House walked into Dr. Bennet's office and sat on the armchair, his cane between his knees as his hands twirled it. She had said this helped. House wanted this to help. He wanted to stop the nightmares. He wanted to be less miserable.

"Hello, Dr. House," the shrink greeted him. "I am Dr. Ethan Bennet."

"I know. Read it at the door," House told him. To his annoyance, the doctor smiled. House's eyes took in his surroundings. The office was small. There was a desk in the corner, and two armchairs which were currently occupied. The coffee table had a box of tissues.

"How are you?"

"What are we? Friends?"

"What brought you here, Dr. House?" He was not discouraged. House felt a little respect for him; most people would end the conversation.

He looked away and fidgeted with his cane. "She said it helped."

"And who is she?" He looked away this time, part of him didn't want to answer the question; wanted to keep her presence as a secret to himself; to think about it alone and cherish her anger on his behalf; to cherish the words she had said. You are the most incredible man I've ever known. You are always gonna be the most incredible man I have ever known.

"What can I help you with, Dr. House?" the shrink asked. House looked at him surprised. He hadn't expected to be excused from answering a question.

"My dad's dead."

"I am sorry for your loss."

"I am not."

"You are not upset with his death?" The tone was conversational, as if they were discussing the weather.

"He wasn't exactly father of the year."

"Did he hurt you?"

"I have called CPS for less than what he did."

House twirled his cane between his hands. He should leave. This was useless; a waste of time.

"That's a significant thing to share. Thank you for trusting me with that. How has this affected you?"

"It didn't. I'm fine."

"You're here, so something must have brought you to this point." House glared at the doctor. He just smiled at him. House looked away. "I will be happy to help you, Dr. House. But you will have to work with me. Have you ever told anyone about this before?"

"Two people," House confessed. "A patient came to the hospital clinic. She had been raped. She wanted to talk to me. She wanted to know about my pain. I tried deflecting but at the end I told her a few things. She talked about herself then."

"That's impressive. You talked about this with her, only to help her. You are obviously a good doctor."

House looked at his feet. For all his ego about his medical skills, he had no idea how to deal with the compliment.

"Who is the other person?"

"I told her." He rolled his eyes. This wasn't going to work. "My boss. My mom had called my best friend to bring me to the funeral. She wanted me to give a eulogy. I refused. He called my boss, asked her to drug me."

"Your best friend wanted to drug you?"

"We were having a - he was upset over something. That's not important. She refused and warned me. I told her then. She was angry on my behalf. Even came to the funeral with me." He smiled then, remembering Cuddy's support for him.

"Sounds like someone you can trust," Bennet said.

House smiled despite himself. "Yeah. She has always been there. Never asks for anything except clinic duty. She would stop me from doing a biopsy but would allow me to do an autopsy on a living person. She was there when I was shot. I asked for an experimental treatment. She didn't even question it. She was there when I woke up from the coma. She never leaves."

"Do you expect her to?" House looked away. Everyone left. Stacy did. Wilson did. Why wouldn't she? He was destined to be alone. "Did your father tell you that you would always be alone?" House looked at the doctor in surprise, his respect rising. Few people would have guessed that. Cuddy would have, his mind supplied. "It was not that difficult to guess," Bennet said. "You said she never leaves. Since how many years? When did you meet her?"

"Twenty years ago, in Michigan. I met her again ten years ago. She was my doctor." He massaged his thigh. It was hurting a little extra. It had been a long day with clinic duty and the patient he had diagnosed with porphyria. Then the drive here. "She hired me after that. Hasn't left since then."

"So, she has been proving your father wrong for ten years now?" House was surprised at the statement but then a broad smile appeared on his face. He couldn't help it. She had been proving his father wrong for ten years. Of course, she had done that. Who else would?

"She's stubborn. Won't leave even when I push her away."

"And why do you think that is?"

"She's a masochist."

"Or maybe she sees something worth sticking around for." House looked at Bennet. Could it be true? Could she really see something in him? Something worth sticking around. You are the most incredible man I've ever known. You are always gonna be the most incredible man I have ever known. "You have taken a significant step by acknowledging her role in your life. And that's important," Bennett said. "Recognizing the people who are there for you, who support you, is a crucial part of your journey. It doesn't mean you won't face challenges, but it does mean you don't have to face them alone."

House nodded, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Same time next week?"
"I will look forward to it."

House left the office, feeling a strange mix of apprehension and hope. He hadn't felt hopeful for a really long time. He was not stupid. He knew this wouldn't be easy. But for the first time, he felt like he wasn't entirely alone. She has been proving his father wrong for ten years.

"How have things been, Dr. Cuddy?"

Cuddy was sitting in front of Dr. Mitchell. She was a little on the edge. Her mom had visited last night and as always, things hadn't gone well. Plus, she had left Rachel with House. She was happy they were bonding but she was scared too. She didn't want to lose him.

"Do you trust him?"

"Yes," she answered almost immediately. "I know his reputation is of a pain in the ass asshole. And he does drive me crazy sometimes but - but her cares. Even when he hides it. He lets me see his vulnerability."

"Why do you think you will lose him, Dr. Cuddy?"

Cuddy took a deep breath and told Dr. Mitchell about last Saturday when House had visited. She told about his fears regarding Rachel. "As much as I want both of them to bond, I don't want him to leave. His presence in my life is important to me. He is not intimidated by my authority. He pushes it but he also respects it. He keeps telling me that I am a second-grade doctor at the best, but he does value my opinion. He challenges me. He makes life interesting."

"Are you in love with him?" Cuddy looked at the doctor in surprise. Her brown eyes were calm and non-judgmental. They calmed her a little bit.

"I don't think I ever stopped being in love with him," she confessed.

"And have you told him that?"

"No. On the contrary, I have told him to get over me. In mocking, but - I can't lose him. If we don't work out and he leaves my life, I don't know what I would do."

Dr. Mitchell leaned forward slightly. "It's clear that your relationship with House is complex and significant. The fact that you've been able to recognize and articulate your feelings is an important step. Understanding and accepting your emotions can help you navigate this uncertainty. Well done, Dr. Cuddy."

Cuddy looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "I feel like I'm stuck between wanting to protect myself from the hurt of losing him and wanting to let myself be vulnerable with him. I know that if I push him away or try to control the situation, it might drive him away."

"That's a challenging position to be in," Dr. Mitchell said sympathetically. "But it's important to find a balance between protecting yourself and allowing yourself to be open. Sometimes, taking a risk is necessary to achieve a deeper connection."

Cuddy sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I'm afraid that if I let him in fully, it might not end well. We were in a relationship in Michigan, twenty years ago, and then he left. We kissed after Joy and then he left. When I tried to talk about it, he touched my breast. He did get my college desk shipped here and into my office though."

"Have you talked to him about it?"

"The desk? Yes, recently." She told about the misunderstanding and what House had told her. It was so like him to find out what his team had been doing and then scaring them. She wished she had a recording. "I haven't talked to him about other things."

"You should." Maybe, but she didn't want to lose him. "Risk is an inherent part of any relationship. Avoiding the conversation might protect you from immediate discomfort, but it might also leave you in a state of uncertainty and anxiety."

"I'll try to figure out how to approach it."

"Remember, you're not alone in this process. It's about taking steps toward understanding yourself and your relationships better." Cuddy nodded. She took a deep breath as they shifted to the other part of her anxiety. "Let's talk about your mom's visit. What happened? Break it down."

"I saw a photograph in my mom's purse. I casually asked her about it. Turns out she has been seeing this guy for over three years now. I tried to get Julia involved, thought we could have some fun, tease mom and all. Julia knew. She has known all along. I asked mom about it and she told me it's not a big deal, and that we hardly talk about these things."

"It feels like you are feeling hurt and excluded," Dr. Mitchell said. Cuddy nodded. She dabbed her eyes. "We have talked about your relationship with your father before." Yes. Her father had defined everything with success. You had to be successful in whatever you were doing to earn his love. Anything below the best would disappoint him. "Can you describe your relationship with your mother?"

"Complicated. She and Julia were always a team, and I was on the outside. Dad had high expectations with both of us, but Julia had mom. And I was alone. Even in my own family." She buried her face into her hands. "And even after all these years, I am still alone."

"You are not, Dr. Cuddy." Cuddy lifted her head to look at the doctor in surprise. "You have Rachel."

"And that scares me. I don't want to be like my mom. Or my dad. I don't want her to feel like she has to earn my love."

"And you are working to ensure that. You are a good mother, Dr. Cuddy. You recognized your own needs and decided to get help rather than taking it out on your daughter. You have cut your schedule for her. You are prioritizing her over everything. And that's good. But you need to remember that you have to take care of yourself to be there for Rachel."

"I am so afraid of failing," she cried.

"You put too much pressure on yourself. Your worth isn't determined by others' perceptions or comparisons. It's about how you see yourself and the love and care you provide to those around you."

"That's how I have defined myself all my life."

"It is hard to unlearn those patterns but you are making progress. You are acknowledging those feelings and you are seeking help. You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask for. Mistakes will happen, but they don't define you. It's how you respond to them, how you learn and grow, that truly matters."

"I have to keep trying," Cuddy said, nodding. She knew that in theory but it was difficult to remember.

"That is all you can do," Dr. Mitchell said. "And remember, you are not alone in this. We'll continue working together."

"Thank you," she said gratefully. It felt good to have someone who was in her corner, someone who listened and someone who understood.

Dr. Mitchell smiled at her. Cuddy walked out of the office, feeling hopeful. The weight was still there but she did feel a little lighter.

Cuddy unlocked the door and was hit by a delicious smell. She had not expected House to cook for her again. It felt weirdly domestic to come home to a cooked meal. She could hear Rachel's gurgles and House's conversations with her daughter. She tiptoed to the living room and heard what he was saying. House was sitting on the couch and had Rachel in his arms. They were both looking at each other.

"Okay kid. I know you are young right now but you need to learn some of the very important things in life. Like how to drive your mom crazy. I'll teach you. I am kind of expert at that." Cuddy stifled her laugh. He really was an expert in that. "You have got a big world ahead of you, kid. It's confusing and messy and filled with jerks. But you will have your mom, so you don't have to worry. She's going to make sure that you have everything you need. She's pretty amazing, you know. She runs the whole hospital, deals with me and takes care of you. Impressive. You are a lucky kid."

Cuddy had never heard House talk about her like this. She knew he respected her to some extent. He had to if he listened to her but to hear him say these positive things was like a balm on the hurt caused by her mom and sister. Maybe she didn't have them, but she wasn't alone. She had her daughter and she had him, even if they never acknowledged it.

Cuddy stepped into the room and House noticed her. She saw his face close off a little but it didn't matter. She walked to them and sat beside him. "Smells wonderful," she told him.

"I got hungry. Next time, leave food for me," he complained. She smiled - there would be a next time. He seemed to realize it too and looked away.

"Come here, baby girl," Cuddy said, focusing on her daughter. She took Rachel into her arms and peppered her with kisses. Rachel gurgled and cooed. Cuddy melted at the sounds. She had wanted this for so long.

"No kisses for me?" House asked, waggling his eyebrows. She grinned at him. A small smile appeared on his lips. Cuddy loved it. He looked so beautiful. She frowned as his eyes hardened a little. "You were crying," he told her. Cuddy looked away. "You said the shrink helped." He sounded betrayed and Cuddy looked at him in surprise.

"It did help, House. I wasn't crying because of the session but something that I found out yesterday."

"What?" House asked, bossily.

"I don't want to talk about it." She really didn't.

"You can't hide it from me."

"I am not trying to hide it from you. I just don't want to talk about it. Not now."

"When will you talk?"

"House." He stared at her stubbornly. Cuddy sighed. "I don't know. I - I really don't want to talk about it." He looked away, sullen. She had no idea what had just happened. He was fine. Why did it matter so much? She looked at Rachel, wishing her baby had some answers. Why did her crying bother him so much? You said the shrink helped. He had sounded betrayed. Why would her crying in her therapist's office seem like a betrayal to him? Unless…you said the shrink helped. Cuddy felt tears well up in her eyes. Did he really trust her to that extent? She couldn't ask him, of course. He would tell her if he wanted to. But she felt a sense of pride.

"House," she called him. He looked at her. "Can you hold her? I need to change." He took Rachel from her and focused on her.

"Your mom's annoying," he told the baby.
"Not more than you," she said, with a laugh.

She changed into comfortable pyjamas and stepped back into the room. House had brought the food to the table. Rachel was in her swing. Cuddy walked to her and made goofy faces. She clapped Rachel's hands together. "Tell me something," she spoke to House, her attention still on Rachel. "Does Wilson know about Michigan?"

She felt his gaze on her - she could always tell when he was looking at her - and turned to look at him. He was looking at her intently, as if she was a puzzle. He shook his head, surprising her. She couldn't believe he hadn't talked about it to Wilson. "He knows, just not that it was you."

"He never made the connection?" Cuddy asked. Wilson knew she had been at Michigan. He knew she had known House then. "Cameron asked me numerous questions about it. He never guessed?"

"When did Cameron ask you?"

"When my handyman had fell through my roof. She and I had gone to his place," Cuddy reminded him, serving them the delicious looking chicken. He grinned.

"Chase told me we were too nasty with each other to never have been nasty together," he said.

Cuddy threw her head back and laughed. That was hilarious. She supposed it could be true. Their history together did impact their relationship but the wordings were too funny for her. "What did you tell him?"

"That I could be nasty to people I hadn't - you know." He looked at Rachel momentarily. She found it adorable that he would filter his mouth in front of a child. "I wanted to call you," he said, almost a whisper. Cuddy looked at him. She hadn't expected him to talk about it. And she definitely hadn't expected this.

"Why didn't you?" she asked. She hated how her voice sounded. She had been hurt when he had left without a word. It had felt as if she had imagined everything that was there between them. It had hurt more when she had seen him with another woman, who he had been dating for five years.

"That was the morning I got the call from the Dean and I was expelled from my first med school, and there didn't seem any point." She looked at him. He didn't see a point. Two months of relationship and he didn't see a point in calling her back. She felt fury build up. It deflated when she heard his next words. "I thought I had proved dad right. That I was destined to be alone." She should have punched John House when he was alive.

"House," she spoke. "That's not true."

"I know," he said. There was miniscule smile on his face and confidence in his eyes. "You proved him wrong," he said. She looked at him in surprise. "You never left." She felt so relieved that she could have helped him prove the man wrong. She reached over and squeezed his hand. They ate in relative silence after that. Cuddy's mind thought about what he had told her. He had wanted to call her - he hadn't but he wanted to. That meant something. That had to mean something.

To her pleasure, House was in no hurry to leave. They discussed some articles they had read in a medical journal. He talked mostly, while she played with Rachel and fed her. It felt so normal. Cuddy had to remind herself that this wasn't an everyday thing. She wanted it to be though. It would feel so good to come home to these two people.

After she settled Rachel in her crib, Cuddy sat in her living room. House had settled on watching some stupid soap opera. Cuddy tried to take interest in that but she really couldn't. She lost interest quickly and was itching to do something else. "How can you enjoy this? It's stupid," she complained.

"That's the point," House said with a shrug. He turned it off though. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? Complaining about the soap opera?"

"Allowing me to stay with your kid."

"Why wouldn't I?" Cuddy asked, flabbergasted. "House, you are the person I trust the most in the world. You are a genius doctor. Why wouldn't I leave her with you?"

"You didn't trust me when Tritter thing happened. Neither you nor Wilson asked what started the whole thing," he pointed out. Cuddy bit her tongue. What started the whole thing? That meant it hadn't been House who started it. She looked at him. He was already looking at her. "He pushed my cane from under me. Knocked me into the wall. He even twisted my arm later."

"House." She had no words. How had she missed that? "I am so sorry." She scooted a little closer. "I really am. I have been a terrible friend to you. I am trying to do better, House. I swear." He looked at her with his blue eyes, as if scrutinizing her, studying her. She held his gaze. His focus changed into mischief.

"Did you know that Wilson appeared in a porn?"

Cuddy physically recoiled. "I never want to hear those words again. Never." She looked away, trying to get the words and the image out of her head. "Why would you even say that? It's so traumatizing. Ew House!" He laughed at her misery and she turned around to poke him in the ribs. "I didn't need that mental image."

"I have it at home," he told her. She rolled her eyes and relaxed against him. Her head was on his shoulder and the position felt so comfortable. She could stay like this.

"My mom's dating someone," she told him.
"That bothers you?"

"For three years. Julia knew. I didn't." He stayed quiet and she felt everything coming out. She told him about her childhood - her relationship with both her parents. It felt a little weird to complain to him about all this, especially after what little he had talked about her father. But he felt comfortable and safe. Cuddy unloaded everything. "And I know I have Rachel but I am afraid that I will become like them."

"You won't," he replied confidently. Cuddy turned her head to look at him. He was looking at her, his eyes showing his sincerity.

"You mean that?" she asked, needing to be reassured.

"I do."

Cuddy wished she could tell him how much his words meant to her. She could doubt everything but she couldn't doubt it when Gregory House looked at her so sincerely and spoke so confidently. She smiled at him and he looked away. She leaned closer and pressed her lips on his cheek.

Hope you are enjoying the story :)
For those worried if the story would be finished or not, I have already finished writing this one. In fact, I am working on the sequel now.