A/N: Wow looks like you guys really loved the fact I posted two chapters last weekend. Well, you won't get as lucky this weekend as it took me some time to write just one chapter, however a third of the next chapter is already written so it'll be posted next Friday or Saturday. I love the interaction between House and Rachel, I think she brings out some of the best in him, don't you think?

I cannot thank you enough for all the reviews. You guys are awesome. Thank you to all who have left their comments here:

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Remember, we are on day two of House and Wilson's trip to Boston. They left Princeton on Thursday morning, arrived in Boston Thursday afternoon and House visited Cuddy on Thursday evening. It is now mid-morning on Friday.

Cuddy watched in amazement at the interaction between House and Rachel. When House had let her know he was traveling to Boston with Wilson, Cuddy wasn't sure how she would handle Rachel meeting him again. House seemed to be letting himself relax in Rachel's presence and that was good enough for Cuddy at the moment.

Footsteps could be heard moving through the house. "Lisa? Rachel?" It was Sharon followed by her daughter Hannah. As she entered the kitchen, Sharon stopped at the sight of her friend sitting at the breakfast nook with the man she recognized from photos as House, and he was holding a very giddy and smiling Rachel.

"You must be Greg," Sharon said, looking over at House as she leaned down to give Cuddy's shoulder a squeeze.

"You must have ESP," House replied.

Sharon rolled her eyes and put her hand out to him. "I'm Sharon Carr, a friend of Lisa's; she's told me a lot about you." It surprised Cuddy when House, not one to shake hands, actually extended his hand out to her. She shook it confidently and House smirked as he admired her strong grip.

"Mom, can Rachel and I play in her room?" Hannah asked as she stood behind her mother in the kitchen.

"Lisa, do you mind?"

"No, but girls please don't make a mess," Cuddy said as the girls ran out of the kitchen. Before she followed Hannah to her room though, Rachel turned back to give House another hug. It took all three adults by surprise.

Sharon took a seat at the table with House and Cuddy.

"So…you're the infamous Gregory House? I've heard so much about you."

"All bad, I'm sure."

"Not all bad."

House looked over at Cuddy. "Truth. How much does she know?"

"Everything." Cuddy sipped her coffee and watched both House and Sharon carefully, unsure of what they would say to one another.

The smile fell from House's face as he looked down at his cane. He wondered how Cuddy's friend would react to him knowing everything he'd done.

Sharon sensed his discomfort. "Listen House, I don't know you, you don't know me but we'll get along just great if you're straight up and don't bullshit me and whatever you do, try your damndest not to hurt Lisa again."

Cuddy looked down at her napkin and grinned.

"Wow does your husband know you've got his balls?" House asked with a tone of sarcasm.

"Actually, considering he's dead, I'm the man of the house so I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"I like her," House told Cuddy as he pointed at Sharon and grinned.

Just then the buzzer in the laundry room sounded. "Shit, I've got to go get the stuff out of the dryer, you guys sit here and talk and don't kill each other okay?"

"Yes, mom," House snarked back at her.

When Cuddy stepped out of the room, House expected Sharon to give him the third degree but instead she leaned forward and said, "You really hurt her."

"I know."

"When she first told me about you, I hated your guts. I felt so bad for her I was sure I'd rip your nuts off if ever I met you."

"So what's stopping you now?" He asked looking up at her.

"Honestly? I know you fucked up Greg…or do you want me to call you House?"

"House is fine. Do tell…"

"You were wrong in lashing out like you did but it's hard for me to hate you when Lisa can't. It took her some time to deal with things but she knows now that you were out of your mind. I know you already know this, but it bears repeating. She's had a hard time reconciling how she really feels for you with how she thinks she's supposed to feel. Society would say she should hate you and never have anything to do with you again. I think she was expecting me to tell her that she's an idiot for still caring about you."

"She is, you know...an idiot, after all, she shouldn't care."

"But she does and if I didn't know the history between the two of you, maybe I would tell her she was crazy but I do know it and it helped me understand things better. It made me understand why she could hate you one moment and still love you the next."

House hooked his cane on the chair next to him and looked right at her with both elbows on the table, hands clasped. "Listen, you don't know me and I know you're Cuddy's friend but I just want you to know I'm really trying here. This is unchartered territory for me...for both of us. This is our last chance. I don't want to lose her again."

"Then don't."

"Easier said than done."

"Listen House, just be honest, don't hold things in like you used to…just tell her what's on your mind instead of assuming she knows. And whatever you do, don't tell her what you think is best for her."

"I never—"

"Oh please. You used to tell her she didn't deserve you. "

"She told you that?"

"Yeah, and then some. I know the two of you sabotaged your relationship by going into it thinking it could work without either of you having to change. I've got news for you, being in a relationship changes people. If it's a good relationship with someone you love, then you should change for the better."

House just looked down at the table as he stirred his coffee, mostly because he wasn't sure how to respond.

"She made me a better person, I was just afraid to show her that she did. The whole time I kept worrying when she'd get tired of my crap and end it. Every time she said we need to talk I thought that was the end of it."

"Did you tell her that?"

"No."

"Idiot," Sharon said, shaking her head in amazement that two such intelligent people could be such idiots when it came to something as simple as communication.

House continued. "If I could take back everything I did, I would. She deserves so much better than me, she always did."

"See, you're doing it again."

"What?"

"Stop the self-deprecating crap and stop thinking you know what's best for her more than she does. Let her make up her own mind about what she wants and you do the same."

"Have you told her that?"

"Oh hell yeah. Believe me, I've told her."

"You'd make a good shrink."

"Well..."

"Oh God, don't tell me." He put his head in his hands and laughed. "Cuddy's buddy is a head shrinker? This is too good to be true. So as her friend and as a shrink, I've got to know something…how in hell can you encourage her to have anything to do with me?"

Sharon just smiled. "I am her friend but I am not her shrink. I try not to analyze her; I try to just be her friend. We were there for each other during some pretty rough times. I will say this though; you two have some pretty crappy communication skills. Maybe you can take this opportunity to work on them, ya think? "Sharon winked at him.

"You and Wilson would make a great pair."

Nodding towards the utility room, Sharon laughed and said, "That's what she said."

House chuckled at her words and added, "Just don't let yourself be sucked into becoming Mrs. Wilson number four."

"Don't worry, that boyishly handsome face doesn't fool me for a moment."

"I think we're going to get along just fine," he said. Then he continued in a more somber tone, "I'm afraid I will hurt her again."

"Well, of course you're going to hurt her, it happens in relationships. I'm talking about doing it intentionally. Don't do and say things that push her away because you're feeling sorry for yourself or you don't think you're good enough for her or whatever crap is going through your mind at the time. Look, people say or do things they don't mean all the time and when it happens, don't act like an asshole, just own it, apologize and move on. Learn from your mistakes, don't repeat the same crap over and over again."

"I worry about her, I just want her to be happy."

"I'm not trying to be your shrink here so don't take this the wrong way but don't worry about Lisa."

House eyed her curiously.

"There's a difference between worrying and caring. Caring helps you open up to one another but worrying tends to have an element of anxiety attached to it and it's not healthy. Sometimes worrying can cause a person to keep silent for the sake of the other person. It's great not to want to hurt someone but truth is important especially given everything you two have been through. If ever two people needed to talk about everything, it's you two. So try not to worry, just care, got it?"

"Damn, you're good."

"I try. I expect you will let me know if I cross the line." She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, absolutely," he replied. In an effort to change the subject he asked, "Can I ask how your husband died?"

"Aneurysm. He died in his sleep, nobody ever had a clue there was a problem."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Sorry, no medical mystery here."

"How old is your daughter?"

"Six. She was four when Al died. She hardly even knew him."

"Shit."

"Kinda sucks but life goes on, it has to, especially when you have kids."

Just when House was getting ready to say something, Cuddy returned to the kitchen.

"Sorry I was gone so long, figured I'd just fold everything while I was there. You guys have a nice talk about me?"

"Hey there's more to talk about than just you," House said sarcastically.

"Yeah okay. Did you get acquainted?"

"Sure did. Basically she's going to cut my nuts off if I don't behave."

"Sharon?" Cuddy asked, surprised.

"Oh don't look shocked, you knew I'd say something."

"And I really like my nuts so…I think I'll behave when she's around." House joked. His hands reached down as if protecting his crotch.

"All the time," Sharon said, giving him a knowing look.

"Oy vey, you two."

Sharon looked at her watch and said, "Oh I've got to go, I'm taking Hannah to her cousin's house for a birthday slumber party and we're going shopping first."

"I was going to invite you for dinner tonight. Wilson will be here and before you say anything, no, I am not trying to set you up, just dinner between...friends."

Sharon understood and said, "How about this? You three get together tonight since you haven't seen each other in awhile and then before they leave we'll do it again okay?"

Realizing maybe it was a good idea to be alone with just Wilson and House for this first time in awhile, she nodded her head in agreement. "Okay."

Sharon said goodbye to House and Cuddy called for the girls as she walked Sharon to the door. House soon heard the rapid pitter patter of small feet and the giggles of two small girls and he chuckled when Cuddy yelled at the two girls not to run in the house. Alone in the kitchen, he got up from the table and cleared it and rinsed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. It was the least he could do to thank her for making him breakfast.

Cuddy and Rachel walked back into the kitchen and Rachel ran over to House, who stood at the kitchen island and vigorously rubbed his thigh.

"Howse still hurt?" Rachel asked softly.

"Yeah, kid, it still hurts."

"I sorry," she said and gently hugged his right leg. House looked up at Cuddy and she shrugged her shoulders and grinned.

House put his hand down and patted Rachel's head and suddenly felt as if he needed some space. "Listen, I've got to get back to the hotel, just want to see what Wilson's up to. I'll come back later."

Cuddy looked disappointed but she sensed his need to have some time and space to think. "Okay, you want me to take you?"

"No, I'll call a cab."

"Really House, it's not a problem. It's only ten minutes from here. Besides I've got some grocery shopping to do and Rachel and I can spend some time together."

"Okay."

House grabbed his jacket and Rachel took his hand and led him out to Cuddy's car while Cuddy locked up and followed them. She couldn't get over how Rachel had taken to House again so quickly.

House secured Rachel in her booster seat and got in the front seat next to Cuddy. "Thanks," she said, acknowledging what he had done.

As they drove the ten minutes to House's hotel, Rachel talked excitedly about her trip with Hannah and Sharon to the museum and planetarium. The two adults sat in the front seat exchanging glances and smirks as Rachel went on and on about her adventures. For a moment it seemed so normal that the three of them were together. In no time, they arrived at the hotel. House looked over at Cuddy, not sure what to say. So much had happened between them in the past twenty-four hours. Neither was ready to leave the other but both knew they needed a little space.

"Thanks for the ride," he said, a small smile on his lips.

"You're welcome," she said, returning the smile. Her eyes sparkled and that did not go unnoticed by House.

"I'll see you later?" He asked.

"Yeah."

Suddenly, Rachel interrupted. "Are you going to kiss?"

House and Cuddy just looked at each other, then Cuddy turned to Rachel and asked, "Rachel what makes you say that?"

Rachel replied innocently, "You used to kiss all the time."

Cuddy shook her head while House chuckled at the little girl's response. She certainly was a mini version of her mother, he thought.

House and Cuddy looked at each other and House leaned close to her. Cuddy's heart fluttered in her chest as she felt his breath on her face. He put his hand up and gently caressed her jaw line, and her eyes closed as he placed a light kiss just at the corner of her mouth. He lingered for a moment and moved his lips toward her ear.

"Thank you," he said softly, his words intending to convey something much deeper than his gratitude for giving him a ride to the hotel. House felt butterflies in his stomach at the closeness he shared with her. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the sweet smell of vanilla body wash mixed with her natural scent.

Cuddy felt a shiver up and down her spine at the tone of his words and his warm breath upon her ear. She opened her eyes and looked into his, which were clear and blue. At that moment, a flood of emotions rushed through her. Knowing the deeper meaning in his words, she responded to him. "You're welcome," she said, wanting him to know she understood what he was trying to convey with his words. She placed her hand on the hand he was using to caress her cheek and they sat there for a moment as if they were the only two people in the world.

House broke the trance and looked over at Rachel in the backseat. She had witnessed the affection with a big smile on her face. "I'll see you later munchkin," he said to her.

"Okay. Can we play?"

"Sure kid, whatever you want."

House slowly got out of the car, then closed the door, leaned down and looked at Cuddy, nodding his head slightly, she responded with a smile. Both knew words were not needed at the moment. He watched as she drove away and when the car disappeared out of sight, he sighed and made his way into the hotel.

When House entered the suite he shared with Wilson, his friend was on the phone pacing back and forth, dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt. House closed the door behind him as Wilson motioned him into the room. House grabbed a bagel from the breakfast cart Wilson had ordered and made himself at home on the couch, throwing his cane on the coffee table in front of him. It seemed from Wilson's side of the conversation that he was on the phone with the hospital, and House sighed loudly in an attempt to annoy Wilson. When Wilson finally got off the phone ten minutes later, he shook his head in dismay.

"What was that all about?" House said as he tore a large piece of bagel with his teeth.

"It was Sandy. One of my patients died last night."

"Cancer?"

"Gee, how'd you guess? Yeah, it was Mr. Crane, we figured it would be any day now."

House put his feet up on the coffee table and sighed. Wilson took the hint and realized he hadn't even asked House about his visit with Cuddy.

"So, you spent the night at Cuddy's?"

"Yes. And no, there was no exchange of bodily fluids."

"Didn't need to know that House. Besides I didn't really think she'd jump into your arms and have sex with you for the first time in two years."

House just smiled wickedly.

"You didn't!" Wilson shouted.

"No, you think I'm going to take advantage of her like that?" House just nodded his head at Wilson's idiocy.

"I don't know, House."

"I've changed." House grinned.

"People don't change."

"Quit trying to be me."

"Okay so did you have a chance to really talk?"

"Yeah, have you not been listening?"

"Come on House, you gotta give me something more here."

"We talked; she yelled at me, she cried, we fell asleep."

"That's it?"

"Well we woke up on the couch, had dinner, talked some more, and fell asleep again...on the couch."

"You did a lot of sleeping."

"And talking, don't forget that part."

"Did you two come to any conclusions?"

"We're both screwed up."

"Well, that's a shocker," Wilson replied flatly.

"I'm not sure what she wants Wilson, I mean…I asked her and she was going to tell me her answer but then Rachel got home and we never finished the conversation."

"Do you love her?"

"What kind of question is that?" House asked, attempting to deflect.

"Damnit House, either you love her or you don't."

"I do. But love isn't enough."

"That would make a great Hallmark card," Wilson said rolling his eyes.

Changing the direction of the conversation, House asked Wilson, "Did you know she kept some of my things? She still had all my clothes I'd left there."

"Wow."

"Yeah. I thought for sure she'd want to erase every single memory of me…of us."

"You're a hard person to forget, House."

"Then there was the kid. How did she remember me after two years?"

"Like I said…"

"Yeah, yeah I'm a hard person to forget. Rachel is cute and smart, too damn smart for her own good. She's a mini-Cuddy."

"You called her Rachel."

"So?"

"Not used that it, that's all. So how did you two get along?"

"She hugged me."

"And that's bad...how?"

"I didn't say it was bad. She walked into the kitchen looking for Cuddy, saw me there and came over and climbed in my lap. After two years, go figure, she just jumps in my lap like she'd seen me yesterday. I don't get it."

"You know that kids are pretty good judge of character."

House got up and limped over to the large windows overlooking the river. "I've never considered myself a good character."

"You are your own worst critic. For someone with an ego the size of New Jersey, you're still pretty hard on yourself."

House turned to him. "You don't get it Wilson, I don't see what they see."

Wilson shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what to tell you House, at some point if you want to have some kind of life, especially one that involves Cuddy, you're going to have to figure out a way to accept you're not as bad as you think you are."

House stood by the windows soaking in the sun. Changing the subject he said, "I met her friend Sharon."

"I like her, she's good for Cuddy. You know she's a shrink right?"

"Yeah."

"So how did you two get along?"

"She's interesting."

"Hmm…that means you like her."

"I didn't say that."

"But you do."

"She's honest, doesn't mince words, and she's been a good friend to Cuddy."

"Did she threaten you?"

"Not exactly."

"She did!" Wilson laughed. "What did she say to you?"

"Let's just say I get the feeling I'll be singing in soprano if I ever hurt Cuddy again."

Wilson laughed again, slapping his thigh. "She reminds me a little of Arlene."

"Oh god please, one of that woman is enough."

"So, what's the next move?"

"Well, there's dinner tonight. She invited Sharon but Sharon thinks the three of us should have some time just to hang out."

"Wow, that'll be the first time we've done that in a while." Wilson reminisced a moment about the last time they'd gone to dinner together, it had been at Cuddy's house to celebrate her birthday.

"Yeah," House said thinking of the same moment. House leaned on his cane and rubbed his thigh vigorously, which did not go unnoticed by Wilson. Wilson decided to take his friend's mind off things for awhile.

"How's your leg? Did you bring your medication?"

"Yeah, just trying to keep the doses to a minimum. The fentanyl patch is still working."

"You know, they've got everything in this place, fuzbol table, gym and an indoor pool, wanna check it out?"

House thought about it for a moment. He really was just in the mood to relax but all he kept thinking about was Cuddy. He thought maybe working out would help him process things better before dinner at Cuddy's house later, besides, he needed to keep up his exercises to keep his pain to a minimum.

"I'll kick your ass in laps you know," Wilson challenged, interrupting House's thoughts.

House just looked at him knowingly. "Oh it is so on," he said as he limped toward his room to change.

Well there goes another chapter in this saga. I hope you enjoyed it. Please understand it's important to me to take the time to work things out between House and Cuddy. I know some folks want a lot of things to happen right away, I promise you that if you wait you will be very pleased.

Please leave a review. If you use "Guest" please be sure to leave your name somewhere in your comment! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR READING!