Chapter 12

House was relieved that the police closed the file. Now he could concentrate on his project. He decided to send Cuddy a message. She was annoyed yesterday and he found her tensed. She seemed in a hurry and he wondered why. He needed to know. Maybe she was busy with Rachel, or she wasn't alone. The latter hypothesis seemed the most likely and that was what worried House. That was the only explanation for the seat in her car: her boyfriend might have a young kid. And yet when she came to see him, it seemed to him that a second chance was still possible. After a while of thinking, House convinced himself that Cuddy was dating someone and that she just came because of the promise she made to Wilson. He was plunged into dark thoughts when Chase came in.

"Hi! How are you doing today?"

"Good. Why do you ask?"

"You're lying."

"Don't you have a date? Or another patient to annoy? I'd like to be alone. No. I NEED to be alone"

"I just want you to look at this." Chase said and held House a medical review. "Medicine is your life, you need medical puzzle and people need your skills. There are some jobs that might suit you." After a few seconds of hesitation, Chase added: "There's one which can fit you well. In Chicago. It might be a new start. Professionally speaking." And after a while: "But not only."

House looked at Chase and took the review. "Thanks" he whispered. Chase nodded and left him.

"Need to talk to you. Urgent" House pressed the touch "send". All he had to do was waiting for Cuddy to answer. He just hoped it wouldn't be too long.

Robert had just left when Cuddy's phone bleeped. She got a message. She thought it was Robert. She was smiling when she took her phone, but her smile disappeared as soon as she saw who sent her the message: House. Mitigated feelings overwhelmed her. She just decided a few minutes ago to move on and to forget House, but deep inside she knew she couldn't ever get over him. And that explained this feeling of happiness mixed with fear. She was happy to see that he still thought about her, but she was afraid that House got mad if he learnt about her and Robert, and worse if he learnt about Ethan. As always he needed her. And of course it was urgent. And as usual she couldn't help but call him back.

"What the hell did you do this time?" she said as House picked up.

"Let me think… destroyed the MRI? No, already done last year. Broke some medical equipment? Not funny enough. Meddled in some love affair between Taub and a nurse? Boring."

"Okay, House, just tell me what was so urgent that I have to call you back." Cuddy pretended to be bored and annoyed but she actually had a bright smile. She had always liked bantering with House. And he knew it.

"Last time we spoke you seemed annoyed and "

"Oh really? That's surprising! I'm sorry but I don't remember it. When did we speak last time?"

"Yesterday. Where were you? And with who?"

"House, it's none of your business"

"Okay, let's play a game: the doctor and his patient. I ask you a few questions and you answer me. Just to let me figure out what's wrong with you"

"Wrong with me? You really think there's something wrong with me?! Didn't you ever ask yourself that this something wrong with me could have something to do with you? Just maybe because you always meddle in my life when I don't ask you to. Oh no, let's say it better: you always meddle in my life especially when I don't ask you not to."

"Oh really? I never noticed it, you're sure? "

" House, I don't want to play. I have"

"Oh that's true, I almost forgot it. You have children…"

"Chi… Children?" replied Cuddy puzzled. How could he know about Ethan? She never told Wilson about him, so how could House know? A few seconds passed. Neither of them spoke. Then Cuddy tried to elude the question and said: "Yesterday I had dinner with a nice guy if you wanna know. Are you satisfied?"

"Yes … and no. But I'm gonna figure your secret out, milady."

"What secret?! House, I hope you're gonna be able to move on and to begin a new life, find a job and …"

"And?"

"And a new Wilson."

"I don't need a new Wilson… I have you."

Cuddy didn't know what to say. She didn't want to hurt him but… "I'm sorry, House."

After a while, he asked: "What's his name?"

"Whose name?" answered Cuddy on the defensive.

"The name of your boyfriend. Who do you think I was talking about? Is there something I should know?" replied House his curiosity aroused.

"David Robert. And…" What could she say without hurting House and ruining all her chances to get him back? On the other hand to arouse House's jealousy could be useful and … funny.

"And? Let me guess, he's a doctor, a surgeon. Am I right?"

"And I would say that I can't really call him my boyfriend. We just had dinner. And yes you're right, he's surgeon."

"Does he care about you? Is he nice to Rachel?"

"House! We just had dinner." Cuddy said and hoped she was convincing.

"Really? It's weird but your voice tells me you're lying."

"…"

"And do you think you gonna date him?"

"I… I don't know, House. It's…"

"Complicated?"

"Yes."

"Why? Because he's married?"

"No! It's just that… I'm not sure I like him, he's very nice, smart, funny…"

"But you don't love him."

"I… I don't know, it's too early to say it, I mean, we had dinner, we get on well"

"You don't love him Cuddy and you know it."

"House, please, don't meddle in my life. It's hard enough, don't make it harder."

"Interesting"

"What? What do you mean?" she sighed on the verge of the exasperation.

"Leave it. I have enough things to do yet, don't worry I won't annoy you." At least not before a few days, House thought.

"Thanks. And what about you, House? How do you feel?"

"My wounds heal slowly, but they hurt less unlike my leg."

"And with Tritter?"

"The file is closed. My coming back to life is officially known. And no, I won't be sued. I must admit that my fellows did a great job."

"That's good news, I'm happy for you." Cuddy was somehow relieved; once again, House bailed himself out. But now hard times were waiting for him. "And what are you going to do? Do you have any plan?"

"I suppose I have to find a job once I'd be healed."

"I'm sure you'll find one. You're brilliant." Suddenly Ethan ran in the room followed by Rachel. The kids were yelling so loud while playing that House could hear them.

"What's the noise?"

"Nothing, it's just Rachel, she's playing with a friend."

"Hug her for me."

"I'll do it. Good luck House. And please, don't call me every day. Bye." And she hung up. She didn't want that House asked more questions about the kids. One day, maybe, she'll tell him. But not now, she wasn't ready for that.

As for House, he was thinking. Cuddy preferred to admit that she was dating someone rather than to speak about children. Weird. Besides, her voice was tensed. She hid him something. And he had to find what. Which meant, he had to go there. And what better opportunity than a professional appointment? And House would get one thanks to Chase. He would send his resume to this hospital in Chicago. Now. No, he would call them and get an appointment for the next week.

Ooooooooo

Robert was on duty this Sunday but he had time to think about Cuddy. Last night he was in heaven. He finally got her, he made love to her and it was good. And yet something worried him. A strange feeling, a kind of intuition. Cuddy was quite tender but he was under the impression that she was preoccupied, that she was somehow reserved. Maybe because of her children or because of the problem this relationship could cause at work. Her last experiment wasn't a success. To tell the truth it was a nightmare when one considered the tragic end of their story. He saw House at a conference a few years ago. He remembered him as a tall guy limping with gorgeous blue eyes, but someone cynical, arrogant, provocative and yet so talented, brilliant. Dr. Sedberg, who was sitting next to him, even said that if House wasn't so odious he would probably be one of the sexiest men she ever met. And Robert thought that she was right. And even now, Cuddy seemed to still be under his spell. Fortunately for Robert, House was dead. Because Robert perfectly knew that if House was still alive, Cuddy would never really be his. He felt so jealous this morning when they spoke about him. Of course he mentioned House first, it wasn't her. But the way she talked about him filled Robert with jealousy. And he had to bite the bullet not to say something that could have hurt her.

"Hey, David! You seem to be on cloud nine. What happened to you? Did you win in the lottery?"

"Hi! No, I don't play. I'm just… happy." Robert replied. He didn't want to talk about his new relationship. He liked to keep it secret for a while, just for Cuddy and him.

"Aha… let me guess. You look happy, relaxed but a little excited. I'd say your new girlfriend is the reason of all this behavior. Just look at you, you feel rejuvenated! I'm glad for you, guy! What's her name? How old is she? What's her job? "

"Hey! I never say I have a girlfriend."

"You don't need to. I know you well, David. Don't try to fool me; I know you're dating someone. Please, tell me. I'm your best friend! We share so many things together. I swear I'll keep her name secret"

"No way! " Robert replied determined to say nothing about his relationship with Cuddy. It was too soon to reveal it, even to his best friend. Robert knew that Cuddy wouldn't give him a second chance and he didn't want to screw up. She was already a little too … how could he say that? Well, to tell the truth he found her a little cold and distant for the beginning of a relationship. Usually people are happy, enthusiastic, a little crazy when they begin a new relationship. Cuddy wasn't at all. It was as if she didn't really engage herself, as if she just wanted to please him, but Robert could feel it: she wasn't happy. And deep in his heart he knew the reason of her relative coldness. Last night she needed some comfort, she needed to be reassured, she needed a man touch. But not his. She wasn't in love with him, she loved someone else, someone who was actually dead. Maybe with time…

"She must be very special because usually you're not as secret… "

"Please, don't try to figure out who she is. I like her a lot and I don't want to spoil everything. We're only beginning"

"Okay. You have my word. But I want to be the first informed when you decide to be seen together."

"Sure. Thanks"