Both finished reading the letters and both were really surprised by how powerful letters could be. The silence of the room was broken by Allison’s sobs, which got House’s attention and moved his eyes from the letter to Allison who was folding the letter carefully while trying to calm herself. House kept looking at her until she took notice of his glance and also looked at him.

“Did you really mean everything you wrote in this letter?” House whispered and Allison nodded. “Come here” Allison stood up and approached him with caution. “Closer” And House made Allison sat on his good leg. “See, I’ve made you cry again” House said as he dried her tears with his thumbs while caressing her cheeks softly. “How can you…” But Allison put a finger on his lips to make him quiet.

“I forgive you” Allison said as she started to stroke his stubble and House smiled. “Promise me something”

“What?” House said

“Promise me you’d never think again you’ll hurt me because I know you won’t”

“I’ll try my best” House said with a little smile. “Promise me something too” Allison nodded. “Never leave me again”

“I promise” With that, House took her chin and approached it until their lips touched. At first, their kiss was soft, slow, tender but then became passionate revealing all the love they had kept locked inside their hearts for such a long time. After their first real love kiss, their foreheads kept touching and both enjoyed their closeness.

“I love you” House whispered slowly which made Allison grin

“I love you too” And both kissed again

“Cured?” House asked

“I think I’ll need lots of doses to get cured, Dr. House” Allison said smirking

“Thank God, you’re in good hands” House said putting a strand of her hair behind her ear. “But I think I don’t wanna cure your addiction”

“You don’t?”

“Nope, I don’t think I could it cure. This addiction, you know, is that powerful that it’s gotten into me too and I want to experience it every morning, afternoon and night for as long as it takes and I’m afraid I don’t want anybody to cure us either. I’m that selfish” House said and Allison laughed

“You’re such a romantic, you know?”

“Well, you better have that beautiful mouth shut. I have a reputation to keep” House said smirking

“Don’t worry, I’m lucky to be the only one who knows this Greg House” And both remained hugging each other for a while

In the meantime, Elle was outside her office sitting on the floor surrounded by folders.

“Hey, I like your new office” Wilson said as she approached her

“Hey James!” Elle saluted him

“What’s going on with your office?” Wilson said

“Well, two of my patients needed to solve some issues in private”

“Oh, and how long have they been there?”

“Around 20 minutes”

“I don’t hear a thing, maybe something wrong has happened”

“Relax, it’s all fine. I’ll be worried if I heard each other yelling”

“Oh! You mind if I keep you company?”

“Not at all” Elle said as she cleared some folders out of his way and Wilson went to sit down next to her. “I thought you were already at home”

“Was doing the same thing you were doing”

“Oh, boring!” Elle said as she closed all the files and focused on Wilson. “So, how are you?”

“I’m fine”

“James, remember who you’re talking to”

“I’m worried about House”

“Don’t be, he’s fine, everything will be alright in NYC, you’ll see” Wilson looked at her. “Look, he’s giving another try. He knows there are risks but for once, he hopes for a good outcome”

“No, no, I’m not worried about that. I mean, I am and I hope everything goes alright but I feel there’s something else”

“Something else?” Elle said trying her best not to hint that there was actually something cooking up in her office

“He’s not telling me something, he’s hiding me something… again”

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve asked how you are and you start talking about Greg. I wanna know about you” Elle said and Wilson turned serious.

“I’m scared”

“Of what?”

“I’m scared of leaving. I have the feeling that if I leave that house, she’ll be gone for good. I’m surrounded by her things. Even she’s not here, her clothes, her shoes, her papers, it’s all Amber, she’s still with me. If I leave, I’m gonna be alone again”

“You have to let go, James” Elle said softly. “The fact you’re leaving that house, it doesn’t mean, you’re leaving Amber, it doesn’t mean you have to forget her. Staying in that house doesn’t do you any good, you know” Elle paused. “Amber wouldn’t like to see you this way”

“I miss her”

“I know you do” Elle said taking his hand and stroked it

“She was…” Wilson said with broken voice. “…the best” And he let go a sob.

“I bet she was” Elle said as she put her arm around him and soothed him. “You’ll always have to remember her that way” Wilson nodded. “You’re not alone, James. Don’t ever say that again, ok? You have Greg, Allison, Lisa, my husband and me. You’re far from alone. We care for you and we’re here to help you” Elle took his chin. “Look at me, James. You’re young, you’re strong, you can do this. It doesn’t have to be an immediate thing but start looking for a new place, I’m sure Greg will help with that, he will, you know he’s worried about you. Go through Amber’s things, select what you wanna keep, I can help you with that if you want. Baby steps, James”

“Thank you, Elle” And Wilson hugged her tight.

“You’re welcome” Elle said hugging him back. “Now, time to see your beautiful smile. Got 3 surprises for you. Two for sure, I don’t know about the third”

“First! Licorice, help yourself” Elle said offering him the candy

“Oh!!” Wilson said smiling. “I see you still have a sweet tooth. Thank you”

“That’s today’s craving, maybe strawberry ice-cream tomorrow, how knows? These crazy hormones!” Elle said giggling

“Are you implying what I think you’re implying?”

“Well, if you think that I’m implying that I’m going to have a little me or a little Will in half a year, I think you’re pretty right” Elle said with a smile

“Oh, Elle, that’s great!! Congratulations!! How far are you?”

“Just 3 months”

“Any morning sickness?”

“Nope, knock on wood so it keeps that way. Just cravings”

“Nice, really nice. I like your surprises”

“I’m a pro” Elle said doing the sign of victory with her fingers.

“What about the 3^rd surprise?”

“Whoa, whoa!! Aren’t you impatient? Good things come to those who wait”

 In the meantime, inside Elle’s office…

“So, what now?” Cameron said

“I don’t know” House smirked

“I’d say we leave or Elle will start worrying”

“You think so?” House said

“Come on, don’t be a bad boy. She’s helped us”

“She’s not worried, she knows we’re together” House said and Cameron smirked.

“You’re right. The ones we didn’t know that we’re us”

“Well, not anymore” House said as he entwined his hand with hers. “What if we go to my place and I’ll fix you some dinner?”

“You? You said you didn’t know how to cook” Cameron said puzzled

“Ok, let me rephrase it. What if we go to my place, you cook and I’m your kitchen assistant?”

“Sounds good to me” Cameron said as she stood up “But first, we’ll have to stop at the grocery’s. I don’t think you have anything in your fridge”

“Now, I’m hurt” House said dramatically. “I have everything at home, it’s just I’m too lazy to cook something”

“Well, that’s gonna change, my dear” And both headed to the door with their hands laced.

House was that nervous while opening the envelope and letter that he even cut himself with the paper. House took a deep breath as slowly as possible in order not to get Allison’s attention and started to read.

Greg,

You’re my drug, my addiction. I’m addicted to you the same way you’re addicted to your Vicodin but this addiction is healthier than yours, although, I’m starting to have my doubts about it. I wish you could change the Vicodin for this same addiction I feel for you. I need a daily dose of you every day. Being next to you for the last 4 years was not enough to stop my craving for you, I wanted more. I wanted you morning, evening and night, all day long. At home, at the hospital, at the street. When I started to work at ER, a glimpse of you was enough to make me my day but now, I need you by my side.

With this letter, I want to show you how much you mean to me. The day we met in my interview is still very vivid in my memories, you brought me back to life that day. I thought after the death of my husband, I would never be able to love again, I was too damaged. I was wrong, very, very wrong. Despite having the image of my husband in my brain as a reminder until the day I die, you captivated me in a way that it is impossible to explain, you awoke in me feelings I’ve never experienced before, not even with Joe. I felt alive again, thank you!

It’s a fact that I’ve changed even though you still have that false image of me. I’m not looking for perfection, Greg. You only have to take a look at the outcome of what you thought it was perfect in your view. I became a widow at 25 and at 30, I’m incapable of developing a successful love relationship with whom you may classify as a Prince Charming because I have you engraved in my heart and soul. My love for you is that deep that I cannot love anybody else. I went to “rehab” by giving a try with Chase but it turned out that your face was not able to be erased from my brain and I wasn’t able to love Chase the way I love you. I know, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try some time, you get what we need. We have never tried. It’s a pity, we would have made a great couple, I have the feeling that both of us get each other. We have something that connects us. Why is it so difficult to you? Do you think that you do not deserve to be loved? I do not wanna change you, Greg House. I do not wanna make you nicer or turn you into a perfect gentleman. You are who you are and if you changed a bit, you wouldn’t be the man I felt in love with. There is something in me that tells me there is another Greg House under that cold façade you have, I would really like that one day you grant me that chance to uncover it for me so I can know it. In our terrible date, you said you were twice my age, I can’t believe you said that, you, from all the people who do not care what the others would say. Yes, I’m younger than you, so what? Age is just a damn number, what really matters is the soul and gosh, you’re a very young and rebellious soul. I love it! I don’t wanna fix you, even thought, I’d like to fix your pain, it really breaks my heart seeing you suffering, that’s the only thing I’d do and I guess you’d allow me to do it. I wanna love you, I want you to feel loved, happy, in peace. I could grant you happiness. Let me remind you, I’m not Stacey, I would never ever hurt you.

Some people would have abandoned you after all the crazy things you’ve done, after all the terrible things you’ve said, all the tears you’ve made me shed and all the hurt you caused me but I’m a good soul and very stubborn. I have never lost my faith in you, Greg. People have a vision of you that it is most of the times negative, they call you: jerk, rude, egocentric, misanthropic, acerbic and plenty other stuff but nobody has ever stopped and contemplated your good side. I have. Life has punished you plenty of times, that’s why that side is more hidden but this hidden side made me close to you. You’re intelligent, a genius, honest, very sexy, attractive, perfectionist, funny, stubborn, loyal, a fighter with a pair of amazing and sparkling blue eyes that bewitched me. You’ve made me a stronger person, a better doctor, you’ve made me grow as a person, you’ve made me love you more and more every single day by your actions, a smile, a little touch, your words, our little special moments we had.

I don’t want a cure for this addiction, I want a cure for this heart ache I have and I think that you’re the only one who can do that. I guess I have a point in favor considering that you’re one of the best diagnosticians in the world. Cure me, Dr. House! Let me love you, let me show you how worthy you are. Even damage people deserve it.

I know you may never read this letter but even one day I’ll wake up and say, let’s try a life without Greg, I just want to say that I loved you, I love you and I always will. I’ll be waiting for you

Allison

 Cameron opened the envelope and the letter delicately. She would always recognize that elegant handwriting

Allison,

Forgive me

I think these two words are the best way to start this letter to you. A friend of mine proposed me this challenge, write down everything you cannot say in front of her but what’s the purpose of all this? Maybe you’d never get the chance to read this but still, I’m writing this letter because I promised my friend. Forgive me. Forgive me for all the hurt that I’ve caused you, forgive me for all the tears you’ve shed for me and because of me, forgive me for making you feel the way you feel about me. I’m not a good person, I’m miserable and a jerk but still, you’ve fallen in love with me. What have you seen in me? I’m totally the opposite of Prince Charming but you don’t believe in fairytales, do you? Life has taught you that and I’ve learnt that too. These past weeks, this friend of mine has made me realize that I’m wasting my time. I should take what life brings me without thinking the pros and cons of everything but you know me, I’m all the time analyzing. One of the pros of life has been meeting you, Allison. This is beginning to sound kinda lame but it’s the truth. The day we met in your job interview was like a blessing to me. Two poles connected that day. Life was giving me the chance to be next to someone so amazing, intelligent, kind, sexy, a beautiful soul, let’s be honest and I’ve kept pushing you away during all these years, hurting you in ways that I shouldn’t be redeemed and still, you’re always next to me in some way or another. It hasn’t been until today that I’ve realized what a big a$$hole I’ve been and all the years that we could have been together if I hadn’t screwed up that date at Café Spiletto. I got scared, yes, Greg House is also a human and has feelings (please, don’t tell anyone). I got blocked and the best defense was a good attack. I was feeling things for you that I’ve never felt before, not even with Stacey and this constant reminder of the bad outcome that relationship had terrified me and made me act like that way. You looked so fragile afterwards, you were like you were somewhere else, I broke you and I’m sure you cried a lot that night. Forgive me one more time. Since the day we met, any other woman could replace you, even I’ve tried to deny it, thoughts like “Greg, it’s just like any other beautiful woman you’ve met” or “Stop thinking like a silly teenager who is having its first love” but you, sweet and candid Allison, bewitched me. I’ve always known there was something dark in you. You cast a spell on me and I pretty much have you under my skin. I blame myself for not having you, I think you make me a better person and despite you I don’t show it, you sooth my soul and I feel in peace. I’ve imagined plenty of times how life would be like if we were together just by reminding the great time we had at the Monster Trucks and the way we interacted. You and me in bed on a Sunday just being lazy and cuddling, you cooking for me and teaching me, you on the sofa reading and me playing the piano for you, I’d teach you how to ride the bike because I know you like it, me taking all the time in the world in showing you how much I love you…yes, I have the guts to say it written, I do love you Allison Cameron. All these possible situations are too good to me but I’ve fantasized about them. I could have had all those fantasies but it was me who did this, it was me who pushed you away and I deserve this punishment, now I have to accept that you’ve waited too long for me and that you’ve decided to move on with your life. My friend also gave me hope, I don’t know how but I got convinced and that lead me to look for things to improve my well-being, to manage my pain better, I’m tired of suffering. Part of that hope went to my heart too. I’ve lost you once when you decided to go with Chase but as soon as I found out that you two have broken up, I promised myself that I wouldn’t lose you again, that I’d do everything to have you next to me, I don’t want to miss you as much (yeah, I know I’ve negated that too and this case, in front of you) as I’ve been missing you despite you were a few floors down. As I’ve said, I’m getting old and I’m tired of being alone and tired of being the other people happy. I want to be happy, I want to make you happy but would you grant me this second chance? Now, I’m the one who’s willing to wait for you, I love you.

Greg

House and Cameron were left alone in Elle’s office. None of them said anything, none of them moved until House stood up and started to look for something.

“I could use a cup too” Cameron said already predicting what House was looking for. “But I bet she’s quitted caffeine after she’s found out she’s pregnant”

“Damn it” House cursed and sat down again. Silence was back in the room. “So, she’s gonna wait outside no matter how long until we do something, right?” House said

“I believe so” Cameron said. “You sure you didn’t know anything about this?”

“Hell no!” House protested.

“And how come?” Cameron fired back. “You’re Mr. I Know It All!!”

“Well, you also presume of the same, woman!” House protested. “Guess I’m getting old” House said aloud more to himself and Cameron smiled a bit. “Come on, go ahead. Ladies first”

“Me? No, you first”

“Still challenging, things never change” House said

“Just like old times”

“I know what’s in there” House guessed.

“I’m not the Allison Cameron you hired five years ago” Cameron said serious

“And I’m not the same Greg House you seemed to know that well” House replied in the same tone.

“Wasn’t you who said that people don’t change?” Cameron asked.

“Everybody lies” House answered back as he took off his jacket, leaving him a black shirt. Cameron couldn’t help but look at him and House smirked. “Why do you find me so appealing?”

“Why did you stop looking at me when I realized you were observing me? Are you embarrassed that I caught you?”

“Oh, stop evading the question!”

“You stop evading my question!” Cameron said. None of them had realized that they were just millimeters away from each other. “Why don’t you want to read my letter? I know you’re dying, you’re so damn curious!”

“What’s wrong with you, people? When I’m not being a gentleman, people gets pissed at me, now I’m being a gentleman and I’m offering you to be the first and there you have it! People get pissed no matter what I do” Cameron stared at him. “Or is it because you’re afraid, Dr. Cameron?”

“Are you, Dr. House?” Cameron dared back and House took both letters

“Both at the same time or is it also a problem?” House said and gave her his envelope. Their fingers lingered together for a moment and both looked at each after that brief contact. The chemistry was still very alive.

“Wait” Cameron said as House proceeded to open the envelope.

“Second thoughts already?” House protested.

“If something has to happen, good or bad, doesn’t matter, we’ll let it happen” Cameron said

“Whichever the outcome is?” House asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I can’t believe I’m accepting this. What if he has written horrendous things about me?” Cameron thought and involuntarily, Cameron nodded.

“Seriously?” House said

“Yes!” Cameron said. “God save me!!!” Cameron thought

“Ok!” House said. “Alright, here we go!” House thought

Both took a deep breath to calm their respective nerves and started to open the envelope.

“Crap!” House protested after he made himself a paper cut”

“Aw, it’s just a little bit of blood, don’t faint, I’m off-duty now” Cameron said smirking

“Shut up!” House said as the finger in his mouth to stop the bleeding” “She wasn’t that sarcastic before” House thought. “I love it”

House took a look at Cameron, he hadn’t been that close to her for…how long has it been? She looks so beautiful, oh, that familiar strawberry scent, so sweet!. Cameron felt his eyes on her and when she moved her head to look at him, he quickly moved his head to look straight to Elle. Elle was observing them all the time and couldn’t help to smile.

“Wipe that smile off” House said and Elle raised her hands in surrender. “Get to the point!”

“Ok” Elle sighed. “I’ve treating you both at the same time”

“WHAT?!” House and Cameron said at the same time

“I’m glad you also agree on that” Elle paused. “After your respective evaluations, both of you ask me to continue with the sessions, what else did you want me to do? I’m a doctor, I’m here to help, I couldn’t say no. This situation also took me by surprise, believe me!”

“You could have made me to go and see, Dr. Fleming” Cameron said

“That would mean starting fresh, you’d have to revive everything all over again, that brings back the pain. No progress at all”

“I knew it” House said with a little smile.

“What?”

“I knew there was something behind and silly me, I kept talking and talking” House protested.

“Look, Greg, she didn’t know I was treating you and you didn’t know I was treating her. I’ve never used any information you gave me in order to make you talk. I’ve always used my experiences and guesses, everything you have told me is because you’ve wanted me to tell me. I’ve always been clear on that, always nice and easy, you were the one who decided what to tell me and what not to tell me”

“So, he doesn’t know anything I said about him” Cameron said

“Now, I know why my ears have been burning…” House said

“No” Elle said with a little smile. “Look, after weeks and sleepless nights thinking about you, I’ve come to the conclusion that you needed some help, a little push. You both are denying something that’s obvious, you connect when you are together, can’t you see it? Why do you deny it? Is it wrong falling in love? Are you prejudiced? Is it because she’s younger than you? So what?” Elle said looking at House. “Is it because he’s a cripple? So what?” Elle said look at Cameron. “You both know the answers to those questions because you have told me. We all make mistakes in life but those errors shouldn’t make us stop. We’ve learnt from them but they don’t stop us. You both are doctors, you’ve both have lost patients maybe because there was an error in the diagnosis or maybe because it just had to happen sadly and still, death hasn’t stopped you from being doctors because you have assumed that it’s something that it could happen sometimes but most of the times, there’s life” House and Cameron listened carefully and every now and then both stole a glance from each other. “Experiences make us wiser, we all learn from our mistakes and try not to make them again. Taking chances have risks, yes but if we don’t take them, we’ll always be wondering what it could have happened. The fact that your previous relationships didn’t work doesn’t mean that yours won’t unless you try. Having the door open to happiness is something that cannot be wasted. If I were you, I’d take that chance” Cameron smiled. “You are both damaged people, you’ve made each other suffer and you have hurt the other more than once. Consider me a romantic, but you are the perfect characters of a true love story. There’s no deep and true love without a bit of hurt and suffering” Elle finished. Cameron looked at Elle with a look of hope in her eyes while House was looking at the floor, thinking. “Still thinking about the Stones puzzle, Greg?” Elle said and House looked at her. Suddenly, Elle stood up and searched something in the closet. “As I see the cat got your tongues and you cannot voice your feelings for each other, here you have the letters you wrote for me, the letters you wrote for each other” Elle left House’s letter in front of Cameron and Cameron’s in front of House. “I’m gonna give you some privacy, so you can talk, kiss, whatever you want. You won’t leave until you don’t resolve this, I’ll be outside keeping guard, you have no way out, don’t hate me, please. You’ll thank me for this eventually” Elle got closer to House and whispered in his ear. “You can’t always get what you want and if you try some time, you opened your heart in that letter, Greg, you get what you need, you get her” And Elle left them alone after closing the blinds of the whole office.

Thursday was finally here. Elle was in her office getting ready for THE day. She really hoped that everything she had been planning for months would work. What’s wrong with helping people? Will the plan work? What if instead of helping I make things more difficult? Am I betraying them? No, no, all signs were clear, I’m doing the right thing

“Hello!” Allison said as she entered the office breaking Elle’s inner debate

“Here we go” Elle thought. “Allison, hi, how are you?” Elle saluted with a big smile

“Fine and you? How did everything go? How’s Edward doing?” Allison asked, always nice and caring

“It went okay. Ed, well, you can imagine. My sister says he knew that it was something that it was going to happen eventually. We all had it coming but even you’re know it’s coming, you’re never ready for this kinda things” Allison nodded. “And I’m pregnant”

“Oh, Elle, that’s fantastic!!!”

In the meantime, in the other wing of the hospital, Wilson went to pay a visit to his friend.

“Hey” Wilson saluted. “Your team already left?”

“Yep and I thought you had left too”

“Nope, not today. Gotta update myself with the paperwork” House rolled his eyes. “Silly me, you don’t know what’s that”

“Yeah, whatever” House said as he switched off his computer.

“Going home then?” Wilson asked.

“I have to do some errands” House lied.

“Ok, see you tomorrow. Be punctual, don’t want to catch a traffic jam on our way to NYC” Wilson said

“Yes, mom!” House yelled as he headed to Elle’s office.

Elle and Allison kept having some small talk. Allison enjoyed the company of Elle very much. She liked her, she had become a friend outside work but something was off today.

“Um, Elle, is everything alright?” Allison said while Elle took a look at her watch. “I thought we were having a new session”

“We are. Do you work tomorrow?”

“Nope, it’s my free day”

“We’re waiting for someone and it’s running a bit late” Elle said

“Someone?” Allison said raising an eyebrow as Elle saw House approaching her door.

“Good evening. How’s my favorite shrink…? Allison turned her head when she listened that familiar voice she loved and used to hear every single day for the past 4 years. “…doing?” House finished

“Hello Greg” Elle saluted.

“I..” House managed to say, he wasn’t expecting Cameron there and he turned to leave.

“Not that fast, Mr. House” Elle said in a severe tone.

“What’s going here?” Cameron said puzzled.

“Yeah, I wonder that too. Care to explain?” House said nervous.

“Have a seat, Greg” Elle begged. “Please?” House rolled his eyes and went to have a seat next to Cameron.

House took a look at Cameron, he hadn’t been that close to her for…how long has it been? She looks so beautiful, oh, that familiar strawberry scent, so sweet!. Cameron felt his eyes on her and when she moved her head to look at him, he quickly moved his head to look straight to Elle. Elle was observing them all the time and couldn’t help to smile.

“Wipe that smile off” House said and Elle raised her hands in surrender. “Get to the point!”

House got home still thinking about what Cuddy had said. He really had to do something and if that letter could help, he was up for it. The problem was what to say and how to say it, how to put in words what he had in his mind. He was tired, they had just solved a very tough case, he needed to focus and that’s why he headed straight to the shower. Under the spray, his mind was assaulting him with questions. They are not together anymore, when did that happen? Had they already split up when she came to my office? Do I really want to do this? What if she doesn’t feel what she used to feel about me? Am I that worthy? What if she is my last chance to happiness? The shower didn’t help him much. He put his pajama pants and a plain tee and headed to the kitchen to fix himself a drink. After a few sips of the amber liquid, House took a seat and started to play the piano. Maybe music could help him how to start, he played involuntary, why couldn’t I do the same with words? Maybe I should write her a song instead of a letter. How to start? I haven’t written a letter for… how long? When was the last time? Gosh, that’s what happens when Cameron takes care of my mail. Once again, back to her. Why I keep calling her Cameron, I just call her that way at work, she’s always been Allison, my Allison. Damn it, Elle! Why did I agree to do this? He took a deep breath and went to grab some paper and a pen.

Dear Allison… “That’s crap and something I’d never say” House thought as he took another piece of paper. “Allison, “ That’s better!” House thought and continued writing

The following day, House went to Elle’s office which was nearly in the darkness except for the desk lamp. Elle was seated in her desk giving him the back and was talking on the phone and crying.

“I know, but I couldn’t wait to tell you” Elle said and then she let go a nervous smile in between as she dried her tears. “Oh, God, what a day! I don’t know if I should tell her” House was listening at the conversation. “Yep, it’s better that we do that, you’re right. How’s Violet doing? Ok, I won’t take long. Don’t burn the house” Elle let go a little giggle “I love you, bye” And she hung the phone and took a deep breath. “Come in, Greg, I can see your reflection through the window”

“Are you okay?” House said concerned. “You’re… crying”

“PMS”

“Hey, I’m the master of avoiding questions, not you”

“You got it?”

“You know I’m a stubborn person and I won’t let this go” Elle looked at him deeply. “Yes, I’ve done my homework, ma’am” House said as he took an envelope out of his inside jacket pocket

“Very well” Elle said as she was about to take the letter.

“No, no, what’s going on?” House said and Elle took a deep sigh

“I’m having a bittersweet day, Greg. Lots of things have happened today, I wanted to call you this morning and tell you to postpone our session but I couldn’t fail you” Elle paused. “Violet’s grandmother has passed away early this morning and I’ve passed the whole day trying to explain a little girl that her nana has gone to Heaven and will never see her again but that she will look after her from there from now on”

“I’m so sorry, how’s V?”

“She’s ok, she’s still too little to understand all this. Will is with her now while her parents are taking care of the whole funeral arrangements” House nodded and gave her the letter.

“Thank you, Greg” Elle said as she put the letter in one desk’s drawers and locked it.

“What are you doing?” House asked

“I’m keeping your letter”

“You’re not going to read it?”

“No”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“I am but the purpose of the exercise is not fulfilling my curiosity but helping you, taking your load off or…making that load a good thing” House was puzzled. “Come to see me on Thursday, I’m not myself today. You’ll get the answers you want. Trust me, Greg, please. It’ll be worthy”

“Ok, I’ll come on Wednesday”

“Thank you” Elle smiled

After that, both House and Elle headed to the parking lot.

“You said you had a bittersweet day. I know the bitter, what about the sweet?” House said as they walked together

“I’m pregnant” Elle announced with a smile. “Just got my blood tests results”

“Congratulations!”

“And I feel so bad because I want to announce it with a great fanfare to my whole family and I can’t. I was crying of happiness and at the same time, I feel kinda guilty. I should be mourning now and not having this silly smile in my face all the time. Deep inside, Will and I knew it but we wanted to know for sure. We want to wait a bit before breaking the news. Cuddy doesn’t know yet, we haven’t told Violet either, so I’d really appreciate that…”

“That I keep my mouth shut, I know, I get it” House finished.

“You think you’ll be able to hold yourself?”

“You know way too much about me so that turns you into a dangerous person”

“I’m lethal”

“You are and more now that your hormones will get crazy”

“True” Elle said with a big smile

“So, I think that I should keep you happy because otherwise, I’m doomed” House said as they arrived in front of Elle’s car.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it”

“I’ll see you on Thursday” House said and Elle nodded.

“Um, Greg!” Elle yelled as House headed to where his bike was. “Here’s a puzzle for you so you cannot sleep again tonight”

“How do you know I didn’t sleep tonight?” House yelled back.

“You are not going to make me believe that you wrote that letter in 5 minutes” Elle said with a knowing smile

“Shoot!”

“I take you know the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Stones, right?”

“Hell yeah!”

“Analyse the chorus…. It’s very interesting. Thanks for the letter again” Elle winked him and left

House was packing and getting ready for leaving for the day when Cuddy entered his office.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Cuddy said in a tough tone.

“Home” House said switching off his desk lamp

“It’s not even 5 o’clock! You have a case!!” Cuddy continued

“Which I already solved” House interrupted. “I’m going home!” House concluded and when he was about to leave the office, Cuddy stopped him by grabbing his arm

“What’s going on, House? You’ve requested a few days off, why?” Cuddy said seriously

“I have some long vacations pending after five years working non-stop in this hospital, I think I deserve it. Look, I’ve been nice enough to wait and solve the case first”

“You don’t do vacations”

“You know, as much as I love watching your cleavage every single day, I also don’t want to hear you yelling at me and chasing me so I can deal with running noses in the clinic. It’s not like I’m taking a sabbatical year, which I could, it’s just a few days, for God’s sake. Believe me, deep down, I know you’re thrilled not to have me around for a while.” House continued

“What if you have a new case?”

“Foreman will be in charge. Wouldn’t be the first time”

“Foreman?” Cuddy said puzzled

“Yeah! What?!”

“Well, he’s a good doctor but he’s not the same doctor you hired five years ago. His natural criteria while diagnosing… I, I don’t think he’s the most appropriate”

“Is this an excuse so I cannot leave? You’re so mean!”

“I was thinking of Dr. Cameron. She’s always bringing you good cases, she has good insights, she’s methodic, doesn’t do stupid things with the patients, can impose herself and keeps paperwork updated”

“She’s head of the ER, don’t you think she has enough with that?”

“She wouldn’t mind”

“And how do you know that?”

“It’s Cameron, House”

“No!”

“I’m your boss and I say yes!” Cuddy said defiantly

“Look, forget about the days off”

“What?? No, no, you’re leaving! Why don’t you want, Cameron? You know she’s more than capable to do it. “House looked at her deeply. “If you don’t want Cameron, I’ll talk to Wilson, he can control it from his office and if he’s got a patient, he could deal with it in your office”

“Wilson can’t”

“What? You don’t trust Wilson either? What’s wrong with you?”

“Damn it!” House said as he closed his eyes with frustration. “Wilson is coming with me. I’m going to New York to start a new treatment for my leg, that’s why I wanted those days off, satisfied?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going to try another treatment?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does!! Of course, it does, House!”

“Well, now you know” House paused. “Of course, she can do it but the ER is 24/7 and we can spend days without a case. She’s better things to do”

“Like you care about what she has do” Cuddy replied.

“I do” House thought.

“Plus, Chase will also have something to say about it and believe me, I really don’t wanna deal with an angry wombat right now” House said as he headed to the elevator.

“Chase? They are not together anymore” Cuddy said making House stop on his tracks. “Dr. Cameron is a grown up, she doesn’t need the approval of anyone to do whatever she wants to do”

“Foreman or nothing” House said turning around. Cuddy wanted House to try the new treatment and accepted. At the elevator, Cuddy’s words resounded in House’s mind over and over again “They are not together anymore”

House was in the cafeteria hoping to steal Wilson’s lunch but he was nowhere to see. As he turned to leave, he saw a little girl trying to reach for a strawberry yogurt but she was still a bit too short to grab it.

“A few more of these and you’ll get it soon, kiddo” House said as he got the yogurt for the little girl

“Thanks” said the little girl shyly but as she saw who had helped her, her face brightened. “Hello, Greg!”

“Oh, look who’s here?” House said and the little girl giggled. “I suppose you’re not alone, are you? Where’s your aunt?”

“She’s right there” Violet pointed out and House could see Elle seated in a booth having lunch while reading some files and House smirked at that.

“So, you’re again with your aunt?” House said and Violet nodded energically.

“I love staying with Aunt Elle and Uncle Will, they are good with me” Violet said “My nana Jane is a bit sick and my mom and dad come to see her on the weekend”

“And how come you don’t go and see your nana?”

“Mommy says I’m too little and that nana is asleep so she cannot see me. Is she going to be alright, isn’t she?” House didn’t know what to say and had to stop and think for a bit in order not to try to hurt the little girl.

“You know, I’m sure her doctor is gonna do everything possible so she gets better” Violet nodded.

“And you?”

“Me, what?”

“Are you still heartbroken? My aunt is helping you, isn’t it?” House smirked at the little girl, she was as brighter as her aunt. Suddenly, the little girl waved to someone with a big smile on her face and House turned to see who she was waving at.

“Do you know her, V?” House asked

“Yep, Dr. Allison is always very sweet with me, she cured me the other day and she gave me those lollipops. You know she has a whole box of cherry lollipops in her desk”

“Oh, yeah, I steal one every now and then when she can’t see me” House thought

“I like her. Do you like her?” Violet continued

“Well…I, I” Violet giggled. “What are you laughing at, kiddo?” House said.

“You were babbling” Violet said with a smile “If my aunt can’t heal you, go and ask Dr. Allison for help, she helped my aunt to heal me, I’m sure she can help you too.”

“Tell me about it” House thought

“Well, I gotta go, it was nice to see you, Greg” Violet said

“Same here” House said as the little girl headed to the table. “V, wait!” She turned and approached him while he was writing something in a napkin. “Give to your aunt, will you?”

“Sure!” Violet said and left to where her aunt was.

“What took you so long, honey? I was getting worried” Elle said as Violet took a seat again.

“I was talking to Greg” Violet said as she tried to open her yogurt.

“Greg?” Elle said

“Yep, and he asked me to give you this” Violet said and gave her the written napkin. Elle opened it and could read

Homework done (well, it’ll be tonight thx to V)

Same time tomorrow? Look at your 3 o’clock

Don’t work too much!!!

             Greg

Elle looked around herself and could see him near the exit door. House raised an eyebrow, Elle smiled and nodded. After that, House left.

“What are you smiling at, auntie?” Violet said.

“At Greg”

“Why? What does the napkin say?”

“I’ll tell you if you tell me what you two have talked, deal?”

“Well, I asked him if he was still sick, then I waved at Dr. Allison and he asked me if I knew her. I told him yes and that she helped you to heal me the other day. I told him that if you can’t heal me, you can ask Dr. Allison’s help to heal him” Elle smiled at the little girl. “Greg will get better soon, won’t he?”

“I’m certain he will and all thanks to you, sweetie”

“Me?” Violet said and Elle nodded. “Cool!”

“You heard the lady” House said as he headed to the door but Wilson caught House’s arm.

“She says you know perfectly what you have to do and leaving is not what you have to do” Wilson said, House sighed and let himself go

“Is this going to be a questioning, officer? I might need to call my lawyer”

“House, why are you doing this? Can’t we just talk without playing any game of yours? We’re friends, I tell you everything if you haven’t found what’s going on with me first but when it comes to you, I’m sorry I don’t have this great skill you have. I know you care about me, that’s why you’re so nosy and you are all the time controlling but what about you? Why are you seeing Elle? Is there something wrong? Tell me, damn it! I can help you” House was piercing him with his aquamarine eyes. After a few moments of silence, he went to sit down at the sofa.

“I’m his patient, no, nothing is wrong with me, yes, she’s helping me, is that enough?”

“Are you actually seeing a shrink?” Wilson said shocked. “Whoa! Greg House being treated by a shrink”

“Oh, shut it!” House grunted.

“Why now?” Wilson said and House rolled his eyes. “No, no, there must be something. After all these years and everything you’ve been through, you decide this very moment to start seeing a shrink voluntarily!!! You’ve always hated shrinks! Wait, you’re in love with Elle, aren’t you?” House sighed and closed his eyes in frustration

“Now, you see why I don’t talk to you, can you stop saying nonsense, please? I’m not in love with her, you idiot. She’s happily married, I may be a jerk but I’m not a homewrecker” House paused. “She’s different, she doesn’t talk Freud and she’s original and dynamic in her sessions.”

“Original?”

“She makes good coffee” Now, it was Wilson’s turn to roll his eyes.

“When did it start?”

“Does it matter?” Wilson shrugged.

“And how is it going?”

“I cannot continue this way”

“What are you talking about?”

“Elle’s awaken a hope that I didn’t know I still had. I’ve found a new treatment for the leg. I start it in NYC in two weeks. Elle has been helping with the tests” Wilson couldn’t believe what he was listening.

“You’re not kidding, are you?”

“Does it look like I’m kidding to you?”

“I don’t get it” Wilson said as he took a seat too. “We’ve told you thousands of times never to give up and now you wanna do it. What’s the difference?”

“Hey, you should be happy instead of recriminating me”

“No, no, I mean, it’s great that you’re giving yourself another chance but I’m trying to understand”

“There’s nothing to understand, I wanna do now and that’s it” Wilson nodded but he felt there was something behind that motivated him to take that step

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I didn’t want to give false hopes to anybody. I don’t even know if this is going to work. I don’t wanna feel as giddy as I was with the ketamine.” House paused. “I’m telling you now because Elle threatened me. If I didn’t tell you, she would and you’d get mad at me for not telling you and believe me, you’re really a burden when you’re mad” Wilson smirked.

“Alright, alright. So, all the sessions with Elle have been about that?” Wilson said pushing and House nodded. “You’re not gonna think I’m gonna believe that”

“Think what you want. Plus, it’s doctor-patient confidentiality”

“Right, like you respect that”

“No, I don’t but you do” House said standing up. “Wanna have a beer?”

“Oh, ok” Wilson said as he switched off the lights. “I can come with you to NYC, it’s better you don’t drive after the first session” House nodded as they got inside the elevator.

Dr. Scott was in her office finishing some paperwork. A week passed and not Cameron or House had contacted her. She didn’t want to start alarming herself, it was early. These things take some time but she was worried about her plan not getting the results she was expecting. Suddenly, her cell phone beeped, she read the message and smiled relieved.