Tritter will suspect you and accuse you of complicity."
"But I have nothing to do with that! I wasn't there."
"I know. But I don't think Tritter will believe you."
"Cuddy, I think Foreman is right. Go back to Chicago. I'll keep you posted."
"Okay" she sighed. "But I'd like to see him before I leave."
"Wait for the night, there will be less people in the hospital."
-ooooooooooo-
It was 2.00 am when Cuddy slipped into House's room. He was sleeping. She looked at him and her heart squeezed. Mixed feelings overwhelmed her: relief, anger, tenderness, sadness and… love. Yes. She couldn't deny it, she still loved him. But it didn't mean they could start over.
"I knew you'd come."
Cuddy jumped up. "I'm sorry; I didn't want to wake you up."
"Really? So why are you here? I thought you didn't want to hear from me anymore."
"I… Maybe I should go."
"Cuddy don't, please, don't… I want you to know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you that way."
"So why? Why did you drive your car into my house?"she said and neared his bed.
"Because… because I still loved you and when I saw this guy next to you, jealousy drove me crazy. I lost my self-control and… and you know the rest."
"Why didn't you tell me that earlier in the day at the hospital?"
"I told you I felt hurt."
"True. But I obviously misinterpreted it. I'm sorry I don't know what to say."
"You told me you weren't dating anyone. But this guy was with you in your dining-room. Why?"
"House! I broke up with you and even if I still loved you, we couldn't go backward. And you were married. And Julia convinced me that I had to move on. This guy was one of her friend and she thought it would be good for me to meet him."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Did you date him?"
"No." She stared at him; he looked fragile with his bandage in this hospital bed.
"You look beautiful in the moonlight"
"Thank you."
"Why are you here Cuddy?"
"Why do you want to go back to life as Gregory House? Why don't you take a new identity and start a new life?"
"I asked first."
"It would be easier. No lawsuits, no courts, no fine, no jail."
"I can't. Medical puzzle are the only things that interest me. And I'm too brilliant. Anyone could recognize me."
"Not if you go abroad."
"Why are you here?"
"House, Tritter will probably inquire about your "death". I wanted to warn you."
"Tritter? Is he in charge of my case?"
"I don't think so, but I guess he'll ask for it."
"Why? Did you see him?"
"Yes." And Cuddy explained House why she saw Tritter. She also told him what he said to her. "That's why I came here. To warn you."
"Thank you."
They stared at each other and after a while Cuddy said: "House?"
"Yes?"
"How do you feel?"
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"I've got a terrible headache and my body hurts, but it's gonna be okay."
She nodded silently and tried to smile but a huge feeling of sadness overwhelmed her. "Be careful. I try to come back soon."
"Cuddy… I hope we can be friends again." After a few seconds, he added: "And more if you want to. I miss Patty and Selma."
"House… I… I don't know if we should"
"Cuddy, it's time to go. The nurse will be here in a few minutes" Chase said from the doorway of the room.
"I'm coming. Good bye House, take care of you."
"See ya. Hug Rachel for me."
Before leaving, Cuddy gave House a last look. In her eyes, he could read sadness, worry and care. He knew it wasn't over for her.