A/N: Here we go folks. Been toying with the idea in this chapter since the very beginning. Thanks to the awesome Grateful Insomniac who helped me work this idea out in my head some time ago. Also thanks to the "Usual Suspects" for all their help and inspiration!
Also, I made a few changes to the last chapter in regards to the title of Dean, which has been changed to Chief of Medicine. Harvard Medical School has a Dean of the College of Medicine but he is not Dean of the Hospital. Mass General is under the leadership of the President, Chairman/CEO and Corporation Officers. Under them is the Chairman of the Chiefs Council followed by the Physician-in-Chief/Chief of Medical Services. The PIC leads all of the Department Heads, 11 departments and over 700 physicians. Just a bit of background for you to help with this chapter.
Thank you for all the comments, there have been so many, and I appreciate all of them!
LOTS of House-Cuddy fics! Find them here at fanfiction dot net/tv/House_M_D/10/0/1/1/0/2729/2730/0/0/1/
In this chapter, it's Tuesday :)
House and Cuddy bid Renee farewell and decided to have lunch in the cafeteria. They made a stop at her office so she could grab her purse which she'd left there when she'd decided to do some work after her checkup with Burt. On their way to the cafeteria, Cuddy's phone rang.
"Lisa Cuddy."
House listened to one side of the very short conversation. A look of surprise was etched on Cuddy's face as she listened to the person on the other end.
"Okay, we'll be there in ten minutes," she said.
"What's that all about?" House asked when she hung up.
"I have no idea but we're taking a detour. The Chief of Medicine wants to talk to you...or rather...us."
House and Cuddy entered the outer office of Dr. Nancy Baker, Chief of Medicine. As Dr. Baker's assistant left them alone for a moment, Cuddy looked about the large well-furnished reception area. Dr. Baker, or Nancy as Cuddy called her, had been one of the individuals who interviewed her when she first applied to the hospital and the one to offer her the position. She'd found that Dr. Baker genuinely respected her work as Dean of Princeton-Plainsboro and they found they had mutual friends, including Cuddy's beloved favorite Professor Lamm at the University of Michigan. The two women became friendly almost immediately and through their talks Cuddy had learned Nancy and her husband married when they were both undergraduates and began a family shortly before she started medical school and he began his PhD studies. She had told Cuddy of her struggles as a wife, mother and medical student and Cuddy was amazed that through it all, the couple had stayed happily married. Cuddy liked and respected her colleague, for not only was she a very good doctor with a wonderful bedside manner but she was also a pioneer for women in the medical community.
"Lisa, it's so good to see you." Nancy Baker greeted Cuddy with a genuine smile as she walked out of her office into the reception area. Cuddy accepted the warm hug offered to her by the pretty, petite woman in her sixties. "Burt told me about your accident, are you alright?" Cuddy nodded her head and smiled.
"Dr. House, it is an honor to meet you again." Nancy extended her hand to him. He nodded and took it, taking note of her firm grasp, obviously a woman in control, something he respected. "I bet right now you're wondering where we met aren't you?" She asked.
House watched the older woman curiously as she led them into her comfortable office decorated in warm earth tones. She gestured to them to have a seat on the couch as she took a seat in the chair across from them. "I'm quite the fan Dr. House. We met at a conference in New York a few years back. You were giving a lecture on errors in diagnostic medicine and if I recall correctly, you filled the ballroom to standing room only."
Cuddy looked at House. "I remember that conference, you kept complaining you didn't want to go. You didn't tell me you packed the house."
"What can I say? I'm humble."
Nancy chuckled. "Humble is not the word I'd use to describe you but yours are by far among the most fascinating lectures I've ever attended and I have attended more than my share. I've always found yours to be very insightful and loaded with witty repertoire." She smirked and leaned back comfortably in her chair.
"Lectures? You've attended more than one?"
"Like I said, I'm a fan."
House stored that information away for later consideration.
"So, you're obviously wondering why I've asked you here today."
Both of them nodded.
"Dr. House…" She paused to look at him. "Your reputation as a pioneer in the field of diagnostic medicine is unmatched by anyone in any hospital in this country or around the world for that matter. You have unorthodox methods of getting things done...but you save lives. The lengths you are willing to go to in order to save a patient's life are…well, they are extraordinary. While I don't necessarily agree with all of your methods, your process simply fascinates me."
"Thank you," House said. The look of surprise he received from Cuddy did not go unnoticed.
"To cut to the chase, Dr. House, would you be interested in teaching a class in Diagnostics?"
"Here?" House was completely taken by surprise, he was not expecting that.
"Yes."
"Why me?"
"You're the best and frankly if Lisa didn't have such a tight hold when she was Dean at Princeton, we would have tried to snag you from there years ago."
Cuddy looked surprised. "Why didn't you try?"
Nancy laughed softly. "Would you have let him go?"
"You have a point," she said. "If you don't mind me asking Nancy, this is about House. Why am I here?"
"You two have a very long and... shall we say...complicated history together. Knowing that he was here...with you, I didn't think I should ask him without you being a part of this."
House looked at Cuddy then down at his hands holding the cane in his lap. He knew he had to tell the truth. "Look, I appreciate your offer but there are some things you should know-"
"I already know."
"What?" Cuddy asked curiously.
"You're both well known in the medical community for your work in your respective fields, it's hard to keep something like what happened...to you..." she paused momentarily for the right words, "...a secret." She watched Cuddy shift uncomfortably in her seat while House got up out of his seat and walked over to the window, twirling his cane while looking out onto the grounds of the hospital's campus.
"Lisa, I didn't say anything when you were hired because it wasn't my place. You are a top notch physician, lecturer and administrator and you came to us with nothing but the most outstanding recommendations."
"But if you knew, why did you let me consult?" House asked, never turning around. "You should want me as far from here as possible."
"You're the best at what you do."
"But that doesn't answer my question," he said, finally facing her.
Nancy sighed. She knew this wouldn't be easy, even she was uncomfortable discussing what happened with them but she had a feeling it would come up in conversation. "When I heard of Lisa's accident, I talked to Burt since he was her attending. He said she was going to be alright, that the injuries beyond the concussion were minor. He said she'd need a couple of weeks off and that she had someone taking care of her. That's when he told me it was you. I won't lie and say I wasn't shocked at first. Both Burt and Sharon told me, without divulging anything too personal, that things between you two were in a sense...good. Not long after, Burt was in the ER when the little girl with Brucellosis was brought in. He talked with Dr. Tunkle and they thought since you were headed back here, you might be able to help on the case. They approached me and well...it was a case of good timing I suppose."
House watched her thoughtfully, listening but not saying a word.
"So yes, I needed to know your state of mind before I agreed to allow you to consult in this hospital and it helped that you had two people...or rather three..." she smiled at Cuddy and then turned back to House, "who would vouch for you." She again turned to Cuddy, "Lisa, I didn't mean for this conversation to get so personal and I promise you anything we say here will not leave this office. I just felt I owed it to you to be honest."
"I appreciate that."
"Once you start digging into my past-" House started.
"Oh, but I have," Nancy replied.
"Damn, you work fast."
"I usually do when I want something. I've made some phone calls, sent a few emails and got the answers I needed. You, Dr. House," she said leaning forward in her chair, hands clasped over her knees, eyeing him confidently, "have more friends than you realize."
House and Cuddy just looked at each other, then back at Nancy who watched them intently.
"You made a mistake and you paid the price. Do I like what you did? Of course not but it's not my place to judge why you did what you did, nor is it my place to judge Lisa's reasons for accepting you into her life again, which obviously she has. Let me just say I believe in second chances."
"It can't be that simple, it never is." House said, shaking his head adamantly while leaning on his cane.
"Oh, but it is." Nancy sighed. "I'd like to share something with you, it's personal but it will help explain my thoughts about this matter. Do you mind?"
"No, please go ahead," Cuddy replied.
"I have three grown sons. My husband and I raised them the best we could. Our middle son was quite a rebel growing up and no matter what we did or how hard we tried to reign him in, to help him get on track, he wanted to do his own thing. When he was twenty-one he robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and shot the clerk, who thank God, survived the ordeal and recovered completely. Joey was caught, convicted and sentenced to prison for seven years. When he first got out, it was hard on him because most of his friends had moved on and no one would hire him with his record. The only people he could depend on were his family and the few true friends he'd known most of his life. My son thought we hated him but that just wasn't true, it could never be true. We hated what he did but we still loved him. I know my son and he is not a bad person, but he did a terrible thing and he had to face the consequences. Joey is thirty-three now and he's doing well. It's been tough at times but he doesn't let it get him down."
"Oh, Nancy, I had no idea," Cuddy said, her eyes tearing up after hearing the heartbreaking story. She looked at House who had been listening to Nancy's story, absorbing the meaning behind it. Cuddy thought of House and how she knew he wasn't a bad person but had just gone over the edge due to his inability to deal with his physical and emotional pain.
"It's not something I'm proud of Lisa, but not because of him, but because of us. My husband and I always thought if only we'd done better things would've been different but ironically it was our son, Joey, who made us realize that sometimes what you do is the best you know how to do...at the time." Nancy sighed and looked directly at House. "So you see Dr. House, if I believe in someone, I will fight like hell for them. Do you understand?"
"I think I do."
"You have a gift. I've read your journal articles, listened to your lectures, seen your work. I trust the judgment of the people who have worked with you and the opinions of Drs. Kelly and Carr. I also trust Lisa's judgment." At this point, Nancy got up from her chair and walked over to the big picture window in her office to face him, in an effort to convince him of her sincerity. "I am confident Lisa would not have let you near her or her daughter, much less let you step one foot in this hospital, if she didn't trust you."
Cuddy looked at House, watching him absorb Nancy's words.
"Who came up with the idea of a diagnostics lecture?" House asked.
"This past weekend we had a fundraiser for the new wing of the pediatric unit. Dr. Tunkle was discussing your case with one of the benefactors, who promptly approached our hospital's President and asked why we did not have a diagnostics department."
House raised an eyebrow. "Most hospitals don't."
"Exactly. I told him that very thing. I explained that Dr. Cuddy had created that department specifically for you."
"So now he wants one too?"
"Yes, he does. But...that may be some time in the future. That's when we came up with the idea about the lecture. Our benefactor has offered a very substantial grant to cover the costs."
"I hate lecturing."
"So I've heard. Dr. House, it's your call but I think you would be happy with the compensation. We would appoint you courtesy faculty, pay you a stipend I think you will be happy with plus all transportation and lodging costs and cover the cost of any materials you might need. We would also give you office space."
"Seriously?"
"He is a very generous benefactor."
"I've got to talk to my boss."
"Actually, I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty—"
"You spoke to Foreman?"
"I did, this morning. I know people above him but going through proper channels is important to me so I called him directly. A bit presumptive perhaps, but I didn't want to make this seem so promising to you if I didn't know he'd be willing to work with us. I also told him I had not talked to you yet as I did not want him thinking you were looking for work elsewhere."
"I can only imagine his response."
"Would it shock you if I said he thought it was a good idea?"
"Seriously?"
"Dr. Foreman said his ten years working for you were extremely aggravating...but that he had no better teacher in all his years in the field of medicine."
House sat back with a grin. "He said that?"
"He did...along with 'House is an ass'."
"Of course." Cuddy laughed.
"I know you don't like teaching but in your own…unusual way, you are a good teacher. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't something in it for me and this hospital to have the best diagnostician in the world lecturing to our students."
"What about your Board?"
"Not a problem, I've already discussed it with most of them." She noticed again a look of surprise on House's face. She laughed and said, "Seriously, get used to it. This is just how I work."
"Nancy, given House's past…I can't imagine they'd want him to step foot in this hospital," said Cuddy.
"Well, the Board is concerned he would be a liability. Most of them know his reputation, both the good and the bad." She frowned slightly at House. "Fortunately there are people in and outside of Princeton who are willing to vouch that he has indeed changed." She looked House right in the eye. "The question is...have you?"
House took a seat next to Cuddy once again, sitting thoughtful for a moment, tapping his fingers on the top of his cane. Finally, he said, "Look, my belief has always been that people don't change. For years, I tried it and it didn't work but after that last..." He stopped himself to gather his thoughts, wanting to say what was on his mind though it was difficult. "After what happened, I had to do something." Looking at Cuddy and then down at the floor, he continued, "I regret what I did every single day but I am not the person I was back then...at least not in that way. A lot of things about me won't change, I'm still going to be an ass…but the self-destructive..." He sighed and looked up, hoping they understood what he was saying. Cuddy smiled, he knew that she did and when he looked at Nancy, he didn't see judgment or pity, he saw genuine understanding and for some reason it made him want to continue his train of thought. "No, I am not that person anymore. I've found better ways to deal with...my pain."
"I appreciate your honesty," Nancy said to him.
"Nancy, this is all a bit sudden, can he take some time to digest it and think about it?"
"Absolutely. Don't feel rushed. I'm sorry if I seemed intrusive in regards to your personal lives but I don't think there was any way to avoid the issue."
"We understand," Cuddy nodded.
"One more thing House. If you decide to do this, I have one favor. I'm just asking you to...behave. I don't expect you to wear a suit and tie or be overly cordial, but I do expect you to be in the lecture hall on time, hold office hours, and try not to alienate the faculty and staff in this hospital. Can you do that?"
"I'll try."
"I guess that's all I can ask then. I really do appreciate you coming by on such short notice. Please let me know if you have any questions."
Cuddy and House got up to leave. Nancy gave Cuddy another friendly hug and said, "I'm so glad you are alright Lisa, please take care of yourself and when you get back to work let's do lunch."
"You can count on it and thanks…you know…for everything."
"Don't mention it. I hope things work out," she said giving Cuddy a knowing wink.
"Dr. House," she said walking over to him as he opened the door for Cuddy. She extended her hand to him once again. "Thank you for coming by and I hope you'll give our offer some serious thought." House took her hand once again noting the firm handshake. He liked her, she was a woman in control, who knows what she wants and how to get it.
"I will, thanks," he said genuinely and then he followed Cuddy out the door.
They didn't speak as they walked out of Nancy's office and into the main corridor of the hospital. Both were still a bit overwhelmed about the recent conversation. House turned to her, "Wanna buy me lunch?"
"Sure."
They walked into the cafeteria and House noticed out of the corner of his eye, a few of the nurses glancing Cuddy's way smiling at her. As they got their food and made their way to a table, a couple even stopped her to offer her a hug or a pat on the arm wishing her well. She made her way to the table and sat with him.
"Looks like you've got a lot of friends."
She shrugged. "I've gotten to know some people since I started here but I really haven't made any friends, I mean other than Sharon and Burt and a few people I talk to regularly, I've pretty much kept to myself."
"Must be all those low cut blouses," he said with a smirk.
"Oh shut up," she said smacking him on the arm with her tray. "I just come in and do my job and go home. Not like the old days."
"You did a damn good job running that place. I should have told you that."
Cuddy stopped in front of him, turned and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"So...what do you want to do?" She asked as they took a seat in a booth in the corner.
"Right now eat, later..."
"No, I mean about Nancy's offer."
"I don't know."
"Once a week isn't so bad and they're offering a pretty good deal."
"It's not about the money."
"I know that. You hate schedules and you hate lecturing. You don't like structure."
"How well you know me."
"You've been that way for as long as I've known you. That will never change. The thing is you don't have to take this if you don't want to. It's your choice. You still have a job."
"Yep."
"So...what are you thinking?"
"It's just...I keep thinking about what happens when I go home. You're here, I'm there."
"Yeah. I know."
"I keep thinking about how this can work...me and you...getting to know each other again and this distance."
"It's not that far."
"You say that now."
"House, there's telephone and email and you can visit us."
"Do you ever wish you could go back to Princeton?" He asked out of the blue.
Cuddy was taken by surprise by his question. She had often thought about it. "I've thought about it, I mean it was my home for so long. Rachel was born there, so many...things happened there. I do miss it. But I don't think I could ever be Dean there again, I don't think I would have the same trust and confidence of the Board or the doctors that I once had."
"I'm sorry," he said.
Cuddy was moved by the genuine sincerity of his tone. She put her hand over his. "I know you are. Believe it or not, the more time passes, the more the bad memories fade and just the good ones are left."
"You have a lot of good memories there?"
"Actually, I do."
"I made your life a living hell."
She looked at him and she knew he wanted truth. "Yeah you did but not all the time. I think I knew that weren't doing it because you didn't like me, or because you wanted to hurt me."
"Still, I hurt you..."
"Yeah, you did. But listen, we hurt each other. Before you start beating yourself up for things you did to me, remember I hurt you too." She looked down shamefully. "Remember when I set that trip wire? And when you were in pain and I gave you a saline injection instead of morphine. That was wrong."
"I deserved it."
"No!" She looked around at the few people near them who heard her exclamation. Speaking in softer tones, she said, "No, do not justify what I did. You did not deserve to be hurt like that. You were in pain and you were miserable and lashing out. No matter how much you may have hurt me, I was wrong to lash out and hurt you physically like I did. I was wrong and I am so sorry," she said, her hand on his, her eyes pleading with him to understand and accept her apology.
"I know Cuddy. Apology accepted." He relaxed when she smiled at him. It was that smile of hers that lit up the entire room. Through a mouthful of fries, he said, "Cuddy, you know what it means if I take this, right?"
"We'll get to see each other more often."
"How do you feel about that?"
"I like it."
"Are you telling me you had no idea this was coming?"
"None whatsoever."
"The drive is going to suck."
"How about the train?"
"It'll take at least five hours."
"You could fly."
"I could. Nonstop flight from Philly to Boston takes just over an hour."
"How do you know?"
"I was checking it out some time ago."
"Really?" She smiled at him again.
"Yeah."
"Geez, you'd have to fly once a week. How would that mess with your schedule?"
"I could ask for a lecture on Friday afternoons, leave Princeton Friday morning, stay the weekend and fly back Sunday or Monday."
"But then you'd have to drive back to Philly on Tuesdays to see Nolan."
"Yeah, plus my therapy session."
"You could ask for a Wednesday morning lecture. That means you could do PT on Tuesday mornings, see Nolan and then fly out and return to Princeton on Thursday afternoon. If PT affects your driving you could always do it when you get here."
"That might work except I'd rather spend the weekends with you. I think I'll change my sessions with Nolan to Thursday evenings, fly out after then do an early Friday lecture and go back home Sunday."
"That sounds good. Flying won't bother your leg?"
"Are you kidding? I'm flying first class baby!" He exclaimed taking a disgustingly huge bite out of his burger. He nearly spit it out laughing when Cuddy rolled her eyes at him. "What? They're paying for it. I'm gonna fly in luxury. Free drinks, plenty of leg room and flight attendants with legs up to-"
"House!"
"Jealous much?" He asked, winking at her.
She leaned back in the booth and shook her head. "I can't believe Princeton agreed to this."
"My guess is your girl Baker made it worth their while. She's smart."
"That she is. I had no idea about her son, that's some story. I still can't believe that she is so understanding about what happened? I mean as a woman, you'd think she'd want to throw you out of this place on your head."
"So how do you feel about this?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"I'm happy for you. This is a chance to lecture to some of the best and brightest med students in the country at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. House, you're brilliant, you're so good at what you do, I want good things to be associated with that name."
He just looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh come on. You don't have to make people cringe at the name House forever do you?"
"It's my mission in life," he said, snatching the last fry off her plate.
She looked at him. There was a sparkle in his eye and the color of his eyes...they were that incredible shade of blue that came when he was...happy. Suddenly she got an idea.
"We should celebrate."
"We are. You bought me lunch."
"No, I mean we should do something."
"Oh really? And what do you have in mind?"
"I have no idea but we can make it up as we go along."
House looked at his watch. He realized he'd forgotten to call Nolan. "Shit, I was going to call Nolan today. I guess I can do it tomorrow."
"No, do it today! Keep the schedule House."
House just looked at her as it sounded more like a demand than a suggestion.
"I'm sorry, it's just that...well, you've gotten yourself into a routine and I'm afraid if you break it..."
"Say no more Cuddy I get it."
"Do you?"
"Yeah. Let's surprise Rachel and pick her up from school then head home. I'll call Nolan when we get there."
Cuddy smiled as they got up from the booth to return their trays. As they made their way out of the side entrance of the hospital, side by side, House stepped down off the curb and his right leg faltered a bit, nearly sending him tumbling.
"House! Are you alright?" She asked as she caught him so he wouldn't fall.
With his weight resting on her, he blurted out, "Yeah I'm fine," and attempted to regain his balance. "PT kicked my ass. I'll rest it tonight."
"Here, lean on me."
"No. I've got it," House growled. He was in pain and clearly did not want help.
Cuddy sighed, noticing the tone of his voice had changed; it was that tone he used when he was irritated and didn't want anyone to help him. As they made their way to the car, she noticed his limp was more pronounced and the grimace on his face spoke volumes regarding his level of pain. As much progress as they'd made, she knew it was still hard for him to accept that an offer of help or a note of concern wasn't merely out of a sense of guilty or pity. Cuddy wanted to reassure him but she knew that he would need to come around on his own, though she vowed silently to be there to support him all the way. She just hope he understood and accepted that.
Cuddy watched House climb into the passenger side of the car, a signal to her that his leg hurt too much for him to drive. Understanding but not saying a word, she slid into the driver's seat and looked over at him. His eyes were shut and his head leaned back against the headrest. She wanted to put her hand on his left knee, to let him know she was there with him but instead she just started the car and headed over to pick Rachel up from school.
So, what did you think? Surprised at the recent turn of events? I figured given House and Cuddy's reputations, there was no way you could keep something like what happened with the crash, a secret in the medical community.
Also, don't forget that House's pain is real and they have to deal with that...