Chapter 13

Monday. Sitting in her office, Cuddy was thinking. She couldn't let Robert hope their relationship could work. She perfectly knew it wouldn't. It couldn't … because of House. House! Why couldn't her mind, her heart let him go? After all he'd done to her, to her family… Her family? No, it was theirs. And the weight of the secret was heavy, too heavy. No one knew that House was Ethan's father. She didn't tell anyone. When Julia and Arlene asked her who his father was, she lied: she told Ethan was the result of artificial insemination, she didn't know who the donor was. They seemed to accept it. But with time, Ethan looked more and more like House and Cuddy knew that sooner or later people would talk. Especially when House's "new-birth" would be public. And it would happen probably in a few weeks, maybe sooner and it frightened Cuddy. As for Robert she didn't want to hurt him, he was a nice guy. He didn't deserve to be humiliated. Which would happen with House's come back. Except if she convinced herself that she would be better with Robert than with House. She probably would. She certainly would. At least she could maybe convince her mind, but not her heart. And that was the problem. House was still her problem. Besides, when House would learn about his son… it… it would be a disaster for all of them. She had to tell him. Before he found out about him. But how? Suddenly the door opened. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought "House". He never knocked at the door but simply opened it.

"Hey sweetie! What were you thinking of? Me?" Robert said and smiled. He went to her and bent over the desk to kiss her. She didn't know what to do. She should break up with him but…

"Are you okay, Lisa? You seem … distant. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, but… we're at work and…" she stuttered and looked down. That was all she could find to explain her pretty cold behavior.

"I understand… You want to keep us secret. But not too long I hope because I'm afraid that some colleagues already talk about us."

"Oh really? Well, I guess it's inevitable."

"Don't plan anything this weekend, I'll kidnap you."

"What?"

"Don't worry. Everything's under control. Your sister will take care of Rachel and Ethan, I've already organized everything. Just pack your bag!"

"But…"

"Shh. Everything's gonna be allright." He kissed her and left.

Cuddy was puzzled. Robert was so self confident. He decided about the children without asking her anything and she didn't like it. They just slept one time together. Who was he to take such a decision? Her phone rang and broke her bad thought.

"Dr. Cuddy" she said abruptly.

"Hey Lisa! It's Julia, anything wrong? You seem outrageous"

"Oh Julia. No, everything's fine."

"I call to congratulate you"

"Why?"

"Your boyfriend, Dr. Robert, called me and he is really cute. I can't wait to be introduced! I'd like to invite you two for dinner tomorrow. "

"Thank you. But"

"Great! See you tomorrow!"

"But Julia…" Too late, she hung up. Cuddy was thinking about an excuse to cancel the dinner when her phone rang.

"Julia! I can't come tom…"

"Julia? I'm not your sister and I'm glad about it. I don't like her; she had a bad influence on you."

"House!" she exclaimed. She was oddly relieved.

"I'm happy you still know who I am."

"Unfortunately yes. Why are you calling? I thought I've been clear enough the other day. And at the cemetery. I don't want to "

"You know I suffer from amnesia. All I remember is your body talking about sex that night at the hospital"

"House!" It felt good to banter with him.

"You should have seen you; I didn't know you missed me so much. Does your stupid boyfriend not satisfy you?"

"Why stupid?"

"Aha! It means that he isn't that good in bed."

"What? But … no! I never say he"

"Tttt you didn't answer this part of the question, you just mention the adjective. But to his discharge it's not easy to be as good as I am."

"House!"

"And you're not easy to satisfy, you love sex as much as I love it and …"

"And?"

"You really want to know?"

"Tell me!"

"Okay. You're really good."

"Really?"

"Do you think I'm lying?!"

"House…"

"Cuddy? You have a situation with him, don't you?"

"No… "

"Cuddy, I know you, I know what you think, how you feel… Why don't you simply dump him?!"

"You know what?"

"What?"

"You're a jerk!"

"I just want you to be happy. And… you'll never be with him."

"How can you say that? You don't even know him!"

"I made some… investigation."

"House!"

"Hey don't you want me to get better?"

"Of course I do. But I don't see how the fact of meddle in my life can help you."

"It's the only interesting thing I have to do! I need to solve puzzle! And your private life is an interesting one. And I have fun."

"House, stay out of my life! Move on with your life."

After a few seconds, she added more gently: "How do you feel?"

"I'm getting better. I get out of the hospital tomorrow. And I sent my resume to several hospitals…" he replied sarcastically. But he didn't mention that he got an appointment in Chicago on Thursday. In Cuddy's hospital. He convinced the HR Manager - a young man who just started in this job - not to talk about it with the Dean.

"I'm glad for you, House. I wish you all the best. I'm sure you gonna be fine"

"Thank you."

"I have to go."

"Anything planed on Saturday?"

"Good bye, House."

"Good bye, Cuddy."

Cuddy was bothered. She was sure that House planned something. Why did he want to know if she had something on Saturday? What did he plot? Did he intend to come here? She hoped it wasn't the case. Anyway she wouldn't be there. Robert's idea of a romantic weekend somewhere wasn't that bad after all. It could give her more time before she met House again. Because she was convinced that he would come here. Sooner or later. He called her almost every day and that meant that he wasn't ready to get over her. As friend or … House was determined to be part of Cuddy's life and she knew it. She just didn't know if she would accept it or not, if she should accept it or not. Ethan had the right to know his father. But she also knew that if House came back in their life, it would be… difficult, tensed. Sadness and anger, resentment and bitterness would probably spoil their relationship, any kind of relationship. And yet a small part of her wanted House to be back in her life. Life wasn't a bed or roses. But one thing after the other. She had first to find a good reason to cancel the dinner at Julia's place tomorrow evening and then she had to decide what she was going to do about Robert and her. And if possible she wished she could find a good solution for both of them before the end of the week. Because if she didn't want to meet House in the next few days, she didn't intend to spend the weekend with Robert either.

Oooooooo

House was thinking about Cuddy when Adams came in his room. He perfectly knew when something bothered Cuddy. And something bothered her. He had a vague idea of the reason but Cuddy was complicated and more likely it was a combination of several things. He just hoped he was a part of her concern.

"House, are you ready to leave the hospital tomorrow?"

"Please, can you do me a favor?"

"Yes, of course. What do you want?"

"Can you call me Mike? I don't like the name "House"?"

"Oh. I'm sorry but we think it's better for you if we call you House. It can help your memory. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Will you come with me tomorrow?"

"Yes. Dr. Foreman and Dr. Chase agreed to let me go with you and help you find your landmarks in your flat."

"Okay. But you know, you don't have to. I'm sure I can manage myself alone."

"No way. I'll take you home. Enjoy your last night at the hospital. See ya tomorrow."

House nodded but didn't answer. He had to be careful and to play Mike's role at his flat. But he already knew the way his memory would come back. In three days, House should be back. Three days. He had to wait another three days to rebuild his life. But it was worth it.

Oooooooooo

"Can I come in?"

Cuddy jumped. She was about to leave her office. Then she rolled her eyes and said irritated: "Why don't you knock at the door first?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it…"

"Leave it. I'm tired. What do you want?"

"I wanted to know if I could come over tonight, but … if you're tired…" Robert said a bit disappointed and came to Cuddy.

"Yes, I'm tired. So if you don't mind, I wish I could be alone tonight and go early to bed." Robert wasn't happy and Cuddy could see it. That's why she got up and took Robert in her arms: "Are you angry at me?"

"How can I?" he replied and held her tight.

"Then I see you tomorrow." She gave him a soft kiss and left.