In the Hues of a Life (2/10)
In the Hues of a Life
By Jules
(2/10)
M
A/N: Thanks for great feedback. It definitely helps me write. Much appreciated. Enjoy the next!
Synopsis: An exploration of Cuddy’s side of House’s recovery and hallucinations.
* * *
Chapter 2
* * *
“You didn’t tell them,” he said without preamble.
Cuddy stood back and let him enter her office. She needed a moment to gather herself before she went into battle with him. She was sorely out of practice and didn’t want him to see her disappointment. She shut the door and went behind her desk, distancing herself from him. “Wilson and I discussed it. We thought it best to leave that to your discretion.”
House grimaced and stalked towards her, the limp in his leg heavy and slightly more pronounced. Cuddy couldn’t help but watch him; she had so many questions. How was he managing the pain? How did he feel? Did he still want her? “They’re suspicious. Regardless of your and Wilson’s well-meaning lie of omission, they don’t trust me anymore.”
“What did you expect?” Cuddy played the defensive and steeled herself. “You’ve been gone for three months. Things have changed.”
“You put Foreman in charge,” he accused, spitting out his name like rusty nails.
Cuddy stood up again, unable to play behind the desk anymore. “No, I asked Chase and Cameron to come back. The three of them worked as a team.”
House rolled his eyes. “An idiotic move on your part.”
Cuddy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She hated how everything he said affected her. And now, seeing him again after their most vulnerable moment, his ability to hurt her was magnified. Every word and jab out of his mouth painful. “It saved the department and your job, House. You should be thanking them.”
“Why do that when I have Joan of Arc hot and bothered right in front of me?” His eyes shot through her causing little deaths around her heart.
She countered the desk and invaded his space. “You have no idea what I did for you.”
They stared at each other, the heat from their argument spreading like a wildfire, magnetic and dangerous.
His voice lowered an octave, and he spoke quickly and sharply. “I’m sure you have a laundry list folded neatly in your panty hose. Wanna show me?”
“God, you’re still an ass.”
House scoffed and turned on his heel. “Missed you too, you evil witch.”
* * *
“I think I made a mistake.”
“What did House do?” Wilson put down his pen, turning his focus towards his distressed boss.
Cuddy shrugged and plopped down in the chair across from him. “Nothing. He came into my office, challenged me, insulted me, and then left.”
Wilson rippled air through his lips. “At least he’s back to some semblance of normal? Cuddy, the hallucinations are gone, but House is the same man he always was.”
“It’s not that, Wilson. I just thought there would be-I don’t know-some acknowledgement,” she admitted quietly.
“Lisa, he couldn’t talk about you. Every time I would bring it up, ask-”
“Meddle?” Cuddy grinned knowingly at him.
“Inquire about what happened, what he thought happened, he’d shut down.”
Cuddy slumped forward, her eyes downcast. “That’s so unfair.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” She smiled tightly at him. “I have to go. Meeting with the building manager.”
* * *
Cuddy never made it to the meeting. As soon as she left Wilson’s office, the ER was flooded with the worst wreck I-95 had seen in years. She paged every department as the victims flooded the hallways.
The paramedic reeled off, “Young woman, 25, BP 90 over 60. She has a gash across her frontal lobe and has been unconscious for approximately twenty-two minutes-”
Cuddy made a fast beeline to her, assessing the situation, “We don’t have a place to put her down here, but-”
“We’ll take her up to ICU.” House was beside Cuddy, focused on the patient. “Unit 2 and 3 are available. Send up the worst cases.”
She nodded, meeting his eyes briefly in thanks.
The afternoon was difficult as it went into the evening. Cuddy was forced to send the minor cases to Princeton General, and three people had died before 6 P.M.
But House and his team were brilliant-seven critically injured stable and saved.
The day was over and they wheeled House’s last patient to surgery. 8:55 P.M.
Cuddy spotted him leaving Unit 2. He sat on a bench and hunched over his legs. One by one, his team followed him out. The buzz had already reached the nurse’s station-House was back and a hero.
As Taub touched his shoulder in acknowledgment, House looked up and caught her eyes. She nodded and a slow, tired smile spread across his face. Indeed, he was back.
* * *
9:15 P.M. They walked out side by side, the early tension vanquished by the fragility and reality of human life.
“Thanks for staying. I know today hasn’t been easy-”
“Didn’t have much choice, did I?” House shook his head. Cuddy nodded; she knew exactly why he did what he did-so he could come back tomorrow, and the day after that and do so with pride.
“No, but you did good work. Your team knows it too.” Cuddy stopped at the glass doors. “Can we go somewhere and talk? TJ’s, around the corner is-”
House bristled, not meeting her eyes, “Tempting. But I have a date with a hooker and her girlfriend this evening, so I’ll pass on patty cakes and schnapps and scintillating soul searching conversation.”
His eyes didn’t match his biting words, but Cuddy accepted it and pushed through the doors with him. She didn’t know what she expected. She knotted her fist, bothered and tense.
In the middle of the parking lot, she stopped and called out to him before he could escape, “How real were they?”
House looked away. He clearly didn’t want to talk about the hallucinations.
“House,” she implored him.
House closed his eyes. “As real as you and me standing right here.”
When he opened his eyes, Cuddy froze. His eyes were sadder than the day he left.
Quietly, she whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t see it.”
Her meaning double-edged, striking them both. House exhaled, “Me too.”
Quickly, he got on his motorcycle and road away.
* * *
2:55 A.M.
She fumbled for the phone and put it to her ear. Groggily she answered, “Hello?”
“Do you believe in outer body experiences?” His voice was low but he was clearly wide-awake.
Cuddy looked at her clock and rolled back on her pillow. She groaned, “It’s 3 A.M., House.”
“Can’t sleep.”
She knew about that. She hadn’t slept well since the day he left. “Bad dream?” She ventured.
“Amber.”
Cuddy sat up and turned on the light. “House, are you-”
“No, I’m not seeing her anymore. But when I close my eyes….”
“You dream.” She leaned back against the headboard. Silence passed between them.
“Yeah,” he admitted.
“Dreams are normal. You’re not crazy.”
House chuckled, “She says with absolute confidence.”
“You’re not. I’ve dreamt….” She caught herself.
“Yeah.” His voice was softer, like whiskey-coated honey. Tentatively, he said, “The lesbians cancelled, so if you want to…”
“I’m not coming over tonight.” She said sharply yet grinned despite herself.
The quiet passed between them, and she curled into the phone, listening to him breathe.
Just as she was nodding off, he suggested, “We could go out.”
“House.” His named rolled off her tongue, husky and seductive.
“I’ll pick you up. We’ll drive to Atlantic City and back.”
“I take it back. You are crazy.”
“Twenty minutes.”
She shook her head. “Goodnight, House.”
She hung up the phone and fell back on her pillow, a satisfied grin on her face.
* * *
She felt the cool air first. Then, she realized that her covers were gone. She sat up and nearly screamed. He laughed and shielded himself from her beating hands. “What? I told you I was coming. You didn’t believe me?” He said teasingly.
“It’s a first.” She stared at him in the darkness, her heart racing as she remembered her dreams.
“Oh ye of little faith.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“I’m in my pajamas.” She pulled back on his hand.
House smiled lecherously, “Yes, you are. Come on Cuddy, before the sun comes up.”
“At least let me put my shoes on.”
They rode through the winding streets of her neighborhood on his bike, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist and her face nestled into his back.
When the engine stopped, she jumped, realizing she had fallen asleep. As he parked the bike, she looked around them, trying to gain her bearings.
“I thought we were going to Atlantic City.” She could see the skyline of New York City. His hands slid around her waist, and he leaned into her ear.
“So I lied. I just wanted to see you.”
“House,” she whimpered as he lips found her neck.
“Shh….” His hands covered her like a warm blanket. “Let me undress you.”
His hands slid into her pajama bottoms and her neck fell back against him. Both hands cupped her mound, and she cried out as he began to touch her, awakening sensations that had been dormant for years.
They fell to the ground, a soft surface she couldn’t identify, and he touched her teasingly.
“House, I don’t want to wait. Please.” She begged him as he touched her feather light, driving her crazy. She sighed, her orgasm coming without permission. She thrashed and rolled against him.
Suddenly, he pulled back. “We have to wait.”
“What? No, I want you.” She grabbed at him, but she couldn’t reach him.
“Then you have to tell me.”
Her eyes flew open. Her body was hot, wet, and shaking. She pushed the covers back, and got out of bed, mind reeling. It was still pitch black outside. She gasped for air, biting her hand to gain control of herself.
The tears came fast and her body shook with grief.
She couldn’t take this anymore. She grabbed her keys and ran out of her bedroom.
By Jules
(2/10)
M
A/N: Thanks for great feedback. It definitely helps me write. Much appreciated. Enjoy the next!
Synopsis: An exploration of Cuddy’s side of House’s recovery and hallucinations.
* * *
Chapter 2
* * *
“You didn’t tell them,” he said without preamble.
Cuddy stood back and let him enter her office. She needed a moment to gather herself before she went into battle with him. She was sorely out of practice and didn’t want him to see her disappointment. She shut the door and went behind her desk, distancing herself from him. “Wilson and I discussed it. We thought it best to leave that to your discretion.”
House grimaced and stalked towards her, the limp in his leg heavy and slightly more pronounced. Cuddy couldn’t help but watch him; she had so many questions. How was he managing the pain? How did he feel? Did he still want her? “They’re suspicious. Regardless of your and Wilson’s well-meaning lie of omission, they don’t trust me anymore.”
“What did you expect?” Cuddy played the defensive and steeled herself. “You’ve been gone for three months. Things have changed.”
“You put Foreman in charge,” he accused, spitting out his name like rusty nails.
Cuddy stood up again, unable to play behind the desk anymore. “No, I asked Chase and Cameron to come back. The three of them worked as a team.”
House rolled his eyes. “An idiotic move on your part.”
Cuddy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She hated how everything he said affected her. And now, seeing him again after their most vulnerable moment, his ability to hurt her was magnified. Every word and jab out of his mouth painful. “It saved the department and your job, House. You should be thanking them.”
“Why do that when I have Joan of Arc hot and bothered right in front of me?” His eyes shot through her causing little deaths around her heart.
She countered the desk and invaded his space. “You have no idea what I did for you.”
They stared at each other, the heat from their argument spreading like a wildfire, magnetic and dangerous.
His voice lowered an octave, and he spoke quickly and sharply. “I’m sure you have a laundry list folded neatly in your panty hose. Wanna show me?”
“God, you’re still an ass.”
House scoffed and turned on his heel. “Missed you too, you evil witch.”
* * *
“I think I made a mistake.”
“What did House do?” Wilson put down his pen, turning his focus towards his distressed boss.
Cuddy shrugged and plopped down in the chair across from him. “Nothing. He came into my office, challenged me, insulted me, and then left.”
Wilson rippled air through his lips. “At least he’s back to some semblance of normal? Cuddy, the hallucinations are gone, but House is the same man he always was.”
“It’s not that, Wilson. I just thought there would be-I don’t know-some acknowledgement,” she admitted quietly.
“Lisa, he couldn’t talk about you. Every time I would bring it up, ask-”
“Meddle?” Cuddy grinned knowingly at him.
“Inquire about what happened, what he thought happened, he’d shut down.”
Cuddy slumped forward, her eyes downcast. “That’s so unfair.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” She smiled tightly at him. “I have to go. Meeting with the building manager.”
* * *
Cuddy never made it to the meeting. As soon as she left Wilson’s office, the ER was flooded with the worst wreck I-95 had seen in years. She paged every department as the victims flooded the hallways.
The paramedic reeled off, “Young woman, 25, BP 90 over 60. She has a gash across her frontal lobe and has been unconscious for approximately twenty-two minutes-”
Cuddy made a fast beeline to her, assessing the situation, “We don’t have a place to put her down here, but-”
“We’ll take her up to ICU.” House was beside Cuddy, focused on the patient. “Unit 2 and 3 are available. Send up the worst cases.”
She nodded, meeting his eyes briefly in thanks.
The afternoon was difficult as it went into the evening. Cuddy was forced to send the minor cases to Princeton General, and three people had died before 6 P.M.
But House and his team were brilliant-seven critically injured stable and saved.
The day was over and they wheeled House’s last patient to surgery. 8:55 P.M.
Cuddy spotted him leaving Unit 2. He sat on a bench and hunched over his legs. One by one, his team followed him out. The buzz had already reached the nurse’s station-House was back and a hero.
As Taub touched his shoulder in acknowledgment, House looked up and caught her eyes. She nodded and a slow, tired smile spread across his face. Indeed, he was back.
* * *
9:15 P.M. They walked out side by side, the early tension vanquished by the fragility and reality of human life.
“Thanks for staying. I know today hasn’t been easy-”
“Didn’t have much choice, did I?” House shook his head. Cuddy nodded; she knew exactly why he did what he did-so he could come back tomorrow, and the day after that and do so with pride.
“No, but you did good work. Your team knows it too.” Cuddy stopped at the glass doors. “Can we go somewhere and talk? TJ’s, around the corner is-”
House bristled, not meeting her eyes, “Tempting. But I have a date with a hooker and her girlfriend this evening, so I’ll pass on patty cakes and schnapps and scintillating soul searching conversation.”
His eyes didn’t match his biting words, but Cuddy accepted it and pushed through the doors with him. She didn’t know what she expected. She knotted her fist, bothered and tense.
In the middle of the parking lot, she stopped and called out to him before he could escape, “How real were they?”
House looked away. He clearly didn’t want to talk about the hallucinations.
“House,” she implored him.
House closed his eyes. “As real as you and me standing right here.”
When he opened his eyes, Cuddy froze. His eyes were sadder than the day he left.
Quietly, she whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t see it.”
Her meaning double-edged, striking them both. House exhaled, “Me too.”
Quickly, he got on his motorcycle and road away.
* * *
2:55 A.M.
She fumbled for the phone and put it to her ear. Groggily she answered, “Hello?”
“Do you believe in outer body experiences?” His voice was low but he was clearly wide-awake.
Cuddy looked at her clock and rolled back on her pillow. She groaned, “It’s 3 A.M., House.”
“Can’t sleep.”
She knew about that. She hadn’t slept well since the day he left. “Bad dream?” She ventured.
“Amber.”
Cuddy sat up and turned on the light. “House, are you-”
“No, I’m not seeing her anymore. But when I close my eyes….”
“You dream.” She leaned back against the headboard. Silence passed between them.
“Yeah,” he admitted.
“Dreams are normal. You’re not crazy.”
House chuckled, “She says with absolute confidence.”
“You’re not. I’ve dreamt….” She caught herself.
“Yeah.” His voice was softer, like whiskey-coated honey. Tentatively, he said, “The lesbians cancelled, so if you want to…”
“I’m not coming over tonight.” She said sharply yet grinned despite herself.
The quiet passed between them, and she curled into the phone, listening to him breathe.
Just as she was nodding off, he suggested, “We could go out.”
“House.” His named rolled off her tongue, husky and seductive.
“I’ll pick you up. We’ll drive to Atlantic City and back.”
“I take it back. You are crazy.”
“Twenty minutes.”
She shook her head. “Goodnight, House.”
She hung up the phone and fell back on her pillow, a satisfied grin on her face.
* * *
She felt the cool air first. Then, she realized that her covers were gone. She sat up and nearly screamed. He laughed and shielded himself from her beating hands. “What? I told you I was coming. You didn’t believe me?” He said teasingly.
“It’s a first.” She stared at him in the darkness, her heart racing as she remembered her dreams.
“Oh ye of little faith.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“I’m in my pajamas.” She pulled back on his hand.
House smiled lecherously, “Yes, you are. Come on Cuddy, before the sun comes up.”
“At least let me put my shoes on.”
They rode through the winding streets of her neighborhood on his bike, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist and her face nestled into his back.
When the engine stopped, she jumped, realizing she had fallen asleep. As he parked the bike, she looked around them, trying to gain her bearings.
“I thought we were going to Atlantic City.” She could see the skyline of New York City. His hands slid around her waist, and he leaned into her ear.
“So I lied. I just wanted to see you.”
“House,” she whimpered as he lips found her neck.
“Shh….” His hands covered her like a warm blanket. “Let me undress you.”
His hands slid into her pajama bottoms and her neck fell back against him. Both hands cupped her mound, and she cried out as he began to touch her, awakening sensations that had been dormant for years.
They fell to the ground, a soft surface she couldn’t identify, and he touched her teasingly.
“House, I don’t want to wait. Please.” She begged him as he touched her feather light, driving her crazy. She sighed, her orgasm coming without permission. She thrashed and rolled against him.
Suddenly, he pulled back. “We have to wait.”
“What? No, I want you.” She grabbed at him, but she couldn’t reach him.
“Then you have to tell me.”
Her eyes flew open. Her body was hot, wet, and shaking. She pushed the covers back, and got out of bed, mind reeling. It was still pitch black outside. She gasped for air, biting her hand to gain control of herself.
The tears came fast and her body shook with grief.
She couldn’t take this anymore. She grabbed her keys and ran out of her bedroom.