The Art of Avoidence |House|

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

Damn...he had her cornered. Literally and metaphorically. "What Wilson and I talked about this morning. He said you'd changed." She'd figured he'd known that much, based on earlier comments. "I didn't think it was possible....but he was right." She was sure there was a look of utter amazement on her face as she answered.

This time, Cuddy couldn't repress a sigh-slash-eye roll. Lately, she'd found herself wondering more and more often if the comments about her ass were just a matter of House being House, or if they actually meant something. Which brought her to her next thought. She cast her eyes down slightly and worried at her lip as she thought of the kiss earlier. This was the second time he'd done it. It was the second time she'd been surprised by it. Ignoring the chihuahua comment, she raised her eyes to his. She resolved to not move until she got an answer.

"Did it mean anything? At all?" Cuddy didn't even bother to clarify. If he didn't know right off what she meant, he'd figure it out. He always did.

[Dr. Gregory House]

House nodded, "yeah, losing forty bucks must suck for you. Wilson is usually right when it comes to all things House. Our twisted, sick friendship is pretty much all he has, outside of the hospital." It had been a shock when he found out that there had been a bet on it, but... maybe it was for the better. It was something comforting, something familiar, even if it was like an old sweater that didn't fit right anymore. He would mourn this chance that he had with Cuddy, but he had let it slip through his fingers. He had changed too much to do it now.

"It means good bye," House said finally. He slipped past her and out the door.

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

She was floored. He'd known about the bet the whole time? He'd just been baiting her the whole time? She should have known...should have seen it coming. But, even after working with House for so many years, he never once failed to surprise her. Even as he left, Cuddy still stood there, slack-jawed and staring. As the clinic door swung to a stop next to her, she glanced down at her shoes. It was her fault. She'd pushed him too far....now there was no chance to get back what they'd had years ago. Keeping her head down, she retreated to her office. She was going to lock the door, hide, and cry.

'Why can't anything ever go right?'