By next morning, Cuddy woke up as early as she could. Her alarm clock went ringing by 2 o’clock in the morning but she decided to get up on her feet thirty minutes later. She went to the bathroom to do the routine stuffs before walking down the kitchen to prepare her self some breakfast. She was seated alone, with cup full of hot tea at hand, on her kitchen counter while re-reading the folders she reviewed last night. Her eyes were about to fall back to sleep but she was holding on.

On the other hand, same time, House began waking up from his hospital bed. He smiled when the thought of Cuddy entered his mind. Her voice last night seemed to stay in his mind and it became his lullaby. Like her, he did the bathroom routine stuffs before eating a Rueben sandwich for breakfast Cuddy left the other day for him.

Unaware of what the other is doing, both of them walked out of the house and the room to face another day. Cuddy was talking with someone on the phone as she went off for work and House was ready to run on a treadmill that morning and if he feels he could, he will even go for a short run outside.

An hour later, Cuddy found herself seated in front of the panel of directors. She handed them the folders she did almost all night and now she’s hoping they’ll approve her proposed project on Oncology Department. In Mayfield, House was trying to move his leg like what normal people do as he run on the treadmill he had started an hour and a half ago. Cold and well-rounded sweats were running down his face and with his grunts and heavy breathings, one could tell that the pain’s getting worse as the time goes by but he decided to torture himself to run some more.

That evening, House entered his room with his face and shirt still full of sweat. He was walking to his closet room when he noticed Cuddy curled up like a ball on the chair beside his bed. He stopped and looked at her as she sleeps soundly with a folder at hand that is now about to fall. As he gets closer to her, he was unconsciously drawing a smile on his lips because of her childish position she was on. He was about to get the folder from her hand when Cuddy gasped and slowly was waking up and their eyes were locked together and was followed by an awkward silence.
House: You’re an idiot…
Cuddy: Where have you been?
House stood up straight before Cuddy did the same but was still seated. He went to get some drink from the dispenser and let his back face her.
House: There’s the bed beside you, why didn’t you just slept there?
Cuddy: House… Where the hell have you been?
House sighed before turning to look at her.
House: I went for a jog…
Cuddy’s eyes widened and she got up on her feet after throwing aside the folder House tried to get a while ago. She then began walking to his direction.
Cuddy: Are you out of your mind?!
House: Seriously you’re asking me that question? I’m in a psych hospital, remember?
Cuddy: Don’t dare do it again!
Cuddy’s voice was loud but not shouting and it was full of concern. She went to get some towel before giving it to House to wipe his own sweat away.
House: What, being a psych patient? Oh I really don’t want to do it again…
His trembling right hand, that held the towel, caught their attention. Cuddy grabbed the cloth from him and directly wiped his face with it. He looked at her as she continued her seemingly endless sermon.
Cuddy: And how come you went out jogging without bringing a towel with you? You knew you’ll sweat a lot but you -----
House, who was lost in Cuddy’s eyes as she wiped the sweat on his face, blurted out in unaware sincerity.
House: Because I know you’re here to wipe them away…
Cuddy stopped and looked at him. She was surprised to see how sincere he was through his eyes. Sure he’s always a cold sick bastard but not this time, at least. Another awkward silence grew between them as they stood motionless inches apart from each other. Cuddy looked down and cleared her throat and turned away from him.
Cuddy: Uhm, you lied…
House: No, I do not ---
Cuddy: About the telephone privileges…
House: Oh.
House rolled his eyes, frustrated with the thought that Cuddy dropped the idea of how romantic the moment could have been. She turned to look at him again.
Cuddy: House, you don’t have a telephone here and I am certain they don’t allow you to bring your own. Who’s phone was that?

Pitt: It was mine…
Pitt told Wilson while they were playing bowling that same day, that he was the one who handed the cell phone to House for him to call Cuddy last night. Wilson looked at him and took a sip from his beer.
Pitt: I’m sorry…
Wilson: <shook his head> No biggie…
Pitt: Still hurting?
Wilson: I’m celebrating… ---- My friend’s happy, I should be as well….
Pitt also took another sip from his can.
Wilson: It’s my fault anyway…
Pitt: Dam right…
Wilson looked at him.
Wilson: Seriously?
They laughed on that simple mocking remark before letting their cans click in the air.
Pitt: You’ve talk to her lately?
Wilson: None that I can think of but she will. I’ve heard she proposed something for my department.
Wilson tried to stand up in spite of feeling like he’s losing balance.
Pitt: Wilson…
Wilson stopped and looked at him with those sleepy hazel eyes.
Pitt: Now that you know that, let’s clear this up. Work will remain as work and love will remain as past.
Wilson sighed and began walking away.

Back in Mayfield, House and Cuddy were seated in front of each other as they quietly eat their dinner together.
Cuddy: I really hoped the panel would approve…
House looked at her.
House: Something going on in the hospital?
Cuddy: Yah. I proposed a new and larger ward for Wilson’s department. Thought we could use it for cancer drug trials.
House: I’m sure they will… ---- So during the construction, that would mean you’ll be spending some time with Wilson?
Cuddy smelled the scent of jealousy but she never mentioned it to him.
Cuddy: I guess so but I will still be here with you…
House: You think you can still manage a new job?
Cuddy gave him the signal look to continue his point.
House: All those administering, meetings, me, another construction project. Do you still have time for Rachel?
Cuddy made a small smile the moment House called her daughter by name.
House: What?
Cuddy: You’ve never called her Rachel before…
House swallowed and tried to look away but still caught by Cuddy’s gaze.
House: How’s she doing by the way?
Cuddy: She’s not with me… ------ She’s with your mother…
House wore a face of blankness. He doesn’t know what to say or do or even what to feel.
Cuddy: I know it sounds crazy but it was your mom who offered to take her for a few weeks.
House: My mom took her since when?
Cuddy: The other day. She went to see me and gave me a fruit basket. Offered me help and said it’ll be okay if my work will be lessen a bit…
House: Oh…
Both of them continue eating for awhile.
House: Brought your phone?
Cuddy: Yes, why?
House: Can I get a call?
Cuddy got her phone and lend it to him before he started making a call while standing away from her as she continues to eat.
House: Hi mom…
Cuddy looked at him and he made a quick glance at her before looking away again.
House: Yah, I’m doing fine ----- I feel better ----- Yah, actually, mom ---- Yah ---- I was wondering if the kid’s fine with you? ----- Great ------ Good to hear that ----- Well, guess I have to catch up sometime, I really just called to check on her -------- Okay ----- Wait mom… ------ Just make sure Rachel’s fine ---- Thank you ---- Bye...
He turned off the phone and sat down again without meeting Cuddy’s gaze. As he was eating his dinner, she was wearing the same smile she did when House carry Rachel for the first time.

I decided to post this as early as now since I'll be for two days. We'll be out of town in Sorsgogon. I promise to post a new one by the time I get home. Tnx for reading.