Epic Fail Missing Scene
by: maverickangel35
Rating: T?

Summary: Ok. Here’s how I think House and Cuddy’s first meeting after his release from the asylumn should have gone.

Disclaimer: Oh please, I own nothing. Don’t even joke.

~*~*~

Cuddy’s shoulders sagged a little as she opened her office door and went in slowly, closing it behind her. The blinds remained closed to the view of the clinic outside, remaining evidence of an earlier migraine which made the light and sounds unbearable. Wilson had called.

“House is being released,” he had said, “in the next few days. Not sure exactly when, or what he’s going to do next, but… he’s going to be staying with me for awhile.”

Naturally. Cuddy sat down and touched the surface of her desk briefly before resting her elbows on it and closing her eyes. Now what?

She had missed him. But…

Shaking her head, she resolved not to spend any more time thinking about it until she knew more. Time for more productive things. Budget reports. Yes. She pulled open the middle drawer to find a pen and the contents came crashing out onto the floor. Cuddy jumped straight out of her chair, her heart pounding, and a shadow crossed her office floor. It was coming from her bathroom.

House stepped out and looked at her—hard.

“Three months.” Cuddy finally said, not moving from her spot. House started walking slowly toward her, his face immobile in the moonlight. “You’ve had three months of detox, and therapy, and introspection—and you still haven’t changed—” her voice broke on the last word as House took the final two steps to close the distance between them, leaning his cane against the desk. Cuddy blinked back tears and shook her head. “You’re exactly the same.”

“Of course,” he said lowly. “Which is why, if anyone finds out about this, I’ll tell them you kicked my cane out from under me and attacked me in my moments of weakness.”

“If anyone finds out about what?”

House reached out for her to come closer, and slowly pulled her into a hug. After a moment Cuddy lifted her arms to encircle his shoulders and rested her head on his chest. “Thank you,” he said, barely audible over the sound of his heart pounding in her ear. “For… being the one to push me out… I guess.”

“You’re welcome,” she whispered.

A few seconds later, he pulled away. “Ok. Back to normal,” he said, looking down at her.

“All right.” Cuddy took a deep breath and looked up at him. “House. You complete and total ass.”

“Now, Cuddy. I have to give YOUR ass something to aspire to. Big as it is, it still needs the practice.”

Cuddy glared at him. House narrowed his eyes at her.

Suddenly he reached out to cup her cheek and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. Cuddy’s eyebrows flew to her hairline and she froze for a moment, then leaned in as his hand slid around to the back of her neck. When he realized she wasn’t pulling away, he deepened the kiss—and she moved closer, putting her hands on his back under his coat. They moved slowly, languidly, gently coexisting as they never had, and never could again. When finally they pulled away Cuddy looked closely into House’s eyes until he took a deep breath and spoke.

“Ok! So. That never happened.”

Cuddy gave him a small smile. “What never happened?”

A crooked half smile, and suddenly his cane was in hand and he was halfway through the office heading for the door.

“House.”

He turned.

“Welcome back.”