This had been the one situation he wasn't expecting. The one scenario that seemed unreal-artificial.
Had it been that his mind was playing hallucinations on him again? This could not be happening. This cannot happen. This never happens. She wouldn't dare put herself in this position unless there was something else going on. She wanted to tell him, one more thing.
No.
___________________________________________________
One Week Prior
House found himself yet again awake. Four o'clock in the morning and he hadn't slept a wink. Since ten, he had constantly twisted his torso to turn around and take another glance at his clock. It changed with increments of sixty minutes. This had been the sixth time looking at the clock.
Unable to even close his eyes, he dragged himself out of bed. He was about to make his way to the bathroom for more sleeping pills but a knock sounded at the door. Only one person would grieve him like this at an ungodly hour.
He stopped in his tracks in the middle of the hallway as the knocks continued to echo throughout his house. The only reasonable way to stop them would be to answer the door, but know, he let the knocks continue, and walked into the bathroom.
After several knocks, a key thrust into the door, turning, and unlocking it.
Cuddy walked in, and set her keys on the table. She looked around. A scotch was left on the table, along with a partly finished cigar. She stepped into the hallway, slowly walking in the darkness. And after a few steps she had run into him.
"--God! You scared me. Why aren't you in bed, trying to sleep?"
"Couldn't."
"You take your pills?"
"Just took my third one tonight."
She slide down the wall and sat down with her knees up. She threw her head back against the wall.
He joined her. He slowly got down on the hardwood floor, being cautious of his leg. And they sat together, as their silhouettes formed in the dark
"How long."
"Nearly a week."
"You smell drunk."
"I thought it would help."
"You shouldn't go mixing alcohol with your drugs."
"It was hours ago."
"Regardless."
She couldn't see his face, but she knew what it looked like. So she put her hand on his shoulder, moving down, feeling for his hand. She lifted it from the floor and clasped it in her own. He overlapped it with his other as he sat up straight against the wall across from her.
"I know it's hard. I wish I could make things easier.."
"Don't think you ever could. Don't think anyone can. However, you lighten the load."
Suddenly he had removed one of his hands and gripped it over his leg. His face tensed and he quietly grunted in pain.
It may have been dark, but she still knew what was going on. So she reacted, standing up, and nagging him.
"Come on. Go back to bed."
"I can't even shut my eyes for a minute to save my life."
"Compromising you leg by sitting on the floor with me isn't gonna help either."
She bent down and helped him up, walking him into the bedroom.
He got in and she put the sheets over him. As he positioned his leg, she knelt down by his beside. She folded her arms and laid them across the side of the bed, and rested her chin on them.
"You gonna stay there all night?"
"If it helps."
"Go home. I don't need you here."
"You want me here."
"Wants are different than needs."
"Clearly."
She just looked at him, into the only things she could see. His beautiful blue eyes. She held his hand again.
"I'll be on the couch."
She stood up, about to release her grip, when he pulled her back. She just stood and stared at him, motionless.
He didn't respond. So she bent down again, so they were face to face.
"What?"
He leaned forward. Slowly. Resting his head first against hers, before lingering a deep kiss on her lips. She didn't respond at first, but after a couple seconds, she moved in. He rolled off the bed and onto the floor with her. He slowly laid her back against the wooden floor. She pulled off his shirt as he unbuttoned her blazer.
He lifted his head, and released. He just looked at her. She laughed softly.
"I can't believe we waited this long."
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
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