Chapter: I'm telling I'm sorry

House goes straight to Cuddys' office.

The light on her desk is on and a tiny person is sitting on her big chair.

H: "Where's mom?"

R: "I don't know. She left me hear alone, I don't like to be alone, is scaring."

She sniffs a little bit, trying not to cry.

House taps her head gently.

H: "Smart girls never cry."

R: "I'm not crying." A fire look in her eyes. God, sometimes he thinks if Cuddy really adopted her and he missed her getting pregnant……… Rachel really behaves like her mother even when she would like to hide her emotions.

House places a kiss on her forehead.

H: "Good. I'll be right over."

R: "Where are you going?"

H: "Catching your mother!"

R: "Can I go with you?"

H: "No. Is better I do this alone. I'll be back soon."

R: "You promise?"

H: "I promise. Just stay here. And don't be afraid of anything."

Where she could be?

When he wants to be alone and think he goes to the toilet.

That was the only place he could escape from everybody when he was on his methadone treatment.

Maybe even Cuddy is there.

He enters.

H: "Cuddy? Are you in here?"

No light, silence, no reply.

He turns on the light and has a look around.

He only founds her veil on the floor, shredded in many parts.

Where could be she?

Passing in front of his office he founds out that the door was slight open.

Maybe………?

He enters in.

Everything was dark inside.

H: "Cuddy? Are you in here?"

Suddenly, from the dark, something slammed on Houses' face.

Just when he felt down the floor he realized that was one of his balls that almost changed the disposition of his face.

H: "Well, at least I found you." He said in a relieved voice.

Always in the dark he looks for his cane, a help to stand up.

Than turn on the light.

Cuddy is looking out the window, crossed arms on her chest.

C: "House. Leave me alone."

She angry stares at him. She doesn't look happy anymore.

Her past perfectly make up face is gone.

Her cheeks are covered of rows of mascara.

Hairs are loosed on her shoulders and uncombed.

House is reaching her.

H: "Cuddy….. I'm, I'm, I'm…………… I'm sorry."

C: "You are never sorry."

H: "Normally you could be right. But this time I really am."

C: "Bullshit. What is different this time?"

H: "I didn't mean to hurt you."

C: "You didn't mean to hurt me? You have a strange way to demonstrate it."

House looks down the floor, trying to find out the right words.

H: "I just……… I couldn't stand that man cheating and offending you."

C: "I could have managed him. I did it in every occasion he had to slam his money on our face."

H: "That's all was about? Money? Letting him treating you like…………."

He doesn't want to think about it.

C: "Like what? Say it!"

H: "No, I don't!"

C: "May I finish for you Doctor House?!?!?!? Like a wore!"

She slams a hand on his blackboard and makes it felt down broken.

She wraps her left hand with the right one. An expression of pain in her face.

H: "You hurt yourself."

C: "No, I just caress my hand. Auh!"

H: "Let me see it." A worried expression in his face. "It hurt if I press you here?"

C: "A little."

H: "Go to the X-Ray room to see if there are any internal ribs broken."

C: "It doesn't matter."

He's holding her hands.

H: "Cuddy………… I'm telling you I'm sorry."

C: "Maybe, I'm saying maybe…………… you could be sorry. But this will not change things."

H: "That you loose Mr Owner of Texas money?"

C: "Fuck the money. No. That I will have to face the hospital commission tomorrow."

H: "Why you? It was me who slammed a fist on that pig face!"

She starts to laugh.

C: "House are you talking seriously? How long have you been working here?"

H: "Quite long. Why?"

C: "How many times have you faced the commission?"

H: "Don't remember but not many. I don't get your point anyhow."

C: "Who you think faced it the 90% you was supposed to attend at?"

H: "Oh, oh, ok…………… And what about if I will be present this time?"

C: "Is not like these sorts of things go."

H: "I see."

She has a forthcoming question for him.

C: "House!"

H: "Yeah?"

C: "Can I ask you something?"

H: "Sure."

C: "Why you never think about consequences of your actions? You just act and than think about what to do."

H: "I'm not following you."

C: "Where are you supposed to get one million dollars?"

H: "Oh, that…………… Well, you know it happened that I was quite lucky on the poker game and………"

She puts a hand on his mouth and says:

C: "Stop tell me lies…………" There's certain tenderness in her voice.

Her tone caresses Houses' soul.

H: "Ok. I have a certain amount of money my father left me."

C: "A certain …………… amount ……………… of money ………????? It's a fortune. And you are throwing it in the garbage for, for, for nothing?"

H: "You always complain about how much I cost to the hospital."

C: "You don't understand."

H: "I'm not doing it for nothing. But just for you."

C: "Me?"

H: "You will be always in the centre and than in the between of everything that concern my life."

C: "What are going to do with a wedding dress by the way."

H: "You can keep it."

C: "How generous from you. And doing what? Marmalade?"

H: "You can use it one day."

C: "With who?"

H: "Who knows. Someone you like. Someone you love. Jack the cripple."

She lift up an eyebrow.

Looking out of the window she sees the firsts signs of sunrise.

C: "You simply ruined everything."

H: "Yeah. I know. I'm sorry for your Gala Evening."

C: "I'm not talking about the evening."

H: "What are you talking about?"

C: "Us."

She left him there.

A confused look in his eyes.