Chapter 53: the last one. I hope you enjoy the story and that you'll enjoy this last chapter. Thanks for reading
Late in the evening, House met Cuddy at Julia's place. They had decided to spend the night here, so nobody would disturb them and their so-called break-up could remain secret. Nobody should know about it or all they did to make people believe they had broken-up would be useless. It was a part of House's plan to bring down Jay's guard, to push him into doing something stupid, to push him into making a mistake. Without saying that it would help Governor Stevenson and Tritter: if Jay focused on Cuddy – who was now single and free – he wouldn't pay close attention to the election campaign and to the investigation about the murder of the journalist. Which was good news. Earlier in the evening, Tritter had called House. They found something interesting in the case that concerned the journalist's death. As promised, Stevenson made a phone call to his friend, the chief of the police of Chicago, and this one gave Tritter carte blanche to reopen the investigation about Joseph Davis' murder. With the help of Marie and Jack, Tritter met Davis' friends, his boss and his colleagues. They also went to his former flat and had a nice surprise there: Joseph's girlfriend still lived there and she gave them Joseph's files. They planned to read carefully all the papers, all the information that Joseph Davis had gathered and hoped to find something which could prove Jay's implication in the murder.
"Sunshine here I am!" House shouted as he closed the door.
"I'm in the living-room" Cuddy replied.
House went to the living-room and let himself fall onto the couch next to Cuddy.
"You are a damm good actress!" he said staring at her.
"You're not bad at playing a role too" she replied with a smile. "If we hadn't worked out this ploy to mislead Jay, I would have believed that you really dumped me. For a second, I almost thought it was true and my heart squeezed. But then you winked at me"
"I knew that my talent as an actor would dazzle you." He smiled and she rolled her eyes.
"Your modesty will be your downfall."
"Don't worry about me." House put his arm around Cuddy's shoulders and said: "You scared me in my office." House waited for Cuddy to react but she just cuddled up to him. "Did you play a role or were you really jealous of Charlotte?"
"I've told you that I was a great actress, but you refused to believe me. I just showed you my skills, that's it."
"That's it?! No, you're lying."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you are. And you know that I know that you do. Why?"
"Why what?" Cuddy asked and looked at House.
"Why were you so angry, why were you so furious?"
Cuddy didn't answer.
"Cuddy, I've told you that Charlotte was just my physiotherapist, nothing else, I swear!"
"Really? Because she seemed to be much more than your physiotherapist."
"I don't like her! She's too young and too … hokey"
"Hokey? The way she looked at you was everything but hokey, House! She devoured you!"
"Cuddy! You know that I'm a sexy man, every woman wishes to make love to me, it's not my fault!" House replied. "You should feel sorry for me, it's not easy to be a sex symbol."
Cuddy couldn't help but smile. "It's funny but usually the adjectives that people use about you are rather arrogant, cynical, and childish"
"Maybe, but I assure you, women find me sexy."
"I know" she whispered and gave him a kiss.
"Cuddy, Charlotte is nothing for me, believe me, I don't like her. YOU are my girlfriend, YOU are the woman I love, the woman I want to be with."
They stared at each other, so many things could be told through the eyes, they didn't need to talk to know how they felt for each other.
"How did you know that Jay was in my office?" Cuddy finally asked.
"I was just lucky."
"No, I don't believe you. You knew he was there, you showed up at the right time. Chance has nothing to do with it. So tell me: how did you know? Did you spy on me?"
House looked at her and smiled. "Didn't you notice the bunch of roses on your desk?"
Cuddy thought a few seconds and a bright smile came on her lips. "You hid a microphone in the flowers! Just like I did on the advice of Lucas when I got the problem with this nurse."
"Yes."
"I love you, House."
"I've told you that I would be there for you when you need me."
She kissed him. "Thank you"
"And I wanted to be sure that Jay didn't seduce you."
"House!"
"I'm kidding. I didn't want him to feel you up. But with my leg, it's not easy to run."
"Don't worry, you were right on time."
House held her tight against his chest and kissed her head. "Tritter called me."
"Any good news?"
"Apparently he found Davis' files about Jay and he hoped to find something implying him."
"Let's cross our fingers"
"We're gonna make it, Cuddy. Soon, Jay will be only a bad memory."
"I know." She sighed. "Look at his message." She said and gave him her phone. "What do you think I should do? Answer him or not?"
House read Jay's message. "What a cheek! This guy has really no doubts about himself! He doesn't deserve an answer. Forget about it."
"Yes, but what if he insists?"
"Then we'll see. But right now, I suggest that we test the bed of your sister." He replied with a smile. Cuddy looked at him, she felt so good with him, she needed him around her, in her life. She knew he would do his best to watch over her, to protect her. "I never slept in a water bed"
"How do you know Julia has a water bed? Did you sleep with her?"
"God no! I just suppose she has one."
"Why?"
"Let's say that she's the kind of person to have a water bed"
"What do you mean? If I remember Wilson had one"
"No, he hadn't. Amber wanted one, Wilson didn't. He just bought it to please her. And that was stupid"
"You didn't answer my question; what kind of person has a water bed?"
"Joker!" House exclaimed. "I don't want to ruin a night of sex with you. Let's go to bed" he said, stood up and held his hand to Cuddy. She looked at him and sighed: "You will never change." Then she stood up and followed him to the bedroom.
"That's why you love me" he replied.
oooooo
The next days were quite quiet. House and Cuddy did their best to ignore each other at the hospital because they knew that Jay had some "spies" at the hospital, otherwise how could he send Cuddy pictures of House and Charlotte? He was indeed with Cuddy in Miami. But who? They were also very careful but when they met at night by Julia, they made up for lost time. The lack of tenderness or complicity at the hospital had to be filled at night. To meet the other one in a secret place and the rush of adrenalin because of a feeling of danger and mystery increased their desire and they made love every night with unbridled passion.
Robert tried timidly to get back at Cuddy but she spurned him nicely. As for Jay, his campaign took up most of his days: he gave many meetings and attended many galas to convince people to vote for him, without talking about the many interviews he gave to the press and the tour of many towns. But he didn't forget Cuddy: he sent her about twenty messages a day, called her many times and sent her roses every day. At the hospital, people began to talk. There was a rumor going round saying that Jay was about to ask her to marry him. It got on Cuddy's nerves but she couldn't do anything against it. She was stuck. When Jay called her, she tried to save time, pretending to still be depressed because of her break-up with House, to need more time before she could think of dating someone else. She felt that Jay found it hard to wait for her to be ready to date him, but she stuck to her guns: she wasn't in the mood for the moment to date someone. If he really wanted her, he would have to wait and to show lot of understanding. Each time she told him that, she talked to him in a charming ton of voice, using nice and sweet words, implying that she would soon give into his advances. But she was fed up with it. She hoped that Tritter will finally find a proof of Jay's implication in the murder of the journalist. And quick. Because Jay wouldn't wait very long. And she was right. Jay had indeed during interviews several times alluded to his girlfriend, an amazing woman, but had refused to reveal her name to protect her and their relationship. But on Thursday evening, in an interview on a TV-Show, he declared to the journalist who asked him many questions about his mysterious girlfriend that he would ask Dr. Lisa Cuddy to marry him. And that he hoped that she would say yes. The next day, when Cuddy came at the hospital, she felt that something was going wrong. Everyone looked at her oddly. Some people with a smile, others with a disapproving look. She went to her office and asked her assistant what was going on with her? He looked at her embarrassed and finally said:
"Didn't you watch Mr. Jay's interview yesterday evening?"
"No. I don't care about this guy. Why?"
"Oh, it's… it's weird."
"What? What is weird? And why are you looking at me like this?!" she replied upset.
"Well, I thought that you and Mr. Jay were…"
"Were what? "
Her assistant swallowed. "Everybody knows that you are together" he stuttered.
"But no! I'm not dating Mr. Jay! This guy is a parasite who ruins my life."
"But… the roses"
"The roses? He tried to buy me."
"But yesterday on TV he said that he will ask you to marry him"
Cuddy couldn't believe what she heard. "What? What did you say?"
"Mr. Jay told the journalist that he is going to ask you to marry him. Everyone at the hospital knows it and talks about it this morning."
"Not everyone. I didn't know it."
Cuddy went to her office and slapped violently the door. She was furious. How did he dare doing such a thing! Without thinking of it, she dialed Jay's number. He picked up after three rings.
"Lisa, I'm so happy to"
"Shut up, Jay! How could you do that to me?! How did you dare telling a journalist that we're going to get married?! You're a son of a bitch, Jay! I"
"Hey, calm down, Lisa. I know I should have told you first but you know, this journalist is very good and she insisted so much that I finally gave in. If I had known that it would have annoyed you so much, I wouldn't have done it. I"
"Shut up! I want you to call this journalist to tell her that it was a joke, that you never intend to ask me to marry you, that it was a stupid bet with a friend of yours. Am I clear?"
"Lisa, honey, why are you so upset? It's just a question of time. Sooner or later you will marry me. And I thought it was the right time to let people know about us. It would be better for me if I'm engaged with a woman, it reassures the electors, it shows them that I'm a guy with values. I'm"
"I don't want to hear any more about you, Jay. I'm fed up with you. Leave me alone!" She shouted crying and hung up. Then she sat at her desk, took her head in the hands and cried.
ooooooo
Half an hour later, when Charlotte knocked at her door, Cuddy was still prostrate at her desk. Her tears were now dried but her eyes were red and her face was pale. She didn't want to see anyone right now, but the person behind her door insisted.
"Dr. Cuddy? I'd like to talk to you. It's urgent"
The door opened slowly and her assistant showed his head. "Dr. Cuddy, I'm sorry to disturb you, but Dr. Nera needs to talk to you. Can I let her in?"
Cuddy looked at her assistant and nodded. Charlotte came in and stopped as she saw Cuddy. The Dean looked bad, her eyes were red and swollen for sorrow. It was obvious that she had cried a long time. Charlotte wondered why. She should be happy, soon Jay will marry her. So why did the Dean cry? What bothered her?
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Dr. Cuddy, but…"
"What do you want?" asked Cuddy in a weary tone of voice.
"I know it's none of my business but I'm worried about Dr. House"
"Really? And why do you tell me that?" Cuddy replied sarcastically.
"Well, it's a bit embarrassing. I… I don't really know where to begin"
"Dr. Nera, I don't have time to waste, so tell me what you want or go away"
Charlotte was surprised and disconcerted by Cuddy's coldness. She didn't understand Cuddy's reaction. Why was she so cold, so distant, so hard with her? "I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you. It's just that since your break-up with Dr. House, he's weird. I'm afraid he could so something stupid." She said in one go without looking at Cuddy.
"You're right, Dr. Nera. It's none of your business. And don't worry for Dr. House. He often does stupid things."
"But… Dr. Cuddy, please, talk to him. You can't let him down, he is devastated by your wedding with Mr. Jay, he deserves an explanation, you can't simply do as if there was nothing between you, it's not fair. You"
"Dr. Nera, I thought I was clear: I have no time to waste for your concern for House and I don't owe you anything! Do I?"
"No, of course not, but"
"The door is behind you." Cuddy replied and stared at Charlotte. Finally, this one went out and let Cuddy alone.
Ooooo
Cuddy tried to focus on her work. She was preparing her meeting with the heads of the departments on Monday when the door slammed opened.
"House. You come because of your protégée. I assumed she complained about me"
"Who? Charlotte?"
"Dr. Nera"
"No, I haven't seen her, why?"
"She's worried about you, she finds you weird since our break-up and she wants me to talk to you. She told me that you were devastated by the news of my wedding."
"Do I look devastated?" he replied with a smile.
Cuddy looked at him. "No, you don't. But you know of course about Jay's declaration on set yesterday evening."
"Hum yes. The whole hospital talks about it. You're a celebrity now. People gonna want an autograph."
"Shut up, House. It's not funny. This guy is completely crazy. And now everyone waits for me to say yes!"
"I hope you won't."
"Of course I won't!"
"So you're gonna be the bad girl, but you're used to it so why are you so upset?"
"Why? You ask me why I'm so upset?! Are you kidding House?"
"I find the situation quite funny. Jay made a fool of himself yesterday. Who can believe that he's gonna get married?! Everyone knows he's a womanizer. Don't worry about that."
"I don't know if I should admire you for being so calm and relaxed or if I should blame you for being completely irresponsible."
"Choose the first one."
Cuddy stared at House. A light of fun shined in his eyes. He knew something that she didn't know. Something that made Jay's declaration completely stupid and inoffensive. She came close to him and looked at him. She bit her lips and asked:
"What do you know? What don't you tell me?"
"Ah, finally you get it!
"I get what?"
"Tritter called me one hour ago." He replied looking at her straight in the eyes. And he could see relief in Cuddy's eyes.
"What did he say? Did he find something to remove Jay from me and to ruin his life?"
"Yes. With his friends, they went through Davis' files and Jay's accounts, they also checked Jay's phone calls and talked to the journalist of the Chicago Tribune, Damon Stamp – do you remember?" Cuddy nodded and House went on: "And they finally found the proof that Jay had ordered the murder of Joseph Davis. They even arrested the murderer and I assume that at this time he gave Jay to the police."
Cuddy was overwhelmed by a wave of relief and joy. Tears of happiness rolled on her cheeks and she fell in House's arms. He held her tight. He felt happy.
Suddenly they heard noise behind the door. Cuddy recognized the voice of her assistant. "No, you can't go in, Dr. Cuddy doesn't want to be disturbed, she has an appointment."
"Com'on, let me in!" a voice replied. Cuddy tensed up, she recognized it, it was Jay. And suddenly the door opened. "Lisa, sweathe…" Jay's bright smile vanished as soon as he saw Cuddy and House standing so close from each other. The surprise let him speechless. Before he said to the journalist the day before that he was going to ask Dr. Cuddy to marry him, he had taken long time to think about it. He also took advice from his team and they decided that it was worth it to announce his future wedding at that time. It would give him a good image, it would draw all the attention of the press on Jay, and not on Stevenson, so free advertising which was a good thing. And as for Jay's personal point of view, it was a good way to force Cuddy's hand. She would be under pressure and it would be hard for her to refuse to marry Jay. At worst, if she did refuse, she would be the bad girl and Jay would appear as a poor guy, the public opinion would support him and would be moved by his unhappy love story. Once again, he would be the center of attention of the press at the cost of Stevenson. That was why he didn't come alone. Behind him stood a woman with a microphone and a cameraman. Journalists! Jay came with journalists. Cuddy was furious.
"Mr. Jay, how dare you coming here!" she exclaimed, shooting Jay dirty looks.
The journalist didn't really know how to react. She hadn't expected such a reaction from Cuddy. She thought that she would be pleasantly surprised. She tried to talk to Cuddy. "Dr. Cuddy, Caroline Wood for NBC, we're here because"
"Who authorizes you to film here?" Cuddy replied sharply.
The journalist looked disconcerted. "Well, I thought that Mr. Jay"
"Mr. Jay is nothing here, I am the Dean of this hospital, if you want to do a report you have to ask me. And I don't remember to get and to have approved any request for it. So I'd like you to stop filming and"
Suddenly Tritter showed up. He was with Marie and Jack who were in uniform. They pushed back the journalist who waved at her cameraman to keep on filming. She was almost certain that she got a scoop.
"Mr. Jay" Tritter said and went to Jay. "You're under arrest for the murder of Joseph Davis. You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, what you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer and have that lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire. If you choose to talk to the police officer, you have the right to stop the interview at any time. Do you understand me?"
Jay was dazed, stunned. He didn't understand how this Detective could know for Davis. He was sure that all the evidences of his implication in the murder of Davis were destroyed. He meticulously erased all the potential links between him and Davis. It was impossible that the police found something. This Detective should bluff.
"I don't know what you're talking about, it's a plot against me, Caroline" he said to the journalist "it's a plot, I'm sure that my adversary tries to discredit me. I have nothing to do with this accusation. I'm gonna suit you for defamation" Jay kept on saying while Tritter and his friends took him away. The journalists followed them and Cuddy and House remained alone. After a few minutes, they looked at each other and burst out of laughing. They hadn't expected that. But once was sure: Jay wouldn't bother them for a very long time.
"See, I've told you that everything will end well." House said with a smile.
"Yeah, and I'm happy that you're right." She replied and gave him a kiss.
Ooooo
During the next weeks, the press was fascinated by Jay's trial. Governor Stevenson was re-elected, Marie Seeds and Jack Lester were reinstated Detective and Tritter got a promotion. He and Marie started a new relationship. As for House and Cuddy, they tried to be a family: House officially acknowledged Ethan as his son and adopted Rachel. He sometimes thought of asking Cuddy to marry him but was afraid she could say no. They felt good so and he didn't want to take the risk of losing her once again and of losing his family. They still had arguments but it was a part of their life and of their relationship and they accepted it.
The end
PS: I'd like to thank all my readers, especially IheartHouse, Abby, HuddyGirl, OldSFfan, Laudys and many others. Thank you for reading my fic and for your support, for your patience and your indulgence concerning my poor English.