Disclaimer: I do not own House
A/N: hehe wow I updated this pretty quickly, well all your reviews were so encourging and I was actually a little excited myself to write it hehe i'm an eager beaver! :D well thank you to everyone who reviewed! They were all so nice and you all voted for flashback so I assumed it meant for this chapter lololol there is my favorite component in here... hehehe ya thought i was gonna tell you here didnt u haha. Well anyways thanks to my beta Americachick for editing so quickly :D hehe well I hope you all like it! :D
Everyone looked at Cuddy with worry and she looked away. Rachel ran up to her mother and looked at her with sadness as she crawled on her lap. She put her hand on her mother's face caringly and Cuddy was putty in the girl's hands. Cuddy looked away, not being able to resist her daughter's cuteness, but held herself from blurting out what had happened.
--
Cuddy was packing her items when she heard the door open. She looked up and glared at the man she saw and immediately turned back around to ignore him. She heard the door close and was surprised when she also heard the lock click. She stood up straight and glared at him suspiciously.
"What do you want now Daniel," She asked angrily, not caring if he was her boss or not. "You already insulted my wardrobe, my 'message', my work ethics, my mistakes, my decisions, and my moral values. Did you suddenly remember something?" She wanted to just go home and relax with her daughter.
"Lisa, Lisa, Lisa," He shook his head as he began to step towards her with a small twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "You still don't get why I'm here do you?" He noticed that she had begun to slowly walk backwards away from him as he got closer and closer. "Your hospital is second rate, at best, and you lost your only asset. Why do you think I'm 'here'?"
"Don't you dare touch me," She warned in a shaky voice. Her eyes trembled with fear as she saw that he wasn't backing down.
"I'm your boss now, you can't boss me around," He grabbed her wrists tightly as he cornered her against the wall. He slammed them against the wall, near the window and tightened his grip more. Why did she have to close her blinds?
"Let go!" Cuddy screamed. "You're hurting me," She turned her face and he attempted to kiss her. "Get off!" She attempted once more as she tried to not cry.
Daniel didn't back off. He came there with a mission he wasn't going to give up now. Plus if he let her go, she'd obviously run and tell the cops. Instead he let go of her wrists and grabbed her biceps and pierced them with his nails.
Cuddy bit her lip and pain as she continued to resist. The day she let this asshole touch her willingly was the day she died. She attempted to escape by kneeing him in the groin and she had successfully loosened his grip on her leg arm. She used all her strength to push him off and quickly found her escape. As she began to run towards the door Daniel grabbed her left arm and pulled her which caused her to fall and slam her right arm onto the ground. She screamed in pain as she realized she had just fractured her bone. She turned onto her back and saw that Daniel was still in a bit of pain from when she kneed him. She took this as an opportunity and used her heel to dig deep into his leg. She heard him cry out in pain as he let go of her. Cuddy quickly grabbed her belongs and ran out of the office before Daniel had the chance to get up.
As she ran out, she looked behind her to make sure no one was following her. She was suddenly caught by strong arms and she squealed in fright. She turned to see her trustworthy friend Wilson and leaned into his embrace.
"Hey are you okay?" He asked as he noticed her red rimmed eyes. She didn't know she had begun to cry. Wilson pulled her out of the embrace and held her arms lightly and saw her wince in pain. "Is your arm okay?" He rolled up her right sleeve and saw the bruised wrists and furrowed his brows in anger. "Did that jackass do this to you? What happened?" He asked concerned and noticed how much it hurt her for him to simply touch her right forearm.
"No," Cuddy said too quickly. "My heel broke earlier and I just fell, I must have hurt my arm and I hit my wrist against my table this morning." She lied, but her eyes begged Wilson to at least act like he believed her.
Wilson nodded and sighed. "Alright let's get your arm checked out." Wilson tried to lead her to the elevator but Cuddy stood still in protest. "Don't worry," Wilson assured her with a smile. "I won't leave your side for a second. He isn't going to get near you. I just want to x-ray your arm so we can get you in a cast and out of here."
Cuddy reluctantly followed as she knew that Wilson would never let her leave with a broken arm and no cast. As he promised he didn't leave her side until she was in her car and on her way home. Wilson also made sure that Daniel didn't leave for at least three hours and called Cuddy every hour until they went to sleep to make sure that she was okay.
--
Cuddy had sent Rachel to play with the other kids and she obligated reluctantly. The adults stayed around Cuddy as they waited for her to tell them what happened and who did it, but she stayed silent and avoided all their gazes. House furrowed his brows and clutched his cane tightly ready to attack whoever hurt his Cuddy.
"Who the hell did this to you," House repeated with more anger. Sarah looked at him in shock and jealousy but he ignored it as he intensified his glare on Cuddy, but she simply ignored him and kept her eyes down.
"Lisa," Lauren called firmly. "Tell us what happened and who did it. I don't want to hear anymore lies. What happened to you?" She demanded an answer and she didn't care how much her daughter resisted she would find out.
"Nothing, get off my back!" Cuddy snapped at them. "I'm fine. I'm alive. That's all that matters." She looked at them as if begging, "Please can you all just enjoy Rachel's party? Please," She begged.
A few adults reluctantly turned around and obliged her request and she gave them a grateful smile. House, Vinson, Sarah, Jacob and Lauren didn't leave though. Cuddy looked at her mother and furrowed her brows as she continued to give her the begging look. Lauren looked at her daughter angrily and sighed before she turned away to take care of the party. Cuddy gave a small smile of victory but turned to the four remaining doctors.
"God, I'm fine." She rolled her eyes. "Am I in the morgue? Am I dead? Am I six feet under? No! So I'm fine. For Christ's sake, calm down and enjoy the party. It's Rachel's 8th birthday and should be very special." She stated, but that didn't convince them. "If you don't mind I have a cut to clean out." She decided to walk away.
"She isn't going to talk to me. Not after what happened at House's office," Jacob stated eliminating himself as the person to try to pry the answers out of her.
"She obviously hates my guts," House rolled his eyes regrettably. He knew that Cuddy couldn't stand Sarah which left Vinson, and he felt a pang of jealousy. "I guess that leaves you Vinson old buddy," He stated hesitantly.
Vinson looked at the three other doctors and sighed. He grabbed the bandages and made his way over to Cuddy. He grabbed a paper towel on the way to the sink and stood next to her. Cuddy ignored him and continued to wash out her cut, ignoring the obvious pain she felt.
"Here, let me see that." Vinson took her arm gently and applied pressure using the paper towel. He saw her wince in pain and lightened his grip. "Sorry," He smiled and she gave a weak smile back.
"Thanks," Cuddy said as Vinson led her to two near by chairs. "I won't tell you what happened though." She told him. "So you can give up the act."
Vinson laughed. "You are just like House. You don't think people can just help to help. They have to have a hidden agenda." He saw Cuddy nod in agreement before she gave a small laugh and he laughed with her. "Well I usually have both." He stated and saw her give a small smile.
Vinson took the bandage roll and began to wrap it around Cuddy's cut gently. He saw a twitch of pain and looked at her to see if it hurt. She gave smiled as she encouraged him to go on and he nodded returning her soft smile.
"Thanks," She repeated and got a simple nod back. "You know, it's odd how a man like House attracts such nice, caring and loving friends." She gave a soft chuckle.
Vinson laughed as well as he ripped off the end of the bandage and looked at her. "You know, I thought the same thing when he told me about his Oncologist friend. He is always so mean and jerky yet his friends are like the best friends you can ever ask for, if I don't say so myself." He said with a hint of arrogance.
"Damn," Cuddy examined her bandage and saw Vinson cock a brow at her. "I thought I finally got my bandages off." She smiled at the irony.
"Well, I guess you just have the worst luck ever," He joked. "While I'm at it, why don't you let me check out those bruises and that nasty arm of yours?" He offered kindly.
Cuddy was averse but nodded. "And I clean my arm every day thank you very much," She said jokily. "There is nothing nasty about it."
Vinson shook his head as he gave a small chuckle. "You know House is wrong about you, you're funnier than he says." He began to look at Cuddy's bruises to make sure they were healing normally.
House stood near the two and gave a jealous glare. He saw Vinson examining Cuddy and couldn't help but feel envious. He should be the one over there talking to Cuddy and comforting her. He should be the one checking all her cuts and bruises to make sure she was fine. He began to grind his teeth with anger as he saw Cuddy and Vinson smiling and laughing, he should be the one joking with Cuddy. Sarah came by his side with a drink, but he only half listened to her. He took the drink and threw it down his throat as he kept his eyes on his friend and Cuddy.
"Well I guess you were right," Vinson smiled. "You are fine and you definitely aren't dead." He joked and got Cuddy to smile again for the tenth time that night. "You know, whenever you're ready to talk about what happens, I'm all ears. I know you must think that we barely even met and you can't trust me with crap but I keep more secrets from House then I do my own parents." He assured her. "I'm not like Wilson; I'll keep my mouth shut until you give me the clear to gossip."
Cuddy gave him an appreciative smile. "Thank you," She told him. She gave him a warm embrace of gratitude and felt him rub her back comfortingly.
Cuddy stood up and held her arm out for her jacket. Vinson stood up and held the jacket out as he offered to put if on for her. She gave him a small smile before she took his offer and put her arms into the jacket and hugged it warmly. She gave him another smile before she walked away to watch her daughter play and enjoy the rest of her birthday.
House clutched his fists as he continued to watch the two. He furrowed his brows in anger and resentment when he saw the two shared a hug and when Vinson put the jacket on Cuddy. Who was he trying to fool anyways? It was obvious he liked her and if Vinson thought that House would just let him get to her without a fight, he was stupider than House thought. He saw Vinson begin to walk towards him and unclenched his jaw and fist and acted as if everything were the same.
"Nothing," Vinson stated as he walked right passed House and to the refreshment tables. "She seems a little traumatized from it so maybe you shouldn't try to push her too much." He advised his friend.
House furrowed his brows. "Oh you have two conversations with her and suddenly you're an expert on her," House accidentally blurted loudly and he saw Vinson smile at the green that was practically oozing out of his ears. "Pushing her is the only way to get to her and plus she already hates me. It doesn't matter what I do."
"Come on House, we both know that you don't want her to hate you more so why don't you back off for a little," Vinson asked but knew that House would never listen. He didn't listen back in Hopkins when he told House not to cheat on the test and he didn't listen then, why would he listen now when the stakes were much higher.
House limped over to where Cuddy was sitting contently as she watched Rachel play leap frog with the other kids. He sat down and immediately saw Cuddy's smile drop. Her expression was replaced with dullness and irritation.
"House, don't even try to push me right now or you'll see a resignation letter on your desk first thing Monday morning." Cuddy threatened as she kept her eyes on Rachel and the kids.
"Is that a promise?" House had unintentionally let out. He didn't want Cuddy to leave and after tonight, that's the last thing he wants. If she left he wouldn't be able to protect her and who knows, she might not be dead now but she could be dead then.
"You're an ass," She whispered to make sure the kids didn't hear as her irritation grew.
Not wanting to wait to see if he'd actually try to push her Cuddy stood up and walked towards the food table to get some grub and began to talk to Vinson once more. She some how knew that would just make House mad.
House bit back a scowl as the two doctors shared another laugh as they moved their conversation to the spot they were sitting at earlier, secluded from everyone else at the party. His attention was turned when he felt a tug at his pants and turned to a confused Rachel. He gave the birthday girl a smile as he picked her up and placed her on his left leg which caused her to smile brightly at him.
"Daddy," She began curiously. "Why is mommy laughing, talking and hugging that man? I thought she was supposed to talk to you. That's why Nana invited you." Rachel stated in a bit of confusion. "And why does mommy have all those boo boos?"
House chuckled, Lauren was a clever fox. "Well sweetie that man is talking to mommy because she won't tell me or anyone else why she has so many boo boos." House spoke in her native tongue. "Don't worry, daddy will find out." House smiled. "Now what do you know about this conversation?"
Rachel smiled at her father. "It never happened!" She exclaimed and saw her father nod in approval before he placed her gently back to the ground before she ran off to play again.
House went back to scowling at his friends as they seemed to flirt and he saw Cuddy look at him once or twice before her smile faded. He noticed that once her attention turned back to Vinson the smile returned ten fold. Sarah - knowing how her boyfriend was - just ignored it and let him to himself for the night. She'd bother him about it once they got home.
--
After the party had ended everyone had gone home. The car ride to home for Cuddy was as Lauren ignored her and her daughter slept soundly in the back. When they got home Lauren beat Cuddy to Rachel and into the house. Lauren told Cuddy to wait in the living room and she'd put Rachel in bed. Cuddy listened to her mother as she felt like a teenager again and sat in the living room.
Lauren walked out ten minutes later and stood at the entrance to the room while she leaned again the wall. The room stayed silent as soft air blew in from an open window and neither wanted to talk first. Lauren kept her arms crossed and her brows furrowed as she looked at her daughter who had sat on the couch crossed legged and her eyes on the floor.
"What happened," Lauren finally broke the silence as she uncrossed her arms and went to her daughter's side. She put a comforting arm around Cuddy and looked at her sympathetically.
"Mother," Lisa started as she looked at her mother with begging eyes. "I'm fine, I'm alive, and I'm healthy. Please don't pry. It was nothing." She told her mother.
Lauren wasn't backing down this time. "Lisa Cuddy, tell me what happened now," She commanded. "I am your mother and I care. So does that fellow Vinson, and Jacob, and your sister, and House—"
Cuddy scoffed. "Mother, do not bring him up again. He does not care. Maybe he was shocked or I might be a puzzle but the man doesn't care."
"Lisa, just tell me what happened. I won't tell House, or your sister, or anyone. I just want to know what happened to you and why you never told me." Lauren asked hurt.
Cuddy groaned as her guilt complex got the better of her. "This thing happened in Princeton and I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. Look, I'm really tired and it's been a long night. Can we talk tomorrow?" Cuddy pleaded her to her mother.
Lauren sighed and frowned as she let go of her daughter. "Fine, go to bed, but we are talking first thing tomorrow. You can't use your laptop, phone, go out, watch TV or do anything until we talk, got that young lady? You wanna act like a kid and keep secrets? Then I will treat you like one; now go to your room." Lauren stood up.
Cuddy gave her mother a weak smile seeing that she still cared but was letting her have one peaceful night. "Okay, I love you mom. Goodnight," She gave her mom a cheek kiss before rushing to her room.
As she changed she began to look at her bruises and caressed it in pain. She hoped she'd never have to see that rotten man ever again in her life and if she did she hope it was at his funeral. She quickly got into her night gown and slipped into her bed as she slowly began to drift to sleep, wanting to forget everything that happened that day.
--
House and Sarah lay in bed after having a small talk and doing their nightly rituals. Sarah snuggled comfortable in her boyfriend's chest as he wraps an arm around her. She quickly drifted to sleep, but House found himself staring at the ceiling as his insomnia suddenly returned followed with thoughts from the party.
Why had Cuddy become so chummy with Vinson? Why couldn't she ever be that happy with him around? Did he really do something to hurt her bad? Who the hell hurt her? How? Would she ever trust him again?
House silently cursed himself as he realized that all his thoughts and questions revolved around Cuddy. Why did he care so much? He didn't own her. He never did and he never wanted to. Now he was lying to himself when he didn't really need to. He groaned the images of her wounds and her with Vinson began to override his head. He let out an aggravated sigh as he began to hatch an ingenious plan. He smiled at himself closed his eyes as he slowly let the plan unravel in his mind. Yeah, that plan would work. Now all he needed to do was to wait till Monday and maybe all his questions will be answered or fixed.
A/N:hehe another cliffy.....what is House's plan hahaha lets just say it involves candy, his office and someone. haha. Thats pretty vague right? Well tell what you guys thought? Was the flashback what you thought it'd be?? lolol if it was then wow o.o you can read minds haha :D and tell me what you thought of the little Vinson/Cuddy scenes I mostly put them in cuz I love jelly house hehehe. Please review and tell me what you want to see more or and what you want to see less of. :D
Oh and one VERY important question on how this story will go:
Do you want to learn/read more about daniel (meaning he comes back) or keep him as far away from Cuddy as possible? This is a very important question and I will have it as a poll on my profile so either tell me here or go on my profile to vote your vote might just make a difference!!
-Jessica
