Disclaimer: I do not own House, the characters, or the song. However the story is mine.

Sorry it took so long for me to update. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think and if I should continue :)

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Cuddy hadn't seen nor talked to House since Lucas's blow up at him in the cafeteria. She didn't hound him down to do his clinic hours because he surprisingly did them and whenever he needed a procedure done he would send one of his lackeys...again. The cycle just keeps repeating itself doesn't it, she thought to herself for the fifth time that day. She knew why he was doing it now so no need to ask.

Cuddy looked at the clock. It was noon and she hadn't even made a dent in her paperwork. She sighed and got up from her chair. I'll just grab a quick bite and come back, she thought.

She made her way into the cafeteria and was standing in line when she heard a familiar voice. She turned to see House with his girlfriend, and she quickly turned away. Hopefully he doesn't notice me. Oh who am I kidding, she questioned herself. She quickly ordered her lunch and went to the register to pay. She walked straight past him without looking, but out of the corner of her eye she could see him looking at her.

She briskly walked into her office and sat down. She had just opened up her salad and began to eat when her door was thrown open. Looking up she saw House, which was the last person she expected to see. Especially since he had just been in the cafeteria with his girlfriend.

Sighing she looked at him curiously, but all he did was stare right back with the same questioning gaze.

"What do you want House," she finally asked.

He just continued to stare at her and walked closer to her desk. She was suddenly worried.

"What's wrong," she asked. He looked like he wanted to say something to her.

She got up from her desk and walked around it until she was standing in front of him. She snapped her fingers in front of his face as he seemed dazed. His eyes turned and focused on her and her concerned expression.

"House?"

"What," he answered in a low voice. She shivered at his tone, which did't go unnoticed by him.

"I asked what you wanted," she answered.

"Oh...sorry lost all focus when I saw what you were wearing," he said as he looked away.

She looked at him curiously. He had been avoiding her and now he was making sexual comments. What was up with him?

"What do you want," she tried again.

"Your avoiding me like the plague," he said after a long silence.

"You haven't exactly been knocking down my door bothering me either," she shot right back.

"I've been busy," he quickly answered.

"So have I. So why are you questioning me?"

"Is this how it's gonna be between us from now on," he suddenly asked.

Cuddy sighed she didn't know how to answer that question because she herself didn't know the answer to that.

"I don't know," she answered honestly, "do you want it to be this way?"

But before she could get an answer he had already walked out the door. She shook her head and went back to her lunch. Apparently it was going to be like this.

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"I asked Cuddy why she has been avoiding me like the plague," said House as he walked into Wilson's office.

"Well you have been doing the same thing," stated Wilson as he took his eyes off the computer.

"I have a legitimate reaosn. I was busy," countered House.

"Yeah with your girlfriend. You do all your clinic hours so she doesn't need to hound you down, and if you need a procedure done you just have one of your ducklings ask for permission. So you aren't exactly innocent."

House just nodded and looked away. "I also asked if things were always going to be this way between us."

"And what did she say," asked Wilson curiously.

"She said 'I don't know.' Then she asked if I wanted things to be like this, but I walked out."

"Why did you walk out," asked Wilson who was beginning to get more and more curious.

There was a long pause from House, "I don't know. I liked things the way they were before, but there is too much temptation there. I want to get past her just like she got past me."

"Trust me when I say this. She is far from past you and why are you moving on instead of fighting for her," asked Wilson.

"...she's...happy. And if she's happy I'm...I don't want to mess that up for her. She deserves it and I know I can't give that to her. She wants this perfect little family, with a caring husband, two dogs, and a white picket fence. I just don't fit into that picture," House said quietly. He looked at the floor waiting for Wilson to say something. When he didn't he got up and was almost out the door when Wilson spoke.

"I think the last thing Cuddy is out for is perfection," stated Wilson as he got over the intial shock of what House had just admitted. House just continued out the door and went to his office. He was more confused than ever. Wilson on the other hand was beginning to put things into place. Cuddy wanted this perfect life, yet she had an attachment to House that made her want both things without actually being able to have both. House wanted Cuddy, but couldn't handle the fact that she had chose the other so he was pushing her away without actually pushing her away.

There was one thing Wilson did know for sure. He needed to talk to Cuddy. Maybe he could save what was left of her and House's relationship.

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"All that I'm after,
Is a life full of laughter,
As long as I'm not fit with you.
I think that all that matter,
Is love after laughter,
After the life we've been through.
Cause I know there's no life after you."

'Life After You' - Daughtry