Chapter 51
The announcement of the landing woke Cuddy up. She fastened her belt and waited for the plane to stop. Once out of it, she headed to the arrival hall. House was there. As soon as she saw him, she sped up and hugged him tight.
"Hey, what a nice welcome!" he said a little surprised.
"I've missed you"
"But you've just gone this morning!"
"Really? I thought I've been gone for days." She replied with a smile and stroked his cheek.
"Well, I thought you would be happier to see me…" she added with a cajoling smile, her eyes shining.
"What are you thinking of?" House said suspicious.
"I need a shower, let's go home."
"A shower?! Just a shower?"
Cuddy stared at House. "Don't you need one?"
House smiled. "If you invite me…" he replied and gave her a spank. She started and took his hand, and then they went to the car. None of them talked on the way home. They just enjoyed the silence to be together. Once at home, House wanted to know how Cuddy's day was, but she drew him to the bathroom and began to undo his shirt while kissing him. "I've told you I need a shower" she whispered between two kisses.
"I thought that women were able to do two things at the same time?!"
"Of course they can" she said and nibbled at his ear. "But I prefer to focus on you"
House smiled and slid her dress off.
One hour later, they were lying on the bed. Cuddy's head was on House's chest and his arm stroked gently her back. They felt good and they didn't want to break this moment of tenderness. They remained so for a long time. Finally, Cuddy looked at House: "How was your day? Did Governor Stevenson accept to help us?"
"Your boyfriend is a master of manipulation, don't you know it?" he replied smiling. "Of course, he agrees with our plan. He promised to do all he can so Tritter and his friends won't be blocked in their investigation by any agent who decides to overdo his job."
"And what about Jay?"
"Stevenson knows his opponent well, he knows of what Jay capable is, he also promised to try to keep Jay and his coworkers out of the investigation."
"How?"
"He didn't tell me, but I guess he will use some trick of politician…"
"Which means?"
"You know, what politicians do when they don't want to talk about a sensitive subject." In front of Cuddy's questioning look, House went on with his explanation: "Talking about another subject"
"That's what you do"
"Hey we were talking about politicians, not about me!"
"Sorry, I thought you were talking about you and your method to confuse the issue." She replied joking.
House stared at her. "Me?! I never do that"
Cuddy looked at House amused. She liked teasing him. "Maybe you should envisage changing your job"
House pretended to think of this idea for a few seconds and said: "No, I won't be able to stand stupid people all day long."
"That's good news" Cuddy sighed. She knew House's talent for manipulating people, but she was however impressed. Stevenson was a politician which meant someone well-versed in plots and in playing political games, someone who probably didn't let himself easily be influenced by someone else. House did a great job by getting Stevenson on their side.
"And what about the ex-Mrs. Jay? Knowing Jay, she must be sexy."
"Yes, she is. You should have met her, or… maybe not" Cuddy replied with a grin.
"I guess it's not too late. Our secret mission to ruin Jay's career only begins. I'm sure we'll have to meet Susan again in the future."
"House!" Cuddy exclaimed and pretended to be offended.
"Oups! Did I say it aloud?" He smiled at her. "So, what did she tell you?"
Cuddy explained to House her meeting with Susan, her apprehension to renew with her past, her fear to risk her new life, and finally her will to give Cuddy a hand to put a stop to Jay's impunity.
"She's ready to help us if we don't mention her name and she will put together a dossier against Jay so if I sue him for sexual harassment, the file will be complete and her friend will be my lawyer."
"I guess that Jay will have hard times before him" House said and moved so he found himself above Cuddy. "Don't worry, little sunshine, we're gonna win the fight."
"I hope so." She replied.
"But you're worried about tomorrow"
After a while, Cuddy whispered "You know me so well. What should I do? Should I call him to say no or"
"You won't do anything. Just wait for Jay to react." "If he ever reacts" he added after considering the possibility for Jay to give up.
"He will. And you know it."
"Hum yes. But you could pretend to appreciate my effort to cheer you up."
"I do" she replied with a sad smile. "Do you think that's the right thing to do?"
"Absolutely. Sometimes doing nothing is much better than doing something. You can believe me."
"You may be right."
"I'm always right." He replied smiling and stroked gently her cheek. "And to be sure that Jay focuses on something else than on Tritter's investigation, we're gonna give him something else worthy of interest, something which gonna draw his whole attention."
"What are you thinking of? Another housian tricks?"
House smiled. "A Machiavellian and brilliant plan."
"What? Political?"
"No, better than that, something he hopes for. Listen to me." And House explained Cuddy what they would have to do the next day. She listened carefully to all he said.
"It may work, but…"
"Have you never dreamed of being an actress?"
She looked at him: "No."
House looked at her and finally said: "No, you wouldn't have been good."
"What?"
"You don't know how to lie."
"Are you sure of that?" she replied ironically and with a little smile.
House stared at her. "Hum, maybe yes. You can prove it tomorrow."
"And I'll do."
"I'm dying to see it."
Deep inside, Cuddy was however perplexed. She didn't know what to think of House's idea. Of course it could be funny, it would probably strengthen their complicity, for once they both would be in the same boat to play a trick on somebody. But Cuddy was afraid of the potential consequences. What if they went too far? Were they strong enough to get over it? Would their relationship survive?
Ooooo
Monday. Cuddy didn't sleep well. She had nightmare. She hoped that their plan will work. She wished everything was over, that Jay was in jail, far away from her and from her family. House tried to distract her and she appreciated what he did, but she couldn't help but think of Jay, she imagined his reaction when he would understand that she wouldn't come, when he would understand that she rejected him and his advances, when he would understand that she would never give up and never give in. And it scared her. She tried to focus on her work but it wasn't easy.
When House came in his office, his team was waiting for him.
"We have a case" Taub said smiling.
"I found it" Jones added very proud.
"And I should give you an award for that?" House replied sarcastically.
Jones blushed, Taub and MacCoy tried but failed at holding back a smile.
"I listen to you." House said.
His fellows detailed the symptoms of the patient and suggested some possible illness. House sent them to the lab and to the patient's home and ordered some examination. Once his fellows left him alone, he called Tritter.