House MD stories - Chapter 5: Chapter 5
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You were House's ex girlfriend. You had dated for 2 years and broke up when House got scared and you had to leave for a new job in England. You were the head of Psychiatry at Princeton-Plainsboro but couldn't stay after you and House broke up and a connection in a hospital in London called needing a new head of Psychiatry. It was perfect. You left and hadn't stepped foot back in New Jersey for 2 years. You were now 30. House was 45. The age difference had never been a problem before, but Wilson had said something and Cuddy had mentioned it as well and it went to his head. He got scared. He couldn't do the whole relationship thing. He couldn't do this. He couldn't do it to you. You were his whole world but he would never let you or anyone else know that. He had been brooding ever since. He was still a maniacal narcissist, the same as when you were together but he was snarkier, he was harsher. House was upset. He was hurt. He missed you. But again he would never tell you or anyone else that.
You never thought you would step back into New Jersey. You didn't want to go back there, you couldn't see him. Then you got a call from Cuddy. Long story short House had pissed off the head of Psychiatry so much that they threw a chair at House and quit. They needed a new one. Badly. They had some new investors and more money available to raise your pay. It was originally $291000 a year. It would now be $325000. That was a nice pay increase, granted the taxes would be higher, but still. Against your better judgement you accept the job and look for apartment listings and a find a cheap 2 bedroom apartment that was under a 10 minute drive from work and possibly a 20 minute walk, it was closer than your last place and was actually nicer. You were excited to go back but also dreading seeing him again.
— 2 months later —
You're all moved in and it was your first day back at Plainsboro. You were worried about seeing him. You had changed a little. You had cut your hair shorter and got curtain bangs. You had caramel highlights and got a few more tattoos. You got a few meaningful ones for your family and your childhood dog. You got a few for yourself just to feel better and some because you wanted to. You looked different but you were still you, you still felt the same.
There had been flings in the two years between you two but nothing serious. You still felt the same about House. You didn't think that feeling would ever go away. You couldn't even think what you were going to do when you saw him or he saw you.
You shake off the feeling and pick up your bag and head out. The drive to work was short and sweet. You remember the streets of New Jersey, you missed them. It felt like home.
You get to the hospital and park up before taken a few deep breaths and then walk into the hospital. You head straight to Cuddy's office. You walk in with a weary smile.
'Dr L/n. It's been a long time.' She stands up to give you a hug.
'Come one Cuddy, stop with the formalities. It's been years but I've known you for longer.' You chuckle.
She chuckles. 'How are you?'
'I'm good. It's been too long. How are things here?'
'Same as always. Busy as always. House is being an ass.'
'As always.'
She chuckles.
'How is he with this?'
'I didn't really tell him you were starting now.'
'What?' You look at her confused and angry.
'I told him you were coming back. Just not now.'
'Omg. Omg. Why? Why would you not tell him? Our break up was messy and the reason I left. There was no closure with it. We haven't spoken since we broke up. The last words I said to him were I love you, goodbye. I haven't said anything to him since. You complain about the hospital being busy, it's now about to get very busy and very messy.'
'It was difficult.'
'House is a big boy. He can deal with this. Or he could if you told him.' You pace slightly with your hand on your forehead. 'I guess I'll get to work and try to avoid him.' You turn to leave and as you reach the door you look back to her. 'This'll be fun.'
You walk out of Cuddy's office and head to yours. You're trying to keep your head down to avoid the others, you don't want House to know your back just yet. You've reached your office and about to open the door when you hear rushed footsteps coming towards you.
'You can't go into that room. It's blocked off for a reason you know.'
'Good thing I've got the key.' You turn around to see a very shocked and confused Wilson standing there. 'Hi Wilson.'
You walk into your office and leave the door open.
'Are you coming in or are you going to continue standing there like a moron?'
Wilson looks side to side and then follows you into your office and shuts the door.
'What are you doing here?'
'I work here.'
'I gathered by the lab coat, office and badge.'
'You really are observant aren't you?'
'Why?'
'Why am I here? Cuddy gave me a pay rise and I needed a change of pace. Didn't you know I was coming back?'
'Cuddy said you would be back in 2 months. House doesn't even know yet. He knows you're coming back eventually. He was slightly excited, he also looked a little nervous, an emotion that is uncommon on him. It's unsettling. Anyway, why are you here now?'
'I start now. That's why.'
'House is gonna flip.'
You look down at the boxes in your desk. 'I'm aware.'
'It's gonna be messy.'
'I'm aware.'
He places his hands on his hips. 'He was in bits after you two broke up and I had to pick up the pieces. Hes still broken. You're still broken, you told me that 4 weeks ago when you called me to tell me about this.'
'I'm aware.'
'He-'
'Wilson I'm well aware of everything. I'm still broken. I'm still stuck on him.' You sigh and look up. 'I don't want to be here. I need the money. I needed to come home. I miss New Jersey.'
'You're English.'
'You're Jewish.'
He raises an eyebrow at you.
'What? I thought we were stating facts. I've been in New Jersey since medical school. I may have grown up in England but I lived here. My whole life was here. House was my life. I had to find myself again. I did that. I dyed my hair. I got tattoos. I know who I am. I was missing home.' You sigh. 'All my friends are here. You're here. I miss you.'
'House is here.'
'I miss him.' He gives you a look. 'Don't give me that look. I don't mean like that. I miss his sarcasm and I miss working with him on cases.'
'Sure, sure.'
'It's gonna be messy, I know that. There's nothing I can do about that. Cuddy wouldn't have asked me to come back if House wasn't Ok with it. She told me he said it was fine. If this is messy it's his fault. He could have said no.'
'You could have said no.'
'I wanted to come back.'
'Why?'
'Have I not explained that already?'
'If you break him again I cannot build him back up. I cannot be responsible for the happiness of Gregory House.'
'I was responsible for it. He let me go. He broke me, but House is an unstable person so the world stops when he's miserable.'
'He's always miserable.'
'Then the world never spins. You are responsible for his happiness now.'
Wilson shakes his head. 'It's good to see you Y/n. It's been difficult without you.'
'It's good to see you too Wilson. I've missed you.' You walk round your desk and give him a hug.
He hugs you back tightly. You pat his back and pull away. You look up at him and softly smile.
'I'll see you round Wilson.' You walk back behind your desk and begin to unpack your boxes.
'I'll see you later.' He walks out and lightly closes the door.
You take a deep breath and steady yourself on your desk chair. You feel dizzy and nauseous. You were so nervous to see House now, more than you already were.
-2 weeks later-
You had managed to avoid House for the first two weeks of working back Plainsboro. You could now no longer avoid him. His current case needed a psychiatric consult. Wilson had called you in. The current patient they were dealing with had some trauma and PTSD. You were nervous to see him again. You decided it would be best to meet him before the case so that he had some time to process the fact that you were back. You were walking to a meeting in Wilson's office
-in Wilson's office-
'House, there's something I need to tell you.'
He looks at Wilson from the couch.
'There's someone else coming to this meeting today.'
'This is a meeting?'
'House. Seriously. I feel like you might have an aneurism, if I don't have one first.' He sighs and rubs his forehead. 'Y/n is back.'
House looks shocked. 'She's back in a month.'
'No she's back now. She's been back for 2 weeks. She's who I called in for the psychiatric consult in a few days. She's back as the head of psychiatry.'
'I knew that. Cuddy told me.' He looks down at his cane.
'She'll be here any minute.'
-back to you-
You reach Wilson's door and lightly knock on it.
'Come in.' You hear from inside.
You take a deep breath before you opened the door and walked in. You try your best to have a warm smile on your face. Wilson has a warm reassuring smile on his face.
'Hi.' You say softly. You haven't looked at House yet.
'Hi.'
'Hello.' House says from the couch. He has an odd expression on his face, a mixture of pain and happiness.
You look back at him and smile. 'Hi.'
'You're back early.'
'Actually I'm back on time. Cuddy misled you. I came back 2 weeks ago.'
'You've been avoiding me.'
'Would you rather me parade around your office?'
'I'd like for you to do that naked.' He winks.
'House!' Wilson says from his desk.
'What? I'm making a joke.'
'Funny as always House.' You give a breathy chuckle.
You sit down and make small awkward chit chat with the two of them for a little while before you leave. House follows you out. You tense as he walks beside you.
'So how've you been?' You ask trying to lighten the mood.
'Same as always.'
'Miserable and in pain.' You chuckle.
'You know me so well.'
'I'd be worried if I didn't.' You chuckle. You reach the elevator and House is still next to you. 'Where are you going anyway?'
'Avoiding Cuddy.'
'As always.' You chuckle. You look up at him. 'It's been a long time House.' You smile.
His lips slightly twitch. 'That is how time works.'
'As sarcastic as always. I mean it. It's good to see you.' You lightly touch his shoulder. The elevator arrives and you walk in. House doesn't follow you. He simply stands there staring at you. As the door closes you smile at him and slowly walk towards the back wall and rest your head on it. You take a deep shaky breath. It wasn't so bad.
-the day arrives-
You're sat in the conference room discussing the case with the team when House and Wilson walk in. You go quiet. You're still nervous around him and don't want to do anything to make this messy.
Cameron and Foreman continue their back and forth about their patient. Foreman still believes it's a neurological problem rather than a psychological problem. He thinks the patient is struggling. He believes that the struggle is caused by too little activity in certain areas of the brain. The patient has decreased activity in the amygdala and increased activity in the thalamus. They're not sure what's causing either.
You sit there and shake your head. 'It's a psychological problem.'
'You can't be sure.' Foreman looks at you.
'Yes I can.'
'No you can't.'
'Yes I can.'
'No you can't.' Foreman raises his voice at you.
'Yes I can Foreman. She was abused and molested for her entire childhood, if she didn't have some effects then it would still be a psychological problem, suppression. The effects of the trauma are staring to present themselves. It cannot solely be neurological.'
'It's not solely psychological.' He retorts.
You're irritated now. You stand up from the table with your hands on the desk. 'That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying they're both a symptom of the trauma. They were suppressed for so long and suddenly something made them emerge again. Something caused that. You're viewing them as isolated issues when they're not. They're entirely related, they're both symptoms of the bigger picture.' You sigh and look down.
'Wow.' House says from the corner.
You look at him and glare. 'Do another brain scan, check activity in other areas. If the activity is even lower by .1% let me know.' You leave the conference room.
You're walking away when you here a pair of footsteps following you. You shake your head and continue walking to the elevator. You reach the elevator and press the button.
'That was intense.'
'Yes. Yes it was.' You keep looking at the wall.
'What was that about? Feeling a little frustrated.' He smirks.
'Oh shove off House. Why'd you even follow me? Just to be an ass?' You finally look at him.
'You interest me.'
'Don't do that.'
'Do what?'
'Your interest in me is how we ended up where we were. We can't do that again.'
'Can't we?'
'No.' You look at him. You look deep into his eyes and see a slight shine of sincerity in his eyes.
'You cut your hair.'
'I dyed it too. What's your point?'
'You're different.'
'Like you said House, people don't change. I look different on the outside. I wanted to feel better. I did things to feel better. Nothing stuck. It's a temporary fix.' You look back to the elevator and walk in as the doors open.
You walk in and face him but look at the floor. He still has the power to make you feel so small. House is left staring at the doors of the elevator again. He turns away from the door and shakes his head. He looks up to see Wilson standing there with a disappointed look on his face.
Wilson looks at him and turns away towards his office. House follows him. Wilson shuts the door to his office but before it shuts he put his cane in the way.
'Don't give me that look. Why did you give me that look? I didn't even do anything.'
'You know what you're doing.' Wilson sits at his desk and looks up at him leaning in his chair.
'I do nothing without reason.'
'Yet you had no reason to do what you did.'
'What did I do?'
'You flirted with her. You followed her. She's not your girlfriend anymore. She's not yours to follow. You can't mess with her House, it will make it worse for both of you.'
'It's just a little fun. I'm bored.'
'This different. There are things at stake. There are people at stake, people's feelings at stake.'
'I am people.'
'You have no feelings. You know I didn't mean you.'
House looks down.
'You know I'm right. You build her back up and you'll break her all over again. Despite how much you hide it, I know that that will break you again as well. So don't even go there.' Wilson frowns at him and crosses his arms at him.
House looks at him and doesn't say anything as he walks out. He heads back to his office. His head is busy. It's full of thoughts, as usual. It's full of you, which is slightly less usual as of lately. House doesn't like thinking of you, he used to. Thinking about you used to make him happy. Thinking about you now, only brings back pain. It brings back the look on your face. The look on your face when he left. The look on your face on your last day. The look on your face as you left the hospital and walked through those doors for the last time, well what he thought would be the last time.
Now that you're back he's not sure what to do. He doesn't remember what it was like before you dated. He doesn't know how to act around you anymore. He wants to keep his distance but he can't. Like he said, you interest him. You drew him just by being you. He can't avoid you. He wants to but he just can't.
—
You're sat in your office still trying to cool down when there's a knock at the door. It's light and subtle, you almost thought you imagined it. That's until you heard it again.
'Come in?' You call slightly confused.
You're even more confused when you see who was on the end of the knock.
'Hello.'
'Hello House.' You say softly.
'Hello.'
'Are we just going to go back and forth until you get to the issue?' You lean your chin on your hand.
'There's no issue.'
'House you are an issue. What's wrong? You're never this unsure.'
He looks down.
You sigh. 'Sit.'
He looks at you.
'Sit down House.'
He looks a little shocked by your stern tone but does as instructed.
'We need to talk about this. There needs to be boundaries and rules. If we continue the way we're going eventually it will all blow up in our faces. This doesn't have to be messier than it needs to be.'
He nods slowly. The room falls silent.
'What are you thinking? I can see the steam coming out of your ears as the cogs turn.'
'Nothing.' He shrugs.
'You never think nothing. Your head is always full of something. You're always thinking about something. You never stop, ever. We both know that Greg.'
He looks you in the eye, a slight tint of pain at the use of his name.
You look down. 'This isn't just difficult for you. I'm not exactly ready to see you every day again but that's the cards we were dealt.'
'2 years and you're still not over me. Wow I really did leave an impression.' He chuckles. 'And when did you get so philosophical?'
You chuckle at him and look up. 'I'm not being philosophical, I'm being realistic. Everything doesn't happen for a reason, but it happens. It just does. There's nothing I can do about it. I might as well accept it. I didn't want us to-' You stop and look down again. 'Life happens. Things change. People don't. We can at least try to make this easy.' You look back up at him with slightly glossy eyes.
His expression falls. There is little emotion in his face. You're not sure what he's thinking. You can never tell what he's thinking but this is worse. His face is blank. His eyes aren't just icy in colour they're making you freeze. There's nothing behind them.
You chuckle. 'You can stare at me all you want. You can try and freeze me out and make me crack. It won't work on me. You should know that House. I don't fold.'
'You bend though.' He lightly smirks again.
You shake your head and throw a pen at him. 'Stop it. None of that. Not without any alcohol involved.'
'If I knew all it was alcohol don't you think I would have made a move ages ago.'
'We both know you might think you're tough and brave but you're actually just scared of rejection.' You smirk at him. 'We also both know that if I had never made a move at that work party we would have never happened and I most likely would have never left.' You chuckle slightly but look down.
He also looks down again.
'This doesn't need to be bad. We can be friends. Being friends is good. It can be simple. We can be civil for work purposes. We can ignore each other if you want but it will achieve nothing. Ignoring the issue won't make it go away.'
'I thought I was the issue.'
'You are. But that's a whole separate issue.' You chuckle. 'I want to be friends again House. It was simple before. It can be simple again.' You smile at him and try to find his eyes which are glued to the bottom of your desk. 'Hey, come on. You can't say you didn't like when we were friends.'
He huffs and looks up with a very weak smile.
Your smile widens. 'I've missed you. I miss having you in my life. I don't want what we had again. I just wanna be friends again. It's so much simpler and easier to have you in my life than it is to not.'
He nods slowly again. 'I've missed you too.'
'I know. Wilson spilled the beans already. He called to check up on me every couple months, when he could find the time that is.' You chuckle.
House face flushes very slightly and his eyes go wide. 'Oh come on House, we dated for two years. It's ok to be human. I know you're at least a little human.' You smile softly. 'I see the light pink shade your cheeks turn when you get embarrassed. There's humility in you somewhere.'
He shakes his head and stands to leave.
'House. I meant what I said.'
'So did I.' He says quietly as he leaves your office. He takes a deep breath once the door is closed and only now can he hear the pounding in his chest.
You shake your head at the door and you too now notice how much your heart is pounding against your rib cage.
-a few months later-
You've settled in nicely. It's almost as if you never left and nothing ever happened between you and House. Almost. You still get butterflies with a twang of pain when you see him. The feeling disarms you. You feel your heart pound in your chest when you make eye contact. You find yourself smiling at the thought of him and actually at him. You try and stop it every time but you might as well be a teenager again kicking your feet up in the air about a middle aged celebrity you have no chance with again. (Me)
House has accepted that you're back now. It's part of his daily routine. He sees you when he walks in late for work and your smile disarms him. His heart pounds in his chest when you're in the same room. He admires you as you help a patient or when you're really passionate about something during a case. He smiles at you. He barely ever smiles so of course Wilson has picked up on it despite his attempts to stop the smiles before anyone sees them. He's struggling with these emotions again. He doesn't know what to do with it. The emotion is building up and he feels like he's drowning in it.
It honestly wasn't as bad as you expected it to be. It was simple. It was easy. Too easy. You were trying to avoid falling back into old habits and failing miserably. House was in the same boat. The boat was slowly sinking. You were both beginning to drown in the ocean of emotions that you were feeling. You both wanted to do something about it but neither of you knew where to start.
-with House-
He was sat in Wilson's office trying to distract himself. He was trying to do something other than think about you. He was twiddling his cane, sat in the middle of Wilson's couch.
'You're bored.' Wilson says without looking up.
House looks at him. 'Well you know what Sherlock Holmes, you are unbelievable. Quite observant.'
He chuckles. 'Why don't you do something other than sit there and do nothing?'
'Nothing is still something. I'm breathing and sitting. I'm twiddling my cane and thinking.'
'What are you thinking about? You have a look in your eyes.' Wilson has a light bulb moment. 'You only look like that when you think about someone. When you think about her.'
'Her?'
'Don't play dumb House. You're still hung up on her. We all know it. I don't blame you.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'House don't get defensive. I'm not gonna make a move on your ex who you're still in love with.'
'I'm not in love with her. Why would I care if you made a move?'
'Ok then. I'll march down to her office and ask her out. Or should I kiss her? That might be too forward. I should probably take her to dinner fir-'
'Yeah. Yeah. Whatever Wilson.'
'You should talk to her. She looks at you the same way.'
House looks shocked and confused by Wilson's statement.
Wilson has been looking down the whole time during this conversation, but he doesn't need to look up to see House's face. He knows. Wilson knows House too well. Something House would like to ignore most of the time.
House sits there for a moment and ponders before he decides to go find you. He looks at the time and sees that it's 7:30. You most likely have already left but there's no harm in checking your office.
-with you-
You were trying to concentrate on your paperwork. You were not able to concentrate for the life of you. Your mind was elsewhere. You weren't really thinking. Well you were thinking, just not about work. You were hoping for it to stop. For something to happen that would make you stop thinking about him like this and stop you from drowning.
Knock. Knock
There are two slow knocks at your door. You wait for them to happen again as you're worried you might be losing it.
Knock. knock.
There it was again. You weren't imagining it. This time the knocks seem more desperate. Before you can say come in House comes into your office and stands in front of your desk with purpose, and almost slams the door behind him as well. Once you look up at him with your soft gaze and smile he melts. He forgets everything. He forgets where he is and why he's there. For a split second he forgets that you two ever broke up. For a split second he remembers how you would always look at him like that. His heart aches.
'Well hello to you too House. What can I do for you?' You cross your arms and lean back in your chair.
'I-' His words get caught.
'What cat got your tongue?'
He stands there slightly agape.
'You came in here like you had something you wanted to say and now you're silent. You're never silent. There's always a silly or sarcastic remark from you. What's wrong?' You look at him confused.
He looks at you with a blank stare and then looks at the floor.
You shake your head and stand from your desk and walk over to him. You're stood in front of him. You're extremely close. House tenses and grips his cane tightly. You slowly and carefully lift his chin so he will look at you.
'Come on Greg. What's wrong? What do you need to tell me?' You give him a warm reassuring smile.
'Don't look at me like that.'
'Like what?'
'Like I'm a warm fuzzy teddy bear.'
'You are though. Well' You rub his stubble. 'You are deep down.' You chuckle.
His eyes scan your face as if trying to burn it into his retina. 'God I missed you.' He says so quietly you almost miss it.
'House, you're worrying me now. What's the matter with you?'
'I- I- I need to tell you something.'
You lean back from him and perch on the edge of your desk with your arms folded. 'Ok. Please sit down, you look like you're going to have a heart attack.'
'I feel like my hearts going to jump out of my chest.'
You chuckle but still look worried.
'I'm still- ' He looks down.
'You're still what?'
'In love with you.' His voice trails off and that time you only hear the first and last words. Not the middle you have a feeling that was the important bit.
'House, I didn't catch that. Say it louder.'
'In love with you.'
You look a little shocked but decide to play a little game. 'One last time House.'
'I'm still in love with you Ok? You happy now?' He raises his voice at you and groans after he realised what he actually said.
'Yes. Happy.' You smirk at him.
He's looking at the floor.
'Took you long enough you idiot.'
He looks at you confused.
'I as waiting for you to make the first move. Wilson owes me $50. He said you would never do it. I said you would cave eventually because you can't live with not knowing something.' You chuckle at him.
His expression is unchanged.
'Oh right. You're waiting for a response to what you actually said.' You chuckle again. 'House, if we go down this road again: no running scared; no deciding what I want; and no more pushing me away. I will not do that again.'
He's now looking at you more confused and a little expectedly.
'You really want me to say it huh?'
He nods slowly, a little unsure of your answer.
'Of course I'm still in love with you, you idiot.' You reach for him by the lapels of his jacks and pull him in for a kiss.
You hear a surprised 'oh' from House before he stand from the chair and leans into the kiss. It's sloppy and feverish. You both needed this. It's been two years but you both know that this is all you have wanted every damn day. Your hands move from his jacket to the back of his neck to pull him in closer and deepen the kiss. His hands are grabbing at your waist tightly making you groan. You spread your legs slightly so he can stand between them and you can wrap yours around him. He pulls away only for a moment to clear your desk and lean you backwards on it. In this position you can feel him rub against you. Your hands find the buttons of his shirt and you slowly begin to undo it. You want to tease him. You want to get him going. He isn't willing to do that. He removes one hand from your waist and begins undoing his buttons as fast as he can with only one hand. He pulls back again from you so he can loose his jacket, his shirt and the T-shirt he wears underneath. You missed the sight of his chest. He's still in good shape, maybe slightly chubbier but you don't mind. You just want to touch him. Before you can reach for him again he sits you up and strips you if your top and unhooks your bra. You pull him in by his neck and whisper into the kiss:
'Someone's eager.'
The vibration against his lips make House groan. 'I haven't touched you in two years. Two years worth of agony. If I wasn't eager then I'd be asking myself if I'm actually straight.'
He leans back in and lays you down on the desk again. Chest to chest. You're both breathing heavily. Your hands are moving around him desperately. He leans further into you, his weight pinning you to the desk and you scrape your nails along his back which causes him to groan. That allows you to slip your tongue into his mouth to deepen the kiss. You begin exploring him. His tongue welcomes yours. The kiss is extremely sloppy. The wet noises that are echoing around your office are ringing in your ears.
You're thankful for Cuddy sound proofing your office after you had been moved onto the floor with some patients who had night terrors and tended to scream a lot.
House pulls away from the kiss slowly causing you to whine at the loss of contact. He leans his forehead against yours. You're both panting and you look into his eyes and begin chuckling. He begins to laugh with you. His smile is so wide it makes you blush. You bury your head into his shoulder. He smells like sweat and smoke. Not smoke like a fire, but like a good aged whiskey. It's comforting. He slowly snakes his hand behind your head and pulls you up so you're sat upright on your desk. His other arm slowly snakes round your waist and keeps you close to him in a tender hug. You move your arms to hold him under his arms with your hands on his shoulders. You missed this. You missed him. You missed his smell. You missed his touch. You missed everything. You pull back slowly and look deep into his eyes. One of your hands finds its way to the side of his face and he leans into his touch. His eyes are no longer blank. They're full of love. You're sure you look the same.
'You look the same as the day you left.' He says softly.
'And how's that?'
'Absolutely beautiful'
You're shocked by his words. House was never one for compliments much. He always thought you were beautiful he just wasn't often able to tell you that. He was never great with words. He was able to express himself through his actions. When it came to telling you he loved you or cared about you, that's where he struggled. This was new. It was different. It was good. You bite your lip before you say:
'You're not so bad yourself. You're still sporting the same ugly mug as when I left.'
He chuckles at you and leans in for a kiss. It's less hungry this time. There's more passion behind the kiss. There's more love poured into it. It's saying everything neither of you are able to say but have been wanting to for 2 years. His hands move to wrap around you and pull you close against him. You move your other hand to the side of his face to keep him close to you. You don't want to let go. You need him with you, or in you. ;)
You both pull back again and are both panting, again.
'I love you too.' You say to him with a slightly dazed smile on your face.
'I love you most.'
Again his words shock you and you immediately bring him back down for another heartfelt kiss. This time you don't ever want it to end. You link your arms behind his head and try and pull him back down to you. You try and keep him as close as possible.
You feel at home again. This is not how you expected to end up. Half naked in your office with Gregory House kissing you. It was like old times, except with more clothes. It felt normal. It felt good. You felt good. House felt good. You were both happy you were back.
You both pull back again.
'Hi.'
'Hello.' He chuckles at you.
You never thought you would step back into New Jersey. You didn't want to go back there, you couldn't see him. Then you got a call from Cuddy. Long story short House had pissed off the head of Psychiatry so much that they threw a chair at House and quit. They needed a new one. Badly. They had some new investors and more money available to raise your pay. It was originally $291000 a year. It would now be $325000. That was a nice pay increase, granted the taxes would be higher, but still. Against your better judgement you accept the job and look for apartment listings and a find a cheap 2 bedroom apartment that was under a 10 minute drive from work and possibly a 20 minute walk, it was closer than your last place and was actually nicer. You were excited to go back but also dreading seeing him again.
— 2 months later —
You're all moved in and it was your first day back at Plainsboro. You were worried about seeing him. You had changed a little. You had cut your hair shorter and got curtain bangs. You had caramel highlights and got a few more tattoos. You got a few meaningful ones for your family and your childhood dog. You got a few for yourself just to feel better and some because you wanted to. You looked different but you were still you, you still felt the same.
There had been flings in the two years between you two but nothing serious. You still felt the same about House. You didn't think that feeling would ever go away. You couldn't even think what you were going to do when you saw him or he saw you.
You shake off the feeling and pick up your bag and head out. The drive to work was short and sweet. You remember the streets of New Jersey, you missed them. It felt like home.
You get to the hospital and park up before taken a few deep breaths and then walk into the hospital. You head straight to Cuddy's office. You walk in with a weary smile.
'Dr L/n. It's been a long time.' She stands up to give you a hug.
'Come one Cuddy, stop with the formalities. It's been years but I've known you for longer.' You chuckle.
She chuckles. 'How are you?'
'I'm good. It's been too long. How are things here?'
'Same as always. Busy as always. House is being an ass.'
'As always.'
She chuckles.
'How is he with this?'
'I didn't really tell him you were starting now.'
'What?' You look at her confused and angry.
'I told him you were coming back. Just not now.'
'Omg. Omg. Why? Why would you not tell him? Our break up was messy and the reason I left. There was no closure with it. We haven't spoken since we broke up. The last words I said to him were I love you, goodbye. I haven't said anything to him since. You complain about the hospital being busy, it's now about to get very busy and very messy.'
'It was difficult.'
'House is a big boy. He can deal with this. Or he could if you told him.' You pace slightly with your hand on your forehead. 'I guess I'll get to work and try to avoid him.' You turn to leave and as you reach the door you look back to her. 'This'll be fun.'
You walk out of Cuddy's office and head to yours. You're trying to keep your head down to avoid the others, you don't want House to know your back just yet. You've reached your office and about to open the door when you hear rushed footsteps coming towards you.
'You can't go into that room. It's blocked off for a reason you know.'
'Good thing I've got the key.' You turn around to see a very shocked and confused Wilson standing there. 'Hi Wilson.'
You walk into your office and leave the door open.
'Are you coming in or are you going to continue standing there like a moron?'
Wilson looks side to side and then follows you into your office and shuts the door.
'What are you doing here?'
'I work here.'
'I gathered by the lab coat, office and badge.'
'You really are observant aren't you?'
'Why?'
'Why am I here? Cuddy gave me a pay rise and I needed a change of pace. Didn't you know I was coming back?'
'Cuddy said you would be back in 2 months. House doesn't even know yet. He knows you're coming back eventually. He was slightly excited, he also looked a little nervous, an emotion that is uncommon on him. It's unsettling. Anyway, why are you here now?'
'I start now. That's why.'
'House is gonna flip.'
You look down at the boxes in your desk. 'I'm aware.'
'It's gonna be messy.'
'I'm aware.'
He places his hands on his hips. 'He was in bits after you two broke up and I had to pick up the pieces. Hes still broken. You're still broken, you told me that 4 weeks ago when you called me to tell me about this.'
'I'm aware.'
'He-'
'Wilson I'm well aware of everything. I'm still broken. I'm still stuck on him.' You sigh and look up. 'I don't want to be here. I need the money. I needed to come home. I miss New Jersey.'
'You're English.'
'You're Jewish.'
He raises an eyebrow at you.
'What? I thought we were stating facts. I've been in New Jersey since medical school. I may have grown up in England but I lived here. My whole life was here. House was my life. I had to find myself again. I did that. I dyed my hair. I got tattoos. I know who I am. I was missing home.' You sigh. 'All my friends are here. You're here. I miss you.'
'House is here.'
'I miss him.' He gives you a look. 'Don't give me that look. I don't mean like that. I miss his sarcasm and I miss working with him on cases.'
'Sure, sure.'
'It's gonna be messy, I know that. There's nothing I can do about that. Cuddy wouldn't have asked me to come back if House wasn't Ok with it. She told me he said it was fine. If this is messy it's his fault. He could have said no.'
'You could have said no.'
'I wanted to come back.'
'Why?'
'Have I not explained that already?'
'If you break him again I cannot build him back up. I cannot be responsible for the happiness of Gregory House.'
'I was responsible for it. He let me go. He broke me, but House is an unstable person so the world stops when he's miserable.'
'He's always miserable.'
'Then the world never spins. You are responsible for his happiness now.'
Wilson shakes his head. 'It's good to see you Y/n. It's been difficult without you.'
'It's good to see you too Wilson. I've missed you.' You walk round your desk and give him a hug.
He hugs you back tightly. You pat his back and pull away. You look up at him and softly smile.
'I'll see you round Wilson.' You walk back behind your desk and begin to unpack your boxes.
'I'll see you later.' He walks out and lightly closes the door.
You take a deep breath and steady yourself on your desk chair. You feel dizzy and nauseous. You were so nervous to see House now, more than you already were.
-2 weeks later-
You had managed to avoid House for the first two weeks of working back Plainsboro. You could now no longer avoid him. His current case needed a psychiatric consult. Wilson had called you in. The current patient they were dealing with had some trauma and PTSD. You were nervous to see him again. You decided it would be best to meet him before the case so that he had some time to process the fact that you were back. You were walking to a meeting in Wilson's office
-in Wilson's office-
'House, there's something I need to tell you.'
He looks at Wilson from the couch.
'There's someone else coming to this meeting today.'
'This is a meeting?'
'House. Seriously. I feel like you might have an aneurism, if I don't have one first.' He sighs and rubs his forehead. 'Y/n is back.'
House looks shocked. 'She's back in a month.'
'No she's back now. She's been back for 2 weeks. She's who I called in for the psychiatric consult in a few days. She's back as the head of psychiatry.'
'I knew that. Cuddy told me.' He looks down at his cane.
'She'll be here any minute.'
-back to you-
You reach Wilson's door and lightly knock on it.
'Come in.' You hear from inside.
You take a deep breath before you opened the door and walked in. You try your best to have a warm smile on your face. Wilson has a warm reassuring smile on his face.
'Hi.' You say softly. You haven't looked at House yet.
'Hi.'
'Hello.' House says from the couch. He has an odd expression on his face, a mixture of pain and happiness.
You look back at him and smile. 'Hi.'
'You're back early.'
'Actually I'm back on time. Cuddy misled you. I came back 2 weeks ago.'
'You've been avoiding me.'
'Would you rather me parade around your office?'
'I'd like for you to do that naked.' He winks.
'House!' Wilson says from his desk.
'What? I'm making a joke.'
'Funny as always House.' You give a breathy chuckle.
You sit down and make small awkward chit chat with the two of them for a little while before you leave. House follows you out. You tense as he walks beside you.
'So how've you been?' You ask trying to lighten the mood.
'Same as always.'
'Miserable and in pain.' You chuckle.
'You know me so well.'
'I'd be worried if I didn't.' You chuckle. You reach the elevator and House is still next to you. 'Where are you going anyway?'
'Avoiding Cuddy.'
'As always.' You chuckle. You look up at him. 'It's been a long time House.' You smile.
His lips slightly twitch. 'That is how time works.'
'As sarcastic as always. I mean it. It's good to see you.' You lightly touch his shoulder. The elevator arrives and you walk in. House doesn't follow you. He simply stands there staring at you. As the door closes you smile at him and slowly walk towards the back wall and rest your head on it. You take a deep shaky breath. It wasn't so bad.
-the day arrives-
You're sat in the conference room discussing the case with the team when House and Wilson walk in. You go quiet. You're still nervous around him and don't want to do anything to make this messy.
Cameron and Foreman continue their back and forth about their patient. Foreman still believes it's a neurological problem rather than a psychological problem. He thinks the patient is struggling. He believes that the struggle is caused by too little activity in certain areas of the brain. The patient has decreased activity in the amygdala and increased activity in the thalamus. They're not sure what's causing either.
You sit there and shake your head. 'It's a psychological problem.'
'You can't be sure.' Foreman looks at you.
'Yes I can.'
'No you can't.'
'Yes I can.'
'No you can't.' Foreman raises his voice at you.
'Yes I can Foreman. She was abused and molested for her entire childhood, if she didn't have some effects then it would still be a psychological problem, suppression. The effects of the trauma are staring to present themselves. It cannot solely be neurological.'
'It's not solely psychological.' He retorts.
You're irritated now. You stand up from the table with your hands on the desk. 'That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying they're both a symptom of the trauma. They were suppressed for so long and suddenly something made them emerge again. Something caused that. You're viewing them as isolated issues when they're not. They're entirely related, they're both symptoms of the bigger picture.' You sigh and look down.
'Wow.' House says from the corner.
You look at him and glare. 'Do another brain scan, check activity in other areas. If the activity is even lower by .1% let me know.' You leave the conference room.
You're walking away when you here a pair of footsteps following you. You shake your head and continue walking to the elevator. You reach the elevator and press the button.
'That was intense.'
'Yes. Yes it was.' You keep looking at the wall.
'What was that about? Feeling a little frustrated.' He smirks.
'Oh shove off House. Why'd you even follow me? Just to be an ass?' You finally look at him.
'You interest me.'
'Don't do that.'
'Do what?'
'Your interest in me is how we ended up where we were. We can't do that again.'
'Can't we?'
'No.' You look at him. You look deep into his eyes and see a slight shine of sincerity in his eyes.
'You cut your hair.'
'I dyed it too. What's your point?'
'You're different.'
'Like you said House, people don't change. I look different on the outside. I wanted to feel better. I did things to feel better. Nothing stuck. It's a temporary fix.' You look back to the elevator and walk in as the doors open.
You walk in and face him but look at the floor. He still has the power to make you feel so small. House is left staring at the doors of the elevator again. He turns away from the door and shakes his head. He looks up to see Wilson standing there with a disappointed look on his face.
Wilson looks at him and turns away towards his office. House follows him. Wilson shuts the door to his office but before it shuts he put his cane in the way.
'Don't give me that look. Why did you give me that look? I didn't even do anything.'
'You know what you're doing.' Wilson sits at his desk and looks up at him leaning in his chair.
'I do nothing without reason.'
'Yet you had no reason to do what you did.'
'What did I do?'
'You flirted with her. You followed her. She's not your girlfriend anymore. She's not yours to follow. You can't mess with her House, it will make it worse for both of you.'
'It's just a little fun. I'm bored.'
'This different. There are things at stake. There are people at stake, people's feelings at stake.'
'I am people.'
'You have no feelings. You know I didn't mean you.'
House looks down.
'You know I'm right. You build her back up and you'll break her all over again. Despite how much you hide it, I know that that will break you again as well. So don't even go there.' Wilson frowns at him and crosses his arms at him.
House looks at him and doesn't say anything as he walks out. He heads back to his office. His head is busy. It's full of thoughts, as usual. It's full of you, which is slightly less usual as of lately. House doesn't like thinking of you, he used to. Thinking about you used to make him happy. Thinking about you now, only brings back pain. It brings back the look on your face. The look on your face when he left. The look on your face on your last day. The look on your face as you left the hospital and walked through those doors for the last time, well what he thought would be the last time.
Now that you're back he's not sure what to do. He doesn't remember what it was like before you dated. He doesn't know how to act around you anymore. He wants to keep his distance but he can't. Like he said, you interest him. You drew him just by being you. He can't avoid you. He wants to but he just can't.
—
You're sat in your office still trying to cool down when there's a knock at the door. It's light and subtle, you almost thought you imagined it. That's until you heard it again.
'Come in?' You call slightly confused.
You're even more confused when you see who was on the end of the knock.
'Hello.'
'Hello House.' You say softly.
'Hello.'
'Are we just going to go back and forth until you get to the issue?' You lean your chin on your hand.
'There's no issue.'
'House you are an issue. What's wrong? You're never this unsure.'
He looks down.
You sigh. 'Sit.'
He looks at you.
'Sit down House.'
He looks a little shocked by your stern tone but does as instructed.
'We need to talk about this. There needs to be boundaries and rules. If we continue the way we're going eventually it will all blow up in our faces. This doesn't have to be messier than it needs to be.'
He nods slowly. The room falls silent.
'What are you thinking? I can see the steam coming out of your ears as the cogs turn.'
'Nothing.' He shrugs.
'You never think nothing. Your head is always full of something. You're always thinking about something. You never stop, ever. We both know that Greg.'
He looks you in the eye, a slight tint of pain at the use of his name.
You look down. 'This isn't just difficult for you. I'm not exactly ready to see you every day again but that's the cards we were dealt.'
'2 years and you're still not over me. Wow I really did leave an impression.' He chuckles. 'And when did you get so philosophical?'
You chuckle at him and look up. 'I'm not being philosophical, I'm being realistic. Everything doesn't happen for a reason, but it happens. It just does. There's nothing I can do about it. I might as well accept it. I didn't want us to-' You stop and look down again. 'Life happens. Things change. People don't. We can at least try to make this easy.' You look back up at him with slightly glossy eyes.
His expression falls. There is little emotion in his face. You're not sure what he's thinking. You can never tell what he's thinking but this is worse. His face is blank. His eyes aren't just icy in colour they're making you freeze. There's nothing behind them.
You chuckle. 'You can stare at me all you want. You can try and freeze me out and make me crack. It won't work on me. You should know that House. I don't fold.'
'You bend though.' He lightly smirks again.
You shake your head and throw a pen at him. 'Stop it. None of that. Not without any alcohol involved.'
'If I knew all it was alcohol don't you think I would have made a move ages ago.'
'We both know you might think you're tough and brave but you're actually just scared of rejection.' You smirk at him. 'We also both know that if I had never made a move at that work party we would have never happened and I most likely would have never left.' You chuckle slightly but look down.
He also looks down again.
'This doesn't need to be bad. We can be friends. Being friends is good. It can be simple. We can be civil for work purposes. We can ignore each other if you want but it will achieve nothing. Ignoring the issue won't make it go away.'
'I thought I was the issue.'
'You are. But that's a whole separate issue.' You chuckle. 'I want to be friends again House. It was simple before. It can be simple again.' You smile at him and try to find his eyes which are glued to the bottom of your desk. 'Hey, come on. You can't say you didn't like when we were friends.'
He huffs and looks up with a very weak smile.
Your smile widens. 'I've missed you. I miss having you in my life. I don't want what we had again. I just wanna be friends again. It's so much simpler and easier to have you in my life than it is to not.'
He nods slowly again. 'I've missed you too.'
'I know. Wilson spilled the beans already. He called to check up on me every couple months, when he could find the time that is.' You chuckle.
House face flushes very slightly and his eyes go wide. 'Oh come on House, we dated for two years. It's ok to be human. I know you're at least a little human.' You smile softly. 'I see the light pink shade your cheeks turn when you get embarrassed. There's humility in you somewhere.'
He shakes his head and stands to leave.
'House. I meant what I said.'
'So did I.' He says quietly as he leaves your office. He takes a deep breath once the door is closed and only now can he hear the pounding in his chest.
You shake your head at the door and you too now notice how much your heart is pounding against your rib cage.
-a few months later-
You've settled in nicely. It's almost as if you never left and nothing ever happened between you and House. Almost. You still get butterflies with a twang of pain when you see him. The feeling disarms you. You feel your heart pound in your chest when you make eye contact. You find yourself smiling at the thought of him and actually at him. You try and stop it every time but you might as well be a teenager again kicking your feet up in the air about a middle aged celebrity you have no chance with again. (Me)
House has accepted that you're back now. It's part of his daily routine. He sees you when he walks in late for work and your smile disarms him. His heart pounds in his chest when you're in the same room. He admires you as you help a patient or when you're really passionate about something during a case. He smiles at you. He barely ever smiles so of course Wilson has picked up on it despite his attempts to stop the smiles before anyone sees them. He's struggling with these emotions again. He doesn't know what to do with it. The emotion is building up and he feels like he's drowning in it.
It honestly wasn't as bad as you expected it to be. It was simple. It was easy. Too easy. You were trying to avoid falling back into old habits and failing miserably. House was in the same boat. The boat was slowly sinking. You were both beginning to drown in the ocean of emotions that you were feeling. You both wanted to do something about it but neither of you knew where to start.
-with House-
He was sat in Wilson's office trying to distract himself. He was trying to do something other than think about you. He was twiddling his cane, sat in the middle of Wilson's couch.
'You're bored.' Wilson says without looking up.
House looks at him. 'Well you know what Sherlock Holmes, you are unbelievable. Quite observant.'
He chuckles. 'Why don't you do something other than sit there and do nothing?'
'Nothing is still something. I'm breathing and sitting. I'm twiddling my cane and thinking.'
'What are you thinking about? You have a look in your eyes.' Wilson has a light bulb moment. 'You only look like that when you think about someone. When you think about her.'
'Her?'
'Don't play dumb House. You're still hung up on her. We all know it. I don't blame you.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'House don't get defensive. I'm not gonna make a move on your ex who you're still in love with.'
'I'm not in love with her. Why would I care if you made a move?'
'Ok then. I'll march down to her office and ask her out. Or should I kiss her? That might be too forward. I should probably take her to dinner fir-'
'Yeah. Yeah. Whatever Wilson.'
'You should talk to her. She looks at you the same way.'
House looks shocked and confused by Wilson's statement.
Wilson has been looking down the whole time during this conversation, but he doesn't need to look up to see House's face. He knows. Wilson knows House too well. Something House would like to ignore most of the time.
House sits there for a moment and ponders before he decides to go find you. He looks at the time and sees that it's 7:30. You most likely have already left but there's no harm in checking your office.
-with you-
You were trying to concentrate on your paperwork. You were not able to concentrate for the life of you. Your mind was elsewhere. You weren't really thinking. Well you were thinking, just not about work. You were hoping for it to stop. For something to happen that would make you stop thinking about him like this and stop you from drowning.
Knock. Knock
There are two slow knocks at your door. You wait for them to happen again as you're worried you might be losing it.
Knock. knock.
There it was again. You weren't imagining it. This time the knocks seem more desperate. Before you can say come in House comes into your office and stands in front of your desk with purpose, and almost slams the door behind him as well. Once you look up at him with your soft gaze and smile he melts. He forgets everything. He forgets where he is and why he's there. For a split second he forgets that you two ever broke up. For a split second he remembers how you would always look at him like that. His heart aches.
'Well hello to you too House. What can I do for you?' You cross your arms and lean back in your chair.
'I-' His words get caught.
'What cat got your tongue?'
He stands there slightly agape.
'You came in here like you had something you wanted to say and now you're silent. You're never silent. There's always a silly or sarcastic remark from you. What's wrong?' You look at him confused.
He looks at you with a blank stare and then looks at the floor.
You shake your head and stand from your desk and walk over to him. You're stood in front of him. You're extremely close. House tenses and grips his cane tightly. You slowly and carefully lift his chin so he will look at you.
'Come on Greg. What's wrong? What do you need to tell me?' You give him a warm reassuring smile.
'Don't look at me like that.'
'Like what?'
'Like I'm a warm fuzzy teddy bear.'
'You are though. Well' You rub his stubble. 'You are deep down.' You chuckle.
His eyes scan your face as if trying to burn it into his retina. 'God I missed you.' He says so quietly you almost miss it.
'House, you're worrying me now. What's the matter with you?'
'I- I- I need to tell you something.'
You lean back from him and perch on the edge of your desk with your arms folded. 'Ok. Please sit down, you look like you're going to have a heart attack.'
'I feel like my hearts going to jump out of my chest.'
You chuckle but still look worried.
'I'm still- ' He looks down.
'You're still what?'
'In love with you.' His voice trails off and that time you only hear the first and last words. Not the middle you have a feeling that was the important bit.
'House, I didn't catch that. Say it louder.'
'In love with you.'
You look a little shocked but decide to play a little game. 'One last time House.'
'I'm still in love with you Ok? You happy now?' He raises his voice at you and groans after he realised what he actually said.
'Yes. Happy.' You smirk at him.
He's looking at the floor.
'Took you long enough you idiot.'
He looks at you confused.
'I as waiting for you to make the first move. Wilson owes me $50. He said you would never do it. I said you would cave eventually because you can't live with not knowing something.' You chuckle at him.
His expression is unchanged.
'Oh right. You're waiting for a response to what you actually said.' You chuckle again. 'House, if we go down this road again: no running scared; no deciding what I want; and no more pushing me away. I will not do that again.'
He's now looking at you more confused and a little expectedly.
'You really want me to say it huh?'
He nods slowly, a little unsure of your answer.
'Of course I'm still in love with you, you idiot.' You reach for him by the lapels of his jacks and pull him in for a kiss.
You hear a surprised 'oh' from House before he stand from the chair and leans into the kiss. It's sloppy and feverish. You both needed this. It's been two years but you both know that this is all you have wanted every damn day. Your hands move from his jacket to the back of his neck to pull him in closer and deepen the kiss. His hands are grabbing at your waist tightly making you groan. You spread your legs slightly so he can stand between them and you can wrap yours around him. He pulls away only for a moment to clear your desk and lean you backwards on it. In this position you can feel him rub against you. Your hands find the buttons of his shirt and you slowly begin to undo it. You want to tease him. You want to get him going. He isn't willing to do that. He removes one hand from your waist and begins undoing his buttons as fast as he can with only one hand. He pulls back again from you so he can loose his jacket, his shirt and the T-shirt he wears underneath. You missed the sight of his chest. He's still in good shape, maybe slightly chubbier but you don't mind. You just want to touch him. Before you can reach for him again he sits you up and strips you if your top and unhooks your bra. You pull him in by his neck and whisper into the kiss:
'Someone's eager.'
The vibration against his lips make House groan. 'I haven't touched you in two years. Two years worth of agony. If I wasn't eager then I'd be asking myself if I'm actually straight.'
He leans back in and lays you down on the desk again. Chest to chest. You're both breathing heavily. Your hands are moving around him desperately. He leans further into you, his weight pinning you to the desk and you scrape your nails along his back which causes him to groan. That allows you to slip your tongue into his mouth to deepen the kiss. You begin exploring him. His tongue welcomes yours. The kiss is extremely sloppy. The wet noises that are echoing around your office are ringing in your ears.
You're thankful for Cuddy sound proofing your office after you had been moved onto the floor with some patients who had night terrors and tended to scream a lot.
House pulls away from the kiss slowly causing you to whine at the loss of contact. He leans his forehead against yours. You're both panting and you look into his eyes and begin chuckling. He begins to laugh with you. His smile is so wide it makes you blush. You bury your head into his shoulder. He smells like sweat and smoke. Not smoke like a fire, but like a good aged whiskey. It's comforting. He slowly snakes his hand behind your head and pulls you up so you're sat upright on your desk. His other arm slowly snakes round your waist and keeps you close to him in a tender hug. You move your arms to hold him under his arms with your hands on his shoulders. You missed this. You missed him. You missed his smell. You missed his touch. You missed everything. You pull back slowly and look deep into his eyes. One of your hands finds its way to the side of his face and he leans into his touch. His eyes are no longer blank. They're full of love. You're sure you look the same.
'You look the same as the day you left.' He says softly.
'And how's that?'
'Absolutely beautiful'
You're shocked by his words. House was never one for compliments much. He always thought you were beautiful he just wasn't often able to tell you that. He was never great with words. He was able to express himself through his actions. When it came to telling you he loved you or cared about you, that's where he struggled. This was new. It was different. It was good. You bite your lip before you say:
'You're not so bad yourself. You're still sporting the same ugly mug as when I left.'
He chuckles at you and leans in for a kiss. It's less hungry this time. There's more passion behind the kiss. There's more love poured into it. It's saying everything neither of you are able to say but have been wanting to for 2 years. His hands move to wrap around you and pull you close against him. You move your other hand to the side of his face to keep him close to you. You don't want to let go. You need him with you, or in you. ;)
You both pull back again and are both panting, again.
'I love you too.' You say to him with a slightly dazed smile on your face.
'I love you most.'
Again his words shock you and you immediately bring him back down for another heartfelt kiss. This time you don't ever want it to end. You link your arms behind his head and try and pull him back down to you. You try and keep him as close as possible.
You feel at home again. This is not how you expected to end up. Half naked in your office with Gregory House kissing you. It was like old times, except with more clothes. It felt normal. It felt good. You felt good. House felt good. You were both happy you were back.
You both pull back again.
'Hi.'
'Hello.' He chuckles at you.
End of House MD stories Chapter 5. Continue reading Chapter 6 or return to House MD stories book page.