Chapter 9 : new chapter, don’t know if it’s good, but I hope you’ll enjoy it
-Wilson! It’s me, House. Can you come earlier, for example tomorrow?
-Why? Wilson asks surprised. Why does House want him to come earlier? What has he planned again?
-I need your help to find an apartment for Cuddy.
-Wow! But why do you need me? I still don’t get it. Can you explain me?
-You know how to deal with realtor and you’re a good manipulator, is that enough for you?
-Well, you’re a good manipulator too, so why me?
-Remember! Last time you pinched the apartment which wanted Cuddy… It’s thus fair that you help her to get one.
-Well, I think you’re right… And I have no choice, isn’t it?
-So, I wait for you tomorrow! Just call me to tell me when you’re there. See ya…
-House! I … Grrr! He hangs up!
The next day in the afternoon. House picked Wilson up at the airport and they drive now towards Apton.
-So, what’s your plan? Wilson asks.
-Listen. We are half brothers, we need an apartment and it’s very urgent because you’re very ill, you suffer a lot, you could die soon and one of your last wish is to live here because we were living here when we were kids and our grand Ma died here. And I’m working here at the hospital, it’s also better for you, you can have the best care for your last days and when the fateful hour will come, I can be there at any time.
-House, are you kidding? That’s a stupid story! How can you think it’ll work!
-It has to! replies House and gives Wilson a serious glance. You played in a film when you were student, didn’t you? You can also play a dying man!
-House, that wasn’t a “real” film, you know it! …
-But you were so good! replies House and gives a wink to Wilson.
-Why is it so important that we get immediately an apartment for Cuddy? You didn’t tell me everything. I know that you’re hiding something. If you want me to help you, you have to tell me …
-Alright, House says as they arrive at the real estate office. If we don’t find an apartment for Cuddy before the end of the week, Malcolm will suggest her to live at MacEnzie’s place until she finds a house.
-Who’s this?
-The head of Pediatric.
-And… what’s the problem? … Oh, let me guess, … you’re afraid she can fall in love with him and forget you? Am I wrong?
-… No, you’re right, House says in a low voice, looking at his hands. He’d so much like to take her hand in his…, to caress her cheek, her lips…
-House! House! Are you ok? Can we go and find this “Precious stone”?
-Whaat?
-The apartment for Cuddy!
-Yes, let’s go!
The realtor shows them 3 apartments and a house. Wilson and House look at everything attentively, inquire about the neighborhood, the price and especially on the possible date of moving in. Wilson plays the “dying man”, he walks very slowly and breathes hard as if his next breath will be the last one. Then they talk about it for 5 minutes, but House knows perfectly that it’s the second apartment that Cuddy would choose if she was there. It’s big and very bright, with a beautiful view of a park where Rachel can go to play. House can imagine the little girl playing in the playground or running after a ball. Wilson agrees with House’s choice. But there’s a problem, it will only be free in 10 days. House and Wilson try to convince the realtor, a young man, to bring forward the departure of the current tenant of 3 days. Wilson makes an exhausted, unwell face, hoping that his last will be fulfilled. The realtor feels sorry for him and decides to call the tenant but this one refuses to leave before, even after House and Wilson explain him their sad story.
-I told you this story was stupid! says Wilson, once in the car.
-So…, maybe you can convince Cuddy to delay her departure of PPTH by 2 days?
-House! You know she can’t do that! She will have no place to live, she already sold her house!
-Wilson, she can’t live with this guy in his house!
-It’s only for 2 days! replies Wilson.
-But it’s already too much! I won’t bear it!
-House! Trust her! She loves you!
-But she doesn’t know I’m here, does she? House says and looks so scared that Wilson feels sorry for him. His friend is still crazy in love with Cuddy, he’s terrified at the idea of losing her again. Wilson never saw him like that before.
-No, I don’t think she knows you’re here, but… she knows something, I talked to you about it. … And even if she accepts to live in MacEnzie’s house – and incidentally I don’t think that Cuddy jumps for joy at this idea - it doesn’t mean that she’s going to throw herself into the arms of the first one to come! You know her better than anyone else, House! You know that she doesn’t date anyone since your break up, the man in her living room was a friend of her sister, Julia insisted so that Cuddy got acquainted of this guy, it wasn’t Cuddy’s idea! On the contrary, she was kinda reluctant.
-I know, but…I need her in my life, Wilson, I can’t leave without her, I don’t want to lose her a second time… I … I love her.
Wilson stares at his friend, but finds nothing to say.
Cuddy explains a few things to the new Dean of PPTH when her cell phone rings, it’s Malcolm. I’m sorry, I come back soon, she says to Mr. Thomas.
-Doctor Cuddy? It’s Doctor Malcolm.
-Good afternoon, Doctor Malcolm. Is there a problem?
-Not really. We found you an apartment, but it will only be free in 10 days and …
-Oh, I see… Isn’t it possible to have it two days earlier? I mean 8 or 10 days, it’s not a big deal…, she replies annoyed.
-Well, we tried but the current tenant wasn’t very cooperative…
-Well, can you try again? I already sold my house and the removal men will be there in 8 days, … it wouldn’t be a big problem if I was alone, but I have a daughter and she’s young, she needs a place to live in.
-Yes, I understand, well I promise you to try again, but may I suggest you a solution while waiting for?
-I listen to you.
-Our head of Pediatric will be happy to accommodate you the time you need to get your apartment, what do you think of it?
-Well, I … I don’t know, I … I mean that’s very kind of him, but as I said, I have a little daughter and …are you sure he’ll be ok?
-Yes, I already asked him, he has a big house and is single, so …
-Wow! I hope you don’t intend to play the go-betweens, because I’m not looking for a man.
-Don’t get me wrong, Doctor Cuddy, I … my suggestion was maybe awkward, but that’s absolutely not in my intention to …
-I’m sorry, but I had hard times recently and … well, however, thank you for your help, I appreciate it, really… just try to get the apartment when I arrive, please…
-Don’t worry, I understand, Doctor House explained me …
-Doctor House?? Is he working for you? exclaims Cuddy, trying to contain the joy which invades her heart. She knew it! She knew it!
-Doctor House? No, no, I don’t know him, stammers Malcolm, you misunderstood what I said, I just … wanted to tell you that there’s a house which will be free next month, so if you can wait it can be a good opportunity… adds Malcolm trying to convince Cuddy that he never said that name because he remembered that he promised House not to tell Cuddy he’s working here.
-Oh, replies Cuddy, a little disappointed. But deep inside, she’s now certain that House is in Apton and that’s him who proposed her name to run the hospital. No, try to get me this apartment. Good bye, Doctor Malcolm, she says and hangs up. Cuddy is happy, soon she will see him again, and this time she doesn’t want to screw up their relationship, she’ll give him the necessary time to calm down, to forgive her, she won’t pressure him even if she craves for him, she will find the patience to wait for him to be ready to get involved again in a relationship. But the little delay with the apartment annoys her. She wants in no way to go to live in the house of somebody whom she doesn’t know. She has to find a solution. Maybe she and Rachel can live with House for two days… But she has to be careful when she asks him, she doesn’t want to scare him… And how can she contact him? She’s not supposed to know that he’s there… With luck, Malcolm will manage to get the apartment earlier than planned.
-Wilson! It’s me, House. Can you come earlier, for example tomorrow?
-Why? Wilson asks surprised. Why does House want him to come earlier? What has he planned again?
-I need your help to find an apartment for Cuddy.
-Wow! But why do you need me? I still don’t get it. Can you explain me?
-You know how to deal with realtor and you’re a good manipulator, is that enough for you?
-Well, you’re a good manipulator too, so why me?
-Remember! Last time you pinched the apartment which wanted Cuddy… It’s thus fair that you help her to get one.
-Well, I think you’re right… And I have no choice, isn’t it?
-So, I wait for you tomorrow! Just call me to tell me when you’re there. See ya…
-House! I … Grrr! He hangs up!
The next day in the afternoon. House picked Wilson up at the airport and they drive now towards Apton.
-So, what’s your plan? Wilson asks.
-Listen. We are half brothers, we need an apartment and it’s very urgent because you’re very ill, you suffer a lot, you could die soon and one of your last wish is to live here because we were living here when we were kids and our grand Ma died here. And I’m working here at the hospital, it’s also better for you, you can have the best care for your last days and when the fateful hour will come, I can be there at any time.
-House, are you kidding? That’s a stupid story! How can you think it’ll work!
-It has to! replies House and gives Wilson a serious glance. You played in a film when you were student, didn’t you? You can also play a dying man!
-House, that wasn’t a “real” film, you know it! …
-But you were so good! replies House and gives a wink to Wilson.
-Why is it so important that we get immediately an apartment for Cuddy? You didn’t tell me everything. I know that you’re hiding something. If you want me to help you, you have to tell me …
-Alright, House says as they arrive at the real estate office. If we don’t find an apartment for Cuddy before the end of the week, Malcolm will suggest her to live at MacEnzie’s place until she finds a house.
-Who’s this?
-The head of Pediatric.
-And… what’s the problem? … Oh, let me guess, … you’re afraid she can fall in love with him and forget you? Am I wrong?
-… No, you’re right, House says in a low voice, looking at his hands. He’d so much like to take her hand in his…, to caress her cheek, her lips…
-House! House! Are you ok? Can we go and find this “Precious stone”?
-Whaat?
-The apartment for Cuddy!
-Yes, let’s go!
The realtor shows them 3 apartments and a house. Wilson and House look at everything attentively, inquire about the neighborhood, the price and especially on the possible date of moving in. Wilson plays the “dying man”, he walks very slowly and breathes hard as if his next breath will be the last one. Then they talk about it for 5 minutes, but House knows perfectly that it’s the second apartment that Cuddy would choose if she was there. It’s big and very bright, with a beautiful view of a park where Rachel can go to play. House can imagine the little girl playing in the playground or running after a ball. Wilson agrees with House’s choice. But there’s a problem, it will only be free in 10 days. House and Wilson try to convince the realtor, a young man, to bring forward the departure of the current tenant of 3 days. Wilson makes an exhausted, unwell face, hoping that his last will be fulfilled. The realtor feels sorry for him and decides to call the tenant but this one refuses to leave before, even after House and Wilson explain him their sad story.
-I told you this story was stupid! says Wilson, once in the car.
-So…, maybe you can convince Cuddy to delay her departure of PPTH by 2 days?
-House! You know she can’t do that! She will have no place to live, she already sold her house!
-Wilson, she can’t live with this guy in his house!
-It’s only for 2 days! replies Wilson.
-But it’s already too much! I won’t bear it!
-House! Trust her! She loves you!
-But she doesn’t know I’m here, does she? House says and looks so scared that Wilson feels sorry for him. His friend is still crazy in love with Cuddy, he’s terrified at the idea of losing her again. Wilson never saw him like that before.
-No, I don’t think she knows you’re here, but… she knows something, I talked to you about it. … And even if she accepts to live in MacEnzie’s house – and incidentally I don’t think that Cuddy jumps for joy at this idea - it doesn’t mean that she’s going to throw herself into the arms of the first one to come! You know her better than anyone else, House! You know that she doesn’t date anyone since your break up, the man in her living room was a friend of her sister, Julia insisted so that Cuddy got acquainted of this guy, it wasn’t Cuddy’s idea! On the contrary, she was kinda reluctant.
-I know, but…I need her in my life, Wilson, I can’t leave without her, I don’t want to lose her a second time… I … I love her.
Wilson stares at his friend, but finds nothing to say.
Cuddy explains a few things to the new Dean of PPTH when her cell phone rings, it’s Malcolm. I’m sorry, I come back soon, she says to Mr. Thomas.
-Doctor Cuddy? It’s Doctor Malcolm.
-Good afternoon, Doctor Malcolm. Is there a problem?
-Not really. We found you an apartment, but it will only be free in 10 days and …
-Oh, I see… Isn’t it possible to have it two days earlier? I mean 8 or 10 days, it’s not a big deal…, she replies annoyed.
-Well, we tried but the current tenant wasn’t very cooperative…
-Well, can you try again? I already sold my house and the removal men will be there in 8 days, … it wouldn’t be a big problem if I was alone, but I have a daughter and she’s young, she needs a place to live in.
-Yes, I understand, well I promise you to try again, but may I suggest you a solution while waiting for?
-I listen to you.
-Our head of Pediatric will be happy to accommodate you the time you need to get your apartment, what do you think of it?
-Well, I … I don’t know, I … I mean that’s very kind of him, but as I said, I have a little daughter and …are you sure he’ll be ok?
-Yes, I already asked him, he has a big house and is single, so …
-Wow! I hope you don’t intend to play the go-betweens, because I’m not looking for a man.
-Don’t get me wrong, Doctor Cuddy, I … my suggestion was maybe awkward, but that’s absolutely not in my intention to …
-I’m sorry, but I had hard times recently and … well, however, thank you for your help, I appreciate it, really… just try to get the apartment when I arrive, please…
-Don’t worry, I understand, Doctor House explained me …
-Doctor House?? Is he working for you? exclaims Cuddy, trying to contain the joy which invades her heart. She knew it! She knew it!
-Doctor House? No, no, I don’t know him, stammers Malcolm, you misunderstood what I said, I just … wanted to tell you that there’s a house which will be free next month, so if you can wait it can be a good opportunity… adds Malcolm trying to convince Cuddy that he never said that name because he remembered that he promised House not to tell Cuddy he’s working here.
-Oh, replies Cuddy, a little disappointed. But deep inside, she’s now certain that House is in Apton and that’s him who proposed her name to run the hospital. No, try to get me this apartment. Good bye, Doctor Malcolm, she says and hangs up. Cuddy is happy, soon she will see him again, and this time she doesn’t want to screw up their relationship, she’ll give him the necessary time to calm down, to forgive her, she won’t pressure him even if she craves for him, she will find the patience to wait for him to be ready to get involved again in a relationship. But the little delay with the apartment annoys her. She wants in no way to go to live in the house of somebody whom she doesn’t know. She has to find a solution. Maybe she and Rachel can live with House for two days… But she has to be careful when she asks him, she doesn’t want to scare him… And how can she contact him? She’s not supposed to know that he’s there… With luck, Malcolm will manage to get the apartment earlier than planned.