A/N: Here's another chapter, thanks for all your support, it's been great. I wanted to get this out on Friday night but I was too damn tired to write!

Shout out to Cherokee Jedi, author of "Safety" who has had a lot of stuff going on in her life lately. She has NOT abandoned that wonderful story, just hang in there. If you haven't read it, you should, it's great.

When House woke up on Tuesday evening, it was nearly six o'clock. He'd slept six hours and needed every bit of it. The first thing he did was rub his thigh vigorously to relieve the pain. It reminded him he'd forgotten to put a new patch on his leg when he got home. He lay there thinking about the phone call he'd made hours earlier. He grabbed his cell phone from the nightstand and found he had two messages. He sat up, leaned against the headboard and dialed the first of two numbers.

"Hello?"

"It's House."

"Are you alright? I got your message."

"I'm fine; I know it's not our scheduled day but I need to see you."

"Where are you?"

"Princeton. I had a case, finished it up earlier."

"I'm in New York right now and I can make a stop there sometime late morning on my way home."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, it's really not out of the way. What time?"

"I'm doing PT early, how about eleven?" He thought about where they should meet. He was in the mood for pancakes and lots of them. "How about PJ's Pancake House on Nassau Street?"

"Across from campus right?"

"That's the one. See you at eleven?"

"Fine. Anything you want to talk about now?"

"We'll save that for when you get here."

House and Nolan talked a few more minutes before hanging up. He thought about how he would tell his therapist about the dreams. He'd had a few dreams about his father over the past few years and in some of the dreams, he and his father actually got along while in others they were at odds. He was conflicted over his feelings about his father because when he was a young boy he'd idolized his father, it was only when he was a teenager that he began rebelling and loathing how his father treated him. It bothered House greatly that the dreams he hadn't had in quite some time had returned just as he and Cuddy were in each other's lives again.

Cuddy. He grinned to himself as he recalled the kiss they shared recently. He ran his finger along his lips savoring the memory of how she tasted, her full lips against his, her tongue massaging his mouth. To him there was no sweeter pleasure in life than kissing Lisa Cuddy. In those few days they were together, he realized he needed more of her. He was disappointed he had to leave so soon and a tingle shot up his spine thinking of the fact that he would see her again soon. At that moment, he noticed little Greg had made an appearance. Thinking of Cuddy made him horny and he thought of going into the shower to remedy that situation, however, he didn't want a fantasy; he wanted the real thing. As hard as it would be to hold out for her, he wanted to because it would make their blissful reunion that much more special, something neither of them would ever forget. He didn't want to do anything to screw up whatever it was they were building, not this time. He was willing to take his time and think things out and do it right. He got out of bed and stretched a little to help ease his very sore leg, then headed to the shower with thoughts of anything but her to help him get through the next few minutes.

Hours away in Boston, Cuddy had just finished having dinner with her mother and daughter and had gone outside to get the mail when her cell phone rang. She smiled at the thought it might be House but then she recognized the hospital number on her caller ID.

"Dr. Cuddy."

"Lisa, it's Burt."

"Burt, what a nice surprise."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing much better, thank you. I know I'll be sore for awhile but I'm not complaining too much, I know how lucky I am."

"Indeed you are. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm okay. Mom's here with Rachel and me."

"Where's Greg?"

Cuddy chuckled. It was so unusual to hear anyone call House by his first name. "He's in Princeton, he got called in for a case but will be back soon."

"I see. Well, I don't want to bother you while you're on leave but I could use a favor."

"Sure, I'll help if I can, what is it?"

"Well, Dr. Tunkle in Pediatrics picked up a patient yesterday and when she told me about it, I thought Dr. House might be interested."

"House?"

"Considering you know Dr. House so well, I thought perhaps you could ask him if he wouldn't mind being a consult on this case."

Cuddy noticed Burt emphasized the so well part. "Wow. I can't speak for him but he's not one to turn down a puzzle, that's for sure. I'll be talking to him later, can I call you back?"

"Sure and Lisa, remember you can call me if you need anything, you know that right?"

"I do and...thanks."

"You're welcome; I'll talk with you soon."

As Cuddy hung up the phone, her mother met her at the door. "There you are, I was looking for you."

Cuddy held up a stack of envelopes. "Mail," she said as she walked into the house. "Where's Rach?" She asked.

"She's in your room." Arlene shook her head and laughed. "She wanted to watch Madagascar so I put it in for her. She loves that movie."

"It's one of her favorites." Cuddy took a seat in the recliner across from her mother.

"How do you feel dear?"

"I'm fine."

Arlene sat watching her daughter go through the mail, chuckling silently as she watched her daughter organize everything into neat little piles.

Cuddy felt she was being watched and looked up at her mother. "What?"

"You remind me so much of your father."

"Really?"

"Don't be surprised Lisa. You two were just alike. Intelligent, well-spoken, ambitious and incredibly organized. Just watching you do routine things at times reminds me so much of him."

Cuddy laughed. "I remember he used to call me his mini-me."

Arlene nodded. "When you were little you followed him everywhere. Your sister was too young and so she stayed with me more often but you and your father were stuck together like glue."

Cuddy pondered that a moment and the memories of her father brought a smile to her face. She sighed and said, "I wonder what dad would think of everything…all the things I've done."

Arlene relaxed into the couch, enjoying the rare intimate discussion with her daughter. "Your father loved you and Julia more than anything in the world. He was so proud of both of you...for following your hearts with what you wanted to do. Julia was like me, she could have worked outside the home but she really wanted to be a stay at home mom, take care of her kids and her husband. That was fulfilling to her. Like your father, you could never stay still, you were stir crazy, always had to be doing something." She laughed. "You get your drive and ambition from your father and he was immensely proud of you."

Cuddy smiled. She and her mother hadn't talked about her father in a long time, it felt good to reminisce. "Mom, what do you think dad would have said about the decisions I've made regarding Rachel and House?"

Arlene thought for a moment. "Your father had complete faith in you. When I thought you were making a mistake, he'd remind me that you had to stand on your own two feet and that we had to trust you would end up making the right choices."

Cuddy smiled at her mother. It was still so unusual that they had these kinds of conversations she waited for the inevitable barb that would come from her mother.

"He was right you know."

"Right?" Cuddy asked, with an arched eyebrow.

She folded her hands in her lap. "You made a lot of right choices Lisa. I didn't always agree with them at the time and you know I'm not going to agree with more of them in the future but that's who I am. When you first adopted Rachel I was against it because I thought you were making a mistake being a single mother." Arlene noticed her daughter cringed when she spoke of disapproving of the adoption. "But I think you've done a great job with her and your father would have been very proud of you for adopting Rachel, for saving her life."

"Saving her life? How did you know? I never told you?"

She laughed. "It figures. Greg told me all about it during one of my visits. I'll never forget that. You were working late and he came over early to cook dinner because he didn't have a case. Rachel and I were in the backyard and I was pushing her on the swing. Greg came out there and we talked about Rachel a bit, just small talk, which seemed a bit unusual for him. It seemed like he was making an effort. Then, he came right out with it. He said 'you know, she saved Rachel's life' and I had no idea what he was talking about. He told me the story about Rachel's birth mother and you going into an old abandoned building in a rundown part of town, convincing the woman who found her to give her to you. He told me how you looked that night, in the nursery, watching her."

Cuddy had a look of surprise on her face. She shook her head. "I had no idea he told you that story. I can't even believe he remembered that night."

"Well, it's hard to forget that story because as I recall, when he told it, he had this goofy smile on his face. He just watched Rachel play as he talked about it and I had this feeling there was much more he wasn't telling me."

Cuddy recalled the night in the nursery when she told House she had applied as a foster parent. "He objected to me adopting her, in fact he made my life a living hell, trying to convince me I'd made the wrong choice. I thought he was just being an ass but I realized later on that he was just jealous. He thought that once I'd taken her into my life, there would be no room for him."

"Your father was like that when you came along. For the first year or two it was just us and then you were born and he thought it would ruin everything. As it turns out, he wound up spending more time with you than he did me."

"I had no idea."

"There's a lot you don't know about your father. He was an intensely private person but he loved his family."

"I wonder what dad would have thought about House. I doubt they would've even gotten along."

"He was very protective over you girls so he wouldn't have put up with any bullshit, you know that. He did have sort of a sixth sense about people and I suspect those two would have liked each other."

"Dad and House?"

"Sure, why not? I think there would have been a mutual respect. Your father would have seen him for who he really is, he damn sure wouldn't have pitied him and he would have had no problem putting him in his place. I think Greg would have respected him for it. Besides, one thing they would have had in common is they both loved you."

Cuddy smiled at the thought of what it would have been like for her father to meet House. "I wish Rachel had had the opportunity to know him."

The two sat quietly pondering their conversation, which was unusual for them and quite refreshing. Finally, Cuddy broke the silence.

"Mom, I never thanked you for…well…not jumping all over House when you got here. I mean, you did, but it could have been worse. Why are you being so…nice to him?"

Arlene sighed and contemplated her answer carefully. "Whatever this thing is you two have, it can't be defined in normal terms. Your sister and I had a long talk about this because we both had a feeling at some point he'd be back in your life, it was just a matter of time. We didn't want him coming back and hurting you again."

"You thought I'd let him come back just like that?"

"Well, not just like that, but…you two have known each other more than half your lives; we knew how you felt about him. Lisa, I know you better than you think I do. I never saw you smile around anyone else like you did when Greg was around. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy and with him, it seemed like you were, at least for awhile."

"I know. It was complicated."

"Only because you both made it that way. Despite all his faults and God knows he has many, it is clear he cares about you and Rachel and loves you both. I can't run your life and I'm still concerned about you and whether or not you're able to handle whatever this thing is between you but I know I have to let you do what you feel is best. I just hope Greg is getting the help he needs to work through his problems and…" Arlene paused and her voice became more serious. "I hope you figure out what you want this time before it's too late."

"He is mom, trust me and I'm working on it." Just as she was about to continue, her cell phone rang. She looked at her caller id and immediately smiled. "I'm going to take this on the back porch."

Arlene rolled her eyes. "Let me guess. It's him isn't it?" She saw her daughter turn around to look at her curiously and she just said, "You've got that look." She shook her head and laughed as she watched her daughter turn around walk out the sliding glass doors and close them behind her, taking a seat on the lounge chair. Arlene signed and picked up Cuddy's mail and began rifling through it.

On the back porch Cuddy made herself comfortable in the lounge chair. "Hi," she said happily, her mood having changed quickly. "I was in the house with mom, decided to take this outside."

"Geez it's like we're in high school."

"She knew it was you, I didn't even have to tell her."

"Well that gigantic shit-eating grin does give you away."

"Shut up."

"Miss me?"

"No."

"Don't lie."

"Okay, maybe a little."

"That's better. How's the lesser Cuddy?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes, remembering the first time House referred to her daughter that way. "Rachel is fine. Sharon took the girls to watch a recital."

"Piano?"

"Yep. Rachel is so excited."

"Are you sure that she's not half mine?"

"Sometimes I wonder."

"Hey, I'll be there tomorrow sometime. I've got some things to do first."

"Like what?"

"PT and Nolan." House thought a moment about whether he should tell her about the dreams but decided against it, at least over the phone.

"Okay. If you need more time I understand. Mom has actually been very helpful."

"Don't worry, the sooner I can get there the sooner she can jump on her broomstick and head back home."

"House! She's not that bad. We actually…kinda bonded today."

"I'm sorry, did I hear that correctly?"

"Yes you did, we had a nice talk."

"Is that why my ears were burning?"

"Not about you, ass, about my dad. We haven't talked about him in awhile."

"Hard to believe you and your mother actually had a nice conversation. No nagging? No arguing?"

"Shocker isn't it?"

"Yeah. Hey, how's the head doing?"

"The head is doing better. The body aches like a son of a bitch. I'd like to restart my yoga in a few days; I think it will help me feel better."

"Just wait till I get back so I can watch you get into all those bendy positions." He smiled remembering the times she'd let him watch her do yoga. Cuddy's policy was during yoga he could look but not touch. He also had to be silent. House never did like her policy much.

"The police officer who investigated the accident came by earlier today."

"What did he want?"

"He gave me a copy of the police report. He told me the guy who hit me was a twenty-something law student from an old-money family in Boston. Apparently he's got a history of getting into trouble but always gets off thanks to his dad, who is also a lawyer and has connections all over the place."

"Seriously? The cop told you that?"

"Yeah."

"You ready to deal with these people?"

"No, but I know I have to. I've been working with the insurance company, they've been very nice. The adjustor has been out to the impound yard and took pictures of the car. They also have the police report, witness statements, and my medical records to date. I told them I'd call them back go over things more thoroughly but I'm just tired and don't want to deal with it yet."

"I'll be there to help you. We'll find a lawyer, just in case the family tries anything."

"Thanks. I really don't want to deal with it alone. By the way, I've still got to go to the impound yard where my car is being held."

"No, you shouldn't."

"I have to get some things out before they total it." Cuddy put her hand to her head in frustration. She was going to have to go out and buy another car.

"I wish you wouldn't. At least wait till I get there. I'll take you."

"Okay," she said. "God, I'm dreading this...all of this, so much crap to take care of."

"Try not to think about it right now."

"Yeah, easier said than done. Oh hey, I almost forgot...would you be interested in consulting on a case here?"

"Me?"

"Well, do you know another pain in the ass world class diagnostician I would ask?"

"You wound me."

"I'm sure. Are you interested or not?"

"Who's asking?"

"You remember Burt Kelly, my attending in the ER? He said that pediatrics has a case you might be interested in."

"Do you really want me working with people at your hospital?"

"I don't run it, I just work there, it's okay if you want to do this, or not. Actually I think it'd be great if you did."

"You do?"

"Sure, I think it would be good for you and good the hospital. For all its money and prestige Mass General doesn't have a Diagnostics Department.

"Don't we have to clear it with someone?"

"Well, besides Foreman on your end, there's our Chief of Medicine but I don't think that will be a problem."

House thought about it. "Okay I'm in."

"Great. I'll call Burt, I imagine they'll want to talk to you right away. Listen, are you okay to drive here?"

"Yeah, I'll stop when I need to."

"How's your leg?"

House once again fought the urge to hide his pain. "It hurts but therapy will help. I need to exercise and put another patch on tonight."

"Well, just take care of yourself, I worry about you."

"I know, but don't worry about me, I'll be alright. Let's just focus on you right now," House said in an attempt to veer attention away from his pain and more on hers.

"So I'll see you tomorrow, right?" The tone of her voice indicating she needed reassurance.

"Count on it," he said.

Please leave a review on your way out.

Jess