Oooooo Chapter 24

"What was he doing here?" Robert asked upset, obviously jealous.

"Let's say that he didn't like that I rejected his advances yesterday."

"Did he bother you? Should I call the security guards?"

"No, don't worry about him. I'm sure that he will have soon forgotten me." She replied and smiled. "But I appreciate that you're worried about me." She added and kissed Robert's cheek softly. This guy was sweet. He really cared about her. Why couldn't she fall in love with him? He was good-looking, smart, funny, thoughtful… What's wrong with me? I know a lot of women who would be happy to be loved by Robert, even Julia likes him. Why do I persist in loving House? He was never as attentive as Robert, he never cared that way, so why am I still in love with him? Because he's fascinating, because he's brilliant, because he has a tortured soul, because he does what he thinks right no matter the consequences, because he's sexy, because I like looking and loosing myself in his blue eyes, because there's something magic between us, because I feel unique when I'm with him, because life is surprising with him, because… I know that he loves me like no other man does…

"I'll always be worried about you, Lisa. I care a lot about you." Robert said and hugged her. They stayed so a few minutes and finally Cuddy moved gently back and looked sadly at Robert.

"I know but…"

"Lisa, I'm sorry for this morning. I shouldn't have reacted like I did. I'm a moron."

"David, I have to tell you something"

Robert took her face in his hands and kissed her softly. "Don't worry, I know, Barrow told me."

"Oh he … he told you…" Cuddy repeated trying to guess what Barrow told Robert.

"Yes, I know, you have to interview someone for the job of head of the Diagnostic Department. But it's okay, I'm gonna call the hotel to tell them that we'll arrive tomorrow instead of tonight. And if you want, we can stay longer. Barrow said that we should take some days off and I agree with him, we need vacations."

"But David"

"Shh, I'm sure Julia will agree to keep Rachel and Ethan one more day. I'm gonna call her. And then we can go to Miami all together. First vacations as a family! What do you think of this idea? My parents have a house there, I'm sure that Rachel and Ethan will love it, it's not far from the sea. And some sunny weather will do us good."

Cuddy looked at David. She had to tell him that it was over, but it wasn't easy. He seemed so happy, so in love with her. He even planned holidays for her family. She could be happy with him, maybe. No, I'm fooling myself; the only one who can make me feel good and alive is House. Why? That's a mystery but love is blind and I can't help but be in love with House. Robert was a nice guy but… she had to break his heart. She breathed deeply and was about to talk when Robert's pager bleeped. He looked at it.

"Shoot! I'm sorry, I have to go. See ya" he said kissing her cheek softly. "

"David" Too late, Robert had already left.

Ooooooooooo

House was back in his room. He was sitting on his bed with two pills of Vicodin in the hand. His leg hurt and the Ibuprofen was ineffective. He had to be at his best this afternoon and he knew he wouldn't be in the right mood to get a job if the pain in his leg didn't decrease. But he also knew that Cuddy wouldn't approve of him taking Vicodin. Cuddy… I need you. I swear we're going to be together again. I love you and you love me. Last night was magic. I've never been happier as when I'm in your arms, as when I hold you tight, as when we were together. With you I feel alive and happy. You're the only one who gives me this feeling. And I won't give up on us. He was thinking when he saw his phone. He took it and saw that Cuddy called him ten times. He slapped his forehead with his hand. He had completely forgotten that she wanted to tell him something important. What did she have to tell him? It seemed to him that there was some tension in her voice last night, but maybe was it just because of Jay? This guy could be dangerous and they had to beware. But House was convinced that there was something else, something that Cuddy wanted to tell him but didn't know how to tell him. But what? And why? Because she didn't want to admit that she still loved him? Because she refused to admit that she needed him? Or did she want to tell him that she had another child with a man and didn't know how to say it? House still thought about this child seat in her car. He didn't really mention it to Cuddy but this seat aroused his curiosity and his imagination did the rest. He had imagined Cuddy with a guy but she dumped him because he didn't care enough about her, or she was with a bad guy who left her with the baby, or a violent man, or she was raped or…. House rubbed his leg. The pain was too sharp and he decided to swallow the pills of Vicodin. He couldn't think right with the pain. Another thing worried him: should he tell her that he applied for the job as head of the Diagnostic Department or should he wait to be certain to have the job? Indeed, it would be wiser, because she wouldn't have anything to oppose then. And people wouldn't have anything to say as well, because she wouldn't hire him, but Barrow would. Yes, it would be better to keep his application quiet. At least until he got the job.

But right now, House had something to do. Jay seemed to be well connected and he had money. And he was well too insistent with Cuddy. House had a bad feeling about this guy. He was sure that Jay wouldn't give up so easily on Cuddy, he wouldn't give up on her just because she rejected his advances. He was the kind of guy that couldn't stand that a woman said "no" to him. It was a question of pride, of ego. He would consider that as a failure, a personal failure, which was unconceivable for him. He probably got almost always what he wanted. And House was certain that Jay liked challenges and Cuddy was a great challenge for a guy like him. House assumed that Jay would try again to get Cuddy, he wouldn't admit he lost the battle just because she said no once. On the contrary, Jay desired her certainly more now that she rejected him, his desire for her was certainly stronger now and Cuddy had to be very careful. But did she know it? Was she aware of the danger? House wasn't sure. Cuddy never really saw herself as a beautiful woman who'd be able to turn guys on. She wasn't sure of herself when it came to personal relationship. I should make some investigation, just in case…Cuddy might need my help with Jay. And I'd be there for her, I'd be there to watch over her, to protect her against this man.

Oooooo

Cuddy was trying to reach House one more time when her assistant knocked at the door.

"Come in" she said.

"Dr. Cuddy, Mr. and Ms. Edwards are here."

Cuddy had completely forgotten that she had an appointment with them. But it wasn't the right moment. Unfortunately she couldn't cancel their appointment. Cuddy had to bite the bullet. They intended to make a donation to the hospital but they first wanted to talk with the Dean to get more information. "Yes, let them in, thank you" she said and got up to greet the couple. They were in their fifties and looked good.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Cuddy."

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Ms. Edwards. Nice to meet you." Cuddy replied with a smile. "Please, have a seat" she added.

"We'd like to talk with you and, if it's possible, we'd like to have a look at the different Departments."

"Yes, sure. So what do you want to know?"

And began a long conversation with them. Cuddy was good in her work. Two hours later, they made a donation and left satisfied the hospital. It was already 5.00 pm and Cuddy didn't manage to reach House. She dialed his number one more time but she only got his voicemail. She decided to leave a message: "House! Where are you? I need to talk to you, now. It's urgent. Call me as soon as you get this message."

"Hey my sunshine! You finally manage to get rid of them!" Robert exclaimed as he came in Cuddy's office.

She looked at her watch. "David, what are you doing here? I thought you were off duty today."

"Oh, a colleague asked me to stand in for him for a few hours this afternoon and I didn't want to stay alone at home, so I accepted."

"Well, David, we really need to talk."

"I booked a table at the Phenix at 8.00 pm tonight. We can talk then."

"David, no, I can't"

"Oh please, Lisa, don't tell me that you're still angry at me because of last night! I won't do it again, I swear."

"David, that can't be so easy! You left your work, you lied to me, I… how can I trust you anymore? You assure me you won't do it again, but how can I be sure? How can I believe you? You lied to me and"

"Lisa, I swear I won't lie to you again. Satisfied?"

"I've already heard that in the past and" she replied sadly and stared at him. He looked like a little boy.

"Oh, please, Lisa! Forget him! HE IS DEAD! DEAD! Do you understand?" Robert suddenly yelled. His eyes shined with anger and jealousy.

Cuddy looked at him amazed and scared at the same time. She hadn't expected such a reaction. She moved backwards and finally said with a flat tone of voice: "Who do you mean? You scare me, David. Why are you so angry, so full of hatred? I never saw you like that."

"House! I mean House! I can't fight a ghost! This is a losing battle…" he ended his sentence in a whisper and his eyes were wet.

Cuddy didn't know what to do. She felt bad. Robert was a nice guy, he didn't deserve to be treated like that. She should maybe tell him the truth about House. But she was afraid of his reaction. As she said, she never saw him like that. She was scared.

"You have to move on, Lisa. You have a life. And… I love you."

"I know, David. But…"

"Lisa, listen to me. Barrow forgave me for last night, so why can't you do the same? I'm your boyfriend, I'm not anybody."

"David, I've told you that to be my boyfriend doesn't give you the right to break the rules."

"Lisa, I know you're afraid to replay the same story that you played with House, I know you don't want and can't allow yourself to be involved in a new scandal but I'm not House." Robert said and took her face in his hands. Love shined in his eyes. Cuddy breathed deeply and said:

"It's not your fault, David. It's mine, but I… I can't go on like that. I don't know how to say it, but… as you said, you're not House and"

"Lisa, I know you're still in love with him, but he'll never be back, he's dead. And I also know that you like me, that you like flirting and arguing with me, it's a kind of game, but you like being with me and I'm sure that with time, you'll forget him and that we'll be happy together. Have faith, with time memories fade away." Robert kissed Cuddy.

"David, I"

Someone knocked at the door and Cuddy's assistant came in.

"Dr. Cuddy, it's time to go to your appointment with Mr. Barrow."

"Yes, thank you." Cuddy replied and turned to Robert. "David, I"

"Shh, go to your appointment, I don't want you to be late because of me or Barrow won't be nice to me. I promised him that our relationship won't affect our work and I think that we have to behave and be careful for the moment. I'll take you at your place at 7.30 pm for the restaurant." Robert cut her off with a soft kiss and left with a wink. It was really never the right moment to dump Robert. Or was she too week?