A/N: Hi everyone! Thank you for the comments, I am honored that you are reading and enjoying my story. Thank you to the usual suspects for laughing, crying, and ranting with me over [H]ouse.

Also just want to give a shout out to the authors who have continued their stories. Some post every few days, some weekly, some monthly, some every few months or less often, but they are updating. We appreciate you. Please keep writing.

And now...the next chapter in our House-Cuddy saga.

House limped into the hospital earlier than usual the next morning with a smile on his face. He offered pleasantries to those around him and they backed off, not sure how to take him. He just laughed. After exchanging the usual "screw you" glances with Nurse Jeffrey, he made his way to the emergency room to browse through patient files looking for a case. Fifteen minutes later he departed the ER with a frown, having found nothing interesting that required his diagnostic genius. He headed towards the elevator when Foreman stopped him.

"House, you're early."

"Foreman, you're black. Why are we wasting time on the obvious?"

Foreman glared at House, "Your case load is non-existent right now. How about catching up on your charts?"

"How long have you known me?" House asked.

"House, you've got to do your charts. We have to keep accurate records not to mention we need to bill patients and insurance companies. This hospital doesn't run on donations alone."

"Speaking of donations, I hear they're down recently." Moving closer to Foreman, he looked him up and down and whispered, "You know you really should start wearing tighter skirts. Maybe something cut a bit lower on top would help too," House twirled his cane, turned his back to Foreman and got in the elevator.

Foreman shook his head, turned on his heels and went back to his office.

House entered the Diagnostics conference room, tossed his backpack in a chair and poured himself a cup of coffee. The ducklings watched him carefully, wondering why their boss arrived so early and appeared to be in a good mood. At that moment House turned around, cup in hand and said, "Hello, children. How are we doing today?"

Taub looked at him suspiciously, "You're here way too early. And why are you so cheerful?"

"Well somebody who shall remain nameless but is short and balding is awfully cranky this morning. Being the big bad baby daddy taking its toll already?" House asked sarcastically.

Chase and the girls laughed while Taub just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

House looked at the team hopefully, "Got any cases?" He asked.

"No," Chase replied.

"What the hell people? I pay you to diagnose, you're not earning your keep. The world is full of sick people and you're sitting around on your asses."

"Actually," said Park, "You don't pay us."

House pointed to Park, Taub, and Adams, "You three. Clinic duty. Now."

"But…" Adams started to argue but House stopped her in her tracks.

"This is not a democracy. Now go," he said pointing towards the door. He made a move towards his office nodding his head in that direction to indicate Chase should follow him. Chase raised an eyebrow and followed his boss.

House took a seat behind his desk and Chase sat across from him. Neither said a word as House began playing with his red and gray ball. Finally he spoke up.

"So mini-me how are things going?" House asked.

"Fine."

"Any problems?"

"Should there be?"

"I'm asking the questions here, Aussie."

Chase shook his head, "None that I know of. Team seems to be fine. Foreman's been on my ass though."

"Foreman?"

"Yeah."

"Interesting," said House as he pondered with a twirl of his cane.

"What are you thinking House?"

"Either he's pissed I didn't clear your new position with him or he's wishing he was back in Diagnostics."

"What makes you say that?"

"A hunch."

"You don't have hunches House. Now spill it."

"Hey! I'm not one to spread nasty rumors."

"Seriously? Half of the rumors in this hospital are started by you."

House looked around and spoke softly out of the side of his mouth as if divulging a deep dark secret that he didn't want anyone else to hear. "According to my sources the Board is riding his ass big time."

"No kidding?"

"Would I kid about a thing like that?"

Chase smirked and rolled his eyes at House. "So…any bets on how long?" He asked House.

"Hey now!" House exclaimed sarcastically. "How could you think I'd place a bet on how long till our esteemed Interim Dean gets the boot?" He shook his head in mock disgust.

"So you're in?" Chase asked with a smile.

"Oh hell yeah," House said as he took out his wallet.

After House and Chase placed their bets, Chase started on the charts and House went in search of Wilson to see if he wanted in the pool. House tried to enter Wilson's office but found the door locked. He returned to his own office and made his way over the wall between their balconies and found Wilson's glass door unlocked. The lights were on but Wilson was not there. House assumed he was checking on his patients. He sat at Wilson's desk leaning back in the chair, looking at all the toys and trinkets Wilson had collected from his youngest cancer patients over the years. After waiting ten minutes, he got up to leave. Just then he heard a cell phone ring; it came from the vicinity of the coat rack. House limped over and fished through Wilson's coat. Thinking it was likely Wilson's latest fling, the tall blonde physician's assistant in the clinic, he flipped open the phone without taking a look at the caller ID and spoke in a deep sultry Barry White voice.

"Dr. Looooove here, how may I serv-ice you?"

"Wilson?" the voice on the other end asked with a snort and a laugh.

House froze. He knew the voice on the other end of the line all too well.

Cuddy.

House didn't know what he should do, continue the façade, say something, or hang up. Without thinking he hung up. Fuck. Why did I do that? He hadn't heard her voice in so long, it was like music to his ears. Damn why did I pick up that phone? Suddenly it rang again and House watched as it lit up for a minute and then stopped. Probably going to voice mail, he thought. He immediately put the phone back where he found it and limped hurriedly out of Wilson's office.

Wilson was just getting out of the elevator when he saw House limping quickly down the corridor.

"House!" Wilson shouted.

House half-turned and yelled back, "Sorry! Patient dying!"

Wilson entered his office and heard a beeping noise coming from his suit coat, realizing he'd left his cell phone in it earlier that morning. He retrieved the phone and checked his missed calls. He noticed his screen showed two received but only one missed. He thought that odd considering he cleared his call list last night. He viewed the caller ID and smiled, then entered the code to check his voice mail.

Just a few minutes earlier, in the café across from Massachusetts General, Lisa Cuddy left a voice mail message and pressed the end call button on her cell phone. At first Wilson had surprised her with his greeting but a second later she realized it wasn't Wilson at all, it was House. She hadn't heard his voice in so long but she knew it in an instant. When she called back a second time she had hoped he'd pick up again but she knew he wouldn't. At the same time she wondered what she would have said to him.

As Cuddy pondered that, her phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Cuddy, it's Wilson."

"That was quick," she said.

"When did you call?"

"Just a few minutes ago. Where were you?"

"I had a few kids I wanted to see when I got in this morning. I left my cell phone in the office." He realized then why House limped away from him so quickly. "How many times did you call me?"

"Twice."

"I'm assuming House answered the first time." He said.

"How did you know?"

"He looked like the cat that ate the canary when he left my office. I was going to invite him for coffee but he said he had a dying patient and took off like a bat out of hell."

Cuddy laughed. "He obviously didn't take a look at the caller ID before answering."

"So did he say anything?"

"Actually he answered as Dr. Loooove and when I said your name he paused and the phone went dead. I must have freaked him out."

"Interesting," Wilson replied.

"Yeah, guess he wasn't prepared for that. But let's backup a minute, what's going on with you Wilson? Do you have a new woman you haven't told me about?" Cuddy asked.

"I had a date with a new PA in the clinic. She's nice but she's a lesbian, so as you can imagine…," Wilson ended it there.

Cuddy laughed, "Say no more Wilson. Sorry it didn't work out."

"It's no big deal. I don't think I'm really ready for a serious relationship anyway."

"Yeah I know what you mean."

They fell silent a few moments and then Wilson wondered why Cuddy had called him.

"Cuddy, is everything okay there?"

"Yes. I'm fine, so is Rachel. Actually while I'd like to catch up with you, right now I am calling for a different reason. I wanted to know if you're coming to the ASCO conference?" She asked.

Wilson smacked his forehead. He'd forgotten to tell her weeks ago he was attending. He laughed and said, "I meant to tell you a few weeks ago that Sandy signed me up for it and then told me I was going. Of course I'll be there. Who am I to argue with her?"

"She's too good to you."

"Yeah I'd hate to lose her. Luckily she actually likes House so he can't scare her off."

They both laughed.

"Wilson, you're more than welcome to stay with Rachel and me if you like," she offered.

"I appreciate that but Sandy booked me a suite at the hotel on the waterfront, where the conference is being held so I'll have to let you know."

"Okay. Better keep that room in case you get a hot date."

Wilson hadn't even thought of that. "You know, that's not a bad idea."

After a few more minutes catching up, Cuddy brought up the subject of House.

"So how's he doing?" She asked.

"House? He actually got in early this morning and Sandy even remarked to me that he was in a good mood."

"Really?" Cuddy asked.

"Yeah go figure," said Wilson.

"Hmm" said Cuddy.

"What is it Cuddy?" Wilson asked.

"Nothing. I was just wondering about his mood."

"With House there's no telling. I can tell you this, he's clean and sober and doing his therapy. He had a really nice visit with his mom. I think that helped."

"I hope so," she replied honestly.

"Blythe was adamant about not judging him and he appreciated that. They talked about his leg pain, Mayfield, your breakup. He didn't give her explicit details, after all she's still his mom but he was honest about the part he played in everything that happened. She was really proud of him. I was too. It took a lot for him to do that."

"That's wonderful news," she replied.

"Yeah it is. I think it was a huge burden lifted for both of them. She's been worried about him for a long time now. I think she knows now he will be okay," he said.

"Did they talk about John?" she asked. Cuddy knew it was a sore subject for him.

"They talked about him but he didn't bring up the subject of him not being his bio dad. He didn't feel the time was right for that. Too many other things to discuss."

"I'm glad he talked to her, what a relief for both of them," she said.

"He was nervous before her visit but as time went on, it got easier for him," said Wilson.

"Has he mentioned getting my second letter?" She asked.

"No. I didn't realize you'd written him again," he replied.

"Yes, in fact, he wrote me again too."

"Wow. I didn't know that but then again he and I have both been busy and haven't had chance to discuss much in detail. I'm going to take him to lunch so I'll see what I can find out and let you know." Wilson offered.

"No, Wilson, please don't. I don't mind you guys talking about me but try not to let yourself become a middle man again. We made that mistake before. If ever we want to be...well...you know...we just have to talk it out ourselves. I can't let you put yourself in the middle again."

"Cuddy, you can count on me. I won't interfere," Wilson assured her. He knew that if they were going to work through this, they had to communicate without him being their mediator.

"Thanks. Listen, I'm on a short break right now and Sharon is meeting me in a few minutes before we go back to work. I'm glad you'll be at the conference. I'm hoping to take a few days off so I can see you while you're here. I know Rachel would love to see you too."

"That would be nice. I'll call you soon."

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Cuddy thought about the upcoming Oncology conference. She was looking forward to seeing Wilson and wondered if House would tag along. He'd done it the last time Wilson attended a conference with her but things were different then. House was trying to win her over and the whole thing ended in disaster when Lucas showed up. Lucas. She had cared for him but she never loved him. She couldn't believe that she had been so desperate for companionship and a father figure for Rachel that she was won over with flowers and cheesy pickup lines. Never again.

Cuddy thought about what it would be like to see House again. She thought perhaps if he did show up, it wouldn't be so bad with Wilson there but then she remembered she did not want Wilson to be mediator. Anything she had to work out with House had to be done between the two of them without involving Wilson. Suddenly she was brought out of her thoughts when Sharon arrived.

"So sorry I'm late Lisa, patient from hell."

"It's okay."

"So what's up?" Sharon asked as she sat down across from Cuddy.

"Just got off the phone with Wilson. I wanted to make sure he's coming to the Oncology conference."

"That's great, can't wait to see him again," said Sharon.

"Oh! Before I forget, I wanted to tell you I got another letter from House," said Cuddy.

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Wow. So what did he say?" Sharon asked.

"He's opening himself up more than he ever has before. I know how hard this is for him and it seems he's really trying to get himself together. I'm proud of him," Cuddy said with a smile.

"You don't say..." said Sharon. She chuckled and took note of the smile that seemed to light up her friend's face.

A few hours later in Princeton it was nearing lunchtime. Wilson walked over to the conference room hoping to find House in a DDX with his team but he found only Chase in there working with a pile of charts.

"Hey Chase where's House?" Wilson asked.

"Haven't seen him for a few hours."

"Is he with the patient?"

"What patient?"

"I thought you had a dying patient."

"No. What's going on?"

Wilson smirked. He realized House had just used that excuse to dodge a bullet and explain that he had answered Cuddy's call. "Oh nothing, I think I know where to find him."

"Be prepared!" Chase yelled after him. "He's been in a really good mood ever since he got in this morning. Don't know what's up with that."

Wilson nodded on his way out. "I'll see what I can do."

Wilson made his way to the coma guy's room where he found House relaxing in the visitor's recliner. As Wilson watched him through the glass, he noticed House seemed preoccupied with his thoughts as he tapped his cane on the floor and stared at the ceiling, not even paying attention to the game show on the television screen.

"Hey House, want some lunch?" Wilson asked.

"Sure, you buying?"

"Yeah."

As House and Wilson made their way into the cafeteria, House asked Wilson about his date two nights ago. Wilson broke the news to House that his hot date turned out to be a lesbian. House suggested rather loudly in front of everyone in line that if anyone could turn her straight, Wilson could. Wilson turned beet red while House helped himself to a steak smothered in salad.

As they sat at the table, Wilson asked about House's dying patient.

"How's the patient?"

"He's a patient."

"Still dying?" Wilson asked.

"Yeah, still dying," said House as he stole a fry from Wilson.

"House, you're an ass."

"Wilson, you're a bitch."

"I know you don't have a patient," Wilson said.

"And I know you know I don't have a patient," said House.

"Why'd you lie to me?"

"Just like keeping you on your toes Jimmy!"

"Seriously House, I know about the phone call."

House was silent.

"You know, the phone call from Cuddy."

"I don't know what you're talking about," House said.

"Okay Dr. Love."

House knew he was busted. "Fine, smartass. I answered your phone thinking it was the soon to be fourth Mrs. Wilson only to find that it was our former boss and luscious administrator on the other end."

"House!" Wilson was becoming annoyed.

"Whaaat, mom?"

"Why did you hang up on her?"

"She said that?"

"Yeah."

"Damn."

"She figured she took you by surprise and you weren't ready."

"I'm not scared of her," House said though he wasn't very convincing.

"House, nobody said you were. You two haven't talked in a long time, it's scary for both of you. Nobody said this would be easy," said Wilson. "So why were you in such a good mood this morning?"

House hung his head and said "What is it with this hospital? Can no one keep a secret?"

"So you're in a good mood and trying to keep it secret?"

"No, I just don't feel like advertising my personal life around this place."

"House, you have no personal life."

"Hey! Words hurt you know!" House put his hand over his heart feigning hurt.

Wilson threw his hands in the air and said, "Look, I'm just glad you're in a good mood. It's nice."

House took a drink from his soda bottle and became serious for a moment. "I can't believe she wrote me back," he said.

"Yeah. I think she's thinking the same thing about you."

House looked up a bit surprised, "She said that?"

"I could tell it made her feel good too."

House didn't reply. The two just sat there finishing their meals. A few minutes later House suddenly said to Wilson, "I hear there's a hot new candy striper in the kids cancer ward."

"House, she's at least eighty years old."

"Hey even old ladies need lovin' too," House said. They both laughed then Wilson spoke again.

"Hey House."

"Yeah?"

"There's a three-day Oncology conference coming up in Boston," He hesitated a moment to gauge House's reaction. House's interest seemed piqued though he tried to hide it by not looking up. Wilson continued, "It's at a nice place on the waterfront. Sandy booked me a suite and it's got a jacuzzi tub, balcony, and a great view of the city."

House just listened quietly as he finished his lunch. Wilson could tell he was deep in thought.

"It was just a thought, House," Wilson said to reassure his friend there was no pressure.

After a moment House spoke.

"Jacuzzi, eh?" He asked.

"Yep."

"Mini bar?"

"Most likely."

House appeared to be in deep thought for a few moments.

"So...Boston?" He asked, tapping his cane on the floor.

"Yeah, Boston," Wilson replied smiling.

There you go! Leave a review for me, let me know what you think!

By the way, I do my research because I like to keep things as realistic as possible. The medical cases here are taken from real diagnostic cases. City and street names and the names/locations of hotels, restaurants, hospitals, businesses and things of that nature are all real. The ASCO which is mentioned here is a real organization and the Clinical Oncology conference is in fact a conference that takes place in three cities across the nation this year, one of them is in Boston.

Thanks for reading!