It had been two, nearly three months since Anthony came along. Their relationship was still growing--for the time being at least.
House was still jealous. He kept his eye on her every now and again. Making sure nothing would happen. But eventually something did happen.
---
It was pouring rain outside. Cuddy was rushing to her car to leave, looking through her purse for her keys. She was shaking her purse all over the place once she had reached her car. But she couldn't find them. So she looked in the car and saw that she had left it on the dashboard. She heaved a great sigh.
She slide down the side of her car and squatted leaning against it. The rain came down, soaking her clothes and her hair. Suddenly a dark figure formed from the illusion of the rain. He was walking toward her.
"It's not like you to try to catch pneumonia."
House slowly got down to her level, being cautious of his leg. They talked very softly. Almost in whispers.
"Where's that toy of yours?"
"Home."
"Didn't leave with him?"
"Couldn't leave with him."
"Call him."
"You think I'd be sitting here like this if I didn't?"
She lied, subconsciously.
"You want a ride?"
"I need my car."
"I'll call a tow truck. Then I'll call a locksmith."
"I gave my other key to Anthony."
"And I have another key for the locksmith."
"You stole one of my spare keys?"
"Now aren't you glad I did?"
He stood up and helped her off the ground. They both kind of stood there for a second. He hadn't released his hand yet.
"You planning to let go of my hand?"
"Eventually," he uttered. And he pulled her toward his car which was only across from Cuddy's. They got in and she looked around the whole car.
"This car is compulsively neat. This isn't your car."
"It's Wilson's," he said as he turned the ignition.
"Where's yours?"
"I biked to work. And I don't want you getting sick," and he put the gear in drive, and made his way out of the parking lot. When he was making a turn onto the main road, he looked completely focused, not noticing the smile Cuddy had on her face.
---
House had taken her back to his house. She took a shower as he put her clothes in the dryer. He brought out his scotch as he waited. She got finished after a good ten-fifteen minutes. She had to wear his towel as she waited for her clothes to dry. They both waited on the couch, drinking scotch.
"I called the locksmith. Making a key tomorrow. Called the tow truck. They're bringing it to your house."
"Thank you."
"Here," he threw her keys.
"Use Wilson's car to drive back home."
She stowed the keys in her pocket as he continued to talk.
"So are you going to tell me what you want with me or?"
Her expression changed.
"You didn't call him. Otherwise he would've called at least five times making sure you were okay before actually picking you up. And I don't recall you talking to him, telling him that I was driving you home."
The buzzer for the dryer went off. House turned slightly irritated.
"Go change."
And she walked out of there, keeping his towel tight around her.
She came back within minutes. Ready to leave, to get out of there, to escape all interrogations.
They stood at the door. House glaring into her, Cuddy turned from him.
"You need to get over this."
"Not until you tell me that you're wasting your time with him for a reason."
"I love him."
"Prove it." He added a little mockery.
"I-"
"Can't. Because you don't. Because it's me."
"Why do you think everything in my life revolves around you?"
"Because you make it that way."
"Because you make it that way."
"Because I've always been there."
She couldn't say any more.
"I've been in your life for over twenty years. That's something you don't let go--you can't, let, go. I've effected your life no matter what. For better or for worse, I am apart of your life. So why, are you wasting your breath, with a low life jerk like him. Just ask yourself that question."
He opened the door and began to turn around, but Cuddy put her hand on his shoulder, causing him to stop.
"If you think he can love you, fine. If you can think he can make that kid of yours any less of a bastard than it is, fine. If you think he can give you half of what I'm willing, so be it--If you love him--fine. But don't bring me into it, expecting me to save you. I end that job when you get into actual long-term relationships. He saves you now."
She just closed her eyes, breathed in and walked out. Shutting the door quietly behind her.
He looked out the window and watched her drive away. His pulse was racing and his leg hurt, like never before.