(The week had passed quickly, and news had reached the hospital that Cuddy’s mom had lost her battle against cancer. Wilson walked in on House’s differential to tell him.)

Wilson: House, can we talk?

(House knew what Wilson was going to say from the look on his face.)

House: Do the tests.

(The team all left. House walked into his office, and sat in his lounge chair-putting his leg up. Wilson followed.)

House: What happened?

Wilson: I got a call, Friday night. I drove to her house and I stayed with her until they took her mom away.

(House seemed uncomfortable, almost annoyed with himself for being so insensitive the past couple of weeks.)

House: Cuddy won’t take time off. She’ll act like nothings happened.

Wilson: That’s what I’m worried about. She needs someone to talk to her she needs you.

House: Yeah, I’m the immediate choice.

(House got up and walked out.)

--

(Cuddy returned to work, dressed in a sombre rok suit.)

(Cuddy walked into her new office, and found it filled with bunga and cards.)

Wilson: So anda decided to come in?

(Cuddy turned around and hugged Wilson. Meanwhile House was watching from outside—annoyed with himself that he couldn’t hug her.)

Cuddy: Thanks.

(Cuddy sat down at her desk. Wilson sat opposite her.)

Wilson: There was nothing anda could have done. anda knew the diagnosis.

Cuddy: I couldn’t save her. I tried to but—

Wilson: anda need to talk it out with someone.
(Cuddy looked down and then smiled.)

Cuddy: anda think I should talk to House?

(Wilson gestured to her that she should.)

--

House was in his office, it was late afternoon and he was alone. To his surprise Cuddy came to see him.

Cuddy: Hi.

(House looked up from a file he was reading, and saw a strong Cuddy standing there.)

House: Hi.

(Cuddy stood there, before House gestured she take a kursi in front of him.)

House: I’m sorry about your mom.

Cuddy: Thanks.

House: Are you, ok?

(Cuddy looked away from House throughout the conversation.)

Cuddy: Yeah.

(House watched her as she sat there holding back her tears.)

Cuddy: I had to do it.

(House sat up and furrowed his brow.)

Cuddy: I couldn’t. I couldn’t watch her like that.

House: Do what?

Cuddy: That was the whole reason for her coming out here. She wanted me to, I couldn’t say no.

(House looked down, after figuring out what she was going to say next.)

(Cuddy looked into his eyes.)

Cuddy: I sat there, and watched her until she fell asleep. I told Wilson I would use it over the weekend—

(House reached out and held her hand across the desk.)
House: anda did the right thing. anda gave her back her dignity.

Cuddy: I know. That’s why it’s hard.

(Cuddy looked up at House, and then looked at his hand caressing hers. She pulled her hand away.)

(Cuddy got up to leave, House stood up also. House walked towards her and lifted her head up.)

Cuddy: House.

(Cuddy looked up into his eyes, and she flashbacked to when they first kissed.)

House: I’m here.

Cuddy: I know.

(Cuddy smiled slightly at him, and House watched her as she left.)


To be continued.