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Chapter 10
Lisa was sitting at her desk deep in thought when a small tap on her door startled her, taking her away from her thoughts. She looked up to find Christy, her new assistant, poking her head around the door.
"Dr. Cuddy?"
"Yes Christy, come in." Lisa motioned for her to enter.
"I'm sorry to bother you. I was wondering if I could leave around three tomorrow. I forgot about an appointment I have."
Lisa stifled a yawn. "Hmmm. That should be okay. I don't believe I have anything pressing at that time, do I?"
"No. You have two appointments in the morning but your afternoon is free."
Lisa gave her a fleeting smile. She had other things on her mind at the moment. "That should be fine."
"Thank you." Christy started to leave but instead decided to take the opportunity to ask the question that had been occupying her head all morning.
Lisa looked up to see Christy still standing in front of her desk. "Is there something else?" She asked, somewhat annoyed that she was being interrupted again.
Christy cleared her throat. "How well do you know Dr. House?"
The question surprised Lisa. "We have known each other for awhile. Why do you ask?"
Christy moved closer to Lisa's desk. She couldn't suppress the little smile that crossed her lips. "I was just wondering… what his story is."
This question surprised Lisa even more. "His story?"
"Well, I know he isn't married. Is he seeing someone? You two seem close."
Lisa sat back and eyed her assistant for a minute, wondering what was going through her young, naive mind. "Are you asking me about Dr. House because you are interested in him?"
Christy smiled. "I suppose I am."
A small smile escaped Lisa. "It doesn't bother you that he is more than twice your age?"
"Age has never bothered me. I prefer it in a man, actually. As a matter of fact, I have had several relationships with older men." Christy said with pride.
Lisa sat forward in an authoritative manner. "Dr. House is a very complicated man and I'm not sure he is someone you really want to get tangled up with."
"So, he isn't seeing anyone?" Christy asked again, choosing to ignore Lisa's warning.
"It is not my place to discuss Dr. House's personal issues with you, Christy. That would be a question you would need to ask him. However, he is considered one of the hospital's prime doctors and I'm not sure the board would appreciate a young member of the staff chasing after him."
"So, what you are really saying, is to stay away from him." Christy said in a cunning tone.
Lisa gave her a little smirk. "No. That is not what I am saying." Lisa shifted in her chair, definitely not liking the conversation. "I can't tell you who you can or can not see or talk to Christy. You asked me a question and I gave you an answer."
"With all do respect Dr. Cuddy, it sounds like you are warning me to stay away from Dr. House." She paused. "I'm not wanting to marry him. I just find him interesting and I didn't want to step on any toes if he was involved with someone."
Cuddy tapped her fingers on her desk, giving Christy a wry smile at her frankness. "You should know that I don't encourage my doctors to get involved with the staff."
"But there aren't any rules saying I can't?"
"No. There should be but there isn't." Lisa said sternly and began to shuffle through some paperwork on her desk, letting Christy know she was ready for this particular conversation to end.
Christy didn't miss the tone and understood that she was being dismissed. "Thank you again for allowing me to leave early tomorrow."
"You're welcome." Lisa paused. "Christy."
"Yes?"
"I suggest that you tread water lightly on this issue." Lisa said, not looking up.
Christy only smiled and gently closed the door behind her. She walked to her desk and sat down. She still wasn't sure what the relationship was between Lisa Cuddy and Dr. House but she knew she had hit a nerve with the questions she had asked. If her boss was involved with Dr. House, achieving his full attention wasn't going to be easy but it would definitely make the situation more interesting.
Lisa waited until Christy had closed her door before she turned to stare out the large window behind her desk. Clouds were beginning to move in from the north, showing promise of more snow. She sighed heavily. The weather fit her mood.
She was somewhat concerned with Christy and would have to keep a close eye on the situation. The last thing House needed was another obsessed girl chasing after him and she didn't need it either. She had placed her job on the line too many times for him already. However, Christy's interest in House wasn't what was really bothering her at the moment. It was her own feelings for House and why all of a sudden they were surfacing. She wasn't even sure if what she was feeling was genuine or just a deep need to be in a relationship with someone. And of course, she wasn't sure what his feelings were for her. They had played the cat and mouse game for years. However lately, he had been showing more interest in her. Perhaps picking up on that is what has brought her feelings to the surface again. Whatever was going on between them, it was screwing with her head and her ability to function around him. And now there was the issue of Cameron. It had completely taken her by surprise when he asked if he could hire her back. Lisa had to wonder if pushing Cameron away all this time was just his way of not dealing with his feelings for her, which would be so like him. Wilson had always said that he believed House felt more for Cameron than he let on.
She stood and glanced at her watch. Her mood wasn't any better. If anything, she felt worse. She shook her head. "This is crazy!" She said out loud and opened her door and quickly left her office, ignoring the curious stare from Christy.
