Chapter 23

Cuddy took her cell phone and dialed House's number. She had to tell him for the job. It wasn't probably too late. But he had to apply before the appointment with this man. She could then assure Barrow that House was the man for the job. And his experience in such a job was a good point for him. She was of course aware of the fact that her story with him, not to mention his own reputation as a trouble maker, would be a huge handicap but she had to try. House didn't answer. House, where are you? Please, pick up! Cuddy did his number many times but her call remained unanswered. She had to find him. Where could he be? At his hotel probably. But there were many hotels in town, so how could she manage to know in which one he was? Or could it be possible that he was here in the hospital? With House everything was possible. She decided to look for him in the hall and in the cafeteria and she left her office. Anyway she wasn't in the mood to work. She saw Robert and Barrow, they were talking. Robert looked annoyed. He didn't see her. She looked at him sadly; she would have to talk to him before the end of the day and she knew it wouldn't be easy but they couldn't go on like that.

"How are you doing David?" Barrow asked Robert as they headed to Robert's office.

"I'm fine, thank you. What do you want to talk about?" Robert replied a little upset.

"I don't really like what I've heard." Barrow said and turned suddenly to face Robert who stopped walking.

"And may I know what you've heard?"

"Don't take it badly but there is a rumor about you leaving your service last night… and I have to know if it's the truth because if it's the case… it' a serious misconduct" Barrow said and looked at Robert straight in the eyes. Robert blushed but didn't answer. "David, you're my friend and I like you a lot but… if your relationship with Dr. Cuddy ever affects your work, I'll have to put an end to it. Am I clear?"

"Yes, very clear. It won't happen again."

"Good." After a while, Barrow added: "By the way, what happened in Dr. Cuddy's office? Her assistant told me you were arguing…"

"Oh really? I don't remember. Well, if you don't have anything else to add, I think I'll go back to work."

"David, you know you can talk to me…"

"I know." Robert said and began to walk away.

Barrow followed him. "David, I know why you left your work last night, I know it didn't last more than an hour, but please, don't do it again. I couldn't save your job every time. Do you understand?"

"Yes. But it was stronger than everything else, I just wanted to dance once or twice with her, Tomy, I needed to see her, to hold her in my arms, can you understand it?"

Barrow nodded and said: "Next time, manage to be off duty, it will avoid you to get into troubles."

"I wanted to swap with a colleague, but she refused. She said she wouldn't allow any special favor for her boyfriend, can you believe it?"

"I know why she did it." Robert looked at Barrow with a questioning look. "She is under pressure, David, her story with House is a … a handicap, she can't allow herself to be involved in a new scandal."

David nodded. "I know, but I'm not House, Tomy! I know how to behave."

"Are you sure? Because last night you behaved like a stupid boy. If you weren't my friend, I would have fired you."

"I know and I'm ashamed about it. I won't do it again, I swear."

"Great. On the other hand, I can't be angry at you for wanting to watch over your girlfriend, especially when she's as beautiful as Lisa Cuddy. And I suppose you saw how Jay hung round her."

"Yes and I don't like it. If I could have done it, I would have punched him, but as I wasn't supposed to be there, I did my best to behave."

"Just to warm your heart: I drove her home yesterday, not Jay."

"Thank you, but… why? Was she drunk?"

"No, she felt dizzy; I think she was very tired. That's why I preferred to drive her home and so I saved her from having a painful one to one with Jay. But if you want an advice: take care of her and be careful with Jay, he's not a nice guy."

"Thank you for the advice."

"Oh and congratulations for you tango. I didn't know you were such a great dancer."

Robert didn't reply. Most of the people believed that he was the man with the black cape. And he didn't intend to contradict them.

"Just one more thing: I hope you won't mind but Dr. Cuddy and I have to interview someone for the job of head of the Diagnostic Department."

"When?" Robert replied and turned to Barrow.

"Today at 6.00 pm. But then she will have some days off. Maybe you should take some days off too." Barrow added with a wink. Robert nodded and left. He would have to change his plan for the weekend but after all it wasn't that bad. Admittedly his romantic weekend with Cuddy would begin later, but it would be longer. And he would have so more time to calm down and get rid of his anger. He didn't like being angry at Cuddy, she didn't really deserve it. He really behaved like a child sometimes and he regretted it. She was right, she was the Dean and she had to play a role in front of all these people. And he knew it. But his jealousy overwhelmed him and he couldn't help but do stupid things. He had to make it up to Cuddy. And he knew how. He took his phone and called the best restaurant in town. It would be hard to get a table for tonight, but the boss was a friend of him and owed him.

Oooooooo

House was at the bar of the hotel drinking a whisky and his phone was lying on the night table in his room. His leg hurt like hell and the pills of Ibuprofen that he swallowed an hour ago weren't effective. That was one of the reasons why he was there. He hoped that the alcohol would help him with the pain. The other reason of his presence here at the bar was that he wasn't sure anymore of doing the right thing by applying for the job in Cuddy's hospital. He knew it would necessarily cause her problems. He knew he would inevitably get into troubles because of the mistake with his name. Of course he would say it was a typing error but would they believe him? On the other hand, they needed him. He made some investigation about the hospital and he found out that his reputation wasn't at its best. The Mercy Chicago was more attractive since a few months because it had medical equipment which used cutting edge technology and a great staff of well-known doctors. That was why the manager of the Chicago Teaching Hospital, "Cuddy's hospital", decided to create a Diagnostic Department. They thought that it would be a great thing to boost their image and to attract more patients which meant more money. And House knew that his name, his real name, would be a good point to negotiate many things. What bothered him, was Cuddy's reaction. If he took into account what she told him and how she felt, he would be tempted to think that it was the right thing to do to get this job as head of the Diagnostic Department. But feelings were not easy to understand. Especially when it came to Cuddy and him.

"Another one, please" House said to the barman. This one was in his fifties. He served House a glass of whisky and said:

"A woman?"

House looked up. "Why do you ask?"

"When a man drinks two glass of whisky at 12.30 it's almost always because of a woman."

"My leg hurts." House answered. The barman seemed surprised and disappointed.

"A car crash?"

"No, medical reason."

"Sorry."

"And there is also a woman" House added a few minutes later.

"Ah! There's always a woman." The barman replied with a smile. "They drive us crazy and we run. So goes the world." House didn't answer. He took a swig of whisky. "Did you talk to her?"

"It's complicated."

"It's always complicated. But if you want an advice: just go to her place and kiss her. They love daring men, believe me."

House remained silent. He thought of what the barman said. Yes, he had to get the job and then he would have time to get Cuddy back. He emptied his glass, paid and went back to his room.

oooooo

Cuddy was in the cafeteria. She decided to eat something. She looked for House in the hospital but he was nowhere to see. She was wrong, he wasn't there. But where are you, House? Why don't you pick up your phone? I told you I have something important to talk with you, I told you I'd call you today. So why don't you pick up? She was about to try again to reach him when a man's voice asked her: "Is this seat free?" Cuddy looked up. Jay stood in front of her.

"Yes. And the table too. I have to go back to work" she replied and got up.

"I'm not interested in the table" he said and remained a few centimeters away from her.

"Mr. Jay, I really have to work. So please, would you mind let me go?" Cuddy said staring at him. Some people looked at them wondering what happened. Jay was aware of them. He looked at Cuddy and moved aside to let her past. Then he followed her to her office.

"I don't remember to have told you to come with me, Mr. Jay. Or did I?" Cuddy replied drily. She wasn't in the mood to flirt with Jay today, even if the hospital needed his money.

"You're lucky, Dr. Cuddy" Jay replied. They arrived in front of Cuddy's office. Cuddy stopped walking and turned to Jay: "Really? And may I know why?"

"I'm in a good mood today. So I won't take offense of your rather… cold behavior." He said smiling, opened the door and invited her to go in her office.

"Do you have something you want to talk about? Because as I've told you, I have lots of work." Cuddy said and went to her desk.

"I just wanted to know how you're doing today."

"As you see, I'm fine, thank you. Anything else, Mr. Jay?"

Jay laughed. "I like you, Dr. Cuddy, I really like you. You're not afraid to oppose me and I like it."

"Glad to hear that."

"Where were you yesterday? I looked for you but you disappeared like Cinderella."

"Oh. I felt dizzy and I preferred to go home rather than to ruin the party." She said looking at him straight in the eyes.

"Are you feeling better today? You look pale and tired. Maybe you should go home and have a rest. Do you want me to drive you home?"

"I appreciate your concern but I'm fine. And I have lots of work." She replied with a smile.

"I'd like to invite you for dinner tonight, are you free?" Jay asked her smiling.

"I'm sorry but I've already something."

"Oh" replied Jay obviously very disappointed. "What about tomorrow?" he asked and came close to Cuddy. She moved back and said:

"I'm afraid I have to turn down your invitation for the whole weekend."

"May I ask you what you've planned for the weekend?"

"That's none of your business, Mr. Jay."

"Dr. Cuddy, I suggest you to be a little more tactful. I could take offense of your sharp tone and if I'm right you need me." Jay said coldly and stood just in front of Cuddy.

"Mr. Jay, I never intended to offense you, but my private life is "private" and I don't think that your money gives you the right to meddle in my life."

"I" Jay tried to say but Cuddy kept on talking and Jay could feel the anger in her voice.

"And I don't need you, the hospital may need your money, not me. So if you don't mind, I really have to work in order to run this hospital as good as possible so it brings money to the stockholder." She articulated staring at him, her eyes shining with anger.

"Is it serious?" Jay asked with a smile. This woman really appealed to him, he admired her courage, her determination, and her firmness in the business. She wasn't superficial like the women he used to date, on the contrary she was very smart and witty. And she was sexy and beautiful. He wouldn't give up on her easily. Dr. Robert would have to fight to keep his girlfriend. Jay would be fair play and let Robert enjoy his weekend with Cuddy. But then…

"What do you mean?"

"Do you really like this guy?! Seriously, you're too good for him. You deserve someone… someone"

"Someone like you?" she replied ironically.

"Why not? I'm sure we have lots in common."

"Mr. Jay, I don't think "

Cuddy couldn't end her sentence. The door opened suddenly and Robert came in.

"Oups! I'm sorry, I thought you were alone." Robert said and stared at Jay who still stood right next to Cuddy.

"Well, Dr. Cuddy. I hope you're going to think about my proposition. You have my number, just call me, no matter what time it is, I'll always be free for you." Jay said with a wink and left.