Chapter 49

There were lots of people at the Palace Plazza. House and Cuddy managed to find two seats on the right side of the room, not far away from a guy of the security personnel of the governor. They were determined to fix an appointment with Stevenson tonight and they decided to use one of his bodyguards to get what they wanted. After Stevenson's speech and after lots of applause, Stevenson thanked his audience and gave the signal for the evening. People headed to a vast room to eat, drink, speak, and give donations to Stevenson's party. House and Cuddy went to the man in black.

"Stop, you can't go there."

"Oh really? I thought that the Governor was close to his electors." House said ironically.

"I'm sorry, but you can't go there."

"Okay, I repeat, we have to talk to the Governor, it's an emergency."

"If you want to talk with the Governor, you have to set an appointment with his secretary."

"Okay, so can you at least give this to your boss?" House replied annoyed and held an envelope to the man.

"What's this?" the guy replied suspicious and moved slightly back.

"Just give it to your boss."

The man didn't move, he seemed perplex and didn't know what to do.

Exasperated, House added: "That's just a letter to thank the governor for his job in our city, that's not a bomb!"

"Oh, okay. I'll give it to the governor."

"Now!" House said and stared at the guy.

The guy hesitated a few seconds and decided to do what House said.

"Lights are on, but nobody home!" House exclaimed and turned to Cuddy. Then they burst out of laughing.

"I hope it'll work. We really need Stevenson's help. Do you think he will accept to meet us?" Cuddy asked worried.

House looked at her. She was pale and tired. "Yes, he will."

She nodded. "Ok, what about going home now?"

"Don't you want to enjoy some good food and great wines?"

"No, I'm tired and I've got something in mind" she replied with a cheeky smile.

House rolled his eyes and whispered in her ear: "Is it what I'm thinking of?"

She whispered back: "If you think of sex, then we're on the same wavelength" and she nibbled softly his ear.

"Then let's go home! Stevenson has our phone number."

They were about to leave the Palace Plazza when a man in his fifties, with a dark grey suit, called them.

"Hi, I'm James Marton, governor private Secretary, and you are Dr. Cuddy and Dr. House, right?"

"Yes."

"The governor is interested in your offer. He can meet you tomorrow morning at 11.00. Does it suit you?"

House and Cuddy exchanged looks and House said: "I'll be at his office tomorrow. Thank you."

Once in the car, House told Cuddy: "See, I was right as usual. Stevenson couldn't do but accept our offer. If he wants to be reelected, he can't allow himself to miss an opportunity to discredit Jay."

Cuddy didn't reply. She focused on the road and thought about her meeting with Susan Malone. She hoped Jay's ex-wife will accept to help them.

Ooooo

Tritter had dialed Marie's number and waited for her to answer. He was about to hang up when she picked up.

"Hi, I'd like to talk to Marie Seeds." Tritter said. His voice was tensed. His heart beat wildly.

After a few seconds, she replied: "It's me, Michael. What do you want?"

"Marie, I… I'm sorry, I know I should have done something to help you, I should have supported you, I… I'm sorry."

"Michael, if you just call me to apologize, okay. You did it, I accept you apologies, so good"

"No, Marie, please, don't hang up. I call you because there is something new in Jay's case. And I think it might interest you." Tritter stopped talking. He let Marie assimilate what he said.

"Michael, I don't want to hear of it."

"No, Marie, you can't say that. I can catch him, you can take your revenge on him but I will need your help. Jay is involved in a new case and the… people who try to confront him… well, to make it short, I know them and they are well determined to ruin Jay's career and candidacy for the post of governor. I contacted Jake and he's part of it. Please, accept to help us. Your name and Jake's name will be cleared, you will get your level as Detective back and I'm sure we can manage to get you back here in Chicago."

"Michael, I…" Marie thought quickly, of course she'd love to take her revenge on Jay, this guy destroyed her career and sent her in this hole, but … it was so humiliating to read what the press wrote, to see her name dragged through the mud, to see the pain and the pity in her colleagues' eyes, to face her chiefs and to confront the journalists. She just wanted to forget all this. But she knew she couldn't… unless she took her revenge and redressed the injury.

"Marie, trust me, I won't let you down. Take part of our project. You won't regret it."

Marie sighed. "That's what you say."

"I promise"

"Michael, before I accept, I need to know more about this new case. What can you tell me?"

"It's a long story, maybe we should meet. I… I maybe can go to"

"No! I'm gonna come. I have a few days off. Be at the airport tomorrow afternoon. I'll send you a message to give you the land time."

"Great, I'll be there. Thank you. And…"

"And?"

"It's good to hear your voice again."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow, Michael. And don't be late!"

Once she hung up, Tritter remained still a few minutes. Tomorrow he will see Marie. Tomorrow they will have a new chance, a new start in life, because if they managed to prove that Jay was involved in the murder of the journalist, he'd probably get a promotion and his friends too. He was thinking about a nice future when his cell phone rang and Tritter came back in the real world.

"Detective Tritter"

"Tritter, it's House. I just want you to know that everything's fine. What about you?"

"It's okay for me too."

"Great, then have a nice Sunday."

"You too."

They had decided earlier in the afternoon to be as neutral as possible on the phone. Just in case. Who knew if Jay didn't spy on them? That's why they didn't mention any name or place. Their project was on the right track.

Oooooo

Before the diner Cuddy had called Julia to ask after Rachel and Ethan. Everything was fine, the kids had fun and were now sleeping. Cuddy promised to call earlier tomorrow so she could speak to Rachel and Ethan. And now Cuddy and House were sitting in the living-room. The TV was on but they didn't really watch it. It was just a background noise. They were lost in thoughts, thinking of the day, of what they learnt about Jay, of the people who were involved directly or indirectly, of what they had to do in the next days. They were fine together, lying on the couch. Finally, House said:

"Well, Tritter's friends are ready to help us. I see Stevenson tomorrow and you meet Susan. Our plan takes place without incident until now."

"Let's hope it will last." Cuddy replied.

House turned to her and took her face in his hands. "Cuddy, don't worry, we'll get rid of Jay soon."

She looked at him straight in the eyes. He was sure of it, he was self-confident, she knew this look, she had seen it so many times in the past and she felt relieved, yeah she felt good in his arms, she felt safe near him. "I hope so, House." She hugged him tight and cuddled against his chest. He hugged her back and stroked gently her hair.

"And then we're going to take some days off and go to San Francisco."

She sat up straight and looked at him. "But House! You've just been hired! How can you imagine taking holidays?!"

House made a funny face and replied: "Well, I hoped that my boss would be understanding and would accept to give me a week off…"

"And if you have a case?"

"My team can deal with it."

"Your team? Seriously, House, you get a team?!"

"Yes. But it's not an interesting subject. Right now, I"

"Who? Tell me, House, who did you hire?"

House looked at her upset and sighed. "Okay. Dr. Alison Jones, specialized in neurology, Dr."

"How does she look like?"

"Why do you ask? What's the link with my team?"

"House…"

"She seems to be quite good in her field and is ready to follow my method. That's it"

"Okay, go on"

"Dr. James MacCoy, a young surgeon, and Dr. Taub"

"Taub? Our Taub?!" Cuddy exclaimed surprised.

"Yes. He likes me so much that he can't stand being far away from me." House replied with a half-smile.

"Are you kidding? Taub is here and works with you!"

"Yes. Esthetic surgery is not as interesting and fascinating as working with me, no adrenalin, no pressure, no joke, no"

"Okay, I get it. I suppose that if you hired them, they should be good doctors… and able to work with you and your own method" she added ironically.

"Of course, they are. You know that I don't like mediocrity… But to return to the subject, with all the pressure, I'm going to need a week off…" he added and nibbled her ear. "And I hate to be alone, I will need a beautiful, smart, funny woman with a zesty bod'… Do you know one?"

"House" Cuddy pretended to be offended but a smile shined on her face. "I know one…"

"And what about my boss? Would she agree?"

"No favoritism, but… you could maybe try to move your boss…" she added and let her tongue going slowly on her lips in a suggestive way, her eyes shining with desire.

"Are you telling me to give a backhander to my boss? And by backhander I mean to have sex." House replied with a smirk and bent over her to kiss her.

She kissed him back and smiled. "Nobody will hear of it… if you give your boss what she wants" she whispered.

"No problem, I perfectly know what she wants." Saying that he threw her back on the couch and while kissing her, he undid her blouse. Their movements were quite slow but passionate and tender. The night belonged to them.