A/N: Thanks to Anne for helping me talk through some things about Adams & Cameron. Also thanks to Cherokee Jedi who took a peek :)

Thanks to all the Huddy writers and fans who keep the great memories alive. The Television Without Pity website just awarded the Tubey Award to House and Cuddy for Best Relationship (romantic or otherwise) of the decade. Is there any question why? Shore created the characters but Hugh & Lisa brought them to life. We owe a great debt of gratitude to them for taking words on paper and turning them into nothing short of pure awesome.

Also...I was PM'd lately by a Huddy fan who is very popular around these parts, she comments all the time on Huddy fics and she asked if those of us who write Huddy fics were going to stop writing with the news that Lisa is starring in a pilot on Bravo television, a half-hour comedy-drama titled, "Girlfriend's Guide To Divorce".

The answer to that one was simple: OH HELL NO! Why would we? :) There's never been a better dynamic on TV and House & Cuddy will always be endgame-to all of us-that's why we read and write this stuff.

Just because the show is over, just because the actors and characters have moved on doesn't mean fanfic ends. Fanfic is an important part of keeping the dynamic alive. Sure, Hugh is busy filming Tomorrowland, preparing a six-part BBC radio series on the Blues, and getting ready for the US leg of his tour and Lisa is busy guest-starring in television roles and preparing for filming the pilot on Bravo not to mention all the other projects she has going on...but none of that means we'll stop writing. So if you're worried that Hugh and Lisa moving on changes anything in Huddy fanfic land, forget that notion.

On behalf of all the Huddy writers, I would say we're deeply committed to keeping our ship sailing for as long as we have ideas...and good prompts! And now, without further adieu...

In the last chapter:

As he made his way down the steps of the brownstone toward his car, House felt more at ease than when he'd arrived. It felt good to talk about the things on his mind. As much as he chastised the psychiatry profession publicly, privately he knew it worked, he was living proof of that. Nolan had helped him a great deal. They'd touched on a lot of areas and he this session gave him a lot to think about. As he got in the car and made the trip back to Princeton, he reminisced over a particular part of their conversation.

"So you think fixing my relationship with mom will fix everything with Cuddy?" He snarked.

"Greg," Nolan said as he leaned forward. "From what I see and hear, you and Cuddy have made amazing progress on your own. While I don't think it fixes everything, I do think that building a stronger, healthier relationship with your mom will help not just with Cuddy but with all of your relationships."

"Easier said than done."

"True. It takes tremendous strength and work to find inner peace and to forgive, not just those who have wronged you but yourself too. Greg, I promise you that when you finally have the courage to take that step, it will feel as if a great burden has been lifted. You will feel different." As an afterthought he added, "At least continue to talk to your mom, get closer to her. Become a real part of each other's lives, as you've never been before."

Not far from Nolan's office, he pulled over to the side of the road and took out his cell phone and dialed. After a few seconds the party on the other end picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, mom."

"Gregory dear, it's wonderful to hear from you. How are you?"

"Fine. Listen...would you mind if I flew down to see you this weekend?"

House was sitting in the cafeteria with his glasses on, reading a file, with others spread out in front of him when Wilson found him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Duh. It's a cafeteria," House responded, not looking up.

"But you're not eating."

"But I could be." He said, looking over his folder batting blue eyes at Wilson.

On cue, Wilson rolled his eyes and walked away. He returned a few minutes later with two plates, both loaded with sandwiches and fries.

"Stevens is looking for you," he said as he placed the trays on the table and sat down.

"He knows I've got therapy on Tuesdays," House replied pushing the files out of the way.

"Yeah but he wanted to see you as soon as you got back. What did you do?"

"Why do you think I did something? Maybe he just wants to say hi," House asked with mouthful of food.

Wilson scoffed. "I highly doubt it."

House leaned forward and said in a conspicuously low voice, "I might have convinced a donor to uh...make a rather large donation based on a certain condition."

Wilson facepalmed. "You didn't."

"I did."

"You know...Stevens isn't Cuddy."

"Really? Cause he totally has the ass for it."

"My point is that he's not going to put up with you like she did."

"I've got it covered."

"This I can't wait to see." Wilson shook his head, knowing House wasn't going to elaborate. He decided to change the subject. "Speaking of Cuddy..."

"Yes, we talked."

"I told you," he chided knowingly, pointing a fry at House. "You just needed to talk to her. You should listen to me more often."

"Thanks for the advice mom. Now if only you'd help me pick out a dance to the formal, " he snapped, returning to reading the file in front of him.

Wilson picked up one of the files and read the name on it. "Daniel Grady. Why does the name ring a bell?"

"Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis," House said without missing a beat.

"Hmm..."

"Kid that played lacrosse..." House said, hoping he'd catch the hint.

Wilson shrugged cluelessly. "Doesn't ring any bells."

House glanced up at Wilson over his glasses. "Let me refresh your memory. You lost six hundred dollars."

"Oh yeah...the DNA test." Wilson frowned. He remembered. "Julie was pissed about that," he said. "So what are you doing with his file?" Wilson perused through the other half dozen files there. "Hey? Are these all former patients."

House smacked his hand. "Hands off the special project."

He caught Wilson staring at him expecting more information and House took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I was thinking maybe I'd use some of my former cases as the basis for my lectures and then I was curious as to whatever happened to them."

"You care?"

"Pfft. Of course not, just curious, I assure you."

Before Wilson could reply, Stevens approached them.

"Dr. Wilson. Dr. House." he greeted. Looking at House he said, "Need to talk to you."

"Ya know that sucks because I just got a case," he said as he motioned to all the files in front of him.

"Looks like you're eating lunch to me and aren't those old case files?"

House looked at Wilson as if to say how did he know? Wilson raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

"I overheard your conversation."

"Fine," House relented, tossing a fry back on his plate. "Won't you join us?"

"Don't mind if I do." Stevens sat down next to Wilson, across from House. "I got a phone call you might be interested in."

"Oh?"

"Seems Phil Grantham wants to give a rather large sum of money to this hospital."

"Really?" House replied, nonchalantly.

"He's got a condition. A certain condition that has to do with Dr. Chase."

"Hmm."

Stevens leaned back in the booth and crossed his arms. "That's what I said...just before I thanked him for his offer and turned it down."

"What the hell did you do that for?" House asked, a bit too loudly which caused the other patrons to stare at him. He turned to them and sneered. "Nothing to see here people!" he yelled obnoxiously. They shook their collective heads and went back to their food.

Stevens looked sternly at House. "I'm willing to give you some leeway every now and then because underneath that ass of an exterior you're quite brilliant." He tapped his finger on the table as he continued. "But I can't give you leeway in this. It's time for you to get new fellows."

"You and I both know Chase's talents are wasted in the ICU."

"The ICU will benefit from his expertise."

"A couple more years and he could run his own department," House urged.

"He'll be doing just that when he moves to the ICU," Stevens countered.

Wilson's head turned from one side of the table to the other watching the showdown between the two men.

"I meant diagnostics."

Stevens ran his hand through his thinning hair in frustration. He knew this conversation would be a difficult one.

"House, I know you're a creature of habit and you don't like change but the point of the fellowship is to bring new people in every few years to learn from you. Surely I don't need to remind you that there's nobody better to train these young doctors in your field of expertise." He paused, then let out an enormous sigh. "For what it's worth...I admire your work, even with your unorthodox ways because you have a gift that most people could only dream of possessing and because you are willing to put your career on the line do to the right thing...to save lives. Not a lot of people would do that."

"I'm no hero," he snapped.

The Dean chuckled. "I never said you were. The fact is though that you save lives nobody else can save and that comes at a price. Lisa accepted it, as do I, as does the Board. But some things I just can't budge on and this is one of them."

"Cuddy never would've done this."

Stevens rubbed his tired face. "I've always admired Lisa. I think it hit me with the Atlantic insurance thing just how great she was at running this place. She had a set of balls and she knew how to negotiate...but best of all she really cared about this place. She truly cared about the patients, the doctors, nurses and the entire staff. Everyone knows this was her baby and being here, trying to fill her shoes, it's hard because she accomplished more than anyone had in decades before her and she's a tough act to follow."

House remained silent. He knew how much of herself she put into that place and that he could not argue. Meanwhile, Stevens paused and waited for a reaction from House and when he got none, he continued.

"You're right," he said. "Lisa probably wouldn't have done this but...she's not here anymore, I am and though my decisions will not always be popular, I am the boss and I have to do what I think is right."

House pursed his lips together in thought. After a few seconds, he gave a half-nod and looked away. He looked at Wilson who stared at him surprised that he'd quit arguing the issue. For some reason, he didn't care about pushing the matter, he knew he wasn't going to win. Oddly enough he wasn't as angry at the Dean as he thought he'd be. He didn't exactly dislike the guy, he just didn't like Stevens being his boss but that was because the only boss he was ever happy with was Cuddy. Alas, House was no idiot, he understood his boss's point, even if he wouldn't admit it.

Stevens had been watching House's reaction carefully. "Whether you believe this or not House, this is strictly business, it is not personal," Stevens said calmly, in a manner he hoped would placate the agitated diagnostician.

"I never thought it was personal," he finally replied. "At least let me talk to Chase."

"I can do that," Stevens said as he got up from the table and walked away. Before he walked away, he turned around.

"House?"

"Yeah," he groaned wondering what else the Dean had up his sleeve.

"I heard you did a hell of a job up in Boston."

House nodded and watched as Stevens smiled, then turned and walked away.

"Well that was interesting. So, now what?" Wilson asked.

"There is no now what," House said resignedly.

"You're just giving up?"

"You heard the boss."

"This is not like you."

"I don't compromise and you bitch at me, I compromise you bitch at me. God you're annoying!"

"You fight for the things you believe in. Why not now? Did you change your mind about Chase?"

"You kidding? Chase could do it, hell he's been doing it since I appointed him team leader. I've always known that kid had potential."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Well, duh, I guess I need to talk to him about his move to the ICU."

"And what about the others?"

"Taub's heart isn't in this anymore, it hasn't been in years. He won't miss it when I boot his ass back to private practice."

"And the other two?"

"You mean the pretty one and the little boy."

"Their given names are Park and Adams."

"Park is smart, she just lacks confidence. Adams is-"

"Too pretty?" Wilson chimed in.

"No. I mean she's nice to look at but she's no Cameron."

"You're comparing her to Cameron?"

"No, I did just the opposite. Cameron had her moments but she and Foreman and Chase, they worked really well together. I couldn't have done it with just two of them, I needed all three. With this bunch, I don't get the same feeling."

"So why did you hire her?"

House took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "There was this guy, he was sick, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. I knew how to fix him but the SOB's wouldn't let me help. They were just going to let him die."

House looked up at Wilson for a reaction but his friend kept silent, just listening to him so he kept on.

"In the end, the only person I could count on to do the right thing was Adams. She did and he lived. I went into solitary fucking confinement for it for a week but the guy was back in his cell in a few days and if he made it without getting shanked, he's probably already out. Anyway, she lost her job because of me, I felt I owed her."

"That was a nice thing you did."

"Yeah, nice. But it's not working. This team isn't the same. It's never been the same. Sure, Adams is as much a bleeding heart as Cameron but goddam it she agrees with me too often. At least Cameron stood her ground, defended her principles. She wasn't afraid to disagree with me, challenge my ideas and my authority."

Wilson nodded his understanding. He knew all too well the balance House needed with the people he worked with. He and Cuddy had offered House that balance at one time and his team did too. Without that balance, he knew House was unsteady and unsure of himself.

"You know it's possible the next team you hire won't work either."

"I know."

"So...are you going to fire them?"

"That or piss them off enough to make them quit."

"Don't play games House, if you don't want them, just let them go."

"Have you known me to do anything the easy way?"

Wilson smirked. No, House never did anything the easy way. "Okay, okay," he said throwing his hands up, willing to end the conversation there, for now anyway. He Ferrell and Wolford wanna play poker, I figured maybe it was a good time to get poker night going again. You up for it?"

"Ferrell from Radiology?"

"Yeah, you know him?"

"He likes to dress up in women's clothes."

Wilson's jaw dropped. "No way."

"Yes, way."

"Wow."

"Yeah uh...how long have you worked here? Anyway I thought Tuesday night was poker night...that would be uh...tonight."

"Ferrell can't do Tuesdays because his kid has boy scouts."

"And you...can't play poker without Ferrell?"

"Can't play poker without Ferrell's money. The guy's loaded."

House laughed. "So are you."

"Yeah but you're a better poker player than me. With you there, we could kick his ass and split the winnings."

"What's this we shit? I work alone."

"We're a team."

"Not when it comes to poker. It's every man for himself. Besides, you're not a bad poker player you're just a bad bluffer."

Wilson rolled his eyes as House stole another cold fry from his plate.

"So can you make it Friday? We'll do beer, homemade pizza, it'll be fun."

"Can't. Busy."

"Cuddy?"

"Mom."

"Everything okay?" Wilson asked, concerned.

"It's fine. She came up in my session today and Nolan though I should spend more time with her."

"So it's part of your therapy."

"Something like that. Do we have to talk about this?" House asked, annoyed.

"Okay fine, fine. So uh...you wanna talk about Cuddy?"

House groaned, then he gave Wilson an evil smile. "The makeup sex was great. She does this thing with her-"

Wilson threw his hands up again. "Didn't need to know that."

House chewed on his food and took a sip of his iced tea. He set his glass down and without looking up he said, "She finally brought up...Dominika."

Wilson was surprised. "Woah. Where did that come from?"

"We were talking about all the things that happened after the breakup. One thing led to another and then..." he drifted off without finishing the sentence.

"Wilson shook his head in disbelief. "Wow."

"It was bound to come up sooner or later. It did and it's done." He added, "I'm just glad I never had sex with her."

"Dominika? You mean...you didn't?" Wilson asked loudly as he nearly choked on his burger.

"You thought I did?" House seemed surprised Wilson didn't know.

"Well uh...yeah."

"Well uh...no, I didn't."

Wow, you really were screwed up, weren't you?"

"Marrying her wasn't about sex, even though if I'd wanted it, she probably would've put out. But I didn't want it, at least not from her. Marrying her was about me being in a Vicodin-induced haze and wanting to do something to piss Cuddy off and hurt her as much as she hurt me."

"Yeah but did you want her to hate you?"

"I figured she'd do one of two things, either break down and stop the train and maybe realize what a mistake she'd made breaking up with me or hate me so much she wouldn't want to have anything to do with me ever again."

"Honestly, in all the time I knew her, up to that point I don't even think I'd seen her so heartbroken."

"I know what I did was wrong," he snarled. "You don't have to remind me."

Wilson moved to placate the situation quickly. "No, you've got it all wrong, I'm not trying to rub it in, I'm just saying that...well...when we left that night, we went to a bar near my place and had a few drinks afterwards and we talked. She told me some things."

House's curiosity was piqued. "And you never thought to tell me?"

Wilson laughed out loud. "Why would I? The damage was done. I'd hoped maybe you two idiots would come to your senses but once you said 'I do' and slipped a ring on Dominika's finger, you and Cuddy were officially over."

House sighed and rubbed his beard. "What did she tell you?"

Wilson shook his head. "It was in confidence."

"Says the only person in New Jersey who can't keep a secret." House pointed his finger at Wilson knowingly. "I know you Wilson. You want me to know. I never would've known about this if you hadn't brought it up."

Wilson finally acquiesced. "We'd had a few beers, she wasn't drunk or anything, just needed to take the edge off. We talked about marriage and how the two of us had always had trouble finding the right person and how ironic it was that you...of all people, were the one next on the list to get married."

"Oh yeah that was me...next on the list," he mused.

"Anyway, she said even though you openly mocked marriage, you once told her you actually respected it."

House recalled that conversation. They were at his apartment watching an episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, a show that House loved and Cuddy absolutely hated, but only agreed to after he said he'd watch some chick flick with her, when somehow they got into the subject of marriage. It turned into a long discussion that lasted till after midnight when they'd fallen asleep on the couch under a blanket. He remembered waking up around three o'clock in the morning laying on the couch with Cuddy on top of him snoring into his chest. He smiled at the memory for a second before he returned to the current conversation.

"I only respect marriage when it works. It doesn't work for most people, so I mock it," he said truthfully.

"Anyway, she told me that for the first time in her life she'd finally given up the idea of marriage and that with Rachel and...you...she was okay with that because what you had worked."

"If what we had was working, she never would've broken up with me, I wouldn't have rammed my car into her house, she wouldn't have had to leave town and I never would've gone to prison."

Wilson's voice took on a more serious tone. "She said even with all the baggage you guys brought to the relationship and all the issues you both had to deal with, she'd never been happier and I could tell she meant it too. What she'd always wanted was a family of her own and as unconventional as it probably seemed to anyone on the outside, she had it, with you and Rachel."

Wilson looked at House to gauge his response, but House just sat at the booth, arms crossed, chewing on a toothpick, watching him. Wilson could tell the wheels were turning so he continued.

"She just didn't know how she could convince you she wanted to make what you had a permanent thing without you thinking she was pushing you into marriage. She didn't want to lose you so she never said anything. And eventually...it didn't matter because it was too late."

An hour later, House entered the diagnostics conference room and pointed his cane at Taub, Adams, and Park who were deep in conversation at the table.

"Beat it!" he yelled.

"We're discussing a new case," said Chase.

"I didn't hear anything about a new case."

"Just got it," Taub said, offering the file to House.

House dismissed the file. "Fine, go discuss it elsewhere."

"Don't you want to know what it's about?"

"Not yet. Go. Now!"

"Why?" Taub asked.

"Because I'm the boss and I can fire you."

"You wouldn't fire us," Taub countered.

"Oh wouldn't I?" House asked, looking over at Chase.

"Believe me," he said chuckling. "He would."

"Fine, we're going," Adams said tossing her pen on the table and throwing her hands up in the air as she left with the file along with Park and Taub in tow.

"What the hell, House?" Chased asked.

"We need to talk."

"Uh oh."

"Do you want to be in ICU or Diagnostics?" He asked, bluntly.

"Well, duh...Diagnostics."

"You know that Stevens wants you to head the ICU but I think your time and talent would be far underused."

"I'm an intensivist, it's what I do."

"Diagnostics is what you do well."

"You have any ideas?"

"My last one bit the dust. I just wanted to know where you stand."

"I know you," he said, getting up and walking over to coffee pot. "You've got a plan. Why don't you let me in on it?"

"There's no plan."

Chase shook his head as he poured coffee into his mug, then poured some for House too.

"If you were in charge, who would you keep?" House asked as Chase handed him the mug.

"Me? I don't know if I'd keep any of them. I don't think Taub is really happy doing this anymore, and Adams and Park...well they're no Cameron."

House smirked that Chase and he had expressed similar thoughts. "I thought you liked them."

"I miss the old team."

"You mean old team as in old, old team."

"Yeah."

House led Chase into his office and took the seat behind his desk. He put his feet up and winced as he massaged his leg.

"That first case I had after you three left...everything that could go wrong went wrong. I mean nothing added up. It turned out we weren't treating the person we thought we were treating, thus her medical history was useless. I had no fucking clue that I was treating the wrong patient. Cuddy gave me three reasons why that never would've happened...you, Cameron and Foreman."

"Wilson told me about that case. You really did screw that up."

"Yeah, I did. Cuddy was right," he leaned back. "God did I just say that?" He asked while Chase smirked at him. "Stevens says I have to get new fellows. You know he wants you to head the ICU. Taub needs to go and the other two haven't been here that long but I don't want to be stuck with them."

"You could hire new fellows."

"I could, but maybe I don't want to."

It was around five o'clock and Cuddy had just finished seeing her last patient of the day and none too soon when her phone rang.

"Lisa Cuddy," she answered while removing an earring.

"Hey."

"House," she said, a wide smile gracing her face. "How are you?" She asked as she packed her things in an over-sized bag preparing to go home for the day.

"Better now that I'm talking to you."

"You're just saying that."

"Okay, fine, I'm just saying that. What are you wearing?" He asked in a gruff, seductive voice.

"Clothes. How was therapy today?"

"Killjoy and why does everyone ask me that?"

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe because we care?"

"It was fine."

"Just fine?"

"It hurt like hell." House wasn't kidding either. At he moment he sat at his desk, rubbing his thigh and wishing the pain would subside.

"How bad?"

"Bad enough. A seven I guess, but I haven't worn the patch in a few days so that's expected. It's better now. Vince kicked my ass and told me to keep up with the exercises, no excuses."

"Jesus House, I hate that I can't help you."

"Just talking to you helps."

"Really?"

"Yeah," he said. Cuddy could tell the sincerity in his voice. All these years she wanted him to let her feel his pain and slowly but surely he was doing that.

"So what's going on? Anything exciting?" She asked, still packing.

"Stevens is definitely moving Chase to head the ICU and wants me to get new fellows."

"So what are you going to do?"

"What can I do? I'm going to do what he wants."

"That's not like you."

"You sound like Wilson now. What am I supposed to do? He's the boss."

"Did I hear that right? You're letting the boss win?"

"Just giving him what he wants. Besides, it's no fun fighting with the boss these days, his ass isn't nearly as delectable to watch when he turns around and stomps away pissed." He could hear her laughing which made him smile. In a low voice, he added, "It was different when you were here. You kept me on my toes, I thrived on the challenge. Now, it's just...boring."

"Aww my baby's all grown up," she joked.

"Ha ha," he said. "Stevens said I have to get new fellows. And as much as I fucking hate to admit it, he's right."

On her end of the phone Cuddy's mouth dropped open. "You actually agree with him?"

"Agree is a strong word, let's just say that he's not completely wrong. But enough about me, what's going on there?"

"I was busy today, I'm beat."

"How's mini-you?"

Cuddy's heart skipped a beat when House asked about Rachel. "Fine. She misses you already. Keeps talking about how excited she is to see you this weekend."

"Shit!" He said, loudly, banging his fist on the desk.

"House! What's wrong?"

"I'm..." he sighed. "I can't make it this weekend."

"Oh," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. She knew he hadn't wanted to promise Rachel he'd be at her recital but when he told her he'd try, Rachel had been so excited.

"I'm going to see mom. I'm sorry, I forgot. I was talking with Nolan about my dad and some things came up and I just felt like I needed to see her."

Cuddy was actually relieved to hear his reasons. Deep down there were times she still dealt with the fear that he might have second thoughts about their relationship. It was something she knew she had to work through and she suddenly cursed herself inwardly for automatically thinking the worst.

"It's okay," she said, reassuring him. "I'll tell her something came up."

"You thought I'd changed my mind, didn't you?"

"No."

"Cuddy."

"I'm sorry House, I guess old habits die hard," she confessed, biting her bottom lip in frustration.

"I really did forget."

"I know you did. I understand."

"Good. Now quit biting your bottom lip and feeling guilty."

Cuddy shook her head and laughed out loud. He always knew, always.

"I'll make it up to her." House felt bad. Though he knew he hadn't made a promise, he had intended to attend Rachel's recital.

"You don't have to, I'm sure she'll understand."

For him it wasn't that easy, he remembered all too well how it felt to be disappointed by a parent. Suddenly what he'd thought hit him. Did I just say that? Parent? Before he could rationalize it, he heard Cuddy's voice again.

"House? Are you there?"

He quickly returned to the present. "Yeah, sorry. Just thinking." Before he could continue, his pager went off. He looked at it and cursed out loud.

"Shit, I gotta go before the kids kill the patient. Can I call you in a few minutes?"

"Actually, I'm going to dinner with some colleagues."

"Oh," he said, sounding disappointed. Quickly he added, "Yeah well I better let you go then."

Cuddy sensed his abruptness. "Call me later?"

"I'll try. I'll probably be working late so we'll see. You go and have fun," he said before hanging up without warning.

Cuddy stood there staring at the phone in her hand wondering what the hell just happened. She shrugged and decided to discuss it with him later. For now, she had to hurry up and meet her colleagues.

Meanwhile, House's mood had fouled somewhat as he limped painfully to the patient's room where he'd been paged. His leg hurt like hell and he found that he was peeved about Cuddy going out with her colleagues for dinner, though he didn't know why. It never bothered him before and he wasn't jealous. He rounded the corner and as he entered the patient's room he bellowed,

"Okay which one of you asshats paged me?"

Okay folks we're moving right along in this story. Lots of good stuff happening soon. Funny how some scenes just flow and others take longer to write. Am working on the next two chapters already so hopefully I can get them up soon. Thanks for reading and commenting!