Disclaimer: I do not own House
A/N: Okay wow... I'm an idiot! Sooo I mistook one of the anonymous votes to be for you guys so I wrote this chapter a few days earlier. Lucky you guys right? LOL Weeeell, I realized that the last chapter was kinda iffy, so I decided to confront those confusions in this chapter as to why one second they are madly in love and the next Cuddy wants nothing to do with House, but like I said this is a huddy story and House doesnt give up, plus I'm losing my eye for angst ever since the Huddy revolution on the show, sooo, guess what! You'll have to read to find out and who knows, there might be a twist you guys wont really enjoy, but its better than my original idea where Daniel almost kills House XD haha just randomly! :D
BTW you guys won second place in this poll. Really proud :) That hasn't happened in a while. LOL
Thanks to my AWESOME Beta Rei for beta-ing this while I tried to catch up on my reading :D I owe her one!
Oh and one more thing, you should read the author's note in the bottom there might be some info you guys would like to know
Hope you enjoy!
Though Christmas quickly came and passed, House said they wouldn't need to go in till Monday and Monday was a few days away. House didn't leave Cuddy alone, not one bit, and she had to restrain herself from going to him. She refused to go to the door. She stayed in her room to avoid confrontation from her mother or House and only left for Rachel, to spend some of her Christmas Day with her family, or for a family meal – where she kept the conversation limited. House called constantly, to the point where she took out the battery of her phone and unplugged the phone in her room. She needed to stay as far away from him as possible for his sake, and she knew this would be near impossible starting Monday, but she hoped by that time he'd give up.
During Lunch on Saturday, there was a knock at the door and Cuddy recognized the wood-on-wood contact. Before she could get up and leave, the door jingled a bit and he walked in with a scowl across his face as he approached her. Cuddy sighed, furrowed her brows, pursed her lip and looked at him angrily.
"What the hell do you think you're doing," She screeched in her administrative voice out of habit. "You do understand it is illegal to break into someone's home and enter without consent of the proprietors."
"I didn't break in and I do have consent." He held up the key that Lauren had given him the night before. He gave her a nod of thanks and she quickly turned away from what she knew was a cold glare from her daughter.
"Rachel, let's go to your room, mommy and daddy need to talk privately and you know what foul mouths they have." She picked up the young girl who sat there obliviously for once, and took her out of the room.
"Get out." Cuddy said simply. "I told you I want nothing to do with you and I wanted you to stay the hell out of my life. Now get out."
"I know that's not what you want." House stated overconfidently as he closed the small gap between them. "I don't need the protection Cuddy, you do and the sooner you get that through your pretty little head the sooner this little situation can get dealt with."
"No." She objected. "The sooner you get it through your pretty little head that you have nothing to do with this, the sooner I can deal with my situation." She walked away for a second and came back with a paper and handed it to him.
"What's this?" He asked, not even glancing at the paper now in his possession.
"It's my resignation paper," She told him shaking a hair from her face. "I quit."
"No." He declined ripping the paper in half.
Cuddy's jaw dropped. "You can't—"
"I just did." He interrupted rudely. "You're not quitting. I will see you at work on Monday, or I'll find you and we're going to fix this problem of yours personally."
"House, I do not want or need your help." She insisted getting very annoyed.
"Too late," He replied simply. "I already have Lucas following the creep around and whether you want to or not, I'm going to call the cops. It'll be easier if you cooperate with me, but if I have to do it the hard way and force you to cooperate, I'll do it."
"You don't get it do you," She finally screamed. "No one can help me. I tried calling the cops, I tried Lucas. Nothing will work." Her breath turned shallow. "Daniel is untouchable. He is the best con man in the world. When I called the cops, they checked him out and said he seemed sound. I tried Lucas and all he could find were things I already knew and some idiot doctor ruled out. I even took him to court, the judge ruled in his favor because he convinced them that he was perfectly sane and I was just paranoid and sensitive." She refused to show her weak side. "I don't even know how he found some of those things out about me." She whispered more to herself. "There's nothing anyone can do."
"Then you just have to try again," House's voice broke her from her weakening state. "You never give up Cuddy, not until that scumbag is back where he belongs, in jail." He then hardened his stare. "I used to respect you. You used to do anything in your power to get what you want and deserve. You even put your reputation and livelihood on the line. You never gave up. But now," He chuckled sadistically with a shake of his head. "You've become a coward. All you're doing is running, I thought you were better than that." He furrowed his brows and scrunched his nose. "I guess I was wrong."
"Shut up," Cuddy whispered as she clenched her fist, slowly getting angry with his words. "I am not a coward," She was many things, but she was definitely not a coward.
"Prove it." House challenged. "Stop running and face him like the woman you used to be, the woman who used to be able to move mountains. Or are you just too scared now?"
She bit her lip to stop herself from crying, to stop herself from showing any sign of weakness. "But I can't," She whispered. "I just can't anymore."
House frowned in disgust once more. "Then I guess you're not the woman I used to know. Sorry to have bothered you." He turned to leave, disappointed at the strong force he once knew.
"House," She called out and cursed herself for her weakness. "You have to understand, that I really tried. I did everything. There's nothing more that I could possibly try."
"You didn't do everything," House told her and she looked at him in confusion. "You didn't come and see me."
Cuddy's eyes turned glassy and she looked away, knowing that he caught a glimpse of the truth. "I couldn't, I just, no, I couldn't." She insisted.
"Yes you could have. You always could have, Lisa." House stared at her intently. He reached out for her slowly and she accepted the small gesture. He began to caress her arm gently with his thumb, only to have her quickly pull away after coming to her senses.
"House," She shook her head as she backed away into the little shadows in the hall. "I'm sorry, I just," She turned away quickly, refusing to look into his confused eyes. "I just can't." She quickly left for her room and locked the door. How could she have been so weak?
House stood there dazed for a moment, confused on what happened. Where did it go wrong? He thought they were really making progress. He thought he was finally getting his message through to her and she suddenly backs away?
After he recollected his thoughts, he followed Cuddy and before she could shut her door close, he stepped through and intruded. Cuddy, caught off guard, was then forced into a kiss from House. She refused to kiss back, she even tried to pull away, but House refused to let her go. He pushed her further into the room and shut the door behind him, so they wouldn't be interrupted. He had her against the bed and tightened his grip so she wouldn't fall over.
A tear slipped pass her eye as she tried to restrain herself, it took all her will power and it was killing her not to kiss the man she loved. But who knows, Daniel could be watching them. She needed to stay strong, for the both of them. She continued to struggle against him, but he refused to loosen up, not even a little.
After a moment of useless struggling and wearing down of energy, Cuddy returned the kiss full blast. House finally loosened and Cuddy took the opportunity to push him off. She turned away ashamed and stared down at her bed, refusing to make eye contact.
"You kissed back." House broke the silence.
"You forced me to." She lied, she wanted so badly to kiss back and after her energy was lowered she couldn't help herself.
"I didn't force you to do anything you didn't want." He caught her. "Let's just try to put the other night behind us."
Cuddy sniffed a bit and turned away. "But House, I can't." She shook her head. "If I do, if I let you and I get closer, I'd practically be pushing you in front of a train. I'm dangerous House." She finally confessed. If there was only one way to reason with House, it was with logic and honesty.
She kept her gaze away and waited for him to leave. It was safe to assume, she was more than a little surprised when he forced her to look at him before crashing his lips back on hers for a quick, tender kiss. "I live for danger, you know that."
Cuddy shook her head. "You're an idiot."
They shared a smile and he kissed her again. "So are you."
"We really can't," She sat on her bed and backed away from him.
"Not in public." He verified.
"Have you been brain dead for the past few days? We tried the private way and he caught us, is there some other way I don't know about?"
"It's called not giving into that son of a bitch," House told her. "He found us on purpose, he knows how you work Cuddy, he knows you would try and push me away. Don't give him the satisfaction."
"I know, but—"
"We keep it going, show him he didn't win and wait till he slips up. If he went crazy one time, it'll happen again. Trust me. It'll work." He looked at her sternly.
"I don't know," She looked away doubtfully.
"Do you trust me?" He tried.
"Of course I do, but—"
"Then trust that this plan will work. He can't keep playing forever." He paused and held out his hand. "Are you in or out?"
Cuddy bit her lip and stared at the hand in front of her. She was so tempted to take it, but there were so many holes in his plan, but what choice did she have? She would be putting everything and everyone she cared about at risk, for the smallest chance.
"Lisa, trust me." He assured her again when he saw the hesitation.
Cuddy smiled, this was the last thing she wanted to do, but he was right. She had no other options. She took his hand he held hers tightly for comfort. No turning back now.
The last safe days they had together, they spent putting the finishing details into their plan. They decided to make their relationship public and make it as inclusive as possible. When Monday came, Cuddy was nervous. House had slept over the other night to go over the plan once more, though that's not all they did.
House woke up earlier than Cuddy and looked at the time. 7:30, they had to be in work in 30 minutes. He stretched and shook the woman who slept on his chest.
"Get up, sleeping beauty," He told her as he continued to shake her.
"Mmm," She groaned. "I don't wanna," She frowned. "I change my mind; I'll hide here all my life. I like this room."
"Ha-ha," He laughed dully and pushed her up to look at her. "No turning back, remember? We're going with this and that's final young lady."
Cuddy smiled. "I thought I was supposed to be the parent."
"Yeah well, sometimes the kids gotta take charge now get that sexy ass of yours ready so we can get in." House commanded and slapped her bum as she walked off.
"Ever heard of sexual harassment?" She asked as she disappeared into her walk in closet.
"Ever heard of boyfriend benefits?" He countered as he pulled up his pants.
She sent him a glare and continued to dress.
After a morning of banter and sexual harassment on both parts, they finally left for work. They look House's car, thinking Cuddy's was probably being tracked, and entered the hospital together, hand-in-hand, making it as obvious as possible that they were indeed a couple. Cuddy spotted Daniel staring at them and swallowed hard, here goes nothing.
"Good morning, Dr. House, Dr. Cuddy," They were approached by Walters who gave Cuddy a look only she would understand. Cuddy nodded and they stared at each other as if talking telepathically. House raised his brow at Cuddy and she merely smiled at him; Walters copied. "Well, you two have a good day," She sent another look towards Cuddy before they both nodded and left.
"What was that about?" House asked his girlfriend curiously.
"Oh nothing, just something only we Deans understand." She acted high and mighty as they continued their trek to the auditorium.
When they walked in, they were met with three looks of shock. House gave Cuddy a soft kiss on the cheek before going forward and Cuddy, with a blush, took her seat.
"Let's get started shall we," House smiled at the rest of his crew. "Jacob and Michelson, you two—"
"Are you two dating?" Anderson suddenly interrupted as she got over the initial shock of seeing her best friend with her jackass of a boss.
"Yes now—"
"Is that why her job is secure?" Michelson asked.
"No, if you forgot, damn Fisher made that, anyways—"
"How long have you two been dating?" Jacob stopped him.
"For a while," Cuddy finally broke though, annoyed from the constant questions. "House and I are sleeping together and have been for a while. We will continue to no matter what anyone else says, he and I will be keeping a professional distance at work, and yes we do like each other, that why we decided to go out, not because we both like sex and are good at it. Can we move on?" The annoyance was evident in her voice.
House hid his smile. "Very nicely put, Dr. Cuddy," He paused. "And yes, the sex is a very good bonus." He cleared his throat. "Now as I was saying, Jacob and Michelson go to the ER and find a good case and the one with the best gets 100 points, loser gets negative 50 points. Easy enough-go!" He told them.
"What about us?" Anderson asked, motioning to herself and Cuddy.
"I don't know what you'll be doing but Dr. Cuddy will be busy," House smirked.
"House," Cuddy glared.
"Calm down, Cuddles," He rolled his eyes. "I was only kidding. You two are going to do my Clinic hours, actually wait." He thought for a moment. "Cuddles can do my clinic hours, while Dr. Anderson can do my paperwork." He smiled. "Can't have you two ladies chatting when you should be doing my work, now can we."
Both women sent him a glare before heading off. Anderson went towards his office and Cuddy went to the Clinic, House following right behind. He followed her into a one of the exam rooms and sat down; Walters caught him and raised a brow.
"Just in case she needs a consult," He smiled innocently.
"Oh I have a better idea," She said as Cuddy walked in with a patient. "Dr. House can do his clinic hours while Dr. Cuddy does hers." She smirked. "Get to work House."
"Man," He glared as he stood up. "She's worse than you are."
Cuddy rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine here, dear." She said at the door while the mother and her son waited in the room. She gave him a wink and closed the door behind her.
House smiled, that woman. What would his life be like if she weren't how she was? He then took a file and limped into the nearest exam room.
"Mickey Hernandez, exam room 3."
After two hours of pretending to treat patients, House decided to take an early lunch break. He checked his pager to see if any lackeys were done with their tasks and figured they were still buried in files. With a satisfied smile he left the room and knocked on the door he had left Cuddy behind. After a moment there was no answer. He opened the door, surprised to see the room empty. He looked around the clinic and she was not in sight.
"Excuse me; do you know where Dr. Cuddy went?" House asked a nearby nurse.
"Um, yeah, she left about half an hour ago because she got a page," The nurse paused for a moment. "From you."
"From me?" House asked his eyes wide in surprise with a hint of fear. "I didn't page her."
The nurse merely shrugged. "That's where she said she was going." Then she went back to her work.
House quickly began to limp to the elevator and pressed his floor. Cuddy could be in grave danger. He limped to his office as quick as his legs would allow him and suddenly stopped. He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched two of his employees laughing and talking.
"I thought I told you to do clinic work." House interrupted them.
Cuddy smiled. "Yeah, but Anderson paged me saying she needed help. What kind of friend would ignore that?" She grinned innocently.
"Yeah, we just wanna finish your work so you don't get in trouble." Anderson giggled.
"What have you two she-witches been talking about?" House narrowed his eyes.
"Oh nothing." The girls sang with a smile and proceeded to giggle.
"Geez, how old are you?"
"Asks the biggest five years old in the world," Cuddy retorted quickly. "Oh calm down, we're almost done so we can both do your clinic duty so it'll be done quicker." She smiled.
House rolled his eyes knowing it was bull crock but decided against arguing. "Just hurry up," He saw Vinson walking towards the elevator. "On second thought," He smiled. "Lunch break," He dismissed them and began to limp towards his meal ticket, but suddenly paused. "If either of you tell the other two lackeys, you are doing all my clinic hours and the others too." He said and left the ladies.
Cuddy, not caring what threats her boss laid on her, told her cousin and colleague anyways before going to lunch with her best friend, to avoid questions from Jacob.
"So, is House really that good?" Anderson couldn't resist as they sat down to earshot of House and Vinson, though neither cared.
Cuddy didn't answer; she just smiled and took a bite of her salad.
"Omigod!" Anderson laughed. "No wonder you were so jealous of that other woman, what was her name again?"
Cuddy shrugged. "I forgot, but hey I thought we were done talking about that."
"I know," Anderson giggled. "But I couldn't help it! After what you told me in college, I just needed to know if he was still good, after all these years."
"With age comes wisdom and experience." They both laughed once more.
"You should know better than I," House said as he took a seat next to them with Vinson.
"Hey!" Cuddy objected. "You're older than me." She glared.
"Age is but a number my dear. You act more like some boring adult than I do." He countered.
"Normal people find that a good thing." She smiled.
"Normal's overrated."
"Said by a true king of the unconventional." Anderson quickly retorted.
"A title I take seriously, speaking of titles, which one of you spilled the beans on a break." He narrowed his eyes.
"What does that have to do with titles?" Cuddy asked with a laugh.
"I'm your boss, so who did it?"
"Talk to your girlfriend." Anderson quickly covered her hide.
"Thank you, Benedict Arnold." Cuddy glared playfully.
Anderson merely bowed. "So anyways, why were Jacob and I not filled in on the plan?" She asked a bit insulted.
"I second that." Jacob said as he took a seat.
"Because this is between the three of us not the five of us." Cuddy told them. "Plus, it was House's idea, I was against it but you know how demanding he is."
"Got that right."
"Here here."
"Yup."
They all sounded off at once.
"Well that helps my self-confidence." House said in false hurt.
"Hey you have enough of that, Mr. Dictator." Cuddy poked his chest.
They continued all laughed.
As everyone laughed and enjoyed each other's company, Daniel lingered at a nearby table and scowled. This was definitely not what he planned. After the party, he wanted Cuddy to completely isolate herself, bring herself into solitude making it easier for him to approach her without any suspicions or any problems. Instead, she surrounded herself with friends and loved ones. She was immersing herself with human contact, leaving no vulnerable spaces.
Suddenly something caught his eye. Something around her waist and what it was attached to that made him smile. Maybe there was a point of vulnerability after all. He might not have been able to scare her after the party and after catching her with her boyfriend, whom he suspected since they first met, but there were still many days left and many plans up his sleeve. All he had to do now was to wait.
"Mommy," He suddenly heard a little girl scream as she ran towards Cuddy with Lauren. Cuddy caught Rachel and placed her on both House's and her own legs.
Rachel smiled as she looked from her father and mother, she was glad he didn't have to leave for long, but she was still sad the short days he wasn't with them. Lauren took a seat at the table as well and joined the group.
"Mommy, do you and daddy love me?" Daniel heard the little girl ask her parents as she looked at them with a big smile.
Cuddy and House exchanged a look of surprise before they smiled at the little girl between them. "Of course we love you," Cuddy smiled. "You are my whole world, sweetie." She said honestly. "And daddy and I wouldn't trade you even for the whole universe. You are our special little girl." She hugged her daughter.
"Yeah Rach," House confirmed. "I would trade all the lollipops in the world for you," He winked.
Rachel's grin widened, knowing her father's love of lollipops. "Oh, daddy do you mean it?" She smiled and House nodded. Rachel tackled her father in a hug. "I love you too, Daddy."
"Great, why don't you get me a lollipop?" House quickly ruined their moment.
"Okay!" Rachel jumped down and quickly began to make her way to the exit.
"Hey!" Lauren called out, catching up to the girl quickly. "Wait for me, princess." She took Rachel's hand and the two made their way out of the cafeteria to the clinic to get a lollipop.
Daniel watched the scene unfold and suddenly smiled sinisterly. Maybe he didn't have to wait that long after all.
A/N: Dun dun dun! I hope y'all liked it! Once again I am losing my eye for angst so this is going to end pretty soon. I think this is like two chapters combined into one. Just one chapter and this would have been a 1000+ instead its longer :D
What was that? Something important?
OH YEAH! The votes. I decided to make it a little more juicy. Okay this time, I'm going to reward teh first place winner with, not one update, but THREE, second place gets two and last of course gets one! If you guys want three updates in a row you gotta vote!
You may vote in reviews if you don't vote in my poll and please do tell me what you think. I do crave criticism, both good and bad.
Oh and in case any of you were wondering, not sure if I already stated this, but after I finish all my fanfics, there are four on hold, and the three I'm working on are almost done, I'm going to get into original writing so I might not be on fanfiction for a while writing. Just thought you should all know
Please review and Vote
-Jess
