Chapter 21 : well I hope you don't get bored with this story...
Cuddy gets up, and so does House. They’re waiting for the police car that Mitchel called for them. Wilson looks at them, thumb up toward House with an interrogative look, waiting for a sign.
-A surprise? Cuddy says intrigued. House will never cease surprising her, even in the worst moments.
-Yup! But I’d understand if you refuse it … though I really hope you’ll accept to come with me, he adds with a little grimace.
-Well… I don’t know, I’m exhausted, House, the only thing I want and need is a bath, a warm bath, and then… a tender Doctor to take care of me… to heal my wounds…, she adds with a lovely smile.
-Well, that’s not the program which I had planned but… it’s great too, he says and smiles. You’re so beautiful, Cuddy, men can be crazy, you have to be careful, he says and kisses her forehead.
-Hey! I don’t want a father! I want a man, a lover! she replies and rolls her eyes.
-So, do you want my surprise?
-It depends… Do I have to attend a race of Monster trucks, or drive go kart or break in the house of one of your patient or…?
-Stop, stop! Nothing of that! What do you take me for?! House replies pretending to be offended. I have changed, you know! I’m a real gentleman now, I know how to please women, he says and winks.
-Oh really?
-Seriously, Cuddy, come with me, I promise you won’t regret it.
After a while, she says: You know, the last time a man told me that, it almost ended really badly for me…
-What? House asks surprised.
-MacEnzie told me exactly that…, she replies and lowers the eyes, feeling ashamed.
-Oh… well …. If you don’t want to… I understand, House says sadly. He looks at Cuddy, she’s gorgeous but she seems so fragile at this time… The only thing he wants is to make her feel better, to make her forget all these horrible times she went through because of this dangerous moron.
-Okay, I go with you…, she finally says and looks tenderly at him, but…
-But?
-What about Rachel?
-Don’t worry, Kate and I have planned to go to the movies with her, Wilson replies.
-Are you sure it won’t disturb your projects for tonight? Cuddy asks and looks at Wilson.
-No, don’t worry, have fun! he says, you deserve it, both of you, he adds. And…
-And?? they ask.
-And if you need some more time alone, for example a night… then I think that I and Kate can… take care of Rachel until tomorrow…, he replies, lowers his eyes and scratches the back of his head, a little embarrassed. House and Cuddy look at him and smile.
-This guy is sooo nice! House says. Of course, we accept your proposition, he adds rapidly.
-House! Cuddy exclaims. Wilson needs some private moment with Kate too!
-But that’s him who suggests to take Rachel with him for the night, not me! House replies with the face of a kid who tries to move his mother in order to obtain what he wants.
-It’s ok, Cuddy, don’t worry, Kate likes kids very much and Rachel is very sweet, they get on well with each other.
-Then… I think that I’ve no choice but spend the whole night with my favorite pain in the ass…
-So let’s go! Here’s our cab! House says and pulls Cuddy’s arm. Wilson gets in the passenger seat, Cuddy and House on the back of the car. Nobody speaks on the way to the city. Once at the police station they wait for Kate and Rachel, Cuddy needs to see her daughter.
-Rachel! she says as she sees her.
-Mommy! The kid replies and hugs her mother. Then she turns to House: Daddy! And she hugs him too. Are we gonna play the pirates again?
-Well, little mushroom, tonight you’re going with Kate and Uncle Wilson to see a pirate movie…, House says.
-Yes! Yes! Yes! Rachel replies and jumps for joy. Suddenly she stops: But you and mommy won’t go with us?
-Rachel, my sweetheart, Cuddy takes the little girl in her arms, House and mommy have to … do some work, we have a lot of things to talk about and Uncle Wilson suggested that you go with him and Kate to the movie, but… if you prefer you can stay with mommy…
-No! I want to go to the movie, I don’t like when you and Daddy talk together…I’m bored because you don’t play with me…
-Rachel, would you like sleeping at my house? Kate asks her.
-Mommy, Rachel turns to Cuddy, the eyes full of hope, can I sleep at Kate’s house? Please!
Cuddy is a little surprised but Rachel seems very happy at this idea and she needs a night alone with House, she missed him so much these last weeks that Wilson’s suggestion couldn’t have come at a better time. Ok, sweetheart, you can sleep at Kate’s house, but you have to promise me to be a nice girl, ok?
-I promise, mommy! And Rachel hugs Cuddy.
Then Wilson, Kate and Rachel leave and House and Cuddy remain alone on the sidewalk. House looks at Cuddy, then he nears her and embraces her tenderly.
-Cuddles, he says softly and kisses her forehead, if you want we can go to me and just rest, I can make you a bath and then you can relax and try to forget this evening…
-House, she replies softly, puts one hand on his neck, draws him to her and kisses him. What about going home, having a bath and then you can show me my surprise?
-As you wish, sunshine, he says and kisses her tenderly. My car isn’t there, we’re gonna take a cab. Cuddy nods and House waves to a taxi. Half an hour later, they’re at House’s home.
-Do you want to drink something? he asks.
-Maybe a coffee.
-A coffee now?? You won’t gonna sleep!
-But why do you think I want to sleep? she replies with a smile and lust in the eyes, I have other projects for tonight if you see what I mean. She brushes past him and goes to the sofa by waving her hips gracefully. House appreciates and a smile lights up his face.
-You know that I love your big ass, Cuddles…
-I know…
-Ok! Can you make some coffee while I make a magical bath?
-Hm, House would you mind if I make a bath and you make some coffee? House stares at her. I remember the last time you made a magical bath, it burnt my lady parts, so…
-Ok, I make some coffee… The bathroom is the second door on your left.
-Thanks. Cuddy gets up and goes to the bathroom. She runs the water and looks for bath oil, she opens a first cupboard but only find towels, she opens then a second cupboard. There she find some bath oil, but she also finds 3 bottles of Ibuprofen, a syringe and 2 ampoules of morphine. Her eyes darken and her heart skips a beat. She didn’t hear him coming, he stares at her and she feels then the weight of his eyes on her back. She jumps a little and turns to face him. They look at each other without saying a word. He can see in her eyes the anxiety and the fear, and maybe some feeling of betrayal and compassion. His eyes are reflecting his pain and his despair, the fear of losing her one more time.
-Cuddy/House… they say at the same time. Please believe me, that’s not what you think, he says.
-House, I know your leg hurts like hell but… I thought you were done with drugs, you told me you made great progress to relieve your pain thanks to your therapist, your physical therapy and Ibuprofen… and I believed you…
-Cuddy, please, listen to me, I swear I’m not on drugs, this is just … a kind of escape, it reassures me to think that in case I can’t deal with the pain, I have something in the last resort, if nothing works… I… believe me, Cuddy, please, I … , but House doesn’t know what to add, he’s so desperate, so sure she won’t believe him, he’s certain she will dump him once again and this time he won’t get her back because it’s the last straw…
-House, she says gravely, I love you, I know you love me, I know I cannot live without you, I want to believe that I can deal with your problems, with your pain, but last time I thought I could do this and… and in fact I couldn’t… She stares at him, her eyes are wet, a tear rolls on her cheek.
-I don’t know what to say to convince you that I’m NOT on drugs… You know that I’m the most screwed up person in the world…
-I know…
-And you also know that I may never fix myself…
-I know…
- But I swear, Cuddy, I’m NOT on drugs, I once believed that people don’t change, that we are who we are once and for all, but… Cuddy, YOU CHANGED ME, I’m not the same since we got together, even after the break up I never came back to the old me, I thought I was still the same screwed up man but I’m not, my usual ways to escape the pain didn’t work, the only thing I could think about was you, even the medical puzzles didn’t have the same taste after you, they didn’t manage to light my mind and my pain… Only you can soothe my pain, my wounded soul, my bleeding heart… tell me, what can I do to convince you…? House says and looks desperately at Cuddy.
-House, I … I want to believe you, I… House, I’m feeling dizzy, I… House, help …me… Cuddy collapses slowly on the ground looking desperately at House.
-Cuddy! Cuddy! What happens to you? Where does it hurt? Cuddy! Talk to me, please, stay with me! While trying to make her regain consciousness, he examines her, her pulse is really weak, she needs to go rapidly to the hospital. House dials 911 and tries to find what’s wrong with Cuddy while waiting for the ambulance. But his judgment is distorted by his feelings for Cuddy. House, you have to analyze the symptoms, to forget that this patient is your girlfriend, House, concentrate on the medical puzzle!
Weoweoweoweoweo…… knock! knock! knock!
-Come in, we’re here in the bathroom! Hurry up!
When the emergency workers come in the bathroom, House gives them a report as detailed as he can about Cuddy’s state.
-Female, 43 years old, weak pulse, she collapsed suddenly, no other symptoms, except that she had very hard times this evening, she was stressed… House don’t want to tell them that she was almost raped by MacEnzie. And she’s the new Dean of Medicine of the Apton hospital, so take care of her…
-Her blood pressure is very low, did she bleed or hurt something? Did she have problem to breath or…?
-No, not that I know… She must be taken to the hospital, there I can do more tests to find what she has!
-Are you a doctor?
-Yes! I’m Doctor House, hurry up!
-Ok, let’s go.
Cuddy gets up, and so does House. They’re waiting for the police car that Mitchel called for them. Wilson looks at them, thumb up toward House with an interrogative look, waiting for a sign.
-A surprise? Cuddy says intrigued. House will never cease surprising her, even in the worst moments.
-Yup! But I’d understand if you refuse it … though I really hope you’ll accept to come with me, he adds with a little grimace.
-Well… I don’t know, I’m exhausted, House, the only thing I want and need is a bath, a warm bath, and then… a tender Doctor to take care of me… to heal my wounds…, she adds with a lovely smile.
-Well, that’s not the program which I had planned but… it’s great too, he says and smiles. You’re so beautiful, Cuddy, men can be crazy, you have to be careful, he says and kisses her forehead.
-Hey! I don’t want a father! I want a man, a lover! she replies and rolls her eyes.
-So, do you want my surprise?
-It depends… Do I have to attend a race of Monster trucks, or drive go kart or break in the house of one of your patient or…?
-Stop, stop! Nothing of that! What do you take me for?! House replies pretending to be offended. I have changed, you know! I’m a real gentleman now, I know how to please women, he says and winks.
-Oh really?
-Seriously, Cuddy, come with me, I promise you won’t regret it.
After a while, she says: You know, the last time a man told me that, it almost ended really badly for me…
-What? House asks surprised.
-MacEnzie told me exactly that…, she replies and lowers the eyes, feeling ashamed.
-Oh… well …. If you don’t want to… I understand, House says sadly. He looks at Cuddy, she’s gorgeous but she seems so fragile at this time… The only thing he wants is to make her feel better, to make her forget all these horrible times she went through because of this dangerous moron.
-Okay, I go with you…, she finally says and looks tenderly at him, but…
-But?
-What about Rachel?
-Don’t worry, Kate and I have planned to go to the movies with her, Wilson replies.
-Are you sure it won’t disturb your projects for tonight? Cuddy asks and looks at Wilson.
-No, don’t worry, have fun! he says, you deserve it, both of you, he adds. And…
-And?? they ask.
-And if you need some more time alone, for example a night… then I think that I and Kate can… take care of Rachel until tomorrow…, he replies, lowers his eyes and scratches the back of his head, a little embarrassed. House and Cuddy look at him and smile.
-This guy is sooo nice! House says. Of course, we accept your proposition, he adds rapidly.
-House! Cuddy exclaims. Wilson needs some private moment with Kate too!
-But that’s him who suggests to take Rachel with him for the night, not me! House replies with the face of a kid who tries to move his mother in order to obtain what he wants.
-It’s ok, Cuddy, don’t worry, Kate likes kids very much and Rachel is very sweet, they get on well with each other.
-Then… I think that I’ve no choice but spend the whole night with my favorite pain in the ass…
-So let’s go! Here’s our cab! House says and pulls Cuddy’s arm. Wilson gets in the passenger seat, Cuddy and House on the back of the car. Nobody speaks on the way to the city. Once at the police station they wait for Kate and Rachel, Cuddy needs to see her daughter.
-Rachel! she says as she sees her.
-Mommy! The kid replies and hugs her mother. Then she turns to House: Daddy! And she hugs him too. Are we gonna play the pirates again?
-Well, little mushroom, tonight you’re going with Kate and Uncle Wilson to see a pirate movie…, House says.
-Yes! Yes! Yes! Rachel replies and jumps for joy. Suddenly she stops: But you and mommy won’t go with us?
-Rachel, my sweetheart, Cuddy takes the little girl in her arms, House and mommy have to … do some work, we have a lot of things to talk about and Uncle Wilson suggested that you go with him and Kate to the movie, but… if you prefer you can stay with mommy…
-No! I want to go to the movie, I don’t like when you and Daddy talk together…I’m bored because you don’t play with me…
-Rachel, would you like sleeping at my house? Kate asks her.
-Mommy, Rachel turns to Cuddy, the eyes full of hope, can I sleep at Kate’s house? Please!
Cuddy is a little surprised but Rachel seems very happy at this idea and she needs a night alone with House, she missed him so much these last weeks that Wilson’s suggestion couldn’t have come at a better time. Ok, sweetheart, you can sleep at Kate’s house, but you have to promise me to be a nice girl, ok?
-I promise, mommy! And Rachel hugs Cuddy.
Then Wilson, Kate and Rachel leave and House and Cuddy remain alone on the sidewalk. House looks at Cuddy, then he nears her and embraces her tenderly.
-Cuddles, he says softly and kisses her forehead, if you want we can go to me and just rest, I can make you a bath and then you can relax and try to forget this evening…
-House, she replies softly, puts one hand on his neck, draws him to her and kisses him. What about going home, having a bath and then you can show me my surprise?
-As you wish, sunshine, he says and kisses her tenderly. My car isn’t there, we’re gonna take a cab. Cuddy nods and House waves to a taxi. Half an hour later, they’re at House’s home.
-Do you want to drink something? he asks.
-Maybe a coffee.
-A coffee now?? You won’t gonna sleep!
-But why do you think I want to sleep? she replies with a smile and lust in the eyes, I have other projects for tonight if you see what I mean. She brushes past him and goes to the sofa by waving her hips gracefully. House appreciates and a smile lights up his face.
-You know that I love your big ass, Cuddles…
-I know…
-Ok! Can you make some coffee while I make a magical bath?
-Hm, House would you mind if I make a bath and you make some coffee? House stares at her. I remember the last time you made a magical bath, it burnt my lady parts, so…
-Ok, I make some coffee… The bathroom is the second door on your left.
-Thanks. Cuddy gets up and goes to the bathroom. She runs the water and looks for bath oil, she opens a first cupboard but only find towels, she opens then a second cupboard. There she find some bath oil, but she also finds 3 bottles of Ibuprofen, a syringe and 2 ampoules of morphine. Her eyes darken and her heart skips a beat. She didn’t hear him coming, he stares at her and she feels then the weight of his eyes on her back. She jumps a little and turns to face him. They look at each other without saying a word. He can see in her eyes the anxiety and the fear, and maybe some feeling of betrayal and compassion. His eyes are reflecting his pain and his despair, the fear of losing her one more time.
-Cuddy/House… they say at the same time. Please believe me, that’s not what you think, he says.
-House, I know your leg hurts like hell but… I thought you were done with drugs, you told me you made great progress to relieve your pain thanks to your therapist, your physical therapy and Ibuprofen… and I believed you…
-Cuddy, please, listen to me, I swear I’m not on drugs, this is just … a kind of escape, it reassures me to think that in case I can’t deal with the pain, I have something in the last resort, if nothing works… I… believe me, Cuddy, please, I … , but House doesn’t know what to add, he’s so desperate, so sure she won’t believe him, he’s certain she will dump him once again and this time he won’t get her back because it’s the last straw…
-House, she says gravely, I love you, I know you love me, I know I cannot live without you, I want to believe that I can deal with your problems, with your pain, but last time I thought I could do this and… and in fact I couldn’t… She stares at him, her eyes are wet, a tear rolls on her cheek.
-I don’t know what to say to convince you that I’m NOT on drugs… You know that I’m the most screwed up person in the world…
-I know…
-And you also know that I may never fix myself…
-I know…
- But I swear, Cuddy, I’m NOT on drugs, I once believed that people don’t change, that we are who we are once and for all, but… Cuddy, YOU CHANGED ME, I’m not the same since we got together, even after the break up I never came back to the old me, I thought I was still the same screwed up man but I’m not, my usual ways to escape the pain didn’t work, the only thing I could think about was you, even the medical puzzles didn’t have the same taste after you, they didn’t manage to light my mind and my pain… Only you can soothe my pain, my wounded soul, my bleeding heart… tell me, what can I do to convince you…? House says and looks desperately at Cuddy.
-House, I … I want to believe you, I… House, I’m feeling dizzy, I… House, help …me… Cuddy collapses slowly on the ground looking desperately at House.
-Cuddy! Cuddy! What happens to you? Where does it hurt? Cuddy! Talk to me, please, stay with me! While trying to make her regain consciousness, he examines her, her pulse is really weak, she needs to go rapidly to the hospital. House dials 911 and tries to find what’s wrong with Cuddy while waiting for the ambulance. But his judgment is distorted by his feelings for Cuddy. House, you have to analyze the symptoms, to forget that this patient is your girlfriend, House, concentrate on the medical puzzle!
Weoweoweoweoweo…… knock! knock! knock!
-Come in, we’re here in the bathroom! Hurry up!
When the emergency workers come in the bathroom, House gives them a report as detailed as he can about Cuddy’s state.
-Female, 43 years old, weak pulse, she collapsed suddenly, no other symptoms, except that she had very hard times this evening, she was stressed… House don’t want to tell them that she was almost raped by MacEnzie. And she’s the new Dean of Medicine of the Apton hospital, so take care of her…
-Her blood pressure is very low, did she bleed or hurt something? Did she have problem to breath or…?
-No, not that I know… She must be taken to the hospital, there I can do more tests to find what she has!
-Are you a doctor?
-Yes! I’m Doctor House, hurry up!
-Ok, let’s go.