A/N: Thank you Max aka for her great advice. Also, thank you to all the great folks who have read and reviewed and added this story to your favorites and alerts. Here are some comments to some questions folks have had:

After a few hours of breakfast and conversation, House told Wilson he had some things he needed to do around the apartment so Wilson dropped him off and proceeded to run errands of his own. It was late afternoon and he was driving through downtown Princeton on his way home when his phone rang. He recognized Cuddy's number and pulled over to the parking lot of a strip mall so he could take her call.

"Hey Cuddy, what's up?"

"Wilson, how are you today?"

"Actually I'm fine, just dropped House—I mean I was just running errands."

"Wilson it's okay, you can mention his name, we've talked about him often enough."

"I know, it's just that I don't want to piss you off by mentioning him at the wrong time."

Cuddy knew she shouldn't care about what House was doing, but she asked anyway. "So what did you do this morning?"

"We had breakfast at PJ's"

"Oh I love that place, we used to take Rachel there, she'd eat the pancakes with her fingers and House would too and it was like watching two children eat instead of just one."

Wilson laughed. "Yeah that's House. So Cuddy what's going on?"

"I took Rachel to the park this morning, we had a great time, and it's a beautiful day here. She loves the park, the swings…" Cuddy left off abruptly as if lost in thought.

"Cuddy?"

"Oh sorry Wilson, it's just that the strangest thing happened this morning. Rachel told me how House used to push her high on the swing and promised her he'd never let anything happen to her. And then she was climbing the monkey bars Wilson and it was like she was born to play on them, she was all over them, never once falling and she was swinging and doing all kinds of acrobatic things and she wasn't even afraid."

"Cuddy, Rachel's just coordinated that's all."

"It was more than that…" Cuddy hesitated because she felt that lump in her throat again. In an effort to stop the feelings for the man who had obviously cared for her daughter, she closed her eyes and recalled the day House crashed into her home. Her voice suddenly became calm and the tears were abruptly halted. She continued. "I was so amazed watching Rachel on the monkey bars I asked her where she learned it and she told me House taught her. She talks about him often, remembering things they used to do together."

"Rachel's an intelligent little girl Cuddy not to mention it's not easy to forget a guy like House so it's not surprising. I don't know what to tell you. You know House had his moments."

Cuddy felt a twinge of anger rising in her. "I know Wilson. I know. And it pisses me off! It pisses me off that he could be so sweet and tender, giving me stuffed animals stolen from coma patients' rooms and then teach my daughter things, good things, I never knew about and then he crashes his fucking car into my house. I just don't understand it Wilson. How could he go from one extreme to the next?"

"I wish I knew Cuddy. I really do."

She relaxed a bit after having gotten that out of her system. "Wilson, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you accept him back into your life? I know we talked about it briefly some time ago and you know I'm not mad at you but I've always felt there was more to it."

Wilson was silent for a moment. He wanted to be honest with her. He closed his eyes, relaxing in his seat and hoped he could get her to understand. "It's hard to explain, Cuddy but I'll do the best I can here. House has done some rotten things to me and there were times I hated him and wanted nothing to do with him ever again. There were times he made my life a living hell. People would often ask me how in hell I could be such a good friend to a son of a bitch like House."

"Go on."

"Cuddy, you know about my brother Danny right? He's in a mental institution."

"Sure, House told me."

"Well, we were in college, he was an undergraduate and I was in med school. He was a schizophrenic but when he was on his medication he was doing well and functioning normally. He'd call me all the time wanting to talk and well, you know how it is when you're in med school, you don't have much time to do anything much less talk on the phone. One night Danny called wanting to talk and I had a huge exam I needed to study for. I abruptly hung up on him, then packed up my stuff and pulled an all-nighter at the library to study and avoid any more interruptions."

Cuddy could hear Wilson pause and take a deep breath. "It's okay Wilson, go ahead."

"The next morning my parents called and said Danny had run away. He just took off and left his medication and everything he owned behind. I never saw him again until I was sitting in a restaurant in Princeton, looking out the window and there he was, on the street, thin and tired-looking and looking like a homeless guy. I ran out and tried to follow him but I lost him. It's one of the reasons when House told me about the position at the hospital, I'd decided to apply for it. I'd hoped maybe I could find him again. The next time I saw him was in the mental hospital in New York. House went with me that night. I saw Danny but so many years had passed, he wasn't the same. He was barely coherent."

"I'm so sorry Wilson."

"The reason I'm telling you this is because for years, up until that night, I'd felt guilty for abandoning Danny when he needed me most. I put a lousy exam before the well-being of my own brother. I've always felt responsible for him running away. Now before you think I stayed friends with House out of guilt, that's not it at all."

Cuddy continued to listen as Wilson explained. The tension in Wilson's voice made it very apparent that this was a difficult discussion for him.

"The night we drove to New York to see Danny, House and I talked and he made me realize that I was not responsible, that it wasn't my fault, there was nothing I could have done to stop Danny from running away. House explained to me that we have to take care of our own needs and that me living my life was not the reason Danny ran away. Danny's problems were his own, granted he was mentally ill but his illness was not my fault and his running away was not my fault. For years I'd been living with the guilt over this. Nearly every single day I thought about Danny and I felt responsible for what happened. When House talked to me that night, when he said those words, it was the first time I felt the burden of guilt lifted from my shoulders. It was overwhelming Cuddy."

"Wow."

"Yeah. House was there for me when I needed him. He really believed what he told me about Danny, he didn't just say it for the sake of making me feel better. He believed it. It meant a lot to me and it made a difference."

Cuddy felt her eyes watering at this admission. "But Wilson this doesn't really explain why you allowed him back in your life again after he broke your arm that day he ran into my house. He physically hurt you Wilson, you could have been killed."

"I know Cuddy, but I wasn't. God I wish I could explain this in a way that makes sense. I feel a connection to House. It began the first time we met at that conference. It's insane that one moment I am so pissed off at him I want to strangle him and the next I want to hang out with the son of a bitch watching his stupid soaps and drinking beer. I don't understand it myself. There's only two people House has really ever let his guard down for and that's me and you. He's been there for me when it really counted, and not just with Danny either but with so many other things. When Julie filed for divorce, I was in denial. I moved into House's apartment because Julie had kicked me out. All the time I was hoping for a reconciliation but really I knew it was over, I was just afraid to admit it. House saw what it was doing to me and one night he just handed me the reality of the situation and as much as it hurt, I realized he was right. He helped me take that next step Cuddy. I've always been thankful for that. I don't know what I might have done if he hadn't forced me to accept the reality of my situation."

"That's incredible Wilson, I never knew that."

"A few years back I asked myself if I was House's friend because I felt sorry for him and that's when it hit me that I don't feel sorry for him nor do I feel pity. I like him because, well, he's so much more than what other people see. You and I have seen him at his worst and his best too. We know who he really is and that scares him. No one would believe it if they knew the real House that we know."

Cuddy nodded her head in agreement. She knew exactly what he was talking about.

"I don't know if that answers your question Cuddy. I am sorry for being so long-winded, it's just when it comes to House, I stopped questioning why a long time ago. I need him in my life and he needs me. It sounds stupid and crazy and I know I'm screwed up for feeling this way but I know you know what that feels like."

"Yeah I do Wilson. I know you've told me this before but tell me again, tell me I'm not crazy for still loving the son of a bitch who could have killed me."

"Cuddy, you're not crazy. You're asking yourself what others would do or feel in your situation and you're trying to fit yourself into that mold. I learned that a long time ago. You can't try and make yourself feel what you think you're supposed to feel or what you think others in your situation would feel."

Cuddy was helpless to stop the tears that began to flow. "Wilson, I could have forgiven him for all the stupid shit he did after the breakup. I was ready to forgive him and try to move on and work towards us being friends again. But how can I forgive him for this? I feel like loving him and forgiving him makes me appear weak. I have never been weak. I can't be weak. I have Rachel, I have to be strong, and I have to teach her to be strong too."

"Cuddy, you are not weak, nor have you ever been weak. You are a very strong and determined woman. I have never known anyone who could handle the challenges you have faced and come through them like you have. You are an incredible person and you are a great mother and friend and you were a kickass Dean of Medicine. Nobody is saying you have to forgive House for anything. But nobody is saying you can't either. It's okay to love him and hate him too. I've resolved myself to that. It's okay to remember the good times and laugh and remember the bad times and want to kill him. Please don't beat yourself up about what you think you're supposed to feel."

Cuddy felt a weight lifted. "Thanks Wilson you always know how to make me feel better."

"That's what friends are for. You know I've always been here for you and I always will be."

"I appreciate that." Cuddy sighed and took a deep breath. "Wow, this was an intense conversation for a Saturday afternoon wasn't it? I hope I didn't ruin your day with all this drama."

"Nonsense. For you, anytime."

"Wilson, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Cuddy."

"How is he?"

Wilson didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure how much he should say or if they should even be discussing this. "He's okay Cuddy. Do you really want to know how he's doing? I mean…"

Cuddy interjected immediately. "No, you're right Wilson. I shouldn't have asked." She added quickly, "Listen, I should probably check up on Rachel and see what she's up to. Let's talk soon."

"Sure. Call me anytime. And I mean that."

"You're a good friend Wilson. Bye."

"Bye Cuddy."

Cuddy hung up and let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. That was a much more intense conversation than she'd planned on having. It brought up a lot of things for both she and Wilson. She tried to let it all sink in as she looked around for Rachel and found her in her room with a coloring book. Pushing everything else to the back of her mind, she decided to spend some more quality time with Rachel. Sitting down on the floor next to her, Cuddy picked up a crayon and began coloring the page opposite the one her daughter was working so diligently on. Rachel looked over at her and said, "Don't forget to keep between the lines mama."

Cuddy just smiled. Wilson was right. Her daughter was one intelligent little girl.

Meanwhile back in Princeton, Wilson thought back on that rather deep conversation he'd just had with Cuddy. Cuddy had initially told him she never wanted to see House or talk about him ever again but it was she who brought him up in conversation just after House came back to the States, plead guilty and went to prison. While Wilson had promised never to bring him up, she would do it herself, time and time again. It was as if she cared but was afraid to admit it. He couldn't blame her. Nobody knew better than Wilson how much House really hurt Cuddy. His actions resulted in her decision to resign her position and move to another state. She didn't have to but she felt it was the right thing to do. Wilson tried to talk her out of it initially but in the end he understood that she needed a fresh start, everything in Princeton reminded her of House. She'd been unemployed for four months, not because she couldn't find a job but because she needed to regroup, have her house repaired and spend some quality time with Rachel. During that time she'd sent out resumes, interviewed and took her time finding a job that she liked. He and Cuddy had cried together the day she packed up her car to follow the moving van to Massachusetts, but he knew she would be okay. He'd never met a woman as strong and determined as Lisa Cuddy. He was thankful she wasn't that far away. They had been through a lot together and he needed her as much as she needed him.

The conversation with Cuddy made Wilson think about something they'd discussed, namely forgiveness. Wilson had forgiven House but he still knew how to hold a grudge. He realized that maybe it was time to forgive someone else, one who had broken his heart and hurt him deeply. As he pulled into the garage of his condo, he dialed a number on his cell phone.

"Hi, Sam, it's Wilson."