chapter 18

Cuddy was so absorbed by writing this memo that she didn't notice the time go by and it was almost 4.00 pm when she ended it. She did her best to describe a job which matched perfectly House's skills and qualifications. But would it be enough? She had to convince the management committee that House was the only one who could take on this role, the only one whose reputation would be enough to lure patients and so to restore the image of the hospital and to increase the benefits. But another thing was problematic: how could she tell them that House was alive? And how could she explain that she knew it? Because that meant that she still was in contact with House in spite of their warning. She indeed accepted not to have any kind of relationship or contact with House when she started to work here. This could be prejudicial for both of them. What could she do to avoid any problem? She was thinking about it when her eyes saw the clock on her desk. It displayed 4.15 pm. Cuddy felt then very tired and realized that she was hungry. She got up and went to the cafeteria. The day wasn't over and the night would be long.

Oooooo

While Cuddy was working hard at the memo, House looked in the mirror of the bathroom of his hotel room. His plan was carefully drawn up but he was afraid of Cuddy's reaction. How would she react when she would learn of what he did? Because to get an interview with the HR manager, he forgot deliberately a letter in his name: House became Hose. He could always say it was a mistake once he got the job. But Cuddy wasn't stupid; she would know it was once again one of House's tricks to get what he wanted. He did that just in case the HR manager told Cuddy about it. He wanted to be sure that she wouldn't find out that he applied for a job in her hospital. He also assumed that the managers of the hospital wouldn't look kindly on seeing his name on the list of candidates for this job, given his story with Cuddy. And he didn't want her to have troubles because of him. He just wanted to get the job thanks to his skills, thanks to his talent. It would be time afterwards to reveal his real identity. But at least his name wouldn't do himself a disservice. He couldn't go backwards. Not now. He got a chance to start a new life, a different life and he hoped it would work. It had to. He needed Cuddy, she knew him so well, she knew how to deal with him and she was probably the only one now that Wilson was dead. She was the only one able to make his life bearable, to enable him to work according to his own methods and so to save lives. House smiled. He was ready. He left his room and went to his appointment.

When House got out of the taxi, what he saw from the hospital made a good impression on him. The environment was quite pleasant. He went in to the front desk of the hospital and asked for the HR office. A pretty woman explained him how to get there. He didn't want to waste time looking for his way through the hospital for fear of meeting Cuddy in the hall. That was why he went to the HR office trying to go unnoticed. He knocked at the door and entered the room as someone told him to. The HR manager was quite young and seemed a little tensed. House assumed he was under pressure and that was a good thing for him. Self-confident he sat down and the interview started.

ooooooo

Shortly after Cuddy left her office, Robert knocked at her door. As nobody answered him he decided to enter but the room was empty. Cuddy's computer was on and Robert was tempted to give a quick look at it to see at what Cuddy was working but a hanging wardrobe caught his eyes. It should be Cuddy's costume for the gala. Robert couldn't resist the urge to look at it. He opened the wardrobe and saw a wonderful blue dress with a silver motif and a fine silver colored mask. He imagined Cuddy in this dress and he felt suddenly hot. She would be beautiful. At least he would know which lady he should look for tonight in the crowd to invite her for a dance. Of course he was on duty tonight but he was well determined to escape his work for a moment, just the time for a dance with the woman he loved. To remain incognito he had rent a costume of a Venetian marquis. He couldn't wait to be tonight, he imagined how he would dance with Cuddy, how all the people would look at them admiringly. Of course no one would recognize them but … it was not very important. All would matter was that he would be with Cuddy. And unlike to the tale, he would disappear before midnight so that the others wouldn't find out who he was. And he hoped that nothing serious would happen during his absence so that nobody would ever find out that he quitted his post. He was lost in thoughts when Cuddy came in. She was very surprised to find him there.

"David! What are you doing there?"

"Hey sweetie, here you are!" he replied and held her tight. "I missed you"

"David, I've told you that I don't want any kind of intimacy at work." She said upset.

"Don't worry; the clause you had to approve when you got the job is no longer valid: it applied only to House and he is dead! I'm not House so we can have a relationship." Robert said smiling. Cuddy looked at him with a questioning look. A few seconds later Robert added: "I've talked to Barrow."

Cuddy turned pale. "About what?" she managed to say.

Robert stared at her. "About… relationship at work…" As Cuddy didn't say a word, he went on: "He told me it wasn't a problem for him as long as it doesn't affect our work."

"David, tell me, did you tell him for us?" Cuddy articulated in a low voice. Cuddy caught a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. But maybe she just imagined it.

"I… Would it bother you that much? Because sooner or later he and the other managers will learn of it, and believe me I prefer that he learns of it by me and not by a rumor!" Robert exclaimed angry and bitter. He didn't understand why Cuddy wanted to keep their relationship secret and it got on his nerves.

"David, did you tell him for us?" Cuddy repeated and looked at him straight in the eyes.

"…n… no, no. But I think we should." Robert whispered and turned his gaze.

And Cuddy knew he was lying. She couldn't decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Robert didn't like when he and Cuddy argued. He loved her and wanted her to be happy. That was why he said after a while: "By the way, Barrow told me about an interesting job, head of the Diagnostic Department."

"Oh. He just briefed me a few hours ago about it. The management committee thinks it could be a good way to improve the image of the hospital and so to increase the benefits."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Do you think I should apply for it?"

"I don't know" Cuddy lied. "But you're already head of the surgery department. I thought you liked this job?"

"Yes, of course, but this new department is a great challenge and you know that I like challenge."

"But it will take up all your time and all your energy" she replied and embraced him. Then she whispered in his ear: "what about us then? I'm gonna miss you."

"Really?" he said smiling and there was a glint of lust in his eyes. Then he kissed her tenderly.

"By the way, what were you doing when I came in? Were you going through my stuff?"

"No, no" Robert stammered and blushed.

"Dr. Robert, you're lying" Cuddy replied amused to see Robert embarrassed.

"Well, okay, I confess it. I wanted to see your costume for the masked ball." He said and looked down.

"And what do you think of it?"

"It's wonderful. You're gonna be gorgeous. Are you really sure you can't do anything for me? I'd love to attend to the ball and to spin you around on the dance floor. I'm a very good dancer you know."

"David, I've already told you: no special favor."

"Well, I'd try. Do you have time to drink a coffee? My duty starts in an hour."

"I'm sorry. I just came from the cafeteria and I have lots of work."

"Okay, then I let you work. See ya later."

Ooooooooooooooo

As Robert left Cuddy's office, House left the HR office with a bright smile on his face. He was certain he would get the job. He was about to leave the hospital when a poster caught his attention. It was a colorful poster about the charity gala, which took place today evening. It gave him an idea. He gave a quick look at his watch and saw that he would just have time to do what he intended to.

Meanwhile Cuddy was worried about the profile of the head of the future Diagnostic Department she made. Because she suddenly became aware that it could also fit Robert. Not as good as House but still. And this filled her with fear. What if Robert got the job? What would she do in this case? She was so convinced that only House would match this profile that she forgot Robert. He and House had quite a few points in common. And unfortunately for House, Barrow liked Robert. Cuddy had to find something to prevent him to apply for this job. She maybe would have to spend the weekend with him so he would focus on her and only on her, this meant be tender with him and pretend to be in love with him. Yeah, that could be a solution, not a good one but she was prepared to do her best to distract Robert's attention from this job. House deserved a new chance for his new life. She suddenly thought about Wilson: he asked her to watch over his friend a few weeks before he died. She remembered that she was firstly reluctant but Wilson was so worried about House that she finally caved and promised him to take care of House. She remembered Wilson's look of gratitude and relief. It was as if she gave him the right to die in peace. Right to the end of his life, Wilson had the strength and the kindness to worry about his friend and to find a way to help him after his death. She accepted this "task" and had now to honor Wilson's memory. Not to mention her feelings for House. Mixed feelings because of all the troubles he caused her, because of her story with him, but what prevailed over all from now on was the love she felt for House. This meant that she had to find a way to get rid of Robert on a private level and to dismiss him to Barrow. If their relationship affected his work, it could be a way to show Barrow that Robert wouldn't be the good man for this job. Suddenly she got another idea: House should apply for the job but not with his real name. With his resume and without his name, he was the man of the situation. But how could she suggest him to come and work here? She didn't want to admit too quickly that she needed him. She had to find a way to let him think the idea came from him. She could maybe ask for Chase's help. I need to go outside; some fresh air will do me good. And she left her office. But what she saw as she went out of her office took her by surprise. She immediately stopped and remained rotted to the spot for a few seconds.

Focused on the poster and on his thoughts, House didn't notice that someone looked at him. Cuddy couldn't believe it, she was dreaming, it couldn't be him. And yet this man over there looked like him. Before she came round he had disappeared. I do need holidays; I'm going crazy with House, now I'm hallucinating. I see him here in my hospital whereas it's impossible. Why would he be there? I really have to tell him for the job. But how? I don't want him to think he won once again. I don't want him to think I'll always forgive him without any kind of compensation. Oh well, nevermind, he certainly knows that I need him. I just have to find the right words.