Foreman was standing beside the whiteboard in House’s office that same morning. Taub and Thirteen are both throwing possible diagnosis to him but not even one fits the patient’s condition. Chase came in with an LP result which came back negative.
Foreman: It’s not meningitis…
Chase: Obviously since LP was negative…
Foreman: Taub and Remy, get back to his apartment. Take anything if you think that would explain his symptoms. This could be Legionellosis.
Chase: You think this guy has the same condition you had four years ago?
Foreman: Damn it! Just do it!
The three of them had their eyes narrowed the moment Foreman hit the whiteboard. They had never seen him this way, not even Chase. Knowing it’ll make things easier, Taub and Chase decided to be the ones who’ll look for those stuff that would lead them to their final diagnosis. The moment the men went out, Foreman avoided Thirteen’s gaze sa pamamagitan ng Pagsulat down “LP-negative” on the board as his girlfriend stood up behind him.
Thirteen: I know you’ve been stressed and Cuddy’s expectation is pressing on you, but you don’t have to shout at them, at us like we’re just a bundle of toys you hate after playing.
Foreman: Remy, not this time…
Thirteen: I don’t know what’s going on in your head but don’t put it on us.
Foreman stopped and had his hand stayed on the board. He wanted to tell Thirteen about what he just learned, the truth where House really is but he’s afraid of what might be the consequences of doing so. Even if Thirteen’s his girlfriend, things would surely be different the moment she learned that painful thought too. For him, it’s enough that it’s just him who’s mess up because of the idea that House is ill and have this huge chance of not being able to practice medicine again than tell her and have the department into a bigger breakdown.
Thirteen: Whatever it is, it’s making you act like House… And I hate it…
Foreman didn’t turn around but he’s certain Thirteen was crying since sniffles were filling the air this time. The moment he heard the door close, he couldn’t believe that it’s not just the department that’s affected with House’s absence, it’s also HIS own self and his own relationship coming to breakdown as worst.

Back in Mayfield, House went out from the bathroom almost limping. Cuddy looked at him as he took the empty puwang on the edge of his kama where he began rubbing his thigh muscle. His heavy breaths told her enough, he’s back in pain. House saw the fear in her eyes so after his first glance, he tried to hide his pain and his stares from her.
House: Relax… I’m okay…
Cuddy rolled her eyes and sighed.
Cuddy: You think I’m feeling better just because you say you’re okay?
House: Is it wrong to tell you the truth now?
House made a quick glance at her and he saw how Cuddy was pissed off with his stubborn and arrogant voice. She had her fingers rolling on her temple before landing them on both sides of her hips.
Cuddy: You call it truth?!
House sighed as he was holding his temper but Cuddy’s own pissed mood is pissing him too. Blue eyes landing on grey ones, one thing is similar, one wanted to be the “boss” in this moment, too bad, the other feels the same way.
House: I call it truth because it is true…
Cuddy: No, you call it true because you wanted to hide the lies beneath it.
There was a moment of silence that was brought out. He knows she’s right but god, if only she knows he’d rather say he’s fine than to admit he’s in pain and see her with fear because he’s heading to a bigger breakdown.
Cuddy: I’ll go call Rick again…
House: Damn it, NO!
Cuddy: What the hell do you want?!
House: I want you to shut up about this!
Cuddy: Shut up? --- You’d rather see me uneasy with the site of you in pain?!
The argument was growing stronger and madami verbally violent. She moved closer to him and there he was now standing tall in front of her as both of them held furious eyes. The tension was that strong that not even one of them noticed that Wilson’s now standing sa pamamagitan ng the doorway hearing every word they say while watching them fight out like husband and wife.
House: Then don’t look at me!
Cuddy: Oh, you think I could do that? ---- Caring while not looking at you?!
House: Bullshit! Then don’t care!
The smut that came out from his mouth made Wilson look at him with wider eyes this time. House could see Cuddy’s eyes starting to be filled with tears. He wished he could turn back time at least ten minutos ago. But he can’t, the words were already ranted out. He wanted to come near her or just pull her closer and go for a hug, shielding her from pain but damn it, it was he who caused the pain. Cuddy lifted a hand and wiped her eyes in a quick manner.
House: <sighed and the line’s calmly said> Listen… Li ---
Cuddy: For once in your life, would you accept that you have this sense of vulnerability like everybody else? --- Get down from your pedestal and get help… and don’t worry, I am not there to care for you…
House sighed and watched silently as Cuddy made her way out of his room with tears flowing down from her eyes. He felt so stupid for doing it to her, for making her cry, for making the pag-ibig of his life cry to be exact, but things had been done. She’s now there walking out and he’s left with his friend who apparently was stunned sa pamamagitan ng what had just happened.
Wilson: You know what’s you’re problem? You don’t know how to take care of a good woman…
He was about to slid open the door and run after Cuddy but House began to stop him with his words.
House: Turns out we’re the same…
Wilson faced him.
House: I know you pag-ibig her… but why did you let her feel that way?
Wilson: Yah, pretty stupid isn’t it? But what I feel so stupid about is the idea that I let you win her and just stand here do nothing while you treat her like crap. Cuddy’s tired of being insulted sa pamamagitan ng your limp. Sometimes, I think, it’s not your leg that’s responsible why you’re a jerk. --- You are a jerk yourself. ---- I mean it House, you don’t know how to take care of a good woman… I don’t even think you deserve one…
Wilson walked out and heavily slid close the door. The moment he’s alone, House held his thigh muscle again before realizing Cuddy might actually walked out from his life. He’s afraid of the thought. He doesn’t want to lose her, he wanted her. Out of his anger to himself, he lifted his hand and made a fist before punching hard on the cement pader leaving his hand almost unusable.

Later that evening, almost midnight, Wilson found himself slouched on a couch. Cuddy’s couch. He was apparently in her house and she was there lying susunod to him, with head on his chest and her body’s straight across the furniture. He, on the other hand, had both his feet on the floor with his left hand holding her shoulder. There was silence between them but even if Cuddy’s not saying anything, Wilson knows how much pain the woman’s into. Only the ticking of the clock and her sniffles fills the air at that moment, no words is needed but a genuine comfort at its fullest.
Wilson hated House for blabbing smuts to the woman he secretly loves and giving her this care is the only way he thinks he could make her feel a little better. He slowly lifted his hand to caress her hair but stopped in midway. The gesture he have in mind might give Cuddy a clue on what is going on in his heart, which he doesn’t want to happen, no, not in times like these. Suddenly, reality struck Cuddy. She shouldn’t be lying susunod to Wilson. She’s his boss and thinking about it so much makes her embarrass and even if House isn’t there, she thought how unfair this scenario would be for him. She lifted herself and sat down a few inches away from the oncologist while wiping the tears that had fallen.
Cuddy: I’m sorry… I shouldn’t be…
Wilson: It’s okay… I understand…
Cuddy sighed before getting some Kleenex for herself.
Cuddy: I guess, those tears are just the results of my overreaction…
Wilson: <smiled> No… Those were normal tears that should have fallen years back whenever he bumped into you… --- A girlfriend who happened to have a fight with a boyfriend might really cry and you’re not spare from that…
Cuddy: I am not his girlfriend…
Wilson: <stammered> What are you talking about? --- You guys are in a relationship, I saw you holding hands and Pitt’s observation isn’t far from what I have in mind…
Cuddy: I just acted one because I thought it could help him… but it didn’t.
Wilson: Is that your way of saying you’re breaking up with him?
Cuddy: There’s nothing to break because there’s nothing built…
Wilson: Don’t jump just like that… Don’t say that either…
Cuddy: If he doesn’t want me to care, why bother thinking there’s a relationship in the first place?
Wilson: No, no, no… You’re taking it on the wrong paw… He doesn’t mean it. Get loose on that idea.
Cuddy stood up and Wilson eyed her movements. As she walked to the kitchen, he suddenly asked himself, why does he bother to cover House’s asno again? Why can’t he just let Cuddy feel that way and hate his friend? He can now be superman, he can be the man for her while leaving House learn his own lesson. But no, he won’t do it. He can do it, he just don’t want to do it. Betrayal is something he can’t do, not to House.
Cuddy went back with a water glass at hand and leaned on the pader nearest to the living room doorway.
Cuddy: I’m leaving for Michigan…
Wilson: What? --- You can’t ---- Does House knew?
Cuddy: Does it matter if he knows or not?
Wilson: He has too…
Cuddy swallowed and took the spare chair beside her.
Cuddy: I have made up my mind… I am taking my daughter with me… I need time… I need space…
Wilson: That argument fits if you’re an astronaut but you’re not… You can’t leave him hanging in midair like that…
Cuddy: He’s House, he can ilipat on with or without me…
Wilson: You know he can’t…
He saw strong foundation on Cuddy’s argument and he knows, he can’t just win over her in a click.
Cuddy: Again, if he doesn’t want me to care, why bother doing so?